I never realized it...but...

I actually forgot my backpack in the room that i uhh...passed out

So...Here i am now, walking down a hallway

With a stack of clothes on my hands barely able to see where i'm going

(I must look ridiculous right now

At least i still have like thirty minutes before one pm

So i got some time to return to that room and stuff some clothes in the backpack...

Actually...i should check for some bigger bags that can fit inside the Humvee as well

Hell knows we are going to need the space if we leave

But...i must admit...When Yuriko said that she would give me some extra clothing so i won't have to run around every time i need to change...

I didn't expect half a wardrobe...

But hey, everything she gave me is indeed black like i asked, so no complaints from me)

I also decided to take the chance and changed my clothes after taking a quick bath...who knows when i will get another chance

So i was actually wearing new clothes now...new clothes that looked almost exactly the same

Black cargo pants, black shirt and a black hooded jacket along with the arm and leg guards

(Though i also realized something...weird about this world...among other things

I don't smell...

And it is not just me either...people in overall don't smell

Sure Takashi did stink like a skunk in the Humvee...but he got peed by Alice

And Kohta was sitting next to him, so he probably just got shot by friendly fire when the girls smelled them

...Since coming here and getting arrested

I have been running, sprinting and jumping around non-stop

In overall doing things that would normally make me smell like a dumpster

Yet i never did end up smelling

The only reason i did take a bath now was because i could, not because i should

Well...that is good actually...taking a bath every single day during a zombie apocalypse... heh yea good luck with that

...I mean in the anime and manga the main cast did not take that many baths either, other than the fan service scene in Rika's house...though they do change clothes a couple of times so i guess it could be...implied that they did?

Still, nobody ever complained that somebody from the group smelled

But i should not be surprised...this world does function differently in some fundamental levels after all

The shotgun being able to send multiple corpses flying for example

Or that the whole world looks...well...anime...esque? Kinda hard to explain

...Guess i will also add 'people don't smell' in the list of weird stuff

Now...

Where...is that god damn room

It...should have...)

Yet...my thoughts got interrupted by...barking?

I turn my head around to see the little mutt we rescued running towards me

Upon closing the distance Zeke jumps with a bark and bites down on the bottom hem of my pants

And starts 'pulling'

I lift my leg and look down at the little dog that was now hanging like some sort of dried furry fish

(...Just...perfect...)

"Zeke! where did you go! Zeke!"

Reacting to the voice i look up and see Alice running up the stairs

"If you're looking for the furry terminator he's right here trying to kill me!...i think..."

Alice turns around and looks at me

"Hope you have a way to tame this thing! before it tears me to shreds..."

I say to Alice as i look at the dog

She runs over to me and kneels down

Then grabs the dog with both hands...and starts pulling him

Needless to say...the dog did not let go

"UGHHHH come on Zeke! let go!"

Alice kept trying...but despite her best efforts...Zeke had already made his decision

And well..Now i was sitting in the middle of the hallway with a stack of clothes on my hands

A dog biting down my pants...and a little girl that was trying to pull that dog...

(Can this get any better?)

After trying for a couple of minutes Alice finally gives up

She stands up and starts staring at me

"Well...looks like Zeke here wants to be part of my evil 'take over the world' army"

I say with a shrug as i turn around and start walking again...dragging the dog along with me

"No Zeke let him go!

Zeke!

He is going to make you Evil!

Zeke!"

I could hear Alice yelling behind me

And uhh...well...

I was trying not to giggle

I am an evil overlord after all...

And so

I spent the next couple of minutes with Alice 'sneaking' behind me while i was dragging Zeke along

(This dog is tenacious i'll give him that...)

Until finally

"Big brother!"

Alice runs past me as she shouts

(Big brother?...hmm

Takashi?)

I tilt my head to see Takashi patting Alice on the head

He then turns to me

"Well if it isn't the valiant knight of rainbows and sunshine"

I say while trying to sound as serious as i can

Takashi just stares at me like i'm some sort of idiot

...Not that i'm surprised though, judging from what i just said

"He took Zeke and is making him evil!"

Alice points at me as she shouts

I lift my leg and let the dog hang in the air once more

"More like the dog has taken me to be honest...

Could you?

I don't want to leave the clothes on the ground"

I say as i look at Takashi

He just keeps looking at me before slightly shaking his head and nodding

He comes up to me kneels down and takes Zeke to his hands

Then starts poking him...at his ears?

Probably annoyed by all the poking Zeke turns to bark at Takashi letting go of my pants in the process

Takashi then gives him to Alice

"Zeke, Ohh thank god you are safe"

She says as she starts cuddling with the dog that instantly turned docile

(Safe...come on it's not like i was not going to eat him...)

"Thank you Big brother"

She bows at Takashi and looks at me for a couple of seconds before running off

(She really doesn't like me huh...)

Takashi then turns to me

"Valiant knight of rainbows and sunshine?..."

He 'asks'

I just chuckle

"Alice seems to think i am some sort of evil overlord or something...

Seeing how she asked you for help...

That makes you the hero no?"

I say as i get a better grip on the clothes

"Well... you've kinda dressed like one...guns, mask, black clothes and all...

Ehh also...speaking of clothes

You...need some help with these?"

He asks as he points to the stack of clothes on my hands

"I'm taking if you are offering"

Takashi nods and takes half of the folded clothes

"Don't you think this a bit overkill though?"

He speaks up as i start walking again

"Saya's mother gave them to me...

And you never know...i'd rather not walk around drenched in corpse blood"

I answer

Takashi turns to look at me

"I see Saya asked you to call her by her first name too huh..."

I just nodded

(...You have been ignoring her for years, don't tell me you suddenly started caring about what she does now...)

We quietly kept moving down the hallway for some time before Takashi spoke up again

"A hero huh...

I don't think i can be that..."

He kept looking straight as he spoke

"Why not, the whole group seems to have faith in you

Plus they trust you that probably means something

And a hero is somebody who can lead others safely and diffuse conflict without creating more conflict

Not somebody who can kick a head off after doing seven flips in the air...though i suppose it could be an added bonus "

I say as i also keep looking straight

"...And you honestly believe i can do all that?"

He asks

"Better than i can...

You all seem to know each other for starters

so it makes sense that they rely on you"

I say as i turn to him

"No...not really...

I did know Rei and Saya...

But...Saeko, Kohta and Miss Shizuka...

We met right when the outbreak started"

He answers

"Well i'm not going to push the title on you...

But i already made more than one bad call so far...so go figure"

(In the anime and Manga they did vote for him to be the leader...don't know if me being here will change that...

But i am not exactly gunning for that spot...too much responsibility)

"And we are here"

I say as i turn to the door to my right and knock it with my foot

The door opens up and i walk inside

I spot my bag next to the bed to my right

I walk to the bed and leave the clothes on the nightstand that was next to it

Grabbing the bag i open it and shove everything inside

Then i turn to Takashi

"I can take the rest to the Humvee until we find a bigger bag"

I point at the clothes that he was holding as i spoke

"Nahh it's ok i will take them there, might put some in my bag too

I don't mind the black color"

I just nod to his answer

Then get up and toss the bag over my shoulder

"Well i better get going then, if i end up late Saeko will probably go ballistic on me

Thanks for the help"

I say as i walk past him

"You...sure seem close with Saeko..."

Takashi speaks up

I stop by the door

"Close?...i would not know... not something i can answer

I just asked her to help me with training...guns can take you so far before running out of ammo after all.."

I speak without turning around

After a short silence, i just walked away

(Why did this make me feel so uncomfortable...)

I shake my head and speed up my pace

Several minutes later, i was inside the dojo

And Saeko was nowhere to be seen

I walk to the center of the room and see two bokkens that were placed on the ground

"Either i'm too early...or i'm too late..

The bokkens here seem to point towards the later...

But i checked the time before coming here...it was twelve and fifty-five

so..."

I take off the belt with the handgun and undo the sling on the assault rifle

Then walk to the side of the dojo and leave the backpack and weapons there before heading back to the center again

(Still...how close am i with Saeko?

Saya for one seems to at least acknowledge my existence now so i guess that's something...

Saeko...For all i know could have been grumpy because she caught Takashi and Rei making out...)

A sudden sound of a door closing knocked me out of my thoughts

I turn around to see Saeko exiting...the bathroom?

And she was already dressed in her 'normal' school- skirt uniform

She also had an actual katana strapped on her side

(Hmm so she did get the blade...earlier than normal too...as it in the anime she gets it after the 'Kohta incident')

I look at the blade before turning my sight to Saeko

"We are..using bamboo swords for this...right?..."

I ask

"No"

She replies bluntly

"We will be using bokkens"

She says as she points to two in the center of the room

"You mean you will be hitting me with a weapon you used to actually kill walking corpses...

...You're still mad at me"

I fold my arms as i speak

Saeko just smiles

"I am not mad...not anymore

It's just that i did not like that you thought it would be better to leave us in the dark"

She says as she walks over to the bokkens and picks them up

"I already told you why i did that..."

I say to Saeko as she walks up to me

"And this is why i am no longer mad"

She answers as she gives me one of the bokkens

"Ohh...I see, i really thought you w...OH SHI..."

Was all i managed to say as Saeko instantly swung her wooden blade towards my face the moment i took the bokken

I reflexively lean backward as i jump away...causing me to almost fall on my ass

"You said you were not mad!"

I shout as i recover my footing

Only to see Saeko charging towards me

"I'm...not!...mad!"

With each word, a new swing

I managed to sidestep to the left to avoid the first vertical slash

Then used the bokken as a shield by putting it vertically to my right

I also passed my right forearm behind my wooden blade to avoid getting it knocked out of my hand from the force of the hit

Then i did the exact same thing to block to my left side as Saeko instantly spun in place and tried to hit my left

And the moment i found an opening i jumped back

"Could have fooled me the way you are trying to smash my face in!"

I shout back

"We...are training!"

I could see Saeko grinning as she charged at me again

(...she's actually enjoying this...figures...)

She charges at me with another vertical swing that i blocked with my own bokken

And then she swung vertically again..and again and again

With each swing, she was becoming more and more aggressive...

And each step she took forward, was a step i took backward

Thankfully all the extra lessons i took in close armed combat before the outbreak helped me keep my wits about me and not panic, as i was obviously getting my ass handed to me right now

Because i was just bearly managing to block, let alone try to counter

And it was getting worse by the second

Because other than being more aggressive, she was also getting progressively faster with her swings

She suddenly takes a step back before instantly taking another step towards me, leaning her body forward as she swings to my right

I then also take a step forward, guarding my side by placing my wooden sword vertically to my right

Then quickly sidestep to my left before turning my body to face Saeko and taking several hops to my left until i was behind her

Before i could counter her though she shifts her footing before making a blind spin-swing aimed to my left that i blocked with my bokken

And while still keeping a lower posture she takes another horizontal swing at me this time aimed towards my right

Which i evaded by taking several steps backward

(Gahh i don't know how long i can keep this up, my left hand is starting to get numb from all the blocking

For her frame she hits like a frigging train)

Saeko apparently not wanting to let me pick up any distance puts her left hand on the ground and brings her legs closer to her body before breaking into a sprint

Though i must admit, the way she moved

Was beautiful

Like a dance, each swing flowed naturally to the next one

Problem was...

That dance was also aiming to break several of my bones

And i was running out of room to retreat

Honestly, i had already come to terms with the fact that sooner or later i would probably slip-up and get my ass kicked

As i was pretty much stuck on defense from the moment we started

Upon closing in Saeko brings her sword next to her face while holding it with one hand and points the tip of the blade towards me

(Ok. now or never, avoiding a stab should be easier than avoiding a slash...

And if i fail to dodge...well let's hope i wake up before the nuke blast...)

I steel my focus and wait as i lower my bokken

And the moment Saeko launched her attack i bend my body to the right

Her wooden sword, grazed the left corner of my mask as it passed right next to my head

Not losing the chance i quickly charge forward and crash my left shoulder into Saeko

I land at her left side causing her to lose her posture and take a few steps back

Using the opening i then lift my bokken and swing it vertically as hard as i can to her extended arm on my left

Well not her arm, her sword

Causing it to fly off her hand and fall to the ground with a loud thud

Saeko then grabs me by my left arm and yanks me to my left causing me to hop a few steps to before tripping me to the ground

The moment i hit the floor i roll to my left and spring back to my feet

Saeko had already taken back her sword and was now staring at me

"How is this going to help at dealing with the corpses though...

They kinda...you know...suck at swinging things"

I say as i bend slightly and take a few deep breaths

"Corpses aren't the only thing that we will have to face..."

Saeko answers back

"True...but that's why i also have that with me"

I say as i point at the rifle and handgun in the corner of the room

Saeko glances at the guns

"And what if you can't use...that"

She says as she turns back to me

"Then i shoulder charge, disarm and beat the crap out of them "

I say with a shrug

"Hmm...well...then you kind of failed...seeing as you didn't 'beat the crap out of' me"

Saeko says with a grin

"Well...i can't hit a pretty girl without a really good reason..."

Saeko...just stares at me

(Too soon?...well i said it now...

She might as well just shoot me down so i can stop dreaming)

After a short silence, Saeko finally speaks up

"Am i...a woman to you?"

She lowers her bokken and relaxes her posture as she stares at me

(...Didn't she say something like that to Takashi in the anime as well?...

No wait...this seems different...she is actually asking me?)

"Uhh..wait that was a question...or...

Uhh...yes?"

I ask as i tilt my head

She does not answer

She just looks away as she slightly lowers her head

And some seconds later she just smiles

"Other than your crazy antics you rarely show any emotion...

And Swordsmanship is, not a very feminine...sport

Add that the mask does not really help in letting me understand what is going through your head"

She speaks as she looks back at me

(You also believe you are not worthy positive human emotions...but if you don't start that chat

Then it's none of my business..)

I shake my head and let out a dry laugh

"I guess that is true...

But as for your question

Well...i did avoid hitting you didn't i?"

(And not because i could not hit you even if i wanted to...really...)

Saeko just giggles as she starts walking towards me

"I guess...you did"

Her walk then changes to a dash

"But you can't win if you don't fight back!"

(...shit)

For some reason...the only thing that came into my mind

Was to turn around

And break into a sprint

"Hey! what are you doing! Stop running away!"

I could hear Saeko shout behind me

"I am not running away!"

I say as i run towards the dojo wall

(I am definitely running away)

"Looks like running away to me!"

Saeko shouts back at me

"This...

...Is tactical advancement!"

I shout again

And using the momentum i run straight to the dojo wall before running up a few steps

Turning my head i see Saeko standing still a few feet away, staring at me

I then put as much strength as i can in my legs and jump off

Straight towards Saeko

I don't know what she was thinking at that moment, but instead of moving out of the way she decided to stay in place and try to block me

And you know...

Trying to block a human that is flying to your face is usually a bad idea

Saeko found that the hard way...as i ended up crashing her to the ground

And...uhh...

Ok...i might have not really thought this through...

Seeing how i pretty much just mounted Saeko now...

(If somebody enters now...this will look so weird...)

"Well...this is...quite bold of you"

Saeko while looking completely unhurt raises an eyebrow as she looks at me

Yet does not try to shake me off

Her face slightly flushed as well

Though that could be because she was chasing me around i guess

"Well...i still managed to immobilize you without actually hitting you...i think..."

Saeko just laughs through her nose

"Then...why did you ask me to train you when you can obviously fight?"

She asks as she stares at me

"Well...knowing how you fight will make it easier for me to help you out there

I was just kinda nervous back at the truck's roof so i said whatever came first into my mind back then"

(I actually just wanted to find a way to spend time with her but..uhh...i am not telling her that)

After that, we just stayed quiet

"Soo...you intend to stay on top of me?..."

Saeko finally speaks up as she glances around

"Uhh...right"

I get up and take a few small steps back

Then extend my hand to Saeko

After helping her up she starts dusting her self off before picking her bokken back up

I reflexively take a few steps back

Saeko then turns to me

"Well you want to see how i fight?"

She says as she grins and takes her stance again

(Wait...we are not done?!)

"Wha, bu..."

I didn't even manage to finish before Saeko was dashing towards me once again

I also realized something...

After i jumped off the wall...

I dropped my bokken

(Well think i will just die now thank you very much...)

And right before Saeko could get too close

The dojo door swung open

"You two, we have a problem!"

I turn to the voice to see Takashi looking at us

(...Rainbow knight to the rescue...)

"What's wrong Takashi?"

Saeko speaks up first

"Kohta is in trouble at the estate's yard"

Takashi answers

Saeko turns to me

"You two go ahead i will catch up once i get my things"

Saeko nods to me and runs to Takashi while i run to my equipment

"Alright, Saeko lets go"

Takashi turns around and runs off

Saeko stops by the exit and turns to look at me for a few seconds before running off as well

I think she was...smiling at me?

(Well...that just happened...

But... i got to focus on the problem at hand

Now... the problem...

If Kohta is in trouble...it means only one thing)

I strap my equipment back on me and sprint out of the dojo

(The nuke...is coming today...)

Then straight towards the closest exit that led to the yard

The moment i got out i saw Takashi and Saeko running to my right

I nod to my self and run after them

And soon ...we were there

Kohta kneeling down..hugging our guns

While several adults surrounded him

All of them being of Souichiro's men

(Hardcore de-ja-vu)

Also, i noticed that the man himself, Souichiro, was there

(Hell even the timing is the same...seeing that i show up along with Takashi)

The event then unfolded just like in the anime

Takashi stood up for Kohta by labeling him the protector of Souichiro's daughter

Saeko backed Takashi up and soon

The whole group was there

(Having everything play out the same way the anime did...

Right before the nuke blast...

This is not good for my mental health...

At least...we won't have any 'Shido surprise'

...I made sure of that...)

In the end, i did not have to interfere

As Souichiro ordered his men to leave Kohta with his gun shortly after

And once Souichiro and his men left it was just the group and me

Staring at each other

(Hmm...this is a good time to mention whether we stay or leave)

"This...can turn to be a major problem if they don't change their logic

And sadly...i doubt they will"

I say as i look at Souichiro's men

Kohta finally gets up while still hugging the guns

"Thank you guys..."

As he speaks Saya turns to him

"You need to stop being a fat otaku and stand up for your self, you had an actual reason to stand your ground, but you chose to do nothing and take it to the face

Aren't you a man?"

Saya glares at Kohta who just lowers his head

"Cut him some slack Saya, him saying what you said to your dad would not have had the same impact

Because there is a big difference between you saying that he protected you and him saying that he protected you

Also...your dad if frigging scary..."

Saya just turned to me with a frown but did not speak back

"Also most important of all"

I say as i walk up to Khota

He looks at me while still hugging the guns

After staring at them for some seconds

I found my old friend

I poke at Kohta

"Dibs on the shotgun"

I point at the M37

Kohta looks at me and then at the gun

Then back to me

And nods as he stops bear hugging the guns

I grab the shotgun and pull it along with its sling

And wear it along with the Assault rifle

"Don't worry buddy, we got your back"

I whisper to him so Saya could not hear me

"Ok where were we?"

I ask as i turn around and face the group...

"Uhh...you really need two guns?"

Takashi asks

"Three"

I answer

"Huh"

He responds

I then open my jacket and point at the handgun with my free hand

The group...just...stares

Except for Kohta, as he was actually eyeing the handgun and rifle now

"Do you need all that?...won't it cause too much noise?"

Rei speaks up

"Not if i wear them right

But i indeed won't be running around with three guns

Too much extra weight that i don't need"

I answer to Rei

I was about to speak again when i noticed Kohta had crept up way too close to me

Staring intensely at the rifle

(Jeez he bounced back fast)

"This is a..."

"Assault rifle"

I cut him off as i take off the rifle along with its sling and give it to him

"Have fun, might need cleaning

Stole it from a drooling corpse

Also still has ammo in the chamber"

I say casually

Kohta's ignores me and just yanks the Type 89 out of my arms with one hand before he starts talking about the gun's history and the use it had in S.A.T. and J.S.D.F

And a couple of minutes later, after Khohta finally calmed down

I spoke up

"So...how are we going to deal with this?"

I ask as i look at the group

"This?"

Saeko asks

"The people of the estate...

Just because we avoided trouble this time around it won't mean there won't be a second time

Next time it might be the refugees poking their noses in our business

And i get the feeling that persuading them ain't gonna work

I don't know if you guys spoke about it without me

But this leaves us with two actual choices

Staying, or leaving

Each with its own consequences"

I look at Saya who nods and proceeds to say the same things i said to her in the library a couple of hours ago

The group stayed silent even after Saya finished speaking

Looking at each other...waiting for somebody to say the obvious

I turn my head to Takashi to see him staring at me

After he realized i was looking back at him, he nods

"So...who wants to leave then?"

Takashi finally asks the billion-dollar question

Yet nobody said a thing...

(Hmm...got to make the vote easier...maybe without having to speak?)

"Let's make this simple, those who want to leave, raise your hand"

I add after Takashi

He nods at me again and raises his arm

Followed by Rei

Alice looking at Takashi raises her arm as well...

Kohta was staring at Saya

Shizuka was darting her head around looking at the group

Saya stared at the textbook i gave her before raising her arm

Followed by Kohta

And Saeko also raised her arm shortly after

"Guess that settles it then

And if you all are going then i'm obviously not staying here"

I say as i raise my arm as well

Also...ever since the voting begun ...i been feeling like something has been pulling my leg...

And upon looking down

I see Zeke biting my pants...again

"Oh hello there young cadet"

I fold my arms as i look at the dog

"Zeke no!"

Alice bolts to me and grabs the dog again

I kneel down and pry the dog off my pants by putting my gloved finger in its mouth

Only to have it bite down my glove now...

"You sure this is a dog?...

He acts like a god damn crocodile"

I say as i pull my glove from Zeke's mouth

Zeke just stared at me while waging his tale

"I think he likes you"

Rei says with a giggle shortly after

"He is trying to eat me..."

I turn to Rei who just keeps giggling with her hand over her mouth

"Ughh, can we get back on track now?

We need to make a plan ...

As from the looks of it, other than Miss Shizuka we are all leaving"

Saya folds her arms under her chest as she speaks up

Shizuka then waves her arms

"Whaaat no no no!

I am coming too!

I...just got too focused on looking at you all and forgot to raise my arm..."

She shouts as she keeps waving her arms

"Alright then we are all leaving...we still need a plan"

Saya adds ignoring the tantrum next to her

"Me and Rei will go find our parents

So if we have no plan...we can go towards my mother's workplace

Shintoko 3rd elementary school"

Takashi looks at Rei as they nod at each other before turning to us

"Alright, if it's a long trip though we will have to go and resupply somewhere in-between

Don't think Saya's parents will be able to spare too much for us

Also if we get to have a say on what we get from here

I say ammo, then fuel"

Kohta nods as i speak...though i suspect he got sold the moment i said the word ammo

Takashi puts his hand under his chin and lowers his head

"But we need food too and water, what is the point of having ammo and fuel if we die of hunger"

He looks up again and looks at me

"Because we won't be able to find bullets out there

Food...we have a good chance to find something...same as water

Fuel...well gas stations are a perfect spot for an ambush from other not so friendly survivors

Take for example going to a supermarket

Looted or not

You might find something to eat and drink

Bullets and fuel?...fat chance

And speaking of it, i think that is where we should head first ...if there anything like that in our way?"

The moment i finish speaking Rei speaks up

"There is a mall that is in our general direction...not really on our path..but not too far away either..."

I nod to Rei after she was done speaking

(Perfect, we need to go there anyway...

If i can save the estate...i sure as hell can save one third-person speaking cop

Plus she and Kohta kick it off perfectly..ish

And this guy needs some good news in his life

Also...i might be able to change how things play out there and get rescued from the helicopters that show up...)

"So...we ask for fuel and ammo

Then head to the mall

After that, we move towards the place that Komuro's mother works"

The group looks at each other before they all nod

"Also, call me Takashi"

Takashi adds up after me

"Noted"

I answer

And as we all came to an agreement

The group looked at the sky that had taken a deep shade of gray

"It's going to rain"

Rei looked at the sky as she spoke

"We should head inside, i'm in no mood to get drenched"

Takashi adds right after Rei and starts moving towards the estate's main building

Some minutes later as we kept walking Saya came up next to me

"Here..."

She hands me the two phones i left in the library

"You are done with researching?"

I ask as i look at Saya

"The textbook run out of pages"

She says casually

I blink several times and look at the book before turning back to Saya

The textbook, while not enormous was not a small one either...it was actually quite on the big side

"You filled that already?...marked me impressed..."

Saya responds with a 'hum' as she turns to look straight ahead with a smug face

"Of course i filled it, i AM a genius"

The moment Saya finished talking a different voice started speaking from my left

"So that means we can go back and continue training?"

I turn to my left to see Saeko looking at me with a smile

"Uhhh...right..."

"But this time we are fighting normally, i am not taking

'I can't hit pretty girls' as an excuse"

Saeko grins as she speaks

(Ohhh..no...She didn't just...)

Aaaaand now i could feel an ice-cold stare on my back

I turn my head slightly to see Saya glaring at me...intensely

"...So you don't hit pretty girls eeh..."

Saya spoke in a low hissing tone while her eyebrow...was uhh...twitching

"Somebody is working fast"

Rei who was walking in front of us turned around as she spoke and then proceeded to start giggling

I just kept my mouth shut as i glanced around

(God damn it Saeko, you doing this on purpose ain't you

And Rei, you should be glad if Saeko actually sticks around me and does not take Takashi out of your hands...just saying

Because she is more than capable of doing that)

"Fine you want a fight, you get a fight"

I say as i turn and stare at Saeko

"Perfect"

Was all she replied while she kept grinning

"I am coming as well"

I turn my head to my right to see Saya still glaring at me

"You...are?"

I ask

"I need to make sure you won't do anything creepy to Saeko"

I could feel my eye twitch now

(This is definitely going to end badly for me...)

"Hmm this sounds interesting, i actually want to see this as well now"

Rei speaks up shortly after

"Yea Saeko will defeat you and your evil army!"

Alice adds right after

The whole group turns to stare at Alice who was trying to look...

Menacing? i think she was trying to glare

Though she just looked like a puffed up hamster instead...

"Great...juust...great"

Was all i said as i dragged my feet

And so...

We all moved to the dojo

Once there the rest of the group moved to the side

And after i gave my equipment to Kohta i moved to the center with Saeko

Bokken in hand

"No running around this time Naier"

Saeko says with a grin

I didn't speak i stared at her

(I will have to end this fast...longer we take

The more excited she will get...and i don't need her beating on my face while she's getting wet

Especially with everybody here)

And like that...we started a staring contest

Saeko didn't move...and neither did i

"Uhhh...are we supposed to count down?"

Takashi speaks up

I turn my head slightly towards him

And the moment i did

Saeko charged at me with a vertical slash

The moment she closed it i sidestep to the left while taking a swing at her bokken causing it to sway to her right

I then grab her arm and yank her forward

Having the momentum of the charge she takes several steps before taking a blind swing as she spun around

By the time she turned around i was already running towards her

I take a vertical swing at her which she easily blocks

But i don't stop there

As i took the swing i bent my body and land my knee right in Saeko's gut

Saeko instead of falling back takes the hit then slaps away my blade with one hand and brings her bokken flat square on my face with the other hand

I jump back and shake my head ... i actually felt that even if it was just with one hand that could not even go full swing

I focus my eyes only to see Saeko dashing towards me

(Focus dammit)

I start sprinting towards her as well

And the moment she got close she...jumped

As i saw her knee coming full force to my face

I let my knees give out and lean my body backward using my right arm to counterbalance my fall

And end up on sliding under her...while her knee passed over my mask

Remember how i mentioned she changed to her normal uniform...and that it had a skirt?

(Purple...)

The moment she was over me i stop my slide and while still on my knees i turn my body around and end up crouched down on my feet

With Saeko still having her back turned to me i lean forward and using my right hand to keep my self from falling to the ground

I swing at her legs

As she fell she did manage to land her bokken on the left side of my head though

And let me tell you...this shit hurts...a lot

Ignoring the fact that i felt that my head just got split open i quickly bring my legs under me, grab her right arm with my right arm and pull it until it was completely extended

Also slightly lifting her upper body off the ground

Then with my left hand, i then put my bokken on her neck

And stay like that five seconds...ten seconds...

Until Saeko finally lets go of her bokken

I let her go and get up

Before i was able to do anything though i felt my head splitting in two

(Ughh got up too fast)

"I think you might have done a botched surgery to my head Saeko"

I say as i shake my head and put my thumb on the side of my skull

"I felt the impact all the way to my shoulder...are you alright?"

Saeko asks as she gets up and looks at me

(At least she is not panting to the fact she bashed my head so hard)

I pull my mask and Balaclava off and put some pressure on the part that Saeko landed her bokken on

Then look at my hand, no blood

"I'm fine..."

I say as i look at my hand

I didn't manage to finish my sentence though as i felt a pair of hands grabbing my head and poking it

"Huh wha..."

"Hmm nothing seems broken...but we should put some ice on it just to be safe"

I hear Shizuka talk from behind me

(When did she even...)

I turn around

And then

"You have a face!?"

I hear Alice shout

I turn my head towards her to see her wide-eyed..her mind fully blown

I just blinked several times before the whole group started laughing

(Really?...)

I just shook my head before wearing my mask and Balaklava back on

"Still...who won?

I mean you disarmed Saeko...but looks to me that to took a nastier beating than her"

Takashi folds his arm as he speaks

"If that was a real battle...i guess i'd be dead first

Saeko managed to hit me first"

I say as i look at Takashi

"Still you managed to disarm and immobilize me first

So i guess you win this time around

Though...i don't know how much of this was a sword fight in the end"

Saeko smiles as she speaks

"I look forward to sparring with you again"

She then bows slightly

Caught off guard i quickly fix my posture before bowing as well

"Yea but next time...i will be wearing a full riot gear"

I say as i lift my upper body

Saeko just laughed though her nose as she brought her hand to her mouth

And as the group became silent

I could now hear the raindrops hitting against the window

Bringing back the truth that only i knew

(It's really pouring down huh...

It's official then...today...

We lose our lights...

...Let's hope...no...no hoping...i will make sure of it even if i have to do it my self...that the lights is the only thing we lose...)