Chapter 9

Chapter 9; The Weather Machine.

The townspeople were furious when they heard the Mayor were killing and selling dead bodies to someone. Unfortunately, some of them were crying because the rumours that have circulated around the town were true.

Haruto bowed at the townspeople in shame, saying that he failed to see his brother was doing forbidden job all this time. He regretted by the fact that he couldn't save them in time.

However, Haruto was forgiven by the townsfolk because they knew Haruto have nothing to do with it. They then expressed their gratitude to Xenon's group, who willingly to rescue the hostages.

"You shouldn't thank us yet. Now we have two problems.", Xenon rubbed his chin, "One, who's going to be a mayor? Two, the rain haven't let up yet."

"I'll be the mayor.", Haruto stated, earning a lot of gasps and chattering from the people, "It's...at the least I can do after they forgive me for what my brother did."

"I see..."

"However, even I don't know the cause of the constant rainfall."

"That's too bad...", Daiki said, "I thought it has something to do with him..."

Xenon closed his eyes as he think the situation carefully. He already suspected that the rain had something to do with the Mayor. He decided to ask a few questions.

"Haruto-san, can I ask you a few questions? But I can't do that in the public.", Xenon said. Haruto look at him confused but he nodded anyway, "Of course. Please come with me."

Haruto led the group to the mansion. While they were walking, Xenon started a conservation with Haruto, "Are you sure you want to take your brother's position?"

"What do you mean?", Haruto asked back.

"From what I heard, you gave that position away to your brother. Why you didn't want to become a mayor?"

"I...don't really want to become a mayor since it have so many responsibilities. I'm not sure if I can handle that burden..."

"Well, the townspeople likes you no?"

"Y-yes but..."

"I know they will support you, even though you make mistakes. Isn't that good enough?"

"....."

Haruto had to agree with Xenon. The townspeople always supported his family. Until his brother ruined it of course. Yet they forgive Haruto for not noticing this. He sighed, "I'm...not sure..."

Xenon kept his mouth shut as he noticed Haruto was uncomfortable with the subject. They have arrived at the mansion and Haruto led them to the studyroom and locked it up.

Since they were finally out of public, Xenon decided to ask a question that he really wanted to know, "...There is something that have been bothering me for a while, Haruto-san..."

"Hm?"

"How long have you been imprisoned?"

Haruto look straight at Xenon, "...Maybe it's been a few days. I was trying to stop him but no to avail..."

"I see...", Xenon rubbed his chin, "...What did you exactly trying to stop?"

"...The weather machine.", Haruto replied with hesitation, "Ever since I found out that Ryuu have been using that machine just to lure people here, I was trying to fix the problem but I was caught and he locked me up at the basement."

"I didn't know that weather machine is actually exist...", Maia said, "I always thought that weather machine are just a fairytale."

"Unfortunately, it does exist. It's just too hard to get hands on it.", Xenon explained, "Plus, inventors wouldn't sell this machine unless that person really need it. How did you guys get it?"

"Ah...I remember my father used to tell me about the machine. He said there was a time when this place never received rainfall for years. And so, two young inventors decided to give the weather machine as a gift.", Haruto explained, "Judging from how my father talk about them, they must be troublemakers."

"Ah...that description remains me of certain person...", Kazuhiko trailed off as he look at the certain troublemaker. Xenon just glared at the gunner.

"Ah but they're quite intelligent and kind. They were willingly to sacrifice their time to help us.", Haruto said, "I wish I could meet them in the past..."

"What's their name?", Daiki asked curiously. Haruto pondered for a while, "Hmm...I can't remember...I could only remember...um...Gil...Mir...?? Oh dear...I can't remember."

"That's fine if you don't remember.", the white haired boy smiled, "Do you have pictures of them?"

"Unfortunately I don't. I don't even know their faces.", Haruto said with a hint of sadness.

Xenon cleared his throat, "That's...unfortunate. Can you take us to the weather machine?"

"Of course."

Haruto told them that the weather machine were in a secret room that only his family knew so he led them to the nearby bookshelf. He then pull a certain book and the next thing they knew, the bookshelf moved, revealed a secret room.

"Wow! Must be nice, having a secret room.", Kazuhiko commented.

Haruto only smiled and started to lead them again. After a few minutes, they found a lone machine in the room.

"A weather machine...this is my first time seeing one.", Xenon said as he look at the machine, "They look well maintained."

"My father taught me on how to maintain it. Otherwise it would be hard for us to control the weather.", Haruto explained.

"Whoa~ So this is the weather machine...", Kazuhiko and Daiki look at it curiously while Maia only stood there with a blank face. She folded her arms, "...Can you undo the rain?"

"Yes of course. Just give me a minute..."

Haruto went to the weather machine and started to work on it. While he was working on it, Xenon stared at the machine, "..."

"What's wrong, Xenon?", Kazuhiko asked when he saw a far-off look, "It's...creepy when you're quiet."

"Oh shut up.", Xenon sighed before muttering, "Gil...huh...it sounds familiar..."

Kazuhiko gave a concern look but didn't say anything. Xenon look really distracted when he look at the weather machine. Maia must have noticed this since she bluntly ask him, "What's with that look?"

Xenon look away, "... It's nothing."

"Gah!"

Suddenly they heard an explosion and Haruto was sent flying to Xenon, who was caught off guard but didn't lose his balance, "Whoa man, you're okay?"

"Y-yes. Surprisingly...", Haruto said as he stood up, "Ryuu must have done something to this machine so I can't change the weather back to normal..."

Xenon sighed in frustration, "That guy gets on my nerve! Do you have a blueprint of the machine?"

"Y-yes. I put them somewhere safe, just in case the machine will break or something..."

"Bring that blueprint here and I'll fix it."

"H-huh? You will...?"

"Xenon are good with machines.", Kazuhiko stated, "I know he can fix it!"

Haruto went silent before nodding and walked away to bring the blueprint. After a few minutes, he came back, only this time with a blueprint. Xenon wasted no time looking at it and started to work on it.

While Xenon was busy, Haruto look at him with admiration, "I never thought Fukumoto-san are good with machines."

"He always create sketchy potions but he's way too good at creating machines.", Kazuhiko said, "Heck, he probably can even surpassed Takashi-san in terms of inventions!"

"I guess there's more to him than meets the eye huh...", Maia muttered.

Daiki and Haruto started to sparkle with admiration, made Xenon sweatdropped, 'I can't concentrate with Daiki and Haruto-san looking at me with that eyes!'

*Timeskip...*

After hours of fixing the machine, Xenon wiped his sweat with sleeve, "Ah...it's finally done."

Haruto immediately approached the weather machine and look at it, "Amazing! They look new!", he gasped when he saw something, "Wait...did you actually...!?"

"I upgraded the machine.", Xenon stated simply, "I made the machine unbreakable and increasing the success of changing the weather and even climate."

"Oh!!", Haruto started to sparkle, "Amazing!!"

"H-Haruto -san, you're blinding me with your sparkles!", Xenon took out his sunglasses and wear them, "Anyway, it's not amazing. I only upgraded it..."

"But still, not everyone are good with machines. I'm surprised that you managed to upgrade it, despite you never seen it before. Are you a genius?"

"What, no. I'm not."

"Then did you have someone teach you?"

The prankster went quiet before nodding, "...Yeah. He's...I mean they're quite intelligent. They're really good at it."

"Oh, so you have more than one teachers?"

"Yeah...I did...", the prankster trailed off before coughing, "Anyway, shouldn't you go and change the weather now?"

"A-ah! Of course!"

Haruto immediately went to the machine and started to work on it. Xenon sat down, feeling a bit tired. Maia took out her water bottle and offered it to Xenon, "...Good work."

"Thanks.", he accepted her water bottle and started to drink it. Xenon felt really awkward when Maia were just leaning against the wall, not saying anything, "Hey, say something, will ya?"

"...I don't know what to say anyway."

He smacks his hand to his forehead, "Ugh. You're being too awkward."

"...You can't blame me for being socially awkward."

"Seriously, you can kill people with awkwardness."

"...You have to deal with it."

Xenon sighed again. Why is he even bother to make a conservation with her? He put down the bottle and closed his eyes, "......"

He sighed, remembering about his teachers. They used to teach him a lot during his childhood before...that eventful day. He gripped his hands in silent anger. Maia noticed Xenon's unusual behaviour but chose not to say it, even though she started to feel a little bit worried.

*Timeskip*

After a while, they decided to look outside and was thrilled when the rain has stopped. Haruto sighed in relief, "I'm glad! I managed to change the weather!"

Xenon and Kazuhiko hi fived each other, cheering while Maia and Daiki gave a affirmative nod to each other. Haruto look at them, "Thank you so much for helping us out! How could I ever repay you for your kindness?"

Daiki chuckled, "We just wanted to help so don't worry about it."

"But...."

"It's fine."

It's been a long day so the group decided to head back to the inn. Daiki was lying on the bed in the room he shared with Maia. She was standing near the switch, pondering if she should tell him, "Daiki.."

"Yes?"

"About Fukumoto...he look...nevermind."

"Mai-chan? What is it? You can tell me."

"...It's nothing. Go to sleep."

"...Okay...."

Maia switched off the light and went to her own bed.

To be continued....

Bonus!

Xenon: *Laying down in his bed* .... Gil...where I have heard of that name before....

Kazuhiko: *Pretend to be sleeping* ...... (Nii-san is still awake...?)

Xenon: Gil...Mir...is it possible...? *Shook his head* ...No, it couldn't be...

Kazuhiko: (Who is he talking about...?)

Xenon: ...Oh well. I should sleep... *Close his eyes to sleep*

Kazuhiko: ....... (He sounded like he heard those names somewhere...but who...? Oh well...I should sleep too...)