55 The Past

The light vanished from Frank's eyes. The drawing back of all the positivity that they had just been experiencing as he became defensive, his shoulders huddling in as he said. "I guess it's my turn to tell a long story then?"

Tensing at the reaction Atlas waited, refusing to jump to conclusions. With his eyes blazing a purple lustre the walls of the room unknown to Frank slowly became far more solid than normal. A cage of dimensions being made… if anything did happen, he wouldn't be able to escape.

"I…" Frank started to say before stopping, his mind reeling to a halt as he didn't even know where to start, with the betrayal? What he had done? With Joben?

He might as well just go back to the start…

"When Stacy and I were 17 we moved to Japan to really focus on becoming sorcerers since my talent was something wonderful. I was told that was how I would make the most out of my life, how I would learn to do the most good." Frank started, looking idly at his worn palms as he recalled his past.

The story starts.

--- 1984 ---

"Come on Frank! Hurry up!" Stacy yelled at him as she quickly made her way up the steps to the new school. The red torii gates lined their path up to what he assumed was a Buddhist temple. It was an odd place to have a school, at least the scenery was amazing.

"Yeah yeah, slow down will you." He replied with a smirk as he quickened his pace up the steps a bit. Taking the steps two at a time he finally got to the top and as he climbed the cobbled path the school emerged into view framed by a torii gate.

Catching his breath for a moment he looked at the lush gardens and bright trees that waved in the wind. The buildings scattered around the grounds were all elegant and clean. This was much better than where they learned in America.

Feeling a finger poke his side he pulled away as he yelled, "Hey!" Swatting her hand away.

"Sorry I couldn't help myself, you just looked so shocked! I told you coming here was going to be a good idea! To the best years of our life!" She said as she backed away from him and his glare. Laughing as he shook his head.

Turning she started to make her way towards the principal's office her eyes darting over everything with unbound curiosity. "Come on! Let's get ourselves introduced so that we can explore around!"

Watching her run ahead again he shook his head as he was forced to jog to keep up. She had so much energy, but he loved that about her.

It didn't take long for them to get introduced, meeting with the principal. A man that had just recently been instated after the passing of the previous one. While his hairline was receding his eyes still held a determined vigour to them.

Maybe it was because he was new to the position or just was strict but by the time they had been questioned enough to enter and finished with all the forms the sun had already started to set.

Making his way to the dorms he sighed as he rubbed the palm of his hand that hurt from writing so much. "God damn it, what is his problem…" Frank said. His brows furrowed as he thought back to some of the questions.

"He is just doing his job Frank, try not to be too mad. Or should he have been praising you for choosing his school instead hm?" Stacy said pulling him from his thoughts, his face softening as he looked at her despite the teasing.

Shaking his head he responded, "Of course not! I don't expect to be praised it's just why did he make it so hard on us? Like seriously… most of that was just plain unnecessary."

"You don't know, it's a different culture over here after all," Stacy said, although she didn't refute him. It had been a hassle but she didn't want to make a problem out of all of it. There was no need to.

Scoffing Frank shook his head his expression softened, his shoulders sagging as he let himself relax. "You know you should be a bit more sceptical of people."

"And live my life pushing others away like you? No thanks, if you didn't have me as a friend then you know you wouldn't have any right?" She teased as she looked at him through her bangs, her hands clasped behind her back.

"So? I don't need friends, if you didn't have me you would still be picked on." Frank shot back, biting a bit more than he should.

Playing it off he walked past her and said, "Well not that it matters. We have a new start here. Let's make as many friends as we can alright?" He turned to smile at her as he said that.

Seeing her face light up he couldn't help but feel a beam of happiness himself. This was just what they needed. It would be good for them. A fresh beginning, a clean slate. However, you wanted to think of it.

"Well, you need to get better at Japanese then or you won't be able to talk to anyone," Stacy said as she fell into step beside him.

"You can translate for me." Frank dismissed getting a sigh from her.

--- Current ---

"So you knew Stacy before you even came to Japan? Why did you come here, was it just to become a better sorcerer?" Atlas asked, he didn't know what it was but he felt that there was more to it. Things that were left out.

"I've already gone back far enough kid. I've got limited years left so don't take up too many of them alright?" Frank joked as he chuckled, his face having softened as he talked about this. But his eyes held a deep sadness and anger as well.

"So how did you meet the others then?" Atlas asked, "Was it through Stacy because you sound like you had a bit of an ego." Atlas poked back getting a glare from his mentor. Eyes widening a bit at the intensity of it Altas quickly said. "Sorry."

"Ah, it's alright, your just joking around." Frank dismissed, but the nerve had already been struck.

Shaking his head he said, "If you stop interrupting me then I can tell you so just shut up and listen alright." His voice was lighter than his words however despite the remaining annoyance. Glancing at Atlas from the corner of his eyes making sure that his words didn't sting before he continued.

--- 1984 ---

"It's rare to see you actually carrying books." Hikaru Hoshi said in perfect English to Frank as he walked over.

"What's it to you Hoshi…" Frank said, clearly not in the mood to talk as he turned around and looked back at the other boy. They were both about the same height, Hoshi just had more muscles and wider shoulders.

"I was just coming over to say hello," Hoshi said as he raised his hands in a peaceful motion. His expression dropped when Frank rolled his eyes at it.

"What's your problem with me?" He suddenly asked as he tilted his head to the side. His face scrunching up a bit as he just threw his hands to the side.

Turning back around Frank opened his mouth to say something. Pausing for a moment as he struggled to find a reason… or at least to say it. But before he could think of the words or do anything else Stacy ran up from wherever she had been.

"Hey, Hikaru! What are you doing, we have practice in the yard. Let's find Fra-" She started to say, her lively voice sounding out in Japanese with only small bits of poor punctuation.

Seeing Frank as she came into the hall, her smile widened a bit more as she said. "Frank! Just who we were looking for. Oh shit, you have books! What are they about?" She asked, seamlessly switching to English as soon as she saw him.

Turning away Frank tried to hide the books but she had already seen them, answering her own question. "Oh, you're finally trying to learn Japanese properly! That's awesome, you should really ask for some help though. Hikaru would be more than happy to help you like he's helped me." She started to say, unaware of the atmosphere.

"Since there is no reception here it's really hard to make any progress, using books doesn't let you hear how the word is meant to sound." She said, explaining what was already clear.

Reaching out for the books Frank just let her take them. Hoping that her eyes stayed away from his face for just a few more moments.

Looking up he and Hikaru exchanged a look, Hikaru knew why, he could understand what was going on now. It all just fit together.

When they had first met when classes started he and Frank had gotten along with some awkwardness after learning that he knew English, the three of them shortly forming a ground. With Frank's talent in Jujutsu being matched by Hikaru, they soon formed a rivalry.

It had been friendly. Although whenever Hikaru and Stacy would slip into Japanese he would feel left out, he knew that it was to help her practice… but he hated it.

"I'll figure it out on my own," Frank said as he took the books back from her. "I have to return these before we go to the yard. I'll meet you both there." Frank said, his eyes sunken as with his head hanging a bit he just walked off towards the library.

Watching his back in confusion Stacy turned to Hikaru and asked, "Did I do something?"

Shaking his head Hikaru said, "No, he's probably just tired." Although his thoughts were different, 'You have no idea.' Thinking for a moment he said, "Go help him, he might not know where the titles go or have trouble speaking to Yoshito." Hikaru offered with a smile.

"That's a good idea, we'll meet you at the yard!" She said as she dashed off after Frank.

Waving at her as she waved at him before rounding a corner the smile on his face dropped. He wanted to help Frank because he was an amazing sparing partner but honestly, the guy was being a real prick about it.

Shoving his hands in his pocket he couldn't help but feel his eyes start to glare a bit in the direction that the two of them left.

Turning he made his way towards the yard to wait for his classmates.

---

Catching up with Frank, Stacy said, "Yo! Frank. What's up? Did you get enough sleep?" She tapped him on the shoulder, approaching him from behind him and then falling into step beside him. Having to jog every now and then to keep up with Frank's rushed stride that was far longer than hers.

"I'm fine," Frank said with a sigh as he got to the doors of the library.

Raising her eyebrow she stepped in front of him and quickly looked to her right at the main desk to make sure that the librarian wasn't there. Which he wasn't. "That's clearly bullshit and you know it." Her face furrowed in annoyance. "Can't you just tell me what's wrong? I want to help alright. Stop pushing me away." Her voice raised a bit in annoyance.

She had seen him do this with countless other people… but he had never pushed her away before. They had always talked to each other about the problems that they were having but Frank was talking to her less and less now. And she didn't like it, not one bit.

"I told you I'm fine." Frank bit as he moved around her and started making his way down the sleeves hurriedly looking at the spines of the books he had. His agitation grew as he couldn't figure out where they went.

Getting in his way again she stared up at him and said. "Well, that clearly is bullshit. Why are you pushing me away? You don't have to worry about being a bother, I am happy to help and Hikaru would be as well." She tried to offer. She just wanted to fix the problem.

"Don't worry I won't waste your time. You are clearly far too busy making new friends to help me. No one is going to pick on you if Hikaru is your friend." Frank almost spat as he looked along the shelf trying to find where the book went.

Staring at him in confusion she said, "What?" grabbing the book from him and making him look at her as she said. "Is that what all this is about? Do you think that I just hung around you so people wouldn't pick on me? As soon as I start to make other friends I don't need you anymore is that it?" Her eyebrows rose in realization.

"I don't blame you! Who would want to hang around a pathetic loser that can't even speak two languages properly and has zero social skills!" Frank yelled as he snatched the book from her hand sending her stumbling back as he glared at her. "You've got a new boy toy now that is way more talented so go bother him! I can put fucking books away on my own!"

Staring at him in shock for a moment she shook her head as she muttered. "Really?" Standing there for a moment she just stared at Frank waiting for him to say something else, even just say an apology but all he could do was glare at her before looking back at the books in his hands.

Shaking her head some more she just started to walk away as she said, "Sometimes people don't leave you because they're done with you. They leave you because you're an asshole."

Watching her walk away Frank didn't do anything for a while before he went back to trying to find where the books went but he couldn't… he was even worse at reading Kanji than he was at speaking the language… he thought he could just find the matching symbols or whatever but he was hopeless…

He felt so useless.

Why did he do any of that? Was he that bothered that Stacy just had other friends or was it because he always felt that he was the strongest before but now he wasn't, Hikaru was stronger than him, more charming, better looking.

He was just mad, he wanted to go back to when it was just him and Stacy.