Chapter two: Like an Angel..
Koharu turned a corner. She realized how stupid it was to change into the Balalaika outfit before she got to the event. Everyone was staring at her. But Koharu ignored them. She was recalling her conversation with Reina and Sayumi. Of course, Reina knew nothing. Well, nothing about her secret. Not even Tsunku knew. And Sayumi.. Sayumi had only found out by accident. Koharu sighed. She recalled it well...
Kusumi Koharu was a new member of Morning Musume -- two months ago, she had won the 7th Generation Auditions. She was in her room, practicing. Not songs or dance, however. More so practicing how to master her powers. Yes, Koharu had powers. Magical powers. But she wasn't a wizard. She was not a magical girl like those in anime either. She was a tenkami, or in other words, an angel god. Magnificent wings sprouted from her back. They were shaped like a devil's, but white like an angel's.
Koharu started reciting spells in Latin. A fireball shot out of the palm of her right hand and hovered above it.
"Koharu-chan?"
Koharu froze. She was just in the process of starting to make her bigger. The one thing she had not counted on was Michishige Sayumi.
"I--I'm changing!" Koharu called out hastily.
"I'm coming in!" Sayumi pushed the door open. "We're both gi---"
Sayumi's eyes lingered from Koharu's fireball hovering over her hand, to the giant wings on her back.
"What.." Sayumi stumbled slightly. "Koharu-chan.."
"Sayumi-san... Don't.."
"What's going on, Koharu-chan?" Sayumi demanded. "Koharu-chan.. tell me!"
"No. Sayumi-san, you can't know.."
"Koharu-chan.." Sayumi murmured, moving over to Koharu. To the younger one's surprise, Sayumi grabbed one of Koharu's wings and buried her face in it.
"Sayumi-san!" Koharu exclaimed.
"So soft.."
"Sayumi-san! Please! You must leave.."
"What's with these wings, Koharu-chan? They're like.. the wings of an angel.."
It was as if an arrow had pierced through Koharu's heart.
"Alright, Sayumi-san, I'll tell you."
Sayumi's face rose from the feathery cluster. She turned around, resting her head on Koharu's shoulder.
"When I was four.." Koharu began. "I was put under a spell.. I don't know.. you could call it a spell.. or a curse.. Well, anyway.. I was blessed with powers that were descended from Heaven. I am one of the seven tenkami, or angel God. Each tenkami is the God of an element. I am the God of Fire. I do not know who the other six tenkami are, however.. Not even my parents know..."
Sayumi was silent. Then she finally said, "What's it like?"
"Different than being a human, I suppose. I don't eat. I don't sleep either, I just.. loose conciseness for a few hours. It's to recharge my powers."
"So, is this.. is this why you won?"
"Yes," Koharu avoided Sayumi's eyes. "I.. I didn't DO anything, per se, but I just... Won. Because I am not human, Sayumi-san.."
"Why did you audition for Momusu?" Sayumi asked in a quiet voice.
"Because.. I don't know.. because I found something that.. Something that I wanted to do.."
"Koharu-chan.. Is this your true form?"
"No," Koharu shook her head. "This is my half-tenkami form. My true tenkami form is much more.. frightening..."
"Sayu..." Koharu hugged herself. She knew that one day she'd have to show Sayumi her true form. However, she did not want anyone else to know.. If word got out.. But not now. Now, her main focus was this Balalaika event.