Super Mario and Characters ©︎ Nintendo. Only the Original Characters are my own.
Chapter 9
"Hey, Nico, can you take this to Room A-7?", Aihara told Nico.
"Hm? What's this?"
"What else could it be, silly? It's the decorations and costumes for the Maid Café!"
She said with a smile as she opened the box up revealing the maid outfits for the girls as well as suits for the boys.
"Since when did the school decide it was a good idea to have a maid café?"
He says with not very much amusement.
"Aw, come on, dude, you don't want to see girls in maid outfits serving their masters?"
Said a familiar voice. Said voice came from Charles one of Nico's and Aihara's friends.
"Nah, I-I think I'm good..."
Nico responds. The blue haired female setting the box in front of him just so she could place her hands on her hips.
"Man, sometimes you're not fun... Anyways, why don't you go take it?"
Nico stood up and picked up the box that was given to him.
"Not to be rude, Aihara, but why can't you do it?"
"Well, I have to do some work on that stage play that we'll be doing for the festival. Heh heh..."
She says with a smirk and while also rubbing her hands together like if she was a villain.
"Uh... O-Kay...? You better not do anything quote on quote funny"
"Oh trust me... I won't~"
She says as she zooms off. Charles scratches the back of his neck.
"I don't know about you, man, but I have a very bad feeling about this..."
Kojo nods as he exits the classroom in order to take the decorations and outfits to the café, Charles also following. He has his reasons.
Upon opening the door to the correct a room, a certain girl comes up to him while placing a finger on her mouth and winking after twirling around in her own customized outfit.
"Welcome home, Master~"
She said, Charles came in front of Nico and fixed his glasses with a smirk…
"Why, yes, thank you-"
... Only to be pushed to the side by her as she wrapped her arms around Nico and looked at him seductively. Unsure what to do, he gulps and speaks.
"U-Uh... Th-thanks, Rei?"
The girl, known as Rei, gets closer.
"Aw, what? Aren't you excited to see me in a Maid Outfit?~"
"N-No...? Not really... Look, I just came to drop these off alright? I have other important things to do. Maybe Aihara needs me right now or something..."
He says, placing the box on the table, Rei still holding on to him.
"Come on, why don't you help with the maid-"
"Thanks for the offer, but absolutely not."
Nico quickly denies it as she lets go of him. Of course, her feelings weren't hurt, she was just playfully teasing him. Charles got up and stood next to Rei who watched Nico leave.
"... There's always m-"
"No. Don't be so desperate."
"?!... Denied again…"
"Alrig- No, more to the left!"
Commanded Aihara. She, along with many others, had been working on the stage for the play. It was originally going to be in the middle of the football field, but it was moved to its own area as it was decided to have the field be used for events like Track & Field. Kurushima stood next to Aihara.
"You sure about this play, Kendo?"
"Hm? Of course! We already have all the roles filled out except for Dorothy..."
"Dorothy?"
"Mhm! Since most of the attendees will be children, we thought it'd be a good idea to make the play based off of Wizard of Shroom!"
"So it'll be like every play ever? Don't you think that's a bit repetitive?"
"Well... What other play is there?"
"Well, there's Romeo and Juliet..."
"..."
"Kendo?"
"...!"
The blue haired girl smiles and chuckled after patting Kurushima's back a few times.
"Aha! That's a great idea! Why didn't I think of that?"
"... Then again... I don't think kids will really have enough attention span to watch it... I guess Wizard of Shroom is good enough..."
Aihara crosses her arms.
"Man... I was excited to do that too..."
"You do realize that you'd have to take everything down in order to do it, right?"
"... Maybe next year..."
Only a few days until the festivities begin. Over the past few days, everyone continued putting in the finishing touches to each of their areas. Some students were given their schedules on what events they're going to partake in. Back in class, Nico looked over his own, he… unfortunately got Track & Field. A sport where... he isn't... all that good at.
"I am... so dead..."
Aihara tries to cheer him up.
"Oh come on, Nico! It ain't so bad! You can be like one of those people who are last and then are like "oh no way am I going to lose this!" and then sprint with all their might towards the finish line!"
She recited to him in a ecstatically while also doing a pose for each specific part of her statement.
"... Yeah..."
"Look-"
Aihara wraps her arm around him.
"-my point is that you can do it no matter how weak you are! There are those people who were weak, but overcame many difficult obstacles!"
Nico couldn't believe she was being kind of philosophical. However, with her type of personality... it surprisingly fits.
"What's worse is that mom's gonna watching..."
"Then I guess you should try and, as they say on the interwebs, "git gud"!"
"Gee, thanks, I feel so much better now..."
"Nooooo problem!", She responds with a smile, not understanding it was a sarcastic reply.
"Well, I have to go get a good night's rest for the next few days. You know, gotta ready up for the events!"
She says as she gets in a fighting stance and punches the air a few times before taking off. Nico sighs before storing the schedule in his pocket, still thinking he's dead. He wonders, Why couldn't they pick someone else like Aihara who's actually pretty fast? Or Kisha? Well... Then again, Kisha would win automatically due to her ability…
He wanders back home and just flops onto his bed. He makes sure to turn the alarm off because he thinks alarms don't do anything. Probably because he's a heavy sleeper.
Concurrently taking place while the school was getting ready, Mario had given Shigura a tour of the areas that surrounded them. From Toad Town, to Mushroom City, to the Mushroom High, etcetera! Afterwards, he'd take her to a small restaurant inside Coconut Mall where he also invited Debrie and Lydia as they had nothing to do and were okay with having some R&R. Both Mario and Shigura sat on other ends of the table in front of the other two.
"Ooh, who's this?"
Debrie questions with interest. Shigura would then bow a bit before answering it herself.
"I'm Shigura, it's a pleasure to meet you."
She says smiling afterwards. Debrie nods before Lydia speaks.
"Right back at 'ya. The one in the robe is Debrie, and I'm Lydia. So you're the one Mario gave a tour to. Didn't know it'd be someone like you considering your... Robotic appearance."
Shigura looks at her shoulders, her hips, and kneecaps before giving off a nervous chuckle. Debrie stood up.
"I have an idea, why don't we go buy you some clothes? I mean after all, you can't go walking around like that! Uh... N-No offense! Not saying you look ugly!"
She says, her expression changing from cocky to being worried that she might've offended the potential ally. The human-like robot shakes her head.
"N-no, it's fine!"
"Phew...", Debrie let out a sigh of relief. Lydia stood up.
"I think that's a good idea. Though I wish I could go, I have to get ready for the festival tomorrow."
She says slightly disappointed, but smiles afterwards. Mario nods as well.
"I trust-a you Debrie, just make sure you don't get into too much danger-a... Head back to my place when you two are done."
Debrie gives a military salute.
"Yes, Sir! Mario, Sir!"
Shigura looks at Debrie as she did it and then back at Mario who then gave her a pat on the head. Both of them smiled. It's as if they were actually brother and sister. Lydia also smiled once more before she and Mario took their leave.
"Now then! I know the perfect place! Shopping montage gooooo!"
The girl in robes shouted as she grabbed ahold of Shigura's hand and took her to the many clothing stores within the mall. Most not having what Shigura wanted as when Debrie picked one, she'd shake her head. When walking to others, many would look at Shigura weirdly, some even asking for pictures as they knew she was the robot with human emotions. Debrie would jump in and help her escape from them.
"Man… I could go for a Mushroom Shake right about now. Finding good clothes for you is really hard, Shigura... Hm? Shigura?"
Debrie looks behind her, Shigura looked at a blouse on one of the mannequins with a brown jacket over it and blue jeans. Her eyes were really fixated on it which got Debrie to take her inside and look at it even more closely.
"3000 Coins for that combo? Hm..."
She took out her own wallet that Mario bought for her and checked how much she had. With how rich Mario was, he had given her tons of coins. She was sure Mario would understand if she bought the 3000 Coin priced clothes combo. It wasn't the last one, but it was the one that had the lowest price. After they purchased it, Shigura got the bag and went over to the dressing room to put it on. Debrie waited outside and looked inside her wallet.
"Now I don't have enough for the Nintendo Switch... Aww..."
She closed it. Just then, the door opened and out came Shigura in her new outfit. Debrie couldn't even see the robotic parts and had sparkles in her eyes with her hands clasped together.
"You look so perfect in it, Shigura!"
Shigura extended the lower half of the blouse before releasing it and smiled at the small girl in front of her.
"Th-thanks, Debrie..."
Debrie gave a nod as the two exited the store and then the mall. The petite female would feel the presence of someone watching them. She turned around and looked.
"Something wrong, Debrie?", Asked Shigura, Debrie looked back at her and shook her head.
"Must've been my imagination or something..."
She thought to herself before catching up to the robot. While heading home, Debrie tells Shigura where the school is since that's the place the festival will held in. Mario and Lydia had time to spare so they're also going to it, Shigura nods at the info given to her before the two separated. Shigura's new home was now E. Gadd's laboratory back in Evershade Valley. Both of them returned home safely, Debrie telling Mario about what she bought for Shigura.
"Well, that's good to hear-a."
"Mhm!"
"The festival's tomorrow huh... Reminds me of when I faced a certain hedgehog during the Olympics-a."
"A certain hedgehog?"
"Yeah. It's... A long story-a…", he smiled.
"... Hey... Mario...?"
"Hm?"
"When this is... you know... all over... Can we go on an adventure just the two of us around the world? I mean... I know we'll do that either way because of Dimentio, but... I'm sure we won't be able to go everywhere..."
The plumber stood up and once again patted her head.
"Sure, Kiddo... Promise me... We will-a."
He says as he extended his pinky finger, Debrie soon to follow as they both clasped each other's pinky fingers lightly and smiled while also touching each others heads. Though Debrie did it a little bit too hard, even then they both laughed it off. It really was almost like a relationship between a brother and his little sister.
First Friday of August
It's the day of the festival. Mario and Debrie had met up with Shigura at Toad Town. Lydia hasn't come yet, but Mario figured she'd be waiting at the school.
At the school, Lydia had been waiting for the others while sitting and taking a drink from the soda she bought from one of the stands. Not long after, the rest of her group arrived.
"Well, aren't you guys late...", She states. Debrie crosses her arms.
"Sorry that we don't live close to the school like you do!", The girl in robes responded. Lydia sighed before looking at Shigura in her new outfit.
"Hey, lookin' good there, Shi!"
"Oh, uh, thanks!"
Mario sat on the opposite end.
"So, is there a schedule?"
The plumber asked, the light-brown haired woman set her drink down and took out a neatly folded piece of paper. It had all the "need-to-know" information on it going from the exact times of an event to what each room in the school contained and even a whole map showing where things will take place.
"What a way to make a brochure..."
The plumber stated, knowing the fact that it can't be called a brochure due to its size.
"Okay, but where are the food stops?"
Debrie questioned as she got close to Mario in order to see the paper.
"What is it-a with you and food, Debrie? We just finished breakfast-a not too long ago."
"Whaaat? When did I say I wanted some now? I just... want to know is all..."
"Well... Seems like this whole area is specifically for food so-"
Debrie looked at him with a smile. The plumber sighed and gave her 5000 coins. Enough for her to eat whatever... or at least.. he hopes. She grabbed the money and stuffed it in her wallet.
"Hm... Seems like the first event-a is just... regular Dodgeball-"
The 3 females that surrounded him all replied with just one word.
"Pass."
Mario blinked and shrugged.
"Well then... What did Dodgeball ever do to you...?"
He lowered the paper. Just a few feet away, within the crowd of people, was a man in a black suit who stared at the quartet, mainly at Shigura. The plumber was seen talking to them in a regular fashion. The figure then continued walking a bit closer, but also making sure not to get noticed. He turned on his earpiece which was made for a specific purpose. It allowed him to listen in on conversations.
"-Yeah, so the next event at 12:28 is the Track & Field race. Nico's gonna participate in it."
"Really?"
"Mhm. Just hoping he doesn't make a fool out of himself."
The figure in black shut the earpiece off and walked away with no expression on his face.
"12:28... Duly noted..."
At around the same time, the others did their part within the festival as Nico walked with Aihara and Kurushima. He also looked at the list of events.
"Just an hour or so until the Track & Field…"
He says in a saddened tone. Aihara, who was in her sports outfit due to a previous event, patted his back.
"Oh come on, Nico, don't be such a downer!"
"It's just a game, Kojo. No one's going to kill you over it."
"Have you been training?", Aihara questioned. The male shook his head.
"Nope..."
"Whaaat?!"
The blue haired girl quickly steps in front of him, Nico stopped dead in his tracks.
"Why haven't you?!"
"U-Uh... Do you really expect me to train in the middle of the night?! I got home real tired that day!"
"... Alrighty then... You win this argument this time, but next time, you won't be so lucky!"
Kurushima just stared at the two while letting out a sigh and walked forward.
"Come on, Lovebirds, we still have things to do before that event officially begins."
Both Nico and Aihara ran towards him saying the same thing.
"We're not a thing okay?!"
Meanwhile, a group of students came up to a female who was non-other than Seika Kisha, a Rank 7 Inducer. All of them were in the same class year, with one of the students stepped in front of the long brown-haired girl.
"Oh, come on. With you on our team, we'll be unstoppable! You'll literally just win under a second!"
The female sighed and moved her hair to the side.
"No, thanks. I'd rather not be associated with cheaters like you. Why don't you guys actually, oh I don't know… try winning? Besides, I have other things to do."
"But-!"
One of the students spoke, but ended up being cut off by her just walking off. The group were pretty upset that they couldn't get her on their side, though they also know not to mess with someone like her. They decide to leave, she released a sigh of relief. Upon walking a few more steps, she's stopped by Kurushima.
"Hey, Sei'"
"Hm? Oh, hey, 'Shima, I was just about to go look for you."
Seika backed up a bit in order to be next to him.
"That concession stand here is up and running. You up for it?"
"Hm? Yeah, sure. I have nothing better to do."
Seika, while the two were making their way to the concession stand area, turned to Kanzaki.
"Hey, where's Nico and Aihara?"
"We were together until they both had to leave and do their own thing."
"Honestly kind of glad for that. Just the two of us. Not... To sound rude or anything."
"I know, I know... You want the both of us to spend more time together."
Seika smiled which was a really rare occurrence to many others. She's only ever truly smiled in front of Kurushima which has always been one thing he's been wanting to change, he wants her to smile at more than just him. The two have been together for about a year and a half. Upon seeing her smile, he does the same before she continues heading forward.
"Last one there is a rotten egg!"
"Hm? Oh come on, Seika! You know I can't-"
Before he finished his sentence, the female speeds off, causing large amounts of wind and dirt to spread out. Most of the people covered their eyes in order to avoid getting dirt in them, Kurushima also did this. Most looked in awe.
"- win... at all..."
Kurushima sighs and scratches the back of his neck before putting his hands in pockets of his jacket. He chuckles.
"She's the fastest person alive thanks to the help of her Velocity Break and yet she wants me to race her when she'll win instantly? Hmhm... That's so you, Seika…"
He smiles before running off to catch up to her.
Velocity Break (速度壊す [ベロシティブレイク]) - This Inducer ability allows the user to go at extreme speeds. Those born with the ability have a small change within their bodies which allow them to safely run at these speeds. If it weren't for this small change, they'd have to deal with excruciating pain due to their insides not being able to handle high speeds. There are two known/common categories of speeds for Velocity Break: Speed of Sound and Speed of Light.
Seika, who was now waiting at a table for Kurushima, was looking at a small notepad full of pages with numbers alongside words such as 'Acceleration' and 'Velocity'. She's been working hard in reaching the speed of light, she's only barely two-thirds of the way through. It takes months or years (depending on the user themselves) in order to go at a faster speed. She puts it away as Kanzaki approach her. The male starts panting.
"Why'd you run? You were gonna lose anyways, 'Shima."
"I know... So I just decided... it should be a small exercise…"
Kurushima continues panting before going to get food from the concession stand. She once again waits until he comes back with the food. Of course, he didn't really need to ask her as he knew what she wanted. He took a seat next to her afterwards. It was quiet for a bit until Kisha showed her lover the notepad that contained all the numbers relating to her speed training.
"You still with that? How long have you been doing this, Seika?"
"Eh, about a few months, give or take. I just... I don't know... I want to go at the speed of light so badly... I mean, I know it probably won't make much of a difference, but still..."
"... Why don't you take a break? You really need it, Sei'."
Kurushima responds, the female taking a bite into her food and then taking a sip from her drink before setting it down on the table.
"I guess... Maybe you're right… Maybe I'm just putting too much energy into this."
The male looked at his phone before putting it away.
"The Track & Field Event is about to start soon..."
"Huh? The event Nico's taking part of?"
"Yeah. You going?"
"Sadly I can't... I was called in yesterday. Told me to set things up for the event after Track & Field..."
"I assume you'll be there for that one?"
"Yeah, definitely."
Few more minutes passed. Kurushima stood up.
"Track & Field's about to begin. I'll see you later."
Seika, after standing from her seat, tiptoes up to him and gives him a kiss on the cheek before using her ability to speed off. Out of nowhere comes Aihara who shakes him by the shoulders and then holds on to his hand in order to drag him to the stadium.
"You're gonna be late for Nico's event, silly!"
Kurushima sighs and lets out a soft chuckle as he continues getting pulled by his female classmates.
Back at the stadium, the Track & Field Event was about to begin. A certain man in a suit stood behind the bleachers ready to strike. They opened their hand and faced their palm towards the ground, dirt particles forming a large solid hammer.
"Unit-304..."
The man whispers while looking at Shigura from a far distance. She was chatting with Mario, Lydia and Debrie while they waited for the event to initiate.
"I will make you... My puppet..."