MPK: Hi. It's been a while, again. I won't say much. I'll just tell you that my Wattpad is where I give most of my updates as to why I'm not uploading and such. I'm not asking you guys to follow if you don't want, but if you check my conversation tab on my Wattpad profile now and then, you can see the announcements my Wattpad followers get. I'd do it on here, but it's a bit more tedious. It's also, where I post other new stories, because I dunno, I don't really double update on both websites any more except with the 4 stories still active on here. Once they're done, I'll probably stop writing on this site...but that's a long while from now. (Because of the rate I'm going T-T)

Enjoy chapter 10.

"I was told one of you slapped me. So, who wants to die?"

Everyone in Sugata's bedroom sweatdrops. Arata sits on the bed on the bluenette male's right. "Glad you're awake, Buddy 'ol pal."

"Ah. Takashiro-kun, an individual I can respect. You're the only one who can seem to talk to me in a decent manner and not make such a fuss over me."

"Hey now hey!" Kazuma chimes in, "You can't blame us for being worried about ya! You were unconscious for like a whole week at this point!"

"Ah yes. That's why my body feels so weak." Sugata sits up in his king-sized bed. The maids worriedly hold on to him on both sides.

"Please don't get up! You need to rest!"

"Please take it easy Bocchama!"

Sugata looks up at him, "See what I mean?"

"All right you all, I think it's time we all give Sugata some space." Arata takes the two maids by the hand and ushers them out. "He just woke up from a coma, after all, I think he does deserve it." Agreeing, everyone else leaves Sugata's side. All except for Wako.

Noticing Takuto watching the two interact from the doorway, Arata turns back around. "Takuto, that means you too."

"Something's not right." He mutters. Niika and Kazuma turn around as well.

"What do you mean, Takuto-kun?"

"Right. Everything's fine. You just witnessed it yourself." Kazuma tells him.

"No, it's not. Look." The three peer back inside the bedroom along with the redhead.

"I'm glad you're feeling better." Wako stands with her back to the door as she approaches Sugata's bedside. "Thanks for saving us the other night."

"It's nothing worth speaking about."

"Oh sorry." She apologizes. "Anyway, that's all I wanted to say."

"No problem. I only did what I wanted to." The four drivers notice how short the couple's responses to each other were.

"But...Sugata, you..." Wako trails off in thought. She lifts her head again with resolve. "Um... for you..." After gripping the bag she had been hiding behind her back, she pulls it in front of her, starting to present it to Sugata.

"Wako, I'm really not well after all. I think I need some sleep if you don't mind." He tells her bluntly.

"Oh, yes of course." Wako holds the bag at her side again when Sugata turns his head away from her. A low grunt vibrates from Takuto's throat and the others notice.

"See? It's like they're fighting." The redhead growls under his breath, "That's not right. Suddenly Sugata's acting really cold."

"Takuto, I've never seen you look so...crossed before." Arata points out.

"I can't believe I'm asking this but, what's your problem?" Kazuma whispers. Takuto looks away from them both. Niika looks at him worriedly.

"Uh, let us know if you need anything. See you tomorrow." Sugata doesn't respond. The four of them back away from the bedroom door before Wako comes out. The blonde notices them as she closes it behind her. "Um, Sugata's resting now. He probably won't be leaving the mansion today. We should...let him be for now."

"Alright then. We should all go off and get ready for school then." Kazuma stretches, "It's been an eventful few days. Time for me to head home for a change."

"I'm staying here." The three look up at Arata. "The Crux just approached Sugata last night. I'm skeptical that means their planning something." He looks at Niika, "Don't worry, little sister. I'm just taking one more day off, then I'll go back to school. Promise." He ruffles the brunette's hair. "Why don't you go on ahead and walk Wako home? It'll give us a chance to keep an eye on her too. Just to make sure she's safe as well."

"I'm fine with that." Wako smiles, "Let's go, Niika-chan." She nods back in agreement and they start on their way.

"Takuto, Kazuma lives in town~"

"Wait! How do you know that!?"

Arata ignores him, focusing on the redhead. "You've got to get back to your dorm right? Maybe he can walk with you part of the way. So you aren't so lonely."

"Excuse you! Don't go telling me what I can or can't do! I'll do what I want!" Kazuma whined unintentionally. Takuto found himself rolling his eyes and exiting the estate on his own. Kazuma snaps his head back to Arata.

"I hate that guy. Why on earth would you suggest that I walk with him anywhere?"

"Why?" Arata chortles, "Maybe because you need to grow up?"

"ExCUSE me!?"

"You said it yourself Kazuma, now that all of us know each other are star drivers, we've got to learn how to get along. That goes for you and Takuto too." Arata crosses his arms. "I'm right and you know it."

"You like holding that against me." Kazuma's cheeks puff up. "...Fine. I'll go talk to him. But I promise you, it won't go anywhere!" He then points behind Arata, "Besides, I need to leave so you can properly do your job. Because you've already failed at it." Arata turns around.

"Oh shite! Sugata?!" Arata frantically scours the room, "Where did he go!?"

"He's hiding beside the bed. I would lock the window for next time."

Arata breathes in relief. Sugata rises slowly from the bedroom floor with his hands up. "How did you know?"

"Do you really want to know?" Kazuma asks with one eye shut and a lackadaisical hand gesture.

"Yes." His eye opens again.

"No OnE gEtS tO LeAvE mY lInE oF SiGhT. PeRiOd." The two boys shiver at Kazuma's tone of voice. "I'm leaving now." The emerald green-eyed boy's footsteps echo out of the room and down the corridor away from them.

"Does he always do that?" Sugata asks cautiously sliding back into bed.

"Yeah, I don't know why or how he's able to get like that..." Arata points an accusing finger, "Now rest. You better not move again, or I'll have him come back and haunt your dreams." Sugata wraps himself in his covers wearily.

"Haha, scary."

"Hey wait up!"

"Wait up for who?"

"Who do you think genius!?" Takuto continues down the dirt trail from Sugata's manor as if Kazuma wasn't talking to him. Annoyed at being ignored, Kazuma uses his first phase to catch up to the redhead. Time starts again and Takuto jumps in surprise at seeing Kazuma's new location: right next to him.

"Ahhhh! Aw, you can't use your first phase! That's not fair!" Kazuma sticks out his tongue unsympathetically, shoving his hands in his pockets. The two start walking side by side together in silence.

Getting more annoyed, Kazuma reluctantly takes a breath and starts of the conversation. "Okay. I'm only going to ask you this once. Hear that? One! Numero uno got it?!" Takuto rolls his eyes again. "What is your problem?"

Takuto is quick to answer. "I don't have a problem."

"Fine! End of discussion! Done!" Kazuma walks forward ahead of Takuto. It was all he could do to escape seeing Takuto since they had to walk the same path. Both boys grow irritated over the other's stubbornness.

"What's my problem?" Takuto mutters underneath his breath to himself, "He's got some nerve!"

"I asked him." Kazuma mutters to himself as well, "He didn't tell me. See? He's not worth my time!"

"...Jerk."

"...Loser."

Suddenly they whisk around to face each other, "WHAT DID YOU SAY!?"

"YOU GOT A PROBLEM, YOU REDHEADED IDIOT!?"

"HEH?! YEAH! IT'S FOUR FEET TALL AND HAS AN ATTITUDE PROBLEM!"

Kazuma shouts from one end of the path, "I DO NOT HAVE AN ATTITUDE PROBLEM! I ONLY ACT LIKE THIS AROUND MY RIVALS! ERGO, WE DON'T LIKE EACH OTHER!"

Takuto shouts from the other end, "I'VE NEVER SAID I DON'T LIKE YOU! IT'S YOU WHO HATES ME! FOR NO REASON! JUST ADMIT IT ALREADY!"

"WHEN HAVE I EVER SAID THAT I HATE YOU?!" Kazuma took a breath, "But I HATE YOU!"

"SEE!?"

"Oh, dear. They are going to wake the master!" Tiger says looking out of Sugata's window. Arata looks as well. "What's going on down there?"

"I'm not sure. But I'll go and check it out." Arata quickly hops from tree limb to tree limb down the mansion's pathway towards the ruckus. Tiger watches him in amazement.

"Why are you making this sound like I have it out for you when it's you who has it out for me?!" Takuto walks a little closer to Kazuma. "It's frustrating!"

"Frustrating for you!? How about frustrating for me!? Dealing with you every day!" Kazuma matches his movements.

"Dealing with me!? What's that even supposed to mean? We don't even talk to each other outside of..." Kazuma's eyes narrow, and Takuto shouts again. "OUTSIDE OF ZERO TIME! THAT'S RIGHT I SAID IT! KAZUMA HAS A PROBLEM WITH ZERO TIME!"

"LoWeR YoUr VoIcE yOu PeSaNT!" Takuto shivers off his intimidation. Arata lands on a tree branch a little ways away from them, not interfering as he planned.

"Don't tell me what to do!" He yells back. By now, he's come inches away from Kazuma, who's stunned that his voice had no effect on Takuto. "I won't let your angry, pissy, zero time voice scare me! Not if it means it'll get us further away from the truth!"

"The truth?" Kazuma asks when the distance was finally equal between them.

"Yes." Takuto meets the white-haired male's glare with his own glare of determination. "The truth is, you've let all your anger towards zero time manifest onto me since the day you met me. And you hated me ever since!"

Kazuma's glare turns from angry to dark. "Don't...Don't you dare turn this on me!" Kazuma stabs a finger into Takuto's chest. Takuto doesn't get time to wince before Kazuma does it again, the strength in the motion pushing Takuto backward repeatedly, "Who do you think you are? Turning this around so it sounds like I need to prove myself to you. It is you that's meant to earn respect from me, not the other way around!" Takuto's back hits a nearby tree trunk. He can't escape Kazuma's menacing appearance. "I've been fighting the Glittering Crux almost my entire life! Yet as soon as you appear and apprivoise, you suddenly believe that you're the best? The one who's going to beat them all? And all we have to do is follow you if we want to win this war?... YOU OUTSIDER!" Kazuma releases his finger to hold Takuto by the neck. Takuto instinctively tries to pry off his fingers in a panic to no avail. "Unlike you, I'm not just some whiny teenager who complains about the way things are! Since day one, since I was a child, I didn't complain that there needed to be a change, I WAS THE ONE STRIVING TO MAKE THAT CHANGE!" Takuto couldn't breathe, struggling under Kazuma's tightened grip.

"Ka-Kazuma! P-Please~" He could barely muffle. He slaps Kazuma's arm a few times to try and get him to stop. But it was too late. Kazuma's mind had already left him. His eyes were widened to the point you could barely see his pupils, as he seems to stare past Takuto into the distance.

"AND IF I HAD A DOLLAR FOR SOMEONE WHO TOLD ME THAT THEY KNEW WHAT IT TOOK," Flashbacks plague Kazuma's memory as he yells, "KNEW HOW TO MAKE IT TO THAT PATHWAY OF CHANGE, I'D BE A FILTHY RICH MAN!"

With consciousness waning, Takuto uses his last bit of strength to grip Kazuma's jacket sleeve with both hands and fling him over his head and onto the male's back. "URRRAHHHHHH!" Kazuma's back slams hard into the ground, the boy rolling across the dirt. Takuto coughs as he slouches down onto the ground as well against the tree trunk. Kazuma slowly gets up. Takuto looks at him wearily. "I get it! I get that you're in pain Kazuma! I get that you're strong enough not to let someone with a mindset like mine bother you like this!" Kazuma's bangs brush down his face as he silently massages his shoulder. "Why don't you really like me then!? Stop cowarding behind excuses and be honest with me! Just this once!" Kazuma silently approaches Takuto. "I see. I figured it would come to this." Takuto struggles but stands up, supporting his weight on the tree trunk. He makes a weak fighting stance. "Fine. If this is what it takes; if this is how I have to prove myself to you, I'll match you head on Kazuma-kun. Don't hold back!" As if Takuto had flipped a switch, Kazuma accelerates in front of Takuto and the redhead braces for impact.

But the impact doesn't come.

Takuto looks at Kazuma's unconscious body face down in the dirt. Arata had jumped down from the trees just as Kazuma had found new strength. Somehow working on some kind of inner backup energy, Kazuma was going to swing again, in which Arata chops him in the neck and he finally doubles over. "Why would you do that?"

"If you two are going to fight, do it when you're both in decent condition." Arata says, "Better yet, fight in the kendo club. There, you both can put that pent up aggression to good use and practice your sword fighting skills against the Crux." Takuto lets out a harsh sigh and slouches in relief once more. Arata walks to Kazuma's side and kneels down. "I thought he could do this on his own. But it sounds like he's holding onto more burdens then we think he is." He lifts Kazuma onto his back, "Come on, let's get you two cleaned up for school. I'm sure Kazuma has a spare uniform at his home that can fit you." With a free hand, Arata helps the redhead stand once more. He notices Takuto wince in pain but ignores it. Takuto doesn't complain and just follows Arata silently into town.

"Your friends are so reckless Arata." Anaki comments. "How are you all going to beat the Crux like this?"

"Well, sometimes people need a little heart to heart to resolve an issue. In this case, it just needs to be supervised."

"Thank you for letting me borrow your uniform," Niika says fixing the wrinkles in her jacket.

"No problem. It made more sense so you wouldn't have to go all the way home from here and come back." Wako offers her melon bread. Niika is too busy looking at her skirt in the mirror to accept it. "What are you staring at? Is the skirt too tight?"

"No..." Niika frowns, "But it is kind of long..."

Wako gains an anime vein mark, "That's the length it should be according to the handbook. Yours is normally too short."

Niika sweatdrops accepting the bread, "Oh I see...Thank you Wako-san."

"You don't have to be formal when we're alone. Drop the -san. Wako is fine." Wako fixes Niika's tie. "Seeing you yesterday, standing in front of me alongside the boys..." She trails off not wanting to admit it, "Let's just say I'm the one who should be formal with you. You're much stronger than I am."

"I'm not strong." Wako was taken aback by Niika's tone of voice. Its usual shakiness had disappeared and her words were clear and sharp. "I'm not strong yet. But I'm going to be. I will protect you, and the other maidens. I promise you." She speaks with resolve. Wako couldn't say anything else.

"Ahh! The bus, I see it coming~We should hurry!" Niika grips her schoolbag. As Wako goes to gather her things, Niika sends a text message on her phone.

Niika: Hello. Are you awake by chance?

"Come on Niika-chan!" Niika clicks the phone off. When Wako calls, Niika exits Wako's bedroom and joins her outside. "The bus is close. We just need to make it down the street before it pulls off from our stop!" The two girls make a break for it. Running, they manage to reach the nearby bus stop before the bus gets there. "Whoo~Just in time." Wako catches her breath.

"The bus is going slow today. You didn't need to run." The long, black-haired teen already sitting on the stop's bench mutters.

"We didn't want to take that chance, Keito." The class president stands up, smoothing out her skirt.

"Whatever you say." The bus pulls up at the stop. Niika steadies her own breathing, she receives a text message back.

?: Good morning Miss Takashiro. I'm at your service. How can I help?

"Hold it, hold it! I'm getting on!" Another girl at that moment runs up behind Niika, "Let me on~Wahh!"

"Aaaah!" Like dominos, all the girls fall into each other before anyone could get on the bus successfully. "Ughhh..." They all mutter.

"Are you kids good?" The bus driver only mildly seems concerned.

They all scramble to stand. "Hey you, pay attention to where you're running!" Keito says. She stands up first, brushing off her skirt once more. "Apologize."

"Sorry! I really am sorry!" The pink-haired teen helps Niika stand. Niika slides her phone back in her pocket still slightly stunned. Suddenly a tiny yellow ball of fur jumps inside the bus. "Ooh! A fox!" Just as quickly as she apologizes, the girl bounces onto the bus as well, distracted.

"Hey! Apologize properly!" Keito scolds following her.

"It's okay, I'm alright," Wako says standing with Niika's help now. The two then board the bus also. After a quick scolding by Keito, the bus doors shut and the driver starts driving again. "Sit next to me, Niika." She nods and complies. Keito reluctantly settles down on the seating on the right side of the bus. The pink-haired girl sits down on the left side, holding the fox she managed to catch captive in her arms. "Vice? What are you doing here?" The fox wriggles uncomfortably.

"Can he breathe?" Niika asks the girl worriedly.

"Ah! You're right! Sorry, little guy~" She frantically loosened her grip. The fox immediately jumped into the lap of the passenger on the girl's right. That is when they all notice her. "Ah! Sorry, ma'am!"

"It's okay." The passenger's light green eyes blink. "He's quite adorable isn't he?" Niika looks up from composing her next text message upon hearing the new voice. There was something familiar about it. She analyzes the girls' white sundress, realizing she was the only one not wearing a school uniform. Her sunhat seemed to cover her face at the angle she was facing.

"Right!?" The two strangers bond over the furry pet. Niika quickly types out the rest of her next message.

Niika: Do you think we can meet soon? There's something I want to ask. You're the only person I can talk to about this.

"Uh...excuse me?" The light blue-haired individual turns to Wako, "This bus goes to the ferry dock, right?"

"Yes. It's the fifth stop down." Wako answers.

"Thank you." The girl gives her a light smile in their direction. Niika closes her phone in time to see her face. Her eyes widen.

"S-S...Sakana-chan?"

"Eh? I'm sorry?" The girl turns to her directly.

"It's you! You're Sakana-chan!" Niika moves out of her seat and practically tackles the mystery girl. "Sakana-chan! I can't believe you're here! I've missed you!"

"F-Fish girl?" The girl mutters to herself. "That nickname was from so long ago...Huh? It can't be, you must be...Niika-chan?"

"Yes! I knew you'd remember me!" Niika squeezes beside her. She holds her hands with both her own. "I had always wondered what happened to you all these years!"

"I had wondered what became of you as well Niika-chan." Finally, she hugged Niika back. "I'm glad to see that nothing too bad has become of you as well."

Niika looks away, "Ah. Well..."

"Niika, what's going on?" Wako asks Niika. "Do you know this girl?"

"Ah! Wako! This is Sakana-chan! The girl who's voice I kept hearing in~" Niika stops herself in time. Wako immediately understands. "In my dreams! I didn't realize it before, but I knew I'd heard that voice before...it turns out I did know her."

"Wait, she's real!?"

"Of course she is!"

"You've heard my voice in your dreams, Niika? I can't believe I was that memerable~haha." The girl brushes her hair behind her ear. "But I have a real name you know."

"You do?"

"Of course! It's Matsuri Hyou!" She exclaims, "It's Hyou...At least for now...Maybe I'll change it someday. Just something else I'll have to think about when starting my new life."

"New life?" The other female student holding the fox asks. "Wait, is the reason you asked about the ferry dock because you're traveling?"

"Well... yes, I am." Hyou tells her, "If I wasn't already on my way, I'd take the time to catch up with you and your friends, Niika-chan. They seem like nice people."

"W-We're not her friends. We're all just students at the school on this bus' route." Keito clears up for Hyou. "But I guess, we can all say, that we're interested in your story."

Wako does her best to combat the standoffishness Keito emitted with her statement. She was curious too. "Traveling must be nice! Something big must have happened to make you want to leave the island~"

"Honestly, I was locked up in a giant birdcage until this morning." All the other girls suddenly close their mouths. Hyou lightly laughs at their pale faces of concern. "Yes, you heard me right. A birdcage. But oh don't worry. I was happy after all."

"But still..."

"A birdcage..."

"...Is she okay?" The pink-haired student asks Niika.

Instead of answering, Niika asks Hyou, "Why would you let someone trap you in a birdcage? That sounds horrible."

Hyou brushes her hair with her hands. "Hearing this out of context sounds like a really bad thing, but I was content with living like that. I liked the man who put me in the cage, so the cage didn't bother me. He said he liked me too." Hyou's smile weakens, "It was definitely love at first. But then it became unrequited. I wonder why...Sometimes, even if people really like each other, it just doesn't work out." The girls stay quiet. "In the end, I decided to leave this island and try getting by on my own. I figured I might as well start over if I'm going to be alone."

"Ma'am. This is your requested stop." Niika looks out the bus window. The sun was still rising over the water of the ferry dock.

Hyou grips her bags and stands up. "Well then, goodbye. Be well you all." She fixes her hat and starts to walk off the bus.

"Excuse me!" The pink-haired girl leans against the bus poll looking at Hyou. "With finding your new life...Good luck!"

Keito quietly lifts her book to her face, "Good luck."

Wako smiles, "Good luck."

"Good luck, Hyou-chan!" Niika tells her. She notices tears in her eyes.

The pink ribbon on Hyou's hat flows in the wind because of the open bus doorway. She bows, "Thank you. Good luck to you too." She walks off the bus. The ping of her cell phone startles Niika before she checks the new message.

?: I think I'll finally be freed by tomorrow afternoon. Come alone.

Niika's gripped fist shakes with sudden resolve. With one last grip of her cell, she answers the message and shoves it in her pocket quickly.

Niika: I was planning to.

"Mr. Driver! Wait, please! I'm getting off!"

"Huh? Niika-chan?!"

"Sorry Wako~head to school without me!" Niika then rushes off the bus and outside toward Hyou. "...Getting by on my own sounds like a great idea."

"I'm the VP of the boxing club. I have a right to conduct a legal practice fight anywhere on campus."

"I don't care if you were the vice president of the entire school! As the president of the kendo club, no one fights in my club room with my clubs' weapons without my permission!"

"So...can they fight here?"

"Normally, I'd say no. But I know how that guy can get. This is our VP after all. For him to accept a challenge is rare..." Kendo captain Benio stares at Kazuma's back. She scratches her head, "Ah! What a pain. I guess it's okay to privately use the room. There's no club going on today anyway..."

"Alright, like I said already," Arata turns back to Takuto and Kazuma. They both stood opposite each other holding the wooden clubroom kendo swords. Takuto held two, Kazuma held one. "Let's make this a good clean fight!"

"Kazuma-kun. If you lose in front of outsiders, I'll have to rethink your position." Benio tells him while rewrapping her pigtails in a hair tie.

"Don't count on that." Kazuma grips his wooden sword.

"Kazuma, Takuto's still injured so try not to go all out on him, for both of your sakes. This is just practice after all."

"Don't count on that either."

Takuto grips his swords, "We'll be fine Arata. We've waited all day for classes to be over. I just want to end this already."

"Fine. Get ready," Arata lifts his arm. The boys get in position. "Go!" Kazuma's the first to attack. Takuto immediately starts blocking.

"Are there any stakes to this fight?" Benio asks Arata.

"No." He replies, "Just some seriously needed redirection of aggression."

"Ha, boring." She sits on a nearby bench. "So they're basically just slapping sticks around. There's no resolve."

"I wouldn't say that at all." Benio looks at Arata confusingly. "There's a lot of unspoken words between them. This is their way of talking things out."

Takuto and Kazuma aggressively slam their kendo swords into each other's over and over. When one is attacking, the other is blocking. The first five minutes are spent silently, nothing but hard grunting and the click-clack of their swords could be heard. Then not much later, the grunts turn to yells.

"S-So, you finally gonna tell me, w-why you really don't like me?!" Takuto asks. For the majority of the fight, he had practically been the only one on defense. Even with two swords, he was being overwhelmed by Kazuma's rough fight-style. That, and the fact that he wasn't really fighting back.

Takuto didn't have room to attack even if he wanted to. Kazuma was so close, he could feel his breathing on his skin. And Kazuma took advantage of that, his continuous attacks jabbing Takuto's body several times, causing him to wince uncomfortably multiple times. "No, I'm not!" Kazuma yells back in frustration. His goal was to not leave an opening for Takuto to attack, but feeling that Takuto was holding back nagged at him immensely.

"Come on Kazuma." Arata's arms were folded, "We won't get anywhere without your cooperation~"

"Shut up Arata! Y-You said this was between me in Takuto! S-So stay out of it!" Takuto takes the opportunity to push Kazuma's close form away from him and create a little distance between the two.

"Hey! No punching or kicking! Swords only!" Benio warns.

"Screw this!" Suddenly Kazuma stops time. He touches Takuto's shoulder releasing him from his frozen state. "I'm losing my mojo, fighting like this." Takuto looks around him. "That's right, I'm using my first phase. It doesn't last long, so listen up." Takuto readies himself for an ambush. Kazuma goes from cold to hot easily, so he didn't trust a thing he was being told. But to his amazement, Kazuma kept his sword at his side. "I don't like you. I don't like the fact that you're an outsider. I don't like the fact that because you have a cybody you think you can just pilot it and go! I don't like the fact that you think your cybody's superior to everyone's because you were the first to formally kick a Crux's member's azz and brought my cybody out of retirement!" Takuto lets Kazuma say what he wants without interjection. "And on top of everything...you stole the girl I liked!"

"...huh?"

"Don't huh! I said you stole the girl I liked! Niika-chan!" Kazuma was hesitant to say more. The light blush on his cheek was apparent. "I couldn't say that in front of Arata! And if Benio heard me say that, she'd never let me live it down! My highschool life would be ruined!"

"I had a feeling this was really about Midori no me. I figured you liked her." Takuto's mouth flattens, "So, this is how you really feel? You think I'm just an arrogant, overconfident foreigner, who only wants to upstage you, and cause chaos with the Crux only for the adventure. Is that it?"

"~Yes! Yes it is!" He answers immediately. "I have no reason to trust you! And I don't! Not with the Crux and not with Niika either!" Kazuma holds his chest. The pain of holding time still weighed on him heavily. "That's why, when I release time, we fight for her! I won't ask you to leave the island, but to leave her alone! The loser of this fight has to give up on her. You have my word, if I lose, I will do so. But I won't lose!" Kazuma swings his sword away from his body with a hand.

"...What makes you trust Niika any more than me? She's an outsider too."

"I now know something you don't about her," Kazuma speaks as if he already has the high ground. The booming chest pain caused by his first phase is the only thing minimizing his vanity. "Besides, I've seen how fragile Niika is. She doesn't belong in this world of star drivers, but she's already way too deeply involved. The least I can do is protect her. I have the power to do so." Kazuma doesn't let his paling skin bother him, "In this already horrible world, I won't let someone as weak as Niika just get manipulated by you. Got it!?"

"Why am I wasting my breath arguing with you? You'll continue to believe and do what you want in the end." Takuto speaks in a low voice. His red bangs drape across his face. "~So, this means that I'm allowed to go all out if I have to?" Kazuma blinks.

"Uh, duh! Trust me, I can combat anything you've got!"

"I'll take your word for it." Takuto raises his weapons, "I was going to let you say what you needed to say and tire yourself out, but the circumstances have changed." Kazuma notices Takuto's change in demeanor. "This is about Niika now after all."

Not able to hold out much longer, Kazuma releases his first phase. Time restarts, Takuto is the first to strike. 'He's fast.' Kazuma barely saw him coming but was still able to dodge his attack. But attacking was not Takuto's goal. He locks one of his wooden swords against Kazuma's neck. Kazuma reflexively leans his own sword against Takuto's. He whispers harshly, "What~?"

"~I'll only say this once, so listen up." Takuto interrupts just as quietly, just as harsh. "Niika may not be as strong as you, but she's not as weak as you think she is. She's already aware of her limits, and it makes her sad that she can't do more. I know she's doing whatever she can to make up for her faults, so that fact that you believe she's fragile is where you're wrong. That is how you've already lost." Kazuma growls. "I won't bet on a friend. And I won't force her to choose. Between the two of us, nor "us" and the Crux." Kazuma's face contorts.

"Hey! What happened to the action?" Benio asks. As she does, Kazuma slams the side of his sword into Takuto's, pushing him away. Takuto grunts in pain. "Hey, are you guys good?"

"A friend?" Kazuma lets out a harsh huff. "You're so cruel, Takuto-kun!" He lunges for Takuto with his weapon. Takuto doesn't back down from the challenge this time, banging his swords into Kazuma's attack. Takuto then strikes Kazuma in the shoulder. They begin to equally fight each other.

"You don't have the right to judge me or Niika or anyone! Just because we haven't been living here and dealing with whatever you have been, doesn't make us any weaker or stronger than you! Everyone has felt tragedy Kazuma, you're not the only one!" He yells in between continuous clashes. Now angry, Takuto's dual-wielding starts to overwhelm Kazuma."People grow from their past mistakes! But only if they are able to let go of the past, and move towards the future!" Takuto catches Kazuma's sword in between his own. The two males' foreheads bump into each other.

"Don't talk like you know me!"

"Then don't assume you know me!"

"Incredible." Benio whispers. "They're full countering each other's movements with barely any effort at all!"

"They're matching each other tit for tat. Their endurance is uncanny." Arata mutters to himself. 'This is exactly the kind of energy they need to fight the Crux.' He then thought, 'Not against each other.'

Kazuma wouldn't lead up. But neither would Takuto. At some point, they both find an opening in each other's stances. They use those opportunities to jab purposely at their weak points, making both grunt and groan in pain. Seeing how seriously they were starting to fight, Arata knew they had to stop or things would get messy quickly. When he sees Takuto lean back for another aggressive attack, Arata threw out an arm in between the boys. "Time's up!" Instead of stopping, however, they manage to push him out of their way. "Hey! She said no pushing or kicking!" Arata is ignored. At that point, the redhead and the whitenette are so aggravated that they drop their weapons and just start tussling. They pull on their uniforms and tug at their hair and skin. "Kazu~? Taku~?! Wait!?" Arata was not ready for the sudden physical altercation. He is targeted by one of the flying fists as he tries to break them up. "Cut it out already! What is wrong with you!? Benio, would you help me!?"

"Fists are flying at this location!" Benio laughs to herself. She takes her time offering Arata assistance. "I say, this was wayyy more entertaining than the sparing earlier~You should have sold tickets, Takashiro-kun." Finally, she pulls back Takuto in a headlock. "Alright break it up! Stop this childish behavior in my clubroom!"

Arata manages to hold Kazuma under his arms and behind his neck in a hold to keep him still. "What are you, children!? Get a hold of yourselves!" He yells at them. Once they are still, they let them go. The boys breathe heavily and massage body parts.

"We're not done!" Kazuma mutters weakly. Arata pokes Kazuma in the side and he winces in pain.

"Yes, you are. I started the fight, I end it. It's over." Arata then whispers to him, "He did a number on you. Can't you feel it?" It was then Kazuma feels immense pain throughout his entire body. He kneels down to the ground. He joins Takuto who's already on the ground enduring searing pain. "Let the pain you feel now in the aftermath of this fight be a lesson to you. You met your match today, let's keep him on his good side. Nah? Now makeup and shake on it." Takuto and Kazuma glare at each other out of one eye. "I SAID SHAKE ON IT!" Arata's words were firm, angry that he got punched in the face in a fight that wasn't his. Kazuma and Takuto struggle to reach out their hands but were able to grip one another long enough to satisfy Arata. "Good. From today on, you're gonna be friendly with each other. Now head home together as I asked before." Instead of moving anymore, the boys finally collapse on Arata out of pain and exhaustion. "Huh? Takuto? Kazuma? Guys!?"

Benio rolls her eyes, "I'll go send for the nurse."

"Thank you for your assistance today, Keito-chan." The school nurse, Ms. Okamoto winks at the class president.

Keito straightens out her lab coat, "No problem Sensei, I understand why you needed the help." Kazuma glares at the back of her long black hair. "I'm going to update my science clubmate Arata on these two's conditions." Kazuma makes sure not to lock eyes with her as she passes him. She practically looks down on him. "It was long overdue to see you in such a weak state like this, Kazuma-kun."

"Am I suppose to thank you now for what you've done today? Don't count on it." Kazuma's top lip twitches, "You use your powers on me again, and I'll out you myself." He says through gritted teeth. "Don't ever touch me again." Keito smacks the back of Kazuma's head before exiting the infirmary. Kazuma jumps up off of his cot, but she quickly closes the door. "YOU~!"

"Fujimoto-kun! Lay back down now! You still need rest!" In defiance, Kazuma sits in the chair beside Takuto's cot instead. "Honestly." Ms. Okamoto kneels in front of the boy. She pats one of his last facial bruises with a cotton ball on tweezers. Kazuma looks away from her, "Now now, don't be like this it's only one more."

"Don't touch me eith~Ah!"

Ms. Okamoto forces his face in front of her. When she pats, he closes his eyes and winces. "See was that so hard?" She covers the bruise with a bandage. "I never expected to see you here, Kazuma-kun. Nor did I expect to see you this beaten down."

"This'll be the last time. I never want to see your face again." Kazuma folds his arms and looks away once more.

She frowns but ignores the comment. "Takuto did this to you?" He doesn't respond. "I once thought you could handle anyone that opposes you. I guess you've finally realized that Takuto is an actual threat. That and...you aren't superhuman, Kazuma." Kazuma hisses. "You know, I've never considered you an enemy Kazuma-kun...Not when you left the Crux and not now. I suppose I also never properly gave my condolences either...after Shiina's death...I'm sorry~"

"Shut up! Don't you ever say her name!" Kazuma slaps Ms. Okamoto's arm away before she can touch him. "Get away from me! You vile witch!" He spat in disgust holding the fetal position in his seat.

Ms. Okamoto stands up. "...For what it's worth, I really hope that Takuto and his friends will be better friends to you than your previous ones. Maybe they can help you through your issues and give you the support you need to move on." Kazuma closes his eyes hoping to block out the similar words he heard from before.

"Huh? This is...the infirmary?" Takuto blinks when he awakes. Ms. Okamoto walks over and takes his temperature.

"Yes yes. Where else did you expect to end up with all these bruises?" She laughs lightly.

"You bandaged me up like this?" Takuto asks and she nods. "Thank you so much."

"Well, isn't that sweet? The completely opposite reaction from the other one." Takuto understood immediately. He takes a glance at Kazuma and frowns. "You're very welcome Takuto-kun. I just need to bandage that arm before I can let you go for today." She walks to the exit, "I'll be back with some medical wrap. Wait here." He nods. With one last glance at Kazuma, she leaves the room. Takuto sighs.

"What's up with you?"

"Nothing. Just leave me alone."

"Like you wanted me to leave Niika alone?" Kazuma sits up, "You don't control who I can and can't be friends with."

"I was going to apologize, but you're clearly not ready to accept it."

"Because you're not ready to give it."

Kazuma grips Takuto's shirt collar. "You wanna go for round three, Pretty Boy?!"

"You've really got to control your anger. You have a problem."

"You! I!...No~!" Kazuma loosens his grip. After hearing it directly, Kazuma was giving into acceptance. "...I know. I know I do." Takuto was taken aback when Kazuma admits it. "It was wrong to bet on Niika like she was some object. You're right. I'm sorry."

"...And I'm sorry." Takuto doesn't say anything else, hoping not to ruin Kazuma's mood.

"Ahhhh!" Niika opens the infirmary door to see Kazuma holding Takuto by the collar. "Let him go!" Kazuma quickly detaches his hand from Takuto's shirt collar. "Takuto-kun!" She rushes past him and bends over to hug Takuto around the shoulders. "Arata told me you guys were here! Are you okay!?"

Takuto hugs her back, "We're fine, Midori no me." Kazuma looks away uncomfortably.

"I think I'll just go~" Before he could get it out all the way, Niika hugs the white-haired boy around the waist.

"What happened to you both? You're covered in b-bruises!" She touches his face, "Does it hurt, Kazu?"

Kazuma blushes, "No...it doesn't." He lies. Tears form in his eyes as he hugs Niika around her upper arms. "Niika-chan, I'm so sorry!" He began to silently cry.

Niika blinks repeatedly in confusion, "Huh? What for?"

"F-For talking about you...saying things about you, behind your back," Kazuma says. He dries his eyes with the back of his hand before leaning Niika away from him. "When I met you, I thought that you were a weak, feeble girl, who needed to be protected. I never thought about how you might feel about that. But now I know better." He glances at Takuto, "I shouldn't have based our friendship on a need to just protect you. We're both star drivers, after all, we have to start protecting each other now. Your brother, and that idiot too." Takuto pouts. "You might not know too much about what you're doing now, but I know you'll get there. We know you'll get there." He says giving the redhead the credit he deserves. "And I promise, from now on, I'll do my best to help you do that in any way that I can. Arata too." He gives her a smile.

"Uh...huh." Niika slowly answers. She seems to frown to herself, but Kazuma doesn't notice.

Takuto leans back on his cot, sighing in relief, "I thought this day would never come."

"Shut up will you?" Kazuma lightly wacks him on the head. Takuto winces. "I'll do my best from now on. Takuto." Takuto blinks at his first name being used. "I'll be leaving first. See you guys tomorrow." After giving them a wave, the whitenette takes his leave.

With the air in the room left lighter, Takuto feels like he could breathe better. He relaxes into the cot. "Well. Today went well."

"Well? What about your injuries?" Niika points to them.

Takuto waves her off. "Collateral damage." He insists.

Niika sits beside him on the cot. "Who did this to you two?"

Takuto sweats, "Oh...no one...we both just took a hard tumble, that's all." He lies, protecting Kazuma. Niika worriedly looks at him, "It's nothing serious really! You don't have to worry, so cheer up okay?!"

Niika lets out her a sigh before hugging him again around the torso this time. Her cheek rests on his chest, "At least the two of you are okay."

"Y-Yeah." He stutters, the blush obvious on his face. He swallows hard, "Neh, Midori no me?"

"Yes?"

"Do you...is there a chance that you might..." Niika lifts her head to meet his ruby-red eyes. With this, Takuto sweatdrops and swallows his next sentence. He forms a new one. "Are you up for a walk home?" Niika's eyelids droop. "I just need to be bandaged one last time before I can get going. The nurse said she'd come back with the medical wrap. I wonder where she is..."

A shadow casts across Niika's face. "I can't." Takuto stops muttering. "I can't walk with you today."

"Oh." Takuto says, "...Is there a problem?"

"No," Niika tells him. "I just, have something else to do."

"A club? If it's an after school thing or a meeting with Sarina, I can stay and wait for~!"

"No!" Niika shouts, "T-That's okay. I'm just, going to go home with my brother today. I'll be fine!" Niika stands up and bows respectfully. "I hope you get well!" With that, Niika runs away, leaving the bewildered redhead in the infirmary alone. It doesn't take long for her to bump into Arata. "Nii-sama!"

"Niika? I was just on my way to get you from club." Arata slings his bag on his shoulder. He turns on his heels. "Ready to go home?"

"Y-Yes about that..." Niika says as they start walking down the empty school corridor. She grips her fist at her side. "When we get home...there's someone I want you to meet."

And so the adventure of life goes on.

MPK: Read & Review!