Kurumu groaned as strong hands on her waist gave her a firm shake. She could hear the chime of her phone, cutting through the darkness. She became aware of her status. She was naked, straddling over Nijiro's torso on the couch. Her body was pressed against his warmth with her hands tucked beneath him. She squeezed him, nuzzling her cheek against his smooth chest.
"We need to get up."
Kurumu grumbled, lifting her head up. Her vision was bleary and his room was dark. It took time for her eyes to recognize. She jerked back with a start.
Nijiro was in his true form. His periwinkle eyes had enlarged with no trace of whiteness, taking up most of his face. His thin lips were parted, revealing rows of jagged teeth. A tuft of blond hair graced the crest of his head with a dark blue fin jutting out from it. These fins on the back of his arms and head were defined by swaths of thin skin stretching between black bones.
"You okay?"
Kurumu forced a smile. He was hideous. She wiggled her hands out from beneath him as she lifted up into a seated position. She wanted to caress his face but it was all eyes and mouth. The space between the eyes lacked nostrils so calling it a nose felt wrong. There were no cheeks. An undine's face was ill suited for displaying emotions. She had felt so sorry for the undine girls when she had gone swimming with them months ago. She understood why Nagisa had been so hesitant to show Kokoa her true form.
"Good morning."
She shivered from his lustful thoughts as he appreciated the view of her bared tits. His hands caressed her sides. She could feel the webbing between the talons that had replaced his fingers.
"What time is your phone alarm set for?"
Kurumu wiggled against him. Her curls were crusted from the dried up fluids of yesterday's lovemaking. Her groin felt mildly sore but in a good way. She caressed his smooth, hairless chest.
"A quarter before six. Shall we continue where we left off last night?"
He grabbed her firmly about her waist and she gasped upon feeling his talons against her skin.
"We can't be doing that."
He released her waist, patting her sides.
"Come on. Get up."
Kurumu pouted, grinding against him. She was not particularly moist but that could change quickly if he filled her up with desire.
"Please. It shouldn't take long."
He chuckled, grabbing her firmly again. She sucked in a sharp breath, knowing that he could easily pierce her skin if he wanted.
"Your sexual appetite is insatiable."
She could feel him rising to the occasion against her butt.
"Because it feels amazing when your seed is shooting inside me."
He relaxed his grip with a soft chuckle.
"We both need a shower."
Kurumu purred at the thought. She rocked her hips on top of him, rubbing his chest.
"Can we shower together?"
"We won't get clean doing that."
"Don't you want my insides to be dripping with your baby juices?"
"Off me, you vile temptress. I'll get you a shirt so we can safely walk down the hall."
Kurumu giggled when he removed his hands. Deciding not to antagonize him further, she dragged her left thigh over his torso as she settled her other foot on the floor. Once her other foot was on the floor, she pranced over to his desk. Picking up her phone, she pressed a button to silence it. She confirmed the time was still before six. Her battery was not going to last the whole day.
"We did not do nearly enough studying last night."
Kurumu turned about as Nijiro got to his feet. That fin on his head stretched down the entire length of his spine. She wondered if it had been comfortable sleeping on that.
"We studied after dinner."
Nijiro snorted, stalking away from the couch.
"For less than an hour. Then you got bored."
Kurumu pouted, padding over to the side of the couch where her schoolbag rested. As he opened up his closet, she bent over to remove her fresh clothes out of her schoolbag.
"You kept looking at me with juicy fantasies, making it hard to focus."
"Put this on."
A white shirt was pitched in her direction, landing on the couch. Kurumu grinned, standing up with her schoolbag. Her stomach growled as she gathered up her things scattered about the room.
"I should have ate more at dinner last night."
Nijiro snickered as his body shifted to a normal human's appearance. He put on a pair of black shorts.
"Your portion would have been just fine if you had not decided to do a marathon on my couch."
Kurumu smirked, grabbing the shirt off his couch. She wandered over to his desk to retrieve her phone.
"I suppose I may have got a little carried away."
Nijiro huffed, shutting the doors of his closet. A black towel was draped over his shoulder and a white bottle of shampoo was in his hand.
"I literally blacked out, Kurumu. Do you have any idea how long we were fucking?"
Kurumu shrugged, stuffing her phone into her schoolbag. She wandered back to the couch, setting her schoolbag on the floor by her pile of clean clothes.
"Not really. I vaguely recall taking a break which must have become sleep."
He shook his head, stalking over to the entrance of his room.
"My crotch feels like it's on fire. You rubbed it raw."
Kurumu smirked, fishing her arms through the bottom of the shirt. Getting her hands through the short sleeves, she pulled the garment over her head.
"Don't be a baby. You'll heal up fine in the shower."
"Thank goodness that's true. I don't want to spend the day walking funny."
Kurumu giggled, tugging the shirt down. Due to her bosom, it barely covered her ass.
"You're not the one that slept straddled over someone."
"Get over here."
"Coming, my love."
Nijiro smirked as she padded over to the entry. He swatted her ass when she passed by him to step into the hallway. She giggled as he joined her, watching him as he eased the door to rest on its deadbolt. She stepped in to press her tits against his back, encircling his waist with her arms. Her heart swelled with affection as she nuzzled her cheek against the towel draped over his shoulder.
"I love you so much."
"We shouldn't linger in the corridor."
He staggered a step forward as she pushed her wants upon him. She wanted to kiss. She wanted him to ravage her body. She wanted to be his in every sense.
"Kurumu. Stop."
His breathy protest pierced her awareness. She loosened her hold.
"Will you at least hold my hand?"
"Yes. Now come on."
She released him, stepping back. He offered his right hand which she immediately took. As they strolled down the hall, she noticed the shampoo bottle in his hand was coconut scented.
"Did you forget the bodywash?"
"Bodywash?"
"You only have shampoo for your hair."
He laughed as they arrived in the elevator lobby. They walked steadily to the opening for the bathroom.
"I only have shampoo."
Kurumu frowned as they entered the bathroom. Despite this being a boys' dormitory, there were no urinals. Six toilet stalls lined the wall in front of them. A counter with four sinks was mounted to the wall that was shared with the elevator lobby. There was an opening in the wall to the left of them with a tiled lip to separate the space.
"Don't you use soap on your body?"
Nijiro chuckled as he steered her to that opening.
"Undines don't sweat."
Kurumu pouted as they stepped over the lip. To the right were three shower stalls with doors. A long tiled lip that was at least as high as her knee ran the length of the room on her left in line with the wall the sinks had been mounted on. That was a communal bath that nobody seemed to use.
"Well I sometimes do."
"You'll just have to make due with shampoo. It's a good thing that your alarm was set so early. These showers tend to always be in use."
He let go of her hand, tugging open the stall closest to the wall.
"We should hurry before other guys show up."
Kurumu pouted as he slipped into his stall, closing the door.
"But you promised we would shower together."
"I did no such thing."
Kurumu sighed when he hung his towel over the door. She sauntered over to the middle stall, opening the door. Drifting inside, she closed the door and turned the silver dial to lock it. She heard the spray of his shower start. She glanced up, noting his shorts were now draped over the top of the partition next to his towel. Sighing again, she grabbed the hem of the shirt and dragged it up.
"I can't believe you're passing on showering with your gorgeous girlfriend."
"No time, Kurumu. Maybe we can do that on a weekend at your place."
His suggestion made her think of the one time she had shared a shower with Tsukune in her place. It had been a very tight and uncomfortable experience. She lifted up on her toes to hang his shirt on the top of the partition separating their stalls.
"I wonder if Yukari would let us borrow her bath. That would be much better than a shower."
He chuckled with the sounds of water striking his body.
"I don't think that we should be imposing on Ms. Sendou."
Kurumu smirked as she turned the silver dial on the wall to start the spray from the showerhead above. She shivered when the cool water coursed down her smoldering body.
"You're missing out. Kokoa always loved it when I gave her a bath. My fingers running through your hair. My hands massaging your body."
"All the more reason why we shouldn't impose. I doubt that Ms. Sendou would appreciate us having sex in her bathroom."
Kurumu giggled, supposing that was fair. She ducked her head into the stream, vigorously working her fingers in her tresses to ensure her hair was thoroughly soaked.
"You realize that you will reek of sex if you don't wash your crotch."
"Oh, I know, Kurumu. I sit in front of three guys whom have a very keen sense of smell."
Kurumu smirked, knowing these three guys. Hatsura and Borohata were inugami from the baseball team while Tsuiseki was an okami from the basketball team. All three were from Morihochou.
"I'm as good as I'm going to get. Do you want the shampoo now?"
"Yes, please."
"I'll toss it over. Heads up."
Kurumu looked up as the shampoo bottle was lobbed over the partition. She deftly caught it, bringing it down to her bosom with a giggle. She voiced her thanks as she opened the top.
Kurumu squirted a huge dollop of white gel in her palm and she instantly thought of his seed. Blushing, she bent over to place the bottle on the floor. She straightened up, working the shampoo into her hair. She kept her head out of the water, turning about as she scrubbed so that the water spray would touch most of her body. She wished the showerhead was detachable to get her lower regions better.
With her supply of shampoo exhausted, she stepped back to the bottle and bent over. Picking the bottle up, she squeezed a small glob out before setting it back down. Turning her back on the water spray, she cupped her curls and worked the shampoo into her crotch. It stung in a few spots and was still sensitive in others. She bit her lip, trying to make this quick but thorough.
The sound of his shower stopped. She glanced up as his towel was pulled down. Thinking her crotch was as clean as it needed to be, Kurumu turned about. She backed up and thrust her hips forward to get the water as close as possible to properly rinse her lower curls out.
"When can we adopt a baby?"
He responded with an abrupt laugh.
"That's a random question. Are you almost done in there?"
Kurumu sighed, stepping into the water. She rubbed her fingers through her hair.
"Just need to rinse my hair out."
"Okay. Be quick as I don't know if our luck here will last."
Kurumu grumbled in disappointment. She looked at the water dripping down her body, knowing that it would be running clear soon.
"I had a dream the other night. We were married and had adopted a little boy. His name was Yuto but I don't know if we were the ones to give him that name. He was already eight years old in my dream."
Seeing that the water was clear, she reached over to the dial to turn the showerhead off.
"You have some interesting dreams."
"I guess. Can I have the towel?"
"Sure thing. Catch."
She pouted when he pitched it over the partition. She caught it, thinking he should have offered to dry her body himself. Sighing with disappointment, she rubbed the moist towel against her torso. She made all of the droplets on her arms and breasts disappear.
"Do you ever have any dreams about me?"
"I almost never have dream."
Kurumu frowned, bending over to dry her legs.
"That can't be true."
"I'm not joking, Kurumu. Every now and then I will wake up, knowing that I had a dream but it's not like I ever remember what I was dreaming about."
Thinking that was sad, Kurumu straightened up. She briskly rubbed the towel against her hair, needing it to be dry enough to not drip. After a few moments, she lifted up on her toes to hang the towel next to his shirt. She tugged the shirt down, quickly pulling it over her head. She could feel the fabric absorb the many droplets on her back that she had missed.
"I hope that we can adopt a baby. A child will feel more like ours if we get a baby."
"Are you almost finished?"
She sighed at his unwillingness to engage in this conversation. She sounded out an affirmative, bending over to pick up the shampoo bottle. She lifted up on her toes to take the towel down before moving to the stall's door. She released the lock and pushed it out.
Nijiro was waiting for her on the other side. She held the bottle and towel against her bosom as she drifted over to join him.
"Would you like a son named Yuto?"
He chuckled, slipping an arm around her waist. He nudged her forward.
"I think you are being silly. We should hurry back to my room."
Kurumu smiled, allowing him to guide her out of the shower room. They passed through the bathroom, turning right to pass through the opening for the elevator lobby. She saw two guys coming down the hall in their direction. The dark haired guy was Kigaru while the blond was Jishin Iwao. It was odd seeing the auto club guys without their glasses.
Knowing that her presence here was against the rules, Kurumu kept quiet. No greetings were exchanged as they passed the two guys before reaching the door to Nijiro's room. Nijiro withdrew his arm about her waist when they arrived, pushing the door open and gesturing inside.
Kurumu acquiesced with his silent command. She entered his room, prancing over to the couch. As she set the towel and shampoo bottle down, he locked up the door.
"We should get dressed quickly and head to the dining hall."
Kurumu sounded her understanding, moving to the other side of the couch. She leaned over, snatching up her sky blue boyshorts with the white cloud pattern and the white lace hem. As she stepped into the boyshorts, Nijiro seized the shampoo bottle and towel, taking them to his closet.
"I have dreams almost all of the time."
"Oh? What did you dream about last night?"
Kurumu smiled thinly as she smoothed her boyshorts over her curls. She had not dreamed last night.
"It was about my mother."
He glanced over his shoulder with his ass bared to her.
"Was it a good dream?"
Kurumu bit her lip, thinking about her dream with Yuto which had ended with her cheating on Nijiro. She grabbed the hem of his shirt, dragging it up over her head.
"For some reason I was my mother. After dropping me off at school, my mother had sex with a guy."
Nijiro laughed, shaking his head. He fluffed out a pair of striped boxers, stepping into them.
"You dreamed about having sex as your mother?"
Kurumu nodded, leaning over to fetch her cornflower blue, lace bra.
"It was strange and unsettling. And I woke up aroused."
She slipped on her bra like a jacket, fixing the straps before tending to the front clasps.
"Well I'm glad that I've never had a dream like that."
Kurumu pouted as she secured her bra. She tucked her breasts comfortably in the cups.
"It's not like I get to choose what I dream about."
"Didn't your mother have a job to go to?"
Kurumu sighed, bending over to grab her fresh school blouse. She straightened up, slipping her arms through the long sleeves.
"No. My mother never had a real job. She just got money from performing sexual favors for guys."
"Your mother was a prostitute?"
Kurumu flinched, realizing she had avoided this conversation. She glanced at him as she slowly buttoned up her blouse. He had his slacks on and was regarding her with a startled expression.
"My mother wanted to be home for me. Getting a real job would have meant me coming back from school to an empty home. She didn't want that for me."
He shook his head in disbelief, reaching into his closet to pull a white dress shirt off its hanger.
"I guess that explains why you're so promiscuous."
"Nijiro."
"I don't mean that as an insult. Any child growing up in that environment would have a different attitude towards sex."
Kurumu sighed, watching him put on his dress shirt. She finished buttoning up her blouse.
"It's not like I ever saw her 'working'. She normally sent her customers away before I got home."
"But you knew that she was doing it."
Kurumu sighed again, bending over to grab her skirt. She stepped into the pleated garment, dragging it up over her boyshorts.
"She wasn't hiding it. A succubus could get money from guys without doing anything but my mother said that wasn't fair. I want to believe her claim that she wasn't having sex with them."
As she tightened up her skirt about her waist, Nijiro frowned at her. He pulled his arms through the sleeves of a school jacket, adjusting it on his shoulders.
"But you just said that she was doing sexual favors."
Kurumu managed a smile as she leaned over for her socks.
"Oral sex, Nijiro. She was sucking dick more than anything else."
He let out a nervous laugh as she pulled on her socks.
"I doubt that would make me feel any better about the situation."
Kurumu grabbed her sweater vest, realizing she had forgotten the red bow for her uniform. She stood up, noticing that Nijiro was fixing his tie below the collar of his dress shirt.
"I hated my mother for years. The other kids in school knew how she made her money and insulted me over it. Even when we switched schools, her way of living was quickly found out and used against me. They called my mother a whore and would call me a whore too."
Nijiro paused before tightening up his tie.
"I am sorry that I was right about Ms. Morisato."
Kurumu shrugged before shaking out her sleeveless school vest.
"Juri was tame compared to the shit I put up with in junior high. At least she pretended to be my friend."
He let out a heavy sigh, leaning into his closet to retrieve a pair of black socks.
"If it's any consolation, there is a difference between a whore and a prostitute. Whores have sex for the pleasure of it while prostitutes do it for the money."
Kurumu pouted, pulling the garment over her head. She smoothed it out over her curves.
"I doubt those semantics would have made the insults any less tolerable."
He nodded, shutting his closet door. He strolled towards her, gesturing at his desk.
"I should grab that letter to my parents. If I don't put it in the mail now, it won't go out this week."
Kurumu smiled as he walked by her. She snatched up the strap of her schoolbag, hauling it up over her head. She rested it on her right shoulder, guiding the strap between her breasts.
"Your mother will be more agreeable to us being a couple when she sees our plans for adoption. She cares more about you being happy than you fulfilling some duty to your race."
He chuckled, pocketing the letter before grabbing his schoolbag.
"I certainly hope you are right. She'll be very frustrated with me if she dislikes the adoption approach."
Kurumu started drifting towards the door.
"I'll do everything I can to convince her that I love you."
Nijiro smirked as he moved to join her.
"Would that include a year without sex?"
Kurumu pouted, bending over to fetch her school loafers.
"If I say yes, will you be more affectionate with me?"
He chuckled, grabbing his own shoes.
"I'll think about it."
Still pouting, Kurumu opened the door and slipped out into the hall. She waited for Nijiro to step out and lock up his door. The moment he pocketed his keys, she latched onto him with her free arm.
"Thank you for letting me stay the night."
He chuckled, starting down the hall at a slow pace.
"I won't pretend that I didn't enjoy it."
She grinned broadly, resting her head against his arm.
"It was almost like a preview of our life together."
Nijiro snorted as they passed by the door to Shiname's room.
"Hopefully not. I won't survive the first year of our marriage if you're always that amorous."
Kurumu clucked her tongue dismissively.
"You have more stamina than you think."
"I'll be the first undine in history to die from dehydration."
Kurumu giggled as they turned into the elevator lobby. He reached out with his hand holding his shoes, pressing the button to call the elevator.
"It's only like this because we don't sleep together every night."
"If you were an undine, we would only be holding hands."
"That's not true. Okimune and Shiname are already kissing."
"Which is why they are pursuing parental support. You can't go any further without permission."
"Your dad doesn't care if you have sex with me."
Nijiro sighed as a little bell dinged the arrival of the elevator. The metal door slowly slid open.
"If you were an undine, you would be pregnant by now."
Kurumu grinned, following him into the elevator.
"I wouldn't mind that."
He smirked, shaking his head. Still holding his shoes, he pushed the button for the first floor.
"Behave yourself during breakfast."
Nuzzling her head against his arm as the door slowly closed, Kurumu sounded an affirmative.
Kurumu let out a satisfied sigh, pushing her empty tray to the center of the round table. There had only been four of these stiff backed, blood red, wooden chairs about this black topped table but they had dragged two from another table so they could all sit at this one. The rounded seats and backs lacked any cushion, discouraging customers from long stays at the Lunch Palace.
Several tables were spread out over the dining area with a double door exit flanked by several windows with a view of the street. Catchy music was playing over the speakers mounted in the white ceiling tiles. A short corridor flanked the counter, giving access to bathrooms and the kitchen. Mounted on the wall behind the counter was a menu with the prices of everything the restaurant provided.
A young man wearing a round black cap and a short sleeved, blood red dress shirt stood behind the two registers resting on the counter. The dark haired cashier was taking the order of two Yokai Academy guys whom were unfamiliar to Kurumu. Both were short haired with dark locks.
"What the time?"
Kurumu smirked at Hatoko whom sat across the table from her. The grouchy girl had been first to finish her lunch. On her right was Taijin while Suzume was on her left. Suzume was still picking fries out of her red carton as Taijin stacked her tray on top of Hatoko's.
Asuka sat on Kurumu's left, cutting up her bean cake into smaller portions. The raiji had balled up the wrapper of her sandwich and stuffed it into the carton of her fries. Her drink was placed on the side of the tray, having been drained down to the ice.
"The bank isn't open until one."
Hatoko scowled at Kiki. Kiki was the last girl at the table between Kurumu and Suzume. The picky girl had only ordered a carton of broccoli spears and a small tea. She had somehow not finished either.
"Almost one when we gots here."
Kurumu leaned over to fish her phone out of her lavender purse. She glanced at the time while also checking the life of her battery. She was already on the last bar.
"It's almost fifteen after."
"Anagume!"
Another short hair guy with dark locks stood at the counter. He was dressed the same as the cashier behind the counter. He pushed a tray bearing two drinks and two meals across the counter.
"Shoulds go. No clue how longs it take in bank."
Kurumu grinned as a familiar pair of girls came up to retrieve the order at the counter. The older sister was taller and had braided pigtails. The younger sister had her dark locks styled in a bowl cut which hid her ears. The older sister grabbed the tray while the younger sister had hold of the back of the older sister's school jacket. These girls had gone to junior high in Aserutani.
"Hold up. I want to visit with someone first."
Hatoko scowled as Kurumu stood up after grabbing her purse off the floor.
"Not needs ya at the bank."
"I'm just going to say hi to the Anagume sisters."
Hatoko frowned, glancing in the direction Kurumu pointed. The sisters made their way over to a table near the door. The older sister set their meal down, gesturing for her sister to sit down.
"What business ya have with them?"
"Their mother knew mine so they were at my mother's viewing."
Asuka stuffed her mouth full of bean cake, hopping to her feet.
"We should meet them!"
"Don't talk with your mouth full."
Asuka stuck her tongue out which was laden with red paste.
"I'll talk however I please."
Suzume stood up, moving her tray on top of Taijin's.
"Isn't the older one on the cheerleader squad?"
Kurumu grinned as Hatoko scooted her seat back. She gestured at the sisters as Hatoko got to her feet. The tengu had a huge bulge in her slacks where she had stuffed all of the cash she had been saving.
"Arukune is the new cheerleader captain. Her little sister is a first year in class five."
"I definitely want to meet them!"
Taijin sighed, getting up. She grabbed the stack of trays before adding Kurumu's to the top.
"Are you done eating?"
Asuka leaned over her tray to wolf down the rest of her bean cake. Kiki rolled her eyes with a shake of her head, taking a sip from her tea.
"I'll take the trays to the trash bin."
Taijin snatched up Asuka's tray as the girl continued to chew with her mouth full. The tall girl prompted for Kiki to surrender her tray. The tengu picked up her drink and carton, allowing Taijin to take the tray. The tall girl stalked off for the trash receptacle placed by the exit doors.
"Shall we?"
Kurumu grinned when Suzume thumbed in the direction of the sisters. She nodded and started walking, prompting the other girls to follow. Hatoko grumbled something under her breath as Asuka smacked her lips and licked her fingers. Kiki adjusted the strap of her tote higher on her shoulder.
"Anagume!"
Kurumu waved when the sisters looked up in unison. The small girl shied away, scooting her chair closer to her sister. The older sister grinned broadly.
"Ms. Kurono. I see you are with friends."
Kurumu stopped by the table as the younger sister hid her face in her sister's sleeve.
"I am. We decided to start our weekend early with a lunch in this affordable establishment."
The older sister giggled, fishing a fry out of her carton.
"It certainly is that."
"Would gots here faster if Kurono nots waste time."
Kurumu huffed, fussing with the strap of her purse.
"None of us wanted to walk around town with our schoolbags."
"Ya could have gone home stead tag along with us."
Suzume waved a dismissive hand at Hatoko.
"What's done is done. It looks like the two of you also ditched your schoolbags."
The older sister grinned with a nod as her sister continued to hide behind her sleeve.
"We left our things in my room. Kosame prefers to spend the weekends with me."
"We haven't been properly introduced. I'm Shindou Asuka from first year class one."
The blond turned to gesture at Taijin whom was strolling towards them.
"And my friend is Taijin Yuu from first year class four."
The older sister smirked, glancing at her sister.
"I've heard the rumors about you, Ms. Shindou."
"Clearly about how amazing I am."
Anagume giggled, gesturing at her sister still clinging to her arm.
"My sister, Kosame, is in first year class five."
"Kurumu told us about that. I'm Tobuyoku Suzume from first year class three."
Suzume turned to gesture at the other girls.
"This is Honda Kiki from first year class eleven. And this is my classmate Hanetsume Hatoko."
"We done talking yet?"
The older sister chuckled. She bowed her head slightly.
"I'm Anagume Arukune from second year class nine. Pleased to meet you."
Everyone exchanged the traditional greeting. Arukune turned her void black eyes upon Kurumu.
"The last group that I saw you with was also on the track team. I'm surprised you didn't join their club."
Asuka snickered and Suzume giggled. Kurumu managed a smile.
"Coach Kibashiro actually turned me down. I'm not very athletic."
"Did you both do well on your English exams?"
Arukune glanced at Suzume, offering a shrug.
"I have no idea how well Kosame did but I'm certain that I won't have a retake."
Asuka snickered, nudging Kurumu's side.
"This girl admitted that she spent the night with her boyfriend."
"We were studying for our English exams."
"That really isn't something you should admit to doing, Ms. Kurono."
Kurumu sighed heavily at Arukune's mild reproach, gesturing at Asuka.
"She found out because Manami told Taijin. Nijiro's sister is way too glib about anything I do with him."
"Why did he sister know about it?"
"Because his sister was in the dining hall when we arrived for breakfast. She asked why I was with her brother and I blurted out the truth."
"This deviant has nobody but herself to blame if she fails English."
"I don't need English to be Nijiro's wife."
"Maybe not, but he won't be happy with you if you caused him to do poorly on his exam."
Kurumu sighed at Suzume's remark, knowing that was true.
"What do the two of you have planned for the day?"
Arukune glanced at her sister whom was making no attempt to touch her meal.
"Today is this little runt's sixteenth birthday."
Kurumu gasped in unison with Suzume and Asuka.
"Happy birthday, Ms. Anagume."
Kurumu echoed Kiki's sentiment and the other girls followed suit.
"I'm hoping to have some fun with her but she often clams up in public."
Kurumu grinned, stepping up against the round table. She held her arms out.
"Can I give her a hug?"
Arukune giggled, leaning close to whisper to her sister. The shy girl lifted her head off Arukune's arm. She turned her void black eyes upon them, still clinging to her sister's sleeve.
"Thank you, Ms. Kurono."
Kurumu smiled, wondering how she should respond.
"I hope that you have a wonderful birthday."
Kosame favored her a nervous smile before hiding her face again.
"Did you buy her a gift?"
Arukune laughed at Asuka's question.
"I'm just going to hang out with her. Maybe catch a movie and spend some time at the karaoke joint."
"Sounds kind of lame. No gift and no party."
Kiki huffed at Asuka. She shook her head, taking a sip from her drink.
"Rude."
"What? You had a huge party on your birthday that I wasn't even invited to."
Suzume giggled, shaking her head.
"We weren't even eating our lunches together back then."
"That's not the point."
"Oh hush. You didn't invite these girls to your birthday party."
Asuka whirled on Taijin, wagging a finger.
"That's not true. I asked and they declined."
"You made a broad invitation to the whole track team. The only reason why Ms. Uchikawa and her two friends came was because her aunt was one of our escorts."
Arukune chuckled as her sister snuggled against her sleeve.
"Kosame could never handle a crowd. Our parents will have a party for her that first Sunday of spring break. She's not this shy when she's around family and the friends she has had since elementary school."
Kurumu grinned, recalling how animated Kosame had been around her cousins on the morning of Mrs. Takizawa's wedding.
"Didn't your birthday fall around the time of the cultural festival?"
"Yes, Ms. Kurono. It was on the day of the opening fireworks ceremony. I'm lucky that my birthday falls so close to a day that parents are encouraged to be on campus."
"Yuu is turning seventeen on the sixteenth of April."
Taijin swatted Asuka in the back of the head.
"They don't need to know that."
Asuka pouted, rubbing the back of her head.
"I was just going to say that your parents would celebrate your birthday over the break."
Arukune giggled, fishing a fry out of her carton.
"What are you girls planning to do with the rest of your day?"
Hatoko huffed indignantly.
"Shoulds be at the bank but Kurono wants to gab."
"That is our primary goal of the afternoon. Hatoko needs to open a bank account."
Arukune frowned at Kurumu's explanation.
"What does she need a bank account for?"
"She's got a job in town."
"As a maid at the Gates of Heaven. She provides cutesy service to her customers."
Hatoko scowled at Asuka's cheeky grin.
"Ya wanted work there too."
"Alas your owner refused to acknowledge how great of a maid I could be."
Taijin placed her palm firmly on Asuka's head, making the girl stagger when she pushed down.
"You would have never gotten parental permission."
Asuka wiggled out from beneath Taijin's hand, motioning for the big girl to back off.
"Yea, yea. I bet you could though."
"Not interested."
Asuka grinned mischievously with a sparkle in her electric blue eyes.
"It would be perfect. Every girl working in that café is short."
"I nots short!"
Suzume giggled at the protest.
"You're not exactly tall."
"Bah. Taller than you."
Kiki rolled her eyes, standing slightly taller than Hatoko.
"We're about average height."
"Exactly. He doesn't have any tall maids."
Taijin grimaced, making a quick dismissive gesture.
"Nobody wants to see a tall maid."
"You'd be like a novelty maid. It's not like anybody thought the manager would want a grumpy maid that insults his customers."
"I don't need a job."
"Well we shouldn't keep you. Have fun at the bank."
Hatoko let out an exaggerated sigh.
"Finally. Can we go?"
Kurumu smiled apologetically, nodding at the sisters.
"It was nice talking to you."
The other girls echoed similar farewells before they all started for the door. Due to her long stride, Taijin reached the door first. She pushed it open and remained in the path of the door swing, allowing the rest of the group to saunter out into the street. Not too far to the right was the intersection with the street that passed by the arcade with the Spinning Discs music store across from it.
Hatoko started down the street to the left, prompting the group to follow. They passed by an alleyway with the next black paneled building on the right being vacant with the windows all boarded up. The town of Mononoke had many abandoned buildings, one even being on the corner by Lunch Palace.
These two buildings on the left were identical. Both red brick buildings were single story with a central glass door with silver framing serving as the main entrance. The white graphics etched on the glass of the door to the first building was Masuda Consultants while the white graphics on the next building's glass door was Heida Security Systems. Kurumu had never seen anybody go into these stores but they did not look abandoned.
The next two buildings on each side of the street were on the corner of the next intersection. This huge white building on the right with pastel blue designs was the Bundle of Joy baby store. Kurumu surmised that the place stayed in business because it was the only baby store in town. The corner store on their left had many display windows facing this street. That was Memories which sold a variety of things.
As they neared the intersection, the two corner buildings on the other side became more visible. The drab brown building across from the baby store was Keep it Casual. It was primarily a clothing store. The other forgettable corner building was Digital which rented out movies and video games.
"Do you think Keep it Casual sells swimsuits?"
Suzume shrugged at Kurumu's query.
"Not that I recall."
"If they have a section, it must be a very small selection."
Kurumu nodded at Kiki's input.
"Guess Change of Seasons is the only place to go then."
"Why are you asking?"
Asuka snickered at Suzume's question.
"Because she's trying to impress her boyfriend's parents with her modesty."
"No chance that happens."
Kurumu pouted at Hatoko's immediate response.
"I only have bikini swimsuits. I was hoping that he'd buy me a one piece."
Asuka and Suzume giggled as they turned left at the intersection. This small building beside Memories was a cosmetics shop by the name of Sparkles. The narrow, drab building next on the left was Hot Trots which sold a variety of shoes.
"I bet Sports Station has swimsuits."
Taijin gestured at the black building with red stripes further down the street on their right. This bland building between the video store and Sports Station was Watch Your Head. Unsurprisingly it sold hats.
"That might be true. The twins claim that swimming is a sport."
Kurumu smirked at Asuka's comment.
"Maybe we can stop in there."
"Nope. Bank first."
Kurumu giggled at Hatoko's curt refusal.
"We could check it afterwards."
"No time for that. Not get hours if I shows up after two."
The huge store on the left across from Sports Station was the Kitchen Sink. It sold a variety of household appliances. The massive structure sprawled over to the next street intersection.
"I guess we can do my window shopping without you."
"Should one of us go with her to the café?"
"Not needs ya to hold my hand."
Suzume pouted at the refusal.
"I was just offering."
The stout, beige building standing on the corner next to Sports Station was Got Ya Covered. It mostly sold coats and jackets but also carried rain gear despite how seldom it rained in Mononoke. Across the intersection from the specialty shop was Buckle Up which sold leather products like boots and belts.
As they neared the intersection, Kurumu took notice of the last store on the corner which was larger than the Kitchen Sink. There literally was no sign for that place but she knew from asking around that it was the Fix it Yourself hardware store.
"We can swing by the maid café after our stop in Sports Station."
"What for?"
"In case you don't get the hours. We shouldn't abandon you."
"Bah. Coulds go home with Wanibuchi or Unari."
"You don't have a change of clothes, you dumb bird."
Kurumu had to giggle at Kiki's curt remark as they crossed the intersection.
"Even if she gets the hours, she'll have that problem."
"We'll stick around for the end of her shift. Maybe I can talk the old man into hiring Yuu."
"I don't need a job."
The bank was this single story, heavy stone structure standing on their right after the Buckle Up shop.
"She would need parental permission for him to hire her."
"Her parents would let her work if she asked."
"Nobody would want to see me in a maid outfit."
Asuka flashed Yuu a mischievous grin.
"I can think of a couple guys that would be drooling over that."
"I swear if you say one word to Mr. Tamaishi or Mr. Munemoshi about this, I will hang you by your toes from the roof of Baratoge."
"As if. Our dorm doesn't have roof access."
Kurumu giggled as they turned to walk up the stairs before the heavy double door in the center of the bank. The next two buildings on the bank's side of the street were identical. The first of these two story brick structures was for the public records where Ms. Bakudai's father worked. The next building on the corner of the next intersection was the speakers' offices.
"I wonder how many students she has done now."
Suzume threw Kurumu a curious look as Hatoko tugged the door open. The girl absently grabbed the door to hold it, allowing Hatoko to enter.
"What are you talking about?"
Kurumu smiled, passing by Suzume on the heels of Kiki.
"Just Rubi's job."
The soles of her loafers sounded against the marble floor of the bank's lobby. It was a rectangular space with a barrel ceiling that was smooth and white. Black cables held pairs of chandeliers in equal intervals with one large one in the center hanging down from the apex of the ceiling. The walls were all cut from the same black and white marble, jutting out at column locations.
Directly across from the entrance was a counter which stretched between two columns. Two ladies sat behind this counter with a thick glass panel separating them from the lobby. This panel was flush with the counter, going up about a meter to meet a soffit made from the same smooth white surface as the ceiling. Five small rectangles were carved out of the glass, allowing people to pass things to the ladies.
Heavy black doors were on either side of the columns flanking this counter, appearing to be the only way out of this lobby space. There was no place to sit and no furniture to speak of. The room was as empty as it had been an hour ago but at least there were employees instead of a sign stating to come back at one.
Hatoko strolled up to the lady sitting in the center of the counter space. This woman had silver streaks in her dark curls which reached her shoulders. The lady was wearing a soft blue blouse with a conservative collar. There was a vacant space with one of those rectangles between this lady and the other employee. That lady looked younger with her dark locks styled in a pixie cut. Her canary yellow blouse had a lower cut but she lacked a bosom to boast.
"Needs open a bank account."
The woman glanced up with narrow dark eyes to regard Kurumu and the other girls gathering around Hatoko. She leaned down, pulling a sheet of paper out from beneath the counter. Placing the form on the smooth counter, she fetched a blue pen out of a round black bin resting on the counter beside her.
"Do your friends have any business with the bank?"
"Naw. They bored and nosy."
"Then stand back from the counter. Only two customers at a time are allowed to stand at the window."
The woman made a shooing gesture with one hand as she slid a form and pen through the rectangular gap with the other. There was enough counter space on this side of the glass to use as a writing surface.
"Rude."
Kiki huffed at Asuka, stalking away from the counter.
"It's only common sense."
"Come on. We don't need to bother them."
Taijin beckoned for Asuka to follow as the tall girl walked away. The blond acquiesced when Kurumu and Suzume also retreated to a spot near the main entrance.
"I still think it was rude."
Suzume giggled, gesturing at Hatoko. The girl was already filling out the form.
"It's just for security purposes. They were just robbed last summer."
Kurumu nodded, noticing the silver security cameras mounted above the two heavy black doors. Two more cameras were mounted above the main entrance. She had no idea how much of the room these stationary cameras covered but they had provided footage of the three robbers.
"What are we doing after Yuu gets hired at the café?"
"I'm not applying for a job."
Kurumu shared a giggle with Suzume.
"Well unless you guys plan to treat me to dinner, I should go home and do my laundry."
"That's no fun."
"But she's right. I should check my mail before I spend any more money. If my mother isn't sending any allowance this week, I'll be too broke to do anything the rest of the weekend."
Asuka pouted at Suzume.
"But it won't even be two when we leave here. And it's not going to take us that long to check out the swimsuit section at Sports Station, assuming they have one. We easily have an hour or two to do something fun before you guys have to head back for dinner."
"What part of being broke do you not understand?"
Taijin laughed at Kiki's rhetorical question.
"Asuka's never been sympathetic to my financial situation."
"There are fun things that we could do that are practically free. Like karaoke."
"I am not singing."
Kurumu giggled at Taijin's flat refusal.
"If nobody minds, we could visit the music store. Watakoma told me about a band by the name of Yuzu. I was curious what kind of music they do."
"Never heard of them."
Suzume giggled at Asuka's prompt remark.
"I can't say that I have either. I only know songs from the radio. I don't always catch the names of the bands unless I hear a song a lot."
Kurumu frowned at the revelation, cocking her head.
"Don't you have a CD player?"
"No. Why did you think that?"
"I could have sworn that you had a CD collection."
Asuka touched her breast firmly.
"I have a CD collection. I even have a stereo."
"Rich brat."
Asuka smirked at Taijin.
"It's not my fault that you're an uncultured country bumpkin."
"Do you have a CD player?"
"My mother is single, Ms. Kurono, and I have an older brother. I tried to be considerate of her finances."
Suzume smirked at Kiki.
"Says the girl with the fancy wardrobe."
"I preferred pretty clothes over music."
Kurumu shook her head in disbelief.
"I expected this from Hatoko and Michiko. I had no idea that the two of you didn't own any music."
"Hey now. I recall you not having much of a CD collection yourself."
Kurumu laughed at Suzume's rebuttal.
"That's true. I didn't have anything before my birthday. I totally get you, Kiki. I only asked for things that I absolutely wanted from my mother."
Because she sold her body to make money.
"So why didn't you get a CD player?"
Suzume grinned at Asuka's query.
"I often thought about it but I never knew where to start."
"You just buy CDs of songs that you like on the radio. That's what I do."
"Asuka here is a fad chaser."
Asuka puffed up at Taijin's accusation.
"There are reasons why popular songs are popular."
"This brat has so many CDs. She easily has over a hundred."
Kurumu gasped in awe, knowing how much CDs cost.
"How long have you been buying CDs?"
Asuka shrugged nonchalantly.
"Ever since my parents bought me a CD player for my birthday during my fifth grade year."
"What kind of music do you buy?"
"Whatever strikes my fancy."
"We should check out your CD collection."
Asuka flinched at Kurumu's suggestion.
"I didn't bring my whole collection so it won't be as impressive. I have only about thirty, but Yuu knows I have lots more. And I haven't bought any new music since coming here."
"Why not?"
"Because there is no radio here. How can I buy popular songs if I don't know what is popular right now?"
Kurumu laughed at her excuse.
"Can't you just buy different CDs from bands and singers that you like?"
"I don't want to waste money on music that isn't popular. Most of my CDs are singles."
Kurumu perked up with understanding.
"Oh, I get you now. Akari had over twenty singles in her collection."
"You mean Ms. Uchikawa?"
Kurumu nodded at Suzume.
"Yea. She has almost fifty CDs in her room. Almost half of them were singles."
Asuka grinned, glancing at Taijin.
"Sounds cool. I wonder how many CDs we have in common."
"I don't recall seeing this Yuzu band in her collection though. Do you think Tashikana will be able to let me listen to a CD before buying it?"
"Do you even have money to buy a CD?"
Kurumu pouted at Suzume's smirk.
"No. And I wasn't asking any of you to buy it for me."
Asuka snickered, nudging Suzume.
"She'll probably have her boyfriend buy it for her."
"What's wrong with that?"
They all shared a laugh. Kurumu glanced over at Hatoko, noting that the bulge in her pocket was gone. The woman was softly explaining things to Hatoko whom was looking over a booklet that she had not had before. She nodded, taking a slip of paper that the woman pushed across the counter to her.
"You mentioned something as we walked in. About Ms. Rubi?"
Kurumu smiled at Suzume's prompting.
"Yea. She's in the speakers' office right now, contacting parents."
"Whom is Ms. Rubi?"
Kurumu grinned at Asuka.
"She's Yukari's roommate. She works as a secretary for the school. Right now she was tasked with calling parents to verify if our electives and room preferences are acceptable."
"That sounds like a big job for one person."
"Mhm. She started on Tuesday and will probably be doing it all of next week. They hope to give our new homeroom assignments before graduation."
"What ya gabbing bouts now?"
Kurumu grinned as Hatoko sauntered over to join them.
"New homeroom assignments. Are you finished?"
Hatoko wagged the booklet as she came to a stop by Suzume.
"Guess so. Gave me a record book to track my savings."
"Is that Kurono Ageha standing in my bank?!"
Kurumu shivered at the animosity dripping from that question. A gaunt figure stepped out from one of the doors. A black robe with a white inner layer was wrapped about the old man's frail body. A black cane with a silver handle clanked against the marble as he took a step towards them. His silver locks were swept up in a faux hawk and his scarlet eyes burned like fire as he approached. His facial structure was sharp and familiar as the heavy door closed under its own weight behind him.
Elder Kunai.
Asuka laughed, clapping a hand on Kurumu's shoulder.
"No way, old man. This is Kurono Kurumu. Her mother was Ageha."
The man shook with fury as he brandished the point of his cane at them.
"That whore killed my grandson!"
Kurumu staggered back, shaking her head. The girls around her were completely confused.
"What are you talking about, old man?"
His burning eyes glared at Asuka.
"I am Kunai Kurouji, little lady. And I own this town."
Asuka perked up and stepped towards the old man, forcing his advance to cease.
"Oh? You must be one of the town elders."
"Are you friends with this harlot?"
"Sure. She's fun to be around. What makes you think she killed your grandson?"
Elder Kunai glowered at the raiji.
"Her mother killed my grandson seventeen years ago."
Kurumu snapped out of her shock.
"That's not true. The hospital autopsy report revealed that your grandson died days after my parents left Mononoke. They had nothing to do with it."
The old man's eyes burned with rekindled hatred.
"How would you know anything about the hospital report?! That proves your mother was a Fairy Tale agent! Of course she would be told about the autopsy her Fairy Tale performed on my boy!"
Kurumu reeled back from his words, shaking her head.
"That's not true! I just found out about the report from Mr. Fujita earlier this week."
Elder Kunai scoffed at her.
"Fujita. That dog. Nothing but a pawn that you people used. Fairy Tale burned down my town! They killed my people and blamed it on us! Because we're uncivilized monstrels. Lesser beings. And when my boy found out the truth, your mother had him killed!"
Kurumu trembled under his rage. It was pure. Raw. He believed every word of it. She could only whisper her protest into the heavy pressure radiating from the elder.
"My mother never hurt anyone."
Asuka held her hands up, remaining between Kurumu and the furious patriarch.
"Her mother is dead, Sir."
His eyes flickered with intensity.
"Good. Get out of my town."
Asuka frowned, glancing back at them with confusion.
"Town? Don't you mean your bank?"
"I said out of my town!"
"But we can't leave. We're students at Yokai Academy."
"We will see about that."
Asuka shook her head in disbelief as Hatoko pushed open the door. Kiki hastily exited.
"Are you threatening to kick us out of school?"
"This is my town and any friends of that whore are not welcome here."
Asuka stepped forward with a surge of electricity crackling about her form.
"Do you have any idea whom you are talking to, old man? My uncle-"
Asuka cut off her words on her own but the old man jabbed her with the point of his cane, forcing the blond back a step.
"What about your uncle, pureblood bitch?"
Taijin grabbed the trembling raiji by the shoulders, ignoring the flashes of lightning up her arms.
"Let it go, Asuka."
Suzume nodded, nudging Kurumu to the door that Hatoko still held open.
"Yea. The elder can take this up with the new headmaster."
"How dare Mikogami betray me like this. Allowing this succubus into his school."
"Well you're not going to have any luck with the new headmaster. Kurumu is like best friends with Yukari and she's Lord Sendou's granddaughter."
The elder scowled as Taijin tugged an agitated Asuka closer to the door.
"Mr. Sendou needs to learn his place. This is my town and I am the law."
"Then you're doing a very shitty job of keeping the peace. Yokai Academy has one of the highest student casualty rates in Japan, Mr. Law."
"Shut up, Asuka!"
Taijin hauled Asuka off her feet, carrying the charged girl out of the bank.
"I'm a fucking raiji! He can't talk shit like that!"
Elder Kunai huffed when the pair was gone, turning his gaze back upon Kurumu.
"This is no place for her kind, vampires or yours."
"Vampires? What do you have against Moka?"
Elder Kunai looked upon her with disgust.
"She's Fairy Tale trash just like you. Now get out of my sight."
"Come on, Kurumu."
Kurumu allowed Suzume to steer her out of the bank and down the stairs. Kiki was standing out in the street with an uncomfortable look. Asuka was on her feet with her head bowed. Taijin was hovering by the girl as Hatoko came out with the door closing behind her.
"Hopes that outburst not makes him lose my money."
Kurumu managed a laugh, shaking her head.
"I hope he wouldn't be that petty."
Asuka sniffled loudly, rubbing her eyes. Kurumu glanced at the blond.
"You okay?"
"I forgot that he's dead. I'm so stupid."
Kurumu's heart fluttered, having been too caught up in the moment to process it immediately. Asuka's uncle had been the Fairy Tale commander of the Tohoku region. He had died along with most of the members of the High Court in Fujisaki's ploy to take control of Fairy Tale.
"He was a good guy."
Asuka sniffled with a nod. The raiji started walking off in the direction of Sports Station.
"Yea. He was."
A small buzzer sounded the completion of the dry cycle. Kurumu exhaled loudly, setting the letter from Mrs. Sakamori aside. She pushed off the table nestled in the corner of the laundry room, touching down on her loafers. Wearing her black tank top with her gray cotton shorts, Kurumu grabbed up her baby blue hamper and padded over to the row of six dryers against the exterior wall.
Kurumu opened up the first dryer and reached inside. She felt the warmth of her garments as she pulled out her school jackets. Lacking any desire to fold her clothes, she emptied the dryer without any care to the order. She had four days' worth of clothes along with two swimsuits and her gym clothes.
Once she was certain that she had every sock and lingerie out of the dryer, she scooted her hamper over to the next machine. Opening the door, she tugged out her fitted sheet and her thicker sheet with the pink strings along the hem. She pulled out her pillows, stuffing them on top of everything. After closing up both dryers, Kurumu hefted up the warm hamper and shuffled back to the table.
Snatching up the letter, her lunch card and her keys, Kurumu waddled toward the exit. Flanking this door was a vending machine filled with laundry products. She paused to open the door, slipping out into the main commissary area. She navigated the aisles of goods, seeing Mrs. Kurokira behind the counter near the front entrance. The lady was wearing a black, short sleeved blouse.
"Have a good evening, Ms. Kurono."
Kurumu murmured a similar sentiment, setting her hamper down by the counter. She waved her lunch card, triggering the door sensor. As the doors slid open, she hefted the hamper up and wandered out into the cool night air.
There would always be unpleasant things in life. She was not the only orphan in this world. She was not the only person hated for their race. And she was not the only victim of sexual assault.
Kurumu sighed as she drifted towards the corner of the commissary with the stair of the upper single suite coming down near it. She should pay Yukari a visit. Elder Kunai would petition against her being allowed to attend the school. It would be best if Lord Sendou was prepared for this confrontation.
Deciding she should try to do that now, Kurumu veered toward the side of their apartment building. It had been impossible to enjoy the rest of her day. She had gone straight to the maid café and Hatoko had been allowed to work. Asuka and Taijin had offered to stick around and walk the girl home. They had parted ways shortly after that, deciding not to buy any sweets from the café.
In no mood to check out the music store, Kurumu had tolerated a stop at Sports Station before heading back to their dorms. Sports Station did have a small selection of one piece swimsuits optimized for racing, but she had lacked any interest to try them on. Most were one color and had generic sizing. The cheapest had been six thousand yen. Kurumu could not recall how much she had paid for her bikini.
Reaching the side of the building, Kurumu started up the stairs with her hamper clutched to her bosom. She was not hungry despite having skipped dinner. They had arrived a half hour too early for the dining hall to be serving the last meal of the day. Kurumu had decided to do laundry instead.
It was probably around seven though Kurumu could not be sure. She had left her phone on its charger in her room. The letter in her mailbox had dispelled any desire to eat, though showing up in her current attire would be stupid. She had no lingerie on beneath this. That had not even been intentional.
Kurumu sighed heavily, setting the hamper down on the landing. She pushed the small button on the door frame, causing a bird to chirp inside Yukari's suite. She hoped that the witch was home by now. As far as she knew, Yukari had gone home after the English exam with no real plans for the day. While the witch could be hanging out with Moka, it was just as likely that she had stayed home reading a book.
Despite her optimism, Kurumu felt relief when she heard the door being unlocked. The door swung out, revealing Yukari. The young witch had already dressed down, wearing her yellow tank top with the strawberry pattern along with the matching sleep pant. Yukari's eyes betrayed her annoyance.
"What do you want?"
"I just wanted to talk."
"You're not spending the night with me."
Kurumu pouted, hefting her hamper up over the swell of her bosom.
"I'm going to my room afterwards. I have to put my laundry away."
Yukari sighed dramatically, gesturing inside.
"Fine. Come on in. Rubi isn't home yet."
Kurumu shuffled into the small entry space on the other side of the door. She was not surprised to hear about Rubi's absence, having been told that the speakers' offices were open until eight. As Yukari locked up the door, Kurumu wiggled out of her loafers.
"Your grandpa is taking advantage of Rubi, making her work twelve hour shifts these last four days."
"Rubi likes being punished."
Kurumu smirked, wandering over to Yukari's empty closet. She placed her hamper by the door, turning about. Yukari had already returned to her low table where a book rested upon its surface. Keeping the letter and her keys in hand, Kurumu drifted over to the table. She gestured at the book which had white text scrawled across a black cover.
"Reading another one of Ms. Bakudai's recommendations?"
Yukari nodded as Kurumu knelt down across the table from her.
"Did something happen with Ms. Morisato?"
Kurumu took in a deep breath before holding the letter out to Yukari.
"I got this in the mail today from Mrs. Sakamori. Hinoko's mother."
Yukari gingerly took the folded sheet out of Kurumu's hand. Kurumu managed a smile as Yukari unfolded the letter to look it over.
"She says she had Hinoko committed. I don't know what that means."
"Are you stupid?"
Kurumu pouted as Yukari's attention remained on the letter.
"Yes, Yukari. Explain it to me."
"It means she had her daughter put into a twenty four hour facility to keep her safe."
Kurumu bit her lip as her heart tightened.
"Because she tried to kill herself?"
"It's a good reason to have someone committed, Kurumu."
And the day's frustrations finally brought Kurumu to tears. She wrung her hands as she held her keys and lunch card, feeling a tear roll down her right cheek.
"I don't understand. I took her memories away. Hinoko shouldn't remember being raped or seeing those robbers kill her friends. It should all be blank."
Yukari sighed heavily, lowering the letter into her lap.
"Lack of memories doesn't erase reality, Kurumu. I don't remember being brutally raped but I have the braces to prove it happened."
Yukari flashed Kurumu a wide smile with the intent of showing the braces. One of the monstrels had decided to beat Yukari's face in while he raped her.
"But you're okay now."
Yukari shot her a patronizing look.
"I couldn't masturbate, Kurumu. I went from being sexually curious to not wanting anything. You gave me a false memory of a fling with Tsukune to sort of bring me back to where I was, but it still hurts."
"You asked me for that."
Yukari shook the letter in her lap as her face betrayed her agitation.
"Because I needed something. Anything. I was filling that void with horrible things. My brain demanded an explanation for what happened. I'm guessing that Ms. Sakamori did the same."
Kurumu cried, feeling so helpless.
"I fucked up. I should have given her better memories."
"I don't know if that would have worked for Ms. Sakamori. If you had done something like that for me, it would have only confused me. The memory needs to be realistic."
"But I left yours blank. That sexy session with Tsukune was during the time you blacked out at the Shuzen Estate. That was months after the incident."
Yukari sighed heavily, handing the letter over. Kurumu reluctantly took it as she sniffled.
"I never told you that your little fantasy fixed me. It just gave me something better to hope for. A good sexual experience to fight off the bad one that I didn't remember."
Kurumu folded the letter up, bringing close to her bosom.
"So she's in like a hospital?"
"Maybe. I don't know if that's what they do with people suffering from mental health issues. Humans have institutions for that. As far as I know, Fairy Tale only has prisons and hospitals."
"Prison? They put her in a prison?!"
Yukari made a placating gesture.
"I don't know, Kurumu. It just says she took her to Agano. We both know that Agano has the prefectural prison. I'd have to ask my grandfather if they have a hospital."
"But why would they put her in a prison?"
Yukari shrugged in frustration.
"I don't know why they put orphans in a prison, Kurumu. But it is a twenty four hour facility. She would be relatively safe in such a place."
"Couldn't they take her to a human institution?"
"Too risky. It probably wouldn't take humans too long to notice someone isn't human. And then Fairy Tale would have to get involved. Her mother made the right call here."
Kurumu sniffled, wiping her tears with the back of her hand.
"It just isn't fair. Why do bad things keep happening?"
"It's not like Alucard was the source of all evil in this world. Life is life."
"I wish there was something we could do for Hinoko."
Yukari let out a long sigh.
"Maybe there is a way for us to visit with Ms. Sakamori."
Kurumu calmed her breathing, still feeling frustrated with everything.
"Could we do that soon?"
"I don't know. I would have to talk Grandfather about it. Maybe we will have time over the break."
Kurumu nodded emphatically.
"I would very much want that."
"I can't make any promises. We don't even know if she's in a hospital or the prison."
Kurumu kept nodding, thinking about the other big issue on her mind.
"I bumped into Elder Kunai at the bank today."
"Why would you go to the bank?"
"I was going with Hatoko to open her bank account."
Yukari let out an exasperated sigh.
"You know that guy doesn't like your mother."
"Yea. That was quickly obvious."
"Did he tell you off?"
Kurumu grimaced with a sniffle.
"More than that. He threatened that he would get me expelled from Mononoke. And I think that he was extending that threat to Moka because Mrs. Shuzen was the president of Fairy Tale."
Yukari's lips pursed in a thoughtful expression.
"I doubt that he has the authority to tell my grandfather whom can and cannot go to Yokai Academy. Fairy Tale has more sway with that due to our prefectural school status."
"Yukari. This guy hates Fairy Tale. And he certainly thinks that he should have say in our enrollment."
Yukari shrugged nonchalantly.
"I'll pass word on to my grandfather. Luckily he's the one in charge instead of my father. As much as I love my dad, he'd probably jump at the opportunity to kick the three of you out of this school."
"That doesn't make me feel good about your father."
"He just thinks you and my Moka are corrupting me. If it was up to him, I wouldn't be in this school."
Kurumu laughed despite her heavy emotions.
"I guess that's fair. Have you been reading the whole day?"
"Yes. I swung by the library and checked out two of Ms. Bakudai's recommendations. I hope to finish this one tonight and I'll read the other one over the weekend."
"Isn't it boring reading books?"
"Reading enriches a person's life far more than roaming aimlessly about town in search of stimulation and cheap thrills."
Kurumu breathed in deep, lacking any interest in arguing this point.
"Do you mind if I come back here after putting up my clothes?"
"What part of I want to read do you not understand?"
Kurumu pouted at Yukari.
"I just wanted to chat with Rubi a little before I go to bed for the night."
Yukari picked up her book and made a shooing gesture.
"I'll send her to your room when she gets home. Now leave me be."
With a sigh, Kurumu got to her feet. She hoped that Chouda was home. Hanging out with her had to be better than lying about in her room, listening to music.