Chapter 95 - Ninja Event: Epilogue
...
"It's nice to meet you too, Shuro." I say, rolling over and proceeding to stand up.
"Huh. You're taller than I thought you'd be, Sensei." The small girl says, eyes wide in wonder as she looks up at me. "And tougher too... You don't seem hurt at all after catching that one."
Turning around, I look at Michiru on the ground behind me. When that trapdoor opened, I rushed forward and caught her best I could, but I didn't have anyone to catch me. She seems okay, just knocked out thankfully. Regardless, I turn back to Shuro and shrug. "I'm tough."
The dangerous girl hums, smiling as she does so.
"Mmmmh." I turn back around as I hear Michiru groan. "Huh...? Where am I...?"
"The bottom of that trapdoor." I answer.
"A trap? You mean in the mansion? The tourist spot?" She asks, shakily sitting up.
"Yeah. You okay?" I ask.
"I'm a bit dizzy, but... Wait a goddang second! This is an actual ninja mansion?!" Michiru realizes.
"Hahaha! You seriously didn't realize that?" Shuro laughs, causing Michiru to look at her with some apprehension. Seems she gets it too.
"Who...? Ugh, nevermind. We need all hands on deck! Sensei-dono! Let's go!" The tanuki says.
"Oh? You're just going to rush off like that?" The dangerous loli asks with a sadistic grin. "Sensei caught you when you fell, Y'know? Aren't you going to ask if he's hurt or not?"
"I'm not." I say, narrowing my eyes at Shuro, who just smiles innocently.
"Sensei-dono... almost got hurt...? All because I went rushing off on my own...?" Michiru asks, eyes wide in worry and guilt.
"Don't beat yourself up. You couldn'ta known there was a pit fall trap there." I say, hoping to placate her.
"...ruined..." The grayette worriedly mutters.
"Hm?" I ask, furrowing my brows.
"It's all ruined..." She repeats, tears welling up in her eyes before they begin to fall. "WAAHHH! I'm sorry! What did I do? I ruined everything!"
Kneeling down, I hold the crying girl for a long while. Eventually, she stops bawling.
"You okay now?" I ask.
"...Yes." Michiru says with a sniffle as we separate.
"Why were you sayin' you ruined everything?" I ask.
"It's because she was selfish." Shuro answers. "You could've stopped this whole thing if you'd just reported it, riiiiight?" She asks with a grin.
"You... knew...?" Michiru asks, shocked.
"The original performance doesn't have Mouryo in it, you know?" The mauvette grins. "You could've reported it to the Yin-Yang Club or even Hyakkayouran, but you didn't. You wanted to make your club official. At least, that's what the Yin-Yang Club President said anyway- that your ninja club wasn't official."
"I figured as much." I nod.
"Y-You knew the whole time?!" Michiru's eyes snap over to me.
"Duh." I deadpan.
"Well... She's right, but..." The grayette trails off. Why is she so hesitant?
But Shuro cackles again, a wide, toothy grin on her pale face. "Hahaha! Poor little Michiru~. For all her love of ninjas, she's still just super scared of being bullied for liking it. So scared of being laughed at. Your friends aren't afraid, so why are you? Do you even like ninjas at all?"
"Of course I do!" The tanuki snaps, jumping to her feet, surprising both Shuro and I. "But I have a responsibility to everyone! Izuna and her starry-eyed wonder of ninjas, and sweet, wide-eyed Tsukuyo... I wanted to be a role model they could be proud of... That's all... If the only consequence of today was the show being ruined and us not getting officiated... That would be okay."
"Then why were you so greedy?" Shuro presses, still grinning. "Did you want to be the star of the show? Enough to risk a war with Hyakkiyako and Gehenna? Or... did you just want to show off to that kid from Gehenna?"
Michiru looks away. "I... I don't know... But... I promised to keep her safe. But now she's crying somewhere I can't help her... You're right, I was greedy. And it's because of it that this situation has spiraled. If people find out, what if Izuna and Tsukuyo get blamed just for being involved in the Ninjustu Research Club? If I hadn't been so selfish, so greedy... What if those two find out? They would be so disappointed in me... I'm... I'm..."
"Then are you just gonna stay here and be sad about it?" I ask.
Michiru blinks. "H-Huh...?"
"So you fucked up, big deal. Staying here and worrying isn't gonna fox anything." I say.
"B-But..."
"Michiru." I interrupt. "Is that all it was? You were scared to submit the application?"
"I mean... How could I have ever submitted one?!" She snaps. "What normal, ordinary person would ever take ninjas seriously? We're the Ninjustu Research Club, for crying out loud! All we do is cosplay as ninjas from anime and comic books! Who was actually going to accept us...?" She asks, turning somber at the end. "No one wound understand! They already call us weirdos with weird hobbies! You think they'd care? They're treat us like imbeciles! They'd treat MY FRIENDS like imbeciles! That's why I can't!"
So that's what it is. She wasn't being selfish, but at the same time was being selfish. What a strange circumstance.
"...Well, that's what you think. But have you asked those two?"
"S-Sensei-dono...?" The ninja asks, confused.
I sigh. Reaching for the Shittim Chest, I pull out a hanker chief and use it to dry her wet and red eyes. Once done, I speak, "C'mon, do you really just wanna sit here? I promised to help Ibuki too, y'know? I'm going regardless."
"You... You're right." Michiru nods, looking more determined. "For now, our priority is getting out of here. And... thanks, Sensei-dono."
"Anytime." I smile.
"If you two are done with your little moment, the door's this way." Shuro says, pointing a thumb over her shoulder towards.
"Shush! You shouldn't interrupt your elders when they're having a moment, brat!" The tanuki snaps.
"Hahaha! You have some fire in you after all!" Shuro giggles, nearly causing me to shudder. This girl still gives me the heebie-jeebies. "It's a good thing you found it, your makeup was starting to run."
"Wh-Whaaaat?!" The tanuki shouts. "Hey! You could've been a little nicer about it!" She then sighs. "I don't even know what to say anymore..."
"Speaking of, how do you know the way out?" I ask, also meaning 'what are you doing here?'.
"This mansion is reeeeeally old, same with a lot of buildings in Hyakkiyako. Even if they've been fixed up and refurbished, some of them still hold a few secrets." Shuro grins, her words only causing me more worry. Something's hidden here, then? If so, what?
"Wait a second... This place actually looks familiar." The grayette says. "That corridor... the layout of the room... Could it be... Kama-Boko Gale Batle...?"
"Kama-what now?" I ask, before turning to Shuro, who shrugs.
"If that's the case, then..." Michiru ignores me, causing me to throw my hands up onto the air. "I actually might have a clue. Sensei-dono! This way!" She says, walking off.
I sigh. "Lead the way." I take a step, before pausing. "What're you gonna do?" I cautiously ask the dangerous girl.
Shuro smiles, humming in thought. "Why not? I'm sure things will get pretty crazy soon enough. I don't wanna miss that!"
Her toothy grin still creeps me out, despite it being kinda cute. Shrugging, I motion for her to follow.
Shuro and I then follow Michiru through the mansion as she helps us avoid trap after trap. As we walk, we pass by various others who've fallen for them. Fuuka and a pink haired girl, the Gourmet Research Society, as well as other Gehenna and Hyakkiyako students.
The small girl giggles at the victims' misfortune as we continue along. She's totally a sadist.
Soon, we leave through the back of the place
"A-ha! I knew it! This place is a carbon copy of the ninja mansion episode of Kama-Boko Gale Battle!" The tanuki exclaims. "Isn't that copyright infringement?! I know there's more pressing matters at hand, but what the heck?!"
"I'm more surprised by the fact you remembered the place's layout so throughly." I praise.
"Yeah, well... I watched that episode a lot." The grayette says, a touch embarrassed. "Still, it's pretty common for references like this in tourist spots, ain't it?" So long as it doesn't fuck with Disney, that is.
"Ugh, we have a princess to save, but I am SO gonna give the management her a piece of my mind later!" Michiru groans.
"Geez, you sound like those girls who complain about their getting coffee wrong." Shuro insults.
"Oh, those types of girls exist in Kivotos too?" I ask, curious.
"Yeah." Shuro says, showing a negative emotion for the first time. "It was a trend online for a while there- girls order something complicated then complain when the workers get it wrong. Tch, worthless bitches..." Her grin then returns. "The next trend was coffee shop workers throwing the drink in those annoying girls' faces."
"Really? Damn, I gotta see that." I say with honestly. It's always a good day when internet pranksters get karma's fist up their asses.
"Wow! Two qualifiers! Sensei, Michiru, and...!" Kaede announces, before blinking. "Another girl...?"
"Oh, don't mind me, I'm just here to watch this mess from the front row." Shuro grins, waving her hand up and down.
Kaede just shrugs, going along with it.
"Huh? What're you doing here?" Michiru blinks.
"I can't believe you rushed off without hearing that rules first! I was at a loss!" The busty loli pouts. "But since you made it through, I can finish explaining! Whoever beats the maze within the mansion earns the right to be a contender!" Ah, about as I expected.
"A contender?" The ninja blinks.
"That's right! So whoever gets out first..." Kaede trails off, snapping her fingers loudly with a grin on her face. A few Labor Party members show up. "...gets to fight the gatekeeper, who is me! Kaede! Applause!"
"Seriously...?" Michiru deadpans.
"Seems about right for Kivotos." I groan, looking down at Shuro. "You helpin' out, or...?"
The mauvette shrugs. "Might as well. The mansion was pretty easy to sneak through, I was expecting more of a workout." She grins, readying her old-as-sin rifle.
"Can something that old even fire?" Michiru asks.
"It might be an antique, but it's as good as brand new! No, even better than that!" Shuro boasts. Idly, I feel... something from those ofuda all over the barrel. They're connected to her Mystic, aren't they?
"Done talking? Good!" Kaede chirps. "If you beat me, then you win! So ready or not, here I come!"
The proceeding fight is nothing special- Michiru, Shuro, and I took care of our opponents with ease. Shuro's fighting style was interesting too. Her rate of fire with that old gun of hers was slow, but powerful. Those ofuda talismans would glow a strange magenta light- a mix of both shades of magenta in her irises and pupils- before she fired off a bullet glowing the same color, exploding into purple and black upon impact. Those shots had some power behind them, too. While she didn't use anything special, considering how wary I still am of her, I'd best keep my eye on Shuro from now on.
"Okie-dokie! You passed! Congratulations!" Kaede chirps as we beat her and the Labor Party girls.
"Is it over?" Michiru asks, panting slightly.
"Oh, c'mon. You can't be tired that easy." Shuro raises a brow.
"Yup, yup! I'll have to go report it to the big guys! Be right back!" The mouse girl chirps before sprinting off.
"I feel tired suddenly." I say, earning a snort of laughter from the small girl.
"Sensei! President! Are you two okay?!" Tsukuyo cries, running up to us.
"President! Aruji-dono! Are you hurt?!" Izuna cries, running alongside the purplette.
"Tsukuyo! Izuna!" Michiru blinks as her friends run up to her, worried.
"You vanished out of nowhere... Izuna and I tried to go after you..." The tall girl trails off.
"But we got lost inside the ninja mansion! But just when all hope was lost, Tsukuyo came up with a solution!" The fox continues.
"I... I remembered this mansion from a c-c-comic book you lent me, President..." The purplette explains. "Good thing you recommended it, right?" She asks with a small giggle.
"Oh? Y-Yeah?" The tanuki stutters.
I look around. "What happened to Iroha?"
"Well, you see... She was with us, but somewhere along the way..." The brunette begins.
"She just disappeared. So, uh, it's only the two of us who made it out..." The tall girl continues. "W-We should go back to look for her..."
"You girls probably don't have time for that right now." Shuro pipes up, drawing the new arrival's attention. Tsukuyo looks at the small girl with confusion, but Izuna-
fwoosh!
With an impressive burst of speed, Izuna de ashes in between Shuro and I, her rifle trained on the mauvette's head.
"Wha?" "I-Izuna?!" The other two ninjas cry.
"Stay back, Aruji-dono! Thi-This girl is dangerous! Way more so than that fox, Wakamo!" Izuna warns.
"Hahaha! You're a smart one, huh?" Shuro grins, her fangs showing once again. Despite Izuna's rifle not moving an inch, she remains fearless. "Still, it's high praise to be called more dangerous than the Fox of Calamity. She isn't here is she?"
"Nope." I say, popping the p. Best not to tell her where she is, just to be safe.
"Aww. Oh well." The dangerous loli shrugs, dropping her smile. "But you don't have to worry, I won't do anything to harm your precious lord, ninja-chan~"
Izuna doesn't budge for a long while, before she reluctantly lowers her gun, staying right next to me.
"Um." Michiru says, drawing our attention. "Tsukuyo, Izuna. I have something to tell you two."
"Y-Yes...?" The tall girl asks.
But before she can say anything, more Labor Party girls appear.
"Oh? Did you girls need something?" Shuro inquires, curious.
"Thank goodness. I appear to have made it on time."
"Kaho?" I blink, surprised by the blonde's sudden appearance. Guess those girls are her guards.
"If I had the time, I would thoroughly chastise the garish performance you've put on." Kaho sighs.
"Garish...?" Shuro mutters, sounding a bit upset. Guess she enjoyed it? Sadistic little brat.
"But instead, I insist you cease your pursuit immediately." The tailless kitsune demands.
"Eh?" Michiru blinks. "You want us to stop?"
"We we're finally altered of the situation, albeit belatedly." Kaho explains. "To think something so unseemly was allowed to happen at the exchange meeting... And something so unseemly as the kidnapping of a VIP guest should have been reported immediately, no?" She asks the grayette, making the best impression of Rin's pissed off face I've seen yet. Eight outta ten. Not bad.
"Ack! Well, y-you see..." It seems to have worked on Michiru though.
"Considering the... effort you've put in to resolve the situation, I'll allow it." Kaho adds. "But from here on, we will handle this."
"Y-You want us to butt out?" Tsukuyo asks.
"Not in so many words, but yes." Kaho nods. Ironic, since Tsukuyo described it in less words than she did. "Luckily, we've been able to use the broadcast to pinpoint the Free Spirited Mouryo's whereabouts. We will be calling in Hyakkayouran to deal with them."
I idly notice Shuro stiffen to my side. What's that about?
"The Yin-Yang Club will be taking over operations from here." Kaho continues. "Now, if you'll excuse me." She then moves to leave, but-
"You can't just decide that for us!" Izuna cries, surprising the other kitsune and the tanuki.
"That's right! Th-The show can still be salvaged!" The tall girl adds. "We all worked so hard to make it here... If we catch the Mouryo, the show can still go on!"
"How very admirable. But I don't believe you all are in agreement here." The blonde says. "There appears to be one key person here who hasn't spoken up." She eyes Michiru, who jolts silently. Kaho then sighs. "I'm grateful the public hasn't caught wind of what's happened yet. But allow me to be frank. The show is already a failure. And it's inconceivable that the Ninjustu Research Club would be entrusted to pick up the pieces. Some ragtag group that's not even an official club. My advice? Step down before you get hurt." She says, offering a threatening smile. "And if this is about making your club official... There are more proper routes you can take, am I correct?"
I clench my fist, but remain silent, turning to Michiru. This ain't my decision, much as I wanna slap the blonde right now. I barely hear Shuro giggle. Damn sadist. But, to my disappointment...
"...Kaho is right." Michiru relents.
"President?!" Izuna cries, shocked.
"President...?" As does Tsukuyo.
"Seriously? After all of this, your just gonna give up?" Shuro asks, looking rather upset.
"At the end of the day, it's my selfishness that got us into this mess. If it weren't for me, we wouldn't be in this disaster." Michiru says with a smile. Despite that, tears prickle at her eyes. "I'm sorry... to Kaho, Sensei, everyone else... My greed dragged everyone else down... And poor Ibuki is scared and alone because of me too. This is all because of my stupid self, so..." She sighs slowly. "Yeah... I think it's time we got lost..."
"No! Never!" Tsukuyo snaps, looking legitimately pissed of, surprising the grayette. She then pauses, noticing the eyes on her. "...S-Sure... Maybe the Yin-Yang Club's vice president is right. Why wouldn't you submit a club application no matter what? Why were you so insistent on this...? Why...? You didn't tell me or Izuna anything until it got this bad...! ...I'm just a big, scatterbrained oaf, so I can't for the life of me figure it out!"
"Tsukuyo..." Michiru mutters.
"But all of that aside...! We made a promise!" The tall girl continues.
"...A promise?" Michiru blinks.
"To Ibuki. Remember?" I remind.
"Sensei's right. We promised her we would protect her...! Save her if she needed us, no matter what!" The purplette says.
Michiru just remains silent and wide eyed.
Tsukuyo smiles. "Rule three of being a ninja! When ninjas make a promise..."
"They always keep their word!" Izuna chirps.
"So please, Sensei. Please... help us..." Tsukuyo pleads.
I smile. "I made that promise to Ibuki too, remember?"
"Do you really, truly believe you can fight you way through?" Kaho asks, trying to be intimidating again, and failing.
"You'll need an army to stop me, especially when it comes to keep a promise to a kid in trouble." I say with a savage grin, releasing a bit of killing intent right at her as I hold my arms out.
Kaho staggers back a step, eyes wide from the pressure.
"Hahaha! You're something else, Sensei!" Shuro laughs. I wonder if she means the killing intent or the threat?
"...I see." The blonde says, regaining her composure. "Well, fine. Have it your way! I shall give you the fight you so desperately want!"
Thus, it begins. Two ninjas, Shuro, and I versus a small army of Labor Party members. It's not even worth describing as they all go down easily. 'Twas a simple fight, Kaho didn't even bother pulling out her gun. Pathetic, honestly. Michiru, however, just stands back and watches, clearly torn.
"Really? You just let your followers do the dirty work? Typical Yin-Yang Club." Shuro scoffs. Kaho sends her a glare, but the small girl just smiles even wider at that.
Shaking her head, Kaho then turns to us. "I... don't understand... You can maximize your combat capabilities to that degree, just because Sensei is on the field? I just don't understand. Why do you persevere?" She asks, baffled. "Like I said, there are much easier avenues for you to become an official club."
"That's easy. We want to support our president's decisions. Whatever they may be." Tsukuyo says, only further confusing the blonde.
"You got that right! Hear, hear!" Izuna adds.
The tall girl smiles. "Yes! We're standing behind our president because that's what we do at the Ninjustu Research Club!"
"...?!" Michiru gasps.
"It... It's not like I don't see it too..." Tsukuyo continues. "Even someone stupid like me understands what type of person our president is. She can be petty, selfish, and sometimes downright pretentious."
Michiru recoils, as if struck.
"I've really considered that she might be a lost cause."
She recoils again.
"Not to mention so, so reckless...!"
And again.
"But in spite of all of that... She works so hard so that we can keep pursuing our love of ninjas!" The purplette finishes the poor girl off- Michiru's eyes widen at her friend's words. "That's who she is too! I like our president! And I respect her! That's why I'm standing by her. We're going to make the show a success and make you recognize our club. No matter what!"
"And we're gonna honor our promise to Ibuki!" Izuna adds.
Tsukuyo nods. "That's what being a ninja is all about! ...Right, president?"
"Tsukuyo...! I...!" Michiru stammers, taken aback by her friend's dedication.
"That's what... being a ninja is about...?" Kaho repeats, trying to parse the phrase.
I just smile. These girls are good friends, they don't need me to solve their problem, not this time.
rumble rumble rumble
I pause, feeling the ground shake a bit. And that sounds like... "Oh, there she is."
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM
Everyone is nearly thrown off of their feet as a large section of the mansion is blown to pieces, causing smoke to billow all around us. I hear the vehicle stop before hearing footsteps approaching.
"Everyone okay?"
"Yup. Helluva way to make an entrance, Iroha." I answer. The redhead just smiles in response.
"I-Iroha?!" Michiru shouts.
"Hahaha! I like this girl already!" Shuro laughs, pleased by the destruction.
"Uh-huh!" Kaede, who's also appeared, confirms. "I found her waking around in circles inside the mansion and brought her out! But then we found this tank and she said she really wanted to ride it!"
Sure enough, the dust settles, revealing an old Japanese tank. Hyakkiyako style, eh?
"I realized something while I was lost inside that mansion." Iroha says, looking determined. "I don't know what I've been doing, trying to do this the honest way, pounding the pavement like some idiot. That's never been my style. I'm not letting things end here. I'm saving Ibuki, one way or another. You all haven't given up yet either, have you?"
"H-Hang in just a second?!" Kaho shouts, clearly in denial. Shuro just laughs even harder.
"I know I haven't." I smile, Iroha matching it with a smile of her own.
"...President?" Tsukuyo asks.
"President!" Izuna adds.
Michiru looks towards me. I just smile and shrug. She shakes her head, "I don't know anything anymore, but here goes nothing! Ninjutsu Research Club, move out!"
"Bwahaha! How's everyone holding up so far?" Niya asks from the blimp, a few minutes after leaving Kaho. "The chase is only getting more and more intense... I'm just DYING to find out how this all ends!"
Thankfully, we kept pace with the Mouryo thanks to our new tank all of us are either riding on or in- and the cameras, thanks to Arona.
"There they are! Izuna sees them!" Izuna points from atop the vehicle.
I see 'em too, all scrambling away. Guess the tank was a good decision.
BOOM
"Was that an explosion?" Tsukuyo asks.
"Sounded like it." Iroha confirms.
"They blew up the bridge to the castle." I explain, watching them via camera still.
"Huh? Are they crazy?!" Michiru asks, shocked.
"Izuna's seen this in a TV drama before! It was called the Royal Road of Pursuit, nin nin!" The kitsune chirps.
Iroha scoffs. "They think that a broken bridge will deter me? What a bunch of amateurs."
"Uh... I don't like the sound of that." The tanuki says.
"I do!" Shuro chirps.
Really, I'm impressed by how easily Iroha's picked up driving a foreign tank. Regardless, I grin, "As do I. Floor it, Iroha!"
The Gehenna student smiles. "Everyone, hold on tight!"
"Whyyyyy?!" The grayette shouts as we speed up.
"The gap in that bridge isn't too big. We can definitely make that jump." Iroha explains.
"No, we definitely CAN'T!" Michiru argues.
"We just need enough speed." Iroha reiterates.
"You think this thing can handle that?" I ask.
Iroha grimaces. "Rotate the tank's barrel one hundred-eighty degrees."
I grin savagely. "I like your way of thinking."
"Huh? Why are we doing that?" Tsukuyo asks.
"Are you sure about this?!" The grayette cries.
"I saw it in a movie once! It'll work!" The redhead says. "It's now or never! Brace yourselves!"
BOOM
With that, the tank begins to fire backwards, propelling us forward. God, it's like I'm playing Vice City again!
"Holy crap!" Kaede, who also came with for some reason, shouts as we speed up, closing in on the bridge.
Shuro just laughs and laughs. She's even holding her sides.
Everyone holds onto something as we speed up more and more and more and-
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM
Everyone lurches forward as the tank flies across the gap and slams into the ground. Iroha does everything she can to stop the damn thing, and manages to do so rather quickly.
Iroha sighs in relief as everyone stumbles around.
"Uh... What's up and what's down..." Izuna groans.
"I think I need to go to therapy..." Tsukuyo adds.
"Ugggh..." Kaede just makes a noise.
The three of them then flop to the ground as they leave the tank. Unfortunately, even Iroha is dizzy as hell. "S-Sensei... please..."
"Don't worry, I'll get her." I say, placing a hand on her shoulder despite my vertigo. Iroha all but passes out right after.
Michiru grabs onto this and that to pull herself up. Shuro too is wobbly on her feet.
"You two okay?" I ask.
"More or less... I think." The tanuki says.
"Kinda, haha...!" Shuro laughs, sounding exhausted.
"Well, what you ya wanna do?" I ask the tanuki.
"What do I want to do...?" Michiru blinks.
"Yeah, what are you gonna do?" Shuro asks. "Your friends look up to you as their leader. They want to keep that promise, but can't considering..." She eyes the knocked out duo of ninjas, poking Izuna with her foot. "Are you just gonna let 'em down like this? Let that kid down? What are you gonna do?"
Michiru all but growls. "Isn't it obvious? We're going to fulfill our promise."
Shuro grins a fanged grin. I nod, prompting the ninja to run towards the building ahead of us. We run inside, going up stairs after stairs.
"Hmm. Isn't this where the Yin-Yang president was broadcasting from?" Shuro mutters. Huh? Is that why the Mouryo ran in here? They're after Niya?
"Bwahaha! Everyone's working so hard!" Niya comments from above.
"Guess she ain't here." I muse.
"As we finally near the end of our exhilarating performance, who'll get the last laugh?" Niya continues, finishing speaking right as we reach the top, the sun beginning to set as afternoon draws to a close.
Michiru and Shuro are out of breath. "You two need to do more cardio." I comment, earning a glare from the grayette.
"...We're here to save the kidnapped princess!" Michiru announces, taking a deep breath beforehand. Despite this, she's still worried, so I place a hand on her shoulder. She's still doubtful of herself.
"Stop right there! Not another step!" The Mouryo wearing the noh mask warns, holding onto a tied-up Ibuki. "Otherwise, I'll throw your precious princess right off the side!"
"What a plot twist. Things have taken a violent turn." Niya comments from above. I'm gonna slap her. "Even for a script, it's a bit much!"
"I don't care about your stupid script! The Yon-Yang Club president has been driving me crazy with her commentary this entire time!" The leader snaps.
"I'd be lying if I said otherwise." I deadpan.
"Oh, definitely!" Shuro laughs.
Despite this, Michiru is still worried. She's not confident in herself in this situation at all.
The oni above giggles. "Is our final contender getting cold feet? We're all watching with bated breath to see what she'll say."
The commentary doesn't help the grayette's nerves.
"Hm? Is that the ninja girl?" Ibuki asks. Was she asleep? I thought they knocked her out.
"Ibuki!" The tanuki shouts.
"Hi, hi! Yes, it's Ibuki! I've been waiting for our like a good girl!" The little blonde smiles, happily waving her hand- and too long coat sleeve- at the ninja.
"You're not... crying? Not a single tear?" Michiru asks. Right, she was terrified of the power outage earlier, huh?
"Whatcha mean?" Ibuki asks.
"You're pretending to be a kidnapped princess... I was worried you'd be scared." Michiru says, confuddled by this turn of events.
"I wasn't scared at all!" Ibuki chirps, pulling those ninja Peroro from her pocket. "Because you promised the ninjas would come rescue me!"
"Oh!" Michiru gasps.
"Well... ain't that sweet?" Shuro grins.
Michiru exhales, looking more determined than when she inhaled. "You're right, Ibuki! Thanks for waiting for me!"
"Hold it. Make one wrong move and she's toast!" The lead Mouryo threatens, moving closer to the edge of the washitsu room. At least, that's what I remember it being called. Could be wrong. "You think I'm bluffing? I mean it!" She adds, shaking a bit.
Unfortunately, the Mouryo has shit balance and nearly drops Ibuki. Michiru doesn't hesitate though, shouting, "Special Michiru Ninjustu!" and bolting forward past the goons before kicking the leader in the ribs, causing her to let go of Ibuki, who is promptly caught by the ninja, who in turn catches the railing. Both of them are dangling off the side.
"She's safe, Sensei-dono! I got her!" Michiru says, holding on.
The Mouryo train their guns on me, but freeze upon a small blast of killing intent.
"Weee! You caught me!" Ibuki chirps.
I calmly walk past the Mouryo and grab onto Michiru's sleeve, pulling both girls up with ease. Unfortunately-
"Ack!" Michiru shouts, losing her grip on the small girl. "AHHHH! SHE'S FALLING!" Shit!
Before I can toss Michiru up and leap down...
"Izuna!" Tsukuyo shouts behind us.
"Got it!" Izuna says, leaping past us and falling down a few stories, before catching Ibuki and herself with the grace of a professional acrobat.
"Izuna's got her! She's safe!" The kitsune says. "I'm bringing her up, Aruji-dono!"
"C'mon, then!" I shout back, pulling the tanuki up, who promptly loses all strength in her legs and falls onto her ass. I sigh in relief as Izuna appears quickly, Ibuki in tow.
"She... She's alive. Thank god..." Michiru says, winded. "Ibuki, are you okay?!"
"I'm ship-shape! You ninja girls really rescued me!" The small girl chirps, causing the grayette to smile.
"We never go back on a promise! That's our ninja way!" Izuna smiles. "Let's go, Ninjustu Research Club! Nin nin!" The tall girl smiles as well.
"And don't forget Sensei." Tsukuyo smiles.
"Right!" Ibuki smiles, before rushing over and hugging my waist. "Thanks, Sensei."
I just chuckle and rub the small girl's head. "Any time."
"Boss... this might be it." I hear one of the Mouryo comment.
"Yeah, it's over for us." Another adds.
"It can't be! Our perfect plan!" The leader shouts. "Damn that Professor Smug!" Who?
"...You. Stop." Iroha commands, finally reaching us. "It's time for you to pay the price for daring to touch a single hair on Ibuki's head."
"EEK?!" All of the Mouryo shriek.
I just chuckle. Everything's ended well, huh...
...Hang on, where's Shuro?
Aside from the worry I gained due to Shuro's vanishing act, things ended pretty well. After the sun set and all of the students from both Gehenna and Hyakkiyako went home, I stuck around, wanting to take a walk to relax after this WILD day.
Despite relaxing a bit, I still jolted from a sudden giggle.
"I really enjoyed myself, as always! That's how I feel at least. Hehe, how about you?"
"Exhausted, Niya." I deadpan, turning around to face the sly oni.
"Sensei?" She asks, prompting me to raise an eyebrow. "We were able to pull off this exchange meeting thanks to Schale's cooperation. Or rather, your cooperation. Thank you for all of your help!"
"Eh, don't mention it." I wave her off. "Still, you're missing something important, Niya."
"Aww, I was trying to set the mood for us. You're gonna hurt my poor feelings." She whines.
"You set this up, didn't you?" I accuse. I had a feeling, but 'Professor Smug' only really pointed to either Shuro- since she seems to revel in chaos- or Niya- who is always looking smug. But with the other facts, it points to Niya.
"You're just going to come right out of the gate and ask that?" She pouts. "Why not take the time to savor the moment? Slowly tease it out?"
"I'd rather not waste time." I deadpan.
"Fufu." She laughs, covering her face with her fan. "You'll disappoint a lot of girls with that line of thought, Sensei."
I frown.
"Besides, do you even have any proof?" She asks, closing her fan with a 'snap!'.
"The Mouryuo broke through the security easily, as though they knew what they were doing." I explain. "Additionally, they knew Ibuki was the princess, despite the fact that it was changed from Chise to her at the last minute AND wasn't announced at all to anyone. Meaning only someone in charge of the whole thing could know about it, and I doubt Kaho would pull this shit."
"A-ha! So you think this never would have happened if the Yin-Yang Club had set up the proper precautions in the first place." She smiles. "In other words, you're accusing the Yin-Yang Club of having been complicit from the beginning."
"No, not the Yin-Yang Club, you." I reiterate.
Niya just giggles. "Ding, ding, ding. It's true.'
"You're not even gonna lie?" I ask, crossing my arms.
"Because there's no reason to lie." She simply says. "I simply wanted to see for myself if the famed Schale Sensei was as strong and capable as I heard."
My eyes narrow as she 'looks' into the night sky, her eyes still closed. "Hehe. That Ninjutsu Research Club. They're an interesting bunch, I'll give you that. But you decided you liked those rag-tag girls and helped them heroically rescue the princess. You made the impossible, possible. I realized that watching them tear through every mission so fearlessly. You truly are every bit as impressive as they say you are-" She turns to look at me, a big grin on her face. "-, Sensei from Schale. I mean, I was blown away!"
"Oh, yeah?" I ask.
"Aw." She pouts. "Are you upset to find out I instigated this whole scandal? Or perhaps, repulsed?" She smiles. "Manipulating people as I please... Squeezing every last bit of enjoyment out of them that I can... Do I disgust you? Is your skin crawling as you look at me? Hehehe~"
I inhale and exhale slowly. "Niya."
"Yeeeeees, Sensei?" She asks, slyly.
"You're really lucky you didn't do this to me a few years ago. He wouldn't be as nice as I am." I say with calm rage, taking a step forward. "I really, REALLY fucking hate people who use others." I take another step, placing a hand on her bare shoulder. "And so, I think it's past time you get a lecture, Niya."
"...What?" She asks.
"Get ready, Niya."
"S-Sensei?! I hate to be the one to say this, really. But don't you think this situation calls for... I don't know, a bit more drama and gravitas? I mean, I was in the middle of very dramatically revealing my dark, secret plot! But for you to scold me like a kid, that just totally ruins the vibe!"
"Record this for me, Arona."
"Who are you...? Wait! Are... Are you seriously gonna...?"
SLAP
"AHHHHHH?! SENSEI?! SENSEEEEEIIII?!
The next day at Schale, I found myself relaxing in the lounge, watching TV with Wakamo, Arona, and the former delinquents.
"Hey, look!" Arona points at the TV.
"Oh, it's about that exchange meeting." Mio says.
"I wonder if anyone ever noticed what really happened?" Hiku asks.
"Doubtful." Agura adds.
"Agreed." Wakamo nods.
Picking up the remote, I turn up the volume.
"Next up on the news..." The announcer begins. "In the recent exchange meeting between the Hyakkiyako and Gehenna academies, the crowd is buzzing about the tremendous exploits of the Ninjutsu Research Club during the performance!"
"Ara?" Wakamo asks, likely blinking behind her mask.
"Here's what people had to say about their sudden appearance!" The announcer says.
"Did you hear they walked through the Sleeping Beauty's trial like a park?" One Hyakkiyako girl asks.
"Yeah! And they beat the Inner Discipline Club's mind-reader without a thought!" Another adds. "Sensei too!"
"You know what I heard? I heard they totally ran circles around the Pandemonium Society!" A Gehenna girl says.
"They bulldozed over the movie village in a tank! What a bunch of outlaws!" Another girl says, saying something Aru would.
"We took the liberty of looking into these allegations." The announcer says. "And what we found was shocking! Apparently, no such official organization known as the Ninjutsu Research Club even exists! So who could these mysterious club members be? Are they ghosts? Or are they a group of top-secret agents covertly operating under the Yin-Yang Club?"
"That's... a bit of a stretch." Mio comments.
"To uncover the truth, we..." The announcer says, as I mute the damn thing.
"Fucking vultures." I groan.
"Geez, there's a bunch of rumors all over social media." Agura grimaces, looking at her phone.
"Yeesh." Hiku grimaces, looking at the blonde's phone.
BAM
Then, the door slams open, causing everyone save for Wakamo and I to jump.
"Sensei-dono! You need to hide us!" Michiru shouts as she and the other two ninjas rush in.
"S-Sensei... P-Please help...!" Tsukuyo adds.
"Please!" As does Izuna.
"The hell's goin' on?" I ask, worried.
"Kaho is hot on our tails right now! She's even sicced the Yin-Yang Club on us!" The tanuki shouts.
"Because of the recent incident!" The rabbit(?) adds.
"What do you mean?" I ask.
"They're willing to keep their deal if we pay back the damages that Pandemonium girl caused with her tank!" Michiru shouts, indignant.
"How much?" Mio asks.
"E-Eight figures..." Tsukuyo says.
"The hell?" Hiku shouts.
"How do they expect you to pay that?" Agura shouts.
"...Jeez. I'm really starting to feel like this whole ordeal wasn't worth the effort." The grayette grumbles. "What a total nightmare..." She sighs, before continuing, "Sensei-dono?"
"Yeah?" I ask.
"I'm sorry. For everything."
"Don't sweat it." I wave her off. "It's my job to help students anyway."
"That's the most grown-up thing I've heard." Michiru blinks.
"That's Aruji-dono for you!" Izuna chirps.
"Sounds like him." Mio nods.
"Yup." As does Agura.
"Also... Uh. So, I talked to Izuna and Tsukuyo. You know, about all the stuff and my feelings on making the club official." Michiru explains. "And we all made a decision together. I guess I'm still scared. Maybe I just need some time. But, I asked them if they'd be okay if we put it on the backburner for the time being."
"Lemme guess, they both said it wasn't a big deal?" I grin.
"...Yeah." The tanuki nods, before smiling. "I really have the best friends in the world."
"Well, everything ended well, so how about I make everyone some lunch?" I suggest.
"I'm down!" Agura says, quick as a whip.
"Izuna's never had Aruji-dono's food, is it good?" Izuna asks the former thugs.
"That's like asking if the sky's blue." Hiku deadpans. "Of course it's good!"
"I'm still curious..." Wakamo pipes up, drawing our attention. "On the broadcast, those Mouryo scum mentioned something about a plan."
"Right." Mio nods. "What did they say? 'Professor Smug' came up with it?"
"There's no telling." Michiru shrugs. "Let's just forget about-"
"It was Niya." I interrupt.
"""HUH?!""" Lots of girls shout.
"That sounds right." Wakamo nods.
"Don't worry, I already lectured her last night." I explain.
"Oh? Shame." The Fox of Calamity hums. "I would've loved to see her getting scolded."
"Actually." I smile, looking at Arona. "Why don't you play the tape?"
"You got it, Sensei!" Arona chirps.
The trio of three ninjas and the three former delinquents watch the footage in shock, whereas Arona and I hold back giggles. Wakamo of all people howls with laughter as she watches a wide eyed, pleading Niya laid over my knee get spanked until her ass is raw.
I'm not keen on hurting my students, but sometimes they need a tough lesson when they pull shit like this.
Oh well, it's just another normal day in Kivotos, after all.
"Um... Niya?"
"Yes, Kaho dear?"
"Why... are you sitting like that?"
"...No reason."
tap tap tap tap tap tap tap
"Hahaha! Those idiots! They seriously think those three are Yin-Yang Club agents?! Hahaha! Oh, my sides!"
"Shuro? What are you laughing about over there?"
"Ah! Don't worry about it, it's something you had to be there to see!"
"Oh. Well, come down soon. It's almost dinnertime."
"Okay, Kokuriko-sama!"
AN UNCONCEALED HEART: END
AN
Josh is the type to help others figure out their problems on their own- slowly and gently, if possible. Shuro does the same, but with as much brute force as possible, just to fuck with them for the hell of it. What a sadistic little gremlin... At least she was fun to write.
I hope you enjoyed this chapter and look forward to the next!