Chapter 3 - The Reddening Skies

A/N:I seem to be crossing the lines in this one. Making a horror fic using Kimura and the interplay of lust and horror is not easy on my skills nor is it in my mind. Perhaps writing these off-putting scenes was influenced by Clive Barker. And I won't put a lot of details, just to keep it subtle and to make sure lust is not the key theme here alone. If I'm insane, perverted or skilled, take your pick. Again, this fic is not for the fainthearted.

Red sky at night, shepherd's delight; red sky in the morning, shepherd's warning

-English proverb

Classes have ended already and many students are going home; hanging around the grounds for a quick chat; reporting to their clubs or sports teams; or doing their cleaning assignments. As usual Yukari's class did as school regulations allow – except Yukari wanted it in another way. Ever since she got chided from the new principal for her alleged neglect of duty she wanted to punish Yomi and Tomo for that by making them clean the classroom all by themselves for a week but since they're in the principal's office, she had to settle with postponing that and granted the classroom cleanup duty to Sakaki, Kaorin, Chiyo and Osaka.

She was in the faculty, sitting on her desk and seething with annoyance about how she couldn't get to punish those two right now. It would be nice if the principal allowed her to administer the penalty to them but she was very upset that she didn't even walk to his office and suggest it. Worse of all, the douchebag just scolded her for leaving the class on a bathroom break!

She was checking the essays of her class, the essays she demanded from them. The topic: good behavior. Most of them had crooked kanji, obviously written in a fearful hurry. Many of them have an essentially identical message about good behavior that they're almost sycophantic. The essays were the same, staid affairs which were written by students who most possibly face her wrath but one of them caught her attention: it was Osaka's essay. Yukari's eyes turned blank when she read parts of it that mentioned her in an different light.

It was written in a typically Osakan manner, Well, Yukari-sensei is a bit strange and always hedges bets on every sports fest with Miss Kurosawa. She owns a car with lots of dents and drives like it's a racing game, which is helpful if you're afraid of roller coasters. She always goes with us during the summer break to Chiyo-chan's summer home. She's okay, just a little off from time to time. And she teaches other subjects besides English although she ain't good in them... Yukari stopped reading from there.

She then pounded Osaka's essay hard on the table in anger. She looked around and noticed Osaka sweeping in the corner.

"Osaka!" she shouted, startling the girls.

Osaka, however, reacted slowly and calmly as thought it was a bird's chirping. She turned her head around, then walked to Yukari's desk. She asked, "What is it, Yukari-sensei?"

"I would like to ask you about your essay," she said. Yukari seemed to have reverted seamlessly back to being a pleasant educator, although everyone who knew her knew that she's just really bringing her anger to the fore.

The Osakan now stood in front of the desk. "What about it?"

"I would like to congratulate you for your wonderful essay," she said happily, with a twitchy-eye forced smile that Osaka didn't seem to notice.

"Really?" Osaka beamed with with a blank expression.

Almost immediately, Yukari's eyes went red, her veins popped in her head, growled loudly, "Hell no! What I see written here on your essay is a really truthful and blunt statement from our resident airhead, you! If you think you find it funny making me look like an idiot with your little paper by citing our little 'life experiences', I'll be happy to knock some sense into your head."

Osaka's face turned into an equally blank expression of fright. "No, no, Miss Yukari," she pleaded, "I don't want that. I promise to change it."

"Good." She smiled with evil glee. "Now change your essay before I-" She heard some footsteps outside. She looked over her shoulders, suddenly alarmed. On the shadow, she could see the silhouette of a heavy-set man through the glass of the door. What the hell? she thought. Is that jerk Hajime making his rounds again? Seeing that she doesn't want to get lambasted by him again, she turned to Osaka. "Osaka, you're excused."

Osaka instantly became happy again. "Yay."

"Excuse me, Miss Yukari," a different voice chimed.

Huh?

The door opened and it was one of the janitors, who worked in the school for twenty years already. He was portly, had a balding head and walrus mustache. "What's all the commotion about?"

She sighed with relief. She said to him, in a reassuring tone, "Oh, that's nothing. I'm just here trying correct my student's shortcomings."

"Really?" He raised an eyebrow in curiosity. "Cause that sounded like a racket over there."

"That's nothing, it happens sometimes and it's none of your business~," she sang cheerily.

"Okay..." he replied, sweat dropping. "Just to warn you, he's asking me to report any sort of suspicious activity. I think he's riled up about that Kimura fellow or something?"

He excused himself and left. Yukari went white in shock. What? That jackweed's actually telling the staff to spy on us?

Her face turned blank with bewilderment, then it turned red with anger. "Why the hell does that Hajime bastard piss me off?" she growled in anger. The girls shuddered, startled by Yukari's sudden outburst. She picked up the papers and was about to get out when she sees the four girls staring at her, Osaka did, of course, with a blank expression of 'o'. She shouted at them in anger, "Get back to work." She stomped off and slammed the door, leaving the girls sweat dropping.

Osaka slowly turned to her pint-sized genius classmate. "Hey, Chiyo," she asked softly, "is it because of my essay?"

"I don't know..." Chiyo replied, having no idea what actually transpired.


The rain stopped but the schoolyard outside was thoroughly drenched and only a FIFA-type soccer team can play in that sort of ground so all sports activities took place in the gym. Kagura assembled along with other members of the swim team. They're mostly there to exercise under Miss Kurosawa. She said to them, "Alright, everyone. Since we can't have swimming as scheduled, we should perform some exercises. Let's do some warm-ups for a while."

They made a few light exercises. Kagura settled to the floor and stretched her limbs, like the thousand times she did every since the first year. As she toned up her legs for the intensive workout, she turned to another member of the swim team, Kazuki.

"Man, rains are getting more frequent this year," she noted.

"Yeah, maybe it's thanks to global warming." He chuckled.

"Speaking of global warming, that new principle is turning the heat up in here," Kagura said. The principal had already made a string of penalties on students who were often repeat offenders to various school rules and regulations.

"Well, too bad for those guys," he said, "glad I'm not them."

"You said it," she agreed. "Although bad timing for my friends."

"You're friends?" He was puzzled.

"Tomo and Yomi," she answered, "making noise again."

"I didn't know."

"They got busted by him when Tomo got Yomi pissed for one thing or another. He was just walking by when Yomi busted her chops." Kagura stretched her legs a little. Then she continued, "He told them that they were going to his room. He also burned Yukari while she going to bathroom."

"That must have been tough," he replied. "Well, she met her match."

"In a way, yeah," Kagura agreed. "Although technically, it wasn't Yomi's fault in the first place. Tomo ran right into the blackboard." The sight of Tomo crashing into the board was the funniest thing she ever saw. "And Yomi gave her the finisher."

"Running into a wall, bounce off and land on Yomi's fist. That's smart of the school wildcat." They continued the rest of their exercise until Kurosawa got them ready for some basketball.


Kimura was shuffling papers on his desk, trying to stop thinking of last night's escapade. It was bad enough to have an affair with two students, but it almost spilled over when he was alone with Sakaki. That would have been disastrous, not only for him, but for them as well.

He did, however, felt rejected. At the classroom, they renounced him almost immediately, much to his disbelief. Why would they do that to him? Don't they remember the passion they had last night? They did they regret that and felt guilty, then reject him? No... It seems they have forgotten about that. That's a good explanation, they wouldn't renounced like that all of a sudden. Perhaps he would ask Yomi and Sakaki before... He put that out of his mind before continued his task. Yomi was with Tomo right now, awaiting punishment. He would have to leave soon. There's actually nothing left here for him to do. The door slid open loudly and that startled him. Yukari stomped in the room with a crossed expression.

"Damn," she muttered as she went in. She took her seat on her somewhat untidy desk.

"What's wrong, Yukari?" Nyamo asked, turning to Yukari.

"I can't believe Osaka wrote me in her essay as a moron," she replied offhandedly, visibly irritated.

"Really?" She raised an eyebrow skeptically. The last person to write down Yukari like that would be Osaka, and that's unbelievable.

"Yeah," she cried, handing Nyamo a paper. She read it and was surprised that it was Osaka's essay, and even more surprised to see it was comparatively mild compared what Yukari ranted about it. "Yukari, this doesn't look like what your saying."

"But look at the way she wrote me," she ranted again. "How the hell am I gonna explain to that jerkweed principal-" She stopped abruptly the moment she made that slip-up.

"Wait, this was your own activity?" Nyamo asked. "And how are you going to explain yourself when he reads that?"

"Uh... well?" Yukari smiled and sweated nervously, twiddling her fingers, trying to think of something. Then something hit her and she took it quickly. "Oh no, not really. It's off the record," she chimed.

"Just like that?" Nyamo was nonplussed by her friend's absurdity. "Yukari, that was the lamest excuse you've ever made. He's gonna ask us what this is all about."

"Not with a little love letter will help." She winked back at her. Nyamo turned pale when she heard it.

"What?"

"There's nothing to worry about, as long as you don't tell the principal, I won't divulge your love letter." She did a little dosado in triumph.

"Hell no! I won't let you do that," she snapped.

"That's not something you can run away from." Yukari smiled.

Kimura, seeing where this was going, silently made himself scarce and left the room. He could hear them argue as he left. He walked as fast as he could to get away from the din of the faculty room. Most the students were rushing home, casting shadows along the hallway, courtesy of the overcast sky. As he walked he averted his eyes from the girls as they kept on reminding him of Yomi and Sakaki. Their laughs, their chatter, their innocence.

He felt a bit hazy, avoiding people more by instinct than by real sight, yet instinct is a faulty compass, he narrowly missed some of the people in hallway. Their chatter echoed loudly, everything was a blur, his brisk walking was like that of a man desperately searching shelter from unseen elements besieging him. The whirl of images dancing in the dim gray of hallway, contrasted by the harsh white overhead lights, seemed to mock him. He then took halting half steps, trying to navigate his way through, feeling weak and limp.

He finally reached the restrooms. He leaned shakily on the nearby wall, his face pale as he panted heavily. He was sweating profusely and wiped his forehead with his handkerchief. He went to the nearest door and got in. He immediately went to one of the sinks and opened the faucet. He cupped his hands and splashed some water on his face. He looked at the mirror, his wet face stared back at him. He was confused, bewildered. What's wrong with him? Is it guilt of his sins of the flesh? He couldn't tell for his mind was muddled severely. his head pulsed slightly.

A cubicle door opened behind him. He was startled, too startled to move at all. From the mirror, he could see it was the music teacher, a bespectacled woman with a purple skirt and a white jacket.

"Kimura, what are you doing here?" she said with an annoyed voice. "This is the ladies' room."

Kimura turned his head slowly. He replied shakily, "Ahh... yes... I think I took the wrong room... sorry."

"You better be." She gave him a look that is at once serious and suspicious. "Your antics are not amusing."

He simply nodded and half-dragged himself out of the room. Out, he went away in briskly from the room, fortunately for him, no one else was around when he got out. He dropped by a vending machine and ordered an iced tea. He took out picked out the straw from the pack and stabbed it. He sipped the cold liquid, which refreshed him with its taste. He sighed with relief. His mind seemed clear of the mental clutter that plagued him earlier. He was about to move on when he spotted Sakaki through the hallway. He was turned away and was about to leave.

"Kimura-sensei," she called out. He froze mid-step. She got closer to him in rather hesitant steps. He took a deep breath and slowly faced her. Her head stooped a little and her eyes have a glazed look, almost as if she was taken in by a deep melancholy. "Excuse me..." she said softly.

"Yes?"

"Well... about what happened at the classroom..." she began. "I... didn't mean... it..."

"In that case..." he replied awkwardly. Why would Sakaki apologize for being startled by his behavior a while ago? It doesn't make sense. "I know you didn't... but I don't think I was being exactly polite to you back there." He chuckled nervously. Kimura would have turned away when Sakaki held his arm. She looked around to see if anyone's around. There's not a soul in sight where they are. She let him go.

"Come with me, please," she said. He nodded and they walked together.


Kagura wiped a line of sweat from her forehead. She sat down, tired after a good game of basketball. She finished a bottle of mineral water and put away in here bag.

"What a game, man," Kagura remarked. Their game was quite fast-paced and many other members of the swim team are tired and barely moving a muscle.

"Boy... I'm bushed," Kazuki puffed. "You were quicker than Dirk Nowitzki."

"Hey, I like a good game." Kagura flashed a smile.

"Boy, by next school year, every sports team would want to have you in there club." It's no joke that Kagura was very good in most sports.

Kagura smirked. "Only they want Sakaki in their team."

"Oh yeah..." He paused. Sakaki, the most popular girl of the school, has always been the most sought after one due to her natural physical prowess, even Kagura had to admit that the tall girl can outrun her in the one-hundred meter dash. The only thing she can best her in are stamina events such as marathons. "Wow, she sure beat you back there in the hundred meter dash. You sure you don't take that seriously?"

The tomboy smiled cockily. "No. Not at all. She's quite great and I hope to challenged her again."

"Good luck to you then," Kazuki replied. He knew Kagura is not one to back down on something she sets her eyes on. She would work harder and harder until she attains the optimal performance she wants. The boy walked away and went for the door. After a few seconds, Kagura stood up and went out as well, going to the girls' locker room. She got in and sat down to chat other girls of the swim team until they left the room little by little until she was the only one. After that, she then took a bath at the shower to wash of the sweat and dirt from her body. It refreshed her, made her clean from inside out. She wiped herself dry with a towel, then changed to a fresh set of clothes and was finished when she heard the door open. There were a pair of footsteps when in. Kagura peeked behind a row of lockers to see who it is.

Sakaki and Kimura cautiously entered the locker room. They looked around to see if anyone's around. Kagura instinctively backed away and slowly went to her locker. She crept in and slowly pulled the door closed, the slits on locker slits providing her some vision while concealing her. To see them together and milling around like they're being watched was astounding, especially in the light of Kimura's and Sakaki's natures. "What are they doing here?" She had a feeling in her that told her that it's not good. He sat down on one of the tables.

"Why are you leading me here?" Kimura asked.

Sakaki closed the door behind her and turned off some of the lights. She went back to the middle of the lockers and sat down with him. Her head bowed down a bit. "We just need to talk alone. I think this is a good place."

"I see..." He looked around the room and asked her. "Is there... anyone around here?"

"All of the sports teams are gone," she replied. "I don't think anyone would be coming here to check on anything."

"Okay, but why do you want to talk to me in here?"

"Well... I don't feel comfortable talking with you if we speak anywhere else. It's better here." She bowed her head slightly. Kagura knew Sakaki doesn't talk much, even in casual conversations but to hear use full sentences was a little odd - unnerving actually since it was coupled by her politeness to Kimura in the room.

The sentiment was understandable. No girl would want to be in speaking terms with him in public for very good reasons. But it rarely happened to him for girls to approach him and when they did, usually they come to him half shuddering and always eager to walk away as quickly as possible. The only exception so far was with her and Yomi but that's another matter. "Oh, I can see that." He looked around a bit. He then faced Sakaki. "What was what you're meaning to say to me?"

She looked up to him, that sad look not leaving her face. "I'm sorry for what happened at the classroom... I don't mean to be like that."

That stunned him. He chuckled nervously. "Well, most people would react that way so you've got nothing to feel sorry for."

"No, that's it..." Sakaki replied.

"So... what was it...?"

"Well, you see," she began, "we know that anyone might find it strange if either me or Yomi started meeting you regularly. We had to put on act so no one would be suspicious of us."

He now understood why Yomi and Sakaki rejected him back in the classroom. They had to do it so no one would be curious about them if they're together. He placed a hand around her shoulders and patter her. "I understand. It's alright. I'm not angry with you over that." he said to placate her.

She beamed up and her eyes brightened. "Thanks, Kimura-sensei."

"Okay then, now that's settled we should go home now." He was to stand up but was still held up to the table by Sakaki in the arm. He sat back down.

Kagura was watching them through the narrow slits of the locker. She was already baffled by their rather conversational nature. She muttered to herself, "Sakaki, what are you doing with that guy?"

Sakaki got closer and said, "Play with me, Kimura-sensei. Play with me like you did last night."

He froze in terror. Sakaki is asking him to do it again and ... right here in school. He gulped nervously. "What on earth are you talking about? Right here?"

She nodded her head excitedly. Kimura awkwardly adjusted the collar of his shirt. "Please, Miss Sakaki. It's risky, we're still in the school grounds."

"Don't worry, I've checked this place a dozen times before I brought you here," she assured him.

"I don't think that's good enough," he reminded her. "In any case, we shouldn't be doing what you're asking for."

"But please, I just want to make up for you," she pleaded. The way she did reminded him of a little girl. He doesn't know if he can talk his way out of this.

"No, I don't think it's a good idea..." he replied weakly. He wanted to go away but he felt that he shouldn't for some reason. He finally conceded to her, "Alright, let's just make it discreet."

He was instantly engulfed by her warms as she gave him a warm, tight hug that nearly squeezed out his breath. He embraced back as well, his arms enveloping Sakaki's back. She then laid her head on his shoulders.

Kagura's eyes went wide with shock. The creepy teacher and the tall, dark bishoujo girl hugging each other like they were best friends. No, that was understatement. They hugged each other rather casually and intimately.

Sakaki pulled back a bit. Kagura seem stunned, judging from from her narrow vision. Kimura said something she couldn't hear and Sakaki was displeased. They were both talking in hushed voices but Kagura able to make out some bits of their conversation.

"Please, Kimura-sensei... I know you don't like it... just give it a try..."

He shook his head with displeasure. "No... I won't do it... it's not right..."

"But... it's between both of us..." she pleaded again.

"... It's going too far..."

"... just once..."

Kimura replied inaudibly. Kagura didn't hear it but she knew that he might have gave in to whatever Sakaki whispered to him.

They stood up and walked to the row of lockers where Kagura is hiding. Her stomach tightened in knots as they got closer, fearing they might have spotted her in the locker. The pair finally halted just a few feet away from her. Her back pressed on the lockers, Sakaki was practically pinned there by Kimura's hands holding her wrists. They stared at each other for while, breathing heavily, lustily. Kimura drew his head slowly until their lips met.

Kagura was paralyzed by this sight. She had to stifle a gasp and keep her composure so she wouldn't expose never expected this. Never! What was Sakaki thinking? How could she... She continued to watch their lovemaking, eyes affixed in alarm.

Their kissing became more vigorous. Kimura released his grip on her wrists, his hands wandering to her hips while her hands clung to his upper back. She tried to pull him closer but he held. His right hand moved to her butt while his left climbed up her belly and up to her breasts. He grabbed her butt and played with her breasts, making Sakaki shudder and giving out a slight moan. He sank his lips into her neck and savored her. As he did so, his hand crept back and went underneath her skirt. He was touching that soft part of her that he didn't get to do last night. Sakaki moaned some more, her face full of mirth. His hand crept beneath her panties and touched her there. It felt good, Sakaki sighed heavily and she one one hand slide from his back and crept to her skirt to pressed Kimura's hand there.

This undulation continued for a while until Kimura pulled back and halted. He said to her, "Turn around, Sakaki." She did as she was told. With one arm he wrapped her waist and held her closely to to him while went under her shoulder and slowly lifted her blouse. He did until it was hiked up above the breasts. They then sat on the bench, Sakaki seating on his lap. He peered down her shoulders to look at her peach-colored bra. It was nice to see her breasts again. Sakaki gently stroked his face with her arm like pet like she was petting a favorite cat.

Kimura returned the gesture, making a purr and touched her hand stroking his face. He kissed her neck. Then her hand led his to her breasts. His hand groped her for a while as Sakaki giggled. He then slipped her hand beneath her bra to feel her nipples, grabbed her bra and hiked it well out of the way, freeing her breasts from their constraint. He palmed her breast to feel their weight and shape. He smiled happily and began fondling her breasts. He made her spread her legs a bit more, his hand on her waist then stroke and began working beneath her skirt.

Kagura felt the life drain out of her, watching Kimura play Sakaki like that. They undulated together in a very perverted manner. Revulsion to this unnatural affair was not the only thing she felt. She also felt some lust herself, an odd, unsettling yet strangely enticing. Why she felt like this, she can't understand. At all. She felt shortness of breath and a sort of high with a feeling of repulse. She pushed the walls of the locker to keep herself from slumping down. She closed her eyes to stop watching the disgusting spectacle performed in front of her. That didn't mean she could flush out the sounds of their lovemaking and to had to endure it all, the moaning, the sighing, and the gasping...

It stopped.

Curious, Kagura opened her eyes to see them standing up. Kimura undid his pants and Sakaki her skirt and they were instantly naked below the waist, kicking away their lower garments and footwear. He then sat down on the cold floor with legs astride and his back on the lockers. The sight of him sitting down made her stomach churn. Then Sakaki lay down on her side on the floor in front of him and...

That does it! She nearly threw up and almost choked on her own vomit to keep quiet. Is Sakaki actually... *Ugh*! That thought and that sight was too much for Kagura. She had no evil thoughts about her friends and Sakaki doing such a horrible, lecherous act never crossed her mind. But here she is, consummating it with the most repugnant teacher of the school. Even Kimura would not go this far - until now. She closed her eyes hard and covered her ears, propping her arms against the walls of the locker to keep from sliding down. She wants all this to end, this scene to stop, run away, and hope it was just a horrible dream.

Kimura sighed loudly while Sakaki made love to him. Oh yes, this was something he thought was not possible. All inhibitions have slipped away and they're together to enjoy each other's company once again. The only person missing was Yomi. Regretfully, she had to await punishment with Tomo over that incident in the morning. He also touched her nicely in turn, enjoying their consensual affair. Sakaki, is this what you wanted? he thought. You wanted to make this our special moment, I'm glad to have oblige. Then finally, they reached it. It was drawing near. They both felt it, they quickened the pace.

It happened... He finally reached the summit with her. It was this brief, instantaneous feeling of fulfillment washed over him. He looked down to Sakaki smile happily, though she looked a little tired.

Sakaki slowly pulled herself away from him and rose up, sitting beside Kimura. They cleaned themselves up and relaxed. Sakaki laid her head on his shoulder, her arms grasping his. Kimura caressed her head lovingly. He felt renewed, revitalized, and ready to come out of the world. Yet, he was not satisfied, not complete, he still had something to finish. The two faced each other, looking into each other's eyes. He asked awkwardly, "So... did you like it?"

She smiled and nodded innocently. The tall girl was so sweet. Encouraged, he asked her again, "Are you ready for another go?"

She flustered a bit. "Uh... I don't know... maybe I'm a bit tired..."

"Let me help you then," he replied. With a grunt he took Sakaki in his arms and lifted her up. By God she was heavy, not unusual for girls of her height and build. He lowered on his knees and slowly laid her on the floor. Sakaki looked a bit startled. He hoped he wasn't going too far with this. She reached out for her skirt and pulled something out of it. It was a red metal foil.

"This one's for me," she told him as she ripped it open pulled out its content.

He realized what it was and said. "Excuse me, Sakaki. Can I help you put it on?" he asked.

She paused for a while, then said, "Let's put it on together."

Kagura looked through the locker slits again to see what happened. Sakaki had finished jerking him off. They stopped for a while to catch their breath. They talked for while, then he lifted her up and lay down on the floor. She knew what he was gonna do to her, only to pause for a while. Whatever it was, it they finished and sooner than she expected, Kimura was mounting on Sakaki. Her legs wrapped around his waist and her arms pressed on his back, Kimura was ravaging the tall girl hungrily, their bodies entwined like two monsters grappling with each other to the point of self-destruction. Kagura snapped her eyes shut again. To see Sakaki degrade herself like this already too much for her, the disturbing images she saw from her locker burned deeply into her mind, not to mention the sounds she heard from the room.

Their lovemaking was more frenzied this time. Kimura was grunting more and Sakaki's moans were louder this time. He was getting there with her. Sakaki was calling out to him, beckoning him further and further. He pressed harder and harder until elation returned to him again.

Tired as they are, he was still going for the finale. He had to repay Sakaki for the favor he asked her. This time it's gonna be reversed. He pulled away from her and have her seated on a nearby bench, her back reclining slightly. He then began to devour her there. Sakaki squealed with satisfaction and sighed lustily as the teacher feasted upon her. She moaned loudly as Kimura savored her like she was the richest wine of the world made from the finest grapes. Her body shuddered every time Kimura ventured further and then retreated, tension rising up quickly in her body.

She yelped, "Kimura-sensei! Thank you!" She can't hold back anymore, she had let herself lose and was overcome with ecstasy rippling all over of her body. She let out a high-pitch scream would have been heard all over the school. Kimura pulled back away and she slumped on the bench.

After finishing up, Kimura help Sakaki up they both cleaned slowly, their beings spent from their affair and put on their clothes on. Sakaki silently went for the door and opened it. She looked cautiously outside for anything or anyone around the empty hallways. After a few seconds, she's sure that there's not a soul around. She waved to Kimura to come.

"The coast is clear," she whispered. "I think we're the only ones left." He nodded in reply. Both of them discreetly exited the locker room while he made a comment about Yomi not around. The sun had already dipped into the horizon and the vestiges of its presence were the red-orange rays that lingered about in the darkened sky.


Kagura opened the locker after she was certain that they're gone. She fell on her knees and hands and panted heavily. She crawled limlpy on all fours to the nearest trashcan and vomitted into it. She took a minute to regain her composure, then she picked up her things and rushed out of the room. She made it to a fountain to drink and splash her face with water. She hurriedly walked out of the school as the cold winds picked up in intensity. She huddled in her clothes to shield her from the cold setting in as the evening began. She was able to reach home by 6:30.

"Hi, honey," her mom greeted as Kagura got in.

"Hi, mom," she replied wearily. She set her bag on the sofa and went to the kitchen for a glass of water.

"How was school?" she asked, wanting to know how her daughter's day went.

"It's fine." She then gave a brief description of what happened today, careful to leave out her encounter with Sakaki and Kimura.

"That's nice," she said and turned around. She saw Kagura was pale and sweaty, her eyes looked quite blank. She looked like she saw a ghost. "Is there anything wrong?"

Snapping back to reality, Kagura hurriedly explained, "Uh, no, mom. Why?"

"You look drained," she said. "Is there something bothering you?"

"No, not all. I think I'm tired from all that workout."

"Okay," her mother said cheerily. She was, however, quite worried when she saw her daughter drained of life. "Honey, if there's anything bothering you, don't hesitate to ask." She went back to preparing food, humming a song. Kagura sighed quietly with relief. Had she blurted out what she saw back there, it would make a lot more trouble than before. Dinner was ready and her family ate. Then Kagura was in her room, studying her lessons after doing a few arms exercises. Not exactly an easy task as she couldn't remove that imagery that assailed her mind, that wanton spectacle of sin that pulsed and writhed right in front of her. She tried focus on an English poem but decided to put it away in her bag and get ready to sleep, even if she wasn't sleepy yet. Perhaps she can try Osaka's daydreaming and spacing out, maybe it can help.

She lay down on the bed and her slowly drifted mind away in silence, her eyes staring blankly at the ceiling. A few minutes later, she drifted off to some rather troubled sleep.


A/N: There you have it, folks. Another mind-blowing production from Anime Borat.