Song of the Shadows- chapter 9
Disclaimer: not me, not me!
"Mayaki-san has left for America along with her father's corporation. Now, everyone! Let's all turn to page seventy-seven and begin our lesson!" Amuka-sensei announced cheerily at the start of the lesson.
There were whispers all around.
"Mayaki-san…" Takako murmured. She hadn't actually thought about the poor girl who had turned into a demon- not since the attack, no.
I thought Honey-sempai and Mori-sempai would take care of her…
Speaking of them- Hikaru and Kaoru and Haruhi haven't been talking to me- not that I mind, but… It feels so tense…
A hand landed on her desk, and Takako jumped- Amuka-sensei smirked, and waved her textbook in front of her. Gulping, Takako tried to smile sheepishly. But the next words that came out of Amuka-sensei's mouth were very haunting, and unexpected-
"It was a pity, no? Mayaki-san… And Karayaki-sensei… I wonder what happened to him…"
Takako stiffened- but no one could hear those almost incoherent words that slipped. Almost as though Amuka-sensei knew about her secret as Sailor Song and- Avoiding Amuka-sensei's glance, Takako stared at her textbook. Page seventy-seven, page seventy-seven…
There's something about Amuka-sensei.
She couldn't be the enemy- could she? And those words- they didn't mean anything, did they? Just some- a few innocent remarks. But Karayaki-sensei…
Did something happen to him, too?
I don't remember fighting Karayaki-sensei, no…
The mocha monster? Don't tell me… it was him?!
It can't be.
No.
Takako glanced up at Amuka-sensei, who returned her gaze. Narrowing her eyes, Amuka-sensei said nothing but continued to teach. If Amuka-sensei was dropping hints that she could be the mastermind, or one of the perpetrators of this crime against humanity, Takako sure as hell was going to investigate. Takako flicked her hair, showing that she was up to the challenge. Now, she just needed concrete proof, and tell Haruka and Michiru about her suspicions. There was a deafening silence as Amuka-sensei paused in her lecture, and chose to stare out of the window.
0*0*0*0
"May I offer a proposition?"
This was new; Kyoya Ootori actually speaking to her? Takako shrugged and nodded. She didn't like this guy- nor his flashing glasses. But he seemed like he meant business, and Ouran Academy was a suitable socialising platform for business, so Takako merely smoothened her bangs and tried to look appropriately lady-like. He smiled politely (a smile that Takako was used to giving- as was Michiru) at her, and took a seat opposite her.
Takako glanced down at her lunch- fish fingers and custard- and back at him. "Yes, Ootori-san?"
"The host club is planning to host a mid-autumn ball, courtesy of Tamaki. It would be our greatest pleasure if you were to attend the ball as a performer," he stated.
Takako nodded contemplatively- she had been expecting a chunk of eloquently-phrased preambles, but it seemed like he really meant business. She frowned slightly- sure, she had not given any concerts lately… and this would really be a good way to advertise herself, and reach out to more people… Takako realised that he was still patiently waiting for his answer, and smiled sweetly, twirling the fork in her hands.
"Of course, it will be an honour for me to be able to perform for everyone. To minimize the cost for the host club, I will be bringing along the equipment that I need. As for the technicalities- lighting and such, you may plan it accordingly to the theme of the ball."
He was already writing in his small black notebook. "Certainly. We will need to work out a few dates for our rehearsals. That will be all, for now. Please enjoy your meal."
Takako placed the fork down. Rehearsals? She needed to check with Hotaru about her schedule- did she just agree to performing without asking her manager? She shrugged internally- truth be told, she had been postponing many of her promotional activities to investigate the appearance of the monsters.
"Just one more thing, Mizune-san. The host club misses you; especially Honey-sempai. He is still very shocked by a certain Sailor Song rescuing him-" here, he paused meaningfully, "-and would very much appreciate your comforting presence. Please do visit the host club should you have the time."
Kyoya left, and the food suddenly didn't look as scrumptious as it was.
Why does everyone seem to know that I'm Sailor Song?
0*0*0*0
Takako let her hand linger on the handle of the door. She sighed. The last time she came to this music room, it hadn't actually ended well. There was also the issue of her alter-ego, Sailor Song. Kyoya sounded like he knew that she was Song (he did keep everything in his little black book, no?). And she had enough of rose petals- it was very irritating to have petals smack you right in the face every single time.
But! This was no time for Japan's Top Pop Idol, Takako Mizune to back down! Takako exhaled noisily and pushed the door open…
No rose petals, this time?
SUCCESS.
Where are the hosts…?
"Welcome, Takako-hime."
Whaaaa? Takako-hime? Wow, dude, that is waaaaay out of line already!
Actually, are there even any lines in Ouran Academy?
"Taka-chan! You came! Takashi, look, it's Taka-chan!" Honey squealed and tackled Takako to the ground.
Definitely no lines.
"He-y, Honey-sempai!" Takako murmured uncertainly. "Where are the rose petals? Or lack thereof, anyway?"
"Ah! Kyo-chan said that you would be coming today, so we didn't want to scatter the rose petals! But I think that roses are really lovely! Really, really pretty!" Honey exclaimed, dragging Takako over to a seat while the other customers cooed at the boy. "What flowers do you like, Taka-chan?"
"Eh, me?" Takako paused. "I think I like sunflowers. They're so bright and cheerful- and are known for trailing the sun's path…"
"Without the light, I am nothing."
"Yeah! I think it suits Taka-chan really well! Oh! Taka-chan, did you know, I saw a Sailor Senshi!" Honey said enthusiastically. "It's real! Didn't we, Takashi?"
Mori nodded silently.
"Right! She was 'Sailor Song' and she was fighting a monster really well- like bam, bam, wham! And she looked really cute in her 'Sailor fuku'! It was so magical!" Honey continued with his story-telling, and while Takako had an inkling that this wasn't the first time he had told it, the audience around him was really captivated.
If only they knew…
wait.
I retract that statement.
"That sounds wonderful, Honey-sempai!" a girl commented when Honey was finished with his story. "Sailor Senshis… they do sound really magical, don't they?"
There was a flurry of agreement as Honey sunk back into his seat.
"I really want to thank her… and tell her that she's super cool- jumping onto the ledge even when she's hurt…" Honey suddenly looked guilty. "I can't help but feel… that if I had tried to help her… or if I didn't appear… she… she wouldn't have been hurt…"
Cue random squeals as Mori embraces Honey.
Right. For business.
Sigh.
"I wonder if Sailor Song is alright now, if she was injured so badly…" a girl mused.
Takako stayed silent and internally laughed at the dramatic irony of it all. Tuning out of the excited chattering from the other ladies, Takako started thinking about how to investigate the Academy. Perhaps reaching for the headmaster would be the easiest way to check the school out? She remembered meeting the headmaster briefly when she took a tour of the school.
What was his name…
Perhaps he was the main mastermind of this whole demon thing? It sounded really possible- an incredibly rich mastermind who could control other rich people through the education system, with access to all forms of evil-vibrating-machines… Then again, perhaps she should check out those whose families specialised in the idol agencies? Or electronic devices…
His name… Soo-sama? No. Suu-sama? No. Suh-sama? Definitely no!
"Taka-chan? Taka-chan?"
No… It's really… ugh I can't… Suoh-sama?
Takako looked up into Honey's concerned face and chuckled, waving his worries away. The blonde boy grinned cheekily and returned to telling yet another story about cakes. Glancing around the room, Takako sighed. Haruhi was running about, fulfilling her 'commoner tasks', Hikaru and Kaoru were bothering yet another client, Kyouya was perusing his notebook (and looked up almost immediately when she stared at him, flashing a polite smile), and Tamaki-
"Tamaki Suoh," Takako muttered.
Tamaki Suoh…
It sounds like it- is he the son of the headmaster?