In a few words they told the class monitor what had happened, and he proved to be a good listener.
-…that's why my plan is that Hyuga can try some recipes in my house, since doing it here is risky –Eri said.
-If things are as tricky as this, you can plan things out better in my house; we've just bought a lot of food and the pantry's stuffed –Kazuki said, practical. –Besides, if we all go to your house, rumors are going to fly around, and I'm particularly sick of seeing girls whisper to each other about that.
-You're really going to help us? –Kojiro said, unable to believe what he had heard.
-Of course I will! If fact, I'm a bit angry that you didn't tell me this before; I think I'm your friend, aren't I?
-Well…
-Well, let's talk later. Class is about to begin –and each of then sat down in their places (and mind you, Kazuki and Eri's places are side to side ;))
Class passed quite calmly, although the teacher asked Hyuga about his bruises.
-I was beaten up by a bully yesterday, sir… But I can't tell who's the culprit until I have the evidence –answered the one mentioned.
Already in recess, 'The Gang' ran to the infirmary, where they met with Maya and Takeshi.
-You think the nurse kept her promise? –Takeshi asked.
-You doubt it, dude? –Kazuki answered.
-Hey, what are you doing here?
-He's now part of the plan –Eri said, giggling.
Hyuga didn't even need to pretend to go into the infirmary with every inch of his body aching like mad. The nurse was attending a girl with cramps when the 'Tiger' entered the place.
-Hyuga… You hurt or something?
-I bet you know it, Miss… My bruises, my bumps, my soul…
-Soul? Well, take this for your injuries, and for your soul… -the nurse gave the Saitama guy a painkiller and an envelope. –I hope it helps you, Hyuga.
Kojiro went out of the infirmary and opened the envelope. The pictures were there. He looked one by one desperately, until he found one he didn't remember taking… A picture of Kousuke hitting him.
"Bingo!" –and he walked to the place where the others were. However, he saw Kousuke coming near, and not afraid but cautiously, he hid the pictures inside his school jacket and whistled twice as hard as he could.
In that moment Maya and Ken passed by 'not realizing what happened', hand in hand, while Kazuki, Eri and Takeshi pretended to talk about going to the movies.
-Gee… Look at that: wimpy little Hyuga. Don't you even think your kick didn't hurt, but believe me, you'll pay for this.
-How sure can you be about that?
-You're provoking me?
-Say whatever you want. I'm over with you.
-But it hasn't even begun… -and Kousuke tried to grab Kojiro by the jacket, but someone made him trip and fall. It had been Eri; she was a specialist at making people trip.
-What the…?
-You thought you'd get away with it again, Baru? –Kazuki said, menacing. Eri, Maya, Takeshi and Ken were at his side.
-We know you were the one who beat the captain almost to a pulp –Takeshi said, trying his hardest not to vent his fury on the bully.
-How could you, Kousuke? I never thought you'd fall so low! –Maya said.
-You're a complete cowards. You caught the captain by surprise and you beat him up taking advantage of that by some stupid reason… You're a disgrace for this school –Eri added.
-You want us to do exactly the same with you? –Ken said, but he remembered their plan. –Thank god or whoever you believe in I'm not going to break your head, 'cause we'll do something we should've done a long time ago.
-Oh, yeah? What are you lot going to do?
-Just guess –Kojiro said, showing Kousuke the last picture his camera had taken. –You may have destroyed my camera at that time, but at least my old buddy made a good job.
Kousuke's face went ghostly white at seeing the picture's clearness. It was a perfect snapshot of him punching Hyuga's face… It was more than enough to kick him out of the school.
-That's a fake! –he exclaimed desperately.
-Don't look for excuses; camera doesn't lie.
Kojiro, Ken, Maya, Eri, Kazuki and Takeshi went immediately to the principal's office, since they knew that the sooner they told him, the better. However, when they arrived, the principal… wasn't there.
-Shoot… -was the group's general reaction.
-Oh, man… And just now that the principal's not here since he's attending a meeting… - Takeshi complained, snapping his fingers.
-Well, we'll do it tomorrow, or the day after, but it has to be before the School Festival –Kojiro said resolutely.
-Hmm… Hyuga-san, can I see the picture? –Kazuki asked.
-Sure –and the class monitor checked the picture, analyzing it. He looked at it a lot, until Eri, Maya, Ken and Takeshi asked him to let them see.
-It's a miracle that the camera took that last snapshot n that precise moment –Eri said.
-I think you wouldn't want it to happen again, Kooda-san. My camera's dead now.
-How sad…
-One more reason to come to my house today, Hyuga-san –Sorimachi replied firmly.
-What does my camera have to do with me going to your house, Sorimachi-kun?
-You'll know it soon enough, dude.
-Kazuki-san… You had never called the captain like that –Eri reminded him.
-Hey, I didn't realize it, Eri.
-OK. Then we'll meet at the school's exit after soccer training, OK? –Ken said.
-OK –Takeshi, Kazuki and Eri agree. Hyuga nodded quietly, but Maya didn't know what they were talking about.
-Sorry, but I don't quite follow you…
-Forget it, Takenouchi-san. It's better for you not to know –Eri said.
-No, Kooda-san. She has the right to know; she has helped me a lot throughout these days –Hyuga interceded for his friend.
-OK then –and Eri told her in whispers. However, Maya looked shamefaced.
-I'm sorry, but I can't go. I have a volleyball match today.
-Well, it doesn't matter. See you tomorrow –and everyone headed to his or her classroom, since recess was over. Takeshi and Maya went to their classrooms, since Kojiro, Ken, Eri and Sorimachi had P.E class.
Of course, guys and girls were separated in that class, but they talked between pauses. However, Kojiro didn't know what to do because of his injuries, until the P.E teacher saw him and told him he was excused for that class. Tired and thankful, the soccer team's captain sat down (with difficulty, mind ya) to observe the others, not without a bit of envy.
-Hyuga, how did you end up so hurt?
-You wouldn't want to know, sir.
-If you don't tell me…
-OK, OK… Baru, a guy of another class, used me as a human sandbag and I didn't do anything at all.
-Baru? You mean Baru Kousuke, right?
-Yes, sir.
-Did you tell the principal about this?
-He's not here.
-Wakatta (I understand)
The rest of the classes passed by, and the thing Kojiro feared the worst was next: soccer training. Kazuki, Takeshi and Ken went to change clothes before the training, but Kojiro didn't change clothes because of the fatigue of walking with his aching injuries, which made Kitadzume's temper rise, as he was near-sighted… and he didn't have his glasses on.
-Hyuga! Why aren't you ready for the training session?
-Er…
-A bully attacked Hyuga yesterday afternoon, sir. If he'd take the risk and train, he'd collapse form the pain if he ever touched a soccer ball –Eri said immediately.
-And you know which is the mischief he's in, Kooda?
-For once in his life, he's not in any mischief, sir.
-Is that true, Hyuga?
-As sure as her name's Kooda Eri.
-And mind you, that's my name.
Kitadzume shrugged, and with a sigh exempted Hyuga from the training, although the 'Tiger' couldn't help but look saddened; it was the first time he didn't train because of an injury. So he sat at Eri's side, while she jotted down everything Kitadzume told her to.
Some time later, the soccer training ended, and after the ones who had practiced changed clothes, Kojiro, Takeshi, Eri, Kazuki and Ken left the school.
-I reckon we have to take a taxi, guys; using the subway at this time is practically a suicide –Kazuki said, calling a taxi.
-You use a taxi every day? –Takeshi asked, confused.
-Don't be stupid! I usually use the subway, but it's crammed up right now and it's better to take a taxi since the captain's really hurt. Besides, I don't live very far from here.
-We'll see.
The taxi arrived and took them to a nice building (man, that was weird, since I've heard that Japanese apartment building are horrible…But I have nothing against them!), and Kazuki paid the fare.
-Well, guys, we're here. Shall we go in?
-Oi, is that a question or an order? –Ken said, sarcastic.
-Take it as you want.
They took the elevator and stepped out of it at the 8th floor. Sorimachi took his house key, opened the door and let the others in.
-Well, it's not much what I and my family have, but welcome to the Sorimachi house –said the guy, joking.
-Nice house –Takeshi said. Ken whistled in surprise and Kojiro smiled prudently.
-You're home, Kazuki? –asked a boy, going out of a bedroom.
-Ah, Kappei. Dad's not at home yet?
-No. They're your classmates? And hi, Eri-san.
-Yup dee-doo. They are Hyuga Kojiro, the captain, Sawada Takeshi and Wakashimadzu Ken, who are also part of the soccer team.
-Hajimemashite (pleased to meet you). I'm Sorimachi Kappei.
-Kappei hasn't been able to go to school since he's sick –Kazuki explained. –He got pneumonia and he wasn't discharged from the hospital up till yesterday.
-But that won't stop me from updating my notebooks.
-OK. Ka-kun, would you mind staying out of the kitchen? –Eri said, as she already knew almost everyone in her best friend's family.
-Why?
-Secret business, kid. So don't you go around being nosy.
-OK –and Kappei went back to his bedroom.
-Can we be sure that your brother won't bother us? –Ken asked, wary.
-Yup dee-doo. OK, follow me.
The five Junior High school students went to the kitchen, where the pantry was stuffed with food, as the soccer player known as Eirina had said (Author's note: He's looking at me with daggers in his eyes nnU)
-You need an apron, Hyuga-san?
-I guess I should; I don't want to stain anything.
-OK.
-I'll help you –Eri said, tying an apron to her waist too. –I may not be as good at cooking as Takenouchi, but I think I can help.
-OK… -Hyuga was feeling a bit uncomfortable with Eri helping him, since he felt he was doing Kazuki a great wrong. However, he looked happy of helping.
-So, what are you going to do?
-I dunno…
-What do you mean with 'I dunno?'
-I don't know what to do…
-You need an original recipe, right? –Eri said, using her brains.
-Yeah.
-Well, I have an idea. What's the best thing you've done in the club?
-Well, hard to tell, but I guess I've excelled with seafood dishes. At least it's what I've tried the most.
-And if you try to do something that's not salty? –Takeshi said.
-No. The others usually do desserts or confectionery dishes.
-Well, that leaves desserts and cakes out of the question –Ken said, writing everything in a booklet.
-And besides, I said I'm better at making seafood dishes; you know I don't have a sweet tooth.
-I just remembered something! –Kazuki said. –Why don't you do a chicken recipe?
-Doubt it; it can't take more than 45 minutes.
-And forget about using beef or pork –Eri said, thoughtful. –Yikes, it's hard to think about something.
And yet…
-Why don't you use shrimp? –said someone at the kitchen's door.
-Kappei! –everyone exclaimed, scared.
-Aren't you supposed to stay in bed? –Kazuki scolded his brother. –Besides, it's a bit chilly here.
-OK, but I only said… Shrimp tastes good –and Kappei went back to his room.
-Well, Ka-kun's right –Eri said.
-No doubt about it; shrimp's quite easy to cook –Hyuga admitted, remembering the times when he used shrimp and prawns… And a light bulb went off in his mind thanks to Sorimachi-kun's idea. –Say, Sorimachi-kun, you got shrimp?
-Let me see –Kazuki said, opening the fridge. –You're in luck! There's a bag full of them!
-Perfect. Give them to me, and I need ketchup, mayonnaise, onion, lemon and a little chili.
-You said it! –and Kazuki y Takeshi set off to work, while Ken, being the quickest one at writing copied down what Hyuga told him, and he also checked the time. Eri helped with the preparation, and also decorated the dish using her painting abilities.
In the end, after washing the dishes and decorating the recipe with saltines and parsley leaves, it was time to try the recipe.
-And who will try it? –Takeshi asked.
-I don't know… Oh, wait… I do! –Kazuki said. -Kappei!
-Someone called me? –said the kid, covered in lots of sweaters and his blanket.
-We need you to try this, Ka-kun –Eri said.
-Fine.
Time seemed to have stopped while the students observed the youngest of the Sorimachi family taste Hyuga's shrimp recipe.
The kid took a fork, picked up some shrimps and ate them. He chewed carefully and…
-And well? –everyone said.
-Mmm… Mmm…
-AND WELL?
The air was so tense you could've cut it with a karate chop.
-Isn't there any more left? –Kappei finally said. –If I could, I'd have this for lunch every day.
-What does that mean? –Ken asked, confused.
-It means it worked! We have the winning recipe! –Eri exclaimed, overjoyed. –This time Baru won't get away with it.
-Hyuga-san, you're the best!
-Right on that one! –and the teenagers celebrated cheering with a glass of orange juice for each of them.
-And what got them? OoU –Kappei told himself, since he didn't understand the others' reaction.