Hinata Taketori is a nervous and timid person. His personality made him become selected by Ichijo's gang as their deliveryman. Every day in school, he would deliver their lunch all while bearing with them ridiculing him for his timid demeanor. There were times when he felt like standing up against the gang for their behavior. However, he gave up out of fear of what they might do to him.
Today, after school, Hinata was called by the delinquents to follow them to the residential area. Though reluctant, he did as he was told. As he and the delinquents left the school, they were unaware that Jack and his friends were following them from a safe distance. They tailed Hinata and the delinquents across the town's roundabout and into the residential area.
The residential area is made up of several rows of double story terrace houses each having their own front yard and backyard. Each row of houses is separated by a road which connects to Wonder Ville's northern road. Jack and the Blood Maidens followed Hinata and the delinquents on one of these roads while keeping an eye on the latter.
After some time, Jack's group saw Hinata's group turn to the right at the end of the road everyone walked on. Not wanting to lose Hinata's group, Jack and his company walked faster until they reached the end of it. Turning right, they saw Ichijo's gang and Hinata enter what appeared to be a small empty lawn, with a concrete wall encircling every side of it except the front, on the left side of the road they are now on.
Jack and his friends moved quickly towards the side of the lawn's entrance. Reaching there, Alice signaled for everyone aside from her, Jack and Red Riding Hood to stay behind them. The trio then peered around the wall of the lawn and towards it's center where Hinata and the delinquents are currently at. Everyone soon began listening in on a conversation between Ichijo's gang and Hinata.
"So, what was it that you all wanted?" Hinata asked the delinquents timidly.
"We just want you to give us some money that's all," Ichijo put on a grim smile.
"Huh?" Hinata's eyebrows rose. "W-What for?"
"It's compensation, my friend," Gotou stood in front of Hinata. "For bringing our lunch late this afternoon,"
"What do you mean compensation?" Hinata knitted his brow. "I already apologized for that. Isn't that enough?"
"We just thought that an apology won't suffice, pal," Nijima stepped forward and gave Hinata a menacing look. "Now, give us our money or you'll get what's coming for you," Putting down his school bag, Hinata slowly reached his hand into one of his pockets and took out a wallet. Quickly, Jack whispered to his friends behind him on the current situation.
"I cannot believe how brazen those delinquents are!" Cinderella spoke loud enough for the rest of Jack's group to hear. "First, they act as if they rule our school and now they are extorting someone beneath them!"
"Shouldn't we stop them?" Snow White asked in a worried tone.
"Let's see how things unfold first," Alice said. "It's too early to act," As Jack, Alice and Red Riding Hood continued observing the situation, they saw Hinata about to hand over a one thousand Yen note to Ichijo. Just when Ichijo was about to take the note, Hinata suddenly withdrew it away from the former's hand.
"No…" Hinata's action slightly surprised Ichijo's gang as well as Jack, Alice and Red Riding Hood. "I won't do it. Not until you tell me why you really need my money for," Hinata suddenly put on a serious face which contrasted against his timid demeanor.
"What are you, deaf?" Sanji said to Hinata. "We just told you it's compensation-"
"First, I help you get your lunch every day. Next, I let myself get ridiculed by you lot. And now, you want my money. What's next? Beating me up to the point of near death? I don't understand you people at all. Why do you want to pick on those below you?" Everyone could not believe the words that came out of Hinata's mouth. It was as if Hinata just turned into a different person at that moment.
"Hey, first year," Gotou's voice was serious. "Since when did you think you could defy us?"
"Wha…?!" Hinata's serious expression disappeared. "I-I wasn't trying to defy you! I was only saying that what you all are doing is wrong!"
"Wrong?" Sanji walked towards Hinata. "So, what about it, YOU IDIOT?!" To Jack and his company's shock, Sanji punched Hinata's face causing the latter to fall backwards onto the ground. When Hinata brought himself up into a sitting position, Sanji lifted him by the collar and shouted angrily at him.
"In this world, it's only natural for people to do whatever they please to those beneath them! Doesn't matter what it is they do. So long as they get what they want, that's all that matters! That's how we have carried ourselves out all the time!" Sanji threw Hinata down to the ground, in front of his companions. Before Hinata could get up, the former kicked him repeatedly.
"So, don't you DARE tell us that we are WRONG!" Sanji yelled while kicking Hinata. Once he was done, Sanji added, "You are the one who's wrong for telling us off! And now you're gonna pay for that! Let's teach this wimp a lesson, guys!"
"Are you sure?" Yoshikawa asked Sanji. "He's done a good job as our deliveryman for some time, you know,"
"Who cares?!" Nijima said. "We could always have another one take his place!"
"You heard Nijima," said Ichijo as the delinquents gazed at Hinata's downed form. "And while we're at it, we'll take his money too," Hinata watched helplessly as Ichijo and his friends moved towards him. Is this the end? Those words surfaced within his mind.
"Stop!" Jack shouted while running towards the center of the lawn with his friends. Once Jack's group reached the delinquents and Hinata, the delinquents turned to look at the former. Hinata was surprised at Jack and the Blood Maidens' arrival.
"You two again?!" Ichijo said in an irritated tone to Jack and Alice. Seeing the rest of their friends, he asked, "And who are you all?!"
"We're the new students. That's who we are," Thumbelina replied.
"So, you are the ones our deliveryman wanted to talk to earlier at the expense of our lunch!" Nijima said to Jack's group. "I don't know why you're all here but, piss off! We're in the middle of some business of our own here!"
"Business?" Cinderella was baffled. "How pray, is beating up an innocent young man called 'business' to you? More importantly, have you brutes no shame? Ganging up on a person younger than you?"
"That's right!" Hameln said to the delinquents. "Do you not have any dignity? Your actions deserve nothing but condensation-I mean; condemnation!" As if in agreement with Hameln's words, Rapunzel growled at the delinquents.
"What's it to you?" asked Gotou. "We do as we please. That's all there is to it,"
"But, what you're doing is wrong!" Snow White argued. Sleeping Beauty nodded in agreement to Snow White's statement.
"Oh?" Sanji gave Snow White an evil look. "You're saying we're wrong? The same way our first year here did? You want me to beat you up just like how I did to him?" Saying this, Sanji advanced menacingly towards Snow White. Thumbelina stood in between the two when he was about to reach Snow White.
"You know, I don't know what your problem is, but, don't even think of laying a finger on my sister," Thumbelina looked at Sanji seriously.
"Or else what?" Sanji began to mock Thumbelina. "You and your friends are gonna beat us up? Don't make me laugh! What can you bunch of sissies do?!"
"Yeah, you all are just a bunch of girls serving as one boy's harem!" Nijima's statement bewildered Jack.
"That's not true!" Jack responded sharply. "They're my friends!"
"Shut it, pretty boy!" Sanji turned his head towards Jack. Looking back at Thumbelina, he said, "And you, tiny! If you think you can rough us up, I'd like to see you try!" Upon being called 'tiny', Thumbelina's left eyebrow twitched. Her friends, especially Jack, became slightly anxious. They knew that Thumbelina disliked being called tiny and those who did would incur her wrath.
"What did you say?" Thumbelina's voice was dead serious. Seeing this, Red Riding Hood quickly spoke to Sanji.
"You, apologize to her now,"
"Huh? What for?"
"You made a huge mistake. Do yourself a favor and apologize before things get worse,"
"Why should I be apologizing to this tiny little midget? It's not like she's going to hit me so hard that I'll-" The next thing Sanji knew, he was sent flying to his right by a punch to the cheek from Thumbelina. The rest of the delinquents and Hinata had their jaws drop open at the sight of Sanji spinning mid-air and crashing into the ground, a short distance away from everyone.
Lying on his back, Sanji groaned in pain. Seeing their downed companion, the rest of Ichijo's gang frantically rushed towards him. At the same time, Jack helped Hinata get back onto his feet. The Blood Maidens approached the delinquents, who were now helping Sanji to stand up. They saw Sanji placing a hand on his bruised cheek all while trying to fight back tears.
"You… You…" Sanji pointed a finger at Thumbelina while stammering. "You think you're so tough? Just wait until we-" Before he could finish his sentence, Thumbelina grabbed his collar and brought his face close to hers.
"Don't you ever call me tiny," she then spoke in a threatening manner. "I may not look like it but, I'm actually the eldest of my sisters. The next time you call me tiny or if you lay a finger on another student, I will do more than punch you. I will ensure that you and your friends will lose their lives! DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME?!" After venting her frustration, Thumbelina pushed Sanji back and went back to her companions.
Soon, Sanji began tearing up like a baby. Beads of sweat lined the delinquents' foreheads as they saw their friend reduced to a pathetic state. To make matters worse for them, the Blood Maidens were staring at them. The looks on their faces were the same ones they would give to a horde of Marchens or a Nightmare even.
"Hey," Ichijo smiled nervously. "You're not going to beat us up, right? I mean you're just a bunch of innocent girls. There's no way you're going to gang up on us, right?"
"We won't do anything to you," Alice's voice was firm. "However, promise us one thing,"
"W-What is it?" asked Gotou.
"Do not cause any more trouble. That applies to not only the students but, also to anyone else whom you meet. Do I make myself clear?"
"Why should we promise you that?" Ichijo put on a strong front to cover his nervousness. "We're not going to owe you anything. Especially since you hit our friend here!" Kaguya was displeased at Ichijo's demeanor. Stepping forward, she stood between the Blood Maidens and the delinquents.
"You foolish, arrogant humans," Kaguya said, furrowing her eyebrows. "Despite your strong outward appearances, you falter easily at times of trouble. Rather than accepting that aspect of yourselves, you chose to cover it up with all manner of misdeeds. All this so that you can present a false image of authority over others,"
"What are you getting at?" Nijima said.
"If you so desire, you can continue with your current deeds," In a resolute tone, Kaguya added, "However, know this. There is no happiness in controlling the weak. It is nothing but, a mere front to exert or in certain cases, abuse power onto others,"
"If your actions persist even after listening to my words, then, you may suffer the consequences for all we care," Although Kaguya's speech was soft, Ichijo's gang felt the weight of her words. All they could do was stand still and remain quiet.
"Now, let us depart," Kaguya turned around and said to her friends. "I believe we have wasted enough time here," With that, Jack, the Blood Maidens and Hinata walked out of the lawn. Ichijo and his gang remained still as they left.
"Who the h*** are these students?" Ichijo said to himself.
Jack and the Blood Maidens' house is among those facing the roads leading towards the northern road. Inside it, there is a lounge downstairs, it's floor lined with a red and black carpet. In the middle of it is a rectangular table covered by a white cloth and having a decorative tea set, an item Jack bought for Alice while they were in the Jail, on top of it. The table is surrounded by four pink sofas covered with heart-shaped patterns.
On the left of the lounge is the dining room which also serves as the kitchen. There is even a restroom near the right corner of the lounge. Next to the dining room is a flight of stairs leading towards a hall with twelve bedrooms-Eleven for Jack and his friends and one for their guardian, Mr. Shiro.
Mr. Shiro, a man in his late twenties, wears round glasses which obscures his eyes and has tidy black hair. He wears a white lab coat, a green shirt underneath it, and long black pants. Currently, he is sitting on one of the sofas in the lounge reading the newspaper.
As he flipped through the newspaper's pages, Mr. Shiro heard the door open. Putting it on the table, he then saw Jack and his group enter the lounge. Earlier, they have offered to tend to Hinata's injuries after saving him from Ichijo's group. However, Hinata declined, saying that he would treat them by himself. Jack's group then walked him to his house. After that, they decided to return home. As everyone walked into the lounge, they greeted Mr. Shiro.
"We're home," Jack was the first to speak.
"Hey, Mr. Shiro!" Red Riding Hood greeted Mr. Shiro cheerfully.
"Ah, hello there, everyone," Mr. Shiro smiled at Jack and his company. "How was your first day of school?"
"It was great," Jack said with a smile. "There were a lot of things to learn but, it was pretty interesting overall,"
"Lots of nice food there too!" Rapunzel gleefully said much to everyone's amusement.
"I take it you all had a good time there," Mr. Shiro beckoned for Jack's group to sit at the sofas. "Would you like to share your experiences?"
"We'd love to!" At Cinderella's words, Jack and the Blood Maidens put their school bags next to the sofas and joined Mr. Shiro. Jack, Alice and Red Riding Hood sat on the first sofa, Cinderella, Kaguya and Hameln sat on the second, Thumbelina and her sisters sat on the third and Gretel and Rapunzel sat with Mr. Shiro. The group then explained the various things they did, from having lessons in school to stopping the delinquents from assaulting Hinata. Mr. Shiro listened to their stories with interest.
"Your first day is quite eventful," he remarked. "It was good of you to help your fellow schoolmate earlier," Turning to Thumbelina, he said, "Although, if I may comment, Thumbelina, do refrain from using force if necessary. What you did, though understandable, could potentially lead to further problems,"
"What else were we supposed to do?" Thumbelina stated. "We couldn't just let them do as they please. Besides, I couldn't stand seeing those gangsters bullying someone for no reason,"
"With what you did though, Thumby, you'd make yourself look like a tomboy," Red Riding Hood grinned.
"What?!" Thumbelina's face turned red. "Don't be absurd, Sister Red! The one fitting that description would be you!"
"Why me?" Red Riding Hood looked surprised.
"Well, you're stronger than we are despite your feminine looks," replied Thumbelina. "And not to mention you're into stuff like training and that your brains are all muscles,"
"Hey, that's mean!" Red Riding Hood was not pleased at the last part of Thumbelina's sentence. "I think for all of you like the elder sister and this is how you describe me?" Everyone was a little uneasy over Red Riding Hood's sudden expression of displeasure.
"Wait, that's not what I meant…" Thumbelina started to regret her words. At this, Red Riding Hood gave a short laugh.
"Just kidding!" she then said, causing everyone to smile and sigh in relief. "As expected, you took what I said seriously, Thumby,"
"I swear you can be tricky at times, Sister Red…" Thumbelina frowned.
"By the way, Mr. Shiro, how is everything at Haru's side? Are he and the rest of the Dawn doing well?" Jack asked.
"Yes, I've been meaning to tell you once you all reached home," Mr. Shiro answered. "Haru gave me a call while all of you were out. Right now, he, Miko and Clara along with our researchers are assisting the Bureau in studying all things pertaining to the Jail. While they are doing so, Towa is leading a group of people comprised of Dawn members and agents from the Bureau in cleaning up and rebuilding the city engulfed by it,"
"In respect of the rebuilding efforts, we have also enlisted the aid of rescue workers and volunteers from the general public. So far, progress is slow but, our work is moving on steadily,"
"I see they are busy," said Gretel.
"Indeed," Mr. Shiro said. "Aside from work, Haru also told me that he is going to contact us tonight to see how you all are doing. Miko, Clara and Towa will be doing the same as well as another person who had recently 'rejoined' the Dawn,"
"Rejoined?" Jack became curious. "What do you mean by that, Mr. Shiro?"
"You will know about that come tonight," Mr. Shiro replied. "Haru told me it is a surprise for all of you,"
"A surprise, huh?" Red Riding Hood said. "Wonder what Haru wants to keep from us so bad that he can't tell us now,"
"Don't know what, but, Rapunzel loves surprises!" Rapunzel said happily. "Surprises are fun!"
"Why yes they are, Rappy!" Cinderella giggled. "I must say, it's quite heartening for our friends from the Dawn to call us about how we are doing,"
"I agree," Alice smiled. "It's nice to hear from them again,"
"I'm looking forward to talking with them. It feels as if it's been some time since we did," Jack said with a smile. The Blood Maidens appeared to share the same thoughts as Jack.
"That aside," Thumbelina said. "Shouldn't we be doing our homework for today? I think we've talked long enough,"
"Hey, you're right!" Jack looked as if he remembered something important. "We got to submit them tomorrow too. Let's go do it at the dining room, everyone,"
"It's such a chore to do this thing called 'homework' though…" Kaguya appeared reluctant.
"Come on, Kaguya!" Red Riding Hood encouraged Kaguya. "Don't be such a lazy bum. If we do it together, I'm sure we'll get it done in no time!"
"Well, then, let us complete our homework and enjoy the fruits of our labor!" Hameln said enthusiastically.
"Before that, Mr. Shiro, thank you for telling us on the current developments," Alice thanked Mr. Shiro. "We appreciate it,"
"You're welcome, Alice," Mr. Shiro got out of his seat. "Well, I better not disturb you young ones. If you need me for anything, I'll be upstairs in my room,"
"Alright, thanks, Mr. Shiro," After Jack thanked Mr. Shiro, he and his friends picked up their school bags and headed to the dining room while chatting about their homework. Mr. Shiro took his newspaper and headed for the stairs.
"They are a lively bunch aren't they?" Mr. Shiro said to himself as he walked up the stairs. "Professor Tohjima,"
Night had arrived at Wonder Ville. Every part of the town is illuminated by tall street lamps and the lights of the buildings in it. Inside Jack and his friends' house, everyone had just finished having dinner cooked by Mr. Shiro and Cinderella. After cleaning up the dishes, they gathered at the lounge, with Mr. Shiro sitting on one sofa and the rest standing behind him.
Everyone was looking at a laptop rested on Mr. Shiro's lap. He is configuring the video chat function to enable the Dawn's members to contact the group. Soon, the laptop's monitor displayed two grey screens, one at the top and one beneath it.
A few minutes later, the two screens showed individuals whom Jack and his friends knew. In the top screen were Haru, Miko and Clara and in the bottom was Towa. The former appeared to be in a laboratory of sorts while the latter was at a camp situated a short distance away from where the Jail once was. Once both Jack and Haru's side could see each other, they exchanged greetings.
"Hey, Haru!" Red Riding Hood was the first to start.
"Hey, there," Haru, a gruff-looking thirty year old man with unkempt hair, said.
"Hello, everyone," Miko, a fair skinned woman, smiled.
"Hey, there, everyone!" Clara, a young girl serving as Haru's apprentice, said.
"Hello, there!" Towa-full name Towa Kadowaki, a well-built man often seen with a smile and closed eyes, greeted with a grin. "How was your first day living on the surface like?"
"It was pretty fun," Red Riding Hood responded to Towa's question. "We did a whole lot of things that we never did back in the Jail,"
"I reckon you'd say that," a small smile emerged on Haru's face. "So, how about telling us about them?" Jack and his group relayed the day's events to Haru's group. Their stories elicited mixed reactions from Haru and his company.
"Well, color me surprised," Haru raised his eyebrows. "The way things are going at your side, you all are going to be celebrities in your school,"
"I'm surprised that things are going smoothly for you all," Miko shared Haru's views. "Even though we knew you'd live your own lives, we thought you may find it hard to adjust to life on the surface,"
"Well, everything out here was pretty foreign at first," said Thumbelina. Looking proud, she added, "But, we can survive. I don't see any problem in doing so since we went through worse in the Jail,"
"Yup!" Red Riding Hood grinned in agreement. "It's just as Thumby said!"
"My, how optimistic you all are!" Towa gave a good natured laugh. "By the way, I must say it was brave of you to stand up for a fellow student. Especially you two, Jack and Alice,"
"Thank you, Mr. Kadowaki," Jack said. "We didn't really do much though,"
"I got to say you really were something, Jack!" Clara remarked excitedly. "You protecting Alice from a bunch of flirts in school-It's like you're a prince watching over her princess!"
"Huh?! Prince?! That's not how it is, Clara! It's just that she's important to me-" Haru and his company fell into a stunned silence upon hearing Jack's exclamation. "I mean," Jack calmed down and continued, "She's important to us,"
Clearing his throat, Haru said, "That aside, there's someone who wants to talk to all of you. Especially to Jack, Alice and Red Riding Hood,"
"Would you be referring to the surprise Mr. Shiro told us about?" Cinderella asked Haru.
"That's correct," replied Haru. "In fact, he's someone whom you know, Jack. Same goes for you, Alice,"
"Who is it?" Jack was curious.
"That would be me," a boy with blue unkempt hair about Jack's age, dressed in a Dawn uniform walked in front of Haru. Jack and his friends did not recognize his face. However, Jack and Alice in particular, felt that his voice was very familiar.
"It's been a while, Jack, Alice," the blue haired boy greeted Jack's group. "And it's good to meet all of you as well,"
"You're…" Jack's face was filled with realization. "You're the one who helped us climb the Jail's tower with your friends back then!"
"You're also the reincarnation of the late leader of the Dawn's investigation team and the one who found Red Riding Hood as a baby," Alice had the same look of realization as Jack's.
"That's right," the blue haired boy replied. "I decided to get back into the Dawn to help them with their work. Speaking of which, I see that you're all doing pretty fine out there," Looking at Red Riding Hood, he added, "Especially you, Red Riding Hood. You've really grown up. I can't believe you were the same baby I found at the Station Grounds,"
"It's nice to finally meet the one who found me," said Red Riding Hood with appreciation. "I've always wanted to thank you for what you did,"
"You don't have to," the boy replied amiably. "Seeing you doing well with your friends is thanks enough for me,"
"I never thought that we would see you again after that time," Alice said gladly. "I'm glad to see that you are alright,"
"Me too," Jack shared Alice's sentiments. "Although, we never got to know your name even after all that,"
"Well, about that, you can call me 'Major'. That's what I was called in my past life," the boy stated.
"In any case, it is a pleasure to meet you, Major," Cinderella said warmly.
"This is quite the twist of fate," Gretel smiled. "To meet a person whose face we've never seen until now,"
Major gave a chuckle. "You could say that,"
"I don't like to cut our conversation short but, we need to get back to our work," Miko stated. "We're currently researching ways for humans to combat threats related to the Jail,"
"Oh? And what would they be?" asked Mr. Shiro.
"We haven't come up with anything definitive yet," said Haru. "That's why we're racking our brains right now. Sorry, but, we'll have to take our leave. We'll keep in touch though,"
"Understood," Mr. Shiro said. "Do take care," Both Jack and Haru's side said their goodbyes to each other. After that, Mr. Shiro proceeded to close his laptop and place it on the table.
"It sure was great talking with them again," said Red Riding Hood.
"Yup!" Rapunzel said.
"You know, I wonder how Michiru and Chii are doing," Thumbelina was referring to Michiru and Hitsuka, the founders of a cult called the Order of the Sun which was active since the Jail's birth. "We haven't heard from them ever since they parted ways with us,"
"They must be really busy for them to not call us," said Snow White.
"Yup…" Sleeping Beauty said.
"I'm sure they are fine," Jack assured Thumbelina and her sisters. "They must be doing their best in helping the people. Just as how our friends in the Dawn are doing their best in their own efforts,"
"I suppose you are right, Jack," Thumbelina agreed.
"Now that we are done talking with Haru, what shall we do for the night?" Cinderella said. "We have some time before we can call it a day,"
"How about having a stroll at the park?" Mr. Shiro suggested. "A walk outside during the night is pleasant due to the cool weather,"
"Is that so?" Red Riding Hood became intrigued. "In that case, how about it, everyone? We could go play some ball out there too,"
"Yay! Let's play!" Rapunzel happily said.
"I don't see why not," Alice said. "It would be nice of us to be at the park together,"
"Let's go then," Jack said as everyone shared Red Riding Hood's interest. "I'm sure it will be fun,"
"I'll go get the ball, then," Red Riding Hood headed for the stairs. "Until then, stay put, you all!" While waiting for Red Riding Hood, Mr. Shiro and Jack's group chatted with each other a little. It was going to be a fun night for them all.