Ch. 42 When Can I See You Again?
A. You Came to Play?
The sun beamed down on the rural scenery early in the morning. Thickets of trees covered the forest with birds chirping around every corner. Each step would either brush against the tall grass or break another twig scattered about. In an open field with trees circling the area, a large spacecraft nestled in the center. It was a flying saucer with oval windows and a cockpit at the top of the ship, much like a typical UFO. There were three claws that kept the ship above the ground. Jolt jumped off Rai's shoulder and smelled the area.
*sniff* *sniff* "Pika!" Jolt pointed to the ship. Rai checked his pocket and pulled out a small paper. On it was written directions and arrows pointing from a Chibi Rai and Jolt all the way to a Chibi Run.
"You're right," Rai deduced. "This is Run's space ship. Either that or there's another one nearby."
"Pi?" Jolt tilted his head.
"…It's a joke. Work with me." Rai returned the paper and stepped forward. He passed a wooden sign reading: KEEP OFF THE GRASS. A look around the area revealed nothing but rocks and dirt. "Heh, ironic." They inspected the exterior hoping to find an entrance. So far, there were no doors on the surface.
"Pikachu." Jolt noticed a small rock on the ground. He picked it up and chucked it towards one of the windows. "Pi!"
Clunk!
"I don't know," Rai scratched his chin. "I better call Run and—"
THUNK!
A metallic bridge fell on his body. "...My hip!"
"Pika…" Jolt sweat dropped. After removing Rai, they made their way up the bridge where a door had revealed itself.
Knock-knock!
"Hello?" Rai knocked. "It's me, Rai! You home, Run?" The metal door flew open. Standing in front of the two was a young boy with white hair and purple eyes. He had the same uniform as Rito with a brown blazer and green pants. "…Uh…"
"Can I help you?" The boy asked.
"Yeah, we're here because I called Run for a favor. This is her place, right?"
"…You're Run's friends?" He looked Rai up and down. He noticed the mouse next to him. "I'm guessing you're not from here."
"You can say that, yes. I'm Raimundo Ortega, and this is Jolt."
"Pikachu!"
"Raimundo?" The boy recalled. "...She did mention someone was supposed to be coming." He stepped aside. "Alright, come on in." He welcomed his guests into his ship. To their surprise, it was very spacious with interior decorations.
"Nice place," Rai complimented. The boy closed the door.
"I'll get Run for you." The boy passed a corner into the next room. The guests looked around the place. They stared at the massive TV screen on the wall.
"Sweet~." Jolt nodded.
"A-AA-ACHOOOO!" The boy sneezed.
"Salude!" Rai responded.
Ding~! Dong~!
"Hellooo!" A voice shouted beyond the door. "Delivery! I brought the order you requested, Run-san!"
"A delivery?" Rai wondered.
"Coming~~!" Run answered. She came running to the door. The delivery man offered the techno-box to Run. She took his pen and signed the clipboard. He tilted his cap and smiled.
"Thank you for your purchase!" He turned around and left the bridge. Rai helped Run settle the box in the middle of the room.
"There," Rai released the package. "Woo, it's pretty heavy." Jolt looked over the box.
"Pi?" He heard a noise come from inside.
"Finally," Run grinned. "It's here." She bent down and pressed a yellow button to the side. The lid popped open and white smoke filled the room. "All right, come out…"
"What did you order?" Rai asked. He swatted away the clouds. From the clearing came a small, blue fox with yellow hair tussled on its head and its cheeks. Its stubby tail had a yellow stripe trailing around its tail up its back. It stared at the two with baby-doll eyes.
"Kyuu~?" The fox squealed.
"…You bought a pet?"
"It's a rarity across the universe," Run explained. "The Skunk of Youth!"
"Skunk?" Rai stepped back.
"It emits a gas from its rear-end to mark its territory. A very rare gas to change any living thing young again…"
"…What happened to the fountain?" Jolt and the skunk stared at each other.
"Pika?"
"Kyuu?" The two looked like they were talking. While the others were distracted, Run started snickering with her devious plan.
Kukuku…I'll use this to change Lala back into a child and cut her powers in half! At that time, it will be easy for me to get my year-long revenge! Run reached for the skunk. She picked it by the back. "Alright, come here, you!"
"Uh, Run…" Rai intervened. "I don't think you should…"
Ka-chink!
The skunk raised its tail.
POOOOOOOOOOOOF!
The animal released its pink fume straight at Run.
"KYAAAAAAA!" She screamed. The skunk quickly jumped away from Run and fled out the ship. Rai swayed away the smoke.
"Run, you okay?" He called out. When he observed the girl, the situation took a turn for the worst. "…Run!?"
…
"Good morning…"
"Morning…"
The students greeted each other. Class would be starting shortly as everyone passed through the front gate. Lala and Rito had just arrived as they follow the crowd.
*Yawn* Rito drowsed. It felt like another morning for him.
"WAAAAAAAAH!" A little girl was crying out loud. Rito and Lala looked ahead and saw Rai carrying a small girl on his back. Jolt was patting the girl on top of her head. She had a small purple blouse with a yellow sweater and matching pants.
"Huh?" Rito wondered. "Is that Rai?"
"And he's with a child?" Lala noticed. Rai rocked her on his back.
"Come on," Rai sighed. "It'll be fine. I'm sure it's around here somewhere…"
*hic* "But…" *hic* "But…" Run sniveled. "WAAAAAAAAAAHH!"
"Pika…" Jolt moaned. The two students approached them.
"Raimundo!" Lala waved.
"Huh?" Rai realized. "Oh, hey."
"Who's that girl with you?" Rito asked. Run poked her head over Rai's shoulder.
"R-Rito-kun…" *hic* Run whimpered.
"Eh?" It was then Lala and Rito knew who the child was.
"RUN-CHAN!?" Lala said with surprise. Rai ushered them behind the wall of the school yard. He settled Run down so they can talk.
"How did she…?" Rito stuttered.
"Well, she ordered a pet from outer space," Rai explained. "And whoever it sprays changes back into diapers."
"A gas that makes you into a child!? H-How is that possible?"
"Why would you have such a suspicious animal…?" Peke asked as Lala's hair pin. Run quickly tried to make an excuse.
"Huh!?" She flustered. "I…um…" She looked at Jolt. "It looked really cute in the catalog and…Raimundo-san had one, so…"
"Pikachu." Jolt rubbed his head.
"Where's the skunk now?" Lala asked.
"It ran away," Rai added. "Last time we saw it, it came running down the street near your school."
"WHAT!?" Rito yelled. Run was ready to cry again.
"Lala!" She whimpered. "What will happen if we can't find it? WAAAAAAAAH!" Rito and Rai sweat dropped.
Ruffle~Ruffle~
"Pi?" Jolt heard a noise from the nearby bushes. He hurried over to see the skunk poke its head out. "Pika!"
"Kyuu!" The skunk replied.
"Huh?" Lala turned and saw Jolt sitting with the animal. "Isn't that it?" Everyone looked to Lala's accusation.
"Yeah, that's it!" Rai assured. Lala rolled up her sleeves.
"All right!" She went running at the animal. "I'll catch it!"
"Wait!" Rito yelled.
"PIKA!" Jolt flailed his hands trying to stop her.
POOOOOOOOOOF!
Rito and Rai stared before the pink cloud. When it subsided, Jolt and Lala both emerged affected by the skunk. Lala was now younger and her clothes were much too large for her small body. Her blazer slumped over her shoulders and her stockings ruffled near her ankles. Jolt, on the other hand, wasn't the same Pokémon. His bandanna slung around his right triangle ear. His physique was smaller and his cheeks were now pink. His tail was a square stub and his yellow fur was pale. A black collar now went around its neck.
"PICHU!?" Jolt cried.
"Hehe~" Lala chuckled. "We got turned into kids, too!"
"Lala…!" Rito couldn't believe his eyes.
"Great," Rai slumped. "Now I gotta retrain him again." The skunk quickly leapt from the bushes and dashed past the group. It made a right turn toward the building. Rito pointed in its direction.
"It's going inside the school!"
"Let's go!" Rai dashed inside. "Jolt, watch the kids!" Rito followed after.
"Rito-kun!" Run tried warning him. The two had already left. "How could I have caused trouble for Rito-kun…?" She sobbed. Jolt jumped over to the little girl.
"Pichu!" He patted. Lala approached them.
"Come on, Run!" She smiled. "Let's go find it!" Run looked up to her friend.
…
The small skunk sniffed the floor.
"Ah!" A girl squealed. "How cute!" The kitten looked at the student kneeling. "Where did you come from? Where are your father and mother?" Another student came around the corner.
"What's the matter, Sairenji?" She asked.
"Look, Kotegawa-san! Isn't it cute?" Yui noticed the animal.
"Honestly…" The little skunk looked up at her. "Who could have brought such a pet..." Its eyes glittered with innocence. "…to…school." Yui immediately became entranced by the fluffy and adorable pet. "…It really is cute…" She knelt down.
"Right?" Yui raised her arm to pet it.
"Yui! Hana!" Rai shouted.
"Don't go near that thing!" Rito added.
"Huh?" Yui turned to the boys.
POOOOOOOOOOOOF!
"KYAAAAAAAAAA!" The skunk fired its youth-smoke at Yui. Her size had shrunk and her skirt fell to the floor. She tried pulling them back up under the saggy blazer.
"Ko-Kotegawa-san!?" Haruna said surprised.
"Rai-kun!" She pointed her small finger at the boy. "This is one of your tricks again! This time, I'm going to make you pay for this!" The skunk scurried off down the hall.
"We're kind of busy right now!" Rai replied. He and Rito went running after it.
"I'm sorry, Sairenji!" Rito answered back. "Take care of Kotegawa, please!"
"…Huh?" Haruna sweated. "What?" Yui sniffled.
"…WAAAAAH!" She cried. "You can't ignore Yui! WAAAAAH!"
"Uh…there, there!" Haruna tried comforting the child. Rai paused just before the stairs.
"Damn!" Rai huffed. "Where the hell is it?"
"It could be anywhere!" Rito assumed.
…
Class 2-A
Boing~! Boing~!
"Oho!" Risa giggled. She clamped onto Kurumu's breasts and measured her size. "They sure have gotten bigger again, haven't they~?"
"Well," Kurumu chuckled. "I'm not one to brag, but…"
"Kyuu!" The skunk ran into the classroom.
POOOOOOOOOOF!
The pink cloud filled the class. Every student had been shrunk down to toddler age. Risa was now holding Kurumu by her rugged clothes.
"Eh?" Risa noticed the change. "She's flat-chested!" Kurumu froze in shock.
"M…My…My chest…" Her assets were gone.
Thump!
She fainted. The professor came walking into the classroom.
"Hum Hum?" He adjusted his glasses.
POOOOOOOOF!
"AAHHHHH!" Rai and Rito slid around the corner.
"That sounded like Honekawa-sensei!" Rito informed. When the smoke cleared, a charming teenage boy with combed black hair and black eyes greeted the two.
"Eh?" Mr. Honekawa asked. "What happened to me…?"
"You got pimped out; that's what happened," Rai explained.
…
"Yami-chan!" The school principal smiled while talking with the young assassin. As a principal, he bore his purple suit with a pink bowtie and black loafers. He may have been bald, but he still had his hair growing to the sides with a partial sharpness to them. His small, round glasses covered his eyes and the square mustache above his mouth. "Can you give me your gym clothes from a few days ago?" Yami simply ignored the principal and continued reading her small book. "Preferably unwashed…"
"Kyuu!" The skunk jumped from the bushes toward Yami.
POOOOOOOOOOF!
The pink smoke enveloped her. The result was a much-younger Yami with her buckles sliding down her legs and her shoulder sleeves being used to hold the book. "HOOOOOOOO!" The principal jumped with glee. "She's so cute that I want to give her a hug!"
POW!
Yami punched him with a wrecking ball made from her hair.
…
"WAAAAAAAAH!" Some of the students were crying and wandering around the school. Everyone was now turned into toddlers. And without an adult, there was no one to take care of them.
"Everyone!" Haruna called. "Come gather over here!" The children gathered around the closest parental figures they could find.
"Damn!" Rito confirmed. "If this continues, the school will turn into a nursery!" He turned to Rai. "Did you find it?" He saw Rai trying to handle the kids around him.
"I've got my own problems!" Rai replied. "Hey, hey! No pulling on her hair!" Rai turned to a girl tugging on his pants. "No kiddo, you put the straw in the box here." He noticed a boy holding Rai's wallet. "Hey, get that out of your mouth!"
…
Run and Jolt both looked through the halls of the building for the skunk.
"What should I do…?" Run asked. The two watched the kids pass by stumbling and talking with the other students. "This is my fault…" Jolt looked over to the window.
"Pi?" He hopped up to the window sill and noticed something on the water tower. "Pichu!" Run hurried to the window. "Pichu Pichu!" He pointed to the sleeping skunk.
"So he's over there…" Run comprehended. "All right." Pichu and Run made their way to the roof with a cardboard box. Run grabbed the ladder while Jolt held onto Run's jacket. The small girl finally reached the top of the tower. With the skunk resting, Run slowly made her way closer with each step. *Gulp* Run prepared herself. "HYAAAAA!" Run jumped into the air.
DOOSH!
Run trapped the animal in the box. "I got it!"
"Pichu!" The two skidded past the surface. They stayed in the air for just a moment.
"Eh?"
"Pi?" They fell from the sky.
"KYAAAAAAA!"
"PIIIICHUUUUU!"
"HEEELLP!"
Whappah!
A purple rope snapped around Run's right arm. The two stopped in mid-air. "Eh?"
"Run-chan!" Lala yelled. "Are you okay?" From the roof was Lala in her new outfit. With a small dress and stockings, it made it easier for her to move about.
"Lala-chan…"
"Pichu!" Jolt was glad to see her.
"Hold on, I'll pull you up!" Run started tearing up.
Lala-chan came to save me…and all I wanted was to do mean things to her…I'm sorry, Lala-chan. I…I was wrong. Lala gripped the rope tightly.
"Heave…HO!"
WHOOOOSH!
Lala tugged the rope just enough for Run to fly overhead.
"KYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"
"Huh?" Lala stared up at the sky.
Plop!
Jolt and the skunk landed in her arms. "Gotcha!" Run, on the other hand, had crash landed in the outskirts of the city. Her upper body was submerged into the ground.
…
"Hehehe~!" Lala laughed nervously. "I'm sorry!" Jolt jumped from Lala and tried pulling Run out. "I couldn't control my strength because I got turned into a child!"
RHAAA! Run cursed in the dirt. I still hate her!
"Hey, that's enough!" Haruna cried. Rai tried tugging away the child holding to her hair.
"Any idea how long they'll stay like this?" Rai asked.
"The effects of the gas will wear off soon," Ms. Mikado advised. "There's no need to worry."
…
The day had come to an end. The twilight began setting over the mountains. Rai, Jolt, and Run had met just outside the spacecraft with the effects of the skunk worn off.
"Phew," Rai wiped away the sweat from his forehead. "Glad that's over."
"Pika…" Jolt sighed.
"Yeah…" Run rubbed her head. "I'm sorry about that." She bowed.
"Ah, don't worry about it." Rai looked around. Huh, whatever happened to that one guy I saw earlier? He checked his cell.
[6:54 p.m.]
"Anyway, it's getting late. We better head back."
"Wait!" Run quickly dug into her jacket. "I almost forgot." She pulled out a pair of keys. "Here you are!"
"Pikachu?" Jolt stared at the shiny object.
"Oh yeah!" Rai slapped his forehead. "Thanks for the reminder." She handed him the keys. Run pressed the opener on a remote.
Ka-Thunk!
A platform lowered from the bottom of the ship. It rested on the ground with a vehicle on top. What stood out was the yellow paintjob and sleek shine. "Does this take nonrenewable energy?"
"Why?"
"Have you seen gas prices? These are the things you need to know!"
"Eh, right…" Run sweated.
B. The False Love!?
Rai opened the front door.
"Hey, I'm back," he called out. Rito and Lala were in the living room with Celine. A past episode of Magical Kyouko Flame had aired.
"Hey~!" Lala greeted him. "Welcome back!"
"Mauu~!" Celine smiled.
"Did you take care of it?" Rito asked.
"Yep," Rai replied. He walked behind the sofa. "I just picked up my last check." He walked into the kitchen and opened the fridge. He pulled out a can of Cola and headed back. "They really were gonna miss me. I was the only one who could actually pull off being the next manager."
"Hehe!" Lala giggled. "You really worked hard!"
"No kidding." Rai took a sip of his drink and settled it on the table. "Is Kurumu still here?"
"Yeah, she was about to leave," Rito explained. Celine eyed the drink resting on the table. Kurumu came walking down the steps.
"Alright, I'll see ya later!" She announced. Jolt followed behind her and jumped on her shoulder.
"Pikapika!"
"Be careful," Rai told her. She closed the door behind her.
"Where did she go?" asked Lala.
"I asked her to run an errand for me. She'll be back soon." Rai stretched his arms and rested on the chair. "Until then, I'll just wait here and relax." Rai reached for his drink. It disappeared. "Huh?"
"Celine!" Rito cried. Everyone suddenly turned to the child who was chugging down on the cola.
"My coke!" Rai tried grabbing it from her.
"Mauuu~!" Celine jumped on Rai's head and made a dash for the sliding door.
"Wait!" Lala cried. Celine ran around the house passed the front gates. Rai, Lala, and Rito immediately gave chase down the block.
"Hold up!" Rito yelled. "We were too careless and let her drink right in front of us!"
"So, Celine does get drunk from drinking coke," Lala just realized.
"And that was my last one!" Rai added.
"That's not all!" Rito clarified. "We have to hurry up and catch her!" Celine made a left turn at a small playground. The others quickly followed behind. When in view, they saw their friendly assassin sitting on a park bench with a book in her hand. "AHHH! THAT'S...!" Yami stared at the child cuddling her leg.
"...If I remember correctly," she recalled, "you are...Yuuki Rito's..."
"Mauuu~!" Celine laughed.
POOOOOOOOOOOF!
Celine's flower spewed pink smoke from her head. The three stared curiously as the small root on Yami's head blossomed into a small flower. It was a small, purple daisy much like how Celine was when still a plant. After playing around, Celine went back to Lala.
"I caught you~," Lala snatched up the drunk toddler. "So, do want to drink some more coke?" Rito slowly turned around.
"Okay!" Rito calmly spoke. "I guess we'll go back."
"Hey, I'm still out!" Rai added.
*Grab*
Something grabbed his shoulder.
"Princess..." Yami spoke. Lala looked back to her. "Please go and head back home..."
"Uhn?" Lala tilted her head.
"I'm going to borrow...Raimundo Ortega..."
"Eh...Rai!?" Rito questioned. Rai looked over at Yami. He thought for a moment.
"...I'm cool with it," Rai accepted. "You guys go ahead. I'll meet you guys at the house."
"Then, we'll be heading back first!" Lala waved to them. She carried Celine while Rito looked back one last time in concern. Rai waved back to him and smiled.
"There's a Taiyaki Shop that I highly recommend," Yami insisted. "Let me treat you to some, Raimundo Ortega."
"Sure," Rai agreed. "Sounds great!"
"Please come with me." Yami led the way.
Well, I didn't see this coming, Rai thought. If what Momo said was true...
"A person bathed in Celine's pollen while drunk will fall in love with Rito-san temporarily~."
…Then, why did she choose me instead of Rito? Yami approached a vendor selling fish in a small market.
"The usual..." Yami requested. "Twenty taiyaki, please." The vendor handed a small, brown bag to Yami.
"Here you go!" The vendor smiled. "Thanks for stopping by, Yami!" He gave a thumb up. "I even threw in a little extra for ya! Be sure to enjoy it with your boyfriend, 'kay?"
"Boyfriend...?" Yami stared back at Rai. She looked back down in embarrassment. Rai rubbed the back of his head.
"It kinda does look like a date, huh?" He assumed. Yami's face turned bright red. They settled on a park bench with the bag between them.
"Please…have some," Yami offered. Rai grabbed a fish and chowed down.
"Hmm, not bad." Yami overheard a couple talking to each other.
"Here Ta-kun," A young woman offered her boyfriend a shish kabob. "Say 'ah!'" He bit down and savored the taste. "Is it delicious?" The two continued enjoying themselves.
"You know," Rai suggested, "If you had some crab salad, this would go great—"
"Raimundo Ortega," Yami interrupted.
"Huh? What's…?" What Rai witnessed was a swarm of hands formed from Yami's hair. Her focus was on her primary objective.
"Allow me to feed you."
"Uh, no thanks, I'm—!"
*Grab!*
Yami grabbed his jaw.
Plop…Plop…Plop, Plop!
"Waif! Waif! Waif!" Rai flailed before Yami could shove anymore in his mouth.
"Is it delicious?" She asked. Rai pulled out three and gasped for air.
"First off: Yes, they're pretty good. Second: You're trying too hard." He bit down on a taiyaki. "You need to just relax and enjoy yourself. It's about having fun and going with the flow."
"…Going with the flow?" Rai stood up.
"Come on…" Rai held out his hand. "We're just getting started." He smiled. Yami hesitated for a moment, but simply grabbed on as Rai tugged her into town.
...
Their first stop was over at the arcade. Rai urged Yami to follow him to the racing console as he handed her some coins. He put in his few yen and activated the machine. He was zooming past the CPU racers for the winner's circle. Yami stared at the console next to him. Rai finally finished the race with a new record of 2 minutes and 34 seconds. Proud of his efforts; he looked over at Yami's screen to gloat. Her score on the same course was 1 minute and 56 seconds. Rai bumped his head on the steering wheel.
…
Rai escorted Yami to a small bakery where they served bread and pastries. He purchased a small bundle for the two to share. Rai handed her a golden-baked muffin. She tasted the warmth it gave off in her mouth. At first, she seemed very surprised at how good it was. She immediately turned away to avoid Rai seeing her expression. Rai took a bite of the same muffin as they walked. Yami saw the photo booth near the department store. She nudged Rai for them to take a photo.
…
The two sat in the small seat. Yami closed the curtains as they looked at the camera dead-center. The monitor displayed words on the screen.
[PLEASE BE WITHIN CAMERA RANGE!]
The two inched closer until their shoulders touched. Yami blushed brightly.
Click-Click!
The flash went off. The photo expelled from outside the booth. Rai exited and took a quick glimpse. He showed it to Yami. The two were framed with red bars and red hearts around the corners. There was a caption underneath their faces.
[2-gether]
[4-ever]
Yami walked away with her head facing down the whole time. Rai simply smiled and stuffed the picture in his pocket. He followed behind Yami.
…
Their next stop was a coffee shop where they talked about themselves. Rai gestured his antics of his many mishaps back home.
"So I learned on that day: Never leave a fork in the microwave when heating up spaghetti." Yami stared at him. "…What? I was six." Rai drank his cola. "And how old are you; sixteen?"
"Twenty-four."
*Pffffft!* Rai spat out his drink. "…Well, that changes things." He looked at his cup. "I'm gonna grab a refill. You want one?"
"No, I'm fine." Rai went back inside. Yami couldn't help but feel comfortable about how her date with Rai was going.
Dip!
The flower from Yami's head fell off and landed on the table. Rai exited the shop.
"Hey, I'm back..." Rai froze. "…Whoa!" Yami had her outfit changed from her black, hunting attire to a bright-pink dress with shoulder straps and red open-toed high heels. Her dress had frills around the edges and a red bow tie on each of her pig-tails. He rubbed his eyes to make sure he wasn't dreaming. "How did you…?"
"I changed it with my Trance ability to match the people around me." Rai examined her outfit.
"So, it's like Peke's ability to transform, right?"
"Since I'm using Trance, I can't maintain this for a long period of time." She stared back at him. "H-How is it?"
"Actually, it's pretty cute." Rai nodded. "I like it. Nice change of pace." Yami turned away embarrassed.
"I see…" Yami started going ahead. He laid the tip on the table.
…
The couple walked down the sidewalk side by side. Rai stared back at the flower on Yami's head. I guess going out with the girls started rubbing off on her. At least she's less hostile than before…Yami caught Rai looking at her.
"…Please… Don't stare at me like that…"
"Oh…uh, sorry!" Rai turned away. This might be going a little too far. I better end it now before...
Bump!
Rai accidentally jerked into an over-sized pedestrian.
"You need to watch where you're going!" The man advised. Rai stumbled over Yami.
Thump!
He shoved her into an alleyway.
"Damn, that hurt," Rai rubbed the sore on his head. When he looked down, he saw himself forced on top of Yami with his other hand pinning her to the ground. It was placed on her chest. "...Oh boy..."
"...Ecchi..." Yami whispered. Rai quickly removed himself and backed against the wall.
Yep...I'm a dead man...! Yami stood. She'll probably kill me first and ask questions later! She stepped in front of Rai.
"Usually…I'd retaliate against these actions…" She tugged on Rai's shirt and leaned forward. "…I wonder…is it alright if I give in…to you…Rai-san…?"
Ba-thump~! Ba-thump~!
Rai's heart started beating faster. The anticipation rose as Yami grew closer. "This isn't like me…But, it's these feelings that I've wanted to learn more about. This kindness, security, this atmosphere…" She looked up at him. "So…" Rai could see his anxious stare back through Yami's eyes. "Will you be willing…to give me something called...a 'kiss'?"
…!? Rai became cautious.
"I want to try and see what kind of feelings emerge from this…and how deep a meaning a kiss can mean…" Her lips puckered. She inched in slowly towards Rai's lips.
"…Don't do this…" Rai spoke. Yami paused.
"…Why…?" Rai lightly pushed her away.
"…This isn't something you can go experiment on your own. It's a bit more complicated than that. This is something you should be doing with someone who you've grown to care most about. Someone willing to stay by your side. If he isn't the one, then you'll only be getting hurt in the process."
"...You are an idiot…" Yami lowered her head. "Worrying over someone like me…choosing someone's values over your own…" Rai approached Yami.
"I wouldn't say that…" Rai tilted Yami's head upward by her chin. They stared face to face.
"...!"
*Flick!*
Poof!
Rai flicked away the flower off Yami's head. It dissipated to a hair strand. Yami was shocked that he found out.
"This will probably be the last time we see each other. We might be gone by tomorrow, so consider what I said today as your homework." Rai smiled. "I had fun today. We should do it again sometime!" Yami touched her upper dress. She felt a sudden pain in her chest cavity. Rai stepped into the sidewalk. When stared back in the alley, Yami had already vanished.
…
Rai walked down the path. It didn't take long until he ran into Jolt and Kurumu over by a crosswalk.
"There you are," Kurumu huffed. "Took you long enough." Rai raised an eyebrow.
"I take that you were spying on my day out?"
"Pika Pika…" Jolt nodded sadly. He stood next to Kurumu waiting for the light to change. Kurumu shook her head.
"Boys are such idiots…" Rai and Jolt stared at Kurumu for her smart remark.
"Did you at least get the map from Ms. Mikado?"
"Yeah, yeah, I got it." Kurumu held out a large, yellow envelope sealed with a plastic clip. "And you said this is going to help us get to Deviluke?"
"Nope…" Kurumu looked confused.
"What the crap!? You said we were going to see the king and knock him off the throne!"
"I said we were going to Deviluke. I didn't say we were going unarmed. There's no point if we're blasted to bits the minute we get near that planet. You remember what Yume said?"
"You mean Gid Deviluke being a threat to Earth? What about him?" Rai looked to her with a serious expression.
"So, why is he now being a threat as soon as she mentions him? I don't consider that a coincidence."
Ding!
The light changed. They started walking.
"You think their connected somehow?" Kurumu theorized.
"I don't know, but it doesn't look good." Jolt hurried alongside Rai. "You guys already know the plan. After school tomorrow, we're out of here." Kurumu nodded.
"…Alright."
"Pikachu."
The Next Day
Ding~! Ding~! Dong~!
The school bell rang for the last time. The students either returned home or stayed for after school activities. Kurumu tagged along with Rito and Lala on the way back.
"Rito, Kurumu, let's hurry home!" Lala scurried ahead. The two followed her.
"Why are you in such a hurry?" Rito asked.
"Raimundo and Kurumu are leaving today! We need to watch TV together before they go!"
"Don't tell me…" Kurumu guessed. "…Is it 'Magical Kyouko Flame'?"
"Yep! It's a new episode!" The two sweat dropped.
"Not how I planned our going away party to be…" Rito felt a sudden rush of wind pass by.
Whoosh!
The assassin descended right before the three.
"Ya…" Rito stuttered.
"Yami-chan?" Lala wondered.
"Princess Lala…" Yami stared at her target. "…Fight me."
C. The Strongest in the World!
"Eh?" Lala questioned.
"Hey, wait a minute!?" Rito asked. "Why do you want a match all of a sudden?"
"I have already accepted a contract," Yami explained. "I, Golden Darkness, will fight to see who is the strongest of this world."
"You really chose a bad time for this, Shrimp!" Kurumu argued.
One hour earlier…
Yami chewed silently on her Taiyaki. She read her small booklet on a bench. As she skimmed each line on the page, the words continued to echo in her head.
"This isn't something you can go experiment on your own. It's a bit more complicated than that."
Yami turned the page. She continued chewing.
"This is something you should be doing with someone who you've grown to care most about. Someone willing to stay by your side."
She gulped down the taiyaki.
"Interesting," she whispered.
"Uhyo!" The principle sneaked up by Yami. He looked ecstatic to see her. "Yami-chan, today you're reading out here?" His breathing grew heavy as he noticed the buckles on her legs. "Mmm, you're thighs look as tasty as always~!"
*BAM!*
Yami's hairs suckered punch the principal into the pavement. "GYAAAAAAAAA!" The principal cried in pain (and stimulation). From a distance, two students were watching her antics.
"If it's her, maybe…" said the upperclassmen. She walked with the other girl toward Yami.
…
Yami stared back at her book.
"Request…?" She flipped the next page. "You sure? I'm very expensive."
*Gulp*
The girls swallowed their courage.
"If it's money," Saki addressed, "I'll give you as much as you want!"
"Just make sure you show how tough the world can really be!" Run added.
"My target is the princess?" She fit a taiyaki in her mouth. "…Fine by me."
Now
"Th-That's crazy!" Rito suggested. "You can't be serious!" Lala stared at the scenario. "Hey, Lala! Say something, will ya!"
"…So, you want to compare our power?" Lala smiled. "That sounds like fun~!" Rito dropped to the ground. Kurumu moved her arm in front of Lala. "Huh? Kurumu?"
"Oh no, you don't…" She declared. "We still have some unfinished business." Yami stared at the new opponent.
"I would like to fight seriously," she demanded.
"Believe me; I am dead serious." Kurumu's claws shot from her fingers. "Unless you want to cop out now, then be my guest. You wouldn't last five minutes against me." She grinned. "We both know I would've won after our first fight together." Yami glared at Kurumu.
"…Understood." Yami adjusted her stance. "Refrain from using any inventions or machines in this match."
"That won't be a problem!" Kurumu messaged her wrists.
"Watch as I demonstrate how I can truly become your greatest rival." Yami brought her hair around. "Then…" Her hair shifted into a fist. "Let's begin!"
THUD!
Kurumu blocked the punch with her arms crossed at the point of contact. Yami shifted her left arm into a blade. She swung at Kurumu from the left, but she ducked around. Yami swung with a backhand to try and recover her aim. Kurumu immediately followed with a backflip.
"Right back at ya!" Kurumu dove down on Yami with her claws.
SLASH!
Yami twisted to the right as Kurumu's nails sliced apart a tree trunk.
Boom!
The logs tumbled over and rolled around the schoolyard.
That much power with only her claws…Yami smiled. Seems like I have no reason to hold back. Yami and Kurumu rushed in and started throwing fists at one another. After going back and forth, they would cover themselves by blocking and guarding against their others attacks. Meanwhile, four girls were watching the battle ensue from the safety of the bushes.
"Th…This isn't what I had in mind…" Saki spoke with fear of the battle.
"Yami was supposed to fight Lala in a one-on-one match!" Run advised. "It's something straight out of a battle manga…!"
"Although..." Saki noticed the unique fighting style Yami was performing. It looked like Kurumu was on the ropes. "She seems to be well worth the price..."
As long as Yami has her match with Lala, this should turn out in our favor. Run chuckled under her breath. Kurumu blocked Yami's ongoing punches. Yami drew back her right leg and morphed it into a giant wrecking ball.
BAM!
The impact sent Kurumu flying down into the street. The children scurried off and watched from afar. Kurumu's uniform was torn apart and shredded around her right hip.
"That was a cheap shot," Kurumu noted. She spat on the ground. Yami dove in at Kurumu from the sky. "But you're still open…" Kurumu's wings released from her back. She flapped immensely and kicked up the dirt. Yami immediately stopped as the dust blocked her vision.
*Grab!*
Her leg was grabbed below. In one thrust, Kurumu tossed Yami over her right shoulder. Yami went flying against the school's wall. Rito quickly ducked underneath before her impact.
"GYAAAAA!"
Ka-BOOM!
The blast sent Rito flying into the air. As he tumbled, Saki looked over the bushes.
"How is it going?" She asked.
Pow!
"KYAA!" Saki felt someone landing on her. Rito had passed out on her chest. She clenched her fist. "WHY ARE YOU ALWAYS FALLING ON ME!?"
Punch!
Saki punched his face in.
"What are you doing to Rito-kun!?" Run demanded. Yami emerged from the cracked wall. She rubbed her head.
"She really is a formidable opponent…" Yami declared. She watched as Kurumu threw her hair to the wind.
"Still think I'm not being serious~?" Kurumu winked. Yami's hair strands formed into seven separate fists; each one locking onto Kurumu.
Pow! Pow! Pow!
The fists bashed in at one spot. They completely obliterated the concrete. Kurumu approached Yami at high speed and swung up at the last minute. She returned to the sky. Yami followed after until they were matched in speed. Yami latched her pig-tail to Kurumu's waist and threw her into the middle of the street.
BOOM!
People fled in a panic. Yami drew her swords from her arms and quickly drove them down on her. Kurumu opened her eyes and rolled to the side.
BOOM!
Yami's blades dug deep into the concrete. Quickly checking behind her, Kurumu found a car parked. Yami pulled her swords back out and went running at her. Kurumu hauled the car door from the driver's side. She held the inside grip and blocked the oncoming slices.
Slash! Slice! Slash!
The door fell to pieces. Kurumu flew into the car and out the passenger window. She lifted the coach over her head and tossed it at Yami.
Slice!
Yami carved apart the vehicle down the middle. Kurumu went back around and shoved Yami into the side of the school. Lala followed the action.
"Oh wow!" Lala stared amazed. "They really are strong~!"
"This is no time to be praising them, Lala-sama!" Peke warned her. The crowd of students watched as the girls began crashing back and forth into the side of the building.
"The…The School!" The principal cried. Kurumu flew above the wreckage and started twirling. Her technique transformed her into a spinning blue tornado. It began sucking Yami closer into the vortex.
Slash! Slash! Slash! Slash!
Kurumu spat her out of the tornado with her outfit torn apart. Her arms were exposed and her skirt revealed her underwear. She stopped spinning.
"Had enough?" Kurumu yelled.
*Grab!*
Yami wrapped her hair around Kurumu's bust. In one swing, she threw her straight through the roof of the school building. She crashed all the way to the ground floor. The students cleared out of the school as the teachers declared an emergency evacuation.
"That's enough, Golden Darkness!" Run shouted as she hobbled with Rito over her shoulder.
"At this rate, they'll take down the entire city!" Saki cried. Lala jumped in the air and took off for the battle. Yami and Kurumu stood far from one another on the rooftop.
"It's time we settle this," Kurumu drew out her razor claws. Yami's hair morphed into many blades along with her arms.
"I agree," Yami answered. Lala flew over the two. She readied her tail as it started glowing at the tip.
"Now for my finishing move~!" Lala announced. The angel and succubus went for a head-on strike. "Fire!"
PEW!
The yellow laser went zooming between the two.
"That's enough!" Run cried.
"I-I'm cancelling our contract!" Saki ordered. "STO—!"
KAAAAAAAAABOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!
A blazing light washed over the city. Roads tore upward as a massive shockwave expanded outward in every direction. Once the light vanished, the school was destroyed and many students were crawling out of the debris. Standing on the highest rubble formation was Kurumu, Lala, and Yami. Their clothes were ripped to pieces and scratches formed on their skin.
"I didn't expect this..." said Yami. "You are truly a formidable opponent."
"Yeah," Kurumu sighed. "I would have won if Lala didn't come in the middle."
"Hehe~" Lala giggled. Yami turned around. She looked over at the setting sun.
"I understand you are leaving, right?" Yami asked.
"So you've heard..." Kurumu shrugged. "It's a big world out there. It might be our last fight for a while."
"..." Yami stood silent. "...It was a good workout. We should spare again sometime." Kurumu smiled.
"Totally!"
"Please don't!" Rito whined. He hobbled over with a broken pipe. "I'm begging you!" All three girls tilted their head in confusion.
…
Rai and everyone else gathered outside. A taxi was parked outside the house with a yellow-boxed exterior frame and black and white checkered stripes on the sides. Kurumu hurried over and threw her pack in the open trunk.
"Well, it looks like good-bye for now," Rai announced.
"It was a pleasure meeting you~!" Momo proclaimed.
"Be sure to visit us after you're done," Mikan requested.
"Mauu~?" Celine pouted.
"Pikapika," Jolt patted the girl's head.
Squeeze!
She gave Jolt a big hug. His head inflated the longer she held him.
"Where are you heading to next?" Rito asked.
"We're gonna go east until we reach the Sea of Japan," Rai explained.
"Why are you going there?" Nana asked. Rai checked the folder and pulled out the papers.
"According to the reports, now will be the best time to go." Rai separated Jolt from Celine. "You be a good girl now, okay?"
"Mauu~!" Celine saluted them off.
"We'll see you guys later!" Kurumu signaled over from the passenger's side.
"Pika Pika!" Jolt waved. Rai slammed the driver side and waved to the kids. He started the engine.
Vrrrrrrrm…
The back muffler exhausted some clear smog. Rai double-checked the side and rear-view mirrors.
"Alright," Rai shifted to drive. "Let's go!" Rai stepped on the gas pedal.
VRRRRRRRRMMM!
The vehicle didn't move.
"…Uh…" Kurumu stared at the unmoving road ahead. "Shouldn't we be moving?"
"Yeah…" Rai stepped harder on the pedal. The tires from the back kept creating a large, dirt cloud. Rito and Mikan sweat dropped while Lala, Nana, and Momo looked at the source of the problem. Rai checked the rear-view mirror and noticed their friend behind them. "…Yami?" Rai stepped out. He could see her hair morphed as hands and latched underneath the back axels. "You know this is a rental, right?" Yami approached the back door. She settled in the seat next to Jolt.
"Pi?" She pulled out a small book and began reading. Rai and Kurumu looked at each other. They turned back to Yami. She looked over her book.
"...Are we leaving now?" Yami asked.
"...I guess we are," Rai spoke.
"Are you going with them, Yami-chan?" Lala asked.
"Yes," she replied. "If there really is an enemy that possesses a threat on this planet, it will be too much for them to handle on their own." Rito and the others were surprised by Yami's ambitions. "Also…I can't have someone kill Yuuki Rito before me." Rito sobbed. Rai smiled as he turned to Kurumu and Jolt. His little buddy jumped with joy. Kurumu folded her arms and reclined in her seat. Rai re-entered the vehicle and shifted the gear into drive. He slowly turned outward. He immediately shitted to reverse until the car backed up at least a yard away from the Yuuki household.
"What do you think you're doing?" Kurumu asked. "The road is down there."
"Road?" Rai gripped the steering wheel. "Where we're going, we don't need roads." Rai pressed the red button next to the radio. The car's exterior began changing form. The front shifted the metal grill inward as the mirrors and antennas inserted into the surface. The tail-lights changed into six jet-propelled launchers; three on each side. The wheels lifted inward and expelled a rushing wind from the fenders. The doors were changed into purple side guards and the roof of the vehicle was now a rounded, glass dome. "Thank you, Sainan's next top model!"
"Whoa!" Kurumu looked out the window. The car began hovering over the street and was elevating into the sky.
"Pika!" Jolt was just as excited.
"..." Yami continued reading her book. A second gear-shift appeared next to the original with a more rectangle-like feature. Rai pushed it forward.
"Now let's see what this baby can do!" He cheered. The car zoomed forward into the sky. The group felt the rush as they were pushed back into their seats. Rai circled the vehicle over the Yuuki household. They saw everyone below waving them farewell. They all waved back to them. Rai turned the wheel. The vehicle straightened and flew east of the city. Rito, Lala, and the others watched as they soared out of site.
…
Rai kept on course for an hour while Kurumu looked outside the window. Jolt snoozed against the car door. Yami closed her book and stared outside. The clouds passed through the vehicle while the landscape below was moving slowly.
"Raimundo..." she spoke.
"Hmm?" Rai looked over at the rear-view mirror. "What's up, Yami?"
"I have some questions as toward your duty as a celestial reaper."
"...Alright, but I don't know much myself." Rai leaned against his chair and kept one hand on the steering. "My job…is to keep the balance between your worlds in check. Well, this world for example. You know; make sure it's going the way it should be. In a nutshell, nobody from outside should be interfering with your everyday life. Of course…" He looked back at her. "…I'm guessing you knew that already." Kurumu eavesdropped on their conversation trying to act like she wasn't interested. Yami didn't faze. She met Rai's stare with her own.
"I have heard many stories when I was out collecting bounties, but have never considered that I would actually meet one in person. Some refer to you as destroyers of galaxies. Others just assume you're a race that have long been extinguished after many years of fighting. All for the sake of these lost treasures that held some kind of power. These are the souls, right?"
"Bingo."
"And the reason for this power…"
"…I don't know." Rai grew silent. "…But, what I do know…is that now…I'm not the only one looking for them."
"You know the one's I'm talking about, mate?" The tall man wheezed. His blood splattered over the concrete wall. He held his side where his fluids streamed into the sidewalk. Dark clouds began pulling in from the west. Joseph trembled as he gripped his scythe with the blade dripping blood. "They look like lil' softballs small enough to feed a joey."
"Why...?" Joseph asked. "Why do you want it?" The man slowly reached into his coat. He pulled out the red sphere.
"Heh..." The man cringed. "You don't bloody know what you got yourself into, don't ya? They'll keep coming after ya 'til they have all the pieces together. *cough* To everyone else, they're nothing but a hood ornament for their Chevy. But, for a reaper, they'll give us everything we've always wanted." The man gasped for air. "The only catch *cough* is you need all six before you can have its power. That's why…*cough* *cough* it's…every man…for…himself…" His head fell to the side. His grip on the red sphere softened as his body relaxed.
"…And that's it." Joseph explained. Yume wrapped he last bandage around his forehead.
"But, he attacked you first," Yume assured. She closed the first aid kit and inspected Joseph's face. "Are you still in pain?" Yume asked.
"It's a lot better. Thanks." Joseph watched as Yume took the kit back to the dining room. He stared at the scythe resting in the corner.
…
Yume closed the cabinet. She gave a deep sigh of relief.
Thank goodness, he's alright…She reached to the refrigerator to start prepping dinner. Maybe some rice and hamburger steak will cheer him up. Yume smiled as she took out the pots and utensils from the shelf. Quiet footsteps creaked down the stairs. The door slowly opened. Joseph quietly looked back for the last time. He shut the door behind him. Yume ran upstairs to her bedroom.
"Joseph, dinner will be ready shortly!" She opened the door. "Joseph…?" He was no longer in the room. His scythe had vanished. The only thing that remained was the red sphere on the pillow. "…Joseph…"
"Damn it!" The second-year student complained. He stared at the filthy classroom with the other students kneeling on tatami mats with floor desks. They all had the same uniform of black jackets, blue ties, and blue slacks. "This is violating my soul rights!"
"Well, at least you're not alone," The plain teacher answered Yoshii's comment. His apparel was like a proficient instructor; brown suit, black tie, and square glasses for his vision. "Go ahead and sit down."
"Fine." Yoshii gave up. "Where do you want me to sit?"
"Have a seat wherever you like."
"There's no assigned seating?" It was the first good news for Yoshii in a while. He sat at the last seat on the right of the class.
Ploop!
His cushion popped.
"Teacher, my cushion thing seems to have run out of all its cushion."
"Please put up with it."
Oooo…
A wind came blowing from the window.
"Teacher, the draft is cold in here."
"Please put up with it."
Bam!
The left leg snapped. Yoshii's desk toppled over.
"Teacher, one of the legs of my low table broke."
"Please put up with it—"
{"It's impossible!"} Yoshii shouted.
"…Why…?" Yami asked.
"What?" Rai replied. "Oh, you mean the sea of Japan." Rai drove the vehicle over the ocean. The rain started pouring in. Winds rocked the vehicle to the side. "Well, we need as much power we can get." Kurumu felt the vibrations.
"Hmm?" She rubbed her eyes. "Where are we now?" Jolt stretched his ears.
"Pika…?" The two immediately saw the disastrous storm just inches form their faces.
"WAAAAAH!?"
"PIKAAAAAAAA!?"
"Are you trying to kill us!?" Rai flicked a switch underneath the radio.
"Hopefully not," Rai proposed. The two, round antennas poked out from the back fin of the aircraft. "Just gotta get ready for the jump."
"Jump? Where to?"
"The next world." Lightning struck near the vehicle. The streak just barely grazed the hood.
"Are you nuts!?" Rai handed Kurumu the envelope. "What is this?"
"The papers, remember?" She quickly shuffled through the envelope and pulled out the documents. She examined the reports of storms and seasons when they are most likely to occur. There was also a map of Japan that had pen markings of trajectory and directions toward the center of the sea. "This has to be our chance."
"Pikachu!?" Jolt grasped tightly onto Yami.
"Will this work?" Yami asked nonchalantly.
"Let's see…" Rai pressed the flashing buttons on the empty space between the passenger and the driver. A glowing, pink button rose up from inside the armrest. "Kurumu, when I say now, hit it." Kurumu looked down at the glowing button.
"Surely, you can't be serious…" Yami stared through the rear-view mirror.
"If we want to save Sainan, we need more fire power than we have now!" Rai stopped the vehicle in mid-air. The car began dropping from the sky. "We'll be back, I promise!"
KA-BOOM!
A lightning strike took aim at the antennas. As their descent increased, the water was growing wider through the front window.
"Wait for it—wait for it—wait for it…" Yami braced for impact.
"RAIII!" Kurumu gripped the car door.
"PIKACHU!" Jolt squeezed Yami's shoulder.
"NOW!"
Slam!
Kurumu slammed the button. The car began glowing with pink lighting.
BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZTTTTT!
The lightning struck the bulbs.
"…and don't call me Shirley!"
ZOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!
The sonic boom flattened the roaring waves without plunging it open. The vehicle vanished.
Joseph stood in the open at the intersection of the alleyway. The rain poured on him over his clothes and his bandages. He contemplated whether which way he should go. He heard footsteps coming from behind. From the flickering lamp-post came Yume standing with an umbrella.
"Joseph…" Yume stepped forward.
"DON'T COME ANY CLOSER!" Joseph shouted. Yume froze. He gripped his scythe tighter. "…It has to be this way…" He looked over to her. "Today, I was scared. I didn't care if I was dead. I was lucky that I managed to make it out alive." Yume remained quiet. "I don't have a home to go back too. There's no one waiting for me where I'm from. This was the best thing to happen to me. You were the best thing to happen to me!" Tears ran down his face. "You are the only friend that I have in this world. You helped me when I needed it most. You've let me into your family; you gave me food and a roof over my head. But…" Yume stepped closer. "When he knew about you…it hit me…I got you involved now…I can't afford to lose you…" He fell to his knees. "If anything happened, I'd never forgive myself!" He sobbed. "This is my fault!" Yume stepped over Joseph. "I can't lose you, too!" She wrapped her arms around Joseph's head. She reached for his hand and pulled him up. She guided him back to her home. She took his clothes and escorted him to the bathroom. With a towel, she washed Joseph's body. She held on as she took him to the bedroom. She placed Joseph on the bed. She trembled as she slowly removed her towel. Joseph stared at Yume's exposed body.
"…Yume?"
"Joseph…"
"Man, talk about depressing…" Yoshii fitted the wooden leg back to his table. "How am I supposed to last a year in here?"
"Quit complaining," a student responded. He lay on the ground on top of his backpack. "You're the one who should've done better on the test."
"Yuuji! You're in Class F, too?" Yuuji looked over to his left.
"It's not just me." A fluff of bouncy, red hair made the scene.
"Hey, what's up?" Minami introduced herself. "I'm in Class F, too!"
"Shimada… Of course… It only makes sense that you'd be in this class, right?" Minami's anger started growing. This resulted in Yoshii having his head trapped in a headlock.
"Are you trying to call me an idiot!?" Yoshii tried to escape, but to no avail.
"Your ribs are crushing my ear! It hurts way more than a normal chick!"
Whoosh!
The door swung open. The student panted as he arrived at the classroom. His uniform was unbuttoned and his tie sagged around his neck. As far as growth went, he became taller compared to his childish appearance since last year.
"Ha…ha…" He gasped. "I finally found it!"
"Yo, Bryan!" Hideyoshi welcomed his friend. "You finally found the classroom, am I right?"
"Yeah." He wheezed. "I overslept and couldn't make out what the fliers said around school, so I checked every classroom until I found this one."
"You're staying at Yuuji's place. He should have waked you up, right?"
"He said starting today, I have to get up on my own."
"Well, at least you made it."
Ka-bam!
Minami flew straight through Yoshii's defenses. He fell to the ground immediately after. In a flash, a second student quickly went to glimpse underneath Minami's skirt without her noticing.
"Come on!" Kouta focused on her underwear. "Just a little more!"
"I grew up in Germany!" Minami pouted. "It's not my fault I can't read that stupid Kanji!"
"You all are lively as usual…" Hideyoshi interrupted. The two boys entered in on their fun. Yoshii recognized the two.
"Hideyoshi? Bryan?"
"Correct. Glad to see you. Welcome to Class F."
"Hey guys," Bryan waved.
"Great to see ya, too!" He looked around the class of other boys who were in the same boat. Some played with their handheld, while others were sharpening their rapiers and pitchforks. "Well, I guess this is what you'd expect from the lowest performing class. There are just a bunch of scruffy-looking dudes everywhere. Lucky us…"
"Doesn't that include you, too?" Yuuji mentioned.
"That's true…but if we had to have one girl, I'm glad it's you, Hideyoshi."
"…I thought Hideyoshi was the boy?" Bryan pointed out.
"Yeah, you jerk." Minami added.
"You just don't get it, do you?" Yoshii tried explaining to Bryan. "You see, girls are kind and graceful, and have this soothing spirit about them that puts our hearts at ease. Someone like Shimada who's violent…" His body rose in the air. "…and scary and doesn't have any boobs who can break my spine in half—PLEASE DON'T BREAK MY SPINE IN HALF!" Minami had Yoshii in a twist with her knee up his chest and his arm bending backwards.
"Why can't you be more sensible like him!?"
Whoosh! {Again...}
The classroom door slid open.
"Uhm…" The girl lightly spoke. "Hello? I'm sorry I'm late." The last student arrived. "I was at the nurse's office. It took longer than I thought it would…" Yoshii heard the girl's voice.
"It's Himeji!" He stated. She turned in his direction.
"Ah…Yoshii!" She hurried over with the others.
-To Be Continued-
I'd say this is a good place to leave off for next time. I hope this provided more of a building plot and where the journey is heading in this thrilling installment! All character's and—
?: Don't go! The battle between Ichika Orimura and Rinin Fan has finally begun!
Uh, I'm sorry, but I'm in the middle of a preview. Now, where was I…?
? (2): But his opponent has a third generation-type weapon!
? (3): Is there even a chance the Byakushiki can win?
Hey, do you mind—?
? (2): Go Orimura!
? (3): Yeah, show everyone you're a man!
Screw it! Right's reserved and opinions appreciated! You ladies can take it from here.
Next Chapter: The Class League Match
?: You don't want to miss the unexpected ending!
What's unexpected is that I'm feeling outnumbered.