Save Me Lollipop
Rating: T plus mature subject matter
Disclaimer: I do not own Save Me Lollipop; some other guy does, but not me
Characters: Nina, Zero, Ichi, Forte, San, Gou, little Roka, Nanase and Yakamo
Note: thoughts
Chapter 2
"That's right! This year it'll be a Co-ed Team Man-Hunt! But here's where the good part comes in, the Hunt will be located in the Town's Forest!"
At that moment, the rest of the town erupted into mixed emotions.
"Awesome! I love man hunts! Especially in forests!" Said Zero with excitement.
"Sounds interesting, yet exciting." Said Ichi, smiling at the town's reaction.
Nina looked down on the ground. Crap! Why in the Forest!? That place just gives me the creeps. But, I'm still not sure about the Co-ed Team part. It sounds a little weird.
"Nina? Are you alright?" Said Ichi, looking towards her with concern.
"Huh? Oh no, I'm fine Ichi, really." Plastering a fake smile on her face.
"Alright, but if there's anything wrong, you can tell me okay?"
Nina smiled. "Sure... Thanks Ichi."
As Ichi turns back towards the stage, Nina caught sight of Zero, on the other side of Ichi, who was looking at her with raised eyebrows. Nina quickly looked away from him, with a slight blush.
Great, now Zero is worried. Gotta keep your cool Nina, don't let him know that you're afraid of the forest. Cause he'll never live it down.
The Mayor's voice boomed once again from the microphone.
"Now everybody please quite down." When there was silence, he continued. "Now let's get to the details. I know that many of you are wondering about the Co-ed Team part. The answer is simple. Each group will be a pair, made up of one boy and one girl. And the objective is simple. Get the other teams' flag. When your flag is captured, you return back to the base, with your partner. The more flags you obtain, the higher your score will be. At the end of the day, exactly at midnight, the Town Council will scout out the forest for remaining teams, and declare the victor."
The town erupted in excitement once again, only to be silenced by the Mayor.
"However! To participate, you must be at least sixteen years old. But I strongly caution you. This event is not for the faint-hearted. In that forest surrounded by boundaries, you will be tested. Not only physically tested, but emotionally and mentally. You will also be tested on your ability to work well with your partner. Because once you enter that forest, the only person you could count on, even trust, will be your partner. Anybody else, will do whatever it takes to take your flag away. It's all about survival people. Only the strong ones will be the last ones standing. Now, if you like to participate, you have a full hour to find a partner, and sign up at the entrance to the forest. I wish you all good luck."
As the Mayor leaves the stage, the rest of the town suddenly talked among each other with mixed emotions.
"Awesome! Sounds like my kind of thing!" Said Zero, with fire in his eyes.
"Looks like the Town's Council is up to something." Said Ichi, narrowing his eyes towards the Mayor.
Zero turns towards Ichi, a little surprised. "What do you mean, Ichi?"
"Think about it. Why would the Town Council warn us about all of those things? If you ask me, it looks like they want to separate the weak from the strong, through the illusion of a harmless town event."
"You think?"
"Well, that's the feeling I'm getting."
Nina looked down at her hands, clenching them into fists.
Oh no. What do I do? I'm not like anything what the Mayor mentioned. I'm not brave, and I doubt that I'm even that strong. But... since the rules state that partners has to be a boy and a girl, then there's no doubt that Ichi or Zero will want me on their side. But I guess the real question will be... who will I go with?
"Hey Nina, what do you think?" Said Ichi smiling down towards her.
Nina looked up at him, a little out of it. "Hm? About what?"
"Well, about what the Mayor just said?"
"Oh, well, I think it sounds like fun." Plastering a fake smile on her face.
"Really? Well, if you think it sounds like fun... then I guess... would you..."
The trio suddenly heard a familiar yell coming towards them. "ICHI!"
They look to their far left to see a busty Roka running towards Ichi, and giving him a giant hug, again.
"Oh, hi Roka... again." Said Ichi, trapped in the adult Roka form's embrace.
"Oh Ichi, let's go to the forest together!"
Slightly confused, Ichi asked Roka. "Uh, what for?"
"Silly, for the Hunt game, off course."
"But, where's Gou?"
"Oh he went to the Mayor to see if he can make an exception to make a team of three, since he's my caretaker and all." Roka waved her arm like it was nothing.
"But wait, aren't you like, five? You're supposed to be sixteen." Said Zero.
Roka stuck her tongue out at him. "Not in this form."She turned towards Ichi. "C'mon let's go Ichi, my love!"
"But I..." Said Ichi turning to face Nina, as Roka dragged him away, and out of sight.
"Huh. Well, at least she didn't say anything about your boobs, Nina." Said Zero with a cocky smile.
Crap! I'm alone with Zero! Oh man, oh man, oh man, oh man...
"So... uh... um... do you wanna go with me Nina?"
Nina turns to face Zero.
Oh no. What do I do? I can't say no, cause then I'll hurt his feelings. But I also can't say that I'm afraid of the forest, he'll just end up laughing at me... What do I do?
"Hey Zero!" Yelled Forte, coming towards the pair with San.
"Hey guys. You guys going to The Forest?"
"Well, San really wants to go, but I keep telling her that it's not a good idea."
"Oh Fo, don't be silly. We can always use magic to get food." Said San happily.
Forte sweat-drops, anime style. "That's what I'm worried about."
Forte's head snaps back up, as if he remembered something.
"Oh, I almost forgot. I heard Nanase and Yakamo are entering the challenge."
Zero's eyes widened. "What!? They're here too!?"
"Yea. Well, that's what I heard."
"C'mon Fo, let's go hunting!" Said San, dragging him away.
"Alright, I'm coming!" Turning to face Zero. "I'll be seeing you there too, Zero."
Zero smiled mischievously. "You better watch your back Forte."
Forte chuckles. "Alright, see ya." He waves goodbye, as he runs off with San.
Nina just stared after Forte and San, wide eyed.
Oh crap! Yakamo will be there too!? Oh no, this isn't good. She slightly turns towards Zero, who's smiling after Forte and San. But, if I'm with Zero, he'll protect me from him, and I know that he won't leave me alone.
"By the way Nina" Said Zero, turning to face her. "If you don't wanna go, then it's totally fine. But you gotta know that, no matter what happens, I'll always protect you... Just like I have protected you in the past."
"Zero..."
"And besides... some people deserve some ass kicking."
Nina fell over in disbelief, anime style.
Zero chuckled. "Well, since I don't have a partner, I might as well look for one. See you around Nina."
Zero walks away a few steps, just before Nina calls out after him.
"Zero, wait!" She runs towards him, while Zero turns back towards her, with a total poker face. "I think it'll be a good idea... if we went together." She said blushing.
Zero's expression softens, as he blushes. "Thank you Nina."
Zero takes Nina's hand, and they both run towards the Town's Forest, while unaware that their lives will be forever changed, if they ever make it out that is.
