"Krad…" Dark was brooding yet again. What made it worse was the fact that Daisuke was the only one who could hear him brood, and he was brooding right in the middle of class.
"Psst, Kami," Daisuke whispered.
Kami, who was in front of Daisuke, perked up and snuck a glance towards him, "Eh? Dai, the substitute is very strict, and we'll get scolded if we get caught talking in class." She hissed. "Can't it wait?"
"No, I only have on question. In Maria's point of view, what happened the night… you know, the night they were abandoned?"
"Hmm… You could ask her later, if you want. Dai, that isn't very important." Kami was fairly annoyed.
"Oh… Okay." Daisuke gave up, seeing that Kami wasn't going to answer. Dark couldn't suppress a laugh. 'What's so funny?' Daisuke asked Dark.
"The fact that Kami called you Dai, that's what. Kami has already coined a special nickname for you."
'You think Kami likes me?' Daisuke blushed a beautiful scarlet when he thought that.
"Mr. Niwa, is there anything wrong?"
"N-No, nothing sir." Daisuke looked down and pretended that he was copying notes.
"You seem a little red…" The substitute muttered.
"Well duh, he has red hair." Saehara commented, causing some of his classmates to laugh. The teacher shot Saehara a glare, and the laughter died.
Ryuu and Satoshi stared intently at Daisuke. Was there something wrong with him?
The teacher put a hand on Daisuke's forehead, and seemed genuinely concerned. "Maybe you have rashes," the teacher said. "Does it itch?"
"NO, I'M FINE!" Daisuke shouted, embarrassed.
The teacher was taken aback, and he raised a hand to hit Daisuke. Dark took over and glared at the teacher.
"You really don't want to hit me." Dark threatened.
The teacher staggered backwards, and then resumed the lesson. Dark sighed as he turned back into Daisuke. As soon as class was over, he hounded Kami for the answer to his question.
"Hang on a minute, Dai. You're getting really annoying." Kami snapped.
Daisuke waited patiently for a few moments. Then Ryuu came in while Kami was trying to remember what happened.
"Hinata-san, are you going home alone or coming with me?" Ryuu asked calmly.
Kami stopped thinking and looked at Ryuu, testing Daisuke's patience.
"I'll come with you, but could you wait a few moments?"
"Sure."
Kami paused. "There's really nothing, Daisuke, I'm sorry. I can't remember anything aside from saying a final goodbye to Raidon and leaving." She picked up her bag and turned to leave.
Daisuke banged his head on the table. So much for luck there.
Xxxxxxxxxxxx
Just an hour away from the deadline. Krad couldn't have been more carefree.
"What are you so happy for?" Satoshi asked.
"I'll be rid of those feelings." Krad sang.
"Why are you happy to get rid of those feelings?"
"Frankly, Satoshi-sama, I can't keep liking Dark if Dark doesn't like me."
Satoshi frowned at Krad's statement. "Why not?"
"Because, in the end, I'll be the one who'll be hurt."
Xxxxxxxxxxxx
"Don't give up, Dark." Daisuke prodded. "You still have… oh."
"Yes, I only have thirty minutes left. Not to mention the time it would take to get me to Hiwatari's apartment." Dark was clearly miserable.
"Don't think about that. Just try to remember. Concentrate on what happened with Maria."
Dark thought hard. Maria… It had something to do with her. The image of Ryuu embracing Kami kept popping in his head. Why in the world was it there in the first place? He thought even harder. Was it a clue?
Five minutes left…
Dark suddenly jumped up. "YES!! I GOT IT!!"
"Good, now fly to Hiwatari's apartment in four minutes. Save the last minute for your conversation with Krad."
"WHAT?! That's impossible!" yelled Dark.
"Well, you're going to have to try."