"Are you sure I can't come with you to school?"
Rubi lingered in the open door with a pout. Dressed in her white, long sleeved blouse with the frilly collar and black sailor pants, the witch clearly hoped to accompany them.
"All you could do is hang out in the teachers' lounge."
"But it's boring staying here all day."
Yukari huffed as she started down the stairs flanking the building.
"No. I need you to work on that spell today. And do the dishes."
Kurumu smiled apologetically, offering a wave before following Yukari. Moka bowed slightly.
"I'll be going now."
Kurumu bounded down the stairs as Rubi locked up the suite. Clutching the strap of her schoolbag, Moka quietly followed after them.
"What spell are you having her work on?"
"Teleportation."
Kurumu frowned as she hopped off the last step.
"Why are you having her do that?"
"Two reasons. Apparently she didn't know how and this spell might prove useful to Moka."
"How will she work on a spell she doesn't know how to cast?"
"I gave her an enchanted rock."
"You gave her a rock."
Yukari rolled her eyes with a shake of her head.
"It has the spell on it which I used to move us around during the fight with her master. It's more complex than what she needs, but it is imperative that she learns how to teleport herself and another being. I'm annoyed that after two days she still has yet to master it."
"How long should it take?"
Yukari huffed, fussing with the strap which pinched her red bow to her collar.
"How would I know? It took me less than a day but I have no idea what is average. I worked with her last night while you two were doing laundry. So far, she can make another rock to teleport with, but she still can't teleport without it. She needs to learn how to dissect the spell."
"How is this related to Moka?"
"Teleportation is moving from one location to the other. As you obviously don't lose your identity when you teleport, I think this might be the smartest way to free this Moka from the rosary."
Moka frowned as they came to the spot where all the suite trails joined.
"I don't think that will work. If they could remove my rosary with teleportation, they would have done that years ago."
"I'm not trying to teleport the rosary, Moka. I'm trying to teleport your soul."
Kurumu shared a glance with Moka.
"You can do that?"
"I've spoken about moving spiritual energy several times and I think you both understand that doing that would most likely cause this Moka to disappear. But if we were to teleport her into Moka's body, in theory, she should retain her identity."
"In theory?"
"I have no idea how things would work after casting the spell. They would share her body, but I don't know if one soul would be more dominant than the other."
"How is that any better than the other way?"
"Because the vampire Moka is guaranteed to be dominant the other way. At least with teleportation, there is a chance that they might share her body in some capacity."
There was a long pause as they steadily approached the main path to school.
"How do you teleport a soul?"
"It must be a component within the teleportation spell. The spell usually operates like an instantaneous doorway in which you move yourself and everything in your possession to a new location. That includes your soul. We need to strip down the spell and isolate that parameter so that when we do this, we are only moving Moka's soul."
"How do you plan to do that?"
"I'm thinking of using rocks."
Kurumu frowned as they arrived at the main school path. Turning left, they continued towards school.
"Why would you use rocks?"
"Because that's safe. We teleport rocks, changing the parameters. Once we have a spell that moves only physical things, then we can try using the other parameters on something living."
"Like an animal?"
"I'm not going to kill an animal, Kurumu. I was thinking something like a plant. If we teleport a plant soul and it dies immediately, then it's probably working."
"This sounds dangerous."
"It is, Moka. This isn't something I can test on Rubi or myself on a whim. We have to be very certain that this is working correctly before trying to move you."
"How are you going to be certain if killing a plant is the only proof that it worked?"
"I don't know, Kurumu."
"You have to have other ideas to test this out."
Yukari took in a deep breath.
"I don't know. Maybe I could try swapping souls."
"How is that helpful?"
"If I can take a bird soul and swap it with a cat, then I know the spell is working without killing anything."
"Wouldn't that risk killing animals?"
"What else am I to do? Swapping plant souls would be pointless. At least animals behave differently enough for me to know that the spell worked."
"Isn't there other ways?"
"I'm not going to talk about my progress if you harass me over the morality of it."
"I know you're doing your best, Yukari."
There was a moment of silence.
"We should walk a little faster."
"We're not that late."
"We might miss the first bell."
"It'll be fine, Yukari. There are students behind us."
"She shouldn't have let us sleep in."
"I'm worried about Kokoa."
Kurumu smiled softly at Moka.
"She spent the night with her friends. She'll be fine."
"But this problem with Ms. Taniguchi-"
"Tora said she was in her room. She's boycotting school with her friends."
"That won't make Kokoa feel any better. I hope she can convince Ms. Taniguchi to come to school."
"I don't know why you worry over a sister whose recklessness caused you to get eaten."
Moka pouted at Yukari.
"I don't think any of us expected that to happen."
"That's no excuse."
"She saved me."
"After you saved her."
Kurumu smiled, having heard all the details from Kiki and Michiko. After helping Hiboshi return to the lockers while wearing an illusory set of gym clothes, Kurumu had skipped her last period to visit the infirmary. While Moka had sort of recovered by that point, the tengu girls did most of the talking.
The story was somewhat similar to what had happened to them. A durian appeared, molested Zenpyou and ran off. They chased after the perverted critter, culminating with Kokoa snatching the prize. Sensing danger, Moka had pushed her sister aside, and rather forcefully in both accounts. After recovering from the shock of Moka being eaten, Kokoa had pummeled the durian to death.
"I had to. She's my sister."
"Maybe she would appreciate you more if you had let her get eaten instead."
Kurumu smirked, shaking her head.
"I highly doubt that."
They walked in silence for a long stretch, reaching the point where the trail split off towards Mononoke.
"Do you think Mizore spent the night with him again?"
Mizore had not answered her door when they had stopped by after finishing laundry. She had wanted to remind Mizore to send a letter to Nerume, having handed her own letter over to the guy working the commissary when they had started laundry. It sadly lacked any of those promised photos, but Kurumu had not thought much about printing her pictures since Kana had moved them from her phone to her laptop. She needed a USB drive. At least she had sent Nerume a copy of their newspaper.
"Maybe. We didn't think to check on her."
"There was no time and it hardly matters. Tsukune won't do anything with her, including that durian dinner she thinks she earned."
Mizore had barely participated in their short club meeting, only commenting that Ms. Hitori had agreed to prepare the durian she had frozen. Tsukune had weaseled out of an immediate commitment, stating he was too busy with his articles and schoolwork to be enjoying a durian dinner. After his quick update, he had hurried off to the teachers' lounge with Mizore in his wake.
"I wish Tsukune would go on a date with me."
Kurumu snorted, shaking her head.
"I wish he would go on a date with me. He is my boyfriend."
"Yea. Would you hate me if I asked him out?"
"I thought the other Moka shot him down."
Moka blushed, waving her hand dismissively.
"I don't mean like that. Just out on a date is all."
Kurumu eyed the flustered vampire suspiciously.
"I wouldn't hate you. But it would be hard to explain to our friends."
"Yea. I'm being dumb."
The sound of the distant bell cut through the silence. They were walking by the boards where test results would be posted. Yukari picked up her pace, muttering about their dallying. Kurumu smiled upon noting Tsukune lingering at the front gate.
"Tsukune!"
She shivered at his attention, but it was only a moment before his gaze focused on Moka.
"Good morning, Kurumu. You three are later than usual."
As Kurumu neared him, she noticed a reddish swath down the side of his cheek. Moka perked up.
"You're bleeding!"
Tsukune chuckled sheepishly, touching his cheek.
"Yea. I didn't stop to wash up after checking class for you girls."
Moka hurried around them to grab Tsukune's arm.
"What happened?"
Her tone betrayed concern, but her eyes glazed over and her mouth hung open. Tsukune held his free hand up to ward off any attempts for his blood, though the vampire seemed content to salivate in his presence for the moment.
"Nothing serious. Some wild animal attacked me."
Yukari stopped in front of him. She crossed her arms about her chest, regarding him defiantly.
"Did you wash your hair like I told you?"
Tsukune frowned at the witch.
"When did you-"
"Yesterday. Both you and Kurumu were splattered with durian juice. That scent will attract wild animals."
Kurumu smiled, tousling Yukari's locks. She had bathed with Yukari while Rubi made them dinner.
"I see Mizore isn't with you."
"Why would she be?"
"Did she spend the night with you again?"
"No. She went home after dinner."
"But she wasn't in her suite."
"We don't have time for this banter. I'm going inside."
Tsukune quickly fell in step with Yukari as the witch stalked off in a huff.
"Wait. I was wanting to ask about something."
"Like what?"
"Kokoa saved me from that wild beast this morning."
"Is she okay?"
"Yea, I think so. But it was weird."
Kurumu frowned as he hopped ahead of them to hold open the front door.
"For some reason she licked my wound."
"Did she say anything?"
Moka's eyes burned with a sudden intensity. The aura about Moka caused Kurumu to hesitate.
"Well… she said I was hers."
With her fists tightly clenched, Moka stomped through the open door.
"Sounds like I need a word with my sister."
Kurumu darted after Moka as the vampire made her way to her cubby.
"Hold up. Why does that matter?"
"That's an open challenge, Kurumu."
Kurumu frowned at Yukari when the witch grabbed her by the arm.
"Kokoa could be joking. She's never shown any interest in Tsukune before."
"She took blood from him. I can't let that slide."
"Are you going to fight her over licking him?"
Moka straightened up her shoulders as she snatched her slippers out of her cubby.
"I have to do something. If it comes to a fight, then that's how it must be."
"You are no match for your sister. You know that."
Moka took in a deep breath and stared at Kurumu.
"Would you give him over to her without a fight?"
Yukari tugged on her arm.
"Our slippers are in a different aisle."
Kurumu bent down, removing her loafers with her free hand. Yukari sighed, releasing Kurumu's arm to slip out of her own shoes.
"What if we talk with her?"
"There's nothing to talk about, Tsukune. This is between me and Kokoa."
"But it's over my blood."
Kurumu brought her loafers up to her chest.
"Tsukune is right."
"Tsukune won't fight for your blood. What makes you think he'll fight for his own?"
Tsukune flinched at Moka's quick assessment. Putting away her shoes, Moka stalked off.
"There has to be a different solution here."
Kurumu wanted to agree with him, but she knew how vampire culture was. Many things were decided by fighting. She trotted after Moka, figuring she could get her slippers later.
"Come on, Moka. You know she's been on edge this whole week."
Moka shook her head as she reached the base of the grand staircase. The vampire started up without missing a step.
"I have to do something. What's to stop her from taking blood from him?"
"But you can't win a fight against her."
"She's very annoyed that you doubt her prowess."
Kurumu hesitated, glancing back at the others. Both Yukari and Tsukune had also decided to hold their loafers for now. Shaking her head, she hurried up the stairs.
"I don't know if you should have Tsukune unseal you for something like this."
"I understand that. I would prefer her to respect me as I am. I will try scolding her first."
"That won't work."
"Probably not. But she should at least respect her sister's blood claim on him."
"You don't have any time to negotiate with your sister. Classes will be starting at any moment."
"Yukari's right. Don't try to talk to her between classes. We can confront her at lunch."
Moka sighed as they reached the top of the stairs. She started down the hall to their classrooms at a more casual pace.
"Don't you have a lunch with the band today?"
"Well… it's not like I planned that with anyone."
"You shouldn't change your plans for my sake."
"It's no big deal."
"No, Kurumu. Let me talk with my sister on my own. I'll ask for Tsukune's help if we need it."
"I don't think you should fight with your sister."
Moka forced a smile for Tsukune.
"I know you think that. I hope you won't have to get involved."
"Well… I'll be eating with Mizore and Ms. Uchikawa's group. You know where to find me."
"In case you all forgot, I don't have bentos for everyone. There was no time this morning. I'll be buying my lunch from the school store."
Kurumu laughed, realizing that had slipped her mind.
"I guess I will see you at the end of school then. Stay out of trouble."
Yukari huffed, grabbing her by the hand.
"Of course my Moka will. Whom do you think she is?"
Kurumu grinned as they drifted away from Moka to their side of the hall. Squeezing Yukari's hand, she glanced back at Tsukune.
"I want some answers about what you plan to do with Mizore and that durian dinner."
"I never agreed to that!"
Kurumu stuck her tongue out as Yukari tugged her towards the open front door of their classroom. The witch released her hand, strolling into the classroom as Kurumu paused to regard the gathered students. Most were present as she slowly made her way over to her desk.
"Morning."
Kurumu grinned at Juri, slipping free of her schoolbag to hang it off the side of her desk.
"Hey. I heard something interesting."
"Please, don't."
Kurumu frowned at Hazumi's pout. Juri grinned with mischief in her eyes.
"You know how she 'sort of' had a boyfriend? Turns out the lucky guy is one of the band members."
Kurumu sat down in her desk, twisting slightly to regard Hazumi with interest.
"Is that true?"
Madosuki giggled, nodding vehemently as Hazumi blushed.
"Ogata Hazumu from class ten. She would let him put his tongue in her mouth."
"That was years ago."
"She was completely smitten with him when he moved into town. She only broke up with him because his name was too much like hers."
Kurumu smirked as Hazumi whimpered over Madosuki's teasing. She glanced at Kumiko.
"You're awfully quiet about this."
"There's not much to say. I barely knew Fufi back in grade school."
"It happened that long ago?"
"Almost the whole fifth grade year."
"Not true! It was only one term."
"You were dating him clear into October."
"… it wasn't the whole year."
"Settle down girls. I need to take attendance."
Mrs. Sunao's voice surprised Kurumu. Turning her attention front, Kurumu heard the tardy bell sound as Mrs. Sunao opened up her attendance book. Wielding a pen, the teacher called their names out in the order in which they were seated, taking less than a minute to go through the entire list.
"Good Morning, Yokai Academy. Another beautiful day to enjoy my role as your voice."
Kurumu smirked at Tashikana's greeting coming over the PA.
"I hope you are all enjoying the start of the last day of our first week back together in these hallowed halls. And I must admit, I would be more bummed out about the cautions against traveling to Mononoke this weekend if I had not just enjoyed a most sensational summer. I hope your summers were equally satisfying so that you can endure this weekend inconvenience."
Kurumu mildly wondered how things were looking for Matsudera's birthday. Ginei had blown off their club meeting yesterday.
"Okay, okay. Calm down, little lady. You can have your moment."
There was a scuffle over the PA followed by static. Someone exhaled loudly over the speakers.
"Big Sister. I'm tired of these games."
Kurumu's eyes widened at Kokoa's voice.
"You are a fake. It's obvious that you have feelings for Aono. You gave your blood so he could become your lover. Your equal. Why would you ever stoop to sharing him with my servant?"
Kurumu winced as she felt the eyes of many of her classmates turn upon her.
"Your pride as a vampire demands this. Force Tsukune to break your seal. You have no need of that which keeps you from being the woman I know you can be."
There was a heavy pause as the scrutiny upon her continued. She wondered if Moka felt the same.
"You have until the end of today to cast aside that false exterior. If you refuse… then I shall take matters into my own hands."
Kokoa breathed hard. She probably had meant it to be intimidating, but it was downright sensual.
"He's very tasty, Moka. I'll enjoy sucking him dry."
There was a commotion over the speaker followed by distant chuckling. Tashikana's mirth became clear.
"Yes. Thanks for that, Ms. Shuzen. You'll probably get detention for blatantly talking about your true form, but I'm guessing you don't care. And on to our morning announcements."
"I don't think she could have worded that worse."
Abe snickered at Yukari's blithe remark.
"I don't quite follow what that was all about. Did she just order her sister to have sex with Aono?"
"That is a natural conclusion. Your input, Ms. Kurono?"
Kurumu sighed at Ichida's calm statement. She had to come up with something. It was best to stick close to the truth.
"It's a vampire thing. Kokoa is annoyed with Moka's crush on Tsukune and that she won't fight me for him. She probably thinks this will spur Moka into action."
Senyou chuckled, gesturing at her.
"So… does that mean she is going to try to have sex with him if Moka doesn't?"
"Please. That brat's a virgin. She'll freak out if she sees how big Tsukune is."
"Big? How is Tsukune big?"
"Please don't answer that, Yukari."
When the attention shifted to her, Kurumu realized there was no easy way out of this.
"And that is all I have for you today."
Ms. Nekonome smiled, closing up her notebook. She gestured to the door.
"You are free to go to lunch. Please keep the noise down as other classes are still in session."
Kurumu was already packing away her things. Every teacher that let them out early made the same perfunctory comment. Everybody knew to be quiet in the halls. Reminding the troublemakers would never make a difference.
She would strangle Kokoa if she could. After smoothing things over with her class which sadly involved an admittance that Yukari had seen Tsukune naked, Kurumu had enjoyed a reprisal of explaining things to Tsukune's classroom when she checked in after chemistry lab to confirm that Mizore had come to school. At least Mizore was safe, though she still wanted her durian dinner soon.
It annoyed her that managing the gossip was always left up to her. Tsukune never straightened out things because he claimed it was too embarrassing. Tora refused to get involved and Mizore only made things worse if she bothered to respond. Kurumu knew she would get thrown into the fire once more in home economics when Asuka demanded answers.
"Are you ready to go?"
Kurumu smiled as Juri touched her shoulder. She pulled the notebook for her interviews out from her bag hanging off the side of her desk.
"You don't have to come with us."
"I have to meet your first love."
Kurumu giggled as she got up. Hazumi was pouting with her arms crossed below her bosom.
"You'll be disappointed."
"The only thing special about Mr. Ogata is that his eyes are silver instead of pink."
Kurumu smiled as she followed Hazumi to the back of the classroom with half of the other girls in tow. Satsuki was walking out the front door with Deshi and Yukari had already slipped out, intent on hitting up the school store as she had not managed to between classes. Endo usually favored the front exit as she would meet up with Matsuri before going to lunch.
"Are you two coming along?"
"Why would I? You only need Fufi to point him out to you."
"I'm tempted but he has fourth period gym. I don't want him to wait longer for me."
"I haven't met your boyfriend either."
Madosuki blushed at Juri's remark as they filtered through the back exit.
"He's not my boyfriend!"
Unsurprisingly there was barely any activity in the hall with it being more than ten minutes before the bell. Even those with fourth period gym were unlikely to be lined up for lunch yet. As Hazumi started down the first crossover, Juri pounced over to put her hand on Madosuki's shoulder.
"Hey. Bring him to second year class five."
"No way. You'll just tease me."
Madosuki shrugged off Juri's hand, stalking away in Kumiko's wake. Juri pouted as she wandered back to Kurumu's side. They quickly caught up to Hazumi, whom was waiting on the other side of the hall next to the back door of class ten.
"You seem more outgoing than usual."
"I was only curious since we hear about this Tawamuru guy all the time."
"Not really. She shoots all talk about him down the moment he gets brought up."
"It's still like every other day thanks to Ms. Hazumi."
"Do I talk about Mr. Tawamuru that often?"
Kurumu shrugged, unsure about the frequency. She gestured at the door.
"Do you think the teacher would mind if we asked for Mr. Ogata now?"
"I don't know what the teachers are like on this side of the hall."
Having accompanied Kokoa to her classes a couple of times, Kurumu had some experience with these teachers. Realizing neither of these girls would give her an answer, she sighed.
"I'll say it's for the paper."
"We should ask for Mr. Yamimori while we're at it."
Resting her hand on the door, Kurumu frowned at Juri.
"Does he eat with the others in the band room?"
"He eats with his two older friends. But since we're at class ten, we may as well, right?"
Seeing the logic, Kurumu slid open the door and stepped inside.
Class ten was one of the homerooms which Kurumu often forgot whom was in it. Other than Itazura and the two sylph girls from band, Kurumu honestly had no expectations of recognizing anybody here. So when all attention turned upon her, she had a moment of pause to register Kinusawa's presence at the desk closest to her.
Of course the kappa from Tsukune's floor with the wavy black hair which graced his shoulders was here. When she thought of Kinusawa, she knew he was in class ten. Oddly the reverse was not true.
"What is it, Ms. Kurono?"
Ms. Houkai was the instructor for class ten this hour. Standing taller than Taijin, the English teacher had her burgundy hair cut boyishly short. A braided rat tail stretched down to the small of her back with the end tied in a green bow. The wrestling advisor wore a short sleeved blouse which bared her monstrous biceps. Tucked in black slacks, this white, pullover garment stretched to the contours of Ms. Houkai's muscular bosom. Kurumu smirked at the thought of Kinusawa's jokes about protein shakes.
"Ms. Kurono?"
"Yes. Sorry. I was hoping you could part with Mr. Ogata and Mr. Yamimori a few minutes early."
"If I could part ways with them, I would have released class early."
Kurumu smiled apologetically.
"It's for my next article."
Ms. Houkai sighed heavily, setting her textbook aside on the podium.
"I suppose I could end things here. Ms. Itazura. Could you wake the two young men in question?"
"Yes, Ms. Houkai."
Itazura's response came with a breathy yawn. The band girl with the glossy black ponytail stood up from her desk in the center of the room as the rest of the students started to put away their things. Stepping around the back of her chair, Itazura timidly touched the shoulder of a guy whom lifted his head from his desk at the sound of the commotion.
"Saved from English."
Kurumu smirked at Kinusawa as she moved aside to avoid blocking the exit. One of Wanibuchi's friends with greasy black hair slipped out of the room while Kinusawa stopped on the other side of the door.
"Not intentionally. So how was your summer?"
"Boring. I haven't seen you around all week."
Kurumu smiled as a pair of tall boys with oily black hair slipped between them to exit the classroom. The two had the exact same face which piqued her interest. Both had short hair though one had left his hair shaggy while the other had done his locks up in braids.
"Yea, well… I was secretly there Tuesday night."
"Tuesday night?"
Kinusawa paused with a thoughtful look as more boys passed between them. One burly one whom was about the same height as Kinusawa had his head shaven down to a dark fuzz. The shorter guy with him had his slate black bangs cut straight across his eyebrows while the sides above his ears were feathered.
"Aono was acting odd that night. Thought he had that Shirayuki girl hiding out in his room again."
"I've been meaning to stop by and visit with everyone but the whole week slipped by before I knew it."
"So whom are these two ladies hanging out with you?"
Kurumu laughed, reaching out to snag Juri by the arm and pull her close.
"Classmates. This one is Morisato Juri while the other is Hazumi Furiko. This guy is Kinusawa Ren whom is one of the guys living on Tsukune's floor."
As Juri and Hazumi offered reluctant greetings, some guy with a long, silvery blond ponytail walked out. He was from the soccer team and had an older, shorter brother whom was somewhat of a pessimist. She failed to remember his name, recalling that Nerume had done the interviews for the guys from Watasora in the hopes of finding a boyfriend.
"Well… I shouldn't squander this early release. Good luck with your article."
"Thanks. Perhaps I'll see you this weekend."
Kinusawa nodded at the other girls before ducking out of the classroom.
In the short conversation, Ms. Houkai had vacated the room. Kurumu glimpsed Azayaka with her blond friend exit the room before noting only five students remained. Itazura was walking to the back of the class with two boys while a small girl with shiny black hair which stretched to her ankles timidly prodded the girl snoozing in the far corner desk.
Unaware of whom the small girl was, Kurumu quickly realized the tiny, white haired girl with the princess braid was the reason for the napping. Hitsuji and her older sister were a kind of monster which gave off a lethargic aura which often resulted in sleep. They lived in one of the doubles below Kurumu. Hitsuji had been nominated to represent this class, though she had received the least amount of votes since not that many knew about her outside of her homeroom. Kurumu mildly wondered if the small girl waking Hitsuji was the class rep whom had gotten the second least votes.
"Did you have to introduce me to that guy?"
"What's wrong with that?"
Juri sighed, shaking her head. She gestured at Itazura as the girl arrived with the two guys. The one Itazura had touched on the shoulder had his short, charcoal hair styled with beaded tails behind his large ears. She glimpsed his silver eyes before turning her attention on the other guy with wavy, cerulean hair.
"This guy is Mr. Yamimori. He grew up with my cousin."
Roughly the same height as Tsukune, the wiry boy smirked.
"What are you doing here?"
"I am here to meet Mr. Ogata."
The other boy perked up as Itazura frowned.
"That would be me."
"Are you helping Ms. Kurono with her interviews?"
Juri laughed at Itazura's inquiry, shaking her head as Hazumi frowned from the hallway.
"No way. I'm only here to hang out for a bit in the lunch line. Shall we go?"
"I usually wait in line with Gouhou from class twelve."
Yamimori snorted as Ogata gestured in the direction of class twelve.
"I'm not waiting around for another class to let out."
"But he has chemistry this period. I don't think Mr. Katai planned on having a lecture in place of lab and he said we won't have a lab this week. It should be a study hall today."
Yamimori sighed heavily.
"Fine. Are we doing my interview now? Because I don't eat with Mr. Ogata."
Kurumu forced a smile, clutching her notebook to her chest.
"I could try. You don't have to tag along, Itazura."
"Um… you sure? I could help."
Kurumu glanced at Hazumi whom remained quiet.
"I heard it's only about a dozen so I should be fine to do this in two lunch periods. I had no plans to finish his group in one go."
Yamimori snorted.
"Only about a dozen in his group. There's another dozen in Fuzen's group."
Kurumu paused, turning her attention on Ogata.
"There's another dozen?"
"Yea. We don't actively mix but there is easily over twenty students in there having lunch."
Kurumu nodded dumbly at his sheepish response.
"Thanks for the offer, Itazura, but I'll do what I can on my own today. I'll have to ask a couple friends to help me out with Monday."
"Okay. I'll be… going then."
They all retreated out into the hallway, Itazura bowing nervously before taking off towards the cafeteria. Hazumi led the way as they walked in the other direction towards class twelve.
"Are you helping with the article?"
Hazumi glanced back at Ogata, quickly shaking her head.
"No. I was requested to point you out."
"Which seems horribly redundant since Ms. Itazura could have done that for Ms. Kurono. So why again are you here?"
"I've already stated my intent to meet Mr. Ogata."
"Yet you aren't speaking with him."
"We should start his interview so we can be rid of his unpleasantness."
Kurumu chuckled as they reached the front door to class twelve. She rested her hand on the door, glancing back at Ogata.
"Whom am I asking for?"
"Katosagi Gouhou."
"Another junior high friend of yours?"
A look of disgust crossed Hazumi's face as she shook her head vehemently. Curious what the story was there, Kurumu slid open the door and took two steps inside.
As before, a bunch of students looked up at her intrusion. Kurumu immediately recognized the ashen haired girl in the front row whom had it styled in a manner of a bob on the left side while most of the right was shaven short. That small girl, Iko, whom was no taller than Tora was in the manga club.
Sitting on either side of Iko were girls whom could not be a hair taller than Kurumu. The familiar one in the center desk had her rust tresses done up in a hime cut with pigtails while the other one closest to the door looked like the epitome of a kokeshi doll.
"Yes, Ms. Kurono?"
Mr. Katai was a short, burly man with thick glasses resting on a broad nose. He had short, dark hair which was properly kept. He was sitting at his desk, favoring her a look of annoyance.
"I'm hoping you could excuse Mr. Katosagi early. It's for my article."
Mr. Katai pointed at his students.
"Mr. Katosagi. Go with Ms. Kurono and keep things quiet."
A chubby guy in the second row hopped to his feet. He had mangy, chocolate locks and big ears which barely could be mistaken as human. Katosagi was seated beside an even more portly guy whom had his greenish black hair swept up like a pointed paintbrush. On Katosagi's other side by the window was the quiet Tamura from the film club.
"Should Ms. Onishi come with? She's also in band."
Mr. Katai shrugged at Katosagi's husky inquiry.
"She can if she wishes."
The kokeshi doll regarded Kurumu with wide eyes which gave Kurumu pause. While Kurumu had met several girls with pale irises before, this girl lacked pupils. The doll bowed her head slightly, putting away her things as Katosagi strolled over to the door.
"So what's on the menu?"
"That was not permission to be disruptive, Mr. Katosagi. Save your banter for the hallway."
Katosagi grimaced at the teacher. Shaking his head, he slipped out into the hall. He made a curt laugh, clapping his hand on Ogata's shoulder while Onishi gathered up her things. The doll shouldered her schoolbag before quietly walking out.
"Thank you, Mr. Katai."
Kurumu closed the door behind her which prompted Katosagi to break his silence.
"So what's Fufi doing here?"
"Don't call me that."
Hazumi huffed, stalking off in the direction of the cafeteria. Not wanting to encourage any more noise outside Mr. Katai's classroom, Kurumu followed with a gesture for the others to do the same.
"Is she helping with the article?"
"I already asked that."
"So who's this cutie?"
Juri coughed up a laugh, shaking her head.
"You have some interesting friends, Mr. Yamimori."
"They're not my friends."
Kurumu grinned, pulling her pencil out of her notebook. Flipping it open to the page with the list of names, she jotted down Yamimori's name on the top of the sheet. It was amusing that his name literally was the kanji for gloom and forest.
"Quick question before I start. Does Ms. Onishi eat with your group?"
"She's with Fuzen's group."
"So… you're from Kabashita. And I understand all band club members have band as their free elective."
"As far as I know."
"Birthday?"
"December seventeenth."
Kurumu scrawled down that along with the note that he was from class ten.
"Girlfriend?"
"Yes."
Kurumu regarded him with interest, noting that Juri also had a curious look.
"May I include her name?"
"What for?"
Kurumu smiled softly, not expecting that response.
"Is this someone I know?"
"It's none of your business, Morisato."
"Does she attend Yokai?"
"No. If I'm right, this girl is a year younger than us."
"It's not her."
Juri smirked as they neared the crossover between classes five and eight which had the stairs going down on both sides. Hazumi walked silently a couple steps ahead of Ogata and Katosagi while Onishi trailed behind Kurumu.
"Plans for the future?"
"I don't know. Make my girlfriend happy. Graduate. Nothing special."
"Nothing wrong with simple goals. I don't suppose there is anything else you would like to add?"
Yamimori shrugged as he started down the stairs alongside her.
"It's a band article. You should mention that I play the trumpet. I don't really care what else you write. There's like sixty of us in band so I don't know why you'd bother conducting long interviews unless you want this article to be huge."
Kurumu nodded, scribbling down the note about his instrument which she was thankful that he had reminded her about. That had slipped her mind in her first interview, only realizing her omission when Kana had her look over Kana's first interview to make sure she had all the questions answered.
"So how long have you been playing the trumpet?"
"A couple years."
"Did they have band in your junior high?"
"No. It's more like a club."
Kurumu smiled at Juri's response. The kids from Koutoukumo had said the same thing about their junior high. Most of them owned their instruments.
"So… you eat with a couple older students?"
"Yea. Shaberu and Kitai. Both second years from my home town."
"Do you guys eat in the cafeteria?"
"No. We usually eat in Kitai's homeroom."
"Any favorite music?"
Yamimori chuckled, shaking his head.
"I can't say that I do. I don't know half of the bands playing on the radio."
Kurumu shrugged, aware that she was the same way. There were tons of songs she knew but had no idea whom made them. It had never crossed her mind to buy music when she needed things like clothes.
"Well… I guess we're done. We can always add more if you think of anything else later. I'll probably be doing interviews for this article every day next week."
"Should I start on you next?"
Ogata glanced back at her and Kurumu reflexively averted her eyes.
"It's all the same to me."
Nodding, Kurumu glanced at her list for his name. She noted Hazumu was the kanji for bounce which she promptly jotted down in her notebook. While it sounded similar to Hazumi, it looked nothing like it. Skipping down a few lines, she also wrote Katosagi's name as they reached the bottom of the stairs.
"I know we don't usually bring up true forms, but from our conversations in class, I would guess that you must be the same race as Hazumi."
Ogata frowned, throwing a glance at Hazumi whom was shaking her head.
"Why am I a topic of conversation in your class?"
"Don't ask."
"Ms. Madosuki outed you as a former boyfriend of Ms. Hazumi."
"I see that Ms. Kisurusu is rubbing off on you."
"I'm not even remotely close to being the same level of busybody as she is."
Katosagi chuckled as Yamimori drawled out a tone of disbelief to Juri's declaration. The husky boy clapped his hands on his belly.
"That's ancient history. Poor Hazumu here couldn't satisfy her sexual appetite so she dumped him."
Hazumi whirled about, wagging a finger.
"That is not true!"
"Considering she refused the times I did try."
"We were in fifth grade!"
Katosagi huffed at Hazumi's indignation.
"You were reading and writing smut books during your first year of junior high."
"You were caught in the girls' locker room in eighth grade."
"I was beaten, stripped and stuffed in a locker."
"You could have called for help."
"You think I wanted help?"
Ogata snickered, shaking his head.
"I can understand why he hoped to get through the day without being noticed."
They had arrived at the end of the lunch line which almost stretched to the second door of Ms. Yumeito's lab with Hazumi in front. The girl angrily gestured at Katosagi.
"This freak was panting heavily in a locker. Scared us silly so we fetched a teacher to take care of it. If he was beaten as badly as he claimed, the faculty wouldn't have suspended him for two months."
"If you weren't a bunch of cowards, you would have opened the locker to see how bad it was."
"Nobody wanted to see you naked."
"I assure you that I'm large in all the right places."
Kurumu was hesitant to take sides, aware that faculty often played favorites.
"Maybe race played a factor-"
"He's a gyokuto like us."
Kurumu nodded. It had not crossed her mind that this big boy could be a chubby bunny.
"You and Meisai never mentioned these two when talking about boys to Shinayaka."
"Why would we ever recommend this pervert to anyone?"
"I was a victim."
"Who's Shinayaka?"
"A Tsunan girl on the volleyball team with Nyanya."
Ogata nodded with a thoughtful look.
"So… what guys did you suggest?"
"Older guys."
"I'm an older guy."
Ogata smirked at Katosagi's offhand comment.
"You were held back a year."
"I really enjoyed the sixth grade."
Kurumu laughed, shaking her head. She was still curious why Ogata had been omitted from the boy discussion, wondering if Hazumi harbored feelings for him. She would have to pull Meisai aside later on today to hear her thoughts on this.
"I should start asking something resembling a question. Let's start with birthdays since age came up."
"January twenty sixth."
"That's not that much older."
"I'll turn seventeen before Fufi turns sixteen on March eleventh."
"Don't call me that. And why do you know my birthday?"
"I need to know these things when you finally realize that you want some of this."
"That's beyond creepy."
"So… when is your birthday, Ogata?"
"May ninth."
"And what instrument do you play?"
"We both play drums."
Kurumu perked up, thinking that would be a difficult instrument to own.
"You own a set of drums?"
Katosagi chuckled heartily, shaking his head.
"No. Our junior high had a band room and drums for students to use."
"I've thought about getting a set, but the price is way out of what I could ask my parents for."
"All instruments are expensive. I saw the price tag on a guitar and was glad I picked a trumpet."
"You wanted to play the guitar?"
The smirk in Juri's voice was undeniable.
"Shut up."
"I wouldn't mind playing Kochimaru."
Kurumu coughed up a laugh at Katosagi's random remark. Kochimaru Usagi was a gyokuto from Tsunan in class twelve whom was in the gymnastics club and had been a finalist for the first year girls in the popularity contest. She was a sweet girl but academically challenged.
"How is Kochimaru doing?"
"Oh? No question to clarify what I meant?"
Kurumu smirked at Katosagi.
"I don't need to hear the rest of that joke."
"Pity. My biggest regret was showing up early on the first day of school. If I had known our seats would be assigned right away, I would have waited for the girls to pick their desks first so I could properly make a choice with an excellent view."
"Your heavy breathing would be too distracting for the class if you had."
Ogata laughed as Katosagi frowned at Hazumi's claim.
"You do realize that you are talking around girls, right?"
"I'm aware that I am in the company of two buxom young women and another whom may soon bloom in the coming years."
Juri smirked as Yamimori shook his head.
"Tone down the sexism, you fat fuck."
"I find his antics amusing."
"It's annoying. And he forgot about Ms. Onishi."
Kurumu chuckled, thinking she should rein this conversation back in as they reached the end of the hall and started moving diagonally towards the cafeteria. Before she could formulate a question, she spied Uchikawa's trio lurking in the hallway. Grinning, she lifted a hand and waved animatedly.
"Akari!"
Uchikawa glanced away from her friends, blushing upon meeting Kurumu's gaze. Matsudera offered a small wave as Kiba snickered. Sharing a quick comment, Uchikawa led the trio over to Kurumu.
"You're here earlier than usual."
"Mrs. Sunao let our class out early so I gathered up a few kids from band to do their interviews."
Kiba snorted, looking over the group which was arguing over the proper way to speak around women.
"Have fun with that."
"Any news on that birthday party Ginei was throwing for you?"
Matsudera shrugged as Uchikawa smiled politely.
"We informed Coach Kibashiro about his suggestions after yesterday's practice."
"We haven't seen Mr. Morioka since Monday. I don't think he even has a copy of the guest list."
Kurumu smirked, shaking her head.
"After that whole show of how important it was."
"Boy is all yap. I got Mr. Fujita agreeing to chaperone, though we lack details."
"We will have to sit down after school today and figure out what's going on. It sounded like Coach had also agreed to chaperone, but she didn't know any details herself."
"Who asked her to chaperone."
"My Aunt, whom I haven't had a chance to talk with. Everything might be planned."
Kurumu smiled, realizing she was in danger of losing her place in line.
"Let me know what you find out."
"Good luck, Ms. Kurono."
Kurumu grinned, hurrying back in front of Onishi whom silently moved with the line.
"Sorry about that. I'm sure you both have more to say about yourselves."
"You can skip the girlfriend question as I'm sure Katosagi has never had one."
Katosagi chuckled at Yamimori's gruff declaration.
"The ladies are too scared to agree to this size of commitment."
"I haven't had a girlfriend since my first."
"That isn't my fault."
Ogata smiled as Hazumi glanced away uncomfortably.
"Yea. Small town thing."
"Have you asked her out again?"
"This doesn't need to be in your article, Ms. Kurono."
Kurumu almost apologized, but the awkward atmosphere hindered her impulse. Thinking it best to let the topic drop, she held her notebook to her bosom as they neared the cart with the trays.
"Any plans for the future?"
Ogata chuckled sheepishly.
"Nothing specific. Graduate. Take a crack at the entrance exam. Hopefully go to college."
"What kind of career are you hoping for?"
"Something which won't involve me working a farm with my father."
"Your family owns a farm?"
"No. The kitsune clan owns all of the farms which supply Aranoiji. My dad got fired from his office job back when I was in the third grade. After struggling to make ends meet for over a year, we moved to Aranoiji under my uncle's suggestion. It's work, but nothing I'd want to do for the rest of my life."
Kurumu was hesitant to write that down. She usually avoided family facts, preferring the focus to be on the individual.
"Favorite type of music?"
"I'm in the same situation as Mr. Yamimori. I know music, but haven't thought about it much."
"How do you guys end up in band without any musical interest?"
"Nothing better to do."
Juri smirked, thumbing at Yamimori.
"His reason was for a girl."
"Shut up."
Kurumu chuckled, noting she would have to pick up a tray soon.
"How about you, Mr. Katosagi. What are your plans for the future?"
"Getting off that bottom thirty list is top priority."
"You must have been too much of a nuisance to your parents for them to send you here."
Katosagi frowned at Hazumi.
"Not at all. They were considering not sending me back with how dangerous the school has become."
"Yea… my parents asked if I would be interested in transferring to Hisoshi."
The first bell sounded the official start of lunch as Hazumi grabbed a tray.
"That's assuming Hisoshi would accept a bunch of transfers. I know that girl from our homeroom was able to, but I'm sure Hisoshi would close their doors if they got dozens of transfer requests."
Yamimori snorted as Katosagi handed a tray over to Ogata before keeping one for himself.
"You're community must be on edge. Nobody said a thing about Yokai being unsafe in my town."
Juri shrugged, taking a tray from the pile.
"My parents only asked how things were at school. I assumed that was normal banter."
Kurumu smiled, accepting a tray from Yamimori. She slipped her notebook beneath it as she wandered over to the serving line to peruse her options.
"I try to mention stuff like favorite things in my articles if you two are interested in sharing that."
"I like your tits."
Ogata promptly swatted Katosagi with his tray, holding a cup of noodles or soup in his other hand.
"What? She has the best breasts on campus."
"I thought you were crushing on Ms. Kochimaru."
"There's enough of me to satisfy them both."
Kurumu shook her head, surmising this guy liked any attention he could get. She grabbed a cup of udon noodles, debating if she was hungry enough to justify getting a bowl of chicken teriyaki with rice. She should skip the bread roll since she had noodles already. Decisively she snagged the teriyaki bowl before heading over to the juice cart.
"Will Fufi be eating lunch with us?"
"Stop calling me that. And no. I'm going to eat with Nyanya."
"You should introduce us to that Shinayaka girl."
"No. And don't you dare follow me."
Ogata chuckled as the boys lined up for the registers.
"I don't think he's that dumb."
"It might be worth it."
"How will you finish your interview if you're in the infirmary the rest of the day?"
Having selected a can of yuzu juice, Kurumu wandered over to join him in line.
"What's this about?"
"Ms. Haneru has a strong kick."
"This creep accosted one of our juniors during club recruitment week. Ms. Haneru put him in his place."
"I was asking for directions."
"You were hitting on her. And for the record, Ms. Kirisame is an undine."
"She had pink eyes and nice tits. I would have never guessed she was an undine."
"At least this will be over soon."
Kurumu smiled at Yamimori's displeasure. He could complain all he liked, but Kurumu could feel that Yamimori harbored about the same level of interest in her physical attributes as Katosagi did. But calling guys out on something only she could sense was asking for a fight. She had done enough of that back in junior high to know it was not worth it.
"I am grateful that you came along. Maybe I can have lunch with your friends next week."
Yamimori shrugged as the guy in front of him handed the worker at the register his lunch card.
"It's only two guys so I don't know if that's worth a whole lunch period."
Kurumu had no idea what would be the best way of handling the band interviews. Even if she knocked out half of them by the end of Monday, it would be hard to scrounge up twenty more by Saturday if she could only do two or three of them at a time. It might be best to simply hang out after band practice and handle things there instead of running around to different lunch groups.
As Ogata handed over his tray and lunch card to the worker behind the register, Kurumu turned her attention on the silent Onishi whom lingered in Juri's shadow.
"I'm sorry, Ms. Onishi. We've kind of ignored you despite asking you to come with."
Onishi had a bowl and cup on her tray to accompany a can of tea and a bread roll. The girl regarded Kurumu with those vacant, lifeless eyes.
"So… what community are you from?"
"Moegara."
Kurumu nodded at the mention of Kaimura's village. This girl had none of the usual features Kurumu associated with salamanders, but most villages had mixed populations. As far as she could tell, only Umishiro and Touboe were exclusive communities.
"I know a few girls from there. Perhaps you know Kaimura?"
"Ms. Kurono."
With Ogata's prompting, Kurumu stepped up to the register and handed over her things. The woman behind the counter stared at her for a moment before Kurumu realized she was forgetting something. With a blush, she tugged her sweater collar forward to fish her lunch card out of her bra and presented it to the worker. Juri smirked at her while they both had their lunches rung up in their respective lines.
"You should think about bringing a purse to school for that."
Kurumu smiled sheepishly as the card was handed back to her.
"I should have kept it in my notebook. I don't know why I was worried about dropping it."
Grabbing her notebook and tray, Kurumu drifted over to join the two boys waiting off to the side of the registers. Yamimori had already left. Hazumi lingered nearby with an indecisive expression.
"Well… I'll be heading off. It was a pleasure meeting with you, Mr. Ogata."
Ogata nodded at Juri whom departed. They waited a few moments for Onishi to join them.
"So that girl is a friend of Mr. Yamimori."
Kurumu grinned as they headed down the wide aisle which divided the cafeteria. She naturally favored the right side of the aisle, often because she would be heading back to the freshmen wing but it also put more distance between her and the male athletic clubs. Not that she had ever been accosted in the cafeteria, but there was no reason to make such an event easier to take place.
"I don't know if they're friends, but they went to junior high together."
"Are you interested in her?"
"Not in particular. I'm more curious about the Shinayaka girl."
Hazumi sighed as they passed by the break in tables which allowed passage to the door for the practice gym. Kurumu had no idea which club it was that sat at the table across from this break but it included the husky Ms. Shigashima from home economics. The next table was obviously for the seniors from the swim club, since the bluish green haired captain was already seated there with another senior whom had her frothy white tresses braided with beads. Kurumu honestly could not recall their names.
"She won't be interested in you."
"Fair enough. No reason to go out of my way to meet her."
Though Kurumu doubted Hazumi had any better idea whom Shinayaka would be interested in, she held back her tongue. The little talk they had done about boys had not been that serious. None of the girls had left Kurumu with the impression of wanting to date in high school, though Meisai might have a thing for one of the second years on the basketball team.
Kurumu noted that four of the track juniors were already seated at their table while four of the seniors were present at the other. The Ohira cousins and the Samurakami sisters brought their own lunches. And the tall Hashimoto from home ec had fourth period gym. The silvery haired girl with the horn growing from her forehead was Yuniko. The short kirin reminded Kurumu of Nerume.
"Ms. Kirizumi is in track."
Hazumi frowned at her as they passed by the table of softball players. For some reason, Kotori held one of her teammates tightly to her breast, tousling the pixie haired girl's dark locks. The harpy pitcher from Hongu had her jet black hair styled in braided twin tails which stretched below her shoulders.
"That was random."
Tearing her gaze away from the spectacle, Kurumu smiled apologetically.
"Sorry. I was thinking about other students Ms. Onishi might be friends with."
Hazumi glanced back at the girl whom was quietly following them.
"I assume Ms. Kirizumi is from this Moegara?"
"Aren't you in track together?"
"I doubt you know where half of your band members are from."
"Ms. Kirizumi was one of the reluctant participants. It doesn't surprise me if she keeps to herself."
"She doesn't socialize with the other girls."
Kurumu nodded as they came up on the volleyball tables which were after the tennis ones.
"I'll see you later in class."
Murmuring a quick farewell, Kurumu continued towards the senior line which had formed between the cafeteria and the doors to the enclosed courtyard. Confirming that Onishi was still following her, Kurumu made her way through the seniors to the other side of the hall before turning left towards the library.
"Do you have any friends in band, Ms. Onishi?"
They passed by the first entrance to the library without getting an answer.
"Ms. Onishi?"
"She is part of Mr. Fuzen's group. While she might not be friends with them, she definitely went to the same junior high. I never see her talk that much, so she might regard them as acquaintances."
Worrying that she might have upset Onishi, Kurumu was thankful for Ogata's input. But the girl seemed as expressionless as before.
"What kind of instrument does she play?"
"Some curved woodwind thing."
"Bassoon."
Kurumu grinned at Onishi's response.
"Did they have a band in your junior high?"
"No."
"Oh? What made you join the band?"
"My mother."
Kurumu smiled softly with passing thoughts of her own mother. They had already walked by the other entrance to the library and the last of the seniors. A set of restrooms was on the left while a stair at the end of this corridor would take them up to the elective classrooms. The senior hallway was on the right.
"When is your birthday?"
"October fourth."
"That's a ten four."
Onishi glanced away from his smirk as they turned down the senior wing, walking by a science lab.
"Thank you, Ms. Onishi. Hopefully Mr. Katosagi has enough sense not to loudly flirt with you in class."
"Flirt?! While I admit she is adorable and intelligent, I do prefer my women to have at least a handful."
Ogata snickered, shaking his head as they closed in on the back door to the band room.
"You better watch it, Gouhou. Yamaguchi said that there's quite a few Sekikawa kids on the rugby team."
"I'm shivering at the thought of Yamaguchi's threats."
Kurumu smiled as they slipped in through the back door to the band room. Without dozens of students standing about holding their instruments, this room felt as vacant as the first time Kurumu had set foot inside it, shortly after her first encounter with the Voice of Yokai. Rows of chairs flanked with black music stands divided the room in half with an aisle down the middle.
Three guys and a girl were seated in the back near the drums. Both the girl and the guy holding a black bento instantly looked up at their entrance while the other two continued to empty the containers they had selected from the lunch line. Kurumu quickly glanced aside to avoid making eye contact.
The bento guy had dark hair which was drawn back and up, resulting in something resembling a turnip. His hair had a slight reddish hue. His attention on the door was noticed by the smaller guy with burgundy locks which were spiked and erratic. While this one turned slightly to regard them, the huge man with the shaven head remained oblivious to their presence.
Onishi quickly moved over to join the young woman of this group. This girl had her orchid bangs drawn back with a black hair band nestled behind her ears. The ends of her hair curled at the shoulders. She smiled as Onishi knelt down beside her.
"This way, Ms. Kurono."
Kurumu nodded, following Ogata into the aisle with Katosagi at her side. The piano was placed at the front of the class. Behind it was the door leading into the storage room where all the students kept their instruments. She glanced back at the other group, noting the guy was still watching her intently.
"Is that Mr. Fuzen?"
"Yes. And the girl with him is Ms. Sukoyaka."
Kurumu brightened up, familiar with the name. So that was the local girl whom had been in Ginei's homeroom last year. Her parents owned a sweet shop which she had yet to visit.
"Oh dear. Are we doing interviews today?"
Kurumu grinned at the speaker whom had short, glossy black hair with cowlicks defying his middle part. This trio of boys were seated in front of the piano. The speaker held a yakisoba sandwich undoubtedly purchased from the school store. The other two had trays from the lunch line. The one taller than the speaker had the same glossy black hair plagued with cowlicks. The shorter one had sepia locks hanging over his eyes and ears. His bangs were so long it looked like it might be in the way of him eating.
"Ms. Kurono, this is Sagimori Haruki, our band captain."
"No, no, no, no, no. Co captain. Mr. Kawakuchi has as much authority as I do."
"He's about as much of a captain as Mr. Fuzen."
Kurumu knelt down beside Ogata whom had taken a spot next to the grinning Sagimori.
"Mr. Fuzen could be a captain if he wanted to be. But with Kuyo running things, it was understandable why he avoided the role."
As Katosagi hunkered down beside her, Kurumu frowned.
"What does Kuyo have to do with Mr. Fuzen?"
"Mr. Fuzen was an Outcast, Ms. Kurono. But last year Ms. Sukoyaka sunk her fangs into him and dragged him and Mr. Osen into our humble club. It also helped that Mr. Noushi was already in band."
"So… those two guys back there are Osen and Noushi."
"Osen, yes. That big guy is Mr. Kansei. Him and his friend, Mr. Kurobo, hang out with Mr. Fuzen's group because they act less intimidated by them."
Kurumu nodded, setting her tray aside in favor of her notebook.
"I understand that you have about two dozen students whom eat lunch here."
"Between our two groups, that sounds correct."
Flipping open her notebook, she quickly found Sagimori's name in the list and wrote it down at the top of a clean sheet. She quickly added notes about Onishi in the margin, not wanting to forget her birthday or that she was from Moegara. Oh and bassoon. Whatever that was.
"I hope you aren't trying to do that many interviews today."
"I'm focusing on what I can get done for now. So… who are these two?"
Sagimori grinned with a sparkle in his amethyst eyes, gesturing at the short guy furthest from him.
"This is Yoake Toba, a second year from class seven. And this handsome gentleman beside me is my suitemate Minkan Eitou. We've known each other since the first grade."
"I take it that you also have fourth period gym?"
"Yea… I'm in class eight."
"And all of you are from Aranoiji?"
"Yes. We're only missing Mr. Hoshiyama. He's a second year from class one."
Kurumu nodded as she jotted down these names, using her list for reference.
"But that's only six. I heard there was more."
"Our group also includes seven students from the Tsunan communities and Mr. Aserouku Enichi from Watasora. He's a second year from class three and usually shows up with Mr. Hoshiyama."
"Do you always eat lunch from the school store?"
"I find it terribly convenient to do so. Ms. Okumura usually lets me turn in the attendance sheet instead of doing it herself. It gives me an excuse to stop in the school store, often before second period. It's nice to not have to scavenge for whatever is left by the time lunch starts."
"Is that Ms. Kurono I see in our band room?"
Kurumu grinned as she felt the arrival of a familiar young man. She glanced over at the front door as the Tebayai siblings she had met this weekend at the church arrived with a pair of short students. The girl with them had to be shorter than Kurumu and had two puffy tails tied at the nape of her neck. Her dirty gray bangs were held back with a white hairband. The boy was probably no taller than Satsuki. His hair was also dirty gray but it was short and clean much like the Tebayai boy, though lacking the left side part.
"Yes. I'm attempting to tackle Sagimori's lunch group today. It certainly helps that I'm already familiar with both of you and I did these two boys on the way here."
Though it had completely slipped her mind that the Tebayai siblings were from Aserutani and in band.
"I was wondering what kept you. Normally the four of you are here before these two."
"Itsuki was skirt chasing."
"I was chatting with a classmate."
"She's not in your class."
"She was last year."
"I'm not an idiot. I would know if Shinko was in your class last year."
"I meant the year before that."
"You shouldn't flirt with her."
"I'm sorry I wasn't where you expected me to be."
"I'm sensing drama."
Itsuki waved a dismissive hand at Sagimori.
"Junior high nonsense. Girl we know got a bad reputation and most avoid her like the plague. At least the twins still treat her no differently."
"I don't treat her differently. You're the one that had no interest in her until after it happened."
Itsuki paused. He gestured at the other two whom looked uncertain about what they should do. Like the Tebayai sister, they both held white bentos.
"These two are the Kosui cousins. Senshi shares homeroom with sis while Akumi lives with her in the suites. I had more freedom last year to come and go as I pleased, but now she has access to a stove."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
Itsuki sighed heavily, taking a seat beside Katosagi. The cousins shared a glance before kneeling down by the Yoake boy.
"Exactly what it sounds like. I don't mind you making my lunch but I kind of want a break."
"A break? But we only eat lunch together."
"Ignoring the fact that we spent a whole summer together."
"Well… what else would I do?"
"And now family drama."
Itsuki smirked at Sagimori.
"Yea. Sorry. We should let Ms. Kurono do what she came for."
Kurumu forced a smile as the Tebayai sister continued to pout. She glanced at her lunch, supposing she could always run these interviews up to the bell and then eat. It was not like being a few minutes late to English would change her performance.
"I hope you can forgive me, but I totally forgot your sister's first name."
"Stand. Bow. Dismissed."
Kurumu sat down heavily as everyone about her started to put away their things. She had survived her first week back at Yokai Academy. It all felt so distant. Superficial. Irrelevant.
As expected, she had arrived about twenty minutes late to fifth period. Mr. Nagamushi had scolded her for her tardiness but since he was obsessed with the immersion garbage, she had no exact idea what he had said to her in English. And frankly, she did not care.
She had completed eight of the fourteen interviews for Sagimori's group, finishing the seniors and the two gyokuto boys. Itsuki had volunteered to stay after the bell so she could also do his. While she was thankful for that, she would still need help if she wanted to finish both groups on Monday.
She had only gotten the names and homerooms for the five late arrivals to lunch. There had been Morita Kane from class ten, the second year whom shared a dorm room with Itsuki. He seemed to have a thing for Itsuki's sister since he kept pestering her during her interview. There had also been Tsukihara Yori, a first year from class four whom had quietly kept to himself. Fukusei Hyou was the last unknown, though she recalled being told about this nekomusume before. The second year from class one had spent most of his lunch hour chatting with Aserouku and Hoshiyama about comic books.
In sixth period, Asuka reminded her about the whole Moka getting her virginity taken by Tsukune today was still a thing. The band students had been too polite to mention this nonsense. Kurumu regurgitated the story she had given in homeroom, relieved that Juri helped fill in most of it.
During gym they found out that Moka had been sent to the infirmary while Kokoa would finish out her day in the disciplinary room. Yukari had no idea what brought this about, admitting she had eaten lunch in the faculty lounge instead of with Moka. Using the spell on Moka's rosary, she had eavesdropped on Moka's lunch conversation, but for some reason Kokoa had not eaten with her usual lunch group.
The nurse had turned Kurumu away, saying it was not serious enough to be late for eighth period. As if the human coexistence course was doing her any good. She was a narcotic, unlikely able to cohabitate with any human for extended periods of time. No course material was going to change that.
"You sticking around?"
Kurumu smiled up at Satsuki as she closed up her schoolbag. Most of their classmates had already found their way out of the classroom.
"Yea. On top of this craziness with Moka and her sister, I'm also waiting on details for a birthday party."
"Is that really important?"
Yukari's huffed remark hit her hard. What was important? Everything that she felt was important was beyond her control. All she could do was a stupid article to pass the time.
"What do you want me to do?"
That was a mistake. She let too much emotion slip out in that. Yukari's eyes quickly filled with regret as Satsuki regarded her with concern.
"Are you okay?"
Kurumu snatched up her schoolbag, slinging it up on her shoulder as she got to her feet.
"Yea. I'm fine. We should go. You have to stop by and get Tora anyways, right?"
Deshi strolled over with her staff resting on her shoulder with her bag hung upon it against her back.
"Yes. We go."
Yukari grumbled about busy hallways, seizing her schoolbag. Despite the complaint, the traffic outside the classroom was manageable. Most students had already fled for the weekend, though Kurumu had no idea what they hoped to do with Mononoke locked down. While the boys on Tsukune's floor might be able to squander all their free time playing video games, most normal people preferred more active forms of entertainment. Or at least more sociable activities.
Surprisingly Kana was among the few occupants of class three. The blond illustrator was standing in the back corner, chatting with Tora and Tsukune. Mizore was the only other student present. She had left her school jacket in her suite, declaring an extra layer was too uncomfortable despite being made from the same material as her long sleeved shirts. This special fabric was much thinner than the standard school blouse, clearly betraying Mizore's black bra. Pairing that with the lack of the jacket which somewhat concealed her bosom, Kurumu imagined the boys must have taken notice.
"Hey, Nazohashi. Ready to go?"
Tora nodded, patting the schoolbag at her side.
"I have to talk with Ms. Nekonome about spending the night with her before we go."
"I thought you would have done that already."
"I couldn't the day I suggested it because I was checking on Ms. Taniguchi. And it slipped my mind yesterday with that durian debacle."
Kurumu managed a smile as Tora wandered over to Satsuki's side.
"Maybe we'll see you at the birthday party?"
"Not likely. Though I will attend church regardless of how things play out with Ms. Nekonome. I'm sure I can arrange some way of getting to and from the church without troubling the other PSC members."
"We should go before they start the safety walk without us."
"I'm coming too!"
Kana bounded over to Tora's side with a wide grin.
"Ms. Tensai paid me a visit during lunch. I have to swing by her father's place to get the laptop they ordered for me. It should have come in with the mail today."
Kurumu nodded, turning as the four girls retreated to the back door.
"Hey, Kana. I need your help with that band article on Monday. I've got like a half a dozen students from Sagimori's group whom I'd like you to handle."
"Um… sure. But you'll have to remind me."
"You can write that down, Ms. Zukkutani."
"But then I'd have to remember to look at my note."
Kurumu sighed as they slipped out of sight. Taking in a deep breath, she turned about and regarded her other friends. Yukari was fiddling with the strap of her schoolbag, not making eye contact with Tsukune. Mizore stared impassively at him while Tsukune nervously rubbed the back of his neck.
"So… have you started your article?"
"Me? No. Ms. Nekonome promised to get me some brochures on Happily Ever After. They do have other programs but they are all career specific and require contacting the Fairy Tale office in Watasora for more details. She promised to talk to Lord Chiki for me since he would know more about it than her."
Kurumu nodded, letting a moment of silence rest upon them.
"Did you get any news about Matsudera's birthday party?"
"Nothing. Would you guys mind waiting here?"
Kurumu frowned as he walked by her. She grabbed his sleeve, prompting him to stop.
"Where are you going?"
"I wanted to check on Moka. I'll be right back."
"I could come with you."
"If it's all the same, I would like to check on Moka by myself. I don't need an escort and someone needs to be here when Ginei shows up."
She let go of his sleeve, looking down at the floor.
"Oh. Okay. Be safe."
"Of course. I'll be right back."
She heard his footsteps to the door before fading from distinction out in the hall.
"Is it safe to touch him?"
Kurumu stared at Mizore. A part of her wanted to lash out but she knew it would change nothing.
"Can you make Moka's sister drop this nonsense by touching her?"
Kurumu mulled over Yukari's inquiry. In theory, her ability to control the mind was based in her belief. But at this moment, she felt so powerless to do anything.
"I need Tsukune."
"I'm being serious."
Kurumu swallowed down a sudden surge of grief.
"I can't. I'm losing. I'm losing everything."
Yukari gasped as Kurumu's ribbon slipped free of her hair, drifting lazily to the floor. Kurumu whimpered, feeling too pathetic to cry. She bent over to grab her ribbon. Before she could straighten back up, a small hand rested on her shoulder.
"I'm sorry, Kurumu. That wasn't meant to be a question. I know you can do this."
Kurumu looked up at Yukari. Her body trembled with mixed emotions as she pulled away.
"I don't-"
"No. You can. I know what you can do, Kurumu."
Kurumu clutched the ribbon to her bosom. She closed her eyes, taking in a deep breath. None of it mattered. Her issues with Tsukune were insignificant.
"Even if I could, what would be the point?"
Yukari stared at her with wide eyes.
"Kurumu! She's hurting Moka."
"She won't kill her sister."
"She's not my sister."
Kokoa stalked into the room with a dark scowl. Kurumu faltered back a step as the vampire approached, feeling the oppressive aura emanating from Kokoa. The redhead pointed at the desk by Kurumu.
"Sit."
Kurumu swallowed, quickly complying with the demand. She glanced up as Kokoa stopped behind her, placing strong hands upon her shoulders.
"Aren't you supposed to be in the disciplinary room?"
"School is done for the day."
Kurumu flinched as Kokoa squeezed her shoulders roughly.
"You put Moka in the infirmary."
"It was a fair fight."
"You know that she can't fight you while sealed."
"Her weakness is not my fault."
Kokoa snapped a finger at Mizore, putting out an aura that made the snow girl stagger.
"Don't you move. You're no friend of my sister. I will not hesitate to put you down if you interfere."
Kurumu shivered at the vile dripping from Kokoa's words.
"You need to do it now, Kurumu."
"I am here to claim my reward."
Any thought to do as Yukari suggested fled her mind as she gasped at the sudden pressure on her neck. She mewled as the bite triggered lovely spasms which coursed down her spine. She squirmed, pressing her knees together as her life was blissfully siphoned away. She clenched her fists tightly to her bosom, feeling the world go faint as her thighs became soaked in her juices.
Her eyes could find no focus when Kokoa finally released her. Her body twitched happily in harmony with the beat of her heart. Feeling exhausted, she slumped forward, resting her head on the desk.
"What have you done?"
"Kurono belongs entirely to me now. That was the deal."
"Moka would have never agreed to that."
"I offered her servitude for her blood. It was always unacceptable that I had a servant whose blood belonged to another."
"That doesn't matter. Moka would have refused that challenge."
"She can't refuse!"
Her throat was parched. Panting, Kurumu lifted her head off the desk. Her vision was swimming.
"I offered something of equal value. She can't refuse."
"What would your mother say about this?"
Kokoa laughed mirthlessly.
"Do you think Mother cares about the blood or servitude of this girl?"
"Your mother had her make a pact with you."
"Which I was reluctant to go through with, knowing she belonged to someone else."
"Fine. I hope you're happy with yourself."
"Happy?"
Yukari gagged. Kurumu lethargically turned about in her seat, momentarily failing to comprehend the sight coming into focus. Kokoa had Yukari held off the floor by her collar with one hand.
"Nagisa has almost all of the girls in my class boycotting school. There was only three of us today."
"Put me down!"
"Or what? You'll hit me with-"
Kokoa went flying across the room as Yukari fell back against the wall. The vampire knocked over a desk and pushed several others out of their arranged positions before coming to a stop. As Yukari picked herself up off the floor, Kokoa rolled onto her back and started to laugh.
"That's cute."
"I can hit you harder if I must."
Kokoa laughed darkly.
"Oh. You must."
In the blink of an eye, Kokoa was gone along with the sound of stone crushing. Kokoa had sprung back to Yukari's spot and had slammed the witch against the wall by her shoulders.
"Kokoa!"
Moka stood in the doorway with Tsukune at her side. Both regarded the redhead with wide eyes.
"There you are."
"What are you doing?"
Kokoa stepped back, releasing the witch. With a groan, Yukari slid down the cracked wall into a seated position. With a smirk, Kokoa crossed her arms.
"Your toy protested my right to Kurono's blood."
Moka's eyes met Kurumu's. Anguish. Moka lowered her gaze with her fists clenched.
"That wasn't a fair fight."
"Oh? Did you fetch that boy with the yummy blood to finally give me what I want?"
Moka faltered back a step, holding an arm out to prevent Tsukune from entering the room.
"Kokoa. Fighting won't change anything."
"Oh, stop. Don't be such a weakling."
"What would this accomplish?"
Kokoa sighed, stalking over to the desk beside Kurumu. With ease, she hefted it up.
"Have you forgotten that you're a vampire? You know what this is for."
Kokoa charged at Moka with a battle cry. But even in her daze, Kurumu could tell Kokoa was holding back. There was too much time for Moka to react. The older sister effortlessly vaulted over her sister to avoid the wide swing which shattered the desk against the door.
"Hold up!"
Kokoa batted Tsukune aside with a hand, knocking him into the wall before she scrambled quickly to seize up another desk. Her grin was wide and her eyes sparkled with mischief. Moka was backpedaling quickly as Kokoa hoisted a new weapon.
"Come on, Sister. Let's have some fun!"
"You're wrecking the school!"
Moka hopped out of the way of an overhand swing which crushed the floor. Laughing maniacally, Kokoa darted after her sister with a series of grossly telegraphed attacks which any fool could avoid. Kurumu had to quickly roll out of her desk a split second before it was sent skittering away from a glancing blow. She crawled on her hands and knees over to the windows where Mizore calmly watched the devastation.
"She's playing with her."
It hardly looked that way, considering the carnage wrought upon the room. Kokoa chucked aside the mangled desk to seize a new weapon.
"At least try to hit me. Like old times."
"Stop it!"
Kurumu winced as Tsukune hopped in between the sisters and was promptly clocked over the head with a desk for his efforts. He went down in a limp heap as a surprised look crossed Kokoa's face. The redhead regarded the desk for a moment before casting it aside.
"Tsukune!"
"He moved faster than I expected. Did he want to get hit?"
Moka pounced over to his side, kneeling down to straighten his limbs. Still woozy from the blood loss, Kurumu staggered over with Mizore. Moka had rolled him onto his back but his eyes were slightly open and rolled back. A large trickle of blood stained his forehead. Only the slight rise of his chest indicated he was alive.
"We should put ice on that."
Mizore held out a palm, summoning a block of ice into existence. She knelt down on one side of his head as Kokoa did the same on his other. The snow girl gently rested the block on his forehead.
"He's going to be okay, right? Mother would be pissed if I killed him."
"He'll be fine in a few minutes."
Kokoa smirked at Moka's angry tone.
"Good. Maybe that knocked some sense into him."
"Maybe I should encase you in ice."
Kokoa grinned at Mizore with a wicked glint in her eye.
"Go ahead and try it."
Moka held a hand out at Mizore, shaking her head.
"Don't. You gain nothing."
"Gain nothing? We become stronger by fighting. Have you forgotten?"
"Not everybody lives the way vampires do."
"When this boy wakes up, he will remove your seal."
"I won't-"
Moka clenched her fists as Kokoa dragged two fingers against his bloody temple. The redhead placed both digits inside her mouth, suckling them as she stared at Moka.
"I will ask him to."
"Good. Or I'm going to take him from you."
"You have nothing to offer me equal to his value."
"Oh? You don't value Ms. Kurono?"
Moka flinched.
"She doesn't belong to you."
Kokoa smirked, standing up and crossing her arms.
"We'll fight for real this time, Sister. Though I suppose we should take this someplace where there will be less complaints about the mess."
Kurumu snorted, thinking it was a little late for that. Kokoa had destroyed at least seven desks with damage to the walls, floor and back door. As painful as it might be, they should report this to a faculty member before leaving school grounds.
"Agreed. I have the perfect place."
An hour after being scolded for the damages, they stood in the cemetery near the church. Kurumu toyed with the strap of her schoolbag nestled between her breasts as she stood between Yukari and Mizore. Tsukune stood on Mizore's other side with a white bandage wrapped about his head.
"The perfect place."
Kurumu nodded at Mizore's comment, unsure why Moka had suggested this place. It made this feel more grim and sinister. Like the two were about to fight to the death. She shivered at the thought, recalling how brutal the fight had been between Kokoa and Kahlua.
"Akashiya is strange. She wanted to lose her virginity here."
Tsukune gagged, unable to form words as Kurumu failed to suppress her giggle.
"Well… it is a place unlikely to draw a crowd."
"Weren't you planning to give yours up here?"
Mizore shrugged at Yukari, drawing the white stick from one corner of her mouth to the other.
"I was thinking further out into the woods. My hands on a tree. Bent over."
Tsukune covered his eyes, wagging his free hand at Mizore.
"Stop right there. I don't need that image."
Mizore smirked.
"Skirt flipped up. Panties around my ankles."
"That does sound nice."
Tsukune turned wide eyes on Yukari. His inarticulate gasp caught her attention and the witch blushed furiously. Promptly looking away, she shook her head furiously.
"I'm not saying I would do that. More like… something I'd masturbate too."
Yukari winced, cringing at her own words.
"That's worse, isn't it?"
Kurumu smiled as Tsukune continued to struggle for sanity while Yukari burned with embarrassment.
"Since when did you get flustered over sex talk?"
Yukari pouted at her.
"When it ceased being theory."
"You know that was a dream, right?"
Yukari shivered at his desperate remark.
"Shouldn't you unseal Moka before this breaks out?"
Tsukune grimaced, turning his attention on the open space in the cemetery where the sisters were facing off. During the walk they had tried to convince Tsukune to unseal Moka for this confrontation. But he was clinging to the hope that Moka could reason with Kokoa. So far, the only thing these two had done since arriving was stare at each other.
"So… this is your answer."
"I told you. I won't force him to do it."
Kokoa sighed dramatically, reaching up to her hair. Seizing one of the plaid bows securing one of her tails, she tugged it loose and flipped it in the wind. The ribbon snapped out like the shaft of a sword, but then the tip swelled up like a balloon. The material turned black as onyx as silver spikes jutted out from the forming sphere.
"What is that?"
Yukari gasped as Mizore cocked her head quizzically.
"She has a familiar?"
"What's a familiar?"
Yukari shook her head at his question.
"Magic beast. Adapts to the will of the user. Why does she have a familiar?"
Kurumu smiled apologetically, realizing she had not mentioned this to the others.
"She used it in her battle with her sister but it wasn't that important."
"Not important?! Do you realize how long it takes to train a familiar?"
"Well… Kokoa had this thing before Moka was sealed."
"I wonder if Mother would forgive me if I accidentally killed you."
"I don't know, Kokoa. Could you forgive yourself?"
"It's not my fault that you're weak. If you must die, I'd rather it be by my hand."
Yukari shook her head.
"She's insane. Tsukune. Unseal Moka."
"What? No. We can still talk this out."
"You don't think we've tried?!"
Kokoa laughed wickedly.
"Yes, Aono. Unseal my sister. At least then I can get a real taste of her ability to defend herself."
Tsukune steeled himself.
"No. You don't want this."
"It's your choice, Aono. Which Moka do you want to fight me?"
"I don't want you to fight either of them."
Kokoa patted the haft of her spiked mace against her other palm.
"That's not an option."
"You don't understand, Kokoa. To kill someone. To take away everything from someone. You don't want that. It haunts me every night. It's difficult to sleep."
Moka relaxed, glancing back at him.
"That was necessary, Tsukune."
"No. It wasn't. I couldn't pull my punches. We knew they were human and… that was too much."
"Ms. Aimai was going to execute them anyways. Moka gave them the option to walk away."
"It doesn't change the fact that I killed them."
Kokoa barked out a laugh.
"What are you? Stupid? It's not your fault that they were weak! You slaughtered a dozen monstrel boys for the same reason. Trash daring to challenge the might of a vampire."
Tsukune flinched, glancing aside.
"It's different when you don't even remember it."
"Stop patronizing me, Aono. You were given your power. You didn't fight for it. You didn't even ask for it. So you aren't in a position to bitch about your inability to use it."
"That's still no reason to pick a fight with your sister."
Kokoa scowled, leveling her weapon at Moka.
"You don't understand a thing about vampires. How could you possibly find this weakling more attractive than my sister? Are you that pathetic that you require her to remain so meek and lowly, needing you to rescue her? You're sick, Aono."
"This Moka is very important to me."
"Prove it!"
Kokoa launched from her spot with enough force to kick up huge clumps of dirt. In the space of a breath, the redhead closed the gap with a vicious arc. Moka narrowly avoided the attack which left a smoking crater in the spot she had been standing.
"Hurry, Aono!"
Kokoa twisted and hopped, blasting a gravestone into dust and felling a tree. It was difficult to say if she was missing Moka on purpose since Kurumu would swear the last swing had passed through Moka.
"She'll die soon!"
Moka snatched up an iron cross from a nearby tombstone, brandishing it at Kokoa.
"You think that is going to help?"
Kokoa laughed maniacally as she swung deliberately to catch the end of the cross. A spike hooked in the hollow part of the makeshift weapon, wrenching it out of Moka's grasp. With another flick, Kokoa sent the cross flying out into the woods.
"Stop it!"
Kokoa turned a smirk on Tsukune whom had rushed out to the fray. With a twist of her wrist, her familiar flattened out and narrowed into a blade.
And in the next instant, Kokoa was pressed against her sister with her blade thrust through Moka.
"You're much slower than I remember."
Moka gasped as Kokoa jerked the blade back out, flinging a trail of crimson across the ground. She pushed her sister back, causing Moka to fall back on her rump. Moka clutched her gut as her blouse quickly stained red with her blood.
"What have you done?!"
Kokoa glared at him as he knelt down beside Moka.
"I could have beheaded her if I had wanted to."
"Moka? Are you okay? Can you speak?"
Kurumu shared a glance with the other girls before hurrying over to the sisters.
"I've heard of sibling rivalry before."
Yukari snorted at Mizore's offhand remark.
"It usually doesn't involve impaling each other."
Kokoa was resting her blade on her shoulder as they approached. The redhead sighed as Tsukune fussed over Moka's injury. Moka was staring out, her eyes wide with shock. Tsukune shook his head, looking up at them with frantic eyes.
"She's not responding."
Yukari huffed, stalking around Moka to kneel down on Moka's other side.
"It's called shock, Tsukune. Unless she stabbed her through the heart, it's not lethal."
"No. I'd have to obliterate her heart. A simple stab wouldn't be enough."
"She's losing a lot of blood."
"Move aside."
Yukari wagged her hand at Tsukune. Once he scooted back, she formed a diamond pattern at her chest and pushed a blue trail from her body towards Moka. Pressing her hands against Moka's the blue glow vanished and Moka gasped. Her eyes remained distant.
"That hurts."
"Of course it does."
"Mother has been too lax about your skills. She should have let me hack a limb or two off. That would have made you stronger."
"How would that make her stronger?!"
Kokoa scowled at his reaction.
"She would learn not to bleed so damn much. Blood is important. Mother gave that to her. This spoiled brat is letting it go to waste."
"Spoiled brat? From what I saw, your mother doesn't care about Akashiya at all. If anyone is a spoiled brat, it would be you."
Kokoa favored Mizore an ominous glare.
"What could you know, snow princess? The only thing I hear you're good for is chasing men that don't want you. Maybe you should take that arranged marriage, since nobody else wants a piece of that."
Mizore cocked her head.
"Do you want to fight?"
"Do you want to die?"
Kurumu held a hand out at Kokoa.
"Don't, Kokoa."
Moka swallowed thickly.
"I'm sorry, Kokoa. I gave it my all."
"This is your doing, Aono. You can't even protect her when she's right in front of you."
Tsukune grit his teeth.
"I shouldn't have to protect her from her sister."
"You don't love her. You'd rather her die as a weakling."
"Could you shut up?!"
Yukari wagged a finger at Kokoa.
"I have determined that this Moka is a spirit with her own unique desires and interests. So you can stop acting like she is some magical prison forced upon your sister."
"I don't give a shit about a spirit that makes my sister into a weakling."
"But your sister does!"
"I won't believe that unless I hear it from Sister."
"Why would I lie to you?"
"Oh, I don't know. Probably because you put your tongue in her mouth."
Kurumu blushed, faltering back a step.
"I'm no fan of Akashiya. Your sister wants to protect this girl."
Kokoa glowered at Mizore. Lifting the sword off her shoulder, she thrust it at Moka.
"You will surrender Aono to me. And then Aono, as my servant, shall remove your seal."
"I will do no such thing."
"You have no say in the matter."
Moka shook her head.
"Kokoa. I can't agree to that."
"If Sister has a complaint, than she needs to come out and say it. Otherwise, I am taking everything that belongs to her."
"Fine. I will fight you."
Kokoa snorted at him.
"That isn't how life works, Aono. You don't get to stand in for other people's fights. They will never become strong if you do that."
"That's how friendships work, Kokoa. We stand by each other to tackle our problems."
Kokoa laughed, tapping her chin.
"Oh? I get it now. Mizumi died because she lacked friends. I should break that news to Nagisa."
Kurumu shuddered at the crazed, cheerful tone Kokoa adapted.
"That's not true."
"But it is. In Aono's utopia, only friendless people die. It's a good thing that I have friends. I guess that means I don't need to be strong and take care of myself."
"I didn't say that."
Kokoa's expression instantly became a scowl.
"You can't always cover for each other. My sister was kidnapped because she was sealed. Do you realize how humiliating it is for a vampire to admit being kidnapped?"
"It all worked out."
"No it didn't! I know what happened, Aono. I know what happened to that little girl in the arm crutches. I know what happened to Kurono. I know what happened to Sendou. I know, because I had to give you my blood, so you could wake up, and spout your idealistic bullshit another day. Don't you dare tell me that all worked out."
Yukari stood up resolutely.
"It may not have worked out perfectly, but I have no qualms fighting for other people."
Kokoa huffed, her blade elongating so that she could tap Moka's head with the tip.
"That's cute. So is this seal coming off or shall I relieve my sister of an arm?"
Tsukune's eyes widened.
"Are you crazy?"
"It won't kill her."
"That's not the point!"
Kokoa sighed dramatically.
"I'm trying to be reasonable here, but all I'm hearing is the 'Let's be Friends' crap. That's the problem when dealing with idiots. You simply won't get it unless someone actually dies."
Kokoa thrust forward, her blade tearing through the back of Tsukune's school jacket when he threw himself in front of Moka. In the next moment, Kokoa was thrown back several meters, twisting in midair with her dripping blade in hand as Yukari advanced while making quick gestures. Tsukune grunted as a dark stain spread out across the green fabric.
Kurumu turned about, unsure what to do. It was not like she could kill Kokoa. She lacked the physical prowess. And she doubted her powers would be of any use with her blood fresh in Kokoa's system.
"Why do you insist on being in the way?"
Yukari responded with a sweeping gesture which kicked up the dirt in front of Kokoa. The laughing vampire vanished in the murky haze. Yukari brought her hands together with a clap, ceasing Kokoa's chuckles. All that remained was a small mound in the spot where Kokoa had been.
"Shirayuki. When she breaks free, freeze her."
Mizore nodded, holding her hands out.
"What should I do?"
"Don't be a hostage."
Kurumu frowned, hoping she was not that worthless in this scenario.
"How is Tsukune-"
Kurumu shivered as she turned about, the familiar aura of dread filling the air as Moka's rosary was removed. Moka had her fangs in his neck and her rosary in her own hand as the color of her hair quickly drained to silver. His body went limp against Moka as the vampire pulled her head back.
"Moka?"
Crimson eyes sparkled as the silver Moka grinned.
"Sorry. The scent of his blood was too tempting and I was curious if I could take it off without him."
Kurumu grabbed hold of Tsukune's shoulders as the vampire awkwardly struggled to her feet.
"Is he okay?"
"He'll need blood. You fine with that, Shirayuki?"
Mizore glanced over at them, offering a simple nod. Moka took a deep breath and staggered away from Kurumu. The vampire absently rubbed her gut as she shuffled over to Yukari's side.
"You all need to clear out. This is a fight between vampires."
"We can help."
"No. That's not what either of us want."
The mound exploded in a puff of dirt. Kokoa cackled happily as the debris fell about all around her.
"There you are!"
"Yes, Kokoa. It's been too long since we had a good fight. I'll play with you as long as I can."
Kokoa giggled, slinging her blade down. It slashed deep into the dirt. Kokoa let go of the pommel, stalking towards Moka whom settled into a defensive stance.
"You saw my fight with Big Sis. Are you ready?"
"I'm ready to give you a solid spanking for being such a bad girl. You know it's bad manners to mess with another vampire's property."
Kokoa hunkered forward, preparing to pounce.
"I've been dreaming of this. Ever since the day Mother brought you back in that stupid seal."
"Come at me, Kokoa."
Kurumu winced as Kokoa flashed in for the attack. As expected, this fight between vampire sisters was as brutal as the last.
