Akari

I stare at the girl before me, who has a hoodie covering most of her head. Out of nowhere, she emerges like a wraith from the streets, blocking my way.

She is nearly my height, donned in casual hoodie and a pair of slack jeans. It's easy tell that it is a 'she' because of the protruding humps before her chest, much significant than mine would ever be.

Now I feel depressed and inferior about myself and my insignificant curves. Not that they can also be described as 'curves' at all.

Did I just ridicule myself? I give myself a mental slap.

The girl continues her stare – or glare – that refuses to concede.

"Who are you?" I ask, wondering if she is some robber trying to rob me off my money. I tilt my head to the side, eying her with puzzlement. My hand instinctively moves to where my purse is. I cannot afford to lose my money. I need money to sustain myself with food.

"Look. I don't care. Just watch who you are befriending with. There are people you should avoid at all costs," she warns, ignoring my query.

"Who are you?" I repeat firmly. If you're not a girl, I'd be forcing the answer from your throat right now.

She releases an irritated huff. "My name... is none of your concern."

I scowl. "Why should I believe you then?"

My persistence draws out the anger clearly written over her face. A chilling wind blows past, lifting her hoodie from her head. She immediately tugs it down, trying to conceal herself from being exposed.

I catch the glimpse of red hair under the shadow of the hood. It is such a beautiful red. I let a barely audible gasp. But her face turns into a frown, disgusted by my gasp.

Suddenly I feel the urge to pull her hood off and see the red hair with my own eyes.

"I have no time for your nonsensical queries, so I'll just go straight to the point." Her voice cuts through my thoughts. "It would be better for you if you avoid Asano Gakushuu."

Thus, I deduce you are not some weird stranger. In fact, you have relations with that Asano.

"What?" I cock an eyebrow, demanding for explanation.

She sighs, exhausted with my persistence.

Look, girl, I do not take orders from a stranger unless you give me a good reason to do so. Though, I am sure I would also steer clear of Asano even with our last meeting. I am still doubtful with his requests of being 'friends'.

"I said," she pauses, taking in a deep breath to calm herself from breaking out in rage. "...that it will be better for you – no, all of us, if you keep your distance from Asano."

I blink. "Uh-huh. I heard you the last time. I want an explanation for that and also I wonder why someone who has an uncanny resemblance to Karma would try to warn me from that Asano."

She clenches her teeth. I swear she is going to punch me out of agitation. Maybe linking you to Karma is a bad idea? But you both wear the same red... sort of.

"Knowing why won't change a thing," she replies coldly, avoiding my questions again.

Since you like avoiding them, try another question then. "So why bother warning me?" I refrain from smirking. I give no thought to what she has to do with Asano. Not that it is my concern anyway.

I detect a spark of rage in her eyes, irked by me. "Why would I bother?" she echoes. "It's quite simple, you ignoramus."

The bustling streets around me make up for the noisy background.

I grit my teeth at the insult.

She continues, putting aside my rage that is building up. "I, the obedient servant I have always been, am forgoing my master's orders by reiterating his command to a blithering idiot like you."

B-blithering i-idiot?!

"Of course, he doesn't know about this 'betrayal' of mine yet. He has enough of intricately woven plots crammed into that conniving mind of his to bother even checking up on my actions. I admit, everything he's plotted appears to be quite useless; after all, the information I have leaked to you seems to have not yet gotten past that insufferably thick skull of yours."

I stare at her with flushed cheeks. "Uh yeah. My thick skull got me through plenty of hardships, thank you."

Her eyes widen in surprise at my retort.

"Wow, I'd never believe you are Asano's servant," I counter. "No one would be dumb enough to do so."

"What did you—"

"You insulted me. I pay the favour back. That's it."

She glares at me, taken aback. I glare back in silence.

"I am not his servant literally. It's just a figurative speech."

"Uh-huh."

She clicks her tongue. "Whatever. I refuse to engage in a conversation with someone like you anymore. Do as you please. I've warned you. Do not cry on your knees when something bad occurs." Then, in huge strides, she quickly takes her leave.

"Brat," I mutter.

A tap on my shoulder and I cringe. I almost punched Karma in the face by instinct. He catches my punch in mid-air. I sigh in relief at a familiar face.

"You almost killed me," says Karma, cocking an eyebrow. "What got on your nerves?"

I stare at him. The girl and her identical red hair flash in my mind. "Do you perhaps... never mind."

"Never mind what?"

"Nothing."

He sighs. "Who's the guy you're talking to?"

"Relax. She's not your competition."

He blinks and regurgitates my words. "I didn't expect you're into girls."

"AM NOT! STOP MISINTERPRETING!"

A chorus of laughter bubbles from his throat. "I know, you're only into me."

"Idiot."

"Your idiot."

*****

Alternate ending

Akari

Before she leaves I grab her hood and pull it down, revealing long red hair cascading down her shoulders. She stiffens at my actions, shocked. Her hair gleams like crimson blood spilled over. I take in with admiration of that beautiful colour. Just as red as Karma's, just as beautiful.

"What are you doing?!" she screeches, trying to cover her hair back. I tug onto the hood.

"Oh. Cosplayer."

She freezes at my remark. With an icy glare, she retorts. "I am not a cosplayer. This is real, genuine hair I've been born with. It's not fake, generic hair!"

"Even better. If only you have her eyes and her aura. Real life Erza."

The girl clenches her teeth and her fists. "Do not compare me with an anime character that doesn't exist!"

"How did you know she is an anime character?" I counter.

Her mouth agape.

"It could be someone real, like a celebrity."

Steam fumes from her nostrils but she remains calm. "There is no one in this world named Erza as a celebrity!"

"If only you have her airheaded-ness..." I mutter to myself. An idea pops up in my mind. I peer at the girl's icy cold azure eyes, a shade lighter and colder than mine. "I know! Fuwa must have some brown contact lenses lying around."

"B-b-b-b-brown c-c-c-contact l-l-lenses?!"

I grab her hand to prevent her escape. She struggles futilely. "You don't mind... being Erza for a day, right?"

"Eh?" She croaks, suddenly wavering as I emanate an unknown aura that intimidates her bit by bit.

"Right?" I repeat myself while pushing my face close to hers.

"A-a-a-a-ahhhh..." she makes out inaudible noises.

"Then I'll find you an armor to fit you in..." I add.

"N-n-no..."

"Let's go potential cosplayer!"

"EEEAAAAAHHH!"

For once, I believe, judging from the pallid of the girl's face, I must have left a horrifying impression to the girl: Okumura Akari is a crazy scary anime fanatic!

*****

Thus concludes the oneshot requested by KristynZoeBas!!! The girl is her OC: Aoi Hanazono form Taking Chances! Go check it out!

The alternate ending part... I intended it to be hilarious. Is it working?

I'm sorry. This is not the regular update. But it's on the way!

(wattpad doesn't allow me to post the picture closest to Aoi because the link is too long. Sorry Khristyn)