Chapter 110
June 1st
Chiba's sitting in a tree in the field before school.
'The field trip is pretty soon… who else can be in our group? Classes aren't gonna mix for groups. Me, Gin, Momo… we need at least one more…'
He sighs and looks at the field when he sees a familiar face.
'Maki…? No. I refuse to have her in my group. Wait… who are they…?'
He squints watching two 3rd years chasing after her.
"Get back here you fucken bitch!!"
"Nowhere to run now!!"
Chiba stays completely still and listens closely. It sounds like one pins Maki against the tree.
Maki "Let me go!!"
"What are you gonna do? Cry?"
"You should thought this through. Did you really think you'd get away with stealing?"
Maki "I didn't steal anything!! You're the one who stole my bag! All I did was take my belongings back!!"
Chiba sighs 'I gotta help her don't I…?'
Chiba looks at the branches below him and jumps. He lands on branches silently and steadily until he jumps in behind the two third years.
Chiba "Leave her alone."
All tense and look at him
"Where the fuck did you come from?!"
"Doesn't matter! Who are you!! Mind your own business, Emo!"
One goes to punch Maki but Chiba steps between them and takes the hit to the chest.
'He aimed for her face. Weak punch… did he even try?'
Maki looks at him worried "Wh- what are you doing-!"
"Surprised you didn't flinch? Who the fuck are you?"
Chiba shrugs "Just a student at Nekoma High School."
"Smartass!!" He goes to punch Chiba again but Chiba catches his wrist.
Chiba "Dude. Just- just stop."
The other sneaks behind him and grabs Maki.
Maki "Let me go!!"
Chiba sighs annoyed "Really. Ugh…"
"You had just minded your own business!"
Chiba looks between them and Maki "Three seconds."
"Huh?"
"You have three seconds to let her go. Or else."
"Or else what, pretty boy?"
"3…"
"Oi! Answer!!"
"2…"
"What are you gonna do kid?"
"1…"
Chiba smiles as his eyes darken. He goes on offense and it only takes him a moment to get both on the ground.
"Who… who the hell are you…"
Chiba looks at his hand "Someone who's decent with close range combat. Now get the hell outta here and leave her alone."
The two third years run away in fear.
Maki gulps "A- aka Ryuko…?"
Chiba turns to her "It's Chiba. Are you okay, Maki-san?"
She nods "I- yeah- I'm okay… thank you for stepping in…"
Chiba nods "As you ran here, you were scared. You held your bag against your chest too. I heard everything. I recognize your bag too. We sit by each other after all."
She nods hesitantly while backing away a little "'someone who's decent at close range combat…' you said it as if you…" she swallows and pales "I… I recognize you now… Kunugigaoka… the reason Reckless X disbanded… it was because one of them dropped to E-3… the… the only one who was never really seen off stage… Aka Ryuko…"
Chiba's pulse quickens "You got the wrong guy. I was at Kunugigaoka but I wasn't in E-3…"
"Lies… you… you were one of them… weren't you…"
"No idea who you mean."
Maki goes to talk again but he cuts her off by giving a look that makes her gulp.
Chiba's voice is harsh and his eyes lock on her "Look. I'm just Chiba Ryūnosuke. Nekoma high school first year. Architect course. That's it."
Maki nods "Y- yes… of course. Thank- thank you for helping me… I… I swear. I won't say or do anything suspicious. We… we have no connection. No past. We're strangers. Strangers who sit together in class. That's it. Right…?"
"Right. See ya."
Maki rushes away back toward the campus while Chiba looks up the tree and sighs.
Skip to a few minutes before home room.
Hayami and Hisa are sitting together at their desks.
Hisa raises an eyebrow "Are you actually going on the field trip?"
Hayami nods "Yeah? It seems fun."
"Well if you're going maybe it won't be so terrible?"
"So you gonna come?"
"On a condition."
"Which is?"
Hisa smirks "You're my roommate and partner for it~"
Hayami smiles "Of course!"
Hisa "Sweet? We're going where again?"
Hayami thinks "I think it was Nara?"
"That's where you're boyfriend is going."
"Oh- right? Ine! We're going to Ine."
Hisa rolls her eyes and pokes her "Bingo. Ine is a major trading port for the Eurasian continent and in case ya forget? We're in the business course."
Hayami pouts "If you knew, why did you ask?"
"Why not~"
"Wait!! You were gonna go anyways!!"
"I'm only going if you're going. I don't like anyone else here."
Hayami sighs "Are we allowed to just be pairs or do we need a group?"
Hisa raises an eyebrow "You hoping it's pairs so we can go on a date?"
"I'm just asking to be sure."
"Unfortunately, we need groups of 4-6. Each room has two beds and you are sharing with me~"
"It's not gonna be all the girls in one room and all boys in the other?"
"Groups can mix but for rooming we're in pairs with same sex? Which makes no sense if I'm being honest. Have they not heard of gays?"
Hayami laughs slightly "Well? Guess we gotta find at least two others to be with us?"
"Great. We need others too?"
The two girls look over at two boys.
One is shorter than Hayami and the other is about Hisa's height. The short one has tan skin, blue eyes, and messy yet fluffy brown hair. It somewhat fluffs to resemble cat ears. The taller ones is pale with gray eyes, and an undercut and curly brown hair flopped to the right. His teeth are somewhat pointy like fangs and his left eyebrow is split.
Shorter one "Names Kankuro. Cool if Sumi and I join ya?"
"Kuro! Be nicer! If you two don't have anyone else, can we join? I'm Yasumi. Yasumi Renji. Nice to meet you both!"
Hayami looks at Hisa who gets up.
Hisa smirks and leans down to Kankuro's level "Yasumi sure. You might wanna take some notes from him."
"Tck!"
Hayami "Hisa."
She laughs sitting back down "Sure. Now we have four people. Kitten, think you can sign us up? Pleaseeeee?"
"We all need to sign up."
Yasumi smiles "Great! Let's go! Um… what were your names again?"
"Thats Hisa and I'm Hayami."
Hisa nods "Sup bitches. Why the fuck did you two ask to join us?"
Kankuro "Look around. Other options would split us up. This was best bet for all of us."
Yasumi "I thought you two seem cool and he agreed. Plus we both needed more people."
"Sumi!!!"
Hayami sighs "Something tells me this is gonna be an interesting trip…"
Meanwhile in C-1
Chiba walks into the classroom and is immediately met by Gin clinging to him.
Gin "We're rooming together! You can't escape it!!"
Chiba "What the fuck are you talking about?"
Momo growls pulling them over to her and Gin's desk "Well I still I need a partner then!"
"Bleh!"
Chiba "Can someone fill me in a bit? This about the field trip?"
Both "Yes!!"
Chiba sighs "Momo? You can't room with either of us anyways remember? We're guys."
"Hm… well the girls I talk to here have other groups…"
Chiba looks past her to the girl sitting beside his desk.
Momo "Ryūnosuke. Are you serious."
Chiba "Everyone has their groups. We could try Kagami?"
"There's also Maki?"
Gin pouts "Let's ask Kagami."
Chiba nods remembering the morning "I'd prefer Kagami."
Momo sighs "Maki's gonna wanna join. For whatever reason she seems to be interested in Chiba."
Chiba shrugs "Same class at some point in past. I'll invite Kagami to join?"
"Mkay~"
Chiba gets up and goes to the quiet girl "Hey? Kagami-san?"
She jolts "Y- yes? Um… Chiba-kun right?"
"Sorry if I scared you? I was just wondering, did you already have a group for the trip?"
She shakes her head "No?"
"Wanna join us?"
"Eh?! Are- are you sure?!"
"Of course? We need another person anyways."
She smiles looking at her desk "Thank you…"
"No problem. Wanna come with us to sign up? I'll be honest… I only know your last name…"
She nods "I- yeah! Sure!"
"Cool. C'mon?"
Kagami stands up and adjusts her uniform before following him. They go back to Gin and notices Momo is missing.
Chiba "Where's Momo? Kagami-san, this is Futoshi."
Gin smiles "Kagami… Kaga-"
Chiba "Stop before you scare her away."
He pouts "But Ryuu-ichiiii!!! I wanna call her Kagamichi!!!"
"Oi- you'll scare her away and we'll be back to three people."
Kagami plays with her light brown braid "I um… I don't mind if Futoshi-kun calls me 'Kagamich'?"
Gin perks "Really?! Yay! Welcome to our group Kagamichi!"
Chiba sighs "Gin? Where's Momo?"
Gin tenses "Ah um… No idea who you mean!"
"Sugawara Momo. Momichi. You're childhood friend."
He looks away "Not ringing any bells…"
Chiba glares "Gin… What are you two hiding."
"…Maki-san asked for talk to her about something. I'm assuming it's the groups but I'm not sure."
Chiba "Where are they."
Gin reaches for his hand "Ryuu-ichi?"
"Gin please."
"…Maki-san just said in the hall. That's all I know."
"Thank you."
Chiba rushes out of the classroom and sees the two girls talking.
Maki "So? What do you think…?"
Momo crosses her arms and is about to respond when she sees Chiba "Ryūnosuke?"
Chiba hides his glare "Am I interrupting."
Momo shrugs "Maki-san wanted me to tell you something but since your here? She could just tell you herself."
Maki looks away and hands him a piece of paper "I wanted Sugawara-san to give this to you for me… please read it…"
He hesitates before taking it "Thanks. I'll read it later. Momo. C'mon. I left Gin with Kagami."
"Why would you leave him with a girl he's never spoke too… especially the quiet girl… they're just gonna be there in awkward silence."
Chiba grabs her hand "Exactly, so let's hurry."
Momo's confused but let's him drag her back "Ryūnosuke? What's going on?"
"Did she say anything about me."
"Well she wanted me to give you that?"
"Momo I'm serious. I need you to tell me exactly what happened."
"Later. I promise."
They go into the classroom to Gin and Kagami.
Gin "Yo?"
Momo "Hey. Kagami-san, nice to meet you. I'm Sugawara Momo."
Kagami bows nervously "N- nice to meet you too Sugawara-san!"
Gin's about to speak when the bell rings
Gin sighs as it fades "We should sign up during break?"
Momo nods "Yeah. Oh! Kagami-san, one second. Can I get your number? That way I could make a group chat for us to talk about the trip?"
She blushes "Sure! Of course! Um h- here?"
Momo smiles casually and adds her to her contacts "Thanks! I'll do it between classes."
Gin taps Chiba's arm "Ryuu-ichi?"
Chiba gasps "What? Yeah- yeah sure. Sounds good."
"Bro… class is starting. You okay?"
He swallows and nods "I'm fine. Going back to my desk."
They each return to their seats as the teacher walks in.
During class Chiba's zoned out and occasionally looks at the note from Maki but doesn't open.
'Did she tell her about this morning? About Aka Ryuko? Kunugigoka? Does Momo know? Shit- she can't know! If she knows then she tells Gin and both will fear me!! I finally made friends! I don't… I don't deserve them though… I don't deserve to have good friends like them… Fuck! Calm down Ryūnosuke. Momo would've reacted differently in she knew. Pulse quickening, pupils dilated, movements, tone. It's okay. She doesn't know…'
He sighs and puts his head down. He can feel Maki's gaze on him most the time.
Classes go by slowly and during second period math he reads the note from Maki
"I'm really sorry for how I reacted this morning. Don't worry. I promise I won't tell anyone about you going to Kunugigoka. I can tell that there's more to the story than we were told and I won't try to find out what it is. If anything, I'd like to try to get along. But I get it if you never want to interact. -Maki"
Chiba glances over to her and the writes on a page in his notebook.
"We already talked about this. The same deal as before. I gave you the Aka Ryuko autograph. I apologize if I'm being rude, but I can't risk you accidentally saying something to expose my past. -Chiba"
He "accidentally" drops his pencil and while he leans to get it, he slips the note into Maki's bag.
Later during break
Gin and Momo join Chiba and collect Kagami who's very nervous.
Momo's on her phone "Okay~ I made a chat for us. Let's go sign up?"
Gin "Wait? Kagamichi? Didn't you have something you wanted to ask them?"
Kagami nods and plays with her braid "Um… c- can we maybe invite Kiyomi?"
"Kiyomi?"
Chiba nods across the classroom "Her?"
Kagami "Yeah… um… shes my friend and doesn't have a group so um…"
Chiba shrugs "Works for me? Gin? Momo?"
Gin "I already agreed. Kagamichi would feel more comfortable if she had someone she was already close too. We just met today."
Momo "Kagami-san? You wanna get her?"
Kagami smiles "Th- thank you!"
She happily goes to the girl sitting alone with headphones in.
The two return a moment later.
Kiyomi is a short girl with a pure white bisexual bob. Her eyes a pinkish reddish color and she wears her uniform a little different. She has knee high black stockings, shirt untucked, top two buttons undone, and her tie loosely hanging.
Kiyomi "Hey. What's up. Names Kiyomi."
Gin smiles "Nice to meet you, Kiyomichi~"
"Ew. Don't call me that. Just Kiyomi."
Chiba gets defensive "Be nice."
"Hm? Did I hurt your boyfriends feelings? Sorry~ I just hate nicknames."
Momo goes closer to her "You better be sorry and not cause problems. Got it."
Kagami "S- sorry! Kiyomi is really nice, I should've warned you beforehand that she doesn't like nicknames. Futoshi-kun I'm so sorry."
Gin smiles and holds into Chiba and Momo's sleeves "I forgive you. Let's sign up. I'm sure we'll get along better once we start actually talking."
Momo"Then let's go sign up…?"
Gin nods "Right. We should talk about what we wanna do on our trip? And add Kiyomi to the group chat? Oh!! I wanna get traditional Nara foods!"
Chiba "As long as we can go to the temples. That's the whole point of the trip. The temple architecture?"
Gin whines pulling on Chiba's arm "Awww Ryuu-ichiiiiii…!!!"
Kiyomi silently looks at them then to Momo 'Gay lovers, cute girl. I'm not getting a straight vibe from her… but I can't tell if she likes girls… hm… flat… not as flat as me but Kagami is definitely winning…'
The five go sign up and and Chiba looks at Maki who's talking with her group.
Skip to after school.
Hayami's walking with Hisa, Kankuro, and Yasumi.
Hisa "Kitten, is this necessary…?"
Hayami sighs "We need to be able to talk to each other about the trip and plan things. Yasumi-kun? Kankuro-kun?"
Yasumi holds out his phone "Definitely! Here, you can get my and Kuro's numbers."
"Oi! Sumi! Don't go givin out my contact info!"
Yasumi tilts his head "But we need to be able to contact each other? If Hayami-san has our numbers then she can make a group chat for us? She probably already has Hisa-sans, but if not Hisa-san seems like she'd be willing to give Hayami-san her number?"
Hisa "Kitten already has my number. And what's wrong shorty? Don't wanna have us to be able to talk to you~?"
Kankuro growls at the taller girl while Hayami and Yasumi exchange numbers. Hayami creates the chat and sends a text.
Hayami: @Kankuro stop growling Hisa
Yasumi laughs slightly at the text "Great! We'll see you two tomorrow! Start looking into things we wanna do on our trip to Ine and send it to the chat!"
Hisa "Later, Yasumi. See ya shorty."
They go different ways. Hisa and Hayami walk together a bit.
Hisa "Hey… kitten? Did you have plans right now?"
"Hm? No? What's up?"
"Wanna go to that cafe we talked about before?"
Hayami smiles softly "Sure. I haven't seen Sakura is forever!"
Hayami doesn't notice the way Hisa's eyes light up for a moment. Or the way she gets a smile different from her normal smug teasing one.
Hisa "Sweet. My bikes over here."
Hayami stays beside her as they go to her bike.
Hisa "You can strap you bag here? My friend and I upgraded our bikes a little so we can put or school bags or other stuff easier."
Hayami goes as she said "I know a guy like that. He's really into motorcycles and mechanics."
"Yeah… I've been wanting to meet up with him but he's been busy. Hop on?"
They get on the bike and Hayami hangs onto to Hisa while she drives. They get to the cafe.
Hisa "Take your bag with ya. Its easy to steal from it right there."
"Mkay."
She grabs both their bags and shirts awkwardly trying adjusts her skirt.
Hisa grabs the bags "Easier now, kitten?"
Hayami laughs a little and fixes her skirt "Thank you, Hisa."
They walk inside and sit down. A moment later Sakura perks coming over to them with menus.
Sakura's hair is dyed a soft purple and in bun "Welcome to Cherry Blossom Cafe~ What can I get you two young ladies~"
Hayami "You renamed it? What happened to Courage Cuisine?"
Sakura smiles softly "I got a really generous and mysterious donation from an unknown group. I used it to remodel the place! What do you think? This place is officially my business! I renamed it and changed the menu a little~ Here you go Hayami. You too Hisa. I didn't know you two knew each other?"
Hayami smiles 'Ryuu must of asked to give her some of the reward money… that's good'
Hisa "We met this year. Same class and good friends."
Hayami nods "Yup."
The door opens as another customer enters.
Sakura perks a little "Business has also increased which is amazing. I definitely need to hire more staff…"
Hisa "What age do you take?"
Sakura "Are you thinking about applying? Ah- I'll be back! Look over the menu~"
She rushes over to the other customer who's ordering pastries.
Hayami "Are you really gonna apply?"
Hisa nods "Yeah. I gotta get a job. My siblings need some stuff. My grandparents too. Meds aren't cheap. I outta weed but still got cigarettes so some alcohol… I can get clean again if I get a job…"
Hayami looks at her surprised "You smoke and drink…?"
She shrugs "I know. It's not good for me… I stop when I have a job but ever since mid last year I haven't been able to work."
"Why do you work? What about your parents?"
"Dunno. Probably in jail still. Last I heard their was a rat in their gang…" Hisa shakes her head and picks up the menu "Sorry, kitten? I got a bit weird. Wonder what new stuff she added? Hm… do I want something new or a classic…"
"Hisa. If you wanna talk about anything, you can?"
"I'd rather not corrupt you with my dark past?"
"You're not the only one with a dark past…"
"Sorry? I invited you to have a nice lunch, let's not get all depressed?"
Hayami nods and looks at the menu "Mkay…"
A moment later Sakura returns and takes their order.
Sakura "Oh, right! Hisa, the youngest we hire is 17 but willing to hire younger if special circumstances?"
"I see…"
"You can fill out an application online. I can bring my business card when I bring out your food?"
"I'd appreciate that. Thank you, Sakura."
She smiles before turning on her heel going to tell the cooks.
Hayami muses "Say? Hisa, what's something you wanna do on the trip?"
Hisa shrugs "Dunno. Actually… there's a certain place I wanna go… There's a lot of boats and jet skis, I wanted to look at the parts. I wanna surprise Tai- I mean my friend. Try to whip up a bike to ride on water."
"Is his name Tai?" 'So it's not Yoshida…?'
"……kitten… I got a confession to make…"
"Hm?"
"I kinda didn't wanna tell ya this. Especially not now. But… maybe I should…? Just get it over with…?"
Hayami puts her hand on hers "You don't have to tell me anything if you don't want too. Unless this guy is your boyfriend? Then I want to know everything!"
Hisa laughs "Fuck no! He's definitely not my boyfriend! Gross! Ha ha! But thanks, kitten…"
Hayami smiles softly "Of course. We're friends, right Hisa?"
Hisa looks at Hayami "Mika."
"Hm?"
Hisa pulls her hand away and blushes a little. She messes with her braided dreads.
"Nothing…"
"Mika? I like it. It suits you. Beautiful fragrance right? Related note? What perfume do you use? It's really nice."
Hisa feels her heart jump "Ah- um- Today I used black cherry merlot? It's actually one of my favorites…"
"Hm? Nice. So Mika? What other secrets do you have~ I've learned a bit more about you just from this lunch and we haven't even gotten our food?"
"Sorry kitten~ I gotta keep my mysterious appearance? Although… I'm a businesswoman. I would be willing to trade."
"Oh? How about this? I ask a question then you ask one?"
"Fine."
Hayami smirks "Question 1! How come you always either have boxer braids or dreads?"
"My hair is naturally really wavy and braids make it easier when I'm working or riding. Helmet hair."
"Makes sense. I'm curious about seeing you with your natural hair~"
"Not gonna happen. My turn? Hmm… have you ever dyed your hair?"
"Temporary dye. A… friend… did it. It was really impulsive but he's pretty skilled."
"Got a pic?"
"Yup. Wanna see?"
"Of course, kitten~"
Hayami smiles and looks through her photos. She hit with a wave of emotions seeing everything but scrolls to the month the picture should be in.
A picture Hitoko look of Hayami. The ends of her hair are dyed green.
Hayami shows Hisa the picture "See?"
"Hm? Not bad… you look nice with a deep green. Brings out your eyes."
Hayami's about to respond when Sakura returns with their food.
Sakura "Here you two go~ and Hisa? Here's my business card. Let me know if you're interested in applying."
Hisa smiles "Thank you, Sakura."
"Of course. Was there anything else I could get you two?"
"Mm? Nope we're good?"
"Yup. Thank you."
Sakura nods and leaves them.
Hisa "I haven't seen her so… professional yet excited in forever? It's really cool that she got the donation. I wonder who it was…"
Hayami smiles and looks at her food "Whoever it was… that was really awesome of them. Sakura's a really hard worker and this place has been in her family."
"Yeah… main I remember coming her back with my grandparents and Yui back when we were just little things…"
"Yui?"
"My sister. She's a second year in middle school."
Hayami hums "Yui… do all of you have really pretty names or something?"
Hisa laughs a little "My siblings have nice names…"
"What are they? You haven't told me much about them?"
Hisa smiles "Well there's Yui for starters. She's really shy and hates going to school, but she's really smart. Then there's my only brother, Shu. He's 8 and a little troublemaker sometimes. He keeps begging me to let him help with the bikes. Oh and then there's Mari! I swear that little girl is a bottomless pit! How can a 4 year old even fit that much food inside of her?! Haha! She's fun though and plays with Ayako. Ayako is the youngest. She's just over a year and for some reason always stops crying when the old man holds her."
Hayami laughs a little as she listens to Hisa talk about her little siblings. She notices one thing.
'Hisa- Mika is being really careful and selective with her words? She's making sure to pick and choose what to say…'
Hisa "Yui has been trying to get Ayako to start walking. Its meh… Ayako's a fast crawler and I know that she's gonna be a handful when she starts walking."
"You really care about your family don't you?"
Hisa nods and pokes at her half eaten food "Yeah. Papi and Gran took care of me and my siblings. I'd do anything for them. I sacrificed a lot but I don't regret anything. Honestly I'm not sure about this field trip… I kept help but get worried about them. Is that weird?"
"It not weird at all."
"I really want to go on the field trip with you. I don't care about the others. I just want to go with you."
Hayami's heart jumps for some reason as her face reddens "I… I want to go on the trip with you too!"
Hisa smiles fondly "I'm glad."
End chapter
So much happened here. So many new characters.
@lumigo akvo9504 communication is key!!! I say even tho ChibaHaya didn't interact once. SugaMi sailed finally!! Fuwa's duel? Intense. Hitoko is very questionable at times but gotta love that concerning shit head. Gin and Momo are both so precious and yeee!! Ahhh thank you so much!! Fun reminder to always wear a life jacket on ship!
@Le055Li0n Ahhh!!! Thank you!!!! The convo with Senna… someone needs to give that girl a serious talk… again…
@Randomdude2374 Writing isn't easy and I will update when I get motivation to write. I'm a student who has a lot of things going on. Plus writing is something I do for fun and for free. I write and update as I see fit. As for Senna's age, see the note at end of chapter 34. At the start of story Senna was on her first year of primary school. I expected the series to be short so I didn't do much research of Japanese school and ages.
