Title: Nozomi's School For Capturing Princesses
"Listen well, my adorable apprentices-"
"Ehh."
"Quiet Nicochi. Now as I was saying…There are only three things you need to remember. Stealth. Body language. and…what was the third one? Anyone care to take a guess?"
"Ooh! Ooh! Rin knows!"
"Please tell the class, Seargent Rin."
"Rice!"
"hmm…close, but I think that only applies to your specific target. Anyone else want to try~?"
"Is it getting physical?"
"Nice try Kotori-chan, but I don't think your target can handle that level of attack yet. We'll cover that aspect in a future class everyone. For now, the final thing to remember is Location, as in, make sure you have cut off all escape routes before moving in."
"Why am I even here?"
"To learn Nicochi. Princesses don't capture themselves, you know~"
The atmosphere in the clubroom is strangely tense when she enters. Umi takes her regular seat, glancing at each one of her fellow muse members in turn, taking in abnormally straight backs, seemingly pale complexions, and the way some eyes appear unable to stop roving. She hadn't missed the reactions when she had opened the door to enter, not one minute previous. It was telling in the way that Hanayo had squeaked a little before covering her own mouth with her hands, the way Eri's fingers hesitated in their movements across the laptop keyboard, the way Maki put on her most determinedly blank expression and clenched her fist as if ready to fight…or run.
Those reactions had only last a moment before the occupants of the room had realized 'Oh…it's just Umi.' and relaxed just the slightest bit, but not completely. The air is still charged, as if everyone is waiting for…something. Whatever it is, Umi doesn't know, but what she does know is that she should probably find out quickly. Before that 'something' catches her unaware.
"…What is going on?" It is a rather abrupt question, but the direct approach is always the best, and Umi can't shake the feeling that she is running out of time. She directs her gaze to Eri, still not quite able to shake the entrenched belief that the older blonde, being an upperclassmen, will have all the answers she needs.
No one says anything for a long moment. Eri herself only meets Umi's eyes for a fraction of a second before glancing away. Apprehension, worry, maybe a flicker of guilt. That's what Umi saw in the other girl in that brief time. She watches her friend swallow convulsively and try to form words to explain, but no sound comes out.
"They're plotting against us." That was Maki, her tone the usual combination of bored and aggravated. The expression on her face and the seemingly unnoticed death grip on her phone makes it clear that she is trying harder than usual to affect an unconcerned air.
A quick nod of agreement from Eri and another nervous squeak from Hanayo. Umi gives them a questioning look, because even with the clear absence of the obvious suspects, 'they' could be anyone really.
"Nozomi." Eri offers by way of explanation, and it really does explain a fair amount. If Nozomi is planning some big prank, she is probably conspiring with Rin and Nico at the very least, maybe Honoka too.
"Maybe we should call it a day and head home." A sigh and Eri stands, carefully closing her laptop and placing it in her bag. Umi wants to protest, they haven't done anything yet after all, but a small amount of worry invades her mind. What could her other friends be up to that would cause both Maki and Eri to want to flee?
"Let's go then. I'll walk you home Hanayo-chan. Safety in numbers, right?" Maki still looks tense, and her cheeks are brushed a faint pink (a trick of the light, surely), but she is obviously relieved to be leaving. She quickly places her cell phone in her bag, standing up and offering her hand to Hanayo, who hesitantly accepts it.
"Ah…alright, Maki-chan. I don't think that Rin-chan would do anything really bad though…" Hanayo smiles happily, her eyes lighting up with affection, as she takes Maki's hand and the two of them are the first to leave, waving goodbye as they quickly head out the door. It isn't lost on Umi that Maki warily checks the hall for the appearance of their wayward members before stepping out completely.
"See you tomorrow, Umi." Eri murmurs the soft farewell as she too quietly leaves. Umi is the last to leave the clubroom, turning off the light and closing the door firmly as she does. She catches a glimpse of Eri turning a corner down the hall when she turns to leave, and only realizes after taking a few steps in the opposite direction that the older girl wasn't heading toward the exit.
'She is probably going to wait for Nozomi anyway…' Umi sort of hopes that Eri will manage to distract Nozomi and the others enough to stop or delay whatever they are planning, but she doesn't hold out much hope. There has yet to be a time when a Nozomi planned prank has failed to be executed. With those thoughts, Umi heads for the safety of home as quickly as her dignity will allow. 'Comrade Eri, we will never forget your brave sacrifice!'
"Now for your first big assignment. Nothing too major. We are going to be practicing stalking the target, with a special emphasis on encounter location. Its really important for later lessons that you learn how to get your target alone, in an area that doesn't provide an easy escape. We'll practice effective 'capture' techniques another time. Ready everyone?"
"Yeah! Rin can't wait!"
"I'll do my best!"
"Ugh!"
"Now now, don't be like that Nicochi~"
