Woot! Chappie 6 ish done!! Muahahah! Hope you like it! I'll gladly accept reviews!

Chapter 6:

The School Festival

-Mansion-

"Ohayou," I said to everyone while going down the stairs, "How is everyone this morning?" I asked. Everybody replied affirmatively; assuring everything was fine. Once I stepped into the living room, I greeted Mineko and Rei happily while they were watching T.V. I glanced at the clock hanging on the wall. It read 6:30AM which meant that we have to get ready for school and fix up the other booths for the school festival today. Finally! After three whole weeks of preparation, everything might go smoothly… I hope.

"Ne, Rei?" I started.

"Hmm, Nani?" She turned to me raising one eyebrow.

"Aren't you excited for the school festival today?" I asked.

"Well… I am. I don't know about Rei over here." Mineko said.

"That's why I was asking her." I chuckled.

"So how about it Rei? You excited or not?" I asked again. She seemed to be preoccupied by the television show so I had to turn it off just to get her answer.

"HEY!! What did you do that for, Riko? Meanie!"

"Well… you weren't answering my question. Now, isn't that rude?"

"Okay, okay… gomen. Uh… what was your question again?" She scratched her head at that and I sighed.

"Never mind. Forget it. Anyway we'd better get ready for school." I grabbed both of their arms and headed upstairs.

Once I was in my room, I darted to the bathroom and I had my nice warm bath. After that, I swiftly changed into my winter uniform since it was getting cold. I think I should get a haircut… my hair's pretty long now. I thought while brushing my long raven hair. While brushing, I heard a knock on my door. I suspected it was Mineko since I could smell her shampoo from inside and I was right.

"Hey Mineko. Time to go?" I asked.

"Yeah… how'd you know I was going to ask that?"

"Just a guess. Anyway, I'm done. Let's go. Where's Rei?"

"She's downstairs already, waiting."

"Oh okay. We'd better hurry though or else we'll be late."

"Yeah."

We ran towards the door of the huge mansion but then I thought of something, DUH! We can use teleportation! How stupid are we? I laughed at myself and reminded the two to just use teleportation to get to school.

"How could we be so stupid?" We all said in chorus and laughed at ourselves at the same time. We finally got to the school's hallway and everyone was startled.

-Hallway-

"I thought they're used to this already?" I whispered to Rei and Mineko.

"Perhaps not… well some of them at least." Mineko replied.

"Anyway… come on. We'd better get to homeroom." I said as I pushed the two to the classroom with me.

We were just a few more steps away from the classroom and surprisingly, I see no Spook hanging outside the door, leaning towards its frame like what he usually did every morning. I wonder if he got sick or something. I shrugged at the thought but then I again, I guess I could pay a visit to his dorm later to check on him. Rei saw my disturbed face and tapped my shoulder.

"You okay, Riko-chi? You seem out of it today." She asked sweetly and I couldn't help but put on a weak smile back.

"I'm fine don't worry, Rei."

"If you say so… come on, let's get inside." Reira grabbed my hand and pulled me into the classroom.

-Class 3-A-

"Good morning!" We all said in unison as we entered the classroom. Everybody replied with smiles as they were all excited for the festival. I was looking around the classroom, still, no sign of Spook anywhere. I was getting worried and the two girls could see it. I was trying--- well… I AM trying to avoid them getting worried but I guess it can't be helped. From the familiar scent that was coming from the door, I sensed that our teacher was coming in so as president, I have got to get the students in their seats with assistance from Mineko and Rei. In just seconds, they were all quiet and I was standing behind my seat, waiting for the teacher to come in and as if on cue…

"Stand,"

"Bow,"

"And sit." I said in order as the teacher nodded in greeting.

Tamaki-sensei talked about the opening of the school festival and it once again got everybody excited. Mineko tapped my shoulder and gave me the signal to go to the office and finalize everything. I raised my hand to get my teacher's attention and once he nodded, I stood up and so everyone was quiet again.

"Sensei, the three of us need to get to the office to finalize everything for the festival. We wouldn't want anything to go wrong, now would we?"

"As you wish, Miyane-san… you three may go."

"Arigatou, Tamaki-sensei."

I signalled the two girls to follow me and so we left the classroom and we headed for the student council office. As we walked through the hallways, we greeted the tardy students as we passed them one by one with wave and a smile as not to be snotty. I reached into my pocket for the keys to the office then unlocked the door. Once it was opened, we saw that it was as we left it the other day. Nothing was moved… but we still double-checked everything just in case.

"Everything seems to be in order. Right, Mineko?" Rei asked while arranging the files she was checking.

"Yeah… they're still in the order we left them as. Kaichou, what do you think?" Mineko then asked me.

I didn't even flinch when Mineko called out my title. I was in a daze; deeper than usual. Was I worried about Spook? I guess I was. If I wasn't then I would've just ignored the fact that he isn't here… right? Right…

"Odoriko…" Mineko called out and I finally flinched.

"Huh? Oh… sorry guys. I was in a daze again… what were you saying Mineko?" I said scratching my head out of embarrassment.

"I was asking you if everything was in order."

"Oh well yes, everything is as we left them the other day. Hey Rei, did you move anything when you got the application form for Spook?"

"No, I didn't. I just got the form and we headed back that's all. When we got back, you and Mineko were already asleep." Rei replied.

"I see… well we better get started with the unfinished booth problem for the festival later."

"Hai, Kaichou!"

-2 hours later-

"Phew! I'm beat!" Rei said as she sprawled herself over the couch. Suddenly, Mineko sprawled over Rei. Uh-oh…

"Kyaaa! Mineko!!! Get off of me!! You're freaking HEAVY!!"

"No way. I'm tired."

"Odoriko! Help me!!!" Rei complained.

"Don't involve me into that. Mineko is too heavy for me." I poked my tongue out at her playfully and sat to the chair opposite the couch.

Mineko and I laughed at Reira's endless complaining about how heavy Mineko was sitting on her back comfortably. I laughed to the point that I got all teary-eyed already. After laughing so hard, I heard a knock on the door so I motioned myself to the hallway then to the door.

"Odoriko-senpai, we're done with all the arrangements. We may finally start the Festival in ten minutes tops." A freshman named Kinouda informed me as I listened to him intently.

"I understand. We'll be down in five minutes. As for the play, please check on the cast members of the drama club if they've already rehearsed and dressed for tonight." I gave other instructions after that with a smile. And to my surprise, he was actually taking down notes. Which was pretty funny but I didn't laugh in front of him. He grinned as he took down the last instruction and it made me smile… seeing how determined he was and hard-working he really is.

"Well then Odoriko-senpai, I must be going now. I shall deliver all your instructions as soon as possible."

I nodded at his formalness, "Okay. Go on ahead. Oh wait…" I added as I suddenly thought of Spook.

"Hai Odoriko-senpai?"

"Have you heard anything about Spook lately? He's your roommate in the dorms right?" I said although I had a worried face on.

"No… I haven't heard from him lately myself too, Senpai. Gomenasai…" He said as he bowed. I smiled at him and then he turned and left.

I went back to the couch and the two were still at it; Mineko, still sitting--- no, now laying on Rei's back… and Rei, still struggling and yelling and practically looking… PALE! Uh-oh… "Mineko I think you should get off of her now…" I said, sitting on the coffee table in front of them. "Why? It's not like she can't breathe anymore." She replied and I raised an eyebrow at that retort. "Actually, she can't." I replied, now pointing to Reira, whose face is now turning blue… then purple. "Hmm? Oh my…" Mineko stood up quickly and we stared at how Rei's face was slowly turning back to normal. "See. I told you she couldn't breathe." I told Mineko as I poked her nose and stood up from the table. I walked towards the window and saw our busy students setting up their booths and getting ready. I smiled but then it quickly faded. Spook then again, popped into my head and I was in a daze yet again. This time, Mineko and Reira left me alone… in my own world. It took me time to snap out of it. When I did, I glanced at my watch and saw that it was already time for the festival.

"Riko-chi, are you ready to go? It's time." Rei tapped my shoulder and waited for my answer.

"Ah… yeah. Let's go." I replied with a quick smile. She then held my hand and we walked out of the office, Mineko locking the door. We didn't bother taking the stairs though so we took a quick vanish and ended up in the courtyard where some of the booths were. We went on a few rounds to check if everything is in order. Seemed like there was nothing wrong so we went to the mansion to get changed. As we were walking… This isn't over Miyane.

"Wha---" I started to blurt out but then stopped.

Reira and Mineko turned to me when they felt me stop. They had their worried faces on… I don't want to tell them what I just heard. It might be just my imagination and at the same time… it may not.

"Riko? Something wrong?" Reira asked me.

"I… I just thought I heard a voice. A… very familiar voice." I said as I felt myself trembling out of fear and now holding myself. I felt Mineko and Reira come up to me. I was scared… whose voice was it? I know it was familiar… but I just can't put up whose it is.

"What did the voice say?" Mineko suddenly asked me.

"This isn't over Miyane… that's what the voice said." I replied, still trembling.

"It must be Hajime's voice… don't you think, Reira?" Mineko suggested and Rei agreed. But still… we're all not sure on whose it is now… we mustn't let our guards down. Not just yet.

I stood up once again with Rei's help. This time, we were being careful so we transported ourselves to my room of the mansion. We discussed on how to fight this off. We just can't ignore this. It might be dangerous. Really dangerous. We got changed and went to the kitchen to get something to eat before proceeding to the festival. As we left the mansion after grabbing some food, we started to keep our eyes wide open for any suspicious presence. So far so good…

-Courtyard-

We finally reached the courtyard safely as we'd expected. Still no suspicious presence around yet. We pretty much enjoyed the day of the festival. Too bad Spook isn't here. He would've had fun with us and the rest of the students. We had a number of guests around today until later tonight. The drama club must be working hard for tonight. I thought as I saw the stage being set up for the play. I turned to Rei, who was playing with one of the booths and Mineko was laughing along with her. I had no other choice but to laugh along too but I was still on guard; so were these two. I looked around while taking a bite of my pink cotton candy. I suddenly felt a strong presence and it wasn't good. Not good at all. I then turned to Mineko and Reira, who were now looking at me at the same time but then… I see you were still cautious, Miyane. Find me if you can.

"That voice again!" I blurted out.

"We heard." Rei said and Mineko nodded as well.

"This is bad guys. We have to cancel the festival before…" I stopped as I saw Hajime in front of us. What bad timing, Hajime.I thought to myself then groaned.

"EVERYBODY! GET OUT OF HERE! IT'S DANGEROUS HERE!" Mineko yelled and everyone gasped but out of reflex, they all ran.

"You're not going to get away with this Hajime. It's three against one." Rei said, glaring at our arch enemy.

"My, my… you three have grown alright. I've waited for this to happen. Yes, well there may be the three of you, but I'm still more powerful than you three put together." He smirked.

"We'll see about that." I retorted. I'll never be intimidated by you. Never. I thought as I got ready to attack. I signalled Rei to attack from the left and Mineko from the right. As I gave my signal, we all attacked him at once. I pulled out my staff and attacked him to no end. Mineko took out her sword and Reira, her gun. They attacked right after I did making it a combo attack from all sides. And to our surprise… kuso! He blocked it!

We attacked simultaneously then back to our combo again but still, no use. He could still block our attacks. If only we had another person helping us out right now. As I thought about another kind of attacked, Spook suddenly jumped in from above, aiming for Hajime's head with his gun. He shoots, but misses. I was surprised but I didn't want to lose my concentration so I kept attacking… until… I heard his voice through telepathy.

"I see you needed help, Odoriko."

"Where the hell were you?! We've been worried sick about you!"

"Sorry! I overslept! I had a really nice dream and didn't want to be interrupted."

"We can talk about that later. Now, we have to fight."

"Any plans then, Odoriko-ohimesama?"

"Not yet… do you?"

"I'm not sure if my plan will work…"

"Doesn't matter, just tell me or we'll all die!"

"Okay, okay. Chill out. Here's my plan. You aim for the head from that tree from the far corner. Mineko, since she's really fast, can aim from under him. And as for Reira, she can aim directly. I'll attack from behind. How about it?"

"Sounds crazy but I'll take it. Tell the others and I'll go to my position. We have to distract him somehow. Any ideas?"

"I can create an illusion out of my magic. Sound good?"

"Do it. We have to end this fast. GO!"

And with that, the plan was working. I wonder how long we can keep this up. After long hours of endless attacking from all different places, it finally ended when I came from another tree and aimed for his neck. I slashed him with my staff. It was as what we predicted. This is another one of Hajime's clones again. When will this really end? I'm sick of this.

"Mineko, Reira. Go to the guests and students. Check if they're all out of danger and create a temporary barrier for the night." I said, still glaring at the body on the ground.

"Hai, Kaichou." They replied and vanished.

I was getting a bit dizzy, I'll admit that. My body still isn't that strong to be fighting this long. I still need training. Who would've known that Hajime would be back to hunt us down? No one knew that until now. How dense we all were… pathetic.

"Odoriko are you okay?" Spook asked me, seeing me dazed again.

"I… don't know--- unn…" I collapsed right there and then.

I was right. I wasn't ready for this yet.