Chapter 14: Parade Time

And so, it was another early morning at the local convenience store. And once again, the young man who was at the front was afraid who might come in that door this time. Lately, ever since the start of this school year, weirdos had been coming through that door on a semi-regular basis...like those two.

He remembered how a brown haired boy named Zero came in, carrying this massive amount of energy snacks and drinks to the front for checkout along with other groceries, while the other boy who came with him...he was pretty sure he was named Ichi, he thought he saw the boy drinking oil of all things. Those were were among the weirdest.

But then there were others, like that angry boy, or the tough looking fighter. The chocolate addict, the girl who he always feels is investigating him, and is always making deductions on what he has been doing. Sometime, he just notices merchandise has disappeared, but the proper money was left on the shelf. There was also the blonde haired kid, who was actually pleasant and cheerful, but maybe the others had made him susipicious but he thought there was more to him.

He also got a few people that seemed like elementry schoolers.

Not to mention, there was that one guy who did not even look human! His limbs were just always so...wiggly!

And then, the doors of the convience store opened.

"Erm...Osh...Junko-chan, I dont think the store sells some of the things on this list" a smaller, blue haired boy came in along with a girl in pig tails. They were dressed in just T shirts and shorts, probably because it was too early for either to bother putting on school uniforms yet. But he remembered these two well.

"Ehhh?! But this store is supposed to be convienent right? Thats bullshit, Toko!" Junko said, not bothering to use honoriffics with Toko's name, although the boy himself did not seem to mind. "And how am I supposed to build my stuff then?!"

"Well just..." Toko started, then looking around and noticing the other people around. "...just ask Nagisa-sensei. He can help us, remember?"

"I guess" she replied.

As for why Toko and Junko were together right there, it was because it was their turn on the chore wheel to pick up groceries and supplies for the dorm. The two of them was not something one would expect to see together, especially since Junko was more often then not plotting something with Susumu, but they themselves did not really mind each other. Toko never really judged Junko, and Junko never did anything to antagonize Toko really and respected his boundaries. Because of that, despite their different personalities, they had a mutual respect for each other.

The two of them started to work the aisles, looking for something, anything, that was on their lists. Toko managed to find some fireworks, which was good since they would need those, and Junko managed to find some milk, not that it was helping much.

Once they finished gathering up all the stuff they could find that they came for, they went to the checkout counter. As they finished putting everything on the counter, the clerk quickly price checked everything, and then gave them the amount owed. Toko payed for it using the dorm funds they had access too, but as they picked up the bags and walked out hte store, they heard voices.

"Well now..."

"...look who it is".

The two turned around, and saw two high school students there. They had light skin, green eyes, and black hair...and looked very similar to Junko.

Rather, they were Junko's brothers. Masahiko and Masayoshi Oshiro. They were high schoolers, and in A Class.

Junko seemed a bit uncomfortable seeing them though, but as she looked towards Toko, she was an expression she had not expected. Rather then angry, or wary...he looked shocked.

"What are you two brats doing here?" the two of them said, when suddenly they began eyeing Toko, or maybe their intention was just to make Junko feel lesser. "Well now, what is a cute girl doing here? It seems that even in the lower pits, there are levels of difference".

The way the two were talking, even what little could even be considered complimentary, hardly seemed sincere. They were acting like they were better then them, but mostly, from not just their words but also their body language, it was as if they were implying Junko was the lowest of the low quality. The going out of their way to compliment Toko was to that point, although it was clear they thought they were superior to them both.

ANd of course, not once had they actually acknowledged Junko as their sister. Rather, they seemed to be simultainiously badmouthing her and pretending she did not exist.

"You know...I could have swore I have seen you..."

As the two further talked, and stepped towards the two of them, both felt intimidating to them.

"Now now, what are two highschoolers doing, ganging up on two middle schoolers?" a voice said from behind. The two turned around and all four looked, and saw that it was a very oddly shaped and limbed man.

Rather, Toko and Junko immediately recognized it as Koro-sensei.

"Does it look like we were talking to you?"

"Yeah, mind your own business".

While acting all high and mighty, the two immediately backtalked to Koro-sensei. Masahiko then turned around and slapped Toko.

"And you, girl. Speak when spoken to. You should know to respect your betters, not to be rude to them".

The moment that happened though, Koro-sensei grabbed hold of the arm that slapped Toko. Notably, neither of the brothers even looked at Junko even more, or cared about what she was thinking or doing.

"Those who claim to be better should act like it" Koro-sensei said, exuding a dangerous bloodlust at them as his voice shifted. It was a voice Toko had only heard once before. It meant he was pissed off.

At this point, the two showed clear expressions of fear, and ran off before anything else could happen.

"Are you two okay?" Koro-sensei immediately asked, not delaying. As he went to help them up though...it was Toko who slapped his arm away, and ran off with tears.

Junko, who saw this, looked back at Koro-sensei. "Shouldn't you be going after him, after what those fucking bastards..." Junko started, but noticed that unlike usual, Koro-sensei did not sensor her this time. She continued soon after though. "...after what those fucking bastards did to make him like that?"

"Maybe...but it seemed like, you might need some attention right now as well" Koro-sensei mentioned. It did not escape him the fact that out of everyone, Junko had been ignored and neglected, and felt that it was better to deal with the one who was unable to express herself, rather then the one who was able to vent. "Are you okay?"

"I am perfectly fine!" Junko lied. "I dont need any help!"

Although she was not very convincing, she adamantly denied Koro-sensei from helping her.

"Well, thats a bit too bad" Koro-sensei said, as he went and picked Junko up, and put her on his shoulder while his other tentacles picked up the dropped bags. "Because as your teacher, its my job and my desire to love and support you unconditionally".

"Ehh..." she replied, unsure of how to respond. She immediately then took out an Anti-Koro-sensei knife and tried to stab him, but he was able to dodge it as she jumped off. "This...this never happened! I can get home on my own just fine! This never happened!"

She then grabbed all the bags, and rushed off home.

Koro-sensei meanwhile looked rather confused, not entirely sure what was going on, or how to respond to this situation. Other then being concerned.

Later in the day, once everyone was up, they were all working up on finishing preparations for the Traditional Parade Festival. Basically, everyone wore traditional Japanese clothing for the whole week, but for that day they would have a huge parade of it. It was basically required by the school as well, so it replaced their normal uniforms. Everyone either wore Yukatas or Jinbeis, though the latter was more for boys.

That said, "in order to help teach E Class responsibility and economics", they were forced to provide their own, while the school provided the other classes with top of the line designer products.

Junko and a number of others had been involved in the creation of their float, though right now not everyone was there to congradulate her. That was because Akira, Ryosuke, Susumu, and Faye were already there, already dressed in traditional clothes, guarding the float from A-Class sabotage.

And now, everyone else had also gotten dressed. There were some who were looking forward to this, especially the fireworks at the end. But others were not. They had worked hard on the float for sure. But...there was this uneasy feeling. Rather, there had been no attempts made by A-Class to quash them. There should have been some tension before hand, but...nothing.

"Then again, I suppose with the resources at their disposal, they would not need to think of something like that" Jiro mentioned. "After all, they litterally have the school funding them, while we have just us".

"But, but, we worked really hard to make ours unique and special!" Ichi pointed out.

"Yeah, we will crush them!"

Everyone looked particularly motivated, except for Toko, who was just barely able to feign it. As everyone dispersed to get ready, and put the plan into motion, Junko went over to him.

"Where the fuck did you go earlier?" Junko questioned, in her usually abrasive way.

"...sorry, it just brought up some bad memories".

"No, you knew my fucking brothers from somewhere else, didn't you? How the fuck did you know them?" Junko questioned.

"Just leave it alone!" Toko shouted, his voice breaking a little. "Its none of your business!"

"Its my brothers, its totally my business!"

"Hey, I hear shouting, is everything alright in here?" Elliot asked, coming back in. Toko stormed off in that moment, fixing his Jibei as he did.

"Its fine!"

Elliot watched Toko blow by, and then looked back at Junko.

"What did you do to piss him off like that?"

"I dont fucking know. He is the one who wont answer my questions".

"...he had a reaction to a question? What question?"

"Whatever! Its not important! Lets just get ready!"

And so, everyone went on their ways as the parade started. Although there was still some tension in the air, everything seemed to be going okay. First up in the parade was, of course, A Class's float. ANd boy, was it something. Animatronics. Old style wood. Hand crafted features. It was beautiful and brilliant, and lit up like something amazing. It was as if someone had brought together the greatest minds in the world, the greatest artists, the greatest musicians, to make this float.

"...as expected, it overshadows everything".

"Indeed..."

"This is amazing...nothing can beat it".

That was what the audiance was thinking as they saw the float go by. It was then followed by B Class, then C Class, then D Class...and then, by that time, their expectations were set to thinking that whatever came next would be pitiful. It was from best to worst after all.

"...are you sure this is a good idea..." Zero asked as he manned the controls.

"Of course!" Junko stated, as their float came into view. "Now! SHOW TIME!"

At that point, she slammed her fist down on a large red button, as the sheets and covers hiding their float flew off...and then...

"Now!"

Haruyo and other athletic, energetic classmates jumped out onto the center stage, dressed in traditional costumes, as they began to act out scenes.

Yes, that was right. Their plan was...to make their float a play as well! Junko had worked tirelessly on all the special effects mechanisms, but recieved much praise as a result. This was their plan, to steal the spotlight from A Class. It was something that E Class could do better then A Class, and that was action. In fact, the very scenes they had prepared were about assassins. An Assassination Play, from an Assassination Classroom, to Assassinate the lead of A Class. That was the plan, and the goal, that they were going with. A declaration of the Assassins, that their blades had been sharpened from last time, and were ready.

"Nice!"

"Well done!"

"Everything is going great!"

E Class cheered on, as the onlookers watched in shock at their exceptional acting skills, their mastery of physical movements, and their ability to act under pressure. They have had plenty of experience after all. Acting like everything was normal before they surprise attacked Koro-sensei. Training with knives and martial arts and shooting and movements. And of course, doing their best while under the pressure of death, likely world death.

It was all natural to them. And of course, they knew plenty enough about assassination to put on a great play featuring it.

It completely and totally stole A-Class's spotlight, and put them on the map as the crowd cheered for them.

Once the parade was over, the festival began, and night began to set. Junko herself had some conflicted feelings about festivals, holding both one of her happiest moments, but also marking some sad ones as well. Still, anyone who wanted to be popular and talked about pretty much had to attend, something she knew all too well.

The fireworks were about to start soon, and Taiyaki was being sold everywhere. Everyone was enjoying themselves, even her. But, there was still something eating away at her, knawwing at her. She still wanted answers.

"Guila-chan...how close are we getting?"

"We are approaching the target!" the teddy bear she was holding replied.

And that was Toko's reaction. It was different from his normal reactions. No bloodlust, no rage, just...something unusual, for the situation.

"Alert. Two major scum have also been detected walking away, while two other large people are with the target!"

Something seemed off to her, so she went to investigate. That was when she noticed something odd. There were two high school boys there, not her brothers, but she had seen them hanging around, or rather, loyally serving, her brothers. They seemed to be harassing a young girl...until she realized it was a dressed up Toko, who looked pitiful and terrible and like he was forced into this situation. He seemed to have been forced into wearing a Kimono, and was easy to mistake as a girl. Her brothers probably didn't do anything directly, but...they would think that doing anything themselves would be beneath them.

One of them seemed to be acting malicous, as he had pinned Toko against the stone wall. He wasn't doing this because of any interest, he was doing this for the sole reason of making him suffer. He was doing this to be a shithead.

"...Guila-chan, get rid of them".

"EXTERMINATING PERVERTS NOW!" Guila-chan replied as it deployed multiple guns. The two saw this, but were then quickly assaulted by her Non-lethal arsenal...though, that certainly did not make it painless. In the commotion, the two dropped some stuff while Toko ended up running off up the stairs in a different direction. Junko started to follow, but then noticed that what they had dropped seemed to be Toko's belongings, so she picked those up first and decided to follow him, curious about what was going on.

By the time she managed to catch up, Toko was sitting with his legs tucked into his chest, crying as he looked at the full moon ahead. Junko moved forward, and put his clothes on the bench next to him before turning away.

"...I wont look, so you can change" she said, even going so far as to deactivate Guila-chan so its sensors would not pick anything up.

"...thanks...and sorry about earlier" Toko said, as he took off the kimono, and started to get dressed. "I shouldn't have shouted at you..."

"Thats true" Junko said. Even if she was being nice right now, she still did not mince her words. As she looked off in the distance, she sighed. "Could you at least tell me how the fuck you knew them?"

"...through my mom. They were at a party, brought by their parents when I was little and brought by my mom. Its...its not my favorite topic, okay?"

For a moment, they thought they heard a twig snap as Toko pulled on his Jinbei and his gato.

Although most might think he meant something else, Junko was able to catch on to his true meaning.

"...you mean your mom, don't you? You have family troubles as well?"

"...yeah, you could say that. My mom insists on me being something I am not".

That statement felt a pang of familiarity with Junko. That was the same with her own family. Her family was one that liked to seem high and mighty, superior, better then everyone else. They wanted their children, all of them, to be polite, proper, and recognize that they were better then everything and everyone else. Junko learned this the hard way when she was fine, oddly enough it was also at a festival. The last happy moment with her parent's love, before everything was broken.

"...I take it you are the same way, Junko-chan?"

"Yeah. My parents...those fucking assholes, they broke my heart when I was five years old. And then, because I would not fit in with their shitty ideals, they neglected me, abused me, malnourished me...I am not this short because of genetics, you know. I am this short because I did not get proper nuitrition or care, because they discarded me. Well fuck them, and fuck everyone. I dont need them, I will be just fine on my own".

Junko declared that, holding nothing back.

"...what is your mom trying to make you?"

"Her perfect little girl" Toko replied, causing her to turn around in shock. Toko was already dressed thankfully, but that statement took her by surprise way more then she expected.

"...did you say girl?"

"Yeah..." Toko said, as he turned and watched as the fireworks began to light up the sky. The two of them sat down on the bench. "That is the real reason I am this short. At least, one of them. You see, my mom did more then just, make me wear dresses at parties, or make me act like I was a daughter, or determine how I styled my hair. She tried to even make me go under a sex change".

Junko almost wanted to barf as she heard this. She also felt that there should be others here, listening to this...someone closer to Toko. But she knew what it was like, people trying to force someone into being something else. She was not going to interrupt it.

"She even forced drugs into me, which ended up causing a growth defecit. The human body, its apparently a lot more fragile then one would think, drugs can do some pretty crappy things to people".

"...but, you are still a boy, right?"

Toko moved some of his clothing, and showed her the scar on his chest.

"By some weird luck, I ended up having a heart issue. Thankfully, I was somehow able to get a transplant heart before it got serious, but because of the transplant, no medical professional who wanted to keep their liscence could do that kind of operation. Complications with the surgery that might happen, how the drugs and such might make things worse, all that stuff. Still though...she is just so..."

"...oppressive. I know the feeling" Junko admitted. That was when she realized what this situation might be mistaken as. "But...dont think because I am here I like you or anything! I just understand! I dont care at all for any of that crappy romance shit one would expect to happen from this!"

"Yeah, yeah..." Toko said. "...but thanks for listening. Then, how about we just be friends then?"

"...fine then, but only because you can at least properly understand the shit I go through" Junko replied. "Besides, I have no intention of getting into that person's way".

At that point, the two had calmed down enough to change topics.

"Hold on, hold on...who is this person?! Why does everyone seem to know who has a crush on me but me?!"

"Its because your a boy, you shithead!"

"Hey! Dont call me a shithead!"

"Then dont be a shithead and realize the obvious!"

"Is it Aria?! Fumiko?! Jiro?! Who?!"

"I wont answer from random guessing! Figure it out yourself!"

And so, while laughing, the two argued like that into the night.