Stepping out of Moka's suite, Kurumu stretched her arms overhead. That had been her best omurice, no matter what Kokoa said. Sure, there could have been a bit more seasoning, but Kurumu felt stuffed and content. She wished they had saved some for Yukari to sample, curious what the witch might say about her performance.

Hearing Moka lock the door behind her, Kurumu turned about with a smile. She tugged the flap of her jacket free of her schoolbag which hung by its strap nestled between her breasts. Smoothing the green fabric over her bag, she absently slipped her hand into the pocket and felt her lunch card.

"We should check on Mizore."

Moka slipped her key into her pocket, glancing at the other apartment building.

"Would she want us to?"

Kokoa scowled, draping an arm over Fukai's shoulder.

"Why do you guys hang out with that loser?"

"Mizore isn't a loser."

"She's in our club."

"Did you make my sister join such a stupid club?"

Moka frowned at Kokoa, fidgeting with her schoolbag strap. Unlike Kurumu, Moka had fastened the hidden buttons of her jacket.

"The club isn't stupid."

Kurumu sighed, shaking her head. She started off for Mizore's suite, prompting Moka to follow.

"Mizore is giving her blood to Tsukune to help him mature as a vampire. You should appreciate that."

Kokoa huffed as she walked alongside Fukai behind them.

"Why should I care about that jerk's progress?"

"Tsukune is not a jerk!"

"You should have met her, Ishiko. My real sister. Not this… weakling."

Kurumu wanted to slap some sense into the brat but suspected that would start a fight she would lose.

"Is she so different without reproduction?"

"Restriction."

"That's what I said."

Kurumu smirked, familiar with Fukai's mixed syllables. She knocked on Mizore's door.

"I suppose you could think of it like how a person might change when they're drunk."

"No it's not!"

"How would you know? You're not aware of anything when the seal gets removed?"

Moka pouted as they all hovered around Mizore's door.

"I'm with her enough to know that she's not drunk."

Kurumu shrugged, gesturing at Kokoa.

"She's actually more like Kokoa. They both revel in this superiority complex and are eager to turn to violence to prove a point."

Kokoa huffed, withdrawing her arm from Fukai's shoulders. She crossed her arms.

"Might makes right. That's a fact. Only weaklings will tell you otherwise."

"She's not violent."

Kurumu snorted at Moka's meek protest.

"When have we ever removed that seal for her negotiation skills?"

Moka pouted, glancing aside as Kurumu knocked on the door again.

"She's not a violent drunk."

"Hey! Mizore! Wake up!"

"She gets mega Kurumu from drinking blood."

Kurumu favored the gnome with a curious look.

"Megakurumu?"

"Giddy?"

Fukai nodded, brushing her dark locks about her. The gnome absently fixed the strap of her goggles.

"Yes. She becomes plans on power."

"Drunk on power."

"I hope you didn't drink Ishiko's blood last night."

"What if I did?"

Moka frowned at Kokoa.

"You shouldn't drink so much blood in a short time."

Fukai was shaking her head which prompted Kokoa to poke the girl's cheek.

"I didn't take her blood. I want to keep things in order so Nagisa has to be next."

Kurumu nodded thoughtfully, shifting her weight to her other foot.

"So… you didn't take Taniguchi's blood the night you spent in the dorms."

"I told her I wouldn't. I won't go back on my word."

Kurumu doubted she would ever understand Kokoa's thinking. She knocked on Mizore's door again.

"Wake up, Mizore."

"Hikari said I should wait till next weekend. That should be enough time."

"I hope you're not thinking to challenge Moka again after you get more blood."

"Why not?"

"Maybe you should let this competition wait until we get this issue with Taniguchi sorted out."

"The only way that is happening is if you find Mizumi's murderers."

"You shouldn't spread those rumors."

Kokoa huffed at Moka.

"Everybody already thinks she's dead. Anything I say isn't going to make it worse."

"Maybe we can help you with Taniguchi. I know I will be busy Saturday with the concert, but I don't think we have anything planned for Sunday."

"Nobody else having some fancy birthday party?"

Kurumu forced a smile at Kokoa's gruff remark.

"Not that I'm aware of."

The door finally opened. Mizore pressed her head against the door as her silky, pink chemise drifted about her thighs. She looked sexy despite her lethargic behavior.

"See. You can answer the door without being all suspicious."

Mizore sighed at Kurumu's wide grin, swaying on her heels with the door.

"I'm hot."

"There's no way that flimsy garment is causing you to overheat."

Mizore paused, pursing her lips. She cocked her head with a sudden frown.

"I'm horny."

Kurumu frowned as Kokoa snickered and Moka blushed.

"That's not my fault."

"This fabric… it was hard to sleep."

Kurumu shooed the girl.

"Go get dressed."

Mizore groaned, detaching from the door. Leaving her door open, she retreated into the shadows.

"Do you think she will masturbate?"

"It's better if someone else plays with you."

Kurumu turned wide eyes upon the pair.

"Why are you talking about this?"

"I have landscape."

With flush cheeks, Kokoa snatched up her friend.

"I was only curious if she would. And I bathed with my girls over the summer. It's no big deal."

Moka blushed, pushing her forefingers together as she regarded the dirt.

"There's some things friends don't do to each other."

"Don't lecture me when I know you two are fooling around."

Kurumu felt her temperature rise as she shook her head vehemently.

"We haven't crossed that line!"

"Though you've asked to."

Kurumu wagged her finger at the blushing vampire.

"No! I've asked if you've ever thought about it because we kiss more than friends should."

"What's wrong with kissing your friends?"

Kurumu turned on Kokoa, shaking her head as her ears burned with shame.

"It's not normal. I don't ever kiss Mizore or Yukari."

"But you're a succubus. You can't kiss them without enslaving weaker races."

Kurumu whined in frustration at the candid response.

"Fukai. You have to back me on this."

"I like being kissed."

Kurumu clenched her fist, sensing she would get nowhere with this audience.

"Look. I have never played with Moka's … you know. And last time I asked, Moka admitted that she's never played with herself."

Moka turned a darker shade of red.

"That was a fun party last night. I'm so happy that Ginei finally asked Ms. Hajihachi out."

Kurumu paused at the sudden change in conversation.

"You know… I don't want to talk about this."

"Disgusting. You would even soil my sister's body."

"Hold up. You just used our actions as justification for your fooling around with your friends."

Kokoa huffed, rubbing the side of her head against Fukai's.

"I stated it as something you seem to approve of."

This girl was impossible.

"Whatever. Moka and I are not like that."

A long pause followed. Kurumu glanced at the open door, wondering what Mizore was up to.

"Who's Ginei?"

Kurumu laughed at Kokoa's random inquiry.

"Morioka Ginei. Our club president. You've met him."

"Right. That's the other boy in your club that placed in the top five of your stupid contest."

"That would be him."

"That guy was weird. He was flirting with your friend in the arm crutches that whole day. It looked like he was doing it deliberately to upset Ms. Nazohashi."

Kurumu smiled softly, recalling that outing. Yukari had returned to Yokai Academy that day.

"Yea… Ginei likes to cause Tora grief."

"Hopefully that will change now that he's dating Ms. Hajihachi."

"Whom is that?"

"She was in Ginei's homeroom last year."

"So she's friends with this birthday girl?"

Kurumu chuckled, shaking her head.

"She's friends with friends. Matsudera is on the track team with Akari and Bikiyama whom come from the same village as Hajihachi."

Kokoa relinquished her hold on Fukai. She regarded Kurumu for a moment before nodding.

"I need to meet more people."

"What makes you say that?"

"I don't feel like I know anyone."

"That's not true, Kokoa. You know plenty of girls."

"Most of which have decided to stop coming to school."

Moka paused with a frown.

"But many of those girls on the seventh floor are still coming to school."

"There's no girls in my class now. What if the other girls join in on this boycott? How will we have gym?"

"That is your worry?"

"Why are all of you hanging out over here?"

Kurumu grinned as Yukari joined them. Like the other girls, Yukari had donned the green jacket and had even tied her red bow. Rubi followed in her wake, sporting that black lace jacket over a black tube top which bared her midriff. The different segments of the jacket drifted about her calves. Sleek black slacks were tucked in her glossy platform boots. A slim black belt with a silver buckle encircled her waist.

"Waiting on Mizore to get dressed."

"Why are we walking to school with her?"

"Because I want to."

"Your friends don't get along with each other."

"Yukari cares for Mizore in her own special way."

"No. I put up with her because the two of you insist on being nice to her."

Kokoa smirked at Kurumu.

"You were saying?"

"Make any more progress on that teleportation spell?"

"I'm not discussing what I'm doing since you'll get all ethical on me."

"So… you've started animal testing."

"I'll let you know when I'm finished."

"I hope Tora can make progress on that local school article."

Kurumu grinned at Moka.

"Yea. That would be good for the community."

"How is this relevant to catching Mizumi's murderers?"

"It's not, but it's still important."

Kokoa sighed, shaking her head.

"I swear. Mother said not to get involved, but with the way your incompetent club operates, that might be impossible. This school will get shut down before you accomplish anything worthwhile."

Yukari snorted, turning her nose away from Kokoa.

"Go ahead and try to solve this yourself. I'll console Moka when you're dead."

"I'll bury you, you perverted gradeschooler."

"Stop it!"

Both girls frowned at Moka's harsh tone, pointing at the other.

"She started it!"

"I don't care. You two need to get along or neither of you will have a future with me."

"I'm not listening to this-"

The glare Moka favored Kokoa cut her words short.

"She was injured. She won't be nice the next time."

Kokoa grinned with excitement.

"Just say when."

"I don't think you're intimidating her."

Moka pouted at Kurumu.

"I'm trying my best."

Mizore stepped into sight, dressed in the school blouse and skirt. The outline of her black bra was blatant through the sheer fabric. The snow girl wiggled her feet into her loafers before slipping outside. She pulled the door shut, locking it up. There was an unmistakable, sexy aroma about her.

"Are you wearing panties?"

Mizore turned about, pushing her key into a pocket of her school bag. She glanced up, cocking her head as the white stick in her mouth bobbed slightly.

"Yes."

Rubi let out a dejected sigh.

"I am too."

"Why does she sound disappointed?"

Kurumu chuckled at Kokoa's confusion, shaking her head. She gestured to the trail and started off.

"Rubi didn't own any panties yesterday. Did Ms. Nekonome buy her anything else?"

The other girls joined her. Kurumu ended up between Moka and Yukari while Kokoa walked with Fukai only a couple steps behind them. Rubi followed in their wake and Mizore kept to the shadows.

"Ms. Nekonome bought Rubi a pack of panties and a pack of shirts."

"You can buy shirts in a pack?"

"Apparently you can. It's nothing special though. Just long, white shirts which she can wear to bed. We got them from the men's section."

"I hope that I shall be able to pay her back soon."

"Assuming you get hired."

"I hope they have something for me to do."

Kurumu smiled as they walked by the commissary.

"I know this will annoy you, but have you started on an article for the paper?"

"I fail to see how any of that is more important than my work for my Moka."

"It's not like you will have a body to move her into before this article is due."

Yukari grimaced.

"Fair point. I suppose I could speak with Morioka about your weather suggestion."

"I haven't started on my article either."

Kurumu chuckled, thinking how Moka had been eaten one day and beaten up by her sister the next.

"That's no surprise."

"I wonder if I could help Tsukune with his article."

Kurumu smirked at Yukari.

"What are you scheming?"

"Nothing."

"I don't see your white satchel today."

Yukari huffed with a slight blush.

"I saw no reason to bring lunches for people whom won't eat with me."

"Yukari will be eating lunch with me in the faculty lounge."

Kurumu grinned, noting Yukari's blush darken.

"Are you being nice to Rubi?"

"It's called damage control."

Kurumu chuckled as they reached the point where all the paths to the suites came together. Veering to the right, they continued down the wider path towards the main trail.

"I hope they build a school for the community soon. It's terrible that the residents of Mononoke have to resort to homeschooling."

"I was homeschooled."

"So was I."

Kurumu frowned at their quick dismissal of her concern.

"You two don't count. Your mother is rich and can buy the best tutors. And you're a genius."

"Naturally. Why is this important?"

"Tora is doing an article on this."

"Yea. So?"

Kurumu sighed, managing a smile.

"We were given a ride home by Mr. Daijou. He had much to say about the lack of an elementary school."

"It shouldn't be hard to homeschool someone at that grade level."

"It probably is when you have four kids and are trying to manage a house at the same time."

"Why don't they go live somewhere that has an elementary school?"

"It's not really an option. Wolf kids don't raise well in the city."

"Mr. Daijou married an inugami whom his family didn't approve of. It would be too difficult on his wife to live in Ashikantai without him."

Kurumu grinned, nodding at Moka's input.

"Yea. I'm a little surprised that okami are prejudiced against inugami. I've never noticed the girls treating Kiba differently."

Kokoa snorted.

"Humans fret over skin color so it's not that unheard of."

"Yea, well… he took the job here in 94 under the impression that the local school would get built."

"Why don't they have a school here?"

Kurumu frowned at Kokoa.

"I thought you were there when Tokori told us about it burning down in 88."

"No. She was seated at a table with her other girls at that time."

Kurumu smiled apologetically as Yukari and Kokoa glared at each other.

"Well anyways. Mr. Daijou graduated in 88. I thought he might know my mother, which he did, but he had never spoken with her. He married his wife in 90 after she graduated from here."

"Why are we talking about this teacher I've never heard about?"

Kurumu sighed heavily as they neared the end of this trail.

"Because you both acted like the lack of a local school was something unimportant. I'm telling you about a teacher at Yokai Academy whom this issue actually matters to."

There was a break in the conversation as they turned left at the intersection. They continued down the main path for almost a minute in silence.

"They have four kids."

Kurumu chuckled at Mizore's sudden remark. She nodded with a grin.

"Yea. Three boys and a girl. His oldest was born in 92 so he's already old enough to be in junior high."

"One girl. That gets lonely."

Kurumu smiled, recalling that Mizore had two younger brothers.

"The girl is a twin. They were born last in the summer of 98."

Mizore nodded, thumbing the strap of her schoolbag between her breasts.

"Mr. Daijou didn't mention his family when Tsukune talked to him about the cycling club."

Yukari huffed dismissively.

"Probably because it has nothing to do with the cycling club."

Kurumu snapped her finger, wagging it at Kokoa.

"You and Moka should eat with Tsukune today."

"Why would I want to do that?"

"Because you wanted to meet more girls. I'm sure you would like Akari. She's the class rep of those girls you eat lunch with."

"Is she trying to get more blood?"

Kurumu laughed at Mizore's inquiry.

"No. At least I don't think so."

"I'm quite content with the girls I have."

"Kokoa is feeling down because all of the girls in her homeroom have joined the boycott."

Mizore nodded, regarding them with her emotionless eyes.

"We might not have seats yet."

"I'm not eating lunch with Aono."

Kurumu smiled softly.

"I need to remind Kana that she has to help me with those band interviews today at lunch."

"I need to remind Kana that she hasn't brought over the latest volume of Nana."

Kurumu chuckled at Yukari's offhand remark. They were already close to the spot where the trail split up with one path going towards Mononoke.

"Do you think they'll let me print your photos at school?"

"Did you bring my thumb drive?"

Kurumu nodded, patting her schoolbag. She had stayed up last night to transfer Moka's pictures off her laptop onto Moka's drive. She would have done hers too, but that would have required going back to her room since she had left her laptop in there.

"I wonder how much it costs."

"I could find that out when I have lunch in the teachers' lounge."

"You wouldn't object to us buying a printer, right?"

Kokoa snorted at Moka's question.

"Why would I care what you do with your money?"

Moka nodded as they continued on in silence. They had priced several things at Entertainment, including printers, ink and having the staff print their photos for them. Tora was right that it might not be worth owning one if these were the only pictures they would print all year.

After another minute, they reached the start of the perimeter wall which marked the edge of the school grounds. They steadily walked by the boards preceding the school, nearing the front gate.

"What is she doing there?"

Ms. Shuzen stood by the gate, dressed in a royal blue blouse with a stiff puritan collar. Her hands were folded neatly against the golden buckle of a black belt holding up textured gray capris. The woman's eyes brightened with a nervous smile upon seeing them. She abandoned her post, moving to intercept them.

"Lady Kokoa."

Sharing a glance, they came to a stop.

"Good morning, Ms. Shuzen."

"Good morning, girls. Lady Moka."

"Am I in trouble again?"

Ms. Shuzen tittered.

"Should you be?"

Kurumu smirked, wondering if the school was still upset over the damages Kokoa had wrought upon class three before the weekend kicked off.

"Is there a problem, Ms. Shuzen?"

The woman waved her hand dismissively at Kurumu.

"Nothing serious. I was told to talk with Lady Kokoa."

"They were already scolded for wrecking the school."

"That was you. Not us."

"No, no. No harm done. Ms. Idatsu smoothed over those damages over the weekend."

Kurumu smiled softly at the mention of the teacher for the elective on construction trades.

"Why else would you need her?"

"Yes. Of course. Your friends would want to know. Good to have friends."

"Ishiko is the only friend I have here."

Kurumu smirked, not wanting to hear what Kokoa defined her as.

"Fine, Milady. We shall leave this matter to you."

Though she intended to walk off on her own, all of the girls, including Kokoa, followed after her. Ms. Shuzen strode purposefully alongside the stubborn vampire.

"I was informed that you need to put in an application for a club by the end of the week."

"What? Why?"

"I understand that you were informed that you had to join a club last term. You have been given plenty of time to make this decision."

"We are in the middle of a boycott and you want me to join a club?"

Ms. Shuzen smiled apologetically as they walked through the open school gate.

"I am only passing along the message I was given. Surely a vampire of your many talents has no shortage of clubs wanting you to join them."

"Of course! Several clubs have hounded for my presence."

Kurumu glanced at Kokoa, arching an eyebrow. Kokoa glared back at her, daring her to say a word.

"We've offered a spot in our newspaper club for her."

Kokoa huffed indignantly.

"They have. But Mother insists that I don't join Sister's club."

"You could always join and not come to the meetings."

Ms. Shuzen frowned at Kurumu.

"That would be extremely disingenuous."

Kurumu shrugged as Moka reached the door and opened it for them.

"It happens all the time. The newspaper club had members that never wrote articles last year."

"I'm not joining your stupid club."

Kurumu smirked, stepping inside ahead of the indignant vampire.

"I only suggested it since we are a popular club. You might regret it if you pass up this opportunity."

Kokoa stalked off to her cubby aisle for her slippers.

"I will turn in a club application by Friday. And it won't be for their useless club."

"Very good, Lady Kokoa."

"Um… Ms. Shuzen?"

Moka smiled timidly at the older vampire.

"I was wondering if you would be free after school today."

Kurumu grinned as she retreated to her aisle with Yukari.


"If you two don't have anything else to add, I think we're done."

The bell accentuated her point as the two big guys shared a glance. These two hailed from the same village of giants in the Yuzawa area as Motoharu from the judo club. Sadly neither possessed that deep, sexy voice to make up for their rather mundane appearances.

Kansei Daiki from class seven was the taller of the two and had shaven his dark hair down to almost nothing. Kurobo Kennin from class ten had more girth and sported an afro the color of soot. Kansei had assured her that they were of no relation which had her wonder whom would ever mistake these two second years as relatives.

"Thanks for talking to us."

Kurumu grinned as the hulking brutes slowly stood up with their trays. Neither of these boys conversed with girls outside of their lunch group. She doubted Asuka would approve of either of them dating her friend, Taijin. If only Motoharu had not been a senior.

"Are you going to squeeze one more in before next period?"

Kurumu smiled at Sukoyaka as all of the first year band kids about her slowly got up. The local monstrel girl had pushed her orchid bangs back with a crimson headband today. Her copper eyes had a warm kindness about them.

"I'm not too worried about skipping next period if I have to. It's more a matter of if any of you are willing to miss some of fifth period because of me."

Fuzen snorted, making no attempts to rise from the floor. His huff caught the attention of the other two second year guys whom she still had not interviewed. The two shared a glance and a shrug.

"I suppose being a little late won't hurt."

Osen snickered at Noushi, sitting back down first. Osen's burgundy locks were naturally spiked. Noushi had swept back his bangs which ended with a slight curl, giving the impression of a wave. His mahogany tresses were pulled in a short tail in the back.

"I could skip class and nobody would care."

"Mr. Tagami won't let you play in the concert if you skip school."

Osen waved his hand dismissively at Sukoyaka's remark.

"Yea, yea. I'm only talking about one class. Not a whole day of school."

"See you in band."

Sukoyaka laughed with a shooing gesture at Hiritsuki Taiji. The first year from class one had his charcoal hair trimmed in a crew cut. Standing about as tall as Tsukune, Hiritsuki had girly lips and exotic eyes.

"We might still be here."

Kurumu grinned as the youth was tugged by his sleeve by Mamorinuku Katame. The other first year from class one had slicked his dirty blond locks back into a simple left side part. While Mamorinuku had gone to the same junior high as most of these boys, his family lived near Atsuen.

"Onishi!"

The doll flinched at Osen's voice. Holding her tray tightly, the girl turned wide eyes on the boy.

"Take our trays."

"We can take them ourselves."

Osen wagged his finger at Noushi while holding his empty tray out.

"She can do this small thing."

"You should leave her alone."

Ignoring Yamaguchi, Onishi silently took Osen's tray, slipping hers beneath his as she reorganized the emptied cartons. Noushi shrugged, surrendering his tray to the girl when she finished.

"Thank you."

"You don't have to do what they tell you."

"Shut up, man. If she didn't want to, she would speak up."

Despite going to junior high with these guys, Onishi would only speak with Sukoyaka. She avoided all conversation which was not explicitly about her. She seemed emotionless most of the time, but had betrayed mild annoyance with Yamaguchi Arisu from Moka's homeroom. That nasal toned, dark haired boy with the bowl cut had stared at Onishi for most of the lunch hour.

While the girl started to rearrange the trays for the addition of Noushi's, Kurumu stood up. She smiled at the curious looks from Osen and Noushi.

"I'm going to check on Kana for a bit. I'll be right back."

The group muttered acknowledgments as Kurumu stalked over to the other lunch group in the band hall. Most of them had stood up at the sound of the bell. Yochimaru was giggling with Itsuki while his sister frowned at the exchange. Touzoku was poking Morita Kane, whom had to be the tallest tanuki Kurumu had ever met. Itazura hovered in Touzoku's shadow.

Fukusei was the scraggly haired ginger leaving the room with his classmate Hoshiyama, whom was about Moka's height and had his greasy hair parted down the middle. Aserouku was the lanky guy with the chocolate tresses hiding his ears whom followed them out. Seeing no signs of Yoake, Kurumu hoped that meant Kana was finished with the six she had remaining from last time.

Kana was seated with Sagimori and his suite companion Minkan. The dryad was chatting with the quiet tanuki boy from Nagamushi's class four. It looked like the gyokuto boys and the senior Kosui cousins had already left.

"Ms. Kurono."

Kurumu laughed as Touzoku pulled her aside.

"I think we might start eating here."

"What?!"

Itazura had a horrified expression, shaking her head as Touzoku grinned brightly.

"It's kind of dull eating in class ten and there's lots of interesting kids here."

"That is a wonderful idea!"

Itazura cringed at Yochimaru's enthusiasm.

"I wouldn't mind having some new faces around. This little rascal is cute."

Touzoku giggled as Morita tousled her hair. He had such a sleek, sexy voice.

"Do I hear you giving up on Ms. Tebayai?"

"Hey now. Admitting Ms. Touzoku is cute does not mean I have extinguished the flame in my heart."

"Please do."

Touzoku giggled with a snort at Tebayai's emphatic remark. It was such a silly, cute thing that Kurumu had to laugh along with everyone else.

"I will say one thing."

Yochimaru paused with a deep breath to recollect her composure.

"I have abandoned my misguided affection for Mr. Heiya."

"Oh? Found a new love?"

Itsuki chuckled, wagging his hand at Kurumu.

"An oversight on my part. My sister should have remembered."

"It was none of my business."

Yochimaru pouted at the older girl.

"I would warn you if the guy you were crushing on had a girlfriend."

Tebayai pouted back.

"You didn't seem that serious about Mr. Heiya. The whole time you were flirting with my brother."

Itsuki grinned, gesturing at Sagimori whom was getting up from his spot.

"Mr. Sagimori reminded me that Mr. Heiya will be marrying some girl a couple years older than him. I honestly forgot all about Ms. Ikarashi."

Kurumu smirked at him.

"You forgot?"

"It's not like we went to school with her. I only met her once."

Kurumu nodded, remembering that these two were not from Aranoiji.

"You can't fault your sister for forgetting about her too."

"She didn't forget."

Tebayai huffed, glancing aside.

"If she was serious, she would have found out herself."

"Assuming Mr. Heiya would admit to having a fiancée if a young, willing girl threw herself at him."

"I wasn't throwing myself at him!"

Touzoku giggled, sticking her tongue out at Yochimaru.

"In my experience with Mr. Heiya, he is not a shameless womanizer like these two."

Itsuki rolled his eyes and Morita frowned.

"But you have always been the only woman in my life."

"Speaking with another girl in a friendly manner is forbidden in her eyes."

"No. It's irresponsible to chase after girls with lewd intentions."

Morita arched an eyebrow at Tebayai's indignation.

"My intentions are to serve."

"It's sad that you're so hung up on her."

"More like a waste."

Tebayai wrung her hands as Yochimaru and Touzoku giggled.

"It's irresponsible. He has no job or plans for a future. You can't go through life thinking everything will work out simply because you found someone you want to be with."

Kurumu smiled softly.

"I don't know. Simple things are nice."

"I totally agree. You can always make up reasons to not be with someone. Love is action. If you're doing nothing with a crush, than you obviously don't love that person."

Kurumu flinched at Itsuki's declaration. She did have reasons for why things were like this with Tsukune. It certainly had nothing to do with a lack of love. But she held back her words, not wanting to say anything which might make others aware of her broken relationship.

"I suppose that's true. I didn't know him that well."

"But it's kind of normal for girls not to ask guys out, right? I've never considered asking a guy out."

Morita chuckled, patting Touzoku's head.

"Why not? I'm sure any guy you'd ask would say yes."

"Oh? So if I ask you out, you'd say yes?"

Morita withdrew his hand, frowning.

"Such a cruel thing to say in the presence of my beloved."

"You can have him."

"And even crueler to be cast aside."

"Well… how long should you know someone before asking them out?"

Itsuki chuckled at Yochimaru's inquiry.

"I think that's a question for another time. We should head to our next class."

Kurumu nodded, remembering that this was supposed to have been a quick check up and she had yet to speak with Kana. Both Sagimori and Minkan had departed during this conversation, leaving Kana alone with that boy whose name she could not recall.

"It's been fun. We should do this again."

"Do we… have to?"

Touzoku giggled as she released Kurumu to grab hold of her timid friend.

"Yes, we do."

"It was pleasant seeing you, Ms. Kurono."

Kurumu smiled, bowing slightly to Itsuki as he retreated towards the door with Morita at his side.

"Don't have too much fun with my friends."

"Don't worry. My sister won't allow that."

Kurumu giggled as the group exited the room. She took in a deep breath, wondering how much time she had before the bell rang. Shaking her head, she trotted over to Kana. The containers of Kana's lunch tray had been emptied unlike Kurumu's which remained untouched.

Yochimaru and Kana had not held a place in line for them. Normally those two would go through the lunch line on their own, arriving in class ten well ahead of their friends. But since Kurumu had requested Kana's help this morning while Yochimaru had been chatting with her, the two had agreed to wait in line for them. They clearly misunderstood what Kurumu had intended, both unfamiliar with the idea of holding a place in line like Akari did. She was lucky that Onishi and those two big guys had little to say for her article, allowing her to barely scrape out six interviews thus far.

"Hey, Kana."

"I'm almost done. Do you have anything else you'd like to add, Mr. Tsukihara?"

"That's good. When you do finish, bring your notes over to me. I'll still have four more to go."

Kana gave her a thumbs up as Mr. Tsukihara looked away from Kurumu, murmuring something about wanting a girlfriend. Kurumu smiled softly, turning about and heading back to her original group.

Sukoyaka had scooted over beside Fuzen and was fussing with his black cherry tresses. He was holding still, allowing the girl to do as she pleased while the other two guys talked in low voices about something they found amusing.

Kurumu had to ask Kaimura about this monstrel community in Moegara the next time she lunched with Kokoa's girls. From what she heard from these boys, it was at least a third of Moegara's population. She was mildly curious why Kaimura had never mentioned anything about this.

None of these boys could say much about why the salamander elders tolerated their presence. It was something which had been going on for decades. Both Fuzen and Osen had salamander fathers. The rest of the boys had monstrel mothers with salamander grandfathers. Onishi was an unusual case of having a salamander mother. Most of the time children born from salamander mothers retained enough traits to still be classified as a salamander. Onishi's little ten year old brother was a salamander.

"Took you long enough."

Kurumu smiled at Fuzen's gruff welcome as she knelt down beside her notebook. Turning to the next clean page, Kurumu picked up her mechanical pencil and pushed the bottom for more graphite.

"So which one of you should I do first?"

"Mr. Osen."

"Why me?"

"Because the rest of us have band sixth period."

Osen snorted at Sukoyaka, shaking his head. Noushi grinned while Fuzen stared at Osen. Sukoyaka continued to preen Fuzen's turnip shaped hairstyle. The emptied, black bentos she had made for Fuzen and herself were resting on Fuzen's right side.

"So… Mr. Osen. Let's start with your full name and what homeroom you are in."

Osen huffed, leaning back on his left hand while sitting cross legged. He cocked his head.

"Osen Kagi from class seven."

"And you are from Moegara."

"Yes."

"Birthday?"

"I turned seventeen on the eighteenth a couple weeks ago."

"Cool. Mine was on the second. I'm almost a whole year younger than you."

"I guess that's cool."

"I heard from Mr. Sagimori that you joined band with Mr. Fuzen in the middle of last year."

"I bet that weasel told you we were Outcasts."

"He did."

Osen shared a glance with Fuzen, whom shrugged indifferently.

"Midou was from Moegara. We grew up with him."

Fuzen nodded, pushing Sukoyaka's hands away from his hair.

"I helped create the Outcasts with Midou and Haikan. You might not realize this, but admitting you're a monstrel was not a good idea when I started school here. Even with teachers like Mr. Saitou and Mr. Fukushima looking out for us, there were still kids whom would randomly get branded a murderer and summarily executed. Midou had this idea that if we formed a gang and proactively picked fights with big names, Kuyo might think twice about coming after us. Seemed to work fine the time I was with him."

"You probably knew several of the guys in that altercation which almost had my whole club expelled."

Osen snorted as Fuzen waved his hand dismissively.

"Half the kids killed in that were first years."

"They were a bunch of city boys whom rejected by Hisoshi due to their poor behavior in junior high."

"I asked Haikan if they were even official members of the Outcasts. I guess Fusamina and Midou were planning on combining their groups since Kuyo was out of the picture."

Kurumu frowned.

"So… you didn't know any of the guys?"

Noushi shrugged.

"Haikan is the only monstrel from Moegara whom is still part of the Outcasts. These two quit and three of the four first years joined band. I heard Ms. Kubo joined the acupuncture club."

"I knew all of the seniors that died, but I won't pretend like I was friends with any of them. Yoshikawa was in my gym class and I shared homeroom with him once. He had an annoying laugh. That weasel was with our rugby team but wouldn't show up at practice so Mr. Fukushima kicked him out. He remained an Outcast, though he joined Fusamina's crew."

Fuzen paused.

"Koroge was an ass but could hold his own in a fight. He always hung out with Fusamina, though he was an Outcast. Never shared a class with him. Sumita was another rugby dropout. Never liked him."

Kurumu shuddered at the casual mention of the guy whom raped Yukari.

"I'm glad you didn't lose a lot of friends in that."

"Yea… never thought Midou would go down like that. Haikan was lucky he was kept in the dark about this thing, else he might have cashed in too."

"Is Haikan the leader of the Outcasts now?"

Fuzen snickered as the bell sounded the start of fifth period.

"No way. I can't imagine Haikan stepping up like that. It has to be somebody else."

Kurumu grinned as Osen and Noushi chuckled over this.

"Whom else would be in charge?"

"That certainly is a good question. While I could name off all of the guys whom would show up for a fight, Midou mentioned having some smart guys in the shadows to help us out. I'm assuming this Yoshii whom was supposedly pulling all of our strings was one of those hidden allies."

Kurumu nodded, glancing over her shoulder at the sound of footsteps. She grinned at Kana whom held out three sheets of paper to her.

"Thank you, Kana."

"Are you going to make it to your next class?"

Kurumu laughed, taking the sheets.

"Let me worry about that."

"Okay. I'll see you after school."

Kurumu grinned as the blond took off. Slipping the sheets into her notebook, she returned her attention to the boys.

"I'm wandering off topic again. I'm sorry."

"As long as you don't plan on writing some article about the monstrels of Moegara like we're some exhibit at a museum, I don't give a shit."

"Mr. Osen."

"What? You have to admit that this sort of interest isn't normal."

"Even if she is scouting us for information to use against the Outcasts, I don't know anything that isn't common knowledge. Pretty much everybody whom has been here for more than a year knows that the Arukage brothers and Haikan are Outcasts. Most of the rugby team is and it's not like every member of the Outcasts is a monstrel."

"I wouldn't be surprised if Hirata took up the role."

Kurumu frowned at Noushi's remark.

"Mr. Hirata?"

Osen snorted.

"Kuji from my homeroom. He's Mr. Hirata's nephew."

"I could see that. Haikan said he would ask Hirata to take over the role of captain of the rugby team after the cultural festival."

Kurumu grinned as she tapped her pencil against her notebook.

"I feel like there are so many kids in this school I don't know anything about."

"It's a big school, Ms. Kurono."

"Can you imagine what it would be like going to school with humans? I hear they have forty kids a class. Some schools have twice the amount of homerooms we do. That's like our entire school as one grade."

"There are way too many humans."

Kurumu chuckled at Noushi's comment.

"So what classes are we all skipping?"

"Math with Mr. Fujita."

Osen snorted at Noushi.

"Can you afford to skip class?"

"I don't see you running off to yours."

"I have science next with Ms. Uchikawa. She has yet to make us do anything on a Monday."

"Well… Ms. Uchikawa hasn't been in charge of our class for that long."

"You have her third period. Are we doing anything?"

Sukoyaka sighed, leaning her head against Fuzen's shoulder.

"You shouldn't skip her class. Hurry up with your interview."

"I would if she asked any questions."

Kurumu smiled apologetically.

"I'm sorry."

"I'm skipping Mr. Hirata's English lecture right now. That's a complete waste of time."

"I totally agree. I have Mr. Nagamushi and he won't teach in Japanese. I have no clue what is going on most of the time."

"I heard about him. I'm glad that I had Ms. Komeshita."

"We both had Ms. Houkai."

"So you two boys had the same homeroom last year?"

"Mhm. We both had Mrs. Sunao in class ten."

"I still haven't heard a question about me."

Kurumu laughed, nodding.

"Sorry. Since I know that your junior high didn't have band, I'm assuming none of you boys had any experience with instruments prior to joining band."

"That would be correct."

"I was surprised that Ms. Onishi had an instrument. I'm borrowing one from the school."

"What instruments do you play?"

"I'm playing the sex."

Noushi grinned as Sukoyaka blushed, lifting her head off Fuzen's shoulder.

"The saxophone."

"Same thing."

"No. It's not."

"I'll let you play my sex."

"That joke wasn't funny the first day you said it."

Noushi grinned at Osen.

"My skills with the sex have improved greatly over the year."

"Your sex skills suck."

"Sukoyaka disagrees."

"About the saxophone."

"My fingers push all the right spots and I'm getting good with my tempo."

Sukoyaka groaned, smiling weakly at Kurumu.

"I'm sorry he's such a deviant."

"Since that question was meant for me, I'm playing the trumpet. So is Fuzen."

Fuzen huffed at Osen's declaration.

"It's an easy instrument to play."

"All you have to do is purse your lips and blow."

"That's why you two will never be good at sex."

"Drop it, man. You're acting like an eight year old."

Fuzen thumbed at Sukoyaka, causing the girl to flinch.

"She's been playing the violin since she was eight. One of the few decent members in our band."

"I think you're fine with the trumpet."

Kurumu scrawled down these notes in the margins.

"I've noticed a lot of boys are playing trumpets."

Sukoyaka sighed.

"And a lot of girls stick with flutes or clarinets. I know it seems like band is this huge club, but there are more than two dozen instruments to pick from. We don't need so many flutes and clarinets in our band."

"Yea, but Mr. Tagami doesn't have a bunch of different instruments to lend out. Unless you're bringing your own, you're going to end up on a flute or clarinet."

Osen nodded at Noushi's remark.

"And if you're a guy, it's a trumpet or trombone. I wish I could have done the drums."

"Everybody wishes for that. But the drums were taken by the time we joined and Mr. Tagami doesn't want us to switch instruments."

Kurumu smirked, imagining these two had ended up with whatever Mr. Tagami had in storage, since they had joined in the middle of the year.

"What sort of future plans do you have, Mr. Osen?"

"I'm thinking about enrolling into one of those trade schools the humans have. Though I don't know if they require documentation. If they do, I guess I can always walk onto a construction site and get hired for manual labor."

"Oh? Interested in construction?"

"Not in particular. But I hear the pay is decent and that they will pay you off the books."

"You should see if your dad can get you a visa."

Osen snorted at Fuzen.

"Like yours will do for you?"

"Fuck off. My father has tried everything to get my rights to citizenship. Fucking Fairy Tale pricks."

Osen let out a deep sigh.

"Whatever. Fairy Tale helps the purebloods first. Always has been the case. We're bottom rung so the best we can hope for is some good pay from the humans for doing work nobody else is willing to do."

"There's always work in Moegara."

"If you're willing to waste your whole life there."

"I don't mind sticking it out with my old man. If that's all this world will give me, then so be it."

Kurumu absently marked up her sheet, unsure how she should go about including this in her article.

"You won't mind if I say that your plan is to graduate, right? A lot of kids keep it simple like that."

"Sure. Why not? Go ahead and throw college in there too. Unlike these three, I actually place in the top half of my class."

Sukoyaka pouted.

"That's not nice. My parents were too preoccupied with running their business to educate me."

"Sorry, Sukoyaka. What's your excuse?"

Noushi shrugged.

"I'm dumb?"

Fuzen shook his head when Osen turned a smirk on him.

"Fuck off."

Kurumu grinned, tapping her pencil against the sheet.

"Girlfriends?"

"Run away with me, Sukoyaka."

"Not a chance."

"I have no prospects in the near future."

"Why would you ask her?"

"What's wrong with dating me?"

"Because you're like an annoying older sister."

"But I'm younger than you."

Fuzen snorted.

"Barely."

Kurumu grinned at Sukoyaka whom remained close by Fuzen's side.

"Do you have any love interests, Ms. Sukoyaka?"

Sukoyaka smiled sweetly as she poked Fuzen's side.

"None at the moment."

"Don't lie. You're madly in love with Kaneshiro."

Sukoyaka blushed at Fuzen's comment. She slugged his shoulder, turning her face away from them.

"I'm not."

"She was using me to get close to him."

"You said you were his friend."

Kurumu grinned at the pouting girl.

"What exactly is the story here?"

"There's nothing to tell."

"She was hanging out with the rugby team the year before she started school."

"Not all of the time."

"Why would she do that?"

"She lives next door to the Arukage brothers so she would drop by with Uso to watch Shinji and the rest of us play."

Sukoyaka sighed.

"It was not like either of us had anything better to do. My parents would have me help with the store if I didn't leave the house."

"How does this translate into a crush on the student council president?"

"Mr. Kaneshiro was the star of the rugby team."

Kurumu's eyes went wide at Noushi's remark.

"No way!"

Osen and Fuzen both chuckled, shaking their heads.

"Don't listen to him, Ms. Kurono."

"That dork was in band half of his first year before dropping out to join the chess club."

"He is not a dork."

"Why did he quit?"

Fuzen shrugged, batting away Sukoyaka's prodding fingers.

"He was hospitalized right at the start of the second term and missed the big concert. He came back in time for midterms and switched to the chess club. I believe his reasoning was along the lines of failing the band with his absence."

"Which is nonsense. Half of us can't play worth a shit."

Fuzen smirked, nodding.

"I don't know why she was fixated on him, but when I told her that I shared homeroom with him my first year, she started pestering me for details."

"And then Fuzen had me drop the rugby team to join band with him so it wouldn't look so obvious that he was crushing on Sukoyaka."

"Fuck off."

Kurumu grinned as the boys chuckled over Fuzen's discomfort. Sukoyaka poked his cheek.

"I already told him before he joined the band that I wasn't interested in him like that."

"I never said I was interested in a nag like you."

"So why did you take an interest in the student council president?"

Sukoyaka smiled softly.

"Since being home meant working, I decided to attend one of our class rep meetings with Ms. Shikichi. Mr. Kaneshiro was the rep of his class at the time. He seemed like an interesting guy, passionate about making changes in the school."

Kurumu frowned at the description.

"Really? He seems like a stickler for the rules to me."

"He is the student council president. He wouldn't be a good role model if he blatantly broke the rules."

Kurumu nodded, turning her attention back to Osen.

"Was there anything else you would like to add? Like favorite things."

"The cafeteria needs to start serving high grade sushi."

Fuzen snickered, shaking his head.

"They're not doing that. If we're lucky, they might serve discount sushi."

"You don't eat from the cafeteria so your input doesn't matter."

"I'm not going to turn away free food."

"Any reason why you make a lunch for him?"

Sukoyaka blushed as the boys chuckled.

"Uso has a crush on Sukoyaka. The lunch she brings is for a mystery boyfriend."

"It's no mystery. He assumes it's you."

"That guy is dense. We were eating with the rugby team for months before I switched to band. He should have realized I wasn't the one eating your second bento."

"I know. I'm glad that you dispose of it for me. I was worried about gaining weight."

"You could use the weight in some places."

Sukoyaka rolled her eyes.

"It never goes where you want it to go."

Kurumu grinned at Osen.

"So… you like sushi?"

"Kaisai Tech had some quality sushi. I hope we go there again next spring."

"Why would you go to Kaisai Tech?"

"The band and choir both have another concert in early March."

"They do?"

Sukoyaka giggled, nodding.

"Yes. Last year we went to Kaisai Tech. We probably won't go there again since the year before that they went to Minemine Institute."

"I have no idea where either of those schools are."

"They're both prefectural schools. Kaisai Tech is in Fukushima while Minemine is in Gunma."

Kurumu nodded, now recalling that the softball girls had mentioned Kasai Tech.

"What other things would you like to add before you go?"

"I like pink."

"Since when?"

"Since it's the color of all of my favorite things."

Fuzen snorted.

"You don't own anything pink."

Kurumu shuddered from a lecherous thought tossed upon her.

"I don't have to own it to want it."

"Any music preferences?"

"Naw. Do I really have to go?"

"Yes, you do."

Kurumu grinned at Sukoyaka's quick reply.

"If you don't have anything else, you can go."

Osen took in a deep breath. Clapping his hands on his knees, he leaned forward.

"Suppose I should. I'll see you dorks after school."

Osen got to his feet as Sukoyaka wagged a finger at him.

"Be nice to Hiromi."

Osen grunted a response before stalking off. Kurumu tapped her pencil against her sheet, watching the boy leave the room before turning her attention on Noushi.

"I'll do you next if you don't mind."

"I don't mind sloppy seconds."

Kurumu frowned, unfamiliar with that expression.

"Okay… Full name and homeroom?"

"Noushi Neiro from class one."

"Birthday?"

"I turned seventeen the first of this month."

"I'm surprised you didn't speak up when Osen mentioned his."

"I was trying to avoid interrupting your interview."

Kurumu smiled softly.

"Did you do anything special on your birthday?"

"I had the boys and Hiromi over for the whole weekend."

"Really?"

"Yea… Sukoyaka's parents have a guest room so we stayed there."

Kurumu nodded slowly, realizing this was why Onishi had not been in her room on Saturday.

"That's a lot of boys to have over."

"It was just the three older boys. We didn't tell the other first years we were doing this."

Kurumu grinned, jotting down his birthday.

"Do you have a special woman in your life?"

"Of course."

"I'm going to pound you if you make a pass on Sukoyaka."

Noushi chuckled at his threat, shaking his head.

"I wasn't thinking about her."

"And it better not be Onishi."

"What's wrong with liking Hiromi?"

"Onishi could pass as a little boy. He might as well be fessing up to being gay."

"Hiromi doesn't look like a little boy."

"It's not Ms. Onishi."

Fuzen regarded the smirking boy suspiciously.

"I sense some bullshit about to be uttered."

"He might have a crush on someone."

"Yea. I can be attracted to a girl."

"Not with that grin. I'll pound you if you make a pass on Ms. Kurono too."

"What is it with you pounding me? I swear that you're the gay one."

"Fuck off, dweeb."

Noushi giggled like a little boy as Sukoyaka shook her head.

"Is it someone we know?"

"Mr. Fuzen knows her."

"Stop wasting Ms. Kurono's time and say your punchline."

Noushi sighed dramatically.

"Since you insist. The special woman I had in mind is my mother."

"That wasn't what she was asking."

"I know. But I only talk regularly with two girls. One if you don't think talking at Ms. Onishi counts."

Kurumu smiled softly, her thoughts lingering on her mother. She took in a deep breath.

"Don't you speak with Ms. Kubo?"

"She doesn't swing by to chat that often. Usually it's about something she needs from Ms. Onishi."

"Ever think about asking a girl out?"

"Sure. Every guy does."

"Then why don't you?"

"Because they'd say no."

"His sex skills are lacking."

"I'm working on that."

"Saxophone, you dummies."

Kurumu grinned, shaking her head.

"So you have no crushes?"

"I have girls I wouldn't mind practicing my sex with."

"Okay. I'll drop it. What sort of plans do you have for the future?"

"Hopefully one which doesn't require hard labor."

"Because you're a pussy."

"I'd work hard for some pussy."

"Language you two. There are ladies present."

Fuzen snorted as Noushi chuckled.

"Sorry, Ms. Kurono."

"Yea. My bad, Ms. Kurono."

Kurumu giggled, absently marking up her sheet.

"Shall I put down generic plans for you?"

"Sounds fine to me. I'll probably settle on doing odd jobs around Moegara and watching over my mother. I know that's not glamorous, but it's not like I can aspire for much more than that."

"What about your father?"

"Never knew him. Sweet talked my mother into a bed and ran out of her life the moment he heard I was coming along."

Kurumu forced a smile, wondering if she had the right to wallow in her bleak outlook of the future. These kids had it much worse than her.

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be. Mr. Fuzen has it worse."

"How so?"

"Don't."

"It's worse when it's the mother that runs out."

Fuzen scowled, shaking his head.

"It doesn't matter. Happened so long ago that I can't say I remember her face. Good riddance."

There was an uncomfortable pause as Kurumu fumbled over if she should respond to that.

"Well… would you like to add anything else? Favorite things?"

"I've taken a liking to classical music."

Kurumu smiled softly.

"It's probably been years since I've heard classical music. Can you get that on CD?"

Sukoyaka brightened up, nodding.

"You certainly can. I've been listening to classical music for as long as I can remember. My parents play it over the speakers at our shop. Haven't you stopped by?"

"I've walked by it several times but I've never gone inside."

"You should. We have seating inside if you want to hang out and listen to the music."

"I don't know when we'll get to go back to Mononoke with things the way they are."

"Oh, that's right. I forgot they closed the town."

"Not that we let that stop us from having my birthday at your place."

"I think that's allowed, considering I live in town."

Noushi chuckled at her pout. Sukoyaka turned a reluctant smile on Kurumu.

"My mother loves the violin. That's why she bought one for me when I was little."

"And you have become the best violinist that I know."

Fuzen snorted.

"Not a hard accomplishment when the other one is a first year we barely know."

"I rather enjoy playing with Ms. Sukihara."

Kurumu frowned, momentarily thinking Sukoyaka had meant the young boy Kana had interviewed last. Then she recalled Juri's friend whom she had yet to meet.

"I haven't interviewed her yet. One of my friends in class grew up with her."

"She's a nice girl. She hasn't played the violin as long as me, but she's still good."

"Those two are better than most of our flutes and clarinets."

"And Ms. Onishi. She can barely play that thing her mother gave her."

"It's called a bassoon."

"What's a bassoon look like?"

"It looks like my sex."

"Saxophone. And no, it's more like a clarinet than a saxophone. It's a pretty instrument."

Noushi nodded, wagging a finger at Kurumu.

"Yoshida and her friend have something like a clarinet but isn't one. I think she called it a hobo."

"Oboe, you dummy."

"Same thing."

"No, it's not."

Kurumu grinned at Sukoyaka.

"Yoshida?"

"Yoshida Kinoko from class four. She's always with Ms. Ikesuima."

"They're part of Kawakuchi's crew."

Kurumu nodded at Fuzen's input.

"I'm hoping to spend tomorrow's lunch with that group."

"Try not to end up on the menu. Those big girls might mistake you for a snack."

"Oh hush. Those girls aren't much taller than I am."

"You don't have to be tall to be wide."

Noushi snickered at Fuzen's gruff remarks. Kurumu smiled politely, shaking her head.

"Is there anything else you would like to add?"

"I like the rain. I miss the rain. Two years without a rainy season due to Mononoke not having one."

"Why do you enjoy that miserable time of the year?"

He shrugged at Fuzen.

"I don't know. I've always had a pull towards water. I like to swim. I like the ocean."

"What's next? Do you like long walks on the beach?"

Sukoyaka giggled as Fuzen smirked at Noushi. The younger boy smirked back.

"I certainly like seeing girls in swimsuits."

"You know you could hang out at the pool if that's what you want."

Noushi chuckled at Kurumu, shaking his head.

"With those mermaids? Then I would be the one ending up on a menu."

Kurumu grinned, regarding her notes.

"Anything else?"

"I think I'm good. Guess I should run off to class, though I've missed quite a bit of it."

"It's not that late. I may even go to Mr. Ishihara's class if we wrap these up soon."

"I'm in no hurry to attend English."

Kurumu chuckled, agreeing with that sentiment.

"Then I shall be off. It was a pleasure speaking with you, Ms. Kurono. Perhaps sometime you would be interested in seeing my sex skills."

"Go away, pervert."

Noushi snickered, getting up and starting for the door. Kurumu waited until he had slipped out into the hall before turning to the others.

"I actually know quite a bit about Ms. Sukoyaka Myaku. I understand that you were in Ginei's homeroom last year. I also know that your parents run the Guilty Pleasures snack shop."

"Correct and correct."

"What homeroom are you in now?"

"I'm in class six with Mr. Koike and Ms. Hajihachi. I'm sure you're aware that both of them were also in Mr. Morioka's homeroom last year."

"Did she mention that she's dating Ginei now?"

"She is?!"

"Yea. The two worked something out last night."

Sukoyaka smiled sweetly.

"Good for her. I thought something might be up as she was more cheerful than usual."

"Yea. I'm hoping this will finally put an end to his deviant behavior."

"I doubt that's possible."

"That dog better shape up. Some of us don't get a bunch of girls fawning all over us."

"You would only be annoyed if there was another girl fussing over you."

"Depends on if that girl was also swooning for another guy."

Sukoyaka stuck her tongue out at him.

"So when is your birthday?"

"May twenty third. And he turned seventeen on the twentieth of February."

"Oh? So you all are seventeen now."

"Yup. She still tries to act older than us."

"I'm more mature than any of you."

Kurumu grinned, turning her attention of Fuzen.

"If you don't mind, what is your name and homeroom?"

"Huh? Aren't you going to finish her first?"

"I think I can wrap both of you up at the same time."

Fuzen huffed, shrugging.

"Fine. Fuzen Yuusha from class four."

"And what sort of plans for the future do the two of you have?"

Sukoyaka blushed, glancing down as Fuzen snorted indifferently.

"Marriage."

"Survival."

Kurumu smirked. These two were clearly on different pages.


Kurumu let out a heavy sigh as she slumped into the seat of her old desk in the back of class three. Most of her former classmates had already exited the classroom, hurrying off to their clubs. Those without club activities were likely going to their dorm rooms, since Kurai would not start serving dinner until six.

"You look exhausted."

Tsukune chuckled, hovering by his old desk with Mizore lingering nearby. Yukari hopped up onto Moka's old desk, scooting back and planting her schoolbag between her thighs.

"It's been a long day."

Despite wrapping up her interviews with Sukoyaka and Fuzen long before the bell, the three of them had skipped the whole fifth period. Neither had serious college expectations. Fuzen was dismissive about the future, possessing a 'what will be, will be' attitude. He denied having any romantic interest in Sukoyaka, which did not appear to bother the girl in the slightest.

Sukoyaka was quite fascinated with the idea of capturing Kaneshiro's attention. She regularly assisted with the class rep meetings. Fear of Kuyo had been the main reason why she had not bothered trying to be a class rep, but she was planning to step up into a more recognized role with the upcoming class manager elections.

Nothing spectacular had happened in sewing or gym. She had spent most of sewing class, holding Sakamori upright while Ms. Hitori explained how to knit. She swore if that girl acted up the next time she held her, she would kiss that brat and slip her some tongue. That would at least subdue her. She could deal with the gossip later.

"Yukari can run more laps than Mizore."

Yukari snorted, wiggling her bottom against the desk.

"That's not hard to do when she doesn't even show up."

"It's too hot outside."

"It's weird with her watching us from the sidelines. I don't know why the coaches allow it."

"I have a medical condition."

"Can't you stay in the shade outside?"

"There is no shade outside."

"There's plenty of shade under the bleachers."

Mizore cocked her head at him.

"Do you want to go there with me now?"

"No. We have club."

"After club."

"Why do you need me to go under the bleachers?"

"Don't answer that, Mizore."

Mizore stared at Kurumu for a moment.

"We had our tables and chairs for lunch today."

"That's nice. Did Tora say anything before running off with Satsuki?"

"Like what?"

Kurumu huffed at his ignorance.

"About Ginei. I know she said she was fine with it, but you two have her in class. Was she really okay?"

"She acted like she always does."

"She said nothing about him in chemistry."

Kurumu rolled her eyes at Mizore, doubting Tora would chat about her love life in science class.

"Didn't Mr. Hakuru shuffle your lab groups around to be in alphabetical order?"

"He tried to keep most of our groups intact. I'm still only with Ms. Arashimideru. He had Ms. Goto take Ms. Genzouyaki's place at station three. Mizore is still with Tora and Mr. Takurami. Your former lab partners, Ms. Natsudera and Mr. Izanai, don't have a third."

Kurumu nodded, letting that sink in for a moment.

"I found out that the concert starts at one on Saturday. I was told it would go almost to eight, but that's if you stick around for all the choirs and bands."

"Will you need help with that?"

"I'll need Kamitsuku and the film club. I don't think I'll need anyone else."

"Maybe we can watch our band and choir perform if we have nothing else going on Saturday."

"That would be nice. I know our band starts at three but I have no idea when the choir takes the stage."

"Did you finish all of your interviews at lunch?"

Kurumu smiled, noting Kana walking through the open front door.

"Yea. Kana helped me knock them all out today."

"It sounds like you have most of the band done."

"It's more than half and hopefully I'll get Yokokara's lunch group done tomorrow."

"Hey guys."

"So how is your new laptop?"

Kana favored Tsukune a wide grin.

"He bought me this Lenova Thinkpad X41 which they released after they bought out IBM last May. It's kind of cool but it doesn't have a CD/DVD drive. I thought all laptops had one of those."

Kurumu frowned.

"Is it worse than the one you had?"

"It's smaller than the Toshiba Satellite I got when I turned thirteen. I don't remember the specs, but it was the best thing you could buy in 2002. It's not slower, but it sucks that I can't play DVDs or CDs."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be. I doubt Mr. Tensai did it on purpose. He bought something that just came out, assuming it would be better than the one I had. He didn't even know laptops normally have CD/DVD drives."

Kurumu nodded as Moka entered the classroom with several girls. Kokoa was with three of her girls. Taniguchi was unsurprisingly absent. Of course Kiki was with them but Michiko was tagging along.

"I still need to do interviews with Touzoku and Dangai."

Kana smirked, regarding the approaching girls.

"I bet Ran is hanging out near the band room with Riku. Neither have club activities today."

"I might just wait to do them and Kochimaru when we do their photos next week."

"We have a serious problem."

Kurumu smirked at Kokoa's opening remark as the girls settled in around Kana.

"Yea. A silly vampire keeps picking fights with her older sister."

"Do you want to start something, balloon breasts?"

"I want to go home and listen to Moka's L'Arc en Ciel albums."

Kokoa huffed, rolling her eyes.

"I was the only girl in my class today. The only one."

"Ms. Hasegawa and Ms. Kagomure from our homeroom also were absent."

Kiki had warned them yesterday about Hasegawa's intent to join the boycott. And Kagomure was friends with Tategami, whom had also been absent from sewing class today. Kurumu had no idea what was up with that, since those two were from Watasora and probably knew nothing about Mizumi.

"Maybe we should do an article on the boycott."

"Kids have to come to school to get our paper, Kurumu. We don't want to encourage this boycott."

"I agree with the brat. I want Nagisa to come back to school."

"If you don't address me with respect, we are going to have a problem."

"I'm ready any time."

Moka stepped between the two, though Yukari gave no indication of getting off the desk.

"Stop it, Kokoa."

"She's the one not showing proper respect. I'm a noble vampire."

Moka sighed, crossing her arms.

"Did you decide on a club?"

Kokoa scowled, glancing aside.

"That's not something worth discussing."

"We talked about this at lunch. You should join a club with one of your friends."

"It will be fun, Kokoa. We can do our stretches together."

Kokoa glared at the grinning Antai.

"I'm not joining gymnastics."

"Please."

Kokoa flinched at Akegawa's begging eyes.

"No, Hikari. You guys don't compete in anything."

"Why does it have to be something competitive?"

"What's the point of joining a club that doesn't compete?"

"We don't compete in anything."

"I'm not joining your stupid newspaper club."

"You could join the kimono club with Ms. Fukai."

Kokoa turned an incredulous stare upon Kiki.

"I don't need to join a club to hang out with my friends."

"But you have to join a club, Kokoa."

"Don't you have any clubs which involve fighting?"

"So many lovely ladies gathered here. Clearly I am in the right place."

Kurumu smirked at Ginei's remark. The werewolf strolled through the back door with Hajihachi on his heels. The tan girl pouted at her grinning boyfriend.

"Hello, Ginei. I see you brought Ms. Hajihachi."

Ginei chuckled, snatching up Hajihachi by the shoulder and tugging her in close to his side.

"Kurumu. Must I remind you that Mika is a club member and we don't use formalities here."

"Moka's sister is thinking of joining our club."

"No, I'm not!"

Kurumu smirked at Yukari, mildly disappointed that the witch had beaten her to it.

"So the little lady here needs a club."

Kokoa scowled at the smug werewolf.

"I'm not joining your club of weaklings."

"So you want to join a club full of tough guys."

"I want Nagisa to abandon this boycott nonsense."

Ginei grinned, rubbing Hajihachi's shoulder. The okami girl fidgeted with the strap of her schoolbag, making no attempt to return affection.

"I heard about this boycott during lunch with my girl. Herikuda is worried that some school reps might join in on this thing."

Kurumu smiled at the mention of the senior whom won the popularity contest.

"You ate with the fashion club?"

"I had to spread word about my engagement."

Ginei reached over to casually squeeze Hajihachi's breast. The girl squeaked out in protest, batting his hand away.

"Stop!"

"This hand was lonely."

Hajihachi blushed, snatching his hand with her free hand.

"Not in front of other girls."

"Are you really engaged?"

Ginei grinned, leaning his head to rest on top of Hajihachi's smoky black tresses.

"As much as a man can be without a ring or parental consent."

"You better behave yourself around my mother."

"I'll handle her with the utmost care."

Hajihachi pouted, letting go of her strap to push his head off hers. That mischievous look in his eye was not reassuring.

"I'm serious. No touching her inappropriately."

"I wouldn't think of instigating any mother daughter scenarios."

"Ugh. How disgusting."

Ginei laughed at Kokoa's displeasure.

"It's all in fun."

"Congratulations, Ms. Hajihachi."

"Thank you, Ms. Honda. I look forward to working with you on your kimono article."

Ginei chuckled, slipping his hand up from Hajihachi's shoulder to play with one of her twin tails.

"Be sure to tell Ms. Betsutama that she is finally free of her obligation to marry me."

"Oh, stop. You traumatized that poor woman."

"Being seen naked shouldn't be traumatizing."

"It was what you said afterwards that messed her up."

"I was only appraising her physical appearance."

Hajihachi huffed, placing a finger on his lips.

"Shush. You know it was wrong."

Ginei leaned his head back, chuckling.

"I know. That's why I'm letting the two of you handle this favor I owe her."

"I will do my best, Mr. Morioka."

Ginei grinned at Kiki's polite bow.

"I must say you are handling this better than Hitsumi. I swear this news broke her heart."

"I can assure you that I've never had any interest in you, Mr. Morioka."

Kurumu smirked at Kiki's polite response. Knowing Ginei's theatrics, Okimune had probably struggled to keep a straight face.

"So… what's going to happen if this boycott spreads?"

Ginei tugged on Hajihachi's hand, causing her to stumble. The girl glanced about with concern as he settled in behind her, placing his hands on her waist. Hajihachi frowned, taking hold of his hands and bringing them together at her navel.

"Ginei?"

"Sorry. I imagine this is more comfortable for her."

"You're too clingy."

"You say that like it's a bad thing."

"It's embarrassing."

Kurumu smiled, wishing she had been that close with Tsukune. They had almost reached that point of comfort. She sighed, noting Kokoa was annoyed and the other girls looked uncomfortable.

"Ginei. How serious is this boycott?"

"Right, right. While I was consoling Hitsumi before coming over here, she let us know about her cousin planning to get the Sadou club to join the boycott starting tomorrow. I'll have to drop that news on Herikuda tomorrow to see what she thinks."

"Maybe you could persuade Ms. Okimune to talk to these girls for us."

"I doubt that. She's under a lot of pressure to join this movement."

"Will the school close down if more people refuse to attend?"

Ginei took in a deep breath, squeezing the girl in his arms.

"That depends on this Lord Chiki. This sort of thing might allow him to remove the Headmaster."

"Which wouldn't be a bad thing."

"That depends on whom they get to replace him."

There was a momentary pause in which Ginei leaned close to murmur something in Hajihachi's ear. The girl smirked, squeezing his hands.

"Don't you dare."

"I don't have time for this garbage. Let's go."

Kokoa walked by Kurumu but none of her girls moved to follow.

"Hold up, Kokoa. You still have to pick a club."

Kokoa paused at Antai's remark.

"I don't have to do that today."

"Ms. Rin would approve of you on the spot."

"I'm not joining gymnastics."

"If the little lady here wants a tough club, she could join Haiji's crew."

"No."

"What? Haiji would love to have her around."

"She'd be the only girl."

"Are they competitive?"

Ginei grinned at Kokoa's suspicious glare.

"It's karate. They have official matches. Haiji boasts about winning over a hundred of them."

"Don't listen to him. If you want a competitive sport and not be surrounded by a bunch of guys, you could join track."

Kurumu frowned at Hajihachi's suggestion.

"But their season has already started."

"Only the regionals matter. If she joins now, Coach Kibashiro could get a feel at what she's good at."

"I don't want to run around in circles. That's dumb."

"There's other things they compete in. Like pole vaulting and throwing heavy balls."

Ginei leaned in, whispering words which made Hajihachi blush. Kokoa rolled her eyes.

"I'm fine with karate. What other fighting clubs do you have?"

Ginei chuckled, resting his chin on Hajihachi's shoulder.

"If you're looking for hand to hand stuff, judo is the only other one that comes to mind. We do have a wrestling club and we might still have a Muay Thai club, but I don't think either of them compete with anyone in an official manner."

"Where are these clubs?"

"The judo and karate halls are all the way out by the athletic parking lot on the other side of the woods. Just walk by the softball fields and keep going away from the school. The trail is easy to find."

"All of those clubs are for boys."

Kokoa huffed at Hajihachi's protest.

"I'm sure they will make an exception when they see how amazing I am."

"You should take her to Ms. Udetama. Fencing is somewhat like fighting."

Hajihachi whimpered a protest when he planted a quick kiss on her lips for turning to look at him. She turned scarlet, pulling away but unable to escape his firm grip about her.

"Cut it out, Ginei. You don't see me smooching Tsukune every chance I get."

Tsukune chuckled nervously.

"Of course not. There is your charm we have to worry about."

"Even without that, I wouldn't want to make everyone around me feel awkward."

Ginei grinned, swaying back and forth on his heels with the flustered girl in his arms.

"Sounds like I need to take you somewhere private."

"Tsukune suggested under the bleachers."

"No I did not!"

Kurumu snickered, shaking her head at Mizore's reminder that she was still here.

"Fencing might not be a bad idea. You often have your familiar turn into a sword."

"I guess. Where's that?"

Antai grinned brightly.

"It's in the same building as the kendo hall."

"Why don't you tag along with them? Show them where everything is."

Yukari frowned at Ginei.

"Are you talking to me?"

"Yea, you. It's not like you have anything better to do."

"I have important things to research for my Moka. And I need to talk to Kana about the latest volume of Nana which she promised me."

"Oh, that's right! Um… I can bring that tomorrow."

"Yukari. Go with my sister."

Yukari sighed, pushing off the desk to land on her feet.

"Fine. I suppose helping her find a club would be more interesting than working on a stupid article about the weather."

"Weather? I thought you were doing a piece on the many things the school needed to improve on."

Yukari huffed at Ginei's confused frown, fixing her skirt.

"That would take forever."

"I don't need the brat. Hikari's brother is in kendo."

Kokoa stomped off towards the door, prompting the other girls to follow. Yukari quickly caught up with Fukai while Antai and Akegawa trailed behind.

"Maybe she should try out for kendo."

"Please don't suggest that. I don't want her in the same club as my brother."

Kurumu grinned as the girls drifted out into the hall. She turned her gaze on Ginei.

"I can't believe you encouraged her to join karate."

"I was doing Haiji a favor."

Kurumu smirked, curious how Miyamoto would react to Kokoa's presence. The guy already thought highly of her, even labeling her as the perfect little sister.

"I should be going. I told Ms. Shuzen that I would interview her today for the paper."

"Yes. You should do that."

"Do you want help with that?"

Moka smiled at her offer, shaking her head.

"No. I think I would prefer talking with her on my own. She is family and I have a lot of questions that won't end up in the paper."

Kurumu returned the smile, supposing she could ask what that was all about later.

"Okay. I'll see you at home."

"You'll need a key."

Moka tugged her key out from jacket pocket, holding it out. Kurumu plucked it from Moka's fingers, sharing a smile. With a nod, Moka slipped behind Kurumu and headed for the door.

"I heard that you got your laptop."

"I did, but I can't install my drawing pad software on the silly thing."

Ginei frowned at Kana.

"Why?"

"No CD player. I'm making due with the software it comes with but it's much slower."

"Will you be ready with something if I push for our next paper before the end of the month?"

"I should be fine."

"Good. I don't have anything else for you, so you can cut out if you like."

Kana giggled, holding a thumb up.

"I'll see you guys tomorrow."

There was a short silence as the blond illustrator made her way out of the room.

"So… is this young lady finally joining our paper?"

"Naw. Hanging with Kiki cause she worry bouts being lone."

Ginei chuckled at Michiko's calm response.

"I don't have anything for you today, Kiki. Mika will arrange something with Ms. Betsutama."

"Yea. Is there a day you want to do this on?"

"I think either Wednesday or Friday would be fine."

"We'll shoot for Friday then."

Kiki smiled at Hajihachi. She took a step towards the door, prompting Michiko to follow.

"Good luck, Ms. Hajihachi."

Ginei chuckled as the two girls departed.

"How many girls have wished you luck now?"

"Too many. You should realize how much of a handful you are."

"I plan to keep my hands full."

Hajihachi blushed, holding his hands firmly at her waist.

"I'm sorry, Ginei."

Tsukune laughed sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck.

"What for?"

"I haven't made any progress on my article. Ms. Nekonome forgot all about it over the weekend."

"Word of advice. Don't rely on that silly goof to do your research for you. You'll have to hound her so much that you may as well do it yourself."

"Yea… she said she would take care of it today."

Ginei smirked at Tsukune.

"How about you, princess? Started on any good stories?"

Mizore cocked her head.

"I have one."

"Uplifting, I hope."

"It's about a young man whom promised to have a durian dinner with the love of his life."

"I made no such promise!"