Author's Note: Apologies for the wait, but six weeks is an improvement over six months, right? To the anonymous reviewer whose day I ruined, I am especially sorry. So, there are two reasons why this chapter took so long to write. First, it is that time of year when things get super cray-cray, as those trendy young people call it. Second, I really was not happy with chapter nine, and wanted to make sure chapter ten was better. Fingers crossed, I've succeeded. I like putting up a new chapter every week as much as you all do, but I don't want to be sacrificing quality for quantity. And happy New Year to all my readers.

Disclaimer: Medaka Box is the property of Nisio Isin and Akira Akatsuki. The author is making no profit by this work.


Chapter Ten: We Need To Talk

「Okay, roll call! Tanzaku-chan!」

"Here!"

「Hanhaba-chan!」

Zenkichi and Aso exchanged glances.

"Captain…" Aso began.

「Hisshuu-chan!」

"Kumagawa…" said Zenkichi.

「Hisshuu-chan! Here— Here— Here… It's not the same!」 Kumagawa wailed.

"Kumagawa, isn't answering for Kanoya-sempai what you do normally?"

「No, Zenkichi-chan! Don't you see what's happened? Hanhaba-chan's run off! Hisshuu-chan's in the infirmary! The Broadcast Club's ace team from the Inter-Club Competition has fallen apart!」

"Captain, neither Shiranui-san nor Kanoya-kun were ever actual members of the club. Besides, we only came in fourth at the Inter-Club Competition."

「What's wrong with fourth? Didn't we make it to the penultimate round?」

"There were only four rounds."

「You wouldn't understand, Tanzaku-chan, you weren't there!」

"I was! I had more to do than you did!"

"Okay, okay, let's all calm down," said Zenkichi. Usually it was Aso's job to play peacemaker, but he sensed a fight boiling up.

"No, I won't calm down, Hitoyoshi-kun!" Aso snapped. She reared on Kumagawa. "Captain, I've done everything you've asked to keep you off the microphones, but that's because your voice breaks people! It's not because I'm trying to hog the speaker system to myself! I work very hard to keep the club afloat, what with you always goofing off or running off or generally making yourself unavailable, and a little appreciation every now and again would be nice!"

Kumagawa burst into tears.

"…Um, Captain?"

Kumagawa flew across the table, and collided with Aso with all the force of a low-range missile. 「Tanzaku-chan!」 he wailed, as he swept the small girl up into a hug. 「Why didn't you ever say anything? I'm so sorry!」

Aso flailed about in Kumagawa's grip.

Zenkichi understood the feeling. He was pretty lost right now himself.

"Er, well, er, Captain, well—"

「I don't want you to hate me, Tanzaku-chan! You were the first student to be nice to me when I was a freshman! You were the only member of the club who would still talk to me after what happened my freshman year! Your presence helped me perfect my loli-radar!」

Zenkichi, who had been about to say something, shut his mouth.

"Captain!" Aso shouted.

Kumagawa stopped.

"Put me down."

Kumagawa put her down.

"All right. Okay. Apology accepted. I'm sorry too. I shouldn't have blown up at you like that. I know you try your best. But please, if you could be a little more considerate of my position in the future? I'm your right hand man, aren't I?"

「Of course, Tanzaku-chan! From now on, I'll be super considerate.」

"Thank you."

「Starting next week. Tomorrow I'll be gone all day.」

"WHAT!"

"Uh, Aso-sempai?" said Zenkichi. He did his best to ignore the eye drops Kumagawa had surreptitiously slid back into his pocket. "I've been meaning to ask, why is Kumagawa the club captain?"

「What? Obviously because I am the epitome that all other members of the Broadcast Club should strive for, Zenkichi-chan!」

"It's because the club captain has to spend more time on paperwork, so they have less time to spend on the microphones."

「Aw, Tanzaku-chan, why'd you have to put it like that…」

"Hello! Zenkichi-kun, Kumagawa-kun!"

"Mom?"

「Hitomi-sensei!」

"…Hitoyoshi-kun, did I hear you correctly just now?"

"She's not my sister, she's my mom. I know she looks twelve, but she's forty-two— Urk." Zenkichi doubled over and clasped his stomach where Hitomi had planted her foot.

"Now, now, Zenkichi-kun, you can't go sharing a woman's age like that, you know? Have some tact."

"…My bad."

「Hitomi-sensei, what'cha doing here? I though you and Aoki-chan were getting Medaka-chan fixed up?」

Hitomi puffed herself up proudly. "Who do you think you are talking to, Kumagawa-kun? Didn't I look after both you and Medaka-chan when you were kids? Fixing the pair of you up is a simple matter for me. Aka-san is giving her a final checkup as we speak." Hitomi gave Kumagawa a pointed look. "How's your wrist?"

「Feels great, Hitomi-sensei! I'll be back to one hundred percent in no time! But, I'm sure I'd recover even faster if you kissed it better.」

"No."

「Aw, so mean, Hitomi-sensei.」

"Mom, you still haven't told us what you're doing here. Actually … how'd you find this place?"

"Don't underestimate a mother's senses, Zenkichi-kun. I know where you are at all times."

「Whoa, talk about Big Brother is watching you. Ah, Hitomi-sensei, you haven't met Tanzaku-chan yet, have you?」

Zenkichi let Kumagawa lead his mother over to Aso, and took the opportunity to slip out. It wasn't that he didn't like his mother. He just preferred to keep some aspects of his life separate. Anyway, Kumagawa knew where he was going.

Nabeshima had promised him a rigorous farewell training exercise before he left. Zenkichi would have appreciated the gesture, if he wasn't sure he was going to be a physical wreck by the end of it. The thought alone made him wince. He turned down a hallway on his way to the Judo Hall.

Shiranui was waiting for him.

"Hello, Hitoyoshi-san," she said. "We need to talk."

-ooo-

"Okay, so that's what's happening," said Yobuko. "Hinokage-sempai, Koga-chan, any questions?"

"Are you out of your minds?" asked Hinokage.

"Well, so long as we're starting off on a positive note…"

"Save the snark, Ezumachi-san," Hinokage snapped. He sighed and rubbed his eyebrows, in the universal gesture shared among administrators everywhere that indicated a headache was fast approaching. Wrapped in bandages and propped up in a hospital bed even larger than he was, Hinokage looked less the confident defender than he ever had.

On the other side of the infirmary, Koga watched the proceedings in silence. Though perkier than she had been the previous day, her complexion was still ashen, and even the slightest movement of her upper body made her wince.

In his own corner, Kanoya, zonked out on painkillers, snored away.

"Ezumachi-san, Yobuko-san, please," Hinokage continued. "The Flask Plan isn't something you can stop by just charging in with"—his gaze flickered to Koga—"swords blazing. If the project was that easy to stop, I would have done so myself already."

"With all due respect, Hinokage-sempai," said Yobuko, "we're doing this together. No one is trying to shut down the Flask Plan by themselves." Yobuko smiled. "You have defended the school for two years now, Sempai. Isn't it time you let your fellow students help you?"

Hinokage shifted on his bed and grimaced as the movement pulled at his injuries. "For the last two years, there weren't any students that could help me." Hinokage sighed again. "Old habits die hard, I suppose. But—"

"But nothing," cut off Ezumachi. "If the Flask Plan is the danger you believe it is, then it needs to be stopped. So we will stop it. That's all there is to it." The other members of the Student Council stared at him. "…What?"

"For an artist, you're pretty straightforward, aren't you, Ezumachi-kun?"

Ezumachi met Yobuko's gaze with a level stare. "Is there something wrong with that?"

Yobuko shrugged. "No, nothing. You just surprised me, is all." She turned her attention back to Hinokage. "Hinokage-sempai, we've told you what we're doing, just as Kurokami-san asked us to. I won't ask for your blessing, because I know you won't give it. But if Kurokami-san comes by"—Yobuko tilted her head meaningfully in Koga's direction—"don't shut her down, all right? She's taken enough hits to her confidence recently as it is."

"Where is Kurokami-san?" It was a quiet question.

Ezumachi and Yobuko shared a look.

"I believe she is with Hitoyoshi-sensei and Aka-san at the moment, Koga-san," Ezumachi answered. "The two of them are working to get her in proper shape for tomorrow."

Koga began to nod, winced, and stopped herself. "Okay," she said.

"Kurokami-san will definitely speak with you before we leave," said Yobuko, expression daring the universe to contradict her. "Cheer up, Koga-chan. You're getting Hinokage-sempai all to yourself to hear his old war stories, and when we get back, I'm sure Kurokami-san won't be able to shut up either. Now, I am going to the Kendo Hall to warm myself up. Ezumachi-kun, I assume you will use your time to paint?"

"I don't see why that should be a problem." Ezumachi sounded as though he had answered this question multiple times already. "I cannot train with Color Of Beauty like you can with your chains, so I might as well—"

"Whatever," said Yobuko. "Make sure you visit an art supply store on your way home."

"I already have—"

"Make sure you do. If you run out of colors tomorrow, you'll just be dead weight." With that final word, Yobuko swept out of the infirmary.

"That woman is insufferable," said Ezumachi.

"No," said Hinokage, "I think she's just more like her underclassmen than she cares to admit." He leaned back in his bed with a groan. "She means well, I'm sure."

Ezumachi replied with a noncommittal grunt. He turned to Koga.

"…Ezumachi-kun?" asked Koga.

"Koga-san," said Ezumachi. "At my former school, I was in love with the Student Council president."

This revelation had mixed results.

Koga froze, her mouth open in a wide O.

Hinokage jerked upright, only to collapse back on his bed with a subdued moan as his body protested.

"O-Oh, oh, wow, Ezumachi-kun. I … I had no idea you had a girlfriend." Koga seemed at a loss for what to say.

"I don't," Ezumachi replied. "We were incompatible. One of us had to leave. I thought she was better for the academy, so I chose to go."

"What?" Koga's eyes opened wide. "You … you had to … so the reason … you were expelled because … why?"

"We were incompatible," Ezumachi repeated. "Suisou Academy is not like Hakoniwa, Koga-san, even if they are sister schools. The Student Council president wields absolute authority." Ezumachi's eyes took on a faraway look. "She was a woman born to rule people."

Hinokage coughed weakly behind him. "Born to rule people, huh? Watch out, Ezumachi-san. There's a type like that among the Thirteen Party already, and he'd take offense."

Ezumachi shrugged. "The world is filled with all sorts, Hinokage-sempai. If we are talking about born rulers, Kurokami could fit that description as well, could she not?"

"Um, Ezumachi-kun?" said Koga, "Why are you telling me this?"

"We were incompatible," Ezumachi repeated again. "So one of us had to leave. You and Kurokami are not incompatible." Ezumachi treated Koga to a small smile. "Kurokami wants you at her side, and there is no reason for you not to be there. Be patient. She will come."

Koga gulped and lowered her eyes. "Thank … thank you, Ezumachi-kun."

-ooo-

Munakata's body hit the Judo Hall's mats with a smack.

Onigase winced at the noise.

Nabeshima was less sympathetic.

"Again!" she hollered. "Jounan-kun, stop going easy on her. Munakata-chan, get your head on straight, you've fallen for that feint three times now!"

As girl and boy both took their positions once more, Onigase cast a dubious look at the Judo Club captain. "Nabeshima-sempai," she began, "I understand that the sports clubs often come down hard on new members to weed out anyone who's not committed, but this seems a bit much for a prospective member."

"Prospective member? What in the world gave you that idea?"

Onigase blinked, and her gaze shifted from Nabeshima to the match and back again. "That's why she's here, isn't it? Tell me your vice-captain isn't just beating on a middle school girl? Please?"

"Bah, don't sweat the small stuff, Onigase-chan!" Nabeshima wrapped an arm around Onigase's shoulders and pulled the smaller girl into a casual hug. "You're the Kendo Club captain now, right? Just sit back and let a pro show you how a club should be run."

"…This seems suspiciously like hazing, Nabeshima-sempai."

"You aren't an Enforcer anymore, right?"

"No—"

"Then relax! You'll be an early gray if you keep that attitude!"

"Could you at least explain to me why your vice-captain is beating on a middle school girl? Or at least make up a convincing lie?"

"Nya~ we might make a cynic out of you yet, Onigase-chan. If you must know, this little girl is going on a … field trip of sorts with Kurokami-chan and company tomorrow, so we're helping her get into shape."

Onigase watched as the girl bounced on the mats, certain … other parts of her anatomy bouncing as well. Onigase cast a despairing look at her own chest. "Doesn't look like a little girl to me," she muttered. More loudly, "What do you mean, Kurokami-chan and company? She's not taking the Student Council on one of her crazy outings?"

"She's taking some members," said Nabeshima. "Hitoyoshi-kun and Kumagawa-kun too."

"Of course it's those two," Onigase grumbled. "I should have known." Her expression turned serious. "I heard Koga-sempai is still in the infirmary. What happened on the school roof? No one seems to know the full story."

"Does anyone ever?" asked Nabeshima. "It was probably— Munakata-chan, do it properly next time! Sorry, it was probably some lunatic with a vendetta. Kurokami-chan has made just as many enemies as she has fans after all. Who knows? Maybe it was some forgotten enemy from her distant past?"

"…Do you think this is a manga?"

"Nah, the return of an old enemy would probably happen later on, wouldn't it?"

"…I don't know why I came here, I really don't."

"What? Onigase-chan, you came to see how a club captain does their job, didn't you?"

"No, I came here because Yobuko-sempai wanted to spar with the other members of the Enforce … of the Kendo Club, and she was adamant that I not participate." Onigase frowned. "I don't know why."

"Eh, probably because by the time she's finished there's going to be no one left capable of walking away on their own, let alone defend the school," said Nabeshima.

"What?"

"Don't you know? Yobuko-san didn't become chairwoman of the Public Morals Committee just for her pretty face." Nabeshima smirked. "Or her pretty hair."

Onigase opened her mouth to defend her upperclassman's choice of blonde hair dye, but was interrupted by the arrival of Kumagawa, being dragged along by … a short, female version of Zenkichi.

"Nabeshima-sempai?"

"Yes?"

"Who is that girl?"

"Hitomi Hitoyoshi."

"Ah." Onigase released the breath she had been holding. A little sister then.

「Hitomi-sensei, what are you doing? I got all excited when you dragged me off by myself, but why are we here? Ah! Could it be you're actually an exhibitionist? Because if you are, I am more than cool with that…」

"Kumagawa-kun, if you talk to a girl like that, she'll hate you forever, you know?"

「Hitomi-sensei! You know I'm just teasing!」

"Ick, makes my ears bleed," said Nabeshima, a statement that summed up Onigase's feelings on the display nicely. "Hitoyoshi-sensei," called Nabeshima, a smile plastered on her face. "What brings you back to the Judo Hall so soon? Come to finish your story?"

Onigase could not be sure, but for a split second, something that looked like mortal fear flashed in Kumagawa's eyes. It was gone the next moment.

「Hey there, Nekomi-chan! No, we don't have time for stories! Haven't you heard? Me, three cute girls, my childhood friend, and the junior I suspect my childhood friend is cheating on me with, are all going on an adventure together! My harem ending draws ever nearer!」

Hitomi and Kumagawa's entrance had drawn most of the Judo Club's attention. Kumagawa's announcement drew the rest of it.

"Harem ending, Kumagawa-kun?"

「Don't worry, Hitomi-sensei! You'll always be my first love!」

Onigase stared with eyes like saucers. She knew Kumagawa was a pervert, but to hear him so boldly declare his interest in a girl who could not be older than twelve… It boggled the mind.

"In all seriousness, Nabeshima-san, I was hoping we could use the Judo Hall to get Zenkichi-kun and Kumagawa-kun some last minute training." Hitomi glanced around the Judo Hall, her brows furrowed. "That's strange. Zenkichi-kun should have been here already…"

"Hitoyoshi-dono, Kumagawa-dono!" Munakata approached the pair, hands clasped in front of her. "Thank you for your help yesterday."

「No worries, Koi-chan! Trying to find your big brother is an admirable thing! Of course, if you still feel indebted to me, how about you—」

"Ignore him, Munakata-chan," said Hitomi. "Actually, don't." With a shove that displayed surprising strength, Hitomi pushed Kumagawa forward. "Both of you, on the mats."

"Hitoyoshi-dono?"

「Hitomi-sensei?」

With practiced ease, Hitomi shed her shoes, backpack, and lab coat. "Okay you two, when fighting in a group, teamwork is the most important thing." Hitomi's smile turned predatory.

From the sidelines, Onigase thought the action had a distinctly Kumagawa-like air.

「Eh, Hitomi-sensei, you're not…」

"Both of you come at me!" Hitomi held her arms wide. "Don't worry, I was once called the Licensed Black Jack, so even if it hurts like hell, I won't do anything you won't recover from by tomorrow."

-ooo-

"Well, looks like everything checks out. You're as ready as you'll ever be."

"Thank you, Second Year Aka-san."

"That's Aka-sempai."

Medaka ignored the Health Preservation Committee chairwoman's admonishment. She was used to it from most of her upperclassmen. 'Sempai' was reserved for Hinokage, who had matched in her a fight, and Kumagawa, who had beaten her in a fight. Twice now.

Medaka grit her teeth. She still had a long way to go.

As she usually did in times of stress, Medaka reviewed her objectives.

One. Shut the Flask Plan down.

Two. Find her brother.

Three. If what Koi Munakata (she hurt Koga she hurt my friend she hurt my only friend punish her hurt her back hurt her back worse make her scream like Koga screamed hurt her hurt her hurt her hurt her hurt her hurt her hurt her hurt her KILL HER) had said was true, use the Flask Plan database to find her sister.

Medaka pointedly did not think about her objectives for the rest of the day.

"Anyway, that's all you need to know about what Hitoyoshi-sensei and I have done," said Aka.

If she had less self-discipline, Medaka would have jerked her head up. Instead, she nodded as if she had been listening all along.

"Just remember, you had serious injuries. Two days is not enough of a recovery period. You're lucky you already heal at an accelerated rate and that you had the likes of Hitoyoshi-sensei and myself taking care of you. I know I'm wasting my breath, but Kurokami-san, do not push yourself, understand?"

Medaka nodded as if she was agreeing.

Aka sighed. "Look, I have to get going. The Kendo Club requested my presence for the aftermath of a group training exercise. Which means I'm going to spend my evening patching up a bunch of thugs. Again. Stick to the regimen Hitoyoshi-sensei prescribed, and you should be fine." Aka made her way to the door.

"Thank you, Second Year Aka-san," Medaka repeated. "I mean it."

"Be careful, Kurokami-san," Aka called over her shoulder. "I can heal your body, but wounds of the heart are beyond my means. There is … more to the Flask Plan than you know."

Medaka's head did jerk up at that, but Aka was already gone. Medaka frowned. Aka was a junior of Class 11, the special physical education class. What did she know about the Flask Plan?

Well, before that…

"You can come out now," said Medaka.

From the other side of the infirmary door came the clicking of a tongue. "Ah, as expected of Medaka-chan. How long were you aware of my presence?"

"Since you arrived, Onii-sama. Aren't you going to give your little sister a hug?"

"Tempting as that sounds, Medaka-chan, I think I've grown too fragile to handle one of your punches."

"Could you at least come in? I haven't seen you in years."

"If I say yes, will give up on the Flask Plan?"

"No." Medaka did not hesitate.

From the other side of the door, her brother sighed. "That's too bad. Where does that stubbornness come from?"

"Probably from Kuji-nee." She couldn't see him, but Medaka suspected her brother had just flinched.

"…You might be right," he said at length.

"I've heard the Flask Plan has information on more Abnormals than any other database in the world. Is that why you joined? Are you searching for Kuji-nee too?"

"That is why I joined originally. Since then though, I've found a few fascinating characters I want to level up."

"What?" Medaka snarled. She took a step towards the door, but forced herself to stop. If she lost her temper, her brother would just run away. "What do you mean? What could be more important than finding Kuji-nee?"

"Don't misunderstand, Medaka-chan. The only things in this world I care about are my cute little sisters. However, I have stopped searching for Kujira-chan, because I have already found Kujira-chan."

Medaka inhaled sharply. "You have? Where—"

"How about this, if you give up on—"

"Don't. Don't you dare."

Her brother was silent for a long time. "She's out of our reach, Medaka-chan."

"…What do you—"

"Our reach, father's reach, the Kurokami Group's reach. If we see Kujira-chan again, she'll come to us."

"…What about Kamome?"

There was a burst of staccato laughter from behind the door. "What about that boy?" Her brother's voice was raw. "I don't know. As long as he stays away from our family, I don't care." There was a muffled cough. It sounded like a sob. "Medaka-chan, please. Enjoy your high school life. Leave the Flask Plan alone."

"I can't do that."

"Why not? Is it about what happened to your friend? You know who the culprits are, and neither of them belong to the Flask Plan, even if one of them did want to join the Thirteen Party."

"Onii-sama. Nothing you can say will change my mind."

"…Goodbye, Medaka-chan."

Medaka stared at the door. Her brother was gone.

As she usually did in times of stress, Medaka reviewed her objectives.

One. Talk to Koga.

-ooo-

In a less used section of the academy grounds, atop the roof of an empty building, two freshman sat on a bench and looked up at the sky.

"It feels like it's been a while since we've just hung out like this."

"Indeed. Probably not since Koga-sempai and Onigase-san came barreling into the Broadcast Club room."

"No, that long?"

"Yes, Hitoyoshi-san."

"No, it can't be that long. I mean—"

"Think about it, Hitoyoshi-san. First you got caught up with the Student Council and the Public Morals Committee. Then you joined the Judo Club. Then Kumagawa-sempai recruited me for the Broadcast Club."

"Yeah, but, the thing with Koga-sempai and Onigase happened right at the start of the year!"

"Time flies when you are having fun, or so the saying goes."

"But it's not like we haven't spoken at all. We eat lunch together, we're in the same class, we hang out at the Broadcast Club."

"Yes, but it is never just the two of us. We are always with your friends. It has not been just the two of us in some time."

Zenkichi was quiet for a minute. "My friends?"

"Hitoyoshi-san, you sound like Koga-sempai." Shiranui hopped to her feet. She took a few steps and spun around to face Zenkichi, hands clasped behind her back. She treated him to a small smile. "Are you going to asks why I do not consider them our friends?"

Zenkichi shook his head. "No, I'm not."

"Oh? I am surprised. And why is that?"

"You're Hanhaba Shiranui," said Zenkichi.

Shiranui blinked. "That is your answer, Hitoyoshi-san? That I am Hanhaba Shiranui? And just what makes you think you know who Hanhaba Shiranui is?"

"I know," Zenkichi insisted. "You're my best friend. I've heard what everyone else has to say, but I haven't heard it from you yet."

Shiranui hummed in thought. "I suppose circumstance has kept us from speaking directly," she said. She spun around and skipped over to the railing. "Still, I am sure you are not interested in hearing the same story repeated over and over." Shiranui turned to face him and leaned back against the bars. "It is all true. I am the one responsible for everything that has happened since Koga-sempai and Onigase-san came barreling into the Broadcast Club room."

"Okay," said Zenkichi.

"Okay?" echoed Shiranui. "Okay? That is all you have to say, Hitoyoshi-san? Perhaps you do not understand. I am responsible for your hated moniker of Freshman Typhoon. I am responsible for the gauntlet challenge that forced you to join the Judo Club. I am responsible for Ezumachi-sempai's fight with Kurokami-san. I am responsible for the Inter-Club Competition and your near drowning. I am responsible for getting you and Onigase-san shot at. I am responsible for the injuries of the Student Council and your childhood friend's broken wrist." Shiranui smiled darkly. "Do you understand, Hitoyoshi-san?"

"I understand we're classmates."

"You do, do you?"

"We're wearing the same uniform."

Shiranui looked down at what she was wearing. "Well, I cannot argue with that," she admitted. She absently toyed with her tie. "You know, I have always hated this uniform. I much prefer kimonos."

"Hah!" Zenkichi jumped to his feet and pointed at Shiranui, expression victorious.

"Yes, Hitoyoshi-san?"

"There! Right there! You just said something honest!"

"What? That I prefer kimonos to the academy uniform? That is true. But do you think I have been lying up till now?"

"No, I think you've been telling me the truth." Zenkichi's eyes narrowed. "But you haven't been honest with me."

Shiranui tilted her head to the side. "Oh? I am not sure I follow."

"No, you know exactly what I'm talking about," said Zenkichi. "I've spent thirteen years running myself ragged with a born liar. You can tell me as many truths as you want. You're still not being honest."

"Hitoyoshi-san, have you ever considered working at a ninja village?"

"I— What?"

"Nothing, nothing. Forget what I said." Shiranui looked away from him and gazed into the distance. Her smile slipped from her face. "You keep insisting that we are classmates and friends, Hitoyoshi-san, but I do not think you understand yet that our friendship is built on fallacy."

"Look, I've heard from Kumagawa that you were hired by Kurokami-san's parents to—"

"Father."

"What?"

"I was hired by Kurokami-san's father, not her parents."

Zenkichi wondered if this was important, but pushed the thought aside. "Okay, I've heard that you were hired by Kurokami-san's dad to keep her away from the Flask Plan."

"And that I only approached you to get close to Kumagawa-sempai?"

"Yeah, I heard that too. But so what? Even if you don't think of me as a friend, I've always thought of you as one."

Shiranui snorted. It was an undignified thing to do, and out of character. "That's cute, Hitoyoshi-san. What if I was to tell you I am not fifteen, I am not even a teenager, that I am an adult woman who has infiltrated a high school to watch over the Kurokami Group's princess? Could you still think of me as a friend then?"

Zenkichi gawked at her. "An adult … you look great!" he blurted.

Shiranui stared at him.

Zenkichi turned red.

Shiranui laughed. She continued to laugh until she doubled over. "Wah, I thought you were a good boy, Hitoyoshi-san, but here you are, making a pass at an older woman. Now I see you are as much of a scoundrel as Kumagawa-sempai."

Zenkichi spluttered incoherently as Shiranui shook with mirth. As her laughter subsided, she forced herself upright and wiped at the tears in the corners of her eyes. "I am sorry, Hitoyoshi-san. That was a bit mean, was it not? I am sure you were just trying to treat an older woman as you mother taught you, am I right?"

Zenkichi refused to look at her, his face still crimson. He muttered something under his breath.

"There there, do not be embarrassed. You are an honest boy, Hitoyoshi-san. A kind one as well." Something dark flashed across Shiranui's face. "I once knew a child like that. Before she was chosen to be a sacrifice to our legacy." Shiranui shook her head. "I am sorry, Hitoyoshi-san, but blood is thicker than water, even among a clan of liars. I have family to look out for. I do not think we can be friends."

"We can." Zenkichi was insistent. "Shiranui … san, you still haven't told me your story."

"Well, you have certainly got communication down."

"What?"

"Nothing. Hitoyoshi-san." Shiranui held out both her hands. "I cannot stop Kurokami-san from entering the Flask Plan at this point. I am not the direct confrontation type. However, when she fails, and she will, I will be there to rescue her. I have two hands. I could save one other person, if necessary." Shiranui fixed Zenkichi with a level stare. "If either you or Kumagawa-sempai stay behind, I could rescue the other."

"Thanks, but no thanks, Shiranui-san. I watch Kumagawa's back, and he watches mine."

"Yes, I thought you would say that." Shiranui paused. Her next words were said carefully. "I did not consider you my friend, but the time we spent together … was not unpleasant. Good luck … Hitoyoshi-kun."

There was a shift, and then Zenkichi found himself alone on the roof.

-ooo-

"Koga?"

"Kurokami-san! Ah, I mean, shh! Hinokage-sempai and Kanoya-kun are sleeping."

"I'll whisper."

"Oh, okay. Um, what did you want?"

"Koga, can we … talk?"

"Ye-Yeah. Of course we can talk. What did you want to talk about?"

"I … I don't know."

"Oh, well, I guess we can talk about anything then. Would that be okay?"

"Yes, yes that would be okay. I'd like that very much."