This is the 40th chapter. I don't own the series of Maken-Ki.
Tenbi Academy
The next day, Takeru was on his way towards the classroom, but he was trying shake the migraines away from his head while rubbing his head. Yesterday, Takeru have to get homework finished since the 2nd semester had gotten started. However, Takeru was mostly distracted when he was looking at Aki's breasts and he got in trouble for it when she used her memory manipulation ability to have his memory erased. When he finally got his homework finished, he would be able to participate in finding Takeru Yamato, but she told him that he won't because his body was worn out from using 'Blood Pointer' ability. Aki wasn't the only one worried about his condition, Minori was also worried about his condition which the Principal have entrusted her for looking after him. But, he was too stubborn when he told her that he'll take down Yamato, but he accidentally lift her shirt up when she used her memory manipulation to erase his memories again.
"There's a hammering in my head." Takeru groaned. "I feel like I'm forgetting something very important."
Until, Inaho open to the door when she saw Takeru as she spoke.
"Oh Takeru, you're late." Inaho told him, making him snapped out of his stupor. "We've already decided on the program."
'Since then, she's started calling me the way she used to. To me this was feels more at ease...yet at the same time it's a little lonely.' Takeru mentally thought as he then questions. "Program as in the cultural festival?"
"Yup! Our class is doing a café." Inaho answered.
"Ohh! That means, something like a maid café?" Takeru asks with his perverted grin.
"No. A men's only butler café!" Inaho told him, causing Takeru his face pale which he didn't like the idea.
Inaho then explain about the butler café since Takeru will have to wear a suit and the requests, much to his relief as he then spoke.
"Was Zane gonna dress like a butler too?" Takeru questions.
"Yep, but Zane have recovered much faster than anyone else." Inaho told him. "He's participating in finding Yamato, but he was more interested in patrolling Tenbi Academy."
"What!?" Takeru exclaims with shock. "What the hell!? I was suppose to fight against Yamato!?"
"You're still in no condition to fight him, Takeru!?" Inaho retorts. "Zane told me about your condition!? He entrusted me and Haruko to watch over you."
"Why would he do that?" Takeru questions.
"He knew that you would try do something reckless without thinking things through and fight Yamato in your condition." Inaho explains.
"Well, Zane would try and do something reckless too." Takeru exclaims.
"Not like you do. He's maybe a mercenary, but he would be willing to risk his life to fight against Kamigari." Inaho told him. "Just like you would risk your life to fight against Kamigari, but..."
"But?" Takeru repeats.
"I think Zane have been into fights more than any of us and seen many deaths." Inaho said sadly. "For what I know was that Zane is truly a lion at heart. Like all lions, they protect their pride whenever danger comes to them. And one thing that Zane fears is losing that pride, just as he doesn't want to lose his sister, his girlfriend, or anyone else either."
Takeru was then shocked, didn't think that Zane would go so far as to protect those he cares, especially Azuki and Chacha. Of course, Takeru would protect to those around him which he shared something similar to Zane, but he got mostly into trouble from Haruko and Himegami only because of seeing them naked in the morning and being a pervert.
However, their conversation was cut short since Kengo told the two to get ready since the cultural festival was about to start. Takeru and Zane were wearing the butler suit which to the mercenary, it was a little tight around the chest.
"Takeru, are you still here?" Kengo questions.
"Yeah, I'm heading out soon." Takeru grumbled.
"Hurry up! It's going to start any minute!" Kengo told him.
Few minutes later, the school culture festival have started and the students of Tenbi have arrived in Tenbi Academy for the culture festival. Many of the students have some for sight-seeing at the festival while some of the students have bought food from the food stands. In Class 1-B, students from different year have come to the Butler Café to see the male students, but Syria and Inaho were wearing the butler suit which they were crossdressing, causing the female students to blush which the two became popular. However, what got it popular was between Kai and Zane which cause the female students to blush because of Kai's stoic nature and Zane's serious and calm demeanor.
"Thank you for your waiting, milady." Syria said with her polite tone, pouring tea from the teacup. "Well then, please take your time and enjoy your stay."
That got the girls blushed then they saw Syria bowed politely as she then escort one of the female student while Kai began to take their order. Zane then gave them their order which he's having a little trouble and not use to serving them.
"Sorry for the long way, milady." Zane apologize politely, bowing them respectfully. "Please take your time and enjoy your stay."
Though, Zane kept his calm demeanor which the female students were blushing. Syria then giggled a bit which she figured that Zane isn't use to it.
"Still having trouble?" Syria asks.
"More like I'm not use to this." Zane clarifies, sighed. "Even though, being a mercenary is what I'm good at."
"You know what they say, 'practice makes perfect'." Syria told her fellow mercenary. "Also, you might get to impress either Chacha or your sister Azuki."
"Don't you get any funny ideas." Zane warned her with his deadpan tone.
"Whoa, whoa, I was just kidding." Syria said, waving her hands in defense. "Geeze, you got no sense of humor."
Zane then sighed with annoyance, knowing full well that Syria was only trying to tease him which it got her into trouble sometimes. Of course, both Kengo and Takeru were at the back since they have to clean the dishes since they were the least popular and the most hated males because they were mostly perverts.
"I don't get it. I mean yeah, it would make sense for Zane and that Amoi guy, but for the crossdressing girls to be more popular than me." Kengo said with confusion as he then turn his head to Takeru. "To start with, doesn't my face hold a striking resemblance to Kai Amoi's? There isn't that big a difference in terms of looks I think."
Takeru then hummed in thought while washing the dishes as he spoke.
"I guess...There really isn't any part that doesn't look like him. If you look carefully." Takeru stated, leaving Kengo looking at him with annoyance. "Aside from the height factor, he has you beat there. Although, if you consider our reputation, it's no brainer why we're unpopular. We've been busted for being creepy pervs."
"Excuse me? What do you by 'We'!?" Kengo exclaims, felt offended. "My likeability with the girls is not so shitty to be grouped together with you!"
"No really...We're the same." Takeru pointed out.
However, they heard a squeal as they turned their heads when they saw Zane doing a thumb wrestling which he was winning.
"8, 9, 10! It's my win!" Zane said.
"Oh no~ I lost." The female student squealed with a smile, blushing.
"What the heck is that?" Kengo questions.
"Huh? Didn't we talk about this in the class meeting?" Inaho asks surprisingly. "As an attraction, the customer gets to have a thumb war with the butler she requests, and the reward for winning would be a kiss on her gentle hand. The ones who couldn't win would have to bear listening to the winner's wish that the butler would grant."
Kengo then saw Zane kissed her hand, making the female students blush while he then bit his bottom lip with jealously.
"Why am I at zero requests?" Kengo questions with a grumble.
"You get what you deserve. Give it up." Takeru shrugged.
"Speaking of which, you're acting weird...You seem too lenient for some reason." Kengo said with confusion. "Your skin has a nice glow too. Did something happen yesterday!?"
"No-No-Nothing happened!" Takeru exclaimed. 'I have a feeling it was something with Miss Nijou though.'
"Syria, Zane, good job!" Inaho praise them with a smile.
"I'm exhausted." Syria said with a sigh. "It's not like crossdressing suits me. Don't you think so too, Inaho?"
"Yes." Inaho nods.
"If anything, I should be the customer." Syria complains.
"No use trying to complain over it." Zane told her with sigh.
"I would like to make a request for Zane Shinatsu." Espada said with her serious tone.
Both Zane and Syria turned their heads when they saw two Kamigari agents.
"You're third years Espada Love and Hoshii Kawase!?" Syria exclaims with shock.
"That mean's Kamigari's!?" Takeru said seriously when he rush towards him, unintentionally headbutts Kengo.
"My, my, to have the two of make your way to this kind of place, have you prepared yourselves, milady's?" Syria asks with her confident smirk.
"Don't get the wrong idea." Espada told her, took a seat.
"We came here to be customers." Hoshii declared, tapping the table. "Give me the shops most worthless water, please."
"Sorry, know that I don't take kindly to a customer with rude comments." Zane told her with a glare, causing Hoshii to flinch. "Now, is there a real reason why you're here, milady?"
"No need to be serious. Today, we're participating as a part of the student body." Espada declared.
"There's No Way It's Just That! You Wouldn't Sit Out During Hime-Kagura!" Takeru shouts. "It's Fine If You Want Us To Capture You Here!"
Zane then began to bonked his head, leaving a massive bump on his head.
"Are you really that stupid?" Zane questions with annoyance. "Honestly, this is trail leads us to nowhere only because of your stupidity."
Takeru then stood up while rubbing his sore head while looking at him with a glare.
"Takeru, get back inside with Kengo, I'll handle this." Zane told him seriously.
"What!? But Zane-"
Zane then have had enough when he then placed a fork on the perverts forehead. The cold and hard metal object striking him right in the center.
"No 'buts', kid! Now get your back inside with Kengo and stay there so you won't escalate this situation." Zane ordered him. "I'll handle this."
Takeru then sighed with defeat which he won't talk out of this one as he then join Kengo. Zane then cleared his throat as he spoke.
"I'm sorry for this violence." Zane apologize, earned a nod from Espada. "Now, what's the real reason why you're here? You didn't come here just to have a request."
Espada was surprised that Zane was able to figure it out which it didn't take long for him by putting two and two together. Syria then smiled since she knew that Zane would figure it out soon only because he was working as a mercenary.
'So that's what he meant by handling this situation. I keep forgetting that he's a mercenary.' Takeru thought with shock.
"Well, well, not only that you're quite the gentleman, but you're very perceptive." Espada said with a smirk. "I underestimated you. You're right, we didn't come here as customers. We came to cooperate with you and settle this in a peaceful matter. We'll abide by the rules of your café."
"And if we refuse?" Zane questions.
"Then, we'll use this poison that Otohime gave us and turned ourselves into corpses." Espada answered, showing the poison from the neck collar. "You wouldn't be able to get you way by having a dead person to spit out Takeru Yamato's whereabouts."
That got Takeru shocked when he heard of Espada using poison which if Zane refuses, both she and Hoshii will be dead.
'So that's why Kamigari was being careful! No wonder that Otohime didn't want the information being leaked.' Zane mentally thought as he then smirked, showing the vials to the two.
"What is that?" Espada questions.
"These are the vials of antidote." Zane simply answered. "I figured that Kamigari would try making a desperate move. So I made those in case if you try anything. Though, it was clever for using the poison on the neck collar. Old-fashion, but clever."
Espada was then stunned that Zane have taken one step ahead of them.
"And you better not think that I didn't notice you try getting the data from the students in Tenbi." Zane told her, leaving Hoshii shocked as she then quickly shuts her laptop.
"Then I suppose we underestimate you." Espada said. "Well then, I suppose we'll agree to the terms then?"
Zane gave her a nod as she spoke.
"If you can defeat me in a thumb war, I'll tell you where Takeru Yamato is." Espada wagered. "But if I win...That's right. I wouldn't mind...If I gave you a kiss."
Zane then sighed with annoyance, knowing that she was taking a liking to him since he's one of the popular boys in Tenbi. He didn't have a choice but to accept as he then grabbed her hand, raising his thumb. With that, the thumb war begins.
Espada makes her first move when she moved her thumb close to his, but he moved his thumb on his left when hers reached down as he then counterattack. She manage to slip away by raising her thumb.
'Damn, he was so close too! Come on Zane, win this!' Takeru mentally shouts.
Espada then slams her thumb down, but Zane dodged her thumb on the right.
'Hmm...To think that Zane was able to dodge my attack. It seems that he's telegraphing my attacks, well played.' Espada mentally thought with an impressed smirk. "Tell me, have you ever played thumb war before?"
"That's for you to figure it out." Zane declared, not telling her.
That got Espada really interested since she was starting to like him even more.
Meanwhile, Kengo wasn't paying attention to the thumb war at all while Takeru was watching the thumb which he was surprised that Zane was able to telegraph.
'Wow, I have no idea that Zane was able to dodge her attacks. To think that I was worried about him. He might be able to win this.' Takeru mentally thought surprisingly.
'Win it, Zane. I won't forgive you if you lose...Because! If you lose to that pretty, erotic-looking hot chick will give you a kiss...Both you and Takeru were the only ones I can't stand seeing enjoy yourself.' Kengo mentally thought when he look at her butt. "Win even if it means you die, Zane."
Zane then slams her thumb which he was holding her first joint.
"1...2...3...4...5..." Zane said when he counts. "6..."
"I've been entertained and I underestimated you." Espada said.
"7...Maybe, but you should remember the deal." Zane told her. "8...9...10...That's my win."
With that, the two then let go of their hands and Takeru then smiled, knowing that they'll get the information of Yamato's whereabouts.
"A deal's a deal, tell where Takeru Yamato was at?" Zane demands an answer.
Espada then come closer to him, whispering into his ear. When she finished whispering to her ear, Zack then gave her a nod with an understanding since he now got the information he wanted.
"We'll take our leave." Espada said as she and Hoshii leave the café, causing her to give the tip.
"Do you really have to give him information of our location?" Hoshii questions seriously.
"I kept my end of the bargain. It's a knight's honor." Espada told her when she noticed Haruko was coming towards her. "It's been a while, Haruko."
"Espada." Haruko said seriously.
"I can tell you've gotten stronger. I'm looking forward to what's coming." Espada told her as she and Hoshii passed her. "Our reunion will be at Hime-Kagura."
Haruko then look at her senior with her serious look on her face. Zane then approaches her as he then give her the information of where would Takeru Yamato and Kamigari was hiding, finished giving her information as she then gave her nod when she head towards to Furan and Yuuka so they'll know where they're be hiding. Zane remembered what Espada have told him.
'Takeru Yamato and Otohime were hiding in the underground above the mansion. It's where they held the third year students and where they experiment on clones, you can't miss it. I wish you and your Maken-Ki members luck, Zane Shinatsu.'
Those words have echoed on Zane's mind which he now knows where they'll being held and it's where they can find out more about Kamigari. Zane then heads back in the Butler Café to help Inaho and Syria serve the customers while Takeru and Kengo were cleaning the dishes.
"Inaho, you got requested for a thumb war!" Syria shouts.
"Okay." Inaho said as she then head towards the customer.
"Me and Takeru were the only ones who hasn't gotten a single request...How humiliating." Kengo grumbled with jealousy.
"You want to go? Kengo." Amoi offered with a smile, raising his thumb as Kengo's face paled.
"What? Sorry, but I'm not interested in that." Kengo said, waving his hand. "It's not like I have any kind of wish to ask you for."
"If I win, I was thinking of telling you data about the girls you don't know." Amoi offered, earned his attention.
"You're on!" Kengo accepts, grabbing his hand.
"I knew you would say that." Amoi said with a smirk.
"But before we begin, what would you want me if to do if you win?" Kengo inquired.
"It's simple. Just listen to a story I have for you." Amoi told him, leaving him confused. "That is, the story of how you're the same as me...a Takeru Yamato clone, yeah?"
That got Kengo dumbfounded which Kai have won the thumb war as he then began to tell him a story about him and Kengo were Takeru Yamato clone. When he finished his explanation, Kengo was then shocked as he spoke.
"Whaaat!? I'm Takeru Yamato's clone?" Kengo exclaims. "What are you talking about? I don't recall having of memories-"
"So you really forgot everything, huh?" Kai questions with a sigh, leaving Kengo stunned. "When Takeru Yamato performed experiments to inject souls into his clones, it so happened that many of his subjects ended up gaining consciousness. Those subjects, who then carried their own will came together to repel him and plotted an escape. Among them, there was one whose character was that of a leader. It was you."
He then began to tell him about their past. He told him that Kengo and Amoi were escaping from Kamigari agents when they were chasing them at the docks which Amoi's foot was bloodied from all of that running. Apparently, they were surrounded when they told the two that Kamigari have given them permission to dispose them if they resist, told them to surrender and they'll let them off with light punishment. Kengo then had the other idea when he saw the ship when he grab hold him Aomi while taking a few steps back. The Kamigari agents were about to grab them, but Kengo used his element to toss Amoi over towards the ship, leaving them shocked. Koushi then heard a screaming that was coming from Amoi as he then grabbed him. Kengo then told him to take care of him which Koushi accepts whole-heartedly when he told Aomi to enjoy his life. Until, the Kamigari then knocked Kengo out, but he was able to phase himself out to disappear.
When Amoi finished his story, Kengo was stunned of the story as he then spoke.
"After that, I went to look for you, but with no luck." Amoi explains. "However, I'm just glad to see you living your life like this."
"No. No. No. Why did I suddenly become that guy?" Kengo questions with confusion.
"During the Venus war, you managed to nullify the barrier wall and quickly rushed over to where everyone else was. It's a distinctive ability that only the clones, Gouken, and 0-01 are capable of using. The Element Canceller." Aomi explains.
"B-But, I really don't remember anything about-"
"You don't have any memories of your past, right?" Aomi interrupts with a question. "It's quite possible that while you were helping me escape. Something happened to you."
"Are you serious..." Kengo said.
"It's a shock...isn't it?" Aomi asks with a smile, approaching him. "You were made to carry the same blood as your companion's enemy. You were cheated of your past, you don't even have a proper family. Takeru Yamato, who made you have to withstand these circumstances...Don't you detest him to the point you could kill him? Together, we can-"
"Um...Not really to that extend, I think." Kengo interrupts with shock look on his face, leaving Aomi stunned as he then walked away. "I can't forgive him for what he did to Himegami, but I've never even considered killing him. I'm gonna find and catch him with everyone."
With that, Kengo have left the Butler Café to clear his mind.
Meanwhile, Zane was taking a break since Takeru and Aomi have began cleaning dishes since Kengo have left. He was outside sitting on the bench while Chacha have given him a beverage.
"Are you tired?" Chacha asks.
"Very." Zane answered. "Being a mercenary is one thing, but being a butler is another."
Chacha then giggled of his comment which she figured that he's exhausted from the requests he got from the female customers. She then come up with an idea as she spoke.
"Are you free today?" Chacha asks.
"Yeah, why do you ask?" Zane questions, raise his eyebrow.
"Well, I was going to ask if you like to take me out on a date." Chacha suggests. "We haven't been dating in a while and we mostly been working."
Chacha was right about that since they've been fighting against Kamigari before the 2nd semester and they've done some paperwork yesterday before the culture festival.
"I think that's a good idea." Syria said with a smile, earned their attention. "Don't worry about Kai and Takeru, I'll keep an eye on them."
"You sure about that?" Zane questions.
"Why would I lie?" Syria counters with a question.
"You would try to flirt with Takeru which you know that he's taken and he already knew that you're a dude." Zane told her with a dull expression.
"Okay, point taken." Syria said with sigh. "But, I'll keep an eye on them."
Zane knew fully well that Syria would try to flirt with Takeru and try to win his heart like she did with her fellow mercenary which it didn't end well. He then sighed with reluctance as he spoke.
"Alright, but no funny business." Zane told her, earned a nod from her which he really meant that.
With that, Syria then head towards the Butler Café while both Zane and Chacha were heading towards the culture festival which they were most likely dating.
Few minutes later, both Zane and Chacha were having a good time at the culture festival since they got to see the music concert, buying the food from the food stands, they got to see Azuki looking at the stuffed animals which they knew that she had a thing for stuffed animals, but they also saw Kengo with Himegami, leaving Zane confused as the two then have a private conversation.
"Kengo, what's going on? I thought you're dating with Minerva." Zane said with confusion.
"I still am. Look, I'm just trying to clear my mind." Kengo told him.
"Why? Did something happen?" Zane questions.
"You can say that, but you won't believe me if I tell you." Kengo stated.
"Oh, do tell." Zane said.
Kengo then began explaining about Amoi and him being a clone of Takeru Yamato and escaped from Kamigari. When he finished his explanation, Zane then sighed as he spoke.
"I see, so you and Amoi were the clones of Takeru Yamato." Zane said.
"Yeah, I really didn't know." Kengo said with depression. "For someone like me would approach Himegami and you, I'm sorry."
Zane then raise his eyebrow, knowing that he's being sincere which it was new to him. For the most part, Kengo have been a pervert ever since his first day in Tenbi and always get himself into trouble along with Takeru. And now of all times, he was apologizing to him for not telling him about his hidden truth.
"Kengo, I don't what to tell you this, but you're being stupid right now." Zane said, earned his attention. "Look, I've been a mercenary since I was 5 and you guys accepted me of who I am. You're you Kengo, nothing is going to change."
Kengo then began to shed a tear since Zane have accepted him as a comrade and not a clone.
"Thanks man." Kengo thanked him.
"Right now, you've got to tell Himegami about it." Zane told him seriously. "That and you have to tell the others, including Minerva. Not right now, you can tell them whenever you're ready."
Kengo then gave him a nod which he knew that Zane was right about that. The two then began to approach the two girls as they continued to look at the culture festival.
Later that night, the students in Tenbi have welcome the end of the festival. They were dancing around the bonfire since everyone were having a great time, including the members of Maken-Ki. Kengo have told them that he's a clone of Takeru Yamato which it got them, except Zane and Himegami shocked, but they accept him as the way he is, a comrade and a pervert.
Zane, Furan, and Yuuka were watching the students dancing around the bonfire as she then turned her head to him as she spoke.
"Zane." Furan called him, earned his attention. "I wanted to thank you for given us the information of Kamigari's hideout."
"No need to make a deal about it." Zane told her. "But, what bothers me was the third years."
"Yes, it really does bother me. Why would they want to cooperate with us?" Furan questions, adjusting her glasses.
"There's no telling what were they up to, but as far as I know, Kamigari haven't completely brainwashed them." Zane stated.
"You might be right, but as you said, there's no telling." Furan agrees.
"If what you told us is true, then it be risky to go and strike them." Yuuka told them. "I'd say we best do this by tomorrow."
Zane gave her a nod with an agreement since they now know where Kamigari was hiding.
Kamigari HQ
Meanwhile, Tesshin was being held captive at the lab, handcuffed as Otohime spoke.
"Dammit! I forgot about Zane since he's been a mercenary for only 11 years ago, no surprising. Oh well, doesn't matter anyway." Otohime said with a huff. "Now, if we look at the situation with Minori Rokujou from that time, it's very clear that you'd lent your powers to Takeru Ooyama. Do you have anything to say? Giving us the silent treatment, after having betrayed your benefactor? You're professed to have a sense of morality before. Don't make a fool of yourself now."
"The ambition of righteousness." Tesshin said. "I have not forgotten my debt."
"That's your last moment, huh?" Otohime said, scoffed. "Whatever, execute him Espada."
Espada gave her nod as she then heads down towards the lab. When she made her way towards the lab, she then readied her rapier sword. Otohime then un-handcuffed him as he then spoke when he looked at her.
"You're a student from Tenbi?" Tesshin asks with confusion.
"She said she's currently enrolled as Haruko Amaya's upperclassman? Even when you're handcuffed, going against a bodyguard like you is intimidating." Otohime said with an arrogant smirk. "We've prepared an opponent whose element crosses ten thousand and surpasses even yours."
Espada then makes her first move as she then stab Tesshin to the center of his chest, causing his blood spilled down to the floor.
"Mercy is-"
"That's right, it's uncalled for." Espada said with her dark tone. "Negligence...as well."
Tesshin then throw his right hook, but Espada swiftly dodged his attack when she take a few steps back.
'Before she went on the offense and before she dodged, there wasn't a moment for me to prepare...What is the meaning of this?' Tesshin mentally questions.
"Now, shall we focus?" Espada questions, readied her rapier. "Don't change my respect for you to disappointment, Lord Tesshin."
With that, both Espada and Tesshin then began to fight.
That's it for the 40th chapter. Sorry about the delay.