Kurumu yawned as she shuffled down the aisle towards their shoe cubby. She was walking so slow that Yukari was actually getting away from her. Not that she cared, thinking they had come to school far too early. It would have been more enjoyable to chat with Sumire and her mother.

"Stop that. You'll make me yawn."

Kurumu chuckled softly as the witch tugged her slippers out of her cubby. They had both worn school jackets but Kurumu refused to bother with the red bow. Once she had joined Yukari, she stepped out of her loafers. She took in a deep breath, fighting the urge to yawn again.

"Should we still be using these cubbies?"

Yukari made a thoughtful sound as she put her outside shoes away.

"We should do that switch next year. We don't know when the second years will move their slippers to the third year aisles."

Kurumu nodded as she swapped footwear. Grabbing her loafers, she straightened up and stuffed them into the cubby she had been using since January.

"Could you move any slower?"

Kurumu pouted, stepping up from the genkan to join the witch. They started walking across the foyer.

"We didn't have to be here so early."

"It's your own fault for being up so late."

Kurumu sighed, thinking about last night. After offering congratulations, Kurumu had left the party with Nijiro and Nerume's friends. Nijiro had declined walking her to her doorstep, parting ways with her at the point where the trail to the suites ended at the main school path. She had come home to an empty suite with even the magic door to Chouda's room closed.

"It's this way, Kurumu."

Kurumu smiled apologetically, having instinctively angled towards the central stair. She drifted back to Yukari's side, following the witch to the left of the stair.

"Sorry. Habits."

Yukari huffed as they reached the lower hall behind the stair, turning left towards the second year wing.

"It's not like you ever had a morning routine."

"I was developing one."

"Well that won't change. You'll still check in with Mrs. Senda before doing the announcements and go up the central stairs to the broadcasting room. The only difference is that you'll come down these stairs for your first period class."

Yukari gestured towards the stair at the end of the hall, causing Kurumu to smile softly.

"Leave it to Yukari to figure things out."

"You don't have to be a genius to make that simple observation."

Kurumu chuckled as the hallway opened up on their right. As they approached the back door for second year class one, Kurumu noted that the vending machines would conveniently be right around the corner. Yukari arrived at the door first, drawing it open and stepping inside. Kurumu entered after the witch, leaving the door open for her future classmates.

The classroom looked like every other one. A locker for cleaning supplies was in the back corner near the windows. Thirty five desks were arranged in five rows. A podium stood in front of the center column and the teacher's desk rested in the front corner by the windows. The clock above the chalkboard revealed the time was only eleven minutes after seven.

"Looks like I wasn't the only person that felt it was important to be here early today."

Kurumu smiled at Yukari's remark as they walked up the aisle alongside the center column desks. In the front row desk closest to the front door was a young man with his burgundy locks trimmed in a simple middle part. He glanced at them and to Kurumu's surprise, betrayed no sexual interest in her. His hazel eyes focused upon Yukari as the witch claimed the front row central desk.

"Morning, Ms. Sendou."

Yukari nodded, slipping the strap of her white satchel off her shoulder. She placed the satchel on the floor before hanging her schoolbag on the hooks mounted to the side of the desk.

"Morning. I presume that you are Mr. Musousaki Shinji, formerly from class ten."

Kurumu smirked at Yukari's perfect memory. She tugged the strap of her schoolbag up over her head as she stopped at the desk behind the witch.

"That is correct, Ms. Sendou."

"You were a top ten student but your performance has slipped these last two exams."

"Learning conditions were not as favorable, Ms. Sendou. I still remained in the top fifteen."

Kurumu giggled as the witch sat down. Hanging her schoolbag by its strap, Kurumu settled into the chair of her new desk.

"Don't mind Yukari. She's not insulting you."

"No offense was taken."

Yukari rummaged inside her schoolbag, retrieving a notebook.

"I look forward to being your classmate."

"As do I, Ms. Sendou."

Kurumu smiled as the pair suddenly found their notebooks more interesting. Feeling a little out of place, Kurumu elected to fetch her own notebook out of her schoolbag.

"I still think we are here too early."

"If you intend to have breakfast with me, then you shall walk with me to school."

Kurumu smirked, tugging a notebook out which had a mechanical pencil clipped in the binding.

"Maybe I should start making my own breakfast."

"You do have the ability to do that. You should make use of that kitchen your mother bought for you."

Kurumu sighed, glancing at the clock. The weekend was over. Many seniors had already left with several more departing today and tomorrow. Most she would never see again.

"Yukari. Can you give Sumire something for us to keep in contact with her?"

Yukari glanced over her shoulder with a touch of sadness in her soft brown eyes.

"Sumire doesn't have any battery operated devices that I could connect to my phone system. Even if she did, my magic doesn't penetrate the barrier around Mononoke. I wanted to keep in touch, but I can't."

Yukari returned her attention to her notebook, leaving Kurumu with guilt.

"I'm sorry, Yukari."

The witch made no response as this sense of loss filled Kurumu's heart. Kurumu swallowed down thick emotions, glancing up at the clock which moved so slowly. She needed a distraction.

It was around seven twenty five when she finally heard footsteps. She glanced over her shoulder with a sniffle, noting the arrival of Dakuhime and Yokumoto. She managed a smile as the two drifted over to the aisle closest to the windows. Dakuhime had her grayish locks braided about her head. Yokumoto's long sable tresses threatened to touch the floor. Both had on the school jackets with red bows.

"Good morning, Dakuhime."

The small girl smiled as she walked up the aisle with her silent friend behind her.

"Morning, Ms. Kurono. I need to sit in the front."

"Good morning, Ms. Dakuhime and Ms. Yokumoto."

Dakuhime grinned as she stopped in the front row.

"Morning, Ms. Sendou. Do you want the window?"

Yokumoto nodded, prompting Dakuhime to place her schoolbag on the front row desk closer to Yukari.

"It's too bad that Mrs. Tomarigi canceled our practices. This week is going to be so boring."

Kurumu was fine with that decision as the two girls settled in at their new desks. It made her feel less guilty about having detention this week.

"Did you get to live with Yokumoto like you wanted?"

Dakuhime shrugged before fetching a notebook out of her schoolbag.

"Our rooms weren't shown on our new schedules?"

"Really? But Yokumoto was in class six."

"The same thing happened with Usagi. She listed Momiji as her roommate."

Usagi was Kochimaru from gymnastics. Kochimaru and Dakuhime had both been in class twelve.

"I didn't realize Shinayaka had requested Kochimaru to be her roommate."

"It's probably been approved. Why would they deny us living together when we share homeroom?"

"With how busy they are from seniors moving out, I doubt that they have printed new schedules with your new dorm room assignments. Rubi isn't even finished contacting parents yet."

Dakuhime made a dismissive gesture at Yukari's remarks.

"We are in no hurry to move in."

Kurumu smiled, gesturing at the small girl.

"I didn't see you at the retirement party last night."

"I don't really know Mrs. Takizawa."

"Yea but lots of kids from Aserutani were there."

"Ms. Toboshi said it was crowded and troublesome. I'm glad that I didn't go."

Kurumu chuckled at the mention of the second year drama club girl.

"Are you looking forward to having a bunch of your junior high friends in homeroom?"

Dakuhime paused with a thoughtful look on her cute face.

"I'm glad that they split us up between two homerooms. I've never gotten along with Ms. Fujihara or those airheads in the cheerleader squad. All eighteen of the older students from my junior high got put into Mr. Mitani's homeroom for some crazy reason."

"My grandfather wants to reduce the number of school casualties."

"That would improve the school's image."

Yukari nodded at Musousaki's quick contribution.

"Exactly. Headmaster Mikogami's decision to mix up the races under the pretense that it would help us coexist with humans was terrible. Not many faculty supported it but it was his school, his rules."

"Headmaster Mikogami is probably rolling in his grave."

Yukari huffed at Kurumu.

"That fool can do cartwheels for all I care. Yokai Academy's number of school deaths was higher than the average even back in the eighties. Doing the same thing and expecting different results is the definition of insanity. My grandfather proposed this segregation years ago."

"Morning, Kurumu!"

Kurumu shivered at the booming greeting. She felt familiar desire as she glanced over her shoulder at the grinning Burumoto. The big guy strolled up the first aisle with a broad grin. Three garnet studs pierced the lobe of his left ear.

"Morning, Ushio. Feels like I haven't talked to you in ages."

Ushio chuckled, stopping at the desk behind Musousaki.

"We did have a moment in the lunch line about a month ago."

Kurumu smirked. That was when Asuka had started harassing Taijin over Tamaishi's interest in Taijin.

"How have you been?"

"Biding my time for when you realize that boyfriend of yours isn't man enough for you."

Kurumu pouted as he hung his schoolbag on the side of his desk.

"Nijiro is perfect for me."

"He may have cut his hair but he's still got more in common with a girl. At least Aono was a man."

Kurumu sighed, having plenty of good reasons to be with Nijiro. He was smart and was tolerant of her being such an embarrassment. Undines were also more resistant to her opiate so she could kiss him without as much concern. Though it felt like they barely kissed. He had not kissed her last night.

"Your mother already spoke out against you harboring a crush for me."

"Only because you weren't in love with me."

"I'm not going to date a guy whose parents don't like me."

"It doesn't sound like Mr. Amesuki's parents approve of your relationship."

Kurumu gasped at Yukari's remark.

"That is a misunderstanding! His mother initially approved of me!"

Yukari drawled out a note of disbelief as Ushio chuckled heartily.

"Rumor around the school is that you have psychic powers and can make people like you. Maybe you charmed his mother into being fine with you but it wore off."

Kurumu pouted at Ushio.

"That is not what happened."

"But you could make my parents okay with us being a couple if you really wanted to."

"I am not charming your parents."

Ushio smirked with confidence.

"You can't fight destiny, Kurumu. This is the second time we've been put together."

"Second time? Weren't you in class three?"

Ushio chuckled at Musousaki's confusion.

"I was but so was Kurumu those first two months. She switched homerooms."

"Because you harassed her?"

"Naw. She was having issues with Shirayuki. She even moved out of the dorms because of that."

Kurumu smiled softly, thinking how much had changed between her and Mizore.

"You seem to get along with Mr. Musousaki."

"We went to junior high together, Kurumu. I told you this."

"Don't expect Kurumu to remember things."

Kurumu pouted at Yukari, wondering if Burumoto had told her about this or was just thinking he had. If he did, it was something he had said a very long time ago.

As she was trying to think up a response, she noticed movement in the back. Shinayaka was steering little Kosame with Kochimaru following them. Both gyokuto girls were wearing the beige sweater vests while Kosame had on the standard school jacket and red bow. Shinayaka's white spotted curls reached the swell of her bosom while Kochimaru's long chestnut tresses fell below the bottom hem of her skirt.

"Morning, Kosame. Did you sleep well?"

Shinayaka giggled as she guided the shy girl up the aisle on Kurumu's left.

"I'm thinking she needs to sit in front next to Mayumi."

"Sounds good. Are you sitting behind her?"

Shinayaka grinned, bringing Kosame up to the front of the class.

"If you don't mind."

"I'll sit behind Mayu then."

Kurumu smiled at the declaration from Kochimaru. The buxom girl had a pair of thick glasses with boxy pink frames resting upon her tiny nose. The gymnastics girl settled into the desk behind Dakuhime as Shinayaka helped Kosame claim the desk between Dakuhime and Yukari.

"Hopefully you won't have issue being next to a genius."

Shinayaka giggled at Yukari's remark as Kosame sat down in the chair.

"I'm sure she won't. She'll be quiet as a mouse."

"That better not be a joke."

Shinayaka made a dismissive gesture at Dakuhime before hanging her schoolbag on the hooks of the desk between Kurumu and Kochimaru.

"So what time did you get home last night?"

Kurumu smirked as Shinayaka sat down.

"Around eleven. You should have stayed longer."

"I stayed long enough. Hopefully our new homeroom will be better than the last one."

"I wasn't aware that you had any issues with your last one."

Shinayaka snorted at Kurumu.

"Sure. Disregard the fact that most of the guys in my last class and our homeroom teacher all died before summer break. Things were just great."

"Morning, Yukari! Kurumu."

Kana's cheerful greeting brought Kurumu's attention to the back door. The blond grinned as she came up the aisle on Kurumu's right. Her three tanuki friends followed her. All four had on their green school jackets and tartan pleated skirts.

"Morning, Kana. I didn't see you at the retirement party last night."

Kana gasped, coming to a stop by Kurumu's desk.

"That was last night?!"

"Did you seriously forget?"

Kana laughed sheepishly, rubbing the back of her neck.

"I totally did. Where should we sit?"

"You could sit next to me."

Kana grimaced when Yukari gestured at the nearby desk.

"I don't know if I want to be in the front row."

"I'll sit there if it bothers you too much."

Kana laughed at Touzoku's declaration. Shaking her head, she drifted up to the first desk.

"No. I know Yukari best and think she would prefer that."

"Thank you, Kana."

Kana smiled at Yukari as she slipped her schoolbag strap off her shoulder.

"Not a problem. I'll try not to disappoint you."

"Guess I'll take the desk next to Kurono then."

Ushio snapped his finger at Touzoku's remark.

"I should have done that."

Kurumu snickered as Touzoku and Kana settled into their respective desks.

"You should know better."

Touzoku giggled, rummaging through her schoolbag which she had placed on her desk.

"Is this guy still fawning over you?"

"Yea. He's trying to convince me to dump my boyfriend."

"It's my duty to keep her from making such an obvious mistake."

Touzoku laughed, hanging her schoolbag off the hooks after pulling out a notebook and writing utensil.

"Aren't you too big for her?"

"That's easy to work around."

"Yea. She could just be on top."

Kurumu gasped, wagging a finger at the giggling blond.

"Keep your wicked thoughts to yourself."

"Where… should I sit?"

Itazura looked about with indecisive, emerald eyes as Yochimaru claimed the desk behind Touzoku.

"You could sit behind me."

Itazura nodded with a gracious smile. As she slipped her schoolbag off her shoulder, four boys strolled in through the back door all wearing the school jacket and tan slacks. Boyogaro from the math club was in the front with another tanuki guy behind him. Nukugata was in the rear with Tsukihara from band.

"We were talking about new dorm assignments the other day. I presume that you have yours."

Kana grinned at Yukari's remark as Boyogaro claimed the last vacant front row desk.

"Riku and I will be in East 214. Ran and Fuyuki didn't have room assignments on their new schedules."

"But we requested to live together so we probably will."

"Morning, Ms. Yochimaru."

Yochimaru nodded at Nukugata as he claimed the desk beside her. The unnamed guy had taken the desk between Touzoku and Ushio. Tsukihara lingered in the row with an air of uncertainty.

"I know some of the second year girls on that floor but they are in the other wing."

"It's not like any of us are in a rush to move into our new rooms."

Touzoku giggled at Kana's remark.

"Yea. Kana is the only one with a bunch of stuff to move."

"Do you mind if I sit by you, Ms. Itazura?"

"Uh… sure. Go ahead."

Kurumu smirked as Tsukihara claimed the desk behind Shinayaka. She could feel his mild interest in her body and imagined he harbored similar desires towards the buxom Shinayaka and Kochimaru.

"Ms. Toboshi lives by herself in 214. She intends to move out as soon as suite 111 is available."

Kana perked up at Dakuhime's announcement.

"Well that's good news. It would spare me the trouble of renting a storage space."

"You were going to rent a storage space?"

Kana giggled at Kurumu.

"I'm not taking all of those bookshelves with me back home."

"Looks like trouble walked in."

Yochimaru's remark drew attention to Ichiboku as he skulked down the first aisle.

"He was pretty quiet all year in our homeroom."

"It's always the quiet ones that you have to worry about."

As Ichiboku settled into the desk behind Ushio, the bell sounded, startling Kurumu. She glanced up at the clock, confirming that it was almost time to start this school day.

"I hope that Mizore isn't late."

Burumoto chuckled heartily.

"Shirayuki rarely makes it to class before the tardy bell."

"Which is why we can't walk to school with them."

Kurumu pouted at Yukari's statement.

"She's pregnant. She can't walk as fast as us."

"It's not like that suddenly happened. She should leave earlier."

Kurumu heard the sharp clip of heels out in the hall, approaching the front door. Ms. Atsumoto entered the classroom seconds later. Their new homeroom teacher had a huge stack of papers in her arms as she quickly approached the podium. She was wearing a gray suit over a white blouse with matching gray slacks down to her shiny black heels. Her rusty blond tresses were braided into twin tails which fell most of the way down her back. The salamander stopped behind the podium, setting her burden down.

"Good morning, class. Hopefully you all had a relaxing weekend."

The woman grinned with brightness in her lime green eyes.

"I trust that you are aware that you are in second year class one. I am Atsumoto Hotori and I shall be your homeroom and math teacher for the year."

"Shouldn't you wait for the tardy bell for introductions?"

Ms. Atsumoto giggled at Kurumu's mild protest.

"It should be fine. There is only twenty one students in this class and it looks like most of you are here."

The teacher stalked over to her desk, tugging a drawer open. She retrieved a mechanical pencil, closing the drawer before returning to the podium.

"I will do the attendance now so I won't have to fight for your attention while the announcements are being shared. I'm sure that I can figure out whom the stragglers are when they arrive."

Ms. Atsumoto pulled a sheet out from the stack, looking up at them.

"I'm also going to record your seating arrangement while I'm at it. So I hope that you are all okay with keeping those desks for at least the first term of your next school year."

Several students sounded an acceptance to that.

"Anagume Kosame."

Kosame promptly stood up and bowed her head. The teacher giggled, making a note on the sheet.

"You can just answer to your name, Ms. Anagume. No need to stand up."

Kosame nodded vehemently, sitting back down.

"Itazura Fuyuki."

"Here."

The teacher smiled at the stammered response, jotting down on her sheet.

"Ichiboku Naoki."

"Here."

"Umizake Aoi."

"He isn't here yet. His fiancée walks very slowly because she's pregnant."

Ms. Atsumoto giggled at Yukari's explanation.

"I see that Kurono Kurumu is here. Kochimaru Usagi."

"I'm here."

The teacher glanced up before making a note on the sheet.

"Shinayaka Momiji."

"Present."

"Shirayuki Mizore."

"That's the fiancée I just mentioned."

Ms. Atsumoto giggled, glancing at the back.

"Don't sit back there, young man. Have a seat up in the front with the rest of the class."

Nakai frowned, having already placed his schoolbag on top of the back row desk closest to the door.

"Can't I sit back here?"

"Sit behind Ms. Kochimaru."

The guy sighed, hauling his schoolbag up. He shuffled across the back of the classroom.

"Obviously Ms. Sendou Yukari is here. Tsukihara Yori."

"I'm here."

The teacher nodded as Nakai settled into the desk beside Tsukihara.

"Touzoku Ran."

"Ready and able!"

Ms. Atsumoto chuckled, marking up her sheet.

"Nakai Iyashii."

"That's me."

"Yes you are. Nukugata Okiniiri."

"Present."

The teacher nodded, writing on her roster.

"Musousaki Shinji."

"Here."

The teacher continued rattling off names. Yakuza Kazuya was next and he was the guy between Touzoku and Ushio. Yokumoto Toshiko quietly responded. Yochimaru Riku answered with a bored tone. Zukkutani Kana responded cheerfully. Dakuhime Mayumi politely and succinctly acknowledged the teacher. Burumoto Ushio bellowed out his presence. And Boyogaro Fukito was the last name called.

"Looks like I only have two students absent. I will put them both behind Ms. Yokumoto. I'm sure that she would prefer the girl to be directly behind her."

Yokumoto made no comment as Ms. Atsumoto made some notes on her paper. The teacher shuffled a portfolio out from beneath the stack, tucking the roster inside it.

"Now we just have to wait for the bell. Hopefully those two will show up before the announcements are finished as we do have important things to discuss before we get started."

It was strange how long the silence felt as they waited for the tardy bell. When it finally sounded out, the silence persisted for another two full minutes before the PA system livened up.

"Good morning, students. I hope that none of you made the mistake of going to your old homerooms."

Kurumu smirked, thinking any first years would have immediately realized the issue as most of the first year teachers were not on campus today.

"Our new third years should check in the admissions office today to see if their new suites are available. Over a third of our graduates have already left Mononoke and it would be easier on everyone if our new third years move into their new homes as quickly as possible."

The physics teacher paused with an audible breath.

"Many of our new second years do not have their new dorm assignments. These will be available in the admissions office on Wednesday morning. Please do not go to the admissions office before then as our staff will be busy with other matters."

Kurumu glanced at the back door in the following pause. It bothered her that Mizore was still not here.

"Lunch will be served according to the new schedule. Students with fourth period gym will have their seventh or eighth period lecture instead. The school day will end at the conclusion of sixth period. And that is all of the announcements for today. Good luck with your new homerooms."

"Close the back door, Mr. Ichiboku."

The young man got up from his desk, moving to complete the command as the teacher made her way over to the front door. The PA system went silent as the teacher closed the front door. The salamander was back to the podium before Ichiboku had returned to his desk. The woman clapped her hands.

"First thing on the agenda. Whom wants to be the class representative?"

"I'll do it!"

Kurumu grinned at Yukari's immediate response. Ms. Atsumoto smirked, glancing about the class.

"Do I have anybody else interested in the role?"

Kurumu smiled softly as silence answered the teacher's question. Ms. Atsumoto chuckled.

"Well this won't be official until the end of the first week of next school year. But if nobody else intends to challenge Ms. Sendou, I'll go ahead and write her down for the position. If anyone has a change of heart over spring break, be sure to let me know."

Kurumu doubted that would happen.

"Now for the other important thing."

Ms. Atsumoto set aside the portfolio. She hefted up the stack of papers.

"This is your spring break homework assignment."

Kurumu grimaced as the teacher walked over to Musousaki.

"I'm going to devote this week to showing you how to do the problems in this packet so you all should listen carefully. If you manage your time properly, you might even be able to finish your homework before you leave campus."

"As if Kurumu could do that."

Kurumu pouted at Yukari's remark as the teacher handed off three packets to Musousaki.

"These need to be turned in on the first Friday of the next school year."

Ms. Atsumoto paused to hand off three packets to Boyogaro.

"While you could procrastinate until next school year to do this, my goal will be to press forward with new subject material during that first week. Please don't hold the class up."

"Yea, Kurumu."

Kurumu could only pout as the other girls giggled at her teasing.

Mrs. Unsei let out a sigh of relief as the bell sounded the start of their lunch hour. The English teacher had on a short sleeved, brown blouse with a black pencil skirt. She quickly gathered up her materials on the podium, gesturing at Yukari.

"As this practically is the end of your school day, would you dismiss the class, Ms. Sendou?"

Yukari promptly stood up.

"Stand."

Kurumu got to her feet along with the rest of her classmates.

"Bow."

Kurumu bowed her head slightly, thinking about how long this day had felt.

"Dismissed."

"Thank you, Ms. Sendou. I'll see you all tomorrow."

Kurumu sighed heavily, slumping into her seat. As the teacher walked off, her classmates started putting away their things. Kurumu took her schoolbag off the hooks, pulling it into her lap. Opening it up, she reached over to fetch her English homework packet.

"Today has been brutal."

Kurumu nodded at Touzoku's complaint.

"Yea. It feels like every teacher wants us to do our spring break homework before spring break."

"I thought this last week of school was supposed to easy and relaxing."

"What part about this is hard?"

Touzoku wagged her finger at Yukari.

"I don't want to hear the class genius judging the difficulty of our assignments."

Kana sighed heavily, standing up. She brought the strap of her schoolbag up onto her shoulder.

"I'd suggest going home if the dining hall was serving lunch."

"Kurono can't do that since she has detention."

Closing up her schoolbag, Kurumu pouted at Touzoku.

"It's not that big of a deal."

Touzoku giggled, getting up while shouldering her schoolbag.

"May as well find out how bad the new lunch line will be."

"Are you joining us, Riku, or will you eat with your boyfriend?"

Yochimaru shrugged as she and Itazura drifted over to Touzoku.

"I'll at least wait in line with you guys."

"I hope… the line… is better."

Touzoku snorted as the four girls started for the front door.

"As if these two would understand our woes."

"It was nice being done before most of the other classes even arrived."

Kurumu smiled as the girls departed, noting that many of the guys had taken off. Ushio was lingering with his attention upon her. She shook her head.

"I'm not having lunch with you, Ushio."

He chuckled heartily, deciding to stand up from his seat.

"Why not? We could celebrate our fated reunion."

"I'm going to leave her with you."

Kurumu turned slightly as a cold hand touched her shoulder. She smiled at Mizore whose black sports bra could be seen through the thin fabric of her school blouse. Her fiancé regarded Kurumu with steel blue eyes. He was garbed in the black PSC jacket and black slacks and had been sitting behind Mizore. The couple had arrived shortly after the math homework packets had been handed out.

"Are you not eating lunch with us?"

"I'm going to see if they are still serving those lunches for the PSC. I'll see you in the cafeteria."

Kurumu nodded as the young man took off with both his and Mizore's schoolbags.

"Come on, Kurumu. Have lunch with me."

Kurumu smirked at the persistent guy.

"Don't you have a soccer team to eat with?"

"Don't know if any of my teammates have lunch this period."

Shinayaka giggled, having stood up from her desk.

"I'm in the same boat. I know Ms. Makiba, Nyanya and Ms. Irewata are all in fourth period lunch. I think my only teammates with this lunch period are Ms. Uta and Ms. Kirisame."

"Ms. Kurono should eat with Toshiko and me. We are in choir together."

Kurumu giggled at Dakuhime's declaration.

"Planning to secure a cafeteria table for the choir?"

"I wonder if the gymnastics club could have a table this year."

"We are eating together, Usagi. That's not up for debate."

Kochimaru pouted at Shinayaka.

"But several girls from my club have this lunch period. Ms. Touzoku, Ms. Amesuki and Ms. Watakoma."

Shinayaka sighed, relaxing her shoulders.

"Maybe our clubs could share a table. Is your sister coming to pick you up, Kosame?"

When the shy girl shrugged, the buxom volleyball girl held a hand out.

"Then you should come with us. We'll help you find your sister in the cafeteria."

Kosame took Shinayaka's hand, slipping out of her chair. She retrieved her schoolbag, hefting it up onto her shoulder. Then she allowed Shinayaka to lead her out of the room with Kochimaru on their heels.

"I can join you at the new choir table if you insist."

Kurumu laughed, having not forgotten Ushio's presence. That was impossible with him indulging naughty thoughts about her. She made a shooing gesture at him.

"I'll consider it."

"We will save you a seat then."

Kurumu smiled at Dakuhime, nodding as the girl started off with Yokumoto in tow. Ushio easily reached the door first, leaving with a deep chuckle. Seconds later, Kurumu was in the familiar scenario of being alone in her homeroom with only Yukari. Except this time she had Mizore lingering beside her.

"I'm tempted to wait in line just to see how bad it is."

Yukari huffed, finally putting away her things.

"There is no reason for that. I made you a lunch."

"I know. I'm just curious."

"We can see how bad it is when we walk by it."

Kurumu got to her feet while hauling her schoolbag up by its strap. The moment she had it on her shoulder, Mizore clung to her other arm. She giggled when the snow girl started nuzzling her shoulder.

"I missed you."

"Says the girl that cut out of Mrs. Takizawa's retirement party early."

"That was crowded and noisy. No chance to be alone with you."

"We should get our drinks first."

Kurumu nodded at Yukari's suggestion. The witch had already hopped out of her seat and was picking up both her schoolbag and satchel. Once Yukari had both straps on her shoulders, she started for the door. Kurumu slowly walked after Yukari with Mizore pressed to her side. She shivered slightly as they exited the room, thinking Mizore was being lax in her control of her emotions.

The second year hall was astonishingly quiet with only a distant murmur from the students gathered in the lunch line far behind them. In moments they were around the corner, facing the vending machines.

"What drink do you want, Shirayuki?"

"The PSC lunch has soup."

"You don't know if your fiancé will be able to get that."

"Green tea will be fine."

Yukari nodded, pushing coins into the slot. Once she had the correct amount, she pushed the button to send a can tumbling into the bin below.

"Can you get that, Kurumu?"

Kurumu nodded, leaning over to push back the flap.

"I'll have the usual yuzu juice."

Yukari sounded an affirmative as she pushed more coins into the slot. Kurumu grinned, presenting the tea to Mizore. The snow girl sighed, releasing Kurumu's arm to take the offering as another drink was sent to the bin. Kurumu bent over to fetch her juice.

"Promise not to have your baby over spring break. I want to be there when Hatsue is born."

Mizore laughed softly as Kurumu straightened up with her drink in hand.

"She'll come when she's ready."

"I would like her to come early but at least hold out until we're back on campus. The hospital staff here are more familiar with your situation."

"Okay, I'm ready."

Kurumu grinned at Yukari's announcement, noticing that the witch had bought Georgia coffee. She followed Yukari around the corner, matching Yukari's short stride with ease.

"Do you think the other classrooms picked their new class representatives?"

"Maybe. You can ask around at lunch."

Kurumu smiled thinly. Kokoa was the only one she could ask at lunch. She was more curious how things would work out with Moka. Hiboshi had wanted to be class representative last year but Tsukune had taken the spot. Now the kitsune was in Moka's homeroom so there was bound to be some conflict.

As they passed under the crossover between classes three and ten, Kurumu wished she could have seen Moka in the hall between classes to ask about this. But every class had been held to the bell and she had spent her breaks chatting with Kana's friends instead. It was too bad that Mr. Yokei had not done his first lecture in his lab since Moka also had biology second period.

Kurumu shivered when Mizore grabbed hold of her arm. She favored the snow girl a smile, noting the girl held her tea against the swell of her bosom.

"Are you looking forward to your spring break?"

"I'm thinking my family is going to freak out when they see how huge I am."

Kurumu giggled. The last time Mizore's family had seen her, the snow girl had not even looked pregnant.

"Yea. That will be a shock."

"This lunch line is still too long."

Yukari gestured at the end of the line which was not even to the first door of Ms. Yumeito's lab.

"That doesn't look so bad."

"That's how long it is without the first years. It's going to stretch almost to the back door of class seven."

"That's still an improvement."

"You don't get it. Ms. Yumeito's lab will have a class during fifth and sixth period lunch. My grandfather needs to make a rule to keep the line from stretching down this hallway."

Kurumu nodded thoughtfully as they walked by the stair coming down between the doors for the home economics room.

"Maybe he can have the line stretch towards the stair going up to the first year hall."

"That might work."

They continued walking down the center of the hall, reaching the end in moments. Kurumu stepped ahead of Yukari as they neared the students in line, politely asking them to step aside so that they could get through. Nobody gave her grief for the request, letting her through almost immediately.

The first thing Kurumu noticed was how short the line was for the older students. It made her wonder if they had been let out earlier. The next thing she noticed was how empty the cafeteria was. It had her thinking that some people had just left campus instead of bothering with lunch.

Kurumu steered Mizore over to the center aisle, noting all of the empty tables on either side of them. It was easy to find Umizake. He had already taken a seat across from Koike and Ginei. The trio had claimed a table by the door to the practice gym on their right.

"Can we find a different table to have lunch?"

Kurumu giggled at Yukari's request. She glanced about, spying Nijiro sitting at his usual math table with the three first years of his former club.

"We could eat with my boyfriend instead."

"I'll pass on that."

The tables that had belonged to the auto and computer clubs had been claimed by the kappas of the fishing and arcade clubs. The Unabara twins were at another table near the front with the boys of the bowling club in the aisle table beside them.

"Kurumu!"

Kokoa beckoned to them from a nearby table on the left. The silver haired vampire was sharing a table with Nagisa, Uta, Kirisame and Mizudake. Grinning, Kurumu sashayed over to the group.

"Hey, Kokoa. Did you demand to be class representative again?"

Nagisa giggled, thumbing at the vampire.

"She brought it up to Mr. Wada. He's fine with her taking the position if nobody else cares."

"Are you going to be class representative again?"

Yukari huffed at Kokoa's query.

"Naturally. Nobody in my homeroom is interested in student government."

"Yuri is also reprising her role as a class representative."

Mizudake laughed haughtily at Uta's declaration.

"Of course I am. Nobody else would do it."

"Mr. Shiname would if you let him."

Mizudake stuck her tongue out at Uta as the other girls giggled.

"So the three of you are in Nijiro's homeroom?"

"We are. It's strange for us all to be together again."

Kurumu grinned, glancing about.

"Where is Shiname?"

Mizudake sighed dramatically.

"He's probably waiting in front of Hitsumi's classroom."

"Did your boyfriend tell you that he's living with her cousin?"

Kurumu smirked at Uta.

"Yes. They'll be living in suite 809. What suite did you get?"

"I'm in 119 with Kozui."

Kirisame nodded, absently poking at her meal with her disposable chopsticks.

"We were hoping to move in soon but don't know when the current residents are leaving."

"Whom lives there now?"

"We were told it was Mr. Tensai's daughter and some gymnastics girl."

Kurumu brightened up, knowing the answer to this.

"I don't know when Ms. Tensai is moving out, but Ms. Netsukaze can't leave until Wednesday morning."

The two undines shared a grimace.

"That's cutting it close. We might not be able to move in until Thursday."

Kurumu grinned, gesturing at Mizudake.

"Are you living by yourself?"

"Mhm. I'll be in 114 which is currently home to Ms. Dakiashi."

"I saw her at Mrs. Takizawa's retirement party last night. She's leaving today."

"I am aware of that, Ms. Kurono. Your boyfriend told me."

"Kurumu! Get our ass over here!"

Kurumu blushed at Ginei's loud summons. She sighed, glancing over her shoulder. Ginei grinned broadly, gesturing to them while Koike laughed. Umizake had a blank expression.

"I guess we should take Mizore over to her husband before we find our own table."

"Don't leave me with Ginei."

Kurumu giggled at Mizore's plea, supposing she should stick around.

"I'm just kidding. I'll visit you and Moka after school today."

"Sure. We'll be around for Ms. Chouda's departure."

Kurumu smiled softly at Kokoa, nodding.

"Later then."

She walked off with Mizore holding her arm while Yukari followed behind them.

"About time you realized this was your place."

"Oh shush, you pervert. I had plenty of other offers from people to have lunch with."

Yukari snorted, taking a seat beside Umizake as Kurumu guided Mizore around the young man. The snow girl let go of her arm, slowly stepping over the bench to sit down on his other side.

"Of course you do. I imagine you'll have five different lunch groups like you did this year."

Kurumu smirked, settling in beside Mizore.

"I don't know about that but I certainly have more than one option."

"So how did you get here so quickly?"

Ginei smirked, gesturing at his tray laden with Styrofoam boxes.

"The complimentary PSC meal. Kousuke was kind enough to share his VIP treatment."

Kurumu smiled softly as her periwinkle bento was handed over to her. She murmured her thanks, placing her juice on the table.

"Guess this is how our new year will look like."

"Not even close, Kurumu. We have a lot of new faces that will be coming onto campus soon. This place will be just as lively as it was last year."

As Kurumu opened up her bento, she hoped that Ginei was right.

March 20th

Hey there, Kabuki.

I didn't get a response from you after my last letter. I'm mildly disappointed about that but I guess you are as busy as I have been this last month. I had term exams, graduation, a retirement party, Yukari's birthday and a choir concert. And despite all of that, it doesn't feel like I have much to write about.

The choir concert was okay but we didn't win or even place. I learned a lot about my seniors in that club whom have graduated and moved on with their lives. Not exactly a happy sentiment.

Exams were exams and I didn't get to see much of Yukari's parents since her birthday fell on the same weekend as our concert. A part of me thinks it was a mistake to go to a competition that we had no chance in winning. But I don't know how much more fun it would have been staying here.

I learned new things about my mother but there are some mysteries that remain unresolved. When my mother left Mononoke, a young man related to an elder of this community was killed. He knew the truth about whom had started the fire that had wiped out a good chunk of the town. This elder seems to think my mother was responsible despite the evidence saying otherwise.

A part of me wants to believe that this mean old man started the fire and killed his own grandson. But I'm only saying that because he yelled at me for being inside his bank. It doesn't help that I've seen a similar situation. Kuyo knew that Tsukune had not killed his mentor but had blamed Tsukune anyways. Maybe this old man blames my mother for forcing him to kill his grandson.

As tempting as it is to find the truth out about this, I'm more concerned with the things that are going on now. I just said goodbye to a lot of seniors whom I most likely will never see again. That includes Sumire whom left before dinner. I've already moved all of my things into her suite, since this is my new home.

Funny. I teased Moka and Kokoa over not changing their layout and yet I did the exact same thing. I need to get rid of this old furniture. It reminds me of a past that I regret. I have mommy's butsudan. That is enough memory for me. Besides. I don't have any real sentimental attachment to junk that I got before junior high. New furniture would be nice.

I don't recall if you ever saw the magic doorways that Yukari installed which connected Sumire's suite to mine and hers. Obviously I won't need the one that goes back to my old room but I still can visit Yukari on a whim. She'll still be living in that suite next year with Rubi.

My other neighbors are the Hitozen twins whom I understand are keeping their suite. I honestly haven't talked with them since the cultural festival last year. I should try to get to know my neighbors better.

I had dinner at Moka and Kokoa's place tonight. They now live in the suite below Yukari's. Their sister was over last weekend and helped them move. She also had good news for our spring break plans.

I don't remember if we mentioned Tsukune's Disney promise to you but it looks like we will be able to do that. We have it scheduled for the fifth of April which is the day after his mother's birthday. Originally I was not sure if I could go to this but I have solidified my spring break plans with Nijiro. I will be spending the first week of my spring break in Aranami and come back to Mononoke on the third of April.

I should be more excited for my spring break but I'm feeling a little depressed. It's like a huge chapter of my life has finally come to an end. I know it's just one school year and that I've got two more to go. But the future feels so vast and empty. I don't know what I'm going to do with it.

Speaking of neighbors, Mizore and Umizake were approved to live together. They'll be moving into the suite below the Hitozen twins on Wednesday. Mizore looks very pregnant now. She might even be too pregnant to go on any rides at Disney.

I'm including my new suite number on the envelope. If you write to me, you should use this address. I don't know if I will be able to get mail sent to my old address. I can ask Ms. Kurokira about that when I hand her over this letter.

I will call you over the break. I will be outside of the barrier for that Disney trip so you can count on that. I have no idea when I will get to see you again since I won't be in Iromori any time soon. Most likely my summer break will be in Yukimura since Mizore is going to get married. Maybe you can convince your mother to let you come there. It's a pretty place but bring warm clothes.

If not, maybe you could stop by Iromori over spring break. Moka and Kokoa will be staying there for a week since Kokoa has a fencing tournament in Arukasa. That might be fun for you.

And just like that I have nothing else to write about.

I love you and wish you were here. It's difficult sleeping alone.

Till we meet again.