Chapter 10
"Because I like you," Shizuru said.
Weeks passed since Mai and Natsuki fought. The girls have been avoiding each other as much as possible. Every now and then they would make faces at each other, which Shizuru finds it adorable. On top of that, their activities in Block D are considered horrendous among their peers. Natsuki and Mai are trained separately in two different rooms. Things such as fast arrows are thrown at them to make them become "faster in detecting attacks" according to Sergay. In addition, the gravitation is altered in a way that makes it harder for Natsuki and Mai to easily avoid the attacks.
As for Natsuki's detention with Shizuru, it has turned into a casual meeting between the two. Sometimes Shizuru would take care of Natsuki's wounds from training and comment on how Natsuki never wears the same bra to school or when she goes to sleep. That's probably how Shizuru finds out Natsuki's little obsession with collecting lingerie. Natsuki also realizes that Shizuru has a higher access to the school's intranet due to the fact that Shizuru is one of the class representatives. Therefore, once in a while Natsuki would ask for Shizuru's laptop to play "GunBound", "Counter Strike" and other online games.
Shizuru has been reminding Natsuki many times about the night Natsuki got attacked by an Orphan that Mai's the one who actually saves Natsuki. If Mai didn't wake Shizuru up, Natsuki would've have been dead. Without another word, Natsuki would grumble something softly and turn away
"Today I want to test you on what you've learned so far," Sergay's voice is heard, "We will play a little game called Rescue the Hostage. Your objective is to rescue the doll at the end of this gymnasium within three hours."
Standing opposite of each other, Mai and Natsuki glare at one another. The room is gigantic and empty. There are black windows surrounding the place. A dummy is hanging by a rope at the other side of where the girls are positioned. And the timer on the screen starts.
"This is going to be easy. Just don't get in my way, Natsuki."
"You're the one who is going to get in my way."
"Then don't get close to me what it starts."
"Fine, and don't you slower me down either."
"Fine."
"Fine."
"Okay then."
"Okay then."
"Stop that!"
"You stop it!"
"Materialize!"
"Materialize!"
Somewhere behind the black windows, Sergay sweatdrops as he witness the two Otomes arguing and gives a look to Midori who is sitting besides him.
Suddenly, both Natsuki and Mai feel like something is pulling them down.
"What the…the gravitation level went up?" Natsuki starts walking.
Out of no where, canon-like guns come out of the walls. They begin shooting out huge sharp pieces of rocks and metals at Natsuki and Mai simultaneously. This is going to be harder than Natsuki initially thought.
In the meantime, three children are seen getting off a space shuttle. Sakomizu beams and greets them with open arms.
"Sakomizu-san!" A red hair girl runs up to Sakomizu.
"Hi Arika-chan. How are you?"
"I was so bored. Nina-chan and Erstin-chan slept through the whole ride."
"At least I wasn't the one who ate all of the food they have in the shuttle," a dark hair girl speaks.
"Well I wasn't sleeping on Erstin-chan's you-know-what the entire time," Arika teases the other girl.
"Why…you!" Nina is about to chase after Arika, but a blonde girl stops her.
"Nina-chan, calm down! People are staring," the blonde child says.
"Consider yourself lucky Arika, Ers is here."
Arika simply sticks her tongue out while she stands behind Sakomizu.
Back to the situation in Block D, Natsuki and Mai are trying to avoid the attacks that are being thrown to them. An hour has gone, but the two still are at the same spot.
I can't move much like this, Natsuki thinks to herself. The rocks are coming from everywhere. It seems like Mai is having the same problem. Unlike Natsuki though, Mai looks especially worn out. This might be because Natsuki is faster and is able to dodge most of the rocks. However, Mai is more powerful, so she uses most of her energy into punching at the rocks directly instead of dodging it like Natsuki.
After a while, Mai's hands give up. Natsuki notices this too when Mai puts her hands down to shake off the pain. Without a warning, a chunk of many rocks form into a shape of bigger stone and speed heading for Mai.
"Watch out!" Natsuki jumps in front of Mai and gets hit on the stomach, which causes Natsuki to fly into a nearby wall.
"Natsuki!" Mai follows.
"Ouch, that hurts."
"Why did you…?"
"We're…even now," Natsuki smiles warmly.
That one sentence alone brings a smile on to Mai's face. So that stubborn Natsuki cares after all.
"Natsuki…"
"What?"
"I have a plan."
After a moment, the two girls place themselves back-to-back against each other. Together, they walk and spin in a circular motion with each step they take. This way both of them can punch or kick away any obstacles and move at the same time. Time begins to quickly run out. By the time Natsuki and Mai make it through three quarters of the gymnasium, they have only ten seconds left to retreat the dummy.
"We won't make it! It's too far!" Natsuki yells.
"No way," Mai glances at the timer, "There is only one way to do this."
"What?!"
"Natsuki, let me borrow you."
Hence, Mai picks up Natsuki in a sweep motion and throws the taller girl at the dummy with her last ounce of energy. Of course, Natsuki lets out a loud scream as she's flying through the thick air.
Five seconds remaining, Mai gets hit by a rock in the face.
Four seconds remaining, Mai falls on to the ground.
Three seconds remaining, Natsuki continues screams in the air.
Two seconds remaining, Natsuki reaches for the dummy.
One second remaining, Natsuki rescues the dummy.
Zero second remaining, Natsuki falls from the ceiling…with the dummy
"Good job you two!" Sergay is the first to congratulate Mai and Natsuki after their long battle.
"Yeah, what a nice ending too! Fwahaha," Midori laughs.
"I'm not…going…to say anything," Mai whispers to Natsuki.
"You are dismissed now. From now on you can join your peers since you've passed this exam. Also, you are allowed to participate in up coming field trip. Block D is always here if you want to come and practice alone or together though, just make sure someone is always in the control room. See you later." Sergay leaves.
"I'm sure you guys need some rest. But before that, we need to have a HiMe meeting. I think everyone is already there…so let's get going!" Midori says. Natsuki and Mai sigh. All Natsuki really wants now is a warm shower to wash away the dirt on her face…
In the meeting room, Akane and Yukino are chatting with each other quietly. Shizuru is drinking tea by herself. Nao teases Mikoto about her small her boobs are. Akira is sketching something on her drawing notebook. Shiho is mumbling something like "Maki Maki" and spiraling.
When Midori walks in, all eyes turn to look at Mai and Natsuki.
"Haha! You guys look so dirty. Did you jump into a garbage can?" Nao chuckles.
"Shut up," Natsuki glares at Nao.
"Anyway, I called you here to make a couple of announcements. First of all, we will be moving into a separate dorm building behind the main library," Midori states.
"Why? Is something wrong?" Akane asks.
"Apparently, someone here promised to look after the Princess of Windbloom. For her safety, I think it's best for us to move into another building. And it will be easier to do research regarding the history of HiMe."
"How did you…" Natsuki stares at Midori.
"You didn't think that you can protect such an important person by yourself without at least an authority figure in this school noticing this, did you? Besides, how are you going to take care of three girls in your current position? They're only ten years old."
Three girls?
Unexpectedly, Yukariko shows up at the door with three girls behind her, "They're here."
"Hello, my name is Arika Yumemiya. Nice to meet you."
"I'm Nina Wong. Pleased to meet you."
"Erstin Ho. I hope we can be good friends."
I need to have a talk with Sakomizu; Natsuki makes a mental note to herself.
"Alright, these are the people that you guys need to guard for now. Your stuff are already moved the new dormitory. You can choose your own rooms. I don't really care. But Natsuki has to sleep in the suite with Arika, Nina and Erstin."
"Why me?" Natsuki asks sternly.
"Do you even need to ask that?" Midori gives Natsuki a look.
As soon as the meeting ends, some of the girls go up to Arika, Nina, and Erstin to ask them more questions. Shizuru decides to use this moment to talk to Natsuki, who seems to be in some of distraction.
"Nat-su-ki."
"Huh?"
"You got something on your face," Shizuru takes out her handkerchief and cleans Natsuki's face.
"Um…Thanks." Natsuki blushes.
'Because I like you,' Shizuru said. It does feel nice. Shizuru actually cares, Natsuki thinks. But I'll never admit it to her.
"Shizuru."
"Yes, Natsuki?"
"Stay in the suite with me and the kids in the new building."
Shizuru's heart beats a little bit faster.
"If Natsuki wants me to, I will, although I never intended to stay away from you in the first place."
"Shizuru!"
"Love birds!" Nao yells across the room. Natsuki grabs a piece of chalk on the floor and aims it at Nao's forehead. Unfortunately, it misses.
Author's Note: Man, college books cost a lot. I need to get a job! lol Why is college so expensive!?! By the way, I got hooked on to Kannzuki no Miko again. Crap, I can't stop crying. Look forward to the next chapter next week. It will be moving faster since I don't want to drag it out too much...so if I leave out something, use your imagination! But as you can see, the story is getting more complicated.
Preview next chapter: Why are Arika, Nina and Erstin together?! Whose child is being discovered next? Who else has a crush on Natsuki?! And is shizuru jealousss? Stay tune next chapter!! Muahahaha coke coke coke coke