Ch. 40 There's no Business like Show Business
A. The Antagonists
"I saw it on TV, Run-chan!" Lala praised her friend. "You're going to be on Magical Kyoko! That's incredible!"
"Haha…" Run smiled half-heartedly. "Yeah…" The group was interested in one of their students being a guest star on Sainan's popular kid show.
"Ah, really?" Haruna asked with curiosity.
"Magical Kyouko…?" Yui questioned. "Isn't it that television program with the special effects?"
"Yeah," Kurumu explained. "It's the show Lala ends up watching with Celine."
"Are you going to sing the ending theme, Run-Run?" Risa asked.
"You turned into a true musical artist!" Mio congratulated her.
"I guess…" Run answered.
Ding~! Ding~! Dong~!
The class ended for the day.
"Alright, see you later!" said Lala. The group dispersed for their school supplies and book bags. Rito walked past her desk.
"Do your best, Run," Rito smiled.
"Y-Yes!" Run stuttered. I'm happy that Rito-kun is paying attention to me…but the truth is I'm not very interested in doing this thing…
…
Ka-chink!
The front door to the café opened.
"Thank you, Rai!" The manager waved his employee off.
"No problem," Rai responded. "See ya Monday." He slung his backpack over his shoulder. His black pants, shoes, and white buttoned-shirt were the only pieces he wore at the time. "I can get used to this." Rai marched down the sidewalk. "If I start in the morning, I can get out earlier." He had just passed the market district.
"Pika…Pika…" The mouse scuttled.
"Hmm?" Rai turned around. It was a surprise to see his Pokémon alone and out in the open. "Jolt?" In both arms, he carried bags of groceries while balancing a block of cheese on his head. He was ready to fall over. "Hey, hold on!"
…
The working staff was prepping for filming at a local park. Cameramen checked the equipment to see if they were in top condition, while the Make-up Department helped the actors prep themselves in costumes for the shoots. Standing under a nearby tree was the guest star on Magical Kyouko. Her costume looked suited for a villain, but focused more on the appeal rather than the style. She wore sharp silver horns on the top of her head with round shoulder guards. She had purple stockings and sleeves for her triceps; each with double bands near the joints to keep in place. Her corset just barely covered her stomach as three razor claws cupped her breasts. Like any super villain, Run had a large cape covering her backside since her only piece of lingerie was a black thong. In her right hand, she wielded a dark cane with a red, plastic jewel held in three-pronged claws. It matched the necklace around her neck.
I can accept that my role is the villain, Run thought, but why do I have to wear this embarrassing costume!? She seemed a little embarrassed over her apparel.
…
Rai and Jolt passed the park on their way home. He carried the groceries leaving the little mouse with the leak stalk over his shoulder.
"If you were going shopping, you should've called first so I can help," Rai reminded him.
"Pikachu…" Jolt shook his head.
"What do you…ah, right." Rai remembered. "My fried cell." Rai dropped the bags and checked his pocket. He pulled out the crispy touchscreen with the cracked screen and empty battery cartridge. "I know it's useless, but I still feel like I need to carry this for some reason."
"Pika." Jolt sweat dropped.
"Well, my store has a phone. Mikan can—"
"And…ACTION!" A voice yelled out. Rai and Jolt turned to the sound. There was a crowd huddling over behind a security rope a few yards away.
"What's all the fuss about?" Rai wondered. He returned the phone and grabbed the groceries. The two strolled over toward the scene in action.
[The magical girl stood ready to battle against the evil doers. Two minions wore purple jump suits with cat-like grins and pink, round dimples on their torso. They wore cat ears on their heads and had smiling faces showing their teeth. The main boss was a large, round feline with a red bowtie, dark stripes, and a little sling with a star across his body.]
["That's as far as you go, Pierre Ogi!" Kyouko demanded. "Prepare yourself!"]
["Magical Kyouko!" Pierre called out. "You bitch, my 'Lovely Delusional' attack will be the end of you!"]
"And…CUT!" The director ordered. The cast stopped filming. "You were phenomenal today as well, Kyouko-chan!"
"Ah, it was nothing," Kyouko giggled. "It was all thanks to your great directing."
"Pikapi!" Jolt tugged on Rai's pants. "Pikachu!"
"Huh…" Rai scratched his head. "Isn't that…?"
Kyouko Kirisaki…Run told herself. She's the heroine of this program. Having been on air for seven seasons already, she is a true idol. She pouted. That girl frustrates me…Bah. Rai looked at the girl on standby.
"Hey, there's Run." He waved to her. "Yo, Run! Remember us? Haven't seen you for a while!" Run noticed the guy waving to her.
"Isn't that the guy who was in the video game? Why is he here!?"
"Pikachu!" Jolt jumped on Rai's head. He waved the leak stalk like a flag. "Pipipi!"
"Run-chan, you're up!" The director called out. Run turned away in embarrassment.
I don't know them, she repeated. I don't know them…Rai and Jolt stopped their antics.
"Guess she's busy," Rai assumed.
"Pi?"
"And…ACTION!" The director ordered.
["Retreat, Pierre Ogi," the dark overlord ordered. Kyouko readied herself. "You guys are no match against Kyouko."
["You are—" Kyouko realized.]
['Yes, Usas!" The trio of minions welcomed their leader. She walked slowly to greet her archenemy.]
["OHOHOHOHO!" The leader laughed. "I'm the boss of the evil organization of Usas…" She looked to Kyouko. "Blue Metallia!" She waved her cane at her. "Now that I'm here, things are going to be different, Magical Girl Kyouko!"]
"Cut! Cut! Cut!" The director shouted. "That's not good enough! You have to laugh evilly whilst saying it! And stop putting on that smile! You're not supposed to smile!"
"Okay…" Run sighed. Why is he nice to Kyouko and not me!?
"We're taking a thirty minute break!" A cameraman announced. Everyone separated for lunch.
"Looks like Run's got it rough," Rai noticed. He looked over to the idol accompanied by Kyouko.
"Run…" Kyouko walked up to Run sitting on a bench. She held a small box behind her back. "…Good work."
K-Kyouko!? Run suddenly froze.
"Your acting just now, was very appealing!" Run recalled the heinous laugh she put on during the shoot. She looked to the side.
"W-Was it?" She sighed.
"What's up?" You don't look too well."
"As you can see, I'm tired." Kyouko brought the box from behind.
"So, can we eat together?"
"Cream-filled pastries from Misora!?" Run's face lit up from the label.
"I think she'll be okay." Rai smiled. He picked up the groceries and readied to leave. "Ready, Jolt?" Rai looked over his shoulder. "…Jolt?" When he turned to the van, Jolt was pulling himself over the rear fender into the trunk. "Dude, come on."
…
"You're half earthling and half flame-seijin?" Run asked. The two continued talking as the principal lay burnt on the ground.
"Yes…" Kyouko replied. "I've been able to throw fire since I was born. This show is for me to develop my abilities specifically since the director is also an alien. Since the beginning of filming, he insisted that I use my powers." Kyouko snapped her fingers and brought a puff of fire in her palm. "But on Earth, no one knows of the existence of aliens, so the majority of the staff just thought it was a magic trick of some kind." She blew the flames away.
"Hey, can I write about today's events on my blog?"
"Eh!?" Kyouko panicked. "You can't!"
"Not that…" Run giggled. "About how I've become friends with you, Kyouko-chan." She winked. Kyouko smiled back.
"For now, let's exchange e-mail addresses, okay?"
"Sure!"
…
Rai looked in the back of the van. He peeked over and saw Jolt ruffling around inside a cardboard box.
"Jolt, get out of there," Rai told him. Jolt popped out. He now wore a top hat with a black tie and white wrist cuffs.
"Pika!" He used the leak as his cane.
"…Hehe." Rai chuckled. "Not bad. The next Charlie Chapman." Jolt dug back in and returned with a viking helmet and fuzzy vest. "Heading to Valhalla, are we?" Jolt jumped in and searched for one more outfit. He jumped out with a purple vest and a small, blue cap on his head. "…Nice monkey suit."
"Pika Pika!" Jolt laughed.
Step, step, step…
Footsteps echoed nearby.
"Shit, I don't think we're supposed to be here." Rai jumped in the trunk and closed the doors. He hid just below the window to avoid being spotted. Two cameramen were standing in front of the rear doors. "Go check and see if they left." Jolt picked his head out.
"Pi?" Jolt watched the workers. They both nodded at each other. Their bodies began shifting and transforming into dark, cloudy figures until they no longer appeared human. One now had a bulky body with a square head and metallic lower jaw. His round body had a red cross on its chest. Its extending arms were large and massive enough to grip a tree by the trunk. Its long legs bent at his round disposition with rectangle feet and gray soles underneath. On its back, it carried two glass capsules large enough to fit one person each. The other creature shifted into a chrome enemy with blue and yellow armor. Its hands, feet, and head were all replaced with steel drills. Even the levitating shoulder guards and leg caps were industrial and plated. It had gray-lines marked in the center of its chest. The two shared a glance with their red-glowing eyes. They nodded and proceeded toward the set. Jolt shivered at the sudden appearance of the new enemies.
"P-P-P-Pika!" Jolt flustered. Rai poked his head out from behind the window.
"What?" He asked. "Are they gone?" They noticed the two gargantuans approaching Kyouko and Run as they readied for their next scene. "We gotta warn them!"
"Pikapika!" Jolt shook his head.
"Oh yes we are!" Rai stopped from opening the door. "But, we can't let them know it's real or everyone will start a frenzy…especially on camera." Jolt jumped back into the cardboard box. After doing some digging, he pulled out a cape, boots, a bandanna, and a cowboy hat. "Hmm?" Rai looked over the costume pieces. "…Got any in black?"
"Alright!" The director announced. Kyouko and Run adjusted in place. The villains fixed their make-up to ensure good character. The shadows slowly crept onto the set. "And...ACTION!"
["OHOHOHOHO!" Blue Metallia scoffed. "I'm the boss of the evil organization of Usas…" She looked to Kyouko. "Blue Metallia!" She waved her cane at her. "Now that I'm here, things are going to be different, Magical Girl Kyouko!" She turned to her subordinates. "I shall deal with her myself! Leave her to me!"]
["Yes, Blue Metallia!" The lackeys followed her order and left the area.]
The two shadows walked behind Run.
[Blue Metallia raised her staff at Kyouko. The magical witch noticed the two unknown enemies approaching.]
I don't remember them being in this scene, Kyouko said to herself. The shadow giant raised his hands together until they mutated into one mallet. The drill monster went dashing at Kyouko with his twin drills.
["Huh?" Blue Metallia turned to the beast throwing his mallet straight down. The drill monster thrust his arms forward.]
["Kyaaaa!" Kyouko cried.]
"CHUUU!"
BZZZZZTTT!
A large lightning bolt blasted its way between the drill man and Magical Kyouko.
WHOOSH!
A dark figure shoved Run away from the crashing hammer.
BAM!
The massive rupture broke apart the concrete. Run and the figure were safe a meter away.
["What was that!?" Blue Metallia asked. She looked up to her savior; a complete stranger. At a first glance, it looked like a black shadow in the light. But, it revealed a man wearing a white long sleeve shirt, a black cape, a mask covering the upper half of his face, and a flat hat. He had his black gloves and black boots completing his suave ensemble. A smaller creature had stood over by Kyouko ready to take on the man with the razor drills. The mouse had on a red bandanna that covered his head completely with his ears sticking out from behind his head. He had his black belt over his brown, small vest. The two strangers looked at their opponents with cold stares. They rejoined side by side.]
"Mr. Director," the cameraman interrupted. "Do you think we should stop filming?" The director stared intently on the four intruders.
"…A battle with unknown adversaries…" The director whispered. "…KEEP ROLLING!"
["Uh…" Kyouko tried continuing with the scene. "Who are you? Are you with the organization?" The man turned to the magical girl. He tilted his hat until his eyes could be seen through the black mask.]
["Fear not, Señorita," The man announced. "I have come from the land of the setting sun to apprehend these banditos!" He pulled out his sword and pointed to the two shadows. "These idiotas have been sneaking across the universo in hopes to steal la riqueza de la Blue Metallia." Blue Metallia quickly rejoined with the swashbuckling hero and Magical Kyouko.]
["They are?" She asked. "…Wait, my what?"]
["You're…uh, treasure. Yeah, you're treasure!" He pointed to the staff. The metallic gorilla snapped its knuckles as the drill man clamped its drills together. He raised his sword upward. "You may call me…"]
[SWISH! SWISH! SWISH!]
[The man left a 'Z' on Kyouko's blouse. "…Zorro!"]
[Snap!]
[The sword snapped. "…And mi amigo, Paco!" He pointed to his yellow partner.]
["Pika!" The mouse raised his hand. Zorro turned to the girls.]
["We must join forces to defeat them. Otherwise, we might be in more trouble than you might expect." Kyouko and Blue Metallia looked at one another. They noticed Rai shifting his eyes to the enemies and back to them. They both nodded.]
["Very well then," Kyouko agreed.]
["This shall be a temporary truce for now," Blue Metallia answered. The giant went rushing forward with his hands and feet like a wild ape. He pulled his right fist out and reached for the group.]
["Moverlo!" Zorro shouted. The group dispersed.]
[SLAM!]
[The giant missed his mark, but utterly crushed the ground below. Blue Metallia looked around the area.]
["Where's the other one?" She asked. Kyouko felt the tremble below her.]
[Crash!]
[The drill man surged his way from underground and pounced onto Kyouko. With his right arm, he shot his tool like a rocket.]
[*SHRED*]
["Kyaaa!" Kyouko cried. Her cape became impaled to the ground. Her movement was cut off.]
This isn't an act…! Kyouko realized. The creature approached with his left drill. It opened in the center.
Camp! Clamp!
The pincers clasped onto Kyouko's arm.
["Kyouko!" Blue Metallia shouted.]
[*Grab!*]
[The giant metalhead held Blue Metallia by her arms, dangling her above the ground. "Let me go!" It reached over his hunched back and pulled out a glass capsule. The lid opened and revealed a cloudy interior with red lightning flashing about from within.]
Is it…? Run panicked. Trying to capture me?
["Pika!" Paco jumped in and slammed into the beast's arm.]
[Pow!]
[He didn't move an inch. The beast released the girl and beat Paco with a right hook.]
[POW!]
["Pika!" Jolt was sent hurdling into the sky.]
["Don't give up just yet!" Zorro announced. From his back pocket, he pulled out his screwdriver. He ran at the drill man and pierced his backside. The drill man pulled a full rotation to swing him off his back. Zorro jumped and ran for Kyouko. He tore away the cape and rushed her to a safety.]
["What about your partner?" Kyouko asked.]
["Him? Ah, he'll be fine." Zorro looked at the sky. "Tres, dos, uno…" A lightning ball came descending down on the mechanic gorilla.]
["Pikapikapikapikapikapikapika…" Paco let loose a Wild Charge. "PIKA!"]
[KABOOM!]
[A cloud of dust shrouded the scene. As the clouds vanished, the shadow shook off by the attack.]
["I thought that would work…" Zorro pulled his screwdriver and readied for combat. "Señorita, take cover while I tango with this assassino." The drill man summoned three black portals from behind and launched separate drills on cue.]
[FWOOOSH!]
[Kyouko's flames executed the spinning projectiles. She smiled. "…Very well then. Paco!" Paco turned to his ally. "I'll leave El Gordo to you."]
["Pika!" Jolt raised his thumb. Run stood behind the mouse.]
["G-Go get him, my servant!" Blue Metallia ordered. Paco dashed in. The large beast extended his arms outward.]
[BOOM! BOOM!]
[His massive fists fired straight ahead and targeted the yellow blur. "Dodge it!" Jolt slid underneath the first fist while jumping off the second fist.]
["Pika…CHUUUU!"]
[BZZZZZZZZTTTT!]
[The lightning bolt made contact with the giant. It fell to one knee trying to recover from the paralysis. The drilling machine continued digging underneath the magical girl and caped crusader.]
["He keeps moving everywhere!" Kyouko pointed out. Zorro examined the trails being made in the ground. Each time, he would dig underneath and pop out of the ground until he could strike again.]
["We need to stop him in his tracks," Zorro explained. He turned to Paco facing off against the large machine. He continued tackling the red cross on his chest. That is, until he grabbed him in his fist.]
["Pika…CHUUU!" The mechanical fist released a stream of electricity between its fingers until he couldn't contain Jolt any longer.]
["…Interesting." He ushered Kyouko over. "Shoot your flames into the holes as soon as he jumps back in."]
["Alright," Kyouko followed. The drill man jumped from the ground and rushed at Zorro. As he quickly ducked, the back of his cape ripped from his neck. The drill man shoveled back into the ground.]
["Now!" Kyouko launched a burning stream into the hole.
[FWOOOSH!]
[As the flames continued to pass through the tunnels, A flash of burning flames surfaced as torched columns. The drill man came bursting out completely scorched. "Excellenté!" The drill man came crashed down onto his giant partner. The two regained their footing and looked at the small rodent almost exhausted.]
["Pi!?" Jolt stepped back.]
["Get out of there!" Blue Metallia ordered. The giant and the drill man each attacked back and forth trying to bash in the pest.]
["Oh no!" Kyouko cried. Zorro had to think fast.]
I chose a bad day to be without a scythe, Rai hesitated. He looked over at the filming crew and large van.
[BAM!]
[The giant pinned Paco to the ground with his foot. The drill man readied his arm to finish the job.]
["Leave him alone!" Blue Metallia demanded. She ran in and threw her scepter at the man. The drill thrust forward.]
[CLANK!]
[The scepter bashed him on the head and threw off his aim. He instead drilled upward into the metallic gorilla.]
[*SCREEEEEEEEW!*]
[The drill pierced the giant's torso clean through to the backside. The gorilla showed pain as it tried removing the drill from his abdomen.]
[Honk! Honk!]
[Zorro drove the van straight into the two enemies.]
["Two for one special!" Zorro smiled. He opened the door and leapt out of the vehicle. The others all fled from the scene. The two enemies stared at the oncoming collision.]
[BOOM!]
The van crashed into the tree with the two mechanics trapped on the hood. Gas leaked from underneath as the van smoked.
KA-BOOM!
A massive explosion set the whole van in flames. A dark haze erupted as the two creatures vanished.
"My van!" One of the cameramen cried. Kyouko and Run rejoined.
"Are you okay, Kyouko?" Run asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine," she assured. The two turned to the unknown allies. They prepared to make their exit. "Hey, wait!" The masked man turned around.
"Las Damas," the man took off his hat and bowed to them both. "May we meet again; instead of on the field of battle." He held Run's hand and kissed it.
"EH!?" Run blushed as she pulled her hand away.
"Adiós!" He turned and rushed away.
"Pika!" The mouse followed behind. Kyouko and Run watched as the two ran with grocery bags in their hands.
"Who was that guy?" Run wondered. She stared at her hand. Her face grew red again.
"I don't know…" Kyouko recalled the tattoo on the back of his neck.
As he quickly ducked, the back of his cape ripped from his neck.
"That…" The director whispered. Everyone turned toward him. "…was…BRILLIANT! Cut and Print! That was the most spectacular shot I've ever seen! The battle, the heart-pumping suspense, the dynamic alliance against unknown adversaries! We must get this to the studio and have it published immediately!" Run and Kyouko looked at one another. They both smiled.
The Next Day
Everyone watched the new episode of Magical Kyouko: Burning Flame. Lala and Celine were very enthralled at the spectacular performance done with Run and the new characters. Momo and Nana were both wondering where they had seen the crusader and ally. Mikan and Rito already had a vague idea who the two were. Rai and Jolt casually walked into the living room.
"Yo!" Rai dropped in.
"Pika!" Jolt smiled.
"Raimundo!" Lala answered with hype. "You gotta see this! They put two new characters on Magical Kyouko with Run!"
"Really?" Rai said sarcastically. "Sounds intriguing…" Kurumu remained in the laundry room trying to sort the dirty clothes. She pulled out a pair of boots and gloves with a mask from the basket. She eyed them curiously.
"Hmm?" She wondered. "Who would be into this sort of thing?"
B. Vivir la Vida de la Música
The sun was high over the Yuuki household. From the stairs came a very sleepy house guest who would cross paths with Rai after using the bathroom. Kurumu had on a white blouse and pink underwear while Rai had only a white shirt and stretchable sports pants. The two met up at the bottom.
*Yawn* Kurumu yawned. "Morning."
"…It's one in the afternoon," Rai corrected. Kurumu shrugged it off. The two walked over to the living room where they met up with Lala and her sister's in the sitting room. Celine was enjoying her bowl of ramen noodles.
"Raimundo!" Lala greeted them. "Kurumu!"
"Hey guys, what's…Whoa!" Rai looked over to Rito across the table. His white shirt and black jacket was torn apart. His belt was missing the clip and his right leg was exposed. Yui was sitting alongside Rito. "What happened to you?"
"Did he get attacked by a werewolf?" Kurumu asked. Rai continued to the kitchen.
"It seems when Celine-san is drunk, she emits special pollen," Momo explained.
"You're saying Celine did this!?"
"Not necessarily. The pollen made the victims fall in love with Rito-san for a short period of time and they got kinda out of hand."
"Why only Rito?" Lala questioned.
"I think it's because Celine-san likes Rito-san a lot, so this feeling is transferred to the victim." Rai walked back in with a can of cola. He started chugging.
"So, what triggered it?" Kurumu wondered.
"Apparently, it was the coke she drank," Yui answered. Rai paused. He shifted his eyes to Celine who was staring back at him.
"Mauuu~!" she eyed his drink.
"…No," Rai responded.
"How shameless…" Yui added.
Knock-knock!
"Who's there?" Rai answered. He walked over and opened the door. To his surprise, it was Run in her small white blouse with a silver heart pendant around her neck. She wore her ruffled blue skirt and carried her brown bag over her shoulder. "…Run?"
"Um, hello," Run replied. "This is Rito-kun's house, is it?"
"Well, yeah, it is." Rito walked into the hallway.
"Huh, Run?" Rito noticed his classmate.
"Rito-kun!" Run jumped with joy. She quickly checked her purse and pulled out small slips of paper. "Here!" She handed them to Rito. "I want you to come to my performance live! I've been rehearsing weeks for you to see me on stage!" She turned to the others "…But I guess you can invite the others."
"Thanks, Run…Hehe." Rito sweat dropped. Rai checked the tickets.
"Let's see…we're looking at about seven people." He turned to everyone in the living room. "Anyone got plans for the weekend?"
"Not really," Kurumu cleaned her ears. "But if I have to, then fine."
"I'm going to work on some new inventions," Lala assured. Jolt leapt to the couch beside Momo. He nuzzled next to her as he curled in his napping position. She petted his yellow coat. "You guys go on ahead!"
"That sounds exciting!" Momo spoke with excitement. "May I join you?"
"Sure; knock yourself out," Kurumu offered. Nana came out from the bathroom with a clean shirt.
"Hey Nana, do want to come see Run's concert?"
"Huh?" Nana replied. "Sure, I guess."
"Alright," Run announced. "Then I'll see you all in Tokyo!" She turned around and walked off down the front walkway. Rai shut the door.
"Cool," Rai waved the tickets. "Looks like we'll be going out this weekend!" Rai looked to Yui. "You psyched for this, Yui?"
"W-What!?" Yui asked.
Saturday, 7:10 p.m. Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan – Nippon Budokan
The massive stadium held over 9,000 people all huddled as they stood behind the metal bars for the concert. Fans were dressed in pink yukatas and headbands while holding red glow sticks. The stage was themed with blue curtains with a large screen for camera's to close in on the performers. Harnesses hung for spotlights to shine onto the stage; each alternating with colors of red, yellow, pink, and light blue. People gossiped and told of how the tickets sold out the day after they were released on sale. The film maintenance and technicians backstage were setting things up for the musical artists to take shape. From the back entrance came a group of kids with one adult wearing V.I. P. passes wrapped around their necks. In the group was Kurumu, Yui, Rito, Nana, Momo, Rai, and Celine; they watched the stage hands handle the equipment.
"My, they sure are busy," Momo speculated.
"They must take care of the equipment and stage tools during the show," Nana guessed. One of the crew men wheeled a rack of outfits across the hall.
"Ah~ This takes me back." Kurumu sighed with bliss. "I can totally see the crowd fondling over me~!"
"Let's hope they try not to," Rai sweat dropped.
"Run's dressing room should be somewhere nearby," Rito reminded the group.
"She might be getting ready," Yui pointed out. They all traversed through the cords and cables until they reached the rows of doors. "Is this it?"
"I don't know," Rai replied. He looked at the door with name plate across the top: Run Jewelria. "You tell me."
"Mauuu~!" Celine nestled in Rai's arms. She reached out to knock.
Knock-Knock!
"One minute!" Run yelled behind the door. She quickly threw the door open. "Huh?" Her eyes fixed upon the only person she wanted to see. "RITO-KUN!"
Bash!
She toppled on top of Rito and pinned him to the ground.
"How energetic of Run~" Momo giggled.
"Hello, we're right here!" Kurumu huffed. Run finally noticed the small group.
"Oh…it's you…" Run said unamused.
"Well," said Nana. "You have the tickets to our seats?"
"Uh-huh." Run pointed into her dressing room. "They're in here." She escorted the others inside. They saw the nice white room with a long counter in front of a large mirror on the wall. There were small chairs with a large sofa against the opposite side of the room. A round table stood in the center with a small cup of tea on a coaster. Sitting in one of the chairs was Run's co-singer for the night. She turned around and introduced herself.
"Hey there!" Kyouko smiled.
"I-It's her!" Kurumu stuttered.
"Magical Kyouko!?" Yui jumped with surprise. "She's here!?"
"Hey," Rai raised his hand. Kyouko stood and walked over.
"Mauu~!" Celine laughed with joy.
"It's nice to meet you!" Momo smiled.
"Are you doing a duet with Run?" Rito was just as anxious.
"Yep!" Kyouko and Run both stood back to back.
Kyouko and Run: It's our first live double performance!
Kyouko looked back over to Rai. She eyed him very closely.
"Hmm," she pondered.
"…Yes?" Rai asked.
"I could have sworn I've seen you somewhere before." Rai began sweating.
"Me? No, ha-ha! What would give you that idea?" Everyone stared at Rai's weak attempt to cover his tracks. A slender woman came walking into the room with a clipboard. She had on formal wear including a gray coat over her white shirt and a short skirt with high-heeled shoes. Her short, brown hair just barely touched her shoulders as her necklace went around her neck. She adjusted her slim frames on her eyes as she talked to her stars.
"Ladies," the manager called the singers. "You are needed on stage in half an hour." She looked to the group. "…And have these children removed beforehand."
"Sorry!" Momo explained. "We just wanted to wish Run good luck."
"That's very nice, but I can't have my star attractions being distracted before the show."
"Alright, we're going," Rai emphasized. "We'll see you in the front." As everyone walked out, Celine grabbed a hold on the manager's clipboard and tugged.
"Mauuu~!" She laughed.
"Hey!" The manager tugged back. "Give me that!" Rai tried to separate the two.
"Celine, let go!" Rai ordered. Celine didn't want to release her hold. "I said—!"
Crack!
The clipboard snapped in two.
"Huh?" Run turned around.
DOOSH!
The manager toppled over and landed on Run's leg.
"Run!" Kyouko fled to the scene. "Are you alright?!" Run slowly got to her feet.
"Yeah...I'm—"
CRICK!
Run could feel the sharp pain in her ankle. She toppled back to the ground. The manager got to her feet. Everyone heard the noise and rushed back in. Rai quickly handed Celine to the manager and rushed to Run.
"Everything alright?" Rai asked.
"My leg..." She cringed in pain.
...
"Eh!?" Rito gasped. "Run can't perform!?" Everyone gathered in the dressing room with Run sitting on the couch. Her leg had been bandaged.
"What's gonna happen to the concert?" Nana asked.
"They'll probably have to cancel it," Momo guessed. A vain popped on the manager's forehead.
"You!" She pointed to Rai.
"What?" Rai replied.
"That child has completely ruined tonight's performance!"
"Mauu?" Celine tilted her head.
"Do you know how hard it was to book this stadium!? I have 10,000 people here and now none of them are going to hear their idol sing or even appear!" Rai started sweating….again.
"...Well, when you put it that way."
"We can't just cancel after everything we went through!" Run stood leaning against the sofa arm. "Kyouko took the time off to help me perform for my fans and my friends!"
"Run..." Kyouko realized how concerned her friend was. Run turned to her.
"Kyouko, you'll have to go on without me."
"Eh!? Me? But I don't know all the lyrics! And I've never done anything like this before!"
"Hmph, Hmph, Hmph," Kurumu chuckled under her throat. "Lucky for you, I happen to have some experience in these kinds of situations."
"You do?" Yui asked.
"You'd be surprised," Rai defended her statement.
"What songs do you know?" The manager asked curiously.
"Trust me," Kurumu pressed her chest with pride. "I got this."
"...Alright." The manager clapped her hands. "Let's get these ladies into their wardrobe."
"Wait!" Yui flailed. "You mean us?!"
"Who else can I use? Boys?" Rai and Rito looked at one another. A few stage hands fitted the girls into latex apparel with high boots. Kurumu in orange, Kyouko in red, Yui in yellow, Momo in green, and Nana in purple. "There! Is everyone ready?"
"But," Nana intervened. "We don't know what to do!"
"Just follow my league," Kurumu informed. "Rai, go to the stage and introduce us."
"Okay," Rai nodded. He walked out of the room. The rest of the girls followed Rai out. Rito quickly took Celine and followed them. The manager lifted Run to her feet and escorted her out the door.
"RUN! RUN! RUN! RUN! RUN! RUN!" The crowd roared with anticipation for their idol.
*Black Out*
The colisseum lights shut off. The glow sticks lit the room in small portions around the area. As everyone turned their attention to the stage, the spotlight landed on the main attraction.
"…Hey!" Rai waved to the crowd.
"…" The stadium immediately fell silent.
"I, uh, just want to say thank you for coming out tonight."
"…" The crowd wasn't amused.
"Unfortunately, it looks like Run will not be able to perform due to…unforeseen circumstances." The crowd of people began to stir. They roared and shouted in protest. "However…" The crowd stopped. "Tonight, allow me to introduce our special guests…"
*Flash!*
A spotlight shined on the magical girl. "Kyouko Kirisaki…" The crowd gasped in surprise. "…And the fantastic four!" The light's revealed the rest of the girls in their latex outfits. The crowd cheered in excitement. The mirror ball fell from the ceiling and rainbow lights filled the stadium. The drummers and guitar players readied their instruments. "Hit it!"
Musical Moment
-Discotheque-
performed originally by: Watanabe May & Mizuki Nana
Yui, Momo, and Nana: (Chu-Lu Chu-Lu Chu-Lu Pa-Ya-Pa!)
(DISCO LADY, DISCO LADY!)
(DEEP EMOTION, DEEP EMOTION!)
(music instrumental of bass and electric rhythm)
They need a little more pump in their act, Rai thought. He quickly turned to the musical instruments discarded to the side. One of which seemed recognizable. "…nice."
Kurumu: SWEETIE DARLIN' odarimashou
Hajikeru—BEAUTY LADY-YYY-YY!
Kyouko: Umare kawatte amai yume, sotto-ooo~
Kyouko & Kurumu: irodoritai no!
Kurumu: GURAMARASU na
kuchibiru
PINKU
iro no
tsuyameku NEIRU...
Kyouko: GARASU no mukou—gawa ni
utsuru
sugao
SHUURU na days...
Kurumu: Kimi dake ni SO
miseteitai
Kokoro no naka
hitomi no o-ku
Kyouko: AH soba ni
ite hoshii yo
tsuki ni
MIRAA BOORU
teresarete!
(Five Time Trumpet Burst)
MY DARLIN' ne BIBIDDO na koishimasho
hajikeru—SEXY BEAUTY-YYY-YY!
Kyouko: Umare kawatte amai yume
Soto, iru-doru, MY LOVE, hora-aaa-aaa!
Kurumu & Kyouko: sekai wa kawaru-uuu-uu!
(Rai's Trumpet Break)
Yui, Momo, and Nana: (CHU-LU CHU-LU CHU-LU PA-YA-PA!)
Rai!? The girls were surprised to see Rai playing jazz with the brass horn.
Yui, Momo, and Nana: (SEXY FEELING…CHU CHU! CHU CHU!)
Kyouko: DORAMATIKKU no
jounetsu
asenai
DEJA-VU
Mizutsuketakute…
Kurumu: KARAFURU na SWEETY STORY
Kokoro
fukau
kizami komu...
Kyouko: Chiisana yami ga
otozurete mo
koi no jumon
tona-eta
na-ra
Sou kitto
hatenai sora
hoshikuzu no
SHOWER ga
Furisosogu-uuu-uu!
(Five Time Trumpet Burst)
Dakara HAPPY—STATION
mezashite yukou
FIFTY/ FIFTY
awasete!
Kyouko: HYAKU PAASENTO ijou no ai
Yuru-gina koko ni
A-ru to-ooo-ooo~
Kurumu& Kyouko: watashi omotteru-uuu-uu~
(Rai's Trumpet Break)
Yui, Momo, and Nana: (CHU-LU CHU-LU CHU-LU PA-YA-PA!)
(Interlude)
Kurumu: PUROGURESSHIBU to
KONSABATIBU no jibun
Kyouko: Kimi ni
ari no mama wo
suki de ite hosshi—to
Kurumu: Negai wa-aaa-aaa~
Yui, Momo, and Nana: (Disco lady, disco lady)
Rai placed the cup mute inside the horn. The pitch dropped with a more swing tone.
Kyouko: Sekirara-aaa-aaa~
Yui, Momo, and Nana: (Deep emotion, deep emotion)
(Rai's trumpet solo)
The group fell silent as Kurumu sung in the spotlight.
Kurumu: MY DARLIN' motto
isshoni odorimashou
SECRET NI-IGHT, suteki na...
(music builds)
Kyouko: RABU SONGU no DEKOREESHON
Kyouko & Kurumu: futari no HAATO de AH
kanade awasete!
(Five time trumpet blast)
MY DARLIN' ne BIBIDDO na koishimashou
Hajikeru—SEXY BEAUTY~YYY~YY!
Umare kawatte amai yume
Sotto, iro-doru, MY LOVE, hora-aa-aa
sekai wa kawaru-uuu-uuu!
(Rai's Trumpet Break)
Yui, Momo, and Nana: (CHU-LU CHU-LU CHU-LU PA-YA-PA)
(Big Musical wrap up)
The crowd roared in excitement at the killer performance. The girls all bowed for their appreciation. Kyouko and Kurumu both laughed at their combined talent. Even Run couldn't help but give a loud applause for her best friend's efforts. Rai grabbed the microphone and stood before the crowd.
"Thank you!" Rai announced. "Good night!" The girls all walked off the stage back to the changing room. Rai stepped in front of Run. "Hey, you got a minute?"
The Next Day
"WOAH!" Kurumu and the others stared amazed at how much fan letters they received from the audience. Compared to Jolt, it was high enough to reach the top of his ears. "Is this all for me!?"
"Yep!" Run explained. "Everyone loved you and Kyouko's performance. Now everyone started setting up groups to praise you." Though I'm not sure if they should be.
"Here's one," Rai picked up one of the letters. "Let's see…Dear Kurumu, Please be my girlfriend…etc. etc…have kids, popular sensation…From, your secret admirer."
"Doesn't that scream obsession?" Nana presumed.
"It's too bad I'll have to turn down all these boys' offers," Kurumu gloated. "They'll never have chance with me."
Welcome to the entertainment business. Run sweat dropped.
"Is your leg any better?" Rito asked.
"Oh!" Run blushed. "It's fine, thanks for asking." The manager stepped forward from the doorway.
"Run," the manager suggested. "We need to be going. We have a schedule to keep."
"Right." Run followed the manager out of the house. She turned to her new friends. "Thank you for everything!" Everyone waved her off as she left in her limousine outside the house. It took off down the street. As Run sat with her manager, she looked out the window and considered the things Rai said to her.
"Run?" The manager asked over her glasses.
"Huh?" Run shook her head. "It's nothing." She remained looking outside. So, it was him.
…
"Hey, Yui?" Yui's older brother knocked on the door. "You still in there?" His little sister hid herself underneath the sheets.
"I can never show my face out in public again…!" she sobbed. Yui buried her face in a pink cat doll.
C. ATL (attempt to locate) - Reaper
Ring~! Ring~!
The alarm next to Rai's bed (a. k. a. the couch) rang. He checked the time.
"…Yep," Rai blinked. He pressed the button on top to shut it off. Rai stretched his arms and legs. He moved about and started dressing into his black pants, white shirt, and black shoes. He slung the backpack over his shoulder and headed out. He opened the front door and locked it behind him. He took off down the street. From behind a lamp post came Kurumu, Jolt, Nana, and Momo. The four of them kept an eye on Rai as he went to work.
"There he goes," Kurumu pointed out.
"Pika?" Jolt watched from Nana's shoulder.
"Do we really have to follow him?" Nana asked.
"Yes, we do!" Kurumu noted. "If he's sneaking out instead of working, HE WON'T BE ABLE TO BUY MY STUFF!" She gave a cold glare at Rai.
"Is that it?" Momo sweat dropped.
Two Days Earlier…
Nana rubbed her eyes as she walked down the stairs. She turned to use the bathroom.
"Eh?" She looked over to Rai passing her in the hallway.
"Hey, Nana," Rai spoke to her. He opened the door. "Bye, Nana." He closed the door and left.
"Raimundo?" She looked to the clock on the desk.
[6:30 a.m.]
"It's still early!"
…
Rai came home later that day. When he stepped inside, Kurumu was finishing the laundry, Rito, Celine, and Lala were in the living room watching TV, and Jolt was with Mikan preparing dinner. Rai dragged his backpack on the floor and his body hunched with exhaustion. He jumped and landed on the couch. The belt around his waist rattled.
"Raimundo!" Lala cheered. "There you are!"
"Mauu~!" Celine cheered as she rushed to Rai. She poked at his head, but he didn't respond.
"Are you alright, Rai?" Rito asked.
"…" No reply. Kurumu walked in.
"Hey," Kurumu asked. "Where have you been?"
"…" Rai didn't answer.
"Hello!" Kurumu pulled Rai from his hair. He revealed his face with his eyes closed and saliva drooling out of his mouth. "Eww!" She dropped his head.
"He's probably just tired," Lala assumed. "He must have been working all day." Kurumu looked to the living room clock.
[8:30 p.m.]
"Yeah, probably." Kurumu let it go.
The Next Day
Rai picked his backpack from the floor and headed out the door. Kurumu had to get to class early, so she readied herself for school.
"Rai?" Rai immediately left the house. Kurumu opened the door and watched him take off down the street. She walked to the leaving room and noticed Rai's sheets unkempt and covering the couch. She began folding the cloth when she saw the time on the desk.
[6:30 a.m.]
"Since when did he work that early!?"
…
Rai came home exhausted. As he slumped to the living room, Nana and Momo were laying with Celine while Mikan made dinner. Jolt jumped from the couch to welcome Rai.
"Pika!" Jolt hopped on the couch arm.
"…" Rai didn't answer.
Thump!
He fell on the couch and started sleeping.
"Pika?"
"Hmm," Momo pondered. "He looks really worn out."
"Again?" Nana wondered.
They continued their investigation to downtown Sainan where the shops had decided to open. One of which was Rai's restaurant.
"This must be it," Nana assumed.
"I didn't know he worked at a maid café," Momo was surprised by their discovery.
"Pikapika," Jolt pointed to the front door. A familiar girl had just entered after him.
"Mio?" Kurumu asked. "What is she doing there?"
"She works there also," A voice interrupted. They turned to their bio-engineered friend.
"Yami-chan!?" Momo noticed. "What are you doing here?"
"I can ask you the same thing." She looked at the café across the road. "Rai offers me taiyaki whenever I come to visit, but lately he's been arriving much earlier than usual." The team thought this over.
"Could it have something to do with work?" Momo wondered.
"I bet he's just flirting around with the girls at his job," Nana assumed.
"Pika?" Jolt jumped off Nana and rushed over to the door.
"Hey, wait!" Kurumu hurried after him.
"Hold on!" Momo added. The rest followed.
"How troublesome..." Yami trailed after them.
Ka-chink!
"WELCOME HOME~!" The girls greeted their new guests in their frilly maid outfits. The place was well-kept and the tables and chairs were prepped for customers. Mio came in and welcomed the girls.
"Hey!" Mio walked to them.
"Hey Mio!" Kurumu waved to her.
"Wow, you brought a lot of people! Are you here to eat in?"
"Well..."
"Of course!" Momo interrupted. "We'd like a table for five, hehe."
"Okay!" Mio escorted the girls to a special table with a long, red bench on both sides and the surface attached to the wall. "Would you like any drinks?"
"Just some water," Kurumu requested.
"I'll have some ice tea if it's alright," Nana asked.
"Us as well…" Yami considered. Mio jotted down the orders on her notepad.
"I'll be back in a bit." She went to fetch the drinks. The girls, except Yami, each studied the area. Rai was nowhere in sight.
"Where do you think he is?" Nana looked.
"He could be anywhere," Momo inquired. The waiter came to take their order.
"Here are your drinks," Rai offered to the girls. In a quick flash, they hid their faces in the menus. "Have you decided on what you'd like to order?"
"Uh…I'll have the...Happy Yakisoba Noodles," Nana requested.
"A fresh salad," Kurumu spoke.
"The taiyaki…" Yami ordered.
"Alright," Rai jotted down the order on his notepad. His eye caught a small tail sticking out from behind the pamphlet. "…?"
"Raimundo-san!" One of the maids walked up to Rai. "There's a girl asking for the Onii-chan special service!"
"Sure." Rai nodded. "Can you take this to the chef and have it ready?"
"Okay!" The girl went for the kitchen.
"Someone will be with you shortly." Rai headed off. The girls looked over their pamphlets and watched Rai at work. He adjusted his tie and approached the blue-hair girl. "So, you decided to visit me at work, huh, sis?"
"You might say that," the girl giggled.
"This is the service he provides?" Kurumu asked.
"It needs work," Yami stared idly at the menu.
"So, how have you been?" The girl asked.
"Pretty good," Rai answered. "I've been kept busy lately, but it's nothing that I can't handle." The girls carefully tuned in on their conversation. "You've been coming here a lot lately." Rai cocked an eyebrow. "You sure you're here for the food?"
"It might not be just the food~." The girl smiled. This caught Momo's attention.
"She seems to know Rai pretty well," she noted.
"Pika?" Jolt peeked over to the girl. "PIKA!"
"Hmm?" Nana noted.
"What's wrong?" Kurumu asked.
"He says that he and Raimundo ran into her a while back."
"Really?" Kurumu eyed the girl carefully. Her long, blue hair glittered from the sunlight. Her warm smile assured of her happiness "…I don't see it." After some time, Rai went back into the kitchen. Momo quietly snuck passed the front counter and peeked into the window opening to the kitchen. She saw him move over to the male chefs, showing how they might arrange the dish as if it were a five star dinner.
"Try grazing the steak with some gravy and add mash potatoes to the side," Rai suggested. He moved over to two female cooks who were trying to add whip cream on a set of five parfaits. Rai took the can and began around the outer edge of the pastries. He swirled the rim with each dessert until they reached the center and puffed with a small cherry on top. "Remember, always start outside and work your way toward the center." The girls blushed at his skill. He caught a glimpse of the lobby. Momo quickly ducked behind the window. Rai watched as a customer eyed one of the maids serving drinks to the girls he helped. The man pulled out his camera from underneath his table and took a snap shot of the girl's underwear as she passed by. She continued working without noticing. "…Son of a bitch…" He turned to one of the maids walking by. "Hey."
"Hmm?" The maid asked. "Is something wrong?"
"Did anyone take his order?" Rai pointed to the guy in the brown sweater with headphones around his neck.
"I think his ticket's on the counter." They turned to the slips on the window sill. Rai examined the names until he found the man's order.
"Doki-Doki Curry and Rice, huh?" He saw the bottle of Tobasco and grinned. "Thanks, but I need you to do one more thing."
"Hey!" The man pounded his fist on the table. "Where the hell's my order?"
"Didn't he just order like three minutes ago?" Kurumu asked.
"Actually, it was two minutes..." Yami corrected. The maid quickly arrived with his meal.
"Sorry for the wait, sir," she apologized.
"Yeah, whatever," he abruptly spoke. She walked back to the kitchen. "Man, I'm starving." The man grabbed his spoon and chowed down on his meal. He had just finished his curry portion. "...!?" The man dropped his spoon. His mouth opened and his hands flailed feeling the burn of an intense, spicy flavor. "Hot! Hot! Hot! Hot!" The man jumped out of his seat. He dashed over to the front counter. "I need water!" Rai gave him a glass from underneath the counter.
"Here, use this!" Rai assured. The man snatched the drink and chugged it quickly. His mouth cleared.
"What the hell did you put in..." The man stopped. His throat and intestines began to flare with extreme heat. "YAAAAAAAAHHHH!"
"Oops," Rai scratched his head. "Looks like I swapped the Vodka for the water."
"YOU WHAAAAAAT!?"
"Quick, go use the sinks in the restrooms!" Rai pointed to the restrooms down the hall on the right. The man dashed over while shoving people to the side. He burst through the doors.
"KYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" Three maid workers cried in fear. They started chugging plates and cups at the man's head. He quickly ran out until he exited the café.
Donk!
A steel platter whacked the man upside the head. He fell to the ground unconscious. "And stay out!" The girls went back to their job. Mio walked over to Rai.
"Did you really mess up the drinks by accident?" she asked.
"Well," Rai shrugged. "It looked like water." Rai shifted his foot until he hid the bottle completely. The maid returned to Rai with the phone in her hand.
"It looks like he forgot his phone," she noted. Rai took a look at it. He opened the back and pulled out the memory card.
"He can pick it up later when he's ready." He smiled.
…
"I'll see you guys next week," Rai waved them off.
"Bye, Raimundo-kun!" Mio waved back. The rest of the girls exited the café. They watched as he walked with the blue-haired girl. The group snuck around places like bushes, alleys, and in open diners. The two seemed very happy as they carried on with their conversation.
"What are they saying?" Nana asked.
"I can't tell," Momo inquired. "They're too far away."
"They're leaving…" Yami recognized. Rai and the girl parted ways with Rai making a right toward the station. He made off for the security doorway as he placed the ticket. The beam turned as he stepped onto the platform. He rode the train to the other side of town with the girls keeping themselves far apart with newspapers covering their faces. The train came to a complete stop and everyone exited the vehicle. Rai finally went about the alley until he came upon a large mansion with high iron gates. He pressed the button on the small intercom.
"Hello?" a voice answered.
"Hey, I'm back," Rai spoke. The gates slowly opened. He walked inside with his gear and made his way for the front door. The girls watched him entered.
"Wait!" Momo recognized the architect. "Isn't this…?"
"Doctor Mikado's Manor…" Yami remembered the place.
"What would he be doing here?" Nana asked. Momo's face lit up.
"You don't think it might be a rendezvous between lovers!?" she assumed.
"You mean Rai's been playing doctor…with the nurse?" Kurumu asked surprised.
"Pika?" Jolt tried to imagine it with the others.
Rai sat on the couch across from Ms. Mikado. Her lab coat remained open as she wore her pink blouse and black skirt.
"I'm glad you managed to come over again, Rai-kun~" Ms. Mikado whispered alluringly.
"It's not like me to turn down a woman in need," Rai replied. Ms. Mikado removed her white lab coat and walked over to Rai on the other side of the dining table. She sat on top of his lap. Her green eyes seeing over Rai's masculine physique. He couldn't help ogle over Mikado's robust body as well. Her hair just coming up short of her neck and her lips tempting him to come closer. She slowly inched toward his left ear.
"I've been holding it in for so long~~" Mikado brought Rai's hands to her knee socks until they reached up to her thighs. As her hands caressed her hips, she began slipping the blouse off and exposing her ripe body. She hid herself with her arms over her chest. The two started breathing heavily as the atmosphere grew stronger. The heat from their bodies made their face red as they gazed at each other.
"Wanna continue where we left off?" Rai said to her.
"Of course~~" The two drew in closer as their lips touched.
"T-T-THAT BEAST!" Nana flustered. Momo and Kurumu both gave off an expression of embarrassment, lust, and jealousy.
"Pi?" Jolt still couldn't follow what was happening.
"…How lewd…" Yami said with no vacant expression.
"Well, let's go see," Kurumu suggested.
"Eh!?" Nana said with shock. "Why!?"
"Come on, when will we get an opportunity like this ever again? Besides…" Kurumu's wings shot from her back. She grabbed Momo and lifted her up over the wall. "It's time we got to the bottom of this." Yami lifted Nana over while holding on to Jolt. Once on the other side, they dodged toward the bushes to peek inside through the windows. "Let's see…" Kurumu turned to the right. The mansion looked well-designed with many antics filling the rooms. She finally saw Rai and Ms. Mikado next to the stairway. "There he is!" Everyone else turned to them. They looked to be talking over some matter. Rai mentioned something that made Ms. Mikado laugh.
He must be some kind of womanizer…Nana thought.
Rai-san must be fond of older women~ Momo thought.
"Pikachu?" Jolt stared at Rai with his red baseball shirt on and his tool belt wrapped around his waist.
"You saw it too?" Kurumu asked. Jolt nodded. "Ah well, he's probably just here to help her with something." Kurumu turned around and readied to leave. "Looks like we're done here."
"Uh…" Momo pointed back to the two. Ms. Mikado removed her lab coat revealing her blouse and black skirt. Rai had removed his shirt leaving only his pants, belt, and necklace on. Momo and Nana both blushed intensely at the foreshadowing.
"…Oh…" Kurumu sweated. The two made their way toward a brown door on the right side of the hallway. They disappeared inside.
"Where'd they go?" Nana asked.
"They might be on the other side!" Momo predicted. They hurried to the other side of the house. Kurumu and Yami examined the upper floor through each window. There was very pristine furniture, but no couple. Momo, Nana and Jolt searched the lower floors where the living room and lobby was displayed. They immediately noticed a small building attached to the right of the mansion. It had no windows and a gray driveway extending past the gates. What caught everyone's attention was the large, steel door that stretched 18x7ft. It appeared tan and matched the exterior of the house.
"What is it?" Kurumu asked.
"I'm not sure," Momo replied.
VRRRRRRRMMMMMMMMM!
A drill sound came from the other side.
"Pika?" Jolt rushed to the door. He searched for any knobs or open areas to crawl through. The only thing it had was a metal knob in the center.
"How exactly are we supposed to open it?" Nana asked.
"Maybe if we try lifting it," Momo suggested. The girls all hunched over and grabbed underneath the door until they were touching the rubber.
"Ready?" Kurumu counted. "One...two...three!"
Whoosh!
The door flew straight open and quickly revealed the inside of the complex.
"Whoa!" Rai jumped back. In his hands were two steel poles along with a socket wrench. The ladder had been stood upright and stayed within three feet of the entryway. Ms. Mikado sat on a retractable chair with a small fan and an iced tea in her hand. Scattered across the floor were empty water bottles. "Watch where you're opening that! I just fixed this door!"
"Huh?" Kurumu looked confused. "Wait—you fixed it?"
"Yeah, just now." Rai escorted the girls into the garage. He pulled the door down and shutting them inside. Rai used two fingers and lifted the door halfway with ease. "See, light and easy." The girls stood dazed at his abilities.
"So," Yami spoke. "…It's finally finished?"
"Eh?" Momo said surprised. "You knew about this Yami-san!?"
"Yes…Ortega-san had told me about how he would be going to Doctor Mikado's house to install a garage door for her vehicle." Everyone looked to their right at the parked hummer taking half the space.
"Is that why you went to work early in the morning?" Nana questioned.
"Since it would be a long job, I asked if I can work the early shift so I can get off and head straight here," Rai responded. Momo examined the contents of the structure.
"Then it should have at least taken you a day to do it, right?" Momo asked.
"Well…" Rai rubbed his head.
Two Days Earlier…
Ding~! Dong~!
The door opened to the Mikado Manor.
"Oh~Raimundo-kun!" Mikado welcomed her guest.
"Yo!" Rai greeted her. He stepped inside as Ms. Mikado escorted him to the garage. "I heard you wanted me to repair your springs, right?" He gazed up at the long coils just above the steel door.
"Why yes. I heard from Lala that you do an excellent job in remodeling." She pointed to the spring on the right now split in two. "It looks like the right one is broken and my door won't open anymore." Rai walked over and tried to lift it. It wouldn't budge.
"Yeah, you're right. The springs are supposed to hold the tension on the door while the opener pulls it up. Without the springs, the opener will be overpowered by the weight and most likely burn out the motor." Rai inspected the rest of the door. "The door itself looks fine…" He noticed the dent on the bottom corner. The last panel had bent inward. "…except this part. After the spring snapped, the door must have fallen."
"Will it be alright?"
"It's good, but it's up to you if you want the door panels replaced. Otherwise, you're gonna be stuck with a banged up panel." Rai checked the opener. He pulled the red cord and disjointed the door from the track. "Can you hit the button that opens the door?" The black bar slowly veered forward toward the opener without moving the door. "Works great."
"But it makes that loud noise."
"To be honest, all openers make that sound. But, if you want, you can probably find a quieter opener at a local warehouse." Rai gave a last inspection. "How long have you had this for?"
"It actually came with the house when I bought it. I think it was about ten years ago."
"…I think your warranty might be up."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, with springs like these, they're usually meant to last at least 6-8 years if you're lucky." He inspected the springs better. "See the letters on the side? This is a 207 spring, and you're door is a 16 by 7. You're better off getting 218s that can last you much longer and for your extra-large door." Rai scratched his head. "So…what would you like to do?"
"Hmm…what would you suggest?"
"I'd say you're better off getting the whole garage renewed." Mikado thought it over.
"I think redoing the entire door might be a good idea." Ms. Mikado looked over the structure. "I get a new door, opener, and springs, right?"
"And, you also get some nylon wheels so it doesn't scratch the tracks…along with some new tracks. It's a bundle, but it's better than just replacing one thing and waiting for the rest to eventually fall apart." Rai and Ms. Mikado went back toward the front door. "All you have to do is have the parts ordered and I can come get the door installed."
"Very well~. I'll have the parts shipped by tomorrow." Ms. Mikado winked.
"Great! See you then!"
The Next Day
Rai sorted out the materials with panels outside and steel pieces inside. He began taking apart the door piece by piece removing the old panels first before removing the tracks.
"Hmm," Ms. Mikado pondered.
"What's wrong?" Rai asked.
"It's just that the door looks so white compared to the rest of the house." Rai looked back at the door.
"Actually, garage doors come in different colors and patterns."
"They do?"
"Yeah, I think if you check the catalog or look online, they'll have separate choices." Ms. Mikado looked to her computer and found different styles and color for different doors.
"So much to choose from!" She immediately picked the tan brown with the iron handles on the outside. "How about this one?"
"...Not bad." Rai nodded. "Just request it and I'll have it set up tomorrow." Rai turned around. "Though I should put the old one back before the breeze goes out..."
"I'm sorry about that." Ms. Mikado blushed. She checked an online site. "Oh! I looks like they can send the door today and the opener tomorrow!"
"Really? How long will it take?"
"About four hours." Rai scratched his head.
"I'll just wait in the leaving room."
The Next Day
Rai checked the supplies for the opener. Everything was accounted for and was ready to step inside the garage.
"Alright, let's get to wo—" Rai stopped. He felt the heat burning at his body. "Órale! Is it hot in here, or is it just me?" Ms. Mikado laughed at Rai's comedic gesture.
"I'm sorry, Rai-kun," She apologized. Ms. Mikado was fanning herself with her lab coat. "My air conditioning burned out this morning. I called the repairman to come see if he can fix it later today."
"No problem. I've worked in worse." Rai sweated excessively from the immense heat wave.
"If you like, you can remove your shirt."
"Yeah, good idea." Ms. Mikado removed her lab coat revealing her blouse and black skirt. Rai had removed his shirt leaving only his pants, belt, and necklace on. "Alright, let's do this."
Now
"For three days?" Kurumu whined. Rai stared bluntly.
"…I had to put this up by myself…in the heat…for the third time..." Rai started putting away his tools. "A job like this should only take about two hours to do, but I usually did it with my pops. But, openers take shorter time. By the way…how did you know I was here?" The girls quickly looked away in embarrassment.
"You, uh, really put this thing up by yourself?" Nana was impressed.
"Yep," Rai smiled. "Not bad if I do say so myself." Rai finished returning the materials in his belt and gathered his things. He placed the old door outside for the trash collector and met with everyone at the front door. "For a service fee, it's like $150, but I can give you a free warranty on those springs for at least 10 years. But, if I die tomorrow, you're out of luck."
"Why, thank you!" Ms. Mikado smiled. The group began leaving past the main gate.
"We'll see you at the house!" Momo smiled. Nana, Momo, and Yami each exited the home. Jolt and Kurumu looked over to Rai. He smiled at them.
"...Just don't overwork yourself," Kurumu sighed.
"Pika!" The two left. Ms. Mikado walked up behind Rai. She wrapped herself around his waist and unhitched his tool belt.
"Shall we continue our little discussion from before~?" Ms. Mikado asked. Rai looked over his shoulder.
"Now seems like a good time," Rai responded.
Yuuki Household
Yami was enjoying dinner with the rest of the family in the living room. Joining her was Sairenji who Rito had anticipated to have over for a while. They were discussing the day they had from re-tests and studying for upcoming mid-terms. Rai finally made his way inside and dropped his bag by the sofa. He looked over to the group enjoying their meal.
"Mmm," Rai licked his lips. "Something smells good."
"We're having sukiyaki tonight," Mikan explained as she brought the tofu in the room. "Would you like a plate?"
"Nah, I'll eat after a bath. You guys go on ahead." Rai made his way over to the bathroom. He checked the tub to see it filled already with hot water. Rai settled himself in with his clothes in the basket by the washer. He splashed himself with the bath water. I know Peke told me about the Unification Wars, but it's not much to go on…Rai stared up at the ceiling. First, it was Run from Memorze. He lowered himself in the tub. Then Ms. Mikado...Rai lifted himself out of the tub. He took the device hanging from the faucet and wrapped it around his neck. "I better do some more digging."
Click!
"Digging?" Momo asked. "For what?" She stood in nothing but a bath towel as she blocked Rai's exit.
"Momo!?" Rai jumped. He quickly dived back into the tub. "You could at least knock first!"
"I guess I should~" Momo swaggered over to the tub. She sat herself onto Rai's lap.
"Uh…can you move a little to the left? And by move, I mean get your naked ass out of the bath!"
"But I thought you wanted to talk~?"
"You couldn't have waited till after dinner?" Momo stretched and made herself comfortable.
"So…did you find what you wanted?"
"No, not really. But, I now have an idea of it. Other than that, you have to be there to know what happened."
"Hmm…that does sound like a problem." Momo pondered. "Have you tried finding anyone that might be familiar with the war?"
"There weren't that many to begin with."
"The Unification War?" Run asked.
"I've heard stories about that when I was a kid," Kyouko added. Rai and the girls had their discussion in the dressing room after the concert. "My parents told me about how the reapers wanted to eat the souls of children if they never listened to their parents."
"That's kinda stretching it," Rai concurred.
"Actually," Run explained. "My father formed an alliance with Lala's father in order to win the war. Because of him, our planet was supported by imports and kept alive through negotiations."
"Any idea how Gid won in the end?" Rai asked. The girls shook their heads.
"I was surprised by how well you played at the concert!" Momo praised him.
"It wasn't nothing special," Rai grinned. "Back in middle school, I played some trumpet in band class. Thanks to that, I learned a few tricks. Great hit at parties let me tell ya." Momo smiled. She returned to the main subject.
"Have you considered researching it in Peke's Encyclopedia of Intergalactic-"
"Yeah. A little shaky, but very helpful."
"Deviluke had been the center of the Unification Wars," Peke explained. "They play the role in controlling the planets and people in the universe."
"Lala's father is a big shot, isn't he?"
"It should be clarified that he's the demon king of Deviluke."
"Yeah, I knew that. I just didn't think he was literally the ruler of every planet and living being in this universe."
"After the war, the alliance agreed to follow Lord Deviluke's orders as he became the supreme leader. He organized the different parts of the galaxy and maintained peace even while conquering more land to expand his empire."
"Okay, so how were the reapers involved with the war?"
"I'm not too positive on the details. I only recorded general information on the battles and argument that perspired. There was a conflict over the crystal and who would be the liable protector. That's when the war started."
"They were the enemy…?"
"Precisely. There had been thousands who were after Gid Lucione Deviluke and were willing to put their lives at stake for the power he possessed. However, there was one person who decided to join him and putting an end to the great battle."
"Sounds like the king had a knight on the inside."
"Yes, but it appears his information was erased from the records. There's no telling if he was with Deviluke's alliance or a traitor to the reapers." Rai thought it over for a minute.
"You think someone else might know about the war?"
"It is possible that other aliens might have been involved, but there is only a select few."
"Then, why not talk with Ms. Mika—"
"Already tried that."
"The war lasted for years until one man brought about the victory of the alliance," Ms. Mikado crossed her legs while sitting on the couch. "He used this power and turned his back on his comrades to destroy their army in a matter of mere minutes."
"...Is he still around?" Rai asked as he put on his shirt.
"After the war, he left to his home world where he could live on in peace and without conflict. The power he used was believed to be nothing the likes of which anyone has ever seen." Ms. Mikado had a serious face. "I'm sorry, Rai-kun, but the only one who knows about this would have to be Lala's father."
"…Oh…" Momo grimaced. Her ideas weren't much help. She simply laid about in the bath. She noticed Rai's hands and locked her fingers around his. She could see how dark and lightly-hairy his skin was.
"Don't try to worry too much over it. I'm still trying to find out where that soul is." It had to be something so powerful if it ended the war in a flash. "It's bound to show up eventually."
"Soul? You mean the Soul of Cosmos?" Rai paused.
"…If that's what it is…" He uttered.
"Mmmm. Papa was the last one to have it when we were on Deviluke."
"Does he have it now?"
"I'm not sure…" Momo slowly exited the bath. She wrapped herself in a bath towel. "I might be able to call Zastin and see if my Papa has the soul."
"Sounds good. Let me know if you find anything." Momo peeked outside the bathroom. She tip-toed out with no one noticing. Rai peeked afterward. He stepped out with his right foot.
"Now let's just sneak out and—"
"And what exactly?" Yami looked over to Rai. He covered his lower half with the towel.
"Yami!? I'm not decent!" He paused. "...How much did you hear?"
"I heard enough..." She walked back over by the stairs to join the others. "Raimundo Ortega..." She turned to him. "You will not find the soul on this planet." Yami stepped away back into the living room. Rai quickly grabbed his clothes and hurried upstairs.
Why does everyone do that? Rai finished dressing himself in Rito's bedroom. He pulled his belt off and placed it on the ground next to Rito's bed. He laid on the sheets contemplating his thoughts.
Knock-Knock!
"Raimundo-san?" Momo poked her head inside.
"Hey, Momo," Rai responded. "Don't worry, I'm decent." Momo joined Rai on the bed. "So, any word on your Dad?"
"Not recently." Momo checked her phone. "Zastin hasn't picked up for a while now. It's strange…usually when I contact him; he answers whenever I make a request." Rai pondered.
How long do you think it'll be until you can get a hold of him?" She tapped the cellphone for a signal.
"I might be able to send a message. But, it may be a few days before we get a response."
"Then send it now. Better than waiting at the last minute." Momo pushed a small button on the cellphone. She began running a recorded message. Rai looked out the window at the late summer season. The leaves started turning orange. So…the soul isn't here, huh? He laid flat on the bed.
"Yami-chan!" Mikan shouted. "Calm down!" Noise came from downstairs as everyone decided to take their baths.
"I hate perverts!" Yami declared.
"GUAAAAAA!" Rito shouted as he ran for his life.
"There they go again…" Rai chuckled…Wait! Rai's eyes shot open...How does Yami know...!?
-To Be Continued-
Ladies and gentlemen, step right up and try your luck at Sonic64's test of strength! Just smack the spring with the mallet and ring the bell at the top of the tower. Beat the game and win a prize!
Oshizu: Oooo! I want to try it! (Raises hammer) Hup!
*Smack!*
Aw man, just halfway, Oshizu. But don't give up! All right's reserved and material used in this story belong to their respective owners. Don't forget to leave a comment and review!
Maron: Bark! Bark!
Yo, Maron! How did you get in here?
Oshizu: KYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! A DOG!
…Uh-oh
Next Time on Anime Unleashed: A Festival of Epic Proportions!
*DING!*
Hey, you won! Here's your…uh, Oshizu?
Oshizu: Keep it away from me! (Runs away).
…I'll just hold on to it.
Maron: Bark!