Chapter Text
Beep
Well, thats finaly arranged. After days of back and forth calls with his family back home, they all finaly agreed on a date for Trainer to come visit them. It was supposed to be a regular holiday family visit just like any other, only if a certain somebody didn't suddenly get in the way.
Said certain someone was Mayano Top Gun, the girl whos career he was in charge of. They were a Trainer-Trainee duo for most of Maya's time at Tracen Academy, totalling to almost 3 years together. Their relationship was rather unique, to put it, however. Some call it a tragic story of unrequitted love, and two of them had differring opinions on what they were — but truth of matter was, Mayano's romantic feelings were entirely one sided, but despite that she never stopped chasing her dreams - him, and of course being the best athlete she could be.
But at times it got to a point, as is usual for obsessive behaviour. In her second year she started beef with a senior; simply for the fact she caught her Trainer watching clips of the senior racing. Mayano obviously took this as a threat - as in "Trainer should have eyes only for me" - and acted upon it, proceeding to enact a one sided rivarly until they graduated. Of course, Trainer was a tad weirded out, but happy that she could at least establish a rivarly. Overtime her Trainer observed this...'unique' quirk to put it, noticing she really dislikes him being friends with any other uma — or any other woman in general — she isnt also friends with. It certaintly got annoying at times, hell, managing to land him in the school directors office once...but what can you do.
It wasn't all bad, though. Underneath that protectivness was a genuienly nice girl who means no harm. Their outtings, sleepovers, "dates" were embedded into their both their memories as some of the highlights of their time together. And while yes, he was aware that participating in these things was just giving into her delusions of thinking she has a chance with him — he could not bring himself to say no with all his might. He honest-to-god did care for the girl, albeit, again, not in the way she would have liked. Sometimes he did feel bad for her though. If he was that crazy for a girl who clearly liked him, just not like that, he would have gone insane long ago. In a way, he admired, but also appreciated her dedication. Dedication that sometimes went a bit overboard.
Getting confessed to over and over again, whether it was through text, face to face, or call, got exhausting. And the next day, Mayano's sudden buildup of feelings was all forgotten about, her personality going back to being as bright as her ginger hair on a summers day.
But the fact they COULD be a couple if he just said "Yes, i love you too" annoyed Mayano to no end. A little frustration she kept to herself.
But he was all used to this by now though. After 3 years he figured its best to let her to her thing. He knew where he stood; on the tracks of the emotional rollercoaster that was Mayano.
Right now, Trainer found himself slowly ascending stairs of the Ritto dormitory, where Mayano's room was. Why he was even there was rather stupid.
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💬"Hiiiiii good morning Trainer!!!!"
💬"hi maya"
💬"hey so like i know im supposed to be packing my things for our flight together but the snow is so pretty and me and Marv really wanna go play!! could you pack my things for meee👉👈 teio should be home"
💬"👍"
💬"yay! thank you trainer love you!!💞💞"
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If theres something Maya hated, it was not having fun.
He soon got on her floor in the dormitory building after greeting Fuji Kiseki by the entrance.
It was eerie, completely straight hallway that seemed to stare right back at him, into the depths of his very soul.
But with a mission on hand, he pushed on, despite the unsettling feeling. Complete silence in building he knows are usualy populated always creeped him out for reasons he cant pinpoint.
A shiver ran down his spine and he subconsiounsly picked up his pace, heading for the door marked with Tokai Teio's and Mayano's names. And luckily, body and mind in one piece, he made it to the door.
knock knock.
No response.
knock knock.
"Teio you there?" Trainer asked, the muffled sound of his voice hitting Tokai Teio's ears. Her brain wasnt awake enough to recognize who it was, so she slowly waddled over the door, nearly tripping over nothing.
"U...huh...who is this..." she mumbled upon reaching the door.
"Oh, uh, Maya's Trainer...your roommates Traine-" he replied, getting quickly interrupted by the door swinging open to reveal a very disorganized Teio. She honestly looked hella funny, considering how much she cares for how shes presenting herself at any given time.
"Come in." Teio stated, her tone about as flavourful as a rock.
Choosing not to question the state of her appearance, he stepped right into their shared dorm. The room was, well, a normal looking dorm for Tracen standards, albeit a tad a bigger than most he has seen.
The most striking thing in the room though was firstly, the hammered looking Teio sitting on her bed. She looked absolutely terrible...Maya probably put her through another sleepless night. In her classmates words: "She just pulls energy out of her ass, i swear. She could be pulling freight trains all day and still be have enough energy to make sure you dont fall asleep at a reasonable time."
Secondly, the difference between each side of the room. Teio's was rather simple, her night stand had pictures of family and friends with a simple lamp that stood on it, meanwhile the wall by her bed was adorned by certificates, medals and her race wear that she chose to hung up there. Cant forget the attention grabbing shelf that held all her precious gold trophies.
Then there was Maya's side of the room. That entire thing was just one big gallery of all the things she liked, be it movie posters (mainly Top Gun movies), figurines, plushies, and many little models of various aircraft. Ones that her Trainer got her himself. But only really because they are a no-brainer gift for an aviation geek like Mayano. He let out a sigh before stepping closer to her bedside and getting on his knees, leaning down to dig out Maya's suitcase from under her bed. He better get this over with already.
Behind them, Teio sat down on her bed and was giving him a tired, judgemental looking stare. There were no real venom behind the stare though.
"She could just..." Teio started, letting out a miserable sigh before rubbing her temples, "not shut up about you yesterday."
"Huh, how?" he questioned, whipping his head back at her.
"She gets extremely gushy whenever she mentions you. Trainer this trainer that like...its infuriating."
"I see...why, i thought she was only like that with me personaly."
"About that. Yeah she doesnt exactly shy away from how much she likes you. She even says you two are dating."
"I know i know...even after like a morbillion rejections. I would appreciate it more if she put all this dedication into her training. She gets distracted so easily sometimes."
"How you put up with her is beyond me."
"As a Trainer i suppose you gotta sacrifice a few things...i went into this career knowing that, however i was not prepared to sacrifice part of my sanity rejecting the girl i have to spend time with everyday."
Teio nods in aknowledgement, finding the situation Maya put her Trainer in quite amusing. She shifted a little on her bed before speaking again.
"Anyhow, why did you come by? Was Mayano incapable of finding her suitcase?"
Trainer then turned his attention back to the mission at hand, putting Maya's suitcase on her bed, getting off the floor and approaching her closet.
"No, just that she..." he sighed, opening up the closet and taking a stack of t-shirts out of it, "asked me to pack her things before leaving on our trip. She said she wanted to meet my parents when i told her im going back home for the holidays," he explained, putting the t-shirts into her suitcase.
"Oh damn," Teio snickered, "you sure you can handle an entire flight with her?"
"I'll just bore her to death until she falls asleep. Unless i fall asleep first, which then shes everyones else's responsibility."
"Thats straight up evil! I would never in my life unleash such terror upon the public," she remarked, "say, do you need help with packing?"
"Im fine, thanks," Trainer replied, then continued to pack Maya's things, neatly folding and placing everything with delicate care. Despite how much she made her Trainer want rip his eyes out sometimes, he didn't really mind (?) the clingy-ness. The fact there was someone who always loved you no matter what was comforting. And in return, he really did care for Mayano just as much. Just not in the way she would have liked.
Eventualy all her preffered shirts were packed and folded inside the suitcase and he moved onto her skirts/pants. He akwardly stood in front of the closet, and like a kid in a candy store, he just wasnt sure what to pick out for her.
"Say, Teio uh..." he mumbled out akwardly, a little ashamed he wasnt fammiliar with his literal trainees fashion style, "what does Maya usualy wear?"
And without even looking up from her freshly whipped out phone, she answered:
"Suprisingly enough she isnt...all that picky with what shes wearing. She just grabs whatever out the closet and calls it day, which often ends up with looking like her mom still dresses her."
"Hey! Rude. Thats MY trainee youre talking about," he fired back, feeling rather insulted. Maya's fashion sense was perfectly fine as is.
"Yeah and im her roommate so i can say whatever i please~" Teio retorted in a smuggish tone, knowing she was correct on the matter, "plus, dont you hate her or something? Coulda sworn you do..." Teio continued, knowing this was his weak point. He wouldnt let Maya be insulted, but the moment he had to say something in defense a tide of excuses left his mouth.
"Why dont you stop making fun of me and tell me something useful, like..." he paused mid-bend and turned their head towards her, "i dunno where even is she right now? Havent gotten an update on her position since this early morning."
"Outside, still playing in the snow," Teio replied, "woke me up just to announce it."
"Yeah, looks like it."
The conversation however died there...Teio being too tired to continue and Trainer focusing on packing Maya's things. The silence however was infact comfortable, as there was nothing much to be said. Just pack her things and go...
After her pants went her underwear. As much as he despised having to dig in a girls drawers, he had no other choice. Everything else followed suit and before long, all her things went packed and ready to go for that entire week overseas. Truth be told Trainer was quite nervous about introducing Maya to his parents. The old couple have a rough time taking care of their farm animals already and a hyperactive girl in the house would help with absolutely nothing. At first he protested, saying that she should visit her own parents, but goddamn was she adamant. From texting, calling, emailling, to even flat out knocking at his door during unreasonable hours, she really did wanna go home with him. Its all apart of her elaborate scheme to get him to like her, exposure therapy style...a scheme shes been working ever since they met. Unfortunately, its succes was nowhere in sight for the time being.
After he was done, he leaned back to stretch, his spine crackling and popping from the bending. At this point, the warm sun peeked from the clouds and seeped into the room, creating a very pleasing atmosphere. And with Teio now sleep soundly, Trainer wanted to relax a little...and so laid down on Mayano's bed. The suitcase was quickly discarded to the bedside as he plunged his face into the pillow.
Breathe in, breathe out.
The scent coming off both the sheets and the pillow was just the most comforting thing ever in that moment. It smelled to distinctly like her...Mayano Top Gun, and all the emotions that came with being her one sided boyfriend.
As much as he loved to pretend to only tolerate her, warm feelings towards Maya swelled his chest more often than he was comfortable with. His decision to not date, or say anything that might hint to towards reciprocating her feelings for that matter, was final. For whatever he felt...it wasnt romantic. But sometimes her affectionate gestures got under his skin...
Often she would drop everything she was currently doing to run to him when he was near. Often she'd randomly text him to see what he was up to or to simply get his attention. She could easily get overwhelming, however there was just something so sweet about the innocence of her actions. Her intention was to be with her favourite person, nothing more. That thought alone made his heart flutter just a tiny bit. It was hard to believe that someone could love him this much.
That was the part of himself he kept under lock and key. He could not be verbal with this even if he wanted, for any implication that he might enjoy her affection would send words of rumour around the school...and if they circled to Mrs. Tazuna, he would be in some deep shit.
Just as he was day dreaming on her bed, fast footsteps could be heard that were seemingly approaching the dorm. That was either some student that forgot something in their room or it was Mayano coming back...
The latter confirmed itself as a knock manifested, followed by Maya's voice. She sounded urgent.
"Teio!" followed by three rapid knocks, "Are you home?! Did my trainer stop by?!"
She didnt enter immidiately. This gave trainer the perfect opportunity to clear up any tracks of his indulging. He shot up from the bed like he overslept for a job interview and immidiately started tidying up, straightening the sheets, the pillow, etc. Mayano's door banging and shouting persisted, and after all of the evidence has been discarded off, he approached the door to confront the girl banging on it. He waited for a quiet interval between knocks and finaly opens the door open wide.
Her knocking comes to an instant halt as she looks up to the person who opened, her entire expression lighting up like a christmas tree upon realising who it was. She barely took in her excitement before she pushed her way into the room and slammed the door shut, immidiately latching herself onto him with a tight hug.
"TRAINER!!" she exclaimed, burying her face into his shoulder. She looked really delighted...albeit loud.
"You came like promised! And packed my things...!!!"
She continued going off while clearly struggling to stay in place. Her tail was wagging like one of an excited puppy and her ears twitched every time his breath hit them. And trainer being trainer, he couldnt help but eventualy give into her loving embrace, leaning down just a tiny bit to put his own arms around her. And gaddamn, she smelled just like the pillow he was indulging in a minute ago, which just made him smile just the same. He ran his hand over her upper back which got a little giggle out of her.
"Eheheeee...no but seriously, thank you for packing my stuff. I really appreciate it..." she said, leaning her had back in and putting her hand on his chest, making little circles with her index, "you know how lazy i can get.."
"Yeah, i know. I am quite aware."
She held him there for a moment before, still latched, pushed him back onto her bed, settling down on his lap before he could protest about her newly aquired seat. Their heights were now balanced, face to face. Nothing needed to be, nor wanted to be said, so she hid her face into his neck while still refusing to let go. Despite having a whole person glued on his lap, Trainer couldnt help but be distracted by the set of eyes staring at him from the other side of the room. Small blue eyes poking out of a blanket...either judging, glaring or giving him a sympathetic look. He gave them a small "Okay we'll be gone soon" nod before leaning back and putting his hands on the sides of her arms.
"Hey, Maya," he started, looking her up and down as she sat there dangerously close, "why dont we get going? I know its barely 5 PM, but we can use the time to watch airplanes lift off or look around the airport."
She didnt answer immidiately, feeling very much flustered that he was holding her in place with a tight grip. Also when he looked her up on down...so close...was he checking her out? She could only wonder.
After snapping out of it she quickly made eye contact before finaly responding: "Uhm- sure, why not. I suppose waiting wont take that long."
...however Mayano made no attempt to actualy move and...you know, get going. He thought maybe it was because of his grip, so he lightened it.
"Lets...go?" he questioned. Mayano was not one to loose the closeness so easily. She knew they had to go, but when would be her next opportunity to be together like this? So she stayed put on his lap, clearly giving him no other option but to carry her. After all, she could easily overpower him and get her way, whether he liked it or not.
"Carry me?"
Her grip slowly vained, patiently waited for the "sigh and eye roll" that always signaled that she was about to get her way. She even did a little 👉👈 to appear just that extra bit cute. Eventualy, it seemed to have worked, he completely let go of her to lean back on the bed, his hands sinking into the matress to support him. Mayanos long awaited confirmation came as he finaly sighed and rolled his eyes.
Once the confirmation came, Mayano couldnt help but feel shy at the prospect of being carried. Whether it was carrying her by the waist, in a bridal carry, or a piggy back ride, she always cherished the intimate feeling that came with it. No matter how confident or strong she was, she always felt like a swooned princess while being carried. It made her feel small, but definetly in a good way.
"So...?" she mumbled, expecting to get the command to get in a position to be picked up. However, she didnt account for one small thing.
"All warfare is based on deception."
-Sun Tzu, Art of War
And in a time frame that was barely a second, he shot up from the bed and expertly threw the now shocked Mayano over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes and stood up. She quickly realised what sort of dirty trick he played on her and started thrashing widly like a prey animal in a predators jaw. He was NOT making her feel like a princess with this.
"H-HEY! Bastard let me go-!!" she whined, still thrashing around on his shoulder. Her Trainer however didnt budge, rather calmly fixing Mayanos bed with one hand before picking up her suitcase. All the while, Teio was sneakily watching this entire situation unfold, finding Trainers indifference to Mayanos self defense really fuckin' funny.
"Alright Teio, we'll get going now. Hopefully you can enjoy some time alone," he told Teio, aware of her watchful eyes.
Teio slowly crawled out of her covers to bid farewell to her roommate, propping herself up on her elbows.
"Yeah yeah...off you go you two. And try to enjoy it, Henri. If i had Maya on my back for a 3 days i would go insane."
"Yeah, yeah dont w-" he replied, getting hit square in the face my Mayanos calf as she continued trying to break free. He leaned his head back to avoid any further damage and finished speaking again: "Dont worry about it."
With one last nod to each other, Teio crawled under her covers once again and Henri finaly stepped out of the dorm, with both Mayano and her suitcase in hand. What an encounter that was. His thoughts, once outside, immidiately went back to what on earth he would even do with Mayano at the airport for 3 entire hours...its not like they werent on a billion airport dates, but 3 hours was an honest stretch. Both a stretch of his time and his wallet. His wallet specificaly....probably flinches like an abused child when it hears Mayanos name.
However his train of humorous thoughts was halted when she managed to land another hit with her heel to his face. His hold on her waist faltered as it hit and she used this opportunity to attempt to wiggle free. Unfortunately, to no avail.
"I SAID LET ME GO!! UGH-!" she cried out, her arms repeateadly beating his back. Being struck multiple times by flailling limbs, Henri thought that perhaps now it was a good time to let the girl down. After all, she has suffered enough.
Still struggling, Henri let her suitcase down to free his hand to help the other slowly put Mayano down. Luckily, it was no issue for him; after all Mayano was at this point in time only 152 centimeters and weighed around 55 kilos. That, to him, was nothing and she was gently put back onto her feet. Poor Henri didnt even catch his breath before his stomach and chest area were bombareded with mock punches. She seemed...mhh...just a tad angry.
"You ASSHOLE-!" she cried out while trying to land hits, "when i said i wanted to be carried that was NOT WHAT I MEANT!!!!"
"Okay okay-" Henri tried defending himself but trying to grab her wrists didnt work as the barrage of mildly hurting punches just continued to keep coming. After Mayano finaly got her fill of taking revenge on her Trainer, her mood went back to her usual chipper self.
"Now with that...and by 'that' i mean my missbehaving Trainer," she stated, walking over to Henri's side to grab his hand and look up at him, "lets go!"
And with no other choice, he quickly snatched her suitcase started getting dragged in the direction of the staircase at the end of the hall. The pair quickly made their way down to the stars until they passed by the reception desk at the entrance of the dormitory building and heard an oh so fammiliar voice. One that sounded quite fond.
"Oh, you two! Where you headed all packed up like that?"
It was Fuji Kiseki, the dormitories manager, sitting behind her desk. She knew both of them rather well, one for some reason never appearing without the other or at least mentioning them. Whether it was casual conversation with Mayano or calling Henri at 2 AM to ask where the hell Mayano was past curfew, they added a little more flavour to her job.
"Oh hi Kiseki, we-"
"Im going to go see Trainers parents! To France! Can you believe it?!" Mayano exlaimed loudly, waving her free hand at the Uma behind the desk.
"Oh that i can young lady," her gaze then averted to Henri, "hope you have a good time."
"Yeah, yeah...thanks Kiseki. We will sure try to...i havent visited my parents in ages. I hope their farm animals are doing ok-'
"Farm animals!?!?" Mayano shrieked, "what kind, what kind?!"
Kiseki couldnt help but find her absolute delight at his parents owning livestock just a little bit adorable. She gave Henri a quick sympathetic look before motivating them to move on.
"Alright alright...that would do it from you two. Now go, you dont wanna miss the flight."
"Actualy we still have 3 hou-"
Once again, Henri was interrupted, this time by Mayano yanking him through the front entrance door and leaving with him in hand.
"Haha, those two..." she remarked to the empty cup on her desk, "we'll stay in touch, Henri."