Author's Note: Hii Hii. I'm learning Japanese at school and it's freaking awesome man. But my last name is so long, every time I introduce myself it's like...Na mai wa Ajndfiashfiuehraoyhrklhfklbsdaf des...in English it means: My name is Ajhfihrfyoaegfklsdhfsafs. lol okay that's not how my last name is spelled but you get the point. I also changed the summary because I was bored. hahaha. This is fun.
Chapter 11
The "New Building" is located far from the school campus. It takes everyone about 30 minutes to get there by walking. The outside of the construction resembles more of a mansion though. A really old mansion.
Inside, the "HiMe" member and the three "Princesses" eat together since the food is already prepared for them by the time they arrived. According to Midori, there are seven levels including the basement. The basement has a living room, a kitchen, a bathroom and two bedrooms. The underground place has a lab and an entry way to the main library's basement. On the top floor is a meeting room equipped with computer monitors and a large telescope. Yoko, who is the school nurse, was invited by Midori to be one of the staff to look over the HiMe team. For some reason, the room arrangements came out in the following order: Yoko and Yukariko are staying on the first floor; Akane, Yukino and Akira are sleeping in the second flat; Midori gets the third deck to herself (which the girls believe this was planned); Mai, Mikoto, Nao and Shiho are squeezed on to the fourth story while Natsuki, Shizuru, Nina, Arika, and Erstin get the top suite on the fifth floor.
Afterwards, the girls split up into groups to go to their own rooms. Unluckily, there is only one elevator that can only contain 8 people at a time. Natsuki does not like waiting so she decides to take the stairs. Knowing that they're supposed to stick together, Shizuru, Nina, Arika and Erstin follow.
"I can't believe we have to walk for half an hour and walk up more stairs. I don't even see where the flight ends," Natsuki pauses to look up long spiral-like shape stair cases.
"Ara, Natsuki is the one who decides to come up this way. We really could've taken the elevator if we wait," Shizuru says.
"You didn't have to follow me."
"I wanted to."
Meanwhile, three children are trying their best to keep up with Shizuru and Natsuki who are way ahead of them.
"Ne, Nina-chan, don't those two look like the girls from that show?" Arika speaks thoughtfully.
"What show?" Nina asks.
"That show that Otoha-san was watching called Kannazuki no Miko!"
Nina and Erstin blush a little when they heard of the show's name. That brings back memories when the three musketeers decided to go on an adventure by sneaking into people's random rooms.
"You're thinking too much, Arika-chan." Erstin smiles weakly.
"Is something wrong? You don't look so well," Nina stops walking and checks Erstin's forehead.
"I'm fine…but my legs are giving up on me. I'm sorry." Erstin falls on to the ground.
"Why are you apologizing? We'll help carry you. It's not the first time, you know." Arika knees down to Erstin's level.
"I know, and last time we all fell down the stairs in the palace. Remember? Just let me rest for a while."
Both Arika and Nina do not reject Erstin's request. Erstin has always been the weakest out of the three, yet she never begged to be left out in their little adventures. Although, they're not related by blood, the three of them have always been together as best friends. Not so soon after Nina, Arika and Erstin stop walking; two mysterious figures show up behind them.
"What are you guys doing?" Natsuki approaches the girls.
"Ers is just resting," Nina says.
"Yes, please give her some time to recover her strength and we promise we'll catch up." Arika tries to defend her friend.
Natsuki looks at the blonde girl who stares down at the floor shamefully as if she is about to cry. Natsuki then simpers kindly and knees down to Erstin, "Get up on my back."
"But…"
"You don't want to hold anyone back right? Well, hurry up and get on. Don't you want to see our room?"
"Y-Yes. Thank you…" Erstin claims behind Natsuki's back as her cheeks glows.
Shizuru cannot help but observe the scene with admiration for Natsuki. Deep down, Shizuru knows Natsuki is a kind person by nature. Most people would just assume that Natsuki is unapproachable.
As she watches Natsuki carry Erstin up the stairs, Shizuru offers her hands to Nina and Arika, "We should catch up with them too."
The suite has a small living room with a long sofa. The bathroom has a large round bathtub and a shower room. A mini kitchen is placed next to a small dining room. There is one bedroom that is connected to the living room, which has only one King's size bed.
"How come in every room I go to there's only one bed available?" Natsuki mutters to herself when Arika and Nina jump onto the bed.
"I guess we'll have to sleep on the sofa, Natsuki." Shizuru laughs softly.
Natsuki then lowers Erstin down. Erstin bows shyly and thanks Natsuki once again before she dashes off to play with Nina and Arika.
"I'm going to take a shower," Natsuki walks towards the bathroom.
"Wouldn't it be faster if we all take a shower together? There is only one bathroom." Shizuru suggests playfully.
"N-No way!"
"Did I hear shower? Let's shower together Nina-chan, Erstin-chan!" Arika pops out of no where.
Nina, Erstin and Arika then run into the bathroom together, following each other one by one.
"Aren't you coming?" Shizuru asks with a hint of disappointment in her voice.
"I'll wait until you guys are done."
"I don't get why Natsuki's so shy. You have such a nice body," Shizuru teases Natsuki before she disappears behind the bathroom door.
"Shizuru! I'm borrowing your laptop again," Natsuki yells at the door.
"Okay," Shizuru replies from behind the bathroom entrance.
Natsuki starts checking her e-mail at once. After so many days of research, she was only able to obtain little facts about the First District and the Searrs Foundation. First District is the sponsor and the reason why the Fuuka Space Academy exists. Searrs Foundation disguises itself as a U.S. corporation. There is a girl who was enrolled to the academy a year before Natsuki known as Alyssa Searrs, who is only 9 years old. But Natsuki cannot be sure if the girl is related to the Searrs Foundation in any way. Since the school is divided into many sections from grade school, middle school, high school, college level, etc, it is hard for Natsuki to observe Alyssa who is in grade school group.
In addition, both First District and Searrs Foundation have their company buildings in Windbloom. Natsuki is in the process of gaining access to it, but it is quite difficult to do this alone without having the time to attend the regular bar where she usually gets her resources from. However, things must be done and she will probably have to hide the blue print for her plan.
For the past few weeks, she has been studying her way around school's computers and Shizuru's laptop. In order to keep Shizuru out of this ordeal, Natsuki went through a lot of trouble to learn how to make Shizuru's laptop untraceable if one would find out what kind of places Natsuki hacked into. Sakomizu has been helping Natsuki also. They occasionally contact each other via e-mail using anonymous names and such.
"One new message," Natsuki clicks on the note and reads.
To Ikustan,
Adamay lliw teem htiw uoy ta eht emas ecalp. Emas emit. Erom ofni no tsrif tcirtsid dna srraes. Eb erawa. Ymene thgim eb esolc yb. Ew deen ot klat tuoba eerht sdnomaid. Lliw nialpxe nehw dedeen. Ni emit, od ton esol thgis.
From,
Mr. Squid
Meanwhile in the bathroom, Nina, Erstin, Arika and Shizuru are chatting with each other in the tub.
"May I ask you something?" Shizuru asks.
"Sure," Nina answers while Arika and Erstin simply look at Shizuru.
"Are all of you the 'Princess of Windbloom'?"
As soon as Shizuru raises the question, the three girls go quiet.
"You don't have to say it if you can't. I'm just curious. Sorry. It doesn't matter anyway; you guys will be under care of everyone in the house…even though Natsuki's the one who initially wanted to take the job. So, don't worry okay?"
"It's…not that," Erstin utters.
"Basically, one of us was supposed to come here alone. But the other two sneaked into the shuttle. When the staff on the transfer found out, it was too late to send them back. So our body guard had to clear things out, and the King and Queen agreed to have all three of us here together." Nina explains.
"Only one of you is the Princess then?"
"That's right," Arika states.
"How did you meet each other?" Shizuru eye them inquisitively.
"We've been together ever since we were born," Arika beams brightly.
"We were trained to replace each other," Nina adds.
"It must be nice to have two best friends since birth," Shizuru cannot help but envy the three adorable kids in front of her.
"Y-You and Natsuki-san seem close too though," Nina says.
"I guess you can say that," Shizuru smiles.
"Funny, this already begins to feel like we're family," Erstin speaks shyly. This statement makes Shizuru becomes embarrass for a second.
"Yeah, yeah! Maybe we should call Shizuru-san, Shizuru-mama and Natsuki-san, Natsuki-papa." Arika gets excited even more, which causes Shizuru to laugh out loud.
By the time the girls are done taking a shower, Natsuki makes a remark something like wanting to go take a nap. After Natsuki is finished freshen up, the kids are already fast asleep. But Natsuki is no longer as sleepy as before and decides to do more research from Shizuru's laptop. Since the sofa is quite long, Natsuki agrees to sleep at the opposite end from Shizuru even though their feet still touch in the middle.
"Seriously Natsuki, I don't know if you're on to me because you're in love with me or you're in love with my laptop," Shizuru tries to provoke some cute action from Natsuki.
"Shizuru! I just can't sleep so I like to play games. That's all! I'm not addicted to laptop or anything…"
"Hmm…so Natsuki really loves me then."
"What- oh my god- you're impossible."
"You can play with me instead, you know." Shizuru uses her feet to nonchalantly tap on Natsuki's.
"Are you playing footsie with me now?"
"Maybe, but it's not like I go up your legs with my foot like…"
"Ahhh, Shizuru! Why…you…devilish…woman," Natsuki then takes a pillow that is nearby and throws it at Shizuru's face.
"That's mean," Shizuru pouts and sends two pillows towards Natsuki at once.
Shizuru giggles when the pillows make contact with Natsuki's face, "And I thought a top Otome like Natsuki would be able to dodge that."
"I got distracted."
"By what?"
"Your face."
"Is something on my face?"
"Yes."
"What is it?"
"Pillows!" Natsuki then hits Shizuru lightly with the two pillows Shizuru used on her earlier. In an attempt to duck the attacks, Shizuru flips herself trying to intentionally fall on to the ground. However, due to the fact that Shizuru's and Natsuki's feet are linked, they both drop onto the floor laughing.
Unanticipatedly, Arika's voice is heard out loud, "I knew it!"
Natsuki and Shizuru turn towards Arika, who is standing in front of blushing Erstin and Nina. At that time, both Natsuki and Shizuru realize their positions and flush furiously.
The next morning arrives. That's when everyone realizes that they have to get on a shuttle bus to get from their "dorm" to the school without walking. Arika, Nina and Erstin have to dress up in grade school uniform. Natsuki guesses that Midori made some kind of deal in order to put three more girls into the student body.
Nina, Erstin and Shizuru wake up early to make light breakfast and lunch for all five of them. Meanwhile, Natsuki and Arika are the last ones in the house to get up. In addition, they switch uniforms accidentally because both of them tend to be absent minded in the morning and have to spend more time switching back. The bus does not and cannot move until it picks up all of the students that the faculty had programmed, hence there is no driver. So, if one is late then everyone else is late. Shizuru, Nina and Erstin try to save the seats for Natsuki and Arika. Sadly, every seat is filled and only one is available next to them.
Everybody starts making a fuss when Arika gets up on the bus and apologizes for her lateness. On the other hand, when Natsuki steps in…the students are so silent that you can hear…nothing.
Natsuki tries to look for Shizuru and realizes that Arika previously took the last seat next to them. The bus wouldn't move until every one is seated. Therefore, Natsuki searches and finds a seat near the front…next to a green haired guy.
"Is anyone sitting here?"
"K-K-Kruger-san!"
"Is anyone sitting here?" Natsuki repeats.
"N-No, no one's sitting here! Would you like to sit here? I'll clean it for you! No wait, you can take my seat!" The guy jumps out of his place and motions Natsuki to sit.
"Okay…thanks…"
The guy just stands there and stares at Natsuki like she's a piece of art hanging at a museum gallery.
"Sit down, idiot!" Someone yells out. And similar remarks are thrown at the guy. Natsuki does not know why this person wouldn't sit next to her. But if he doesn't sit, the bus probably won't move.
"You can sit," Natsuki points down to the seat beside to her.
"Th-Thank you!"
Finally, the bus moves. And the students applaud. It takes the vehicle usually 5 minutes to make each of the three stops from grade school to middle school and high school. During this moment, Shizuru feels it is the longest 5 minutes of her life. She can only do nothing but watches a guy trying to talk to Natsuki.
At first, Takeda intends to avoid talking to Natsuki during the entire ride. Then, he knows how long he has been waiting to get closer to Kruger…and he will not let this lucky day go to waste.
"So…you're Kruger, right?"
"Yeah…"
"I'm Masashi Takeda. I…I hope we can be friends," Takeda bows so low due to his nervousness that his eyes are staring down at Natsuki's beautiful white creamy legs. His reflexes pull him up right away to the point where he almost falls out of the seat. Natsuki is totally clueless to what happened and looks at Takeda weirdly.
"Nice to meet you," Natsuki says
Yes! She talks back to me, Takeda cheers himself.
The bus first stops for grade schoolers. Nina, Arika and Erstin gets off and waves to Natsuki as they step off the car. Natsuki lets out a soft smile to them. After that, someone catches her attention. Alyssa Searrs, a girl with a golden hair who is walking out of the bus with an unknown high school girl. Why does she have strange feelings about Alyssa Searrs?
Now that more seats are available, Shizuru moves up quietly to get closer to where Natsuki is sitting. I recognize that guy somewhere, Shizuru recalls. That's Takeda from Kendo Club, isn't it? Oh yes, he is one of those guys who in love with Natsuki. Why am I acting like an obsessive girl fan of Natsuki?
"Kruger-san, I'm a captain of the Kendo Club. W-Would you be interested in joining?"
"I don't think I'm free."
"O-Oh, that's okay! Will you be using this bus from now on?"
"I guess so…"
"Then I'll save a seat for you everyday!"
"Um…thanks…"
Guys are so weird, Natsuki will never understand them.
The second stop is where Mikoto, Nao and Shiho get off. Nao mouths the word, "Player" to Natsuki and winks at Takeda before she walks out. What was that all about? Natsuki wonders.
"I'm boring, aren't I? S-sorry to bother you," Takeda sighs. Perhaps he should just give up.
"I don't mind."
"R-Really?" God still loves me!
"Kendo stuff…you use swords to fight right? It might be useful for battles," Natsuki says considerately.
"Yes! Yes! It's useful. If you don't have time I can teach you personally, only two of us…no…I mean I'll be your Kendo mentor doing…mentor stuff and…stuff…"
"Okay...I'll see."
Finally, the final stop arrives. Shizuru is the first one to stand up. She hurries out of the bus as if a demon is chasing after her.
I don't want to see them together; a voice in Shizuru's head says.
When Natsuki sees Shizuru walking, or rather running out, she immediately follows. Before she gets off, she turns around.
"Bye."
"G-Good day, Kruger-san!" Takeda sort of shouts…at Natsuki with the I-can't-believe-she-said-bye face
"Shizuru?" Natsuki walks in a fast pace to catch up with Shizuru.
"I'm sorry I have a meeting to go," Shizuru begins to run without turning back, leaving Natsuki behind.
Shizuru never runs away from me before. Did I really make her late for her meeting?
Aurthor's Note...Again: Haha did any of you get the secret e-mail that Natsuki received from Mr. Squid? It is in English. Aren't you curious? Don't you want to know? Don't ya, don't ya, don't ya? I'll give you a pokemon card if you guess it right. lol
Preview: Oh My God. What school trip? Where? Natsuki gets something in the mail. Is it a bomb?! How will Natsuki and Shizuru make up?? Is Natsuki getting jealous too?!?! Muahahaha CoKe CoKe CoKe...and I...CHoKe
Don't you just hate it when you're not drinking anything and then you choke on your own saliva or something?