I don't know if it's because of the adrenaline rush from falling from hell knows what height, but I actually managed to return to Isshin's house in about half the time I normally do…
Now, as for what happened afterward. Nothing really…
I sort of expected Isshin to grab a scissor blade and come after me while shouting something along the lines. 'I need to test my theory! For ScIEnCE!'
But instead, he just wrote down notes and took the gauntlet to do some edits to make life fibers harder to detect. And then, he let me go. Hell, I even skipped training today. Ok well, that, might not be entirely true. I 'did' spend like five hours separating damn reports about friggin ninja cats.
But other than that, the rest of the day passed uneventfully…
And so, the next day…
"One and a half hours…" I whisper as I look at my watch while standing out of the school's entrance...
(I figured it was the adrenaline rush. But nope, I actually did about half the time to get here today as well…)
I chuckle as I put my hands in my pockets.
(All the training in the world would not give me such a power creep. These life fibers are for all intents and purposes, broken as fuck. If you don't count the fact that they're an alien parasite that aims to turn the earth into a giant yarn ball before exploding into seedling space dust …)
"Hmm, You're here early." And just then a voice spoke up. Turning to look to my side, I found Aikuro walking up to me from the path that led to the one-start district.
"Same can be said for you." I responded after I turned to him.
"Please, I'm a teacher. The only times I was barely on time were the ones that I had to babysit you." Aikuro responds, and then turns to move away.
"I'll see you in class." He adds.
"Ah, one more thing!" I raise my hand, causing Aikuro to stop and turn to glance at me.
"As a member of the Detective club, I need to inform you. They spotted some, blue-haired weirdo in the drainage tunnels. Some say he's a spy. There will be a search there soon. If you wanna join." I add as I put my hands to my pockets.
"I, see. I'll pass the information on." Aikuro nods before turning around.
"Good work." He adds he starts walking, making thumbs up without turning around.
(Yer welcome mister pink nipples.)
So now, I was by myself in front of the gates of the giant ass school…
"What do I do now…" I put my hands in my pocket and head next to the entrance of the school, then lean my back to it…
"Guess I'll stroll around inside the school." I sigh as I head inside…
You know, in retrospect. I should have known it was a bad idea to enter the school this early...
Wanna know why? It's because the only people here were probably the teachers. Angry eyebrows Satsuki. And the student council…
So imagine my surprise when a certain pink-haired shorty with an attitude larger than herself spawned in my field of vision…
She was mumbling, as if in deep thought. Until she raised her head. And ended up seeing me before I could make myself scarce…
(...I'm getting some really bad vibes right now.)
"Hmm? A no star? Perfect~." She whispers.
"You there. Come with me." She commands as she turns around to start walking towards the main building.
(...Please kill me...)
I let out a silent sigh as I turn to follow the casualty witty Nonon…
"Why are you here this early, no star?" She asks as I walk up behind the short girl.
"I could not sleep." I respond flatly.
"Can't even do that right no star?" She answers with a snarky remark…
(...Oh go fuck your self you damn midget...)
"Well, time to make yourself useful~" She chimes as we enter the main building,
Then, we head straight towards the clubrooms.
After that, we enter a room with various instruments, all haphazardly tossed around the room.
"I need these set on sets, violins with violins, guitars with guitars." She casually points inside the room.
"Be done before school starts, this won't be an excuse for you being late to class. And don't even think about leaving the task I so graciously placed upon you half-finished either." Nonon turns to me with a smirk, before starting to walk out of the room.
(Why don't you graciously jump off a cliff instead of dumping work on me you damn pink goblin…)
"There are pianos here…" I wisper as I keep staring at the chaos in the room…
"Oh and if you break anything…" She turns to glance at me with a serious look.
"I'm going to break you in half." She adds, before turning to leave for good.
(...Oh I so look forward for the moment Ryuko wipes the floor with you, you pink damn troll…)
I take a deep breath and head to close the door. Then turn to look at the class again.
(Ok, let's set things in line. We have.
Pianos, guitars, basses, violins, chelos, acordeons, fluetes, drums, tubas, and, trombones….)
I shiver slightly as I remember my yesterday's encounter with the trombone 'scarejump'.
(Pianos and drums take the most space, so we'll put them on the left side, and move the tables on the left side to the right. Guitars and basses will go on the tables. Cellos are big, so against the wall. Flutes on tables next with the violins, trombones can go fuck them selfs, and tubas will go next to the cellos…)
I start placing the tables in straight rows of twos, then start setting each instrument in sets. And yea, I placed the trombones next to the violins and flutes. I might have nearly died from one. But the last this I need is Nonon chewing my ass…
-10 minutes later…-
(There, everything other than the pianos and drums is set.)
I nod as I take a step back.
(Funny how I didn't even break a sweat so far…)
Then turn to look at the pianos…
(So far..)
I let out a deep sigh, and walk up to the nearest piano.
(Well, Here goes…)
I crouch slightly and grab under the piano with both hands.
"Guess I'm pulling now." I nod, and slam my foot down to drag the piano along with me as I tried to walk backward…
Tried, being the word…
As I ended up lifting the piano in the air, vertically, with me bending like I was trying to go under a limbo pole.
"Oh what the fuck!?" I quickly slide one foot back to balance myself, then slowly lower the piano, until it was safely on the ground again...
(This, just happened...)
I let out a sigh as I start to carefully walk in reverse, until I walked to the end of the room. Where I stopped dragging the piano. I then turn to look at my right hand, the same blue veins visible once again, just much less, glowy…
(It's official, the life fibers activate every time push comes to shove…)
I glance around me to make sure nobody was looking. Its a good thing these classes had no windows towards the hallways.
(Well then. Let's get this done…)
I nod to myself, and head straight to the next piano…
-10 minutes later-
"There we go. Done and done." I dust my hands off as I look at the now must less chaotic room…
"So, now what? I wait for her highness?" I whisper as I tilt my head.
And with a shrug, I walk up to the window, then turn around to face the door.
"Guess I'll wait till the clock hits school time." I add as I let out a long breath…
Without anything to do, I just found myself staring absentmindedly around the room. Letting out the occasional yawn…
(Uhh. Why do I suddenly feel like I didn't sleep for three weeks…)
I groan as I slap my cheeks, then look at my hands. The veins were now nowhere to be seen.
(Huhh, do the fibers tire me out? I mean, they are supposed to drain me so…)
I then turn to look at the pianos…
(But to feel this tired from lifting these. While sure, they 'are' pianos, not something an everyday Jenkins can lift...)
I let out another yawn as I close my eyes and put my armored hand over my mouth.
"Are you slacking off you lazy bum?" A sharp female voice speaks up from the door…
(Of course you'd show your small ass the moment I was doing nothing…)
I open my eyes to find Nonon with her arms folded, tapping her foot.
"Uhh, slacking off?" I ask as I 'show' the class with my hand.
Nonon tilts her head and enters the room.
"Oh?..." She lifts an eyebrow as she looks at the now lined-up organs.
"Well well well, maybe you're not 'totally' useless for a dirty cretin." Nonon nods as she looks around.
"What club do you belong to no star?" She asks as she glances at me.
"Detective club." I respond flatly.
"Huh, so the gorilla is responsible for you." She adds as she starts to casually walk around the room.
(Gorilla? I guess that is Gamagory?)
"Well, I'm rather impressed. How about you leave your stupid club and come to join one under my name? For a lame no star, you might have some potential if you managed to finish this fast without breaking anything. I could probably turn you into something more than just a useless waste of space." Nonon asks as she keeps looking at the instruments, occasionally stopping to lean over a random instrument to take a closer look, her hands on her lower back all the while.
(...Father, I crave violence...)
"Thank you for the offer. But since I'm already in a club, I have to stick with it." I respond.
"Hmm? Loyal ain't you? Maybe I should call you mut instead of no star." Nonon casually remarks as she keeps looking around.
(Oh, I should be so honored to get a nickname from you, toxic pink midget.)
I didn't respond. Since voicing remotely what I thought about her would probably send me six feet under. At best...
After a few minutes of silence, she turns to look at me.
"Are you always this boring?" She asks.
"I found that when I don't have anything good to say, it's better to not speak at all." I respond as I keep my arms folded.
"Hmm, not going to argue with that. Some monkey I know could benefit from that line of thought." Nonon giggles slightly, or more like, snorts slightly.
"You can go no star." She adds as she nonchalantly waves her arm, turning to look towards the instruments again.
(Finally...)
With a small nod, I lean away from the window, and head towards the exit…
(As much as I like your company, I feel my face slowly falling off from all the toxicity…)
Once I was out, I followed the same path I and Nonon used to get back out.
(Huh? There's actually a good amount of people gathered now.)
I tilt my head as I look at several groups of students gathered outside. Then, turn to look at my watch.
(Hmm there's still like one hour till class starts…)
Without anything to do, I head back out of the school. Towards the spot I waited the very first time I got here, next to the main gates.
(Still. If I can get on the good side of the student council. I could climb up the bullshit ladder faster…)
I close my eyes as I groan.
(On the other hand, getting friendly with them, will get an angry Ryuko after me…)
I shake my head as I open my eyes.
(So, let's just be as inconspicuous as possible for now. I should be fine in a club, as long as they don't go after Ryuko themselves. And I didn't see any detective club in the anime. So either it got spared the stripping. Or it was among the many that got ripped apart during the episode where Ryuko makes a club. But honestly, that's still many months away. No point worrying about it…)
I nod slightly as I keep looking at the students that slowly start to gather…
(Actually, speaking of the anime. There's one important thing I do not remember. No late day. How often does it happen? Granted with the blue fibers I stand a good chance to pass the gauntlet. But I do 'not' want to wake up unprepared to a friggin silent hill siren.)
And like that, the one hour passed without any more 'surprises'. Up until the bell rang and we gathered by the center. And just as we got packed up like sardines...
"Hey. Hey hey hey…" I hear somebody whisper as something nudged my side. Turning to the voice, I find Mako, nudging me.
"Morning~" She whispers as she waves at me.
"Morning" I reply as I raise my hand.
After that, I got to class and took my seat as normal.
(God, I think I'll fall asleep today…)
I let out a small yawn as I lean against the desk.
And as Aikuro entered the class and silence started to take over…
(Oh well, time to copy Ma…)
The door violently swung open...
"Detective club business! Is the new recruit here!?" A loud voice 'asks'…
(Oh for fucks sake!)
I open my eyes to see a 'no face' one star by the door.
"Uhh, that'd be me." I raise my hand with a slight groan.
"Good, you're needed in the club room right now." The one start responds.
"Excuse me, but we're sort of in the middle of class…" Aikuro responds as he turns to the one star.
"Gamagori's orders." The one star flatly answers.
"Oh, Ok…" Aikuro then turns to glance at me, before turning to his chalkboard.
(De-za-vu. This feels like the start of the anime…)
I get up and head towards the exit of the class.
(Hope I don't end up naked and hanged…)
Once I exited the class, the one-star turned to walk away.
"Ira Gamagori is by the club's room. We will head there right now." The one star adds with a serious tone as he starts walking.
"Something happened?" I ask.
"Several new reports were deemed top priority. Your club will immediately dispatch for further investigation." The one start responds.
(So, nothing that hang me for? Good. Also class skip for the win. I just wish I was not this tired...)
We then walked through the silent hallways, with only the occasional voice of a speaking teacher sounding up. And upon reaching the same room mister 'Bob' locked me in yesterday. The one star knocked, and entered.
Inside, several one stars, standing in attention on a line. Among them, Bob, sticking out like a shore thumb with his different attire. On the desk I sat yesterday, Gamagori, looking at a few papers.
"Gamagori sir! I brought the new recruit!." The one star shouts as he salutes.
Gamagori lifts his head to look at me.
"You are the new recruit?" Gamagori asks as he gets up from his chair. I just nod.
"I am Gamagori Ida! The one responsible for this club! And I will warn you once! This club is part of this school's security! This means that failure is NOT an option!" Ira puts his hands behind his back as he speaks, sticking his already wide chest out.
"As a no star, you will be on a need-to-know basis! If you stick your nose where it should not be at! I will rip it off myself!" He adds. I just, nod again.
(God, everybody is so. Not nice here...)
"Now! I want you to check these three reports by the end of the day, and have them solved before the next day school bell! GET TO IT!" He points his finger at the table, where three sheets of paper were laid, then turns to walk away from the table.
"Sir!" Bob answers as he vigorously salutes.
And with that. Gamagory and a couple of the one stars left the room. Leaving me, Bob, and four more one stars…
"Alight team, get in teams of two and take a report to look at. I will team up with the new guy!" Bob turns to look at the rest as he puts his hands on his waist.
With a nod, the other members split into two groups, and then each group took a single report. Leaving me, Bob, and a single piece of paper on the table.
"So, Bob. What we are going to do?..." I ask.
"It's Masako Kirino." Bob responds as he walks up to the table, taking the paper.
"My name. Since you're officially a member now I'll let you know. But remember! Outside this room! I am Bob!" He adds as makes a thumbs up at me.
"Here, tell me what you think." He then gives me the paper.
On it…
'-Subject.
Missing student council food shipment.
-Info
Nonon reported missing food ingredients used to make the student council's food.
Reported missing items are strawberries, berries, cherries and whipped cream.
Nonon is giving a personal reward if the shipment is returned edible.
-Verdict
Thievery or misplacement is possible.
Haikuro.'
(...Hmm? I'm pretty sure this was not here yesterday. Or I'd remember that Nonon is looking for a shipment of strawberries and whipped cream…)
"So, what do think?" Bob asks.
"First is that we don't have a lot of time. All missing items are among the fastest perishables." I say as I fold my arms.
"While the items can be on the expensive side, if it's a thief that is. They'll need to have a seller on the ready. And the seller will need to move fast. Our location is too remote for that. And using fast transport, like air or a fast boat, would be too risky since it would be easily spottable…" I add, Kirino just stayed quiet.
"So, I'm thinking that it was stolen to be consumed. So slums. As one start have too much to lose if they get busted for strawberries. And two stars, judging from their houses, can have that stuff for free. That, or they misplaced them." As I finish speaking Kirino nods.
"It was not a misplacement. We already checked. So to the slums then?" He asks.
"It could be a suspect from anywhere, hell a two-star with kleptomaniac tendencies could have done it. But we need to focus on the bigger suspects and then move up from there. Nobody is innocent unless proven, but since we are sort of time, we don't have the leisure to check each pebble." I answer, and Kirino nods again.
"My thoughts exactly! I knew I had a good feeling for you! To the slums then!" Kirino explains as he raises his hand.
So, we left the school. And headed, to the exit the two stars used…
And…
(...Well, holy, fuck…)
Other than the fact that the place had several small gardens, each with a different set of colored flowers, several gondolas in a line, and a water fountain every so often...
"Who's the one coming to school with a helicopter?..." I ask as I point at a nearby landing pad.
"Hmm, I know for sure the aviator club used to use it. Got disbanded two years ago though. No idea who uses it now." Kirino shrugs.
"This is ours." He then points at a lifting gondola ahead of us.
"You mean the others are not?" I ask.
"Of course not. Each gondola is personal for two stars." Kirino chuckles as he enters his gondola.
(...This is just overkill…)
"So we'll go to your house and then go to the slums from there?" I ask as the gondola starts to move.
"Ha! Look and be amazed!" Kirino responds as he taps on a small screen next to his seat, and the gondola starts to shake, before detaching from the cables.
(What's with me and falling?...)
The gondola, while falling through the air, opens at the bottom, revealing a smooth, circular silver metallic surface.
And the moment the gondola hit the ground, it started to skid down the dowhill grassy field, before launching off a naturally made dirt ramp, going over the living quarters of the one stars, and straight towards the slums. All the while, Kirino was laughing uncontrollably like a lunatic…
(Didn't I sort of, die like this?)
"Ahahahah! Watch out below!" He shouts as the gondola crashes into a small backyard…
"Alright~ We need a codename for you!" Kirino chimes as he looks at me from top to bottom, completely unshaken from the fact that we literally just had a high-speed crash. He then loudly claps and points at my gauntlet.
"Glove!" He exclaims.
"From now on your codename is glove!" He shouts once again…
"Alright glove! Let's go find the missing strawberries!" He adds with a laugh as he exits the now smoking gondola, totally ignoring the onlookers as he walked with a skip on his step.
(...This guy, is way to fucking hyper…)
Yo, the author here. Chapter 10 is actually still in script form, soooooo. That's all I essentially got pre-written in google drive for kill-la-kill.
This is now on indefinite Hiatus until I can either finish my hotd fic. Or until I can waste fewer hours a day working so I don't starve ...
