Author's Note: Another chapter I'm not thrilled with. The characters were not being cooperative with this one, and long scenes drag something terrible. Any who, I've got a bunch of fights coming up, so I guess I'm going to learn to write action through trial by fire. We're at five chapters in five weeks. Keep reading and reviewing. I'll keep writing.
Disclaimer: Medaka Box is the property of Nisio Isin and Akira Akatsuki. The author is making no profit by this work.
Chapter Nine: I'll Shut The Flask Plan Down
"Zenkichi Hitoyoshi!" declared the eye patch girl. "Fight me!"
Zenkichi stared at her. "…Seriously? You're still doing this? Shouldn't you be in the hospital right now?"
The eye patch girl treated him to a scorching glare, an accomplishment with only one eye to work with. "Don't try and distract me, Hitoyoshi-dono! I challenged you to a fight. You're a man aren't you? Or are you scared to fight seriously with a middle school girl?"
Zenkichi was scared to be known as a high school student who fought seriously with a middle school girl. It would be bad enough if it got out that he and two other guys had ganged up on Medaka Kurokami. That ignored the circumstances, but still. The high school rumor mill was a thing to be feared. Zenkichi opened his mouth to turn the eye patch girl down.
"He accepts," said Nabeshima.
"Um…" said Zenkichi.
The eye patch girl turned her glare on Nabeshima. "And who are you supposed to be?"
Nabeshima's eyes flashed dangerously. "What's this? The disciple has become more famous than the master?" Nabeshima cracked her knuckles. "Hitoyoshi-kun, I want you to teach this little girl to respect the Foul King's Judo Club. Destroy her."
"Whoa, whoa, Captain, please!" Zenkichi scrambled to salvage the situation. "Look at what she's wearing. She's not a student. It's not her fault if she hasn't heard of you." Zenkichi turned to his vice-captain. "Jounan-sempai, could you say something?"
Jounan looked the eye patch girl up and down in appraisal. "I would not be opposed to seeing this girl in one of our uniforms," he said diplomatically.
"Ooh! Ooh! Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh! Do it, Zenkichi-kun!" Zenkichi looked down to find his mother's gaze on him, stars in her eyes. "I want to see your judo skills in action!"
"I'm a high school boy!" Zenkichi exploded. "She's a middle school girl! You're asking me to fight her! Am I the only one who sees something wrong with this?"
"Hitoyoshi-kun, when the honor of the club is on the line, there is no challenge that can be turned down."
"Honor of the club? Captain, you're just upset because she doesn't know who you are!"
"Details, details." Nabeshima dismissed Zenkichi's protests. She turned to the eye patch girl. "Young Lady, you want a fight? Sure. Get on the mats."
"With pleasure." The eye patch girl smirked at Zenkichi. "Your seniors and your little sister are watching, Hitoyoshi-dono. I hope you aren't thinking of holding back."
Zenkichi coughed into his hand. "Um, about that, I don't have a little sis—"
"On the contrary," the eye patch girl barreled on, "for the sake of his little sister, the elder brother must always give his best effort." The eye patch girl's visible eye gleamed. And in one swift movement, she pulled her clothes off.
Nabeshima whistled.
Jounan wolf-whistled.
Hitomi gasped.
Zenkichi turned crimson.
Beneath her red and white school uniform, the eye patch girl wore … not much. A pair of wrist bands. Wrappings around her breasts. A pair of very tight athletic shorts.
Zenkichi felt the blood leave his face and head in the direction of more embarrassing places. "Are you out of your mind!" he screeched. "A girl shouldn't be throwing off her clothes in public! Captain, make her put on a robe!"
"Nya~ if eye patch girl wants to get her pretty skin bruised, that's her problem, Hitoyoshi-kun."
Zenkichi grimaced. Nabeshima was in full on revenge mode. "Jounan-sempai, you wanted to see her in one of our uniforms, didn't you?"
"I like this better!"
Zenkichi made a Hail Mary pass to his mother. "Aren't you always saying an adult woman shouldn't flaunt her body?"
Hitomi shrugged. "Eh? How old is she?"
The eye patch girl struck a pose. "Zenkichi Hitoyoshi! I am Koi Munakata, junior student of Sensuikan Junior High's Class 5!"
"Okay then!" said Hitomi cheerfully. "No problems, right, Zenkichi-kun? …Zenkichi-kun?"
Zenkichi was bent over. He had fared better than Jounan, who had outright collapsed.
A thirteen-year-old girl! He had been ogling a thirteen-year-old girl!
In his (and Jounan's) defense, Koi Munakata certainly did not look thirteen.
How is this girl thirteen? This girl cannot be thirteen! What, was her character designed by a mangaka who got their start as an ero-artist? …Maybe I've been spending too much time with Kumagawa recently.
With herculean effort, Zenkichi pulled himself together. His mother was looking on. His captain was looking on. His vice-captain was … crumpled on the floor. Well, two out of the three of the most important people here were looking on. This was not the time to be getting squeamish.
"Munakata-san, why do you want to fight me? Actually, scratch that, why are you picking fights with high school students?"
Munakata smiled coldly. "Wouldn't you like to know, Hitoyoshi-dono? Well, if you want answers, you'll have to defeat me first! Otherwise, I won't say a thing about the Thirteen Party!"
Zenkichi stared at her. "…What about the Thirteen Party?"
"Ha! Trying to trick me, Hitoyoshi-dono?"
"…No, you just said—"
"Well it won't work!"
Is this girl an idiot? I think she's an idiot.
Zenkichi sighed and pulled off his tie, followed by his shoes. Seemed there would be no getting out of this. "Hold onto this, will you please?" he asked, handing the tie over to his mother. She took it, and Zenkichi stepped onto the mats opposite Munakata.
"Ready to fight for your sister, Hitoyoshi-dono?"
"She's my mother."
"Because I'm fighting for—" Munakata stopped in mid-sentence. "Wait, what? What did you say?"
"She's not my sister," said Zenkichi, as he had explained a thousand times before. "She's my mother."
"Are you joking?" Munakata snarled. "Who would believe such an obvious lie? I was going to give you the chance to surrender, Hitoyoshi-dono, but I've changed my mind! Prepare yourself!" Munakata took her stance.
Nabeshima had been leaning against a wall. She bolted upright. "No way! Jounan-kun, are you seeing this?"
"Definitely," Jounan groaned from the floor. "That stance. It's the eternal rival of judo and karate. The martial art that was never turned into a sport and specializes in savage killing."
Nabeshima growled low in her throat. "The military martial art, Combat Sambo."
-ooo-
"That should be everything," finished Shiranui. Though seated on a stool in the middle of infirmary (surrounded), Shiranui appeared as relaxed as she always did, and took a sip from her thermos to mark the end of her explanation. "Any questions?" she asked, almost as an afterthought.
The reactions of those present were mixed.
On the Broadcast Club's end, no one looked surprised, the three students having heard the story before. Aso looked tired and resigned, Kanoya looked mildly impressed, and Kumagawa hid his feelings behind a smile.
The Student Council's reactions were understandably more volatile.
"It was you!" snarled Yobuko. "You were behind … everything!"
Ezumachi looked thoughtful. "So that was why you approached me. I was to fill a similar role to this Koi Munakata girl?"
Koga opened and closed her mouth like a fish, her eyes wide.
Hinokage was stone-faced.
Medaka's expression was carefully blank.
Shiranui shrugged. "What more can I say? As I have already explained to the Broadcast Club, I have been working very hard to keep Kurokami-san away from the Flask Plan." Shiranui gestured at Medaka in her bed, covered in bandages. "It is unfortunate that it reached this extreme, but sadly, that is the world we live in."
"That is the world we live in?" Yobuko repeated, incredulous. "That's your justification?"
"Call it what you will, Yobuko-sempai. A reason. A motive. A justification. I have no obligation to explain myself to you."
"Shiranui-san … that's not true, right?" Koga's voice warbled. "I mean … you're a member of the Broadcast Club too, aren't you? Aren't we your friends? Aren't you Hitoyoshi-kun's best friend?"
"Hitoyoshi-san is not my best friend," said Shiranui. "He was in my class, and he was Kumagawa-sempai's friend. He was a convenient boy to be friendly with."
Koga shrank down, looking as if she had just been slapped.
Kumagawa's left hand slid into a pocket with a rustle of fabric and metal.
"Shiranui-san," Hinokage rumbled. "I have been protecting this school from delinquents for the past two years. I've come across a few who thought they were clever." Hinokage's eyes narrowed. "You're too smart for this. What are you playing it?"
"What am I playing it? Why, Hinokage-sempai, I am not playing at all. My job was finished with Kurokami-san's incapacitation. I believed I was done." Shiranui gestured at the Broadcast Club. "It seems I underestimated Kumagawa-sempai however. I may be done with him, but it seems he is not done with me."
Hinokage opened his mouth.
"Who?" asked Medaka.
All eyes turned to her.
"Who, Kurokami-san?" asked Yobuko.
"Who told you to keep me away from the Flask Plan, Classmate Shiranui-san?" asked Medaka, her gaze on Shiranui. "I've never seen you outside of the academy. You have no reason to go this far for me, either to my advantage or to my detriment. So. Who told you to keep me away from the Flask Plan?"
Shiranui smiled. It was the first honest smile anyone present had seen on her face. It was not a pleasant smile.
"Clever, Kurokami-san, very clever. But does it matter? I am the mastermind responsible for the current sorry state of your precious Student Council. Do you not want to avenge yourself and your friends?"
"Yes," said Medaka.
Shiranui blinked at the blunt answer.
"Don't mistake me for a saint, Classmate Shiranui-san. I consider it my responsibility to lead others, but it's not like I was born for the sake of making people happy or anything ridiculous like that. I'm angry. I'm angry at you. Nothing would make me happier than beating that smug look off your face." Medaka paused to take a deep breath. "But I won't. My older brother is gone. My older sister is gone. I am to be the head of one of the most politically and economically influential organizations in the world." Medaka's hands squeezed her bed sheets. "I have to be better."
"An excellent answer, Kurokami-san!" said Shiranui. "If your father heard that, I'm sure he would be beside himself with paternal pride."
"My father?" asked Medaka. "What does he have to do with this?"
"He has everything to do with this, Kurokami-san. I know him personally. He is the one who ordered me to keep you away from the Flask Plan."
"…What?" Medaka's voice was dangerously low.
"Do you think I am lying? I am not. I was hired by Kajiki Kurokami-sama for the express purpose of keeping his third child away from the Flask Plan. By any means necessary."
「Ho ho! The plot thickens! You didn't mention that to us, Hanhaba-chan.」
"You did not ask, Kumagawa-sempai. I am afraid Kurokami-san is more perceptive than you are."
「Ooh, no mercy. You mad, Hanhaba-chan?」
"Wait, stop." Yobuko held up a hand. "What do you mean you were hired by Kurokami-san's father? You're a high school girl, aren't you? A relative of the chairman?"
"I am afraid I cannot answer those questions, Yobuko-sempai. You will have to trust to me."
"As if I could—"
"Then we'll assume you're telling the truth," Ezumachi interrupted. He remained placid as Yobuko's glare bore into him. "For now. Kurokami's father hired you to keep her away from the Flask Plan. Okay. But I find it difficult to believe this"—Ezumachi gestured to Medaka—"was what he had in mind."
Shiranui shrugged, unrepentant. "Kurokami-san will recover from this experience. In time. The Flask Plan would have done permanent damage."
"That's an exaggeration, Shiranui-san," said Hinokage. "I don't know what you've been told, but the Thirteen Party is comprised of high school students. They only participate for two years at most before they leave. There's nothing—"
"You were only a member of the Thirteen Party for single year, were you not, Hinokage-sempai? And you were a special case as well, with an Abnormality that had reached its full potential. Do you think you saw the full extent of the Flask Plan's darkness?"
Hinokage grimaced.
"Perhaps you caught a glimpse of it." Shiranui turned to Medaka. "Tell me, Kurokami-san, has Hinokage-sempai told you who supervises the Thirteen Party?"
"…No." Medaka turned to Hinokage. "Is that important, President Hinokage-sempai?"
Hinokage shifted uncomfortably. "Medaka-chan…"
"The current supervisor of the Thirteen Party, indeed, the man who set up the current blue print of the Flask Plan, is your elder brother, Maguro Kurokami," said Shiranui.
Medaka flew. One moment she was propped up in bed. The next, she towered over the seated Shiranui.
The infirmary tensed.
"Explain," Medaka growled.
Shiranui was nonplussed. "Your elder brother, Maguro Kurokami, is the current supervisor of the Thirteen Party," she repeated. "You have not seen him in two years, correct? Since he entered Hakoniwa Academy? I do not know why you are so surprised, Kurokami-san. As soon as you learned that the Thirteen Party was comprised of juniors and seniors of Class 13, I would have thought you would make the connection."
Medaka's expression was dark. "Where is my brother?"
"Not telling."
"You—"
"No, Kurokami-san, I am not telling. If you want information, I suggest you ask Hinokage-sempai. But let me say that your brother was one of the reasons your father ordered me to keep you away from the Flask Plan."
"…President Hinokage-sempai?
"…Maguro-san and I are classmates. Medaka-chan, you have to understand, Maguro-san is … obsessive about you. He doesn't want you to have to go through…" Hinokage trailed off, but could not seem to find the right words. "Again," he finished lamely.
「That sounds like Maguro-chan.」 From his place with the Broadcast Club, Kumagawa nodded sagely. 「He did get a little weird, well, weirder, after what happened to Kuji—」
"Kumagawa-sempai, even if it's you, I won't forgive you if you say that name lightly."
Kumagawa's smile was strained. 「You're making a scary face right now, Medaka-chan.」
"Enough." Ezumachi's voice cut through the room. "Enough about the Kurokami family. I don't care. Enough about your past. I don't care. What I care about is this girl." Ezumachi pointed at Shiranui. "What are we doing with her?"
All eyes turned to Medaka.
"…As the former chairwoman of the Public Morals Committee, what would you suggest, Treasurer Yobuko-san?"
Yobuko hummed in thought. "…Tricky," she said at last. "Assuming she's telling us everything, which I doubt, then Shiranui-san … hasn't actually broken any rules. She's had other people break the rules for her."
"Tch," grunted Kanoya. "One of those."
"President Hinokage-sempai?"
"It's your call, Medaka-chan."
Medaka glanced over at him. "Is this a test?"
"Yes."
Medaka looked back at Shiranui. The smaller freshman met her gaze, face expressionless. "Classmate Shiranui-san, I can't take any measures against you, but if your goal is to keep me away from the Flask Plan, then I'll defy that ambition."
"You will what, Kurokami-san?"
"I am the vice-president of the Student Council. I am President Hinokage-sempai's successor. I am Maguro Kurokami's little sister. I am Medaka Kurokami. If the Flask Plan is a threat to both the academy and my brother, then I'll shut the Flask Plan down."
-ooo-
Zenkichi did not know much about the military martial art, Combat Sambo, the so-called eternal rival of judo and karate, though judging by Nabeshima and Jounan's comments, it was something he should be worried about. What Zenkichi did know, was that Koi Munakata, junior student of Sensuikan Junior High's Class 5 and gun enthusiast, was dangerous. It did not matter that she was thirteen. It did not matter that she was a girl. She had intentionally provoked a War God by shooting one of his upperclassman. Going easy on her was not an option.
Munakata shot forward, her body low.
"You see that, Captain!" cried Jounan. "She's going for a double leg take down!"
"Well, to a judo user, his blind spots are his legs." Nabeshima smiled. "But Hitoyoshi-kun's not primarily a judo user. Let's see what he does."
Zenkichi braced himself. He was not experienced enough yet to pull of the countermeasure Nabeshima had taught him. He would let Munakata reach him, and at the moment of impact, move his leg to the rear to avoid the shock.
That was the plan.
The plan did not come to fruition.
Zenkichi watched Munakata come at him, and then something was in between them.
Munakata was thrown backwards with a bark of surprise.
Zenkichi stared. Before him was a figure in green robes. The figure turned towards him. Zenkichi shivered. The eyes of the boy in front of him were covered, but Zenkichi was certain the other boy was sizing him up. It was similar to how he had felt while in the chairman's office…
The boy in green bowed. "My apologies for interrupting your match, Hitoyoshi-dono, but I am afraid I must deal with this girl immediately. She is a threat." The boy in green rose and turned towards Munakata.
Munakata had got her breath back and glared at the young man before her. "Who the hell are you?" she snarled.
The skin on the boy's forehead moved in manner that suggested, beneath his eye coverings, an eyebrow had been raised. "You do not know who I am? And yet you presume to join the Thirteen Party?"
Munakata's face turned white. "…The Thirteen Party? Wait, are you a member?"
"Nya~ Choujabaru-kun. What do you think you're doing, trespassing in the sacred Judo Hall?" Nabeshima materialized beside Zenkichi. He jumped. He turned toward her. Her expression almost made him jump again.
He had discovered the face Nabeshima made when she was seriously angry.
"Nabeshima-dono." Choujabaru inclined his head, though Zenkichi thought he caught a note of derision in his voice. "I apologize again, but this is not a matter that concerns you."
"Oh? And it concerns the Election Management Committee, does it?"
"The Election Management Committee, Captain?" asked Zenkichi.
"The Election Management Committee, Hitoyoshi-kun, is another organization like the Student Council and the Public Morals Committee. They preside over the election of the Student Council president, as well any challenges made to the president during his or her time in office. But that's all they do. They work in the shadows, and when they're done, they seek to be forgotten." Nabeshima growled low in her throat. "They ain't an organization that has any business in my Judo Hall. Choujabaru-kun is the vice-chairman."
Zenkichi looked to Choujabaru. The vice-chairman of the Election Management Committee. What was someone like that doing here? And why did he know about the Thirteen Party? The chairman had said the project was kept hush hush.
"Are you confused, Hitoyoshi-dono?"
Zenkichi started, to find Choujabaru had addressed him. "Do not be. I am a junior of Class 13. I am a member of the Thirteen Party."
"You are a member!" Munakata gasped. She rushed forward and grabbed Choujabaru by the front of his robes. "Please, let me join the Thirteen Party!" she pleaded. "I'm an Abnormal! I have an Abnormality! I'll do anything you want, just let me in!"
Choujabaru's left arm lashed out. The index and middle finger of his hand buried themselves deep into Munakata's neck. The girl made a chocked wheeze, and then her eyes rolled back in her head and she fell forward. Choujabaru caught her with his right arm, and in the same movement hoisted her up and slung her body over his shoulder.
Zenkichi stared, mouth agape.
Choujabaru turned to him again and inclined his head. Zenkichi got the feeling that, if not for the girl balanced on his shoulder, Choujabaru would have bowed once more. "Excuse me, Hitoyoshi-dono, Nabeshima-dono. Please forget this ever happened."
"Wait," said Zenkichi. He had not expected Choujabaru to stop, and was surprised when he did. "Um, I mean, what are you doing here?"
"I am putting a stop to the actions of a foolhardy child," Choujabaru intoned, "before a close friend of mine does so."
"Before a close friend does so?"
"He has a tendency to go overboard," Choujabaru offered as way of explanation. It was not much of one. "If I have answered your questions…"
"Oh, you haven't even started, Choujabaru-kun." Nabeshima stepped forward. "That girl came in here and challenged my disciple to a fight. You interrupted that fight, and now you're about to make off with her. What does this have to do with the Student Council elections?"
"This has nothing to do with the Student Council elections," Choujabaru answered. "I am not acting as the vice-chairman of the Election Management Committee."
"Oh? Then who are you acting as? A member of the Thirteen Party?" Nabeshima licked her lips. "Never heard of a group like that before. And that girl seemed pretty eager to join up. I smell a secret."
"The Thirteen Party has nothing to do with you, and you have nothing to do with the Thirteen Party, Nabeshima-dono. As I have said already, please forget all about this." Something in Choujabaru's posture shifted. "For your own good."
"For my own good?" Nabeshima repeated. "Choujabaru-kun, if you say something like that to a girl, don't you know she'll only get more interested?"
"Whether you are interested or not, Nabeshima-dono, does not matter to me," said Choujabaru. He turned his attention to Zenkichi. "Hitoyoshi-dono, you rejected the chairman's offer. I urge you to reconsider."
"I've made my decision, Choujabaru-sempai, and I'm sticking with it. Sorry."
"Do not feel you have to apologize to me, Hitoyoshi-dono. Rather, I will apologize to you. Now that the chairman has set his sights on you, do not think you will be able to continue your peaceful school life as you have until now."
"Peaceful? Choujabaru-sempai, I don't think you know what my school life has been like up until now."
"I have done my research, Hitoyoshi-dono. Believe me. Compared to the rigors of the Flask Plan, your school life has been peaceful in excess."
"…You are trying to change my mind, aren't you?"
"Oy, both of you." Both boys turned to Nabeshima. "I don't know what you're talking about. The Thirteen Party? The Flask Plan? Never heard of either of them. Hitoyoshi-kun, I expect a full explanation later. In the meantime…" Nabeshima's eyes narrowed and her expression turned dark. "You've got some nerve, interrupting one of the Judo Club's matches then acting as if you can just walk away, Choujabaru-kun."
Choujabaru again made that strange facial movement that was his equivalent of a raised eyebrow. "Am I? My apologies. I did not mean to cause offense."
"Spare me the empty apologies, Choujabaru-kun. I know exactly how a good guy like you feels about the girl called the Foul King."
"Very well. I will be frank. Watch your words, Nabeshima-dono. The way you speak, it sounds as though you think yourself capable of exacting retribution."
Nabeshima laughed. It was an angry sound. "Me? You think I would fight you myself? Choujabaru-kun, a pure boy like you wouldn't last a minute against me." Nabeshima snapped her fingers. "Jounan-kun, I think Choujabaru-kun is looking down on our Judo Club. Teach him the errors of his ways."
"What?" Zenkichi's head whipped around to face Nabeshima. "Captain, I don't think—"
"Hey now, Hitoyoshi-kun." Jounan's hand clamped down on Zenkichi's shoulder. "You're still a first year. You should let your seniors show off every now and again, you know."
"But, Jounan-sempai!" Zenkichi flailed in Choujabaru's direction. "He's from Class 13! The super-humans who don't even attend class! And I've been talking to the chairman, and this guy is one of the super super-humans!"
Jounan smiled, unperturbed. "So, this will be a challenge, will it? Good. I haven't had the chance to show my stuff in a while."
Zenkichi and Nabeshima had the same thought.
Now that you mention it…
"Nonsense." Even in monotone, Choujabaru's voice could project derision. It was a voice that could tell if you were wearing your socks on the wrong feet, and chastise you for it. "What reason do I have to fight?"
"Oh?" Jounan did not sound offended in the least. "Well, I guess there is no reason for you to fight. But you're on the mats, you're wearing robes, and with that girl on your shoulder, I don't think you'll be able to dodge if go in for a grapple right now."
Choujabaru snorted. "You think I—"
Jounan exploded into motion. In a moment, he was on top of Choujabaru.
Zenkichi realized two things in that moment. First, that Jounan was the vice-captain of the Judo Club for a reason. Second, that in their match earlier in the semester, Jounan had gone easy on him.
Jounan wrapped his arms around Choujabaru's legs at the knees, and taking advantage of his momentum, brought the other boy to the ground, dropping him on his back. Choujabaru instinctively let go off Munakata and used his arms to cushion his fall.
"A two-handed topple? That's a rarity. Jounan-kun is showing off."
Zenkichi jumped. "Mom? How long have you been there?"
"I've been here since the beginning, haven't I, Zenkichi-kun?"
"Yeah, but … where's Nabeshima-sempai?"
Choujabaru rose to his feet in one fluid movement. "That, Jounan-dono, was a mistake. I—"
Nabeshima's arms wrapped around his middle from behind.
"Wha—"
Nabeshima hauled Choujabaru off his feet and brought them both to the floor. Choujabaru dropped on his head.
"Ooh, a back drop! That's not easy to do! Zenkichi-kun you've found yourself some good role models. I approve."
"…Mom, when did you learn so much about judo?"
"What, a mother can't take an interest in her son's activities?"
Nabeshima jumped away from a swipe as Choujabaru rose to his feet once more.
"Two on one?" Choujabaru sneered. "I should have expected no less."
"Nya~ don't act like I'm the bad guy here, Choujabaru-kun. You didn't accept Jounan-kun's challenge, so this isn't an official match, is it?"
"You think I can't take you both at once, Special?"
"Well, I don't really know about that, but weren't you here for something else?" Nabeshima pointed over his shoulder.
Choujabaru turned.
Munakata had disappeared from view, hidden behind several members of the Judo Club. Jounan stood at the group's front.
"Think you can fight an entire club of judo practitioners, Choujabaru-kun? If you want that girl, you're going to have to."
Choujabaru tensed.
Choujabaru relaxed.
"Fools," he stated. "You think you are protecting that girl? There is far worse than myself among the ranks of the Thirteen Party. You have achieved nothing but to doom that child to even worse retribution." Choujabaru turned to Zenkichi. "Hitoyoshi-dono. I meant what I said earlier. Though I do not know why, you have caught the chairman's interest. You will join the Flask Plan. How quickly that happens, and how much you suffer in the interim, depends entirely on you." Choujabaru vanished.
"Well, that was ominous. And what was with that exit? Is he a ninja?" Zenkichi asked the room at large.
"Pretty much. Works in the shadows, remember?" Nabeshima stepped off the mats and stretched her arms. "Hitoyoshi-sensei, would you mind checking on sleeping beauty?"
"Sure thing, Nabeshima-san." Hitomi made her way to Munakata's side. The members of the Judo Club stood aside to let her through, before they returned to their protective huddle.
Jounan walked over to join Zenkichi and Nabeshima. "Well, that was exciting while it lasted," he said. "Enough excitement for one afternoon, if I may say so."
The door to the Judo Hall was flung open. Again.
"Classmate Hitoyoshi-san! Where is your mother?"
Medaka, wrapped in bandages and dressed in an infirmary gown, still managed to cut an impressive figure. Less impressive were the two students being dragged behind her: one in a white boy's uniform, caught by the collar in her left hand, and one in a red nurse outfit, caught by the wrist in her right.
Aoki Aka
Junior: Class 11
Blood Type: AB
Health Preservation Committee Chairwoman
"You cannot do this!" Aka raged. She worked furiously to free her wrist from Medaka's grip. "You need to be resting! Lie down, or I will make you lie down!"
Kumagawa, bruised and battered, looked even more pitiable with his right hand in a cast.
Yobuko and Ezumachi ran up behind them. Yobuko made no secret that she had been running, while Ezumachi tried very hard to look as though he had not been in a hurry.
Medaka ignored the Judo Club and zeroed in on Zenkichi. She marched up to him, Aka and Kumagawa still with her. "Classmate Hitoyoshi-san," she repeated. "Where is your mother?"
Zenkichi, at a loss for words, pointed to the Judo Club crowd.
"Medaka-chan! What do you think you're doing out of the infirmary?" Hitomi pushed her way out of the stunned crowd (a struggle with her small size) to confront Medaka.
"Hitoyoshi-sensei." Medaka let go of Aka and Kumagawa to cross her hands in front of her and bow at the waist. "I am already in your debt for everything you've done, but please, indulge me in one more selfish request. Get me fighting ready in the next five minutes!"
"Medaka-chan, I'm touched by your faith in my abilities, but you're fifteen now, and you really need to start setting realistic expectations for people."
"No, I know you can do it, Hitoyoshi-sensei! If you and Second Year Aka-san work together…"
As Medaka argued medical science with a licensed surgeon, Zenkichi sidled around to Ezumachi. Kumagawa was in no state to provide answers.
"Ezumachi-sempai, what's going on?"
"Kurokami has decided she will shut down the Flask Plan. Today."
"She does know that today is almost over, right?"
"I expect so, but that does not seem to be at the forefront of her mind at the moment. By the way, why is she calling that little girl who looks like you sensei?"
"Because she's a surgeon. She's forty-two. She's my mother."
"…What?"
Medaka's argument Hitomi was interrupted by the sound of a cell phone ring tone.
「Sorry, that's mine. Just let me…」 Kumagawa fiddled with his pockets, his good hand still in Medaka's grip, until Hitomi took pity on him and moved to get his phone out for him. This resulted in Kumagawa remarking that she was about to stick her hand in his pants, after which Hitomi ordered Zenkichi to get Kumagawa's phone out for him. Zenkichi did so (after punching Kumagawa in the head for good measure) and held the device to Kumagawa's ear.
「Hello? Tanzaku-chan? Uh huh. Uh huh. Need to bring Aoki-chan back? Hisshuu-chan needs seeing to? Hanhaba-chan escaped? Okay, I'll see what I can do.」 Kumagawa pulled his face away from his phone. 「Medaka-chan, Aoki-chan needs to be back in the infirmary.」
"Which is where you need to be as well, Medaka-chan," said Hitomi.
"But—"
"No buts! The state you were in yesterday, it's a wonder you can even move at all right now. Besides, even if you were at one hundred percent, then what? You think you can do what Hinokage-kun couldn't? There are thirteen members of the Thirteen Party, and all of them want the plan to continue."
"Mom, how do you know—" Zenkichi began.
"Your mother keeps abreast of what goes on at her boys' school," Hitomi shushed him.
「Not to be a pest or anything, but Tanzaku-chan sounded pretty upset over the phone. I think Hisshuu-chan is really in a bad way.」
"Hitoyoshi-sensei, please. I don't need to do everything. Just what I have to," Medaka begged.
Hitomi sighed. "Medaka-chan…"
「Hey, Medaka-chan, if you're that desperate, why not ask for help?」
Medaka turned to Kumagawa.
Kumagawa jerked his thumb at Ezumachi and Yobuko. 「Two of the students you picked to help you are ready to help you. Why not let them?」
Medaka flushed. "I can't ask—"
"Kurokami-san," said Yobuko. "I wasn't the chairwoman of the Public Morals Committee for nothing. I can take care of myself. And it's high time I started protecting this school again."
"I'm seventeen, even if I am a junior," said Ezumachi. "Seeing all these kids acting cocky is starting to get on my nerves."
Medaka bit her lip. "I can't… Even if it's two people…"
It was the first time Zenkichi had seen indecision on her face.
You will join the Flask Plan. How quickly that happens, and how much you suffer in the interim, depends entirely on you.
"It'll be three people, Kurokami-san. I'm coming too," said Zenkichi.
Medaka eyes flickered over to him. "Classmate Hito—"
「Better make it four people then, Medaka-chan. Wherever Zenkichi-chan goes, I'll follow (not so) close behind.」
"…Kumagawa, that did not sound reassuring."
「Hey, Zenkichi-chan, haven't we been together for thirteen years? Why stop now?」 Kumagawa turned to Hitomi and Aka. 「Hitomi-sensei, Aoki-chan, how about this? My wrist. Fude-chan's head. Fue-chan's ribs. Medaka-chan's … larger bruises. Could you get those fixed up? Quick and dirty?」
Hitomi and Aka huddled up, psychosomatic surgeon to school nurse.
"It's doable," said Aka. "We'll need at least a full day for Kurokami-san though."
「Well, there you have it, Medaka-chan. One day, and you take us with you.」
Medaka looked torn. "I can't ask you to—"
"Wait… Wait … just a … minute…" Unsteady on her feet and still under-dressed, Munakata forced her way out from among the members of the Judo Club.
"You!" Medaka snarled. She took one step forward … and was tripped by Nabeshima.
"Whoa there, Kurokami-chan. Are you trying to start a fight? This is the sacred Judo Hall! We don't let brawls run willy-nilly in here."
Zenkichi chose not to comment on this. Instead, he looked to Munakata. "Munakata-san, go home. Better yet, go to a hospital. You've taken a lot of punishment over the past two days, haven't you?"
「I'll say! Look at what she's wearing! What did you do to her, Zenkichi-chan, and will you teach me how to do it?」
"It never fails. Just when I start to think you might be a decent human being…"
「Ouch! That was harsh, Zenkichi-chan!」
Munakata dropped to her knees.
"Ah, see! You're in no condition to fight. Mom, can you—"
Munakata's palms hit the floor with two smacks. Her head hit the floor with a single thump. She had not collapsed, Zenkichi realized. She had bowed.
"Please. If you are shutting down the Flask Plan, take me with you!"
The Flask Plan Invasion Party™ shared a look.
「Um, you wanted to join the Thirteen Party, right?」
Munakata did not lift her head. "No. Well, yes. But not really. I want access to the Flask Plan labs. Their database contains more information on Abnormals than any other in the world."
"Oh?" Medaka had risen to her feet, and though she did not look happy, she did not look like she was about to attack either. "What do you want with that information?"
If it were possible, Munakata's head sunk lower. "I … I am trying to find my brother."
Medaka went still. "Your brother?"
"My older brother, Kei Munakata. Please. I haven't seen him in years."
The Flask Plan Invasion Party™ looked to Medaka.
"What will it be, Kurokami-san?" asked Yobuko. "Do we take her along?"
"You don't have to forgive her," added Ezumachi. "You just have to work with her. That's how I manage."
"You haven't forgiven Kurokami-san yet, Ezumachi-kun?"
"For robbing me of my art space? Never."
Medaka took a deep breath. "Secretary Ezumachi-san. Treasurer Yobuko-san. Classmate Hitoyoshi-san. Kumagawa-sempai…" Medaka trailed off.
"Koi Munakata," Zenkichi supplied.
"And Koi Munakata-san," said Medaka. "You have one day. Do whatever you need to prepare. We are shutting down the Flask Plan."