I've started to see a pattern I didn't even realize with each kid I write about but I'm not complaining. It feels like its a good pattern as opposed to the non planned way I write other things. Happy to know people are still into the story as much as I am. My new year's resolution is to do more without it taking over 5 months to get a thing done. Cross your fingers for me.

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"So you want my advice on what to do? Kiyoko asked.

It wasn't in Sayaka's nature to pry into other people's business even though she did like to gossip. This however wasn't a matter of confirming some silly rumor like if Makoto still wets the bed or not. It was a matter of helping her newest club member. Kotoko had said some pretty worrisome stuff earlier that day. Even though Kyoko was likely fairly busy with her own detective duties she still had time to help where she could with her friend's problems.

2 hours ago

It had only been a week since Sayaka met Kotoko but she couldn't help but adore her like a new little sister. She'd make her band mates laugh with old school jokes and seemed to know a lot interesting random facts. They decided to even make a new tradition after each rehearsal to watch a few trivia game shows they'd never heard of since the little ultimate seemed pretty passionate about them. Her acting was honestly not that good but her knowledge for trivia was pretty impressive for someone so young. Sayaka wasn't the ultimate talent scout by any stretch. Still a part of her wondered if Kotoko would be interested in a title more related game shows because of her knack for them.

She planned to actually ask her about this when the current show they were watching was over until a sudden news report interrupted it.

"We interrupt this program to bring you an update on the 5 boys arrested in London last year for harassment and assault on a lesbian couple. For a recap, 5 teenage boys were arrested for battering a lesbian couple after they refused to kiss in front of them. They heckled them to do so. The males even started throwing coins at them and saying how much they'd enjoy watching them. When the women refused the boys became hostile and attacked them plus robbed them. They will be held in Juvenile detention until they can be trialed as adults later. We will update again when we know how long they'll be in jail for. Thank you for listening." The news reporter then disappeared and the original show kept playing where it left off.

It made Sayaka sick knowing homophobic perverts like that still existed but there was nothing she could really do. Kotoko looked slightly confused and sad but didn't say anything for a few seconds. Her peep for the show seemed to have drain a bit from the news report since she seemed lost in thought. She wasn't even trying to guess the answers.

Her parents might not of had "the talk" with her just yet so she could of been confused about what the report was even talking about. As much as she liked the girl it was still her parents place to have that discussion. All the same it felt wrong to not clear up some of her fog a little.

Aoi had just brought the group some donuts and the relaxed atmosphere with the comfort food seemed like a good time to bring it up.

"Hey hina? Did you see the news report earlier today about those creeps attacking a couple on the train in London?" she asked

"Oh yeah I was just talking about it with my cousin Akane earlier. If someone tried that on my cousin and her girlfriend I'd totally have a breakdown. What is this the 1850s?! Disgusting." Aoi replied

As the other girls shook their heads in agreement it seemed Kokoto was ready to add her two scents. No one in the room was expecting what she was about to say though.

"What I don't get is why they didn't just kiss like they were told to? The reporter even said they were being thrown money. Isn't the only reason girls are suppose to kiss each other in front of people in the first place?" Kotoko stated as if was a rhetorical question.

Just like that all background talk in the room stopped. Everyone paused in realization of what had just came out of the elementary aged child's mouth. Still looking confused at the sudden quiet, Kotoko just stared at everyone. Aoi was the first to break the silence.

"Kotoko, who told you something like that?!" Aoi exclaimed. Now seeming to realize she might of said something weird the lil ultimate looked a bit scared.

"Wh-what did I say?! I thought that was just common knowledge cause that's what my...my friend from school told me." Kotoko replied.

"No Kotoko, that is both sexiest and homophobic. Being gay, bi, or any other sexuality doesn't mean a person has to be a preforming monkey for people. Throwing money at someone to do something that they don't want to do is just demeaning to that person. On top of that they beat them up for no reason. No one should have that done to them." Aoi explained

There was another awkward pause before the little girl spoke again.

"I-I'm sorry! I've just been told stuff like that for a long time so I didn't think it was weird to say. Please, please don't hate me!" She started to cry a little.

Sayaka gave her a reassuring hug to calm her down before speaking.

"Hey now don't worry we don't hate you. I don't know who told you things like that but you shouldn't listen to them okay? People who try to fill your head with hateful things like that aren't worth being friends with." Sayaka explained.

When she was calm enough to talk again she started to ask questions.

"What does bi mean? I've only heard of gay and straight before.." She asked.

"It's short for bisexual, it means when you feel attracted to both girls and boys equally." This news seemed to surprise Kotoko.

"Your allowed to do that?"

"So long as your respectful and mature to that person and vice versa then it's fine. No one needs permission to have feelings for another gender." Aoi said with a nod.

There was a pause as she seemed to digest this. She knew the way her parents talked about girls and women never felt right. The idea that others thought this didn't seem likely since no one ever objected when she was helping her dad on "business deals" as he liked to call them. Then again those weren't people who seemed to care about anything to begin with. Also that answer seemed to explain at least a little to her about why she had those dreams. She'd likely have to keep that bit of info to herself since she knew her parents wouldn't approve.

"Oh...can I ask a odd question? Even if it's a stupid one?" The lil actress asked carefully.

"Of course you can, if these mean friends have made you feel insecure about anything you can tell us. No pressure and we won't judge you for not knowing things Kotoko so there's no stupid questions here. Your only like 9 years old, no one expects you to know everything. Nobody knows everything even adults." said Sayaka's friend Satomi.

"Well, I was wondering do you think I'll ever be as pretty as all of you to get into Hope's peak?" It had been on her mind since the moment she met all of Sayaka's friends.

"Pretty? I'm sure you'll grow up to be just as cute as you are now but this school doesn't select anyone for just looks. That would just be shallow. They select us for our talents, what we put ourselves out there for, and our passions to improve our skills. I could of been bald with the face of a walrus but if my talent is still record book worthy I would of still gotten in. You really shouldn't worry about your looks so much right now anyway." said Aoi.

Kotoko smiled looking relieved that wasn't as much an issue she thought it was. Just another wrong thing her parents had hammered into her head. These girls really were understanding. Still a nagging in her head said they might shun her if she said too much. Her parents had told her so many lies and excuses that she felt like vomiting from having to call them her parents.

They agreed to do these tutor sessions for some escape and in a way free babysitting. Kotoko felt imperfect next to these girls even though she knew they were just as human as she was. Were they the exception of pretty girls having to go through horrible things to meet their goals? Although she wasn't great at telling lies from the truth, this seemed to be one of the few things that had truth to it.

Who exactly was Kotoko to involve them with her problems? Even if they seemed willing to listen it still made her uneasy.

"I can't...not yet. I don't know when but not yet." Kotoko thought.

"Is there anything else you want to ask us? Like I said we aren't gonna judge you." Said Sayaka.

"No, I'm good now but thanks for clearing some things up for me." She said with an actress worthy smile. At least she hoped it looked sincere. Her heart wanted to believe they wouldn't judge but her head wouldn't let her go all the way with this belief. Just not enough for now.

After finishing off their food and going back to dance practice they called it a day. Unbeknownst to Kokoto, the ultimate pop sensation couldn't shake an inner voice within her own head. Sayaka had always felt she may not of been the brightest girl out there but she had pretty keen intuition. Sometimes she'd even joke with her friends that she was a psychic because of it. Right now it was saying within her that besides the obvious something wasn't right. Surely if kids were saying that kind of mean stuff at school to the point of others were repeating it some parent would of complained.

Maybe she just hasn't told anyone besides us. She did seem nervous when asking questions. Sayaka thought to herself.

Whatever the case she wanted to look out for her but she didn't know where to start. One of the smartest girls she knew and trusted might be able to help though.

Present time

"That does sound concerning. From what you told me I could make some guesses on what might be going on. Nothing sold without proof though. Tomorrow happens to be career day at Hope's peak elementary. I can ask my father to let me, you, and who ever else you want to go talk to the kids and teachers. We might be able to pin point who might be messing with her."

"What do we do when we find the kid?"

"Just talk to them about why they should watch what they say but survey the teachers as well. Kids tend to see teachers as friends too."

"Oh yeah I didn't think maybe an adult could of been saying that stuff too. Good call Kyoko." Sayaka praised.

"Your welcomed"

The next day

"Sayaka what are you doing here?!" Kotoko exclaimed.

"Well I wanted it to be a surprise when me and a few of the girls showed up. Show us around some and introduce us to some of your friends. I only saw your friend Jataro that one time with Ibuki. I'd like to meet him again along with any other friends you have."

Kotoko jumped with excitement before running to find her friends with the other girls not to far behind. She had a good idea where they were since it was recess. Upon arriving to the playground she pointed them out.

"That kid with red hair hanging upside down on the monkey bars is Masaru and I think Nagisa should be the only kid in the library right now. He's got blue hair and talks like and acts like an old man trapped in a kid's body sometimes. Still he can be nice when he isn't bossy. Jataro is over there in the mask drawing way over there by the walls." Kotoko said.

"Are they all the friends you have here?" Kyoko asked.

Kotoko noded.

"Mind if some of my friends introduce themselves to yours without you for a bit to them? We are here to represent our school after all and I'd like you to show me around." Sayaka said.

"Sure!" With a bounce in her step, Kotoko and Sayaka headed off.

Sayaka distracted her with telling her tales of how she came to meet the girls that made up her group while the others scattered.

First Aoi decided to go see the kid near the wall who was scribbling on the building. He'd likely get in trouble for this and have to scrub it off later which was a shame since it was pretty impressive. She wasn't an animal expert or an artist but it looked like a type of rare colorful duck she'd seen in the park before. She knew spray paint and even water paint could make nice work on a wall. Still she never though something done in chalk could look that good. What was with the lumpy thing under it though?

"is it laying an egg?"

"Hey, what's that duck sitting on." Aoi asked.

The boy who's name she already forgot jumped suddenly at the sound of her voice.

He didn't respond right away seeming surprised an older kid was both here and talking to him. He seemed a bit nervous and shaky. Suddenly the masked kid proceeded to shed away from her with his sewn sleeves over his face. It kind of looked like he was about to start crying. Aoi freaked out a bit and quickly move back a little with her hand up in front of her to show she wasn't a threat.

"Hey, hey now I hadn't meant to startle you honest! I should of done an intro first but I'm Aoi Asahina from Hope's peak academy. I only came over to say hi and talk. Please, please don't cry I'm sorry. You'll make me feel like a bully for no reason and then I might start to cry." She said quickly while trying to not to bite her tongue in her haste to ease the startled child.

Thankfully that seemed to be enough to stop what looked dangerously close to a random crying fit. It at least didn't look so much like he wanted cry but seemed frustrated at something as he looked...either at her or at something past her. It was actually hard to tell completely if he was scared, frustrated, sad or just zoning out with the mask obscuring his facial expressions a lot. Thankfully the awkward silence was eventually broken by the child.

"I don't know if your related to anyone I've grossed out with something I said but I didn't mean to do it again. I never mean to do it but I know it can't be helped. It's kinda like how people say chicken can be yummy but their lying cause it taste nasty no matter how they cook it. Makes me kind of wonder why is it so popular in America. Kotoko says she's had it fried and it was tasty but my mom has made it fried a few times. To me it tasted like blood, pinkness and really, really, stinky. Chickens are so sad sometimes." He looked at his feet throughout most of his ramble.

Although she very confused about why he was rambling about chickens she at least got a little of why he almost started crying. He though she was someone's bully sibling coming to beat him up. That and possibly his mother can't cook very well. She wanted to get to the bottom of who was filling Kotoko's head with crude ideas. Even so she didn't get a nasty boy vibe from him. Definitely a bit gross and a little confused but nothing too weird for a kid his age. The fact that he's was only use to people coming up to him to bully him was concerning though but first things first.

"I'm not here to bully you promise. I'm actually here for career day to talk about my talent since it's something that's practically a career for me now. I'm hope's peak ultimate swimmer. Your friend Kotoko told me your name but I kinda forgot. Can you tell me some things about yourself?" She asked with a smile.

She could see what bits of his eyes that were visible widen some in realization. He played with a few strings tied to his fingers awkwardly motioning a finger up toward her and then back again to look at it a few times. It seemed he was internally debating how to greet her properly as he did this. Before she could give him a hand he finally came to decision to just not use hand for shakes since it was covered in chalk dust.

"Good afternoon, I'm Jataro Kamuri and I'm lil ultimate... Arts and crafts? Yeah, that's it but I think I messed up." He said.

"Oh no, no, you did alright. I'm getting that you have some memory problem huh? I'm kind of the same there since I totally forget things like names sometimes. A trick I've learned for that is tracing new names on the palm of my hand so I don't forget. You should try it."

"Hmm, Ibuki told me something like that with the strings. The palm thing is new. I can only still write using a chisel but I was told your not suppose to do that on skin. I don't really get how it's different then how people get tattoos. I think something big and sharp like a chisel would make faster skin pictures then a little needle. Do you think that to?" Jataro asked curiously.

"Jesus, he might not be bad but he might need to be monitored with thoughts like that so he doesn't hurt himself. Come to think of it I haven't really seen any grounds supervisors since I got here. Isn't that weird? Come on hina, you gotta focus on one questionable thing at a time."

"Um, well even if you were really careful anything bigger then a needle could seriously hurt you or cause infection. I'm actually friends with a girl named Ibuki and I'll tell on you if your thinking of doing that that. Got it?" Aoi said in a tone she hoped sounded firm.

Jataro shrugged his shoulders but nodded.

"Good, also I gotta say you've got some really good drawing skills. All I could ever draw was stick people." Hina said with a giggle.

"Yep, I'm lil ultimate arts and crafts for a reason. Hey didn't you say you knew Kotoko and Ibuki? You don't have to be if you don't wanna but can we be friends? Ibuki says I should try expanding friends but not a lot of people here besides a few like speaking to me..." He said. He was mostly half looking at her and playing with the strings on his fingers.

"Sure thing Jataro but I'll be honest first on something. Before we can call each other friends there's a few things I need to ask you okay? You seem like a pretty nice kid but I want to check a few things with you alright?"

"Check like a doctor? I think that's illegal. Unless we move to India maybe. I can't remember where I heard that is now.."

"What? No, I'm meant check on some bad things I've heard Kotoko say. Just try to answer honestly the best you can and I'll decide if we should be friends alright?"

When he nodded she began the questions they had rehearsed.

"Okay here is the first question. Do you know what being gay means?"

He paused a few seconds with the earlier frustrated look from earlier that she now assumed meant he was trying to focus. "Oh yeah, it means happy and sometimes means when 2 guys like like each other. At least I think that's what means. My mom says that whenever she sees two boy dogs smell each others butt or guys in fashion shows."

"Minus that last part yes. Have you ever said or thought out loud anything mean about 2 girls in love? Like use gay in a mean way?"

"Loves is kind of gross to me in general right now so it extra doesn't matter to me who likes who. My mom says mean things a lot but not usually at other people. I don't really like some of the things she says so I don't repeat them." Jataro said.

"Oh, well sorry to hear that about your mom but thanks for answering. My second question is do you know anyone who's ever said mean stuff Kotoko?"

At this he looked at the ground and looked away from her to his wall art before speaking. "Me and my friends have kinda a pack. We made pinky promises to not tell stuff about each other's personal things without that person's okay. Sorry, I guess I failed your friend test. I should be use to failing things by now but it still stinks like moldy chicken skin."

Aoi looked at him with surprise but she understood what he meant. He didn't want to make his friend upset. On the plus side he unintentionally did tell her something too.

"So it was something private? Like at home maybe?" Aoi wondered.

"Actually you passed, it's very good to keep promises with friends." Gross as his mask looked his comment about being use to failing hurt and it seemed he needed comfort. Walking closer she patted him gently on the head. The swimmer's words and actions made him look up at him with surprise. Aoi had to admit it was kind of a cute goofy look.

"By the way, I know doing badly at things can make you feel not good enough for things. I had a little talent when I started swimming but I wasn't a prodigy and lost plenty races, I pulled muscles from over doing it, and got down on myself every loss. It sucked so bad I almost didn't even think I deserved to eat my favorite donuts when they went on sale. Still letting negative things like that rule me forever wouldn't help anything change. I had to just fight no matter how many scraps, colds, lack of donuts, or losses I got. You've got to try and do the same a bit more. You said you knew Ibuki right?"

"Y-yeah, she's helping me with writing and memory stuff." Jataro replied.

"That's really great! Do you think she'd want to here you saying stuff about failing when she's trying to help you though?"

He shook his head no.

"Then try to think more positive thoughts. It won't happen right away but eventually you'll feel more positive to.

Jataro's eyes looked unsure but he smiled a lopsided smile up at her with a nod none the less.

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Once again back from the dead. I'm so sorry it took forever to update with these but like I promised in my last post I'm back before the month is over. So glad to. I'm going to try and get what I can out while I'm job hunting and not forget these when I finally snatch one.