Normal POV
As Setsuna and Rantaro exited the kitchen, they were approached by a boy who was a year older than the two of them. He stands half an inch taller than the Ultimate Adventurer and has hazel eyes, a light brown complexion with his dark brown, braided hair tied back in a half-ponytail and a subtle, short boxed beard. The boy was also wearing a white lab coat over his school uniform with a stethoscope hanging over his shoulders and a silver bracelet on his right wrist.
The boy then pulled out a small flashlight and shined it in Setsuna's eyes, "How are you feeling?" he asked. "Any light-headedness or nausea?"
A second boy of a similar age and height with a lightly freckled complexion approached the first boy and carefully pulled him away. His tousled, strawberry-blond hair sways slightly as he shakes his head with a subtle amusement. He had light green eyes and wore red and yellow runners, a pair of jeans, a white t-shirt, and a red and yellow racing jacket. And a silver bracelet on his left wrist.
"Whoa, hey! Take it easy there, Doc. You haven't even asked her first." He said before turning his attention to Setsuna, "Sorry 'bout my friend here. He was just ensuring there weren't any complications from the sleeping drug we were under."
"Well, I was first made aware when you tried to stand up too quickly after you came to. Only to get dizzy, vomit, and collapse again." The first boy countered, "You were very lucky that you didn't hit your head."
Setsuna's POV
So that explained Rantaro giving me that water bottle when I woke up…
"So, I'm guessing you're the Ultimate Doctor?" I asked, grabbing the older boys' attention.
"Where are my manners?" The one who shone a light in my eye said, "My name is Eijiro Mitsumori. And you've guessed correctly. It's nice to meet another classmate of mine… or camper in this case."
Eijiro then gestured to the other boy, "And my friend here is Yusei Kagehira, the Ultimate Race-Car Driver."
Yusei Kagehira?! I've heard of him. He's been a racing prodigy since the young age of 5 with a straight record of clean victories under his belt. But will he be like Akari in attitude?
"I see Rantaro's showing you 'round." Yusei spoke up, "Um…"
"Setsuna." I introduced myself, figuring that they heard my last name. "So, are you two suddenly good friends after just meeting?"
Yusei laughs, "Actually, Eijiro and I have known each other and been friends since elementary school. So, it's nice to recognize someone in a room full of strangers. But I guess not everyone here is lucky, except for the Yashiro Siblings."
I look down, "But that doesn't mean that we can't make new friends." The Ultimate Race-Car Driver added, breaking my train of thought.
"If you're ever feeling unwell, Setsuna, then please don't hesitate to let me know." Eijiro said, "And I apologize for my sudden examination. I promise to ask you first next time."
Normal POV
Setsuna nodded, accepting the Ultimate Doctor's apology before she and Rantaro walked toward the stage. Climbing on, they noticed a large area beyond the stage.
"Maybe we can find another door leading outside?" Setsuna asked the Ultimate Adventurer.
"I'm afraid that's not possible."
Hearing a new voice, they turned backstage and noticed two girls walking out onto the stage; one of them was a year younger and standing 5'5" with indigo hair styled in twin odango with shimmering lilac ribbons trailing down to her shoulders, fair skin, and rich golden eyes. She wore a modified seifuku uniform with the upper part of her bodice being white with puffed sleeves and gold trims, and the bottom half is a rich purple. Her skirt is the same rich purple, albeit with an iridescent shimmer, and a white ruffled skirt underneath. She was also wearing thigh-high stockings of the same iridescent material as her skirt, albeit matching the ribbons in colour, golden Mary Janes on her feet, and a silver bracelet on her right wrist.
The second girl is the same age as Setsuna and Rantaro and stands at 5'8" with a tanned complexion, hip-length blonde cut in a hime style, and aquamarine eyes. She wore very light makeup on her face, a backless ruby red dress with a halter top and the hemline stopping just above her knees with a thigh slit, black high-heeled sandals, and the same silver bracelet on her left wrist.
Setsuna's POV
"We've looked everywhere backstage and found a dressing room that even Tsumugi will love, but it looks like the door on the other side of the room is the only way in and out." The younger girl said
"Really?" I asked, feeling a little disappointed.
The other girl nodded, "If there was another way out of here, and it wasn't locked, we would already use it to get away from the pervy pickpocket. I mean, you're not going to believe what he tried to pull on me, Darling." She said, referring to Satoshi.
I can imagine since he more or less groped my butt while stealing my Monobook before the former suddenly spoke up.
"That reminds me… the three of us haven't been properly introduced yet, right? I'm Hotaru Tsukasa, and this is Minako Suzuki."
"Nice to meet you, Darling." Minako added, "I love your outfit. If you ever need an extra piece of fashion advice, just say the word and I'll work my magic."
I was caught a little off guard by her offer until the Ultimate Adventurer came to my rescue.
"Minako is the Ultimate Super-Model." Rantaro explains "Any style she wears instantly becomes a popular trend overnight."
That makes sense since I remember seeing her in fashion magazines where some even claim that she's the 'next Junko Enoshima'.
"It's nice to meet both of you." I said before turning my attention to Hotaru, "I don't know my Ultimate Talent at this point, but why don't you tell me yours, Hotaru?"
Normal POV
Hotaru smiled before striking a pose, "I'm the Ultimate Songstress. You may have heard of my cover for 'Negaigoto Ensemble'." and with that, she sang a bit.
"No way!" The four Ultimates on the stage turned to see Nozomi looking at them with stars in her eyes, "I've listened to your cover online. It's one of my favourites that you sang."
The Ultimate Songstress laughed a bit and thanked the Ultimate Ceramist.
"Keiko baked some cookies if you'd like one."
Setsuna and Rantaro looked up to see that Keiko had indeed set the plate of cookies on one of the tables before talking with Eijiro and Daisuke was having a conversation with Yusei. Akari looked at the cookies longingly and reached out to grab one, only to hesitate for a brief second before turning her nose up at it.
"More for me, then!" Satoshi crowed as he took the cookie the Ultimate Figure Skater reached for before refusing, only to get scolded by another male Ultimate who then made the Ultimate Pickpocket do 30 push-ups.
"I guess it wouldn't hurt to have one. After all, moderation is key." Minako said with a wink before leaving the stage with Hotaru following suit.
Setsuna's POV
Rantaro and I got off the stage, only to be startled by a black cat bolting past my feet. The cat then jumped up to a table before jumping onto the shoulders of a tall young woman with medium-length, deep raspberry-coloured hair, pale skin, and vivid green eyes that almost made me believe that they were identical to that cat's single left eye. Her attire consists of a black hooded cloak over a cropped tube top so dark red that it's almost black, and short jean shorts. A silver bracelet adorns her right wrist, and on her feet are black knee-high Demonia boots.
"Halt! Unless thou hath a death wish to suffer a thousand curses, cease your staring at once." She demanded.
"...Huh?" was all I could ask since her mannerisms of speech caught me off guard.
"My familiar, Odin, hath informed me of thou courage." the strange girl said, "I suppose I shall grant thee the privilege of my presence and mercy."
What… What in the world is this girl talking about?
"Doth thou wish to learn my name?" She spoke up again, reminding me of what I was doing. "Some may view your courage as foolhardiness. However… I earnestly welcome it into my dark embrace. So, in honour of thou courage, I shall reveal it to thee. Listen well. I am Ayaka Konishi, but my true name is Lilith, Supreme Mistress of Beasts. May you never forget it as long as thou live, for 'tis the name that will one day rule this realm!"
What the… That seems pretty out there if she's serious about her claim of 'ruling this realm'.
Rantaro's POV
"Now then, allow me to ask." Lilith spoke up, "Which tribe did thou form your contract with?"
Setsuna looked at the Ultimate Pet Sitter weirdly, "Huh?"
"I will ask thee again. Whose master art thou? Answer me or I shall send thee into the fires of pandemonium!"
Remembering Lilith asking me the same thing, I decided to help Setsuna.
"Lilith was just asking if you used to have a pet." I told Setsuna, which caused her to relax a bit.
"Oh… Yeah, it was a budgerigar. But I remember taking care of a few cats and even walking two dogs for someone." She said, causing Lilith to bow down to Setsuna. That confused both of us.
"Never have I fathomed that I would encounter one whose magic essence is on the same tier as mine, I shouldn't even be in thou presence." The Ultimate Pet Sitter explained– although it has caused Setsuna to become flustered.
"A-actually, I'm not a huge fan of dogs. And I could barely control two of them." This surprised Lilith,
"How is it that thou control two hellhounds when you claim that your magic essence allows you to form a contract with even the most devout emissary of Bastet, herself?" she asked. "From what I know from experience, to control hellhounds is to prove that you're the more suitable alpha of their pack." with that, the Ultimate Pet Sitter walked away.
Normal POV
"Yeah… I know Lilith seems a bit odd, but apparently, she was sought after by celebrities who wanted her to look after their pets when they go on trips." Rantaro explained, "From what I heard, she had some sort of 'way' with any kind of pet, including exotic ones. And the difference in the well-being of a pet in Lilith's care when you compare the before and after her service is like night and day. It's no wonder she's the Ultimate Pet Sitter. Some even claim that she can speak to the animals in her care, but I figured that they were joking with that one."
"Speak to the animals… Well, for a pet sitter, Lilith is quite eccentric enough for that rumour to grow." Setsuna thought to herself before noticing the Ultimate that scolded Satoshi approaching her and Rantaro.
Although he was shorter than Katsuki standing 5'11½", he conveyed an intimidating aura similar to a military man. He has a muscular, athletic build with dark skin, bright amber-coloured eyes, and short, unruly dark brown hair.
His modified uniform made Setsuna think that he belonged to an army and not in high school with his camouflage-patterned gakuran unbuttoned to show off a tight, black tank top underneath. His pants matched his unbuttoned jacket and wore brown army boots on his feet. She also noticed the silver bracelet on his left wrist– Looking around, she noticed that everyone here was wearing the identical bracelet on either wrist, including Rantaro's on his right wrist.
"Have you seen Rangetsu?" He asked, causing Rantaro to scan the room until he spotted the Ultimate Pickpocket back at picking the lock. The Ultimate Adventurer pointed it out for the boy, in which he nodded contently before noticing Setsuna.
Setsuna's POV
"Oh, that's right! You're probably going around for introductions." The military boy quickly said, "Name's Takashi Nanase. I'm the Ultimate Drill Sergeant. Nice to meet ya."
Takashi… Rantaro mentioned that name when he scared Satoshi into picking the lock again, and after seeing him chewing the Ultimate Pickpocket out for taking an extra cookie… I should be careful not to tick him off.
"Uh… L-likewise, sir." I replied while trying to salute, hoping that by showing him proper respect, he wouldn't make my life hell like Satoshi. But that only made him feel awkward and rubbed the back of his neck. Oh, no…
"H-hey, there's no need for that." Takashi said, "I guess you saw how I was with Satoshi, right?"
I nodded, earning a sigh from him. "I apologize for that first impression. I only get in 'Drill Sergeant mode' when dealing with bullies and troublemakers, and you can tell from the way I use last name basis. But I promise you that I'm not a bad guy. My bark is actually worse than my bite."
Rantaro's POV
I saw Setsuna relax a bit, though I don't blame her since when I first met the Ultimate Drill Sergeant, I didn't witness his 'Drill Sergeant mode' until Satoshi tried to grope at the girls' breasts while they were still unconscious.
"I've also been on the receiving end, so I understand why you felt like you had to walk on eggshells around me." He added, causing me to remember.
"Oh, right. Your father was also in the military, wasn't he?" I asked, earning a reluctant nod from him.
"As was my grandfather before him." Takashi replied, "Believe it or not, my father was the Ultimate Drill Sergeant before me. But I'm afraid it's complicated and not a good topic for now. Can we discuss it later?"
Setsuna and I nodded in agreement, "Anyways, it's nice to meet you." She said.
Normal POV
"Likewise, Setsuna." Takashi replied before hearing a commotion behind him, Rantaro, and Setsuna. The three campers turned around to see Lilith testing the now unlocked door, and Odin growling at Satoshi who was trying to move the Ultimate Pet Sitter's cloak to get a good view of her butt.
The Ultimate Drill Sergeant sighs in exasperation, "If you'll excuse me." And with that, he left to deal with the harassing pickpocket.
"Wow…" Setsuna mused, "Takashi seems like a completely different person when he's not being a drill sergeant. But remind me not to get in his bad books."
She scans to see who else to meet when she notices a boy sitting at one of the tables and looking at his Monobook. He's in his late teens and an inch taller than Rantaro. His raven black hair flows down to his upper back and is loosely tied in a low ponytail. He wore a white dress shirt with the top few buttons undone. He was also wearing black, fingerless gloves on his hands, a silver bracelet on his left wrist, a pair of black trousers, and black derby shoes on his feet.
Campers Met So Far:
Setsuna Higurashi - Ultimate ? - Age 17
Rantaro Amami - Ultimate Adventurer - Age 17
Tsumugi Shirogane - Ultimate Cosplayer - Age 16
Katsuki Inushima - Ultimate Huntsman - Age 19
Akari Tohsaka - Ultimate Figure Skater - Age 16
Satoshi Rangetsu - Ultimate Pickpocket - Age 15
Nozomi Yashiro - Ultimate Ceramist - Age 14
Keiko Ichihara - Ultimate Baker - Age 18
Daisuke Yashiro - Ultimate Sculptor - Age 18
Eijiro Mitsumori - Ultimate Doctor - Age 18
Yusei Kagehira - Ultimate Race-Car Driver - Age 18
Hotaru Tsukasa - Ultimate Songstress - Age 16
Minako Suzuki - Ultimate Super-Model - Age 17
Ayaka "Lilith" Konishi - Ultimate Pet Sitter - Age 19
Takashi Nanase - Ultimate Drill Sergeant - Age 19