Hello.
I got your letter a couple days ago. I was too frustrated to write a response immediately. I know the mail doesn't get to you right away so there wasn't much reason to rush a letter based on my emotions. I'm still annoyed with you.
Thanks though. Getting a copy of the paper was cool. I wish I could have written at least one article for you guys. It's depressing. Maybe my school has a paper club. If they don't, I suppose I could try starting one. It'll be a bitch finding three more members, let alone everything else I probably need to pull this off. They probably won't let me start a club this late in the year.
I see Mr. Morioka wrote about your trip. It's crazy that you guys fought a rebellious faction of Fairy Tale. I'm sure those agents you guys helped are grateful to get control back of Okinawa. I feel like you should have mentioned that in your letter. I guess reading about it in your paper was good enough, but it makes me worry. It's sad that you feel like you have to hide things from me.
Since there were so many pictures, I stuffed it all in this large manila envelope. At least I don't have to fold my sheets now. Anyways, I labeled the backs of the photos so you know who is who. I don't have copies so I would like those back. Sorry. My family isn't rich. I'm not saying you have to mail them back. I'm trying to get my parents to let me attend your cultural festival.
I know it's been less than two weeks. I'm probably not giving things a fair chance. But yea. I know like a third of my new classmates. It's not like Yokai Academy where I knew only three people. You would think spending three whole years of junior high with almost fifty of these kids that I wouldn't have a problem.
But nobody wanted to talk to me before I was crippled. Why would anything change?
I doubt I mentioned it before, but the junior high in Kaigan borrows a couple buildings from the high school for boarding younger students. Akita prefecture is kind of big with dozens of tiny villages. Many send their kids here since it's closer than other places with junior highs. I have no idea how many junior highs there are, but there's only three high schools.
There's Shuugaku High on the Oga peninsula by the city of Akita. That's a bunch of city kids and coastal villages. It has a pretty bad reputation so most kids only go there if they have to. Anybody living up in the northern villages will either attend Shoudo Academy or Keiken High, one of the big Aomori schools by Mount Iwaki. I heard that Keiken High and Mizumoya Academy alternate years as the flagship, since they're both about the same size as Shoudo Academy.
There's also Ochiru Technical down by Hottai Falls near the border of Yamagata. Shuugaku High and Ochiru Tech are both about half the size of Shoudo Academy, but they do have boarding options and junior highs like Kaigan. I was considering going to Ochiru with Chisa, but her parents shot that down. They wanted her to at least attend a prefectural school if she was going to have to live apart from them.
I guess I'm wandering off topic. You probably want to hear about my wonderful time at school. I guess we're only allowed to talk about happy things now. Either I'm going to have to get creative or my letters are going to end up much shorter.
Not much to say about school. It's only Wednesday night, so I haven't even finished two weeks. I did see Ameuma and Kagayaki a couple times at school. Haven't spoken with either of them. Guess it's going to be like that. Nobody talks to me but I do get some looks. Not good ones. I bet I look like an easy meal to some of these troublemakers. I probably will have to be careful about trusting anyone whom acts too nice to me. That's what my family tells me. It's boring and lonely at school.
Papa takes me to the hospital for physical therapy on Tuesdays and Thursdays after school. It's sad that I'm happier about doing that tomorrow than I am school. I keep hoping that everything will just start working again if I keep up with the therapy. But I overheard them talking about stopping my physical therapy at the end of the month. You would think with all the money they are saving by having me at home that they could afford it. But I guess it's not enough.
Or I'm not worth it.
I love my sister, but I can't say that I shared my problems with her. We lived in the same room for years but I don't think we ever talked about our troubles. Do you think that's strange?
I think the first shoulder I had to cry on was Ameuma. That's probably a surprise, considering how long I've known Chisa and how I shared a room with my older sister my entire childhood. But most of my frustrations were about my sister. And Chisa is an only child so I never felt like she could relate to that. Ameuma was the first person in my life whom I could confide in. I shared everything with her. All of my hopes and dreams for the future.
I know that makes everything sound tragic considering how Ameuma avoids me now. She went after Kagayaki despite knowing how I felt about him. And I can honestly say that she had no interest in him prior to me talking to her about him. He is two years older than us.
It was probably wrong of me to try and force Satsuki to take her place. I honestly believed her brother was talking nonsense and that all of her problems were caused by bullshit rumors. I thought our issues were comparable. I had no idea that her home life was in shambles.
I want to write to Satsuki, but I think it would just annoy her. I have nothing special to say and talking about how crummy things are at school isn't going to make her happy. So it's not worth writing about, right? Because it doesn't make people happy it should not be said.
Do you really think that will work?
I know you say you have plenty of shoulders to cry on. Was that always the case?
And will you? Maybe we're not as close as I hoped we were.
At least Chisa doesn't write about how much her life sucks anymore. I do get it. It's nice to hear that things are going good for someone. You want good things to happen to the people you care about. But that shouldn't be all you want to hear. Life isn't only the sum of good things. It's full of mundane things.
I'm using the word mundane correctly, right? I think that means common and boring.
Anyways. Chisa sounds happy with Mr. Kitamori. I'm a little worried about her though. He is a senior and will be graduating this year. That means even if everything works out, she will have two years of school where she barely gets to see him. That's a lot of time.
I wish I had a boyfriend.
I don't trust you. If you want my trust back, you're going to have to share all the bad with me. If you can't share that with me, I can't believe that you will share it with anyone else. You don't even have to deal with my reactions like you would with someone in person. And that's what you're worried about. You're worried about making someone sad.
Well guess what? Nothing that happens to you will make my life worse.
It sucks that some guy licked your pussy when you didn't want him to. But you wrote it down and now the truth is out there. You're no longer holding that in. That's good for you. Sure, it doesn't make my life any better, but it doesn't make my life any worse.
Emotional pain is like having to fart. You might think everyone is going to hate you for doing it, but it will really start to hurt if you hold it in forever. You might argue that you don't feel any better after talking about it, but the more you acknowledge it happened, the easier it is to let that dumb shit go. It's not like you have a constant reminder that it happened.
I know the chances are high that I will never walk again. I know most guys won't want to date a girl with a condition like mine. I wish I could pretend that nothing happened, but I got two bum legs which I have to drag around all day long. I want so badly to be okay. To be like everyone else. But every dream I have ever had for my future is gone. It's like I'm struggling to understand what the point is for me to continue living when there's nothing out there for me.
Nothing.
So at least let me be there for you. In this very small, insignificant way. The worst that might happen is that I'll cry a little and wish that I could hold you. Is that really a horrible thing? You can't ever promise someone that you won't make them cry.
See.
Well, I guess you can't see, but I'm crying right now. And it's your fault.
I guess I don't have anything else to write.
You better send me those pictures you promised.
Bye.
Kurumu sighed, setting down the letter on the couch between her and Moka. The vampire was looking through the pictures Nerume had sent. There was close to thirty of them.
"I made Nerume angry."
Moka frowned at her. Like Kurumu, the vampire was still in her pajamas. The white, feline shaped head printed on the short sleeved, pink shirt stretched with her ample bosom. Baggy gray shorts bared much of her thick thighs. Moka absently handed a photo over to her sister whom was sitting on her right.
"What did you do?"
Not in the mood for sexy attire, Kurumu had slept in her gray tank top and black cotton shorts. Last night had not been an enjoyable experience.
"I told her that I was keeping secrets from her."
Kokoa snorted as she regarded the photo. The younger vampire had her torso wrapped up in a cherry red nightgown. She had been thoroughly displeased with Kurumu's late arrival, demanding dinner at once. As Kurumu and Moka had already eaten durian, she had thrown together a quick rice bowl glazed with teriyaki seasoning. Of course Kokoa had complained about the meal quality, but she would have bitched regardless of whatever Kurumu had chosen to make. At least that had not taken long.
"That would upset anybody."
"I was only pointing out the obvious. Everybody has secrets they don't share."
Kokoa regarded her suspiciously while taking the next photo offered by her sister.
"There better not be things that I should know about."
Kurumu smiled softly, glancing at Moka.
"It's mostly things I wish had never happened."
The vampire shared the smile, glancing down at the pictures in her hands.
"I bet you wish you had never agreed to become my servant."
"That's not a secret."
"I should beat you for your lack of respect and gratitude towards your Lady."
Kurumu sighed heavily, taking a picture from Moka. Nerume had her arm around another girl whom looked so much like her. The back of the photo identified this was her sister, Kakiko. As the photo had the two on the couch, it was impossible to say how much taller her sister was, but Kakiko was clearly more endowed. If not for her long hair, Nerume might have been able to pass as a little brother.
"I really want to print out our pictures now."
Moka handed Kurumu another one which had a picture of Nerume sitting on her father's lap with her arms thrown about his thick neck. She looked nothing like him. He had square, chiseled features, ash gray hair and soft brown eyes.
"I wonder if we can get paper with the same thickness."
Kurumu shrugged, slipping the two photos she had back into the envelope.
"I doubt they have paper with that glossy, textured finish."
"I wonder where you can get that."
"Maybe they have a store in town that actually develops film."
"Do you think they could use our USB drives?"
"I have no idea."
Kurumu smiled as Moka handed her two more pictures. One had Nerume on the floor, lying on her back and holding a little girl up. That was Hanami, her niece. The other picture had her making goofy faces with Ichiro, the eldest of her three younger brothers. He also looked nothing like his father.
"Maybe someone at the class rep meeting will know."
"We should take our phones."
"Why?"
"I should take some pictures of this concert. And you might want to take some pictures of your first class rep meeting. You might make some new friends."
Moka smiled softly, nodding.
"I hope Tsukune is okay."
Kokoa snorted out a laugh, shaking her head.
"Food poisoning. That has to be a first."
After all the trouble they had went through to get Tsukune to eat durian with them, the poor guy had started suffering from fierce stomach pains less than a half an hour after the meal. They were lucky they had not left the school yet and could find help for him since Yukari's healing spells did nothing for his condition. Unfortunately the nurse had already left campus which forced a reluctant Ms. Hitori to drive Tsukune to the hospital to have his stomach pumped.
"He's still mostly human. Yukari admitted that her stomach was also starting to give her fits on the way back home."
"Are you guys going to Mononoke tomorrow?"
"Yea. We spoke with Ms. Nekonome before she cut out in the middle of our dinner. She's fine acting as our escort for the day."
"She'll be walking Tora to church. You are more than welcome to join us for the service."
"I'll pass."
Kurumu let out a deep breath, regarding another picture held out to her. This one was of Nerume with her mother and her youngest brother, Junsei. Kurumu wondered if any of the kids took after their father. Stuffing the picture in the envelope, she set it aside before pushing up on her feet.
"I should get dressed."
"You should have did that before going to the commissary for your mail."
Kurumu snorted, waving a dismissive hand as she shuffled over to Moka's closet.
"We were in shorts and tank tops. That's nothing special."
As she tugged open the door, Moka set her handful of pictures aside to extract herself from the couch.
"It is when you're not wearing underwear."
Kurumu shrugged, slipping inside the small closet. She knew the guy had enjoyed seeing her wearing this loose tank top and shorts. She glanced over her three remaining school uniforms, debating if she should double up her blouses this week or do laundry early. Supposing she could worry about that later, she turned her attention on the small pile of weekend clothes she had set aside with her skirts and lingerie.
She had no intentions of wearing a bra this weekend. Having no plans to fly today, Kurumu tugged her gray tank top off and dumped it into her busted hamper. She grabbed her yellow tube top which she had last worn on Satsuki's birthday party. Pulling it over her head, she slipped the stretchy fabric about her torso to secure her breasts.
"I'm serious Kurumu."
Kurumu glanced over her shoulder at Moka as she tugged down her shorts. She shrugged as she stepped out of her shorts and slung them into the hamper.
"It's not like he could tell I had no panties."
Moka pouted as she closed the door behind them.
"That's not the problem. It's your top."
Kurumu shrugged as she grabbed her black thong. She stepped into them, tugging them up.
"I wear tops without bras all the time, Moka. It's no big deal."
Moka sighed, grabbing the hem of her shirt. With a heavy breath, she pulled the shirt off, revealing that the silly girl had slept in her mint green bra with the lacy floral pattern. A dark purple, satin bow was stitched between the cups at the band. The vampire reached back to loosen the hooks.
Kurumu smirked, amused that Moka had worn a bra to bed. She shook out her tight, denim shorts, before stepping into them and tugging them up her thighs. She had another pair exactly like this one which had the back cut out and modified for her tail.
Kurumu had to laugh at Moka when she saw the vampire pull down her baggy shorts to reveal the mint green thong with the black bow. She shook her head as she wiggled her butt into her shorts.
"You wore a thong to bed."
"I'm trying to get used to them."
"Why?"
Moka pursed her lips as she dragged the hem of her panties down her thighs.
"Because Tsukune likes them."
Kurumu chuckled as she fumbled with the buttons.
"Is she wanting to get used to wearing thongs?"
Moka managed a smile as she slipped out of the flimsy undergarment.
"No. She thinks I should wear nothing."
Moka stepped over to the shelf with her lingerie. She pulled the indigo bra with the similar lacy pattern off the top of the pile. Like the others Moka had bought at the store in Kumamoto, this bra had a satin bow stitched in the band. This satin bow was black.
"She wants you to wear nothing beneath your skirt."
Moka blushed, slipping into her bra.
"She finds these things annoying."
Kurumu pondered that as she thought about where her thong was nestled presently.
"Well… she isn't wrong from a comfort position."
With flush cheeks, Moka finished fastening her bra in the back. With a heaving sigh, she tucked her breasts firmly in the cups before turning a smile on her.
"She thinks it would be more thrilling."
"Thrilling?"
"Like an open challenge. Come get it if you can."
Moka grabbed her navy blue thong with a white bow stitched in the front hem.
"You're serious?"
Stepping into the thong, Moka promptly tugged the thong up into place.
"She is. But she knows I can't fight like her so she doesn't protest the thongs too much."
Kurumu grinned at the vampire dressed in only skimpy lingerie before her.
"You know the bows don't match."
Moka pouted as she grabbed one of her school skirts.
"That can't be helped. I bought them at separate places."
"But you special ordered the bras."
Moka frowned as she stepped into the skirt and tugged it up onto her hips.
"I couldn't remember what colors of bows I had for each of them. And I don't have anything to go with my purple thong."
"How many days in a row have you been wearing thongs?"
Moka blushed as she tightened up her skirt.
"Four."
Kurumu smirked as Moka grabbed a school blouse.
"Why are you dressing for school?"
"It's a school meeting."
"Yea, but do you have to wear a school uniform to it?"
Moka shrugged as she slipped her arms through the sleeves.
"I assume I would have to. You had to wear a school uniform to your Saturday classes."
Kurumu supposed Moka had a point. Having little reason to remain in the closet, Kurumu stalked over to the door and pushed it open.
"Hey, Kokoa. What do you plan to do today?"
The younger vampire was still seated on the couch but was no longer looking at pictures. Instead she had pulled out the letter and was reading it.
"Not much. I'm going to Hikari's practice at two. I'll try to get Nagisa to have lunch with us."
Kurumu nodded as she returned to the couch, watching the vampire read Nerume's letter.
"Are you going to spend the night there?"
Kokoa shook her head as she switched pages.
"No. I was thinking we could have a sleepover here."
Kurumu groaned, grabbing the brat by the shoulders and giving her a slight shake.
"Do I have to make dinner for you?"
"It's not like I'm forcing you to make our lunch."
"When have I ever made you lunch?"
"Exactly. As my servant, you should be grateful for my lenience."
Kurumu groaned again, squeezing Kokoa's shoulders.
"Milady. I have a band concert today. I'd also like to see our choir perform. I have no idea when they take the stage, but I do know that this concert runs past seven."
"How is that even possible?"
"There's five bands and five choirs. My pictures with the band are at one and their performance is at three. I was told that the last choir takes the stage at seven. And that could be our choir, since we're the ones hosting it."
"That's stupid."
"I'm saying that I might not get here until after eight."
Kokoa sighed heavily.
"I suppose we can wait for dinner."
"It will take me at least a half hour to make something up to your standards. You might not be eating dinner until nine."
"It's not like you can make anything up to my standards. I'm fine with the wait."
Kurumu managed a smile as the closet door closed. Moka was straightening up her green jacket. Kurumu squeezed Kokoa's shoulders again.
"We should head out now and check on Mizore."
Moka frowned, fussing with her cuffs.
"Why?"
"Because I'm curious how she is and we have some time before you go to your meeting with Yukari."
Kokoa lowered the sheet and glanced up at her.
"Some guy licked your pussy?"
Kurumu clenched her jaw. She glanced at Moka whom was shocked by the announcement.
"That's Nagare, Moka. I told you about him."
Moka nodded slowly, her wide eyes turning to the floor. Kurumu sighed heavily, tousling Kokoa's locks with enough force to cause the girl to protest.
"I didn't share the specifics of what he did. Not even with Yukari. He was addicted to my opiate so Ms. Sasayaki decided it was best to expel him after the assault."
"Did it feel good?"
That deserved another rough tousle.
"Ow. Stop it."
"I was too busy being horrified to register pleasure."
Kokoa grimaced, holding her hands protectively against her head.
"I was only curious. Hotaru offered to lick mine and it sounded gross."
Kurumu chuckled, shaking her head. She backed away from the couch.
"I'm thinking Antai needs a timeout. That's not something to casually offer to another girl."
Moka sighed, walking over to join Kurumu at the doorway.
"She is the most assertive of Kokoa's friends. You shouldn't read through Kurumu's letters."
"She's my servant. I can't have her talking poorly about me behind my back."
Kurumu smirked as she slipped into her pristine white, platform sneakers.
"Don't worry, Milady. I'll talk poorly about you while you're around."
"Such insolence."
"Yea, yea."
Kurumu twisted the knob and pushed out into the morning warmth. Moka followed her out, promptly locking up the door. Taking in a deep breath of fresh air, Kurumu started off for the adjacent building.
"Did you grab your phone?"
Kurumu groaned as Moka joined her. The vampire revealed her silver phone in her jacket pocket. Kurumu managed a smile, shaking her head.
"It's no big deal. I'll go back and get it after this."
Moka nodded as they steadily closed in on the door to Mizore's suite. As Kurumu rubbed her hands on the short swath of denim between her hips and thighs, she realized she had also forgotten her lunch card and keys. She also needed her schoolbag which had her interview notebook. She would have to smack Kokoa for bringing up that unsettling topic.
"It is nice to have one for telling the time."
"Don't you have a watch?"
Moka nodded as they stopped at the door.
"I don't always wear it. I usually leave it in my schoolbag."
Kurumu knocked on the door.
"Mizore! Wake up!"
Moka tugged her phone out of her jacket pocket.
"How long do you think it will take her to answer the door?"
"I guess it depends on if she's even in her room."
Moka frowned, slipping her phone back in her pocket.
"I hope she would be. We all walked here together."
"That hasn't stopped her from making late night visits to Tsukune before."
Moka pounded fervently on the door.
"Mizore? Are you in there?"
"You better open up soon. I'm with a vampire whom doesn't fret over breaking down doors."
"I wouldn't do that."
"I've seen you do a lot of property damage. In this form."
Moka blushed, glancing aside.
"Those situations were different."
"It's no big deal if she's with Tsukune. She doesn't have a charm to make him initiate things for her."
"I suppose that's true."
"And Mizore's a heavy sleeper."
Moka knocked firmly on Mizore's door again.
"Please open up, Mizore. We're worried about you."
Kurumu smiled at that genuine sentiment. She brushed back her hair, realizing she had not put it up with her purple lace ribbon today. It still felt nice with it down. Maybe she would leave it like this.
"Should I check to see if Ginei is in his room?"
"I'd like to go with you if you do."
"I don't know if you'll have time for that."
"Do you think he's okay?"
Kurumu smirked. She had shared the fact that Ginei was missing but had elected against saying anything about the suspicions leveled against him.
"I'm sure he's okay. He's probably skulking about the hospital, trying to muster up the courage to talk to Hajihachi about the attack. You know how he hates setting foot in those places."
"It's too bad that Yukari hasn't put a tracking spell on him. I know that he almost always wears that silver wolf pendant."
Kurumu chuckled, recalling Yukari's reaction to Moka's question about this last night.
"I don't think Yukari is that concerned about his safety."
"Maybe not. But Ginei is a valuable member to our club. We couldn't help Kiki at all."
With the sudden change of plans of having a durian dinner, they had not been able to confirm anything to help Kiki do her article. At least the girl had accepted the dinner invitation. She also had reminded Kurumu that she was familiar with Manzoku Kaiya, a sylph from her junior high whom was a senior in the kimono club. But she had no idea how to contact the girl. After making Kiki aware that Hajihachi was in the hospital and that Ginei was missing, they had promised to help her tackle her article next week.
"I'm sure things will be better next week."
The deadbolt drew back and the door opened. Mizore slipped into view, her head cocked and holding the door. The snow girl was wearing those silky, pristine white camisole and shorts. Somehow the fabric was paler than her skin.
"Is something wrong?"
"Are you okay?"
Mizore stared at Moka.
"Yea. Why wouldn't I be?"
Kurumu smirked, touching her belly.
"I don't know about you, but my constitution is kind of similar to a human. I woke up in the middle of the night with a wretched urge to use the toilet. Way too much fluid coming out of the wrong place."
Mizore smiled softly with a distant look.
"I thought I might die in my bathroom in the middle of the night. But I'm still here."
"Nothing like that happened to me."
Kurumu smirked at Moka's frown.
"I'm starting to wonder how well Yukari fared."
Moka nodded with obvious concern.
"I'm going to check on her. I'll be right back."
Kurumu smiled as Moka headed off with a slight trot. She turned her attention back to Mizore.
"So… what sort of plans do you have for the day?"
"Nothing."
"Do you want to come with me and visit a couple boys today?"
"Depends on the boys."
"I was wanting to check on Ginei."
"No."
Kurumu paused, knowing she should have expected that.
"I also wanted to check on Tsukune, but I have to do it before I run off for my band article at one."
Mizore nodded, letting go of the door.
"I'll get dressed."
"Is there anything else you require, Ms. Kurono?"
Mr. Tagami Rengin towered over her with his arms crossed about his burly chest. He had shaggy, short, black hair which was streaked with silver. He was dressed in a black suit which parted at the collar to reveal a fancy white undershirt. He looked exactly the way Kurumu expected a conductor of an orchestra to look like. Minus the intimidating glare from dark eyes daring her to take up more of his precious time.
Kurumu looked over her notes. The band instructor had been hired in 76 with Mr. Fujita and Mr. Enjin. All three of them had graduated from Yokai Academy prior to the first expansion in 71. Neither man had been his classmate, though he had gone to school with both of them. Enjin had graduated in 68, a year ahead of him, while Fujita had graduated a year after. He had also gone to school with Mr. Sawayaka, whom had been hired on in 73 for different reasons.
It was in 75 when the shop and greenhouse buildings had been built. That was the main reason why Mr. Enjin and Mr. Fujita had been hired. The Headmaster had wanted to provide hands on electives for agriculture and crafting. Apparently Mr. Fujita had not always been a math teacher, originally helping students learn the joys of farming. The culture class changed shortly after the expansion in 94.
Mr. Tagami had initially been in charge of both the band and choir programs. He held this role until Mrs. Tomarigi had been hired on in 91. Despite running separately, they still attended the same concerts.
Mr. Tagami was married and had three children. All three had graduated from Yokai and moved out of Mononoke. His oldest son had graduated in 93 while his youngest son had just graduated in 2003. His daughter was married and living in Machinise, which is where Mr. Tagami had been born. All that was left for him to do was save enough money to buy a residence in Machinise and retire.
"Nope. I think I've got enough."
"Good. Then I shall be starting my rehearsal."
As she tucked her pencil into her notebook, the large band instructor stalked over to the music stand. He picked up a white stick and tapped it against the black metal.
"Attention. Everyone quiet down. Get your instruments ready."
Kurumu stuffed her notebook into her schoolbag which dangled against her hip. She pulled out her black phone, flipping it open. She noted the time was twelve after two. Nodding, she dropped it back into the dark recesses of her bag.
"We only have time to go through our set once. After that, we will be going outside to wait for our turn to take the stage. Everybody ready?"
Kurumu absently retreated over to the door as she took notice of the assembled band students. They had been grouped together by their instruments with the two violinists at the front on Mr. Tagami's left. Next to Sukoyaka was Onishi with her bassoon. Behind them were the two kappa girls with their oboes. And the rest of the front row was flutes while the second row was clarinets. Not a single guy was seated in the front. Everyone was dressed in their school shirts, though the jackets had been shed for the sake of uniformity. The girls were wearing their tan slacks to match the boys.
"Ms. Kurono."
Kurumu smiled at the short haired brunette lurking in the open doorway. Sangi beckoned to her while backing out into the hallway to join the three first year guys whom had helped handle the photos for this huge group. Even with four cameras, it had taken them over an hour due to many kids not showing up until one thirty.
"And one and two and"
The music started to play as Kurumu ducked out into the hall. Sangi grinned, letting go of her camera to let it dangle by its black strap against her loose, peach shirt. The short sleeves were crimped and cinched about her arms shy of her elbows. It had a similar elastic hem about her waist which she often dragged back over the loops of her denim jeans. At one point, her belly button had been bared while standing on her tip toes to take a picture of the big boys in the back.
"I think we have more than enough pictures of them holding their instruments. Did you want shots of them while they are performing on the stage?"
Kurumu mulled that over as she regarded the trio of boys. The short Tamura had on a yellow and black striped polo shirt and a slim pair of khakis held up by a cloth belt. His nose twitched before he promptly rubbed it with the back of his hand. His silver camera was secured to his wrist by a braided black band. It was smaller than the ones the others held. His parents had bought him a Sony Cybershot over the summer so he could have his own camera for the club.
Uchiyama was also sporting a new camera. He had bragged about how his Panasonic Lumix was the top of the line equipment for digital cameras. It was black and bulky with a right hand grip which would annoy the left handed populace like Tora. It had a bigger lens and scope which Uchiyama was all too eager to boast about how bigger was better. His superior equipment was strapped to his shoulder but held firmly in his hand. His Hawaiian print shirt of pastel blue and yellow had been left open to bare a simple white tee tucked in his olive cargo shorts.
Blaming Yokokara, Kamitsuku had decided to wear his school shirt and slacks today. He had already been dressed like that when she had stopped by to check on Tsukune after a wasted attempt to locate Ginei in his dorm. That Housemother had refused to help her, stating she had too many girls badgering her for his room key and was getting tired of it.
Nobody could tell her where Tsukune or Ginei were. At least she could hope that Tsukune was still hanging out at the hospital for some reason. Mizore had promised to check the hospital for him and Umizake had promised to keep an eye on Mizore.
"Ms. Kurono?"
Kurumu shook her head, letting her thoughts return to the present situation.
"I don't think we need to. Oyanagi is filming the whole thing."
Sangi smirked, placing a hand on her hip.
"I can't believe Mr. Tagami actually wants us to do that. I hope Kuroishi has enough film for that."
When Mr. Tagami had seen the camcorder, he had encouraged the film club to record not only their performance but all of the other bands too. By that time they had already missed half of Sentai Tech's performance. With any luck, the two boys had managed to have everything set up when Houjin High had taken the stage at one forty. Mimori High would be starting next.
"Do you think we could stop by the choir room?"
Sangi sucked in a sharp breath as she narrowed her topaz eyes.
"We could. But they don't sing until six twenty. I doubt Mrs. Tomarigi will have her girls here before five."
Kurumu nodded, having seen a copy of the program. Depending on how quickly things wrapped up, she could be home to make Kokoa's dinner before eight.
"Well I'm not in any hurry to see Mimori High's band."
"Ms. Hiboshi mentioned that they have a tennis match which will be going on all day."
Kurumu smirked at Kamitsuku. Hiboshi had made sure everyone at the durian dinner knew about it.
"I can't. I'm going to watch our band so I don't have time to run out to the tennis courts. I figure we can check the choir room, go see the band, stop by your film club room to put all of your photos onto the thumb drive Moka let me borrow and then watch the choir."
Sangi chuckled, cocking her head.
"Sounds like you have your whole day planned out."
"Yup. After the choir I got to run home and make dinner for Milady. No free time to watch a bunch of kids whack a ball back and forth over a net."
"I could be convinced to make the time depending on how short the tennis skirts are."
Kurumu smirked at Uchiyama.
"You crashed our photo shoot of the tennis club so you should know how short they are."
Uchiyama nodded, stroking his smooth chin with his free hand.
"True. I think I prefer the lovely ladies in the choir."
Sangi snorted, taking off towards the front of the school in a brisk walk which prompted them to follow.
"Choir room it is. Tamura!"
"Yes?"
"Go tell Oyanagi that we'll be joining him in about a half hour."
The short guy nodded, turning an about face and heading back in the other direction. Kurumu grinned at Kamitsuku as they continued on.
"So… what are you guys planning to do for Aku's birthday?"
"Don't worry. We've got it covered."
That smirk suggested something mischievous was in the works. Kurumu had been in for a rude surprise this morning when Aku randomly reminded her that his birthday was tomorrow. After her quick apology for not realizing it was so soon, he had smoothly requested a feel for his birthday present. It had been difficult to keep a straight face as she tried to convince him that his first feel was special and that he should share that with someone he actually had a chance with.
The boys had all pretended like they had no plans while around Aku, saying some nonsense about how guys don't do such things. Like Aku, Kurumu suspected something was up, but she had to run to school right after lunch with Kamitsuku and he remained tight lipped the whole way.
"Come on. He's on a bus to Toutoi right now for his judo match. You can spill it."
"Is somebody having a birthday?"
Kurumu grinned at Sangi's interest.
"One of the guys on his floor has his birthday tomorrow. And this guy is turning sixteen on the fifteenth."
Sangi perked up as they neared the end of the senior hallway.
"Is that true, Mr. Yamabato?"
"It is."
"Hmm. We should do something."
"Like what?"
"I don't know. We could always try baking a cake at Ms. Chouda's place."
"That sounds like a wonderful idea."
Kamitsuku snorted, fussing with his camera as they turned right into the next hallway.
"Should I ask if you know how to bake a cake?"
"We could figure it out."
Kurumu paused a step, frowning at Sangi.
"You haven't baked a cake before?"
Kamitsuku smirked as Sangi shook her head.
"Not every girl is wife material."
"What does knowing how to bake a cake have to do with being a wife?"
"My mom knows how to do it. Sounds like a basic skill."
Sangi eyed him suspiciously.
"Is that right? Do you know how to bake a cake?"
"I'm not planning to be wife material."
Kurumu grinned as Uchiyama chuckled without comment.
"I don't know if Chouda has cake pans, but Yukari does. She lives in the suite adjacent to Chouda's."
"Yea. She mentioned switching suites with Ms. Sendou."
"You guys don't have to make a cake for me."
"It's no problem, Mr. Yamabato. We'll treat it like a club activity."
"The club didn't do anything special for my birthday."
"Well someone didn't say anything about having their birthday."
Kurumu grinned at Sangi's quick response. She smiled as they strolled by the main foyer.
"When is your birthday?"
"August eleventh."
Sangi snorted at his smug look.
"We can't be blamed for missing a summer birthday we weren't told about."
"I'm telling you now."
"So that means that fancy camera of yours was a birthday present."
Uchiyama grinned broadly at Kurumu, nodding his head. Sangi smirked.
"I was thinking that camera was way too expensive for your parents to buy out of the blue. Are you wanting us to make two cakes?"
"Don't do it, man. We'll both end up in the hospital like Aono."
"That boy of yours is in the hospital again?"
Kurumu smiled softly, nodding at Uchiyama's mirth.
"Yea. His stomach couldn't handle the durian dinner Ms. Hitori made for us last night. She took him to the hospital but nobody has seen him since."
Sangi snorted, shaking her head.
"That's no surprise. I heard that Hajihachi is still locked up in there."
Kurumu nodded as they neared the hallway for the second years.
"Have you seen Ginei?"
"Nope. I hope you aren't believing that rumor of him attacking her. He would never do that."
"I'm not. But it sounds like nobody has seen him and your Housemother refused to let me check his room. I guess I'm not the first girl to ask for his key."
Sangi arched a brow, intrigued.
"Really? I haven't thought to check his room. I wonder which girls tried looking for him."
Kurumu sighed heavily as they turned right into the next hallway.
"Well I hope you have better luck than I did. Your Housemother wouldn't tell me anything."
"That's Ms. Takahashi for you."
Kurumu nodded, walking for a short while in silence. They were angling for the first stair which would take them up to the crossover between classes three and ten.
"Did Ms. Araiguma tell you about taking pictures for me on Tuesday?"
"She did."
"This is for the gymnastics club, right? Do you need any help?"
"I'm definitely free if you need help."
Kurumu smirked at the two boys, shaking her head.
"It's a small club. We don't need any guys causing trouble."
"Since when have I caused trouble?"
Kurumu smirked at Uchiyama's grin. Shaking her head again, she started up the stairs with Sangi.
"We'll be fine. I'll be sure to let you know if I need more cameras for my next articles."
"And what would those be?"
"Basketball and volleyball at least. I might try to do fencing. Haven't decided on that."
"I heard that you met Ms. Udetama over the summer in Okinawa. You should do her club."
"I don't know if I should wait to do hers with the kendo club or not."
Sangi nodded at her as they crossed the landing and started up the next flight of steps.
"I guess that makes sense. I don't think the kendo club is that big but I can't say for certain."
"I'll ask Kitajima the next time I have lunch with the PSC."
Once at the top of the stairs, they cut over to class ten before continuing in the direction of the cafeteria. The choir room was directly above the home ec room and was not that much further of a walk.
"So… when's your birthday?"
"That's a ways out. January nineteenth."
Kurumu smiled, realizing she was the same age as Sangi presently. As they passed by class eight, Kurumu glanced over her shoulder at the two boys tailing them.
"What do you guys have planned for Aku?"
Kamitsuku smirked.
"Fine. I'll admit that Kinusawa has some sake his father gave him for the occasion."
"You're going to drink alcohol?"
"And play video games."
Kurumu sighed, shaking her head. Guys could be so simple.
"If that's all you were planning, you didn't have to keep it secret."
"It makes it more interesting to keep it secret."
Kurumu snorted, thoroughly disappointed. As they passed by the crossover to the bathrooms, Kurumu noted that the door to the choir room was open. She heard someone playing the piano and a couple girls singing softly. She shared a glance with Sangi. The brunette shrugged with a smile.
Strolling into the room, Kurumu quickly spied five girls gathered about the piano. A brunette with fine tresses which curled up shy of her shoulders was working the keys. A cornflower blue sundress graced her slender figure. The thin straps of the dress made it apparent she was wearing a strapless bra. While Kurumu recognized her, she had no idea what her name was. The other four she was more familiar with.
"Hitsumi."
Okimune Hitsumi was stunning in that pearl white, halter dress. The satin fabric was gathered up in folds which hung from her neck like curtains over her curvy figure. The gown billowed out at her waist, betraying her shapely hips before falling down to her ankles. Black wedges elevated the undine some.
Like Kurumu, Okimune had lovely, arctic blue tresses, though the older girl's had natural curls. The choir girl had twisted her hair back in a simple updo and smiled at their approach. She had creamy, buttermilk eyes which were warm and inviting.
"Mitsuki."
Sangi stepped over to give Okimune a quick hug.
"You're here early."
"I know. We're dreadfully bored."
Kurumu grinned as she came over to join Sangi.
"Not checking out the tennis matches?"
Okimune smiled, glancing at the golden haired beauty beside her. Amatsu Riki always looked pretty, but the tennin whom stood as tall as Tsukune was absolutely gorgeous in that black sleeveless evening dress which contoured down her body, ending at her calves. The blue eyed angel clasped her wrist at her navel, smiling brightly. Her lips were bright red and a lavender blush graced her cheeks.
"We can't be hanging around a tennis match looking like this."
"Oh? No admiring Mr. Shiname from afar?"
Okimune smiled politely.
"The tennis matches are played in two hour blocks with the singles going first and the doubles next. The mixed matches aren't held until five, which is when we were asked to be here."
"There's nothing to do in the dorms, so we were going to watch the band play."
Kurumu nodded at the brunette's remark. Sangi gestured at Okimune's dress.
"Why are you girls all gussied up?"
"Mrs. Tomarigi wanted us to look our best."
Oso crossed her arms below her ample bosom barely contained in her strapless, rich blue dress. The harpy's skirt puffed out at her hips but ended before her knees. Her cotton white tresses were almost longer than her skirt. Standing about as tall as Moka, this girl with the pretty lavender eyes was one of Ginei's current classmates.
The last and shortest girl of this group was Noboto. Another girl from Ginei's current homeroom, the harpy was swathed in a short sleeved, lacy red dress which fell down to her ankles but only to her knees in the front. Her ashen locks were short and curly and her tiger orange eyes were fixed on Uchiyama.
"I approve of the scenery."
Kurumu wagged a finger at Uchiyama's smug grin.
"You better behave yourself."
"No promises."
Kurumu shook her head, turning her attention back on the girls.
"I feel like it's been forever since I've spoken with you."
Amatsu and Okimune shared a giggle.
"It hasn't been that long."
"Yea. We were all together for the popularity contest."
Both of these second years had been finalists with Okimune placing in the top five ahead of Moka.
"I don't recall your friend."
Amatsu giggled, gesturing at the girl at the piano whom favored them with an adorable frown.
"That's Ikeda Yui. She's my roommate."
Ikeda nodded, playing a couple notes.
"It's okay. I don't think we spoke when you did our article."
"She was busy with the first years. Mr. Morioka was doing our interviews."
"Has anyone here seen Ginei?"
Oso snorted, glancing at Noboto whom promptly shook her head.
"That wolf hasn't been to our class since Wednesday. He cut out around the lunch hour and we haven't seen him since."
"Ms. Shikichi says he attacked Ms. Hajihachi."
Sangi waved a hand dismissively at Noboto.
"He wouldn't do that. Akatori has her feathers ruffled for no reason as always."
"Told you, Setsuwa."
Noboto pouted at her friend.
"But she's our rep. Why would she lie?"
"Ms. Shikichi struggles to see anything good about Mr. Morioka."
Sangi snorted at Okimune's polite response.
"Yea. Though she mellows out when trying to argue with him."
"That's because he drops compliments and she doesn't know how to take them."
"It's hard to be angry at a guy whom flirts with you."
Amatsu giggled at Ikeda's remark.
"Poor Yui has to deal with Mr. Kyuushutsu in her homeroom."
Ikeda blushed, sounding out a couple notes.
"He's impossible to resist when he wants your attention."
Kurumu smiled softly, wondering why nobody did something to stop that shameless incubus.
"I did see Ginei later on Wednesday."
Okimune smiled as attention shifted to her.
"He stopped by our homeroom right at the end of classes and spoke with Ms. Zanzou. They left together before I had a chance to speak to him. She has also been absent from school since that encounter."
Kurumu glanced at Sangi, both sharing an intrigued expression.
"I've heard about this Ms. Zanzou. I understand that she bought Ginei a bunch of nice shirts."
"How do you know about that?"
"Koike mentioned it when I was saying Tsukune should dress more like Ginei."
Sangi smirked, nodding.
"She does know how to dress up a guy nicely."
"Why did you never mention her before?"
"She's dumb as dirt."
Okimune gasped at Sangi, shaking her head.
"She's a sweetheart."
"She wishes she was a guy."
Amatsu smiled sweetly.
"I've known Miya since my first day of junior high. She's a good girl whom has a different outlook on how life is supposed to be."
"She always has better grades than me."
Sangi sighed at Ikeda's revelation.
"Sheesh. I meant she lacks common sense. I wasn't talking about her test scores."
"I'm sure she would look pretty in a dress."
Amatsu smiled softly at Okimune.
"If we could get her to wear one. She's so stubborn at times."
"She's an idiot. If that girl was more womanly, some guy would have talked her out of her virginity by now. She's naive, gullible and easily manipulated."
Amatsu sighed heavily at Sangi's assessment.
"Not entirely true. I've been trying to get Miya to embrace her femininity for years. She used to have pretty hair but she slashed it all off when I told her how cute she was."
"Because being cute isn't manly."
Kurumu paused, letting that sink in. The boys had said something about idolizing her older brother but this was a bit extreme.
"I'm hesitant to agree that a guy could talk her into sex."
"Ginei got her on board with peeping on girls."
Okimune smiled at Sangi.
"That's different. She probably could be persuaded into having sex with another girl, but I don't think she has any interest in men."
"She's too small."
Kurumu frowned at the sudden input from Oso.
"Small?"
"Ms. Zanzou. She's about the same height as Setsuwa here. There's nothing manly about her."
Noboto nodded.
"Yea. She's more like a preadolescent boy."
"I don't see how Morioka could talk her into having sex with another girl unless that girl is smaller than her. Sure, there are other short girls, but I bet Ms. Zanzou has some sort of height difference she thinks is appropriate between a man and a woman."
"A man should be taller than his woman."
Kurumu chuckled at Uchiyama's adroit comment.
"I agree with Ms. Oso. It would have to be a girl Miya felt she could physically dominate."
Ikeda giggled, letting out another note.
"The thought of her dominating anyone is silly. She's so frail."
Okimune smiled softly.
"She spends every gym period in the weight room, trying to bulk up."
Kurumu suddenly realized whom this girl was. There was one girl whom did spend all gym period in the weight room. She had a slender frame, thin limbs, and short onyx locks styled like a guy. The girl never spoke to anyone and the instructors never made her participate.
"She wouldn't participate in a boycott. That wouldn't be very manly."
"No. She wouldn't."
"Do you think she's with Mr. Morioka?"
"Now that's a scary thought. I'll see if Ms. Takahashi will let me check her room."
"You wouldn't happen to be one of the girls whom tried to check on Ginei in his room?"
Okimune smiled at Kurumu, shaking her head.
"I bet Ms. Shikichi is one of them. She was talking about doing that yesterday."
"Yea. She was going with Ms. Noboru."
Amatsu wagged a finger with a thoughtful look.
"Miya has a younger cousin whom joined her club. You could try checking with him."
"Which club is that?"
"The astronomy club."
Kurumu's eyes widened at that revelation. The first guy that came to mind was that guy on Tsukune's floor whom lived across the hall from Aku. She turned on Kamitsuku.
"What's the name of the guy whom lives in 422?"
"Kokutan."
Amatsu brightened up.
"That's him. Wavy, shoulder length hair that's dark like shadows. We met him once."
Okimune nodded with a warm smile.
"That was back in April during club recruitment week. So long ago."
"I know. It's already September with our festivals right around the corner."
"Is there something on my tits?"
Kurumu coughed up a laugh at Oso's random remark. The girl was fixing up her dress as Noboto giggled. The smaller harpy stepped up to grab Uchiyama by the arm, wagging a finger in his face.
"You shouldn't stare so much, young man."
"Sorry. I was admiring the view."
Kurumu backhanded his left shoulder as he grinned at the harpies.
"Watch out, you two. This boy is a shameless flirt."
"Slander. Name one girl whom I have shamelessly flirted with in your presence."
Kurumu smirked.
"Miyazaki from your homeroom."
"Well… that isn't in your presence."
Noboto giggled, poking him in the chest.
"Busted."
"Hey now. I talk with Ms. Yubikiri as much as I do Ms. Miyazaki."
"Yubikiri? As in Yubikiri Naomi?"
Amatsu smiled brightly as attention shifted to her.
"Maybe. I didn't ask for her first name."
"We know Naomi, buddy. We can find out how harmless your banter is."
Kurumu grinned as the short harpy remained latched to his side.
"I don't know if you two are aware of this, but this guy is from the same village as Ms. Shikichi."
Noboto smirked, nuzzling the side of her head against his arm.
"Mhm. We can smell it on him."
"We can tell he's tengu. Not where he's from."
Noboto pouted at Oso.
"But Fumenko told us that."
Oso shrugged, tugging the hem of her dress up to cover more of her breasts. The fabric sagged back to its original position almost immediately.
"We both had Ms. Noboru in our homeroom last year so we're somewhat familiar with his village."
"So… Ms. Oso. You look fabulous."
The buxom girl laughed, giving up on her dress. She shook her head, regarding him with amused eyes.
"I haven't forgotten how friendly you were with our first years."
"There's no crime against that."
"And Ms. Utachi is quite fond of you."
He flinched. Noboto giggled, snuggling against his arm.
"Yea. Fumenko wouldn't mind you dropping by her class again."
"Very well. I should cut to the chase."
He reached down to tug Noboto's hands off his arm. The girl grinned, backing away a step. He smiled, nodding to her before turning back to face Oso.
"I have been thinking about you every single day for months. Ever since the day I first saw you here in this choir room. I would be greatly honored if you would agree to go on a date with me."
Oso bit her lower lip at his slight bow.
"You do remember that they've shut down Mononoke, right?"
"I am aware."
"What sort of date are you hoping we can do under these circumstances?"
"I'm sure that a woman of your outstanding physique and intelligence can come up with some mutual activities we would both enjoy."
Noboto giggled but was cut off by a snap from Oso. The buxom girl regarded him.
"Fancy words. Are you implying that we should have sex?"
Uchiyama blushed with a nervous chuckle. He bowed deeper.
"Not right away, of course. Maybe after we know each other better."
Oso glanced at Kurumu and the other girls. She pouted.
"This isn't fair."
"I'm sorry. I promise that-"
Oso stepped in and pulled his face into her bosom. He let out a muffled protest as he stumbled forward. Oso sighed heavily, rubbing the back of his head. His hands gingerly touched her elbows.
"Dummy. This is so embarrassing."
"You like it."
Oso stuck her tongue out at Noboto, releasing her hold on Uchiyama. The boy gasped, lifting up his head. His face was flush as he stepped in closer.
"I could die right now."
"Please don't."
"You are an angel."
"Technically that would be Riki."
Kurumu laughed at Ikeda's random remark.
"Hold up."
Oso placed her hands on his shoulder, backing off to arms' length.
"I didn't say yes."
"What?"
"I'm really, really flattered that you want to bang me. That's kind of cool. Most tengu boys sit back and make us beg for it. It's fucking annoying."
"I don't understand."
Oso took in a deep breath. She cocked her head and forced a smile.
"I can't."
"Huh?"
"I can't. I've been thinking about a guy for months. I can't switch gears like this."
Noboto giggled, grabbing Uchiyama by the shoulders and tugging him back into her arms. The girl had to stand up on the tips of her shiny black flats to rest her chin on his shoulder.
"Kashiko still dreams of Ijouyama thrusting his sword into her."
Oso blushed scarlet.
"Shut up, Setsuwa!"
"It's true."
Oso squirmed, backing up against the piano.
"Doesn't mean you have to say it out loud."
Uchiyama slowly recovered from his shock, halfheartedly trying to loosen Noboto's grip.
"Wait. That doesn't mean we can't get to know each other."
Noboto giggled, rubbing her face against his ear.
"It's useless. Ijouyama was in our homeroom last year. She's been playing with herself for over a year, thinking of another man."
Uchiyama gagged, clutching his chest.
"That is one harsh strikeout."
"Are you okay?"
Uchiyama turned a haunted look upon Kurumu. She might have felt more sorry for him, but he had a girl licking his ear.
"That was kind of hot. I'm available."
"Get off of him, Setsuwa."
The short harpy whined, lowering back down on her feet. She left her hands on his shoulders as she pouted at Oso.
"You said you didn't want him."
"You don't even know his name."
"So. Neither do you."
Kurumu's eyes widened.
"Wait. You two don't know his name?"
Oso smiled apologetically.
"I know Utachi mentioned it but I don't remember."
Noboto sighed, stalking over to Oso's side. She leaned her head on Oso's shoulder.
"We promise not to tell Fumenko about this if you're still interested in her."
Uchiyama rubbed his chest with a slight shake of his head.
"Karma is laughing at me. I don't remember which of those first year girls is Utachi."
Amatsu smiled warmly, lifting her hands up to her head.
"She usually has her hair tied up in buns. Very sweet girl."
Uchiyama shook his head.
"Yea. I remember her. But Ms. Oso was the only one that I saw as a woman."
"Hey! I'm very much a woman!"
Oso blushed as Noboto stepped up to poke him in the back of the hand upon his chest. In all fairness, Noboto did have as much of a bosom as Amatsu if not more.
"Yea. I kind of like longer hair."
Noboto pouted up at him.
"But if I grow it out much longer, it loses its curl. I like my hair curly."
Uchiyama managed a smile, placing his hand on top of her head.
"I'm sorry."
Pouting, Noboto grabbed the hem of her dress and started gathering it up.
"My other hairs are curly too if you'd like-"
Oso slapped her hand over Noboto's mouth, yanking the girl off her feet.
"I'm sorry. She's an idiot."
Noboto grumbled a protest against Oso's palm.
"If you prefer older girls, we do have two seniors whom are hopelessly holding out for Mr. Utsutei."
Amatsu giggled, shaking her head at Ikeda's remark.
"I don't think Ms. Karasu and Ms. Hayabusa will appreciate your sentiment."
"But it's true. Everyone knows he won't date a harpy."
Kurumu smirked.
"For a guy whom openly boasted about his true form, you wouldn't think he would be so close minded about the race of his girlfriend."
"I agree with Ms. Kurono. I'm sure our seniors have a chance."
Amatsu smiled warmly upon Oso whom was still restraining her friend.
"I don't know enough about Mr. Utsutei to say what he would do. But most people are reluctant to defy their parents."
Oso frowned, glancing down at her friend. Noboto's hand was holding her wrist while the other had a handful of her dress, baring much of her thigh. The girl groaned into Oso's palm, not trying to struggle.
"Maybe you should meet Ms. Hayabusa. She has pretty ivory hair almost as long as mine."
Sangi snorted, shaking her head.
"Aren't there other tengu senior guys to throw your seniors at? Seems unfair to push my first year onto a girl whom will be graduating soon."
Noboto mumbled into Oso's palm unintelligibly. Oso grimaced, withdrawing her hand with a disgusted shake. The short girl giggled, glancing up at her friend.
"Did you lick my palm?"
"Doesn't Ijouyama have an older brother?"
Oso sighed, rubbing her hand on her dress. She nodded at Okimune's question.
"He does. They're both on the kendo team."
"The older brother isn't as handsome or as strong as Katsuo."
"Don't call him by his first name."
"You moan his name all the time at night."
Oso blushed, draping her arms over her friend and squeezing her tightly to make her squeak.
"I hate you."
Noboto lifted up on her toes, pressing her lips to Oso's ear and whispering something which made the taller girl's blush deepen. Oso sighed, turning her head to peck the girl on the lips.
"That's not fair to him."
"What did she say?"
Oso smiled at Amatsu. Offering no response, she turned her smile upon Uchiyama.
"You should stick around and meet Ms. Hayabusa. I know you would like her."
Uchiyama grinned, shaking his head.
"I think I'll pass. My broken heart can't stand any hope right now."
Oso pouted.
"But you don't really know me."
"The heart knows what it wants."
"Is it your heart or your dick?"
Kurumu was amazed at the Noboto's bluntness. Uchiyama let out a soft laugh and shrugged.
"Both?"
Kamitsuku chuckled, coming up and slapping Uchiyama's shoulder.
"Perhaps a tactical retreat is in order, my friend. We can discuss a new strategy for you to approach this hostile situation."
Uchiyama nodded, faltering back a step.
"Yea. Somewhere cold and dark to properly mourn my shattered dreams."
"I don't know if I'd describe the auditorium in such terms, but at least you will be with other guys."
"Don't be like that. You still haven't even told me your name."
"I'm the nameless soldier, fatally wounded in love's battlefield."
Kamitsuku chuckled, tugging on Uchiyama to get him moving.
"Move it, Nameless. Before I get caught up in your collateral damage."
Oso pouted as the two boys retreated from the room.
"Now I feel bad."
"What's his name anyways?"
Kurumu chuckled, thumbing at the door.
"Uchiyama Makoto."
"Why'd he have to do it in front of everyone?"
"Yea. If he had taken you somewhere private, you could have given him your virginity."
Oso promptly smacked Noboto in the back of the head.
"Oh shut up."
Noboto pouted, rubbing her head.
"I would have."
"I can't believe you were going to show him your coochie."
"I have to pee. I'll be right back."
Noboto scurried off. Oso shook her head as the girl slipped out into the hallway.
"She better not run after him."
"Would she?"
Oso sighed, crossing her arms below her bosom.
"Probably not. But it's not often you find a tengu boy willing to date a harpy. I'm going to hate myself so much if I graduate a virgin because of this."
Okimune smiled softly.
"It's not that big of a deal, Ms. Oso. I'm sure that most of us will."
Oso whimpered, her eyes betraying a possibility of crying.
"What if that's the only boy whom asks me out?"
"You'll be fine, Ms. Oso."
"Easy for you to say. How many guys have asked you out?"
Okimune pouted at Sangi.
"More than I care to admit."
"And you never worry that might be your only chance?"
The undine smiled at Oso.
"I trust that the heavens would not be so cruel as to only send me complete strangers as candidates for life partners."
Kurumu smirked.
"Yet you tell all the boys that you have someone else in mind."
"I do."
"It's obviously Mr. Shiname."
Okimune pouted at Amatsu.
"It's not."
"I've been thinking it's him too."
Okimune frowned at Sangi.
"Why are you all trying to force him on me?"
Kurumu refrained from adding her opinion, since she was fairly convinced it was Shiname too. The guy was definitely attractive and fun to converse with.
"You can stop being coy. Everyone in the choir knows how happy you were to share homeroom with him this year."
Okimune smiled, wringing her hands.
"I don't mind being in his homeroom. I'm also with several friends."
"Friends? What friends do you have in there?"
Okimune huffed, turning her nose up.
"I consider Ms. Ekizo and Ms. Zanzou very enjoyable individuals."
"No way. I was in homeroom last year with those two. You can't talk with Ms. Ekizo. She's not all there. And I wouldn't say Ms. Zanzou is a great social partner."
"While I can't say much about Ms. Ekizo, I agree with her about Miya. Your enthusiasm for being in that classroom can't be over her."
"Ms. Yaisoku is also pleasant."
Sangi snickered.
"Give it up, Hitsumi. Time to confess your love for Mr. Shiname."
Okimune sighed dramatically.
"Since you insist."
The undine paused, rolling her shoulders back and regaining her composure.
"The man my heart longs for graduated last year."
Sangi regarded Okimune in disbelief. Amatsu gingerly placed a hand on Okimune's shoulder.
"Did you confess to him?"
"No. I'm still waiting for him to confess to me."
"That's depressing."
"I'm sorry. But that's the truth. I will wait for Mr. Segouzen, former captain of the baseball team."
"When did the two of you ever talk?"
"We didn't."
Amatsu stepped in to hug the stoic girl. Okimune let out a heavy sigh, tentatively returning the embrace.
"And you don't regret turning down other guys?"
Okimune laughed at Oso's inquiry. The undine leaned against Amatsu, surrendering to the embrace.
"Not really. Though I wouldn't dare turn Mr. Shiname down."
Amatsu and Sangi both let out a sharp laugh. The golden haired girl squeezed the undine.
"You silly girl."
"I mean, it is Mr. Shiname. I'd have to be dead inside to turn that down."
Kurumu chuckled, fully agreeing with that.
Kurumu sighed, leaning against the choir girl. Bouzuki Kanari had creamy blond curls which hung over her honey eyes. The girl's fingers were entwined with Kurumu's as they progressed down the main school path in the cool evening air. Like the other choir girls, the harpy was swathed in a dress, though hers was a simple, pastel green sundress. The straps of her creamy white bra were unable to be hidden by the thin cords holding her garment up.
"Do you think your friends will come to school?"
Kanari sighed, her voice having that lovely lilt to it. She squeezed Kurumu's hand.
"Doubt it. I couldn't get them to go to the tennis match for Mr. Ichida. I hope he won't be mad at me."
"I don't think Ichida knows how to be mad."
Someone poked Kurumu's side. She grinned at Umou Saezuri, the harpy girl with her cinnamon tresses styled in long curls which hung down her shoulders. These spirals bounced with each step she took.
"You two look like a couple."
Kurumu smirked, poking the girl's nose. Saezuri was wearing this smooth, wine red dress which matched her eyes. Her sister from band trailed next to her, still dressed in her school uniform since she had not bothered changing after her performance. Ren was shorter than her little sister, but she was more endowed. In their current attire, this was not so obvious.
"Are we still coming to school now that the concert is over?"
Saezuri wagged her finger at Utachi Fumenko, the raisin haired girl trailing behind Ren. As the older girls had mentioned, Utachi had her hair pulled up in twin buns tied with yellow ribbons. She had strapless, golden sequin dress which ended dangerously high up her thighs.
"You're too dumb to start skipping classes. Do you want to get held back?"
"But they say it's not safe."
Chousei Akiko draped her arm over Utachi's shoulder. The sprite was sporting a simple, short sleeved dress which buttoned up in the front. Chousei had styled her long hair up differently, wrapping her blondish green tresses into a spiral braid in the back. She admitted it had taken her over an hour to get it done and that was with Utachi's help.
"It's not safe if you travel alone. Which is why we always are in groups of four or more."
"But it's getting harder to have a group of four with everyone quitting."
Chousei sighed, making deliberate, heavy steps to slow down her junior high friend.
"I know. I can't believe Sayuri's parents are threatening her."
Kurumu nodded. The other four first year choir girls had headed out before them. Among them was Natsudera Sayuri, Kurumu's former science lab partner whom had been told by her parents in a letter this morning to stop going to school. Natsudera's junior high friend, Akushita Natsume, whom was in Kanari's homeroom, had been given a similar letter, promising to transfer her to Hisoshi High after midterms if the situation in school did not improve. The biggest complaint these two girls from Gosen had about the proposed switch was not wanting to live at home with their parents again.
Little Dakuhime Mayumi and her best friend Yokumoto Toshiko were both joining the boycott next week. Apparently the Auto Club would officially join the protest after the weekend, meaning several class reps would be sitting out starting Monday. Dakuhime got caught up in a zealous request for her to support the movement this morning. Worried that she would get harassed even more by the auto club girls on their floor if she attended school, she agreed to it. While Yokumoto had nothing to say about it, Kurumu surmised the silent girl would follow her friend's example.
Kurumu sighed as they arrived at the point where the trail to the suites divided. The Tadayo sisters were already several paces down the trail. The older sister was the shorter, less endowed of the pair. Both had on identical, sleeveless, black, halter dresses which whisked about their calves. The open backs of the garments bared much of their smooth, porcelain skin.
"This is where I leave you."
"Give her a kiss."
Kurumu laughed, leaning in to press a quick peck on Kanari's cheek. She squeezed the blushing girl's hand before letting go.
"Good night."
"Good night, Ms. Kurono."
Nodding at all of the farewells, Kurumu hurried down the trail a few steps. She considered catching up to the sisters, but had nothing special to say. It had been a long day, full of many forgettable conversations. She should hurry home and start making Kokoa's dinner.
Patting the schoolbag against her hip, she felt good about her ability to complete her articles soon. After the band performance, they had gone to the film club room to move the photos to Moka's thumb drive. Not much else noteworthy had happened. Despite telling Moka and Mizore where she would be all day, neither had stopped by. She felt anxious about the situation with Tsukune, hoping he was fine.
She hoped that the Tadayo sisters would not join the boycott like the other seniors planned to do. The younger Tadayo, Hotaru, would be the only choir junior absent if the sisters did. Both senior undines, Kawano and Yanagisawa, were quite vocal about their stance and tried to get Okimune to join them. And both harpy seniors pestered the younger harpies to do the right thing.
Oso was right about one thing. Hayabusa Rei was a gorgeous girl with a voluptuous body. That was not something Kurumu had noticed before when the senior was wearing the school uniform. Uchiyama probably should have stuck around instead of cutting out after the band performance.
Kurumu sighed as she quickly reached the end of the combined trail. The Tadayo sisters kept on a trail which only veered slightly to the left. Kurumu took a sharp left, walking through the small stretch of forest which preceded her destination. She could already see the lights of the commissary.
A part of her wanted to stop and visit Yukari first, curious what the witch had been doing all day. It was not like Kokoa would know when her concert had finished. But there was no telling how long a visit with Yukari would take. It was probably best to save that for tomorrow morning after breakfast.
While she actually had her keys for a change, she had no reason to stop by her own suite. She had two sets of casual clothes to pick from for tomorrow already waiting for her in Moka's closet. And her laptop and CD player were under Moka's bed so there was not much else she could think of that she might need from her room.
Reaching the end of the trail, she wandered off to her left, intent on Moka's suite. She wondered how many girls would have agreed to Kokoa's sleepover. At least two. Possibly three if they had visited with Ishiko. It was a good thing she had restocked their refrigerator before leaving with Mizore this morning.
Finally arriving at the door, Kurumu knocked firmly and stepped back. They had locksmiths in Mononoke. She should have Moka make her a spare key. She practically lived here.
In moments the door swung open with the sounds of laughter. Kurumu paused to register the sight of Antai wearing the black maid uniform with the crimson apron and bonnet. The sylph's tiger orange eyes lit up and a wry grin touched her lips. Letting go of the door, Antai bowed her head and curtsied.
"Welcome home, Milady."
"Have I been fired?"
"Come in. I have no idea how to cook."
Antai beckoned for her to enter, promptly closing the door once Kurumu had. As Kurumu lifted the strap of her schoolbag off her shoulder, she grinned at the sight of the group of girls gathered at the table behind the couch.
"I see someone has been dragged out of her room."
Taniguchi grinned at her, holding a bunch of cards. The undine only had on a peach, spaghetti string tank top and black lace panties. Her toffee locks were unbound, reaching down to the small of her back.
"I was dying of boredom."
Kurumu snorted, setting her schoolbag aside and stepping out of her platform sneakers.
"I don't see how playing cards is an improvement."
"We have a TV and DVD player in here. That's much better than comics."
Kokoa tossed down a card on top of the pile. The vampire was dressed in her yellow silk chemise. Her reddish tresses hid most of her shoulders and back, threatening to touch the floor.
Akegawa and Ishiko sat on her left with their backs to the couch. Naturally the salamander was sitting closer to Kokoa. Akegawa wore a baby blue, short sleeved tee decorated with white stars and glitter. A darker blue pair of cotton shorts completed her ensemble. Her cherry curls behaved like they were still being held back by a headband.
Ishiko's goggles rested upon her nose. Dressed in denim jeans and a long sleeved, brown tee with a rainbow graphic below the slight swell of her bosom, the gnome was fooling with her phone instead of minding her cards. Her short, dark hair was messy as always.
"Depends on the comic."
"Name one comic that is better than the movies I have."
"Full Metal Alchemist."
"Never heard of it."
Taniguchi laughed softly, shaking her head.
"And here I thought I was living under a rock."
"It's your turn, Ms. Fukai."
Ishiko glanced up at Hikari's prompting, tossing out a pair of nines on top of the pile.
"You must get changed and start our dinner."
Kurumu smiled as Antai pushed her gently on the back. She walked across the room towards Moka's closet, tugging her tube top up over her head.
"Sweet heavens!"
Kurumu giggled at Antai's remark, shaking her head as she opened the door.
"Don't you wear a bra?"
"Please don't flash those things in front of my girls. You'll upset them."
Snorting at Kokoa's reproach, she slipped into the closet and chucked her tube top into her hamper.
"I wish mine were as big as yours."
Kurumu chuckled, unbuttoning her shorts and wiggling out of them. Her thong came down with the denim which was fine. Kokoa always said proper maid attire lacked undergarments.
"Yours are big enough. I have nothing."
"You're perfect, Hikari."
"I wouldn't mind being as big as Ms. Antai."
Antai lurked in the doorway, cupping her breasts after Taniguchi's remark.
"I don't think they're that big."
"Stop. You're easily a whole cup size bigger than me."
"You're an A?"
"Yes."
Kurumu smirked, selecting her maid uniform which matched the one Antai had on. Freeing it of its hanger, she started pulling the garment on.
"I wouldn't mind being an A."
"You and me both, Hikari. Ishiko isn't an A either."
"I will be in eight years."
"That's sad. At least I don't have to wait that long for mine."
"I wish I could have held your mature body."
"I'm not taking that potion again."
"Why not? It's the weekend."
"You're bad enough with me as I am."
Kurumu chuckled as she fixed the fabric about her curves, smoothing it out. Bending down to grab her shorts and thong, she tossed the clothes into her hamper before returning to the main room.
"What cuisine shall I prepare for Milady tonight?"
"Sukiyaki."
Kurumu snorted as she shut the door to the closet before opening the refrigerator.
"We don't have fresh meat for that."
"I thought you bought food in the commissary."
"Consider yourself lucky that the commissary has fresh dairy. Most of what they sell is dry, preserved goods. We have some frozen chicken tempura I could fry up for you."
"That sounds delicious."
"I guess that's fine if Nagisa wants it. Make some stir fry vegetables and rice to go with it."
Kurumu nodded, grabbing a bag of frozen vegetables and the chicken. Setting both aside on the counter, she opened the cabinet beside the refrigerator to grab the rice and noodles.
"I bet Taniguchi is looking forward to an actual meal for a change."
Taniguchi laughed as Kurumu added coconut oil to the counter.
"Well… we have been sneaking out to the dining hall for lunch."
"I thought Kurai doesn't serve lunch on the weekdays."
Kurumu pulled out two frying pans and the rice cooker.
"They leave things out from breakfast. Everything is cold but it's better than snacks all the time."
Thinking she had everything she needed, Kurumu set the pans on the stove and turned on the burners.
"Um… what can I do?"
"You can draw a bath."
Antai turned with a huge grin at Kokoa. She bowed slightly.
"Shall I bathe you, Milady?"
"No. I'm going to bathe with Nagisa."
Kurumu smirked as she covered the pans with a layer of oil.
"Will this be before or after you drink her blood?"
"During."
"At least she won't make a complete mess of me."
"I'm going to hold you close as I take you inside me."
Antai snickered.
"Milady is lewd."
"Indeed. She's like a dirty old man trapped in a child's body."
"My body is not childish."
"Milady is sensitive about her lack of physical appeal."
"I am sexy!"
Kurumu chuckled as she tore open the bag of vegetables. She set it aside, waiting for the oil to start simmering. She leaned over to tug out a drawer and retrieve a wooden spatula.
"I'll be off then to draw your bath."
Antai curtsied before skipping off to the bathroom. Kokoa sighed, tossing out another face card to the pile which Akegawa promptly dropped an ace upon.
"I swear that girl is exhausting."
"Can I bathe with you two?"
"I'd rather her not."
"Why?"
Taniguchi pouted.
"Because I don't like others seeing me when I… climax. It's embarrassing."
"It's okay. I understand."
Akegawa's disappointment was impossible to miss. Deciding the pans did not require her undivided attention, she turned and leaned back on the counter.
"Does this mean Ms. Taniguchi will be accompanying Milady to school?"
Taniguchi smirked, gesturing for Kokoa to go instead of playing a card. Kokoa also passed, allowing Akegawa to start a new round.
"I have no reason to attend that establishment until Aoi's killer has been apprehended."
"We should all go to Mononoke tomorrow."
Taniguchi huffed at Kokoa.
"Why would I want to do that?"
"Because you're bored."
"Ayame and Chiharu would kill me if I had that much fun without them."
"It's not like you would have to tell them."
Taniguchi pouted at Kokoa.
"I didn't tell them I would be gone for that long tomorrow."
"I'll buy you a CD player."
"I already have one."
"A couple CDs then."
"Tempting."
"I thought your village didn't have electricity."
Taniguchi smiled softly at Akegawa.
"They're called batteries. I also bought this back when I was in junior high so I didn't have to resort to batteries until I went home for school breaks. Umiman has a water plant which makes electricity."
Akegawa smiled sheepishly.
"I guess that makes sense. Umiman is in the ocean."
"I bet Ishiko has a CD player."
Ishiko glanced up from her phone and shook her head at Kurumu.
"I don't understand why people listen to benefit."
"Um… it's fun? You can dance to it."
"I'm no good at dancing."
Kurumu smiled, recalling how awkward the girl had been at the wedding.
"What about singing?"
Ishiko shrugged, turning her attention back to her phone.
"Okay, enough pestering Ms. Fukai about her lack of a soul."
Akegawa pouted at Taniguchi's mirth.
"I don't own a CD player."
"Neither do I, Hikari."
Taniguchi laughed, pointing at Kokoa.
"Hold up. You don't have a CD player?"
"I was thinking of getting one with you."
Kurumu grinned, glancing at the pans to confirm they were fine.
"You could buy one for Akegawa."
Akegawa smiled, fidgeting with her cards.
"That would be nice. What music should I get?"
"You poor girl. Have you not heard any music before?"
"I have. Our junior high played some music but I never asked which bands those were."
Taniguchi sighed heavily, glancing at Kokoa.
"And I suppose you have no musical interests either."
"That's not true!"
"Oh? So what bands were you planning on buying CDs for to go with your player?"
"I haven't thought about it yet."
"Can you name any bands?"
Kokoa scowled with a healthy blush.
"No, I can't. The only servant of ours whom listened to music all the time in our presence was our driver and he died years ago."
Kurumu paused, glancing at Taniguchi in the awkward silence which followed.
"I'm thinking we should rule out karaoke as an activity for tomorrow."
Kurumu managed to chuckle at Taniguchi's flippant remark.
"Yea. Unless you want to do all the singing."
"I imagine Ms. Antai has music."
"I've listened to some of my sister's CDs. I remember that stuff."
Kurumu smiled at Kokoa before glancing at the bathroom door.
"Where is Moka?"
"She is spending the night with the little witch."
Kurumu nodded, supposing it was a good thing that she had not checked on Yukari first.
"Hey, Hotaru. Do you own a CD player?"
There was a pause before the door pushed open. Antai poked her head out with a wide grin.
"I have a big stereo which plays CDs. It's not portable though since it has to be plugged in an outlet."
Kurumu grinned, having seen one of those in Dakuhime's room long ago.
"What kind of CDs do you own?"
"Normal stuff, I guess. Hamasaki Ayumi, Utada Hikaru and Onitsuka Chihiro."
The last name was unfamiliar but Kurumu had to smirk over the short list.
"Don't you have anything from male artists?"
Antai laughed, shaking her head.
"No. I can't think of any guys I want to hear sing."
"You're missing out, Ms. Antai. I bet you would like Chemistry."
"Never heard of them."
"I feel like that's impossible."
Kurumu was hesitant to admit she had no clue whom that was either.
"So what other bands do you listen to?"
Taniguchi touched her bosom.
"Me? I guess the same things Ms. Antai does. I have a couple CDs from Ms. Hamasaki and Ms. Utada. Umiman can pick up the radio stations from Niigata, so I got to hear several popular bands."
"That must be nice."
"Sadly, I'm not loaded with money like Kokoa. I had to be picky about which CDs I acquired. I only have sixteen titles after three years."
"That's almost as much as I have. I only have twenty two. I would like to compare our collections."
"You are more than welcome to visit my room whenever you like, Ms. Antai."
Kokoa huffed, tossing down her cards on the pile.
"How much longer before we can eat?"
Kurumu chuckled, glancing at the pan. It was starting to bubble.
"It'll be a few more minutes."
"Your bath is ready, Milady. Or if you would prefer, I'm also ready to serve."
"Denied."
"You're so cruel."
Kokoa got up as Kurumu chuckled with Taniguchi. The vampire held her hand out to Taniguchi.
"I will enjoy my time with Nagisa first."
"Won't that ruin your appetite?"
"It won't."
Taniguchi pouted, glancing at Kurumu.
"But I'll enjoy it more on a full stomach. I'll even kiss you this time."
Kokoa bit her lip, turning her attention upon Kurumu.
"Can't you cook any faster?"
Kurumu managed a smile as she turned about to tend the frying pan. It was still not ready, but she dumped the frozen vegetables in to appease her frustrated mistress.
"I'll do what I can."
Taniguchi sighed dramatically, discarding her cards and leaning back on her palms.
"So what are you planning to do when I get married?"
