Honnô-City

7 PM

Lower City

Mako is searching for Ryuko. Thanks to the smoke she saw a few hours ago she knows just about the location where her friend landed.

"Ryuko?! Ryyyyyukoooo! Where are you?!" Mako screams worried. A few kids, but also adults watch the young woman walking around. Why does she have to scream? Mako walks towards a man who seems busy though.

"Hey, YOU! You don't happen to know where Ryuko is?"

"Who?"

"Well... Ryuko Matoi! Didn't you saw the smoke? That crazy girl that landed somewhere here like a comet?

"Wha... what? NO! Go away!"

"Pff, okay! I'll find Ryuko anyway. Thanks for nothing!" answeres Mako. After about five seconds, she already does not know what to do.

"Uh... Ryuko?" Mako calls, but it doesn't help at all. Another hour passes. Around 8 PM the city became quiet. Most people already left the streets, nothing really happens out here anymore. Well, or at least as quiet as it can be when Mako is outside to search someone. She is still worried though.

"Ryuko?" she mumbles hopeful. Then, in an alley, she notices movement, and she can also hear a female voice. Suddenly, a bin falls down behind her.

"What was that?!" she says worried. Then there's a laugh. Carefully she walks to the bin. There's a little cat running around when she arrives at the bin. Mako is relieved and turns her head around. A Scissor Blade flies into her direction. Just before the Blade hits Mako, she screams.

"AAAAAARGH!" she screams and wakes up. It was just a nightmare. And it'll take a moment for Mako to realize that. Ryuko calms her down. She found her quickly after her loss against Satsuki somewhere in a destroyed bar.

"Hey, Mako, it's alright." Ryuko says, trying to calm down her friend Mako.

"Ryuko, I had a really really bad nightmare, I was searching after you, but then there was this voice, and a bin, and a cute little kittie, and then A SCISSOR BLADE was thrown into my direction and I screamed and then..."

"It was just a nightmare." Ryuko smiles.

"Maybe you just dreamt about what would have happened if you wouldn't have found me. I don't know, maybe someone would have stolen the blade. But it didn't happened. We are safe at home and protect each other, we always do."

Mako nods and smiles. She slowly starts lying down in her bed again and starts sleeping, while Ryuko watches her a few more minutes. Senketsu watches both of them as well since the scream woke him up as well. After a short while everyone starts sleeping again.

The next day

After breakfast, both friends walk up the stairs to school in the Lower City. At a little urban football field they sit down and make a short break.

"Well, who would've thought croquettes can be this tasty in the morning? I normally eat some cereals." says Ryuko impressed. Mako smiles.

*mjam* "Mum makes the best croquettes after all." answers Mako.

"You know, every once in a while I really wish I wouldn't live here in Honnô-City to fight Satsuki in order to find out who killed my dad. I mean, this city is totally dilapidated. It's kinda charming for what is is, but... well I mean, on the other hand, that teacher Mr. Mikisugi really is a weirdo."

"I think he has a crush on you!" Mako laughs.

"Oh hell no!" Ryuko answers and looks around. Then she sinks her head a bit and looks to the ground.

"Everything okay, Ryuko?"

"It's... it's just that this Kiryuin bitch pisses me off. I almost won. I could have almost found out who killed my dad, but nooooo, Mrs. Kiryuin thinks she is the strongest bitch all of Japan. And then she doesn't even want to fight and kicks my ass as if I'm nothing. I beat all of the Elite-Four. I beat several club leaders. But I can't beat Satsuki..." she complains and looks up to the tower of the Academy.

"...and in addition to that she always look down to us as if we're worthless idiots. Burns me up."

"Yeah, I believe you, Ryuko." Mako answers. Ryuko sighs.

"I wish I had some sort of teacher who could help me beat Satsuki. Even she has to have a weak spot."

Then, all of a sudden, they hear a female voice, giggling in the background. Mako is scared by the giggling. Ryuko stands up and looks around, watching the area carefully.

"Who's there, and is there a joke we didn't understood yet?!" Ryuko asks annoyed. The voice answers.

"I just heard your little conversation. Kiryuin Satsuki really is a meanie!"

"Where are you!?"

"Everywhere and nowhere. I assume you want to get revenge on that Satsuki?"

"Why would you care?"

"Me? I guess it's fun." the voice answers.

"Let's just go, Ryuko." suggests Mako.

"No, please don't go yet! I'd LOOOOVE to talk about Satsuki, Ryuko!"

"Then how about you show yourself?" Ryuko asks annoyed.

"Of course, I will! But first I wanna find out if you're being serious about beating Satsuki!"

"Serious? Of course I wanna kick her ass, what do you think?!"

"See! That's what I wanted to hear!" the female voice answers. Mako stands up.

"Come on, Ryuko. Let's go." Mako says and sighs.

"Wait a second. Why do you care about me fighting Satsuki?" asks Ryuko confused and takes her school stuff.

"Well, like I said: It's fun." she answers. Ryuko and Mako walk away.

"You'll find me at the pavilion in the garden, Ryuko! I'm waiting for you!" the voice giggles.

A few minutes later, both Ryuko and Mako are confused. They never heard that voice before, and the fact that the girl Ryuko talked with didn't even show herself makes it even weirder.

"What the hell was that?" Ryuko wonders.

"Uhh... I don't know, really. I bet someone was just playing a joke on us! But IF someone should make jokes, then me, because my jokes are the best, especially if you use them on yourself!" Mako grins dumb. Ryuko nods unsecure, thinking about the wise words Mako just told her.

"Yeaaaaaahhhh, I'm not 100% sure about that but whatever you say, Mako." Ryuko smiles. The pair walks up the stairs and reach the academy...