"Yo, Tsukune," Mizore opened up his third story window and popped into his room. It did not even occur to her that some people might consider what she was doing intrusive or borderline scary. She wanted to see him and she was not about to let some silly rule about girls not being allowed past the first floor get in the way. "You'll never believe…"
She'd been about to tell him about the sweet justice she had inflicted on that idiot Gin. She didn't bother to continue because he was lying sprawled out on his sleeping mat still fully dressed. Since he was snoring it was pretty obvious that he was asleep. Seeing him lying there peacefully asleep she couldn't help but smile. As cute as she thought he was normally he was even cuter now. "Well, I suppose this can wait until tomorrow."
Without really thinking about it she went over and removed his shoes. She then took off his jacket and tie. With her monstrous strength she easily, but gently, lifted him so she could put him down again and cover him with a blanket. With that done she nodded to herself well pleased. He should be able to sleep comfortably now.
Now she could go and start writing up the story to go with her pictures. But instead she remained right where she was, kneeling in the floor beside him. Her eyes were drawn to his face, especially to his lips.
'I have never kissed a girl.' Tsukune had said.
I have never kissed a boy. Mizore thought.
There'd been a boy she'd cared for once, a human boy name Keitaro. He'd lived in a little human village near her home. He'd had the kindest eyes and when he'd smiled at her she'd gotten a warm feeling. He'd said she was special and that he cared for her. So one day she'd brought him to the sacred field where the white maidens grew. She'd shown him her true form and asked him if he would promise to wait for her. She'd hoped to hear him pledge himself to her.
But instead his eyes had looked at her with hatred and fear, and he'd run from her crying out that she was a monster who only wanted to devour him.
When she'd first realized that Tsukune was human she'd wondered if he would also end up looking at her with hatred and fear. When she'd been forced to reveal her true form in order to protect him she'd feared he would hate her.
'Why would it?' Tsukune had said. 'You're beautiful.'
Hearing him say that had made her feel very warm. Looking at his peaceful face she wondered what it would feel like to just lean down a little and press her lips to his. The idea of not only getting her first kiss but stealing Tsukune's first made her heart begin to drum within her chest.
Reaching out with one hand she tenderly caressed his cheek. He was so warm. Looking at his sleeping face she found she really wanted to kiss him. She longed to kiss him.
But not like this. She stood up and went to his window. When I kiss him I want him to kiss me. She gave his sleeping form a last smile and left.
XXXXXXXXXX
Nekonome-sensei was in the newspaper room following class as they gathered for club.
"Ah, unfortunately I am afraid Gin will be in the infirmary for at least a week. He received quite a beating following the, ah, incident."
"What happened?" Moka asked.
"The girls beat him for peeping while they were changing," Mizore told her. "You can read all about it in my article."
Moka frowned and looked very upset. "I hate perverts!"
Good luck winning her over now Gin, Mizore thought. Though I don't think he ever stood much of a chance.
Moka looked over at Tsukune. "You aren't a pervert are you Tsukune?"
He shook his head vehemently. "No Moka-chan, I would never do anything like that."
Moka smiled shyly and looked relieved. "Good! I never thought you would."
Mizore frowned at the pink haired girl but did not say anything. With Nekonome there to oversee things they made a lot of progress towards getting the paper done on time.
XXXXXXXXXX
"Do you think Moka is beautiful?" Mizore asked out of the blue as they were walking back together.
"Huh? Where did this come from?"
"I know a lot of the boys think she is very beautiful." Mizore said simply. "If everything with Saizou hadn't happened she probably would have had a fan club like Kurumu's."
"Well Moka-chan is definitely very cute," he admitted.
"And what about Kurumu?"
"Well she is definitely attractive too, no question." Tsukune was definitely feeling a little uncomfortable with the direction this talk was taking.
"Which one do you find more beautiful?" Mizore wanted to know who her main competition would be. She was hoping it was Moka. Moka was shy and cautious, Mizore understood her and though she could deal with her. Kurumu was almost a force of nature at times. Short of threatening her or beating her to a pulp Mizore wasn't sure how to deal with the annoying succubus.
Tsukune looked at her and answered her question easily. "I think both girls are pretty, but for me Mizore-chan is the most beautiful girl here."
She felt her face blush and a warm feeling spread through her chest. That had definitely been the best answer.
XXXXXXXXXX
Kuyou waited patiently in the Chairman's office. He noted the clock on the wall, the Chairman seemed to be running late today, he'd been waiting a good fifteen minutes. As the leader of the Student Police Committee he was not used to anyone keeping him waiting. Even the faculty members were careful to treat him with the utmost courtesy. He wondered if this might be a subtle message, reminding him of who held the final authority at the academy.
The office door opened and in stepped the Chairman of the Board, dressed in his usual white robes with glowing eyes that never seemed to close. "Please pardon my tardiness Kuyou, I am afraid my tasks are many and my attention is often required in more than one place."
Kuyou offered him a slight bow. "Not at all Chairman-sama, I can understand the call of duty. Now if I may ask, could you tell me why I have been summoned?"
The Chairman sat down behind his desk while Kuyou remained standing, he did not invite Kuyou to take a seat. "You may consider this to be a simple precaution."
"A precaution?" Kuyou asked warily. He had founded the Police Committee to help maintain the order and peace of the Academy. Doing so often demanded… zealous measures that not everyone appreciated. The Chairman had never supported his activities, but had left him more or less alone. Until now. "A precaution against what if I may ask?"
"I would like to avoid a repeat of the unpleasantness that occurred last year between your committee and the newspaper club." The Chairman informed him. "They do have a right to function after all and will be releasing their first new edition shortly."
"I had no idea that club was even still in existence." Kuyou said. Though he was angry within his face and voice gave away nothing of what he was thinking. I thought that fool Gin had learned his lesson.
"They are indeed a functioning club again. I myself am quite curious to see their progress. I am also happy to know that we have a school newspaper. I intend to read every edition and keep a close eye on their activity." The Chairman looked him over with those glowing eyes of his. "I would be most displeased were anything to again interrupt the newspaper's publishing."
Nothing at all subtle about that. "I understand Chairman-sama," though he disliked it he gave the chairman another bow. "I can assure you that I and my Committee members will steer well clear of them… so long as they do not tread where they should not." So long as they do not dare try and judge me and mine again.
The Chairman's smile was cold. "Wherever they tread I expect to be informed of any quarrel or objection before you feel the need to take action."
You are interfering in things that should not concern you. Nevertheless he could only nod. Whatever his feelings he recognized who the most powerful monster was.
XXXXXXXXXX
Despite the occasional staring matches the three members of the Newspaper club were able to write, edit and complete their first edition well before the deadline. Nekonome-sensei was not exactly thrilled by the lead story, 'Newspaper editor caught in the act!' There was a four picture spread of Gin pleading for mercy as he received a beating. Nekonome didn't care for it, but had to admit it was newsworthy and would make a good cover to the premier issue of the school year.
That Tuesday morning before class the three of them gathered in front of the main entrance and handed out the free papers. With two pretty girls there to help they had no trouble at all distributing all the papers. The three of them were all pleased by their success and by the fact their hard work had paid off.
XXXXXXXXXX
In the nearby woods two figures watched as the three of them congratulated each other and headed towards homeroom.
They both wore black coats and uniforms distinct from what the other students wore. A harsh looking dark haired woman turned to her commander. "Are you really going to allow such trash to do as they please?" Keito asked.
Kuyou frowned but gave her a curt nod. "The Chairman's orders were explicit; the Committee can do nothing about them… at least not directly." A fox like grin touched his lips.
"You have a plan?" Keito asked eagerly.
"Perhaps," Kuyou said mysteriously. "After all this school is near overflowing with violent and irrational beings. Who knows what could happen?"
Keito chuckled. She knew her commander well enough to understand he was not the sort to just let things go. The slanderous lies the newspaper had spread last year demanded swift and brutal retribution. And if the Chairman made that impossible to accomplish directly, she would be satisfied with getting it second hand.
