"I'll wrap things up a little early today. Be quiet in the hall if you leave before the bell."
Kurumu smirked at Ms. Shuzen's suggestion, glancing at the clock above the blackboard. They had less than three minutes before that bell rang. She put away her worksheet as their algebra teacher strolled over to the front door. The vampire was wearing a burgundy blazer over a black blouse. A thin black belt with a silver buckle was fastened about the hem of a calf length, pleated, burgundy skirt.
"Well it isn't much time but we could stop by class three to show Yukari off."
"There is no reason to do that."
Juri giggled at Yukari's refusal.
"I'm fine with that idea. Mr. Hakuru will probably hold class four hostage until after the bell anyways."
Kurumu got up from her seat, causing Juri to follow suit. She grinned at Satsuki whom was also upright. As it was their yearbook picture day, Satsuki had on a normal school blouse with slacks. Kumiko was also dressed like a normal student and was wearing a skirt like every other girl in the room.
"Did you want to come with us?"
Satsuki snorted, poking Nerume's exposed cheek. The kirin had her face turned aside, resting her head upon her forearms with her offside ponytail facing up.
"Naw. I don't need to watch you two causing Sendou grief."
"Precisely. Your only goal is to make me embarrassed."
Abe snickered, getting up from his chair with a notebook in hand. His jacket was hanging on the back of his chair just like Kurumu's was.
"Is the prodigy scared that her attempts to look mature will be found lacking?"
Yukari huffed indignantly, crossing her arms about her chest. Her school jacket was closed with a bow fastened perfectly about her collar.
"I am quite confident in my appearance. The placement of my eyeliner, the shade of my blush, the hue of my lips and the light touch of eyeshadow. All was perfectly executed."
Ichida chuckled, pausing in front of Yukari's desk. He had on his school jacket with the red tie.
"You look very mature, Ms. Sendou. I would dare say that you look older than Mrs. Sunao."
Yukari frowned, grabbing her notebook off her desk.
"I don't know if that is a compliment to me or an insult to her."
"Make of it as you will. I will inform Mr. Hakuru of your whereabouts if you are late."
Kurumu grinned, placing her hand on Yukari's shoulder.
"Thanks Ichida. Come on, Yukari. It's not like they won't see you when we have our pictures done."
"Kurumu is right. I'm sure that most of the girls will be impressed with your handiwork."
Yukari groaned at Juri's comment, stuffing her notebook into her schoolbag.
"I suppose that it is on the way to the chemistry lab."
Kurumu grinned, glancing back at Satsuki whom was yanking on Nerume's arm. The kirin was finally sitting upright but her eyes were barely open.
"Are you coming with?"
Satsuki sighed, letting go of Nerume's arm. The kirin promptly fell face first onto her desk, groaning upon impact. Satsuki and Abe both snickered in unison.
"I'm tempted to leave this goober behind."
"May as well. It's not like she's any help to our group."
Nerume swung back upright, holding a finger up.
"I object, your honor. I motion for five more minutes."
"Overruled. Now get your tiny butt up."
Kurumu giggled as the bell sounded the official end of second period.
"This won't take long, Yukari. We'll slip in the back and show Goto first."
Yukari sighed dramatically, getting up and gesturing at the door with her chemistry notebook.
"Fine. Lead the way."
Kurumu snatched up Yukari's free hand, tugging the girl along as she made her way to the open front door. Juri giggled, trailing behind them. They stepped out of the classroom into the busy hallway.
Mrs. Sunao was already out of class three and heading their direction. Kurumu was hesitant to agree with Ichida about Yukari looking older than their diminutive teacher considering her attire. The small lady had on a cream jacket over a peach blouse. A black belt with white crystals embedded along the length was fished through the loops of her white slacks. White flats graced her tiny feet.
Burumoto and Tamaishi opened up the back door and lumbered out, heading towards the bathrooms. The two big guys walked by the small teacher as Kurumu steered Yukari through the open back door.
"Mizore! Goto! Check out Yukari's makeup!"
"Could you not shout in class?"
Kurumu guided the agitated witch over to the back row desk by the window where Mizore was seated. Goto was at the desk in front of Mizore with her jacket on the back of her chair.
"I wasn't shouting."
Mizore had predictably left her jacket behind but she did have a red ribbon at her collar. The faint outline of her black sports bra was visible through her white blouse. The snow girl regarded Yukari with a blank expression as the witch wrenched her hand free from Kurumu's grip.
"You were loud enough for the whole class to notice."
Kurumu smiled sheepishly at Yukari's protest, glancing at the front of the class. Several students had looked back in their direction, including Tora and Suzume whom both got up from their chairs.
"How much for an hour?"
Goto snickered, patting the top of Mizore's desk.
"She's not like Kurono."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
Goto smirked at Kurumu's frown.
"That she doesn't have a reputation for selling her body."
Kurumu pouted as Juri snickered behind her.
"I have no clue what you are talking about."
"Did Kurono help you out with your makeup?"
Yukari thrust her shoulders back as she stood proudly.
"Nope. I did this all by myself."
"Can I see?"
Yukari turned to face Suzume whom arrived with Tora. Suzume grinned and Tora smiled.
"That looks very mature."
"Agreed. I never tried dabbling with makeup."
Suzume giggled at Tora's remark.
"Well there are limits to what I can do with it. I don't recall your lips being so full."
Yukari smiled demurely, cocking her head.
"It's a slight trick Ms. Herikuda demonstrated for me. You don't just color where your lips are."
Kurumu giggled, placing her hands on Yukari's shoulders.
"We had Herikuda over for the night. She helped Yukari out since she's never used makeup before."
Goto grinned broadly.
"You learned from the best then. Ms. Herikuda has shown me several tricks that I would have never discovered on my own. And I've been experimenting with makeup for years."
Kurumu smiled warmly, recalling the conversation from last night.
"Yea. I got the impression that makeup was a hobby that she and her sister shared since there wasn't much else for them to do in their small village."
"I wish I could pretty my lips up like that."
"You can't use lipstick?"
Suzume laughed, shaking her head.
"Nope. I can do stuff around my eyes but my nose and mouth are part of my illusion. I'm a little envious of human girls. They can just put makeup on and forget about it."
"But you would save money if you adjusted your illusion to have makeup."
Suzume grimaced at Tora.
"That's never encouraged since it could compromise your illusion. You would have perfect makeup all of the time which can be suspicious. Didn't your mother ever warn you about that?"
"No. My face doesn't change with my true form."
"You're so lucky."
"I'd be willing to show you how to use makeup. I memorized everything from last night."
Tora smiled warmly upon Yukari.
"I might take you up on that offer. You do look nice."
"She's going to have an awesome yearbook portrait."
Tora smirked at Kurumu.
"Assuming it's in color."
Suzume bit her lower lip, touching her cheek.
"Hopefully they are. I probably look terribly dull in black and white."
Kurumu giggled, noting that Tsukune and Kamitsuku were looking in their direction. She let go of one of Yukari's shoulders, beckoning to them.
"Come over here, Tsukune. You need to see Yukari."
She felt Yukari shiver when she brought her hand back to the witch's shoulder. Tsukune seemed hesitant but he got up from his desk. Kamitsuku said something with a grin that Tsukune laughed at. With a smile, Tsukune headed over to the aisle where Tora and Suzume stood.
"Move aside, ladies. Don't want to block his view of Yukari's beauty."
"Shut up."
Suzume giggled and Tora smiled, both shifting over to opposing desks to allow Tsukune between them. Yukari shyly brought her notebook down to her waist, cocking her head and batting eyelashes that had been darkened and curled.
"Am I pretty?"
Tsukune came to a stop and grinned down at Yukari with warmth in his eyes.
"You look lovely."
"Old enough to be kissed?"
He chuckled, placing a hand on her head.
"By the right person."
Yukari sighed, slouching her shoulders.
"Can we go now?"
Kurumu gripped Yukari's shoulders firmly.
"Not yet. I'm curious how Tsukune's trip home went."
Tsukune paused, withdrawing his hand from Yukari's head. His smile felt forced.
"It was good. We are planning to go to my cousin's graduation."
Kurumu contemplated over why he would think this was a problem.
"That's at the end of March, right?"
Suzume snickered and Tora nodded.
"Most graduations tend to be."
"Are you saying that you won't attend the graduation here?"
Tsukune sighed heavily, meeting Kurumu's inquisitive gaze.
"I had to make a choice. If it was just me, it would be different. But my mother is far more invested in my cousin than any of the third years that are graduating from here."
"But what about Mrs. Takizawa's retirement party?"
"It's not like we have any plans made out for that yet."
"It will be fine, Kurumu. He's making the right choice."
Kurumu pouted at Tora's statement, withdrawing her hands from Yukari's shoulders.
"She's right, Kurumu. Family should come first."
"I'd go home to my sister's junior high graduation if I could."
Kurumu sighed as Goto and Suzume quickly chimed in their support for his decision.
"Did you get your new identities?"
"We just filled out the paperwork. It should be ready when we go to Kyoko's graduation."
"Is that a gussied up gradeschooler?!"
Ikazuchi's gasp of surprise drew attention to him. The young man was standing at the front door with his hand pressed to his chest. Hiboshi snickered, sitting at her desk closest to that door.
"Leave her alone, you freak."
Ikazuchi stepped over to the aisle beside Hiboshi.
"I must discover if she has dressed maturely in all aspects."
"I'm leaving."
Juri giggled as Yukari briskly walked towards the open back door. Kurumu shook her head with a grin, following after the witch.
"I'll chat more about your trip later."
Tsukune made a sound of understanding as she retreated with Juri at her side.
"Come back!"
Kurumu smirked at Ikazuchi whom reached out towards them without any real effort to pursue. She slipped out into the hallway beyond a few steps behind Yukari.
"You would chase anything shorter than Kurono."
"If you were honest with your feelings, my loyalty to you would never falter."
"I don't want your loyalty. Go back to your desk, you degenerate."
Kurumu snickered, striding by the open front door of class three. Glancing through the next open door, Kurumu noted that most of the class four students were already inside. That was promising as it meant Mr. Hakuru would not hold them after the bell.
"Wait up, Yukari."
Yukari paused at the back door of class four, allowing them to join her before proceeding.
"I need to remember to ask Mrs. Takizawa's permission for being late to her next lecture."
"I'll ask her for you if you forget again."
"Things were hectic yesterday."
Yukari drawled out a dismissive note as they walked by the empty class six which had Mr. Yokei's lab this period. They passed by the bathrooms before slipping through the open back door of Mr. Hakuru's lab.
Mr. Hakuru stood behind the central station furthest from the back with his desk behind him. His spiky white hair had a way of making the teacher seem taller than he actually was. A white lab coat was worn over his hunched and weary frame.
"Hurry to your stations. I wish to begin as soon as the bell rings."
Mr. Hakuru preferred a western alphabetical order to determine lab partners. The station to Mr. Hakuru's right had an unsteady Nerume and Endo. Abe was surprisingly absent. The other front row station on Mr. Hakuru's left had Hazumi and Kumiko. Hisakata was missing from their group.
Frowning, Kurumu made her way over to the station behind Nerume's. Only Ichiboku was present at her station. Juri's station in front of Mr. Hakuru was missing the quiet Nakai but Madosuki was here. The last second row station belonged to Yukari. The grinning Osakebi was waiting for the witch while Senyou was nowhere to be found.
"Where is Ichida?"
Ichiboku smiled thinly at her arrival. He gestured at the door for the storage room behind Mr. Hakuru.
"Getting supplies for today's experiment."
Kurumu nodded, realizing she had not brought her chemistry notebook. She was about to mention that when the bell sounded the start of the period. She smiled, reluctant to ask Mr. Hakuru for permission to run back and get it.
These stations had been replaced in the remodel. The glossy, black marble tops had a sink placed in the center of each. The tops were supported by black wood cabinets stuffed with beakers and other science equipment. That storage room had all of the chemicals which Mr. Hakuru would have rationed out prior to the start of each lab.
Tandoku and Hisakata were first to exit the storage room. Tandoku was in Satsuki's group at the station behind Kurumu. Their third was Shouhei. The next out of the storage room was Ichida, causing Kurumu to grin. She offered him a quick wave as he made his way to them.
Before Ichida arrived at their station, Senyou and Abe exited the storage room. Both were chuckling over something as Senyou turned and made his way behind Mr. Hakuru. The quiet Nakai was next to exit as Ichida placed their materials on the marble top.
"Guess I didn't have to warn Mr. Hakuru."
Kurumu smirked as Yano was last to exit the storage room. The big guy slowly lumbered towards his station which included Yakihara and Wanibuchi.
"What equipment do we need?"
"Here's the worksheet."
Ichida handed her a worksheet which must have been with their materials. She snatched it up, looking it over. She hated when the instructions indicated beaker sizes since she never knew at a glance. She would have to turn each of those silly things over to find the matching number of milliliters.
"Before we begin, I must inform you of the purpose of this experiment. The reason-"
His words were cut off by the squeal of the PA system. Kurumu looked up at the small shelf built in the front corner of Mr. Hakuru's lab.
"Sorry. I'm not familiar with how to use this equipment."
Kurumu frowned at the voice over the speaker. She knew she had heard it before.
"This is Kaiketsu Inochi. I'm a second year in class twelve. President of the music club."
Kurumu shivered, having a bad feeling about this. Why was that guy in the broadcasting room?
"I'd first like to apologize for the actions of my junior, Ms. Doronuma. I am aware how her words could be perceived as a threat, but I have never viewed her as a violent person. Then again, I can understand how my judgment of character could be called into question."
There was a long, uneasy pause.
"After my pictures yesterday, my club advisor informed me of Ms. Doronuma's fate. Apparently her poor choice of words warranted a suspension from school. She won't be allowed back on campus except to take her exams. So I guess no yearbook picture for her."
Kurumu flinched at his offhand remark.
"I also understand that she was kicked out of Baratoge and moved into one of the vacant rooms in the second year girls' dormitory. So that person doesn't have to worry about seeing her again."
Kurumu looked to Yukari, wondering if she had known anything about this. But then she remembered Yukari having no opinion over Doronuma's absence from detention. That had seemed genuine.
"Kiriko just wanted to play music. She wanted it so badly that she was willing to do it without me. It was my job to ask for the concert. That or I should have stopped it before she took it to the student council. It is my fault that it was taken that far."
There was a long pause filled with murmurs of her classmates.
"I never wanted to be president of this club. Always thought that my senior was being lazy, pushing this responsibility on me. But he loved you. If that means anything. I know one sided affections can be… unwelcome. What happened to you was terrible. Nobody should say otherwise."
It was like she could feel the emotion in his trembling voice.
"I knew that he would do it. He told me that he would. It was how he could make certain that you would never have to deal with him again. If you couldn't forgive him."
Kurumu grimaced at that word.
"I didn't want to listen. Told him to not talk about it. To just leave it alone."
His ragged breath wavered over the speakers.
"Was I wrong? I just wanted this to go away. For everyone to forget about it. What should I have done?"
His voice cracked with sorrow. There was another long, heavy moment. He sighed and swallowed.
"Well. Someone is banging on the door. Sorry for the inconvenience."
The line went dead as abruptly as it had started. Kurumu shuddered, locking eyes with Juri. The sprite grimaced, shaking her head.
Mr. Hakuru clapped his hands loudly, demanding their attention.
"That's enough theatrics from youth doing too much thinking with the heart instead of the head. As I was saying before…"
As the teacher explained the specifics of this experiment, Kurumu wondered if this was also her fault.
The bell sounded the start of the lunch period, causing Mrs. Takizawa to stop and smile in the middle of her sentence. The history teacher was wearing a cream cardigan over her periwinkle blouse with a brown pencil skirt hugging her hips. She closed up her portfolio.
"And I had meant to end this lecture early. I'm so sorry."
Yukari promptly held her hand up.
"Mrs. Takizawa. This dummy keeps forgetting to ask for your permission to be late for your lecture."
Kurumu pouted as she suddenly remembered.
"That's not true. I was about to ask her."
"Why do you need to be late for my next lecture?"
Kurumu smiled apologetically.
"I wanted to talk to Mr. Yokei. He doesn't have a class fourth period."
The teacher laughed, glancing at the front door when Wanibuchi opened it. The blond and Yakihara escaped before the teacher returned her attention upon Kurumu.
"That's fine. I'll warn Mr. Yokei of your visit."
Kurumu frowned as more of their classmates exited the room.
"You make it sound like a bad thing."
"I'm sure that you will be more approving of his situation than most. Have a good afternoon."
Kurumu's frown deepened as the teacher walked out of the room on the heels of Shouhei and Senyou.
"What was that supposed to mean?"
Juri giggled, slipping out of her chair into the aisle between them.
"It's a clue into the shady history of the new teacher."
"It's pointless to speculate or worry about this. Kurumu will find out the truth tomorrow."
"Do you want to head off to lunch now?"
"Most of our group have to deal with the lunch line. We may as well wait."
Juri sighed dramatically, strolling over to place her hand on Yukari's shoulder.
"If only you loved me enough to make a bento lunch for me."
Yukari coldly pushed Juri's hand off her shoulder.
"That won't be necessary. The lunch hour will be handled more effectively next year regardless of how the vote turns out. I've expressed my concerns to Grandfather and he has no issues with the proposal."
"Sheesh. You make it sound like this Saturday's assembly will be pointless."
Kurumu chuckled, putting away her history notebook.
"Yukari has an inflated sense of what her grandfather can do with this school."
"Move it or lose it, Morisato."
Juri giggled, stepping around the front of Yukari's desk to allow Satsuki to steer a stumbling Nerume by. Kumiko rolled her eyes with a shake of her head, taking off for the door ahead of the slow moving pair.
"I guess you two will have a wonderful, relaxed lunch while the commoners wait in line for their gruel."
Yukari snorted in amusement, sitting back in her chair as she regarded Juri.
"I know the food isn't the best but I wouldn't call it gruel."
"Have you ever had gruel?"
"I doubt that either of us have. I'll see you after lunch."
Juri grinned, nodding at Yukari before skipping off towards the door. In less than two minutes, Kurumu and Yukari were alone in the room. Kurumu sighed when Yukari finally put away her notebook.
"Do you think they have old yearbooks in the library?"
"They used to. We could ask Ms. Bakudai if they still do."
Yukari scooted off her chair, signaling Kurumu to get up from her own.
"That could be a convenient excuse to have lunch with Manami tomorrow."
Yukari frowned, hefting the strap of the white satchel up on her shoulder.
"Don't you have lunch with Ms. Uchikawa's group on Wednesdays?"
"I can always eat with them on Friday."
Yukari huffed as she started for the door, prompting Kurumu to follow.
"Have fun on your own then. I'm eating with my Moka tomorrow."
"But Moka's eating with her new lunch group tomorrow."
Yukari huffed again as she exited the classroom. She promptly turned right, heading towards class one.
"Precisely. I need to deepen my relationship with her new friends."
Kurumu frowned, hurrying to walk alongside Yukari.
"Why are we going this way?"
"We may as well get our drinks."
Kurumu nodded as they made their way to the end of the hall.
"You know that Moka is trying to find her own place right now. You shouldn't intrude like that."
"You're the one that she is worried about. Not me."
Kurumu pouted as they rounded the corner. Yukari stopped in front of the vending machine, thrusting her free hand into the pocket of her jacket.
"Please have lunch with me in the library tomorrow."
Yukari snorted, dropping coins into the slot.
"Why must I do that?"
"Because you are way better at talking to Ms. Bakudai than I am."
Yukari rolled her eyes, touching the button for the tomato juice.
"You're only going to ask about yearbooks. That shouldn't be difficult."
"I'll make it up to you somehow. A favor for a favor."
Yukari glanced at her with annoyance. She looked so lovely with those long lashes, well defined eyes and full, bright red lips. Sadly a face was not the only physical attribute guys cared about.
"I will humor your request only because I haven't spoken with Ms. Bakudai recently. She might have a new book recommendation for me."
"Thank you so much."
Yukari started dropping in more coins as Kurumu bowed graciously.
"I'll think of a favor later. Which drink do you want?"
"Fruit passion."
"You'll have to take Moka's drink out before I select yours."
Kurumu bent over, pushing the flap of the bin in as she felt for the can. She tugged it out and Yukari immediately pressed the button for her fruit passion. The can slid into the bin with a slight clatter. Kurumu pushed the bin open again, fetching her chilled drink.
"Why are you suddenly interested in seeing a yearbook with your mother in it?"
Kurumu smiled as Yukari pushed more coins into the slot.
"It just suddenly occurred to me that mommy didn't have a yearbook."
"Don't you have three albums of photographs that she took during her high school years?"
Kurumu pouted as Yukari selected a tea for herself.
"That's not the same thing. I'm curious about whom all was going to school with my mother. Not just the few people she felt like taking pictures of. It's strange that she didn't buy herself a yearbook"
Yukari leaned down to fetch her drink.
"Maybe she was too poor for a yearbook."
Kurumu knew that was a possibility as she followed Yukari back into their hall on the interior side.
"Maybe. But someone was buying her the film for those polaroids. I get why she wouldn't have one for her last year since she left early. And maybe she didn't care about a yearbook her first year. But she took so many pictures her second year that it just seems odd."
"You could ask Mrs. Takizawa if she has yearbooks."
Kurumu nodded thoughtfully, passing by the crossover between the back doors of classes ten and three. There were several teachers on campus that had gone to school with her mother and some that had been mommy's teacher. She had options if the library failed to sate her curiosity.
They slipped through the open back door of class eight. Moka had already arranged six desks with ten chairs for them. The vampire smiled, sitting at the center desk facing the back door. Moka kept quiet as Yukari came up the aisle on Moka's left, eventually stopping at the chair in front of the desk beside her. The witch set down her white satchel as Kurumu placed her juice can on the same desk.
"Here."
Moka murmured her thanks, taking the tomato juice can from Kurumu as Yukari opened her satchel. Kurumu sat down at the desk and Yukari handed her the periwinkle bento. The next bento Yukari pulled out was the faded pink one with the cloud pattern. This one went to Moka.
"You look very nice, Yukari. You did a good job with your eyes."
Yukari grinned, pulling out her white bento and setting it aside. She moved the white satchel to the floor beside her chair as she sat down.
"Thank you. I might sit gym out today. I don't want to risk messing up my handiwork."
Kurumu smirked, tugging the top of her bento off.
"Not like you do much in our dodgeball games."
"Neither do you."
Kurumu fished out her chopsticks, pointing them at Moka whom had opened her own bento.
"I didn't see you in gym yesterday even though Ms. Hitori let us out early."
"We played the other first year group yesterday and beat them in the first three games. They didn't want to play any extra sets so our coaches agreed to let us head to our electives early."
Kurumu was not surprised with that answer, setting aside her chopsticks to pick up her juice. She had seen the Takeuchi twins from class twelve walking the other direction in the cafeteria and had spoken briefly with Michiko in the locker room. She popped the tab on her juice can, putting it aside before picking up her chopsticks again.
"I'm surprised that you beat a team with four softball players so easily. You and Kokoa are unstoppable."
Moka took her chopsticks out of her mouth, waving them dismissively as she chewed.
"It's just dodgeball. Nobody cares."
Kurumu knew at least one girl that cared. Asuka's team had beaten them yesterday, improving to three wins and one loss. Today Asuka's team would play the third year team that had lost to the other third year team yesterday. That girl was overly hyped for that.
"So has your crush on Tsukune vanished without my influence?"
Moka smiled softly, taking the time to chew and swallow down the morsel in her mouth. She sighed, putting down her chopsticks to pick up her tomato juice. She tugged up the tab to open it.
"If it was just your influence, my obsession with Tsukune would have ended when I took your blood in Hong Kong. He's also my blood claim so I'm drawn to him. I long for his blood."
The vampire took a swig from her tomato juice. Kurumu smiled, feeling slightly better that she was not getting the entire blame here. She stuffed her mouth with perfectly cooked omelet.
"Don't you long for my blood?"
Moka smirked at Yukari, setting aside her drink. Grabbing her chopsticks, she wagged them at Yukari.
"I haven't forgotten my promise."
"My parents might be here for my birthday. We can't be doing anything intimate with them around."
Moka snickered, holding another morsel up to her lips.
"Vile temptress. You've been hanging out with Kurumu too much."
Yukari giggled as Moka stuffed her mouth. The witch fetched a chunk of omelet from her own bento.
"Just tell me when you want me over. I'm expecting an unforgettable climax for my birthday."
Moka smiled, shaking her head as she fished in her bento for another bite.
"So how have you been, Kurumu?"
Kurumu shrugged, swallowing down her mouthful.
"Fine, I guess."
Yukari snorted, seizing a tiny sausage from her meal.
"Disregarding the whole week of detention."
"That wasn't even my fault."
Moka chuckled, pulling out a steamed carrot.
"It was strange to not see you for a whole day."
Kurumu smiled softly, snagging one of the sausages in her bento.
"Yea. I didn't see either of you. Is Kokoa critiquing your cooking skills?"
"Not as harshly as she usually does to you."
"You won't ever become a skilled cook catering to your sister's strange sense of taste. What sane person would think curry flavored chocolate was a good idea?"
Moka laughed while chewing on a sausage. She swallowed it down.
"I need to buy some bento boxes."
Yukari frowned, holding another sausage to her lips.
"What for?"
"I was thinking that I should start making lunches for Kokoa and myself. Spare us the lunch line."
Yukari lowered her sausage with a wickedly cute pout.
"You don't want me to make your lunch?"
Moka flinched. She laughed with a flush smile, reaching over to tousle Yukari's hair.
"That's not the case. I just thought if I was going through the trouble of making one for Kokoa that I might as well make one for myself. Maybe I could even make some for my new friends."
Yukari pouted as she stuffed her mouth with that sausage.
"I guess that I can stop making your lunch."
"Please don't. At least not yet. I'd rather not stand in line for lunch even if it is with Tomo and Chirimi. I don't know why but random students try talking to me. It's annoying."
Yukari seized a steamed carrot with a disappointed expression.
"Okay. Let me know when I should stop."
"I will. Maybe you could help me pick out those bento boxes over the weekend."
Yukari sounded a resigned note as they started eating in silence. Moka's reluctance to interact with their peers was not something new. She had been like this ever since the rosary broke to the point that Hatsue could no longer be in control. It had just not been as obvious back when their classes had been held in Baratoge. Moka was as popular as Kurumu but she had no desire for attention.
Kurumu was almost finished with her meal when the first half of their lunch group arrived. Hotaru came through the back door a step ahead of Hikari. Kaimura was next with Akiyama entering last. Each girl had a tray and a drink, making their way to the makeshift table.
Hotaru claimed the chair farthest from them. Hikari settled in beside Hotaru, sitting across from Moka. Kaimura seized the spot next to Hikari while Akiyama came over to sit by Kurumu. They all exchanged brief greetings but there was this air of apprehension.
"Okay. What is going on here?"
Hotaru chuckled, waving her chopsticks dismissively while still in their cellophane wrapper.
"Nothing. If you want drama, talk to Kaimura."
The salamander with the long, wavy, magma tresses sighed, opening her entrée box.
"I didn't do anything."
"She skipped last period to check on Mr. Kaiketsu."
Kaimura frowned at Akiyama.
"You didn't have to bring that up."
"I would have if she hadn't beat me to it."
Hikari favored the grinning Hotaru an admonishing look.
"You should be mindful of others' feelings."
"It's not like I found him anyways. He wasn't in his science lab and he wasn't in detention either."
Hotaru snickered, freeing her chopsticks.
"He probably got expelled like Doronuma. What was that moron thinking?"
Kurumu seized up the last steamed carrot from her bento.
"I'm still confused over how he got into the broadcasting room. When we were scolded yesterday, Mrs. Senda took the key from Tashikana."
"Mr. Tashikana probably had a spare key."
"But it's a new door with a new key."
"Which he has had for a week now. Plenty of time to make a spare."
"That's a poor move on his part if true. It was a bad idea in the first place to let Ms. Doronuma speak."
Yukari huffed at Moka's remark, opening up her drink.
"What are they going to do? Deny him graduation?"
Kurumu swallowed down her last morsel, placing her chopsticks inside her bento before putting the top back on. She managed a smile.
"Is Yubikiri okay?"
Moka made a thoughtful sound as she closed up her own bento.
"Hard to say. She didn't act like anything was wrong after Ms. Doronuma's announcement but she didn't come back from lunch. She seemed fine until Mr. Kaiketsu talked about the suicide. She had some sort of anxiety attack and I had to take her to the infirmary."
Kaimura sighed heavily.
"That wasn't what he intended. He wasn't even asking for her to change her mind about that concert Ms. Doronuma wanted."
"She wants to be left alone."
"Are people giving her a hard time?"
Moka shrugged at Kurumu, picking up her juice to take a swig.
"I haven't seen anything like that but it might happen now."
Kurumu grimaced, suspecting that many of their peers understood what was going on.
"I should have told Tashikana not to allow Doronuma to speak. No good was going to come from this tribute she wanted to do for the drummer. It's not like it would bring anybody back from the dead or make Yubikiri feel any better about being raped."
Yukari snorted, closing up her empty bento.
"Nobody here would accuse you of being smart."
"I just looked at it from the wrong angle. I understood Doronuma's perspective and I didn't see how this concert could make things worse for Yubikiri. But Amatsu and Mikomi were right. You can't just force someone to get over the shitty things that happened to them. Doing nothing was the right choice."
"Kurumu. You've never been good at doing nothing."
Kurumu pouted at Moka, picking up her juice.
"I'm well aware of that. But sometimes you feel like you have to do something. Like apologize and vent your frustrations to the whole world. It's not Kaiketsu's fault that this guy killed himself. He wasn't wrong trying to ignore it and pretend like nothing happened. Sometimes that's the only way we get by."
"Are you okay?"
Kurumu looked at Hotaru's concerned expression. It was at that moment she realized she was almost in tears. She forced herself to take a drink, washing down her thoughts of Tora and Satsuki. Some traumas were best left unspoken. Eventually they would come to terms with it. No good would ever come from forcing them to be okay with murder and rape.
Yukari sighed, returning her bento to her white satchel. She seized up Moka's, putting it away before reaching for Kurumu's.
"I'm tempted to go back to my classroom before the rest of this lunch group arrives."
Moka laughed softly, holding her tomato juice can in both hands.
"Don't do that. My sister doesn't need another reason to complain."
Yukari huffed, zipping up her white satchel. She seized her can, taking another swig.
"I doubt that your sister would complain about my absence."
"She hates how she has to rush through her lunch."
"I can't wait for them to change the lunch schedule."
Kurumu laughed at Hotaru's remark, holding her nearly empty can against her bosom. She forced her dark thoughts away, wanting to concentrate on these simple things.
"They won't be doing that until next school year."
"We still haven't seen that pamphlet we were promised."
Kurumu wagged her can at Moka.
"They said by Wednesday. Herikuda did get out those proposals for their graduation party choices."
"We heard that in the morning announcements."
Kurumu grinned at Moka before taking another drink.
"Have you thought about what your next article should be?"
"I honestly haven't thought about that at all."
Kurumu smirked, swirling the last contents of her drink by rocking her wrist.
"Oh? Are you too busy thinking about rescheduling that date with Tsukune?"
Moka laughed with her cheeks turning slightly flush.
"I have been thinking about that. I need to tell him about the exile."
"He is back from his trip. You could swing by the gym today since his class might still be doing pictures after school. I could stick around and offer emotional support."
"Don't you have detention?"
Kurumu stuck her tongue out at Moka before quaffing the last of her drink.
"We could go on a triple date after the assembly on Saturday. Give me an early birthday present."
Moka snickered at Yukari's proposition.
"Don't push your luck."
Kurumu set her empty can aside, regarding the other girls. It seemed like Hotaru had forgotten her concern, deciding her appetite was more important. Kurumu touched the desk beside Akiyama's tray.
"Do you have an opinion on Mr. Yokei?"
Akiyama looked up from her meal with an apologetic smile.
"Not really. He looks at me too much."
Kaimura snickered, shaking her head.
"You are way too paranoid."
"I'm not. I swear that he looks at my tits when he talks to me."
Hotaru giggled, twisting a wad of noodles about her chopsticks.
"I look at your tits when I talk to you."
Hikari gasped, swatting Hotaru's arm with the back of her hand.
"That's not very polite."
"They're big. I can't help but compare her to Kurumu."
Kurumu smirked, crossing her arms below her bosom as she sat back.
"So I can expect this guy to ogle me when I talk to him tomorrow."
"Why are you doing that?"
Kurumu grinned at Hikari.
"Because he graduated the same year as my mother. I wanted to know if he had any stories about her."
"Good luck with that."
Kurumu stood up decisively. Clutching her empty can to her breast, she gestured at Moka.
"Give me that can if you're done with it. I'll throw it away."
"Mine too."
Moka smiled, surrendering the can as Yukari took a long swallow from her own. Yukari let out a satisfied gasp, offering her empty can. Smirking, Kurumu took the empty container. She stalked over to the back of the classroom where the trashcan rested beside the cleaning locker. As she pitched the cans in the bin, Kokoa strolled through the open back door with Nagisa and Ishiko behind her.
"There you are. We were just about to leave."
"I hate the lunch hour."
Kokoa walked in a different aisle as they all made their way to the table. Kokoa claimed the vacant spot beside her sister while Nagisa took the chair that shared the desk Kokoa placed her tray upon. Kurumu sat down as Ishiko claimed the last vacant spot between Nagisa and Hotaru.
"How have you been?"
"Moka's cooking hasn't killed me yet."
"It isn't that bad."
"It needs to get better. You're making a cake for Nagisa tomorrow night."
"She doesn't have to do that."
"I'm serious, Nagisa. I don't mind if you bring your two friends but we are celebrating your birthday."
Kurumu bit her lower lip as Kokoa and Ishiko started their meals.
"Can I come to this?"
Nagisa laughed, opening up her entrée box. She waved a dismissive hand.
"I haven't even agreed to this. She's being presumptuous."
"You shouldn't force this."
Kokoa sighed at Moka's comment.
"Fine. You don't have to bake a cake. But I'm spending the night at your place if you refuse."
Nagisa smiled softly, pushing her chopsticks out of their cellophane wrapper.
"You can join us but it won't be at my place. I want to spend that night with Kiriko."
Kurumu perked up at that statement.
"So you know which room she was moved into?"
Nagisa smirked, stirring up her meal.
"Of course I do. I helped her move her things."
Kokoa gestured at Nagisa with her chopsticks as Kurumu frowned in confusion.
"Mr. Hino stopped in our classroom after fifth period to inform us of Doronuma's detention getting upgraded to an off campus suspension. Nagisa and her two friends left with Doronuma."
"Isn't the faculty overreacting?"
"Considering the faculty normally doesn't do anything, I think that this is a vast improvement. I'm glad that my grandfather is taking any threats made within this school seriously."
Kurumu pouted at Yukari.
"Assuming your grandfather made that call. You don't know that."
"She was crying."
Nagisa smiled when attention shifted back to her.
"I can't remember the last time I've seen Kiriko cry. Or if I ever have. A half breed like her was always bullied in primary school. Just like Ayame was."
Yukari huffed, crossing her arms about her slight bosom.
"She needed to choose her words more carefully. It doesn't surprise me that the faculty was worried for Ms. Yubikiri's safety."
"I know. The whole situation is frustrating. Kiriko is scared that her parents will get contacted over this."
"That most likely will happen."
Nagisa grimaced at Yukari's statement.
"Yokai Academy is already on bad terms with the citizens of Umiman and Ikinakawa. It's going to be very hard for me to want to come back here if her parents decide to enroll her somewhere else."
"I didn't have the impression that you were that close to her."
Nagisa frowned at Kokoa.
"If Kiriko goes, Ayame and Chiharu might go with her. That's almost everyone from my village."
"Don't you have seniors on the tennis team from your village?"
"I said almost everyone. Yuri is fun but everyone my age would be gone."
"If word got around that a bunch of girls quit Yokai Academy over this, things would only get worse for Ms. Yubikiri."
Nagisa laughed mirthlessly at Moka's remark.
"Yea. Ayame is pissed over Yubikiri being a big baby. I'm serious. If Kiriko goes, Ayame is definitely done with this school. And Chiharu likes being around Ayame since it makes her feel better about herself."
"That's an odd thing to say."
"It's true. She has always made friends with half breeds because she feels inadequate around other full bloods like myself. That's why she would never get involved with a competitive club."
"Can we visit Doronuma after school?"
Nagisa shrugged at Kurumu's request, lifting a wad of noodles from her entrée box.
"I don't see why not."
"Which room did they put her in?"
Nagisa took her time chewing, holding a hand over her mouth. She swallowed and smiled.
"In 306. She's in the same wing as Yuri whom stopped by late last night when she heard the news."
"We should pay her a visit."
Yukari snorted at Kurumu, reaching down to grab the strap of her satchel. She pulled it up into her lap.
"Sure. Right after you get out of detention."
"Okay, class."
Kurumu turned her attention upon the soft spoken Mrs. Sunao. Their homeroom teacher stood over by the stairs leading off the stage. She gestured for them to come closer.
"I understand from Ms. Okutomo that we are finished."
Kurumu glanced over at the third year with the sky blue hair. Beside her was a short haired blond with his right ear pierced with multiple blue and yellow studs. That was Tatsumaki. The two were looking over the displays on the digital cameras Chouda and Hidaka had been taking their portraits with. Kurumu had confirmed that Chouda was using Uchiyama's camera.
"There is still about ten minutes before the final bell. You may follow me back to our homeroom or you can stay here if you like. Please do not head off to your club activities before the bell."
Juri nudged her side.
"Or detention in your case."
Kurumu stuck her tongue out as the curly pink haired Hidaka gestured to the students gathered in the passage leading to the girls' locker room which flanked the stage.
"Okay, Ms. Nekonome. Have your students come up in the hiragana chart order."
"Follow me."
Mrs. Sunao beckoned to them as she stepped down the stairs to the passage for the boys' locker room. As they had taken their class portrait last, they were gathered in no particular order.
"At least you kept your top on this time."
Kurumu huffed in feigned indignation as she bumped her hip into the grinning Juri.
"I have no idea what you are talking about."
Ichida chuckled as he stepped down the stairs on the heels of Abe and Senyou.
"Ms. Kurono is a pure and innocent soul."
Juri smirked as they followed the young man down the steps ahead of the other girls.
"How much is she paying you?"
The tengu glanced over his shoulder with a stern expression.
"I must warn you, Ms. Morisato. You don't want to risk her wrath."
Juri giggled as they quickly made their way to the end of this small passage. Abe twirled about with a grin, backpedaling which easily matched their teacher's small stride.
"You speak like she's some vengeful spirit."
Ichida nodded solemnly.
"Indeed, Mr. Abe. I've experienced the capricious whims of the cock block demon firsthand."
"Oh shut up."
Several girls giggled though Kurumu doubted any of them understood what he was talking about. Yukari favored her an inquisitive look and Kurumu sighed.
"I'll explain that later. And it wasn't my fault."
"Trust me. If any of you desire to lose your virginity, you would do your best to earn Ms. Kurono's favor."
"I had nothing to do with you failing to have sex with Ontoriki."
"I have no idea what you are talking about."
Kurumu smirked at his feigned innocence. She noted that Ginei and Sangi stood off to the side of the auditorium. The werewolf was laughing over something while holding a camera. Sangi was shaking her head, gesturing at the stage. Curious, Kurumu stepped out of the group and gestured at Yukari.
"Come talk to Ginei with me."
Yukari snorted, deliberately keeping in line with the rest of the class.
"I don't need to. I'll see him in club."
"Behave yourself, Ms. Delinquent."
Kurumu pulled her eyelid down and stuck her tongue out at Juri as her classmates followed Mrs. Sunao to the far central door which opened into the cafeteria. Kurumu sighed, lowering her hand.
"See you, Kurumu."
Kurumu grinned, returning Nerume's wave. That brat was wide awake and alert since they had been in gym right before this. That girl loved gym even though she sucked at dodgeball which was a surprise with her being a small target. They had lost again, having only one victory in five games.
Guessing she was the only one sticking around, Kurumu turned about and headed over to Ginei. His grin became smug when he noticed her approach. He nodded, causing Sangi to look over her shoulder.
"Hey there, Ms. Kurono."
"Hey. I'm surprised that the two of you aren't helping with the pictures."
Ginei chuckled when she came to a stop beside Sangi.
"They have enough cameras up there as is. Mitsuki could help but she insists on watching me."
The brunette sighed with resignation in her topaz eyes.
"Because you don't behave. He was such a nuisance to the third year girls when he took their pictures."
Ginei struck an indignant pose.
"There is nothing wrong with asking girls to show the camera some love."
"You were asking them to take their clothes off."
"Obviously. Do you know what happens if you try to make love with your clothes on?"
Kurumu snickered, shaking her head.
"You're such a dork."
"You of all people know how messy that can get."
Kurumu pouted at his mischievous grin.
"That has nothing to do with propositioning random people to undress."
"True. So far my words have only encouraged one lass to part with her attire. I must find out that trick."
Kurumu shivered when his eyes swept over her body. She frowned at his naughty thoughts which made her body ridiculously happy from this juicier attention.
"Stop perving on me."
"Was it promises of riches? Fame? What inspired you to flaunt your birthday suit?"
Kurumu hugged herself as he continued to pour those lewd fantasies into her core. Her body started to feel flush and salivate in anticipation. It was so annoying.
"You're as bad as my classmates. It's like they expect me to be promiscuous."
"I can't imagine why. If you have some free time, you could swing by my room."
"I am not that desperate, Ginei."
Ginei snickered, diminishing the intensity of his debauchery when she looked away.
"I said nothing about sex. I just wanted an autograph for a comic I bought at Yowsan."
Kurumu's eyes widened, turning her attention back to his smirk.
"You have a girlfriend! Why would you be in that place?!"
"She was with me. We were thinking of trying some things out. She also saw your work."
"What are we talking about?"
Kurumu turned to Sangi, shaking her head.
"It's nothing. This pervert is making a mistake."
"I highly doubt that. Kurumu here is taking her first steps to become a gravure model."
"I am not becoming a model."
Sangi chuckled, looking Kurumu over.
"It wouldn't be a bad career choice. You have the body for it."
Kurumu sighed, suspecting that Sangi misunderstood the implication.
"He's implying that I posed nude."
"Are you saying that you didn't?"
Kurumu huffed with as much indignation as she could muster, crossing her arms below her breasts.
"You can believe what you want. Real friends wouldn't think so poorly of me."
Ginei smiled in a way that made Kurumu uncomfortable. He turned to Sangi.
"You could make a decent model."
"I'm not falling for that."
"Would it be easier if you were posing with Mika?"
"As if. Since you're not helping, go back to your homeroom."
"I don't see you helping."
Kurumu wondered if most of their banter had been like this.
"Do you have any plans for another paper this year?"
"That depends on if you are offering to write an article."
Kurumu snorted at his grin.
"I'm just curious since I've been asking my friends what sort of articles they might do."
"Well we could get one more paper in but there aren't any big stories to discuss. Hard to beat that last paper with me saving the world."
Kurumu snickered, shaking her head.
"Well Tora is thinking about a story on the town fire decades ago and Yukari might do an article on my concert. I'm pretty sure that Mizore has a story for you that isn't all grim and depressing."
Ginei chuckled, fidgeting with his camera which hung by a black strap about his neck.
"The flavor of her writing has become more positive and so has her reviews. I see Tsukune, Tora and Mizore up there. We should have a regular meeting when we finish up with today's yearbook portraits."
"We might actually finish early despite the first years having more students than the other grades."
Ginei nodded at Sangi's assessment.
"True. We have been getting more efficient. Shouldn't Yukari be with you?"
"She didn't want to deal with you more than she had to."
Ginei chuckled, pointing his camera at Sangi.
"I just found out something interesting. Turns out Mitsuki has a cousin coming to Yokai next year."
Kurumu gasped as Sangi sighed.
"You never mentioned having family."
"Only because it wasn't certain that my cousin would come here. With so many scandals going on at Yokai Academy, he was seriously thinking of going to Hisoshi High. But he changed his mind when the former Headmaster retired at the start of this year."
"More like he passed away."
Sangi smiled thinly at Ginei's correction.
"He didn't know about that when he changed his mind."
"Is that what the two of you were talking about?"
"Mostly. She was telling me all about this Kyou. It sounds like he could be a good addition to my club."
"He's coming to my club, Ginei. End of discussion."
Kurumu smirked, wondering why Ginei was showing any interest in a guy. Then again, he was probably doing it just to get a reaction out of Sangi.
"Where is your girlfriend?"
"I can only guess that she was not in the mood for my company today."
"More like she doesn't know this dummy is here when he's not supposed to be."
"You didn't have an issue with me being here yesterday."
Sangi cocked her head, favoring his smug grin with a look of annoyance.
"You had pictures yesterday, moron."
"I'm just giving you a hard time."
Kurumu snickered, shaking her head.
"You should save those antics for your girlfriend."
"Oh she loves every centimeter of my hardness."
Kurumu rolled her eyes, having meant that Hajihachi would tolerate his nonsense more than most.
"You are so bad."
"I'm not the one that's in detention."
Kurumu sighed at his playful remark.
"That wasn't even my fault. Tashikana was more to blame for that than me."
"Well you won't see him in detention today."
"Why not?"
Ginei pressed the back of his hand to his forehead and sighed dramatically.
"Oh the injustice. After Kaiketsu's little stunt, this man whom saved the world was hauled into custody and interrogated over my involvement."
Kurumu glanced at Sangi whom simply shrugged.
"Well you do have a reputation for trouble."
Ginei gasped, touching his chest.
"I would never steal the key to the broadcasting room. There is nothing in that for me."
"But that does sound like something you would do."
"What does this have to do with Tashikana?"
Ginei favored Kurumu a fanged grin.
"I wasn't the only suspect. They brought him in too. Wanted us to fess up since Kaiketsu wasn't talking."
"And you let Tashikana take the blame."
Ginei frowned at Sangi.
"I'm actually innocent of this. Before I could even think of what I should say, Tashikana admitted that he had given Kaiketsu a spare key last night after hearing his story. Said if they wanted to kick him out that he couldn't care less. He doesn't need to take his last term exams to graduate."
Kurumu sighed. Yukari would brag over being right about this.
"Too bad he beat me to the punch. I could have had tons of free time to mess with my woman."
Kurumu smirked at his stupid grin.
"I don't know what is going to happen first. You knocking up Hajihachi or Ichida knocking up Ontoriki."
Ginei snickered, aiming the lens of the camera at her.
"I can't say that I know this other couple, but my money would be on Kamoko."
Kurumu smiled at his mention of Sonoda.
"I haven't had a chance to talk with her. The other harpies from her village said that Sonoda didn't leave Hankyouta even once during winter break so she wasn't seeing Megumareta."
"Only because she's terrified of his parents. Rumor is that she's making up for lost time. I doubt that she makes it to the summer."
Sangi snorted, shaking her head.
"Don't listen to this idiot."
"I have a reliable source. Haiji crashed at my place on Valentine's Day, ruining my plans with my beloved. Hearing about Kamoko's sexual exploits was worth that noble sacrifice."
Kurumu smiled softly, recalling that disappointing exchange of chocolates in the karate dojo.
"How is Miyamoto doing?"
"Fine. Why would you ask?"
Kurumu shrugged, wondering how much these two knew about Miyamoto.
"You know that he lost his sister on Valentine's Day eleven years ago. Right?"
A sudden look of regret touched Ginei's smoky gray eye. The fake green one was empty as always.
"I knew about the loss of a little sister. I didn't know when."
"Yea. Kamoko told me about Haiji losing a little sister but she didn't give details."
"You should go comfort him, Mitsuki."
Sangi laughed at his suggestion.
"Me? Why don't you do it?"
"I don't have the right body for pity sex."
Sangi cocked her head with that look of disappointment.
"I'm not going to have sex with Haiji."
"I guarantee that it will make him feel better."
"That is not the point."
"Come on, Mitsuki. I often see the two of you hanging out."
Sangi laughed, waving a dismissive hand.
"That's more of a coincidence than intentional."
"The two of you are good friends. The only other girls that have any interest in him are harpies and we all know how that would turn out."
Sangi rolled her eyes.
"Wouldn't they be better suited for this pity sex?"
"Nope. I want him to feel better. Not used."
"I'm not going to date a guy I have zero sexual interest in. It would be like dating my cousin."
Kurumu chuckled, understanding Sangi's refusal.
"What sort of guy are you interested in?"
Sangi paused thoughtfully, holding a hand out to silence Ginei when he opened his mouth.
"Don't. I'm thinking about this since I normally don't."
"How do you not think about the kind of guy you want to marry?"
Sangi smirked at him.
"I'm surprised that you didn't phrase that in a crude manner."
"I have enough experience with women to know that they want to pretend that they are pure."
"I'm being honest though. You two don't know this but my race is only fertile a few weeks in a cycle that can range from four to six years."
Ginei regarded her with blatant disbelief.
"No way."
"Yes way."
"You're telling me that every family of your kind has kids at least four years apart?"
Sangi smiled, regarding him with patience.
"It's true, Ginei. Kakuen girls can have their first cycle as early as their sixteenth birthday but some won't have it until their twentieth. And then it can be four to six years before they have their next."
"But you could still have sex."
Sangi let out an exasperated sigh.
"Well yes. It's not like my girly parts disappear for years. They just don't work."
"So you don't get wet?"
Sangi looked at him like he was the rudest sentient being on the planet.
"I can't get pregnant."
"Sounds like a good deal. You should get a boyfriend."
"I know this might blow your mind but I would prefer a husband."
"That's just an upgraded boyfriend."
Sangi groaned in frustration.
"I'm not going to get a guy just to have fun. I can masturbate if that's all I want."
"All single people think that until they have sex, right Kurumu?"
"Don't bring me into this."
"It's not like I'm trying to be single forever. I'll get married before thirty like most girls of my kind do. Maya is the only girl of our kind that I know of to date someone in high school."
"Maya?"
Sangi smirked at Kurumu.
"Tachioujou from track. She's dating that guy from judo whom she grew up with."
Kurumu grinned, knowing that girl from gym. She glanced at Ginei whom was stroking his chin.
"What are you thinking about?"
"How much I would save in condoms with a girlfriend like Mitsuki."
Sangi rolled her eyes, shaking her head.
"Sheesh, Ginei. Do I have to tell Mika about this?"
"It's purely hypothetical. I'm not offering if you're not interested."
"Spoken like a true scumbag."
Ginei gave Sangi a genuine smile.
"You could make a guy really happy. Don't dismiss your charms."
Sangi sighed heavily.
"You don't understand. I'm worried for Maya because she won't know when she's on her cycle. The first couple of weeks it isn't obvious at all. It's not until the last week that we become very receptive to sexual attention and tend to be more touchy than normal to encourage that response from a potential mate."
"So you start giving out free hand jobs?"
Sangi shook her head in disgust.
"Why do you go there?"
"I'm just processing this fascinating discovery about you."
"She meant that she would touch people more."
"Thanks though I'm certain he understood that. He's just being an ass."
"Are there any other secrets about your race that a deviant like myself could appreciate?"
Sangi snickered, crossing her arms below her modest bosom.
"There is one thing that my mother told me about. Kakuen girls know almost immediately when they get pregnant. Our breasts start to hurt and some even start lactating within days of conception."
"Serious?"
Sangi shrugged, glancing at the stage when the bell sounded the end of the school day.
"If a guy had told me this crap, I wouldn't believe it. But my mom said it was an evolutionary thing since we are so seldom fertile. She also said that guys of our kind can tell when a girl is on her cycle. Like a pheromone or something that makes them have a physical reaction to our presence."
Ginei snickered, patting his thigh when she looked back at him.
"I might be having a physical reaction right now."
Sangi rolled her eyes.
"Go back to your class. You don't need to be here."
Kurumu smiled apologetically.
"I'm guessing that you haven't had your first cycle yet."
"Thankfully not. My mother also told me that girls that fail to get pregnant can go into a depressive state that can last for weeks."
"Well we can't have that. I'll tell Haiji about this troublesome situation that you face."
Sangi smirked, shaking her head.
"I don't need his or your help. I just might miss a few weeks of school if somebody doesn't help me get over that there is more to living than making babies. It's something that every kakuen girl has to face."
"You don't have to face that alone. I'll be sure to give you Haiji's room number. We're living in the suites next year so you won't have any pesky security to get around."
"Thanks but no thanks. I just need to make sure that I have a roommate next year. Being on your own in a dorm isn't that big of a deal because you can't just wallow in your room for days on end. Those suites have kitchens and bathrooms."
Kurumu smiled at Sangi's remark.
"Maybe you could ask Tachioujou."
"Naw. She already has a roommate from the track team. Kokawa from class two. I'm pretty sure those two will stay together next year."
Sangi paused, taking in a deep breath.
"I'll probably just ask Mari from my junior high. She also was living on her own this year."
Kurumu nodded thoughtfully.
"That's the girl taking over the English club."
"Yea. I need to ask her before Kichou does."
Kurumu smiled at the mention of the new president of the kimono club whom she had shared lunch with just yesterday.
"I hope that works out for you."
"Don't you need to be running off to detention?"
Kurumu laughed at Sangi's query, retreating a step.
"Yea. I probably should. Could I ask a favor of you?"
"What sort of favor?"
Kurumu grinned broadly, glancing at the stage.
"Doronuma is in room 306 of your dorm. Could you make sure that she gets a yearbook portrait?"
Sangi smiled softly.
"Of course. We can at least do that for her."
"Sure you don't want to stick around and do some posing for my camera?"
Kurumu smirked at Ginei. She twirled about and walked off with a deliberate sway of her hips.
"In your dreams."
He enjoyed every second of her departure.