Another Monday
Hachiman left the class in a hurry. Why were the others so mad about the pop-quiz in history, they just had? They would all have known it was coming, if they just had listed in the class. Typical riajuu, explaining their failures by blaming others.
"Hikki, wait, why can't you wait for me?" was the sound of Yui, running up to me.
I slowed down a bit, and Yui reached me, showing a bit of shortness of breath, and answered her question: "No, every moment after class, is a time, where I can be subject to requests, I don't want to waste my time on. If you want to play with your friends first, then do that. If you want to arrive together with me, you must hurry. You must learn to prioritize".
Fortunately, my newsworthy is falling, but there are still those who try to talk with me about the supernatural, so I must continue to be careful. The only benefit I have had about all this is, that it seems my stealth ability has increased. Case in point. We managed to reach the club room without being stopped.
Yui knocked, and Yukino allowed us to enter. Yukino has some sort of fixation about knocking. As a child she had probably forgotten to knock and opened a door, she should not have opened, and thereby seen something, she should not have seen. Nothing a good psychiatrist couldn't cure.
As we entered, Yukino was sitting in her usual place, looking through a stack of paper, she was marking, while smiling. Had Zaimokuza also given her a draft to read? But would she then be smiling? It didn't matter. She would tell us, if it was something the club should do, and if it was not that, then Yui would get the information out of her shortly, anyway. Yui's skill level are far too high, that another result is possible.
Yukino got up and started to serve tea. My paper cup arrived without comment, but with a raised eyebrow, as Yukino saw my own stack of paper. I hadn't been able to make myself read Zaimokuza story Sunday night. My time had been spent instead on preparing for the history test. And after all, it was the right priority, as there was a high chance, that reading up on the period from the opening of Japan to the start of the second world war was more interesting, than Zaimokuza interpretation of my family legend, even if Zaimokuza had spiced it up with an exotic nine-tail and a hit-team of Miko ninja foxes.
I sat down, and started to read Zaimokuza's manuscript, while I waited for the tea to cool off.
As expected, it didn't take long for Yui's curiosity: "Yukinon, what are you doing?".
Yukino answered: "It's the manuscript for my father's speech for the march. I am redrafting it.
My father's office received a call from the prime minister's office this morning. They asked for a copy to ensure that the speech is in accordance with the party politics and the target audience.
That threw my father's office into a crisis, so father sent a man to me with the draft to me, because they don't have any youngster at his office. All fathers' men are old cronies.
And it was good they did it. It is a total failure in talking to us. Why does everyone think, that we only understand slang and English loan words?".
When I heard does words, I started to laugh. Who did Yukino think would be present at the march? A bunch of old literature professors?
"And what is wrong with my statement, Hachiman-san?" Yukino asked, whit the usual underlaying threat of a short cold death in her voice. Somewhere, sometime, there must have been a Yuki-onna in her family pedigree.
"Everything. I would recommend that you let Yuigahama-san read the manuscript. She is the best example of the target group for your father's speech present" I replied.
Yukino stopped there, rethought whatever she would have said, and then gave the draft to Yui: "It is not the worst idea. Please, read it".
Yui
Hacchi had been impossible all day, like the neighbor's cranky kid, I sometimes babysat, even if Hacchi probably was the only one in class, who seemed to have done the pop-up test in history without problems. He hadn't even been surprised, when the teacher had announced it.
It was good it wasn't a test of the year, or she would have been forced to do summer school, with the result, she would get in that test, even if her mother was a laid-back person and didn't emphasize her test results as much as other mothers did with their children.
But something or someone must seriously have rattle Hacchi. Hopefully it was not a girl. She had problems enough with the amount of girls who tried to get in contact with him. Fortunately, she had been able to learn some tricks from Yumiko about running of other girls from her man.
Or, he should have been hers. But now she was caught in the same situation as Hina in her wish to keep status qua. If she took him, her best friend would be damaged by it.
And she so hated to damage Yukinon, it hurt her to see Yukinon suffer. But sometimes you must hurt those, you love: "Yukinon, I have read it".
Yukinon looked at me, she tried to keep her cool, but the small sign around her mouth was enough. This would hurt: "There's a lot of very difficult words in this".
Another Monday II
Reading Zaimokuza was always a kind of first contact situation, of the horror version. You never knew, which horrors were released, as a universe you loved, was mistreated. Zaimokuza ability in that regard was as high as some female's ability to create demons by cooking. By that I mean females in anime, not a specific female present in the room, even if I am still happy my stomach was saved from her cookies.
But Zaimokuza basic idea could actually work. By turning it into a mix of Negima, the manga, not the anime, detective work, like Conan, and some supernatural stuff, like Cardcapture.
But it had to be a positive story, since it would be associated with my temple. As my teachers said, your brand is everything in running a successful temple. People paid for the hope for a positive future, whatever it was to be lucky in health, work or love. People did not made offerings to the evil god for staying away, mysterious enough, since that probably would be more cost effective, although there should be some native tribes in South America, that followed that practice. Maybe the Roman approach was the best, since it was based on the idea, that I scratch your back, so you scratch my back. Corruption after all, is something man understands by instinct, so why should it not work with the gods too?
I put Zaimokuza work on the table and looked around. Yui was texting on her phone, while Yukino was working through the speech again. By the number of pages, she had, she should consider reducing the speech. People would stay warm under the march by walking, but if the speech was too long, most would leave before it was finished, since it would be too cold to stay outside for long.
The march was popular now, because it gave the kids a day without schoolwork and the parents the possibility to brag about how cute their kids was. But the march would not be popular the day after, if all the participants got a cold because of it. But how to tell her?
My internal monologue was broken by intensive knocking. Yukino looked up from her papers and, with irritation in her voice, asked the person to enter.
Except it was not a person, but a bear who came in through the door.
The bear, the bear
The consequence of having a bear in the area, you are staying in, can be positive. Source: Myself, as I feel something soft and well-formed pressed against my side.
But the arms around my throat, and the screaming in my ears: "Hikki, save me", I could do without. But all in all, it seems that I now owe Zaimokuza a favor.
Meanwhile the ice-queen lived up to her reputation, since she just remarked: "Zaimokuza-san, bears do not wear shoes".
"Oh, how did you recognize me?" asked the bear.
"There are few persons with your kind of presence, Zaimokuza-san. If you are here to present your newest work, I am sorry to tell you it will have to wait after the march" replied Yukino.
"No, no need for that for the time being, thank you. Hachiman has my latest epistle. But I am a bit sad that my costume didn't work for you, as it did on you comrade. I am rather happy for the bear costume the manga club has made to me" Zaimokuza responded.
In the meantime, Yui stopped embracing me to my sorrow, collected herself, and asked: "The manga club?".
"Yes, they have made a lot of costumes for the march. Reasonable prices and good quality, I just got this fitted yesterday" Zaimokuza said, as he lined up his costume and his normal figure became visible: "I have hoped for greater impact".
An "Excuse me" was then heard from the door, as a little lion entered through it.
The Service Club seems to be turning into a zoo today.
"You're welcomed, Isshiki-san" was the answer from Yukino, while I and Zaimokuza studied the effect of Iroha as a lion. Not bad.
The reaction of Yui was different, as the little lion soon was enclosed in the arms of Yui: "Oh, you are just the cutest, you will be the pride of the march".
I became a bit envious of the little lion, who now enjoyed what I just lost, even if Iroha didn't seem to enjoy it, but Yui's statement was wrong, as Iroha would not be the cutest in the march, since my sister would also participate. And as such, my sister would be the cutest present. And that would be a fact, even if I am not a sis con.
But seeing Iroha struggle to get free from Yui made for an interesting view. A glance to my left showed, that Zaimokuza already was lost in the view. How to keep it running? After all, I owed Zaimokuza one. It was not for my own benefit, of course.
I therefore allowed myself to make a comment regarding Iroha's costume, even if I knew, it would mean, I would be burned for it, but it would split Iroha's attention, making it easier for Yui to hold Iroha firm in her well-endowed bosom: "So not a fox. Are you sure, that a lion is the most natural costume for you, Isshiki-san?".
"Yes senpai, since Hayama-san is coming as a lion. I will be the perfect fit for him" Iroha answered with a hint of anger in her voice. If the anger was because of my question, or because she still was trying to get free of Yui, is a question, I never will know the answer to.
But if Iroha statement was correct, it must be expected that there would be a lot of lionesses at the march, so I continued: "But if Hayama-san comes as a lion, then many, especially girls, will dress like lions. So, your costume won't make you unique, just one of many. You should just be true to your nature and come as a fox".
Oh, the simple logic of mine worked as expected in making her really angry, as I saw her smile grew brighter. The greater the smile, the scarier an Iroha. Here comes the burning.
"Senpai, I am sorry, that I don't wear the fur you dream about, even if I'm your dream. I wish you better luck in the future, with a girl, who isn't me".
Well, that was not one of her best. She is probably depressed, because she hadn't thought her game plan with the playboy through. Iroha's planning is normally better, or I am too weak regarding her in general. No, that last statement is not right. I am just lazy, and flow with the stream, because it's the way with fewest obstacles. That is the correct conclusion. After all, I am a monster of logic, and to work is to lose. Her game is weak, and now she know it. She should be thankful.
I parried Iroha's statement with: "No need for being thankful for the Service Club's advice, we are here to assist the students of Sobu to achieve their best after all".
To emphasize my victory, I turned left and addressed Zaimokuza by taking his work up from the table, and giving it to Zaimokuza, hereby signaling to Iroha, that I considered the case closed and myself the winner. I would probably have to pay for this by a request for manual service from the student council very soon.
"Zaimokuza, I am impressed. With a lot of work this story could actually be readable. So, only one question, which girl inspired this?".
I could see the effect of my word's om Yukino, who looked up from her work with the speech. Ah, the mention of a possible love interest works even on ice-queens. I expected that Yui and Iroha reacted the same way, even if I could not see them. I am sometimes a bit of a tease, since I expected Zaimokuza would continue our argument about Tamamo.
It was however not the reaction of Zaimokuza, since he instead suddenly became nervous, and said: "Oh, shit. The gal is here". Neither did I expect to hear the question voiced behind me:
"So, you're the one who kissed my little sister?".
I knew that blessing would come back to haunt me. I should have listened more to my teachers. Only cash payments.
The maiden fair
Shouting started with the question: "So you like younger girls?", "Hikki, you pervert", "Who?" and "Intercourse with girls under the age limit are a punishable offense". The last was of cause Yukino.
I turned and saw the inquirer. I wasn't aware we had real gals at Sobu. A lot of girls like Yui may have the buttons on their blouses loose and their skirts shorten more than the school regulation allows, to highlight their attraction, but this girl presented more, not at least in the way her blouse clung to her breasts and the hint of lace under it. She could easily give Yui and even Haruno a run for their money. When the noise from the others died down, I said:
"Sorry, I don't know your name, but I must inform you, that I can't talk about anything I do privately in my function as a priest with one or more believers".
I would have to thank my teachers next time, even if they did make me work. Maybe they would appreciate a bottle of sake, but only if I survived the encounter. Hopefully her handbag is too expensive to risk it being destroyed by hitting me with it. The tag indicates it is a brand, but then there a lot of cheap fakes around. It's like me and Hayato, him being the fake of course.
"I can see, you have already learned some of the tricks in your trade. Are you like your grandfather? According to the village stories there wasn't a haystack in Chiba, where your grandfather didn't have a "private ritual" with one or more female believers in, before he got married. And shouldn't you at least have learned to offer a lady a chair first? But then my sister did say you was lacking in that regard also" the girl asked.
"Manners, Hachiman, please" was the snickering comment to this from Yukino.
"Lady, you, please" was the comment from Zaimokuza, but spoken so low, that I was the only one hearing it: "Watch out for her, she has a foul mouth, and she is rumored to be involved in subsidized dating".
I responded with a smile, always be professional with the customers. Repeating customers are cash cows: "You are welcomed to take any chair along the table, which are not taken already, but it is a part of the Service Clubs politic, that I do not preform rituals here".
"That's alright, that's not what I am here about. I am Kobayashi from class 2C, and I understand you want to acquire a harem?" she said, as she pulled a chair out, and sat down, placing her bag on the table. The background noise started again.
"Oh, how ambitious", "Hikki, you mustn't", "A harem, every young man's dream" and "Polygamy is a criminal offense". Yes, the last was Yukino again. Did she think I was a criminal?
"I think you have misunderstood your sister – a lot. I am looking to hire some young girls to be Miko's at the temple at New Year. The job is to serve sake and sell ema and omikuji. Unfortunately, there is no time to train in dancing, so there will be no ceremonial dancing by Miko's this New Year.
When I talked with you sister, it was my understanding, that you lived in the village. But since you are a student at Sobu, I can't hire you, since our school forbid us from working part-time".
"Oh, so you actually want to pay young girls for their services?" Kobayashi hinted.
She was just as mischievous as her little sister in regard to misinterpret my statements. This would take some time, so I continued my smile, while sitting down on my chair:
"I can't comment about my grandfather's behavior, before or after marriage. I did unfortunately not know him before his death, but after what I am told, he was an interesting man, in many ways. And for services, yes, I am of the belief, that work should be payed according to its value".
The time spent with Hayato's father also paid off, even if I don't understand half of what he is talking about in our meetings, despite me being number 3 in the year regarding literacy. But then, my teachers from the Association has told me, that the lawyers may think they understand a word in a contract, but an accountant always should control a contract before signing, since an accountant follows the trail of the money, and that's what is really important in a contract.
"Oh, interesting. Most boy's want me for free, but I am a material girl. So, the important things first, it is true, that you are rich?" Kobayashi said with interest laced in her voice.
"Kobayashi-san, I don't know where that rumor comes from, but no, I am not rich, but the temple has some wealth, primarily in form of land, which provide for the priest and other expense in the running of the temple, as example its Miko's" I responded.
"So, you can't pay for a private jet to go shopping in Paris. A pity. My grandmother would like it, if I marry you, she loves that mountain. She is the one running the shine on the left side. But it does not seem like you can afford me" Kobayashi snickered.
Interesting, I didn't know I had competition on the mountain, but the little sister had mentioned something about her grandmother cursing people and the left side of the mountain regarding males.
"But alright, I accept the job as a Miko for the New Year ceremony at the temple without payment to please my grandmother but do your best to ensure that some rich men participate at the celebration. Preferable very old, with one leg in the grave and without heirs. I quite like the idea about being a rich widow at a young age" Kobayashi continued, quite without shame.
"Hey Hachiman, if you can fix that, you can sign me up to" Iroha broke in: "That sounds like a good strategy for a good life".
"Of course, it is a good strategy, it has been used by many intelligent women throughout the time" Kobayashi responded with laugher.
I looked around at the girls. I haven't thought, that I could get the Miko's for free, and I probably would have to pay for them in other ways, especially if I should believe the faces of Yukino and Yui regarding Kobayashi's statement. They didn't look happy.
Kobayashi got up from her chair, made a bow and said: "Then we have a deal. Please contact me regarding the uniform. I presume you want my three sizes – for that. Oh, and a free advice, stop smiling. It gives the impression, that you want to sell a used car".
Yes, she was clearly the sister of the girl from last Sunday.
Yukino
Yukino looked through the speech for a last time. It had taken a lot of time, and it was way shorter and easier with its use of words, than she had planned, when she started. But hopefully, it's messages now could be understood by everyone, and hopefully recalled by all and used in their everyday life. Even Yui should be able to follow them.
Hina
The visit was unexpected, but welcomed not the least. Hachiman had voluntary entered my den of evil. Of course, I know what he thought about us. His friend had difficulties with keeping his mouth shut, but there were those who used worse word about our art.
"So, since I heard, you have made a lot of costumes for the march, I was wondering if I can get the Manga club to produce some Miko costumes for the temple? Hopefully better ones, than the one you used at the summer camp" Hachiman asked with a smile.
Yes, that scene. Maybe he would like to see me as a Miko again, even if it wasn't a furry costume. Maybe it was just Cosplay in general, that was his perversion? Oh, there was a background for why Totsuka was wearing female clothes in the new story.
"To summarize, you want costumes for Yukinoshita-san, Yuigahama-san, Isshiki-san and Kobayashi-san. I can see the 3 first volunteer, but how in the world did you get Kobayashi-san to volunteer?" I asked.
We often used Megumi as a model for a "rotten" prince, since she expresses all the virtues and vices of that type: Sex and greed.
"Her grandmother lives in the village, the temple serves".
So even the rotten prince had a weak point, his grandmother. That I should remember the next time, we use that character in a story.
And then this was also an opportunity for something else than earning some Yen, so I asked: "Do you need more volunteers?".
"As many as possible. The more Miko's, the less work for each. But remember to ensure that the costumes are warm to wear. The mountain can be very cold" Hachiman reminded.
"All right, we will do it, and I will contact you later how many more volunteers, I can get you, but don't expect much. New Year typical has many family obligations, and your temple lies outside the law and the land" I replied.
"Everyone you can get will be a help, so thank you. And the Association will arrange transportation from Chiba to the temple" Hachiman said as he raised from his chair and gave me a light bow, as he left.
Well, I knew two who could participate. Saika-chan could not miss this opportunity, and then myself to ensure, that Saika-chan didn't made an excuse because of her family.
I should probably also ask Yumiko-chan. Her boy-toy was not available that night, and it would do her good to get out and do something fun, and her father and mother was normally in the hospital that night.
And then I returned to my basic question. What would I do, if he said, he liked me in the Miko costume, with the knowledge I had today?
Girl talk
"So, when I told the professor, that I would be working as a Miko at the temple at New Year, he got very excited, and invited me out for Christmas. Now I hope, he doesn't do anything stupid, but I can of course not say no to a nice Christmas present, if he insists on giving me one, that would not be polite. I could use some new jewelry" Kobayashi said with a chuckle.
"You are such a dirty girl Megumi, the way you play him" Sagami responded with envy in her voice.
"But what about you? Any date for Christmas?" Kobayashi asked.
"No, not one boy had asked me. It's the pits for me" Sagami replied.
"Hmm, it is possible, that they still are nervous about your standing with Hachiman". Kobayashi thought about it. Maybe they still believed that nonsense rumor about Minami paying her debt to Hachiman with her body: "I got it. You will also volunteer as a Miko for New Year. That should ensure, that they all know you are in black with our priest boy. And about Christmas. I ask the professor to take his friend with him, so we can make it a double date".
And that would also ensure that the professor didn't get to exited, and thought Christmas was more than dinner and conversation. It was not easy juggling men, but as the girls at the club said, she was a natural at that game. It was just unfortunately, that the professor wasn't richer and older. Then he would be perfect for her strategy.
A dagger II
"Tanaka-san, do I look like a happy man?" asked the chairman in the tone, where all subordinate starts checking their work diaries to document who gave the order.
"Sorry sir, it is inexplicable what has happened. The dagger was collected and brought to us as soon, as we found out, where the police had placed it" Tanaka explained.
"But there is no dagger in the box. Find it, before it creates more havoc. And accept the price for the consultant work from the Clock Tower to remove the curses, especially of this so-called dagger of Tamamo. It is a shit situation, and we don't want that to continue" ordered the chairman.
"Yes, Mr. chairman."
Tanaka left the office, and quietly closed the door after him. Then he went to his desk and gave the go for the exhibition in London.
After another long day on the hamster wheel, it was got to get home and get a cold beer. But at least the day had been another win for him.
The deal with the Clock-Tower for the removal of the curses was quite good, in regard to his kickback. The disappearance of the dagger to force the chairman to accept the deal without using time to actually read the contract was another wise act of him. And in some day's the dagger would resurface with the explanation, that there had been a registration error at the Police, which had resulted in the dagger being misplaced.
Although it was a shame, he had to deliver it back in the hand of the chairman. It had not been easy for the mercenaries to get it out of the hand of the police, but a "gas-explosion" had taken care of that obstacle.
The dagger was truly a masterpiece, made at a time, where Japan didn't bow to any outsider. Not like the chairman, who tongue was brown of liking the asses of the foreigners, especially the Chinese mages, where the chairman instead should defend the holy soil of Japan against its defilers.
The light in the dagger started to intensify.
The march
The day hadn't started bad. No lesson or test to worry about. Class 2F had made some posters about wildlife on the savannah of Africa.
But the posters in class 2F or in any other classes was not seen by many, but much time was used from mothers on pictures and film of the youngster in costume.
Most of 2F was dressed as lions, as expected. Totsuka was also one of the lions, but clearly the best lion in the pride of 2F. Apropos cats, Hina was also a lion. I had expected something more outrageous, but maybe it was her need for accepting into her group, that was the reason for her choice.
We also had another race of cats represented. A jaguar was walking around with the Hina-lion. It suited her well, and her costume also reminded me, why it was a good idea, I didn't ask for her brother the bug to be cursed. Jaguar are honored in several religions after all.
Yui did, as I, separated from the 2F cats, since she was dressed as a dog. Maybe she was a dog, that shepherd cats? Some could say it was her job in the class and the club, not me of cause.
One thing I did notice about her costume. She carried the collar, I gave her as a gift, around her neck again. Was she trying to tell me something? In that case, I am not Keiki, and you are not Sayuki. Your appreciation for dogs now worries me women, now if it was for cats, then it would be understood.
Since my parents have prioritized to go to Komachi school, I could relax. A prioritizing I of course endorse. I am after all a good and understanding older brother. It was more a worry for me, if my father would be arrested for his behavior at Komachi school, but then mother should be able to rein in the worst of his antic.
As for myself, my own costume was perfect. Several had passed my table, and remarked I was a natural as a sloth. I gracefully accepted their praise of course, it always confuses the normies, if you accept their sarcasm as praise, leaving them the fools.
Unfortunately, my peace was broken after the lunch period, when the march started.
Hiratsuka-sensei had the honor of getting us in line, which went quickly and orderly. What fear can't accomplishment. She, as the other teachers, was dressed as tanuki's. Was the principal trying to tell us something about the real value of our education?
One person gave me occasion for a smile, since Iroha had change her costume by adding spots to it, turning her from a cute lion to a cute cheetah. It suited her better than a lion, although I still see her as a fox, I think it is her default mode. But it was good to see, she had followed my advice. I must ask Hiratsuka-sensei if it count in the competition.
Kobayashi was a red fox which draws looks from many boys. No doubt it suits both her figure and her personality as a trickster. But are there more in her choice of costume, since a fox is a kitsune, and typically serve my goddess? But then I have started to see symbols in everything, since my name was changed.
As we stated to march, the classes were quickly broken, as friends walked with friends or what they called themselves. Iroha stalked Hayato, together with other females' lions. The fire-queen turned alpha lioness had to show her claws from time to time, as girls got to close for her comfort.
As I have no friends, few acquaintances and one angel, I let myself fall behind, so I could discreetly look at the other schools, as we joined up in the march. Research is important. It is not because I want to use the opportunity to ogle female cosplaying as animals. I am not a furry and I am not a pervert.
The hare
A hare came jumping up to me, when Kaihin joined up: "So how is going with your goddess, colleague?".
"Sorry, who are you" I asked confused, as I didn't know any hares to my knowledge.
"Orimoto, the messenger of Eros, who else, colleague" was the laughing response from the hare, as she took her mask off: "That is a good costume, you have. Who made it? Your girlfriend?".
"No, my mother got it from a colleague, who are practiced with sewing costumes. Her daughter is a cosplayer" I responded: "But how did you know it was me in that costume?".
"Who else would dress as a sloth in all of Chiba? You are so easy. You must become more exciting and/or romantic, if I shall have a fair chance of matching you with a girl. Sloth are not romantic or exciting. Why have you not dressed as a fierce lion or a dark mysterious panther? Then I could introduce you for some girls from the school" Kaori said with her normal bluntness.
"I wasn't aware you had to match me", I said slowly and with an undertone of ice in my voice. I have learned that from the best.
"Calm down. I have taken that mission from Eros. After all, I owe you and Hayama-san, but I don't think Hayama-san need help from Eros. But you, surely. Here, take my card. It has my contact information and the address for my website" Kaori said, as she with a light bow gave me the card.
"Business card, website for what?" I asked, confused.
"My dating service: "Chiba's arrows of Eros". Boys can request to register a profile. If I approve the profile, girls can then read the profile, and contact the boy by his profile, if they are interested. There is also tips for dating and a forum, but the forum is only for girls, where they can discuss their experiences" Kaori explained.
What, had Kaori made a business since I met her last? She was quick. I probably also had to get a homepage for the temple. And love fortunes are one of the great sellers of a temple. Why hadn't I thought about that?
"How had you been able to do all that?" I asked. Maybe I could learn something from her.
"The boy's in the computer club has made the most of the practical stuff, after I promised to do my best to match them" Kaori replied with a laugh: "So tell me, do you have a date for Christmas?".
"Ah, no. I haven't had the time. Most of my time is going with the temple" I said. Yes, she had a product who made boy's work for free. I definitely have to incorporate that in the temple.
"With all those beautiful girls running around you. What about her with the large "advantages"? My guess is, that she would be happy if you invited her" Kaori inquired.
"She is a nice girl, but.." I tried to respond, but my answer ran out into the sand.
"And you don't do nice girls, hmm. So, you have fallen for the black-haired beauty. The choice of a gentleman, who enjoy the classic. Right?" Kaori asked aggressively.
"That wouldn't go. We don't go along. We ..". Once again, my answer died.
"Oh, you fell for her hard, but she rejected you. You did it again, didn't you? You told her, without getting to know her first" Kaori continued with her endless stream of word.
And my words came tumbling too. What is it with her, that make me do that? It was annoying: "No, I have not said anything to her. I tried to become friends with her, but she refused to be friends. And then something happened".
"And she was no longer the one for you, even if you pine for her. Your mind has rejected her, but your body still want her. Poor you. So, have you tried your luck with the girl with the 1.000-watt smile? She was clearly interested in what we were doing at the date of hell" Kaori continued yet.
"The fox, no. She is interested in Hayama-san", I replied.
"Ah, one more drawn to the honey-pot. Well, anyone else you have asked or have been asked by?", as Kaori's intense questioning about my love life or lack of same continued.
"Well, there was a girl I asked, and who said no, but then asked me, if I would go out with her. It's a long story," I told.
"I think I have the guise of it. Right, you need a lot of training. Do you have anything to do this weekend?" Kaori asked.
"I am booked solid. Saturday, I am being taught dancing, and Sunday I train in meditation at the temple" I replied.
"Not good, then it must be Wednesday. What time are you free from school? No, drop that. You will just find an excuse. I will pick you up Wednesday at your school" Kaori stated.
"What for?" I asked, now confused.
"For a training date. You really need to learn it. Remember girls want romance and excitement. Read the advice for boys on my homepage before Wednesday, that's your homework. But I must catch up with my school now. Wednesday. See you" Kaori said, as she put her mask on, and started to run after her class. What just happen? Was I just invited out by Kaori? Nice girls are always so difficult to understand.
The penguin
"Hey Hachiman. So, it is true that the whole march only is an excuse for you to drool over furries?" a voice coming from below me said.
Why did everyone know that I was the sloth? Was it that clear, that I would be the only in Chiba, who saw the sloth as the perfect animal? I looked down at the person addressing me. It was a penguin with the face of Rumi-chan, a girl I, sort of, helped at the summer camp.
"Still no use of honorific? Rumi-chan" I responded.
"No, why. You are the same as me, so why?" Rumi-chan responded.
"Because it is polite. How is the world as a penguin doing?" I inquired.
"The ice is smelting, but my mother and the other parents think it's a great photo-opportunity, so the whole class is dressed as penguins. Let us celebrate uniformity" Rumi-chan replied with scorn.
The sound of a born loner. She had increased her level in the art of the loner since the camp. Right, it seemed that the effectiveness of my methods in the summer camp hadn't worked for long for Rumi-chan. They probably needed to be scared even more.
And there came the means, a teacher looking for their lost penguin.
"So that's your teacher, Rumi-chan?" I asked. I needed the right messenger for this to work.
"Yes, another of my jailors" Rumi-chan said with the tone of one caught in a long-suffering situation.
Then it would not take long. A young girl with a suspicious type of man. I am, after all, always looking suspicious according to the girls. I am truly a monster of logic.
"Excuse me, but this girl is one of my students. Who are you?" she said, as expected, as she couldn't see my face because of my costume.
Some would call her lucky because she avoided to see my face, but in regard to the question of authority in the situation, she became unsecure, if she just could accuse me out right of being a Lolita and have me arrested, since she couldn't see, who I was.
In a very short time, the world had shown me, that sometimes it was not you, who should change. It was the world, who should change for you. It was just a question of having the right lever, or in my case, a goddess.
Those whom I before should bow to, now bow to me. As with the principal, when he greeted me, after I got my new name.
So, I responded, her indirect accusation with: "Abe no".
When the teacher heard that, she stopped immediately. Then she stepped back and bowed before me, as expected: "I am so sorry, that I didn't take better care of her, so she didn't disturb you, Abe No sama". It is after all wired into our cultural DNA. Obey the authority.
"No need. Rumi-chan is a friend. She is always welcome to disturb me" I replied coldly.
See, you who are below me. I use this one first name, and add "chan", thereby naming this one as one who has value.
Remember, everything is illusions, yourself and the world. Everything is just illusions, we give names. To name an illusion is to create reality, to change the name is changing reality, so why not just change the world instead of yourself?
"Take it easy, sensei. No reason to worry, he is totally a Lolita" Rumi-chan quipped.
I patted Rumi-chan on her head and returned Rumi's quip with: "Although I am afraid, Rumi-chan had been together with some very bad girls this last summer and learned all the wrong things. So please treat her kindly and punish severely all who seek to harm her".
The teacher laughed nervously at my statement, as the subordinate do, when the superior makes a joke, which are difficult to interpret the meaning of in the given context. The teacher then took Rumi-chan's hand, bowed again, and they returned to the flock of penguins marching past us. The Rumi penguin giving me a last wave of the condemned, leaving for the cell.
Maybe I should invite Rumi-chan and her family to the temple's New Year. It was going to be a disaster anyway, so why not, the more, the merrier.
I then started to walk fast, so I was able to catch up to 2F in time for the arrival at the place for the speech.
Kamakura on the road
Kamakura waited by the roadside. A lot of the cars were speeding above the limit. Well, it would be to his advantage today. What did you not do for your client? The heir would soon be the master, and as such, the master would need an heir, especially if something at the New Year dance went haywire.
It was best the boy got laid and a male heir was conceived before New Year. But the boy was so indecisive. It was no longer the time for reflection, now was the time for action. And it would soon be the 24'th of December. That day was much used by humans in Japan to create new humans.
And his first candidate had at least shown that she knew, that the cat was a superior being.
The sound of braking cars followed Kamakura, as he crossed route 14 to Chiba.
Yukino
Sitting and waiting for her father was nothing new, even if it was normal her sisters' job. But father should hurry. It was starting to get colder. It was fortunate, that the speech was so short.
"Miss Yukinoshita". Oh, one of her father's lackeys was trying to talk to her: "Miss Yukinoshita. Your father and sister had unfortunately been delayed because of a major accident on route 14 and can't make it in time. Your father wishes, that you hold the speech".
"Oh, yes. Yes. I will do my best". Yukino got up from the chair. There were a lot of people waiting for her. She didn't like crowds and the TV cameras made it worse. But she had a message, and now she had the chance. The chance to effect change, the chance to relive concerns and – the chance to redeem herself. She had to change the introduction. It was no longer a message to the young, it was a message from a young to the young about a new future.
Hachiman
I looked upon the stage. Hopefully the speech would go fast, or I would be cold. But if I left before the speech, Yukino would kill me.
The man on the stage said: "And now miss Yukinoshita will end the march with an address".
Why would Haruno do the speech instead of their father? Hopefully that didn't change the speech much. Yukoni would probably also kill me, if her work was thrown out.
But it was not Haruno, who went to the rostrum. It was Yukino. And by the goddess, she really looks good in her cat costume, as she marches confidently and gracefully to the rostrum. It was like the first time I saw her in the club, just with added lust due to the costume. There was the feeling I must kill. I had already made that mistake one time. It was, as always better to be hated, and she did not want my friendship, or anything more for that sake.
But I also had to survive. So, I started to clap. Around me the others started to join in. As soon as the speech was over, I will go home and get some needed sleep. This was another exhausting day.
The Prime III
The Prime looked gloomily at the paper stamped high security before him.
Another one of those issues that only could be decided by the prime. That fucking tsunami. Not alone had it killed and destroyed. It had also flooded their nuclear arsenal. It was as the Kami's didn't want nukes on the holy soil of Japan.
But it was necessary, that Japan could build and launch nukes within 24 hours to keep China or it's mad lackey North-Korea from attacking, since the American could not be trusted to keep their agreements. Already China owned the debts of America. Who could say which way the Americans would jump, if they were offered a good deal?
It would unfortunately take time to rebuild the arsenal, since the basins still were too radioactive to get into, so the nukes there could now only be used, if the world already was doomed.
And where should the new arsenal be hidden? It would not have been a problem if he just could get rid of article 9, but despite progress, it would still take some time before it would be possible, so it had to be somewhere off route, but close enough to mobilize fast.
And the local public should accept the building of a new nuclear power plant, and they were not popular because of the problems with the lack of safety, since it was so much cheaper for the industry to bribe the officials instead of keeping the law.
The prime looked up, as there was someone knocking on his door. It had to be something important, since he was disturbed. With a sigh, he closed the paper. That problem could wait, while he handled whatever the new problem was. Probably a star who had said something negative about the government politic - again: "You may enter".
It was his special political adviser, who came in fast, grabbed the remote control and turned the TV on, saying: "You have to see this, Prime. It's from the march in Chiba". The prime got up from his chair and joined his spin-doctor to watch the broadcast. Hopefully it was something positive. He could use some good news.
That was impressive: Short, direct and with feeling, and the way she was projecting herself.
But the ending of the speech, when she got off the rostrum. The views of the cameras. He had to let the minister of culture express the governments discontent with how the television stations had focused on the movement of her crotch and ass, when stepping down. He hadn't seen worse, since the Olympic games in Korea.
But hopefully his wife had already ordered a cat costume for herself. They would probably be sold out quickly.
"So, what is your evaluation of this?" the prime asked.
"I think, that if we lowered the age for access to the parliament, she would be elected tomorrow with a landslide" the spin-doctor replied.
"Yes, that would solve the problem with the mandate in Chiba", the Prime responded with laughter: "But unfortunately not possible. The lowering of the voting ages is giving problem enough.
For now, ensure that she accompany her father at all public political rallies, get her on some shows and invite her to become a trainee in the summer.
And order a report on what we can do regarding reducing plastic in the environment. We must make some changes in our politic anyway, to be green is to be popular these day's".
"I will start the work immediately, Prime" responded the spin-doctor.
The Prime continued: "Good, and she is the one of Yukinoshita's daughters, who is running around with that priest boy?".
"Yes, according to what we know. We don't actually know if they are lovers", answered the spin-doctor.
The Prime laughed again: "If they are not lovers, she should hurry and catch him. He should get money enough to pay for her campaigns, when he gets access to his inheritance. How is it going with the museum, by the way?".
"Quite good. The money is promised and there is a request from the court, that the Emperor gets to announce the building of the museum in his New Year speech" the spin-doctor replied.
The Prime thought about in some time and then said: "The opposition can't say we are using the situation for our gain, if the Emperor gives the news, but we will still get the credit, so by the will of the Emperor".
"Yes, Prime", the spin-doctor said, and left the office.
The Prime returned to his desk and took the file, opening it and reading it again. Maybe they should build the new facilities at the village with the temple.
It was off the road, but close to Tokyo, if there was a need for swift political action. And it would be much more easily, and cheaper, to connect the power plant to the existing grid there, than it would be, if it was placed out in that village in the boonies, where they didn't even have a signal, as the report recommended.
And a nuclear plan was, regardless of the safety problem, green technology, so it could be sold in that way.
The industry could then spend the saved money on something more appropriate, like his re-election.
At a primary school
"Do you have a moment, sensei" asked a young teacher.
"Of course, how can I help? Any challenges you need help with? Remember, we have only challenges, possibilities and solutions. Is it regarding following up on the march? I think it went rather well" responded the older teacher benevolent. It had been a good march, the kids behaved, and the parents got a lot of photos to use on the social media, so they could tell the world and them self, how fabulous they were, and now it was the weekend, blessed weekend.
"At the march, Tsurumi-san left the others in her group" the young teacher told.
"She does that often. She has difficulties integrating with the others in her class" the old teacher replied. Not that girl again, she was a challenge.
"I found her together with an older boy" the young teacher said nervously.
"You stopped that, I presume? We can't allow any form for scandal" the old teacher said with a firm voice. Murders were challenges now a day. Sex, sex sold and quickly became problems.
"That is the challenge, the boy was Abe no Hachiman. And he was quite vocal in expressing his dissatisfaction with how Tsurumi-san is treated in the school", the young teacher reported, becoming even more nervous.
"Displeased? Hopefully not, that would", the old teacher started to say.
"He specifically stated, that he expected, that we severely punish all who harm her" the young teacher broke in.
"Shit, if his displeasure becomes public, we would be investigated, as a minimum. This must be handled now. I better talk with the principal immediately. Please wait here," the old teacher responded.
The old teacher went to look for the principal. Hopefully the principal could provide a solution before the challenge with Tsurumi became a problem. Everybody knew what happen to those, who got caught in the eye of the city administration because of a problem. He still had 4 years until his pension. Not one of those brats would cost him his pension.
Kamakura the merciful
Kamakura went through his personal entrance (called a cap flap by other lower beings). It was good to be home again. He was quite behind in his normal program. Kamakura went into the kitchen, where he cleaned out his food bowl, and then continued into the living room.
Servant number three was sleeping on the couch. The couch was his. Servant number three must be punished for his crime. As a start it could be included in the late afternoon nap. Kamakura jumped up on Hachiman and went to sleep. It had been a hard day's work.
Hachiman woke up with a bum in his nose and a tail over his face, as he heard the front door open and the sound of Komachi dropping her shoes, while yelling: "Oni-chan, are you home?".
Hachiman put his hands forward to remove Kamakura, so he could get up, but removed them fast again, when he was presented with a claw. Right. Do not disturb the cat, or you get ripped by claw. In many ways it was the same situation as in the Service Club, except there were more claws there.
Komachi came into the living room, saw the situation, and said, laughing: "Oh, brother. It seems I must save you from hardship. This must give me so many Komachi points, but first". Hachiman heard the sound of his little sister phone. At least their parents would get something to laugh about, when they got home.
Kamakura listened to the sound of the kitchen door open and closing, and then servant number one saying: "Treats ready for the first and finest cat of Chiba". Well, the offer was accepted. He would postpone the rest of the punishment of the delinquent to after dinner. After all, he was a merciful lord. Komachi jumped down and went to the kitchen.
Hachiman got up. He should probably also go to the kitchen to help with the dinner and hear Komachi thoughts about the march. Not because he was a sis-con, but because he was a good brother.
And then he had to start working on his homework, even if it was Friday night. Saturday was going to be dancing, and Sunday it was back to the temple to do meditation. Hopefully without any of the sisters terrible. And then there was the lesson Kaori had ordered him to do.
Where had his precious relaxing weekends gone?
Talk show
Komachi was nice enough to disturb my homework, as she yelled: "Oni-chan, Yukino is going to be on the late-night news show, come see. Get down here".
I had of course seen Yukino's speech again, as we saw the news, while we had dinner, and Sunday I would send a prayer to the goddess for the blessing of the cameramen. They would undoubtedly need it, when Yukino got her hand on them. Clips of her stepping down from the rostrum was already trending on the net. Of course, I only checked it out of concern for Yukino, not because I'm a pervert. The 10 minutes lop of it has been just a nice addition to the collection on my hard disk.
A man in a yellow jacket
"Sorry to disturb minister, do you have a minute before we start the late-night news show?" asked the famous host, mostly famous for his yellow jacket, as the minister was being powdered before the show.
"Of course, what can I help with?" questioned the old and dignified man.
"Is it possible to ask you about the rumors regarding the establishment of a museum for the Heavenly Dragon Hoard under the broadcast?" the man in the yellow jacket asked.
"Well, you can ask, but unfortunately I am not in a position, where I can answer that question. I am afraid you have to wait for the official announcement – from His Imperial Majesty" the old and dignified man answered.
Right, not to be mentioned. It may be news, but any leak would be sanctioned, and his wife would kill him, if he lost their invitation to the Emperor's Birthday Luncheon, and then there was the loss of prestige, as the loss of the invitation, would be seen, as he was no longer the leader in the field of the late news shows.
"But I can tell you something else regarding the Heavenly Dragon Hoard, if it has an interest?", the old and dignified man continued.
Everything about the Heavenly Dragon Hoard had interest, not at least the dagger of Tamamo, who the police claimed had been destroyed by a gas-explosion at the station, it had been kept at. The web was already flooded with conspiracy theories.
"There are negations between the National Museum and the British National Museum to arrange a small exhibition in London of some of the more interesting pieces in the Heavenly Dragon Hoard the coming summer. You should consider making a news rapport from London about the exhibition, when it opens" the old and dignified man said, as he looked into the eyes of the man in the yellow jacket, colors shifting.
"Much oblige minister" the man in the yellow jacket thanked and left the minister for the last preparation. Not much, but better than nothing, and a paid vacation to London would be rather nice, especially if he could get some good company, such as the young girl, who also was his guest this night. The young girl had been so hot in that cat-costume. Hopefully his wife had already ordered one.
Komachi
Komachi looked at the homepage. Maybe this was the solution for her own love problem. If she introduced the service at cram school, she could get Taishi-kun to join, and then she could request a date. It was rather brilliant, the system Orimoto had established.
But she would also have to check up on Orimoto. Brother had met her several times in a short time, and had used Orimoto's first name Kaori, when they discussed the day at the dinner table, where she got the shocking news, that Orimoto had forced her brother on a "practice date". Her brother was slow, no doubt, and even if brother had been burned badly the first time, first love was first love.