So I came back with an update. Yup.

Sorry for the lateness of this chapter. I finally got a break from everything and was able to write, though I wish I had more time. I think this one was written in a bit of a rush. xP

Enjoy the story~!


Iwasawa yawned as she took her time walking to school. Yui had left about an hour earlier, saying something about meeting up with Irie and Sekine to do an important "project" they recently started. Hisako and herself wasn't informed about this project of theirs, but it probably was something incredibly stupid and she wasn't really feeling like being a part of it.

Just a few more blocks until she reached the entrance of the school. Not that she was particularly excited on going. It was starting to get to be a pain, coming and going back and forth from her home and the large education center. She scowled at the thought that she was spending so much of her time there than with her music. Heck, it's been a while since she written new song lyrics or even composing some new beats and rhythms for the band to practice in case there was another chance for them to preform again on a stage.

"Hey! Iwasawa!" an oddly familiar voice called out to the thinking redhead who was lost in thought.

Hisako started running and as soon as Iwasawa's ears picked up on the sound of footsteps behind her, she was tackled and put into a bone-crushing embrace. "Good morning!" Ah, well. At least she wouldn't have to keep thinking about her previous thoughts since they were now replaced with trying to find a way to breathe. "G-good morning, H-hisako."

Hisako release her best friend and gave her a wide toothy grin. "Sorry, sorry." she apologized. "I just felt like surprising you." she said with her award-winning smile still plastered on her face.

Taking a step back to keep her distance from another death hold and to take in some air, Iwasawa eyed her suspiciously. "Are you usually in this 'good' mood of yours?" she still remembered that the other day, Hisako was in the exact opposite mood after her quick talk with her on the phone.

"Oh, that." She laughed it off. "That was nothing." She laughed again.

Iwasawa took her iPod out of her pocket and put one of the earphones in her ear with an amused expression on her face as she set it to shuffle. She offered the other earphone piece to Hisako. "Wanna listen?" She wasn't into morning talks.

"Thank you." Hisako gratefully plucked them out of Iwasawa's hand and took at listen her playlist.

Ever since their unexpected run-in with each other a few months back, every morning when Hisako and Iwasawa walked together to school, it would started with a short talk about the day before and then the rest of the way would be filled with silence between the two to listen to Iwasawa's seemingly endless playlist, only to be broken by a remark or comment about the particular song that was currently playing.

After ten minutes later, the pair arrived near the school grounds with the large gate in view. As soon as they entered the grounds, Iwasawa put away her iPod into her school bag until later use. They calmly walked across the smooth asphalt and went towards the back of the school since it was 15 minutes or so until the daily school bell would ring for the start of class.

Hisako was originally planning on getting into class early to finish some homework she lazily refused to do the night before, but a rather large crowd of people were blocking the doors into the school building. The area around the door was flocked with screaming students. Her morning just got a little louder.

"Tsk." Damn. Looks like she'll have to improvise. "Hey, Iwasawa. Let me borrow you math homework." Hisako grabbed the shoulder strap of Iwasawa's school bag that she was holding loosely. Iwasawa made no effort against her action as she was focused on something else. More specially the crowd.

Hisako pulled out the sheet of papers from the bag and slipped them into her own. She would copy some of this during homeroom. Not that matters. It's due by the end of third period anyway.

"Hisako."

"What?"

"Do you hear that?" Iwasawa pointed to the center of the mass of people.

"Hear? Well, all I can hear is screaming."She replied flatly.

"No. I meant can you hear Sekine from here?"

Sekine? Why the hell would Sekine be in the midst of that? Hisako listened more closely. One voice was just a little louder than all the others and frankly stood out to her the most.

"All right everybody! Line up in an orderly fashion and the faster this will go!" Sekine called out. She held something that looked like a photo in one hand.

Hisako's eyebrows creased. "What the hell is that idiot doing?"

In that center of the crowd was in fact, Sekine, along with Yui in a booth made of wood that was poorly made. Sekine stood up on a stool to make her voice reach out farther. "Get your 'Girls Dead Monster' merchandise here! Photos for 150 yen! Buttons for 100!" Sales were off the charts today.

Irie ran behind to the booth to Sekine and Yui. "Hurry up! Iwasawa and Hisako are here now!" she whispered to the two.

"Aw crap!" Yui shoved the jar full of money into her bag. " Sarge! What do we do?" She looked at Sekine for help.

"Let's go for now. Captain! Help us clean this up!" Sekine jabbed a finger at Irie.

"Sorry everyone! Store's closed!" she yelled out to the crowd. Some disappointed sighs and complaints were made from what Yui would call "crazed" students. Sekine jumped down from her stool and snatched the items left on the booth table before some weirdo could take them. Irie and Yui had already took the the rest in a metal box with a combination lock on it.

Sekine stuffed what she had in her hands into her bag. "Lieutenant!" she turned to Yui. "Is everything in order!"

Yui saluted her. "Yes sir! All evidence has been erased from the area!"

"The only thing that's left is the equipment!" Irie added quickly as she started taking down the booth before the all the students went away from the scene. "Wait, why am I doing this again?"

"Because it's a soldier's duty to help his fellow companions in a battle, comrade!" Yui replied to her quickly and ran inside the school building to hide the top banner.

"This isn't a battle though..."

In moments, the booth was taken down and separated into different parts and hidden throughout the inside of the building behind the trio along with the rest of the students gone.

"F-finished." Irie panted. Sekine gave a thumbs up. "Good work, you two. We have averted a crisis. Lieutenant, have our ammunition been properly stored?"

Yui returned her gesture with her own. "Yes sir!"

The blond gave a weak smile. "Mission complete. And just in time too." She had noticed Iwasawa and Hisako were walking up to them.

The drummer casually gave her morning greeting to the duo.

"Ow!"

"Ow-ow-ow!" Sekine had tears in her eyes from the pain. Hisako had pinched Sekine and Irie's cheeks.

"Wat er yu doin'!" Sekine cried. Translation: "What are you doing!"

"What were you guys doing? Causing a mess before the day even started!"

Iwasawa chuckled lightly at the two. They did got along well. It does make sense they would be part of something like this.

"Hm?" In the corner of her eye, she could see something shining on the floor. She bent over to pick it up. "What's this?"

Yui scrambled over to the thing and got hold of it before the older girl could. "A-ah, t-this? It's mine. I guess I dropped it earlier." She laughed nervously.

Hisako released Irie and Sekine. "What is it? Let me see."

Yui shot a worried glance at Sekine, who understood the situation instantly. Now's not the time to get found out. She stood up and ran to Hisako. "W-what are you doing Hisako? That's probably Yui's personal item. You can't just go and take it. What was it called- ah, 'Curiosity killed the cat', right?"

"Since when did you starting random sayings?"

"W-well, you know, forever. I guess you don't know me as well as I thought, Hisako."

Hisako had a look of disbelief on her face before a smirk replaced it. "I see. I see. Something personal, huh?" She went up to Yui.

"Wh-what?"

"Nothing." and the brunette suddenly put Yui into a headlock. "Iwasawa, now!"

"I can't believe I'm doing this." the red head muttered before plucking the thing out of Yui's hand. The fanged girl let out a small cry of surprise. Hisako released Yui and took a look at her belonging. She gasped and Iwasawa stared nonchalantly at the picture.

Iwasawa had in her hand a picture of herself taken from the time the band was practicing before the school festival. She hadn't recall anyone taking her picture nor a flash signaling that she was being photographed. The only ones in that room was the band members and Yui. Was the room bugged?

Wow, stalker much? Iwasawa mentally sighed. Since when did she have stalkers?

But, she must say, she did look good in this photo.

"I-isn't it natural for me have a picture of Iwasawa-san? I am the band's biggest fan, after all." Yui stumbled over her words a little. She took a step backwards and knocked over her bag. "Crap!" There goes their "project."

The metal box that she in her bag fell out and the contents was scattered out. Dozens of pictures, buttons, and other goods of the band members spilled out.

"Dammit Irie! Did you forget to lock the box?" Sekine raged, shaking Irie by the shoulders. "Everything's ruined!"

"I thought I did! Besides, they were going to find out eventually!"

Iwasawa folded her arms as she watched Yui carefully put everything back in the box, Irie and Sekine bickering, and Hisako shaking her head in disappointment.

And that was how the day had started for Iwasawa.

At least she now knew how the band never seemed to run out of money. And it looks like today would be a good day to buy an amp for her guitar. Lucky her.


"Can anyone translate this paragraph?" the teacher pointed at the sentence written on the board and called on a random student in the class. "Irie Miyuki, read."

Irie nearly fell out of seat. "A-ah! Yes! Uhm..." He didn't have to use her full name though...

Behind her sat Sekine who was glaring at the page in the book of which she knew she was supposed to translate from Japanese to English. Why the hell was it necessary for Japanese people to learn English? It's not like everyone in this class will go fly off to America or help a foreigner at the airport? English is too confusing for young minds like ourselves. Poor American children that have to learn this language! Sekine's mind was currently in the state of ranting about the universal language.

Since it came down to this... I have no choice.

The blond picked up her book and pencil and stood up.

"Okay, good job - hey, Sekine Shiori, where are you going?" The teacher asked Sekine. She slid the door open and casually walked out of the room. "Hold on, I'll be right back."

"Wai-!"

The door was slammed shut.

Sekine opened the door to the next class. Several students looked her way as she went over to Hisako. After all, the best thing you should do if you don't understand something, is to ask for help, right?

"Hisako, help me with this will ya." She didn't notice the sweatdrops around the room at her gesture as she pranced over the guitarist's desk.

Hisako raised an eyebrow. "Why? And, we're in class. Go back to yours."

Sekine sulked. "But I'm gonna get called on next and I need help translating this. Besides, this period is an English class too. You might have to do the same thing I'm doing right now. It's like killing two birds with one stone. You can help out a dear friend of yours and have a sneak peek at future work will might have to do."

Was the to stares from the rest of the class not bothering the blond? Because everyone the room was watching the two and overhearing their conversation.

"No. Do it yourself."

"You need to lighten Hisako. Are you mad because your doing bad in this subject?"

"Shut up! I'm doing fine thanks!" A wave of annoyance passed through the brunette.

"But your reaction tells me that I might have hit the nail."

"Just hurry up and get out please." Hisako sighed. "Wait, I need to get the answer first." Sekine quickly changed her attention. "Iwasawa."

The redhead glanced up from her book. "Hm? What's up?" She obviously wasn't paying any attention to what was happening around her.

"Help me with this, will ya." Sekine dumped her book down on her desk. "This part." She placed her finger at a start of paragraph. Or what she thought was the paragraph anyway. The girl was completely lost at this type of things.

Iwasawa blinked. "You mean the whole page?"

"...I guess?" Sekine gave a nervous look to the redhead. "Hey, I'm no expert on this stuff." She crept a bit closer to Iwasawa as she studied the page before writing the translation down in her English notebook. She should've went to Iwasawa first.

"Nor you will ever be if you keep depending on people to do your work." Hisako cut in. "Iwasawa." She slammed her fist down on her desk to get to point across. "Don't help her. She needs to learn these things by herself. She won't learn anything just by watching you do all the work."

"How rude!" Sekine huffed. "I learn by example. I don't to be led around little kid. I can do things by myself."

"Then go back to class and do your work there."

"Can't. I have to wait for Iwasawa to write me the translation."

"Finished." Iwasawa handed Sekine a piece of paper from her notebook. "Here." Sekine beamed and glomped the girl. "Thankyouthankyouthankyou!" Her words were said all at once.

"Iwasawa!" Irritation was laced in Hisako's voice.

"You wanted her to go back to class. I figured that she would only go back unless I do this for her." Iwasawa stated tiredly, taking into account of what her best friend had said. Hisako slammed her fist down again. "Yeah, but-!"

"This way gives faster results to your problem than what you were doing." Iwasawa stopped Hisako before she could go back and scold her. Her reasoning did make more sense. "Look. She's already left." She pointed to the open class door. "Also, don't you think we wasted enough time for everyone as is?"

Some of the students still sweatdropped at the scene Sekine had created with her entrance. The brunette cleared her throat. "Y-your right." She took notice that Rena stood up and slowly closed the door with an amused expression on her face. "But do not help her next time." She demanded at her best friend who just nodded absentmindedly.

Hisako turned back around in her chair and the teaching resumed.

Minutes later...

The door slid back open.

"Iwasawa! I need hel-"

"GET OUT!"


The vocalist of Girls Dead Monster zipped her schoolbag closed. Just a mere five minutes until school's out and gosh, time went by horridly slow when you watch the clock's hands move.

Tick, tick...

"And, if you take this number and..." the teacher's voice just seem to drawl on and on in Iwasawa's opinion.

Tick, tick...

Almost there...

Tick, tick...

Just one more minute...

Riiiing!

Finally the bell rang. Relief passed through the girl. All she wanted to do was to get a guitar and sing. Maybe everyone's up for a band practice today.

Perhaps a new song might pop up in her head one of these day. You never know. Inspiration can come at any given time.

"Hisako." She tugged on the girl's shirt that sat in front her. All she got was light grunt.

"Want to practice today?"

"Already ahead of you. I already told the others during lunch. First, I need to get something from my locker and then I'll head straight over there." Hisako replied automatically. She must have known that this would come up. Aw. It's nice having friends who understand you. "Let me go grab it and we can walk there together." She grinned and ran out of the room. "Be right back!"

Okay, looks like her wish was about to granted. All of things were packed in her bag already so now she would have to wait of her best friend to back.

"Iwasawa! Perfect timing!" Ai appeared at the door. "You have a visitor. He's waiting in the front of the school."

He? Now this was new. She wasn't expecting anyone to come and see her. Heck, she didn't knew anyone who would. Especially a guy.

"Thanks. I'll go there right now." Iwasawa said. She'll have to make Hisako leave without her then. "Ai, can tell Hisako about this when she comes? Tell her to go on without me."

Ai nodded. " Okay. I have to stay in class. I have cleaning duty today anyway." She folded her sleeves up as she fist-pumped the air. "Time to get to work."

As Iwasawa was nearing the front, her mind went over what she was just told.

A man was waiting for her at the front of the school. It couldn't be anyone from a recording studio, since she didn't send single recording of her. Not yet anyway. If it was anyone from work, they would've called her cell. And it was most definitely not anyone close to her. She hadn't interacted much with guys ever since she recovered from her long stay in a hospital bed.

But there was Dr. Minamoto... But... No... He had no reason to come.

Her thoughts had absently led her the meeting spot of the mystery person. Iwasawa surveyed the area. No one in sight but, as what Ai said, a man who was dressed in a suit and tie sitting on a nearby bench. He had noticed the redhead from where he was at and walked over to her.

"Hey. It's been a long while."

Iwasawa's eyes widened in surprised before a smirk formed at her lips. How interesting.

"Out of all the people I knew, you were last one on my mind..."

The tall imposing man stood in front of her.

"...and most likely the last person I want to see."

"Is that the way you should be speaking to your father?"


To be continued...