She couldn't focus. That was the thought that ran through Yukikaze's mind as she stared off into space, not really paying attention to what was being written up by Todo-sensei. Normally she was pretty focused in her classes, not overly focused but… focused nonetheless. Sure she had those days when she didn't really want or try to pay attention to what was going on in class, but this wasn't one of those days.
She simply couldn't focus, not just on class but… anything really.
"Yuki-chan…yuki-chan?… Hey Yuki-chan." Someone poked her cheek as she snapped out of her thoughts.
"Huh?" Was the most intellectual thing she could get out at first as she turned to see that Tatsuro was looking at her. "Oh hey, what's going on?"
"Class is over." Her boyfriend told her as he gestured to the fact that the rest of her class was walking out. "You ready to go?"
"Huh - oh yeah." Yuki muttered as she started gathering her things and left the room. "What's our next class again?"
"Same as always." He told her as they walked on. "Close combat training with Itachiya-sensei." He gave her a weak smile. "You must really be out of it if you can't even remember what class we have next."
"Sorry." Yuki muttered as she looked down in embarrassment. "There's just a lot on my mind."
"I can tell." Tatsuro muttered. "I'd be able to tell even if I didn't know you as long as I have." He admitted. "What's going on?"
For a moment Yuki didn't say anything, just walking on before slowly coming to a stop. "Tomorrow will make it five years.." She muttered as Tatsuro fell silent, opting to listen before saying anything. "Five years since kaa-san disappeared." Yuki muttered, clenching her fists. "And there's still no word from her."
"Yuki…" Of course that was what was bothering her. It's been five years since Shiranui-san went on that mission and never came back; five years since she was pronounced MIA, and four years since Yuki's dad died searching for her. Since then she'd been left all alone in the family mansion - well as alone as one could get when their only realty company are staff to keep the place clean.
And being 'queen of the castle' wasn't as fun as one was lead to believe.
"Where is she, Tatsu?" She asked, biting her lips. "Where's my mom?" She didn't get an answer.
"Yuki I…" Tatsu didn't know. What he did know was the stuff that happened to people that went missing, and he'd definitely heard about the things that happen to missing Taimanin women.
None of it was good.
"I know she's still out there somewhere." Yuki muttered. "But… where is she? Why haven't we been able to find her yet?" She muttered as she looked out the hallway window and seemed to think. "I have to find her… I need to bring her home."
"And you will." Another voice muttered as the pair turned. "We will find her, together." Rinko- Akiya's older sister told them as she made herself known. "As soon as a lead's found, we'll go out to bring Mizuki-dono back."
"Yeah." Tatsuro smiled as he looked at Yuki. "It's a promise." It was Yuki's turn to smile as she blushed slightly.
"Right." She whispered b efore her attention turned to the window as she scratched her cheek. "Hm?" She noticed something - or rather she noticed someone outside. "Who's that with Uehara-sensei?" Her two companions turned to peek out the window as they say the pair.
"I've never seen him before." Rinko muttered.
"That's… isn't that the new guy we heard about?" Tatsu asked. "The one Yamamoto-san recommended?"
"That's him?" Yuki muttered as she stared at the young man. "He doesn't look like much."
"Well neither do you." Rinko remarked as Yuki gave her a deadpan look. "Wonder what he's doing out there with Uehara-san."
"I heard he disappeared during the joint training exercise earlier." Tatsuro stated. "Guess she finally found him."
"Ah~" Was all the two girls said as they looked at the blue eyed youth who seemed disinterested in whatever Uehara-sensei was saying. At one point he seemed to snap to attention, giving her a look before saying something that she responded to before walking off.
Well he tried to walk off anyway, Rin grabbed him by the collar and started pulling him along, he responded by seemingly groaning before his eyes went south. Well that was before his attention drifted to the window and shot them an 'ok' gesture while nodding and mouthing a word.
Nice~
"He's checking her out."
"He's not even trying to hide it."
"I feel like him being here is going to be a headache." Yuki muttered as she sighed and turned away from the window before heading off. "Come on, let's get to class."
Amidahara; the 'Dark City'.
It was Japan's largest abandoned city. In these slums humans coexisted with those from the underworld. Here, criminals and killers alike were increasing every day and night. Course, you could go to any city and hear the same story.
One young man honestly didn't care that much, he was just more confused by why people kept saying the city - and a few dozen others were 'abandoned' to begin with.
After all the cities were anything but abandoned. Sure it's in all slums but it's got plenty of life breathing in it.
Streets are lined with clubs and casinos; the black markets thrive off the tourists that love to get their hands on something unique; not to mention its adult entertainment industry is always booming.
So yeah, the city is anything but abandoned.
Maybe they meant it in the fact that the government all but tossed the city aside, marked as one of the many Illegally Occupied Sectors of Japan.
"Or maybe I'm just overthinking things." Staring out at the city from the roof of one of the taller buildings, a youth in a hoodie just leaned over the railing as he made a noise. "It's quiet up here."
Should that come as a surprise though; no, not really.
After all it's down there in the streets where all the noise can be found, all the people and rides are. Up he where the noise is mostly muted, it was naturally quiet.
He liked the quiet.
He also liked the view; being allowed to see everything from up high was eye opening.
"Hell of a view, ain't it." Glancing back, the youth found a figure walking up to him, a bag containing an assortment of bear in one hand and a light smile on his face.
"It always is, Taka." He admitted. As he looked back out at the world. "Still, what are you doing up here?"
"Got something to report in." Taka admitted as he walked up and handed his counterpart a cold beer, something he gladly took. "Seems that the Mizuki kid is still looking for mom." The hoodie wearing youth just poped the seal on his beer and took a drink. "It's been five years since she disappeared, but baby girl is still looking for her."
"Most would have given up by now." The hoodie wearing youth muttered. "But she's not most."
"What do you want us to do about her, Atama?"
"Nothing." His counterpart – Atama muttered as he took another drink. "We don't need to do anything about her just yet." He admitted. "But we can give her a lead at least." He added. "Leak her mother's location. That will send her running." He admitted. "But make sure her little boyfriend Tatsuro doesn't join her on her little rescue op. No need for him to be involved."
"Sir… what about the Hunter? He's with the Taimanin now, should he get involved?" Atama said nothing for a moment as he seemed to think before holding up a finger.
"One week." He muttered. "Force him to get involved in one week."
"I don't believe this." Yuki muttered as she looked ahead to see that the new transfer was her in her class. She wasn't sure who looked more annoyed, her or the transfer. "Why is he here?"
"Good question, why am I here?" Setsuna muttered as he looked at Rin. "I already had a joint training exercise today."
"A joint training exercise you skipped out on." Rin stated."We have to make up for the course you missed."
"Do we have to?" Setsuna grumbled as he crossed his arms and started checking everyone out. Everyone save him and Rin were dressed in well… skinsuits, so that meant; more titties, more ass, more camel toe and more crotch bulges. He openly groaned in annoyance at the sight. Still… "Isn't there, like, another class I have to attend?"
"Four actually." Rin stated. "And you will be making those up as well before the day is done." She told him. "For now though please introduce yourself." The young man in question just grumbled in annoyance.
"My name is Setsuna and I'm being forced to come here." He stated before putting his hands in his pocket. "Hi ya."
"Why do I feel like he doesn't wanna be here?" Tatsu joked as Yuki lightly nudged him in the side.
"So you're our new student." An older woman stated as she walked up to the new face and Uehara-sensei. "First day and already getting into trouble huh?"
"Seems like it." The woman chuckled as she held out her hand. "I'm Itashiya Komachi. I'm in charge of melee training. Nice to meet you."
"Normally I'd say 'likewise' just to be polite." He began. "But I really don't wanna be here."
"In my class or here in the Academy?"
"Bit of both." Setsuna stated as he looked at the woman for a moment. 'Soft body… but definitely well trained.' He noted. 'Also… relatively average sized knockers.' He noted as he nodded his head. 'You know given all the tits I've seen today just hanging out there, I was kinda expecting her's to be huge too.' He admitted to himself. "Nice change of pace."
"Well, I'll leave him in your care, Itachiya-sensei."
"Rin-chan, I told you to just call me Koma." Itachiya stated as Rin released a smile.
"Not unless we're taking a break from classes." Rin stated as she turned and started walking off. "Well, I have to get to my class. I'll be sure to pick him up later."
"Why~?" Setsuna asked.
"Someone has to make sure you don't disappear again."
"Good luck with that." Setsuna remarked as he watched Rin leave as Itachiya-sensei nudged him in the side.
"See something you like?"
"Yes actually." Setsuna admitted looking back at his teacher. "In two different directions, at that."
"Oh~" Itachiya leaned forward, her hands on her hips as she looked up at the young man. "Well than, see anything you don't like."
"Yes; crotch bulge." Setsuna stated as Itachiya giggled and straightened up.
"Sorry, there's not much we can do about that. Uchigen has his preferences."
"And you still wear it." He muttered before crossing his arms before making a gesture. "Like seriously, why would you wear that?"
"Ever try fighting someone while fighting off a boner." Setsuna made to say something, stopped raised a finger, stopped and made a gesture of sorts.
"Fair." He stated as he lowered his hands and put them in his pocket. "Still that can't be the only reason, right?" Itachiya giggled.
"Of course not." She admitted. "They're bulletproof for starters." Setsuna raised an eyebrow.
"Seriously?"
"Seriously." Setsuna pointed at the woman's uniform. "That's bulletproof?"
"Believe it or not, it is." She stated rolling her arms. "I'ts also easy to move in and makes it easier to manipulate Taima particles." She paused. "Least that's what Uchigen-san says."
"And you believed him?" Itachiya laughed as she playfully slapped Setsuna on the back
"Come on, let's get class started." She turned to address the rest of her class. "We'll start with some basic stretches to warm up, after that we'll move on to some light sparring."