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Chapter Thirty – Nine: Bring it on!

Date: May 15th, 2012

Location: 'CRACKLE SNAP' hair salon, a few blocks away from S.S.A

Time: 7:30 AM

"Whoa…- surprise, surprise," Chi smirked upon seeing Kaoru's reflection in the salon mirror. She was seated in a salon chair, hair damp, currently browsing through a fashion magazine, "Since when did you join?"

"Yesterday," Kaoru held a scissor in hand, slightly trimming the ends of her hair, "Don't worry my darling Aoi Vixen, I have experience. I can also listen to your problems if you are feeling troubled."

"Kaoru, if I allowed you to listen to my problems, you would probably end up with a migraine."

"My, my. I can see that you're very stubborn," Chuckled Kaoru, "I think we'll have to work on that."

Chi raised an eyebrow, slightly smiling, "Well if you're up to the challenge. Be my guest."

"My darling Aoi Vixen, I am always looking forward to a challenge," Kaoru smirked, plugging in the hair dryer, before turning it on.

EKSTASIS ~ EKSTASIS ~ EKSTASIS

Location: S.S.A

Time: 9:00 AM

"Oh wow…- I think I prefer the 'Club light, Moonlight' music video over 'Relax.' After all, Asami does look smoking hot," Yoshio closed his laptop, setting it on the table in the main recording studio, "Sorry, Alexander…- I prefer seduction over relaxation."

"Zzzz…" No use. Alexander was fast asleep.

Yoshi sighed, "Poor Hypnos. He's completely drained of his energy."

"Well, he used most of his energy," Masumi flipped through his history textbook, "You should've seen him once he came back with Tomo-chan. Hypnos, had all the cheesy romantic lines laid out."

"Ugh, stop talking about romance!" Complained Yoshio, "It's making me feel more lonely, including the fact that I'm still single."

Yoshi chuckled, "Don't worry little brother, you and I can join a singles club together."

"No way," Yoshio shook his head, "I'd rather not."

Masumi sweat dropped, "Um…- why don't we send a video call to Asami. We could congratulate her on the release of her music video."

"I refuse," Pouted Yoshio, before crossing his arms, "She's probably busy with Masato! I'm not contacting her. She's no longer single, so she belongs to the lovey-dovey club!"

Masumi dramatically gasped, "Don't outcast Noona, just because she's with Masato!"

"Calm down guys," Yoshi ran his fingers through a strand of Alexander's hair, "Raising voices like kids in a playground brawl…- you guys sound immature."

Alexander woke up, clearly annoyed, "Stop complaining Yoshio...- get a lady if you're so damn lonely!"

"As if I'm in need of advice," Frowned Yoshio, "Go back to sleep, Hypnos."

EKSTASIS ~ EKSTASIS ~ EKSTASIS

Location: Kyoto, Sagano District

Time: 9:35 AM

Great temples. Scenic beauty. Sakura blossoms were everywhere in sight. Asami and Masato were seated on a grey stone bench, outside of a simple odango shop. It had been a lucky morning for the two, since no one recognized them. If they had gone somewhere else, screaming fans would've ambushed them. At least for now, they could spend a relaxing time together. Masato would have to thank Jii later, for telling him about taking Asami to this district. The pianist smiled to himself, wishing that the moment with the enchanting siren would last longer. Tomorrow would be their last day in Kyoto, in a way he didn't want to go back to Tokyo. He sighed. Oh. Well. He would have to make the best out of today and tomorrow. Relax now. Work later.

Masato placed his hand upon Asami's, "Would you like to go on a picnic tomorrow? After all, tomorrow is our last stay in Kyoto."

"I'd like that very much," Asami smiled.

Masato smiled back in response. Truthfully, underneath that calm exterior of his, he was jumping with joy. If given the perfect chance, he might be able to present the gift, which he had been hoping to give her in such a long time.

EKSTASIS ~ EKSTASIS ~ EKSTASIS

Location: Somewhere in Central Tokyo

Time: 1:30 PM

"~You know the drill. Please leave your message, and I'll call you back as soon as possible~"

~BEEP~

"Asami! Oh. My. God. Guess who I bumped into while I was getting my shopping done?! Kise-kun, of course! Anyways, be prepared when he comes visiting this Saturday to the academy. Apparently he wants to talk to Nanami-chan and you. I damn well know it's something related to ZUNON Boy."

EKSTASIS ~ EKSTASIS ~ EKSTASIS

Location: S.S.A courtyard

Time: 4:30 PM

Masumi placed his large, white cardboard poster against the side of a picnic bench, before applying a layer of pink paint inside a few pencil lines, which he had outlined hours ago. Assortments of colorful paint bottles were on top of the picnic table. Yoshio stood next to Masumi, painting the edges of the large cardboard poster a lovely color of mint green. A few feet away, Alexander and Ittoki had mini water guns in hand, which were filled with paint. They were squirting their own cardboard poster. The two separate cardboard posters illustrated various paint colors and artistic styles. Yoshi leaned back against one of the Sakura trees, allowing Ren to sketch out a rough portrait onto a blank canvas. Syo and Natsuki were filling up water balloons with blue, red, and yellow paint. Tokiya was nowhere to be seen, since he was somewhere in Central Tokyo with Yuudai. The two were attending the grand opening of a new gym. Cecil was with the teachers in the main dance studio, improving his dance skills. Masumi yelped in surprise when Yoshio smeared his nose with blue paint. Yoshio laughed at the young DJ's shocked expression, only to have his right cheek covered with pink paint. Uh. Oh. It was the beginning of a paint war. Masumi grabbed one of the paint bottles [thankfully plastic] off the picnic table, throwing it at Yoshio, who ducked in time. Ren burst out laughing, dropping his pencil in the process. Oh. Dear. Most of the blue paint had splattered all over Yoshi's clothing; even his hair had taken most of the damage. Sure enough, an angry tick mark was flashing on the side of Yoshi's head. Yikes. This was not going to end well. Yoshio sweat dropped, from seeing his older brother with one of Syo's water…- paint balloons in hand.

"Yoshi…- uh…- my big bro…- M-morpheus," Yoshio raised both hands, "C-come on. I'm sure that we can w-work things out. J-just put the balloon down."

"I doubt it," Smirked Yoshi.

"Oh…- shit."

Total chaos. Ren and Syo instantly ducked for cover behind one of the large cardboard posters. Syo grabbed Natsuki by the hem of his shirt, pulling him back. The violinist would not have the Piyo-chan lover involved in something so…- messy. Too bad that Otoya was already involved, using his water gun as a weapon of self-defense. So much for the 'EKSTASIS' and 'STARISH' art collaboration. Syo's eyes were wide with shock. Oh. Shit. Where did Alexander go?!

"My, my. I guess we'll have to sit this one out," Smirked Ren, clearly he was amused at the situation that they were in.

Masumi's [unmanly] scream echoed throughout the courtyard. The three sweat dropped, once they heard the twin's evil laughter. Oh. So. Deadly.

EKSTASIS ~ EKSTASIS ~ EKSTASIS

Time: 7:10 PM

Uh. Oh. Ringo sweat dropped. She could feel the tension in the air. The Chinese scion was seated behind the principal's desk, arms crossed, eyes focused on the 'troublemakers', who were standing before him, heads down in shame. Not good. Yuudai was livid. Who could blame him for being so angry towards Ittoki, Masumi, and the Watanabe twins?! After all, the four had gone overboard with their artistic ideas in the courtyard. Paint was everywhere in the courtyard. Picnic benches and a few of the lovely Sakura trees was no longer a beautiful hangout for the other students in the academy.

"I'm completely shocked by your actions," Sighed Yuudai, "The sight of the mess out there is absolutely horrifying."

"S-sorry," Apologized the group.

Yuudai frowned, "Apologizing will get you nowhere."

Oh. Dear. Cue sweat drops from Ringo and the group of troublemakers.

"As for the punishment, the four of you will be helping the janitor clean up the mess in the courtyard tomorrow…- early morning," Yuudai opened his black notebook, pen in hand, he wrote a few words down, "When that is done, make sure to assist the lunch ladies in the cafeteria around 11 AM. Then in the evening around 5 PM, all of you will be picking up litter around the academy grounds."

Ringo sighed. What was up with this 'boot – camp atmosphere?!' Well at least no one dared to go against Yuudai's strict orders. Oh. Boy. If one dared to complain against the Chinese scion, the punishment would only increase. Some words were better left unsaid.

EKSTASIS ~ EKSTASIS ~ EKSTASIS

Time: 9:30 PM

Tomochika was seated on the living room sofa, across form Chi who was cutting out heart shapes from a large piece of silver fabric. The Aoi Vixen was in the process of creating a new handbag for herself. Tomochika sighed, closing her laptop, she headed off to the kitchen in search for a drink.

"Korean kimchi and dumplings," Said Tomochika, once she opened the fridge, "I didn't know that you could cook. But what's up with all the soymilk on the second shelf?"

"I happen to like soymilk very much," Chi sighed, sewing on a silver heart onto a black leather strap, "As for the kimchi and dumplings…- Masumi cooked them last night."

Tomochika sweat dropped, "I guess you don't cook much."

"Asami doesn't allow me to bake or cook in the kitchen," Chi slightly chuckled, "If I did…- the academy would probably go up in flames."