Chapter 81

The snipers catch up to the rest of their friends outside.

Sugaya "That was awesome!"

Mimura "Aside from that little mishap…"

Okajima "Still! They weren't really phased!"

Ryuu shrugs "Honestly? Yaku and Tora cutting our power made it more dramatic and a fun transition."

They look at him shocked

"Wait Chiba?!"

"You knew?!"

He nods and averts his gaze to the two "I saw them disappeared during the first song. All things considered… I expected it… They were under Asano's orders. They're part of A-3 now…"

Karma raises an eyebrow "They were D class last year?"

Ryuu sighs "Tora… sold me and the others out… in exchange for her and Yaku being transferred. I didn't find that out until Ritsu told me a few days ago."

"RYUUUUU!!!!!"

Ryuu falls into Sugaya being tackled.

The girl has long dark hair tied in a ponytail and glasses. She's wearing a standard girls uniform with black tights under.

Okajima can't see who it is 'A high school girl! A second year!!'

Maehara whistles "Hey?"

Ryuu groans "Nee-san… you're killing me…"

Tadashi comes into view in his school uniform "Hey misfits…"

Rukia let's go of Ryuu "Tadashi behave!"

Ryuu "Wait Nee-san? Since when do you use your glasses…?"

Rukia crosses her arms "Since someone mixed our contacts up and I was in a rush."

"It's not that hard to tell them apart if you look at them."

"The cases are the same!"

Ryuu's vein pops "It has my name on it?"

Tadashi "You two are idiots."

Both "Shut up Tadashi!"

Isogai looks between the three "Sibings?"

Rukia smiles putting an arm around both her brothers pulling them down "Yup. I'm Ryuu's sister. That's Tadashi. Our kid brother."

Tadashi "Trust me… We've met… And I'm not a kid you old lady!"

Ryuu sighs standing straight so Rukia lets go "What are you doing here? Tadashi I can understand. He goes here. But Nee-san?"

She grabs his shirt pulling him down and messing with his hair "You didn't seriously think I would miss this? You guys were awesome up there! No wonder your class and A-3 rival the high school."

Maehara takes her hand seductively "Why thank you Rukia-chan~ Wow… To think Chiba had a such a gorgeous sister? You're in high school right?"

Rukia looks to Ryuu "Is this Maehara-kun? The backup guitarist?"

Ryuu nods "Yeah. And Maehara if you don't stop right now I will shove your guitar so far mmph-?!"

Sugaya has his hand covering his mouth and Rinka's shaking her head.

Rukia takes her hand back "Maehara Hiroto-kun. Kunugigoaka Academy. Junior high. E-3. Ladies man. You dated 3 of my friends. At the same time."

Maehara sweats "So I'm guessing I can't get your number?"

She smiles innocently "You're an actual child. You're like 12."

Maehara feels the jab "I'm the same age as your brother!"

"Oh my bad! 13!"

Ryuu's laugh is muffled by Sugaya's hand

Tadashi "……Nee-san shouldn't you get back to school?"

Ryuu moves Sugaya's hand "Oh yeah? I know you have the festival too but shouldn't you be there?"

She tenses "I may or may not have ditched…"

Ryuu crosses his arms "Nee-san go back to school. I gotta get back to E-3."

Tadashi snickers "Have fun with that oldies!"

Ryuu and Rukia both feel the shot "Tadashi!!"

Rukia grabs him "You little brat!"

Ryuu yanks him by his collar "Nee-san only make dinner for 3. I'm throwing him off a cliff."

Tadashi struggles then gives up being pulled partly up the mountain with some of E-3

Tadashi "Oi sniper. Let go."

Ryuu's vein pops "Stop calling me that."

"Okay Sharp shooter~"

"No."

"Assassin?"

"No."

"Delinquent?"

"No."

"Homicidal homosapian?"

"No you chaotic homosexual."

"Fine what about-?"

"I'll kill you."

"Chiba… how do you deal with him?"

Ryuu shrugs "I can't. Rin? Can you take my guitar for me? I'm throwing this brat off the mountain."

Tadashi gasps quietly seeing Ryuu hand her their fathers guitar.

Rinka nods hesitantly accepting it "Alright. See ya at the classroom."

Ryuu smiles going to the mountain to kill his brother.

Sugaya whistles when they leave "Well Hayami? I think it's official?"

Rinka puts the guitar on her back "Don't say it."

He winks "Okay~"

Maehara "Chiba doesn't let anyone touch that?"

Karma "It's really important to him…"

Nagisa "Since when are you caring Karma~?"

Karma looks to where Ryuu disappeared "Since I accidentally pried to far…"

Isogai "Hm?"

Kayano "Don't question. Just accept."

Sugaya and Rinka share a quick glance.

Meanwhile the Chiba brothers

Tadashi "Hey… Ryuu-nii…"

Ryuu lets him go "There's three main things you can question me on. Take your pick?"

Tadashi plays with his tie "Dad's guitar… you gave it to Rinka…"

Ryuu flinches hearing the hurt tone "Ah… that question… the one I was hoping you wouldn't choose…"

Tadashi looks at him sideways.

Ryuu shifts averting his exposed gaze "Well… I wanted to kill you… and I didn't want to get blood on the guitar…"

"Ryūnosuke-nii!!"

He goes quiet

Tadashi gulps "Dad used to play that guitar for us when we were kids… I… I was to young to remember most of the times he did. But I'm old enough to remember him coming back and playing for us. Everytime… that guitar…"

Ryuu sinks a little "Well…"

Tadashi "You were Aka Ryuko in Reckless X. You used that guitar then too…"

Ryuu rubs his arm "I know you miss Dad… I miss him too… a lot… But when I play the guitar it's like… I can't explain it. And when I'm on stage playing… I know you don't approve of me playing that guitar publicly… neither does Nee-san probably but… we all have our coping mechanism… This's mine…"

Tadashi looks at him surprised "You? You actually miss him? I thought you would just say that to comfort Senna?"

Ryuu shakes his head "Tadashi… I'm the oldest son… each of us has a role to play… I put on the act so Sen doesn't worry… But I do miss Dad. A lot. More than you think… I don't get my hopes up about him coming home… but I do miss him… that guitar… it's the only thing I have to remember him…"

"Well… not the only thing…"

Ryuu touches under his eyes "Right… the eyes…"

Tadashi bites his lip "You know… I'm the one that invited Nee-san to watch you guys…"

Ryuu smiles softly "Kinda figured that out. What did you guys think though?"

"That dad would be proud."

Ryuu flinches then looks away "I doubt that… but thanks…"

"And…"

Ryuu raises an eyebrow.

Tadashi huffs crossing his arms and avoiding eye contact "You didn't look like a complete idiot or sound like absolute shit…"

Ryuu laugh throwing an arm around him "Aw! Just admit you thought it was cool!"

Tadashi whines "Ryuu-nii!! Let go you dumbass!"

Ryuu lets go putting his hands in his pocket "Oh yeah? What's C-1 doing?"

Tadashi sighs "We're doing a lame play. Hito-chan's gonna be the lead so I'll record it."

"Hitoko's gonna be the lead?! Oh man you've got to show me the video! I wanted to checkout your classes but ya know. E-3 is allowed to go but not welcome. Are you gonna be participating?"

He shakes his head "I helped make props and run lines. I'm done with it. I'm just gonna record one show then check out other classes probably."

Ryuu ruffles his hair "Check E-3 tomorrow. Today we have the school coming. Tomorrow I think is gonna be the kids from the daycare and our assassin friends. So ya know. Safer and people won't care about us being related."

Tadashi nods "Okay. I'll bring Senna and Rukia-nee too. I'm sure they'll love to see the assassins."

Ryuu laughs nervously "They aren't so bad. Right?"

Tadashi crosses his arms "Your teacher threatened my life. So have your classmates."

"…Go back to school."

Tadashi "Wait… one more question…?"

"Hm?"

Tadashi points to the chain on Ryuu's jeans "Why did you take my chain."

Ryuu takes off running "Bye loser!"

Tadashi runs after him "Ryuu-nii you bastard!!! Where are you?!?!"

There's a tap on his shoulder and he jumps seeing one of the E-3 girls.

Tadashi relaxes a little 'She was the one that looked really innocent… So short and radiates sunshine… She knows this mountain' "Um… do you know where the trail is…?"

She giggles "Chiba ditched you?"

"Well at least he didn't kill me."

"I'm Kurahashi."

"Tadashi."

Kurahashi smiles "I remember. You showed up at our classroom and freaked out."

Tadashi pouts "Well can you blame me…? With everything that happened with Rinka and there was government agents and they mentioned a monster and killing… And looking for E-3. As a main campus student I should hate you guys… but as a brother…" he catches himself and blushes "Ah! Sorry Kurahashi-san! I didn't mean to start rambling!"

She laughs leading him to the trail "No sweat! Chiba tends to do that too sometimes. Be silent forever then start rambling."

He rubs his neck "Sorry… also can I ask something? About Ryuu-nii…?"

"I don't know much? Wouldn't it be best to ask Hayami?"

He shakes his head "She won't tell me. But… has Ryuu-nii let anyone touch that guitar?"

Kurahashi thinks "Just Hayami earlier when he went to kill you?"

Tadashi nods "Good."

Kurahashi raises an eyebrow but doesn't question it.

Meanwhile back at the classroom

Ryuu gets to the top and sees Rinka still carrying the guitar on her back talking to Sugaya.

Sugaya "Sup 'Ryuu-nii'?"

Ryuu "I'll kill you. Stop."

Rinka rolls her eyes "So did you kill the kid?"

"Not sure who got the lecture there?"

Rinka shakes her head "Idiot…"

Ryuu shrugs and reaches for the guitar but stops "I can take it back now?" 'Why am I hesitating? It's just a guitar. It's just his guitar. Dad's. I miss- no! I don't miss him… I don't… he's the one that left…'

"Yuu? Ryuu? Ryūnosuke? Hey!"

He snaps out of his thoughts with a soft gasp and stepping back a little "Sorry. I just…"

Rinka hands him the guitar "Are you okay…?"

Ryuu gulps taking it back shaking "Yeah. I'm fine. Just thinking about what the brat said…"

Sugaya slaps his shoulder "Don't worry Chiba. We're here for you. Well she is. I gotta get ready to work. Isogai said you two can take a break."

Ryuu nods "Alright…"

Sugaya looks between them 'I leave him to you Hayami…'

Rinka nods getting his message.

Ryuu shifts nervously after Sugaya leaves "Did Isogai really give us a break or is Sugaya being weird?"

Rinka "You're the one being weird."

She shakes her head and goes on her tip toes reaching for his hair

Ryuu blinks bending down so she can reach easier "You sure I'm the weird one?"

Rinka doesn't answer and just quietly messes with his hair 'He's shaking a little still. Eyes shut. Biting inside of lip so it's less noticeable. His eyes were starting to water.'

She finishes and steps back "Better?"

He opens his dark red eyes and relaxes a little having his black shield back "Yeah… thanks…"

Rinka reaches for his hand "Whatever Tadashi said… you can talk to me? You don't need to… but I'm here…"

Ryuu gently kisses her hand "I know… but I'm alright…"

Rinka looks at him softly just enjoying the moment.

20 minutes later

Students are eating and E-3 is making sure everything is smooth.

"Yo? Can we talk to Chiba Ryūnosuke?"

Yoshida and Terasaka grunt pulling the cart of people up the mountain

Terasaka "Seriously?"

Yoshida "He'll probably be playing but sure??"

Terasaka "Who the hell are you?"

She smiles "Hehe~"

Boy next to her "We're old friends. Reckless X. She's bassist, I'm drums, and this guys keyboard."

Natsu "Former remember. We don't do that bullshit."

Yoshida "Great! Now please stop talking! It's distracting and this's getting heavy!"

Terasaka "Huh?! All we got is brawn!! This's nothing!!!!!"

Yoshida groans trying to keep the pace.

They get to the top and they get out of the carr

Mizuchi "So this's E-3?"

Natsu cringes "Well… it's standing? Sorta…?"

"Coming thru!!"

Okano and Kimura jump out of the tree above them carrying a sack each.

Okano "Hi! Table for three?"

Yuzumi blinks "We're looking for Chiba?"

Kimura wipes for forehead "Chiba? This way?"

Yuzumi, Mizuchi, and Natsu looks at each other then agree to follow the two.

Yuzumi smiles staying close to the two E-3 students "So? You two Chiba's friends?"

Kimura nods "Everyone in E-3 is friends."

Yuzumi relaxes a little "That's good to hear from other E-3 students… I was worried for him for a bit…"

Okano tilts her head "You three and Chiba know each other?"

Mizuchi fixes his glasses "I guess you can say that…"

Natsu nods "Good history."

Kimura shrugs as they get to the side of E-3 "Wait here. Okano can you get him?"

She nods and hands Kimura her bag "Sure."

A moment later

Ryuu and Okano come back into view

Ryuu "Guys…"

Mizuchi "Hey…"

Yuzumi "Told ya we'd come…"

Nastu "I'm just here cause those two scary guys gave us a ride in a cart."

Okano looks at Ryuu silently asking if he's okay

Ryuu gives a subtle hand gesture that only she noticed 'Clear'

Okano "Well? I'll leave you guys to it?"

She looks at them before rubbing off to Kimura.

Ryuu "So…"

Mizuchi "Ya know… seeing E-3 for real… isn't that bad…"

Natsu shivers "I dunno… those guys did give a bad vibe…"

Ryuu tilts his head "The ones with the cart?"

They nod.

Yuzumi "We had them last year but I don't remember names?"

Ryuu smiles "The bigger one is Terasaka. He's an idiot. The other is Yoshida. Overall he's a fun guy."

Yuzumi "Do you think you can sneak away for a bit? We wanna talk…"

Mizuchi "I kinda wanna see the peak…"

Ryuu flinches "Sorry but the top top is off limits. There's… more wild boar there. They're trouble sometimes."

Irina comes over "Chiba!!"

He looks at her "Bitch-sensei?"

Natsu "You can talk to your teachers like that? Respect!"

Irina "Chibaaaa why did no one tell me that students were coming!! I would've dressed better!!"

Yuzumi "Beautiful…"

Ryuu "You know that the festival was today. And it's not my job to do that. My jobs to play the guitar?"

Irina then notices the three guest and turns on her charm "Ah forgive me for being rude!"

Natsu shrugs being unaffected "No prob."

Mizuchi averts his gaze "It's fine…"

Yuzumi's starstruck "You're so gorgeous…"

Irina pretends to blush as she tucks a piece of hair behind her ear "Thank you. You're quite beautiful too, flower."

Mizuchi and Natsu catch Yuzumi as she falls a little

Yuzumi "Thank- thank you!"

Ryuu sighs "Bitch-sensei. I'll take these ones."

"I don't care."

He shakes his head and leads his old band mates to a calm area just before the woods. On the way he passed Isogai who gave him menus and a notebook.

Yuzumi smiles looking around "It's so pretty here…"

Nastu "Would make a great place for music video?"

Mizuchi nods "Definitely…"

Ryuu shakes his head sitting them at the table "Not happening. I can take your orders though?"

He takes out the notepab and hands them the menu's

Natsu "Seriously?"

Ryuu smiles innocently "It's actually pretty good? Order so I can tell kitchen crew then we can talk about the elephant…"

Yuzumi looks at the menu "Then what do you suggest?"

Ryuu points to different things "This ones were my favorite. But Muramatsu and Hara make amazing food!"

Natsu "Muramatsu… sounds familiar… so did Yoshida and Terasaka……"

Ryuu thinks "Well those three and Hazama all got 100's on home ec when E-3 and A-3 made that bet?"

He snaps "That's it! Cause it's impossible to get 100 in home ec! Our teachers don't teach us much! Even Asano got like a 94?"

Mizuchi "Since when do you pay attention…?"

Natsu averts his gaze "It was awhile ago but I remember when people beat the A class… I was still half in that class at the time."

Ryuu hits him on the head "Orders?"

The three order and Ryuu nods writing it down.

Ryuu "I'll be back with that when it's done. I should help with other tables in the meantime."

Someone takes the menus and notebook from him

"Not happening. Sorry Chiba majority rule. You're handling whatever this is."

Ryuu "What? Kataoka isn't fine? I don't mind."

Kataoka shakes her head "Do I need to get Isogai to tell you."

He gulps seeing the stern look "N-no Kataoka-san…"

She smiles returning to normal but still with the aura "Good. I'll send someone with the food when it's ready."

He nods clinging to the table "Yes…"

Once she leaves

Yuzumi "Shes really pretty too… there's some surprisingly attractive people here? Chiba you really don't belong here."

Ryuu glares "Hey!"

Mizuchi shrugs "When he changes his hair his attractive level goes from 6 to 16 so?"

Natsu "Okay no. A 16 would be the guy that was on drums. Backup guitarist and lead bassist were hot too."

Ryuu growls "Stop checking out my classmates… it's just weird."

Natsu laughs a little "Chill. I'm not into that stuff remember? Perks of being a semi flirty ace~"

Ryuu sighs "Lets see. The semi flirt ace keyboarder… gay disaster drummer… chaotic bi bassist… and the ace guitarist…"

Mizuchi hides the rainbow bracelet "Girls are too intimidating okay…"

Yuzumi "Hey! What am I?"

"Yuzu?"

"Yuzumi-chan?"

"A brat?"

She glares and Ryuu calms her a little

Meanwhile Rinka

Rinka's serving food and goes back to the shed for next tray

Rio "Aren't you a little jealous or worried?"

Rinka shakes her head "No? Why would I be?"

Okajima "Nakamura no."

Rio "It's just? Chiba's really close to those three… what if he chooses them…"

Sugaya throws his paintbrush as a dart past her "That won't happen. Chiba is my brother and my friend. And more than anything else. He loves Hayami. Chiba won't abandon us. Plus I know those three…"

Rinka looks over at the table "Ryuu's happy… He missed them…"

Sugaya "Hey… Hayami… You know that you're the first person Chiba's liked right?"

Rinka nods confused "And?"

Sugaya whispers "He's gonna need you pretty soon. When their orders are ready… you take them…"

She raises an eyebrow "Okay…?"

Okajima sighs leaning on the wall "Yuzumi's so cute…"

Mimura hits him "Stop. You already have a girl you like and that likes you for some reason…"

Rio puts an arm around him "Oh~? And who might she be~~?"

Okajima zips his lips "Lips sealed."

Rinka "Okajima it's obvious you like her."

Sugino comes in "Who? Kurahashi?"

Okajima jolts "Ha Ha what? Kurahashi only has eyes for Karasuma!"

Muramatsu stands up tossing a sack on his shoulder "It's more obvious than Terasaka and Hazama."

Kayano "Or Chiba and Hayami."

Mimura "Or Kataoka and Yada."

Kataoka "Or Mimura and Sugaya."

Sugaya flinches not ready for this topic "What? We're talking about classmates that are together or practically together!"

Mimura nods also not wanting to even mention that "Sugaya and I are straight! And even if we weren't! Just friends!"

"Huh?!"

"Sugaya I thought you were bi?"

"Mimura you do not have a straight vibe."

Mimura backs up a little and Sugaya averts his gaze

Muramatsu "Um… order for the table isolated?"

Rinka nods taking the tray and balancing it effortlessly "Is that it?"

He nods "Yeah? Grab the chop sticks on the way out!"

"I know what to do."

Rinka carries the tray over to the table.

Ryuu lights up "Rin!"

Rinka "I didn't take the order. Who got what?"

Ryuu helps her with passing out the food.

Natsu "Is- is this real boar meat?"

Rinka nods "We caught or found all the ingredients ourselves on the mountain."

Yuzumi takes a bite and lights up "Incroyable!!"

Mizuchi hesitates before trying his "Ah! She's right!"

Natsu sighs taking a bite "Shit! This's great!"

Rinka smiles "I'll let them know."

Ryuu grabs her wrist "Wait? Wanna stay for a bit…?"

Natsu "We got stories of him being an idiot second and first year?"

Mizuchi "Sugaya doesn't really know first year~"

Rinka looks to Ryuu for an answer. She's met a slightly nod and warm smile that melted the snow.

Rinka sits beside him "A few minutes won't hurt…"

End chapter

I'm not done with the festival arc but I'm posting now cause my phones being weird and I'm S T R E S S E D

It's finals week for me.

Did I study? NO. Am I fucked? YES. Do I care. KINDA. Am I gonna cram study for my important classes? PROBABLY NOT.

Don't be like me. If you haven't taken finals yet good luck and actually study.

@lumigo akvo9504 Yay! Honestly if any fic has a song it's better to listen to the song as you read for full affect. I had to listen to the songs while writing it and now it's just permanently in my head.

@Le055Li0n 4. Oop yay 5. More hidden blades will hopefully be drawn. A certain girl will have hers drawn and it's not who you think~