So, I'm sure you've all been dying to get on with this arc but I regret to tell you I'm here with...ANOTHER PROLOGUE~!
Okay fine I'll be honest I wanted to make it the first chapter, but it (as usual) turned out longer than I expected so the first chapter is and will finally be the first one. But of COURSE these two prologues are connected to it. If anything, I'd say this second prologue is way more important than the first one which was basically introduction and comedy filler XD
All in all, I'm glad most of you LOL'd in the last chapter XDD (Heck I lol'd when I thought of ketchup and mustard while eating salad XD; everyone looked at me like I was just looking at the undead dance in front of me when there was nothing I was staring at but a TV that isn't even on XD)
Okay so since I wanna finish up the first chapter (yes I am already working on it) tonight, I'll make this a very brief post and answer those reviews I VERY MUCH LOVE ALL OF YOU FOR.
Oh and by the way, I know I keep saying this in almost every chapter but this time for real I got hit with a real writer's block in the beginning. I don't know, somehow there's a lacking to my motivation now and no it's not your fault. I just need more inspiration to ship is all XDD I need MOAR SHIP TO GET ME SHIPPING TTWTT
Alright let's get down with it:
animeandmangafangirl: LUCKY! 8(( MINE IS ENDING AND I DONT KNOW WHAT TO DO. And lol ketchup and mustard XD The two tricksters of the group with the weirdest hair. Thanks for reviewing!
Title Unwanted: LOL XD I guess I could be proud of myself? Or nah? Thank YOU for the review and I hope you read more to find out!
Akabane-san: Hello! And thank you again for reviewing! LOL sure I have more of it here I guess XD
I12Bfree: LOL! Thanks XDD
FeatherStar18208: Glad I made your day somehow! XD Ketchup and Mustard - even in Ansatsu Kyoushitsu we have them XD
bluemoon butterfly: Lol gomen about Okuda XD And you'll see when it gets there ;D Thank you for the review and congrats for calling the Korosensei poster X'3
TheRoseShadow21: XDD I'm happy to know that I made you laugh. Thank you once more~! And it's fine! I hope this second prologue doesn't disappoint! And I hope the next chapters dont too!
Left-to-die: OH WOW LONG REVIEW FOR A SHORT CHAPTER OwO You sir indeed make effort and I appreciate you for that uwu)b And yes this group of former E is enough to create havoc in an entire school. I mean, they came from a classroom trying to kill their extra-weird teacher after all. What part of them is dull? XD ESPECIALLY those girls and I have to agree that they may hold the fate of the entire school one day XD Well I wouldn't really consider them jerks - I just thought they were used to her being so accident prone XD All in all I hope you enjoy the rest of this long arc and I hope I find enough time to do so when school starts. ANd yes summer just ended here in the philippines where I live since our hottest months are from March to May. So yeah there X'3
kawaiichoconeko: CHOCONEKO-CHAN~! I'm glad to hear you find it funny XD Ketchup and Mustard now a new trope? Owo AND I TRIED TO PUT AS MUCH AS I CAN FOR THIS CHAP!
CrissNyan: Haha happy you think it's funny X'3 And lol you found it that funny? XD thanks! And hopefully she will...hopefully...HERE IT IS~(even if it's another prologue)
Akikarui: *shrugs* guess that's just how the mysterious Mai-senpai is XD Thanks for pointing out those funny points in the chapter! I'm happy to know you liked them!
Sweetmoegirl: HEY THERE AGAIN~ And Yay I'm glad you really liked it! Pft. Poor Manami. No chest for Karma to fon-*murdered by everyone* HE'S NOT PERVERTED OKAY XD I hope this next prologue doesn't disappoint! Hooray for Ketchup and mustard!
hasuki3010: AWWW I'm sure it's not as great as many others out there but Thank you very much for your kind words! To know that you've come to like this fanfic a lot warms my heart and WOW YOU READ ALL THOSE JUNK OF WORDS IN 5 HOURS? WHOA! I APPLAUD! I'm sorry for making you cry 8"3 And I'm glad I made you squeal, laugh and everything XDD I hope to see more of you in the succeeding chapters! And it makes me so happy to hear which arcs you really liked! Hahhh...brings back memories just looking back at them ;w; And LOL! I hope I get to make more comedic scenes like that to make viewers happy! XD Lastly, thank you very much and I hope I do not fall short of expectations~
KisaragiMaru: GOMEN X'3
Akatsuki-Metal: Yep that group is doomed in its own way XDD ANd I hope so too~ But we'll only find out as I write and as you read ;D And of course, Thanks!
NOW THEN~! LET'S GET PROLOGUE NUMBER 2 GOING!
Disclaimer: NO I DONT OWN IT LEAVE ME ALONE STUPID LAWS
Chapter 16: What You Are to Me (PROLOGUE II)
A cozy, wooden clubroom had been well lit by the after-school sunshine of a Monday in autumn.
The table that was usually stationed in the center of this rather aged room had been put aside along with all the other appliances for a big space to be present in the very center of the room where a petite girl positioned herself for all those around her to see. Within this bright room, three students and a teacher had found their individual spaces and watched the girl in front of them go with stoic expressions and eyes that were sharp with criticism and judgment.
The one standing closest to their performer had her arms crossed above her chest and mouth formed into a simple line on her face as she kept a business-like aura – Nakamura Rio had herself to the left of the raven-haired girl but not too near that she would end up in the center with her; just a fair distance as another student had herself occupied with sets of art materials and other props needed for their Cultural Fest Attraction – but nevertheless, Fuwa Yuzuki kept an eye on the bespectacled girl and remained attentive for the most part as she sustained her work pace. Hands were dirtied with paint, glue and other crafty materials. To the far corner by the room's door, an orange-haired teacher with extravagantly well-fitting curly locks styled by a little 'X' shaped clip over at the left side of her crown poised herself onto her observer's desk with crossed legs and arms. Behind rectangular framed spectacles, Mikagura Midori's perceptive green eyes were on alert just like they always were when she'd attend these practices seriously; it's been nearly a month since they'd started after all.
Lastly, laid back in his seat right in front of her, just by the window where red hair got whiffed by small winds from time to time and shined against the golden-like light, Akabane Karma had on an aloof expression like usual – however, like everyone else, his eyes were narrowed a tad as he studied the girl quite inscrutably; but you couldn't deny he was in the midst of judging.
Okuda Manami was tasked to recite her lines that afternoon – her tone of voice had become accustomed to the creepy-like tone she had been taught how to do from being given Horror Drama CD's and other movies so she may also mimic the expression (courtesy of 3-E's biggest manga-lover). Every day since then, she'd practiced her hardest so as to not disappoint; everyone in the room knew that much and she had done a fairly well job at doing so – much, much better compared to how it all started out compared to today. However…
The short girl's spectacles glinted maliciously against the afternoon light – her voice was deeper than its usual, shy tone and had a creepy and threatening ring to it that only added up to the ghastly grin that stretched her face underneath the dark and ominous shadow of her hair.
"I ask of you, child of man – whom was brought about in this world by your tainted ascendants. Do you know what your si—"
"Hep. Stop." Manami's shoulders jolted up from the sound of the familiar, yet sterner, voice from her left side. Once she had turned to the source, she was first met with Yuzuki who seemed to had stopped in her work just to intervene – her face was serious as eyes were shut gently as if a superior being about to pass judgment. Albeit her sudden interjection to the practice, the only ones who appeared to be caught by surprise was the one who had been performing in the first place; no one else had lost their composure nor moved an inch after that – but their analytical expressions had been replaced by ones of humorlessness.
"What's the matter, Fuwa Yuzuki-san?" the way the blonde-haired girl put it was as if they were in the middle of a board meeting of a big company but did not let herself falter one bit – clearly this was no day for much jokes.
"Oh, not much." The short-haired girl's tone had become somewhat sarcastic but all in all it had respectable intentions to it as she gave her honest opinion "I just don't like it."
"Eh—I-Is that so?" the shy girl had reverted back to her usual self after this; it was surprising for them to discover that she could act well if she really put her mind into it, but that appraisal was to be brushed aside as they carried on with their criticism.
"Why is that?" Rio directed the question to Yuzuki; however from the way her voice sounded, it was as if she already knew the answer.
"I'm not impressed. I barely feel any threat and there's a great lack of impact to it. And…" pinkish orbs traveled from the girl standing in front of her to the one stationed in the center with a raised eyebrow – no sense of sugarcoating was present at all on her face and in her words "Have you really been practicing this part?"
"Y-Yes, I have." Manami stammered and faced them with honest eyes and a solid enough tone – they weren't entirely moved by it though for not much of a reaction came from any of them.
"Try showing us again." The brunette leaned back to her arms for support and tilted her head quite nonchalantly – somehow like how a teacher would look at a student without expecting much from them.
"O-Okay." She first took a deep breath and prepared herself to give out that terrifying aura once more – she wouldn't have been able to notice something was off with her until-
"Wait." Before she could do it all again, she had been abrupt by another, but much deeper voice that came from behind her. When she turned around, Mikagura-sensei (who for once decided to seriously help out the club) had gone from observing her from the edge of her seat to leaning back with narrowed eyes as she played with a click-pen in one hand – which she most likely took from her usual white lab coat; she was a chemistry teacher after all.
"Sensei?" lavender eyes blinked for a second after the light orange-haired teacher only rubbed her chin for a few moments until she took her clicking pen and used it to point out to certain parts of her figure with a sense of critique.
"Your stance, posture and facial expression are all out of place."
Just as Manami took consciousness of such, her fellow bespectacled chemist clicked her pen once more before she carried on "One more thing…" green eyes narrowed themselves to the point they were studious enough to make the braided girl tilt her head in a bit of discomfort rather than inquiry.
"Did you eat your breakfast or lunch today?" her tone was laced with concern, but overall it gave the impression of a scolding – and this suspicion had only been confirmed when the younger science geek presented her with a startled step back of her foot followed by the guilty turn away of her head as she began to sweat nervously. Noticing this, the other club members perked up and listened in carefully – it had been all over their heads how her complexion looked pale today, and the answer had just been found.
"A-Ah, well…I tried to practice early in the morning before school started…and I used lunch time too…" she fidgeted about on her position and felt her toes curl as she spoke remorsefully and failed to look them in the eye; knowing that what they all gave her just now were expressions of disapproval.
"S-Sorry…" she couldn't bring herself to look at them in her apology – even with the intense practices, they kept it in mind to remind her of staying healthy which only let the guilt spread more. She was supposed to be used to their bluntness by now since as the deadline reached its end they had become more and more strict with everything she did.
Rio sighed – she knew none of them needed to remind her of that fact again, therefore she proceeded with her opinion next, this time with a slightly chagrined expression "Okay, here are my comments." After a slow blink and the lower of her head, she peered up at her with a sense of intimidation "You've been able to do everything else without much trouble, but when we reach this part you lose it – not to mention it's the last one. Your voice falters a lot."
A frown reached the light-haired girl's features when she took notice of how Manami's gaze had fallen to the floor. "Karma-kun, your thoughts?"
Behind the small-framed girl's spectacles, her eyes had slightly widened before she let her eyeballs travel to the tall boy whom sat laxly upon his chair – arms hooked on both sides as he only stared back at her a little lazily for a few moments, but his sharp, mercury orbs gave her another message she couldn't quite get her finger around, but she was sure she found no satisfaction there "It's in need of a little too much work, don't you think?"
Puzzled by what he meant by this at first, she could only let out a single "Eh?"
"Do it again." He wasted no time in replying with a commanding tone this time – naturally, she immediately obliged to the intimidating voice she rarely got out of him, though still a tad bit disconcerted by it.
"Ah—Er—" she took a moment to clear her throat and prepare herself again – only this time it was more out of panic "I ask of—"
"Nope, won't do." And he dismissed her just like that with a sigh and leaned forward to rest his chin on the knuckles of his right hand after her propped his elbow up. He may had been much too straightforward with her on this, but nevertheless the rest of them remained businesslike and almost aloof even due to how much they knew she needed this.
"Mm…" a crushed hum came from her tightly sealed lips that had formed into a frown on her face; even with the crestfallenness clouding her downcast eyes, Karma didn't cease with his voiced out opinions and had his eyes upturned to her standing form rather unsympathetically.
"We have about one week until the festival. Are you really taking this seriously?"
At this, Manami sharply brought her head up and argued "O-Of course!"
"Explain this then. You've been able to do everything else well until we reach this climax. Why is that?" after he had let that cold inquiry leave his mouth, the only response that met his eyes was how she had just reverted back to her earlier despondent expression – he guessed that it's about something she couldn't just say out loud for reasons he's yet to let himself find out; if she were willing to tell him. But right now, knowing that he wouldn't get an answer sooner or later, Karma heaved a sigh and nodded "Yush, let's stop there."
Right on time, another brunette gently slid their door open with a plastic bag in hand that appeared to have contained snacks just for them – a beam on her face was present as always when she entered in her jolly manner "Alright everyone! Le— Oh?" Mai stopped mid-sentence when she was greeted with a few expressions of surprise which made her think she had abrupt something profound quite rudely.
"Is it a bad time to take a twenty minute break?" she tilted her head curiously but still kept a bright and active smile on her face. For some reason, the earlier businesslike atmosphere had diminished entirely after she entered – now, almost everyone was back to their casual personalities and even had smiles on their face again (bless this person for existing)"Oh! Are those the fruit buns from that bakery near school?" Yuzuki's eyes lit up after they had landed on the French logo of the newly opened patisserie she had always wanted to try – her joy only increased when a thumbs-up came from the older girl.
Rio stretched her arms up to relax her earlier stiff body and let her hands land on her waist with that carefree smile back on "Alright, let's take a break!" with that, she went over to the table that was put to the side where they were to have their brief snack-time; Yuzuki followed suit after she clapped her hands clean and washed them by their convenient sink
Relieved by their positive reactions, the worry of being a nuisance to serious practice had dissipated as the council member placed the food she brought for them atop the table "Okay then, just pick whatever you want here and I'll call the others!" another enthusiastic salute came from her like always before she skipped out the door and onward to the school garden where the rest of them worked.
Mikagura-sensei stretched up from her position on her desk and let a yawn out as she headed to the other two girls – seemed even she had gone from serious instructor to twisted teacher all over again in just a snap like everyone else.
All the while, Manami had not torn her gaze away from the floor and was the only one in the room that failed to revert to a casual behavior – in fact, she hadn't moved from her spot even after the vice president entered all jovially. It was clear that she was still down from that last bit of practice today; all she had received were comments on how she wasn't good enough after all – but that wasn't the main case at the moment for her.
Knowing this type of reaction would come to be, Karma approached her with his hands to his pockets and a refreshing smile as he leaned forward to be in level with her face and chimed "Oi~ Don't make that face."
What he got from her after that was another distressed frown as her head lowered even more "But…" in contrast with how crushed she'd sounded, the mischievous boy only kept a warm smile on his face as he let her continue – he knew all too well how often she'd overthink things, seeing this didn't make an exception; it just reminded him of one of the many reasons he came to adore this girl.
"I…disappointed you guys today…" Manami let her fingers curl around the edge of her skirt and refused to meet his eyes out of guilt – especially at her next words "…especially you." – she still couldn't take her mind off how he had brought about his reviews on her performance.
Despite her troubled tone, he kept his smile on – only it was more genuine now as he let his mercury eyes lay on her distraught face with care. His hand came up to pet her head gently before he turned her around with the same hand for her to face the table of merry exchanges that went on between the three women that happily snacked. After he was sure she was getting a good look at it by the confusion that was evident in her eyes because of his actions, he spoke with a reassuring voice "What part of those faces looks disappointed to you?"
With that being said, Manami took the effort to perform a more profound inspection of their expressions – and he had a point; they were back to their usual selves as if nothing happened (which she still doesn't know how they all did); as if she hadn't just washed them over with a lot of disapproval.
"Don't think they'd given up on you. Everyone in here just wants to make sure we make the most out of this plan. I'm sure you want to have fun with this too, right?" he still kept his hand to the back of her head as he turned to the side to stare down at her with an encouraging grin.
Purple eyes blinked as she watched the three go about with their usual selves and even making funny remarks again – much unlike what she had been caught in earlier. Understanding what her dear friend wanted to relay to her, she nodded and let an affectionate smile grace her features "Mhm." Her eyes did not leave the group as she said her next words with sincerity
"I…want to have fun with everyone."
Pleased with this, Karma's expression softened "Good."
And before he knew it, his gaze lingered upon the white elastic hair ties that rested on her shoulders – it was the same pair. Without much thought, he leaned forward again just to take the tip of one of her braids to put his nose and mouth close to it as if it were something he treasured; which he, apparently, did.
'Don't cry. You look ugly.'
"Hm?" Manami could only stare at him inquisitively at his unexpected action – and just as she did, his mercury orbs were upturned to meet up with her confused lavender ones; the ones that always saw him as something more than what he was at first glance. Once more, he took a whiff of her hair with a contented smile and blinked slowly before he slowly let go of it and straightened his stance.
"Karma-kun?" she tilted her head again and stared up at him quizzically; obviously having quite a hard time comprehending what all that was for. Another smile came to him for this face of hers until he at last chuckled and ruffled her hair (which she let out a muffled squeak to) "Now then, why don't we join them?" Karma suggested though he was already making his way over there – all just so he could hear her frantically come to her senses and follow after him in that manner she always did. Yes, she was oblivious to his feelings but that doesn't mean he doesn't take joy in messing with her from time to time just to get those cute reactions from her – those were scores for him.
And he's yet to tell her anyway.
By the time they had come close enough for earshot, they overheard the few word exchanges between the two girls and single woman (in more ways than one) as they filled their mouths with sweet bread they'll have to thank their senior for later.
"Yuzuki-chan, how are the costumes on your end?" Rio managed to say between chews while she reached for her water tumbler.
"Going well. Isura-senpai's been a real big help with it too! Especially all that help she gave me when making the posters for advertisements. But I'll still have to pay that loan to the tailor." the pink-orbed girl deadpanned at the last statement before she took another piece of bread wrapped in a plastic containment.
"Pay your loans the soonest you can. It complicates things less." Mikagura-sensei tried giving them a few tips for she was the 'adult member' of this club (only whenever Inari wasn't around) and snickered cunningly as she sipped on a juice box that came with her student's snack treats. Albeit this probably useful piece of advice, both girls just peered at her with narrowed eyes and hid the lower half of their faces using the bread in their hands as if they were suspicious of her.
"I don't want to hear that from you, Mikagura-sensei." Yuzuki had to honestly state; which got her a "Hah?" from the older woman.
"Forgive us, Mikagura-sensei, but you're not one to talk about complicating things less." Rio presented her with a sly look before she took a bite out of her bread. It didn't take too long for the teacher to realize what they were pertaining to – her dating history.
Right before she could give an outburst to this, the clubroom's door slid open and revealed the rest of the woman's students – three of which had a few dirt-marks and paint stains upon their uniform from working with the different crafts they prepared.
"Ossu! How'd you guys go?" Sugino greeted first before he settled himself on one side of the table and watched the other two stoic characters with him find their spaces within their everyday room.
"Well, but still needs improvement." Yuzuki answered cheerfully and prepared to throw away the bag of trash conveniently prepared at her corner of the table by none other than her shy, chemistry-loving friend. Only, just as she was to stand up and throw it, her fist clenched around the plastic material with an menacing crunch against her tight grip when the snickers of the girl next to her reached her ears – though she was being provoked on how she was the one that answered him without hesitation, she held back her urge to smack the light-haired girl by keeping an irked smile on and enduring the irritation by the twitch of her eye.
"Oh, that's good to hear." The baseball-loving boy complimented them as he leaned back on his relaxed position with an exhausted huff.
From his usual position rested on the sink area (he just likes it there), Karma had a juice bottle in his hand as he asked his friend about their side "In any case, how's the set-up going?"
"It's already dry. Just needs some assembling and a little more tweaks to it and it should be smooth." Sugino reported with ease and a lively grin while he took his share of the bread inside the second plastic bag Mai had just placed as they all conversed.
"Hoh? Nice one. When do you think it'll be ready?" His voice was lazy as usual, but the compliment that came with it was honest – again, it was one of the rare occurrences wherein he would actually act like a leader-like figure.
"Thank you." He waved a hand as if to say 'no sweat' like the nice guy he was – even though it was clear to everyone that it must've been quite the sweat considering they were outside. "And if we're given the week with everyone's help I'm sure we'll get it done in about four to five days."
Hearing this aroused curiosity for the other members on the rest of the things they'd worked on outside for Rio had sprung up another question directed at the two snipers seated in front of her with their snacks in hand "Ah, speaking of tweaks." She pointed a finger to them with blue eyes filled with interest "How'd you do that thing I told you about?"
"We just had to recalibrate the air guns we were going to use and added the touch you guys suggested." Rinka replied almost immediately – living up to her adult-like demeanor with that dull tone of hers
"With a little bit of creativity from our side too." Chiba made it a point to add that last bit before he sipped on his canned coffee.
"Oh? Like what?" and the conversation on each and every one's progress went on. Taking into observation how all members of the room were hyped and full of joy after weeks of practice, Manami, whom rested herself on the side of the table where the other bespectacled chemist was, found herself looking back at how they had been practicing for the past few weeks before they had finally reached this point – how the two teachers, Inari and Mikagura, offered their time to train them how to use their performance skills well for it seemed they both had experience (it reminded her of Karasuma-sensei's teaching), how they had to visit each other's houses during Sundays just to make progress, and how they had to gather enough money to order their props and other costumes with the support of Isura-senpai's negotiation skills and connections to people. They'd worked themselves to the bone for this, and knowing that let a smile creep up to her face as she watched everyone around the table and within the room – it was very clear that because of this, everyone, even the teachers and their senior, had gotten so much closer these past few weeks.
Everyone's serious about proving themselves to this school…but at the same time…
They're having so much fun…
"Oh yeah, senpai, I've been meaning to ask you." Sugino directed his stare to the older girl that now had a pitcher of tea in her hands preparing to serve them.
"Hm?"
"What about the other clubs you give support to? Shouldn't they require attention from you too?" this question had also piqued the interest of the other younger ones present in the room as they locked their gazes to the pale-brown haired girl with a yearning for her response.
"Eh? You don't want me here?" she cocked her head to the side in a bit of confusion, but she didn't' exactly look offended by the idea. Once she had asked that question however, right on cue, the infamous brown furball skipped into the room with several repetitions of the word 'Pwi!' as it ran around the wooden floor in a few circles before it left again – and during that entire time, all the freshmen in the room could only stare at it and its peculiar glory with blank expressions (the thoughts underneath weren't so blank).
Seconds after, Sugino carried on with the conversation after a nervous laughter "No, it's not that. It's just – how do you manage your time?" right after that, Yuzuki let herself into the topic and got the words out of her mouth for everyone.
"Now that he's mentioned it senpai, how do you divide yourself? I mean, it should be tough maintaining your grades as a council member and still doing your other errands. I'm honestly surprised how you aren't stressed out most of the time." Pinkish orbs glinted in admiration as she had an impressed look on her features – everyone else seemed to have mimicked this expression of hers and had not let their engrossed stares leave the older girl's bubbly face.
"Oh, that's simple honestly." She beamed again, but this time in a wisdom-bearing type of way as she entertained her juniors with the advice they all had their minds set upon with a raise of her finger "I take the time to check up on the others while I can and give my help to those who need it the most – but it's very useful to have others assist you when you have a lot of responsibilities burdening you. You can't really lead an entire high school alone, after all. So it's always helpful to have connections with people so they could do you the favor of handling some of the smaller jobs. Although it may be hard to trust others depending on your preferences as the leading model, I think it's good to keep in mind that the difference in people's tastes and opinions combined together can make a surprising result – maybe something amazing, but it all depends on how well you can communicate with each other." Content with the observation that they were taking her words to heart, she concluded her statement "You'll need that a lot more after high school. So I just made it a point to practice it now."
Hums of comprehension came from the intrigued characters of the room as some nodded and started taking this counsel to consideration. It'd be a blatant lie if they said this girl didn't impress them albeit her weirdness as a person – heck this was more influencing compared to when they'd hear about Bitch-sensei's stories with her assassinations since this concerned their now common lifestyles after they'd left that part of their lives behind. Karma took notice of how all of his former classmates were beginning to look up to the brunette after having spent more time with her over the past few weeks – this didn't bother him though, he was truthfully happy for her; he respected her too and that was already a lot out of him. Besides, someone in the room admired her first before everyone else did. Being interested in the topic himself, he listened in – maybe he could get something useful out of it; fortunately, he did. "Senpai, it's kind of startling how you sound so experienced." He praised her first and was replied to with a sheepish grin. In continuation with his participation to the conversation, he taunted someone in his next statement "Much unlike someone so much older in here."
"Oi." Without a moment passing, Mikagura-sensei shot him a glare.
"Oh! That gives me an idea!" thankfully, Yuzuki's exclamation stopped the both of them from having a controversy and let them instead direct their attention to her – her fist had been gently applied to her open palm and her eyes glinted with enlightenment before she let them land on where the younger chemist was "Why don't we hold individual practices for you this week?"
"Individual Practices?" Manami cocked her head to the side.
"Oh, I see where you're going with this." Rio nodded and also shifted her stare to their main role with a grin "Maybe one on one practice can do you some help. It's less nerve-wracking right? And it's just the last bit you're problematic with anyway."
Sugino followed through with a nod of his head out of consideration "Yeah, we still have a few things to work on with the heavy things so it should be easier for all of us – we'll save time and people power too."
"I'm not against it; I have to perform a little more tests with the air guns." Chiba remarked next to further support the idea their otaku clubmate just announced and earned him a nod from the other stoic character of the group sitting next to him.
"I'm sure everyone has a number of things left to do on their lists, so how about it?" Yuzuki carried on with her suggestion with high hopes of her submitting to it.
"Sure but…" her concern was clear to everyone, so Rio had to back their proposal up by giving her a wink and placing her hands on her hips "Isura-senpai said so, right? It'd be nice to have everyone's different methods and opinions come together from time to time to create something that'll surprise everyone."
Everyone had been relieved when she presented them with a smile and a nod of her head that came with a lively "Mm!"
"Alright, starting tomorrow then." Sugino concluded the discussion and before they knew it, the group proceeded with their usual antics again before they were to return to another few hours of preparation.
Curious as to why he had been silent, Manami let her eyes travel to the one side of the room the tall boy she knew quite well rested himself upon – he wasn't doing much of anything, he only kept a smile on and interjected himself to some of the conversations even if only seconds had passed. But to her surprise, just by observing him for a small amount of time had brought up a memory shortly after.
'…Manami.'
She wasn't sure why it he mind had let that resurface all of a sudden, but then again what was even more flabbergasting was why she suddenly felt heat rise to her cheeks and have them go red.
The sun was well on its way to disappearing for the day – although that fact may be so, it didn't let the work two chemists with quite the notable age gap from working in the Kimii High School's chemistry lab.
There was barely any hint of orange left outside, but it did leave a few spots of it and even had some of the sun's rays reflect through the windows of the brightly lit laboratory. Metals and glass equipment clanked together in their small collisions with each other as four hands worked on some formulas with care and knowledgeable experience within this field of science – what's more, both who were in the midst of their experimenting had spectacles though of different shapes. Even after the rest of the participants of their cultural fest project had gone home, Okuda Manami and her chemistry teacher, Mikagura Midori, chose to stay a little longer so they may finish up with their job as the effects makers for the attraction. There were complications with how they were to apply it to the set and how to let it play out in this project; in fact, the formulas they were going to use for this were one of the most important parts of the set-up that will blow nearly everyone's minds – but such complications had been eased after they had put much thought into it and because all members of this organization were brilliant and intelligent too, so it didn't turn out to be that hard.
Steam and bubbles emanated from a single table at the very back of this quite spacious room within a set of flasks, beakers, cylinders and test tubes lined up properly in an organized manner. Mikagura prudently lifted one of them to her eye level and inspected it before she held a hand out to her left side where the much shorter girl was "Manami, can you pass me one of the empty test tubes?"
Seconds passed, and yet she felt no ounce of glass touch her hand neither did she sense any movement coming from the raven-haired girl. Obviously there was something amiss – this only proved it more when she turned her head to find her lavender eyes staring off into space while her hands played with the tongs, letting them create small 'tick' sounds in a monophonic pattern. Without much thought, the older girl set the flask in her hand down and lightly applied a chop to her head and eventually let a panic rise to the shorter one.
"A-Ah! S-Sorry, sensei…" Manami turned her head away guiltily right after she had come back to her senses – however, a strange aura that she sensed behind her had led her to face her teacher whom now had both knuckles supporting her chin as she let her elbows prop themselves on the table; green eyes that held nothing but wicked slyness looked up at her as it went along with a smirk that honestly creeped the braided girl out for a drop of sweat had gone down her head in her discomfort to the trouble-making look she was giving her right now.
"Hnn?" orange eyebrows raised themselves wittingly.
"Uh…sensei?" she had to stop herself from stepping back for she knew all too well that something not so pleasant to her would come out of this (experience from both Karma and Rio).
Mikagura unfolded a finger to point it to her as her smirk only grew wider "Just now, you're thinking of a boy, aren't you?"
Right after the words registered, the shy girl's face had a shade of deep red spread across her cheeks as she felt her entire body tense up and had her eventually drop the tongs in her hand to the floor with an audible clang – she'd been found out "H-Heh?!"
And that reaction from her just confirmed it – and once the green-eyed woman was sure of it, her adult-like atmosphere had immediately changed into the kind of impression a gossip-loving teenager would give out "Hahh! Who is it? Is it someone from your class? What about him? You're interested in something? Tell me." She incessantly leaned forward as she threw each question at a fast pace with demand laced in her tone.
All the while, Manami was much too taken aback by this bombardment of questions that all she could do was stutter a few incomprehensible words and flush even deeper "N-n-n-n-n-not at all! I'm—"
"KYAA!" the orange-haired teacher's hands came up to her now pinkish face while she straightened herself up and hopped up from her sudden hype at the topic "How cute! Oh youth brings such wonders!"
"S-Sensei!" her student whined to her – face still red and all from her embarrassment which had her voice go up at a higher pitch and only make Mikagura even more turned on. But even with this flaw of hers as a human being, she kept in mind that she was supposed to be the more mature character in the room, therefore she ceased her teases and laughed the rest of her hype away for the meantime "So? What about him is bothering you? What's gotten you so worked up?"
"E-Erm…" after recovering from her flustered state, her eyes met with the blank wall to the side again in her uncertainty and evident uneasiness to the subject.
"C'mon, you can tell me anything." She was reassured by a more composed voice now – indicating she was willing to listen to her troubles and counsel her properly if she can.
Manami had always had a liking to this teacher, so she deemed that it would be fine to address her worries to her – she didn't understand them herself and had her head all around it for days now; it was about time she relayed these feelings to someone else other than herself.
"I…don't know. I don't understand really…It's just that…I'm…" it was hard to get the words appropriately arranged in her head – and it especially didn't help when her heart had started to boom with strong beats that made her body tense up and unknowingly let her hand over it in a (failed) attempt to have the beats steady. Moments passed, and she still hadn't been able to get any words to describe her clutter of feelings – but even without much effort, Mikagura-sensei got the message and softened her expression, a tender smile curling her lips as she leaned back on the table and crossed her arms.
"Manami, are you familiar with a few famous quotes from different artists out there?"
"Quotes?" her brows furrowed in confusion for a bit – how did the discussion lead to quotations?
A finger had been raised as the woman in the lab coat began to speak with a wise-like tone "The moment I met him, my life changed. Everything I saw, everything I heard, everything I felt… all the scenery around me started to take color."
And that was when another memory clicked all so suddenly – underneath what she always perceived as a grey sky in the beginning weeks of her first year of high school's spring; in one encounter, cleared up on the day wide, purple eyes met with equally surprised mercury orbs she hadn't seen in quite some time upon an isolated bench found in the school – a place where no one but them could share their lunch together in the delight of each other's company. The flower petals that elegantly flew through the gentle spring breeze had taken on a pinker shade; a livelier one that welcomed the new season and its succeeding days. And the sunset that allured her even more now when it came to view on the day he waited for her by the river and greeted her with a smile. The taste of her first grape juice touched her tongue's remembrances as well – and how she had come to change her regular drink from dull water to a fruity mix that brought wonders to her taste buds.
Blinking herself back to reality, she let her eyes meet with caring, jade orbs that took aid behind the spectacles of their owner.
"Did you ever feel that before? Were you able to meet someone that was able to do that?" she paused just for a moment for her next words to have some kind of impact as she let her smile stretch wider before facing the young scientist's searching expression "Is he the one you're thinking about right now?"
Just then, Manami couldn't find her answer – rather, she had just been hit with some kind of realization she didn't understand wholly; but she knew very well that she wouldn't understand color had he not appeared with the first one out of the rainbow – and with that first color, she had been introduced to many others. The orange sunset, the yellow hair of someone she never thought would become a close friend, the green trees of the Nagoya forest brought out wonderfully by the golden lights of nature, the blue sky of her most cherished days that all led to the change in how purple orbs viewed her surroundings and had a brightness to them that looked forward to her days now that they were out of their grayscale state.
'So stop looking down and look up once in a while, hm?'
Another blink before she let her lavender eyes that now glossed with interest and insight widened a tad as she lifted her head with her mouth slightly agape to be level her gaze with her teacher again. Mikagura stifled a nearly non-existent chuckle "If a man like that comes to your life, then—"
The ringtone of some shoujo anime Manami often heard on TV vibrated against the lab pocket of her chemistry instructor and abrupt their little talk – which sort of ruined the flow of things; that, and she was just reminded that this woman that happened to be close to her guardian was an otaku.
"Oh? Who's this?" with a swift movement, she flipped her phone open and spent a few seconds just staring at it blankly – the braided introvert was about to ask her about it until the older woman had a dark and hostile aura envelope her. And before she knew it a loud 'clack' came from the slam of her phone shut before she smashed it to the table repetitively; inevitably having panic arise to the teenager as she frantically tried stopping the supposedly more mature person in the room from spilling the work they had done "Mi-Mi-Mikagura-sensei?! P-P-Please be carefu—WAH!" the flying insides of an old cellphone (such as batteries and SIM) had caused her to jerk backwards and only watch as the other heaved deep breaths in and out before she sharply turned back to her with wild and hateful eyes.
"FORGET EVERYTHING I SAID!"
"C-COME AGAIN?!" Manami had to respond in an equal volume due to her own agitation unconsciously – and out of some fear.
"Listen up Manami. ALL men are scum and will only ever bring a dark saturation in your life that will nauseate you and your spirit itself! Screw color! MEN DON'T HAVE I—OW!" just as the laboratory had reached a deafening level of noise, Mikagura had been silenced by a newcomer in the room smacking the back of her head with some notable force for the victim had to jolt forward and hold the injured area with both hands.
"What are you trying to get into her head? You lonely creep." Inari stated nonchalantly – but there was an obvious hint of great disapproval (and disappointment) to her way of presenting herself as a 'good role model' to the young ones; that, and there was the fact that she was absolutely fed up with her troubles with the many men she'd let into her life.
Once the orange-headed chemist had regained some of her composure again (if you could call it composure), she grit her teeth and pointed at her best friend with a scowl "Tch! Inari! You're not one to talk! Your personality drives men away so you obviously have zero experience with dating! You don't know the pain of being played with!"
"The only reason you're terrible with men is because you're easy." Inari said bluntly – with a scoff after, even. Her hands were put upon her waist as she only gave the other one of her age an apathetic look with her half-lidded, narrow eyes and the sarcastic raise of her eyebrows.
Mikagura-sensei couldn't even talk properly due to how straightforward and downright cold that was (must've been where Manami got the former trait) for all she had done as a response to that was an exaggerated gasp that only made her step back as if she had just been shot with a cannonball look even more overreactive.
Another scoff came from the short-haired school nurse as she raised an eyebrow "Don't look so surprised." This came through more like a plead rather than a command – as if she should already be aware considering the number of men she had just been cheated on with; saying 'easy' was already sugarcoating it a lot.
After a pout and the flip of her hair, the curly-haired orangehead pointed another exaggerated accusatory finger at the other woman whom only rolled her eyes and cocked her head to the side lazily in response "EH! Your stupid words don't mean a thing since you don't understand how much heartbreak hurts! NOR your smacks!" she held the back of her head at the last three words just to prove her point as she glared at her expression of disinterest.
"You're not used to it?" yet another blunt sentence coming from Inari – only this time she had a small smirk on and crossed her arms slyly at her friend. Seeing these two acting their usual selves brought a smile to the shy girl's face after the slightly nervous laugh "Sensei, are you okay?" – she was courteous enough to ask about her condition for even she knew just how painful those smacks can be since she lived with her and all.
It was like just by hearing her student's gentle and kind voice was enough to bring Mikagura back to a slightly better mood (either that, or she's mostly just mad in general whenever Inari is around and the one she's talking to). Her grin came back with the wave of her hand to support her following set of words
"Oh, don't worry about it!"
"Are you sure?" Manami had to make sure since the sound of her head getting hit earlier hadn't just caused her to flinch a bit, but the smack resonated through the now only white lighted facility for the sky had given them a dark-purplish, bluish color that had twinkling lights attached to it – the crescent moon hid behind the dark clouds of the mysterious night.
She replied to this with a laugh "Of course! I mean, back when we were rivals, this woman was extra violent to the point it left a mark!"
Inari's eyes widened.
"Rivals?" right when that bewildered question escaped the lips of the only fifteen year old in the room, Mikagura immediately felt a dagger of regret pierce through her soul as she too felt her eyeballs shrink and took in a sharp breath upon realization of what she had just disclosed.
"Why were you two rivals?" Manami furrowed her eyebrows in confusion and slightly tilted her head as she stared up at the two adults with perplexity – her grip loosened on the graduated cylinder she had her fingers around as she set it down gently.
And as if it were rehearsed, Inari and Mikagura compressed themselves next to each other with their hands behind their backs as they beamed at her innocently – this did nothing but add up to the confusion the girl already possessed just by their unexpected actions and sudden change in behavior.
"No particular reason~" the bespectacled orangehead reassured her followed by her maroon-crowned guardian who nodded to her once, still keeping a smile that hid away true intentions on "It was just over something silly."
Behind these innocent, smiling faces that continued to throw reassurances to the child, the hands that hid themselves had another thing going on with them for as they talked, Inari's nails were in the middle of digging into Mikagura's right wrist as the latter tried to do tap outs by using her left hand to try and slap her deadly grip away and almost as if in a form of saying a panicked 'Sorry! Sorry! Sorry! Sorry!' – no matter how many times she tried to pry her hands away however, they were still caught under the mercy of Inari's raging strength and extra-long nails today for she was practically crushing her wrist right now.
"Really?" the concern in the braided girl's voice increased especially when her teacher had begun to show signs of getting injured – and added to that, the more they kept reassuring her that way, all the more questioning she got for it was clear they basically refused to tell her.
"Yes, yes. It was just some minor slip u—AHAHAHAA!" Mikagura masked the pain with a forced laughter for Inari had twisted her wrists with audible crack's from behind – speaking of which, the earlier innocent smile now showed indications of irksomeness as her mouth twitched up on one side along with a single brow.
That evening, Manami had only gotten even more flabbergasted.
Another thing about Inari-nee...I didn't know about?
PAPARARA~! YAY! NOW WE CAN GO ON!
Now you all must be thinking: Dafuq was that?
Well I can't tell you. The characters will so HA XD
...I tried. I really did. BUT! I hope it's more worth it in the next chapter!
Like always, PLEASE LEAVE A REVIEW! And though there's not much in this chapter again, I hope you take the time to point out anything notable and tell me how you feel~
Any hunches on Manami's past anyone? Or is it still so vague you can't really get your finger around it? Well don't fret too much cuz I'll be explaining it soon~! ^W^
LOVE YOU GUYS FOR READING!
Til next time!
~TheFlowerWeSawThatDay