The third and final installment in the triolgy. :3 Also due to a technical goof-up, the ice pack has been changed to a heating pad.
"That was close," Joe grumbled as three of the five Science Ninjas stumbled back to Ken's shack. "Jinpei, how's your leg?"
"Still hurts an awful lot," the Swallow admitted, hobbling over to the sofa. It hadn't been one of their easier fights, and the Science Ninja Team had only "won" by Katse switching off the mecha and fleeing. Jinpei had taken a nasty fall while trying to help Jun dismantle the mecha. "Where're sis and big brother Ken?" he asked.
"Jun's back at your place taking a shower and Ken's talking to Nambu-Hakase," Joe said; Ken had told them to wait at his shack because it was closest to where the battle had taken place. "Ryu, go get a heating pad, I think Ken's got one in his room somewhere and I don't wanna catch any shit from him for looking through his stuff."
"Gee, thanks a bunch," Ryu snorted, but went off to Ken's bedroom anyway. It wasn't spotless, fortunately, just messy enough for him to find the heating pad without Ken noticing anything was out of place. "Let's see..." He began to root around in a desk drawer, but something caught his eye. "Eh?!" He pulled the package of condoms out of the drawer. "Uh, Joe?" he called. "I could, uh, use your help looking for the ice pack!"
"Okay..." Joe strode into the bedroom, eyes widening when Ryu held up his find. "What the-"
"Shh!" Ryu closed the door. "All right, I don't wanna jump to any conclusions right away...are these yours, Joe?" he asked. Joe rolled his eyes.
"Why would I be hiding my condoms at Ken's place?"
"Good point," Ryu conceded, "but why would Ken have them? You know how he is about girls."
"Also a good point," Joe said, then grinned. "Of course, Jun seems to have a bit of a glow about her lately, and we know she's not pregnant."
"Because of these," Ryu added. "Which means..."
Joe's grin widened.
"Pay up, buddy. I told you it'd happen sooner than later," he said. Ryu dug a twenty out of his pocket.
"This is one bet I don't mind losing!" Then he remembered his original mission. "Right, the heating pad."
*
"What took you so long? My leg could've fallen off!" Jinpei said. Joe and Ryu exchanged a glance, then shrugged.
"Ken's room's so messy it took us a while to find the thing!" Ryu lied.