"Very good. Clean up your station."
Mr. Hakuru handed the beaker back to Ichida. As Ichida poured their experiment results into the sink, the chemistry teacher shuffled to Satsuki's station. The clock on the wall behind his desk indicated that the bell would sound any moment now.
Kurumu's heart fluttered with anticipation of her imminent encounter with Mr. Yokei. This had been on her mind since waking up this morning in Chouda's bed from a dream that should not have aroused her. She had been grinding on the poor girl while cradling the sylph's head against her bosom. She was lucky that Chouda had not been smothered and seemed unaware of her nocturnal activities.
In this stupid dream, Mr. Yokei had confessed to an obsession with her mother which she looked very much like. Then he had used some power to prevent her from escaping, promising to pour years of pent up sexual frustration into her womb. And it had not taken long for her to start enjoying it. This was all Nijiro's fault for not taking better care of her.
The bell sounded the end of the period as Mr. Hakuru approached the last station. Ichida had finished rinsing out and drying the beaker and Ichiboku had put the rest of the equipment away. Kurumu looked at the closed front door of their lab, anxious for their dismissal.
It had been nice to hang out with Kokoa and Nagisa last night. She had been let out of detention a few minutes early, sparing her of Ikazuchi's antics. She had arrived at the tennis courts right as their practice wrapped up. Kokoa had already been there and they had mostly talked about club activities. The tennis club issues were still unresolved but Kokoa could bring Moka to her fencing tournament.
They had gone straight to Doronuma's new room. Nagisa's two friends were already with the singer since they rarely bothered attending their travel club meetings. There was also the matter that Doronuma was not allowed in the dining hall after six, so they had left to share a meal with their friend. The singer was also not to be inside Kurai dining hall before nine, reducing any chance encounters with Yubikiri.
Doronuma was frustrated with the situation and worried over how her parents would react. She had a brother whom was graduating junior high this year and had no desire for them both to get enrolled into a different high school. She also hoped that the administration would keep her in that room to avoid having to move her stuff again.
But it was not like Doronuma had any furniture. Her biggest possessions were her keyboard and stereo system. Her CD collection was respectable but not much bigger than Nagisa's. She also had way too many black outfits in her closet.
"You are dismissed. Please leave in an orderly fashion, following Mr. Wanibuchi's group."
"Good luck with Mr. Yokei."
Kurumu smirked at Ichida despite the rapid beat of her heart. Yukari's group had moved behind Satsuki's group which were on the heels of the first group. Juri's group started moving to join the exodus.
"I'll try not to be too late for class."
She followed in Ichida's footsteps, deciding it was best to head out the back door with everyone else. Students from class one were waiting on the other side of the door. Kurumu nodded at Asuka's brief greeting and Nozomi offered her a wave. Not wanting to get caught up in a chat, she quickly excused herself and turned left, heading towards Mr. Yokei's lab.
The first open door after the front door of Mr. Hakuru's lab was for Mr. Yokei's lab. She stepped inside, immediately seeing Mr. Yokei standing behind his desk. The short, dark haired man was wearing a gray suit over a white dress shirt with a black tie. Gray slacks swept down to shiny, black loafers. His simple middle part gave him a business like aura.
"Ah, Ms. Kurono. I was expecting you."
Kurumu smiled thinly, closing the door behind her.
"I did have a few questions."
"Hopefully ones that I can answer."
She approached him cautiously but his brown eyes betrayed no mischief, malice or amusement.
"My first is concerning my mother. Did you know her?"
"I can't say that I did, despite having her in my second year homeroom. She was a quiet girl whom kept to herself most of the time. Not very bright as the teachers seldom called on her."
Kurumu had to laugh at his candid remark.
"None of the others mentioned that about her."
"Perhaps they were being polite. I'm sorry if that offended you."
"Not at all."
A slight smile touched his lips with a brief caress of her core as he appraised her looks.
"She was quite beautiful. Like you."
Kurumu's heart seized up at this familiar compliment from her dream. But he glanced aside, dispelling his moment of sexual interest.
"Terrible what happened to her. I'm very sorry for your loss."
Kurumu's body relaxed as her mind scolded herself over her stupidity.
"Thank you. Do you have any stories about my mother?"
"I'm afraid that I don't. I was very reclusive during my high school years, prioritizing my studies. Since I was a member of the literature club, I spent a majority of my spare time in the library."
His remark made her think of her plans for lunch today.
"Do you have a yearbook with my mother in it?"
He let out an abrupt laugh, regarding her with amusement.
"I saw little value in a yearbook, Ms. Kurono. I do regret not getting to know my peers better. It's not like graduating fourth of my class gave me anything special in life."
Kurumu smiled with thoughts of Tora and Yukari.
"Were you my mother's class representative?"
"Heavens no. I stayed away from student politics just like Ms. Yumeito and Mr. Itadaki."
"Mr. Itadaki?"
"Our salutatorian. Perhaps you know that Ms. Yumeito was our valedictorian?"
"Yes. I also knew that Coach Yaisoku was my mother's class representative for her first and last years."
He nodded with a thoughtful look.
"Ms. Yaisoku was an ambitious young woman. Back then, most class representatives were purebloods. Your mother's second year representative was Mr. Hitsudzuki. He was hot tempered but consistently in the top fifty like most class representatives were."
Kurumu smiled softly, having never heard of this guy.
"I would like to see my mother in a yearbook."
"I'm a little surprised that your mother didn't get one. She sometimes had a camera with her and would take pictures of her friends."
Kurumu laughed, clasping her hands at her waist as she regarded his desk.
"I do have three albums full of pictures taken by her during high school. But that feels like only a small glimpse of her time here."
"Your mother wasn't a very active student, Ms. Kurono. A yearbook from that time won't give you much more of an insight about her."
"Maybe not of her but of the school in general. It's like…"
Kurumu paused, trying to think of an explanation.
"You had more than thirty students in a classroom back then. That means your grade had just as many students as mine. I'd be lucky if I could name thirty students that graduated with my mother."
Kurumu sighed when the bell sounded the start of fourth period. He regarded her with patience.
"I just feel like there is a huge part of her life that I should have known more about."
"They used to keep copies of the school yearbooks in the library."
She smiled at his quick response.
"Yea. I was planning to check on that during lunch."
"If that fails, you could try asking Ms. Nekonome. She was very sociable back in those days."
Kurumu smirked at his suggestion.
"It's Mrs. Takizawa now."
"That is true. A pity that she will be leaving before I get used to that change."
"Why did you leave five years ago?"
He looked into her eyes and paused. She pushed her presence against his, encouraging him to speak. He smiled softly and she saw the image of a blond with beautiful green eyes.
"Foolishness, Ms. Kurono."
He chuckled softly, turning his gaze slightly.
"A young lady became enamored with me and I failed to turn down her advances."
Despite his averted eyes, she could see his memories clearly. The girl had been in his biology class and they had often crossed paths in the library.
"Was she in the literature club?"
"Yes. A student. I should have known better but I convinced myself that it was acceptable. We did just have a student marry Ms. Kirai that summer and nobody was making a fuss over that."
Kurumu paused but saw his memory of a wedding where Mrs. Sunao was the bride. She withdrew her presence, understanding the situation.
"You were in love."
"I certainly argued that. My relationship with Midori was not as well received. Her parents were furious, demanding the school to terminate my employment. Mr. Nurari was willing to help us elope."
Kurumu snickered, expecting no less from the mischievous bus driver.
"So that's your big scandal?"
"More or less. After two years of struggling to make ends meet, Midori reached out to her parents to see if they would accept our marriage and our son."
"You have a kid?"
"Yes. Two little boys now. Her parents decided to help us find a place in Shizukana where I became a part time substitute teacher at the junior high."
Kurumu nodded thoughtfully.
"You must be familiar with Mr. Kazeken."
"I certainly am. He was the one to recommend me when they were suggesting names of teachers they could bring in on short notice to fill a vacancy in the science program."
"Well I'm glad that everything worked out for you."
"That would not be a sentiment shared by all. There are some faculty members whom still frown upon what I did. They believe that I took advantage of Midori."
Kurumu frowned at his revelation.
"How is that different from what happened with Mrs. Sunao?"
"I'm a man. She's a woman. The rules are different."
Kurumu cared little for that explanation.
"If her parents are fine with the situation, then it hardly matters what these people think."
Mr. Yokei smiled with a warmth that reached his dull eyes.
"I concur. Would you like to join my family for dinner?"
"Your family is here?"
He chuckled at her surprise, nodding.
"Yes. Mr. Miwa kindly gave up his residence so that I could move my family here on short notice. He was still living in that double suite he had been sharing with his older brother back when we first started working here. I heard that his older brother finally married the choir teacher that spring after I left."
Kurumu smiled softly.
"That was nice of him. But where will he live?"
"He's staying with his older brother until he can find his own apartment."
Kurumu nodded thoughtfully, wondering if she should take Mr. Yokei's offer.
"I've been in the faculty housing complex before. Which suite number are you in?"
"402. But we can't do this tonight. I must warn Midori first and see if she has any issues with me bringing home a guest. She might need to shop for groceries."
Kurumu laughed, briefly recalling her naughty dream. That Mr. Yokei had seemed more attractive than this forgettable guy. She definitely did not want to walk through the woods with him, considering her bad thoughts might provoke a response. She shook her head, retreating a step.
"I'd rather bring my own escort, Mr. Yokei."
"Understandable. But we did bring a vehicle here. I could transport you and your escort to spare you both the long walk to and from town."
Kurumu smirked, wondering if Yukari would be up for this.
"I can ask my escort what she thinks."
"Fair enough. It will be just one escort, correct? While I could bring more in our sedan, the apartment is busy enough with two toddlers running about."
Kurumu grinned with a warmth in her heart.
"Yea. It will just be one."
"Then tomorrow you can either meet me in the parking lot around six fifteen or we can be expecting you for dinner at seven. Check in with me this time tomorrow so I can confirm if Midori was fine with this."
Kurumu liked those options, backing away another step.
"Sounds good to me."
"Then it's decided. Now hurry on to class so I can lock up these doors."
She did not need to be told twice.
"And I'm going to end the lecture now before I get lost in the next subject."
Several students chuckled at Mrs. Takizawa's declaration. The teacher had on a short sleeved, peach blouse which was unbuttoned, exposing a textured gray tube top. Denim jeans hugged the curves of her hips. She turned about, looking up at the clock.
"We have about ten more minutes. If you promise to keep quiet, you can start your lunch hour early."
Kurumu thrust her hand up as the teacher turned about.
"Mrs. Takizawa. Do you have a yearbook from your high school days?"
The history teacher giggled, shaking her head as she picked up her portfolio.
"My mother has those. I wouldn't dare keep anything that important in my apartment."
"Do you know if Mrs. Senda or Coach Yaisoku has theirs?"
Mrs. Takizawa smiled with her eyes closed behind her glasses.
"I can't say with any certainty. There should be copies of older yearbooks in the library."
"I was planning to look there. Thank you."
"Good luck then and be quiet in the halls."
Clutching her portfolio against her bosom, Mrs. Takizawa headed for the door. She nodded at Wanibuchi as he opened it for her. Wanibuchi and Yakihara quickly followed her out.
"Did you even pay attention to the lecture?"
Kurumu huffed at Juri's amusement, picking up her notebook.
"I took notes."
Juri smirked, putting away her own notebook.
"You could have been writing anything."
Kurumu frowned, reaching over to open her schoolbag.
"What else would I be doing?"
"Perhaps planning for your next modeling session."
Kurumu snorted, stuffing her notebook into her schoolbag.
"I doubt that I need to take notes for that."
"What do you want with old yearbooks?"
Kurumu glanced over her shoulder. Satsuki had on the black PSC jacket with black slacks. She had a hand on Nerume's shoulder. The small kirin was predictably snoozing while sprawled over the top of her desk.
"I was hoping to see a portrait of my mother."
Satsuki rolled her marigold eyes, jostling their napping classmate.
"I knew that much. Was there any plan beyond that?"
Kurumu hesitated from getting up as she contemplated her goal. She was curious about the whole class.
"I wonder if I could get a yearbook."
Satsuki frowned as Nerume lifted up her head, yawning grandly.
"I doubt anyone would let you keep theirs."
Yukari huffed, continuing to write in her notebook.
"It's not like copy machines don't exist. She probably means making a copy."
Kurumu smiled, getting up from her chair.
"I actually hadn't thought that much into it, Yukari. But that sounds like a good idea."
"Good luck on your hunt."
Kurumu smirked, waving at Juri as the sprite took off. Many of the guys had already taken off. Kumiko was waiting at the door, wearing a black skirt with her PSC uniform.
"Come on, runt. Get up."
Nerume grumbled, grabbing hold of Satsuki's jacket as she stumbled out of her chair.
"Not like we need to hurry."
"You do if you want to eat with the PSC."
Kurumu giggled, standing aside so that Satsuki could steer the shuffling kirin over to Kumiko's location. She glanced at the clock, confirming they still had about five minutes before the bell. In seconds, the rest of their classmates were gone, leaving her alone with Yukari.
"Come on, Yukari. We still got four minutes to the bell. If we leave now, we'll beat the crowds."
Yukari sighed, putting down her pencil. She closed her notebook, leaning over to open up her schoolbag.
"You're right. Give me a moment."
Kurumu drifted over to the front of Yukari's desk as the witch put her things away. Yukari hopped out of her chair, grabbing the strap of her white satchel and hefting it up onto her shoulder.
"You've been in a better mood. Was your chat with Mr. Yokei that pleasant?"
Kurumu grinned, falling in step with the witch as they made their way to the open front door.
"Mr. Yokei invited me to dinner with his family tomorrow night."
Yukari nodded as they exited the classroom. They turned left, heading towards the cafeteria.
"Did he have that much to tell you about your mother?"
"Not really. I'm supposed to bring a guest and I was wondering-"
"Not interested."
Kurumu pouted as they walked by the closed back door of class three.
"Didn't you say this morning that you have to go to Mononoke to buy more groceries?"
"I meant to do that tonight, Kurumu. While I could scrape by on goods sold in our commissary, I would prefer to get perishables from an actual grocer."
Kurumu smiled apologetically as they passed by the closed front doors for classes three and four. Yukari had blown through her groceries due to Kurumu's impulsive decision to invite Herikuda and the other seniors to spend the night. Originally the trio had intended to go home.
"I'll go with you today and you can come with me tomorrow."
Yukari huffed as they continued down the hall with the murmur of conversation coming from the fourth period gym students standing in the lunch line below.
"Don't you have a boyfriend?"
Kurumu gasped at the obvious choice.
"You're right. I should ask Nijiro."
"If your boyfriend had been Tsukune, you wouldn't have even thought about asking me first."
Kurumu pouted as they drifted onto the crossover by the back door of the empty class five. They started down the stairs.
"That was different."
"A boyfriend is a boyfriend."
"Not all people are the same, Yukari. I have to be mindful of Nijiro's feelings."
"Why would he have issues with having dinner at a teacher's house with his girlfriend?"
Kurumu paused at the landing but Yukari started down the second flight without slowing. Sighing, she quickly caught up to the witch's descent.
"I don't know when I could even ask him."
"You could try having lunch with him once this week."
Kurumu smiled softly as they arrived on the ground floor. She matched Yukari's stride as they continued towards the cafeteria.
"But you heard Kitamori. Some guys might hassle Nijiro if he has lunch with me."
"They will hassle him regardless. One lunch won't change that. It's not like the two of you have been keeping your relationship a secret."
Kurumu spied Akari's group in the line not much further ahead by the far door of Ms. Yumeito's lab.
"Do you mind if we chat with Akari for a moment? I should tell her of our change in lunch plans."
Yukari shrugged indifferently as they closed in on the trio. Kiba was messing with Nikki like she often did, shoving each other between insults. They were literally grappling when Kurumu arrived.
"Hey, Akari! Don't feel like stopping these two today?"
Akari giggled as Nikki released her ponytailed opponent. Kiba shoved Nikki hard enough to put the girl on her ass, grinning in a way that bared her many fangs. Nikki scowled up at her friend as the bell officially sounded the start of the lunch hour.
"Stop it, bitch."
"Not so high and mighty now."
"Do I know what this is about?"
Nikki sighed, getting back to her feet. She gestured at Kiba as they moved with the line around the bend into the adjacent corridor.
"She's just being a baby since we're still undefeated and her group hasn't won a game."
Kiba scowled, thumbing her own tit.
"We've one a few games."
"But not a set. You lost to the third year group that only has Ms. Kosai."
"They have more girls than that."
"None that matter."
Akari giggled with a hand over her mouth. Her eyes met Kurumu's and she lowered her hand, revealing her snaggletooth grin.
"I see that Ms. Sendou has her satchel. Why are the two of you joining us in line?"
"We are having lunch in the library today with Manami and her friends. I'll catch up with you on Friday."
"That sounds fine with me. Looks like we are at the spot where we wait for Nozomi."
Nikki sighed heavily at Akari's remark.
"I hope that the lunch hour gets better than this."
Kurumu giggled, gesturing through the line.
"If you don't mind, we need to cut through."
"Have fun in the library."
Kurumu smirked, slipping to the other side of the line with Yukari on her heels. They passed by the wall dividing the seating area from the serving line. Several students from fourth period gym were already at the tables, enjoying their meal.
"Well we finally got those pamphlets with the lunch proposal. Do you think Herikuda got that meeting with your grandfather about the new jackets?"
Yukari shrugged nonchalantly as they neared the library.
"I could ask Rubi about that when we go shopping tonight. I hope that you aren't expecting me to do all of the talking with Ms. Bakudai."
Kurumu smiled, hurrying ahead to get the door.
"Please, Yukari. I would only annoy her."
"You could always use your powers if you're that insecure."
Kurumu laughed, having no intentions of doing that as she opened the door. She followed Yukari into the library, taking a quick look about. All of the new shelves were full of books unlike the last time she had stopped by. Like every other remodeled room, the walls, floor and ceiling had been refinished and all of the lights had been replaced. All of the new tables had a shiny, varnished finish. The new chairs flanking these tables had black cushions embedded in the squared backs and seats.
"Afternoon, Ms. Bakudai. I hope that you have no objections to us having lunch in here."
Yukari strolled over to the central desk behind which the librarian sat. The brunette had a ponytail and long bangs framing a slender face. Tortoiseshell glasses were perched upon her thin nose with the legs connected by a silver chain dangling against the nape of her neck. A black cardigan was worn over a white blouse, betraying the curves of her modest bosom. A long black skirt reached her ankles.
"For now but hopefully that will change in the future."
Ms. Bakudai lowered the book she had been perusing to look them over. Kurumu flinched when the woman regarded her. She managed a nervous smile.
"You probably don't like people eating in here."
"I don't, Ms. Kurono. I was told to allow it because of the lack of room in the cafeteria."
"I understand that most libraries don't allow food and drink."
"That is correct, Ms. Sendou."
Yukari strolled over to the table nearest to the teacher, setting her satchel on top of it.
"The pamphlets said that we wouldn't be able to bring cafeteria food into the library. Will we be able to bring homemade meals in here?"
"No, Ms. Sendou. It is my desire to keep all food and drink out of the library. No exceptions."
"Not even for your own literature club?"
The look that Ms. Bakudai favored Kurumu made her feel like she had said something offensive.
"They can eat in the cafeteria like everyone else."
Kurumu drifted over to Yukari's location as the witch took out their bento boxes.
"Is this the table that your club sits at for lunch?"
"They tend to eat wherever they please."
"We can call them over."
Kurumu nodded at Yukari's remark, sitting down in the chair next to Yukari. She touched the periwinkle bento as Yukari put the white satchel on the floor. The witch clambered up onto the chair beside her.
"Ms. Bakudai. Do you have the old yearbooks here?"
"I haven't brought those back, Ms. Sendou. Many of the historical and reference materials are still at the public records building where my father works."
"When do you think you'll bring them back?"
Ms. Bakudai regarded Kurumu in a stern manner.
"When I get around to it. They could have warned me about remodeling the library. Those fools left my precious books stacked in the gym because none of them had keys for the gym storage rooms. I had to move everything to the town to keep my books safe."
"That sounds like a lot of work."
"My complaints over the situation did get me a few workers to aid in moving the books to the town. But getting them back to the school has mostly been on my own. Why do you want the old yearbooks?"
Kurumu smiled softly, feeling odd that she had to explain this so often.
"I just want to see a yearbook with my mother in it."
"And she would like to make a copy of that yearbook if that is possible."
Ms. Bakudai huffed, turning her attention back to her book.
"You can make copies in the public records building. If neither of you have any plans, I could take you there tonight. My father can let us inside even if it is after business hours."
Kurumu grinned, nudging Yukari.
"The only thing Yukari has planned for tonight is getting groceries in town."
"Then I can lock the library up at six today and you can meet me here."
Yukari sighed, opening her bento.
"Thank you for the gracious offer, Ms. Bakudai."
"Don't make a mess."
"Ms. Kurono?"
Kurumu glanced over her shoulder as she tugged the top of her periwinkle bento off. Two familiar girls approached them. Watakoma Tarumi was the shorter girl with her indigo bangs braided with beads. The undine was in class seven and had joined the gymnastics club to be with her childhood friend, Manami. The taller girl with her blond hair pulled back in a tail favoring the right while her bangs swept to her left was Yarimizu Eika. The undine from Umishiro was from class six and had joined the literature club.
"Hey, Watakoma. It feels like I haven't seen you in weeks."
Watakoma snickered, strolling around the table to set her lunch tray across the table from Kurumu.
"Because it has been. You've only eaten with us once since the school reopened."
Kurumu grinned, picking up her chopsticks as the undines sat down. She wagged them at Yarimizu whom had sat on Watakoma's right, leaving an open spot across from Yukari.
"I've been meaning to ask but how are things going between Utsumi and her new boyfriend?"
Yarimizu laughed, pushing her chopsticks out of the cellophane wrapper.
"You could ask them yourself. He's been eating with us regularly."
"Which is annoying. How can we talk about girl things with that guy always around? Do you think you could use your powers and make him eat somewhere else for the day?"
Kurumu laughed at Watakoma's request.
"I can't be doing that. I'll get in trouble."
"Says the girl whom already is in detention."
Kurumu pouted at Yukari as the others giggled. Watakoma freed her chopsticks from the clear packaging, opening up her entree box.
"I heard about your spring break plans from Manami. Since you'll be in Aranami, would you want to attend my birthday party?"
Kurumu seized up one of the broccoli spears from her bento.
"Probably. When is it?"
Watakoma grinned brightly as she stirred the contents of her entree box.
"April first. I'll be the first one in our grade to be seventeen."
"Assuming nobody was held back."
Kurumu smiled at Yukari's remark, recalling there had been a girl like that.
"Sakamori Hinoko."
"Who is that?"
"A girl from class four whom was in my home economics class. Her mother took her out of school after the whole incident with the bank robbers."
Watakoma nodded as Kurumu stuffed her mouth.
"I remember hearing about her from Manami."
"Yea. Chisui mentioned her. Wasn't a very smart girl but she didn't deserve what happened to her."
"No kidding. I wonder how she is doing."
Kurumu swallowed, recalling the last time she had sent a letter to that girl. It had been back in December or maybe late November. Before the student council elections. She had not gotten a response.
"I need to write her another letter. I haven't heard from her in months."
Yukari scooted her chair back, hopping onto her feet.
"And I need to get a drink. What would you like?"
"Yuzu for today."
Yukari sounded an affirmative, walking off for the far door.
"Did you know that there is a band called Yuzu?"
Kurumu smiled at Watakoma's remark.
"No. Do you have their CD?"
"No but I heard a song from them that was pretty popular last year. Bridge of Glory. You might like it."
Kurumu grinned, thinking she would have to remember that the next time she was in Spinning Discs.
"I'll check it out."
It was already dark out. Kurumu slid her fingers up and down the strap of her lavender purse, resting upon her left shoulder. She was standing outside a two story, white house at the gate surrounding the front yard. Curtains were drawn over the large window to the left of the main door while a light could be seen through the small window which was higher to the door's right. Both of the second floor windows facing the street were also dark. A black tiled roof swept away out of sight towards the back yard.
"I'm glad that she offered to drive us back."
Kurumu grinned at Tora's remark. The sphinx held the strap of her schoolbag in one hand while the other clutched a notebook against her slight bosom. Her black PSC attire and black hair made her tanned skin seem brighter in the moonlight. Yukari had told Tora about this outing during their club meeting.
"This better not take long. I was serious about shopping for groceries."
Yukari had left her schoolbag and satchel in Ms. Bakudai's car. The witch had her arms crossed, regarding Ms. Bakudai's home with impatience. Yukari had asked Rubi to join them, but Rubi had already agreed to a dinner meeting with Yukari's grandfather in which Herikuda would explain the school jacket situation.
Not much had happened after lunch. Kurumu had seen Nagisa in the locker room before gym, wishing the girl a happy birthday. Kokoa was going to spend the night at Doronuma's place. Moka had declined Kurumu's offer to sleep over, saying it would be good to be alone for a change.
Kurumu had shown up for detention but Ms. Idatsu had promptly sent her to choir practice. Apparently Mrs. Sunao had forgotten to tell her that her detention had been revoked. Ikazuchi had feigned terror at being left alone with the buxom construction trades instructor.
The door swung open and a man with disheveled, black hair shuffled out onto the small porch. He was garbed in a black and white stripped dress shirt and a pair of gray slacks. Ms. Bakudai stepped outside, closing the door behind her.
"So I've been told that one of you ladies has an interest in this town's history."
Kurumu smiled, backing away as the man approached the gate. Homes of similar design stood on both sides of this residence with gates about their yards.
"I would say that we all are interested but Tora is the one doing the article."
Tora retreated from the gate when the man arrived. He pushed up a latch, tugging the gate towards him.
"When I heard that you worked in the public records building, I thought that you might be able to help me develop a general history of the town. Like significant dates in history."
The man chuckled, waiting at the gate for Ms. Bakudai to join them.
"I'm Bakudai Shinnosuke, your lovely librarian's father."
The librarian sighed, shaking her head as she passed through the open gate.
"Let me do the introductions. The youngest girl is Sendou Yukari, granddaughter of our new Headmaster and a regular visitor of my library."
The father nodded, stepping through the gate and closing it behind him.
"Ah yes. The prodigy. You've spoken of her."
"The young lady in black is Nazohashi Tora. She's a model student and a member of the new PSC."
The father chuckled, regarding Tora with interest.
"Is that so? Never thought someone from that troublesome group would be interested in the locals beyond framing them for crimes. Seems things are different with that arrogant Kuyo gone."
"We are trying our best to change the image of the PSC."
Kurumu smiled gesturing at the bowing Tora.
"Tora joined after Kuyo got booted."
"This one is Kurono Kurumu. She's a popular first year but often causes mischief."
Kurumu flinched at her introduction from Ms. Bakudai.
"I'm not the one causing mischief!"
"It's an accurate assessment."
Tora laughed at Yukari's remark.
"It seems that way more often than not."
"Some friends you two are."
Mr. Bakudai chuckled heartily as she pouted.
"Pleased to meet you, Ms. Kurono. For what reason are you here?"
Kurumu smiled softly, fussing with the strap of her purse.
"I was wanting to see the old yearbooks that your daughter left in the public records building."
The man tugged a ring with keys on it out of his pocket. He started walking off to his right.
"Very well. Follow me, ladies."
There was a gap between their front yard fencing and their neighbor's front yard fencing, making a small path to the back. On the other side of their neighbor's yellow house was a blue one of similar style. The white house beyond that was on the corner of an intersection with houses on every other corner.
"How long have you worked in public records?"
"Pretty much my whole life, Ms. Kurono."
"He could have worked with Grandfather."
"The bookstore was his dream, not mine. I'm fine with working for the town elders."
"Your father owns the bookstore?"
"He does, Ms. Sendou. Lives on the upper floor like they did in the old days."
Kurumu quickened her step to walk alongside the man as they neared the intersection.
"Does he run that bookstore by himself?"
Yukari snickered, shaking her head.
"Clearly somebody has never been inside the bookstore."
Kurumu waved her hand dismissively as the man drifted to the right of the narrow street which ran between the fences of the front yards of these residences.
"I've seen it and been told about it."
"My mother and sister both help that old codger run that place."
"You should address Grandfather with more respect."
"I am respecting him. He also has Mrs. Tanizawa. She has been working there ever since he opened the place back in the early seventies. He's had other employees over the years but many find better things to do with their lives."
He turned right at the intersection, heading towards the town with the water tower standing ahead of them on the left. The slope of the black tiled roof of the white house on their right was not that steep. The white house's fencing met up with the fencing of the adjacent brown house.
"Are there a lot of people that work with you at the public records building?"
"Record keeping isn't a demanding job so I only have four coworkers. It's mostly fetching documents to make copies or filing documents. Things like rental agreements, contracts, marriage licenses and death certificates. There are days when I don't even have to get up from my chair."
Kurumu smirked as they passed by the brown house which had its front door facing this street. There was a gap in the fencing between this brown house and the white house beside it which also faced this street. This gap was also present with the fencing of the two residences on their left, facing this street.
"Sounds like an easy job."
"Most jobs are easy, young lady. What my daughter and father do is not any different."
"Grandfather has to worry about inventory and sales. You just show up and collect a paycheck."
"The old man has more responsibilities but not you. A librarian doesn't have to worry about inventory or sales. Nor does a librarian handle any important documents."
"At least I deal with students on a regular basis."
They reached where the white house's fencing met with the fencing of a black house which was facing the next intersecting street. The brown two story building across from that black house was Tutors which sold educational materials.
"Was Ms. Bakudai home schooled?"
The librarian huffed indignantly at Kurumu's question as they neared the intersection.
"As if that was needed."
"But you graduated from Yokai Academy in 94. The school burned down years before that."
The father laughed heartily at Kurumu's confusion.
"That happened in the summer of her first year of junior high."
"Students were getting into Yokai Academy without any years of junior high. My level of education was more than adequate to handle the curriculum."
They crossed the intersection, keeping to this street which ran between the Tutors and water treatment facility. The volunteer fire department was this brick building coming up on the right. Kurumu could not recall the purpose of the next building on the left, only remembering that it was another city building.
"Mr. Bakudai. If you don't mind me asking, whom pays for your services?"
"Like I said earlier, Ms. Nazohashi. The town elders."
"But this city doesn't collect taxes."
The father laughed at Tora's protest.
"Very true, young lady. I guess it would be more accurate to say that Elder Kunai pays for my salary."
"Which is why Grandfather cares little for your work."
"The old man cares little about anything that isn't a book."
"You know how he feels about Elder Kunai."
"That was before your time, Chishiki. The old man should let that go."
"Let what go?"
The man waved a hand dismissively as they neared the service alleys which gave access to the backs of these buildings. On the other side of the alley on the right was the post office while the left had the office for the speakers. Both of these two story, brick buildings were identical with their entrances facing the next intersecting street.
"Town politics. Nothing that students would find interesting."
"Though it was town politics that shaped Mononoke."
"I won't deny that. But if they are writing an article about this town's history, it would be best to stick to facts and not opinions. They don't need to take sides in the drama between town elders."
As they walked by the alleys, Kurumu had a passing thought of when they had confronted the silver haired Moka here. That was back when the real Moka had rarely been out and in control of her own body. Only five months ago. It felt much longer than that.
Kurumu noted the windows of the two buildings as they passed between them on this street. If she remembered correctly, the public records building was next to the office for the speakers. This was a short walk from his home.
"You must have one of the oldest homes in old town."
"Old town? This is old town, young lady. Back before the Great War, people used to live in their stores. Then Elder Kunai bought back most of it, selling those new homes to the former owners. That made it easy on him and his allies to tear down the old town and build a new one with more structure."
He stopped in the intersection, gesturing about. With the exception of the laundromat on the corner across from the post office, the six other two story brick buildings closest to them were identical.
"It became an actual town instead of a scattered village with no rhyme or reason. Dad originally agreed with Mr. Kunai's vision. That home I raised Chishiki in has been my home since I was six."
He shook his head, starting down the intersecting street. To the right of him was the infamous pawn shop while the next identical building was rumored to be vacant. The cloned structure next to the office for the speakers was their destination.
"But Dad started believing in all that conspiracy nonsense. Went to Mr. Tensai to build him that fancy bookstore of his and moved out, leaving the house to me. Spared me the trouble of finding myself a place of my own to bring ladies over for fun."
"Don't listen to this dolt. He was lucky that Mom took pity on him."
The man chuckled as he drifted to the left, heading for the short flight of stairs that preceded each of these buildings before a central door. Beyond the last identical on the left side was the single story, heavy stone structure that was the town's bank.
"Chishiki gets embarrassed, wanting to believe her mother's tales of me being a loner. But I had a lot of ladies sharing my bed back in the day."
"That's likely not something for me to mention in our article, Mr. Bakudai."
He guffawed as he stepped up onto the porch with his keys in hand.
"Very true, Ms. Nazohashi. We should focus on what sort of historical events you should bring up."
"I am open to suggestions."
The father continued to laugh as he pushed the key into the lock. He twisted it and pulled out the key. Turning the knob, he tugged the door open and gestured inside.
"Don't wander too far in. Let me turn on the lights and lock this door before we discuss that."
Kurumu nodded, stepping inside the building first. It was pitch black and her eyes were slow to adjust. She shuffled further in, wanting to avoid tripping over the edge of the genkan if there was one.
Before she got too far, the lights were turned on. She glanced over her shoulder, seeing Ms. Bakudai at the switch near the open door. Tora and Yukari had also entered before the father joined them. As he closed the door, Kurumu noted that there was no genkan as she looked about.
This large room had a bunch of benches pushed against three of the walls. Half of the fourth wall was recessed back as a counter with a bunch of forms and pencils. There was a door in the middle of this fourth wall with another counter on the other side. But that counter was open with a room blatantly on the other side. Kurumu drifted over, noting there were desks on the other side.
The click of the lock drew her attention back to their guide. He shifted the keys on his ring, striding over to the only door. Kurumu gestured on the other side of the counter.
"Is this your office?"
He chuckled, pushing a different key into the door's lock.
"More or less. We sit there and process any requests brought to us."
Kurumu nodded as he unlocked the door. She glanced about the room as he pocketed his keys.
"This is a big room for you to not have much business."
"It was busier before the fire."
"I have heard a lot about this fire. Were there other major events like that in the town's history?"
He grinned at Tora, tugging the door open.
"I can tell you most of what happened in my time. But if you want information about the first fifty years of this town, we would have to do a little digging. We should have documents to verify which structure in town is registered as the oldest and whom the first couple to marry in Mononoke was."
"That sounds promising. I'm liking the idea of a timeline more and more. It's not like I will be allowed a huge article so I could point out a few major events and comment on the importance of them."
Ms. Bakudai strolled over to stand in the open doorway.
"The other two are not here for an article. If you have no objection, I would like to take them upstairs to sift through the boxes I haven't brought back to the school."
"No objections. I guess you are staying down here with me, young lady."
Tora bowed slightly with her notebook held to her bosom.
"I am in your care."
"This way, Ms. Kurono."
Ms. Bakudai exited the room, prompting Kurumu and Yukari to follow. A hallway was on the other side of the door with an opening for that office she had seen on the other side of the counter. On the left was a closed door but the librarian ignored it, continuing down the lit hallway.
"Have you ever met Elder Kunai?"
"Most people whom live here have, Ms. Kurono. He frequents the bank."
Kurumu nodded as they passed by two more doors on the left before turning about. The librarian started up a flight of stairs on the right, facing the front. They followed her ascent into darkness.
"What's your opinion of him?"
"That he is a horrible miser and obsessed with controlling everything."
Ms. Bakudai finished that remark with turning on the lights at the top of the stairs. She stepped through an opening on her right, entering a hallway which ran in both directions.
"This way."
The librarian walked towards the back of the building. She passed by closed doors on her left, slowing to grab the knob of a door at the end of the hall. She twisted and pushed the door open, stepping inside and turning on another light.
"I've managed to move most of my books back to the school so there are only a dozen or so boxes left. Mostly reference materials like Lord Sendou's works about the other races."
Kurumu stepped into a storage room. All the walls were lined with shelves but in the middle of the room were a pile of boxes that were obviously new. She drifted over to the stack.
"It was good that those survived the chaos of the festival."
Ms. Bakudai let out a short laugh at Yukari's remark.
"You speak too soon. Several of his books about pureblood races were gone."
"They were stolen?"
Ms. Bakudai regarded Kurumu's surprise with annoyance.
"Of course they were, Ms. Kurono. Do you honestly believe that a person influenced by Lilith's Mirror would wreck my library without destroying any of my books? This culprit was looking for something. Breaking some of the shelves and tables was more like an afterthought to make it resemble the same sort of rampage that devastated the classrooms."
"Have you told Grandfather about this?"
"I told the former Headmaster but he claimed to have bigger issues to worry over than some missing books. It is worth noting that those books could be stolen from any library. It's not like Lord Sendou's works could only be found here. Many Headmasters have copies of his books available in their schools and some Fairy Tale offices even carry them. Clearly the culprit is a student or a resident of Mononoke."
Yukari nodded thoughtfully.
"That is strange. Any student could just ask for it. They could make a copy of it and return it."
"No. This culprit didn't want there to be a record of their interest before committing whatever heinous act those books will enable."
Kurumu sighed, patting the lid of the box on top of the pile.
"Now that is worrisome."
"You must know which ones were taken."
"Naturally, Ms. Sendou. As I said, it was mostly books on purebloods. And the one he did on vampires."
Kurumu sighed again, tugging the lid off. She reached in and pulled out a binder.
"Periodicals."
"Those are the old newspapers, Ms. Kurono. The yearbooks will be in a different box."
Kurumu nodded, hefting up the box. She set it on the floor nearby, turning back to the pile. She pulled the next lid off and grinned at the green cover with letters proudly declaring its purpose.
"Found it. Class of 2005."
She reached in and tugged the heavy book out, turning to present it for the others. The librarian nodded, gesturing at the box.
"You might need a different box. I can't say if the Class of 1989 yearbook is at the bottom of that one or the top of the other. The last twenty yearbooks were all pretty thick. Twice the size of the older ones."
Kurumu held the yearbook close to her breast as she looked into the box. That was a lot of books and they were all the same thickness as this one. Decisively she returned the yearbook before hefting up the box and setting it beside the one with the periodicals.
"How many years has the school been doing yearbooks?"
"The oldest yearbook is for the class of 1962."
"Is your father's yearbook in here?"
"It would be if he had bothered going to high school."
Kurumu tugged the top off the next box. She smiled, noting that the yearbook on top was for the class of 1990. She took it out, setting it aside on the lid. She pulled out the next yearbook, opening it up.
"I have the right one now."
She pushed the bottom of the book against her bosom, turning the pages. It had naturally opened in the middle with portraits of second years. Ms. Tachibana's homeroom. Mr. Shini's homeroom. She was about to turn the page when she recognized a portrait and name. Kirai Nezumi. Her literature teacher looked almost the same now as she had back then. Grinning she turned the page for Mr. Hiramatsu's class.
Her heart fluttered when she saw the third years. Mr. Saiyama's homeroom was first and she smiled at the portrait of a young Hirata Shuiro. She turned the page and it was Mr. Maruyama's class.
The portraits were arranged in the hiragana chart order, putting her mother's picture after a young man by the name of Owata Namari. He had dark hair and a slender face. The portrait after her mother's was another young man, Kokawa Yasuhiko. This guy also had a feminine look to his face and his light blue, shoulder length, wavy hair was doing him no favors.
She glanced over the portraits of her mother's classmates. She knew five of them. Yaisoku Michi was tagged as the class representative. Yumeito Megumi was labeled as the valedictorian. Nyuuwa Taka had been the broadcasting club president that last year. Hiroi Mimi was Irewata's mother and Dangai Yuji was father to Michiko and Kaede.
She clutched the yearbook to her chest, wishing she could have known more about the other classmates. That she had heard her mommy's stories about them. Emotions swirled inside her, making her throat dry. She caressed the book, noting the thick binding.
"How do we make a copy of this?"
"You put it on a copy machine."
Kurumu fully turned about, frowning at the librarian still lingering by the open door.
"But it's too big to put in the machine."
Yukari regarded her with a look of uncertainty.
"She means using the scanner to copy it. You do know that you can do that, right?"
Kurumu blushed, realizing what they meant and feeling silly.
"You mean like one page at a time? That would take forever."
"I thought you wanted your mother's picture. Were you planning to copy the whole yearbook?"
"That was the idea."
Ms. Bakudai sighed at her confession.
"That is a much bigger task than I anticipated. Am I to assume that you also want this in color?"
"That would be nice."
Ms. Bakudai sighed again, touching her temple.
"We could see if the company making the new yearbooks would be willing to make a copy of some old ones for us. I would like to have at least a digital copy of those in the public records building in case someone ever did decide to wreck my library with a genuine intention of destroying my books."
"Is that why you didn't bring these boxes back to the school?"
"Most of the reason, Ms. Sendou. Many books can just be reordered if they are destroyed. But historical things like the school yearbooks and newspapers would be lost forever."
"You could get me a copy of the yearbook from this company?"
"I can request it. Normally there would be a price for such a gesture but if I make it as part of a larger order, I might be able to get a yearbook for free."
"That would be so nice of you, Ms. Bakudai."
Kurumu turned about, pulling the yearbook off her bosom and closing it. She set it aside, taking out the next yearbook for the class of 1988.
"Could you also get me copies of the other two years that my mother attended?"
"You aren't getting three yearbooks for free, Ms. Kurono."
Kurumu smiled, opening up the yearbook. It naturally opened to Mr. Saitou's homeroom with Coach Yaisoku near the end, noted as the class representative. Her father, Kentou, was listed right before Mizore's mother. Both with the last name of Shirayuki.
"Then get me a price. I'm willing to do this."
"Very well, Ms. Kurono. I will look into what that would cost."
"Thank you, Ms. Bakudai."
Kurumu turned a page, revealing Mr. Fujita's class. Akihana Hayaki was the first portrait in the class. This was one of the girls her mother had done a play with.
"Are you going to have my Moka pay for it or will you finally use your prostitute proceeds?"
"Prostitute proceeds?"
"Don't listen to that imp."
Kurumu smiled upon finding her mother's portrait. Once again it was between two guys. The stout guy with the stringy black hair was obviously a kappa with those ochre eyes. Kirishima Tensei. The other guy had piercing blue eyes and black hair. Kunai Kenji.
"Is this Kunai Kenji related to Elder Kunai?"
She glanced over her shoulder and was slightly taken aback by the coldness in Ms. Bakudai's eyes.
"Yes. He was Elder Kunai's grandson. He was murdered during the winter break before his graduation."
"That was around the time my mother left."
"Yes. Did your mother ever talk about him?"
Kurumu laughed nervously, wondering what Ms. Bakudai expected her to say.
"My mother didn't talk at all about her high school years."
She regarded the portraits, quickly finding the buxom Shiromimi Kiten whom had also been in that play. Then there was Nadaramori Fukumi, the mother of one of the first years on the baseball team. She had been at mommy's viewing and had bought Kurumu some clothes.
Not much farther down the list was the class representative, Hitsudzuki Kaji. He had curly red hair and green eyes. And of course there was Yokei Shinsei. His portrait as a teenager was very similar to how he had looked this morning.
"I didn't even know that Mr. Yokei was in my mother's second year homeroom until today."
"What business do you have with Mr. Yokei?"
The harsh tone drew Kurumu's attention from the yearbook. The librarian had crossed her arms below her bosom, regarding Kurumu sternly.
"Nothing really. I just asked him a few questions about my mother and agreed to have dinner with him."
Ms. Bakudai clucked her tongue, glancing aside.
"Not even back for a month and he's already trying to get into a student's panties."
"What? No!"
"Did he feed you some line about admiring your mother? I wouldn't put it past Shinsei to have some sort of list of sexual conquests that include a mother and daughter."
Kurumu felt a pang of guilt from the librarian coming close to describing her naughty dream.
"He actually had very little to say about my mother."
"You should stay away from that womanizer. He doesn't respect the line between teacher and student."
Kurumu was about to protest when a thought crossed her mind. Many of the encounters between Mr. Yokei and that student had been in the library. Ms. Bakudai had been the librarian at that time.
"You must have seen them. The girl was in your literature club."
"You are correct, Ms. Kurono. Hisagasawa Midori. A very promising student. He should have never been allowed to work here again."
"But they got married. It's not any different than what happened with Mrs. Sunao."
Ms. Bakudai scowled, thrusting a finger at her.
"It is very different! Sunao's parents were supportive of the idea which is why they were married before he even graduated. But Shinsei…"
She grit her teeth, trembling with anger.
"He got Midori pregnant without even speaking to her parents."
Kurumu flinched at the revelation. She nodded, dumbfounded.
"Oh. That would explain why her parents weren't happy with him."
"Obviously. I supported their request to have that man fired. I can't say what they planned to do about the baby but Midori should have gone to college. She was a top student, Ms. Kurono. And Shinsei just ran off with her. Her parents had Fairy Tale looking for them for months."
"Are you sure that you should have dinner with him tomorrow?"
Kurumu pouted at Yukari's question.
"He may have left out a few details but he must be telling the truth about having his family here. Why else would he be living in Mr. Miwa's double suite?"
"Midori is here?"
Kurumu glanced at the librarian and nodded firmly.
"Yes. And he said that they have two little boys now."
A thoughtful expression crossed Ms. Bakudai's face.
"That is news. I should check up on her. See how things have been."
"He was working as a substitute teacher in Shizukana with Mr. Kazeken these last couple of years. To be closer to her parents."
Ms. Bakudai regarded her sternly.
"You shouldn't take everything that man says at face value."
"Should she have dinner with him?"
The woman paused in contemplation, regarding Yukari.
"It should be fine assuming Midori is actually here. I wouldn't go to this dinner alone."
"I'm planning to bring my boyfriend."
"That would be wise. Are you finished up here?"
Kurumu smiled, closing the yearbook. She glanced over her shoulder. The class of 1987 yearbook rested on top of the stack inside the box. She freed one hand, reaching into the box to retrieve the yearbook.
"Could we make copies of my mother's homerooms from these three yearbooks? I still would like the whole yearbooks but having her homerooms would be a nice start."
"That shouldn't take too long. The copy machine is in the main office."
Kurumu smiled as the teacher gestured down the hall. She stacked the 1987 yearbook on top of the one for 1988. Clutching both to her bosom, she reached down to pick up the 1989 yearbook.
"I still don't understand your obsession with these yearbooks. How are more pictures of your mother going to help you?"
Kurumu added the third yearbook to the stack, turning a soft smile upon Yukari.
"It's my mother, Yukari. I can't have any new memories with her. May as well try to find as many of the old ones as I can."
Ms. Bakudai's demeanor softened.
"I am sorry, Ms. Kurono. Regardless of her faults, a mother is still very important to her child."
"Did you know my mother?"
Ms. Bakudai shook her head, gesturing down the hall.
"Only by reputation. We should hurry and make those copies. I don't want to leave poor Ms. Nazohashi in my father's care for too long."
Holding those precious yearbooks against her bosom, Kurumu took her first step towards the door.