Ruby was helping Mizore wash up after lunch as Kurumu, having just prepared the meal sat opposite Moka, who was sitting on the bay window seat with a contented looking Yukari beside her.
As if on cue, Yukari accidentally belched then, and then sheepishly spoke up.
"Well, say what you want about Kurumu, but she sure can whip up a decent meal out of scraps of nothing."
Kurumu gave her a suspicious smirk.
"Um…thanks, I think?"
In the living room, they could hear Tsukune and Kokoa arguing over the television.
"Turn the channel already! I want to see what channels we have."
"I'm looking for highlights from the baseball game yesterday, so you can wait a minute."
"I'm sure any team you pull for sucks anyway. I want to watch something else!"
Moka let out a rather disappointed sounding sigh as she watched the two people she loved most bicker over the remote control.
"I can see THAT becoming an issue."
Mizore also looked on the squabbling pair as she placed dried dishware back up in the cabinet above the range top.
"It's not like there aren't three other TVs in this house."
Ruby, finished now with washing the dishes, handed the last one to Mizore to dry and spoke up as she dried off her hands.
"The meal was excellent Kurumu-chan."
This elicited a smiling head nod from the addressee, which contained enough self-confident arrogance to make the silver-haired beauty across from her curl her lip up in mild contempt.
Ruby then reminded them of the now completely bare state of their supplies.
"Well, now that we're all full, we need to refill our shelves as well. I'm not sure we have enough left for dinner tonight."
Kurumu confirmed Ruby's assessment.
"We definitely don't have enough food for dinner tonight. Not for seven people."
Moka crossed her arms and stared across the table with an irritated expression.
"And where exactly will we be getting this food from? There's still a week of school break left. The school store is closed."
Beside her, Yukari suddenly seemed to have what to her was an exciting idea.
"Well, the Chairman of Yokai Academy is watching TV on the couch over there. He just happens to have a key to the school store."
Ruby, who had just retaken her seat at the far end head of the table beside Yukari, sent her fellow witch a worried look.
"I'm…not sure that would be appropriate. Plus if anyone found us there we'd need to answer some rather uncomfortable questions."
Mizore now also retook her own seat between Kurumu and Ruby as Kurumu responded.
"Plus most of the stuff in the school store is instant food or microwave stuff. We actually need to stock these shelves with real food and lots of it. We also need spices, herbs, personal items. All kinds of stuff we'd only get at a real store."
"Ruby, where did you get the food that you've been eating here?"
Like during the tour earlier, Ruby seemed embarrassed to answer Mizore's seemingly innocuous question.
"Well…..you see I…I usually eat breakfast and lunch in the school cafeteria. As for dinner stuff, I usually brought home leftovers from the cafeteria."
Oblivious to her elder friend's discomfort, Yukari excitedly piped up again with another idea.
"HEY! We can get what we need from the school cafeteria or even the home-economics class!"
Kurumu and Moka both sent her back angry expressions.
"When did you turn into such a thief?"
Yukari flared back angrily at Kurumu's accusation.
"HEY! WHO ARE YOU CALLING A THIEF?"
"The person suggesting we go and take what we want from the school, that's who."
Before this latest row could escalate further Ruby put a calming hand on Yukari's shoulder.
"That would be as inappropriate as opening the school store, I'm afraid."
"Is there a store in the Teacher's Village?"
Ruby shook her head back as she answered Mizore.
"No, they either get stuff from the school store or vending machines. I think most of them get Bus Driver to take them to the Human world to do most of their shopping."
Moka's eyebrow rose up her forehead slightly when she heard this.
"Well then, that's what we'll have to do. We need to go to a Human store."
Finally, Kurumu found something she and Moka agreed on other than their mutual devotion to Tsukune.
"So we just need to make a shopping list and call up Bus Driver to take us."
"We don't need Bus Driver to take us."
Tsukune had walked up into the conversation. Apparently, Kokoa had worn him down into giving her control of the remote.
"After all, we have a car."
To emphasize his point he held out the golden key in front of him.
Yukari however, seemed skeptical.
"That's true enough, but have you ever driven a car before Tsukune-kun?"
Tsukune answered her with a sheepish grin on his face.
"Um…well. Dad's let me drive the family car before…in parking lots."
Moka twisted her lips in frustration before venting out loud.
"Not sure what good Tsukune having a car is if neither he nor any of the rest of us have a driver's license. The last thing we need right now is for him to be arrested for not having a license."
Ruby seemed to have suddenly remembered something important and spoke as she rose from her seat and walked past Tsukune back into the kitchen.
"Well…..just maybe…"
As everyone watched her she opened the first drawer beside the range top and pulled out a large manila folder.
"Yup, that's what I thought."
"What?"
Ruby smiled as she handed Tsukune the folder and he saw his name on it.
"Chairman Mikogami always used this drawer when he wanted to give me something, but didn't have time to give it to me himself. I check it daily. Even the mail gets in the drawer by some form of magic I have yet to determine."
She moved up so she could look over his shoulder as he opened the file.
"Oh, there's a note here."
"What does it say?"
Tsukune shot Yukari back a smile before reading the note out loud so they all could hear.
["Tsukune-san, thanks for taking on the job. I suspect you already know it's a lot more than being just Academy Chairman. When in doubt, turn to Bus Driver, Nekonome-Sensei, and Ruby-chan. Keep your friends close and your enemies closer and never doubt your gut feelings. Enjoy the car and the house and remember to look in all the drawers and read all my books; you never know what you'll find that will be helpful. Thanks for everything. Sincerely, Mikogami Tenmei, founder, Yokai Academy."]
Everyone was surprised when Ruby began to sob and took out a handkerchief to collect her tears.
"What's wrong Ruby?"
"Are you OK?"
Despite her tears, Ruby flashed a small but reassuring smile at her worried friends.
"Yes, it's just…"
She choked up then but managed to continue on.
"…..he called me Ruby-chan. He had only ever addressed me as Ruby-san before now."
Tsukune put his arm around her and smiled as he hugged her before he refocused on the folder. He sat down at the near end of the table and Moka and Yukari slid over so Ruby could sit beside them on the bench. As he began to look at the folder contents Yukari asked for details.
"So what goodies did the Chairman leave you Tsukune?"
Tsukune, with a rather surprised look on his face, held up what looked like a credit card.
"Well…..it's a bank card, I think."
Ruby seemed to recognize it immediately.
"Oh! That's your ATM card for your direct deposits. It can also be used as a debit card."
Tsukune sent her a questioning look.
"Um…..from my student account? My parents give me a little every pay period but I've never needed a bank card for it before, just my student ID card."
Ruby blushed a little under his gaze and answered him in a small voice.
"Um….no, I'd imagine that account will be tied to your salary."
Tsukune's eyes grew noticeably wider now.
"My….WHAT?"
Everyone's eyes grew wider with his as well.
"His WHAT?"
Ruby picked out the piece of paper the card had been attached to and handed it to Tsukune.
"I think this will explain it."
Tsukune began reading it out loud for everyone to hear.
["You'll be receiving an income as Chairman of Yokai Academy. While you're still a student you'll directly receive 40% of the income deposited once a month into the bank account I created for you. The rest of your income will be deposited into your investment account. Once you graduate and Bus Driver has publically declared you my successor, you'll have access to the full amount. This particular bank has a history of dealing with Yokai clients, and I have provided you with detailed information in this bundle packet. The card above this note is your bank card. It changes names to prevent you from being identified by those you don't want to know who you are. There's a driver's license included that changes names and addresses too. I have it on good authority that you have completed most of the driver's education you'd need to obtain an actual driver's license, but given your new circumstances, I'd advise against adding additional evidence of your existence for Human authorities to track you down with. Ruby-chan can show you how to change the info when you need to. The rest of the info in this packet operates much the same way. Mikogami."]
Tsukune picked up another card that was apparently his new driver's license.
"It's the picture from my student ID. This looks like a real license too."
"That's because it is a real license."
Tsukune sent Ruby back a surprised look as Kurumu spoke up from his other side.
"That's Tsukune's name and his parent's address. That might not be what we want a police officer to see."
Ruby tapped the note Tsukune just read as she addressed Kurumu's concern.
"Like the Chairman said in his note, the bank card and license info changes depending on the circumstances. Tsukune, hold the license in your hand and think of a common man's name."
"Um…OK."
Tsukune held the license up and looked at it as he tried to come up with some believable yet common sounding name.
"Um… Nakamura Jiro?"
Suddenly the Kangi and Hiragana on the license blurred and rearranged to form the name of one Nakamura Jiro, who just happened to appear to live in Sendai. It was still Tsukune's picture on the license but all the other info on the card now lined up with someone else who just happened to be named Nakamura Jiro.
"Well, that's a useful thing to have."
Kurumu agreed with Moka's assessment.
"No doubt!"
Mizore leaned over Kurumu's shoulder to get a better look.
"So, who's Nakamura Jiro from…Sendai?"
Ruby smirked a bit as she responded.
"I suspect he was the person with that name that's closest in age to our Tsukune-kun."
"But we're nowhere near Sendai."
Ruby shrugged with a sheepish smile as she responded to Yukari.
"Well that's kind of the point, isn't it? The chances of anyone nearby who sees Tsukune-kun's license or card knowing Nakamura Jiro from Sendai is significantly low."
Yukari grinned as the point hit home with her.
"Oh! I see! So he needs to pick common names to throw a wider net and get more chances, and then the magic in the card will pick one of appropriate age from far enough away where no one should know who he is."
Ruby nodded confirmation to her younger fellow witch.
"Precisely!"
She then looked back at Tsukune.
"Have you looked at the bank card since you changed the license?"
"No, let me see…"
Everyone was surprised yet again to see the info on the bank card lined up perfectly with what was now on the driver's license.
"So the card changed too?"
Ruby answered Kurumu's question.
"Yes, they are tied together. I'd be willing to bet the license plates on the car are also changing to match the appropriate name as well."
Kurumu then seemed to ponder something seriously before giving voice to her thoughts.
"So does that mean Tsukune-kun has some money to pay for the food?"
Tsukune brightened up a bit at this comment.
"Yeah….have I made anything yet?"
Moka looked concerned as she re-crossed her arms again over her bust.
"We haven't exactly figured out how we'll pay yet."
"That's no problem! I can pay for it."
Everyone was stunned by Ruby's generous offer. Moka spoke up with some concern in her voice.
"That's generous of you Ruby but also unfair to you. We should all share in paying for food."
Ruby wasn't deterred by this argument in the least.
"It's alright, I have a nice income from my job at the Academy and have pretty much been saving all of it since I've been living here rent free and eating at the school. I'll be happy to pay for it this time."
Yukari looked across Moka to Ruby with a perplexed expression
"Wait! I thought you were a volunteer at the Academy or something like that?"
Ruby responded with another blush and her old and familiar words came out.
"Well you see…..it's a long story….."
"Yeah….that's OK…."
"We're good."
"It's really none of our business."
Ruby began to pout that no one wanted to hear her long story but Moka gave her a reassuring pat on her forearm as Tsukune spoke up.
"With all you did around the Academy it's just a relief to know you were getting paid for it."
Ruby was happy to hear that from the man she loved, but still a little upset they had cut her off from explaining further.
"But….my story…"
Moka effortlessly ignored Ruby's whimper and began forging ahead with organizing the rest of the afternoon's events.
"It's already well past mid-afternoon. We need to get moving on this. We also need to go move our stuff out of our dorm rooms and bring it back here. We'll need the car for both tasks. We need to make a shopping list. Kurumu, since you think you'll be doing most of the cooking you can start the list."
"I can start the list!"
Yukari broke out her wand and the star on top glowed and quill pen and parchment paper materialized before her on the table.
"Actually, you guys who aren't going to the store should put what you want down first. I can add the main foodstuff to the list while we're on our way to the store."
Moka scowled back at Kurumu with her red eyes glowing once more.
"What makes YOU think you're going to the store and not helping pack up that pig sty of yours?"
Kurumu sent Moka back a vicious sneer.
"Don't be silly! Of course, I'm going. A chef always picks out the ingredients!"
They could all hear Moka's jaw pop as she bit off her reply words in a low growl.
"I don't remember anyone say YOU were going to own the kitchen!"
Kurumu's smirking response was vicious.
"Well, we sure aren't going to let YOU cook! We'd all be dead by this evening!"
"LADIES PLEASE!"
Once again it was Ruby playing peacemaker. She gave the irritated Moka a sympathetic smile as Kurumu continued to smirk across the table at her.
"Honestly, Kurumu is probably the best at cooking in the house and should be the one to go to the store, at least for the first time. You, on the other hand, would be better at organizing getting everyone's stuff from the dorms back to here."
Moka directed her angry gaze to her side at Ruby then, making the witch flinch a little.
"In other words, I'm best at herding cats?"
Ruby ignored this bitter if all too correct assessment that Moka would be best at intimidating the others into actually achieving the goal of moving their belongings back to the house.
"Tsukune and I will go with Kurumu to the store since he's driving and I'm paying and have all my personal items already here. Then we'll drop the food off and come by the dorms to pick up everything."
Moka refocused her glaring red eyes on Kurumu, and then reluctantly agreed.
"….fine…"
Tsukune could just see the slight increase in her smirk and glee in her eyes as Kurumu wordlessly celebrated her victory.
"That's not nice Kuru-chan."
Suddenly she looked at Tsukune with concern in her eyes before just as rapidly turning away.
"But why can't WE go to the store too?"
Moka now directed her angry glare in the other direction at the now pouting Yukari and Mizore.
"Are Kokoa and I supposed to pack up all your stuff too in addition to Tsukune's and Kurumu's?"
A distant but irritated voice reached them from the living room.
"What? What am I doing?"
Ruby ignored Kokoa's late entry into the conversation and directed her attention to the two pouting ladies at the other end of the table.
"Honestly, the three of us will be more than capable of getting the stuff at the store on our own."
Suddenly Moka's hand stretched out towards Kurumu, who flinched as if she were about to be struck down. She wasn't the only one to think so either. Everyone but Moka at the table had a natural defensive reaction to her sudden movement.
Seeing Kurumu flinch away from her brought a sudden satisfied smirk to Moka's face.
"That's not nice either Moka-san."
Moka's hand was outstretched, palm up, towards the still apprehensive Kurumu.
"Well, now that that is settled, you two give me your dorm room keys and we'll pack up your stuff while you're at the store."
Kurumu, with an angry scowl, dug into her shorts pocket and pulled out a plain looking key chain, and after removing a key from it, slapped it down into Moka's hand with some force, which only made the much stronger shinso vampire grin back at her even more.
Then Moka's eyes softened as she moved her palm towards Tsukune direction.
"Well…um, you see….I"
Moka cocked an inquisitive eye at the oddly prevaricating Tsukune, who looked like she had just asked him for his mother's bra size. Suddenly Mizore was on her feet and around Kurumu to put her lips on Tsukune's right ear, much to the annoyance of the other women at the table. Cooling sucker now in her hand, her cold breath tickled his ear lobe and neck as she whispered to him.
"Got things in that room you don't want us girls to see? Don't worry, I've already seen it all. I'll make sure no one sees anything they shouldn't there though."
Tsukune knew it shouldn't have shocked him, given she was admittedly his personal stalker, but the fact she had rummaged through his dorm room, especially through certain items a young man wouldn't want a young woman he…..admired, to ever see, still made him blush profusely.
His blushing, of course, set off a chain reaction of more intensified anger being aimed over his right ear to Mizore from four sets of eyes.
He whispered back a rather stupid question she had already just provided the answer to.
"You've been in my room?"
Mizore let out a seductive little giggle before answering again.
"Oh Tsukune-kun, I've been in there numerous times. I'm always with you, wherever you go. And some of that stuff in your...special items, you just let me know and we can try them whenever you like."
Mizore twirled his hair with her finger as he looked straight ahead in terror and embarrassment. It was one thing for her to see certain items he'd rather she not see but had she watched him while he was...?
Only now did he also seem to realize Mizore's life might also be in danger as four sets of glowing hot coals were aimed in her direction. He quickly dug into his pants pocket and pulled out his entire key chain, which Mizore quickly took from him.
Moka now aimed her furious eyes at him for his apparent act of betrayal. For some reason though Kurumu turned away from him while blushing strangely.
"Um…."
Before he could try to find the words to defend himself before the angry glare of the beautiful vampire, Mizore stood up behind him and placed her cool hands on his shoulders.
"Don't worry, we'll pack Tsukune's room together Moka."
These words didn't seem to placate Moka either as she temporarily focused her anger upwards before glaring back down at Tsukune once again.
Mizore then walked away from Tsukune and back to her seat but not before whispering to him once more.
"But not till I've sanitized it for her viewing safety. No worries, my love."
Despite everything, her words were reassuring to him. He worked hard to suppress a sigh of relief. It was one thing for Mizore to see his…..stuff, she was..."openminded", but Moka?
"No, I'd rather die first."
This time when he looked up it was Kurumu scowling at him though.
For her part, Moka's anger followed Mizore back to her seat.
"Um….KOKOA!"
Her sister popped her head up from behind the couch again to reply.
"Yes, Onee-sama?"
"Turn the TV off and get in here. You need to add what you need from the store to the list and get ready to head to the dorms."
"AWE! Do we have to do that TODAY?"
Yukari gave a teasing response to Kokoa's whiny question.
"Not if you don't mind wearing the same clothes you've had on for the last few days."
Kokoa very reluctantly stalked into the kitchen and plopped down in the chair at the other end of the table from Tsukune. She then plucked the quill pen, which had been magically writing by itself in mid-air, out of the air, making Yukari scowl like she was an ignorant barbarian.
As she forcefully scratched out her personal needs on the parchment paper, Moka began to speak again with only slightly less irritation than before.
"Like Ruby said, once you guys have brought the food back and put it up, swing by the dorms and we'll start moving our stuff back here."
Kokoa then slid the parchment and quill pen toward her sister.
"Your turn Onee-sama."
Moka nodded towards her sister and picked up the parchment to read what the other three had already written down so she didn't duplicate it herself.
Whatever Mizore, Yukari, and her own imouto had written down on that parchment made her eyes go instantly wide. She then looked up nervously at a thoroughly confused Tsukune before flushing bright red and nearly hiding behind the parchment from him.
"Ruby, can you take a look at this?"
From Moka's right side Ruby leaned in to look at the list.
"Sure thing."
When she was close enough Moka whispered directly into Ruby's ear.
"We're not letting Tsukune see this list, correct?"
Ruby responded in a low tone with curiosity in her voice.
"Um, well…..why not?"
Moka pointed down at an item on the list as Ruby's eyes began to widen with understanding.
"I'm going to need to write that same item down for myself as well, I'd rather he didn't see that in my handwriting."
Ruby sent the still concerned looking Tsukune a brief glance and smile before whispering back to her.
"I think, eventually, six out of seven of us are going to need those types of items regularly. I can write down what he needs while he's driving but once we're in the store….well I just don't know how to keep him from seeing us buy those things."
Moka was beginning to become agitated.
"Can't you just put a sleeping spell on him and let him take a nap in the car while you two do the actual shopping?"
Moka began to scratch out what she needed with her left arm covering the paper so that Tsukune couldn't see her words, while Ruby sent him and the others another reassuring smile.
"I'd rather not do something like that if I don't have to. He might not realize I've done it but….."
"Yeah, I understand. Still, maybe send him to go look at magazines or something when you two head to THAT particular aisle?"
Ruby whispered back to her in a compromising tone.
"He does have a mother and a female cousin he's close to, I'm sure he….."
The look of utter terror on Moka's face now forced Ruby to redirect and concede to her wishes.
"Right, I'll think of something."
Moka only then, still somewhat reluctantly, handed over the list, rolled up tightly so the only male eyes in the room couldn't possibly read it.
"Then I leave this in your capable hands."
Moka then sent everyone sitting to her left a determined expression.
"Alright you three, let's get moving. The sooner we pack up our dorm rooms the sooner we're done."
Yukari and Kokoa groaned at the prospect of all that work, but Mizore had a glint in her eyes that reminded Moka she was angry at her…..and Tsukune. She planned to keep a close eye on the snow woman while they were packing Tsukune's room.
She then looked over across the table to see Kurumu smiling with obvious love and adoration at Tsukune.
"I'll fix you too, you bat-winged harpy."
Ruby's words broke her out of her darker thoughts just then.
"Actually, I think you guys should let us drop you off. There are some cool things about the car none of you have seen yet."
They all stood up to go, Tsukune finally looking happy for the first time in a little while.
"As much as I love having a '64 Continental, we're going to draw a lot of attention driving down the streets in that car."
Ruby giggled at his words before replying.
"Don't worry. I'll show you a way around that problem."
Everyone but Tsukune and Ruby had gathered under the front porch to view the Continental as it exited the garage. Even under the shade of the overhang, the August afternoon heat had become unbearable.
"Can we hurry this up? I'm melting over here."
Kokoa complained as she used a folding fan from the entry foyer to try to waft away sweat beads forming at her hairline.
She wasn't the only one looking like they might melt.
"We really don't have all day for this."
Moka was also using a folding fan to ward off the humidity.
As they were standing in the back, no one else seemed to notice that Kurumu was practically holding Mizore's arm. Mizore was subtly using her abilities to cool the air immediately around her and Kurumu knew enough to get inside this cooler air bubble with her.
"Here they come!"
Yukari pointed as the middle of the three garage doors activated and began to open up.
Slowly a shiny black looking car with the relative aerodynamic features of a brick rolled out into the dazzling sunlight. More than one girl looked very unhappy to see Ruby leaning in far too close to the very happy looking driver as she explained something with a beaming smile on her face.
The vehicle pulled out almost parallel with the front porch and the automatic garage door began to close behind it. As the vehicle came to park the ladies on the porch descended from the solar safety of the overhang to brave the harsh glare of the sun directly.
Out of nowhere, Mizore produced a parasol to protect her alabaster skin.
At the same time, Ruby exited the left side of the car.
"The paint job looks a lot better in the sunlight, don't you think?"
She was right, it was brilliant. Only now could you see the polished chrome in all its glory or see that the car was actually a super dark shade of blue and not black.
From Tsukune's side of the car, Mizore leaned over it with the parasol aimed above her directly at the sun.
"Is that metallic flakes in the paint?"
Even Kokoa finally seemed impressed for once.
"It's a nice shade of black and the flakes make it sparkle."
"Are you colorblind as well as irritating?"
Before a fight could develop with the condescending succubus Kokoa's elder sister spoke up.
"That's not black Kokoa, look again. When the sun hits it right you can see its really dark blue."
Ruby ran her fingers lightly over the front fender before the sun could heat it up.
"That's right, the Chairman said it's called Midnight Blue with silver metallic flake."
Kurumu smiled down at her reflection in the near glass-like surface.
"It's like the night sky. I can't wait for Tsukune-kun to take me on a ride...alone."
To everyone's surprise, including Kurumu, this brazen comment only elicited an eye roll from Moka.
"That's not what I wanted to show you guys though. Tsukune, hit the first button I showed you!"
From behind the driver's seat, Tsukune answered Ruby's request.
"Okay!"
The odd sound and suddenly blurring features made them all step back a pace with surprise on their faces. They all also had become used to taking a defensive posture in such situations.
Though their fears soon subsided, their stunned expressions did not.
"Well…it truly is a magical vehicle!"
Kokoa agreed with Yukari's dramatic assessment.
"You got THAT right!"
Before them now where just seconds before the classic American car had been, now sat a dark gray modern Japanese sedan.
"WHOA! That was intense!"
Tsukune, who had remained in the vehicle, looked a bit dazed as he tightened his grip on the steering wheel.
Ruby moved to quickly explain what had just happened.
"The Chairman equipped this car with three alternate modes. A late model sedan, a hilux, and a minivan. There's three buttons right where the rearview mirror is mounted. When Tsukune presses another one….."
Tsukune did so, much slower this time, and after blurring out again a dark green minivan replaced the sedan that he had been sitting in moments before.
Ruby walked up to Tsukune's window and exchanged an approving smile with him.
"WOW!"
Everyone seemed duly impressed.
"Anytime we go to the Human world we'll most likely chose one of these three more common vehicle types."
Tsukune followed up Ruby's coments.
"I'd love to show you guys the hilux, but it's a bit stomach-turning to go through the transformations."
Ruby looked on him with concern as she placed a loving hand on his forearm, which was draped on the open window frame.
"Oh! I'm sorry! I forgot that it's a lot like passing through the Chairman's Barrier. I'm sorry Tsukune-kun."
He used his free hand to pat her hand rather tenderly.
"Don't worry, I'm okay. I'm already feeling better."
Kokoa was smirking as Yukari seemed concerned. The all too friendly display these two were putting on was drawing a lot of ire from the other three women present.
Yukari was even wondering if she should intervene on Ruby's behalf to prevent a pending fight.
"OH! That's no good Ruby-chan!"
To their obvious surprise, Yukari indeed popped up between Ruby and the car just seconds later.
"So what happens if all seven of us are in the minivan and we transform into the hilux?"
Ruby, oblivious to the danger she had just been in, quickly answered her question.
"Oh! Well, I really don't know. I think I'd recommend everyone get out before we tried such a thing."
Everyone's eyes were then drawn to Moka, who was moving across the front of the minivan.
"We can experiment with that another time. Daylight is burning. Let's get a move on."
Kurumu had quickly reached the conclusion that Moka planned to take the front passenger seat beside Tsukune and literaly flew across the hood of the car to block her. The result were two very angry beauties staring each other down with their hands on the door handle.
"I should ride in the front since we're just dropping you off!"
Moka smirked back viciously at Kurumu.
"That's a silly reason, you can stay in the back after Tsukune drops me off!"
"Why would I do something like that?"
Their personal war distracted them long enough to not realize Ruby had used the sliding door on the driver's side to enter the vehicle and take the seat they had both been after. They looked down at her smiling face with a mixture of stunned rage showing, which didn't deter Ruby in the least.
"Kurumu's right, it makes more sense for you to ride in the back Moka since we're dropping you off. Kurumu, you can ride in the front on the way back from the store and Moka can have the front seat on the outbound part of our next trip together. We'll all take turns."
The minivan had three rows of seating and the other three ladies were already inside. Yukari had moved to the back row by herself while Mizore and Kokoa took the middle row seats. As her very perturbed looking sister entered the vehicle, Kokoa realized the meaning behind the expression she just received and retreated to the back row.
Attempting the same maneuver with Mizore did not yield similar results for Kurumu though, who reluctantly joined the younger vampire and witch in the back.
Ruby looked back to address them all again.
"Everyone buckled in and ready for our first car trip as a family?"
With varying degrees of enthusiasm, she received affirmative answers from the back.
She then smiled and nodded to their driver.
"We're all ready."
Tsukune smiled back with joy on his face.
"OK, here we go…"
Again these two seemed oblivious to the angry glares directed towards them from the back.
The minivan pulled off the paved driveway and onto the dirt road taking a right in the direct direction that led to Yokai Academy.
A little while later the green minivan, now with four fewer passengers, was heading down a nearly deserted city street in the human world. From behind the two front passengers, Kurumu was writing on the grocery list with the quill pen.
"Well, I think that's everything we'll need for the next few days. If there's anything extra I'm sure it will catch my eye when we pass it in the store."
Ruby turned her head back over her right shoulder to talk to her as Tsukune continued to focus on the road ahead. It was his first time driving on human world roads, so he was being extra cautious for that reason, along with many other more recent reasons.
"With a list that long I'm sure we won't be skipping any aisles in the store."
Kurumu directed her eyes at Tsukune's partial image in the rearview mirror.
"You sure this is all you need Tsukune; it looks a little thin compared to everyone else's personal list?"
Tsukune answered her after exchanging a glance back in the mirror.
"I'm pretty sure. I went by the school store a few days before we left for Hong Kong and I obviously didn't use any of the stuff I didn't take with me. Pretty sure that's all I'll need."
Ruby also spoke to Tsukune.
"Don't forget to stop by an automated teller machine so I can get money out for the groceries."
"Sure thing, guess I need to check my new account too."
Ruby then returned her eyes to Kurumu.
"Any idea how much I should take out of the bank Kurumu?"
Kurumu had a reluctant look on her face as she gave her honest estimate.
"Well, it's going to be a lot. I'd say 100,000¥ should cover it. Should be a bit less, but just to be safe you should get that amount out."
Ruby turned her head back to forward with a concerned look on her face now too, matched by the one Tsukune developed when he also heard that figure.
"Oh…..Okay."
It was a lot, even for seven people, but Tsukune wasn't going to let her bear that burden alone.
"Assuming I have money in my account I can split the bill with you."
Ruby seemed to dislike this idea more than the expense she was about to incur.
"OH NO! It's fine. I can cover that amount easily. No worries."
They exchanged warm smiles.
Kurumu was getting highly irritated by how much these two were flirting with each other today, but didn't think she should call either out on it just yet. Instead, she wanted to distract herself as much as she could and turned her eyes outward at the human world passing them by.
She soon found a suitable distraction.
"I can't believe how few people are out today. We've only seen three cars on the road since leaving the dimensional portal, and two were police cars. Probably haven't seen that many people walking anywhere either."
Ruby now also directed her gaze on the almost completely empty streets and the seemingly closed businesses they were passing.
"Understandably people are scared and concerned after last night. If I had been just a Human and not a witch, I can't image I'd be too eager to be out today either."
Tsukune realized his companions probably didn't know as much as he did and offered what he knew.
"The Prime Minister asked everyone on national TV last night to remain calm and help by staying off the roads today if they didn't need to be out. He asked people to only go out for essential reasons. Since it's the weekend as well it's no big deal for folks to stay home."
Kurumu twisted up her lips before replying.
"You don't think any of these police patrols will pull us over to ask us why we're not staying in like the Prime Minister requested?"
Tsukune gave a small smile as he answered her with relative confidence.
"No! I don't think it's that big of a deal. Just a request to limit traffic to assist the emergency responders getting around easier. This town wasn't attacked anyway, so we should be fine here."
Neither of his companions seemed convinced, so he added further circumstantial evidence.
"Anyway, my uncle said this morning that the shrines, temples, and churches were full of people; so it's not like everyone is staying in, they're just all going to the same places."
Before the conversation could continue Tsukune's eyes darted to the left.
"Here's the post office. We'll use their ATM."
Tsukune pulled over to the left and parked in the completely empty parking area.
"Are you sure they're open?"
Tsukune nodded affirmatively back to Kurumu.
"If anyone is open, it's the post office."
Ruby looked out at the small building with her own concerned expression.
"We could have just used the ATM in the store."
Tsukune shook his head and did a good impression of channeling his own father's words.
"No, their fees are higher, better to use the post office and save some money."
Ruby reluctantly exited the car with Tsukune and both entered the building. Inside there was no one at the counter, but that wasn't unusual as this place usually only had one person on duty and a lot of the features were automated or didn't require direct help.
They both stepped up to the ATM and Tsukune stopped a respectful distance away so Ruby could check her account first in privacy.
Honestly, Ruby was disappointed he hadn't used the chance to get physically closer to her, but she was still impressed by how much he was a gentleman none-the-less.
Tsukune stood back and looked at postcards as Ruby put her card in and accessed her account with her secret code.
He couldn't help but notice that she seemed confused at what she was looking at a few moments later.
"That can't be right."
She used the backup feature to make sure it was indeed her account she was accessing.
"Well, it has my name on it so it's not someone else's card."
Tsukune's curiosity was starting to get the better of him now.
"Everything alright?
"OH! Yes. I just put the card in wrong…I think."
She hit the cancel button, retrieved her card and then very slowly and methodically repeated the access process again.
Ruby's eyes grew wide and she immediately tried to calm herself without alarming Tsukune.
"Well, I certainly can cover the grocery bill…."
Ruby typed in the withdraw figure on the keypad and took out the currency and her card before stepping away, all while trying to present a calm face for her handsome companion.
"Your turn."
Tsukune smiled back at her, then put in his own card and code.
With her back turned to him, the first indication something was wrong with his account as well was his excited sounding words.
"No WAY that's right?"
"What is it?"
Tsukune waved her to join him and when she looked down on the screen she joined him in surprise.
"It's a crazy amount. It can't be right."
Instead of agreeing with him she surprised him with a calm reply.
"Really….you too?"
"What do you mean you too?"
She gave him an awkward expression and then shyly explained what had happened with her own account.
"I didn't want to say anything, but I had a considerable amount more in my account than I should have. It was all deposited at one time too, last night."
They both looked back at the screen with wide eyes.
"Yes, that's the same amount as was in my account, and it was deposited at the same time."
"Wait, did the Chairman also set up your bank account as well?"
Ruby nodded as she replied.
"Well yes, months ago when I first came to the Academy. He insisted on paying me as an employee. Having lived with Lady Oyakata since childhood I knew nothing about banks, currency, and paychecks."
Tsukune rubbed at his forehead as he continued to stare at the small screen in disbelief.
"Well, that explains it. Chairman Mikogami must have put the money in for both of us."
"You think so? I guess that DOES seem to be the most plausible reason."
They again exchanged concerned expression as Tsukune spoke once more.
"That's a…..LOT of money though. A LOT! That's multiples of what my father makes in a year, and he has a pretty good job."
Ruby's eyes began to dart around as she seemed to think deeply on the subject, then she quietly made a suggestion.
"We keep this to ourselves for the time being. It could just be a banking error, but the likelihood that both our accounts would have that same amount extra is very low."
Tsukune nodded his agreement.
"Yeah, that's probably a good idea. We'll keep it to ourselves for now."
"Everything OK?"
Kurumu had only meant it as an innocuous question, but Tsukune's strange reactions to it put her immediately on alert.
"Um….yeah. Everything is fine. Yeah."
Ruby now asked her a return question.
"Why do you ask?"
Instead of mimicking Tsukune's strange reaction Ruby sent Kurumu an odd smile. It was like she knew something about Kurumu that she herself wouldn't want to be known to others.
"Um….no reason. Just seemed to take a bit longer than I thought it would."
Ruby, with that odd knowing smile, gave her a wink before turning back around and fastening her safety belt.
"Oh, yes. I see."
Whether Ruby had meant her interesting reaction as nothing more than a cover for their more transparent companion or she really knew something offputting for Kurumu, it had the desired effect. Kurumu didn't ask any follow-up question about what had transpired at the ATM.
They left the post office and kept heading in the same direction as they were going before.
A couple of kilometers later and Kurumu directed their attention to the right.
"Here's the store."
They had passed by smaller stores that they more often frequented in this conveniently located mid-sized city because Kurumu, who probably was an expert on the topic, insisted that they'd have to make multiple stops to cover the whole list of items. This was the largest general purpose grocery store in the area and probably would have all they needed, assuming the local human population hadn't panicked after last night and already cleaned them out.
Tsukune didn't think that possibility was worth mentioning unless it became an issue. As things stood now, Kurumu had indicated that this was definitely going to be a two cart trip, if not three, so the bigger store was the safer bet.
Ruby's eyes fell on the vehicles in the parking area.
"They're a few cars in the parking lot. Looks like it's open."
On a typical Saturday afternoon, this large parking lot would normally be nearly full. The events of the previous night had indeed suppressed normal activities, even this far away from the events themselves. That said there were significantly more cars parked here than they had passed on the way here so far, so at least some activities were getting back to normal.
Once he had parked the minivan Ruby and Kurumu moved to open their doors but Tsukune suddenly thought of something that needed addressing beforehand.
"Wait for a second Kuru-chan."
"Yes Tsukune-kun, what is it?"
He looked like he was trying to find the right way to phrase what he was about to say.
"It's just…..you see…."
Then a gentle smile cracked his face.
"I'm so used to looking at you now that I almost don't think about it anymore, but…well….blue hair and lavender eyes aren't common traits of the typical Human girl."
Ruby seemed to immediately understand his concerns.
"Wow…you're right. Normally we could let it go as a 'fashion choice' but after last night, we probably shouldn't tempt fate."
Kurumu's mind had drifted in another direction though, as she blushed with a happy smile.
"AWE! He knew my eyes were lavender and not just some shade of purple, how thoughtful he is, and observant."
Tsukune then looked at her with a puzzled expression and Kurumu made to shyly hide her blushing from his questioning gaze. She pretended to look around her for something.
"Well…doesn't look like there's a hat or sunglasses for me to wear in here."
This made Ruby smile.
"Don't worry, I think I can fix this one up for you. Make sure no one's looking from outside for me."
Tsukune and Kurumu looked around them as Ruby's staff-wand appeared in her right hand.
"Good in my direction."
"Me too."
"…good."
With that statement, Ruby gently placed her wand's glowing purple orb on Kurumu's forehead and her hair faded to a shade of light brown and her eyes also became brown.
Once done Kurumu looked at herself in the rearview mirror with a dissatisfied expression.
"Oh! I look so…plain…."
"I think you look lovely Kurumu."
Her expression was surprised but Tsukune's praise reignited the blush in her cheeks.
"…you do?"
Suddenly Tsukune's own cheeks began to blush as he confirmed what he had just said.
"I sure do! Of course, you're always beautiful. It's just a different type of beautiful now."
Kurumu's face was so flushed now she couldn't even look him in the eyes any longer. She absentmindedly twirled her finger in her hair as she meekly replied.
"Well…..as long as you think so….."
"I certainly do!"
She seemed very satisfied with his answer, despite her own misgivings about her altered appearance.
"Thanks, Tsukune-kun. So Ruby, how long will I look this way?"
"Just a couple hours is all."
"Hold on a second Ruby."
When Tsukune suddenly placed his hand on her forearm it was Ruby's turn to begin blushing, much to Kurumu's annoyance.
"OH!...Okay."
Then Tsukune sent Kurumu a concerned expression. His next words however nearly sent her into a panic.
"What's wrong Kurumu? What did I do?"
"Huh?...um…nothing, why?"
Tsukune suddenly seemed to doubt what he had just asked himself now and looked downward with a confused expression.
"Oh…sorry, it's just I thought…um…"
Ruby suddenly placed her hand on the back of Tsukune's hand. The look she sent him this time was very serious though.
"You know Tsukune-kun, you've been doing that all day. Thinking you heard Kurumu say something she apparently didn't."
Kurumu's panicked state nearly went into overdrive now, luckily from his angle with her, Tsukune couldn't see her building terror, but Ruby surely could.
Ruby though stayed completely focused on Tsukune.
"I guess I have. Not sure why….."
"Oh! I think I know exactly why."
Kurumu looked like she was about to open the door and make a run for it.
"You simply haven't gotten enough sleep!"
Kurumu looked like she visibly deflated with relief when Ruby made that surprise turn in the conversation.
"Oh, you think so?"
Kurumu moved quickly now to support Ruby's only somewhat accurate assessment.
"Ruby's right! That must be it!"
Ruby gently patted the back of Tsukune's hand as she continued.
"Kurumu and I can get the groceries. You should crack the windows, lay the seat back, and take a good, long nap."
Tsukune shook his head at this recommendation.
"Well, that doesn't seem fair. To let you two do all the work while I take a nap? Plus I don't feel all that tired."
Like earlier during the house tour, Ruby was gently determined to get her way now too.
"Trust me, we'll be fine. You just lay back and relax and we'll take care of everything."
"Well…..if you're sure…."
From behind him Kurumu gently pulled his shoulders back into the driver's seat and used her other hand to adjust his seat angle.
"We are, just take it easy and we'll handle the groceries."
Now being tag-teamed by the gorgeous ladies, Tsukune gave in easily.
"…Okay."
Ruby smiled, then moved to use the door handle, but turned back toward Tsukune with a devious little smile on her face.
"What was it you were going to say before we started talking about you taking a nap?"
"…..um…OH YEAH! I remember now."
She directed a brief smirk at Kurumu who again looked like she had tensed significantly, but a wink from Ruby as Tsukune began to speak seemed to dispel the rebuilding heavy atmosphere from the middle row seats.
Tsukune though was blushing again.
"Well you see, Kurumu has unique hair and eye colors and…well…you dress...uniquely."
Ruby suddenly looked down at her goth style clothing with surprise, as if the idea that it was noticeable to typical humans had never occurred to her before.
"Oh…you think I dress…..weird?"
At her pouty sounding question, Tsukune delivered a fumbling mortified reply.
"OH NO! Not weird! I love the way you dress! It's just…distinctive. Since you were photographed in that outfit last night though…..
Ruby nodded back that she understood. It was one thing to pop into the post office where only one of two people at most probably were, but this large store had a lot of eyeballs in it and after last night, curious minds to go with them.
"Oh! I see. Yes, I should tone it down when in the Human world. Let's see what can be done…."
Tsukune slumped a bit in relief as Ruby hadn't taken offense to his comments.
Ruby's wand reappeared in her hand and a slight back and forth motion replaced her usual attire with a t-shirt and shorts.
"I think this will do."
She then shyly smiled at a rather pleased looking Tsukune as Kurumu glared daggers at her from the row behind them.
"Well…..what do you think Tsukune-kun?"
Her shirt was nearly as tight as her normal corset, showing off her rather impressive bust. Her shorts were also short enough where Tsukune could see her very shapely thighs, a rare treat from her normal long skirt that he had only on occasion got to admire before now.
Kurumu leered at the back of Tsukune's head with disgust, as if she were prepared to hit him for his obvious ogling of their companion.
"Um…..yeah….you look great."
Ruby, glowing in his obvious admiration, now was the recipient of Kurumu's full disgust.
"You need to do something different with your hair. It doesn't match what you're wearing."
Kurumu's snarky sounding comment made Ruby act quickly.
"Oh! You're right."
Ruby untied both of her twin ponytail ribbons and handed one to Tsukune.
"Would you mind holding on to this one for me while I'm shopping?"
"….oh….of course."
She then grabbed her hair up in the back and used the other ribbon to tie her hair into a single ponytail. On either side of her head loose strands wrapped around her cheekbones framing her face beautifully.
Tsukune's continued pleased expression made Kurumu pout angrily as she reached for the latch to the sliding door.
"We'll be back in just a bit."
Ruby had already exited the car and spoke to Tsukune through the window as she stood beside Kurumu.
"Make sure you take that nap!"
"Okay, I will! Come get me if you need me!"
They waved merrily and exchanged smiles, then Tsukune leaned back and closed his eyes as the two ladies proceeded toward the grocery store entrance.
As they walked Kurumu spoke up in a funny sounding voice.
"'Tsukune-kun, would you mind holding my ribbon for me?' Um…nice one."
Though her companion was clearly irritated with her, Ruby didn't plan to let it get under her skin.
"Oh, you liked that?"
Kurumu smirked back at her.
"Wouldn't say I 'liked' it."
To Kurumu's continued irritation this only made Ruby giggle.
"I have to get my flirting with Tsukune-kun in when I can, you other four are always on top of him."
Kurumu rolled her eyes at the amused looking witch beside her.
"Nice wardrobe change too, by the way, almost caused a significant nose bleed."
Ruby shrugged with a smile as she responded.
"Well, if you have to change outfits in front of a man, might as well be into something memorable."
Kurumu looked instantly pleased when they walked in to see that this store had the large style dedicated shopping carts in addition to the typical basket holder style push cart familiar to most. The larger carts did require a rental to use them though so Ruby exchanged some of her paper currency for coins at a coin machine and then both of them took a larger style cart into the store.
On the first aisle Kurumu immediately went to work and started filling her cart and checking off items. Ruby walked beside her as the store wasn't too busy to do so as Kurumu discussed the food items, occasionally pointing to the other side for Ruby to grab an item as well.
It was as both of them were reaching for items on shelves opposite each other that Ruby began a discussion with her wholly unrelated to food.
"So…are you able to block any of Tsukune's thoughts?"
Kurumu froze with a package of dried mangos in her hands. It took her way too long to reply to Ruby's shocking question.
"What? What are you going on about?"
Kurumu plastered a fake smile and slightly confused expression on her face but the glint of mirth in Ruby's eyes told her her bluster wasn't going to work. Ruby was smiling at Kurumu as they placed their latest items in their respective carts.
"Oh…..you don't? That's interesting."
After a look to see that there were no other people on this aisle with them or any security cameras, Ruby's magic book appeared in her hand. She flipped it to a particular page and then held it so Kurumu could see what was on it.
To her own terror, Kurumu saw that it was a whole page dedicated to the Succubus Mating Bond.
"Well, when you are ready to acknowledge that you have the Succubus Mating Bond with our Tsukune-kun let me know and I'll see if I can help you out with that, alright."
