The bell sounded the start of the lunch hour, causing Kurumu's heart to flutter in anticipation. She felt her lunch card in the pocket of her school jacket before taking her hand out. Other students conversed in the growing lunch line as she regarded the closed front door to second year class eleven.
The door was tugged open by Mr. Kazeken. The tall and slender language arts teacher had short, black locks and silver whiskers beneath his nose. He was garbed in a tweed jacket over a white dress shirt and tan slacks. His beady eyes looked her over with mild interest but he did not break his stride, walking off in the direction of the teachers' lounge.
Kurumu entered the classroom, smiling at Nijiro as he put away his notebook. She approached the front of his desk, taking in a deep breath when she caught his attention.
"What are you here for?"
"I'm having lunch with you."
He frowned, getting up from his chair.
"We talked about this."
"Once a week shouldn't be that bad. Come on. I need to talk to you anyways."
He sighed, glancing about the room.
"Can't we talk another time?"
She snatched up his hand, tugging him towards the door.
"Nope. We should get in line before it gets too long."
He stumbled but quickly recovered, following her out of the room. Other second year students filtered out of their homerooms as they purposefully headed towards the end of the line.
In her junior high days, Kurumu had discovered that guys noticed and desired her more when she was in the company of her boyfriend. Today was no different, making her body flush. She felt a little guilty that she enjoyed the increased attention but also felt that he should be more grateful that she was with him. Any guy would beg to be in his place.
They reached the end of the line near the first door for the home economics room. A trio of large, second year guys stood in front of them with two of Nijiro's classmates behind them. The huge guy with the soot colored afro was from band while the oily, black haired guy was Ageda from tennis. The third guy had shale locks masking his eyes. He was from the judo club.
A familiar pair of band girls in Kurumu's gym group were behind Hatsura and Borohata. The voluptuous girl with the creamy blond hair cascading down her back like waves was Ikesuima Sakura. Her plump companion with the dark green bangs cut across her broad brow in the hime style was Yoshida Kinoko. Both girls were from Umiman. It still surprised Kurumu that Ikesuima was classified as a kappa simply because her father was one.
"So what is your emergency?"
Kurumu frowned, letting him pull his hand free from her grasp.
"I need an escort for a dinner date tonight."
"Why should you be rewarded with a dinner date?"
Kurumu pouted, glancing at the smirking pair behind Nijiro.
"Because Mr. Yokei invited me to a dinner with his family. It only made sense to bring my boyfriend."
He regarded her with suspicion.
"Why would Mr. Yokei invite you to dinner?"
"He was my mother's classmate during her second year. I wanted to talk with him."
"Couldn't you have asked for this in a less conspicuous manner?"
Kurumu frowned, wondering what he was upset about now.
"Did I do something wrong?"
He huffed, crossing his arms about his chest.
"Do I have to remind you that you are in detention?"
"Not anymore. I was allowed to go back to choir yesterday."
"You draw far too much unnecessary attention to yourself."
The guys around them chuckled as her frown deepened.
"That can't be helped. Just look at her."
Ageda grinned at the judo guy's deep voice.
"It would be strange for a girl with her looks not to get any attention."
"Kurumu!"
Kurumu grinned at Juri's call from the bottom of the stairs. The sprite waved, walking towards them.
"Shame on you for sneaking out of class early to flirt with your boyfriend."
Kurumu stuck her tongue out, stepping over to press against Nijiro's side.
"I have to spoil my boyfriend every now and then."
"You're the one being spoiled, brat."
Kurumu giggled as Juri stalked off, heading for the back of the line. His hand touched the back of her shoulder, pushing her forward.
"You are always making a scene."
Kurumu frowned, allowing him to move her with the slow progression of the line.
"What was wrong with that?"
"Do I have to explain everything to you?"
Kurumu pouted, fighting back the urge to use her powers to figure this out. She glanced at the grinning boys behind them.
"Do you have a problem seeing me around my boyfriend?"
Borohata snickered, shaking his head.
"Not a problem. A little jealous and very confused."
Hatsura favored her a fanged grin.
"Seems like a mismatch to us."
"What do you see in a boring guy like Amesuki?"
Kurumu startled Nijiro with an embrace. He stiffened up when she pressed her bosom against his chest.
"Stability and security. I've had enough adventure to last me a lifetime."
"Kurumu. Please."
She smiled, hearing his frantic thoughts caused by his body reacting quite favorably to her proximity. He was worried that his school slacks would be unable to hide his erection. She loosened her hold on him, transitioning into a side hug with her head pressed against his upper arm. He relaxed slightly but his mind continued to agonize over this situation.
"Must you do this?"
"I'm sorry but I can't let you go. You don't need your hands free to walk in line."
He sighed, reaching behind her to place his right hand on her waist.
"This is embarrassing."
'Nijiro. Nobody is going to admit to looking at your crotch.'
He laughed abruptly at her reassuring thought.
"Hopefully not. But this is more of a spectacle than it needs to be."
Kurumu smiled, refusing to release her hold.
"How is Miyamoto doing in your class?"
"Mr. Miyamoto? I imagine that he is doing fine. Why do you ask?"
"Just a little curious. He did have a karate tournament last weekend."
"I know nothing about Mr. Miyamoto's club activities."
His tone discouraged her from trying to ask if he knew anything about Sonoda. They shuffled by the other door to the home economics room.
"I ate with your sister in the library yesterday."
"That's good. I can't say that I've spoken with her recently."
Kurumu smiled, rubbing her head against his upper arm.
"She is looking forward to spring break. Hopefully your parents won't mind me staying over."
"I did write that letter to my parents and put it in the mail. We won't hear a response until next week."
They moved forward at the slow pace with the first door of Ms. Yumeito's lab coming up on the right.
"Well I don't have any other plans for the break. If they refuse, I'll end up staying on campus."
"Don't be silly. You have many friends that would let you stay for a week or two."
Kurumu snorted a laugh.
"Like who?"
"Those vampires that you live with."
"I don't live with them now. They kicked me out last weekend."
"What did you do?"
Kurumu lifted her head off of his arm, looking up at him with a pout.
"I didn't do anything. Moka just wants to work on her cooking so Kokoa decided to excuse me from my maid duties for the rest of the school year."
He nodded thoughtfully, turning his attention back to the line.
"That probably is for the best."
Kurumu sighed, resting her head against his arm once again.
"Those two lost their mother, Nijiro. And Moka just found out that she was exiled by her father."
"Exiled? Why?"
"Family politics. Kokoa plans to bring Moka along for her fencing tournament at the start of spring break but I have no idea what their plans are after that. So I can't just trouble them with my presence."
"Understandable. I don't know if my parents would refuse my request but I still believe that you have friends that would be willing to take you in. Both Ms. Sendou and Ms. Shirayuki come to mind."
Kurumu contemplated those options as they slowly continued down the hall with the line.
"I don't know if I should intrude on Mizore's plans. Umizake is going to spend the break with her and I'm assuming that means he would be sharing her room."
"I guarantee that my parents aren't going to let you share my room."
Kurumu laughed, rubbing his side with her left hand.
"I suppose not. But Mizore is pregnant with his child and they want those two to marry. I would end up staying alone in their huge guest room while they are busy making wedding plans."
"What about that grandmother that you told me about?"
"I'm not going to ask her for permission to stay at her place. Maybe I could if you went with me."
"I highly doubt that would be appropriate. You could ask Ms. Sendou to accompany you."
Kurumu sighed heavily.
"I wouldn't claim that those two are friends. Besides. Yukari's mother is also pregnant. Yukari will want to spend the break with her family."
"Well your visit might be fine. It's not like I've been reporting any of your bad behaviors to my parents."
Kurumu pouted at his remark. With minimal effort she could tell that the comic was still on his mind.
"I am living on my own again, Nijiro."
"What about it?"
She nuzzled her cheek against his arm.
'You could come home with me after our date.'
She felt him shiver as lewd thoughts filled his mind. He pressed his hand firmly against her as they came to the end of the hall, drifting slowly to the right with the line. He wanted to give her the ecstasy she had shown him from her perspective.
His lechery was quickly replaced with suspicion as he withdrew his hand.
"You should stop putting those thoughts in my head."
Kurumu lifted her head from his arm, pouting at him.
"I'm not."
He favored her a dubious look.
"I should find a roommate for next year. If I live alone, you would visit me whenever you felt like it."
"Why would that be a problem?"
He sighed with a shake of his head, attempting to pull away from her.
"I have some junior high acquaintances whom might be interested in saving me from your temptations."
She giggled, remaining pressed to his side as they shuffled closer to where this line merged with the third years coming from the other wing. She refused to let him go.
"You could always ask Namida. He lives near you."
"I would rather not have anything to do with the music club right now."
In moments they were at the merger spot. The two third years whom happened to be at that junction were Oshaberi and Asobitani whom were both from the baseball team. The shaggy haired Oshaberi flashed his fanged grin and immediately struck up a chat with the two guys behind them. The short haired Asobitani gestured for them to remain in front.
"Which junior high friends were you planning to ask?"
"I could ask Jouromura or Uzushio. Both live alone."
Kurumu grimaced at his suggestions. Uzushio was from Ginei's homeroom. The quiet guy was one of the many forgettable students in band. While Uzushio was tolerable, it bothered her that Nijiro was willing to associate himself with the new president of the notorious chemistry club.
"What about Shiname? Doesn't he live alone?"
"I suppose that I could try asking him."
"That would be cool. He is dating Okimune from my choir."
"That is true."
Kurumu smiled, seeing the cart with the lunch tray draw closer with each hesitant step.
"When are you going to ask him?"
"The school will be asking for our roommate and elective preferences next week."
Kurumu took in a deep breath, detecting the many different aromas of available entrées.
"The year is almost over."
"Yes. Hopefully you are ready for your upcoming term exams."
Kurumu huffed, lifting her head from his shoulder to bump her hip against his.
"I'm more worried about my concert next weekend."
"Those are the wrong priorities. As long as you don't stand out too much, the other girls should be able to cover your mistakes. You will be on your own when it comes to exams."
Kurumu sighed, having no interest in arguing with that logic. To her, failing in the choir was a bigger issue than failing her exams. Poor exam scores only hurt her. She needed a different topic.
"Did I ever mention that Utsumi was dating Numasaki?"
"Utsumi? Is that someone I should know?"
Kurumu sighed dramatically.
"She's your sister's friend from the literature club. They share homeroom."
Nijiro frowned with disappointment.
"So my sister let this girl date the guy that raped his cousin?"
Kurumu gagged, releasing Nijiro out of shock.
"That's not what happened?!"
"I guess that there is a legal difference between attempted rape and successful rape."
Kurumu whimpered, realizing she had picked the wrong subject here.
"He just tried to kiss her."
"And would have taken things farther if it hadn't been broken up."
Kurumu sighed, lacking the interest in defending a guy whom she found annoying.
"Well they might break up soon if that's any consolation. While Utsumi liked having him around for all of her meals, he's been skipping band to hang out with her in the library after school. She's a little worried that he might drop out of band to join her club."
"I'd have similar concerns if you suddenly feigned interest in my math club."
Kurumu snorted, detecting his amusement.
"Do you even attend your math club meetings?"
"Not since joining the student council."
"For your information, Utsumi doesn't mind his company. It's just that she doesn't want him around all of the time and she might break up with him if he doesn't give her space. She likes having time to talk to her friends without him around."
The smug look he favored her made her uncomfortable.
"Don't judge me like that. I'm nothing like that guy."
"I think that you both have issues respecting boundaries."
Kurumu stepped back in, snatching up his hand in both of hers.
"I give you lots of space, Nijiro. I'm not nearly as clingy as I could be."
"Scary that you could be worse than you are."
Kurumu pouted at his smirk.
"You are having dinner with me tonight. Okay?"
He chuckled, shaking his head as he looked back to the diminishing line ahead of them.
"I will do that for you. But I'll need my hand back soon or getting lunch will prove difficult."
Kurumu smirked, releasing his hand. For now.
"How is your team doing?"
Kurumu huffed as Asuka plopped down on the auditorium floor beside her. Like every other girl, they were wearing white tee shirts and red spandex shorts for gym.
"Enjoying our break before our next round of slaughter."
Asuka giggled, bumping her shoulder against Kurumu's.
"That's the spirit. Somebody has to take down those seniors."
Satsuki snorted, sitting on Kurumu's other side.
"She means our slaughter. We lost our first two games."
Nerume sighed, sprawled out on her back nearby.
"They're undefeated for a reason. They're just too good."
Satsuki waved a hand dismissively.
"I wouldn't say that they're good. They just have more depth."
Asuka grimaced, leaning back on her palms.
"I guess it would be expecting too much for your group to win the match with that deficit but you could at least win one game."
"We're trying to but no tactic works. If we let them have the balls first, they gun down all of our decent players. And we never beat them to the line for the balls."
Asuka nodded at Satsuki's comment.
"Lacking sprinters does put you at a disadvantage."
"How is your group doing?"
Asuka smirked at Kurumu.
"Won our first two games. How did your group lose to these scrubs?"
Satsuki snorted as Manami and Utsumi returned from their water break.
"The same reason why we lose all of our games. Lack of depth."
"I guess. I don't want to talk bad about my seniors, but Mio and Nao are lazy. Itsuko can't throw a ball without it being caught. Maya is decent but nothing to brag about. Hatsuko is their only real threat."
Kurumu frowned at Asuka's assessment of her opponents on the track team.
"Those aren't the only athletes on their team. There is Kukioba and Tsubuyama from the cheerleader squad and Kazehime from tennis."
"Big boobies Kukioba doesn't do squat and Kazehime may as well be sitting on the sidelines. I'll admit that Tsubuyama is as good as Maya but not a major threat."
"Not like your group is anything special. Haven't you lost three matches?"
Asuka puffed up indignantly at Satsuki's remark.
"We almost beat Bouncy Bunny's group. We took them to five games."
"You ladies have had a long enough break."
Kurumu frowned at Coach Kibashiro's announcement. The track coach gestured at Nomura and Hazumi whom were coming out of the passage to the girls' locker room.
"Get lined up on your side of the court for the next game."
Several girls groaned before getting up to their feet. Satsuki offered Nerume a hand as Kurumu stood up. Kurumu sighed, glancing at Coach Kanatoko whom was with their opponents. The buxom softball coach had raven tresses curled in victory rolls even with her jaw. A pair of oval lenses held in a black wire frame rested upon the gnome's pert nose.
"Good luck."
Kurumu huffed at Asuka, trotting off to their side of the court with other girls following her example. This caught the attention of Nomura and Hazumi, prompting the pair to head straight to the court's boundary line painted on the floor. The pair arrived a few steps ahead of Kurumu and the others.
"Eager to get this over with?"
Kurumu smirked at Hazumi, stepping onto the line.
"A little. I wouldn't mind calling it quits for the day if we lose this game."
"When we lose."
Juri giggled at Nomura's remark, joining them at the line.
"We should try to last more than five minutes. Even if we lose, the coaches won't let us go this early to our next period."
Nomura sighed, regarding their opponents gathering on the other side of the court.
"It's just study hall. I'm all for going home."
"Same. I'd skip track practice if we were having it."
Satsuki snorted at Hazumi, taking her place beside Juri.
"Do either of you have anything to do in your dorm rooms?"
"I always have books to read."
Juri snickered, jostling Kurumu's shoulder.
"Naughty books."
"Romance novels are not naughty books."
Juri drawled out a dubious response as Yukari joined the line with Kumiko and Yaisoku.
"What was Ms. Shindou talking about?"
Satsuki shrugged at Yukari's query.
"She's just wanting somebody to beat this group."
"So nothing of use to us."
Yaisoku giggled at the witch's remark.
"It's not like we have a chance of beating these girls."
"I'm still disappointed that we didn't win yesterday against your sister."
"We took them to five. I'm satisfied with that."
"I'm not satisfied with being one and five."
Satsuki snorted at Nerume's complaint.
"Soon to be one and six."
Kurumu managed a smile, gesturing at the girls seated near Coach Takaku whom was in charge of the fencing team. The tall woman had her ashen black locks braided tightly against her scalp.
"Sounds like Asuka's team is going to make that group one and six too."
"When we face them again, we'll be battling for last place."
Juri snickered at Satsuki's comment.
"Could you imagine two teams trying their hardest to lose?"
"Ladies. We will begin once everyone is ready on the line."
Coach Kibashiro held her hand up as she placed her whistle in her mouth. The girls on the other side of the court tensed up in anticipation.
"Only go for the balls if you think you can get one safely."
Satsuki huffed at Yukari's statement.
"You're not the captain of this team."
"I will not tolerate insubordination in my ranks. Twenty lashes if you survive this battle."
Nerume giggled along with several others. This was not the first time Yukari had decided to act like she was a military commander. She had pulled this act out two other times when things were dire, declaring it made the game more enjoyable for her.
Their opponents were not impossible to beat. Bouncy Bunny's group had taken them to five games when the two third year groups had played back on Monday.
This third year group had four track girls, including Shiruba and Horie. The other two were large targets. Kishi was the tallest girl in the gym, standing several centimeters taller than Kakeru. The kirin from Watasora had her blond hair pulled back in a simple ponytail. Kettou was almost as tall as Kakeru and had a broad frame. Hailing from Atsuen, the big girl participated in track events that required throwing things. Nobody wanted to be her ball's target.
This group also had three capable softball players. The tallest of this trio was Furuiyama and she had a dark, waist long ponytail. She was quick and had a good throw. Hajimari Setsuna was the buxom girl with the bosom length, fawn tresses that had frosted tips. She was arguably the fastest of this group and also had a cannon for an arm. And then there was Ueniki, the brunette with the short tails and top knot. She was not that fast on her feet but the relief pitcher had the best aim on the team.
And it would be a mistake to ignore Kurukaze Hazori. The tengu from Hateshinai was a top ten student and a phenomenal tennis player. Like Shiruba and Horie, she was good at everything.
This group also had some girls whom were good enough for this simple game. Akiramochi was flexible and could catch a ball. Hogomaru with the wild, ink black locks and long rat tail from the cheerleader squad was athletic when she wanted to be. And the mermaid, Oda, with the curly black hair tickling her bosom was surprisingly nimble.
The only easy targets were the two thick kappa girls. They just stood there and accepted elimination. Kurumu had thought the same about the two harpies from choir but Hayabusa had caught her ball last game. The two band girls also just lingered in the back, barely participating. The tiny girl with dirty gray twin tails and bangs held back by a black hairband was Kosui. She was Nerume's size so she was hard to hit. Tebayai was the girl with the glossy black ponytail. She was taller but thin and quick to move aside.
The last two girls on that team was the buxom Kunahiyo and the elegant Bousui. Those two sometimes participated as actively as Akiramochi and Hogomaru but often just waited back at the line.
"Are you ladies ready?"
Coach Kanatoko held her hand up with her whistle between her lips. Many girls sounded an affirmative as Kurumu regarded the balls arranged in a line at the center of the court. She had no chance of getting one before the third years. And she had no desire to avoid projectiles thrown at point blank range.
The whistle sounded and girls on both teams rushed to the center line. Nerume always made the dash and she sometimes managed to not get eliminated. Satsuki was going with her like she often did. She was one of their better players. Kumiko and Yaisoku had also joined the sprint but there was no way these four short girls would reach the balls before their counterparts.
Only Taijin had a chance but she had such an awkward stride that the giantess failed to reach the line before Hajimari. The quick Hajimari snatched up a ball and whipped it right into Taijin's knees, causing Coach Kibashiro to blow her whistle for the first elimination of this round.
Kurukaze and Furuiyama were next to the line, hefting up balls and taking aim. Kurukaze gunned down Kumiko with ease as Furuiyama zinged her ball at Satsuki. Satsuki surprised everyone when she snatched the ball out of the air, getting a whistle blown to call for Furuiyama's elimination. She quickly retreated, using her ball to deflect one thrown at her by Hajimari.
Horie and Shiruba hit the line at about the same time as Nerume. The third years picked up balls and immediately targeted Yaisoku. The girl with the braids twisted out of Shiruba's throw and stumbled out of the path of Horie's. But once she hit the ground, she was an easy target for Kurukaze. The tennis star tagged her junior in the butt before Yaisoku could get back on her feet.
Nerume snagged a ball and threw it at Ueniki whom was almost to the line. The pitcher effortlessly ducked under the throw, snatching up a ball of her own. She snapped her wrist hard, tagging Nerume with enough force to take her legs out from under her. The tiny girl fell face first on the court, causing many girls to flinch from the impact.
Satsuki backpedaled, using her ball as a shield to deflect another ball. By the time Satsuki was back to their group, all of the athletes on the opposing team had reached the line.
"Hold any balls that are thrown at us!"
Yukari was only saying the obvious as the third years unloaded the remaining balls into their ranks. Most were easily avoided but Kettou's powerful throw laid out Endo. Ueniki shot a ball into them which took out Hazumi when the girl failed to twist fully out of its curving path. Horie and Shiruba tossed their balls in a manner that gave Orochi no means of escape.
Once all of the balls were thrown, the third years backpedaled from the center line. Yotsumure must have been tagged by someone since she was making her way off the court as the survivors gathered up the balls. Yukari flipped one at Kurumu which she deftly caught.
"Prepare to return fire!"
Kurumu snickered, trotting closer to the line as she sized up the competition. She dared not throwing at any of the athletes, not wanting to make their victory any easier. Kagami was moving to the line with Nomura at her side. Both girls had two balls each. Satsuki and Juri came up beside Kurumu, each having a ball in their hands.
"Go for broke or easy pickings?"
Kurumu shrugged as Anko jogged to the line with a ball. The gnome took the initiative, firing a ball at Kunahiyo's knees. The buxom girl leaned down, easily catching the ball. As the girl turned to flip the ball to one of the athletes, Kurumu impulsively chucked her ball into Kunahiyo's hip. The ball bounced off the girl as Kurumu hurried back to the line.
Juri tossed her ball which slipped through Kishi's fingers to hit her calves. But before Juri could retreat, Hajimari gunned the one Kunahiyo had given her straight at the sprite. Juri tried twisting out of the path but the ball caught her in the back.
Satsuki fired her ball into the crowd. Tebayai stepped out of the path but Kosui was clearly not paying attention and took it to the face. Satsuki cringed when the girl went down, backing off with an apology as Nomura and Kagami each threw one of their balls to take out the two kappa girls.
Tonari tossed her ball but Akiramochi snatched it out of the air before it could hit Bousui. The dance club captain wagged a finger as the whistle sounded Tonari's elimination. But her victory was short lived as Nomura and Kagami both fired their second balls at Akiramochi. She twisted out of the path of both balls but a third one thrown by Utsumi caught her ankle.
With several balls recovered, the third year athletes charged towards Kurumu's retreating teammates. Kurukaze and Hajimari both targeted Utsumi, taking her down. A ball zipped into Kagami but the harpy managed to keep hold of it during her retreat. A whistle sounded and a grimacing Ueniki trotted over to the sidelines to join her eliminated teammates.
"Kurumu!"
Kurumu barely registered the warning before she was hit in the chest. Impulsively she wrapped her arms about the ball as its momentum knocked her back so hard that she fell on her ass. She wheezed out a breath, holding it tight against her stinging bosom. A whistle called for the elimination of her assailant.
Before she could think to get up, a second ball hit her in the legs. Not hearing a whistle, she started to get up but a third ball tagged her in the hip. She giggled, sitting back down. She smiled softly, rolling the ball over to Manami. The girl returned the smile, picking up the ball.
"It was a good catch."
"Hold the balls!"
Kurumu giggled at Yukari's commands. Shaking her head, she picked herself off the floor. She noticed that Kettou had joined the ranks of the eliminated, giving her a good idea whom had gunned her down. Feeling better about that, she jogged over to the sidelines which now included Satsuki and Umigame. Juri grinned as she neared the group.
"That looked painful."
Kurumu laughed, joining her group. She touched her bosom which still stung from the impact.
"Felt painful. Who got you?"
Satsuki shrugged, gesturing at the third years.
"I caught Horie's throw but Shiruba got me."
Kurumu nodded, looking over the remaining players. They had Yukari, Madosuki, Kagami, Nomura and Manami. Their opponents still had Hajimari, Kurukaze, Shiruba, Hogomaru, Oda, both harpies, Tebayai and Bousui. Their chances for a victory were slim.
"Come on, Sendou! Lead your troops to victory!"
Kurumu giggled, clapping and joining in on the cheers as Yukari went to the line with their survivors. The witch said something quietly to the other girls before taking up a defiant posture.
"It is time to unleash my secret weapon!"
"No spell casting, Ms. Sendou."
Yukari rolled her eyes, looking at Coach Kanatoko.
"You clearly don't appreciate theatrics."
"Throw your balls, Ms. Sendou. We've already warned you about holding them too long."
"On my mark!"
Yukari let out a cry, throwing her ball with all her might. Hajimari giggled at the lazy throw, running forward to catch it. But the moment she did, Nomura and Kagami fired their balls at the softball girl. The girl avoided both as Yukari's ball bounced on the floor in front of her. And then Manami's ball tagged Hajimari in the side.
"I got her!"
Madosuki threw her ball at Hayabusa which Kurumu knew was a mistake. The harpy caught it and instantly fired it back, tagging Manami in the side of the head.
"Retreat and get more balls!"
Yukari hurried back to the line where they had left their surplus. The third years rushed to gather up the four balls used to take out Hajimari, attempting to return fire before their opponents retreated. Kurukaze tagged Nomura's ass just as the tengu picked up a ball. Kagami deflected a throw from Hogomaru while stepping out of the path of the one thrown by Shiruba.
"Keep the balls on our side!"
"We've talked about this, Ms. Sendou. Stop hoarding."
Yukari pouted at Coach Kibashiro as Kagami collected up a second ball.
"It's a valid strategy."
Kurumu smiled as Manami joined them on the sidelines.
"Good job, Manami."
"Yea. At least I got someone this time."
"How's your butt, Nomura?"
The tengu huffed, crossing her arms below her ample bosom.
"Apparently too big."
Kurumu snickered as Yukari and Kagami warily approached the third years. Oda still had a ball but clearly was not going to throw it. Yukari murmured something to Kagami and the harpy nodded.
"Plan all you like but you aren't winning this, Ms. Sendou."
Yukari regarded Shiruba with unwarranted confidence.
"I think our chances are better than you believe. Take your shot."
Kagami fired one of her balls at the back, tagging Karasu whom had not been paying attention. Hayabusa laughed loudly at her friend's elimination.
"You dumb bird."
"You could have warned me!"
Yukari took the moment of distraction to throw her ball at Shiruba. The track girl effortlessly stepped aside and Kagami fired her second ball at the blond. But before it could connect, Kurukaze darted into the path, snatching the ball up. Yukari faltered back a step as the whistle was blown.
"And that leaves just you and four balls at our disposal. How good is your evasion, Ms. Sendou?"
Yukari retreated as Kurukaze and Oda stepped to the line with balls in hand. Tebayai was recovering the one Yukari had thrown while Bousui handed Hogomaru the one that had picked off Karasu.
"I have excellent perception, Ms. Shiruba. I will be able to read their trajectory, velocity and likelihood of impact in an instant. This is futile. Give up now and I will show you mercy."
Shiruba giggled, holding her hand out as Tebayai trotted back to them with the fourth ball.
"I think we will take our chances."
"Can she really do all of that?"
Kurumu smirked at Juri's query.
"Just because you see something coming doesn't mean you can do anything about it."
The game was over with the next volley.
"How did the two of you meet?"
The blond's smile reached her green eyes as she set a bowl of steaming kake soba before Nijiro. The mother had on a pastel pink, short sleeved dress with a broad white collar. The front of the dress buttoned up from the waist where the pleats started. The bottom of these pleats fluttered about her calves as she moved to place a bowl in front of Kurumu.
"We met in October before the cultural festival. I happened to attend one of the class representative meetings which Nijiro is one of."
The mother nodded, retreating to the kitchen to fetch bowls for her two little boys. The younger fair haired and green eyed child was in a black booster seat which was tied to the framing of the rounded backs of these varnished wood chairs matching the table. The toddler had on a white shirt with a graphic of the red and white ball from the Pokémon series. A diaper was visible beneath his red shorts.
The older brother was seated across the table from Nijiro. His hair was black and his eyes were dark like his father's. His gray tee shirt lacked graphics and he had on a pair of black shorts. Their backs were to the wall, making it more difficult for the boys to escape the table without permission.
Mr. Yokei was seated at the head of the table with his back to the living room. The teacher had parted with his black jacket but still had on the black tie at the collar of his white dress shirt. A black belt was fished through the loops of his black slacks.
"That's less than five months ago."
Nijiro nodded as the wife returned from the kitchen which was behind them. Like other faculty housing suites, the kitchen cabinetry, sink, stove and refrigerator were lined along the wall on the other side of the hallway leading to the entry.
"It was October fifteenth when we first spoke. We just broke four months a few days ago."
The mother giggled as she placed blue plastic bowls in front of each of her boys.
"I was a class representative all three of my high school years."
"And a top ten student. Almost as good as my academic standing."
The wife huffed at his grin, walking off to fetch more bowls.
"I could have surpassed you if you had not distracted me."
"I recall that it was you seeking distraction."
Kurumu giggled at the playful exchange. From the time she had entered the home, she had seen nothing to suggest things were troublesome between these two. They seemed to get along as well as any other parents she had seen. Mizore's and Yukari's. Tsukune's back when he had both.
The mother returned, handing her husband a white ceramic bowl. He murmured his thanks as his wife retreated to her vacant chair at the other end of the table. She sat down, putting her bowl aside before scooting her chair in closer. She picked up her chopsticks.
"I hope that you enjoy the meal. My boys tend to not give any compliments."
"They are kids. What do you expect?"
The wife huffed, pushing her chopsticks into the bowl and turning them slowly.
"I was including you in my boys."
Kurumu giggled, thinking it was time to start. She could not recall the last time she had a soba dish with scallions and fish cake slices. Her mother had only made this on special occasions.
"Nijiro is in the top five."
"When did the two of you start dating?"
"The day after the cultural festival."
"Sounds like love at first sight."
"I wouldn't say that. I had friends encouraging me to date Nijiro before I had even met him."
Nijiro chuckled softly, having swallowed down his first mouthful.
"Friends that included my sister. We did rush the start but have slowed to a more respectable pace."
The mother set aside her chopsticks and scooted in to aid her youngest with his efforts.
"Did the two of you see each other over the extended winter break?"
"Nope. It was a much needed break."
Kurumu pouted at Nijiro's remark as she pulled a steaming batch of noodles out of her bowl.
"It was a long, lonely six weeks."
"You were with friends."
Mr. Yokei laughed heartily.
"And saving the world if that article in the school paper has any truth to it."
Kurumu smiled, watching the mother blow on the noodles before presenting them to the toddler.
"That was Ginei's version of the truth. I did play a small part but the others did the important things."
"What is your version of the truth?"
Kurumu decided to stuff her mouth with noodles instead of answering his question. She took her time chewing as she debated on the value of sharing that story. She swallowed down, savoring the taste as the warmth spread throughout her body.
"It must be hard losing six weeks right at the start of your relationship. When Shinsei finally accepted my feelings, I could not be apart from him."
"She admits it was her fault."
The wife huffed, placing a wad of noodles into her boy's mouth.
"I'm simply saying that it's nice to see that the two of them are still together."
"That's mostly Kurumu. I was still sorting out my feelings after being away from her for so long but she forced my doubts away the moment our paths crossed again."
Kurumu frowned, blowing on her second swirl of noodles.
"All I did was hug and kiss you."
"Because you had other plans for Ms. Chouda's birthday when I got off the bus. We never made it to our date the following day. Thank goodness we have vending machines in the dorm."
Mr. Yokei laughed, moving his chopsticks about in his bowl.
"Sounds like we found out which of you have the stronger libido."
"What's a libido?"
The mother shot her husband an admonishing look. Mr. Yokei smiled at his older son.
"Nothing to worry yourself over, Kosei."
"How old is your son?"
Mr. Yokei chuckled at Kurumu's inquiry. He pulled out another wad of noodles with his chopsticks.
"He'll be turning five soon."
Kurumu nodded thoughtfully. That matched what Ms. Bakudai had said about the situation.
"Is his birthday in the summer or maybe early fall?"
Mr. Yokei paused. He put his wad in his mouth and chewed, leaving the table in silence. Kurumu took this opportunity to stuff her own mouth. It was good soba. The New Years before Yokai Academy. That was the last time she had real soba with her mother. Why did that feel so long ago?
"Kosei was born in the first week of April, Ms. Kurono."
Nijiro perked up at the wife's answer. He turned a thoughtful expression upon Mr. Yokei.
"This must have been the personal matter that forced you to resign from Yokai Academy five years ago. Was your wife unable to live in Mononoke at the time?"
"Something like that."
The mother smiled thinly at her husband's evasive answer, presenting a mouthful to the toddler whom eagerly took it. The boy kept grabbing for the chopsticks, wanting to feed himself.
"We were too hasty. Shinsei was my biology teacher. I mustered up the courage to ask Shinsei to be my boyfriend at the end of my second year. And he said yes."
"You were her teacher?"
Mr. Yokei sighed at Nijiro's surprise, plucking a scallion out of his bowl.
"Yes, Mr. Amesuki. Many would say that I should have refused her. But I had a strong feeling that if I had pushed her away, she would have lost interest in me."
"My feelings were not that fickle."
"You only say that because I never rejected you. Some wounds never heal."
The wife laughed softly, surrendering the bowl to her toddler whom was eager to feed himself. She sat back down in her seat with a sigh.
"We were supposed to wait until after my graduation."
"You were the one that decided to stay here instead of going home for summer break."
The mother blushed, turning her attention upon her meal.
"I was young and smitten. You should have used protection."
"I know. I was also young."
"Thirty isn't that young."
"You weren't complaining at that time."
Kurumu smiled softly, sensing Nijiro's discomfort over the situation.
"So Ms. Bakudai was telling the truth. You were forced to resign over your wife being such a promising student. And then you ran away with her."
"Oh dear. Chishiki spoke with you?"
Kurumu nodded at his query.
"Last night. She was trying to talk me out of this dinner but she changed her mind when I told her that your wife would be here."
"It doesn't surprise me that she has a poor opinion of me. She encouraged Midori's parents to push for my immediate resignation."
"Don't blame that on Chishiki. My parents would have done that anyways since you are much older than me and not the same species."
Kurumu managed a smile as she toyed absently with her meal.
"Do you get along with Ms. Bakudai?"
The wife grinned, tugging out a wad of noodles and scallions.
"She's very smart and has great book recommendations. I absolutely adored her."
Mr. Yokei snorted a laugh, gesturing at his wife with a fishcake in his chopsticks.
"She told Chishiki about being pregnant."
"If either of you had mentioned that the two of you had dated, I wouldn't have done that."
"You dated Ms. Bakudai?"
Mr. Yokei groaned at her surprise.
"Yes, Ms. Kurono. I was often in the library and Chishiki was helping out the old librarian. We became friends after a few months and about a year later, we became more than friends."
"They were lovers, Ms. Kurono. For over a year."
"Why did you two break up?"
"I was young and that was my first relationship. Chishiki was the first woman to want me. Physically. It takes time to realize that isn't enough to sustain a relationship."
His wife snorted, bringing up a wad of noodles to blow on.
"He doesn't like Chishiki's personality."
"Chishiki is smart and we have similar interests. But her attitude is so negative. I always thought that might change but it only grew worse. Hearing about the injustices that Kuyo was doing to the monstrels was not my idea of enjoyable pillow talk."
"She never talked about that stuff to me."
"I know. I was special. She was showing me a side of her that she keeps bottled up. And I didn't want that. I wanted my woman to be happy. That's why I couldn't stay with her."
Kurumu felt guilty as she brought up her next batch of noodles. She favored Nijiro an apologetic smile before putting the noodles in her mouth. The food was good.
"If she gave birth in April, others must have noticed that she was pregnant."
"Yes, Mr. Amesuki. Midori was starting to look and smell pregnant in December. Her parents were going to take her out of school after the winter term exams. Obviously her grades were good enough that the last term was not needed for her to graduate."
His wife sighed, shaking her head.
"My parents wanted me to get rid of my baby and marry me off to some random stranger. I refused so Shinsei found a way for us to leave after my winter term exams."
Mr. Yokei chuckled with more enthusiasm.
"We found a place in the city and I got myself some menial labor job to make ends meet. It was rough but it all worked out. Then Midori got in contact with her parents and you know the rest."
His wife huffed, bringing up another bunch of noodles to blow on.
"No point in lying. Fairy Tale found you and reported us to my parents. You got down on your hands and knees and begged my father for permission to stay with me."
"Allow me some dignity."
"And the moment my parents said it was okay, he got me pregnant again."
"You act like you didn't want to have our precious Shinobu."
His wife rolled her eyes as the toddler slammed his empty bowl down with a satisfied sigh. Soup was stained down the front of his shirt.
"We weren't financially stable enough to have another child. Thank goodness my parents were around to help afford everything."
"I misjudged how much I'd make as a substitute teacher."
"You are lucky my parents love me enough to put up with you."
Mr. Yokei smiled warmly, pushing his bowl aside.
"I have stable employment now. Shall we try for a girl?"
His wife snorted, taking the time to swallow down the mouthful she had stuffed after her last remark.
"We can discuss that when we don't have guests or little boys at the table."
"How many know of this scandal?"
Mr. Yokei chuckled at Nijiro's hushed query.
"Mostly faculty. Why?"
"I'm just thinking that if you left and she was obviously pregnant…"
"Mr. Amesuki. I was not the only teacher to leave that year and Midori wasn't the only girl whom got pregnant. There may have been rumors but only a handful of faculty members knew the truth."
His wife snorted at his reassurances.
"Most of my friends knew about you and most realized I was pregnant. You are fooling yourself if you think those were just rumors."
"But it wasn't exactly common knowledge. None of your friends came up to me and asked if I put a baby in you. None of my coworkers brought it up out of the blue. Only a handful were on my ass over this."
The mother sighed, favoring Kurumu a smile.
"Are you enjoying the meal?"
Kurumu laughed softly, noting she was only halfway finished. It looked like both boys were done.
"It's delicious."
"Yes, Mrs. Yokei. The meal is very good."
Mr. Yokei chuckled at Nijiro's stiff compliment.
"Mr. Amesuki here is the student council vice president."
"Oh really? I never did think to try out for the big student government roles."
"I'm sensing that was a good thing, given the circumstances."
"Yes. Bad enough that I fooled around with a promising student. I'd bring shame on the whole school if Midori had been a student council secretary."
"I could have been a treasurer."
"True. I'm terrible with our finances."
There was an uncomfortable break in the conversation. Kurumu was able to get two more mouthfuls down when Nijiro placed his chopsticks across the top of his bowl.
"Thank you for the meal."
Kurumu grimaced as she chewed on her next batch of noodles. She could tell that Nijiro wanted to leave. She quickly swallowed the soba down, picking up her bowl. She quaffed a bit of the warm broth, feeling it fill up her insides. She sighed, setting the bowl back down.
"Mr. Yokei. Do you remember a Kunai Kenji from your second year homeroom?"
The teacher frowned, cocking his head.
"Why would you be asking about him?"
Kurumu smiled, placing her chopsticks across the top of her bowl.
"I saw his picture next to my mother's in a yearbook that Ms. Bakudai found for me. She mentioned that this Kunai guy was murdered the winter break before your graduation."
Mr. Yokei stroked his chin as his wife started gathering up the dishes.
"Would you mind if I take these two and this conversation to the living room?"
"Are you leaving me with all of the cleanup?"
"Of course. You need something to complain about, right?"
His wife sighed, shaking her head.
"Some days I don't know why I married you."
Mr. Yokei chuckled, scooting his chair back.
"Thank you, my dear. Follow me."
Kurumu smiled apologetically, slipping out of her chair. She touched Nijiro's side as she walked beside him into the adjacent, large space which served as the living room. A black couch with two matching armchairs were placed around a low black table. Their host claimed an armchair, gesturing at the couch.
"Please have a seat."
Kurumu smiled, acquiescing to his suggestion. Nijiro remained standing behind the couch.
"It is an hour walk back to campus."
"I can drive the two-"
"I would rather walk, Mr. Yokei. Can we make this quick?"
The teacher smiled, relaxing back in the armchair. Its cushions looked as stiff as the ones on this couch.
"I will do my best."
Mr. Yokei paused with a thoughtful expression.
"Where should I begin? You know how you brought up rumors being validated by coincidence. A similar thing could be said about Ms. Kurono's mother. The murder of Kunai Kenji happened around the same time as the disappearance of Ms. Kurono's parents."
"My mother had nothing to do with this."
Mr. Yokei smiled at her quick response.
"Several people theorized that Mr. Kunai got in the way of their plans because he had a crush on your mother. It was common knowledge that your mother lived with the Shirayuki couple in an apartment in town. And Mr. Kunai was a local. Nobody on campus had exact times of when your parents left or when Mr. Kunai died. It all happened over the winter break while most of us were outside of the barrier."
"Is this rumor well known around the town?"
"I'm not a local, Mr. Amesuki. You would have to ask Chishiki if the locals think her mom is a murderer."
Kurumu shivered, recalling Ms. Bakudai's reaction to when she had mentioned this portrait last night.
"My mother wasn't a murderer."
"I didn't say that she was. I would wager most of our peers didn't believe that. It was just hateful things said because your mother ran off with another woman's husband."
"That is quite a troublesome reputation."
Mr. Yokei chuckled at Nijiro's remark.
"Very true. But people forget that you can't just leave Mononoke on a whim. You have to arrange things or get very lucky with Mr. Nurari. I know that doesn't guarantee her mother was innocent but it makes the chance encounter even less likely."
"My mother didn't kill anybody."
Mr. Yokei smiled at her firm statement of defiance.
"Your mother was gorgeous. Many guys had a crush on her. But most of us knew that your mother only had eyes for Mr. Shirayuki. If Mr. Kunai came after them, he got what he deserved. Can you honestly say that your parents wouldn't defend themselves?"
Kurumu shivered, refusing to believe this possibility. She flinched when Nijiro touched her shoulder.
"It's time for us to go."
"Are our guests leaving already?"
Kurumu glanced over her shoulder as she stood up. She smiled at the mother whom was washing her toddler's face with a rag. The other boy was absent.
"I guess. Nijiro is right about it being a long walk back to campus."
Mr. Yokei chuckled, getting up from the armchair.
"These two are in a hurry to be alone."
The wife hefted the toddler out of his booster seat, bringing him to her side. The young boy grabbed about her neck as the woman shifted her child in her arms.
"Is Chishiki still living with her father? I'd like to visit her and clear up any misunderstandings."
Kurumu smiled apologetically as she drifted around the couch to stand beside Nijiro.
"She might be. If not, she's living with her grandfather at the bookstore."
The mother smiled, drifting over to the refrigerator which was at the end of the wall dividing the kitchen from the hall. On the other side of the corridor to the entry was a short passage with doors to the two bedrooms and bathroom.
"I was asking Shinsei."
"I haven't spoken with Chishiki since our return."
"Avoiding your first love?"
"I anticipate an unpleasant encounter."
"I will pay the bookstore a visit. Thank you, Ms. Kurono."
Nijiro place a hand on the back of her shoulder, pushing gently.
"Can we go now?"
Kurumu touched his side as she tried to think if there had been anything else she wanted to talk about. He had already claimed to not have any stories about mommy and she had no interest to delve deeper into Kunai's grandson. She wanted to hear what Mrs. Senda and Mrs. Takizawa had to say about that.
"We can. Thank you both for your hospitality."
"It was nice having guests. Shinsei rarely invites anyone to our table."
"I've never been sociable, Midori. I wouldn't have invited Ms. Kurono if not for your constant badgering over this matter."
Nijiro steered Kurumu over to the side of the room before they started towards the entry.
"At least walk them out."
"Of course, my love."
Mr. Yokei hurried to catch up with them as they reached the small genkan.
"I am sorry if I offended you with that rumor about your mother, Ms. Kurono."
Kurumu smiled thinly as she wiggled her feet into her school slippers.
"It's fine. I'm a little surprised that none of the other teachers mentioned it."
Nijiro handed over her school jacket which they had left on a hook mounted on the wall near the door. She took it before he grabbed his own from another hook.
"They probably had no reason to mention it. And it's not like many actually believed it was true."
Kurumu slipped her arms through the sleeves of her jacket. She checked her pockets, confirming her lunch card and keys were still there.
"Ms. Bakudai might. She always looks at me like I'm guilty of something."
"Try not to take that personally. Chishiki is just a negative person."
Nijiro opened the door and gestured for Kurumu. She smiled thinly, slightly bowing to the teacher.
"Thank you again."
"Be safe and don't have too much fun on your way home."
Kurumu smiled softly, turning about and heading through the open door. Nijiro stepped out to join her, quickly striding across the small yard to reach the far gate. She hurried to keep up with him as Mr. Yokei closed the door behind them.
"That was not what I expected."
Kurumu frowned when he reached the gate. He tugged it open and gestured for her to go.
"What were you expecting?"
He sighed as she passed through the opening. He followed her, letting the gate shut on its own.
"Something less uncomfortable."
They walked in uneasy silence across the huge courtyard in the center of the faculty housing complex. Eight identical buildings surrounded them with fencing that cut the area off from the rest of the town. The only entry was the paved road leading out to the intersection closest to the hospital. The five story building stood proudly in the darkness off to her right.
Kurumu swallowed thickly as they exited the complex, closing in on that first intersection. This paved path would continue on, passing by the nightclub before it ended at another street which went all the way to the cemetery on the far side of town.
"Are you upset?"
"It was a scandal, Kurumu. He left Yokai Academy in disgrace. Why did you need to talk with that guy?"
Kurumu pouted as they turned right at the first intersection.
"I didn't know if I should believe Ms. Bakudai. I wanted to hear his version of it."
"In what version would there ever be an excuse for a teacher to be with his student?"
"Nobody makes a fuss over Mrs. Sunao. She married a student the year before this happened."
"He fled the town, Kurumu! He's lucky that her parents didn't charge him with kidnapping!"
Kurumu flinched at his words, thinking about the owner of the nightclub. She bit her lip as they passed by these dark buildings at the edge of the town.
"They are in love."
"What choice did she even have? Once a girl gets pregnant, her value to any other man goes down. Her parents knew that. That's why they wanted to get rid of the baby and marry her off quickly."
Kurumu grimaced at his remarks as they passed by the last building of the town. A small stretch of open space was between them and the towering hospital on the right. A line of trees on the left blocked their view of the parking lot for the hospital.
"Mrs. Yokei wanted to get pregnant."
"I heard her clearly. She wished that he had used protection."
Kurumu scowled when he picked up the pace.
"Every girl knows that she can get pregnant if she has unprotected sex. Regretting things now does not mean she didn't want it back then."
"He's a decade older than her, Kurumu. He took advantage of a student."
Kurumu clenched her fists as they reached the end of the paved path. A sidewalk ran from the hospital to a break in the trees on their left. To the right was a bunch of racks for bikes before the path continued on to the main entrance of the hospital. A gravel trail cut through the forest ahead of them. This level path went all the way to Yokai Academy.
"You are dismissing a woman's agency on making decisions with her own body."
"She was young and naive."
"If she didn't love him, she would have left him years ago."
"Ends do not justify the means, Kurumu. There was no reason for you to want to know more about this guy. I've already told you to not engage with unsavory individuals."
Kurumu grit her teeth as they passed into the dark woods. The path was not wide enough to be free of the shadows cast by the surrounding trees.
"Ms. Bakudai is the only person whom seems to have an issue with Mr. Yokei."
"And with good reason. I recall our librarian graduated the year of the last school expansion, meaning she is several years younger than him. There is clearly a pattern to this guy hitting on younger girls."
"I didn't know those two had a history!"
"You should have nothing further to do with him."
Kurumu sighed, keeping up with his stride as they ventured deeper into the woods. He was moving so fast that it was annoying. She was almost at a jog just to stay behind him.
"Ms. Bakudai probably thinks my mother is a killer."
"I hope that isn't a common rumor among the locals."
Kurumu huffed, shaking her head as the shadows about them became darker.
"If it was, somebody would have said something to me by now."
"It might surprise you, but most people try to be polite."
Kurumu grimaced, ignoring his tone.
"I hope that you don't think that way about my mother."
"It doesn't matter what I think. The majority opinion always matters more."
"It matters to me what you think."
He continued walking with that rigid posture and quick pace.
"I'm the student council vice president and a top student at Yokai Academy. I have a bright future ahead of me. I can't be seen mixing with people of questionable backgrounds."
That was enough. Kurumu grabbed him by his arm, scowling when he turned about to look at her.
"I have a questionable background. Is that why you refuse to be around me?"
In the darkness it was hard to clearly see his expression but she could sense his surprise.
"I'm not refusing to be around you."
She let go of his arm in frustration.
"You made such a fuss over having lunch with me today."
"You have a way of drawing unwanted attention. And now we have this issue with your mother. It was bad enough that most people know she ran off with another woman's husband."
Kurumu wagged her fists, hating him for bringing that up.
"You agreed to running for student council alongside Mikomi. Her father was working with Mr. Saitou for years, plotting to kill Headmaster Mikogami. Those are facts. Not rumors."
"Ms. Sawayaka has the reputation of being a responsible student. Clearly her father's crimes are not an issue with the public's opinion of her."
"My mother committed no crimes!"
"Even if your mother was perfect, you have a tendency to do stupid things without thinking about me."
"It was just a dinner date, Nijiro. Nobody cares that we had dinner with Mr. Yokei."
"Do you not realize what it means to be a girlfriend? You are an extension of me. Your actions reflect upon me. I will have to answer for your stupidity."
Kurumu pouted. She had never thought of things like that.
"The same goes for you."
"What have I done to embarrass you?"
Kurumu winced, failing to think of anything.
"I'm not trying to ruin your future, Nijiro. I don't even know why you think that I am."
It was like the thickness in the air about them diminished. He backed off a step.
"I concede that being with you has helped me. I've had nothing but compliments for my new haircut. It was also your influence that helped me take that risk on joining up with Ms. Sawayaka. I honestly had no idea if she could win, given her status as a first year local girl."
Kurumu smiled softly, holding out her hand.
"Can we walk home like a couple?"
He let out a deep breath, reaching out to take her hand in his. He squeezed it firmly.
"I'm sorry for running you out of his home. You must have had questions for him about your mother."
Kurumu snorted, resuming their walk along the path at a slow, reasonable pace.
"Not really. My mind went blank when he told me about that rumor of her being a murderer."
"Understandable. Still I must apologize. I didn't feel comfortable around that guy."
Kurumu breathed in deep, squeezing his hand. She thought about inviting him over to her place but worried that would be too much. She could stay with Yukari for another night.
"We have lots of time."