Chapter Text
Kamui leaned back in the diner booth, hands shaking, as she looked at the bill in front of her. An order of eggs and juice was ten gold already. How was she going to make it thousands of miles with only her brother's stolen card in her wallet?
"Are you alright?"
Kamui looked up at the woman in front of her, not the cranky waitress who had practically slammed down the plate of eggs fifteen minutes ago. The woman had long, blue hair and golden eyes that held a glimpse of mischief and compassion.
"Honestly?" Kamui started, shifting to her left butt cheek to grab her wallet and count her remaining bills. Looks like she'd have to risk using the credit card again.
"Not really. I've basically ran away from home after finding out I was stolen as a child, stealing my older brother's credit card, breaking my car out of lock-up, and with a very basic plan on driving all the way to Touma to start my own path. Also, I'm not good at talking with people and I'm rambling. Um?"
The blue-haired woman had already slid into the booth seat opposite the teenager, a smile glancing across her face.
"I didn't really expect you to just say all that, but somehow, we find ourselves in similar circumstances."
"Oh?" Kamui asked, thoughts racing. Was this woman going to turn her over to her father's - no, that man's clutches?
"While I'm not running away, my adopted family is trying to pressure me down a route I can't take. I also had plans to go to Touma as well, and I have no desire to land myself in my pursuers' clutches. You mind sharing a seat?"
Kamui tilted her head to the side and frowned. "We hardly know anything about each other. We don't even know each others' names!"
The woman laughed. "Well, we can start now. My name is Aqua, I'm a sophomore at Chevalier University, and I'm trying to run away from an uninterested family to make my own way. Yourself?"
Aqua smiled at reached out her hand. "And my name's Kamui. I would be a sophomore at any college if I was ever let out of my adopted father's estate, I'm interested in cars and mechanics, and I'm trying to escape my family's clutches to start my own life. Nice to meet you."
The two shook hands, smiling as they paid the bill.
"How do I know you're not a murderer?"
"Kamui, I'm literally running away with you. I can't drive. Why would I kill you?"
"Fair point."
"Holy crap! That's your car? I thought some rich ass had come in." Aqua nearly shouted as they spotted Kamui's car.
It was a vintage Kouga Princess, a sleek four-door beauty, with a hard top, bench seats, and a beautiful grey luster.
"She's my baby. With nothing else to do, and since my brothers were always into this, I learned with them. I nearly built this thing up myself. Overhauled the engine, refurbished the whole thing. And it's mine. My baby. The Yatogami."
Aqua giggled, Kamui turning towards her with a frown.
"I wasn't aware you had named your car after the legendary sword. You're such a nerd. Plus, it's cute when you talk so excitedly about something."
Kamui blushed up to her ear tips, sharp and pointy.
"Uh...well..."
"And bashful too! I'm just joking, Kamui. It's alright."
"I'm sorry, Aqua. I've just..."
"It's alright. Let me just throw my stuff in the trunk and we'll be on our way."
"So, where to first?" Kamui asked, buckling her seatbelt, turning as Aqua slid gracefully into the passenger seat.
"I figured," Aqua started, fastening her seatbelt, "That we might take a little road trip first. On our way to Touma."
"Oh? Like where?" The white-haired girl replied.
"The big spots? Other countries? We're right at the border of Chevalier and Nohr. How about we head north to the Outrealm Gate, see where it takes us?"
"Well I don't see why not. It's just a matter of cost."
"Last I checked, Outrealm gates were free."
"Fair enough. However, I feel it'd be better if we went quickly through Nohr and Hoshido. I have a feeling neither of us want to run into any bounty hunters. My adopted father is the king."
"And my adopted mother is the queen of Hoshido. Fancy that."
"Fancy that."
The two smiled at each other as Aqua reached over to adjust the radio, before Kamui lightly slapped her hand.
"My car, my tunes. Driver picks the music."
Aqua pouted, but to no avail.
"I had a younger sister back home." Kamui said. "It won't work."
As Kamui pulled the clutch into gear, the patrons at the Hillside Diner saw the beautiful car pull out of its spot, and drive down the black pavement, smoothly into the night.