YAWN
Man, I couldn't get much sleep last night. Mental note, set a timer to stop listening to my playlist. I love music, but I need sleep. I need all my energy today. After all, it'll be our first day in the Newspaper Club. I wonder what kind of story we could be investigating. Great, now I'm sounding like a reporter. Well, Mom did always say I was a curious kid, a little too curious for my own good.
"Elijah!"
"Ahh!" The call from Kurumu nearly makes me jump out of my skin. "Dammit, I need to put a bell on you.'
The blue-haired girl giggles at me, then smirks. "Aww! I didn't scare you, did I?"
This woman. "Sure, Kuru, I'm shaking in my boots. Well, school shoes."
She raises an eyebrow. "'Kuru'?"
"That's my nickname for you, gotta problem?"
She looks at me like I'm stupid. "You do know that means 'tremble in fear', right?"
"Yeah?"
"Then why are you calling me that?"
"Well, after seeing what you did to Tamao, you know...after you saved my life?" I scratch the back of my head.
"I told you, you don't have to keep-"
"I know. But I saw a new part of you I've never seen before. You're a total badass! You made that fish your bitch! I'd be dead if it wasn't for you. In fact, when the other mermaids saw what you did, they quickly went back to their human forms and ran away! You made them tremble in fear!"
"..." Kurumu looks to me...seemingly in awe. I don't think she's ever heard someone praise her in such a way. I can see a faint blush form on her cheeks. "Elijah...Th-Thank you..."
I pat her on the head, ruffling her hair. "No problem. So...you don't mind it? My nickname for you?"
"N-No!" She says hastily fixing her now messy hair. "I don't mind. Just...I only want you can call me that, okay?"
I tilt my head. "Why just me?"
She shrugs. "Guess I like having things just between us. Speaking of..." She holds out her hand. "What new songs do you have for me?"
I thought she'd never ask. I smile, reaching for my earbuds and phone. "Your options for today are... AC-DC and Nickelback. Choose wisely."
I'm gonna' be there always...
I won't be missin' one more day...
Nickleback doesn't suck, and I will fight anyone that says otherwise. Thankfully, Kurumu thinks so too as she was smiling throughout the whole song, I think I even saw her get a little teary-eyed at the end of the song. I don't blame her, 'Never Gonna' Be Alone' is a very emotional song.
"That was really good! How is it that every song you show me is more amazing than the last?"
I chuckle. "You'd have to thank my dad for getting me into music in the first place."
Kurumu looks to me, curious as she hands me back my earbud. "You never really talk about your dad, or any of your family really. I know your mom's a witch and your dad's a human and all, but what are they like?"
"Well, like me, my mother dreamed of a better world for humans and monsters. She tried for a good portion of her life researching humans after graduating from Yokai Academy."
"Your mom went to Yokai Academy?"
I nod. "Yeah. She wasn't top of the class like Yukari, but she wasn't no dummy either."
"So what did your mother do after graduation?"
"She traveled the world, studying humans. Everything from how they live, what advancements they've made over the years, human behavior."
"How long did she do that?"
"A long time... thirty years I imagine."
"Thirty? Wait, how old is your mother?"
"...Sixty-Eight, I think?"
"Wait, what?! Oh, wait, I forgot that witches and wizards age differently than humans. So she must still be somewhat in her youth, right?"
I nod. "Yeah. The oldest wizard in history was around four hundred and sixty years old. Although he's only a legend."
"Wow..." Kurumu looks away, then back to me. "What made your mom stop her research?"
I chuckle at the answer. "It was love."
"Love?"
"Well, she never planned that, but once she saw my father, she was practically head-over-heels for him. He may be a human, but like my dad says, 'love comes in many forms.'"
"That's really sweet, actually."
"Yeah, it kinda is. My dad was kind of the same way, though he was a little skeptical when he found out my mother is a witch."
The girl giggles, partially covering her mouth. "Was he all like, 'Ahh! An evil witch! Please don't turn me into a frog!'" Kurumu bellows over, laughing.
I laugh along. "Well, you're not far off. He was a little afraid, but that fact drew him in more."
"Really?"
I nod. "Yep."
"Wow..." Kurumu looks to the ground once more, fiddling with her school bag. "Hey, Elijah?"
"Hmm?"
"Have...you ever been in love?"
I raise an eyebrow. "Why are you asking me?"
"I'm just curious." She smirks. "Don't tell me that you've never been in love before, Elijah. Everyone has once in their life."
"...I haven't, actually."
Kurumu stops smirking, looking at me in confusion. "You're joking, right? I mean...for real?" I nod, and now she looks at me in concern. "...I'm-"
"It's okay, you didn't know."
"But still, don't you want to find love?"
I nod. "Eventually. I mean, doesn't everyone?" A question pops into my head, but I'm not sure if I should ask it. Kurumu's my friend, I'm sure I'd be able to ask her anything. I just hope she won't be too upset. "Hey, Kuru?"
"Yeah?"
"...Are you sure that Tsukune is-"
"OWOWOW!"
A familiar voice brings our attention in front of us, and to no surprise from me, Moka is biting Tsukune's neck again, sucking his blood. Class hasn't even started yet, you couldn't wait, Moka?
"Tsukune!"
Aaaand there goes the succubus. I guess that answers my question.
Kurumu pulls Tsukune from Moka's bloodthirsty grip. I'd say I'm exaggerating but let's not forget that she's a vampire.
"Moka! You can't just suck Tsukune's blood first thing in the morning!" The succubus holds the boy in her arms, forcing him to be stuck in her...usually suffocating hug.
"I'm sorry! I...just can't help it... it's so delightful!" Moka says innocently.
"That's not the- Huh?" Kurumu turns her head at me as I tap her shoulder."
"You're suffocating him again." I point to Tsukune, now not moving so much as an inch as his head is still face-deep in cleavage.
"Oh!" In suit, she drops him, and now he lies on the ground, gasping for fresh air. "Sorry..."
"Thank...you...Elijah." Tsukune says weakly.
"Gotta help a brother out every now and then."
Moka helps the boy to his feet, he dusts himself off, trying his best not to fall back on the ground. Let's just hope he's alright by the time we head to the Newspaper Club.
"Oh, by the way..."
"Yeah, Kuru?"
"What were you about to ask me back there?"
"...Don't worry about it," I say as I shrug. "Come on, we'll be late."
"Oh...okay!"
After School
"Let's get started!" Ms. Nekonome stands before us, smiling as she holds up a copy of the Yokai Academy newspaper. "I'd like to welcome all of you to the Yokai Academy Newspaper Club!"
"Uh..." I look around the club room, only containing our cat teacher, myself, Tsukune, Moka, Kurumu, and Yukari. "We really are the only ones in this club, aren't we?"
"Of course not, silly!"
"Sorry I'm late." A voice calls from the club door.
"You see? There he is now!"
"I apologize for being a little tardy, but there were some things I had to pick up." We all glance over and see who it is, but we can't see the person past...two oversized bouquets of flowers they brought. What the hell? A boy pops his head around them. "It's a pleasure to meet you." He greets us with a smile...a seemingly too happy smile. Like me, he was not wearing his uniform tie, but he was wearing an open shirt, allowing me to see a pendant of a wolf's head on his neck. His black hair is untamed and held up by a red headband as well. "I'm Ginei Morioka, or Gin for short."
With that same smile, he presents his bouquets. A red one for Moka and a White one for Kurumu. Soon after, he notices Yukari, then pulls a single flower from Kurumu's bouquet and hands it to her. "I guess good things do come in small packages."
What does that even mean?
"I swear, those flowers make you ladies look more lovely than you already do." Moka naturally blushes at this. Yukari just looks confused. Kurumu on the other hand was indifferent, having been subject to flirting on a daily basis. Good to know my genuine compliments get a reaction from her, I guess.
"And you two must be Tsukune Aono and Elijah Everett." He takes time to shake hands with both of us. "I wonder if the rumors about the two of you are true."
Rumors? Does he mean about when Tsukune and I were responsible for a few beatdowns? I mean, I was responsible for some of them, but it was self-defense rightfully served.
"Anyway," Ms. Nekonome continues. "Ginei here is the only other member of the newspaper club and he's also a sophomore. Since he's the oldest, he'll be the club president. So if you have any questions about it, please direct them to him."
"Right! I'm here for all of you!" Ginei says endearingly.
"Oh! The faculty meeting is about to start! Well, I'll leave the rest to Ginei." Ms. Nekonome takes her leave.
"Sure, I got it covered!" Ginei moves to stand and then leans on the table in front of everyone. "Let's get down to business. For starters, let me explain what the Newspaper Club is all about. First and foremost, the club writes, edits, and publishes the school paper. When something happens on campus, we're there to report it and we'll do anything for a story! That includes throwing ourselves in harm's way if need be! So you better prepare yourselves guys, 'cause this club is not for the faint of heart!"
"Wow," I hear Moka whisper. "He sure sounds like a hard-hitting journalist committed to the truth."
Well, she's not wrong.
"But of course," He continues, now more down-to-earth. "Sometimes we just report on the normal stuff." Ginei sits back down. "So, any of you guys have any ideas for a story?"
"...Hmm." I want to start off by investigating why so many incidents have happened to us and neither we nor our transgressors have received any form of punishment. I feel like something bigger might be happening behind the whole thing, or maybe I'm just overthinking it. My mother has a point, and I think I should listen to her, but I'll save it for another day. For now, let's focus on a story that's a little more tame.
"I've got an idea, how about that peeping tom?" Kurumu speaks up.
"Peeping tom?"
"Oh, yeah, I've been hearing about that around the Academy," I add. When I say I've heard of it, I mean that I heard a couple of creeps wishing they were this alleged peeper. "Apparently this guy's been sneaking around peeping on girls. Some so he's so quick that people can't even get a description of him."
"A peeper is the worst sort of person!" Moka rightfully shouts.
"Yeah, that's for sure! This guy needs to be stopped." Yukari adds.
I can think of worse things than a peeping tom, but I'll just keep my mouth shut.
"Then let's use the newspaper to stop him," Kurumu says with a determined smile. We all nod in unison. It feels awesome to actually try and do some good around here for once. Maybe this is the first step in a thousand toward my dream, but I shouldn't get ahead of myself.
"Well, then the first thing we gotta do for this story is find ourselves some informants."
"How do we do that?" Tsukune asks Ginei.
"We follow the first rule of reporting, we hit the pavement and start asking questions!"
Sometime later...
Ginei had the club spread some posters asking for any information about this alleged peeping tom around campus. If you ask me, he had too many of these printed out. I swear I think I've placed at least fifty around the academy. Ginei also had us split up into two groups, I went along with Yukari and Tsukune while Ginei was with Kurumu and Tukune. I'm not saying I don't trust the guy, but there's something about him that's throwing me off.
"Hey, Elijah?"
"Hmm?" That familiar squeak of a voice brings me out of my thoughts. I look over to Yukari on her tip-toes, trying to hang a flyer over a door clearly out of her reach. "Need a hand?"
"...Yes." She says with a pout.
I laugh a little, but luckily the young witch doesn't seem to notice. "Alright, I got ya." I crouch down in front of the door. "Alright, hop on." The young witch, although she seemed a little hesitant about my gesture, she reluctantly hops on my back. I raise her onto my shoulders, allowing her to easily hang the flyer above the door. "You got it?"
"Yeah! Thank you!"
"Hahaha..."
That laugh causes me to turn to my left with Yukari still on my shoulders. "What's so funny, Tsukune?"
"Oh, it's nothing," The boy smiles at us. "but the way Yukari's on your shoulders like that, she kinda looks like your little sister."
"Really?"
Tsukune nods. "I mean, you're both magic, and you may not look alike, but you do look out for Yukari like family, remember."
"..." Huh. He's got a point there.
"Hahaha! At least I can conjure my own magic! I guess that makes me the better one!"
I release my grip, causing Yukari to fall off my shoulders and onto the floor. "That was a low blow."
"Ow...meanie."
Tukune laughs even more, and so do I as I help the young with to her feet. "Come on, we should see if the others are done."
"Right."
"Okay! And you!" Yukari points at me. "Next time you drop me, you're getting a full washtub dropped on your head!"
"Well don't make fun of me for not being able to conjure my own magic. You know that's a sensitive topic for me."
The young witch looks to the floor, twiddling with her wand. "I know, I'm sorry."
"It's okay, Yukari. Come on, let's go find the others."
"Okay!"
A few minutes later, we finally find Ginei and the...wait, why are Kurumu and Moka hanging the flyers so high? I know there are some tall people in this school, but that's just a ridiculous height. The girls are practically on their tip-toes while also standing on a pair of step ladders. Not only are they hanging flyers at a ridiculous height, but they could seriously hurt themselves If they fall. Why would...
"What...the..."
Ginei isn't even hanging flyers...instead, he's crouching down behind the girls...looking up. I can only imagine that he's looking directly at their... You fucking pig! I look to my right, seeing Tsukune and Yukari about to step in, but I stop the both. "Hold on a second."
"Huh?"
"But the guy's looking at their-"
"I know!" I say in a harsh whisper. "But we'll need proof if they don't believe us." I pull out my phone, set it on silent, and snap a quick photo of Ginei in his peeping position, making sure I get both girls in the photo but nothing to exploit them. "Alright, now we can go."
The pair nods at me then Tsukune grabs Ginei by his shoulder, turning him around to face us. "Hey! What the hell do you think you're doing, Gin?! Cut it out!"
"Huh? What do you mean?" Ginei asks oh so innocently, like the fact he wasn't being a total pervert just now.
"Oh, don't play with us ass-hat! You were totally looking up their skirts!" I say more harshly.
"Oh, please..." He looks to us with a guilt-free smile. "Now why would such a classy flower-bringing guy like me stoop to such levels?"
"Hey, what's going on?" Moka asks.
"Oh, nothing. It's just Tsukune and Elijah here saying something about looking at your panties just now."
"WHAT?!" Both girls shout.
"Excuse me?!"
"Oh, don't you pull that uno reverse card on us, asshole! Like they'll believe you over-" I look back to The succubus and vampire who've now gotten down from the ladders and are looking at me and Tsukune...very angirly. "...Guys?"
"TSUKUNE!"
"ELIJAH!"
"Wait, you guys seriously believe him?!"
"We really didn't see, I swear!"
"It's true! They didn't it was Gin!"
SMACK! SMACK!
Our pleas just fall on deaf ears as both girls smack us boys, right in the face. Damn, that actually hurt, and I don't mean the slap. Do they seriously not believe us?
"If you wanted to see my panties, you just had to ask. Hmph!" With a hair whip, the succubus storms off, leaving-
"Wait, what?" Was she talking to me or-
"Moka, please! Wait!"
"Tsukune..." The young vampire can't even bring herself to look at the poor boy. "I hate perverts!" Moka storms off.
"Moka..."
"Well, would you look at that. Club's over and it's all your fault guys. Nice goin'" Ginei says with that smug look on his face, making me want to punch it so badly. Who the hell does this guy think he is?
"Why you-"
"Elijah!" Yukari stops me from chasing after the boy. "Calm down, we need to just show Kurumu and Moka the picture! Then they'll believe us!"
"Yeah!" Tsukune adds encouragingly. "We have the proof. We can make this right."
I sigh, relaxing myself before I do something stupid. "Alright. Let's hope they'll listen to us.
Boy, how wrong I was. Ever since yesterday, both Moka and Kurumu have been giving Tsukune and me the 'silent treatment' no matter how much we say we can prove our innocence. I guess a woman's pride is as stubborn as a man's...well, everything.
I sigh. "How you holding up, man?"
He follows my lead. "Not great, Moka still won't talk to me."
"Join the club. I can't get a word in edgewise for Kurumu this morning. Actually kinda hurt, not gonna lie."
"Okay, you two, how long are you gonna mope around while there's still that creep to deal with?!"
"But Yukari, they won't listen to us!"
"And don't forget, one picture is not enough to convict a guy." I add. "We need hard proof that Ginei is the peeping tom."
Yukari gasps. "Wait, you think he's the peeping tom all the girls are talking about?"
It wouldn't be a shock, Yukari. Think about it, every track record has told us that each time they spotted the peeper, it was like a bur in the wind. And each time, it took place in the dead of night. So the perp has to be a monster that's not only really fast, but also a creature of the night. Now, besides vampires, what other monster is there with this kind of description?"
Tsukune and Yukari think for a few seconds, and then the young witch's eyes light up as a light bulb goes off in her head. "Oh! Werewolves!"
I nod. "That's right. And based on Gin's appearance and behavior, with his wolf pendant and untamed hair and clothes, I suspect that's exactly what he is."
"How do you know for sure?"
"I don't, but it's our only actual lead. Like I said, we need more hard evidence."
"How do we do that?"
I smile. "We play right into his hand. A bullshitter can't bullshit a bullshitter if he knows the bullshitter is trying to bullshit him."
The young witch and human look at me in confusion. "...What?"
I should've known they wouldn't get that. "Never mind. Tsukune, let's go find Gin."
"Why?"
"He wants to pin the blame on us? I say we let him think he's getting away with it."
later...
It took Tsukune and me a long time to find this guy, but soon enough, we did. Time for my one good talent to come into play. Tsukune, I hope you're as good at this as I am. I'm counting on you.
"Hey, Gin?" Tsukune asks politely.
"Hmm? Oh, hey guys. How's it going?"
Nice fake smile, asshole. "Look..." I scratch the back of my head. "We're sorry about yesterday. We shouldn't have assumed things."
"Yeah. Thanks to our quick thinking, Moka and Kurumu won't take to us anymore. Do you think you can help us prove our innocence?"
Gin smiles endearingly at us, probably thinking, 'These guys are falling right into my hands' or something like that. "Don't worry, I've got your back, bros."
Tsukune smiles. "Thank you, Gin."
I do as well. "Yeah, man, it means a lot."
The three of us take a walk outside, eventually leading us to the back of the academy. From my memory, I think we're close to the girls' locker room. A perfect place for a peeper. Yukari, good luck.
"So, all you guys are worried about are those girls not liking you anymore?"
Both of us nod pathetically. "Exactly, and no matter what we say, they're completely convinced we're total pervs."
"I'm telling you, dude. It's really tearing me down." I add.
"Don't worry, I know a perfect way to clear your guys' names." Gin points to an open window to our right. "You guys see that? Climb up there and take a peek."
"What for?" Tsukune genuinely asks.
"To clear things with those girls, of course." Gin smiles once again.
This guy really thinks we're that stupid. Perfect. "Well, alright."
"Use those drums to climb up."
We follow Gin's word like sheep without a shepherd. We pull a pair of drums, I don't know what's inside but damn these things are heavy. Tsukune and I stand on top... I'm deeply sorry to all who are inside, but if I'm right about this... When we look through the window... Yep, definitely the girls' locker room. Nothing but half-naked girls as far as I could see. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Tsukune massively blushing at the sight, I admit, it's even making me feel fuzzy inside. No! Get your mind out of the gutter, Everett!
SNAP!
"Dudes, I don't have to tell you that Moka's smokin' hot. I was howlin' the first time I saw her, and I said to myself, I definitely want her to join my pack." Us boys turn to the obvious werewolf...holding a camera...and the photo he just took of me and Tsukune looking through the window. You better be getting this, Yukari! "You know, no one likes a peeping tom, guys. Poor Moka and Kurumu..." He flaunts the picture, looking at us with a smug sneer. "What do you think they'll do for you two doing this? I told you I'd clear things with those girls for you." And just like that, Gin disappears before either of us can say another word.
"Damn dog!"
"Elijah!"
"What? OH, SHIT!"
"That's them!"
"Perverts!"
"Let's kick their asses!"
The girls inside finally noticed us and started hastily making their way outside. Damn, I didn't intend for us to be noticed, but it doesn't matter, we just need to meet up with Yukari and-
"There they are!"
"Elijah!"
Looks like I spent too much time thinking, now the girls are starting to surround us. Thankfully, they're now fully clothed.
"You two are not getting away with this!"
"You're the peeping tom! I should've known there were two of you!"
"N-No! We know who the real peeper is! We were just setting them up!"
"Likely story! We caught you two red-handed!"
"We have proof! If you all would just-"
"Tsukune? Elijah?"
Shit! Of all times, Moka shows up now?!
"M-Moka?!"
"Is that true? Did you two really peep on them?"
"N-No! Well..."
"Yes. Unfortunately, we did, but we were only-"
"See?!" One girl shouts. "He confessed!"
"If you would just let me finish I can explain everything!"
Moka only runs away, looking heartbroken. Dammit! Time for Plan B. This is really gonna hurt. Tsukune, hope you got a strong stomach. The girls get closer to us, ready to tear us apart for being 'peeping toms'. They're technically not wrong, but we're only being set up.
"You two are dead!"
"Girl, girls I can explain everything!" I look off into the distance...something else is grabbing my attention, even more so than the dire situation we're in right now. "...That's a weird place to put a piano."
As If by some holy miracle from the heavens, all the girls looked in the direction I was, allowing an opportunity to make our escape. I whip out a card from my sleeve, preparing for the worst part of this plan. "Teleport!"
I throw my card into the ground, disintegrating after it sticks into the ground for a second. In a flash of light and smoke, bit Tsukune, and I disappeared. Leaving the girls in a state of shock and bewilderment.
"Huh?!"
"Where'd they go?!"
"They got away!"
Moments before in the clubroom...
"Whew! Finally, I made." The young witch catches her breath.
"Yukari? What's up with you?"
"Oh, nothing! Just...catching...the real...peeping tom... Whew!"
"Oh." Kurumu crosses her arms and looks away out the window, seemingly upset. "You've been talking with Elijah and Tsukune, haven't you?"
"...Kuru-"
"There's just no way it's actually them, right? Especially Elijah. I mean, I can't see either of them paying attention to any girl other than me!"
"...Really, Kurumu?" The young witch dumbfoundedly asks.
"Oh! Uh...I mean-"
POOF!
Seemingly out of nowhere, both Tsukune and Elijah appear out of nowhere in a flash of light and smoke, scaring the life out of the young witch and succubus. They fall directly onto the table, with Tsukune landing right on top of Elijah as they groan in pain.
"...Ow...that sucked..."
"...I think I'm gonna...Hurgh-" Tsukune covers his mouth as he hastily gets off Elijah and makes his way to the nearby trashcan. "HUUAAUUGGH!"
"Yeah... I remember my first teleportation. You'll get used to it...somewhat."
"Tsukune?! Elijah!?"
"It's about time you two got here! What took you so long?"
Elijah sits on the table, shaking off any remaining pain he's feeling in his entire body. "Well, after Gin disappeared, Tsukune and I had a...little problem."
"Now hold on!" Kurumu shouts. "Is someone gonna tell me what the heck is going on?!"
"Gladly. Yukari, my phone."
"Right!" The young witch hands Elijah his handheld device. A few seconds later, he opens his camera app, containing a convincing truth. "Look at this." Elijah hands over the phone to Kurumu.
"What do you think they'll do for you two doing this? I told you I'd clear things with those girls for you."
The succubi's eyes widen in shock. "W-What the hell?! Why would Gin do this?!"
"It's a perfect setup, let someone else take the fall as the real offender is right under our noses. But we still need hard proof that Gin is the real peeper."
"This isn't enough proof? Even with the photo from yesterday?"
"He can just come up with some bullshit excuse like he can claim he's never been outside the girls' locker room before, but clearly he has. Yukari, Tsukune, did any of you guys notice anything out of place when arrived there?"
Tsukune shakes his head, but Yukari's eyes seem to light up when she comes to a conclusion. "Those drums you guys stood on weren't there before, so he must've been the one that put them there to frame you guys!"
I nod. "That's good, but we need another eyewitness... One claim is not enough. You and Kurumu head to the scene of the crime, see what you can find."
"What will you do?" Kurumu asks.
"..." So, she's talking to me again? Great...I'm glad. "I need to grab a few things from the drama room."
"Drama room?" Tsukune groggily asks as he lifts his head from the trashcan.
Moka
Standing alone in the dark of night, Moka looks beyond the horizon, thinking to herself. There's no way Tsukune is the peeper, there's just no way. Or Elijah for that fact. The poor vampire was confused, she feels violated but at the same time, she wants to believe her friends are not what people think they are.
"What's up? Whatcha' doin' up here?"
"Huh?" Moka looks to her right at the sound of the familiar voice, belonging to Gin.
"It's kinda late. That sure is a gorgeous moon out."
"Oh, hey, Gin."
"I just heard. About Tsukune and Elijah, I mean. I gotta say, those two really didn't look like the type to me. I guess it's true about people having second natures hidden inside them, isn't it?"
"But, Gin...can it really be true...they're both the peeping tom? They can't..."
"I get that you want to trust em', Moka, but come on! A whole bunch of girls caught the dudes in the act."
"But still!"
"Moka, look, you just need to forget about them, forget about Tsukune." The filthy mongrel wraps his arm around Moka's shoulder, squeezing it firmly. "Don't worry, I can help you..." The boy tries to lean in for a wet smooch. Thankfully, the young vampire pushes him away in disgust.
"No!"
Gin sighs in annoyance. "You leave me no choice. I was really hoping I wouldn't have to do this, but, oh well." The wolf reaches inside his uniform jacket, pulling out a few instant photos, and handing them over to Moka. "I don't know who took em', but these pictures have been flying all over campus. They show a peeping tom in action. I'm sorry Moka, but you're friends are what you hate most. A dirty-minded pervert."
Moka looks at the photos in disbelief. "But still, I want to trust them, especially Tsukune. I don't know why, but I have to!"
"Moka, come on! Aren't you just lying to yourself;f because of how you feel about them? Face the facts, your pals are perverts. Take another look. Tsukune and Elijah are peeping. They even moved drums under the window to get a better look! Pictures don't lie, Moka!"
"Objection!"
The wolf and vampire, surprised by the sudden shout, turn around to see...Elijah, Tsukune, Kurumu, and Yukari wearing...Sherlock Holmes outfits?
"Um...what are you guys wearing?"
"That's not important, Moka," Kurumu states. "The real question is, how do you know it was Elijah and Tsukune who moved the drums?"
"Well that's easy, just look at the pictures."
"We will, Gin," Kurumu snatches the pictures out of the boy's hand. "Hey, Moka, take a closer look at these."
"What exactly am I looking for?"
"These shots only show Elijah and Tsukune from the waist up, so how do you know that they're actually standing on drums?"
"Wow, you're right!"
"Uh... 'cause I went there!" The dog starts sweating but desperately tries to play it off. "you know, after all the ruckus, 'cause I'm such a news hound, that's how. You see, that's the first time I've been to that location, but I could tell right away that they'd been using those drums to stand on."
"Oh?" Yukari steps in. "And how were you able to ascertain that it was they who moved the drums under the window?"
"Simple. It's because those drums are never under the window like that."
Elijah's eyes sparkle in a moment of deciphering what's being said. "Oh? But didn't you just say that was the first time you've been to that location? So how would you know that the drums are never kept under the window?"
"You were already familiar with this site, Gin," Tsukune adds. "And you knew that the drums had been used as a stand to get up to the window. Once more, you were there when these were taken!"
"W-Well, maybe I have been there, but that doesn't mean I was ever actually there at the scene of the crime."
"Oh, on the contrary, my unfortunate fellow," Elijah pulls out his phone, playing the very video that discloses everything.
"W-What?! What is-"
"If you must know, Detective Tsukune and I have already suspected that you were the primary suspect of being the perp. Of course, we couldn't just accuse you on a hunch of mine, so I had Senior Executive, Yukari follow Tsukune along with myself as you led us to the area behind the girls' locker room, the scene of the crime. And from the recording you just saw, you confessed you wanted Moka to be a part of your 'pack', so you saw a way to remove Tsukune along with myself out of the picture by framing us as the peeping tom. And if this isn't enough to convince anyone, Senior Executive, Kurumu has gotten reports from multiple, reliable sources, claiming that they've seen you moving those drums under the window."
"So...that means..."
"That's right." The four detectives say in unison. "The real peeping tom is..." They triumphantly point to the accused. "Ginei!"
Moka was stunned, as was Ginei when he stumbled back, tripping him enough for photographs to come out of his uniform jacket. All the photos only serve to further incriminate him as they were all females in various states of undressing.
"And so the truth cometh forth." Elijah brushes off his jacket.
"Well done, Detective Elijah."
He nods. "And you as well, Detective Tsukune. You as well, Senior Executive Kurumu and Yukari." Both girls nod with a knowing smile.
"Dammit, I wanted to do this the easy way. Oh well, I guess now I'll have to take you by force then!" Ginei leaps over us, transforming into his true self, a tall, hairy, foul-smelling werewolf that lets out a spine-chilling howl under the full moon. He charges for Moka. Tsukune's reaction was to step forward to protect her.
Elijah
"Tsukune, no!" Unfortunately for the boy, Gin was fast enough to stop and trip Tsukune up. I admire the boy's bravery, but he stands no chance against an S-Class monster that is a werewolf. Fortunately, Gin's act proved to backfire however when Tsukune inadvertently pulled off Moka's rosary.
Gin stomped his foot on Tsukune, oblivious to what he'll soon be in for. "Moka's mine, you hear! So back off! Got it, punk?!"
"I think it's you who needs to back off, dog."
I smirk as Moka transforms into her true self, calling the attention of everyone. The Inner Moka had arrived once more. But instead of dreading in fear, Gin is visibly pleased by her appearance.
"Hahaha! This is the friggin' best! But if a vampire's gonna be my woman, then first I'm gonna have to show you who the real pack leader is!"
"Some 'leader'." I can't help but comment.
"Starting with you!" Gin moved faster than I could see, landing a punch in my gut. I doubled over as Moka moved to strike Gin, but the werewolf moved out of range and began to dart around faster than anyone could track. Me and my big fat mouth.
"He's fast!" Yukari shouts.
"I didn't even see the dude move!" Tsukune adds.
"Elijah!" The Succubus kneels down to me as I struggle to breathe as I get to my knees. "Are you okay?"
I spit, noticing there's a little bit of blood. "Okay, that's not good."
"Vampires are known for their strength, but we werewolves are known for our super speed!" Gin continues as I'm helped to get to my feet thanks to the Human boy and Succubus. "We're fast to begin with and we get faster as the light of the moon gets brighter. And tonight's the brightest night of all, the full moon!" Gin begins to dart around all of us again, and like he said, he was fucking fast. "And there's no one who can beat a werewolf on the night of the full moon! Go ahead and try it!"
So this is the power of a werewolf? I've only read the stories but never seen them firsthand. It's quite impressive even in the dire situation we're in. Alright, Elijah, think of something.
"Hope you're ready for an ass-whippin' Cause as long as the full moon's out, the winner is gonna be me!"
"Lightning storm!" Ignoring the pain in my stomach, I toss a card. Not a second after, cumulonimbus clouds form in the sky, striking lightning bolts to the top of the school. None of them hit us or Gin, but that wasn't my plan to begin with.
"Ha! You think you can hit me with your stupid lightning? What kind of idiot are you?" Gin moves to strike me again, only to be blocked by Moka's remarkable strength. "Huh?! You blocked me?! But how did-"
"Look up, dumbass." I point to where the moon should be seen, only now it's blocked by my storm's clouds.
"No! Damn it! The stupid moon is behind these stupid clouds and if the moon is not out then my powers don't come out either!"
Us four detectives look at Gin flail around in Moka's grip in complete dumbfoundedness. "This might be the lamest way a werewolf has been defeated."
"Agreed." The other three say.
"Shut up! Even with no full moon out, a werewolf is still a force to be reckoned with!"
"Hmph! A pup like you really needs to learn your place!" Moka pulls off her trademark roundhouse kick to the werewolf's jaw, causing him to fly back. Gin tries to counter by landing his feet against the concrete railing of the roof, only to be broken through and he falls off the roof.
"I think I do!"
We all look over the edge, seeing Gin transform back into his human form, completely knocked out. "That had to hurt."
"Hmph. Not as much as he hit you."
"Noted."
"You can fight, I'll give you that. And you can think on your feet. But there's one other thing you must master."
"And what's that?"
The Vampire smirks at me, her glowing red eyes piercing into my soul. "How to take a punch."
The Next Morning...
"Weird how our first story was proving that Tsukune and I weren't peeping toms, right, Kuru?"
"True, but I know you're a perv of sorts under all that." The Succubus smirks at me.
I roll my eyes in return. "Whatever you say, Kuru."
"Oh come on! Are you telling me you are a pervert after all?"
This girl... "No matter how I answer that question, I lose."
"Okay, fine. Then I'll make it easier for you. Which part of me would you want to get away staring at for...let's say one minute?"
"And how exactly does that make it 'easier'?"
"Just answer it!"
I sigh. I guess she's being stubborn today, and not only yesterday she was completely ignoring me for the entire day. Now she wants attention? "Fine... I guess...I'd want to stare at your eyes."
Kurumu looks to me in shock. She probably wasn't expecting that answer from me. I bet anything she wanted me to answer with her most flauntable trait. "My eyes? Why?"
"I like their color. And despite you trying to charm me with them on the first day we met, I actually thought they looked pretty."
"...Oh." Kurumu continues to walk along my side, not looking in my direction. "Well...thank you."
"You have more qualities than just your 'gorgeous body' as you put it."
The Succubus seemingly snaps out of her bewildered state and goes back to her old self. "Oh? And what else do have besides the obvious?"
I roll my eyes. "Definitely not brains."
"Hey!" She lightly punches my arm a couple of times.
"Ow! Hey! Hey! I'm just messing with you, dummy."
"You better...meanie." She may sound upset, but I see that small smile forming at the corner of her mouth. "...You know I-"
"Don't look, Tsukune!"
"Huh?" I was interrupted from hearing Kurumu by the sound of Moka yelling, from what I heard, I can only guess it was Tsukune. I run over to them, Moka holds Tsukune as he's on the ground in...pain? "What happened this time?"
"Well, Tsukune and I were hanging some of our newspapers and club posters, and... Tsukune looked up my skirt! And so i...kicked him... But it was an accident!"
I raise an eyebrow and look to the billboard nearby...with a step ladder set right in front of it. I look back to the vampire girl with a somewhat annoyed expression. "Moka. Did you happen to be on that step ladder when it happened?"
"Yes?"
"Then did you consider that he accidentally looked?"
"...No."
I groan, then proceed to lift the boy to his feet as he groggily tries to get a word out. "Come on, bud, let's get you to a nurse. You're bleeding."
"H-Huh? What happened?"
"Moka kicked you in the face."
"On accident!"
"I can help bring Tsukune to the nurse too!" Kurumu grabs Tsukune's other arm and supports him on his left side while I support his right.
Really? You're just helping him like normal? No dramatic attention-hogging? No wanting to nurse him yourself? Wow...maybe she's actually learning from me. I smile to myself as we carry him to the nurse. On the way, I see that dog, Gin get chased by a bunch of angry girls who were most likely the ones he peeped on. All he does is run away and whimper like a poor puppy, much to our amusement.
"Did you say...Tsukune's bleeding?"
Oh no... I snap a glance back at Moka...looking hungry. "Don't even think about it Moka."
"Please?" She says sweetly. "Just a taste?"
I look back to the Succubus, sharing the same look of dread as I am. "Run for it Kurumu!"
"Right!"
"Woah! Hey! Guys! You're dragging me!"
"Waaaaiiittt!" Moka runs after the three of us as we desperately try to get away from her. I can't believe I'm saying it...but this is somewhat kind of fun. Weird...but fun. I just hope it can't get any weirder from here.
