Blade: Graduation day's already here!
Mark: Yeah, yeah whatever... Go now!
Blade: Actually, it's tomorrow... So, I'll help you for this chapter.
Syphile: Ready?
Blade & Mark: Yep!
Masquerade: ???
Chapter 7
The next day...
Runo decided to log us on the chat room. To our surprise, everyone was online.
"Morning guys!" We greeted
"Morning" the others greeted us
"So, what's up?" Julie asked
"Oh nothing..."Runo said "Uh, Julie, remembered what we were talking about yesterday?"
"About the Masquerade ball? Yep. Why?"
"Uh... Chan, does the invitation letter look like this?" I asked as I held up the envelope
"Are you serious? That's the real thing!" She exclaimed
"Yay!!!! Alice got an invite to the ball" Julie squealed "Marucho, get you get us in your place, so we can dress Alice for a Masquerade ball!?"
"Uh..." Marucho stammered "O..k..kay?"
"Alright! Pick us up in an hour" Julie has logged off afterwards
"So, does that mean Alice is going to a Masquerade ball?" Dan asked us.
"Is it just me, or is she more excited than Alice?"
"So... Alice got an invite to the ball... I guess I better go now. If I am to prove to Masquerade that she doesn't need his protection" Shun said
"Really? Is that your sole reason?" I asked
"Yes, Mark"
I chuckled at his reply. I know that is not just the sole reason.
"Why? What's funny?" he demanded
"I can see in your eyes that there's something else to it"
"And since when did you begin to get all psychic?"
"Just guessing" I bluffed "Do you remember the times when we all try to hide from Alice?"
"Why?"
"Nothing... Just trying to reminiscence the memories"
Flashback
We were racing in the rooftops of Warnington, trying to keep up with Alice. None of us knew her schedule, so we were all messed up that time. She appeared to be heading towards the mall, so we dropped to the streets.
"Shun? Do you know where she is heading?" I asked
"No, cause if I do know, I wouldn't be joining you two in this stupid race..." Shun answered
"Then, why are you following us?" Masquerade demanded
"You're the one who's following me!"
"Quit it!" I said "Least you two want us to get...Hide!"
"Wha... Oh...Shhh" Masquerade added
"Is that... Dan? What the hell!? What is he doing with Alice?"
"Gee, and I thought Shun was the calm one." I pointed out
For no apparent reason, Shun pushed me out of the alley we were hiding at.
"Shun!" Alice called
"Hey there" He said while planting a kiss on her cheek
"Who's that?" Dan addressed to me
"Sensei? Who are these people?" I bluffed
"Se- Sensei!? Shun? You never told us you're busy teaching your student." Dan continued
"Uh... Let me introduce you two to my student. Alice and Dan meet Mark" Shun stammered
I bowed to Alice; and totally ignored Dan.
"Oh hello? How are you?" Alice asked
"I'm fine thank you"
"What are you two doing here anyways?" Shun asked
"I was going to home, and then I saw Dan, wanting to visit Runo. Hey, why don't we invite Mark with us?" Alice offered
"You'll join us, right?" Shun said, threatening me with a glare
"Uh.. hehe... Yeah?"
The trio dragged me to Runo's home
'Well, at least the mission is a whole lot easier now' I thought
End Flashback
"So, you claim you know this 'host' of the party?"
"Yes. Now, now, better go check on Alice"
"She's going to Marucho's for her preparations for tomorrow's party"
We spent the whole day at Marucho's. Trying each and every dress and mask Julie brought makes me tired. But, I did managed to find a mask that will suit me. It is an orange mask with three dangling ribbons strips. It may be simple, but I find it appealing.
I tried to give them the invitation, but they refused. I guess that they really wanted me to be happy in my stay here.
I hope that tomorrow, nothing bad would happen. What could go wrong?
End Chapter 7: Preparations (Alice / Mark/ Alice)