Gundam wakes up alone for once. The ease in which he rolls over surprises him. The animal breeder rubs the sleep from his eyes and bolts up right when his aching face touches the mattress. The wet mattress. The excessively wet mattress. Gundam sits up straight and glares at the wet spot on his bed. He doesn't drool. Surely this must be some sort of sick prank to- He glances down at the empty plastic bag. Oh. The ice melted and soaked into his bed.
"...Damn it..." Gundam mumbles to himself and gingerly touches his sore face. So much pain. This is ridiculous. He slowly gets up, stretching the kinks out of his joints. Something gnaws at him. It's loneliness. Gundam sighs. He hasn't slept alone in... how long? Years? The thought draws a chuckle from him. One so mighty as him, having separation anxiety. How droll. The animal breeder slowly dresses himself, the morning announcement happily pinging through his cottage making him realize how early he woke up. He heads out anyway, the crisp morning air nipping at his face. The Four Dark Gods of Destruction nestle themselves deeper into his scarf. The chill of the morning air stinks of malice today. Gundam starts his walk towards the restaurant and tenses in surprise, going stiff as a board, when someone taps him on the back. He whirls around to see Tsumiki, flinching at his sudden motion.
"I-I-I'm sorry! I j-just wanted to check up on you!" The nurse starts sobbing. Gundam raises his eyebrows in surprise. Why is she crying.
"Timorous one, relax. It is fine. Your concern is noted. Stop crying."
"S-sorry..." She sniffles and reaches up to touch his face. Her hand lands on his swollen jaw and he recoils in surprise. Tsumiki has a realization and begins wailing again. "O-oh my goodness I'm sorry! I-I just wanted to check the injury I should have asked first please don't be mad a meeeeee!"
"Hn..." Gundam glances around, hoping someone would be here to help him with the girl. No dice. He sighs and places a hand on her shoulder and squeezes lightly. "Calm yourself. You are a medical professional. You do not need my permission to conduct your business. Now cease your tears. There are more important things to do. Such as getting to breakfast." With a nod, Gundam releases the now pacified nurse and stalks toward the restaurant. He notices Nidai standing outside the lodge nervously, but the area is otherwise clear. After a moment, he hears rapid footsteps behind him, and Tsumiki slows to a trot when she comes up next to him. They walk silently, climbing the stairs to the restaurant. Only Togami is there, and he leans against the railing guarding the stairs, snoring lightly. Gundam is surprised at the strength of said railing. He walks over to his normal spot, plopping himself down into the seat while Tsumiki fusses over Togami, apparently thinking him dead or the like. This wakes him up, and they squabble for a moment before Tsumiki retreats to her seat, sobbing, and Togami leans against the railing again, silently. The others slowly filter into the restaurant until everyone, sans Hinata, is there, even Kuzuryuu. They sit in relative silence when a voice cuts through the thick morning air.
"Alright guys! Today's the day!" Owari stops stuffing her mouth for some reason, looking up at everyone with an intense fire in her eyes.
"And what could you possibly be talking about?" Togami raises an eyebrow, staring at the gymnast. She jumps up, pointing at the ceiling with a purpose.
"Today is the day we find that dirty traitor and beat the snot out of them! We find that damn password, and we get out of here!" Owari grins.
"Um... Owari-san... No offense, but it's only been one night. I don't think anyone would have found anything out about the traitor. Plus, I doubt there even is a traitor..." Komaeda chuckles nervously.
"It's okay Komaeda-kun, I didn't get anything either!" Hanamura slides up to Komaeda's right, backing off when the luckster shoots him a look.
"We don't know if the traitor stories are lies either, Komaeda." Koizumi crosses her arms. "You have to remember to keep an open mind about these kind of things." She huffs and turns back to her breakfast. Komaeda shoots a weary grin at Gundam. The animal breeder snorts.
"We most certainly know that they are true! But we don't have to worry about him." Nidai crosses his arms with a satisfied grin. Gundam raises an eyebrow and turns to the coach.
"What are you talking about, spirited one?"
"B-but what if the traitor-" Tsumiki starts.
"There is NO WAAAAAAY! The traitor will trouble us no more!" Nidai roars, cutting the nurse off. She sniffles pathetically, and Koizumi glares at Nidai.
"Hey! Don't cut her off!" The coach seems like he's about to apologize when Gundam cuts him off.
"You are so sure about that why?" The animal breeder looks at Nidai expectantly. The coach, true to Gundam's expectations, blurts out without thinking. Gundam is pretty sure he can see the one, dusty gear in Nidai's head turning. Sometimes the coach has an incredible thinking ability. Other times... not so much.
"Because he's tied up! He's not going ANYWHERE!" Everyone goes silent. Most of them stare at Nidai in surprise and disbelief. Gundam catches Togami looking startled.
"...Eh?" Sonia asks, grabbing a fistful of her dress.
"Tied up?" Saionji cocks her head. "Surely you can't be saying you tied up big bro Hinata? He's the only one we haven't seen since... the trial." The dancer giggles. "Ooh boy, you really had me there, big bro Nidai! To think that you tied up Hinata... well I'll be damned."
"..." Realization dawns on Nidai's face. He finally understands that he's been running his mouth for way too long. His eyes scan the crowd, and they settle on Kuzuryuu of all people. Sweat pours down his face, and Nidai grabs his head in horror. "HOLY SHIIIIIIT! What do I DO, KUZURYUU?!"
"Oy, are you kidding me?! Don't pull me into your shit!" Kuzuryuu shakes a fist at Nidai, jumping to his feet. "...God damn it." He turns to Togami. "We're fucked!" The group directs their attention to their 'leader'. Togami sighs in irritation, pressing a hand to his face.
"You two are some of the most incompetent fools to ever grace my vision..." The heir shakes his head, then addresses the other kids. "Yes, what those idiots are saying is true. We did tie up Hinata. With good reason, of course." He crosses his arms to finalize his statements, evidently convinced that everybody would believe him.
"Hold on! You just... tied him up? That's..." Koizumi falters with her protest. "You... ah, never mind..." The photographer huffs and looks away.
"...Anyway." Togami glances over the group with the same cool demeanor he always holds. "Hinata is tied up in the lodge. Entry is forbidden unless I authorize otherwise. Now that that debacle is over..." Togami taps his chin in thought before shrugging. "Whatever. I have nothing more to talk about. Don't go near the ruins, don't go into the lodge, don't do anything stupid. You're free to do whatever." The heir ambles over to the food table, piling a plate. A few of the kids, startled by the fact that Togami isn't lording over them, shrug and exit the restaurant. Gundam himself is one of those kids, heading out of the hotel lobby into the warming day. He figures he'll... go to the beach. Yeah. Or perhaps the farm. As he passes the pool, however, a hand lays itself on his shoulder. Gundam turns around to find Koizumi staring at him.
"...May I help you?" Gundam finds his expression falling into a glare, the photographer's face doing the same. She pulls back and crosses her arms at him.
"Yes, in fact. Come with me. Now." Her hand darts forward, roughly grabbing his wrist, and she starts walking. Gundam stands still, and Koizumi yanks on his hand, making him stumble forward after her.
"What is the meaning of this? Release me now or I will exact retribution, both for that unnecessary assault on my being yesterday morning and my unwilling capture now. Trust me when I say that you do not simply trifle with the mighty Gundam Tanaka and get away with it." He stops for a moment to let his threats sink in. The photographer marches on, ignoring him. "Hey! Acknowledge me when I speak to you! Your disparaging actions will surely be committed to memory, and when I conquer this pathetic world you will be the first to succumb to my iron-fisted rule! I-"
"Would you just be quiet?" Koizumi interrupts him, continuing to drag him along. "Do you even know how to talk normally?" Gundam feels himself flush at the insult.
"Wh-! You dare blasphemize the name of your future ruler?! I will have your head! It will be loped off and I will chortle at the sight of it in my lap!" The animal breeder stews angrily when he hears the redhead chuckle, knowing that for whatever reason, she isn't taking his threat seriously. Gundam remains silent for the rest of their trip to their destination, which happens to be a small building that Gundam can't remember the purpose of on the central island. However, when Koizumi opens the door, the animal breeder's heart falls. The smell of detergent washes over him. There's only one reason for him to be here with her. She pulls him in the laundromat and points at him.
"Give me your clothes. Now."
"Wh-what?! Do you not realize what you are asking?" Gundam grabs onto his scarf protectively. She wants him to strip in front of her?
"You think I want to do this? You boys are just... so dirty all the time. Give me your clothes. You should be happy I'm doing this for you." Koizumi huffs and crosses her arms. They stare at each other for a few moments. Gundam weighs his options. He could leave. But then the girl would probably chase him down and tear his jacket off or something. He could refuse. But then they'd be standing here uncomfortably all day. He could yell. But then he'd look like... well... He doesn't even want to go there. There's really only one option left. Complain.
"Why me?" He stands there and crosses his arms as well, probably coming off as pouting. He'll have to deal with it.
"Because you can't look respectable in some dirty, stained, ratty clothing!" Respectable? Gundam raises an eyebrow at the photographer's choice word. What could he possibly have done to have her deem him 'respectable'? Clearly there is a higher conspiracy going on here. The animal breeder stays silent for a moment before shrugging off his coat. Koizumi takes it and points at what appears to be a curtain blocking off a corner of the room. "Go there. Don't strip in front of me!" Gundam grumbles, immediately regretting his decision, and trudges into the corner. He yanks the curtain shut and pulls off his pants and shirt, wadding them up together. The animal breeder grabs a towel that was sitting on the floor, probably dirty as well, and wraps it around his waist. Some mortals have not the ability to sense his ethereal undergarments, and Gundam doubts Koizumi is one who can. He exits the changing corner and roughly plops the wad of clothing on the machine next to the one Koizumi is using. She glances back at him.
"Here. Would you like my dignity as well?" The photographer's eyes trail down to his feet.
"If you mean your socks and scarf, then yes. And here." Koizumi plunks Gundam's Student ID onto the dryer as Gundam reaches up to protectively grab his scarf. "You really need to be more careful with these type of things. What if I didn't find it and it got left in the machine? Then it would have short circuited or something and where would you be then?" She puts her hands on her hips.
"You need not lecture me, I have no time for your trivial arguments." The animal breeder peels off his socks and holds them out to Koizumi. She stares at them for a moment before glancing up at him, unamused.
"Your scarf too." Gundam shakes his head.
"You cannot confiscate the resting place of the Four Dark Gods of Destruction! To have your rancorous extremities even graze its surface would be blasphemy upon itself. If need be, I will release the gods themselves, and they will surely ward off your vile influence!" Gundam strikes a pose, his hamsters taking their cue and jumping out onto his arms. Koizumi just raises her eyebrows and, now that the hamsters are no longer in their 'home', grabs the end of his scarf, yanking it towards her. Most of it comes unraveled, but the end that was (rather embarrassingly, to be honest) tucked into the back of his towel catches the Devil Dog Earring and tugs him forward as well. They end up in each other's faces, an aggressive sneer on Gundam's face. Koizumi mirrors his expression. "Release. The scarf. Human."
"Make me." She tightens her grip. "I'm washing this thing and that's final." A hearty laugh shakes them from their tug-of-war and they turn to glance at Monobear, who sits on one of the other washing machines.
"Upupupu! Oh my, it's certainly getting hot in here, isn't it?" Gundam shares a mutual look of disgust with Koizumi before the two stand up straight. Gundam unhooks his scarf from the earring, letting the end slump to the floor. His neck, paler than the rest of his skin, feels cold and naked without the garment on it.
"What is it you wish of us, foul demon?"
"Oh, nothing much. I was just wondering if this was going to end up... ah... dirty..." Gundam catches Koizumi looking away in surprise.
"And what brought you to that ridiculous conclusion, fiend?" The animal breeder takes a step towards the bear, who kicks his feet in humor.
"Oh I dunno... The atmosphere just seemed right, you know? I once knew a kid who wrote stories like that. Chubby guy. You wouldn't know 'im. He's dead." Gundam clenches a fist at how causally Monobear uses that word. Dead. "Anyway, I just figured since you were undressing anyway, you might as well... y'know. Considering you are teenagers and all..." Gundam feels his eye twitch as Monobear snickers.
"Enough!" He shouts at the bear, jabbing him in the 'chest' with his index finger. "I loathe listening to your pompous 'stories'. Vacate the premises, or the Four Dark Gods of Destruction will have your Evil Eye and they will feast upon its hearty sustenance!" Said gods scramble out of the folds of Gundam's towel, settling on his shoulders with a ferocious chitter.
"Eesh, fine." Monobear sighs. "And here I thought things were getting interesting. Oh well. Adios." The bear jumps to his feet and walks off the edge of the washing machine, disappearing behind it. Gundam groans angrily and hops up onto the dryer, laying his forearms on his thighs. A glance at Koizumi reveals her quickly stuffing his clothes into the washing machine she's at and slamming the door shut. She turns to face him and they stare at each other for a while silently. Gundam averts his gaze and stares at his bare feet.
"Tanaka." She starts up quietly, almost inaudibly. The animal breeder looks up at the photographer. She looks... anxious. "I just... I wanted to thank you for helping out Hiyoko-chan the other day. I... didn't expect that from you." A deep chuckle bubbles up from his chest.
"Do not worry. I do not allow presumptuous fools such as Kuzuryuu to harm those unnecessarily. No one gets harmed while I am present unless I deem it fit. I am a rather benevolent ruler in that manner." Gundam closes his eyes with a grin.
"You protect... everyone?" Koizumi plays with her camera, not looking at him. Gundam finds the question odd. She worries about everyone being protected? Strange.
"...Yes. Obviously. If I let you mortals harm each other, there will be no one left to lord over, will there?" His grin rises into a smirk and the animal breeder lets out a laugh. Koizumi chuckles. Gundam's smirk falls, and he cracks an eye open to look at the photographer. "...Why? Is there someone you wish placed under the protective wing of Gundam Tanaka?"
"M-" Koizumi starts to say something, then shakes her head, cutting herself off. "...No. Forget about it." Gundam stares at the girl curiously. Perhaps there is more to her than he thought. His Student ID buzzes gently, so lightly that Gundam wouldn't have noticed if it was in his pocket, and lets out a quiet fanfare that sounds like tinkling glass. Curious, the animal breeder picks it up and flips it on. The device brings him to the screen displaying the names of the students, with Koizumi's name flashing. He taps on it, and it brings up her profile. A star-shaped icon in the top right corner with six sections flashes, and a blue chuck fills in one of the sections. Gundam notices there's already one there, putting a grand total of two blue chunks in the shape.
"Eh? What is this madness?" Koizumi leans over, letting out a quiet 'oh' in surprise.
"That's the 'Hope Shards' thing Monomi talked about, remember? I guess we uh... found one. Heh." She smiles at him, and Gundam can't help but smile back. The washing machine dings, and Koizumi hurries to pull the clothes out. They're damp and fragrant, making Gundam wrinkle his nose. Koizumi turns around to find the animal breeder still camped out on top of the dryer. "Hey! Clear out! I have to put these in before they wrinkle!" Gundam rolls his eyes, but follows her directions anyway. She's back to her old self. He can't help but think he saw a more... vulnerable part of the photographer a few moments ago. It was rather unnerving. The animal breeder leans against the wall of the tiny laundromat, getting lost in his thoughts.
Gundam walks around the second island aimlessly. Technically he has something he's supposed to be doing, finding Kuzuryuu so Koizumi can wash his clothes, but he's in no hurry to locate the gangster and he could tell that the photographer wasn't too worried either. Gundam flips through the profiles on his Student ID. Most of the others he has only one shard with. Komaeda and Saionji are unsurprisingly, or perhaps it is a surprise?, already full. Gundam isn't sure whether this was something Alter Ego did or if all those times they slept on top of him counted for Hope Shards. The only other people he has more than one with, besides Koizumi, are Sonia and Tsumiki. The princess has three, while the nurse has only two. Gundam isn't exactly too sure where those came from. With his attention absorbed by the device in his hands, Gundam doesn't notice the person near him until they clear their throat. He looks up to find Nidai walking slowly next to him. How the coach snuck up on him is a mystery.
"Is there something you want from me, spirited one?"
"Well..." Nidai stares at the animal breeder for a moment before his neutral expression rises into a huge grin. "I think we should spar!"
"...Spar?" Gundam raises an eyebrow. What is he talking about.
"Yes. Despite the rashness of your actions, that fight with Kuzuryuu showed the battle prowess in the both of you. You both obviously have had some sort of training, or at least previous experience with fighting. I think it would be valuable to work on your skills, if only so that we have something to do. I have already approached Kuzuryuu and talked to him about it." The coach sighs and sticks a finger in his nose. Gundam leans back slightly, surprised. What. "However, he brushed me off and insulted me..." Nidai has a twinge of offense in his voice, as though he took Kuzuryuu's insults personally.
"Hmm. While my power is all-mighty, I do believe honing your skills is never a waste of time... I take you up on your offer, spirited one. We should make an appointment for this 'spar'." Gundam crosses his arms and nods. Nidai grins happily.
"EXCELLENT!" He shouts, pleasure evident in his voice. "I think the best time to meet would be an hour or two after lunch tomorrow, long enough for our bodies to gain energy from our food. You should get some rest tonight, and perhaps some stretches before bed so as to loosen up your muscles. If possible, I would recommend doing five sets of ten push ups and crunches, a minute or two of rest between each set..." The coach goes on to give Gundam advice on how he should exercise in preparation and how much to eat and how long to sleep and other things. Gundam raises his eyebrows in relative surprise. Nidai sure knows his stuff. One thing the animal breeder notices is the parallels between caring for animals and caring for one's self. He supposes that they are similar processes. Gundam nods as Nidai finishes his speech. "...And remember to drink a glass of water before bed, so you stay hydrated."
"I thank you for your advice. I was rather surprised at the parallels between caring for the gentle creatures of this world and caring for one's personal well-being..." Nidai just smiles widely.
"Ah! Revealing your interests!" The coach stares at Gundam for a few moments with his mouth wide open in anticipation, like a little kid waiting for a bedtime story. Gundam crosses his arms and shakes his head lightly. Nidai frowns. "Oh. But you should. Physical health is only part of being strong. You must also train your MIND! And sharing your thoughts is one of the ways to strengthen not only your mind, but the minds of those around you!" The coach goes back to grinning expectantly at him. Gundam rolls his eyes.
"...Very well. But I expect you not to understand the finer details of my speech. Be warned, as dwelling too much on the inner concepts of my transcendent rites has obfuscated lesser minds..." Gundam lets out a dark chuckle. Nidai stares on, seemingly interested. "To begin, fostering the most superb of creatures begins with one of the most vital aspects of daily life. Diet." Gundam goes on into a rant that lasts several minutes on how to properly care for animals, the coach listening in rapt attention. When he finishes, a light buzz in his pocket indicates that he has apparently gained another Hope Shard. "...That is all. Remember these facts, and perhaps I will consider you a worthy disciple for one of the Felis genus... although perhaps one of the Canis lupus familiaris is more suited for one such as yourself."
"Not to worry! I will have these facts committed to memory by tomorrow morning!" Nidai claps Gundam on the shoulder roughly, laughing deeply.
"Before you depart," Gundam glances at Nidai, who looks at him inquisitively. "You said you spoke to the obscene one earlier. Where does he reside?" Nidai scratches at his chin.
"Hn... I believe it was at the diner. I tried to warn him of the dangers of not only skipping breakfast, but also of eating greasy foods for lunch constantly. Why?"
"The red-haired woman requests his presence. She is... cleaning the garments of everyone, it appears." Nidai raises both of his eyebrows, this time with a look of concern.
"Koizumi?..."
"Your concern is noted. I will be there to stave off any unwanted aggression." Gundam sighs. "Every moment spent with him is a quandary... a disaster waiting to happen..." Nidai nods reluctantly in agreement.
"I think it would be wise for me to head over there and assist..." He places a hand on the back of his head and tilts backwards slightly, laughing. "I need my clothes washed anyway! Gahahaha!" Chuckling to himself, Nidai wanders off. Gundam is one hundred percent sure the coach has no idea where the laundromat actually is. He himself barely knew, and he's been here before. Shaking his head, Gundam heads off to the diner to fetch Kuzuryuu and 'escort' him to the laundromat.
Gundam leans against the wall of the laundromat, staring lazily at the small little group in front of him. Kuzuryuu sits angrily on the bench in the changing corner in his boxers, grumbling angrily. Nidai, who had somehow managed to not only find the laundromat but also get there before Gundam, laughs with Sonia, who has a bandana tied around her hair, keeping it up. Koizumi carefully loads Nidai's clothes into the washing machine, chuckling at something Sonia said.
"Ah yes, Nidai-san! It was a very interesting exercise routine! Very, um... European!" Sonia laughs again, carefully pulling Kuzuryuu's pants out of the dryer. She tries a few times to fold them, unsuccessfully, and taps Koizumi on the shoulder. The princess watches in rapt attention as the photographer effortlessly folds Kuzuryuu's pants.
"Hey, what are you doing?! I gotta wear those, ya know!" Kuzuryuu gets up off of the bench and stomps over, snatching his pants from a laughing Sonia.
"I apologize, Kuzuryuu-san! It is just that I rarely have the chance to do 'casual' chores such as this! It is hella exciting!" Sonia smiles pleasantly at him, but the gangster just sneers at her.
"Keep your excitement to yourself." He pulls his pants on. Koizumi glares at him.
"Hey! You need to calm down! She's doing something nice for you and you're just going to act rude like that?" The redhead puts her hands on her hips, despite Sonia's insistence that she doesn't need someone to stand up for her.
"Yeah. Yeah I am. And you're lucky your boyfriends are here, otherwise I'd show you why people fear the Kuzuryuus." The blonde boy glares at Gundam and Nidai, who stare at him impassively. He scoffs. "Hah. Do they pay you too?"
"Kuzuryuu-san, that is quite enough!" Sonia points at him, scolding him like a child. Kuzuryuu snorts at her but otherwise remains quiet. Koizumi just shakes her head, leaning against the washing machine that rumbles as it washes. The five stare at each other silently. Gundam scoffs, tired of the quiet, and starts up a conversation with Nidai about the details of their spar. Sonia and Koizumi fish out the rest of Kuzuryuu's clothes from the dryer, the photographer angrily stuffing them into his hands. Kuzuryuu blows out an aggravated puff of air and throws on his clothes as quickly as possible, then exits the laundromat, mumbling something Gundam doesn't quite make out. Within a few minutes, Nidai's clothes are tossed into the dryer. Somehow, while they wait, the four manage to get into a discussion about Hinata, of all things.
"He seemed very... confused, the last time I saw him." Nidai crosses his arms with a grunt.
"Why do you think that is?" Sonia asks nervously.
"Do you not remember the section of the trial in which he explained himself?" Gundam sniffs. "He, or rather, Kamakura, said that while they share knowledge, they do not share memories."
"Yes... but what does that mean?"
"I think..." Koizumi chimes in. "I think that it means that while Hinata remembers information and facts, he doesn't remember the actual events where things happened..." Gundam nods in agreement.
"But are you sure it is... safe? What if he manages to hit his head again and turn back into that 'Kamakura'?" Sonia looks worried, but Nidai places a meaty hand on the top of her head, ruffling her hair. It seems to calm her down slightly.
"Togami made sure of it. I don't think we have to worry about Kamakura or Hinata for a while." The coach sighs and the dryer dings happily. Koizumi goes over to it, pulling out Nidai's clothes and shaking them out before handing them to him. Nidai accepts them with a nod and a smile. As he slips on his jacket, the monitor in the room lights up with the announcement tone. The four students turn to the screen, which lights up with the image of Monobear sitting in some chair, a tropical drink in his paw.
"This is a broadcast from the Hope's Peak Academy's Field Trip Department! Students are required to gather at Jabberwock Park for an important announcement. Move quickly please! This is important! To me, of course. And if you're first, I might treat you to a special something that may or may not be my special recipe for curry rice!" The monitor winks off with a hiss of static.
"Oh! I haven't had curry rice in a long while! Let's go!" Sonia grabs for someone, finding Gundam's wrist and yanking him after her.
"S-Sonia-chan, I don't think he was serious..." Koizumi shoots a glance at Nidai, who shrugs. Sonia either ignores her or doesn't hear her because she just keeps tugging on Gundam, pulling him out of the laundromat. She runs surprisingly fast for someone in a dress, and the animal breeder realizes he has to actually jog to keep up with her. He hears footsteps behind them and assumes that Koizumi and Nidai followed them. With a sigh, Gundam stops resisting and trots to Jabberwock Park with the princess.
Quick Note: Sorry this chapter is (relatively?) lateish. I've had a lot less time on my computer in general which means less time for writing and stuff. So if my updates continue to be slow, that's the reason.