Kurumu grumbled when someone shook her. Her groggy mind acknowledged the darkness as her senses reported her surroundings. Hot breath tickled her breasts as she held a head against them. Her captive's arms were about her torso and their legs were entwined beneath a heavy blanket. Her shoulder received another firm push.
"Come on, Kurumu. Get up."
Tora's voice. Kurumu forced her eyes open, unable to recall her dream or if she had dreamed at all. Her vision adjusted to the room's dim light as she heard soft giggles and slight movement nearby. Creamy blond hair near her face. She wondered if the firm futon beneath her was hers or Kanari's.
"They look like lovers."
More giggles as Kurumu yawned. The hand on her bare shoulder remained.
"I've been in one of her holds before. It's more frightening than sexual."
"That doesn't look scary to me."
The hand on her shoulder drifted up to run through her hair.
"Depends on the dream she is having. Are you awake yet?"
Kurumu turned her head on the pillow to regard the sphinx hovering over her. Tora's raven locks were unbound, possessing a wavy appearance down to her shoulders. Her green school jacket was left open with a red bow tied at the collar of her white blouse.
"What time is it?"
"A little after seven."
Kurumu dragged her left hand up to caress the back of Kanari's head resting upon her left arm. The top of the blanket was at her waist below the harpy's grip. She grabbed Kanari's arm about her with her free hand, tugging it up. Kanari reflexively tightened her grip, grumbling a soft protest into Kurumu's bosom.
"She won't let me go."
Tora chuckled softly, leaning over to give Kanari a gentle nudge.
"Wake up, Ms. Bouzuki."
"Five more minutes."
The girls giggled at the bleary protest. Tora scooted down and suddenly the blanket covering Kurumu was drawn aside. The sphinx stood up with the blanket, folding it in her arms.
"We can't allow that. Now get dressed."
Kurumu shivered as cool air tickled her bare rump and legs. Her silken black chemise was pooled at her waist, leaving the rest of her vulnerable. Kanari groaned, relaxing her grip as she pulled her leg out from between Kurumu's thighs. The harpy rolled onto her back, withdrawing her arm. She licked her lips as her eyes fluttered open. Her bosom strained against the white silk top with matching silk shorts.
"That's a sexy ass."
The girls giggled at Zuri's remark.
"I still think those pajamas aren't appropriate for a school function."
Kurumu grunted at Sangi's amused tone. She slipped her arm out from beneath Kanari's head as she sat up. She flexed her left hand which still had most of its feeling.
Tora was putting the folded blanket inside the closet where they had found their bedding. Okimune and Sangi lingered by the door to the hallway. The undine had left her gorgeous blue curls unbound. Both girls had their schoolbags and were wearing their school jackets. Sangi had left hers open but her bow was tied at her collar.
Zuri was buttoning up her school blouse over a boring white bra. Matching panties graced her rump as she dressed by her schoolbag. Ren pulled out a dull white bra from her schoolbag on top of her black flute case, still wearing the pink cotton shorts she had slept in. The twin tail spirals of both sisters had not been troubled in the slightest by the night's rest.
Mrs. Tomarigi was still sleeping on a futon on the other side of Kanari. A black mask was pulled over the woman's eyes and her blanket was drawn up to her chin. The sheet lifted slightly with each breath.
This was Kanari's futon. Kurumu glanced about, confirming that her futon was missing as the sphinx wandered over to her schoolbag. The futons for the three fully dressed girls had already been put away. They must have woken up before the Umou sisters whom still had their bedding out.
"When did Mrs. Tomarigi get here?"
Sangi and Okimune shared a glance, giggling. Okimune shook her head as Sangi opened the door.
"She wasn't here when we finally turned in."
"Yea. We went to bed maybe a half hour after the rest of you did."
Tora hauled her schoolbag up onto her shoulder as she drifted over to join the girls at the door.
"We are going to get breakfast. You should take everything with you since we are checking out before we go to the school."
Kanari let out a melodious grunt as she lowered her arms from stretching. She started rubbing her right arm as she glanced about.
"What time is it?"
"Time to get up. We'll see you downstairs."
Kurumu sounded her understanding as Tora exited the room on the heels of the older girls. Letting out a sigh, Kurumu rolled onto her knees and crawled over to her schoolbag resting against the wall nearby. Her school jacket was draped over it. Kneeling beside her bag, she moved the jacket aside.
"Shouldn't the two lovers share a morning kiss first?"
"It's not like that."
Kurumu chuckled softly at Kanari's groggy response to Zuri's teasing. She opened up her schoolbag, fishing out her strapless black bra and black boyshorts with the white heart pattern.
"I have a boyfriend."
"And Kanari is willing to carry your babies."
"Shut up."
Kurumu retrieved her second school blouse and skirt from her bag, setting them aside. As she fetched her other pair of socks, she noticed Kanari had crawled over to her own schoolbag. Grinning, Kurumu grabbed the bottom hem of her chemise and tugged it up over her head. Naked, she stuffed the silk garment in her schoolbag.
"She's just jealous because she doesn't have a lover of her own."
"I'm not jealous. But I am annoyed that despite my efforts, Ren still isn't pregnant."
Kurumu laughed at Zuri's remark, pulling on her strapless bra.
"I heard about what you did to poor Uchiyama."
"I swear the both of them are cowards. It was obvious he would have gone along with it if Ren had any backbone. She just stood there like a moron."
"I was mortified!"
Zuri hissed at her sister as Kurumu finished fixing her breasts comfortably in this stretchy cotton bra. Grabbing her boyshorts, she lifted up onto her feet.
"Keep your voice down."
"You have more black lingerie?"
Kurumu grinned at Kanari, feeling a sweet sensation tickling her core as Kanari appreciated her state of dress. Kurumu stepped into her boyshorts, tugging the cotton up over her patch of arctic blue curls and smoothing the lace hem about her waist.
"Mhm. I have lots of colors."
The harpy nodded thoughtfully, taking out her clothes for today which included a simple pink set of lingerie. Kurumu leaned down to snatch up her skirt.
"What you did was wrong."
"Oh please. He was obviously hard."
"That didn't mean you had permission to take it out!"
"What are you two talking about?"
Kurumu smiled at Kanari's confusion. She tightened her skirt at her waist before kneeling back down. Grabbing her blouse, she whipped it around behind her and thrust her arms through the long sleeves.
"These two were alone with Uchiyama in a karaoke room a couple of weekends ago. Zuri had the crazy idea to take his dick out."
Kanari's eyes went wide as Kurumu started buttoning up her blouse.
"No way!"
"He wanted it!"
"If he wanted it so badly, he wouldn't have ran out of the room like a frightened animal."
"If you had been even the slightest bit assertive, he would have gone along with it."
"We had just met!"
"Let me sleep."
Kurumu smiled apologetically in the direction of the groaning teacher. The woman turned on her side with her back to them. Kurumu glanced at Kanari whom was still in her pajamas.
"You should get dressed."
Kanari nodded in wide eyed stupor.
"I can't believe Zuri did that."
"It was for Ren's sake. She's going to graduate in a month and she still doesn't have a baby."
Finished with her school blouse, Kurumu stood up to put on her socks. Zuri was fully dressed and was rolling up a futon while Ren was tying a red ribbon at her collar.
"What do you plan to do after graduation?"
Ren grimaced, meticulously finishing her task.
"I don't know. I'm sure there is some job that I can do in Hankyouta."
"She has no plans. She's going to end up a childless hen if she doesn't take this seriously."
Ren flinched, glancing away as her sister hefted up the futon. Zuri shuffled over to the open closet, stowing the bedding away. Ren sighed, pulling her schoolbag over.
"You shouldn't have done that, Zuri. You probably ruined your chances with him."
Zuri huffed as she returned from the closet.
"I have two more years. And those are some nice titties."
Kanari gasped at Zuri's gesture. The blushing harpy promptly covered her erect, dark nipples with the pink bra cups. She quickly fixed her breasts into the cups, shaking her head.
"You shouldn't say such embarrassing things."
Zuri shrugged, kneeling by her sister's futon. She started rolling it up.
"I don't get why you and Ren are so embarrassed by your bodies. Ms. Kurono isn't ashamed of hers."
Kurumu frowned at that conclusion, carefully tying her ribbon below the collar of her school blouse.
"What makes you think that?"
Zuri laughed, hefting the futon up as she got to her feet.
"Just look at you. You're amazing. Frankly I think my body is awesome."
Ren shook her head, getting up with her schoolbag and flute case.
"I don't know why you think that. You've never had a boyfriend."
Zuri snorted, putting the other futon away in the closet.
"I don't need a man to validate my body's worth."
The harpy turned about and gestured at Kurumu.
"I bet that Ms. Kurono knew how sexy she was before she had a boyfriend."
Kurumu smiled thinly as she finally finished with her bow. She knelt by her things, grabbing her clothes from yesterday and stuffing them into her schoolbag.
"I have like a sixth sense about guys being interested in me. I can feel their desire to have sex with me."
"See. Your confidence isn't normal."
Zuri frowned as she wandered over to retrieve her schoolbag.
"But knowing guys are creeping on you wouldn't make you confident. My body is sexy but I'd probably get freaked out if I felt a bunch of strange guys fantasizing about me."
"Yea. I'd probably be too scared to go outside."
Kurumu smiled at Kanari. The blond had buttoned up her school blouse but was still in her silk shorts.
"At first I did wear a bunch of baggy clothes to hide my figure. But that sixth sense I mentioned requires attention. It hurt to avoid guys so I went back to dressing in normal clothes."
"But you are confident in your body, right?"
Kurumu laughed at Zuri's persistence. She grabbed her jacket, slipping it on.
"Yes. I knew that I was prettier than other girls. That was part of why they mistreated me so much."
Kanari frowned, fetching her own red ribbon.
"You were mistreated?"
"In junior high. The girls liked to torment me because I was a succubus. In their eyes, I was a whore."
"Well Ren was head over heels for a guy back in junior high but she was too afraid to ask him out."
Ren sighed, walking over to the door with her things in hand.
"He was in love with somebody else."
Zuri huffed, stalking over to the foot of Kanari's futon.
"Koruri was never interested in him. Everybody knew that."
"That doesn't change the way he felt about her."
Zuri knelt down, grabbing the bottom of the futon.
"You could have changed his mind."
"Who are we talking about?"
Kurumu shrugged as Kanari tugged her pajama bottoms down to her ankles. A tuft of blond curls graced her pale navel. The girl quickly donned a pair of plain, pink panties as Zuri rolled up her futon.
"This is the first I've heard of this."
"His name is Higen Natoru. He graduated from Yokai Academy last year."
"I didn't know that Ren had someone like that."
"He was just a friend, Kanari."
Zuri snorted, standing up with the futon in her arms.
"People don't masturbate gasping out the names of their friends."
"I never did that!"
Zuri laughed as she carried the futon over to the closet.
"We shared a room. Don't lie to me. It happened several times."
Ren blushed, lingering by the door. She fussed with her schoolbag strap as Zuri shut the closet panel.
"Maybe I did but it doesn't matter. He never wanted me."
Sensing they would leave soon, Kurumu grabbed the strap of her schoolbag. She stood up, hauling the strap up over her head to rest on her right shoulder.
"Did you ever try asking him out?"
Ren sighed as her taller sister joined her.
"No. He rejected two girls from our village during his high school years. I didn't want to be the third."
"One of those girls was a year older than him and the other was never his friend. You had a chance. As a friend, he could have helped you out."
"How can you say that? I was always there for him. If he wanted me, he could have asked."
"He's a tengu. You know they won't ask."
Ren's lower lip trembled as her eyes wavered.
"Because the only thing I have to offer is sex."
"But that's a big bargaining chip, Ren. The two of you could have been a couple just like Ritsu is with Mr. Ichida. Having a baby with the guy you love is better than nothing."
And the tears started to fall.
"I didn't want the baby. I wanted him."
Zuri immediately stepped in to touch her sister's shoulders.
"Whoa. Don't start crying."
Ren bowed her head, backing into the door frame.
"He didn't want me. I wasn't good enough. I'll end up alone."
"Don't say that. You're very pretty. You'll find a guy to give you a baby."
Kurumu glanced at Kanari whom had on her skirt and was pulling up a sock. The girl smiled nervously at Kurumu before putting her foot into the other sock. Kurumu glanced back at the sisters at the door.
"What happened to this guy? Is he in college?"
Zuri caressed the hair about Ren's ear as the girl continued to sob softly.
"I don't think so. He probably just helps his father at their shop."
"Maybe Ren could go visit him."
Zuri flinched as Ren whimpered piteously.
"She can't. Harpies aren't allowed in Koutoukumo. Their schools are built on the edge of town to keep girls like us away from the locals."
Kurumu frowned at this revelation.
"But what about that dojo where Sonoda met Megumareta."
Zuri paused with a confused look. After a moment, she laughed and resumed caressing her sister.
"Oh that. Mr. Tsuyoshima's dojo is also on the outskirts of town."
"Hold up. When I asked you about Sonoda and Megumareta a month ago, you never said that Sonoda couldn't set foot in Koutoukumo."
"Because I'm happy for Kamoko. Every girl dreams of being with their first love. Bringing that up would only make you feel bad."
Kurumu flinched. While Tsukune had not been her first boyfriend, he had certainly been the first boy she had been completely smitten with. She did not want to think about that sentiment being true. Kurumu gestured at the door.
"Is everyone ready to go down to breakfast?"
Zuri wiped a tear off Ren's cheek with her thumb.
"Do you need more time to settle down?"
"It's your fault that she started crying."
Zuri frowned, glancing over her shoulder at Kanari. The blond had on her school jacket and was stuffing her clothes from yesterday into her schoolbag.
"It's her fault. You realize how frustrating this is for me. How can I get a guy with her being like this?"
"What does that have to do with her?"
Zuri sighed, withdrawing her hands from her sister. She turned to face Kurumu.
"We practically have the same body. If I get a boyfriend before she does, than the only thing Ren will have to blame is her personality."
"Leave me alone."
Ren turned about and stalked out of the room. Zuri reached for her sister but remained in the room.
"Will she be able to find a job in Hankyouta?"
Zuri shrugged as Kurumu wandered over to join her.
"I have no idea. But she'll need to find one or Mom won't let her stay."
"I think it's terrible that mothers kick out their daughters in your community."
"It's for her own good. She'll never meet a man in Hankyouta."
Kanari hauled her schoolbag strap up onto her shoulder.
"My mother might take her in if she wants."
Zuri nodded, drifting out into the hallway.
"That's not a bad idea. Maybe Ren will meet a nice human."
Kurumu sighed with a shake of her head. She took one last glance about this bland room. Their teacher remained lying on a futon farthest from the door. A shade was pulled down over the only window in this space. She reached to the side of the door, flipping the switch to turn off the central overhead light.
"I hope that Mrs. Tomarigi doesn't mind us abandoning her."
Zuri giggled as Kurumu wandered out into the hall after Kanari.
"I think she had too much fun with the other choir teachers last night."
Kurumu snickered as Kanari closed the door. Mrs. Tomarigi had left the hotel after nine to socialize with the enemy. It still surprised Kurumu that the harpy seemed fine with these women looking down on her. She started down the hall. Doors to other guest rooms lined the corridor.
"Your sister is right about you ruining your chances with Uchiyama. He's sworn himself off harpies and plans to join the dance club to be with Ms. Tonda and her friends coming to Yokai Academy next year."
"I wasn't really interested in that guy."
They arrived at the central stair of this upper hall. The Gin Ireko Inn only had fourteen guest rooms on this upper floor and they were renting eleven of them. Kurumu descended the first flight and turned about on the landing. She sauntered down the next flight.
They came down in a small vending area with the bathroom to the right. She strolled out into the main lobby of the bed and breakfast with the glass double doors directly in front of her. To the right was a door for the laundry room before the start of the service counter. A middle aged, balding man wearing a black polo was resting his arms on top of the marble counter. He glanced at Kurumu with mild interest, evaluating her sexual appeal. She shivered at her body's favorable response to his assessment.
She drifted to the left where a half wall divided the main lobby from an open dining area. Several round tables framed with black metal were arranged in this space, each having four metal framed chairs about them. Many of these tables were already occupied by her fellow students, enjoying their breakfast.
There were two gaps in the half wall to give access to the dining area. The half wall on the other side of the gap closest to the entrance became a shelf where they had left their shoes. Kurumu passed through the other gap, taking note of the long counter to the left of the tables. Several entrees had been set out for the guests to help themselves.
"I'll go sit with Ren."
Zuri stalked off to where her sister was. The third year was at a table with Utachi and Miyazaki from Moka's class eleven. Miyazaki had her raven tresses braided into two tails draped over her shoulders with the tips against the swell of her ample bosom. The table next to them had been claimed by the older harpies from choir whom Miyazaki had shared a room with.
"Ms. Nazohashi is over there."
Kurumu looked in the direction Kanari indicated, spying the sphinx. Tora was with Kichida. The table next to them was being used by Okimune, Sangi and Sakibarai.
Kurumu walked towards the sphinx, taking note of the other Yokai Academy students. There was only one other table of choir girls present with the rest being from band. The Tadayo sisters were eating with Natsudera and Akushita. Chousei and the two band girls they had shared a room with were not here.
The older Tebayai sister was eating with the Kosui cousins. Those three band third years had gone to the junior high in Aserutani. Tebayai had her glossy black hair pulled in ponytail. The Kosui cousins had dirty gray hair. The girl had twin tails while the guy had a braided rat tail.
Tebayai Itsuki was at a table near his sister. The tanuki had his short, glossy black hair styled in a simple side part. He was dating Yochimaru Riku from first year class eight, one of Kana's friends. Itsuki was sharing a table with three second year guys. The tallest one had scraggly, ginger locks. The shortest had long sepia hair covering his face while the last guy had short, greasy dark hair.
The three voluptuous kappa girls were sitting with Chouseki Rui, an undine from Aranami. Chouseki had coral pink tresses styled in a bun. Chouseki and the kappa girl with the greenish black ponytail were third years. The other two were second years in class four. Yoshida Kinoko had her dark green bangs trimmed across her brow with the rest of her hair pulled back in pigtails. Ikesuima Sakura had wavy blond hair which reached the small of her back.
Sukoyaka Myaku was at another table with three monstrel boys from Moegara. Myaku was a local girl with orchid bangs. Her father owned a sweet shop in Mononoke. The only third year at their table was Fuzen. His black cherry locks upon his head looked like a turnip.
Kurumu could not recall the name of the other two guys. The one with his mahogany locks pulled back in a short tail played the saxophone. That was impossible to forget since he kept saying sex instead of sax. The other guy had spiky, burgundy hair.
The occupants of the last taken table caught her interest. The band instructor, Mr. Tagami, was sharing a meal with three first year monstrels from Moegara. His silver and black hair was short and rugged. His black suit jacket hung on the back of his chair and a black tie was fixed at the collar of his white dress shirt. Seeing him reminded her of the need to ask about Mr. Fujita.
"What happened to the Umou sisters?"
Kurumu smiled at Tora's query. She lifted her schoolbag strap up over her head, setting the bag on the empty seat across from Kichida. Kanari drifted over to claim the other vacant chair on Kurumu's right.
"They are sitting over there with the other harpies."
Tora huffed, picking a sausage up from her plate with her chopsticks.
"I knew that much. The older sister looked upset."
"Just something her sister said that bothered her."
"You two should get your food."
"I will after I have a quick chat with Mr. Tagami."
"That's right. You wanted to ask about Mr. Fujita."
Kurumu nodded, glancing at Kanari as the blond left her schoolbag on the floor by her chair.
"You can go straight to the buffet if you want."
"I don't mind staying with you."
Kurumu grinned, noting that Kichida didn't have a plate.
"Are you not eating?"
Kichida smiled, gesturing at the table that Okimune and Sangi shared with Sakibarai.
"I already ate with Ama."
"I convinced our leader to join me since I know you will want to discuss town exploration."
"I've never thought of myself as a leader."
"Okay. We'll be right back."
Taking Kanari by the hand, Kurumu steered the harpy over to Mr. Tagami's table. She could not recall the names of the two first year boys. One had his dark hair styled in an ugly bowl cut while the other had his charcoal locks styled in a crew cut. The crew cut boy had exotic shaped eyes and girly lips.
The last at their table was a quiet girl whom rarely spoke. That was Onishi Hiromi from class twelve. The way her black hair was cut reminded Kurumu of a kokeshi doll. Onishi's younger brother had inherited enough of her mother's traits to be classified as a salamander.
"Mr. Tagami."
Kurumu grinned as he looked up. She crossed the remaining distance in three heartbeats.
"I was curious if you knew where Mr. Fujita eats his lunch."
Mr. Tagami chuckled, holding a steaming cup in his hand with an empty plate on the table before him. The others at the table were almost finished with their own meals.
"What makes you think that I would know that?"
"Mrs. Senda suggested that I ask you. None of the teachers I've talked with know where Mr. Fujita goes for lunch and there just never is any time to speak to him between classes."
The band teacher relaxed back in his seat as the boys took interest in her. Kurumu ignored their appraisal of her looks, squeezing Kanari's hand.
"What are you needing to speak to him about?"
"My mother. He was her homeroom teacher during her second year. I thought that I could chat with him after school but I guess he leaves campus after fifth period."
Mr. Tagami smirked, shaking his head. He picked up his drink, taking a brief sip and setting it back down.
"That man has always been a handful. I can't say this with any certainty, but you could check the printing room. He used to have lunches there back when he ran the newspaper club."
Kurumu nodded, guessing that was better than nothing.
"Do you have any other suggestions?"
"None that would be helpful. Mr. Fujita used to eat wherever he felt like. The infirmary. The roof. We even had regular complaints of him eating in girls' restrooms."
Kurumu smirked, recalling how Mrs. Takizawa had compared Mr. Fujita with Ginei. Going into places where he had no business being sounded exactly like Ginei behavior.
"But after the investigation on him over the death of a student, he cleaned up his act."
"There was an investigation on him?"
"He was found innocent. Nothing to concern yourself with."
Kurumu wondered if the death in question was Elder Kunai's grandson but was hesitant to ask.
"I'll give that printing room a try."
"I wish you luck."
Kurumu thanked him with a polite nod before steering Kanari away from the table. The blond laughed nervously as they made their way over to the buffet set out on the long counter. There was a door on either side of the counter, leading back into a kitchen space. Kurumu released Kanari's hand, grabbing a plate from the stack at the end.
"That was unexpected. We have strange teachers."
Kurumu snickered, grabbing some tongs. She fetched two omelet rolls from a tray, setting them on her plate. Grinning, she presented the tongs to Kanari.
"Nothing surprises me about this faculty. My junior high teachers were just normal and boring."
Kanari smiled thinly, taking the tongs.
"I think having normal teachers is good."
Kurumu sounded her agreement as she shuffled down the line. She snatched up two sausages from another platter, skipping the vegetables as she moved further down the line.
"I can't wait for next year. Hopefully my next English teacher doesn't just ramble nonsense all day long."
Kanari laughed softly, keeping up with Kurumu. She was adding the same items to her plate.
"English is just memorizing words. It's not like anyone expects you to become fluent."
Kurumu snorted, scooping out a huge wad of white rice onto her plate.
"Tell that to Mr. Nagamushi."
Kanari smiled, waiting for her turn with the rice.
"I've always thought it was strange for me to like eggs."
Kurumu frowned, drifting further down the line.
"Why?"
"Because I'm a harpy. It's like cannibalism."
"Harpies don't lay eggs. Tengu do."
"I know. But it's still a baby bird."
"But birds eat other birds. Don't you like chicken?"
Kanari sighed as Kurumu fetched a small tumbler of miso soup.
"It just feels like I shouldn't. I can't explain why."
Kurumu was unsure what she should say to that. She took a pair of chopsticks out of the bin at the end.
"Maybe growing up around humans has something to do with it."
Kanari managed a smile as she grabbed her own chopsticks.
"Maybe. I have always felt like an outsider."
Kurumu sashayed away from the counter, prompting Kanari to follow.
"I just want a reasonable English instructor next year. It would be nice if you were in my homeroom."
"That would be nice."
They walked in silence, crossing the dining area in a few seconds. Tora nodded as they arrived.
"Any news?"
Kurumu chuckled, setting her plate on the table. She noticed that Tora had finished her meal.
"He gave me a suggestion but no promises."
Kurumu settled into her seat as Kanari did the same.
"I'll check it out during lunch tomorrow."
"Don't you have to talk with Ms. Bakudai about yearbooks tomorrow?"
Kurumu nodded, recalling her appointment with the librarian. Ms. Bakudai was looking into how much it would cost to get copies of the yearbooks for the time Kurumu's mother attended Yokai Academy.
"I can chat with Ms. Bakudai after school."
"But we have Ms. Okimune's birthday party tomorrow."
Kurumu smiled at Kanari's gentle protest.
"I should ask Ms. Okimune to confirm Mr. Tagami's suggestion tomorrow. Maybe she could even arrange a lunch with Mr. Fujita."
"Well you will have to do that on Tuesday if you want to do it this week. We have exams."
Kurumu chuckled, agreeing with Tora's conclusion. She snatched up an omelet roll with her chopsticks and plopped it into her mouth. She chewed it down, immediately concluding it was not as good as the ones Yukari made.
"Do you think we need to talk with Mrs. Tomarigi before we go out and explore the town?"
"I think that you are wasting your time. You don't even have money to buy a yunomi if you find one."
"Kanari will buy one for me."
Kanari smiled, holding an omelet roll in her chopsticks.
"Maybe if it isn't too expensive. It's amazing that you've collected so many yunomi already."
"Even if we don't find one, exploring the town has to be more fun than watching bands play."
"You're the one that suggested doing an article for this competition."
Kurumu smirked at Tora's mild protest.
"But I'm not in the newspaper club. You're the one obligated to write that article."
"Um, how are we going to explore the town if Ms. Nazohashi and Ms. Sangi have to do this article? Mrs. Tomarigi said our group has to stay together."
Kurumu grinned, stuffing her mouth with the other omelet roll. She chewed it down quickly.
"Don't worry, Kichida. I asked Mrs. Tomarigi last night if I could trade Kanari for Tora and Sangi. She said that was fine as long as the five of us stick together and aren't late for the award ceremony."
"Is that true?"
Tora sighed and nodded along with Kanari.
"If Ms. Sakibarai is okay with it. Her big 'sister' has no opinion on the matter."
Kurumu swallowed down one of her sausages, giggling as she seized the other.
"I'd be a terrible person to allow Okimune to squander her day watching bands. We should have fun."
Tora rolled her jade eyes.
"Whatever you say."
Kurumu groaned, sitting down heavily on the bench bolted to the side of this stone table in the spacious dining hall of Bakufu Academy. Kanari settled in beside her with Tora claiming the spot at the end on the other side of the harpy. Kichida and Sakibarai drifted around the table, sitting on the other bench. They all had their schoolbags.
Chatter filled the dining hall as everyone waited for the start of the award ceremony. Tables were filled with students from each of the rival schools. It was easy to identify each school. Silver and black was Bakufu Academy. Orange and green was Shinkan High. Red and black was Kaisai Tech. Yellow and blue was Gaiketsu Institute. Navy and black was Houjin High. Beige and brown was Minemine Institute.
Kurumu spied the Umou sisters at a table with Miyazaki and three of the sylphs that Moka had lunch with. Hayate Chirimi was in Moka's homeroom and had platinum locks. The other two were first years in class ten. Odayaka Sagiri had cornflower blue tresses pulled in side tails while Reiki Himari had bouncy, pistachio curls.
It looked like none of the people gathered in the dining hall were eating lunch though the serving line was still open. Kurumu and her friends had just walked over from the school after the conclusion of their band's performance. She pulled her phone out of her pocket, confirming they had less than ten minutes before the ceremony would start. Her phone's battery was almost dead.
"I can't wait to go home."
Tora sighed, drumming her fingers on the table.
"You're lucky. I have to stick around for the band ceremony."
"When is that?"
"Six forty five. Gives us all time to eat."
Kurumu nodded, spying Sangi at another table with Okimune, Amatsu, Ikeda and the Tadayo sisters. The older girl had her camera out.
"You won't have any pictures of the Kaisai Tech band."
"That can't be helped with them scheduling your award ceremony at the same time. This should be over before Shinkan High takes the stage."
"I wonder why they did that."
"Because all of the bands require two bus trips."
Sakibarai nodded at Kichida's response to Kanari.
"Yea. It would take forever if they didn't let the choirs leave early."
"What time is Mr. Nurari taking our band home?"
"Ms. Sangi and I will be getting on the first bus that leaves at nine twenty."
Kurumu smirked at Tora.
"I'll probably be in bed by then."
"Assuming you are not doing laundry."
"We should be home around four. I will be done with laundry before dinner."
"Too bad you don't have your new school blouses yet."
Kurumu smiled at Kanari's comment.
"That's another thing I need to check on tomorrow. I ordered those over three weeks ago."
"Deliveries often come in on the weekends."
Kurumu sighed at Tora's remark, thinking how uneventful this morning had been.
"I feel bad that we couldn't do anything special for Okimune today."
"I told you that you wouldn't find a yunomi."
"You could have mentioned that most stores wouldn't be open on a Sunday morning."
"I've never tried shopping on a Sunday morning. I'm usually at church."
The older girls shared a chuckle.
"It never crossed my mind that most places would be closed."
"Yea. I don't usually get out of bed before noon on Sundays."
"It looks like they'll be starting soon."
Kanari gestured at the announcer from yesterday. The lady still had her dark tresses twirled up in a bun and was wearing a silver blazer and black slacks. She approached the microphone stand in front of a table placed in the center of the dining hall at the end of the seating area. The table had one occupant looking after the three different sized trophies resting upon it. This short, bald man was wearing a black robe with a silver sash. He had tiny oval glasses and a long gray beard.
"I should be with Ms. Sangi."
Kurumu nodded as Tora slipped off the bench. The sphinx stalked over to Sangi's location as Kurumu took a cursory glance about the massive room. In some ways this domed structure was like the Kurai dining hall. But despite the spacious appearance, it felt enclosed and stifling. There were no windows or skylights. It was just a concrete dome with dozens of lights suspended by thick black cables.
"May I have your attention. I want to thank you all for coming and participating in the twenty third Fukushima Performing Arts Invitational. Without you, none of this would be possible."
A round of applause followed the announcer's remark but was quickly silenced by teachers.
"Hopefully all of you have enjoyed your stay at Doufuushakai. My name is Takaki Mayu and I graduated from Bakufu Academy eleven years ago."
The woman paused with a bright smile.
"Hard to believe that it was over a decade ago when I was a senior in Ms. Toushahari's choir program. I am grateful that she reached out to me and gave me the opportunity to be your hostess."
Ms. Takaki gestured at a table with students garbed in silver blazers and black skirts. A slender woman with dark, shoulder length hair and hime cut bangs nodded at the gesture. This woman was wearing a silver blouse with puffy short sleeves and a black pencil skirt.
"I would also like to thank our panel of judges. Please stand to be recognized as I call out your names. Mr. Ogasahara whom served as choir and band director of Minemine Institute for thirty two years."
The bald man at the trophy table stood up and bowed his head slightly.
"Mr. Matsusaki whom is the choir and band director of Kakushi High."
Kurumu frowned at the school name, leaning closer to her seniors.
"Where is that?"
Both older girls shrugged.
"Ms. Inaba whom was choir teacher of Ikihara Academy for twenty three years."
A white haired woman stood up at the table where Ms. Chiruhana sat. This woman was garbed in a sky blue dress jacket over a white blouse. A black pencil skirt ended below her knees swathed in black hose. Kurumu did not recognize the school name but surmised that the school was in the Kanto region.
"Ms. Meshizuka whom was the choir teacher of Hagaku Tech for seventeen years."
Kurumu did recall that name. That was a Chiba prefecture school. She glanced about the dining hall but could not find the judge before the next name was called.
"And last with us is Ms. Aoyagi, a choir assistant at Kawashiki Institute."
A blue haired woman stood up and offered a wave. She was garbed in a stiff collared, black blouse with long sleeves. Her black pleated skirt almost touched the floor.
"Thank you all again for being our judges."
That last school name was also familiar. It was most likely another Kanto region school. Ms. Kumokaze had mentioned that all of the judges were from the Kanto region.
"I would like to say that all of the choirs performed admirably and I am quite thankful that I did not have to be a judge. Only the top four schools will be named in the ceremony but all of the schools did well."
The woman paused, taking in a deep breath.
"In fourth place. Kaisai Technical."
The tall choir teacher stood up from her place among her students. Her magenta curls danced upon the crimson blazer she was wearing over a pale green blouse. Black capris clung tightly to her legs. The lady made a slight nod with her head before sitting back down.
"Thank you, Ms. Aburu. It is always a pleasure hearing your choir."
Sangi had moved over to take a picture of the tables with the Kaisai Tech students. It was the smallest group present since all of the other schools had some band students with them.
"In third place. Gaiketsu Institute."
The bald judge stood up and grabbed the shortest of the trophies. He moved to stand beside Ms. Takaki as the regal choir teacher from Gaiketsu Institute walked over in the deafening silence to receive the award. Ms. Kumokaze was wearing a black jacket over a yellow shirt dress which fluttered about her calves swathed in white hose. Her short sky blue hair hid her ears.
"Thank you for bringing your ladies to sing for us."
Mr. Ogasahara presented the trophy to Ms. Kumokaze when she arrived. The teacher bowed slightly, taking the award. She favored the crowd a curt smile before walking stiffly back to her girls.
"We're not getting called up."
Kurumu instantly realized that Kichida was right as the announcer took in a deep breath. The bald judge had already grabbed the shorter of the remaining trophies.
"In second place. Bakufu Academy."
The slender woman with the dark hair and hime cut bangs stood up. She walked over to the grinning announcer in a dignified and composed manner. The moment she was near the announcer, Ms. Takaki stepped in to give the choir instructor a hug. The slender woman stiffened up at first but relaxed. After a few seconds, the announcer drew back and gestured at Mr. Ogasahara.
They never had a shot at winning this. Not with Kanto region judges and going early in the order. And that was not even factoring in their school's nasty reputation. It would have taken an exceptional and flawless performance of harder songs for them to even be considered better than their competition.
The bald judge fetched the tallest trophy from the table as Ms. Toushahari returned to her students.
"I'm happy for my school and my teacher but it looks like first place was once again beyond our reach."
The woman paused, looking in the direction of the obvious winners.
"In first place. Minemine Institute."
A short woman stood up among the students in beige blazers. Her ebony locks brushed upon her narrow shoulders and a pair of glasses with tiny round lenses were perched upon her petite nose. An ample bosom refused to be hidden by the beige jacket the short woman wore over a soft blue blouse. A tan pleated skirt brushed upon the floor, making it look like she was floating over to receive her trophy.
Kurumu realized that the judge handing off the award had worked with this woman. The two shared a polite exchange. The announcer timidly placed a hand on the short woman's shoulder.
"Congratulations, Ms. Yureoka. Is there ever a year when you don't win?"
The lady smiled thinly when Ms. Takaki lowered the microphone to her.
"This is the victory of my students. I'm just blessed to have passionate students with beautiful voices."
"More like blessed to get the last spot three years in a row."
Kichida laughed softly at Sakibarai's grumbling.
"I know. It's annoying to see them win three years in a row."
"Gaiketsu Institute sang first but got third."
Sakibarai glared at Kanari.
"They didn't win. I'm starting to wonder if anybody else wins this thing."
Kichida sighed as the short teacher made her way back to her group.
"I just wish we had placed fourth."
"I don't know why we even bother coming to this stupid thing. It's obviously rigged."
"Once again I want to thank you all for coming. May you all have safe journeys to your homes."
As Ms. Takaki returned the microphone to its stand, several students started getting up from their seats. Seeing no real reason to stick around, Kurumu stood up and gestured for the others.
"We should join Mrs. Tomarigi. She might want to leave right away."
The other girls sounded an agreement as Kurumu sauntered away from the table. She quickly found their teacher, sitting at a table with Saiwakami, Dakuhime, Yokumoto and the four older harpies. Their teacher was wearing the same long sleeved, black jacket over a peach blouse. A white belt was fished through the loops of her khakis.
"Mrs. Tomarigi. I was curious about which prefectures some of those other schools are from."
The teacher looked up at her arrival, favoring her a frown.
"I thought you knew that already."
"Not the ones we competed against. Kawashiki Institute sounded familiar but I've never heard of Kakushi High or Ikihara Academy."
Mrs. Tomarigi chuckled, getting up from her seat.
"Kawashiki Institute is a big school in Tokyo. Probably the same size as Yokai Academy. And if I remember correctly, Kakushi High is in Saitama prefecture. Neither of them are prefectural schools."
Kurumu nodded thoughtfully, glancing over at the woman with Ms. Chiruhana.
"And Ikihara?"
"It's a school in Ibaraki prefecture. Sort of like Mimori High but much bigger."
That explained why that judge was hanging out with the Shinkan High crowd.
"So are we done here?"
Mrs. Tomarigi nodded, gesturing at the other girls.
"We are. I should talk to Mr. Tagami. See if he is okay with us taking some of his band students to fill up our bus. The first years probably don't need to be here for their award ceremony."
Kurumu searched the crowd for a moment, finding the band instructor. He was sharing a table with the same trio from this morning. Sukoyaka and the three older monstrel boys were also at that table.
"Mrs. Tomarigi. Are we the only school that never places?"
The choir teacher smiled thinly at Kanari.
"Unfortunately so. If it is any consolation, the choir from Houjin High has only placed twice. They took third the year they hosted this event and fourth the year before that."
"What about band?"
Mrs. Tomarigi chuckled at Kurumu's query.
"I honestly don't know. They don't have any trophies but they might have taken fourth at some point."
Kurumu grimaced, thinking the judges of these competitions were biased against Yokai Academy.
"Do you think we would have better luck if we had some guys in the choir next year?"
Saiwakami laughed, tugging the tiny Dakuhime closer to her side. The small girl staggered, glancing up with confusion at the former club president.
"It's not like there is a rule against guys joining the choir. We literally had no applicants this year."
Mrs. Tomarigi nodded as Dakuhime pulled away from the third year to cling to Yokumoto.
"I've had a few boys try to join in the past but they never stick with it. At this point I don't even humor requests to join from boys whom aren't taking the choir elective."
"It appears that your drought for recognition persists."
Attention shifted to Ms. Kumokaze as she approached with five of her girls.
"Perhaps you'll have better luck next year."
Mrs. Tomarigi smiled politely, nodding slightly at her rival.
"Perhaps. Congratulations on third place."
Ms. Kumokaze flinched, glancing at the girl holding their trophy.
"You really should heed my advice, Mrs. Tomarigi."
"Do you even remember what you were saying last night at the bar?"
The woman blushed slightly.
"I was talking about your choir."
"I will try to live up to your expectations."
"Have you ever won this competition?"
Ms. Kumokaze frowned at Kurumu.
"Of course my school has. It's been several years but we took second when we last hosted."
"Sounds like being the host gives you an advantage."
"Of course it does. The host gets to pick the judges."
"From a list that the six of you decide on before picking the next host."
"You could attend that annual meeting."
Mrs. Tomarigi shrugged indifferently.
"Mr. Tagami does and he says his judge nominations have always been ignored. I'd rather not waste a day of my winter break when I can be with my girls."
"Fair enough. You wouldn't have any judges that Ms. Yureoka and Mrs. Toushahari would approve of."
"Do those two have that much power?"
Ms. Kumokaze glanced at Kurumu.
"You need four votes to get a name on the list of judges. And since we make that list before deciding the host, it isn't wise to reject judges like Mr. Ogasahara or your own nominations won't get through. But it is difficult to get unknown judges added to the list. Ms. Kangai struggles with her own nominations."
"Would your school come to ours if we did get to host?"
The woman regarded Kurumu sternly.
"Of course we would. While your school might be considered more dangerous than the average, it's not like Yokai Academy has been suspended from competition. I'm well aware that your school participates in most of the athletics programs."
"The issue is Mononoke lacks lodging. The schools coming in for athletics always leave the same day. Our fall concert is quite hectic to manage in one day and that's with us only bringing in four schools that are all smaller than Yokai Academy."
Kurumu understood her teacher's position but it still felt possible.
"But couldn't you do choir one day and band the next? We could have easily had our award ceremony after dinner last night and gone home."
"That isn't how any of these have been done in the past, Ms. Kurono. Not only would every band and choir teacher participating in this would have to agree to doing everything in a day, but the bus driver would also have to approve of the change."
Ms. Kumokaze snorted.
"I can't say that I enjoy relying on that man. But he does make the trip between schools instantaneous. That certainly is beneficial as Gaiketsu Institute is an hour and a half away from Kaisai Tech which is our closest neighbor in this competition."
Mrs. Tomarigi made a dismissive gesture.
"That's kind of normal though since every school is in a different prefecture. Even Minemine Institute is more than an hour away from Bakufu Academy."
"But still close enough that they don't require his services. Speaking of that man, we should probably get going. We have an appointment with him at three."
"We will be right behind you. Congratulations again on third place. I really mean that."
Ms. Kumokaze looked Mrs. Tomarigi over and nodded.
"I'll try coming to your fall concert next year and perhaps I will see you at Joki's."
"If they don't overlap, I'll visit with my girls."
"See you next year, Kyouko."
The woman signaled her girls to follow as she made her retreat. Kurumu shifted her schoolbag against her hip as she wondered about that last remark.
"What did she mean by see you at Joki's?"
"Joki is Ms. Aburu's given name. Kaisai Tech has a fall concert which Gaiketsu Institute attends. Kind of like how Houjin High attends ours. Three other smaller schools in their prefectures participate."
"Maybe you should go to that."
Mrs. Tomarigi laughed. With a shake of her head, she started walking away.
"What I should do is have that chat with Mr. Tagami. We need to spare some girls a long wait for a result that most likely will only disappoint them."
As Kurumu followed her teacher, she felt bad that the odds at this event were so stacked against them that the expectations had become so low. And she had a feeling that was not going to change soon.
"I'll see you tomorrow."
Kurumu waved as she drifted away from the vampire sisters the moment they entered the clearing. Despite the light streaming through the glass doors of the commissary before them, it was too dark to clearly identify the colors of their attire. But Kurumu knew that Moka had on her lime green racerback shirt with those black jeans while Kokoa had on a pair of candy red shorts and a black, short sleeved shirt with a silver moon graphic.
"Have a good night."
Moka fished keys out of her pocket as Kokoa nodded. Kokoa had left her hair down for the day.
"Good luck with the brat."
Kurumu grinned as she headed for the gap between the stair and the front corner of the commissary. She noted the door to Yukari's suite, wondering if the witch was home. Kurumu had checked before and after doing her laundry, not finding Yukari or Chouda. They must have had dinner in Mononoke.
A light breeze tickled Kurumu's hair as she passed through the gap. She had thrown on this simple white tee shirt which she occasionally slept in. She had squeezed into her pair of khaki shorts with the black elastic strings to tighten the crimped hem about her waist. This had been her attire for doing her laundry and having her dinner at the Kurai dining hall. Her keys and meal card were in her hands.
Kurumu wondered what time it was as she made her way to the base of the stairs leading up to Yukari's suite. She had left her phone connected to its charger in her room. It had been a quarter after four when she had gone to do her laundry and around six when she had took off for dinner. She had no idea how much time she had spent chatting with the vampire sisters.
She hurried up the stairs, hoping that she would not have to walk all the way around to her room. It only took a few seconds to reach the top landing. She pushed the small white button mounted in the door frame, causing a bird to chirp within the suite. She took in a deep breath and waited.
Kurumu was relieved when she heard the deadbolt drawn back. The door swung out, revealing a familiar witch. Rubi smiled warmly while wearing a long sleeved, black fishnet shirt over a black tank top. Skinny black jeans hugged her hips and legs.
"Evening, Ms. Kurono."
"Hey, Rubi. Are Yukari's parents still here?"
"They were just about to leave."
Kurumu laughed at Yukari's remark, hearing the aggravation in her voice.
"Can I come inside?"
Rubi nodded, gesturing for her to enter. Kurumu murmured her thanks as she slipped inside, allowing the older witch to close the door.
"What do you want?"
Kurumu grinned at Yukari's attitude as she shuffled out of her loafers. The young witch was wearing that sleeveless peach blouse with the velvet, burgundy vest that zipped up in the front. The pleated burgundy skirt that had come with that outfit completely hid the legs of the kneeling witch.
Her parents were kneeling at the table beside her. The father had on a simple white shirt and black slacks while the mother had on a simple yellow sundress. A small travel suitcase rested on the floor beside the father, having contained their clothes for the weekend.
"Where is Sumire?"
"She already went back to her room. I thought you were here for my parents."
Kurumu laughed, crossing the room to kneel at the table.
"I was just hoping to catch them before they left. I can chat with Sumire later."
"I hope that you had fun at your competition."
Kurumu grinned at the mother.
"Doufuushakai was interesting. It's like a city floating over a mountain. We didn't get to explore much until this morning but most places were closed with it being Sunday. Everything about the place was impressive. The school was huge. The main gate was huge. All of the buildings were made from stone. And I mean stone. Not brick. Not concrete. Stone. Even the new hotel that we stayed in was stone."
The father huffed, glancing aside.
"Sounds like most gnome communities. Nothing to be awed over."
"Oh hush dear. Not everyone has been to a gnome community."
Kurumu paused, wondering how she should word her experience.
"I don't know how I feel about the competition. I think we did great. Like that was the best we had ever done those songs. But I can't say that the performances from any of the other choirs were bad. Even the one from Shinkan High was okay. They fumbled one of their songs but it still was good."
Mrs. Sendou smiled softly.
"That echoes with how I felt when I was in the choir."
"You were in the choir?"
"It was my club and my elective all three years."
"Which she didn't tell me about until after I told her about you joining the choir."
The mother laughed at Yukari's indignation.
"It's not like we were hiding that from you."
"I suppose not. But you told me that learning the piano was to improve the speed of my spell casting."
"You were an obstinate child, demanding reasons to do anything that we asked of you. If I said the real reason was because your mother played the piano in high school for her choir, you would have refused."
Yukari huffed, making no attempt to respond to her father.
"Well I can't say anything about that but I felt like the whole competition was a bit unfair. Our school has no input on whom gets picked as judges and it sounds like we never place."
"Some things never change."
Kurumu regarded the mother for a moment, contemplating the recent revelation.
"You graduated in 92. You must have had Mrs. Tomarigi during your final year."
"That is correct, Ms. Kurono. I understand that she married a gym teacher and has two girls now."
"Yea. She seems to get along with the other choir instructors. Well. Sort of. While she's definitely friends with Ms. Chiruhana and Ms. Kangai, I can't really tell how things are with Ms. Kumokaze or Ms. Aburu. But I'm pretty sure she went drinking with the four of them last night and was out really late. When we saw her at lunch, she admitted that she had just crawled out of bed."
Mrs. Sendou laughed with a warm smile.
"That doesn't surprise me. All of those names are familiar. It sounds like she is still the new girl despite that being more than a decade ago."
"Does Yokai Academy automatically lose because of our reputation as a dangerous school?"
Mrs. Sendou smiled politely.
"I wouldn't say that. Yokai Academy has had several teams advance in sports programs. The problem with choir and band is that there is no objective comparison. Judges will have personal preferences and like certain things better than another. That's why they have five of them with the hopes that those nuances are balanced out."
"Why don't they just have them perform the same things?"
Mrs. Sendou smiled at her daughter.
"They tried that during my first year. The results were the same and nobody was happy about that. That was arguably the worst competition as every judge got called out for favoritism. They almost canceled the competition my second year because nobody wanted to be a judge if everyone was doing the same songs and music again."
Yukari smirked, crossing her arms below the subtle swell of her bosom.
"Because their bias was obvious."
"True. But the illusion of fairness is necessary."
Yukari rolled her eyes before regarding Kurumu.
"I'm hoping that you had dinner already. I'm not making you a meal."
"I ate in the dining hall and also did my laundry."
"Really? How long have you been back?"
Kurumu frowned, having been asked this by the sisters.
"Did I not tell anyone about my return time?"
"I would remember if you had."
Kurumu could not challenge that. Yukari had a perfect memory.
"I got here around four. After I did laundry, I went to the dining hall. I saw Moka and Kokoa in there so I ate with them and heard about how their weekends went."
"Did my Moka's softball outing go well?"
Kurumu grinned broadly.
"It sounds like she might join them. I'm glad that the Takeuchi twins asked her to give the team a shot. "
"She should do it. Maybe I can convince Coach Kanatoko to let me be their manager."
Kurumu smirked at Yukari.
"I think the team already has Ms. Kurohane covering that."
"I'm sure that I could be of assistance in some capacity."
Kurumu chuckled, refusing to argue with that.
"As for Kokoa, it sounds like she spent most of her weekend with Hotaru and Hikari. I forgot that she was taking Hotaru's blood yesterday."
"Yes. My Moka helped with yesterday's sleepover. I'm a little miffed that my Moka didn't spend more of my birthday weekend with me."
"You should have nothing to do with those vampires."
Yukari huffed at her father.
"I am your daughter. You should be supportive of my lover."
"She better not be your lover."
Kurumu giggled as Mrs. Sendou motioned at her husband in a calming manner.
"Settle down. You have work tomorrow and we should be going."
Mr. Sendou grumbled, pushing up onto his feet.
"Maybe this spell will drain enough of my energy that I'll forget about her silly crush on that parasite."
Yukari's mother laughed softly as her husband moved over to the empty closet's door.
"Don't be reckless."
The man snorted, placing his hands on the door.
"You should be more concerned with our daughter's safety."
Mrs. Sendou smiled patiently.
"Do you need help fueling the spell?"
"No. You shouldn't be using any magic while pregnant. It's not good for the baby."
Kurumu shivered as she felt energy being pulled from the environment to connect this door to one inside the Sendou family home on the outskirts of Oguni in Yamagata prefecture.
"Was there anything you wanted to ask me in particular?"
Kurumu laughed at the mother's question.
"Not really. I just wanted to hear how your weekend went since I know you don't have your yearbooks."
"They just followed me around like lost puppies. It was annoying and embarrassing."
"That wasn't our intent. I enjoyed meeting your friends."
"You already met my friends at my birthday party."
"You seemed quite friendly with Ms. Ishikure and her companions."
Yukari blushed, shaking her head vehemently.
"Those are acquaintances, Mom. I barely know anyone else inside that building."
"Ms. Zukkutani and Ms. Nazohashi both live there."
Yukari let out an exasperated sigh.
"Tora was with Kurumu all weekend and I have no clue what Kana does with her weekends. I can count on Ms. Ishikure to be having a session with her friends. You're the one that wanted to visit Baratoge."
Mrs. Sendou smiled wistfully.
"It was nice being there again. I have two years of high school memories in Baratoge."
That was right. The second year dorms had not been built when Mrs. Sendou had been here.
"Did you have a lot of friends in high school?"
The mother glanced at Kurumu.
"Not many. I was young for high school so I was shy and other students were fine with avoiding me. I often wish I had been more outgoing. I graduated from being a shy high school girl with very few friends to a hermit wife with almost no contact with the outside world."
Yukari grimaced, turning her head away.
"Dad didn't force that on you."
Mrs. Sendou regarded her daughter, saying nothing for a long moment.
"What did you do with your spare time?"
The mother turned a grin upon Rubi.
"Making magical artifacts. That was the one thing I was very good at it. I would get so wrapped up in my projects that I often would neglect my little girl."
Yukari stiffened up, still not looking at her mother.
"Maybe you'll do better with your next baby."
"No. Your father is right in that regard. I'm just not that good with people so it isn't realistic to think I would be good at raising one. But I do love you. Very much."
"How much longer do you need to cast that spell?"
Mrs. Sendou laughed, looking at the door where her husband stood.
"Our daughter has grown bored of me. Are you sure that I can't help you?"
The father let out a heavy sigh, withdrawing his hands.
"No. I'm finished here."
"I guess that is my cue to depart. Can I trouble you with one last hug before we go?"
Yukari sighed theatrically as her mother stood up. The witch made a show of getting to her feet.
"I suppose that I can humor that request."
Kurumu grinned as Yukari accepted her mother's embrace. The mother kissed the top of Yukari's head and patted Yukari's back before drawing back to arms' length.
"I know that I made you feel like you had to grow up quickly but it is okay to only be twelve."
"Says the woman whom bought her a makeup kit."
Mrs. Sendou pouted at her husband as he stalked over. She let go of her daughter.
"We both know she liked it."
The father huffed, touching Yukari's shoulder.
"Come here."
Yukari turned and wrapped her arms about her father's torso, pressing her head against his chest. She sighed as he gave her a firm squeeze.
"Don't grow up too fast. You won't be able to fit the clothes we just bought you."
Yukari let out an abrupt laugh, releasing him. She stepped back and swatted his side the moment his hands left her.
"I don't want to be this small."
"Don't be making any crazy spring break plans with that vampire. We need to schedule another dental appointment for you."
"My Moka has family issues right now so I can't be troubling her. I will most likely have to be home with the two of you for most of the break."
Mr. Sendou nodded, retreating to the closet door. He tugged it open, revealing a view of a hallway.
"Then we shall see you soon."
"Goodbye, Mr. and Mrs. Sendou."
"Keep her out of trouble, Ms. Toujou."
"I'll do my best."
Mrs. Sendou giggled, shaking her head as she walked through the open doorway.
"Just have fun, Ms. Toujou. I'm assuming that you will be joining us for spring break."
"That really depends on your father."
"Don't let him work you too much. Bye, Ms. Kurono."
Kurumu grinned, getting up on her feet and offering a wave.
"Bye. Hope to see you soon."
The father nodded, dipping through the door. He closed it and the surge of energy powering the portal dispersed immediately. Kurumu let out a deep breath, glancing at Yukari.
"So did you show your parents the lingerie Moka bought for you?"
Yukari huffed indignantly, crossing her arms.
"Of course not. I'm not going to flaunt my lingerie like some degenerate in my midst."
Rubi frowned, shaking her head in confusion.
"But I don't even like wearing lingerie."
"I wasn't talking about you!"