I do not own anything within this fan fiction. All rights belong to Andrew Hussie.

Warning, may contain Out of Character moments.

"I didn't stand a chance. Played often?" John commented, washing away the paint staining his hands. "Yeah, with my old crew back at Hammur. You know, trust building exercises." Roxy answered from outside. "Then I'll be sure to join you guys, I really don't want to be used as a canvas again." John said, leaving the bathroom. "I was actually a terrible player before I learned that the crew were using their thief tricks to come out on top. So, I followed their lead." Roxy mentioned. "So that's why you came out squeaky clean." John said, impressed. "Well I wouldn't say I'm completely clean…" Roxy replied, a seductive glint shining in her eyes. "Uh… Most of us aren't… I have a few secrets that I'm not too proud of…" John said, still unsure on how to deal with Roxy's flirtatious attitude. "Okay John, no pulling skeletons out of the closet. At least not until the third date, then it'll be free game." Roxy commented. "Then… I guess I'll have to prepare for that occasion… Actually, there is something I have mind right now." John replied. "Oh please enlighten me Sir John of Skaia. What scheme hath thou hatched in thine noble mind? What plot shalt fall upon my delicate ears? To what depths wilt the consequences be should I take this venture!?" Roxy questioned dramatically.

"I'm pretty sure you're butchering Shakespeare in the most fabulous way imaginable." John commented, grinning at just how ridiculous Roxy sounded. "Thanks, I always give about hundred percent when it comes to ruining the English language." Roxy thanked. "But enough about destroying speech, where are you planning to take me next on this little adventure?" She asked. "It's Sakaki's Class. They're holding something called a Group Date Café in room 202, though I have no idea what that actually means." John answered. "Is the Cap really doing that!? I'm already starting to feel bad for him." Roxy commented, holding back a laugh. "Any reason why?" John asked, showing a bit of concern. "Well, they must have gotten the idea from a little JRPG called Persona 4. And in there, the protag and his friends did the same thing during their school's culture festival… And utterly failed to attract any attention to it." Roxy explained. "I see... Let's go check on them, I'm a bit worried they might not be getting any visitors." John said, leading Roxy to the classroom in question.

After climbing the stairs, going round the corner and through the crowd, the two sees the crowded room of class 202, just filled with people, conversation, and laughter. "Well I'll be damned, there's way more people in there than I expected." Roxy commented. "Good, there are people already here. So what exactly does a Group Date Café entail?" John asked. "Shouldn't it be obvious? You have a date in a group, preferably with friends." Roxy explained. "Oh, well I guess there's no point for us being here is there?" John replied. "John? Roxy? What are you two doing here?" Sakaki asked, looking out into the hallway. "Oh hey Cap, John was just showing me around and lead me here. Business doing well I see." Roxy replied. "You don't know the half of it. We ran out of coffee eight times and needed to go to the market for more. And don't get me started on the snacks. My God, it was a massacre…" Sakaki sighed, shivering at the memory. "Didn't think a joke would attract that much attention huh?" Roxy asked with a smirk. "When the class settled on this, I thought we were surely going to fail!" Sakaki replied. "You and me both Cap. Mr. Hanamura won't be happy at all would he?" Roxy commented with a laugh.

"He would not. But anyway, you two coming in? There's still probably a table or two open in here." Sakaki asked, looking into the room. "Don't we need to be with a few people? I mean it is called a Group Date." Roxy asked. "It's just a name. You really don't need to have a group to get in, it just makes your time here much more enjoyable. You know, the more the merrier." Sakaki answered. "It's okay man, we don't want to impose or anything. I mean, some people are still giving me problems because of the whole Caliborn fight." John said. "Are people still really on that? I thought they moved on to something else. Like the whole Jousting team nonsense." Roxy asked. "What about the Jousting Team?" A voice asked.

The three turn to see Dave and Jade just leaving the large crowd that filled the hallway, approaching them. "Oh hey Dave. I'm pretty sure you heard about the mess that is the Jousting Team." John greeted, facing his best bro and sister. "Please don't remind us. Grant is just a stupid asshat that just makes fun of everyone. Did you know he said that the Gardening club should become the local WEED hole!?" Jade shouted. "He's implying that the Gardening club should grow some drugs. You know, marijuana, coca, and other illegal shit." Dave explained. "DON'T EXPLAIN IT!" Jade yelled. "Right, sorry. That was uncalled for. Still, that ass of a captain is making a clown out of the school. Like a parrot learning to swear and then never shutting up, he'll be in our face until graduation." Dave apologized. "Guys, I know it's bad but let's not think about it, at least not now. It's the Autumn Fair, we're supposed to enjoy ourselves with everything that is here and not stand around in the hallway talking about that one guy. We'll sort it out AFTER we all unwind, maybe with a cup of coffee in hand." Sakaki said.

"I could use some coffee…" Jade mumbled. "I'm pretty thirsty too, was practically going garbage disposal down at the food court. And goddamn was it worth it." Dave agreed. "Well, there are a few seats inside if you all want a quick drink." Sakaki said, side stepping away from the door. "Could we?" Jade asked. "Of course, it's my treat. But only if you pay." Sakaki said with a smile. "I can't say no to that offer. Let's go." Dave said "You guys have fun, I still have to show Roxy around the Fair before our shifts." John said. "Aw come on John, let's join them for a cup of Joe. You'll still have tomorrow to take me places." Roxy commented, pushing John towards the door. "I won't like how people may interpret this… But I might as well support the Cap." John replied, not resisting at all. "Prepare a table for four!" Sakaki said to the rest of the staff inside.

It wasn't long for the four to be seated at a table next to the windows, overlooking the ongoing festivities occurring in the courtyard. The loud commotion of students and visitors alike enjoying themselves helped John distract himself from the current situation. "So, what will it be?" Sakaki asked, note pad in hand. "Give me a French Vanilla with just cream." Roxy answered. "Light roast, just sugar." Dave answered. "Give me the blackest coffee you got!" Jade replied enthusiastically. "Give me the usual." John sighed. "Dark roast with a splash of cream and a pinch of sugar, got it. Will that be all?" Sakaki asked. With a short silence and the noticeable shaking of the head, Sakaki went off, leaving the four to themselves.

"Pretty crazy day today. You're all probably used to it, but for me, it's like I'm a five year old going to Disney Land for the first time." Roxy commented, looking outside into the courtyard. "You would think that we would be used to seeing something like this every year. But everything here is still so magical to me, right down to the last tile." Jade replied. "Every year, it's Alice in Wonderland all over again. It makes you think that all this isn't real. Then you wake up, see all this and say, 'yeah, this shit's real'." Dave agreed. "So, you two having fuuuuun?" Roxy asked. "Oh yeah, like you wouldn't believe. But I think I got banned from the shooting gallery… Again." Jade answered. "You must be a shooting pro if that happens." Roxy replied. "Shot a fly out of the air in the dark. Jade's a sharpshooter straight out of a Western, ready to take aim at the scum of the wastes." Dave explained. "Ummm… Sorry Dave, but that's not remotely true… But, uh, thanks for trying to hype me up, I appreciate that." Jade replied. "Anything for my Bestest Bro. How about you two? Got any stories to stretch?" Dave asked.

"Nothing interesting, just went through a few of the games the other classes put up." John replied. "Really? I heard that certain someones managed to clear out Room 134 of their tokens and got themselves a game console. A certain Lalonde and Egbert that is." Sakaki said, appearing before the four. "You two managed to find that many tokens!? I couldn't even find six!" Jade asked. "You kidding around Magic Man? Those guys down in 134 hide their coins like it's a body, you just can't find them." Dave questioned. "That's the word going around the school. Rox and John just walked in with empty hands, then walked out with the top prize. Don't ask me how they did it, I'm just your coffee guy." Sakaki replied, distributing the coffee. "Is it true John?" Jade asked. John didn't answer, he simply pulled the console from his bag and placed it onto the table. "And there's your answer Jade. Pretty awesome huh? Me and John went in there like Bonnie and Clyde and robbed the place blind." Roxy boasted. "Except that we obviously didn't go in with guns. And to be honest, Roxy did most of the work." John added. "Still, finding all those tokens must have been a real surprise for them. Anyway, I'm off to serve the others. Enjoy your stay." Sakaki said before leaving the four.

"So, I heard Team Magic is going on tomorrow. You ready Egbert?" Dave asked. "You know it. Just have to brush up on a few details and poof, ready to hit the stage." John answered. "Ooooo, care to let us in on your magical secrets oh dear brother of mine?" Jade asked with a curious tone. "Sorry, a magician can't reveal his secrets before or after his show." John replied. "Not even a hint? Man, every time any of you hit the stage, it becomes something even Striders can't describe. The enigma is strong with you, so please help me, help all of us, understand the ways of the force." Dave said. "Wait! Roxy, did you see John practice!?" Jade asked, facing Roxy. "Oh I saw it, plenty of times in fact. Every success, every failure, every last bit of frustration, I saw it all. And boy, was it hilarious." Roxy answered, smiling like crazy. "Well I'm glad one of us finds my failures funny." John said sarcastically. "Awww, don't be like that. I find it cute that you're so into your magic tricks. No comments out of you Dave." Roxy replied. "I won't, but I got a million and a half things to say saved up in the word bank just waiting to be withdrawn. So get ready for payday, cause your ears will be swimming in the sweet riches of my verbal wealth one day." Dave replied.

"So are you going to tell us anything?" Jade asked. "Nope! I don't want to be that one guy ruining the show for my dear friend." Roxy answered cheerfully. "Awww… I just want to know how it's done for once…" Jade mumbled. "Don't worry Jade, I'll explain it one day… Or Will and Edgar will explain it as soon as they figure it out just to bug me." John commented. "Those two really love to just dig deep don't they? Any reason to that John?" Roxy asked. "There is no reason, just plain curious. Though, I do find myself in their shoes sometimes…" John admitted sheepishly. "Don't we all, that's why there are always dudes spying on you and Team Magic." Dave said. "Wait, what!?" John asked. "You didn't know? There are, like, twenty people trying to learn the secrets of your Magic Club. And they choose to be as creepy as possible about the whole thing… I heard they even set up cameras inside your club room." Jade explained. "They did set up cameras in the club room, I found one while looking for some BBs." Roxy explained. "Shouldn't you tell Sakaki about that?" Jade asked.

"Oh, I already knew about those for a while. So I had a friend modify the feed it receives, hope they like cat videos." Sakaki said, appearing again before going back to his business. "There you have it. Cap is so pro that he dealt with the problem in the best way possible." Roxy boasted. "Objectively, I prefer dogs." Dave commented. "Me too, cats are a bit too… I don't know, fickle?" Jade agreed. "Says you. Well, coffee's cooled long enough, let's drink." Roxy said, taking a sip from her cup.

The rests of their time was just filled with casual talk. A calm before the raging storm that awaits all of Skaia HS…

And that is Chapter 36.

Don't know why I decided to reference Persona 4 here, but I kind of like it.

Again, not much to say this week, just the usual nonsense of leaving your questions, comments, and concerns in the in-box.

So, until next time. T1.

Class is dismissed.