Private - Fragment of an Annoying Memory

"This tastes like crap." Sebastian simply insulted one of Raina's favorite food places. At least... he was honest? That was positive, no? "But what to expect from something so cheap." He added before forcing himself to an obvious, but obnoxious, laugh. "It isn't even April Fools yet, Raina, is it?" He was really the worst. For once in his lifetime, he actually managed to read Raina's expression and how uncomfortable she felt. "Wha... have you been..."

Maybe this was a sort of reward? Karma? For once in her lifetime Raina has seriously tried to get along with her supposed-to. Suggesting something she liked. Something casual. A nice, but student-cheap, pizzeria place that served some of the best pizza around. And probably the best Pizza Polpette Raina had ever tasted. Just like that, Sebastian insulted 'da Toni.'

"Oh, I know! Wanted to show me a place that YOU like to make fun of for once? Hah... I guess, in light of that, this place isn't all too bad. It's dirty, these people look poor..." He did not even bother to keep his voice down. "...and the food tastes like crap. AHAHAHAHAHAHA." His obnoxious laugh continued.

Urgh. Raina could only hope, being a sort of regular here, the owners would forgive her. Not to mention nobody she actually knew showing up. That would be even worse, no? The blonde knew that the owners were confident enough to not care about some shitty rich-asshole talking badly about their place and she wasn't THAT close to them. But if worst came to worst... it was even kind of ridiculous that Sebastian only knew Raina's shy, docile, side of hers. Mainly because she hated communicating with this trash person.

@Magi Heart

 

"C'mon we are almost there! Just a bit more *giggle*."

"Haha, yeah. I didn't know you liked pizza that much?"

"I do! Especially if it lets me have lunch with my onii-chan!"

"... Going otaku again... am I right?"

"I-I'm not a otaku I just like magical girl stuff... do you even know what otaku means?!"

"You're blushing."

"You're a nerd too then, because all you do is paint! ...*Giggle*"

"Well... you got me there I guess. It's my profession. I'm happy I gave up VR gaming, it let me really improve my work. I don't even remember where I left that thing anymore. All good things pass I suppose. A good motto to live by."

"...R-Really? I don't agree! Good things can last forever if you keep working to keep it that way."

"Yeah? Depends on what you consider a good thing is I suppose."

It was a beautiful sunny day in late June. Wendy Ann Quinn Had been just starting to get into her Terrasphere adventures as the magical girl to be, Magi Heart! Today though was a very rare day. Wendy's brother was in town for awhile! He was always abroad dong one thing or another. A talented artist. He tried to sell his wares and was attending a European art school as well.

This was a rare chance to be together as siblings. Today was going to be pizza! Wendy walked hand in hand with him. Swinging her arm hard in a over dramatic fashion as she walked happily, forcing his to as well. His face was a bit blank for someone out on a nice day.

He was too busy to spend this time really. She was growing up some but he couldn't be dad. Their parents were even less around so he could only imagine how she was faring. Wendy was always a capable girl though, regardless what her 'more mature' peers may have thought.

"There it is! The pizza place! See, walking wasn't too bad. It's good for you too!"

*Ring* *Ring*

On no, what was that? Wendy watched the older teen pull out his cell and check it. A shake of his head and glance at Wendy said enough...

"...Sorry. I might have to handle this personally. Hey, here."

He handed her some money even though she always had some of her own allowance on her. Wendy was frowning anyway.

"Sorry, life haha. Hey, we'll hang out tonight. Watch some anime and tease you about being a otaku maybe alright?"

He flicked her nose with his finger and headed back the way he came. In a big hurry.

"Sigh... bye."

Wendy found herself standing in front of the restaurant waving with a bright smile. It was always important to smile. She did understand that her family had busy lives. In real life... she was nobody though. She just floated by on what they did. Terrasphere and Magi Heart were her hope to be something cool, someone that could take all that responsibility and save the day!

Or she hoped so anyway. It was a extremely hard game.

"Gee whiz... I probably shouldn't even have the game still. I need to bring it back to lost and found."

Wendy muttered as she went inside the pizza joint. The smell was great and helped lift her spirits. Then she saw someone who definitely rose her spirits! Cool beans! It was Raina! But who was that with her?

"Raina! Wowzers what are you doing here hahaha! What kind of pizza did you get? I might get the same! Who's this? ....Oh my.... um...."

She said as she headed to their table. A small urge to say 'boyfriend' with a teasing smile was there, but she couldn't bring herself to do that! Instead, she blushed at the thought and just smiled timidly at the male. Suddenly concerned that she had interrupted something important to her older friend. ​

@Seigi

​

 

"Hmm?" Curiously, the douchey male looked up to whoever dared to call Raina by her first name. The blonde, herself, was in shock of pure terror upon the realization who that voice belonged to. "...?"

Please don't. Please don't. Please don't. Raina was actually praying to whatever higher power may exist to let this be over peacefully. She tried her best to put up a though front herself. To be the energetic girl that just went ham without thinking. But this here, right now?

With part of her unpleasant family - especially with 'Seigi Ling Ling' not existing yet- what was she supposed to do? Deep within herself, the blonde knew exactly what it was, but the question was actually doing it. Raina could only hope she wouldn't have to make such a choice. Not yet.

The silence continued from all three sides until Sebastian finally continued speaking. "What does this..." He assessed Wendy before continuing in some disgust. "...peasant...want from you?"

"She's not some peasant but my friend." Raina whispered meekly. "What? I couldn't understand you." The boy simply replied. With clear intent of not letting the blonde so easy out of it or... "Whatever..." He shrugged before looking at Wendy again. "Hey, P-" - "I said: She IS my DEAR friend." Raina now spoke up, louder. She... really couldn't take it. She would not take it.

What happened to herself, didn't matter that much. But she wouldn't allow for him to disrespect her best friend like that. Never.

For a moment, Raina's boyfriend looked surprised before regaining his composure. "Aaahh! Your friend. I see." A small chuckle. "Well, I apologize for my rude behavior then." Not honest at all.

"How about you sit down with us and enjoy the food?" He motioned to an empty chair. "And properly introduce yourself, too?"

Despite Raina's small outburst just now, she went all silent again, clearly uncomfortable. Did she want Wendy to leave or aid her in this horrible date? Regardless, it was probably a rare sight for the Otaku to see Raina like that.

@Magi Heart

 

Huh? What....? Peasant? Who, Wendy? Gee whiz... that was not very nice at all! Sure, Wendy wasn't rich or anything but her parents and brother worked hard to let them all live in the nice neighborhood. Wendy always had a lot of pocket money which was why she could have sweet eating contests with Raina! ...and.... and money was not all that important anyway! Good people were good people and this person just was being pretty mean! Wendy decided to take Magi Heart to the next level!

It was time to practice her very first Magi Says! Well, it was not the first time she did something like this but this would be her first time since becoming a magical girl! Or a practicing one anyway!

Raising her finger and preparing to give a life lesson to this less than nice person. Wendy stopped with her mouth open. He was Raina's friend though, so would this upset her? No she beloved in love and justice too! Why was she so quiet right now, it wasn't like her.

Then Raina shouted awfully loud and Wendy tensed up. It also looked like the he was acting nicer now... uh, maybe? Wendy nodded and in a funny way now was sitting across from them with almost the same timid and quiet look Raina had. This guy was really... demanding.

"....Um... My name? Wendy."

Wait asking ano others name before giving your own was rude!

"What's yours? Are you... close with Raina?"

Her face blushed and she already regretted saying that. Her pink eyes falling to the pizza.

@Seigi

 

"Me?" Sebastian looked confused for a moment, looking at Raina. "Close with Raina?" He repeated her words as if reality had just slapped him hard.

Closing his eyes for a second, Sebastian gently shook his head as he whispered. "It matters not..." Before staring directly into Wendy's eyes. "I am Raina's fiancé, Sebastian Saxton." Saxton, a name nobody really needed to care about. Nonetheless, there was a family-run business going by the Saxton family that owns a small mining empire. Nothing in comparison to Raythean though.

Expecting Wendy to know exactly who he was he gave a mocking, but confident, grin. "So, Wendy. Want something to drink and eat? It's on me." Did this girl not introduce herself by full name? Nonetheless, he seemed friendly enough, huh? "If you're friends with my dear Raina, you must be a pretty important person yourself, right?" Before Wendy could answer, however, he closed his eyes once again and shook his head.

"Wendy!" The eyes of his disgusting handsome face had a slight hint of lunacy as he nearly yelled out her name all of a sudden. "You realize that to be friends with Raina, you have to be worth something. right? Are you worth it?" Was that still too indirect? He had a feeling this girl wouldn't understand. And considering Raina's silence, clearly, she didn't mind this pseudo-interrogation?

Raina indeed kept silent. So far, he hadn't overstepped again. Or rather, it took Raina quite some courage to stand up in his presence? There was no underlying Seigi to help her. Even with Wendy's presence alone giving her indeed a great boost in strength, it didn't seem to be enough yet, maybe she could handle Sebastian herself?

The Pizza Polpete seemed to turn colder and colder with each growing second.

 

"Oh cool beans! Like a butler name *giggle*! And you guys are in true love then?! Wowzers!"

Wendy's face grew really red after realizing this guy may not think that funny. Biting her lip and looking down again she wasn't sure how to respond to his are you 'worth it comment'.

Actually... it probably hit her deeper than it should have.

What was she worth to Raina? Actually, what was she worth to anyone? Her parents and brother did everything themselves. She walked Jojo... did good in school. Tried to make the school better with ideas and stuff.

It wasn't much though.

Raina was rich and was definitely someone who had a lot to deal with someday. Running a company must be really hard. Wendy was going into a video game to make herself feel 'worth it'. Not that she was doing great or anything as Magi Heart yet either. It still was a amazing experience.

"Uh.... ehhh. Well, I'm her friend. Sometimes that's what someone needs."

Of course that was it! Why did it even take so long to think of?

"Raina and me do not live the same lives but, it's important to have someone to talk to and someone who understands what you are like on the inside. For us, money and stuff isn't why we are friends. It's because we just are. In our hearts and I think everyone could become friends with anyone if they really tried. Not enough people try."

Wendy may have rattled on a bit too much about her belief system. This kind of talk was nice but was why she was considered a kid in these 'edgy' modern times. Who wanted to talk like they came out of one of those extinct Saturday morning cartoon specials these days? That wasn't below eight years old?

Well, Wendy still did. She shook her head to him offering to buy her a meal.

"Um... no no. I can help pay. It's only right. Plain Cheese Pizza would be good and if they have any milk shakes or smoothies.. I don't think they carry Skittles Smoothies here, do they?"

Raina had still said so little. It was kinda scary. Was this guy... maybe dangerous? He was her.. fiance though and that meant true love.

"S-sorry. Gee whiz, Raina are you okay? You haven't said much. You are usually more energetic... it's kinda weird when you're quiet. That's usually me."


@Seigi

 

With every passing second, it became worse. With every passing second, Sebastian could feel something boil up inside him. With each word that 'Wendy' spoke, he became more and more disgusted. Annoyed.

It was a subtle, but visible change, in his eyes. Where at first he showed genuine curiosity, albeit with a hunch of mockery, there was now only contempt.

"..." Nonetheless, Wendy actually managed to make him speechless. Maybe he just failed at actually being imposing or the girl had no tact. The male let some seconds pass before he managed to say something, anything. His face darkened.

"Get. Out."

Two words. Just two words, but they carried so much disgust that an entire sentence simply aimed to insult Wendy would have been less.

But that was exactly what he wanted to do. This was just a start. Something, so he wouldn't lose his voice. So that he could continue.

"Who the hell do you think you are? Did you hit your head or something? Maybe you're mentally retarded?"—"Stop..."—"I don't know what you did to my dear Raina that she allows a MAGGOT like"—"Please..."—" you to apparently stick around, but don't even think for a second you two are friends."—"Stop it..."—"Have you never heard anything about social hierarchy? My lovely girl would NEVER socialize with someone like you because she-"

"STOP!" Raina now shouted as she stood up in anger - knocking down the chair she sat on. With Sebastian now looking confused at the blonde, finally having gained his attention, she suddenly became a lot timider again. "Don't... say those things." Seigi nearly whispered as she closed her eyes.

Why was it so hard? It shouldn't be. Was her bond with Wendy really worth so little? No. Wendy was the bestest person that ever happened to her! Exactly.

"What's your problem, Raina? Are you seriously defending this tr-"

"Shut up!" Raina opened her eyes again and glared at Sebastian. "I can tolerate plenty of things you do. But I won't let you talk bad about my best friend like that. So, just shut up. Is it that hard to do? To just shut up? You want me to make a happy family life, tie our families closer together and make lots of babies, right? I am shutting up and accepting that. So how about you just shut up for a second?!"

Oh god, did she really just say that all out loud? But goddamn felt it good to tell him to shut up. Hopefully, Wendy didn't let his shallow words get to her.

Sebastian, on the other hand, bit his underlips full of anger as he was thinking. He had tried over and over again. He would still try. Raina wasn't completely wrong, but also not completely right. She disobeyed, yet surrendered. In fact, why even be mad? This was perfect. This was it! This had to do.

Regaining his cool, Sebastian gave Wendy a small, but actually genuine looking, bow. "I apologize for my rude behavior. Any friend of Raina's is mine, too." There was no hidden loathing in those words.

However, as he made himself comfortable on his chair again, he gave Raina a devilish smile. "Mhm, I'm so sorry, Raina-dear. It'll never happen again. I will treat Wendy with as much respect as my own blood! I made you quite upset, didn't I? But now EVERYTHING is alright, no? Since you're already thinking about OUR kids and all, how about we make up with a KISS?"

For any onlooker that might have looked weird, putting such weird phrasing and silly emphasis on a simple kiss. For people who knew they hadn't kissed before, however, it was pitiful and pathetic.

For Sebastian, this was the perfect course of action after he just gained some ground. This was an ideal situation. Right after Raina had spoken the unspeakable truth and submitted herself. Just to protect(?) this stupid looking girl? Fine by him! All he had to do was push a little harder.

@Magi Heart

 

"Get. Out."

Wendy's eyes widened with fright as Sebastian became really hostile. She gripped the seat of her chair with both hands as she found herself leaning further and further back, or at least as much as she could. Her butt was actually sliding off the seat...

The things he was saying weren't true. Raina could not... was not like that. Wendy knew that much for sure! So why was she backing down then. Why were THEY backing down? Both Wendy and Raina. For all they talked... they were cowering and letting someone say these cruel things? Wendy felt embarrassed of herself... but she was not brave enough to say anything yet.

Giving a lecture to someone is one thing, but giving one to someone who was this hostile was much harder. What if he... hurt Raina? Or her? Would he? Wendy wasn't a magical girl in real life, as much as she wished she was.

"STOP!"

Wendy shot up back into a upright position in her chair. Wowzers! Raina was being really super cool! Ouch though... Wendy winced at the harsh words. Raina could get pretty angry huh? Wendy never saw her get that mad. Wendy herself never really got angry, she just became sad or frustrated. So pure anger was a tad bit scary. Okay... a lot scary.

But wait, what?

Babies... tie families together...

Wendy had a feeling Raina did not really like this guy at all. Was she being forced into this? That was horrible... she had to talk to her about this afterwards. No would not be a option! True love was important! If Raina married this person... she'd be unhappy forever!

"R-Raina!"

Then came the kiss. Sebastian... was a total jerk! It took a lot for Wendy to even think that. Everyone had a good side and surely he did too, but gee whiz! Wendy took a deep breath. This was absolutely, positively, not nice!

"S-s-s-stop... STOP THAT! Can't you see she doesn't l-l-like you?! Mr. S-Sebastian, you're being cruel to her! Do you even take a second to think about how she feels?! Raina, l-let's go! True love is too important! Don't do this... that's your first kiss this mean guy stole from you!"

Oops... she shouldn't have said that so loud. Everyone likely heard.

Wendy stood and glared at Sebastian. It was a not a very intimidating stare considering Wendy's less than dangerous looking face. Nor was she good at being angry at someone but... she thought about how much they both wanted to be heroines. How against both of their beliefs this was. She needed to stand up for herself. Wendy hopefully set the trigger. She was with her for this...

"Raina... come on... please.. let's leave together. Okay?"

Wendy's eyes turned to a look of pleading.

@Seigi

 

"...Well?" After what appeared to be an eternity of waiting for... something? Sebastian looked at Raina. In a sense, he completely disregarded Wendy's existence. Right now, she wasn't even worth his spite. He did apologize, after all.

Instead, giving his lovely soon-to-be-wife the power to make a decision. Yes, a decision. Raina just stood there. She had to make a decision. Soon.

"I..." Raina murmured. "I'm... sorry..." The... golden middle? How much longer would it go? The girl that wanted to have everything and lose nothing. "I... I won't kiss you, Sebastian! That is a privilege you have to EARN!" Raina stared him confident in his eyes. "No matter what. Absolutely not. Do what you want. True Love... True Love isn't something I am willing to give up on, yet!" She nodded to herself as Sebastian's face got visibly angrier.

"Wendy..." Raina now looked with a way softer expression at her best friend @Das Ein Magia. "I... I'm sorry, but I can't just go. You see..." - "Yes, Wendy, you see. Raina has a very strict father that approves of me, and his approval is all I need in a future that doesn't include YOU. So, your days of doing whatever stupid bullcrap you're doing are limited, better start counting." Sebastian kept his cool as he started laughing obnoxious.

"Raina doesn't have the balls to run away from home either. Poor little dove. One day, you WILL regret this, girl." Though... was this a kind of partial success? Sebastian did show part of his more ugly side, for once. The real ugly. He had never dared to mock even Raina so openly before.

"But hey, you're still welcome to sit down and dine with us! I'm sure we're going to have A LOT of fun! RIGHT, Raina?" Raina just fell silent again. It was Wendy's choice to either stick around and stir up more trouble and leave. Maybe, later, they could talk it out?