Kurumu sighed happily, leaning back on her hands as Rubi took her dishes away. The witch had on that black crop top she had been wearing when they had first met her. The black, ruffled skirt which almost reached her ankles was the one she had acquired from Ms. Nekonome to replace her tattered skirt. Rubi handed the dishes over to Yukari, whom was standing on a stool in front of the sink. The young witch had rolled the sleeves back of her school blouse, tending to the dishes.

"Thank you for the meal, Yukari."

"You should have left for school. It's already after seven."

"But I wanted to eat first. I don't have money to buy food at the school store."

"You shouldn't sleep in so late. Remember to take your lunch with you."

Rubi sighed, grabbing the yellow bento with the red pagoda design. The witch wandered over to the genkan, slipping on her sandals.

"She could walk to school with us."

"I want to talk with Kurumu without her around."

Kurumu frowned, sharing a glance with Moka.

"Is there something wrong?"

"It doesn't concern you. I'll see you after school."

Rubi managed a smile, offering them a slight bow.

"I'll be going now."

Kurumu sucked in a deep breath once Rubi had left the suite.

"What was that about?"

"Let me finish my dishes first."

Kurumu nodded, lying down on her back. She drew her knees up and folded her hands on her belly.

Last night had been crazy. After guiding the dazed Tsukune back to the band room, they had returned the flute to Tobikomu, whom had been waiting for them with Fuwari. The girls had been absent upon arrival. Kyoufuu had taken Moka and Mizore to the gym lockers to at least get their gym shirts, hoping the curse would wear off soon. After putting away the instrument, they had all gone down to the large gym to meet up with the others.

The inability to understand each other had been problematic. Kurumu's biggest concern was over how long the spell would last. The band trio were thankfully on the same page, but had no answers. Fuwari convinced the other two that since there was nothing they could do, getting dinner was more important. Kyoufuu had been the most reluctant about leaving, promising to tell a teacher first thing tomorrow morning. Kurumu wondered if Kyoufuu would actually do that for them. Kurumu wanted to at least tell Kyoufuu how they had fixed the issue.

With gestures and tugs, Yukari had urged them to head to the suites. Not long into the walk, Tsukune had finally regained his senses. Unable to put on their gym shirts, they had covered themselves as best they could to alleviate his distress at seeing them in such a state. Since he shied away from any of her attempts to touch him, Moka and Mizore had encouraged him to stick with them with coos and caws.

Rubi had been quite perplexed with their arrival. Eventually she had deduced that they had been cursed. After dispelling the curse, the flush Tsukune had quickly retreated for his dorm. He had declined Yukari's offer to join them for dinner and Mizore's offer to walk him home, claiming he had endured more than enough excitement for one night. Once he had left, Mizore had excused herself.

While the witches had started on dinner, Kurumu had stopped in Moka's suite to fetch her laundry, since she was out of clean clothes. As Kokoa had spent the night in the dorms with her girls, Kurumu had little else to do. Since she had not been hungry, she had done her laundry first. By the time she had returned to Yukari's suite, Moka had fallen asleep on Yukari's bed.

"I can see your panties."

Kurumu shrugged as Yukari strolled over to her.

"You should have more manners as a guest."

"I don't think of myself as a guest when I'm here."

Yukari patted Kurumu's knee with her foot swathed in black stocking.

"At least put your knees down."

Kurumu sighed, complying with the request.

"When did you get those? I thought you only had those boyshorts and thongs."

Kurumu smirked at Yukari. Beneath her school attire, Kurumu was finally trying out her black strapless bra with the black lace panties her mother had bought her during her visit. She also had a red pair if she would rather wear it instead of the thong with her crimson bra. These lacy things were definitely more comfortable and she only needed to wear one of her thongs to get through a whole week.

"You could have had this conversation with Rubi around."

Yukari paused with a look of uncertainty.

"Do you want to sleep in your room tonight?"

"Huh? Why?"

"Because I don't think you've slept a single night in your room since we've returned."

Kurumu sighed, pushing up on her palms.

"You already said that you don't want me spending my nights alone."

"I'll sleep with you."

Kurumu smiled at Yukari's concern.

"It's fine, Yukari. I have no reason to be in my room other than to move my clothes around."

"But your mother…"

Yukari let her words trail off. The witch glanced at Moka. The vampire smiled softly.

"I don't think anyone has claimed credit for that heart left in Kurumu's freezer."

"Yea… It's probably not safe to be in my room."

Yukari absently rolled her sleeves back down to her wrists.

"Are you okay?"

"Yea…"

"I'm serious, Kurumu."

Kurumu sighed, picking herself up from the floor.

"I'm fine. What more do you want to hear?"

"You do realize that midterms are in four weeks."

"What does that have to-"

"The cultural festival is at the end of next month, Kurumu. Are you okay?"

"I won't be if you keep asking me."

"It's not as far away as you think."

Kurumu sighed. Shaking her head, she bent down to place her hands on Yukari's table. She pushed the surface across the floor, prompting Moka to get up and out of the way.

"I've already said that we'll claim it was a work accident."

"I know. But can you do it?"

Kurumu scooted the table into the dark recesses beneath Rubi's bed. Straightening up, she turned about and sat on the mattress.

"Do what?"

"Grieve. Will you be able to act like it just happened?"

"We don't have to discuss this now."

Yukari frowned at Moka.

"But we shouldn't put this off. I'm worried over how she will handle this."

"I don't think anyone is going to care about how I react to the news."

"But they will. Are you okay with people thinking you don't care about your mother?"

"What do you want from me? Do you want me to collapse?"

Yukari flinched. The witch clutched a fist against her bosom.

"Will you?"

"I don't think we should encourage her to."

"I'm not wanting that."

"Then what do you want?"

Yukari's eyes betrayed sorrow.

"I want you to be okay."

Kurumu managed a smile.

"I can tell people the truth. That this whole thing with my mother being dead doesn't feel real to me."

"She can relate with that."

Moka smiled softly.

"It feels more like Momma left for a long time. That she might see Momma again."

A long moment of silence passed. Yukari sighed heavily, retreating back to the counter to start packing bentos into her white satchel.

"Part of the reason why we hid this was because of the wedding. Then it was because you didn't want other people to know."

Yukari stuffed the last bento inside the satchel, zipping it up.

"But was that the real reason? You've always known that you couldn't hide it forever."

"She needed time."

That was false. It was exactly as Ms. Aimai had told her. The passing of her mother felt no different today than it had a month ago.

"No. I was resigned to the fact that some people would have to know. My mother went to high school with several teachers here. They might question her absence from the cultural festival even if I try to make up an excuse about her being too busy with work."

Kurumu paused.

"It's not like I want anyone to know. Ms. Kiyoshi offered to pretend to be her, but I didn't think she could pull it off. Even with my memories of her, I can't pretend like I knew anything about her youth."

Yukari nodded, slinging the satchel up onto her shoulder to hang by it's strap. The witch wandered over to the door, bending down to slip her feet into her loafers.

"So if you believed you could keep this ruse up, you would do it indefinitely."

"Yes."

"Even from Tsukune?"

Seeing that Yukari was putting her schoolbag on, Kurumu pushed off the bed and walked over to join her.

"Especially from Tsukune. I would prefer breaking the news to the teachers without him ever knowing."

Moka frowned as Kurumu picked up her schoolbag.

"That's wrong, Kurumu. You shouldn't keep this secret from him."

"I don't see you giving him your blessing to marry me."

Moka pouted, coming over to join them as Kurumu slung the schoolbag across her torso, letting the strap nestle in the valley of her bosom.

"That's not the point."

Kurumu shrugged, tugging the flap of her jacket out. Even though she had this jacket fitted with her bosom in mind, it was easier to leave the jacket open. She slipped into her loafers.

"I don't want Tsukune to feel sorry for me. I also didn't want to tell him about how when he went ghoul, he made me sterile."

Yukari snorted with a shake of her head.

"I don't think Tsukune is that much of a simpleton to think he has to comfort you with sex."

Kurumu smirked, twisting the knob and pushing open the door. She stepped out onto the landing.

"I wouldn't refuse him if he offered it."

"Tsukune wouldn't do that."

Kurumu shrugged, slowly starting down the stairs ahead of Moka while Yukari locked up.

"Maybe not. But I don't want to deal with the whole awkward sympathy. If I didn't need her illusion, I wouldn't have let Yukari know."

"Yet you had no issue making Tora aware of it."

"That's different. Both you and Tora have lost a parent."

"I thought both of Tora's parents are alive."

Kurumu smiled back at Moka's confused expression.

"You're right. Forget what I just said."

Kurumu descended the last steps, pausing for a moment to allow Yukari to catch up to them.

"I don't think I can forget that, Kurumu."

Kurumu shrugged at Moka. She stalked off, prompting the others to follow.

"You'll have to ask Tora about it. We all have our secrets."

"Nice to know that I was only involved because of my magic."

"I'm sorry, Yukari. But can you really understand what it's like to lose a parent?"

"I understand your reasoning. But you shouldn't hide this from Tsukune any longer than the others."

Why should I tell him if he's not going to end up with me?

Kurumu's heart twisted painfully at the thought. She knew the retort would be the whole 'friend' thing, but that felt hollow. Her mother meant nothing to Tsukune. It was not like he ever asked about her or betrayed any interest in her. Hearing him pretend to care about her death would hurt.

"We have more pressing things to talk about."

"Fine. I'll drop this for now, but you can't ignore it forever."

Kurumu had no idea what Yukari wanted her to do. It would be nice if she could get back together with Tsukune, but he clearly had no interest in doing that. His suggestion of taking her blood had been to gain immunity to her charm. She was fooling herself to think he was planning to have a future with her.

Kurumu sucked in another deep breath, massaging her chest under the ruse of fidgeting with her strap.

"I need to borrow your thumb drive and move my photos off my laptop."

"This is your more pressing matter?"

Moka laughed softly at Yukari's gruff remark.

"I thought you would have done that by now."

"Last night was the first time I've been in my room since the weekend. You were asleep by the time I pulled my laptop and CD player out of there."

"Did you start working on your article?"

"No. I figure I'll start that after I get Mr. Tagami interviewed. I might even wait until after I've done the photos for the gymnastics article."

Moka nodded as they started down the trail out of their clearing.

"Should I tell Mr. Uchiyama about that?"

"Naw. I asked Ms. Yamakusa to share the news with Ms. Sangi. They share homeroom. I don't see a reason to get the boys involved in this."

"I still need to interview Ms. Huang."

They walked in silence a short ways, arriving at where all the trails combined.

"What are we going to do about Kiki?"

"What needs to be done with her?"

Kurumu smiled at Yukari.

"She was relying on Hajihachi to help her with that kimono club article."

"Maybe we could ask Ginei."

"Maybe. Ginei wasn't at school yesterday."

"He wasn't?"

The surprise in Moka's voice had Kurumu frown at first. She nodded after a thoughtful moment.

"Yea. I spoke with one of his classmates before we split up the group and did our band interviews last night. I guess he was absent all day."

"Do you think he took the day off to visit Ms. Hajihachi?"

While that sounded reasonable, Kurumu knew how much Ginei despised hospitals.

"Maybe. I'll check his homeroom during one of our breaks. I'll ask him if he can help Kiki out."

"Why bother? She would be better off with one of you helping her."

"While that's true, I can't say that I know if anyone from the club is still attending school. I know that Ms. Hasegawa joined the boycott since Ms. Niwakame was a dear friend of hers. Ishiko only knows about Ms. Yasumono, but couldn't tell me which homeroom Ms. Yasumono is in."

Kurumu nodded, recalling that Yasumono had attended the same junior high as Ishiko.

"I know Shitchi is in the club, but she doesn't come to home ec anymore. I'm assuming she's in on the boycott. I also know about Kusou, whom is dating one of the baseball players, but I don't remember which homeroom she is from. And of course I know about the club president, Ms. Betsutama."

"Ms. Betsutama was nominated for class seven. You can start there."

"But she might not be coming to school. Ms. Niwakame was a senior from their club."

"I know Ishiko hasn't attended any club meetings."

"You could ask a teacher and find out whom their advisor is."

They walked the rest of the way to the main school path in silence. Today was the last day of the second week. Yukari was right. Things would happen soon, whether she was ready for them or not.

"Do you think Kokoa turned in her application for the fencing club?"

"In gym, she told me that she did."

Kurumu nodded, glancing at the satchel of bentos. She had no desire to see Tsukune today. Not with these dark thoughts.

"I think I might eat with Kokoa today."

"But I made a lunch for you."

"Which I hope you let me keep."

Yukari sighed dramatically.

"Fine. Moka and I will enjoy Tsukune's company without you."

"Are you worried about Kokoa?"

"A little. I'm also thinking I need to guilt one of you two into buying some school blouses for me."

"Why?"

"Because I lost a blouse last night and only have four."

"That was not my fault."

Kurumu smirked at Moka, tapping her collar.

"Should I mention that two of my nice blouses have fang marks in them? One was done by you while the other was by your sister."

Moka pouted.

"But you're still able to wear them."

"At least buy me one."

"You leach off my Moka enough as is. I'll buy you a stupid blouse since it was my fragrance that caused her to act that way."

Kurumu smiled softly.

"Thanks."

"I have to buy a new blouse for myself anyways. We can stop by the school store before classes begin."

Kurumu hoped that creepy sales clerk would keep his hands to himself this time.


Kurumu grimaced as she referenced the answers written on the chalkboard behind the teacher. She marked the last problem on her algebra quiz wrong. She had gotten sixteen out of twenty five correct. This was probably the worst she had performed in math since Ms. Kagome had messed with her mind.

"If any of you require an explanation on how to get these answers, I am open to discussion."

Ms. Shuzen absently straightened the short, wide black tie nestled in her bosom. Her cream, buttoned up blouse had a stiff collar hiding most of her neck. A navy blazer stretched down over the apex of her modest bosom, fastening together with golden buttons at her belly. The hem of the blazer hung over her black slacks which clung tightly to her calves. Long black heels gave the aristocratic teacher extra height.

"We will have a test on Monday, so I encourage everyone to prepare yourselves over the weekend."

Kurumu sighed, setting her quiz down and placing her pencil atop the sheet. A majority of the subject grade was determined by the term exams. She was curios how much weight this extra test would have.

"Yes, Mr. Abe."

"I have no idea what I did wrong."

"That's no good, Mr. Abe."

"Are you free this weekend? I might need to pull an all nighter."

"I have nothing on my schedule."

"Ignore him, Teacher."

Kurumu smirked at Kumiko's quick response.

"What? I'm in serious need of a private session with my teacher."

Kumiko rolled her eyes as Senyou snickered over Abe's feigned innocence.

"You have regionals, moron."

"Regionals?"

"These two are on the baseball and softball teams and have important games this weekend."

The teacher nodded at Ichida's helpful remark.

"I see. If possible, Ms. Hineri, could you assist Mr. Abe in his understanding of this subject?"

Abe grinned, turning in his seat to grin at the scowling girl.

"Yea, Ms. Hineri. I need your expertise."

"Careful there. She might get hungry in the middle of the night."

"I don't mind if she drinks a little of my fluids."

Judging by Abe's smirk and Senyou's snicker, these two boys had something dirty in mind. Kumiko leaned back in her seat, crossing her arms.

"You can get your private session with Mr. Hitomure."

"Don't be like that. This sort of thing is better done with a girl."

"I doubt Coach Kanatoko will allow us to mix with the boys on this trip. Since Mr. Hitomure is from the baseball team, there should be no problem with him helping Mr. Abe to cure his idiocy."

Senyou snickered.

"You clearly don't know much about Mr. Hitomure."

"This is Mr. Hitomure from class four?"

"That would be correct, Teacher."

"Then you should study with him, Mr. Abe."

Abe sighed heavily, turning about in his seat.

"I suppose. Care to help me out?"

Senyou smirked at him.

"I'm not doing you any favors."

"If anyone needs assistance, you can approach the desk."

Ms. Shuzen retreated from her place by the podium. The woman took her seat behind the desk, reaching up to tighten the black tie holding her ebony tresses up in a high ponytail.

Wanibuchi promptly got up from his desk, stalking across the classroom. He placed his exam on the teacher's desk, leaning forward slightly.

"I'm unsure how you got the answer for five."

Ms. Shuzen nodded, pulling a scrap piece of paper from her portfolio.

"Show me how you would do it."

Losing interest in that, Kurumu noticed Senyou had turned in his seat to chat with Shouhei over his quiz. Satsuki cut through her line of sight, strolling over to Yukari's desk.

"Okay, brat. How did you do this one?"

Yukari huffed as Satsuki placed her paper on Yukari's desk.

"You shall address me properly."

"Ms. Brat."

Kurumu laughed, drawing Yukari's attention. The witch glanced over her quiz.

"I see you did poorly."

"It could have been worse."

Kurumu glanced at Hisakata as he passed by. The stoic young man stopped at the podium, waiting for Wanibuchi to finish up with Ms. Shuzen.

"At least she was awake for it."

Kurumu turned a pout on Juri whom grinned mischievously.

"I'm not going to sleep through a quiz."

"I wonder if Ms. Shuzen will allow our absentees to make up their tests if they continue skipping school over this nonsense."

"It's not nonsense."

Kumiko rolled her eyes at Juri's protest.

"Fufi and Yasi don't know anything about these girls whom are missing. And I doubt Ms. Endo had any personal ties with them."

"They're scared."

"They're lazy. If this protest keeps up for too long, Lord Chiki might be able to justify shutting our school down for the rest of the year."

"Are you serious?"

Satsuki nodded at Abe's incredulous remark.

"She is. That's what the PSC upperclassmen are saying."

"My sister is of the opinion that if we don't have this situation resolved by the end of the month, that we will be sent to different schools to finish out our school year."

Kurumu sighed, turning her gaze upon Satsuki.

"How did that dinner with Lord Chiki go?"

"Normal, I guess."

"Did he say anything about catching the bank robbers?"

"Nazohashi asked about it, but he kind of ignored her. The guy was more interested in the missing girls, trying to see what we knew about it. He wanted us to admit that they were dead."

"Why would he want that?"

Satsuki made an uneasy expression. Turning to Abe, she shrugged.

"There's a rumor going around that the girls are dead. He wants that to be true."

"He wants a reason to declare martial law."

Kurumu frowned at Kumiko.

"What exactly would that mean?"

"Martial law means he could bring in as many Fairy Tale officers as he needs to get the situation under control. We would most likely have curfews and he probably would shut down all traffic in and out of the barrier that isn't authorized by him."

Abe let out a low whistle.

"Damn."

Satsuki shook her head in disbelief.

"Damn is right. He didn't mention taking over Mononoke like that at our dinner."

"My sister didn't mention members of the PSC having a dinner with him."

Satsuki waved her hand dismissively.

"This was more of a newspaper thing for Nazohashi. She invited him over to Sawayaka's place for an interview which was mostly about his background and his plans for improving Mononoke."

Kumiko huffed.

"Most people in Aranoiji know about him. He used to be on the elder council and was the Headmaster of Mimori High. He resigned to join Fairy Tale and took the position for the Prefectural Officer of Niigata."

"Yea. She confirmed all of that. He did have quite a bit to say on what Fairy Tale could do for Mononoke."

"Like what?"

Satsuki shrugged at Kurumu.

"His biggest point is that the town is far too reliant on the school. And that's something Mrs. Meirowasa wholeheartedly agreed with. Mononoke doesn't produce anything. All of the agricultural goods you buy in town are imported from human businesses."

"Really?"

"Yea. I thought that was crazy too, but Mrs. Meirowasa was sold on his vision. He wants to incorporate a new barrier system which would improve their ability to make crops."

Kurumu frowned, glancing at Yukari.

"But I thought the Headmaster has full control over the weather in the barrier."

"He does."

"Then I don't understand how this is an improvement."

"The Headmaster has control over the weather here?"

Kurumu chuckled, nodding at Abe's surprise. Kumiko had an intrigued look.

"I wasn't aware of that."

"It's probably not common knowledge to the people of Mononoke."

"Obviously not, since Mrs. Meirowasa thought the world of this suggestion. And neither Sawayaka nor Meirowasa objected to it."

Kurumu wondered if those two were simply being polite or genuinely were unaware of this.

"Maybe you should attend one of those weekly meetings the Headmaster has with the town elders to determine the weather."

"Why?"

"At least you could confirm the Headmaster isn't lying. And we could put it in our paper so everyone would know that this proposal by Lord Chiki isn't something special."

"I don't know when these meetings happen."

"Ask him."

Yukari huffed, shaking her head.

"Fine. But I'm not sacrificing my lunch hour for this. I'll check with him after school."

Kurumu grinned, glancing back at Satsuki.

"Did he say anything about building a local school?"

"He was in full support of that."

"Of course. Was there anything else you guys talked about?"

"Not really. His big vision was leveling much of the forest to turn it into crop land. He wanted the town to also consider using their seaside."

"Isn't most of our seaside cliffs?"

Satsuki shrugged indifferently.

"I'm relaying what he said. It makes sense to try to do some fishing since we do have access to the sea."

"I guess."

"He also wants to build a big Fairy Tale prefectural office in the center of the town."

Kurumu frowned.

"How?"

"I guess there's three buildings across the street from the bank and speaker offices."

Kurumu nodded, vaguely recalling the old buildings in the heart of the city. The bank was by some boots and leather goods store which sat on the corner of an intersection. Across one street was the Got You Covered casual wear store while across the other street was a household store which Kurumu had never set foot in. She had spent quite a bit of yen in the kitchen store on the other corner of that intersection.

She honestly could not recall what those three buildings across the street from the bank and speaker offices were for. She wanted to say one was a pawn shop while the other two were office buildings. It would not surprise her if they were abandoned.

"So… he's going to knock down a couple buildings?"

"Sounds like it."

Kurumu nodded appreciatively. It would be a good location for a Fairy Tale building.

"Ms. Kurono."

She glanced at Ichida, prompting him to smile.

"I was wondering if you had any plans to attend our first tennis match tomorrow against Toutoi."

Kurumu smiled apologetically.

"I don't know if I can. I still need to talk to one of the coaches about if my attendance would be an issue. My junior high banned me from sports events under the premise that I could influence the officials."

"That is the dumbest thing I've heard."

Kurumu frowned at Kumiko's remark.

"It's what happened."

"Did you cheat?"

"No. But they didn't want me there because it supposedly would be easy for me to."

"Ridiculous. Everybody can cheat. They may as well ban everyone from sports events."

"In any case, I'll be tied up most of my afternoon with the band and choir concert. I have to be there by one and I have no idea how long I'm expected to stay."

"How unfortunate. Our match also begins at one."

"I'm really sorry. If it makes you feel any better, I also blew off the track meet last week."

"Why would you bother doing that? Isn't that all girls?"

Kurumu smiled at Abe, offering a shrug.

"I ended up doing most of my gymnastics article interviews instead."

"I'm still curious how you ended up picking to do that club. Not questioning your choice."

She smirked at him.

"I have a couple friends in gymnastics."

"Can they put their ankles behind their head?"

"Mr. Abe."

Abe grinned at Ichida.

"That's important information."

"You're a loathsome creature."

Abe turned in his seat, nodding at Kumiko.

"I try."

Kurumu chuckled, shaking her head. Taking in a deep breath, she regarded Kumiko.

"Do you know where the track team is headed this weekend?"

"I have no clue if Fufi even plans to attend that, let alone where it might be."

Satsuki snorted at Kurumu's inquisitive glance.

"Don't look at me. I haven't spoken with anyone from the track team all week."

Kurumu smiled, supposing that made sense. With Satsuki's PSC commitments, she probably had no interaction with Kakeru.

"When are the two of you leaving for regionals?"

"We're eloping right after seventh period."

Abe was lucky Kumiko was too short to reach over her desk and smack him. The girl scowled.

"We unfortunately share the same bus."

"Can you take fans with you?"

Abe smirked at Juri. He patted his lap.

"I have a seat for you."

"I can't take Ms. Hineri's spot."

"We ride on the front of the bus, Ms. Morisato. As far as I know, we're not taking fans to regionals."

"That's so stupid. How can we go to regionals without at least taking our cheerleaders?"

"Considering most of the cheerleaders are participating in the boycott, I think letting them attend this would send the wrong message."

"Here's how you do this one."

Satsuki frowned, taking her sheet from Yukari.

"Could you show me?"

"I am showing you."

"I meant could you explain it."

"I can help with your homework or you can gab with your friends. Take your pick."

"You'll never make a good class manager with that attitude."

"I don't see you asking Mr. Ichida for help."

Satsuki threw a glance at Ichida. The young man grinned, folding his hands in his lap as he leaned back.

"I'd rather mess with you."

"We're voting on class manager next week, right?"

Yukari nodded at Abe.

"Yes. Anyone wishing for the position must state their intent next Monday. Then we will vote on the fifteenth."

"The fifteenth. That's a Thursday."

"Correct."

"Why are we having the vote on a Thursday?"

Yukari shrugged at him.

"That's what I was told."

"Mr. Wanibuchi."

The blond paused on his way to to his desk at Ichida's call.

"Are you planning to run for class manager."

Wanibuchi snorted, taking his seat.

"Sendou can have it."

"What about the other positions?"

"It's all yours."

Ichida smirked, glancing at Kurumu.

"I think each class can have a secretary or two if they want."

"I think I will be busy enough with the newspaper club stuff."

"I don't know how much you would have to do. The manager and vice manager handle most of it."

"I'm not committing to anything like that."

"I'll do it."

Kurumu perked up at Kumiko's remark.

"Short of us going to nationals, which I doubt, I won't have any major club commitments in October."

"Count me in too."

Senyou grinned, waving at them. Kumiko rolled her eyes.

"What do you want?"

"I want in on this."

Senyou smirked at Kurumu.

"I think I'm qualified to be a secretary. I'm used to Sendou's bossy nature."

"Sounds like someone has volunteered for cleanup duty after lab today."

"Aw. Do I have to?"

Juri giggled at Senyou's exaggerated frown.

"I wonder if we need elections."

"I wouldn't mind seeing if the class prefers me over Ms. Sendou."

Kurumu grinned at Ichida.

"Reluctant to give up your role?"

"Just curious how the voting would turn out. I'm fine with either role."

"I wonder if you guys could co-manage. Some homerooms already have two representatives."

"Maybe. I have a question for you."

Ichida paused, sparing a glance at Juri before returning his attention upon her.

"How well do you know Ms. Ontoriki?"

"The girl nominated from Miho's class?"

Kurumu nodded at Juri's remark.

"Yea. She's from Aga and is in the Sadou club with her friend Kagami."

"I'm aware of all of this. You once asked if I would be interested in redirecting her affections away from my friend, Mr. Noboru. I heard from him recently that she is no longer attending their choir elective."

Kurumu frowned at him.

"He has choir as his elective?"

"The computer course was full."

Kurumu nodded, thinking about how easily Kokoa had landed a spot in the program. Technically a girl had died to create that opening, but Kurumu knew that Gomitsuro had been in the computer program.

"Maybe he should ask if they have an opening."

"There was but that new foreign kid took it at the start of the term."

"I didn't know he was in your computer class."

Yukari rolled her eyes.

"He's annoying. He chats frequently with Ms. Deshi."

"Really? What about?"

"I don't know Mandarin."

"What do you guys talk about?"

Deshi glanced over her shoulder, favoring them a smug smile.

"Secrets."

Ichida chuckled.

"Anyways, I was curious if you knew Ms. Ontoriki personally."

"I don't. I know more about Kagami, but she's been absent from class."

"I see. So you don't have a way of convincing her to attend our tennis match tomorrow."

Kurumu smiled softly.

"Not before your match. I might see Kanari tomorrow and could have her pass a message along."

"Kanari?"

"Ms. Bouzuki from class five. She's another friend of Ms. Ontoriki. She's in the choir."

Ichida nodded thoughtfully.

"Interesting. I'll ask Kuroi if Ms. Bouzuki is attending school when I see him at lunch."

This conversation left Kurumu wondering how things were going between Michiko and Noboru. Michiko wanted to ask him out but was unsure about how they could keep the relationship secret from Hatoko. For all Kurumu knew, they might have started dating.

The bell announced the end of the period. Kurumu sighed, getting up from her desk.

"I'm going to run down to Ginei's homeroom."

"Why?"

Kurumu smirked, stalking by Yukari to tousle the girl's locks.

"Because I couldn't last period. I'll meet you guys in lab."

As the others murmured acknowledgments of her departure, Kurumu made her way to the front door. She slipped out of the classroom, leaving the door open for the others. The hallways were starting to liven up with chatter as some kids left for bathroom breaks. A few teachers strode with purpose towards the lounge, intent on taking a short break before returning to their next class.

Kurumu quickly made her way back to the first crossover between class three and ten. She rarely used the stairs here, but it would be the fastest way down to Ginei's homeroom. Turning about, she trotted down the steps at a lively pace, feeling her bosom jiggle uncomfortably in this strapless bra. She worried that her tits would slip out if she actually tried running while wearing this.

As she neared the bottom of the stairs, she saw a tall, slender guy with a long, russet ponytail exit Ginei's homeroom. She recalled that was his English teacher, but couldn't remember if that was Mr. Hiramatsu or Mr. Kamihara. Skipping down the last few steps, she cut over to the open front door.

Two boys slipped out the back door, heading in the same direction as the teacher. The taller one had bleached his long hair blond while the shaved sides of his head were black. The shorter guy had shale, feathered locks. She wondered if those two were headed for the bathrooms or the store. Yukari had put in an order for a new blouse for Kurumu, but it would take a couple weeks to get it.

Kurumu slipped inside the classroom which had the usual chatter going on. She first spied the slender kid with the shoulder length, ebony tresses sitting by the window in the front row. That was a kirin boy on the baseball team. Behind him was a much taller guy with dark, shaggy hair.

Sweeping her eyes right, there were vacant desks by both of these boys. In the middle desk of the front row was a gorgeous, traditional girl with silky, black hair styled in a hime cut with her tresses pulled back in a high ponytail. She was writing in her notebook, oblivious to the rest of the class. The desks behind her and on her left were both vacant.

"Ms. Kurono?"

Shikichi Akatori got up from her seat. Ginei's class rep had been at the front row desk closest to the door. The short haired girl whom stood about Tsukune's height had familiar golden eyes. Like most tengu, her cinnamon locks were naturally feathered.

Kurumu recognized the two girls in the desks behind Shikichi. One was in track while the other was Araiguma. Both had glossy black hair and cowlicks. Araiguma's locks were almost as unruly as they had been over the weekend.

"Hey… have you seen Ginei?"

Shikichi huffed, glancing back at the track girl whom was getting up. In the next row behind the track girl were the Hitozen twins. They had their inky black tresses done up in opposing side ponytails.

"Of course not. He wouldn't dare show his face here after what he did to Mika."

Kurumu frowned as the track girl joined them.

"What?"

"Tell her about it, Jirito."

The track girl smiled, betraying a dimple. Tashiro Jirito. This girl had been in Ginei's homeroom last year.

"According to the Housemother, Mika was attacked by someone using red mist. The exact same thing happened to the Ohira cousins last weekend."

"How does that translate to Ginei attacking his girlfriend?"

Shikichi rolled her eyes.

"Obviously she got annoyed with his antics and they had a fight outside the dorm."

"But this happened Tuesday night. He was here Wednesday, right?"

Shikichi huffed, crossing her arms below her slight bosom.

"Part of the day. He cut out of here around lunch. Nobody has seen him since."

Kurumu nodded, mulling over that for a moment.

"But… what does that have to do with the Ohira cousins?"

"He was shamelessly flirting with those poor girls for hours. In front of Mika no less."

"I swear the whole dating her must have been a scam of his to cover up his crimes against women."

Kurumu was hesitant to buy into this.

"Why would he attack anyone?"

"Why does Morioka do half of the things he does? There's no understanding that miscreant."

Tashiro nodded vehemently.

"I'm sure he was slipping feels in during his attack on the Ohira cousins. They were both so embarrassed to admit to Coach how their track suits got slashed up."

Kurumu grimaced, thinking if the tears in fabric were in certain locations, this could easily be seen as the act of a pervert.

"But he wouldn't hurt Hajihachi."

"Maybe when she called him out on his bullshit, he lost himself for a moment. Then when he realized she missed school over it, he ran off before we found out about Mika."

"Yea… we didn't hear about Mika being in the hospital until yesterday."

It looked bad. And adding anything about Roniushi being attacked before the Ohira cousins would not improve the situation. Kurumu strongly doubted Ginei was responsible, but he certainly was connected to all of the victims.

"I only heard about Mika yesterday from my friends in the PSC."

"Coach broke the news to us at practice last night. I let Akatori know about it this morning."

Kurumu nodded, uncertain what else she could say.

"Has anyone checked his room?"

"Now that's an idea. We should have the Housemother hand over his room key."

"What would we do if he is there?"

"String him up and make him beg for mercy."

"We can't do that. He's far too fast for us to catch."

Shikichi smirked at Tashiro.

"He's not faster than Imi."

"Imi?"

Shikichi grinned at Kurumu.

"Ms. Udetama."

Kurumu eyes lit up, recalling that Shikichi was also part of the fencing club. She felt sorry for Ginei if they actually did find him hiding in his room.

"So… do you know if you have any new additions to your club?"


Kurumu smiled as Yukari placed the periwinkle bento with the daisy petals on her desk.

"You have to eat with me next week."

"I will. You could join us."

"No thanks."

Satsuki chuckled as she strolled over to Yukari's desk. Most of their classmates and Ms. Nekonome had already left the room.

"I see you're still at odds with Akashiya's sister."

"I would rather not deal with someone whom talks poorly about my relationship with my Moka."

"Isn't that everybody?"

Kurumu chuckled as she got up from her seat. Deshi twirled her staff up onto her shoulders.

"Ready?"

Kurumu nodded at Deshi, as a scowling Yukari joined them on their walk to the open front door.

"I think Yukari is much more restrained around Moka than she used to be."

"I guess you're right. She doesn't grope her in public like before."

Yukari huffed as they stepped out into the hallway. Most of the classes had let out at this point so there weren't that many students milling about the upper floor.

"I was overcome by her beauty."

"I doubt that's an excuse for sexual assault."

"I have learned from the errors of my ways. I now keep the witnesses to a minimum."

Kurumu chuckled as they arrived at the open back door to class three. She noted that Tora and Tsukune were lingering by their desks with Nozomi and Mizore.

"I'll see you guys after lunch."

"Don't you mean after English?"

Kurumu smirked at Satsuki's wry grin.

"That's still after lunch."

Sharing a laugh, Kurumu walked off while the others entered the classroom. While she doubted there was much worth attending a lecture being taught in a foreign language, she had no legitimate reason to be skipping it a third time this week.

As she made her way to the crossover between classes five and eight, Kurumu wondered if she should have encouraged Ichida to pursue Ontoriki. She barely knew the girl and could not claim to know Kagami or Kanari that much better. Was she really a good fit for Ichida if she could drop her crush on Noboru the moment another guy betrayed interest in her?

For that matter, she had not even met this Noboru guy whom she hoped Michiko would get together with. As the rep for class five, he had been nominated for the popularity contest. Kurumu had seen his picture. He resembled his sister from the fashion club whom had been quite vocal against him dating anybody. He was smart, ranking in the top twenty of their grade. Ichida had spoken well of him.

At least in Michiko's case, Kurumu felt like she was not forcing something. Michiko liked the guy and they were both tengu. But she was uncertain about this pairing of Ichida with Ontoriki. It had only been a random suggestion she had made over a month ago. As much as she liked Ichida, she worried he would not take a relationship with a harpy seriously. Her chats with different tengu boys had made it obvious that most tengu communities frowned on such unions despite how common they were.

She sighed as she crossed the hall. If Ontoriki agreed to date him, it would not be her fault. And if Ichida only used her for sex, it was not like harpies expected their mates to stick around. It still blew her mind that harpies had such low expectations. Having babies was more important than getting married.

Slipping in through the back door of class eight, Kurumu noted that he room was empty. Aware that half the lunch group had fourth period gym, she doubted she would have to wait long. She wandered over to the second row, knowing that the second desk belonged to Akegawa. She scooted it over to the desk in the center of the row, aware that it belonged to Kaimura. The next desk over was Antai's, though they never moved her desk into the makeshift table they always made for their lunch group.

Moving the chairs aside, Kurumu grabbed the desk which was behind Kaimura's and scooted it to the others. Then she did the same for the desk which had been behind Akegawa's. With her task finished, she rearranged the four chairs about the desks.

Knowing she needed more chairs, Kurumu took Antai's and the one from the desk behind Antai's. Akiyama's desk was the one closest to the doors in the third row. Thinking she might join them, Kurumu added her chair and the one from the desk in front of hers. Doubting their lunch group would exceed eight members, Kurumu plopped down on one of the chairs and waited.

She was mildly curious whose chair she was sitting on. She knew the desks by the windows of the first two rows belonged to Akari and Nikki. And that girly boy Heniki whom had been one of the finalists for the first year guys had the front row desk closest to the door. She wondered where Yochimaru sat.

Laughter preceded the arrival of the group. Four girls wandered in through the back door since it was the closest to the crossover with the stairs. Kaimura was in the front with her long, magma tresses flowing down to her waist. Antai was right behind her with her beige tresses pulled back in her usual updo.

"Ms. Kurono."

Setting her bento on the desk, Kurumu waved at the girls. Akegawa had her cherry curls pushed back by a black headband. She walked alongside the buxom Akiyama. Her vibrant maroon hair reached down to the small of her back.

"I was starting to think you were avoiding Ms. Shuzen."

Kurumu smirked at Kaimura, shaking her head as the salamander walked around her to take her seat.

"I've been busy using my lunch hours to do my band article."

Antai claimed the chair on Kurumu's left, forcing Akegawa to stroll all the way over to the other side to sit down in Antai's chair on Kaimura's left. Akiyama settled in her own chair on Kurumu's right.

"How is that going?"

"I still have to interview Mr. Tagami and do their pictures. We'll be doing that tomorrow at one."

"What time is our choir performing?"

Kurumu shrugged at Kaimura.

"I know our band takes the stage at three. I have no idea when the choir goes."

Kaimura sighed, snapping her chopsticks apart.

"I guess I can ask Mrs. Tomarigi about it when I have choir today."

"I wouldn't mind seeing our band but we'll be in practice till four."

Kurumu smiled at Akegawa. Having done all of the interviews for band, she was curious why Akegawa was interested. As far as she knew, the only kids from Sanjo were Shiriuchuu and those two senior boys.

"Was there anyone in particular you were wanting to see perform?"

"Not really. I did think about joining band, but I'm glad I got into the computer program."

"And you're doing our photos on Tuesday."

Kurumu chuckled, nodding at Antai's offhand remark.

"Yes. I probably could finish writing both of my articles next week."

"Are we expecting another paper soon?"

Kurumu sighed, tugging the top off of her periwinkle bento.

"That's a question for Ginei and nobody seems to know where he ran off to."

Antai smirked as the girls all started on their meals. Seizing one of her sausages with the chopsticks Yukari included in her bento, Kurumu smiled.

"I'm glad that all of you are still coming to school."

"I thought about not coming but Ms. Kaimura talked me out of it."

Kaimura chuckled at Akiyama's confession.

"Yea, I thought about it too since my club isn't doing anything with this crap going on. I think they might all be in on this anti school movement."

"So why did you decide to come?"

"Eh, why not? Both Yume and Kiyomi are still coming to school."

Kurumu smiled at the mention of her two junior high friends.

"Do you know where the track team is going this weekend?"

Kaimura nodded, chewing down a mouthful.

"Mhm. They're going to Butosai after breakfast tomorrow morning."

"Where's that?"

"That's in the Gifu prefecture."

Kurumu nodded, deducing the track meet was being hosted by Nakamune Center.

"I wonder if Butosai is nicer than Mononoke."

Kaimura shrugged at Akiyama.

"I wouldn't know."

"Do you think every other town with Fairy Tale offices are better off?"

"I've been to Yutakayama. I wouldn't say that place was any better."

"Yutakayama?"

Antai grinned at her.

"Houjin High in Yamagata. Some kids from Hateshinai prefer going there."

"I've visited Toukaitani. That place was awesome."

Kurumu frowned at Kaimura, holding another sausage against her lips.

"Where's that?"

"That's Kaisai Technical in Fukushima. That's the one you want to go to if you're going out of prefecture. It's the closest and about the same size as Yokai. Houjin High isn't much bigger than Hisoshi."

"I hope you aren't planning on transferring schools."

Antai chuckled, shaking her head.

"I think Taniguchi is the only one trying to do that."

"I don't want to switch schools, but I'm thinking we might get shut down for a couple weeks by that Lord Chiki if more students refuse to attend."

Akiyama frowned.

"What about midterms?"

"Maybe they'll delay them."

"Forget midterms. What about Sports Day and the Cultural Festival? We have two major events coming up next month."

Kurumu smirked, unsurprised Antai would value those more than tests.

"Yea… They might cancel those."

Not minding if that happened, Kurumu started downing the omelet. She had nothing to add as the girls worried over what would happen these next few weeks. It was all conjecture, but at least none of them were planning to abandon ship.

It did not take long for her to finish her lunch. Setting her empty bento aside, she leaned back.

"So… is Kokoa joining us?"

Akegawa nodded.

"I think so. She was with Ms. Fukai."

"She was also with Ms. Akebara from class twelve."

Kurumu pondered that familiar name, certain she had heard it before. Kaimura grinned at her.

"She's the rep. Has an older sister whom is also a class rep. They're both in Yume's fencing club."

Kurumu perked up, nodding enthusiastically. She immediately realized whom that familiar girl from class twelve had been.

"Yes! I know her. She's the girl with the hime cut bangs and pigtails that sits in the front row by Iko. Does everyone here know that Kokoa applied for the fencing club?"

"She informed us about her decision yesterday."

"Do you think she's going to eat lunch with her new club?"

Akegawa frowned at her.

"I hope not."

"Yea, she only applied for the club. I don't think they have approved of her yet."

"I'm hoping she drags Yume up here to join us for a change."

"You might want to include two more desks for our table."

"That's not an issue. We'll just drag Akiyama's desk over."

"I'm curious, but whose desks are these that you guys use for this table?"

"The two girls whom sit behind us are Ms. Numamiya and Ms. Takanuma. They're not attending school at the moment."

Kurumu nodded at Akegawa, recalling those were the girls in the diving club. Voices drew her attention to the back door. Kokoa arrived in the company of Ishiko and four other girls. Kurumu immediately recognized Akebara and her older sister. The older girl also had her rust colored bangs cut in the hime style, but her tresses were pulled up in a ponytail instead of pigtails. She was not much taller than her younger sister whom was about Kurumu's height. Neither girl could honestly claim they were an A cup.

Kurumu also recognized Kosai Mirai, captain of the fencing team. The ginger had her long mane of hair pulled off to her left side in a high ponytail. She was about Akegawa's height, which was slightly taller than the older sister. Kurumu had seen this dark haired girl with shoulder length tresses whom stood about Moka's height, but had no idea whom she was.

"I take this to mean that Milady has been approved to join your club?"

Kokoa huffed, taking the seat next to Akegawa. Ishiko quietly sat down on Kokoa's right while the other girls hovered by the last vacant chair.

"She has. I approved of her application after practice yesterday."

Kosai gestured at the chair. The young Akebara smiled apologetically, taking the seat. She was the only one holding a lunch tray.

"That's good news."

"We hope that she joins us for practice starting today."

"And I said I would."

"Are you not eating lunch?"

Kosai waved off Antai's remark.

"The three of us have fourth period gym. We've already finished our lunch."

Kokoa snorted, tugging off the lid to her entrée.

"I don't get why you want me to eat with you if you'll be done by the time I get there."

"It's called team bonding, Ms. Shuzen. I don't expect you to eat with us every meal, but at least join us twice a week."

"Which is more than what we get Ms. Udetama to do."

Kosai sighed, shaking her head at the dark girl's remark.

"She sets such a poor example for the first years."

The older Akebara giggled with a bright smile.

"I wouldn't say that. The only first year whom occasionally eats with others is Ms. Zenpyou. The other three are always with us."

Kurumu smiled at the mention of the pixie haired girl from Moka's homeroom whom had helped her out with her burnt hair. She had almost forgotten that fashion club girl was also in the fencing club.

"This is the group Milady normally dines with. This is Akiyama Ume. This is Antai Hotaru."

Kurumu paused, noting Antai's grin. Smirking, she pointed at Kaimura.

"This is Kaimura Yuko. And the last is Milady's favorite, Akegawa Hikari."

Akegawa pouted with a blush.

"Why would you introduce me like that?"

Kokoa huffed, starting on her meal.

"Because it's true."

Kurumu grinned as Akegawa's blush deepened.

"All four of them have this class as their homeroom."

Kosai nodded, gesturing at the younger Akebara.

"This is Akebara Kaori. And this is Akebara Azami, her older sister."

The ginger gestured at the dark haired girl.

"This is my friend and roommate, Fukuda Ikuyo. We've been going to school together forever."

Kurumu smiled at the introduction. So this girl was not the Tadashiguchi she had been told about. She knew about Naratoki, which meant she knew all of the first year girls in the club.

"Ms. Kosai. I'm curious, but how many girls are in your club?"

"With the addition of Ms. Shuzen, we have twelve."

Zenpyou, Akebara Kaori, Kokoa, Asakira, Naratoki, Akebara Azami, Udetama, Shikichi, Kosai, Tadashiguchi and Fukuda. She was missing one.

Actually no. Negai Tenshi whom had been a class rep her first year but was not this year because she was in homeroom with Makenuki and that kendo club guy whom had been a finalist for the second years. Hosokoun Habiki. He was their valedictorian.

"Do you think it's important that I do your club with the kendo club?"

"Excuse me?"

Kurumu chuckled at her thoughtless question. She waved a dismissive hand.

"It's nothing. Just thinking out loud."

Thankfully nobody pushed for her to explain that.


Kurumu sighed heavily, struggling to keep upright with the dead weight of Sakamori bearing down upon her. The silly shojo was barely conscious, having shown up to class reeking of alcohol. Kurumu wondered if the girl had bothered attending her fifth period.

"Orochi, please? She's your baby too."

Orochi smiled, deftly working the pointed bamboo sticks in her hand to make the scarf they were supposed to complete by Monday. The girl clearly had experience doing this.

"Ms. Hitori. Would it be okay if Ms. Sakamori slept in the back corner?"

The teacher seated behind her station at the far end of the room did not look up from her magazine.

"Have her start her assignment."

Kurumu sighed, jostling the lush in her arms.

"Get off, Hinoko. We have to knit."

"Dough wanna."

Kurumu shivered from the grumbled words against her neck. Her body was anxious from having a face so close to her. She half expected the girl to start kissing her or for teeth to bite into her. Maybe both.

"At least start it."

Sakamori groaned, loosening her grip about Kurumu. The strawberry haired girl stumbled back a step, finally letting go. She turned and slouched over their station, making no attempt for her needles.

Kurumu sighed, stepping around the girl to grab her set. These long plastic things had hooks on the end for catching threads. She watched Orochi do a couple passes, completely lost over how she was supposed to do this.

"That looks hard."

"It's not."

Kurumu frowned as she gathered up the strings of yarn. She had no clue how to start it. It was almost tempting to mimic Sakamori here.

"Show me?"

Orochi giggled, setting down her needles. She pointed at the ball of yarn.

"Measure out three times the thickness of the scarf and make a slip knot."

"Huh?"

"Slip knot. Here."

Orochi grabbed the yarn and tugged out a long length of blue thread, pinching the string to the base of her hand with her other fingers.

"You'll want about sixty centimeters. So about four times your hand length."

Grabbing the strand, she brought that point out to the tip of her fingers. Pinching the strand between her index and middle finger, she slid her fingers down to pinch the strand again at her wrist.

"Then you'll tie a slip knot and put it on your needle."

Kurumu nodded dumbly, watching the girl quickly measure out the string. Once she had the right length, she made a small loop with the string. She brought the end behind the loop and pulled it through the loop. She tightened up the loop to make a small noose, which she presented to her.

"Okay."

Orochi grabbed one of Kurumu's bamboo sticks and speared the loop.

"Then we do your first row of stitches."

Orochi grabbed the short length of yarn with her left hand. She swung her thumb behind the strand connected to the needle, drawing it back. Then she pressed the needle tip to her thumb, slipping it underneath the strand. Then with her thumb and needle together, Orochi grabbed the other strand connected to the ball of yarn and wrapped it behind the needle. Then she rolled her thumb over the needle tip, before slipping her thumb out. She promptly tightened both strands up.

"And we keep doing this until you run out of the small length."

"I have no idea what you just did."

Orochi giggled, grabbing the short length with her left hand again.

"I'll do it again."

The girl went through the same motions as before, though slightly slower. Kurumu nodded, thinking she had the gist of it.

"Good?"

Kurumu nodded, taking the needle away from Orochi.

"What do I do with the other needle?"

"That comes after you finish your first row."

Kurumu nodded dumbly, having no idea what that meant. But she understood how to do what Orochi had shown her. It was a little awkward, but she felt confident that she was doing it right.

"Is it different with two needles?"

"A little. The whole thing is moving your stitches from one needle to the other."

Asuka chuckled, turning about as she set her knitting aside.

"This is way different from what I thought knitting was."

Juri giggled, glancing at Asuka.

"What did you think it was?"

"I don't know. Just different."

Kurumu smirked as she continued making loops and twisting them about before slipping them onto the bamboo shaft. She tightened everything up after each loop before repeating the process.

"This is kind of easy. You should try it, Hinoko."

"Dough wanna."

Asuka snickered, shaking her head.

"Why did she even take this class? She didn't do anything but cause trouble last term."

Nomura sighed, glancing back at the shojo whom was sprawled over their station.

"I agree. She should have taken choir."

Sakamori groaned, pushing back onto her feet. The girl's head lolled about as she wobbled.

"Want sing. But mum saysh needs cooking. Life skills for being wife."

"Who would ever marry you?"

"That's not nice, Ms. Shindou."

"I'm not wrong."

Nomura sighed again.

"She might be endearing to a guy whom wants to spend his whole life taking care of her."

"Fat chance of that happening."

Juri smiled softly.

"There are guys like that. Girls too."

"If your mother wants you to do this, then I suggest that you take this more seriously. You don't want to disappoint your mother."

Sakamori whined at Orochi's admonishment, picking up one of her needles.

"Too hard."

"It's not that difficult."

"Can't I buy a scarf?"

Kurumu laughed at the clarity of Sakamori's protest. It was a good question.

As she worked her way down the length of her short thread, Kurumu glanced about the classroom. They were missing several girls. Tonari was alone at the adjacent station. Kazehana and Hibiki were both at the station by the back door. Meisai and Shinayaka had joined the protest the same day as Hazumi had. Tategami had not been here all week.

Meirowasa was alone at her station while the station in front of Kazehana's group only had Makiba. According to Makiba, the reason why Yotsumure and Keishutani were absent was because the sewing club had decided on Wednesday to join the boycott. This included several second years.

There was nobody at Keishutani's station which included Kagami and Masataka. Taijin was alone at her station since the Unabara twins had been absent all week. And Mikomi was also alone at her station since both her partners had attended junior high with Mizumi. Thirteen of twenty six.

The juniors had about the same ratio. The three track girls were present, though the pair whom were still together were missing their third. The blond Yamasaki still had both of her partners. Toboshi was the tiny girl with the braided rat tail whom was shorter than Kurumu. She was a member of the drama club and strongly admired their detached instructor.

Her other partner was Uta, whom probably had a solid reason to be part of this protest. The undine from Umiman had admitted that she was only coming to school because Mizudake refused to surrender to fear. It was Mizudake's opinion that the killer won if they all quit school over his heinous actions.

The haughty undine from tennis was not alone at her station either. Fujino from archery was still in attendance. These three groups were at the stations closest to Ms. Hitori, with Mizudake's group near the door while Samurakami's group was by the courtyard windows.

There were only four other juniors present, all alone at their respective stations. Watanabe was at the station behind Samurakami. Unlike her friends in the cheerleader squad, she felt that joining the boycott would be inappropriate since she had no real attachment to any of the missing girls.

The lovely Ekizo with the flowing, pristine white tresses which fell to the small of her back was at the station behind Yamasaki, as oblivious to the world as she had been last term. She was unaware that a boycott was taking place so Kurumu had opted against explaining it to the detached girl.

Hanahara was alone at the station behind Mizudake. She admitted that there was talk in her club about possibly joining the boycott, but Denshou had yet to throw her lot in with Odayakana. The last junior was Karada whom was at the station behind Hanahara. The girl with her chocolate tresses styled in a right side bob with the left side ponytail had went to junior high with Hanahara in Shizukana. She was in the poetry club and had no plans for joining the protest unless Hanahara's ikebana club decided to.

"Oh. I'm out of yarn."

Orochi giggled as Kurumu held the needle out to her.

"Okay. I'll show you how it's done. Basically you'll be moving stitches from one needle to the other, always using the same pattern until you have the length of scarf you want."

Kurumu nodded as Orochi held the needle in her left hand and picked up the other one in her right.

"First you push this under your first stitch."

Orochi slipped the bare needle between the first two loops at the end of the needle with the yarn upon it. The girl grabbed the strand connected to the ball of yarn and wrapped it behind the needle she had just pushed through.

"Then I wrap this behind and slip the needle back through."

She turned the needle in her right hand to catch the yarn she had just wrapped behind it. She slipped the needle back over the first and tugged the first stitch off the first needle.

"Then I drop the stitch off and tighten everything."

She tugged the yarn string taut. She then repeated the same motion with the next stitch.

"And repeat until you run out stitches. Then you switch needles and do it again."

With a grin, Orochi handed the needles back to Kurumu. She nodded dumbly, thinking she understood what she was supposed to do. She held both needles as Orochi returned to her knitting. She watched the girl do a couple stitches on her own, though she was far faster than Kurumu could hope to be.

Kurumu attempted to mimic what she was seeing. It was a little difficult because she was pushing way too much needle through than she needed to, but she quickly figured it out. She got about five stitches done which looked identical to the pair Orochi had done for her.

"Ms. Kurono."

Ms. Hitori had set her magazine down and was beckoning her.

"I need to speak with you."

Frowning, Kurumu set her knitting aside. She slipped behind Orochi, striding up the aisle between the stations. The crimson haired teacher was dressed in a silver blouse with black slacks. She had left the three top buttons unfastened which was not enough to betray anything beyond the paleness of her collar. The teacher's eyes flashed from hazel to gold as she leaned forward.

"I trust you are still in contact with Ms. Shirayuki."

Kurumu nodded, stopping shy of the teacher's station.

"I am still holding some durian for that girl. I would like to serve it tonight, if that is possible."

Kurumu grimaced, knowing Tsukune was still rejecting this dinner.

"Well… we will be meeting for club after school. We're in Ms. Nekonome's homeroom."

"Good. Durian doesn't keep forever."

Kurumu nodded, wondering if she should join in on this dinner. Tsukune might agree to it if they all eat the durian together.

"How much durian do you have?"

"Quite a lot. I plan to donate everything to some grocers in Mononoke this weekend."

"I thought the school was going to sell it."

"Normally we do, but the people in Mononoke are in hardship right now. I was advised against selling our harvest."

Kurumu nodded, mulling this over.

"So… you could make dinner for half a dozen of us, right?"

"Absolutely. I understand that Ms. Hiboshi also helped taking down one of those nasty things."

Kurumu smiled softly, thinking she should cut out of class quickly to let Hiboshi and the others know about this. While it would not be the special durian dinner Mizore had hoped for, at least they would all eat together.

"I'll make sure to let them know."

The teacher reclined back in her seat, picking up her fashion magazine.

"Good. How are you doing?"

"Huh?"

"School. Life. Are you okay?"

Kurumu frowned.

"I'm fine."

The woman glanced her over.

"No. You're not."

Kurumu shivered at the flat refusal to accept her words.

"What makes you say that?"

"Your soul is hurting."

Kurumu swallowed. She disliked this.

"I'm fine."

"Well… if you insist. Run along then."

Kurumu turned about as the teacher lifted her magazine. Taking in a deep breath, she retreated to the back of the classroom. Asuka's electric blue eyes followed her as she made her way around Orochi to retrieve her knitting.

"What was that all about?"

Kurumu was about to dismiss the inquiry when she noticed Sakamori was sitting on the floor in the back corner of the room with her arms crossed on top of her knees which were drawn up.

"What's with Sakamori?"

"Ms. Shindou hurt her feelings."

"All I said was there's no way Hitomure would marry a girl whom can't cook or knit."

Kurumu snorted. She doubted any guy would care if a girl could knit.

"Don't worry about that, Hinoko. Though you should learn how to cook. Even if you live by yourself, buying ingredients is cheaper than buying premade meals."

"And healthier."

"We had fast food in Morioka. It was awesome."

"It was awful."

Asuka pouted at Taijin's casual retort.

"It was good."

"It was edible."

Kurumu chuckled along with Juri and Nomura. The blond shook her head.

"Honestly, as long as she's willing to put out, most guys will agree to it even if she can't cook or clean."

"Seriously? I don't think any guy would marry for sex."

Juri laughed at Asuka's disbelief.

"Probably not. But a guy might marry her to take care of her. There really are people out there whom are that selfless."

"It's not that selfless if he's getting sex out of the deal."

Juri snorted at Nomura.

"I think you are putting way too much value on sex."

"True. I wasn't thinking of marriage when I said she could get a guy without those skills. I was thinking a simple relationship."

Kurumu frowned.

"But aren't relationships meant for that."

"Ideally. But I don't think guys regard every girlfriend they have as a preview of their married life."

"I bet Kurumu plans to marry Aono."

Kurumu smiled at Asuka's quick remark.

"I certainly do. But he's a registered citizen, so I can't legally do that for a couple more years."

"You're going to need to do something or that boy is going to start sampling these other girls whom seem so eager to throw themselves at him."

Kurumu laughed, slowly starting on her stitches. She hesitated for a moment, but remembered how she was supposed to do it.

"What more could I do?"

"I don't know. Maybe you should fuck him."

Kurumu smirked. Not everyone was in the know of how physical her relationship with Tsukune had been.

"That doesn't stop a guy from cheating on you."

"It does if you milk him dry."

"I'm not sure if it works that way."

"Why would a guy want sex if he's having lots of it? It's like saying a guy will eat more on a full stomach."

"But people can do that."

Kurumu blushed at this conversation, shaking her head.

"I can't be doing that."

"Why not? I heard from Hatoko that you can't get pregnant."

"What?!"

Kurumu was not alone in her startled reaction to this announcement. She could only shake her head with wide eyes. Asuka nodded at Juri.

"Yea. She went to the hospital and some doctor lady there said she can't get pregnant. Something about she has to have another woman have her baby for her."

Kurumu grimaced, wishing one of the tengu girls would have straightened the story out for Asuka.

"I guess that's true, but I don't want to make another girl pregnant."

"Obviously. It's not like you have to stick your tail in another girl. You just empty it out like the doctor lady did for you."

Kurumu shook her head, surprised that with this much understanding of her reproductive system that Asuka somehow had not figured out that she had been having sex with Tsukune.

"Yea… you're right."

"This doesn't make much sense. She still requires a guy at some point, right?"

"I believe so. She gets it from the guy and… oh."

Asuka blushed.

"Oh."

Taijin sighed, shaking her head.

"You know I wasn't going to say anything, Asuka. I can't believe you."

And that was how half of her sewing class found out Kurumu was not a virgin.