FILE 10 - My Starlight Parade, Part 2

Previously on FILE 9, Aiya made up with Finn Henley for beating him up, at the same time, Tetsu and Kuro felt an angry presence with Mariah Machi after entering their class.

8:30 AM, Jamiroquai High School

Class 5-B

The school bell rang, signaling the start of recess. "Alright, students, I hope you have a nice-" Matsuda began, but before he could finish, the entire class had already bolted out the door, leaving only a breeze behind.

"Well, that was fast..." Matsuda mumbled to himself, gathering his things as he wandered off to the teacher's room, probably to prepare for the next period or maybe just to recover from the classroom evacuation.

Meanwhile, Tetsu spotted Mariah lurking near the cafeteria, her eyes glued to Aiya and Lobo, who were happily munching on their lunch. Mariah muttered under her breath, "Look at her, with that ridiculous grin... Stupid Aiya, stealing my Lobo…"

"You know I can hear you, right?" Tetsu's voice suddenly chimed in from behind, causing Mariah to nearly jump out of her skin.

"Wha-! Oh, Tetsu, didn't see you there," Mariah stammered, quickly composing herself.

"Yeah, sure. Anyway, where's my note?" Tetsu asked, extending her hand expectantly.

Mariah grinned mischievously. "Hmm, about that… On one condition."

Tetsu sighed dramatically. "Fine, what is it this time? Do I have to juggle flaming swords or something?"

Mariah pretended to ponder. "Now that you mention it, that sounds fun, but no. Just a little favor…"

Tetsu rolled her eyes, already sensing where this was heading. "This better not be another one of your 'genius' plans, Mariah."

Mariah smirked, but before she could say anything, Tetsu glanced over at Aiya and pointed. "Let me guess, it's something to do with her, isn't it?"

Mariah huffed, crossing her arms. "Okay, fine, you got me. But seriously, Tetsu, it's for a good cause... sort of."

"You know, Mariah, you could have just told us from the beginning." Kuro's voice suddenly came from behind Mariah, causing her to jump.

"JESUS!" Mariah stumbled, clutching her chest before regaining her footing. "A little warning next time, please!"

Both Kuro and Tetsu chuckled, unable to hide their amusement. "Sorry about that," Kuro said with a grin, still chuckling.

Mariah, looking both annoyed and embarrassed, tried to save face. "Alright, alright, laugh it up. But if you two jokers have something else planned, spill it."

Kuro, still chuckling, straightened up and asked, "So, if we help you with this grand scheme of yours, would you be interested in joining us for a little investigation?"

Mariah, eyeing them suspiciously, put a hand on her hip. "An investigation, huh? Sounds like a deal. But if this trap doesn't work, I'm taking back that offer. Deal?"

"Anyway, here's the plan..." Mariah said, pulling Tetsu and Kuro close as she quietly explained their strategy.

"Got it?" She asked after a few minutes of detailed instructions.

Both Tetsu and Kuro nodded in understanding.

"Now go!" said Mariah as she patted them both on the back.

"First off, have her move to the table that I have designated..."

Kuro approached Aiya first, "Hey, Aiya, why don't you move to that table over there? It got a nice view over there." He pointed to the table that both Tetsu and himself had set, but they had another ulterior motive to have it backfire on Mariah.

Tetsu joins in, adding, "Yeah, it's way better. You'll have more space, and it's closer to the window, a much nicer view."

Aiya looks at them, puzzled. "But I'm already settled here… Why should I move?" She asks, slightly suspicious but also intrigued.

Tetsu chuckles, "Trust me, you'll thank us later. Besides, we'll keep you company!"

Aiya shrugged, considering their offer. She then gathered her tray and moved to the new table. Kuro and Tetsu exchanged a quick, knowing glance as Mariah watched from her spot, grinning. Everything seemed to be going according to plan.

"Now, when she sat down at the table... Kuro, use your 'Sweet Dream' to take the bolts off when I came over to sit down. Meanwhile, Tetsu, you will guide me to the correct chair, next to her so I can pick her up and embarrass her."

Mariah looked at Aiya, as well as the two accomplices, grinning that her plan would work as she saw Kuro's 'Sweet Dream' pulling off the bolts on Aiya's chair. However, he had plopped them back inside without Mariah knowing.

As Aiya sat down, Tetsu waved Mariah over with a signal as she said, "Hey Mariah! Over here!"

Mariah strutted toward the table, looking every bit the part of a self-assured villain. Unbeknownst to her, Kuro had hidden shadow strings under her chair and had left the bolts in place. When Mariah sat down, she was in for a surprise.

"Finally, when I sit down, Kuro, you will pull out the bolts on Aiya's chair, making her stumble along. I'll accidentally 'pour' my milk on her as I try to help her."

With a dramatic flourish, Kuro yanked the bolts with his shadow strings, and Mariah's chair wobbled ominously. Just as planned, she tumbled backward.

As Mariah fell, she yelled, "Ahhhh!" and fell with a loud thud, her face meeting the floor with an undignified splat.

Tetsu, seizing the moment, summoned a disembodied hand from Iron Maiden that 'accidentally' tipped over Mariah's milk, sending it cascading onto her. The entire cafeteria turned to watch the spectacle with wide-eyed amusement.

"Oh my!" Aiya exclaimed, her eyes widening in shock as she took in Mariah's messy predicament. "What happened? Are you hurt?!"

She turned to Tetsu and Kuro, who were struggling to keep their laughter in check. Their faces were contorted into barely contained grins as they tried to appear concerned.

Aiya's gaze shifted back to Mariah, who was now dripping in milk and trying to wriggle out of her soaked clothes. The realization of what had just occurred dawned on her, and her face went from concern to an amused smirk.

"Wait a minute," Aiya said, piecing things together. "Was this all part of some elaborate prank?"

Mariah, covered in milk and looking thoroughly embarrassed, shot a glare at Tetsu and Kuro. "You two…!" she spluttered, her voice dripping with frustration and defeat. "You set me up!"

Tetsu and Kuro, unable to suppress their laughter any longer, burst into chuckles. "Looks like your plan backfired." Tetsu said in between her laughs. "Sometimes, the best-laid plans… don't go quite as planned!"

Aiya sighed deeply, her frustration evident as she extended a hand to help Mariah up. "I don't know what you guys were planning, but this wasn't funny."

Mariah, still dripping milk, took Aiya's hand with a grumble. "Yeah, thanks for the 'help." She muttered, clearly annoyed but appreciative.

Tetsu, barely containing her laughter, chimed in with a grin. "Oh, come on, Aiya. It was actually pretty hilarious!"

Kuro nodded in agreement, trying to hold back his chuckles as well. "Yeah, you've got to admit, it was a classic setup."

Aiya shook her head, but a small smile tugged at her lips. "Well, I suppose it was a bit amusing... just don't make it a habit."

Mariah gave Tetsu and Kuro a mock glare. "You two are impossible. Just wait until I get my revenge!"

"Anyway, the plan did go through, did it not?" Tetsu said, "So will you join us?"

"Ugh..." Mariah began to chuckle a bit, "I do have to admit that it was funny..."

"Wait a second…" Aiya looked between them, puzzled. "Was this whole thing just an elaborate scheme to recruit Mariah?"

"Yeah." Kuro said, "But I don't think we should discuss it here."

Just then, Lobo and Finn walked by, trays in hand, looking confused at the scene unfolding before them.

"So, uh…" Lobo's brow furrowed in confusion. "What's going on here?"

"Don't worry about it, Lobo," Aiya said quickly, "It's nothing important. Same goes for you, Finn."

Finn, barely containing his amusement, nodded. "Right… nothing to see here."

"Anyway, Mariah," Tetsu said, holding out her hand expectantly, "The note, remember?"

"Alright, alright," Mariah sighed, pulling out the crumpled, milk-sodden note. She placed it carefully in Tetsu's hand, trying to salvage the situation.

Tetsu took the note, her eyes widening in horror. "NO!" She wailed as she noticed the soggy mess.

The milk had soaked through the note, leaving the once-pristine note in a state of dismal ruin.

Mariah couldn't help but chuckle, "Looks like you'll have to get a new one, huh? It must be karma."

"Ugh, just perfect." Tetsu grumbled, inspecting the drenched paper. "This was supposed to be important!"

Kuro tried to contain his laughter but failed miserably. "Well, you can't say today hasn't been eventful."

Aiya shook her head, still smiling. "Looks like things didn't go exactly as planned."

8:50 AM, Jamiroquai High School

Class 5-B

As Mrs. Yamaka entered the classroom, a hush fell over the students. Her stern presence made it clear that this would be no ordinary lesson. With a dramatic flourish, she wrote the new lesson on the chalkboard and, for added emphasis, a "Punishment Corner" with an ominous drawing of a desk and a mountain of homework.

"Now then, class," Mrs. Yamaka declared, slamming her ruler down on the table with a bang that made everyone jump. "Whoever dares to sleep during my period will find themselves buried in extra homework! Got it?!"

The room went completely silent, except for the faint rustling of notebooks and the occasional nervous cough. Mariah, meanwhile, was grinning mischievously. She had her sights set on Kuro and Tetsu, and it was clear that something was brewing.

As Mrs. Yamaka started her lecture, Tetsu noticed Mariah shaping her hand into the shape of a Y, just like a slingshot. Her eyes widened in horror, but before she could react, Mariah shot out a heart-shaped projectile with the precision of a seasoned archer.

"Tetsu!" Kuro yells out but is immediately noticed by Mrs. Yamaka.

"Ms. Otohime!" Mrs. Yamaka exclaimed, spotting Tetsu's sudden descent into nap time. She marched over, her ruler swinging back and forth like a metronome of doom. "What's this? A nap during my class?"

As she approached, Kuro and Mariah exchanged nervous glances. Mariah's grin widened at the chaos she'd sown, while Kuro frantically tried to wake Tetsu up, shaking her gently.

"Uh, Mrs. Yamaka," Kuro started, desperately trying to sound convincing, "Tetsu must be… uh… tired from all the… extra homework she's been… doing?"

Mrs. Yamaka narrowed her eyes, and Kuro could practically feel the weight of the ruler hovering over him. "Extra homework? Well, since you're so concerned, why don't you join her in the Punishment Corner?"

Kuro's eyes widened in horror. "Wait, no-"

"Too late!" Mrs. Yamaka cut him off, her voice carrying the unmistakable tone of finality. "Now, everyone, get ready for a pop quiz!"

As the class groaned collectively, Mariah's giggles were barely stifled. She leaned back in her seat as she looked at Kuro.

"An eye, for an eye." She whispered to herself as she giggled.

Kuro facepalmed, knowing that he'd have to endure extra homework along with Tetsu.

But it is what it is, an eye for an eye.

Tetsu's eyes fluttered open as the final bell rang to indicate the end of the school day. She rubbed her face, only to see Kuro clutching a big stack of extra schoolwork.

"Are you serious, Kuro? Extra homework?" Tetsu muttered, her rage seething as she attempted to shake off the remnants of sleep.

"Sorry, Master Tetsu," Kuro responded with an embarrassed look. "It appears that Mrs. Yamaka was serious about it."

Tetsu's eyes burned with rage as she scanned the homework. "This is ridiculous!" I will get Mariah for this, I promise!"

As Tetsu stomped out of the classroom, her fury evident, she noticed Mariah standing outside the school gates, her sneer wide and unapologetic.

Tetsu's fists clenched as she marched over, her frustration barely contained. "I will get you for this, Mariah."

Mariah's smirk only grew wider as she waved cheerfully. "Oh, Tetsu, you're too kind. But you know, revenge is a dish best-served cold."

Kuro, trying to diffuse the tension, stepped in beside Tetsu. "Come on, Tetsu, let's just get out of here. We've got a lot of homework to tackle."

Tetsu glared one last time at Mariah, who winked mischievously. With a resigned sigh, Tetsu and Kuro turned and headed toward the school gate, the weight of their new homework hanging over them like a cloud.

As they walked away, Mariah called out in a sing-song voice, "Don't worry, Tetsu! I'm sure you'll come up with a brilliant plan to get me back. Just don't keep me waiting too long!"

"Oh, you will get it soon..." Tetsu muttered under her breath.

Stand Info:

『Stand Name』- Starlight Parade

『Stand User』- Mariah Machi

Stats:

Power - D | Speed - A | Range - B

Durability - B | Precision - C | Potential - B

After the day's events, where Tetsu and Kuro's plan hilariously backfired on Mariah, they found themselves facing a dose of karma rather than retrieving the note. Despite their successful prank, Mariah's smirk suggested that she wasn't done yet. The question now looms: will Mariah truly join their investigation into the mysterious 'demon,' or will she seek further revenge for the day's antics?

TO BE CONTINUED IN

Chapter 11 - A Busy Day, Part 1.