"Kurumu!"
Suzume was up on her feet and waving animatedly at Kurumu the moment she entered the dining hall. The girl was wearing that backless, royal blue halter top with a pair of black biker shorts. She gestured at the open spots at the end of the table.
Kiki was seated on Suzume's right, sporting a dark green halter top suitable for flying. And that hot pink tube top Nomura had on suggested that the blond was also up for today's exercise. Seated at the end on that side of the table was Kazehana. The twin tailed tengu was rocking a yellow racerback.
Seated across from Suzume was Hatoko. The girl had left her chestnut tresses down and was peering over her shoulder at Kurumu's approach. She was wearing a dingy white tank top and the baggy jeans which required the belt. The look in her eye was unsurprisingly uninviting.
Michiko was on Hatoko's left. The brunette was wearing denim jeans and that faded black shirt which was torn up in the back. Kagami waved enthusiastically from Michiko's side. The harpy had on a soft yellow tank top and black cargo shorts. Her ample bosom defied the boyish look she was trying for.
Kurumu slowed her approach upon noticing the final girl at their table. Garbed in a pristine white halter dress which was crimped about her waist and hips, Ontoriki looked positively gorgeous. Kurumu mildly regretted her decision to wear her pastel green tank top with the center stripe in the back with these khaki shorts with the black, elastic strings which tightened the hems at her thighs and waist.
"Well this is fortunate. I didn't expect to see Ms. Ontoriki here."
"Good morning, Ms. Kurono."
"We're going flying today."
Kurumu nodded at Kagami's remark, taking the open seat beside Suzume.
"I'm surprised you aren't hanging out with Ms. Nemoto."
"She has other plans today."
"Did Ms. Sendou not feel like coming?"
"Yukari left early enough to attend the church service. Did Moka enjoy her sleepover?"
"I believe so. I considered joining her and Ms. Nazohashi for the service but wasn't sure if I should. I've never been to a Christian church before."
"You're not missing anything, Kiki. I think I've only joined her for one service."
"Has anyone actually gone to that church?"
Nobody answered Kazehana which had a few of them giggling. Kurumu took in a deep breath.
"I trust things are going well between Michiko and Kaede."
Kagami laughed, draping an arm around her sister and leaning her head against Michiko's shoulder.
"I think so."
"Never was an issue between us."
"Are you cooled off, Hatoko?"
The girl glowered at her, poking at her empty tray with her chopsticks while leaning on her palm.
"Fuck you."
It was unusual to hear her articulate it so well. Kurumu smiled softly.
"I'm guessing that means you won't be interested in possibly meeting some boys."
Kiki huffed, shaking her head.
"When has she ever been interested in that?"
"Well I asked Ichida yesterday to bring Noboru to the church at nine today."
Kiki groaned and Nomura grimaced.
"I would rather not engage in another awkward mixer with Mr. Noboru."
"But this would be great."
"And Ms. Nemoto won't be around. It's perfect."
Hatoko snorted.
"You've alerted the whores."
"Not call her that."
"Fuck ya all."
Hatoko stood up suddenly, tossing her chopsticks at Michiko. She stormed off, leaving an uneasy tension over the group. Kurumu sighed, watching Hatoko exit the dining hall.
"It's not even a mixer. Two guys and there's no guarantee that they'll show up."
"Well I'm not dressed for flying in front of tengu boys."
Nomura promptly got up, shaking her blond locks. She had on a pair of gray track shorts with red lines cutting down the sides. Kazehana frowned at her friend.
"What's wrong with what you have on?"
"I think I'll pass, Ms. Kurono. These harpies will be annoying if those boys show up."
While the harpies pouted, Kazehana swatted Nomura's hip before the blond retreated.
"Hey. Get back here. You don't even want a boyfriend. You can still fly with us."
"Don't forget that we have another practice of our routine at one."
"You baby."
Nomura wagged a hand at Kazehana's taunt as she continued walking away.
"I think I shall also pass on this."
Suzume frowned as Kiki got up.
"Why?"
"Because I agree with Ms. Nomura."
"You also have a thing against harpies?"
"It's not that, Ms. Kazehana. I might have gone along with a mixer, but Ms. Nomura is correct. Suzume and Ms. Kazehana have practice after lunch."
"Yea. But I'm still wanting to fly for a bit."
"I don't want boys judging my ability to fly."
"Ya silly worry fer that. These boys mights not know how to."
Kazehana grinned wide, pointing at Michiko and nodding.
"Right. It would be funny if they can't fly."
"I wonder if the guys will show up in clothes suited for flying."
Kurumu smirked at Suzume.
"I doubt they would have a problem with taking their shirts off."
"Oh my. I wonder how Mr. Noboru would look topless."
Kagami promptly swatted Ontoriki's shoulder.
"Hey! He belongs to my sister."
Michiko blushed, wagging a finger at Kagami.
"I made no such claim!"
"Anyways. I shall be going. Please don't hold it against me."
Kurumu smiled softly at Kiki.
"It's fine. I don't want anybody to be uncomfortable."
"Thank you for understanding. I'll see everyone later."
Kurumu sighed as Kiki took off. She had not meant for her plans to scare off half of the group.
"That sucks that you two won't be able to tag along to Mononoke. What about you, Michiko?"
"Depends on if he shows up. We ready to find out?"
"I'll be disappointed if they aren't there."
They all got up, leaving their trays behind for the dining hall staff. They headed for the nearest glass door which happened to be closest to the narrow trail which cut through the woods to the chapel. Kazehana, whom had on a tight pair of white denim shorts, reached the door first, opening it.
"So will there be any other guys?"
Kurumu shrugged as she passed through the open door last.
"I didn't think to ask him to bring anyone else. Were you interested in a guy?"
Kazehana snickered, shaking her head.
"Naw. Though I did get asked out by Murakami on Sports Day."
Ontoriki gasped, glancing over her shoulder as they walked slowly for the start of the trail.
"From our class?"
"Yup."
"You didn't say anything about that."
Kazehana shrugged at Suzume's remark. The twin tailed girl tucked her hands in her back pockets.
"Nothing to say. I turned him down."
"Is it because you'd rather be with Mr. Noboru?"
Kazehana frowned at Ontoriki.
"No way!"
"Somebody else then?"
"I just said that I wasn't interested in a guy."
"Then why did you bring it up?"
"I was thinking about teasing Ms. Kurono about Ms. Amesuki's brother."
"I have plenty of girls willing to tease me about that already."
"I'm sure he must be more compatible than Mr. Burumoto. That guy is huge."
"Maybe so. But Ushio is a nice guy."
Suzume frowned back at her as they started down the uneven path through the woods. The trail was only wide enough for two of them to walk beside each other. Kagami and Michiko were in the front with Ontoriki and Suzume behind them.
"Is Amesuki's brother not?"
Kurumu had no way of describing her feelings towards Amesuki's brother.
"He's nice. But I've known Ushio for longer."
"Are you going to start dating Mr. Burumoto if his mother approves of you?"
Kurumu had to laugh, shaking her head.
"That won't happen."
"But what if it does."
Kurumu sighed heavily, having been forced to think of this unlikely possibility several times.
"Then I guess I'll have to refuse him. Like you said. He's huge."
"That should make Ms. Amesuki feel better. She's been worried in class about that rumor of you and Mr. Burumoto getting together."
"Rights. That girl talks lots bouts it in practice."
"Why is everyone so obsessed with my love life?"
Kazehana snickered at her distress.
"Are you forgetting about being the second most popular girl on campus?"
"She's right, Kurumu. Don't forget about the trouble you had trying to manage your fake relationship with Mr. Aono. You've always been a hot topic for gossip."
Kurumu grimaced at Suzume's remark.
"Well that fake relationship makes me hesitant to want a real one."
"Do you think we can take our wings out?"
"Doubts that a problem. No teachers ever at the church."
Needing no further encouragement, Kazehana let her jet black wings ease out her back. Kurumu took in a deep breath and followed suit. She let Kazehana get a little ahead of her so that they both could flex their wings out before tucking them in against their torsos.
"I'll never envy you girls for your wings. It's so much more convenient to have them as your arms."
Slowing to give Suzume space to flex her obsidian wings, Ontoriki stretched her arms up over her head. Strawberry feathers sprouted from the underside of her arms as her hands turned black. Her fingers turned into ivory talons while her strawberry tresses parted for ears which became more pronounced.
"I totally agree. We only need to wear something sleeveless."
As Michiko flexed her wings, Kagami held her arms out wide. Her feathers began to emerge which were as peppered as her locks. Her ears also enlarged into tall triangles at the side of her head.
"Do harpies have different ears than tengu?"
Ontoriki giggled.
"Silly. These aren't ears. They're tufts."
Kurumu had no idea if this was common knowledge. But she had seen enough tengu in their true forms to know that all of them had beaks.
"You can't let your wings out without your tufts showing?"
Kagami glanced back at them. Half of her face had turned into a golden beak.
"It's hard for us to do without practice."
"Ms. Ontoriki doesn't have a beak."
"My dad is a tengu. It's why I have one and she doesn't."
"There's no proof that beaks mean tengu fathers."
"Seems true to me."
"What plans ya have in Mononoke?"
"Nothing special. I do want to stop by Mikomi's place."
"Ms. Sawayaka?"
"Yea. Her birthday is today."
Ontoriki chirped happily.
"We must go."
"I want to wish Ms. Sawayaka a happy birthday."
"Anything else planned?"
"Not really. I was leaving that up to Ichida."
Kazehana snickered, kicking a rock off the path.
"Watch this. Those boys won't have a thing planned."
"I'll take it as a win if they show up."
"I hope he does too. I'm glad that I dressed up."
They walked for some time in silence before stepping out of the woods onto the smooth, jogging trail which cut all the way up to the school. The narrow trail continued on the other side, cutting a more direct path to the chapel.
"Are any of you having family here for the cultural festival?"
Kazehana grinned, giving her a thumbs up.
"Certainly am. Airi will too."
"Are your parents still coming, Suzume?"
"Mhm. And Kiki's mother will be here."
"Sister says our dad will be here."
"Best not get ya hopes high."
"He won't come?"
"Naw. He will. Just not thinks wise for ya to thinks high of him."
"But he's our dad."
"Not means he bad. Just boring."
Suzume giggled, nodding.
"I'd say the same thing about my dad, Ms. Kagami."
"Will your mother be here?"
"Mine will but not sister's."
"Ma never like leave her chicks lone. Pa had to argue for me coming here."
"So bring your whole family."
"Doubts ma go for that. Pa only be here a day to avoid hotel stay."
"Yea. She'll let him know which day her performance is on so he can see it."
Kurumu smiled, thinking how nice it would be for everyone to have family present.
"What about you, Ontoriki?"
Ontoriki sighed dramatically.
"Mother is bringing the entire crew. I'm a little worried how that will go."
"What's there to worry about?"
"Myoumi got pregnant at the cultural festival three years ago. It's why she's not in high school."
"I thought harpies didn't worry about that."
Ontoriki pouted at Kurumu.
"What if Nozoki gets a baby before I do? I can't have that."
"I'm guessing Nozoki is one of your younger sisters."
"She turns fourteen next month. But she could pass as a first year in high school."
Kurumu smiled softly at Ontoriki's worries.
"Well if you have time, bring your whole family to my café. I'll be working the afternoon shift each day of the festival. I think that will be noon to four."
Little else was said on the remainder of their walk through the woods. The forest started to thin out and Kurumu could see the chapel's tower up ahead. In seconds they were stepping out of the woods onto the level path which cut from the chapel to the main school path.
"Mr. Ichida!"
Ontoriki waved at the four guys lingering by the steps preceding the doors to the chapel. Ichida had brought all four of his junior high friends. Sporting a teal polo and khakis, he returned the wave.
"Aw crap. Bald boy is here."
Kurumu chuckled at Kazehana's complaint. Tatakai had a wide grin as he regarded their approach. The bald tengu was dressed in a white corduroy tank top and baggy denim jeans.
"Good morning, Ms. Ontoriki. I see you have your feathers out."
Ontoriki bounded ahead of the sisters to present herself to the grinning Ichida. Noboru stood beside Ichida with a nervous smile. He had on a yellow polo and black slacks.
"We were going to fly with the other girls. Do I look good?"
"As radiant as always."
Ontoriki blushed, waving for the others to join her. Michiko arrived first but had decided to put her hands in her front pockets. Kagami waved enthusiastically.
"Morning, Mr. Noboru. Mr. Ichida."
"Ms. Kagami. I hardly recognize you."
"It's my tengu heritage."
"It suits you."
Kagami twittered, glancing back at the other girls. It was impossible to say if the girl was blushing as she had no cheeks in her current state.
"Aw. It's just Kazehana. Where's that Nomura chick?"
Kazehana pointed at Tatakai.
"We can fly at night now. Have him stand in the field to be our beacon. Like a lighthouse on the shore."
Uchiyama snickered from where he was seated on the steps. Garbed in olive cargo pants and a navy tee shirt with black sleeves, the guy was holding the camera his parents had bought him over the summer for his birthday.
"Only if the moon is shining bright."
"Whose side are you on?"
Kurumu smirked as settled in beside Suzume.
"I see you brought two extras to this."
"Poor timing on my part when I asked Mr. Noboru to join me."
"If you had said this brat was going to be here, I would have passed."
"I guess bowling is out. Somebody might grab this dork's head by mistake."
"You're the only airhead dumb enough to do that."
Kurumu giggled, jostling Suzume as she eyed the grins Kazehana and Tatakai were favoring each other.
"What's the story behind these two?"
"Your guess is as good as mine."
Kurumu smirked, glancing at Uchiyama.
"Uchiyama. I haven't seen you around in ages. I hope your still not sulking about that choir girl."
Uchiyama chuckled, lowering his camera between his knees.
"I'm still in recovery."
"It'll be fine, Uchiyama. You'll find a new love soon enough."
"You don't truly believe that."
"Cheer up, Makoto. It was just a harpy."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
Tatakai grinned at Kagami.
"Just that he should know better. Harpies chase you. Not the other way around."
"When true love strikes, you don't just hope for them to come to you."
"Don't try selling me that nonsense. You thought she would say yes because she's a harpy."
Uchiyama sighed heavily.
"You just don't understand, Kouzoku. You don't just get over a crush."
"I know. It fades away over time."
Suzume's remark tugged on Kurumu's heart. Forcing a smile, she gestured at him.
"Well since you haven't been helping with any of my articles, what have you been doing?"
"Sulking in his room."
Uchiyama scowled at Tatakai's grin.
"I've been helping with my homeroom cultural festival project."
"What about your club activity?"
"I asked about it but Mr. Tatsumaki doesn't need a whole lot of assistance with the editing."
"Well… if you have some free time, you could help Sangi with the kendo club pictures I have scheduled for Wednesday."
Uchiyama smirked, shaking his head.
"I'm going to hard pass on that. I have zero interest in taking pictures of a bunch of guys playing with their swords."
Kurumu chuckled, deciding not to push harder.
"Okay then. Mr. Noboru. I don't believe I've ever officially met you."
The guy smiled nervously, regarding her with honey eyes just like his sister's. It was a shade darker than the golden eyes many tengu possessed.
"I suppose we have not, though I've heard much about you, Ms. Kurono."
"And I've heard much about you."
"Really? In what sense?"
Kurumu paused to collect her thoughts.
"I guess in a dating sense. I heard that you asked Ms. Shikichi out two years ago."
Ichida busted out in chuckles as Noboru became flush. Tatakai snickered, wagging his finger at Ichida.
"Are you talking trash about Kuroi?"
"I'm innocent here. Which has me wonder where she found that out from."
"From Ms. Shikichi when I was doing her fencing article."
"I'm surprised she mentioned that. Is she having regrets about turning him down?"
"She got in a squabble with his sister shortly after that. I didn't push for details but I got the impression that his sister played a big factor in that."
Ichida laughed heartily, clapping a hand on Noboru.
"Well I won't go into details but I will tell you that his sister made his life difficult for about two months."
"It was downright embarrassing. She was checking in on him between classes and made him eat lunch with her. She was practically hissing at any chick that looked his way."
"Thanks Kouzoku. I did just say I was avoiding the details."
"Take it this sister will get upsets if we starts dating."
Noboru smiled sheepishly, regarding Michiko.
"Well… I'm sure she won't get crazy over a date or two."
"Nots what I wants. Boyfriend girlfriend stuff. Holding hands. Kissing."
"Isn't it too early for that?"
"Nots asking for sex."
"But shouldn't girlfriends have sex with their boyfriends?"
Ichida grinned at Ontoriki's inquiry.
"I certainly won't protest such an arrangement."
"You don't have an overbearing sister. Sorry girls, but there's no way Kuroi would ever date a harpy. If his sister caught wind of that, she'd probably murder someone."
"Would she be fine if he dates my sister?"
Tatakai frowned at Kagami.
"No. A harpy is a harpy."
"Michiko is my sister. She's a tengu."
"Half-sister."
"I don't know if that changes things much. Hazuka is super protective."
"What if we got her a boyfriend?"
Tatakai broke out in laughter and Uchiyama cracked a smile.
"Have you talked with that chick? She's not marriage material."
"Is there some poor soul willing to brave such a relationship?"
Kurumu smirked at Ichida's wry grin.
"I heard from a reliable source that Sir Utsutei has a crush on her."
"No way! Sir Utsutei?!"
Kurumu grinned, nodding at Suzume.
"Yea. We were teasing Noboru's sister over if she would ask the guy out and that's when she deflected onto my interest in her brother."
"You're interested in Mr. Noboru?"
Kurumu rolled her eyes at Ontoriki.
"No. I'm interested in him on Michiko's behalf."
Kagami giggled, jostling her puzzled friend.
"Ritsu and I have known Mikado for a long time. He's never shown interest in girls before."
"Yea. For a long time, everyone joked about him and Tsuya being lovers."
"Tsuya?"
Ontoriki bit her lip, glancing aside.
"Kusutate. He was killed last term by that bad man causing trouble for the school."
Kagami nodded as a heavy atmosphere settled upon them.
"Yea. Many of us wanted to go home that weekend to attend his funeral. I heard that Mikado was one of the few that was allowed to go."
It had never crossed Kurumu's mind that Kusutate was from Miyamoto's community.
"Did Miyamoto go?"
Both harpies shared a contemplative glance.
"I think it was only seniors."
"But Tsuya was a second year. Are you sure about that?"
"It's Tsuya. He only hung out with the older boys because of his brother."
"Brother?"
"Taka. He graduated last year."
"My family visited his grave over the summer."
"That was considerate of you."
Ontoriki grinned at Ichida.
"It was the least we could do. Myoumi had a huge crush on him for years."
Kurumu shared a frown with Suzume.
"Isn't that your sister whom got knocked up at a cultural festival?"
Kagami snickered at Ontoriki's blush.
"And it wasn't by Taka. It was some random guy she met."
"It's not like she planned for that. He started kissing her and got carried away."
"Maybe it's too soon for us to be kissing then."
Kurumu huffed at the blushing Noboru.
"Don't be silly. It's not like having sex would end your relationship."
"Fine. No kissing. Are we goods to go out?"
Noboru regarded Michiko nervously.
"Shouldn't I be the one to ask you out?"
"Ya can if ya wants. My answer is yes."
"Well. Okay then."
"That had to be the least romantic way to start a relationship."
"Bah. Fine if we goes slow."
"You could meet our father at the cultural festival."
Suzume snickered, jostling Kurumu's shoulder.
"So much for taking it slow."
"So do all the girls in your family have a thing for guys named Taka?"
Ontoriki giggled at Ichida, blushing as she glanced away. Kurumu was confused for a moment before remembering that Taka was Ichida's first name. Grinning, she decided a change of subject was required.
"Are any of you boys having family over for the cultural festival?"
The ringing of the church bells answered her question.
"Well I'm not expecting family. And last I checked, Mr. Noboru's parents won't be attending this either."
"My mom and little sister will be coming. She wants to check the school out."
Kurumu matched Tatakai's grin.
"Is she going to be a first year?"
"She's still got one more year of junior high to go."
"Same fer my brother."
"I wonder if he could come with our dad."
"Up to ma. Mights not even attend Yokai."
"Any family coming for you, Uchiyama?"
"Yea. Both of my parents will be here."
"Over here, Ms. Akashiya!"
Moka wandered over with Yukari clinging to her side. The vampire had on her long sleeved jacket with the single button worn over a frilly dress which hung down to her thighs. Both garments were made from lilac fabric and had white lace hem. White hose stretched down her legs, disappearing into glossy black, high heel boots.
Yukari was sporting her peach sundress which she had knotted the straps to fit her tiny bosom. Having bought this with the hopes of growing taller, the bottom hem almost reached her ankles. White sandals graced her small feet.
"Did I miss something?"
Kurumu grinned at Moka's confused look as Tora exited the church. The sphinx was dressed in a golden halter top and khaki shorts with her raven locks tightly braided in its usual style.
"We have a few extra guests whom will be joining us for flying."
Ichida chuckled, shaking his head as Noboru looked away nervously.
"I don't know if all of us are ready for that."
Tatakai grinned wide, holding a thumb up.
"I'm on board with it."
Getting to his feet, Uchiyama smirked at his enthusiastic friend.
"When was the last time you flew?"
"This summer with my sister. What about you?"
"I don't know. Maybe the summer before last."
Ichida nodded thoughtfully.
"That sounds about right. At the festival."
"Yea. Kuroi wasn't with us because of his sister."
"Not entirely true. It was a family trip."
Tatakai snorted at the flush Noboru.
"Which your sister pushed for. And the summer before that you were banned from activities with girls. I bet you haven't flown since the summer festival of our first year of junior high."
Kurumu smirked, nudging Suzume.
"Maybe Michiko can teach him how to fly again."
"It's not hard. Like riding a bicycle."
"I hope you boys don't mind taking your tops off."
Ichida chuckled, clapping Noboru on the back.
"Not a problem, Ms. Kurono. Shall we go?"
They all started walking down the path towards the parking lot with Kazehana and Tatakai in the front.
"Do you boys have something planned for the afternoon?"
Uchiyama huffed, shaking his head.
"I'm only here because Kouzoku dragged me along."
"Don't worry, Ms. Kurono. I have something special in mind."
Kurumu eyed Ichida with interest.
"Like what?"
"You'll see."
"That was such a beautiful movie. The love between Bunshiro and Fuku withstood all of the trials life threw at them."
Kurumu nodded as she followed Kagami out of theater six. They had finished watching Semishigure, The Samurai I loved. There was plenty of sword fighting in it to match the last movie she had watched, but this time she felt good about the ending.
Kurumu gestured across the corridor to theater seven which only had one entrance. The concession area which was on their left spanned the entire width of the hallway between theaters seven and eight.
"It was better than the Shinobi movie that's playing in there."
Tora smirked as she came up beside Kurumu.
"Also better than the Candy Factory movie."
Noting Moka and Yukari entering the hall, Kurumu started walking towards the exit all the way down this corridor to the right. The floor was lined with a thin layer of wine colored felt while the walls were painted black up to about her waist before transitioning to the same wine color. The ceiling tiles had been painted black with round spotlights positioned every few meters for an even, dim atmosphere.
"It's a shame I didn't get to watch that before it was pulled."
"You didn't miss much."
Theater five only had one entrance due to the placement of the women's bathroom. The corridor was halved as they walked by the other door to theater six and the first door to theater four. The corridor widened up again on the other side of the men's bathroom. The doors to theaters three and one were on the other side.
"Do you think the boys are done with their movie?"
"It started after ours."
They continued down the corridor towards the glass doors. The corridor was halved one more time for the ticket office on the left which flanked the entrance. Two men stood at a pair of podiums at the start of the smaller corridor, checking tickets before allowing people further inside.
"Thank you. Please come again."
Kurumu nodded at the men dressed in identical wine colored polos and black slacks. More workers wearing the same attire stood behind glass windows facing the corridor on their left. Posters of the movies currently playing were hung between these windows with a black placard at the top indicating which theater the film was in. Another black placard at the bottom displayed the next show time.
Kagami reached the glass doors first, pushing one out and holding it open for the rest of them to pass. Kurumu smirked upon seeing Tatakai and Uchiyama waiting for them out in the street.
"How was your Fantastic Four movie?"
Tatakai grinned as she wandered over to him.
"Pretty cool. Not the best foreign film but decent enough."
"Yea. The recent Batman movie was so much better."
"What happened to Taka?"
Kurumu grinned at Tatakai, wagging her finger at the door as Michiko and Noboru exited. The couple were holding hands.
"Ontoriki spilled her drink in his lap when she got up."
"Ritsu is helping him clean up."
Tatakai smirked at Uchiyama whom shook his head without comment.
"Sounds like that girl just wanted a reason to take his pants off."
"Ritsu isn't like that!"
Tatakai snickered, nodding at the blushing Noboru.
"Look at these two lovebirds. Holding hands already."
"It's a little embarrassing."
"So? Least do this much."
"How was your girly movie?"
Kurumu wagged her fingers at Tatakai.
"Hey now. There was plenty of action in our movie."
"I'll believe it when I see it."
Kurumu smirked at Uchiyama.
"You probably have a couple of weeks before they pull it."
"Good. The only reason why I watched this one was because it won't be here next week."
"What do you guys have planned next?"
Tatakai shrugged at Kagami.
"Ichida is the one with the plan."
"Well that's subject to change. His plan didn't include paying for us."
"I'm broke so it's up to Moka."
Moka smiled at Kurumu, rubbing her hand against Yukari's side.
"I don't care. An activity for everyone would be nice."
"We could do karaoke."
Kurumu smirked at Kagami's suggestion.
"Those rooms only seat four. Are you planning to sing with your sister or Ontoriki?"
"I'd rather have a sleepover and try out that karaoke machine Moka bought."
Moka brightened up at Tora's proposal.
"That would be fun. Though we might have other things to do tonight if the Headmaster allows it."
"What sort of plans require the Headmaster's approval?"
Kurumu smiled, sharing a glance with Moka and Tora.
"Just preparations for the cultural festival."
"We should have a teddie sleepover."
"I doubt Kokoa would appreciate that."
"Let that brat stay somewhere else if she has a problem with it."
"I think I would prefer a regular sleepover."
Yukari pouted up at Moka.
"Have you even worn yours once?"
"No. And I doubt Kurumu has either."
Kurumu snorted, thinking about that scrap of lace she had left in the top drawer in her suite.
"As if there was anything to wear."
"I'm afraid to ask but have you worn yours, Ms. Sendou?"
Yukari sighed dramatically at Tora's inquiry, shaking her head.
"I haven't had an occasion to wear it."
"Well I don't own a teddie so I think it would be best to make do with a normal sleepover."
"I'm curious but what is a teddie?"
Kurumu smirked at Tatakai.
"It's a one piece lingerie suit. Think of it like a sexy swimsuit."
"Though not in Kurumu's case. Hers is missing all the important places."
Kurumu shivered as both Tatakai and Uchiyama found Tora's explanation enticing.
"We could still do karaoke though. It's not like we have guys at a sleepover."
"I have no desire to sing at the Siren's Lullaby. I'll wait in the lobby."
"I agree, Ms. Sendou. I'll save my singing for the sleepover."
"I'm not singing. That should make it easy for you guys to rent just two rooms."
Kurumu pouted at Uchiyama's remark.
"You have to sing with us."
"I'd rather not sing either, if that's fine with you, Ms. Dangai."
"Ya can call me Michiko."
"Sounds like we need a different activity."
Kurumu sighed, reluctantly agreeing with Tora. She glanced at the buildings across the street from the theater. The two story building on the corner was almost identical to the one across the street from the Gates of Heaven. It had the central porch with the glass double doors but the paneling was black instead of brown. A few of the windows were boarded up but it was not like the other buildings in the direction of the Siren's Lullaby. Almost every single window of those buildings were boarded up.
"I suppose we could swing by the Gates of Heaven. They're probably not as busy now."
After Moka had treated her to lunch at Lucky's diner, that had been her first suggestion with the added bonus of maybe seeing Mikomi so that the harpy girls could pass along their birthday wishes. They had stopped by the café but the line had been out the door. Not wanting to be a bother, they had dropped by the theater for the other main thing on Ichida's list of things to do.
"Sounds good to me."
"In the least we can sit and discuss our plans for the rest of the day."
"And we can pick up some sweets. You have to try the taiyaki, Moka."
Uchiyama let out a heavy sigh, turning his camera upon Kurumu.
"We have some big movies coming up soon. I don't think I'd be exaggerating to say that the trailers were the best part of my movie."
"Hey man. The Fantastic Four was cool."
"You giggled like a little girl over the Harry Potter trailer."
"It's an awesome series. My sister and brothers love it."
"Whatever. I think I'd rather watch that Brothers Grimm movie coming out."
"I know I'm planning on watching the Corpse Bride."
Kurumu grinned, nodding at Tora's remark.
"Seeing that trailer brought back memories of that Nightmare Before Christmas movie you mentioned."
Moka grinned brightly.
"Me too. I think we should all watch it when it comes out."
"I'm sure we can squeeze that in the weekend after cultural festival."
"I haven't seen this Nightmare Before Christmas."
"You haven't, Ms. Sendou? We should check the movie store. They might have it on DVD."
Kurumu nodded enthusiastically.
"That and the Star Wars trilogy."
Uchiyama snickered, clicking a picture of Yukari cuddling against Moka.
"Has Ms. Sendou not seen that?"
"Apparently not."
"I wonder if the latest Star Wars movie will be out on DVD soon."
Tatakai waved his hand dismissively at Uchiyama's musing.
"Probably around Christmas. I can't wait to see King Kong."
Kurumu smirked, recalling that trailer in the half dozen or so that had played before her movie.
"You probably won't get to see any of the December movies here."
"They wouldn't show those trailers if they're not releasing them soon."
"Star Wars was promised for July and they postponed its release for exams. Don't expect them to do things differently in December."
"And here I was looking forward to Memoirs or a Geisha."
Tatakai eyed Uchiyama like he had said something strange.
"You have weird tastes in movies."
"After you."
Ichida held the door open, allowing a flush Ontoriki to wander out to them. He looked slightly flush himself as he walked over.
"What took you two long?"
"The young lady was seducing me."
"I was not."
Ichida chuckled, tentatively touching Ontoriki's far shoulder.
"She stole my first kiss."
Ontoriki pouted, stepping in to lean against his side.
"I asked for it. And it was my first too."
"Your parents are going to kill you."
Ichida smirked at Tatakai.
"Only if they find out."
Kurumu had learned a lot about Ichida on the walk to Mononoke thanks to Ontoriki's questions. He was the youngest son with three older siblings whom had all attended Iretsu Tech. The main reason why he had come to Yokai Academy was to avoid living in the shadow of his brother whom was likely to graduate as the valedictorian this year. It had also helped that several of his friends were coming to Yokai.
Ichida had one younger sister and so did Noboru. Both girls were the same age as Tatakai's only sister. It was uncertain if Ichida's little sister would come to Yokai like the other two would.
Tatakai was the oldest of four. Uchiyama was the youngest of three. Both had brothers unlike Noboru. Being the only son put very high expectations on Noboru.
"I hope you don't plan to keep your new girlfriend secret from your parents forever."
Ichida grinned, letting his hand drift down to Ontoriki's arm to hold her in closer.
"I'll keep her secret for as long as I need their money."
"That doesn't sound right."
"I don't want to get in an argument with my mother that might result in them refusing to finance my education. So I hope all of my friends here don't say anything troublesome."
Tatakai snickered, shaking his head.
"That's your business man. I won't say a word."
"Says the guy most likely to spill the beans."
"I fully understand your position, Mr. Ichida. My parents threatened to do the same when they learned that my relationship with my Moka had become physical."
Moka smiled at the looks she received.
"I drank her blood one time."
"Right. I knew that."
Kurumu chuckled at Tora's remark.
"You had a moment there."
"To be fair, it's Yukari."
"True. We were thinking about heading to the Gates of Heaven for a bit. I hope you had no plans for the Siren's Lullaby as the group shot it down."
Ichida chuckled, grabbing Ontoriki's hand with his free one.
"To be honest, lunch and a movie was all I had hoped for. But I'm open to any ideas."
"Let's go check out those maids!"
Kurumu giggled at Tatakai's enthusiasm as he started off, prompting the rest of the group to follow. The three story white brick building on the right corner looked like it was partially vacant like so many other of these taller buildings. The huge concrete and steel, two story structure on the left which spanned almost the entire length of the theater had a sign at the street corner which identified this place as the community center. Like the rest of the abandoned buildings, the doors and windows were boarded up.
"Do you think they'll ever reopen that community center?"
Tora shrugged as they turned right, walking away from the large structure.
"Ms. Meirowasa told me last week that it has a pool inside it."
"It does?! I'm surprised that Tokori never mentioned that."
"Maybe she never thought it was important? It's been closed for seven years. I don't get the impression that she remembers much about it."
Kurumu nodded thoughtfully as they walked down the street. The first squat building on the left before the alleyway had a sign for Sengoku. The white siding building on the right had an etching on the glass door for Arata Suki. The slogan beneath the large kanji was too small for her to read from the street.
"I guess I haven't asked anyone directly if there was a pool in Mononoke. I've just assumed that I would have been told about it if it did have one."
"Don't fret over it, Ms. Kurono. This is the first I've heard of the city having one."
"Same here. The only pool anybody talks about is the one the mermaids have control over."
For a moment Kurumu wondered why Mrs. Shirayuki had said nothing about the city pool being closed. She then realized that was not a venue a snow girl would frequent. She sighed, regarding the buildings on the other side of the alleyway. The brown concrete and siding building on the left was the Hook and Reel which sold fishing stuff. The white building on the right with the blue window shutters had their glass doors etched with the logo of Motegi Motors.
"I wonder if Mizore stopped by the speakers' offices yesterday to ask her mother for a yukata."
"Who knows what that girl is doing with her weekend?"
"I know that they were going to work on classroom decorations for our goldfish booth."
Kurumu nodded at Moka's remark. The next pair of buildings on the left which preceded the intersection were vacant. The two story office building across the street from the Gates of Heaven was on her right.
"We still need to get started on our decorations."
"I could have been away most of this weekend for a tennis meet. My procrastination is allowed."
Ontoriki sighed heavily, resting her head on his chest.
"I should have been helping with my classroom today."
"Me too. We spent almost all of yesterday helping with our Sadou club café."
"How are you girls going to manage the labor of your café?"
Kagami sighed heavily, wringing her hands as they arrived at the intersection. They drifted right, heading towards the canopy stretched over the entrance to the Gates of Heaven.
"I'm not going to have a lot of free time between the café and the haunted house. But Ritsu promised to cover for me if I need to cut out a shift so I can meet my dad."
"We haven't even decided what timetable we'll be working with for our puppet plays. It makes it hard for me to say what times I can work at the café."
"Well it sounds like I'm going to be worked to death for all three days. I'll only have my mornings free."
"You're the one that volunteered for that."
"True. But it will make it easy for Ms. Ontoriki to find me."
Tatakai bounded up the steps, yanking the door open for them. Kurumu followed Tora inside with Kagami behind her. She smirked at Satsuki whom stood behind the podium. The nekomusume was wearing the same baby blue maid outfit from yesterday.
"Welcome to the, oh. It's you."
"Afternoon, Ms. Unari."
Satsuki sighed, nodding at Tora as the rest of them filtered inside. She groaned once Ichida drifted in with Ontoriki pressed to his side.
"You had to bring another one of our classmates."
"You look charming, Ms. Unari."
Satsuki started gathering up laminated menus in her arms.
"How many are in your party?"
"Eleven."
Kurumu glanced into the dining area, noting it was mostly vacant. There were only two other tables in use, both by lone guys whom were nursing drinks. Neither of them looked familiar.
"Will three tables be fine?"
Kurumu smirked at Ichida.
"Are you willing to share a table with others or do you wish to be alone?"
"I think if Mr. Noboru approves, we could join him and his companion."
"That's fine with me."
"I would like to sit close enough so I can at least see my sister."
Tatakai snickered at Kagami's protest, gesturing at the open dining area as the door closed behind him.
"I think you could sit anywhere in here and see things fine."
"Closest tables to the door?"
Everyone glanced at each other, sharing noncommittal shrugs.
"Okay then. Follow me."
Satsuki strolled off with the stack of menus in hand. She paused at the first table, setting down a menu in front of each chair.
"Sit where you like. Wanibuchi! Arai! Three tables!"
Kurumu frowned as Ichida and Noboru took the two seats with the backs to the entrance. Ontoriki and Michiko sat down on the other side, each favoring the guy they were dating.
"Arai?"
"That's Fuwaki's surname, Kurumu."
"She's here?"
Satsuki nodded, stalking off to the next table which prompted them to follow.
"Is she okay?"
Satsuki stopped by the next table and started setting down menus.
"Next group of four. Who's sitting here?"
Kurumu glanced at the others and shrugged.
"I don't know. I guess Tora, me, Moka and Yukari?"
"No way am I sitting with two guys by myself."
Tatakai snickered, shaking his head.
"Never thought I'd hear a harpy complain about that."
"I'll join you, Ms. Kagami."
Kagami smiled graciously as Uchiyama and Tatakai took their seats.
"Thank you, Ms. Nazohashi."
"No worries. I'm sure that Ms. Unari has things to discuss with the others."
Satsuki nodded, heading off. She deliberately walked by a few tables to put them out of earshot of the other two tables. Kurumu glanced at Moka and shared a nervous smile. Satsuki finally stopped at a table, putting down the remaining menus.
"So… about Fuwaki."
"She spent the night with us. Have a seat."
Kurumu nodded, taking her seat while the others did the same. The door to the back opened as Bunii emerged with another girl at her side. Bunii was in the pink outfit from yesterday. The shorter girl with sickly blondish green hair which spilled down her shoulders to the middle of her back was wearing a soft, canary yellow. Her bangs were pushed out of her face and tucked behind her pointy ears. Like Bunii, her bosom lacked the volume to be noticed behind her frilly outfit.
"Is that Fuwaki?"
Satsuki huffed, pulling an order booklet and pencil out of her apron pocket.
"Nope. That's just some random girl we pulled off the street and stuffed in a maid outfit."
Kurumu smirked, supposing she had said something stupid.
"How was Mikomi's birthday party?"
"It was nice. Do you guys have anything you'd like to order?"
"We should get the half dozen taiyaki."
Satsuki nodded, scrawling that down.
"Drinks?"
"Green tea. What would you like, Moka?"
"Green tea sounds fine."
"Yea. Green tea. So nothing was wrong?"
Satsuki snorted, putting her order booklet back in her apron pocket.
"Of course something was wrong. We snatched her because everything the girl said felt off. Some guy ran out when Sabaku went in to investigate."
"Some guy?"
"It was Yoshii Kiria. Arai's and Sabaku's description of this guy fit exactly what Meirowasa knows. We have the whole neighborhood on alert now."
"But we don't know where he is."
Satsuki sighed, shaking her head.
"Not a clue."
"Is Fuwaki's mother okay?"
"Yea. She was unaware of the situation. I guess Yoshii was holed up in her brother's room and had warned Arai that he would kill her and her mother if she told anyone that he was staying there."
Kurumu shivered, wondering if Yoshii was watching them. Toying with them like a cat did to a mouse.
"Are Mikomi and the others safe?"
"Who knows? I'm going to take your order to the back."
As Satsuki walked away, Kurumu forced a smile.
"Well that puts a damper on the mood."
"Do you think we should go home?"
Kurumu shook her head at Moka, looking at the others. Tora managed a smile for her as Tatakai laughed loudly over something that had Kagami blushing. Fuwaki pouted, demonstrating again how she would charm their orders which left Uchiyama with a grin.
At the other table, Ichida was holding Ontoriki's hand as Noboru was discussing menu items with Michiko. Bunii was waiting patiently for their order.
"We can't just end their date yet. We have to think of some activity before we stop by Mikomi's home."
"That's right. Those two want to wish her a happy birthday."
Kurumu nodded as she thought of her last double date.
"How do you two feel about playing a game of miniature golf?"
"So what did you think?"
Yukari shrugged as the end credits rolled on the screen. Wearing her silky cream chemise without the bottoms, the witch snuggled against Moka upon the couch. The vampire had on her own silky white slip which was practically the same as a chemise with length being the only difference. The bottom hem of most chemises was above the knees while the bottom hem of Moka's slip rested halfway down her calves. It was practically a nightgown, though those often reached the ankles.
"It was different."
Moka yawned as she absently caressed Yukari's side. When she recovered, she handed Kurumu the case for the Nightmare Before Christmas DVD.
"I wonder if the dub is better."
Kurumu took the case and scooted across the floor to the entertainment stand. She had changed into her silky black chemise which was pooled about her waist. She pushed the button on the DVD player which kicked the disc out.
"I know that I never saw this version of it. I would have remembered if I had to read subtitles."
Swathed in her cherry red nightgown, Kokoa huffed from her seat on the other end of the couch.
"I told you we should have watched the dub."
"I've seen it both ways and I think the subtitled version is better."
As she put away the DVD, Kurumu frowned at Tora. The sphinx was lounging on the floor in front of the couch, sporting her yellow chemise which contrasted against her tan skin. She had taken her braids out, allowing her wavy tresses to hang to her shoulders.
"It's a musical, Tora. I don't want to read subtitles for a song."
"If you turned on the English subtitles, you could sing along."
Kurumu pouted, setting the DVD case on top of the box which contained the original Star Wars trilogy. Moka had bought these at Digital before they made their stop at Mikomi's place to wish her a happy birthday. Obviously Ontoriki had kept silent about her new romance with Ichida.
"I'd rather sing the songs I remember."
"What did you think, Ms. Toujou?"
Rubi was seated on the couch between Kokoa and the others. Wearing only a long white shirt which she had pulled down to her thighs to avoid sitting bare bottom, the older witch smiled with a shrug.
"I don't watch movies, Ms. Nazohashi."
"But did you enjoy it?"
"I suppose I did. Though I still wish Mr. Aono had taken my blood the same way he did Ms. Shirayuki."
Tora sighed heavily, shaking her head.
"I wasn't asking if this helped you get over your disappointment."
Rubi had gone to the school after lunch to help Tsukune with his classroom decorations and to give him blood. To her dismay, Tsukune had not been able to bare his fangs to take her blood, resulting in her coming back to the suite to fetch a baby bottle to give her blood the original way.
"Are you awake enough to do some karaoke?"
Moka groaned, squeezing Yukari closer.
"What time is it?"
Kurumu shrugged, glancing about for some means of telling the time.
"Too early for me to call it a night."
Tora crawled over to the karaoke tower, settling back on her haunches as she perused the CDs.
"You have a lot more CDs."
"Most of those belong to Hotaru and Nagisa."
"No. Nagisa took hers home this morning."
"Oh! You have the Love Punch album by Otsuka Ai."
"That's one of Hotaru's."
"Have you heard of her?"
Tora nodded as she scooted over to the tower and pushed the button to slide out the tray.
"I've heard a couple of her songs playing on the radio. Sakuranbo and Happy Days. Very upbeat stuff."
Tora frowned upon opening the CD case, glancing inside the tray. She chuckled, closing the tray.
"You already had the CD in here."
"And here I thought you only listened to gospel."
"It's not like I spent my entire junior high limited to my father's music tastes."
"I don't know about Happy Days, but I've heard Sukaranbo too."
Tora nodded at Moka's remark as the first song started to play on the speakers. It was very energetic.
"What's this song?"
Tora glanced at the CD case.
"Pretty voice."
"Bring me the microphone."
Tora traded the CD case for the microphone, crawling around Kurumu.
"Do you know the lyrics?"
Kokoa huffed as Tora handed her the microphone.
"I've listened to this album twice today. I can manage."
"How long were you goofing off in here?"
"It's not hard to listen to music while reading comics."
Kurumu smirked, aware that Kokoa had finished the Hellsing volumes. Yukari had knocked out two more volumes of the alchemist series last night with only three more to go.
"How many volumes of the alchemist series did you read?"
"Like half of one. I did go to school to help Nagisa with classroom decorations. How do you think this idiot ended up in our suite?"
Kurumu had not thought to ask why Rubi had been here, assuming the witch had been drafted into dinner duty by Kokoa after breaking the news about training being canceled. Before heading to dinner, Tsukune had checked with the Headmaster. The Headmaster wanted them to rest for one more day.
"Really? Why isn't Nagisa here?"
"Someone had to go to the dorms to tell the other girls about there being no training tonight."
"Are you going to sing?"
Kokoa glared at Yukari, clutching the microphone closer to her chin.
"Next song."
"Could someone restart this one? I couldn't catch all of the lyrics with these two yapping."
Kurumu snickered as Tora crawled back to the tower.
"Are you planning to sing with Kokoa?"
"I like this song. I would like to know the lyrics."
"Any objections to restarting the song?"
After a round of murmured indifference, Tora pushed a button which sent the song back to the start. Yukari sat up on the couch, bobbing her head as she stared at the tower intently.
Kurumu sighed, thinking about how long of a day it had been. She scooted in closer to Kokoa, touching the girl's knee to catch her attention.
"Hey. Will things be okay with you and Hotaru?"
"Of course. Why wouldn't they be?"
Kurumu was unsure how to phrase it. When Kurumu had returned from laundry last night with Nagisa and Hikari, they had found the other three already asleep in bed. And Kurumu had been in such a rush this morning that she had barely enough time to make breakfast let alone ask for explanations.
"You slept with her naked."
"We're both girls."
Kurumu sighed, doubting she should ask Kokoa directly about what she might have done last night.
"I still owe Umizake a favor."
"Umizake? What for?"
Kurumu sighed again, thinking about how Yukari had crushed them in their miniature golf outing today.
"A gamble I made with the hopes that I didn't suck at golf."
"That's what happens when you make bets without thinking about the consequences."
Kurumu smiled at Tora, having shared the story of her crushing defeat while walking home. Tora was of the opinion that Umizake had probably forgotten all about the wager.
"I'm singing the next two songs whether you like it or not."
Yukari scowled at Kokoa as the song kicked up to a higher pitch.
"Fine. But you better not botch the lyrics."
The music came to a sudden end. In seconds the next song started playing. Kokoa lifted the microphone, pushing the switch on the side to liven it. After an interesting opening, the lyrics started rambling and Kokoa did a good job of following along. After a long verse, Kokoa and the singer started repeating yura over and over before finishing the line.
The following line was similar to the first, rolling off Kokoa's tongue like she had done this many times before. At the start of the next line, she repeated kitto several times in the same manner as the last verse. There was a short line after that which signaled a change in the music.
Kokoa stumbled on a few words as she followed the rising melody. It lasted a few lines before the music fell into a strong chorus. It was an interesting sound with the plucking of an old string instrument catching her attention. Kokoa ended the chorus with whoa repeated a few times before the song fell back into the opening music.
"What's the name of this?"
"Momono hanabiri."
Kurumu nodded, thinking this was a song she would like to learn too. Kokoa started up the second verse with the yura twice before rolling into another long sentence. Upon completion of that, she did another round of yura yura which imitated the first verse. The second part of this verse followed the same pattern but it was zutto instead of kitto this time.
Kurumu grinned at the next set of lyrics which followed the music as it approached another chorus. It sounded like playful banter between two lovers with different heights. Paying more attention, Kurumu realized this upbeat chorus was about someone hoping to meet their crush again in the place where the peach petals fall.
The music continued where the lyrics ended, strumming along for a few measures before Kokoa echoed the name of the song. It was a good beat which continued plucking another round of measures before the song title was said again. The music came to a stop as the vocals took over.
"Ima soba ni iru koto ga ureshii kara. Ima koko ni iru jikan wo taisetsu ni shitai kara."
The song started another rise to the chorus with a melancholy feel. I'm smiling as hard as I can. Kurumu bobbed to the beat of the chorus, sensing it would be the last. It was similar to the others but it came with words resigned to this love being in the past. The words ran out and only music played for a few measures before it returned to the way it had been at the start.
"It jumps right into the next song."
As Kokoa had warned, the music for the next song came on and it sounded like an old record playing.
"Aishiaru. Futari. Shiawase no Sora. Tonari dooshi anata to. Atashi Sakuranbo!"
Tora and Moka joined in on that last part as the music and all three girls familiar with the song began bobbing to the lively music. Yukari remained fixated on the CD tower as Kurumu shared a glance with Rubi. Rubi smiled, likely oblivious to what Kurumu was thinking.
"Sounds like we have a song to learn."