I let out a sigh of relief as we had entered the building. We weren't exactly safe of course, but I doubt Fuyuhiko was going to chase after us. The first thing I noticed was how nice the hotel looked. For an uninhabited island the hotel was sure in good condition. Even electricity seemed like it wouldn't be an issue. There were even plenty of arcade machines! I longed to play one, I really needed a break, but I had to introduce myself to the others first. I noticed a girl in the corner by herself. She had white hair, red eyes and wore glasses.
"Hey, Mikan we should introduce ourselves." I said, looking over to her.
Mikan nodded and we walked over to the girl.
"State your business." The girl said in a serious tone.
"Um… We would like to introduce ourselves, if that's ok with you."
"Introduce yourselves…?" The girl asked curiously, cocking her head as she did. "Very well. I don't mind."
"My name's Chiaki Nanami. I'm the Ultimate Gamer." I said giving a gentle smile. "This is my friend Mikan Tsumiki, the Ultimate Nurse."
Mikan shyly waved at the girl, slowly moving behind me as she did.
"My name is Peko Pekoyama." The girl said, still retaining her serious tone. "It is nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you too, Peko." I said, extending my hand for a handshake.
Peko gripped my hand firmly and shook it. In fact, she had a ridiculously strong grip. Mikan tapped my shoulder lightly. I turned my head to the left a bit to look at her.
"T-This girl's talent is the Ultimate Swordswoman. I read s-she's a kendo master and even m-most adult men don't stand a chance against her…"
"That's pretty impressive actually. Is this true Peko?" I said with gentle smile.
"Yes, what your friend has said is correct." Peko said.
I hadn't notice it before, but she really did have that intense look in her eyes.
"The rabbit said that if we collect all the 'Hope Shards' we would be able to leave this place correct?" Peko asked.
"She did." I responded. "It all seems so strange though. The bunny just told us it was by meeting the other students."
"I believe that to be unlikely." Peko said bluntly. "There has to be something else. Something else it hasn't told us."
Mikan started squealing behind me. She clearly wasn't enjoying the conversation Peko and I were having. She hugged me tightly from behind and buried her head in my shoulder.
"Is your friend, Mikan was it, alright?" Peko asked, raising an eyebrow at her action.
"She's fine." I replied. "Maybe we could stop talking about it though?"
Peko nodded.
"Very well, if that is what you wish, Chiaki."
Mikan loosened her grip on me soon after.
"O-Oh! I'm sorry f-for making you w-worry Peko…" Mikan said in an apologetic tone.
"It's fine." Peko replied bluntly.
Suddenly we heard a loud crash from upstairs. It caused Mikan to jump and accidentally fall on the floor in surprise. Peko extended a hand to help Mikan up and Mikan gripped it and allowed herself to be pulled back to her feet by the Ultimate Swordswoman.
"W-What was that…?" Mikan asked, still clearly surprised.
"No clue." I responded. "Any ideas Peko?"
"Maybe it was the girl that came in here a few minutes earlier." Peko said.
"Well, we should check it out, I think."
Peko and Mikan nodded and we quickly hurried upstairs.
We saw an extremely short boy pushed on the floor. There was a girl with bright red hair standing over him. She wore an expression which screamed disgust on her face.
"Damn pervert!" The girl said angrily.
"B-But I didn't d-do anything…" The boy said, shuddering.
"Yes, you did! L-Look at what you served me!"
"T-The dish is innocent!" The boy said in a fearful voice.
"N-No it isn't!" The girl said, crossing her arms. "It's a banana split. The banana is completely upright in the ice cream, which is vanilla by the way! You even served it to me in a pink cup! What's more you winked at me when you gave it to me!"
I figured it was best the stay out of it. This looked like it could be deadly. Peko walked up to the and helped him up.
"Teruteru, what did I say. I thought I told you I wouldn't like to kill anyone while I'm here." Peko said bluntly.
The boy's face went grave. He didn't even speak, he just stared at Peko.
"Peko, don't you think that's a little…extreme…" The girl said, turning her attention towards the swordswoman.
"Not at all." Peko replied.
Peko's statement was frightening to say the least. I wondered what would make her like that. Rough childhood I supposed. Part of me hoped she was joking. It was just wrong to kill someone, no matter the circumstances.
I walked over to the red-haired girl. She still seemed pretty angry after what happened, but she seemed approachable.
"Hey, are you alright?" I asked.
The girl nodded.
"Yeah… just fine." She replied. "You just have to watch out for perverts like him sometimes."
"Yeah, I agree." I said, giving her a gentle smile. "What's your name?"
"Oh, it's Mahiru Koizumi, the Ultimate Photographer." She said happily. "What's yours?"
"Chiaki Nanami. I'm the Ultimate Gamer." I replied. "It's nice to meet you, Mahiru."
"Likewise." Mahiru replied, smiling happily. "Us girls gotta watch out for each other, you know."
"Oh, for sure. My friend over there in the corner is Mikan Tsumiki. She's the Ultimate Nurse."
Mahiru shyly waved to Mikan. It took a couple seconds for the shy nurse to notice before awkwardly waving back.
"Hey Mahiru, who's that?" I asked, pointing to the boy.
"Oh, him?" She started. "His name is Teruteru Hanamura. He's the Ultimate Cook."
"Please. Call me Chef." Teruteru said, seemingly normal, before letting out a loud squeal as his gaze met Peko's once again.
"Hey, Peko. I think you've scared him enough. You should leave him alone now." I said.
"Hmm… Very well." The swordswoman replied.
She walked back over to Mikan, who was still a bit astonished due the whole situation.
Teruteru quickly returned to normal and walked over to me and Mahiru.
"Oh, hello there Miss." Teruteru said, in a smooth voice. "What's your name?"
"Chiaki Nanami." I replied bluntly.
Teruteru quickly turned to face Mikan.
"What about you Miss?"
"M-My name is Mikan Tsumiki! I-I hope we can get along!"
"Likewise, Miss Tsumiki." Teruteru said. "You're very beautiful."
Mikan's eyes widened.
"M-Me? Beautiful?"
Mikan's cheeks turned a deep shade of crimson at his compliment. She couldn't help but smile subtly.
"Yes, extremely beautiful." He said in a seductive voice.
"No, stop." I said, pouting angrily as I did.
"H-Huh?" Teruteru said wearily.
"You know Tereteru, you've got some balls." Mahiru said with an annoyed expression on her face. "Even though Peko warned you, you're trying to seduce Mikan with Peko right next to you."
Teruteru quickly turned his head slightly. He was greeted by Peko's death stare. The stare was so frightening in fact, it seemed as if it could kill.
"Eeeek!" Teruteru shrieked as he feel onto the floor.
He quickly scooted away from Mikan and Peko and into a corner of the kitchen.
"P-Please don't kill me!" Teruteru begged.
Peko quickly reached for the sword on her back. Mikan placed her hand on her shoulder and shook her head.
"It's alright Peko…there's no need to harm anyone…" Mikan said somewhat timidly.
Peko nodded and placed her hand to its original position.
"If that is what you wish." Peko said in a softer, more gentle tone. "My apologies."
Mikan nodded and Peko took one step down the stairs before turning around.
"Please, Teruteru. Try not to do it again." She said in a serious tone. "As I've said before, we should get along and I wish for no need to harm anyone."
Teruteru nodded frantically and Peko made her way down the stairs.
"Geez…" Mahiru said softly.
"That really was something, huh Mahiru?"
"Yeah, it really was…" She replied. "I think… I'm going to look around more… It was nice to meet you all…"
I nodded and Mahiru began to walk downstairs.
I let out a loud yawn. I was becoming more and more tired.
"Hey, Mikan." I said, the fatigue becoming clearer in my voice. "We're done here, I think."
"Y-Yeah…" She replied.
I walked over to Mikan.
"Alright, Teruteru, behave." I said, letting out another yawn soon after.
"Y-Yeah…" Teruteru said somewhat fearfully. "S-See ya…"
I nodded and we both walked back to the bottom floor of the hotel.