Hinamizawa Hell
Omake 1-5
Ch. 19: Getaway
"Aaauuu…The creampuffs here are sooo delicious…auuauau…."
"Hanyuu…you shouldn't eat so many creampuffs like that. If you do then you'll inflate to the size of a large balloon."
"Auuu….then Rena can take her home with her!"
*Initiate Moe-take home mode*
"Rena!!!"
The group of girls did their best in the cushioned-booth seats to restrain Rena in her "take it home" mode. Soon after, she was tied to her chair as the others finished their desserts. Hanyuu happily ate away at her creampuffs, engorging them one after the other. Personally, Rika was starting to wonder if this was some sort of a power to a god or that Hanyuu really had a bottomless stomach. However, through and through the day was enjoyable for everyone. They managed to get most of the shopping finished, and Shion and Mion were ready to head back to their home for a nice long hot bath.
The restaurant was beginning to fill up rapidly with customers, leaving the waiters and waitresses attempting to seat them all in an orderly fashion. Mion sighed, a little unnerved with how long the bill was taking to arrive. She played with her glass of water a bit, wishing that she could be spending time with Keiichi that very moment.
Much to her desires, luck and even fate would have that wish granted.
"Hey, isn't that Komoto-san and Mizu-chan? stated Satoko. She pointed over to a fish tank where Mizuho and Komoto were standing, watching some of the fish swim about. Rika's interest at this sight was suddenly sparked, wondering if this was just coincidence or that the two were here on other plans.
"…but yeah, I remember when we in that stream one time and I caught that fish and…oh, hey guys! Fancy meeting you here!" stated Komoto. Rika came up and grabbed his attention, pulling on his shirt a bit. He and Mizuho looked down to her and the others, smiling.
"Hey, what's up? I didn't know you two were stalking us here…" stated Shion. She was playing around with the idea a bit, jokingly, but per usual for Komoto he just took it seriously, this time, making Rika notice a bit of hesitance in his stature and voice.
"Eh? Ah, no, actually we came to the city to do some shopping a bit and get a bite to eat. Its just happenstance I suppose heheheh…"
"Don't mind him. We were actually just uh…" As Mizuho spoke to the girls, she coughed a bit, causing worry to the others. However, Rika and now Mion noticed her own odd behavior, seeing the cough as forced.
"Oh, are you coming down with a cold Mizu-chan?" asked Rena. She seemed the most concerned for her.
"That's the signal…let's move Satoshi-kun!" whispered Keiichi.
He and Satoshi hid under their table until the girls moved towards the fish tank. Mizuho's plan was simple: distract the girls for a few moments, force a cough to signal the others to move, get Keiichi and Satoshi out of sight and then leave the restaurant casually. If worse came to worse, she had a few back up plans in stock just in case.
Keiichi and Satoshi crouched silently and slowly past the girls and managed to make it to another table. As they inched closer and hid under their table, Satoshi found the path to freedom just in their reach. All they had to do was make a dash for the door in a straight line, and they were home free. Just as they got under the table, however; did Keiichi realize their fatal mistake.
"Oh…crud…"
"Ahh…Miss Sonozaki. I have your bill here for you. Thank you for your business!" replied a waiter. He left the bill on the table for Mion and the others, at which Mion was taken away from Komoto and Mizuho's conversation, much to their displeasure.
Mizuho saw this flaw quickly, and tried to pull Mion back to them. She began to cough some more, and grabbed onto Mion for support, acting fragile and sick.
"Ughhh…I think I may be coming down with something…oh my…and right before the holidays….ughhh…achooo!"
Komoto played along with the scenario, helping Mizuho back into a standing position. Mion and the others helped her to sit down in a nearby booth for a bit to regain her composure, however, as Komoto's eyes made sure everyone was focused on them did he see Rika's minor glare.
"Hmm…something wrong, Rika-chan?" he asked, trying his best to look puzzled.
Rena gave some water to Mizuho to drink, just as Rika replied. She sipped on it casually, trying her best to act sick. Ironically, she was rarely ever sick in her life, so her acting was horrible.
"Miii…I think that you should let Mizuho-san sleep more Komoto-senpai. A girl needs her rest, especially after a lot of strenuous activity…Nippah!" replied Rika. She smiled, but at the same time, gave Komoto an eerie grin, one which showed that she knew a dirty secret. At the same time, Mizuho, upon hearing this, spit out her water frantically, unnerved at hearing Rika's response.
Komoto gulped down whatever fear he had of the little girl and shrugged it off, giving Satoshi and Keiichi a glare to get out of the restaurant. However, just as they were about to make their move, a catering cart with some food on it came by the table they hid under. Keiichi and Satoshi, without thinking, decided to get onto the cart and hide themselves under the white cloth.
"Hehehehe…home free. Once we get near the door we can jump off and…"
"Oh, Miss Sonozaki. Here is the extra orders you requested for take out…" stated the waiter again.
In slow motion, Mion went over to the cart, thanked the waiter, and picked up her order to take. As fate would have it, she accidentally grabbed the white cloth, pulling it off the cart. She blushed at her mistake and apologized to the waiter, but once so did she gaze over to the cart and notice just how incredible the sight before her was.
"K..Ke…Kei-kun!" she screamed in surprise.
"Eh? S…Satoshi-kun!" yelped Shion in joy.
Satoshi and Keiichi were under the cart, their eyes closed. Mion blushed in surprise, embarrassment, and anger, seemingly ready to beat Keiichi on whatever impulse she had. Shion, on the other hand, just went over and aimed at hugging Satoshi to death.
Rika looked back to Komoto, ready to get an explanation out of him.
"Komoto-senpai…I knew you were up to something! Now what is…eh?"
Komoto was out of sight, and so was Mizuho. They seemingly vanished right under their eyes, to the other's amazement. At the same time, Rena noticed an item on the ground, beeping red. It was a small canister, with some electronics on the side.
"Hey, what is that…"
*BOOM*
Outside the restaurant, the city dwellers, normally walking on the street and minding their own business, were suddenly taken aback by a large blast sound followed by some shots of blinding light. Inside, however, after the flashes settled were people blinded and stupefied to the ground. Rena sat on the ground in a daze, as did Satoko and Hanyuu. Mion, Shion, and Rika coughed on the ground, trying to regain their senses and looked around the restaurant for their prey.
Outside, Mizuho and Komoto both held Keiichi and Satoshi, gently putting them back on their feet.
"I didn't even realize you had carried flashbangs with you Mizu-chan," Komoto was surprised at her arsenal for such a simple matter. They failed in being undetected, but they still managed to allow for an escape from Mion and Shion's wrath. Keiichi and Satoshi, meanwhile, adjusted their senses to the outside world and brushed themselves off.
"Hehehhe…that was pretty neat Komoto-san," stated Keiichi.
"Neat?! We just practically everyone in there!" Satoshi sounded distressed and worried, wondering if Shion and the others were alright.
"Trust me; I lessened the charge amount on those flashbangs. Everyone will be fine in three minutes…" replied Mizuho.
"But not you four!"
The alleyway Keiichi and the others were in was only a one way entrance. A wall to their backside prevented any means of escape for them; giving rise to a fatal error on their part. For what stood in their only means of escape was a now pissed off Shion, Mion and Rika.
Komoto looked at every angle in the alleyway and sighed. He found no other means of escape for that moment.
"There's no way to escape now! Now tell us what you four were doing here!" Rika grinned evilly, sending shivers down Mizuho and Komoto's spines. Keiichi just sat down and smiled while Satoshi panicked.
"…Well, we helped Komoto-san and Mizuho-san with some grocery shopping, and we just happened to come into the same restaurant for some dinner. That's all…" stated Keiichi in a cool fashion. Komoto looked at him a bit, wondering why he remained so composed in the face of an ass-whooping from Mion.
"Is this true Satoshi-kun?" asked Shion. She looked over to him with puppy dog eyes, which calmed down Satoshi a bit.
"Muu…it is. We weren't spying on you or anything Shi-chan…"
In a flash, Shion ran up to Satoshi and embraced him in a hug with an almost death grip like feel. Satoshi squirmed for air, trying to stay alive at that moment. The others just looked on with a small grin, knowing Satoshi got off easy. For Komoto and Mizuho's sake, however, Rika didn't smile one bit. She sighed, shook her head and stood where she was with something of a distaste for them.
"Honestly, if that was it then we couldn't have cared less. Why go to those lengths if it was a simple matter of coincidence?" asked Rika. She stated deeply into Komoto's eyes, wanting an answer. The answer she got, however, was unexpected.
"Well, it was just fun, that's all. I don't mind causing a bit of mayhem here and there for kicks…" said Komoto. He brushed his head in embarrassment, just laughing a bit. Rika and Mizuho both sighed at this, shaking their heads.
Unbeknownst to them, however, Mion wore a blank expression, one of anger for that matter, in Keiichi's direction. He didn't respond to her glare in any fashion, but just smiled with his eyes closed to the ground. For what seemed like the first time to Mion in knowing Keiichi, he seemed completely unafraid of anything at that moment; even her.
"It was an accident Mion, that's all. I hope you can forgive us…" he asked. He seemed too cheery at that moment for Mion, from which made her blush and even curse his audacity.
"Kei-kun, we still feel a bit betrayed at this. All you had to do was tell us the truth, numbskull!" she proclaimed. Keiichi got up and brushed himself off, not taking notice of Satoshi trying to reach out for help at his legs. Shion really seemed like she was crushing him to death with hugs.
"I know, but it was fun, wasn't it?" he asked. Mion blushed again, not responding. Deep down, she knew he was right.
When the others finally rejoined the group, the truth was finally recounted to them. Satoko paid very little attention to them, as she tried her best to get rid of the spots in her eyesight; rubbing away at her eyes and adjusting to the outside light. Rena seemed tired and dazed a bit still, leaving Mizuho with some shame in her mind for submitting the girl to the experience of a flashbang. Hanyuu, on the other hand, just laughed away at the story and ate more creampuffs. She didn't seem very affected from the device, causing Mizuho to question if she was superhuman or not.
They all walked together down the street, laughing away at the whole mess that appeared outside of the restaurant. Some cop cars were coming up to investigate the scene, and passerbyers stood behind the caution tape witnessing the events unfold. For the group's sake, however, they causally escaped through some back alleys and managed to make it back to Komoto's car safe and sound.
"We're done for the day guys. That was a proper substitute for club activities I suppose," stated Komoto. He got in the car and opened the door for Mizuho, helping her inside. He slung his arm over the window to the door and took leave from the others.
"Well, don't forget, you still have to come to the club meetings as your ultimate penalty," replied Mion. For what Komoto and Mizuho did that day, deep down, Mion was going to surely make them regret their past actions.
Komoto just smiled to her and the others, all except for Rika to whom he winked to. This reminded her of the penalty games Keiichi and Mion still had to submit too, at which she grinned evilly and laughed silently.
Komoto and Mizuho waved goodbye, taking off down the road towards Hinamizawa. As they left the group's view, Kasai pulled up in his own car and came out, opening a door for the girls.
"As you all requested, I'm back to pick you up. Is there anything else you need to get?" asked Kasai.
Rena and Satoko hopped into the car, shaking their heads. They managed to get their bags into the trunk space with no problem and waited for the others to join them.
"Nope, we're fine Kasai. All the shopping is done for today." Shion and Satoshi, who wasn't being squeezed to death anymore, went into the car too followed by Rika and Hanyuu.
"Miss…is there a problem?" asked Kasai. Mion hesitated from entering the car.
"Actually, I have one more thing to get actually. I think Kei-kun and I can handle picking it up, so you all can go on ahead," Mion smiled to her sister, who gave her the thumbs up for whatever reason.
"But Miss, it's quite a walk back to Hinamizawa…."
"Kasai, its fine. Leave them be…" spoke Shion. She pulled Kasai into the car, who submitted in defeat. If it was one thing he felt, as a symbolic father figure, leaving the twins alone with boys wasn't right at all. With his defeat, he closed the doors to the car and left Mion and Keiichi to themselves.
The day soon turned to dusk for those in Okinomiya. The night life began to flourish into the streets, and the lights of the city grew in abundance. Shops and restaurants of all sorts began to emerge into existence at that time of day, leaving more things to do for any travelers abound in the city.
Keiichi and Mion walked hand in hand down the streets together. She held close to Keiichi for warmth, while he himself enjoyed the time alone with her. They didn't seem to have any direction in their journey, none except for enjoying themselves that evening. It seemed that Mion's desires finally came true that night; spending time with Keiichi and having him all to herself.
Time passed without worry for them, as they went to various shops and picked up a few more things for Mion's relatives. Keiichi had no problem carrying the bags all the while, making Mion glad that he was strong enough for such tasks. Even after the shopping they managed to grab a snack at a nearby food stand and found a park to wander through. They sat by a large fountain; one which once sprayed jets of water but now was covered mostly in ice from the cold weather. They shared a steamed sweet potato together, savoring its warmth and sweet taste.
"Heh…I wasn't expecting my day to end like this Mi-chan," stated Keiichi.
"…Guess wishes do come true I suppose…" she murmured. She took a bite of the sweet potato, enjoying its taste.
As they sat near the fountain, Keiichi noticed at that moment many couples, sitting on park benches, walking on the paved ground or standing under street lamps, were out and about in the park. What seemed like normal people to them, however, upon closer inspection revealed a different scenario.
"…Wait a second; all these people are…couples?" stated Keiichi.
"Yeah…this park is famous for boyfriend and girlfriends coming together during winter. The ice makes it seem like a winter palace, so it's a common hot spot for couples to spend time together and relax a bit…" stated Mion. She blushed at this fact, wondering what Keiichi was thinking. He seemed a bit flustered from her point of view, making the whole situation laughable at best.
"…So that means…lots of PDA (Public Display of Affection)?" he spouted. He instantly turned beet red; all the while, his body temperature turning up high enough to melt the ice in the fountain.
"What, Kei-kun? You can't stand being in a park with this old man? Heheheh, don't worry about it. Just relax and let loose!"
Unknowingly to Keiichi, Mion had balled up a snowball and plopped it over his head. The cold snow numbed his brain, causing him to look at her with a dumbfound expression as to what happened, but after a few moments of thinking did the event sink in.
"Argh! Mion, get back here!"
"Heheheh…try to catch me if you can Kei-kun! If you can't, there's gonna be a penalty to submit too!" she said, laughing and running away from him. In all fun and game, Keiichi smiled and ran after his love, throwing snowballs to and fro at one other.
The walk home, as long as it was, didn't faze the couple as they neared their destinations. Their prior snowball fight exhausted whatever energy they had for that day, leading way to a much more peaceful sleep later that night. Mion and Keiichi walked close to each other down the roads and trails back to Hinamizawa, treading carefully but steadily through the mud and snow. As they came to the ever famous cross roads where they and Rena would meet casually for school each day, Mion decided to break the quiet walk.
"Kei-kun…I'm glad that you and I got to spend the rest of the day together, no matter how awkward the circumstances were. I'm not mad at you in any way for what happened; I just hope you know that…" she spoke. She blushed at him, not daring to meet his eyes in that moment. Keiichi only looked down to her with confusion.
"Heh…Mion, I know you're not mad at me. Trust me, I've seen you mad before, so I think I'm pretty safe. Besides, today was fun anyway, so it was worthwhile…" he stated, dwelling on a distant memory where she had disguised herself as her twin sister Shion one day and protected him from a group of biker thugs outside of Angel Morte'.
Mion blushed and just snuggled her head closer onto his shoulder. She was relieved a bit deep down that, for once, she could be with him and actually gain some footing in their relationship, but somehow she felt an urge to want more of it; wanting to be around him, be wrapped in his arms in safety and security, and be able to love him more. This, however, she passed off as her fondness for him.
*I just hope you like your present, Kei-kun. We are adults by now…I know my decision isn't wrong…* Mion thought.
Shion and Satoshi greeted Mion and Keiichi in the lobby together, sitting on a couch and enjoying the quietness of the manor. When they came through the door, Keiichi and Satoshi helped put the bags into Mion's room, while the sisters talked in private.
"So Sis, how did it go?"
"It was fun. I'll tell you all about it later, but why is it so quiet right now? Is Mother even home?" she asked.
"Mother and Kasai took Grandmother to meet with some of the elders. Apparently, something is going on with the Dam site since the military got involved in the whole mess and such. I think I overheard something about the Dam finally being torn down sometime in the early summer. It's a great relief I'd say if the rumor's true. However, Grandmother wasn't feeling well, even now, but she insisted on meeting with the elders. I think she'll be fine with Kasai and Mother looking after her." Shion smiled at her sister and quieted down once Satoshi and Keiichi returned. Mion could only give her sister one grinning look back, knowing full well that with the house empty that she took full advantage of the situation.
"Well, its time to go I guess…" said Satoshi with a bit of disappointment in his voice.
"Awww…Satoshi-kun, why don't you just propose to me, so that way you can live here with me!" asked Shion with a sing song voice, teasingly. Everyone just laughed at that, but for Satoshi he just patted Shion on the head, cooing her without effort.
"I think we should do that when we're older, right Kei-chan?" asked Satoshi with a wink.
Mion and Keiichi just looked at him and blushed profusely, turning their faces aside.
"Umm…marriage is somewhat…"
"…too early to discuss…yeah!" Keiichi and Mion started and finished their thoughts simultaneously, looking at each other with reddened faces of embarrassment. More laughs befell the halls of the manor once more from this joke.
With all that was said and done, Keiichi and Satoshi took leave of the twin sisters once more. Giving their significant other a goodbye kiss, they made their way down the twisting paths back to the main roads, and parting ways once again took their own routes to their homes.
Keiichi arrived not too long after back home. The wind was growing fast as he just stepped into the doorway, making the inside warmth of his home that much more inviting. He looked around his living room, finding his parents passed out on the couch, watching t.v. together. He smiled and went upstairs into his room; organizing some things before taking a quick shower before bed.
After he closed his door to his room quietly, he went over to his closet and slowly creaked open the door, peering inside at the mound of presents he had bought for his friends. In his mind, he recounted all the gifts he purchased, mentally noting every specific one:
*Satoko-chan: a guide book on traps and survival techniques. Rika-chan: a new tea set and some medium-grade tea packets. Rena-chan: a cute Christmas teddy bear with some unique bows around it, and for laughs, a meat cleaver cleaning kit. Hanyuu-chan: a gift certificate to Angel Morte' for a special, one time dessert tasting event. Satoshi-kun: A new baseball mitt. Shi-chan: a gift certificate for two (her and Satoshi) to a well known restaurant in Okinomiya for dinner and dessert. As for Mi-chan…*
Keiichi looked down at the smallest wrapped present amongst the mound of gifts and smiled, dwelling on the memory of when he bought it. He blushed at the idea of how much he anticipated seeing Mion's reaction once she would receive the gift. He prayed, however, that she would accept the gift and happily keep it "close to her heart".
He exhaled a much needed sigh of relief once he allowed his body to drift into the hot water of the bath. The hot water warmed his chilled bones thoroughly, allowing his aching muscles to relax for once that day. Keiichi's mind drifted for awhile, thinking of Mion, his friends and the holiday's approaching on the horizon. Once he recovered from his drifting mind did he finish his bath and return to his bed for the night, enjoying peaceful dreams in what seemed like months of hell after the whole mess with the Dark Spector. The next few days, for him and the other's sake, would be memorable as a highpoint of Christmases in the present and future years of his life.
Author's Note: Hey guys, I'm back after my long hiatus. Sorry for the late update, but the lack of motivation hereof was due to my recovery process from boot camp. Sore muscles and what not, lol.
This omake is almost over, with an anticipation of almost two more chapters for the Christmas holiday. Then it's probably going to do a time jump and land around the beginning of summer for everyone, marking the next arc. So stay tuned and enjoy.