Operation: [Unexpected]
Hours Later
Hoshinoumi Academy
[Play: Danran (ANANT-GARDE-EYES/Jun Maeda) Charlotte (O.S.T)]
School had ended for the students of Hoshinoumi Academy, some of them were staying late for either class duty, extra-curricular, or just hanging out in the campus.
Two fairly well-known students were making their way outside the gates, as decided earlier by their president seeing that the latter alongside her lover had left earlier than them.
Takajo and Nishimori were walking side by side, having done with arranging some documents in the clubroom. And when the former glanced at what the latter's expression was; he spoke.
"You seem cheerful now" Takajo mentioned seeing how Nishimori indeed had her cheerful expression like usual unlike earlier. The latter face him still having her smile.
"You think so?" Nishimori said while Takajo nodded.
Earlier, when she and Takajo had a talk about the past, it made her demeanor returned to what she usually showed and furthermore...
"Maybe someone managed to cheer me up" Nishimori teased making Takajo scratch his cheek.
"Yeah..." Takajo trailed off making the idol giggle.
...not only being happy but also she had gotten more courageous in teasing the fanboy and she quite like enjoy what she was seeing now.
From what she could see, maybe this was why Tomori loves teasing Yu all the time...
"If you're alright then" Takajo coughed wanting to end the discussion which was granted by Nishimori, as she just grinned... for now.
Even though she wasn't quite sure of the reason why her behavior changed greatly, she can still guess...
Nishimori then looked at Takajo with a fond look knowing that not he also can be so modest but was a great friend that you can count on in times of needs.
...remembering the past, where he had worked hard in changing her own mind to show how she really felt about her older sister's "second" passing, she knew now that if she wanted to get answers of what she noticed about Takajo in school now that she had gotten a more closer look. She had to put her own effort in doing it and not only just showing a conflicting expression whilst thinking how to do so.
Simply put, if she wanted to know what was bothering Takajo, she had to get her point across and not act like a reluctant snob... if she worded that correctly.
Now she was only waiting for a perfect place where they can be alone...
Nishimori then blushed thinking more thoroughly what she had just thought, before blinking as she realized something that should have been clear.
"Look there they ar-" Takajo called out with a halt making Nishimori glance towards the direction confused as to why he stopped suddenly before seeing what he saw.
[Play: Orokamonotachi (ANANT-GARDE-EYES/Jun Maeda) Charlotte (O.S.T)]
The duo could see that the official couple, whilst in their argument, one of them was seen leaning on a wall while the other one was unintentionally lodging that person in place, need more describing?
Yu had Tomori's wrists held on his hand as it was planted on a nearby wall while his unoccupied hand was on the wall acting as a support to let him keep his balance. His right leg were between her thighs as his face was really close to hers which looks like they were about to kiss or something, though the both of them probably didn't knew their own current position because they continued arguing with each other.
"Black Hole!" Yu shouted as he held her wrist tighter.
"Cyclops!" Tomori shouted before blinking as she was the first to become aware of their position, as she gave out a smirk while she quickly stared at his eyes with a certain glint making Yu confused.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Yu questioned as his rage died down while Tomori just giggled.
"Look at what we put ourselves idiot" Tomori said as she kept up her smirk not really bothered by their position no matter how inappropriate it is on public but to Yu who now noticed definitely was bothered. "You look like you're going to molest me or something" she added while Yu immediately backed off.
Yu didn't say anything as he just blushed because of earlier while Tomori who was amused came towards his ear to whisper something.
Takajo and Nishimori who saw the spectacle couldn't help but blush themselves, seeing how really intimate that was. Not that they weren't used to their usual banters, but that was really too much for them. And when Tomori whispered something to Yu's ear, the latter immediately backed off again, they could only speculate that it was really embarrassing or something lewd seeing Yu's bright blush that quickly died down as he pinched her nose again and with that, the argument began anew.
"Oh! There you two are!" the argument was amazingly postponed as Tomori suddenly spoke as she noticed the two as she beckoned them to get closer which they followed, before remembering Yu's hold on her nose. "Okay! Stop your grip for a second geez!" she stated before Yu let it go as Tomori faced the two again. "Are you guys doing anything later?" Tomori asked the two.
"Nothing in particular Nao-san" Nishimori answered before she faced Takajo for confirmation, the latter just shook his head indicating for a no. "The two of us aren't doing anything later" she faced Tomori again who just nodded.
"Then..." Tomori said as she pulled out something inside her bag before showing it towards the others. "Me and Yu were going to watch some movies in his dorms this evening!" she stated while showing some DVD's "And I figured that it would be better when the entire group comes along!" she added while Yu just looked surprised.
"I didn't kno-" Yu was about to say when his mouth was immediately clamped shut by Tomori's hand.
"So, what do both of you say?" Tomori continued.
Nishimori and Takajo looked at each other as if deciding when the former suddenly spoke.
"Um..." Nishimori started with hesitation. "Yusa and Takajo don't want to be a bother to you two" she said with a wry smile knowing that this could probably be a couple's alone time or something.
"Nonsense!" Tomori urged. "Just think of it as a group bonding activity after the work we did earlier" she stated while they were contemplating. "And a chance for us to connect more" she added hinting towards something as Nishimori's eyes suddenly widen getting the clue.
She then looked at Tomori who just smiled and nodded at her which she clearly understood.
Tomori was giving her the opportunity to talk to Takajo in a desirable setting, similar to what she was thinking earlier. Since the former knew that she was a bit nervous in asking for questions earlier, which she was really thankful for, but it was probably too soon seeing that she had only confirmed it today, Though, after the brief discussion she had with Takajo earlier it was making her more motivated unlike earlier, which Tomori probably had noticed from her interaction with Takajo in the clubroom and just decided to help her a bit, she didn't know.
The white haired girl then glanced towards Takajo as she smirked.
"Oh and that means you too Takajo" Tomori stated.
"You mean you didn't include me all along just now!" Takajo retorted while Tomori shrugged making him sigh.
"Hey, I am a considerate President right?" Tomori proclaimed. "And every member in the student council is taken care by me" she stated. "No matter how turn-off one can be" she rhymed making Takajo twitch an eyebrow.
"I'm not a turn-off!" Takajo retorted.
"Really?" Tomori said before bringing out a question that probably never have been said to a specific someone, and that someone is..."Then Yusa-san?" she asked getting Nishimori's attention while the two males took note of how they addressed themselves, that they had been noticing earlier.
After the... mystery they solved when lunchtime had ended, Tomori and Nishimori had been seen talking with each other in that way making Yu and Takajo conclude that they probably had a girl's talk or something, when they parted to solve the so called mystery much earlier aside from what Tomori discussed. And the result was that they had been calling each other in their first names, they weren't quite sure.
"Yes?" Nishimori replied.
"Is Takajo a turn-off to you?" Tomori asked with a grin as Takajo deflated while Yu just looked on.
"W-why are you asking me?" Nishimori stuttered before being in thought.
She did know that Takajo can been a very excited perso-, okay an outright turn-off, that loves her career and indeed does show it, she also noticed that his stunts like those now were a lot more "tamed" compare to the past... if that was the correct term to use, but nonetheless not that she hated or thought it was a bother.
As an idol, she had been showered by praises by a lot of people. In fact, if she was given the right time and right motivation in expressing her own opinion, specifically Takajo's praises to her were really-
[Play: Danran (ANANT-GARDE-EYES/Jun Maeda) Charlotte (O.S.T)]
"Yusa-san" Tomori called out seeing Nishimori deep in thought for a few seconds as the latter just faced her. "Your smiling a bit there" she said with a small smile noticing Yusa had indeed smile unlike what the former noticed earlier.
Even though what happened earlier may had ended up in a suitable outcome, Tomori was currently thinking if it indeed affected Nishimori considering the fit she had earlier and also the confirmed knowledge of what she was probably assuming all day or even a long time from what she witnessed.
But after she had requested for her and Takajo to get something from the teacher's faculty, she indeed had noticed that Nishimori's mood had brighten more, she concluded that something had happened while they were in that trip.
Apart from the chasing part that Takajo had informed them earlier by the way... or was that included?
"Yes" Takajo agreed with a nod. "Yusa-san's mood had improved greatly" he stated with a salute making Tomori call him a turn-off though Nishimori had notice that he hadn't mentioned his part of helping her making the idol smile from the obvious modesty.
'There he goes being humble again...' thought Nishimori as she kept that in her thoughts not wanting to let them know that she had probably discovered a new side of Takajo that not even Tomori was aware of.
Even she somewhat liked to keep secrets after all.
Not that she had completely recovered, the episode that she showed to Tomori earlier did kinda affect her somehow, but it was mostly about that she knew that Takajo may have something bothering him even before the time when they had first met and not taking note of it despite more than a year had passed alongside the time they got closer. And when they both had a discussion earlier it really managed to lift her mood up and even made her a bit motivated to express an attitude that she rarely shows.
The show of mischievousness of the way she teased Takajo earlier that was really unlike her and that was why now that she concluded that she liked it similar to Tomori, now that she thought about it more.
"Did Takajo do something to you?" Tomori said seriously though the idol could tell it was fake, just to tease Takajo as she answered with the same motivation she had earlier that still hadn't disappeared.
"Yes he did" Nishimori simply said with a smile making Takajo pale.
"I-I said I was sorry at that time!" Takajo bellowed while Tomori immediately looked towards him with a glare making him pale even more.
"Oh Takajo~" Tomori said with a really sweet tone that made Takajo and even Yu's teeth clatter from the tone she's using. "What. Did. You. Just Do?" she stated word by word making him whitish.
"He carried me in a princess style" Nishimori uttered making Takajo gape while Yu and Tomori blinked unaware of that specific information as they were only told that they were chased.
"Oh really..." Tomori looked at Takajo with a suspicious glare making the latter tense while Yu just raised an eyebrow from what he heard, before the girl then released her look towards making Takajo sigh in relief.
"I never knew" Yu coined with a smirk towards Takajo who could only sigh again.
"Anyway, not that I can interfere to whatever both your doing, but! "Tomori said with a shrug before saying in a serious tone that made Takajo's anxiety return. "If I hear about you doing something to Yusa-san..." she added with a pause. "I will gut you" she 'simply' threatened making Takajo sweat.
"R-right!" Takajo said with a vigorous nod.
Even though it was only a 4-word phrase, when coming from Tomori of all people, he knew that it isn't meaningless at all, oh no... and yes, it's from his experience from her of course.
"So about my earlier offer" Tomori asked with a her normal tone making Nishimori think.
Nishimori looked over to Takajo, who somehow recovered, as well before he nodded with a smile, which in turn deciding her own answer as well.
"Okay then Nao-san!" Nishimori said with an enthusiastic tone. "We may bother you, but we accept!" she agreed making Tomori smile.
"Don't worry you won't be a bother" Tomori assured before glancing at Takajo. "Though I don't know about him" she added making Takajo retort.
"Hey!"
"So with that" Tomori announced ignoring Takajo before she latched onto Yu's arm. "Let's meet up in Yu's dorm some time later!" she added making Yu blink from what was happening.
Yu who was listening was the only one confused from what Tomori was deciding, seeing that he had only heard of this until now. But thinking further...
"Alright then" Yu nodded getting their attention. "Let's meet up in my place" he said in confirmation now liking the idea, as he knew that this was probably Tomori's way of giving her friends a break from the work they did with her own idea no matter what how blunt the approach she was using.
She was Tomori after all...
"Are you talking about an org-" Tomori was interrupted when Yu was the one now who clamped her mouth shut before he faced the two.
"Well, we'll leave first" Yu decided while Tomori tried to remove his hand from her mouth. "I don't want this girl to complicate the situation furthe- *OW!*" he shouted in pain feeling Tomori bite her hand before facing the two again with a strained smile. "So, see you both late- *OW* Stop that!"
The two saw the couple argue again as they sweatdropped before they bid goodbye heading to their own dor-, wait scratch that, they saw Tomori suddenly dragged Yu to a convenience store for obvious reasons.
"Let's get going" Takajo suddenly said getting Nishimori's attention as she nodded before they started to walk in their own dorm.
[Play: Asa (ANANT-GARDE-EYES/Jun Maeda) Charlotte (O.S.T)]
As they were walking Nishimori could see some students, specifically the females, glance towards Takajo as some of them had blushes on their faces.
She glanced towards Takajo who was seemingly aware of the looks he was getting, though he only ignored such looks but Nishimori could see him showing signs of nervousness even if it was a tiny bit... a thing that she didn't notice in the past until now.
"Takajo-san" Nishimori started deciding to start up a conversation seeing him a bit tense unlike earlier with his interaction with Tomori. "What do you think about Nao-san's offer earlier?" she asked with a smile as Takajo heard her question with a noticeable relief in his muscles.
"I know Tomori-san..." Takajo said before continuing. "She may have just done that seeing how we worked hard earlier, it's best to agree to her even though she voiced it out that way" he added unknowingly matching Yu's thoughts earlier as Nishimori just nodded before remembering something that she wanted to brought up now that she had been bold because of earlier.
"It's been a while since we started walking together huh?" Nishimori asked.
When he had helped her with her problems, they had been closer to the point of even when they decided, technically she suggested it first to him, to walk and leave together for school that her friends and probably the whole school had been noticing by now.
"You didn't have to walk with me every time you know" Takajo stated. "You can just ask Tomori-san to accompany you" he added making Nishimori pout that he could clearly see.
"You really don't like Yusa's company that much?" Nishimori said with narrowed eyes hearing his sudden statement. "That's the second time you ask Yusa this day" she accused as Takajo quickly answered.
"Not that I'm displeased!" Takajo corrected while shaking his head. "I just thought that now that the student council is a bit well known, people may start to misunderstand things like earlier for example" he added while Nishimori didn't lose her stare.
"And that's also the second time you said that when Yusa first suggested we walk together to school without the well known part" Nishimori pouted whilst crossing her arms.
In reality, she didn't particularly mind what other people say about them going in and out of school like this... except for earlier, how Takao had find out and expressed it to them, since she added a minor yet significant detail alongside it.
Yes, she was used to getting admiration from fans because of her career, but that also came with the hate of some people that doesn't like her performance. She may not look like it but she can safely say that even if she was an airhead, she can disregard those kinds of people along with their comments.
Being an idol does not only mean living and working for the praises and good side of society after all.
This also applies to this situation since she knew that she can choose to ignore what other students will say since she wanted this to happen.
Takajo, seeing her expression, just nodded then smiled before speaking.
"I wonder how many times we did this kind of thing" Takajo said as the idol just smiled.
"The correct term would be 'how it started', is what Yusa thinks" Nishimori corrected making Takajo think.
"I probably said something first right?" Takajo asked making the idol pout.
"You're forgetting what you said again!" Nishimori as Takajo scratched the back of his head in trepidation.
Nishimori, even though it happened in a long time, remembers every significant sentence that she had heard from Takajo when he had started to hang out with her more. Like this one for example...
"Nonetheless whatever it is, if you still want to..." Takajo spoke getting the idol's attention. "...I'll be your companion like always" he added with a smile while Nishimori just slightly blushed as he had gotten the right phrase, though she didn't know if he intended to say it or it was on his whim.
'...and that's the second time you said that when you finally accepted...' she spoke in her mind before the idol saw Takajo waiting for a response as she hurriedly gave one. "T-then it's okay!"
The idol and her fan then talked with each other more, as both of them were enjoying their usual company whenever they go and leave for school.
As they continued to talk, they were unaware that a certain someone was looking at them amidst the trees with a notepad in her hands.
[Play: Warudakumi (ANANT-GARDE-EYES/Jun Maeda) Charlotte (O.S.T)]
"As I said..." the figure in a seemingly female voice spoke up. "This is not over senpai~" she said in a teasing tone as three figures appeared from behind her.
Three familiar figures wearing black robes with hoods that hid their faces.
"Miss" one of the black robed figures spoke in a female voice as she kneeled her one leg in respect as did the others with her. "The preparations have been set in the dormitories" she stated while the unknown(?) figure faced her.
"You all don't need to kneel you know" the figure offered while the robed figures merely shook their heads in response.
"It's just our way of showing thanks for cooperating with us" one of the other figures stated with a female voice as well. "We are merely grateful and for the thing about earlier" she added with a noticeable nervous tone regarding what indeed happened earlier.
"Just don't let it happen again and your interests just aligned with mine" the figure stated as she looked towards Takajo and Nishimori who were walking. "And besides the 'two' help that we will get are-
Then out of nowhere two new people suddenly emerged from behind a nearby tree before one of them spoke.
"Remember, this is only the-" one of them said.
"-time where we will-" the other said.
""be working together alright!"" both of them said getting the figures' attention while the leader just nodded in acceptance before showing a smirk.
"The second phase may have ended in a failure... but let the Phase 3 of {Operation: Conversion} commence!"
Dormitories
An Hour Later
[Play: Danran (ANANT-GARDE-EYES/Jun Maeda) Charlotte (O.S.T)]
The dormitory that was just next to the school by a few distance away, was currently populated with a few students as they made their way into their own dorms to rest for the day.
Two certain students were currently making their way on a certain male's dorm to spend some time there since they were invited by their president to watch some movies.
As they were talking, Takajo noticed they were now in front of Yu's dorm as he called out to the idol beside him.
"Here we are" Takajo said but before he could even ring the doorbell, the door opened abruptly hitting him in the nose as he fell backwards. "*OW!*"
The door opened and they could see Tomori looking at them with a surprised expression.
"I see that you're both finally here" Tomori stated before looking at Takajo as she raised an eyebrow. "That floor isn't meant to be seated on Takajo" she remarked.
"And whose fault is it?!" Takajo retorted as he immediately stood up with a noticeable swollen nose.
Tomori just shrugged making him sigh before the former suddenly remembered something.
"You guys can come in" Tomori beckoned them to come inside as they followed her words before getting confused as to why she just stood in the same place.
"What's up?" Takajo asked.
"I'm just going to call the police" Tomori said offhandedly much to their shock.
"P-Police!" Nishimori cried out as she trembled, thinking if there was some sort of a crime that was happening.
"Why?" Takajo questioned really confused.
"There's a siscon with lolicon tendencies inside" Tomori said with a pout making them further confused from the answer she gave and the expression she showed.
They were about to ask why when another person suddenly appeared inside the dorm.
"You all got the wrong idea!" Yu shouted making the three look towards him.
An Explanation Later
[Play: Ihyou (ANANT-GARDE-EYES/Jun Maeda) Charlotte (O.S.T)]
Yu finished his explanation with a sigh as he let his hands down.
"What you mean to say is..." Takajo was the first who spoke. "Tomori-san may have accused you of being a... siscon when she saw you and Ayumi-chan hugging and kissing" he asked for confirmation which made Yu slammed his hands on the table.
"Please word that correctly!" Yu retorted.
"Isn't that what happened?" Tomori said with a pout making the three glanced towards her as she was sitting in the corner while holding both of her knees.
Earlier, Yu was seen doting Ayumi as the little sister herself ordered by the way, just in time as Tomori saw the whole event and had concluded that there was an incestuous activity going on.
"You are absolutely aware of that!" Yu shouted while Tomori just stuck out her tongue in response.
In truth, Tomori knew of their usual interaction but even she had limitation no matter how a patient person she is. Simply put, she seeing how they act and adding how she was the lover of that certain someone that practically dotes his little sister to the extreme she couldn't take it anymore.
You can also simply put, as Tomori was getting jealous apparently.
"That isn't fair!" Tomori shouted as she stood up.
"What?" Yu asked confused as he saw Tomori made her way towards him.
"You always dote Ayumi-chan comfortably and when it comes to me..." Tomori said as she trailed off.
Yu was about to say something but Tomori quickly recovered.
"You don't do that stuff with me at all!" Tomori quickly stated. "And that makes me wet!" she yelled making the entire group silent.
"..."
The silence occupied the room for a few seconds before...
"What the hell?!" Yu roared as his eyes were widened in shock while the two had the same reaction.
Yu knew Tomori can be a bit bold in what she does but this was something that he could never expect from her. And that was a really-
"Oh, sorry about that" Tomori apologized as she put a hand over her mouth before retrieving a small book on her pocket as she opened it. "Oh it's, 'And that makes me jealous', yeah that's it" Tomori muttered with a nod as she placed that book back on her pocket before addressing the others. "And that makes me-" she was about to repeat before the book that she held earlier floated on her pocket as it went towards Yu.
Yu silently activated {Telekinesis} and made the book go towards him as he picked it up before reading the title.
"...'How to react if your partner cheats or do something inappropriate towards you by using someone else'" Yu read the title. "'by The Yaoi Club'" he stated the maker of the book before unhesitatingly burning the book out of existence with a straight face making Tomori shout.
He didn't know why he burned the book out of reflex seeing the supposed owner or maker of the book but he was feeling kinda guarded today not only because of the so called mysteries that they had been dealing with for the whole day. It was also how he was slightly perturbed that the Yaoi Club may have something in accordance to their whole situation or you could simply say that someone related to that club was behind the shadows planning all of this 'mystery'.
Oh boy, how he was right on that one.
"Why did you burn it?!" Tomori shouted as she saw the remained dust and particles of the book cascade on the floor.
"...It had to be done" Yu said with the same straight expression, truthfully, feeling satisfied and not feeling any ounce of regret to what he had done earlier as Tomori glared towards him before shrugging.
"It was just a copy after all" Tomori said. "I can get one easily" she remarked as Yu quickly chopped her head making her shout in pain. "*OW!* Why did you do that?!" she shouted as she rubbed her head before blinking as she felt something familiar and soft on her lips.
Yu then released his contact as Tomori still didn't get what happened before the latter blushed slightly from his unexpected gesture.
"Better?" Yu said after he kissed her hoping that she could not get another copy of that book.
Tomori just nodded as she suddenly smiled in satisfaction before latching on Yu's arm. As Yu was about to say something he was swiftly interrupted again when...
"*GAH!*" Yu shouted in pain as he felt Tomori elbowed him in the abdomen making him fall backwards.
"*Hmph*" Tomori huffed as she went outside the room to help Ayumi prepare dinner leaving the three as one of them was currently on the floor while the other two just smiled somehow used to their intereaction.
Few Minutes Later
[Play: Danran (ANANT-GARDE-EYES/Jun Maeda) Charlotte (O.S.T)]
The group having done eating in Yu's dorm then placed themselves in the living room as Tomori and Yu was fixing the DVD set while Takajo and Nishimori was talking with each other.
"That's... unexpected" Takajo commented hearing what Nishimori said as she nodded with a smile.
"Yusa may not look like it but she has likes on unusual things!" the idol whispered as Takajo just nodded before speaking.
"I always thought that you were always afraid if horror things are in discussion" Takajo stated.
Truth be told, even our resident fanboy was surprised when Nishimori had stated that she likes horror films or movies. He always regarded her as a girl that was usually frightened in things like that but he was proved wrong apparently.
"Then you saw another thing of what Yusa is like!" Nishimori said with a clap really glad that she can tell Takajo something about herself, although it was a minor detail. "It's only for Takajo okay? So keep it a secret" she added making Takajo nod.
"Yes!" the fanboy nodded, glad that he can know the idol more as Nishimori smiled.
She also noticed that she had been showing the others or more specifically Takajo more of her public side and the time where she only showed something different was when her sister had passed her a farewell letter.
Well, she had to fix that somehow and show more of what she likes personally to the others, but she would show something more, exclusively for Takajo who had helped her really immensely... yep, that was the only reason... and yes that could be taken as something more, not that the person knew it herself.
"Horror, huh?" Tomori said, hearing what only Takajo last said, as she was fixing some wires while Yu just raised an eyebrow.
"What?" Yu asked. "You scared of horror movies or something?" he inquired surprised that Tomori was actually scared of something.
He knew that Tomori, apart from being responsible, was a very brave girl that isn't afraid of almost anything in general. So hearing her that she was scared of something that other people can normally be afraid of, really makes him conclude that she still was a normal girl after all.
"Of course not" came Tomori's reply as she quickly put up a smile. "Then let's watch that so that I can see you pee uncontrollably if a jump scare suddenly appear" she commented making Yu sigh as he returned in organizing some disc.
"I am not going to pee my pants just like you said" Yu simply commented as Tomori just muttered something about being a liar as he smiled, knowing that something like horror films were only minor to all the things he had seen through on his journey and also knowing that things like horror films are small when compared to real life, he also remembered to say it like that to not make the others and especially Tomori awkward to things that he would state regarding things about his mission.
"And... done!" Tomori said as she stretched her arms while Yu just nodded.
"Let's just keep quiet" Yu said. "Ayu is probably doing homework by now" he stated, knowing that Ayumi could have probably joined them but decided not to as she stated that she had homework to do, while Tomori nodded before smirking.
"Siscon" Tomori teased.
"I... am not"
Hours Later
[Play: Ihyou (ANANT-GARDE-EYES/Jun Maeda) Charlotte (O.S.T)]
After the duo had fixed the DVD set, they quickly made themselves comfortable as Nishimori and Takajo were seating on the sofa while Yu and Tomori was seating on a separate one as they watched films while the lights were off.
Tomori also instigated that they watched a horror movie immediately and continously to prove whatever her claim To Yu earlier, which was agreed by the group but the latter could see something like reluctance to how she said and suggested earlier.
And now, as the 3rd film was playing and the girl herself hadn't screamed yet, what Tomori claimed must be actually true... well, visibly that is.
"I am not scared" Tomori muttered not wanting to hear what she said, though Yu could clearly hear what she stated as they were currently close to each other... too close in fact.
"If you're going to say that..." Yu muttered as he suppressed a groan from how Tomori's grip on his arm was really tight. "Then don't grip me that hard, like what you did for the couple of hours" he added.
"It's only insurance to help you prevent and avoid escalating to peeing" Tomori quickly stated as she tightened her grip on Yu's arm making the latter sigh.
"You're terrified right now" Yu stated as Tomori immediately shook her head.
"I. AM. NO-" Tomori was about to claim and at the same time a jump scare appeared making her unable to completed her sentence as she shouted for the first time in fright. "KYAH!" she yelped before punching Yu's side as he suppressed another shout.
"*Shhhh*" he heard Takajo and Nishimori shushed as he quickly mouthed a sorry to them before rubbing Tomori's backside making her a bit calm.
If he was not surprised earlier, he was surprised now knowing that Tomori indeed was scared of horror films- Yu then blinked as he realized something.
The Tomori he knew was adept at seeing things through and to carefully analyze it, so that she can understand how a specific subject or event happened.
But that isn't the case for horror film apparently, realizing that horror films are too farfetched and can't be explained normally in real life. It also explained to how Tomori was acting now, without anything to based her assumptions or own opinion to and that if there wasn't anything to explain in the start leaving also the scary and fright factor, he can now understand as to why Tomori was so terrified right now.
Still, who knew Tomori had a weakness like that?
As for the other two who was currently watching, Nishimori surprisingly haven't made a sound yet further proving her claim earlier unlike Tomori while Takajo was at the same state.
Nishimori, who was taking peeks towards Takajo since earlier, pouted really wanting to see Takajo jump in fright so that she can tease him or even-
She then looked towards Takajo's hand that was placed near her as thoughts flooded her mind.
Nishimori then sneakily glance towards Takajo's face as she raised her hand slightly.
'I'm... just scared okay?' Nishimori thought to herself, even though it was unlikely based on her earlier expression, as she slowly descended her hand. 'Yep, I'm just scared..." she then mustered up her courage as her palm was close to the unaware Takajo.
Her hand was a mere centimeters off, and as she was about to feel the hand of her... friend, a very close friend indeed, that she had gotten close to and also feel how his warmth that day really made her fee-
"*KYAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!*" a shout was heard just outside the dorm making the entire group startled as Nishimori quickly retrieved her hand out of reflex.
"Another one!" Tomori, unlike from what Yu expected, stood up with a grin as she quickly turned on the lights of the room and quickly paused the movie. "And it's the {Seven Mysteries Number 5: Weird Events in The Dormitories' Hallways!}" she added.
Yu who saw her could only sigh, knowing that things like these could indeed not make Tomori scared. Considering that it was currently happening and she can explain it as well, like a mystery and like what Tomori just stated earlie-
"No..." Yu, who was reacting now unlike previously, had his hands on his face to hide the really frightened look he currently had before it turned to something akin to irritation. "Not another one!" he shouted loudly compare to the earlier shout outside and Tomori's shout.
"Please be quiet Yu-niichan!" came the little sister's complain from the other room as he quickly shut his mouth.
"S-sorry!" Yu apologized before sighing as he saw Tomori was prepared for another of those stories as he just decided to listen, hoping from the title itself the mystery was legit even if it happened in the hallways... again, if not, somehow scary at all.
{Seven Mysteries Number Five: Weird Events in the Dormitories' Hallways}
[Play: Danran (ANANT-GARDE-EYES/Jun Maeda) Charlotte (O.S.T)]
It was dark, the night had settled in as the sun had disappeared a long time ago. There, a student was fixing his own uniform to wear tomorrow as it was a somehow important day ahead.
"There we go" the male said as he nodded satisfied as he placed it on a hanger and hung it on the door.
Done with whatever he's doing, he then made his way towards the kitchen to prepare dinner for himself, seeing that it was already late at night and he hadn't eaten yet.
Heating up leftovers this afternoon, he checked the time on his wrist watch before gasping seeing how late indeed it already was.
"I forgot to return it to him!" he exclaimed before temporarily turning off the oven, as he quickly got to his room to retrieve some notes that he had borrowed from a friend/classmate earlier.
"I'm heading out" he quickly said as he wore his sweater as he made his way outside his dorm before walking quietly on the hallways of the dormitories not wanting to disturb anybody that was asleep.
As he made his way below the stairs, he suddenly felt someone was watching him from behind as he turned his head to the specific direction but seeing no one in particular at all.
"Probably just my whim" he shrugged as he continued walking ahead to his friend's dorm.
"Thanks bud" his friend thanked as he handed the notes before giving a small welcome as he returned to his dorm right after.
[Play: Munesawagi (ANANT-GARDE-EYES/Jun Maeda) Charlotte (O.S.T)]
As he was walking, he can now hear distinct sounds from his surroundings as he glanced everywhere to locate the source... to find nothing at all.
"This is getting weirder" he concluded with a gulp as he fastened his walk.
Walking more hurriedly he was unaware of something below the floor as it made him tripped as he fell backwards.
[Play: Taiji (ANANT-GARDE-EYES/Jun Maeda) Charlotte (O.S.T)]
"*OW!*" he grunted quietly. "What the-" he was about to see what it was when suddenly something was sprayed on his face making him clenched his eyes closed unable to see anything."Wha-!" he asked again but failed when something entrapped his right leg and pulled it making his head bump against the floor as he tried to shout in pain but he also failed when something covered his mouth as he found out that he also can't move his body from the shock.
Now the student, as he can't move, can't see and can't speak, was really terrified now about his situation as he tried to shout for help but can't do it as his mouth was currently clamped shut.
*Giggle*
He stopped struggling when he heard something akin to a laugh.
*Giggle* *Giggle*
He started to sweat hearing more of those laughs.
"*HIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHI!*" the giggling intensified as if many where uttering such noises before the student suddenly felt something liquid and something... extremely cold below his torso.
"*AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!*"
{Story End}
[Play: Ihyou (ANANT-GARDE-EYES/Jun Maeda) Charlotte (O.S.T)]
Tomori finished the story as Takajo and Nishimori suddenly felt shiver from hearing the ending.
"That's..." Takajo tried to say but failed, realizing now that story was really more different to what he heard before from the other stories. Not that it was frightening as the first mystery they solved, since the first was fangirls of course, but this one somehow was a bit crueler than the others in his perspective and he could see that Nishimori shared his opinion.
And not that he was wrong on that one, but he was about to see and experience something more cruel compare to that one... not now though. (hehehe)
"And it also stated that every victim suffered differently" Tomori bluntly stated much to the shock of the fanboy and idol.
"S-Suffered..." Takajo said with a stutter.
"N-Nao-san" Nishimori said with a wry grin. "Can you say those things in a more indirect way please?" she suggested while Tomori, who was looking at them weirdly, just nodded.
"Noted" Tomori said as she nodded again, though both of them could see that she had disregarded the suggestion quite swiftly, which both of them didn't voice. "Well anyway..." she shrugged as she continued. "It's my most favorite mystery if you're asking" she added.
"Why Tomori-san?" Nishimori asked while Tomori showed a grin.
"Can't you tell from the story?!" Tomori said with an excited tone making both of them confused. "The mysteries' plot or you could say how the mystery itself worked!" she stated. "Especially the ending, Is somewhat done by an akin to a coordinated group to how they thoroughly incapacitated the student rendering him blind, mute and paralyzed!" she added as she spread her arms joyfully while Takajo and Nishimori just sweatdropped wondering how this particular mystery can excite Tomori this much.
"H-How about you Otosaka-san" Takajo said as he saw Tomori was about to continue. "What are your thoughts about this- eh?" he turned towards Yu but the former couldn't find his friend anywhere. "Where did he go?" he asked with a clueless tone while the others had the same expression.
"*Hmph*" Tomori huffed as she crossed her arms. "Maybe the idiot peed his pants or something from hearing my horrifying story" she concluded with a satisfied grin while the duo just sweatdrop again.
"Now, now Tomori-san" Takajo said. "That's not the Otosaka-san we know" he tried to reason. "And If I might add, that's yo-" he quickly clamped his mouth shut when Tomori gave a dangerous glare towards the fanboy.
"Anything you would like to say... turn-off?" Tomori questioned as she said the last part with a very obvious cold tone making Takajo gulp and as he was about to say something the former quickly spoke. "Want to know what's really scary?" she flexed her knuckles as she went closer Takajo.
"I-I didn't mean to!" Takajo shook his head rapidly with hands waving hurriedly also as he backtracked while Tomori just gave a merciless grin.
Sure with his tough and robust figure he can take any attack even if it was intentionally prepared or not, but Tomori's punches were in a different league. They may not hurt that much, seeing her slim figure, but they still hurt nonetheless and considering how her every punch also damages something more than his something physical towards him.
"Takajo the turn-off is about to get pummeled" Tomori stated getting closer to the victim as said victim was bracing for the unimaginable physical and mental pain that he was about to get.
Nishimori, who was seeing all of these, had observed this kind of interaction from them every day in the clubroom even to the point that it was usual for them to act like this, but now...
[Play: Ketsui (ANANT-GARDE-EYES/Jun Maeda) Charlotte (O.S.T)]
"Get out of the way Yusa-san" Tomori warned seeing how Nishimori was in front of her. "The turn-off needs to get punished" she stated while the idol just gulped in nervousness.
She didn't know why her body suddenly reacted like this, but upon hearing that Tomori will hurt Takajo just now, her mind suddenly told her to act this way apparently even though she considered their interaction was normal to say the least and had seen it numerously first hand.
"Um..." Nishimori tried to say but failed as the two were waiting for her reply.
There was a lot that indeed happened today and she concluded that it was probably today's activities or more specifically, someone's doing that was making her act like this.
Nishimori then shook her head to dismiss her thoughts fully knowing well who made her like this, as she faced Tomori with a determined face, unaware that Tomori was intrigue by her current expression.
'You really grew attached to the turn-off, huh?' Tomori thought in her mind as she displayed a mental smile.
Tomori also knew that they had gotten close but she was still slightly surprised it escalated to this degree. Now, she was really curious to what the idol will say in defense.
Time went slow for the group as they waited for one to say something but that was magnificently interrupted when...
[Play: Ihyou (ANANT-GARDE-EYES/Jun Maeda) Charlotte (O.S.T)]
""Unhand us!"" two voices was heard from the other side of the room making them stop their supposed quarrel as they quickly made their towards the door to find the source while Nishimori breathe a sigh of relief really thankful for that interruption.
They looked towards the door to see Yu, who currently had two very familiar faces as they struggled to get away.
"You two..." Takajo pointed out seeing twins namely; Shizuku and Shizuka, still on their uniforms, with a spray cans, ropes and bottled water is hand as well.
"I caught the two culprits" Yu stated making the two sweat as the entire group looked towards them as well as confused except for one... apart from him of course.
The attacks were coordinated, as Tomori stated.
It was done by a group of people seeing that it was physically impossible to apply those so called 'suffering', as Tomori stated again.
Hadn't still figure it out yet?
"The perpetrators were Shizuku and Shizuka Kanzaki, and with the help of their unique ability they can do those so called 'coordinated attacks' by two people only" Yu retorted blankly making the twins flinched from how the former gave an accurate answer.
The (not so) great mystery was currently solved by Yu Otosaka with a very blank tone. {Current mysteries left: 2}
"How did-" Shizuku started.
"-you know-" Shizuka said.
""-our magnificent suffering applications!"" both of them said making Yu gain a tickmark on his forehead.
"Stop calling it that!" Yu retorted unaware making Takajo and Nishimori reflexively nod in acceptance.
The twins getting yelled at showed a somewhat close to crying expression wanting to get out of Yu's grasp with pity which was dismissed very quickly.
"Don't even think about it" Yu warned making them sigh as they just mumbled.
""...Now we know that this phase failed"" they unfortunately uttered quite clearly, which Yu heard as his eyes sharpened making the entire group shiver including Tomori.
"Oh, a phase now huh?" the twins hearing how calm his tone already knew that they were in a hell lot of trouble because of their unintended murmuring and considering that they leaked a somewhat very significant information as well.
Nishimori quickly got out of her current state as she knew this might take very long, as she knew she had made plans to talk to someone after this meeting.
"...Otosaka-san" Nishimori hesitatingly called out knowing that he may very well pissed right now.
"What?" Yu said with a hint of steel in his voice making the idol shiver again.
"Y-Yusa just wants to inform you, that she and Takajo's are going to leave first" Nishimori informed with a stutter. "We have something to do after this" she added making Takajo confused.
"We did?" the fanboy asked but he didn't get a reply when the idol abruptly shoved him ahead while she guided him.
"Of course we did" Nishimori repeated before they went outside. "Goodbye everyone!" she gave a farewell before closing the door.
Yu, who was confused as to why the idol was acting, then directed his gaze towards the clearly nervous twin.
"Explain now"
Outside The Dorm
[Play: Heion (ANANT-GARDE-EYES/Jun Maeda) Charlotte (O.S.T)]
As Takajo and Nishimori were walking in the lighted corridor, the former stopped walking as the latter seeing him halt, stopped also.
"So what's up Yusa-san?" Takajo stated wondering what they would do as the idol stated earlier.
Nishimori, who was in front of him, didn't turn for a few seconds as Takajo could barely see a sigh that came out of the idol's lips before said girl then turned towards the fanboy with a determined gaze.
Their location was now very ideal for a place that she wanted to hold a discussion with, no one would interrupt them, the place was quiet and more importantly they were all alone, though she can't help but blush at how she described it before dimming it down.
Takajo was still confused to her reaction and as he was about to say something he was interrupted.
"Tell me... Jojiro" Nishimori said as she applied her own courage from earlier and more importantly, utmost care for the boy she had gotten close to.
"Wha-" Takajo surprised from how she called him, tried to speak but was interrupted again when Nishimori suddenly got close to his face a mere centimeters away making him blush but it disappeared when the idol's expression didn't falter.
"What's the problem Yusa?" Takajo, matching how Nishimori addressed him, said knowing that this must be important for her as he displayed a serious expression.
This was not the first time that Takajo had seen such a serious expression from the idol and he knew that this was not the time to be in fanboy mode right now, he knew how to act serious if a situation demands it after all, no matter how it was unlikely for him.
Nishimori, who was really suppressing her blush from how close she was, and seeing how serious Takajo was, managed to recompose herself as she spoke.
"Why are you so guarded about relationships?" Nishimori asked making Takajo wide-eyed from his claim before calming himself as he turned to the side.
"W-What are you talking about?" Takajo stuttered scratching the back of his head and was about to deny her claim but failed when Nishimori turned his head to face her again, returning how their faces were close like earlier.
"Tell me" Nishimori said in a much softer tone, eyes showing worry and concern that really surprised Takajo before he directed his gaze on the ground his hair shadowing his face.
Nishimori, seeing probably how this was a very personal this was for him, saw Takajo ended up really quiet compare to what she knew of, decided to just dismissed her claim and as she was to do that...
"You... noticed?" Nishimori heard what Takajo muttered which she quickly answered to.
"...Yes, I did" Nishimori answered while Takajo just turned to the balcony before leaning towards it as he gave out a sigh.
Nishimori, unused seeing him like this, was now carefully thinking of what she would say.
"It's a very boring story" Takajo said as he looked towards Nishimori who listened intently. "You still want to know?" he asked.
"...Yes, I do" Nishimori nodded with a determined tone in her voice.
"..."
"..."
"Then how about this..." Takajo said with a sigh. "It will probably make you see me as a piece of trash or a cruel person afterwards" he stated with an indifferent tone wanting to see how Nishimori would reply. "Do you really want to know?" he asked again.
Nishimori hearing how he described himself was shock to say the least, as she saw how his expression hadn't faltered in the slightest bit but she stood strong knowing that...
"I don't think you're a cruel person" Nishimori stated with a smile and a shook of her head. "You're more than that" she added making Takajo stunned as he showed a small smile himself.
"Well..." Takajo said as he scratched the back of his head. "Can't let my favorite idol be disappointed, can I?" he stated with a grin as he showed his usual expression making Nishimori smile.
Whatever Takajo would say to her after this, it would not affect how she looked at him afterwards as well. Fully knowing well that she can be a very somewhat cruel person herself, always seeing what was in front of her, disregarding the feelings of people that she had considered close. For example, how she dismissed the idea that her older sister who had passed away had been interacting with the group and now this boy's feelings and uneasiness, which she had also disregarded and the one who had managed to convince her to get out of that state afterwards.
Yes, no matter how bizarre and unexpected it will be. She as an idol and more importantly, she as his friend, will see through it until the very en-
"For starters, I had somewhat of a girlfriend you see"
"Eh?"
Yep, that was quite unexpected.