Razz: YAY! Boss is sick! I can write!
Jack: Meaning, he got a day off.
Razz: Important: Claire is going to safe Saki the night she was thrown in, because else she'd have to go with Yu, Yosuke and Chie and that would make them too suspicious of her.
Jack: We noticed this a bit late and not wanting to rewrite half of the chapter, we decided to add it here.
3) Face yourself sucker! Shadow Saki
I found myself at Junes, after I calmed down. Using the opportunity, I walked into the store and familiarized myself with the building. The electronic department was easy to find. I made sure no one was watching, when I put my hand through the television. Seeing as it still worked, I took my hand out and looked for a way to the foot court.
While I was there, I checked the menu. Nothing you can't find in any other store, no matter which country you're in. I still needed to familiarize myself with the town, so I walked out and simply followed the few students that were in town to the shopping district.
I saw a lot of policemen out there, some just standing around and some others 'patrolled' the area. More like ruining the business of the small shops out here even more. No people were around. I didn't even saw one person walking his or her dog.
Let's see, I already was at Samegawa, 'cause the school is along that way, I'd been at Junes, now the shopping district...if I missed something, I could always check later. I walked back to the Dojima residence.
"Welcome back." Nanako greeted. I nodded and put myself on the couch. What kind of stupid anime was she watching? I didn't even bother asking and walked upstairs. Now I had a problem. I had no homework and no other means to kill time. Maybe I should really get myself a TV.
I thought I might as well finish my drawing off Izanami. I had yet to finish both forms and it kept me occupied for the rest of the day, until dinner was ready.
Dojima actually came home, although I don't quite remember if he was supposed to be here on this day or not. Meh, butterfly effect. Even if I would remember, there's no way I can fully trust my memories. The silence during dinner was heavy, but I couldn't care less about it. Silence was good and it allowed me to think, especially with the how to get out without being noticed by anyone and how to sneak into Junes. For the latter I obviously acquired more information. I missed to check for opening and closing times, employee entrances and the cameras. They may have a lot in those stores, but they're all cheap. With the right trick you can get the image blurry enough. I even knew a trick to literally 'blind' the cameras. I only needed a cap and a few LEDs.
"So, how was your first day?" Dojima asked the two of us trying to break the silence.
"I never lie, but what I want to say is not for Nanako's ears." I answered, filling up her glass with soda. "Thanks." she cheered. I put the rest of the liquid into mine glass and put the empty bottle away. We only had take outs this time, but I guess once in a while it is okay.
They all looked at me expectantly, but that was all I had to say. So Dojima turned to Yu. "Not much happened." he simply said and that was Dojima's officially failed attempt to start up a conversation. After dinner, we all made the dishes. Afterwards Nanako resumed in watching TV, Dojima read the paper, I checked the calendar and Yu walked already upstairs, when suddenly the phone rang. I picked it up, being the closest person.
"Dojima residence."
"Ehh, that voice, IT'S YOU AIN'T IT!? THAT LITTLE-"
Just for the record I turned on the speaker as soon as I recognized Morookas voice. Dojima quickly covered Nanako's ears, at hearing the insults King Moron was shouting. If I would describe them all, I would have to rate this story on M. What I can say it was about my sexuality, something about incest and the non-sexual insults. The only one that was really justified, was me not the respecting the elders and teachers in general.
Poor Nanako was looking confused between my sadistic smile and her dad's angry face, who still covered her ears. It was too good, this world just gave me way too much opportunities without the risk of getting punished for anything. Ten minutes later:
"Anyways, get me that other lost cause on the phone."
"For you."
Yu had already come down the stairs and picked up the phone. Seeing as my mission was complete, I walked upstairs and into my room, still hearing the door being slammed shut. Shrugging, I opened up my journal and started writing.
Day 6213 04/12/2011 Tue
My first school day in an otherworldly school. King Moron was an ass, but luckily he isn't my homeroom. My homeroom is the teacher with the pharaoh hat, I already forgot the name.
I managed to see the dead body of the announcer as they took it down with a crane of all things. Guess you use what you got. It's not like she could feel uncomfortable or anything. But I kind of lost it, when Dojima approached me and after some talk he indirectly accused me of a liar. God I hate that.
On a funny note, King Moron called this place today to talk to Yu. But when I picked up he immediately got mad (I kind of left an impression on him). I put the phone on loud and everyone (except Nanako, whose ears got covered by Dojima) could hear it. Right now, I think Dojima is on the way right now to meet with the sucker head. I think I'm gonna hit the sack early today.
Update Places:
Yasogami High is a school full of suckers. They gossip all day long and don't even try to hide it or be discrete in any way possible. The teachers either suck or are suckers themselves. Where's the difference? King Moron for example is a sucker, but he at least can teach properly.
The school offers various club activities and how it got a good reputation, I'll never know. If I ever get kids, I won't send them there, except when they change the entire stuff.
XXX
I woke up by my alarm clock and groaned. Today was the day I'd have to sneak out, sneak into Junes and find that Saki girl. Well I didn't have to. I was only interested in getting stronger. I had a feeling I'd have to face the Investigation Team someday. Why? I just had a feeling it would happen someday, knowing my luck.
Nanako already prepared breakfast. Just how early does that girl get up? "Morning."
"Morning." she replied not so cheery. "Dojima out?"
"Yeah..." she sighed "He needed to go yesterday, just when he got back." I nodded and started making my breakfast. The time Yu got down I was already finished and left the house. It was cloudy today, but it didn't rain or anything.
I walked to school the entire way, instead of using the bus. My money was still limited and I planned on using it today for something I really needed. The few students that I met on this early time of the day avoided me. Having nothing better to do, I walked straight into my classroom and placed my head on the table.
School was not much of a difference from home. History, Math and all the other stuff you can think off. Of course English was pretty easy, since it was a foreign language in Japan. And now I'm capable of using both languages just perfect. My inner thoughts were still in English.
The teachers thought they would catch me off guard, because either my head was on the table or I was drawing something on a piece of paper. Hmph, I always watch my surroundings.
I saw Yu hanging out with Yosuke during lunch. I went to the same spot as the previous day to munch down my sandwhiches.
After break, we had Morooka, who strangely didn't say anything about my behavior. Oh my, just why?
He was still annoying. Half the lesson he insulted us and the other half he taught us more than the other teachers during one full period. Probably the only reason he wasn't fired yet. Oh well, I was counting the days he would die and we'd get that perverted teacher. Well, I am bi, so no harm done.
After school I again was one of the first to get out and I headed straight to Junes. Guess who I met on the way, as I was passing Samegawa?
"Ah, great Izanami. It is my greatest honor to meet you again." I said in a sarcastic way, while bowing mockingly. "Hmm, not perfect, but a good start I guess." I mused and shrugged. Izanami was wearing a white pullover and blue jeans and black shoes.
"Do you want to perish so early?" she asked smiling.
"Before that, I wanna know how it is to be lost in the fog. I'll decide afterwards what's better." She tagged along with me. "A day off?" I asked. My soon to be boss nodded. "Are you prepared for the trial ahead?" she asked, as we were passing over the street.
"I can't really prepare with the amount of money I have right now. But I think I can get what I need to trick the cameras, if I need to."
"Oh?" she raised an eyebrow, curiosity clearly written all over her face. "I've watched on TV. I buy a cap, attach some LEDs on top and the cameras will be literally blind. Reflecting light or something, I don't really remember how it works, just that it works." I explained. "It will look like I'll hold a flashlight straight into the camera."
Izanami chuckled. "Well then, let's hope it works. It would be a shame to see you go into prison so early."
"Well, I first need to check, when Junes opens and when it closes its gates. That way, I might only have to sneak out."
We arrived at Junes and I easily found the stuff I needed. A black cap and a great bunch of colorless LEDs. Izanami went grocery shopping and we said each other goodbye on the way to the food court. While I went there, she went home.
I found Yosuke trying to flirt to Saki. Oh god girl, if you despise the boy so much, just say it out loud. When she was about to leave the area, I felt the need to put a hand on her shoulder. "Just spill it out already." I whispered into her ear and walked away immediately.
I had enough money left for steak and something to drink. You know what comes next, right? I swear this world just gives me too many opportunities to have fun with its citizens. I placed myself on the table where Chie, Yu and Yosuke were sitting.
"By the way, why did the sucker call yesterday?" I asked Yu, completely ignoring the others. It was still impossible not to notice.
"H-hey, who are you?!"
"Stop looking at me like that, sucker. You're not going to get anything." I started eating my stake, carefully not looking at Chie in order to keep my appetite.
"Uhh, who-"
"Claire Nights. I live at the same place as him." I told Yosuke and opened my can, taking a little sip. That stake was good. "No wonder the shopping district is losing customers. This is good."
"Hey, you can't blame it all on Junes." Yosuke said sternly. I looked at him with a questionable look. "Are you that dumb, suckerhead? Junes is a large store, which imports things very cheap, thus can sell it very cheap. Plus it being a mega store it can offer more than the locals, so the only shops that survive are those who have something Junes doesn't have or have it better than Junes."
The fries, well not bad, but not as good as the steak. I prefer the once in the fast food business.
"Are you calling everyone sucker?" Yu asked. "I even called Morooka and Dojima sucker. So yeah, I do."
"I see..." he sweatdropped. Yosuke and Chie looked at me dumbfounded. "W-whoa! Your eyes! *gasp* YOU are the girl-"
"Finally noticed?" I asked Chie, not looking up from my steak.
"So, what are you doing here?" asked Yu. "Eating, duh."
"That's not what I meant..." he sweatdropped. I just continued eating. By the way, when I enjoy eating, I eat very slowly.
"Urrgh, she's doing it on purpose." Chie groaned. "Of course."
Yosuke was the only one who found it funny.
"Anyways, about the midnight channel" Chie's mouth finally stopped watering. "When you look at a TV on a rainy night, exactly at midnight, you're supposed to see your soul mate."
"Come on, who'd belief that kind of stuff?" Yosuke asked.
"Oh! Then why don't we try it ourselves? It's supposed to rain tonight, anyway. Hey, where are you going?!"
Ignoring Chie, I left Junes. I needed to prepare the cap for the night. Junes closed at 22:00. If possible I'd jump through the TV before that and wait there until Saki would appear. Then I'd get her out and sneak back into the house. I'd be pretty groggy headed the next day, but no pain, no gain.
When I was back at the house, I found Nanako watching TV, like always. "Welcome home."
"Hey Nanako, do we have filament and needle?" I asked. "Uh, yes?"
"Can you show me?" She brought me the stuff I needed. "Thanks." I walked upstairs and got on to the nasty task. It wasn't as easy as I thought and it took me a while until the cap was ready. Nanako called for dinner, but the only thing we got were takeouts again. I could use something with more proteins for the upcoming fight.
"Dad's late." Nanako complained at one point, breaking the silence. On cue, the phone started ringing and Nanako picked it up. "Hello? Dad?! Huh? Uhuh. Okay..." she put the thing down. "He's not coming tonight." she said, barely holding back tears. She immediately left for her room and slammed the door shut.
"The sucker should get another job." I commented. Yu didn't say anything. He just finished eating up and put Nanako's share in the fridge. At nine he left for his own room. I picked up my school bag and left for Junes. I arrived there a little bit soaked, having no umbrella and all.
Since I got there before closing time, I didn't have to wear my cap. So I just went to the empty electronic store and jumped through the TV.
My landing needed some serious work. I landed on my left arm, but luckily it wasn't broken or anything. After recovering from my ungraceful landing, I grabbed my school bag and took out the homework I still needed to make.
I was occupied for a good hour, before I put the stuff away. It had been way too easy. It was the first day and all, but this was supposed to be high school level? Was it really because of the school or was it because of this world? In any event, I put the stuff away and placed my head on my bag, waiting for Teddie to finally find me. It took the bear long enough. It was midnight, when he finally arrived.
"Hmm? Who're you?"
"Claire. And you?" I asked, looking to the side.
"I'm Teddie!" he announced cheerfully and waved his hand, although he was right in front of me. "What are you doing here? It's dangerous."
"Someone threw someone else into this world." I explained. "I have reasons to belief it's going to happen today too. That's why I'm here." I told him. "Really? Are you going to make my world peaceful again?!" he asked excited. "Depends." I replied.
"Wehee!" What kind of shout was that? Well, it was easy to get his trust and he was too oblivious to ask questions like the how and when and all the other stuff. He kept jumping and dancing for a little while, until he stopped mid-air and somehow slowly got back to the ground. Anime logic.
More important he started sniffing into the air. "What is it?" I asked.
"Someone else is here!" he said, wide eyes.
"So I was right." I got up. "Can you show me the way?"
"Right away, Clear-chan!"
"It's Claire." This was going to get annoying.
The yellow fog stayed for a while until it just turned red. The silhouettes of the fake shopping district could be seen and soon we were on the actual road. "Mmm, how can you see through all this fog?" Teddie asked. "I don't know. Maybe it's because my eyes are special. I do have some weird powers-"
Suddenly Teddie hid behind my legs. "What is it?" I asked. "Shadows, I had a feeling they were watching us the whole time. They're about to attack!"
"Finally." I said, summoning my sword and taking fighting stands. Teddie must have taken some distance, because he didn't touch my legs anymore. Two of those beginner shadows appeared. "Only two?" I complained. That wouldn't get me much money. My vision blurred and soon I found myself standing in the arena. I immediately charged at them and they charged at me. I planned on killing them both with one slash, but one of them flew up and hit me over the head after his friend died. He was about to strike again, when I shouted: "AGI!" It didn't kill the shadow, due to being resistant to that attack, but it gave me some space and the opportunity to kill it.
Before I managed to collect all the money, I was back at the shopping district.
"A-amazing!" Teddie gasped. "It would be, if I'd know how to learn new skills." I replied. After putting all the money away, I turned to Teddie. "Where's the gir- the person who got trapped?" I asked. I must have been intimidating on accident, because the bear gulped. "Y-yes Madam." He walked ahead and I followed him, keeping my sword out, just in case. Right in front the liquor store were four shadows, guarding the door. "Well, if this isn't a lead, then I don't know. But fighting all four at once could be difficult." I mused, narrowing my eyes.
"Hehe, the bear is here to save the day!" I looked down at him and he had some kind of yellow stone in his hand. "What's this?" I asked. "A mazio-stone of course! Some shadows have weaknesses. And they're weak to electricity."
I took the stone and nodded. "This should help." I nodded and walked towards the shadows. Immediately as they charged at me we got transported into the arena.
"So how does this work?"
"Just throw it up!"
I did as Teddie told me to do so. I don't know where in the arena he was, but it didn't matter. Four lightning strikes hit the shadows, knocking them all down. I unleashed some slashes on them. After the first two, the other two started recovering, but only the fourth got up in time. However the fourth was so weak and thus so slow, I killed it with ease, before it could hit me.
After picking up the money, the two of us stood in front of the door. "She's in there?"
"The nose, knows!"
I went inside. There was Saki and her shadow. "Hmm? Two cutie pies?"
"No, that is her shadow." I told him and tightened my grip on my weapon. This wouldn't be easy.
"Her shadow..."
"Hahaha, screw Junes! Because of Junes my parents hate me, the neighbors are talking behind my back the entire time! And then of course there's him."
"Stop, please."
It looked like we already missed the first half. None of my business anyway.
"I'm too scared that if I'd tell him how much of a pain in the ass he is, I'd get fired! I'm such a coward, letting my dreams be shattered by that stupid, happy-go-lucky, asshole!"
"Just stop already!"
I cannot pretend it didn't pick my interest. How could Yosuke with his stupid behavior possibly destroy her dream, whatever it was?
"I worked so hard and then he arrives and ruins everything! Isn't that right, me?"
"Here it goes."
"NO, YOU'RE NOT ME!"
The shadow howled in laughter as her power visibly increased. For some reason the real Saki fell to the ground, as her shadow emerged. It looked like a fox with nine tails, each tail having a face of her looking down at all of us. The real head looked like an actual fox head with black eyes. It had the natural fur of a fox. I didn't like it. Everything from the looks of it told me it used fire attacks and I only had agi.
My vision blurred and we got into the arena where you fight Shadow Yosuke. Shadow Saki approached me slowly with some sort of elegance.
"I am a shadow, the true self." All of Saki's faces talked. "Come, let's have some fun~!"
"I thought my mind is messed up. Whatever, we're all nuts in the one or other way. AGI!" First things first, check out for weaknesses. I couldn't say much about how it worked. Teddie however could. "It's strong against fire."
Well shit, so I had to rely on my sword. The shadow lunged itself at me, a normal attack. I jumped out of the way, but got hit by one of the tails. Before I could get up, it charged up some red energy. "It's going to attack! Stay down!"
Wow, Teddie was actually a useful supporter. The shadow used bash, however it jumped over me and wasted some hp. Of course it was a boss, so it didn't count much, especially on early level. This got me an idea and I kept it in the back of my head. I tried slashing the main body, but it got blocked off by a tail. The tail took damage, but it was much less, than it would have done on the main body. Don't tell me I had to cut off the tails, in order to defeat the entire thing?
The shadow was pretty agile. It jumped around and used dash again. I jumped, but my left side got hit. I tried to slash, but I swung my sword, when it was jumping around, thus missing. It bashed again and this time my right side got a good hit.
"It's way too fast." My breathing got heavier. "At this rate, I'll lose the fight."
"It doesn't have a thick fur! One good hit and it's down."
What a way to put it. I didn't know Teddie could analyze that much. So one good hit would give me the advantage? It was then I remembered that one clue. I got hit by a normal attack, but only partially again. When the shadow stroke again, I fell on my back and raised my sword. I managed to cut right through the belly. The downside was, the landing pressed the air out of my lungs, so we were both down for several seconds, before we got up at the exact same time.
Both of us were in pretty bad shape. I wasn't bleeding, but one more hit and my bones would break.
"Ahahaha. You think you've won? Well then, why don't you come to me and get your reward?"
What made it think I would fall for a trick like this?
"It's using a charm spell!"
Oh crap. I got straight hit, way too slow to dodge. After this I knew how it was to be on drugs. All I could think of was that beautiful shadow right in front of me. I already mentioned I am bi, right? It only made things worse.
Heck, I was totally attracted to that shadow. I moved like a zombie towards the thing. I wanted to pet that beautiful fur, run my fingers through it and obey to every word that beautiful voice would tell me to do.
I was kneeling right in front of it, barely noticing it using mind charge. The wave of energy stroke over me, like a soft touch of the wind. I was even hallucinating cherry petals floating through the sky.
"What do you think is the best way to get rid of charm?"
"Please..."
"Don't worry. Soon all your wishes will come true."
"I have no idea. What do you think,
Red mist surrounded the shadow. Soon, very soon...
Claire?"
I blinked.
"Simple."
"Goodbye~" It said cheerfully.
"Think of something that makes you really mad." "Can you even think like that, when you're charmed?" "It worked, when you hypnotized me."
"DIE YOU BITCH!"
I chopped the head off (the main one). The shadow screamed in pain and black missed was everywhere, knocking me to the ground. I panted heavily, as the normal Shadow Saki appeared right in front of me. My vision blurred and we were back at the normal fake liquid store.
I heard Saki groan in the background and I slowly got up, supporting myself on my sword. I noticed a bunch of yen bill and cards on the ground. I picked them up and put them away.
"I...you..." I heard Saki. I turned my head and gave her my death glare. "If you reject her again, you're the one who's going to fight!"
Saki dared to smile. "Don't worry." She walked over to her shadow. "You know you're right. You both are right. I should have just let it all out, instead of choking it down. And I'm not gonna let my dream be ruined, just because of him, no matter whether I get fired or not. You are me and I am you, right?" Her shadow nodded and flow into mid air, blue mist surrounding it. She turned into a woman, wearing a fox mask, a fox-fur-colored kimono with a band tightening the kimono (working as a corset), high heels, orange hair and nine tails coming out of the ass. Her legs and a good amount of her breasts were exposed by the way.
What kind of personality had this girl? Now I was really curios, but then again, it was none of my business. Her persona disappeared into card and inside her.
"Tamamo-no-Mae." Saki whispered. I heard that name before. I better recheck on the internet. Saki supported herself on her legs, but everything else she seemed fine. Well, she wasn't too long here, the same went for Yosuke who had glasses, the reason he wasn't as tired as the other victims.
"Cleary-chan! Are you alright?"
"It's Claire." I groaned, rolling my eyes. "Just tired." I replied.
