"That is your grandfather's car?"

Kurumu watched as the white sedan puttered into the parking lot on the west edge of town. She was wearing her long sleeved, indigo blouse which had snaps instead of buttons down the front. The strap of her schoolbag containing her dirty laundry and completed homework packet crossed her breasts which strained against the empty, tiny pockets of this blouse. Her ruffled, black skirt fluttered about her knees which were swathed in the black hose from yesterday. Her furry gray booties once again graced her feet while her lavender purse hung by its strap off her other shoulder to rest upon her schoolbag.

"Is something wrong with his car?"

Rubi looked professional with that burgundy blazer and matching slacks. The older witch had on a faded pink, long sleeved dress shirt beneath the blazer. Her feet were nestled in simple black flats. She held a plastic bag with her clothes from yesterday while her black leather weave purse hung from her elbow.

"It's just not something I expected a school headmaster to drive."

The sedan pulled alongside them with its engine knocking. It stopped as a thick gout of smoke churned out the back pipe. The white paint was flecked and cracked, exposing the dull gray metal beneath.

"His car is older than my mother, Kurumu. Just be thankful that it works."

Yukari moved to open the back passenger side door. The young witch was sporting her sleeveless peach blouse with the velvet, burgundy vest worn over it. The fabric of this vest was open for the swell of a bosom the young witch lacked with a front zipper up the midriff. The pleated, burgundy skirt touched upon her knees swathed in white hose stretching down to her glossy black platform Mary Janes. She had her schoolbag with her sullied clothes and yellow tote hanging by their straps from the same shoulder.

"I'll sit in the front."

Kurumu nodded at Rubi's declaration as Yukari opened the sedan's door. She followed the young witch into the vehicle, shutting the door behind her as Rubi got into the front passenger seat.

"Good morning, girls. I trust you had fun at your sleepover."

They all sounded an affirmative as they secured their seat belts. Sendou Seitou, the new headmaster of Yokai Academy, had silver hair and was wearing a brown sweater over a white dress shirt.

"It will take a little over an hour to get to Agano. Hope none of you need to use the restroom."

Kurumu giggled as the old man shifted the car into gear. He rolled further into the parking lot, turning to cut through an empty parking space to get to the adjacent lane.

"We took care of that before we left Mikomi's place."

Kurumu rested her schoolbag in the empty seat Yukari had left between them. She pulled her lavender purse into her lap, feeling the car cruise to the far end of the lot. Unzipping her purse, she fetched her phone and flipped it open. It was only a little after eight which was when they had been told to be here. Slipping her phone back inside, she zipped the purse up as the car turned and turned again. They drove down the narrow path that would meet the main road which circled the town and school.

"Do you know the town elders, Mr. Sendou?"

The grandfather reached the end of the drive, easing into a left turn onto the wider main road.

"I've had my fair share of dealing with them back when I was a teacher. I respect Headmaster Mikogami for putting up with their stubbornness."

Before being named the new headmaster back in December, Yukari's grandfather had been one of the science teachers hired for Yokai Academy's first major expansion back in 71. He had been around for the last expansion in 94, retiring in 97.

"How has it been recently?"

Lord Sendou snorted as he steered the sedan along the curvature of the road. The sharp hill on the right was covered in trees while the forest to the left was on more level ground.

"I'm sure you know that Elder Kunai has issues with you and the Shuzen daughters being in his town. I had to remind him that Yokai Academy is endorsed by Fairy Tale so we follow their rules. I can't just kick students out for no good reasons."

"Meaning someone here needs to stay out of trouble."

Kurumu pouted at Yukari.

"I haven't been causing any problems."

"Tell that to Ms. Morisato."

Kurumu flinched at the name. Morisato Juri had been in their homeroom. Kurumu had even considered the sprite a good friend for several months. After Kurumu had followed Nijiro's advice to surrender the money she had earned from the dirty comic Uboku Iko had made with Kurumu's likeness, Juri had called her a scheming whore trying to play the victim.

Impulsively Kurumu had reached into Juri's mind and discovered this so called friend had never truly liked her. For that matter, Juri had a fairly low opinion of Uboku. Kurumu called Juri's hypocrisy out and Juri had spent the next day pretending to be mute because of Kurumu's mind powers in an attempt to get Kurumu expelled. In a moment of anger, Kurumu had made the girl piss herself.

Kurumu had spent the rest of her school year in detention with Uboku whom was amusingly not the least bit upset with Kurumu. Uboku had even apologized, knowing she was in the wrong for using manga club resources for her own personal gain. The artistic girl would unfortunately still be in the same lunch group as Juri, but at least Kurumu would not have to deal with her.

The sedan rolled over a short bridge with a mountain stream beneath it. Kurumu noted a narrow dirt road cutting through the woods on the left. She had always wondered where that went to but had not made the time to find out.

"Will they ever make roads that are closer to the dorms?"

Lord Sendou chuckled as they continued a gradual right curve, keeping the steep hill on their right.

"The school has many service roads which our groundskeepers have neglected. There's an old station back by that stream which pumps the water to the suites and the new second year dorms."

"And the dining hall?"

"No. The dining hall, Baratoge and Chikara all have separate wells."

Kurumu nodded thoughtfully.

"Do you know why the second year dorms are called East and West?"

The old man laughed as they finally reached the clearing for the bus stop.

"That East dorm was supposed to be named South. That project was going to be a four dorm complex with the intent of closing Baratoge and Chikara, but I and several other teachers rejected that proposal."

Kurumu frowned as they coasted to the end of the road with the railing on the left and the view of the ocean. They curved right, swallowed up by the darkness of the tunnel.

"Why did you reject that?"

"Because it felt like a waste. Those old dorms used to not even have bathrooms, showers or elevators when I was first hired on. It felt silly to abandon them after so much work had gone into them."

"If it was supposed to be South, how did it get called East?"

Lord Sendou snorted as they emerged from the darkness into the real world. Trees stood on both sides with a small, white building coming up on the right.

"A mix of stupidity and laziness. It was opened with the wrong name by mistake and since the original East dorm was not going to be built, the people in charge decided not to bother with correcting it."

He sighed as they cruised beneath a blue sign indicating an intersection with 286 was coming up. A tall, white complex stood on the left with fields stretching out from both sides of the road.

"It was one of the many little things that transpired over the years that convinced me to retire. At least now with me being Headmaster, I can have more control over the situation."

Kurumu smiled softly as they passed by that building's parking lot. They shot through the intersection a few seconds later since the light had been in their favor.

"I'm glad that you stood up to Elder Kunai on my behalf."

"Helping you wasn't an issue. The one I'm having the most trouble with is Mr. Aono."

"Tsukune? Why?"

Lord Sendou huffed as they sped by fields flanking the road. They zoomed over a bridge crossing a river.

"Clearly you forgot about his massacre of a bunch of boys. Some locals still demand justice."

"But we exposed that Yoshii Kiria was behind everything!"

"The information that Yoshii Kiria was working for Fujisaki Miyabi was good enough for Mrs. Shuzen to pardon Aono Tsukune of his crimes. Normally he would have been brought before the Niigata court."

"Those boys abducted Moka, broke Nerume's back and raped your granddaughter!"

The headmaster sighed as they continued driving on this road between fields. They passed under a blue sign, showing the intersection with 146. Houses were further up on the horizon.

"I know, Ms. Kurono, but what happened was not self-defense. Mr. Aono may have been pardoned but the town elders don't want him here. Allegedly Headmaster Mikogami promised that Aono would be transferred to a different high school once the situation with Fujisaki Miyabi was resolved."

In that dialogue they had passed over another bridge and through another intersection with a green light. They were skirting by a community which was set off the road on the right with fields on the left. After this next light there would be structures on both sides of the street.

"Did he tell you about any such agreement?"

"No. But I have no proof that the agreement wasn't made. The fact remains that Mr. Aono did commit a crime which obviously is against school rules. Many students are expelled over less serious infractions."

"They're lying."

Lord Sendou laughed at his granddaughter's candid accusation as they cruised through the town at a slower speed with respect to other traffic.

"Probably true. I intend to have a chat with Headmaster Sugahara while you girls are visiting your friend. Transferring to Hisoshi High might be in Mr. Aono's best interests."

"But that isn't fair!"

"I don't want Mr. Aono to transfer!"

"I understand how you feel, young ladies. I also am reluctant to do this, considering I gave Mrs. Aono a job at the school. But I should at least discuss things with Headmaster Sugahara to see if he can help."

Yukari huffed, crossing her arms about her slim torso.

"So if he can help Tsukune and his mother, you'll send him away?"

Lord Sendou slowed down at an intersection with a seven eleven across the street. He rolled through a left hand turn, accelerating down a road leading away from the town.

"Yes. I think that is better for the both of them."

"It's better for him to be with friends."

Kurumu nodded in agreement with Yukari.

"Yea. He's finally Moka's official boyfriend. He can't leave now."

"I'm more concerned with Mrs. Aono. She's a human, living in a monster community that wants her son gone. All it takes is one disgruntled local to take matters into their own hands."

Kurumu grimaced as they flew down this street. She could see the bridge for the tollway up ahead.

"What makes you think she'd be safer in a different monster community?"

"That's a question I hope Headmaster Sugahara can answer. It was my mistake to tell the elders about employing Mrs. Aono. I had hoped that would discourage them but it only made matters worse."

They slowed down as they passed under the bridge. Lord Sendou cranked the wheel as his car sputtered loudly. They turned right, heading up the ramp that would merge with the tollway.

"Did you hear about Elder Motegi passing away?"

"I did, Ms. Kurono. Spared me of having a meeting with those arrogant old men. No doubt they would have been livid when I admitted that I had yet to remove Mr. Aono and his mother from their town."

Having merged with the highway, the sedan accelerated to a much greater speed than before.

"Grandpa. Is it possible the town elders burned their own town?"

"That has always been a possibility. All anyone has to do is look at the timeline and realize Fairy Tale had nothing to gain from this. Fire happened in August of 88. Yokai Academy regained prefectural status with Fairy Tale in the annual education meeting in January of 89. Why? Because Headmaster Mikogami had already hired a bunch of gym teachers weeks before the fire to comply with the athletic programs."

Kurumu nodded thoughtfully as their sedan crossed a long bridge over a wide river which flowed into the ocean on their right.

"That's right. Some teachers like Mr. Saiyama were quitting because of the direction Yokai Academy was taking. Back then athletics were only for purebloods."

"Exactly, Ms. Kurono. I've always suspected that fire was in retaliation. It caused a huge division between the locals and the school which was now being treated as Fairy Tale lackeys."

"So there was no official investigation."

"Nope. Town refused to let Fairy Tale investigate because they wanted to blame Fairy Tale for it. If Lord Chiki had any plans to build a local office in Mononoke, they burned in that fire."

Kurumu smiled softly, recalling her time in Lord Chiki's memories.

"No. Lord Chiki had been desperate to keep Mimori High as the prefectural school. He had not made any plans to build in Mononoke."

There was a stretch of silence with nothing important to see. Houses could be seen away from the road with fields flanking it. These exits were for roads that would go to those communities. Kurumu recalled that Yukari's parents lived near Oguni, a town in the prefecture of Yamagata. The witch had taken a train from Oguni to Niigata to visit Kurumu over summer break.

"Is there a road to Oguni from here?"

"That last exit we passed was for 113. That goes through Sekikawa and Oguni."

"Does that road go by any monster communities?"

"Not really. Atsuen is probably the closest but there isn't a road you can take to get there."

"How does the bus get there?"

"They probably made a tunnel for the bus driver. I know Uchimori did that."

Both of those communities had junior highs which probably meant they had things like electricity and indoor plumbing. If they had stores, they would have to have some connection to the human world.

"Does Uchimori connect to the human world the same way Ikinakawa does?"

"Never been to Ikinakawa so you'll have to explain."

"Ikinakawa has a barrier that you drive through which puts you on a road outside Joetsu city limits."

Lord Sendou made a contemplative sound.

"I haven't been to either community but from what I understand, both Moegara and Uchimori share the same mountain road. It doesn't have any suitable tunnels for the bus driver so both communities had to make their own. I'm guessing their tunnels connect to 53 the same way Ikinakawa does to that road."

Kurumu laughed in mild disbelief. She had been told before that Moegara was closer to Uchimori, but due to their monstrel population, their students attended the junior high in Atsuen instead.

"Does 53 connect to 113?"

"Not directly. Maybe one of the roads going south connects to it."

Disappointed with that answer, Kurumu glanced out her window. The highway was in the middle of a field with houses far off to either side. Not every road that they crossed over had an exit ramp.

It was only a minute or so before Lord Sendou decreased their speed. They were already at the Nakajo toll gate. He came to a stop behind a black sedan, rolling down his window with a crank on his door. Once the car ahead of them sped up, Lord Sendou eased their vehicle forward to the green booth. Stopping, he reached out to push the button that generated the ticket.

Once he had the ticket in hand, he let off the brake and put the ticket in his pocket. He accelerated while rolling up the window as they passed by the Nakajo exit. In seconds they were back up to full speed with trees flanking the road for only a moment before it was back to fields.

Kurumu sighed as the minutes passed. This was an uneventful drive with forgettable scenery. The few trees that flanked the road had probably been planted there on purpose.

They crossed a long bridge which spanned over another river. After that came the signs for Shibata. First it was two kilometers, then it was one and then it was five hundred meters. She was surprised when Lord Sendou eased into the exit lane. He kept to the left, descending with the ramp as it curved away from the tollway. Eventually they came about and drove under the highway, arriving on the other side. Another lane swung in on the left as they slowed their approach to the Seiro Shibata toll gate.

"Are we going to Shibata?"

"It's better to take this route."

Lord Sendou stopped by a booth which was manned by a dark haired attendant. He rolled down his window and presented the ticket. The man looked it over and asked for the toll amount. Lord Sendou fished some yen out from presumably his pants, presenting it to the attendant. The worker nodded, giving them permission to go.

Speeding up from the gate, Lord Sendou favored the left lane with the sign for Shibata. They drove down a slight ramp, curving left. Their lane came up alongside another road which passed under the tollway. Lord Sendou merged as soon as he could since their lane ended shortly on the other side. Soon after that, they crossed a short bridge over a river. A blue sign flanking the road showed a left exit coming up with Agano above 460.

"Have you ever been to Ashikantai?"

Lord Sendou chuckled, favoring the left lane. Taking the exit, they descended alongside the main road.

"I actually have been, Ms. Kurono. A pleasant community."

"Is it far from here?"

"Since you're interested, I'll point it out once we are closer."

They passed under the bridge but slowed down for the traffic ahead. Lord Sendou eased into the center lane as the signs indicated it was the way to 460 and Agano. A Mazda dealer was on the far right corner of this intersection governed by traffic lights.

Eventually the light turned green and the rolled forward with the flow of traffic. Kurumu looked out her passenger side window, seeing a car dealership before a Big Boy restaurant. They rolled through a green light in their favor before coming across an infamous McDonalds. Passing other stores, Kurumu noted a Book Off by a Hard Off. They had to slow to a stop at the next traffic light.

Kurumu breathed in deep, noting on her side that there was a big sign with a cat on the other side of this intersection. It was a 24 hour karaoke place. Further up was a sign with a red circle about a red letter K on a white background.

The light turned green and they followed the cars ahead of them. They passed by the karaoke place and that K sign was for a convenience store. They approached another intersection with a light which had a seven eleven at the corner. They rolled through the favorable light, passing by an undeveloped area before cruising through another intersection with a green light, taking them out of the town.

Fields flanked both sides of the road which started a gradual curve to the left. Eventually it straightened out but the houses were far from either side of the road. Some buildings were closer to the left side of the road further up ahead after a trio of blue signs held up between two steel posts flanking the road.

When they finally passed under the signs, Kurumu noticed that the way forward was still for 460 and Agano. They passed by a Lawson Station convenience store before rolling through another intersection. A building was under construction. A short way after that was a four story apartment building.

The light up ahead was red, forcing them to stop behind other cars. A tall, yellow, square structure stood on the far corner with red letters for AEON. It looked like it was part of the white building next to it which stretched out of sight to the left.

"What is Aeon?"

"A mall. They opened this last April."

"How often have you been in this area?"

"I have a friend working at Hisoshi High whom I visit on occasion. Taking 113 to the tollway is faster than trying to take old 7 or 290."

It was not long before the light turned green and traffic resumed. The sedan cruised by the Aeon mall which was a massive structure stretching almost to the next traffic light. As that was green, they kept going down the road which was flanked by other random businesses.

After one more light, it felt like they were leaving town again. There was only fields on the right and they were starting up an incline with a slight curve to the right. A barricade flanked the road, obstructing her view of the homes beyond. After a short drive, the road started to decline. She could see an intersection with traffic lights up ahead. A very tall and large building was further up ahead on the left.

The road leveled off right before the intersection and the barricade on the left ceased. Since the light was green, they coasted through the intersection. That imposing building on the left was closer. Counting the windows, it had six floors and six rooms. The corner of the structure was a curved steel section with an uninterrupted row of windows.

"Is that an apartment complex?"

"No, Ms. Kurono. That is a nursing care facility and rehabilitation center. We're almost there."

Kurumu frowned as they rolled by that huge facility. Lord Sendou was slowing down and getting into the right hand lane, signally his intent to make a right hand turn where this road ended.

"Almost where?"

The headmaster pointed to the left as they came to a stop behind a black sedan.

"This here is 290 which runs through Shibata. If you watch for the signs, you can get off 290 and get on the start of 14. Follow 14 all the way out of town and eventually you'll pass by 555. That takes you up to Uchinokura dam which is very close to Ashikantai."

When the light changed, Lord Sendou followed the car ahead of them, making the right turn onto 460.

"Do they have a tunnel?"

"555 does which the bus driver uses. But Ashikantai is hidden by magic, Ms. Kurono. It's not some spirit barrier that takes you into another realm of existence."

Kurumu nodded, knowing some monster communities were like that. Her attention shifted back to their surroundings, noting an Eneos gas station to the right. This road was flanked by businesses but some homes crowded in very close to the paved path.

A couple of minutes passed and Kurumu realized there had not been any lights. For that matter, there had not been that many side streets. It was like every home and business existed on this stretch of road.

They finally slowed for an intersection but only because the cars ahead had not sped up for the green light at this intersection. As they drew closer, Kurumu saw a seven eleven convenience store on her side. They rolled on through, passing by more homes and businesses before coasting through another green light. A coca cola vending machine stood in front of one of the stores they passed by.

This felt like an old town with every structure showing signs of neglect. They passed by a scooter and bicycle shop which was next to a JA-SS gas station. A few seconds later she saw the red, blue and white striped pole in front of a small structure which probably was a barber or hair stylist. Then the sedan started passing by homes with pretty landscaping to serve as fences from the main road. These homes looked nicer and newer. It was only a short stretch of road before these homes ended.

They had to stop at the next intersection for a red light. A big three story tan building stood on the left corner with a white sign identifying it as the Shibata Toyoura city hall.

"Why is that building the Shibata Toyoura city hall?"

"Because this was Toyoura. Shibata annexed this village last year."

Kurumu nodded as they started rolling forward. She knew about the recent changes in town and city limits which seemed to be happening all throughout rural Japan. Cities like Agano and Tainai had not even existed a few years ago though the villages that made them up were much older. She understood that Lord Agano was amused that the monster settlement established in his name was now in a human city bearing the same name.

"Does Lord Agano still live in Agano?"

"No. He moved back to Aranoiji decades ago to be part of the village council."

Aranoiji was the largest kitsune community in Niigata. It was somewhere near Mount Myoko.

"Who is in charge of Agano now?"

"Unless the new prefectural officer demoted him, Yoshikaze Sora should still be in charge. I understand that he's from Koutoukumo and worked under Lord Agano for decades."

They had just passed through another intersection with a green light. The road to the left went up over a bridge. Fields were on the left a short way before homes continued. Seconds later it was the homes on the right which discontinued with only fields beyond. And then it was fields on both sides.

Roughly two minutes passed before Kurumu saw a blue road sign indicating an intersection with 264. The light up ahead was green with a small town beyond it. They cruised through the intersection, gliding by an Idemitsu gas station on the right only moments later.

As they continued along the road, it felt like the town was mostly on the driver's side. They passed by a seven eleven before slowing for a red light. A Daihitsu store was on the far left corner.

After a brief wait, they resumed their journey. The homes and shops lining the street had more space between them but nothing caught her eye. Crossing through another green light intersection, their car soon crossed a bridge over a small stream. White railing on the left divided the field from the sidewalk flanking the road.

A few homes and one green light later, Lord Sendou drove them up an incline which curved to the left. The bridge crossed over a set of train tracks. The road came down with fields on either side before curving back to the right. For the next minute or so, only a few homes dared to stand by the road.

A blue road sign warned them of an intersection with 55. It did have a light but it was green. Crossing a short bridge over a stream, they cruised through the intersection and passed a few scattered homes. It did not feel like they were in a town with all the fields between the residences.

"Are we almost there?"

Lord Sendou chuckled at his granddaughter's query. They were approaching a row of houses stretching off to the left. The light up ahead was already yellow, encouraging Lord Sendou to slow down. It turned red, forcing the black car in front of them to stop at the line. They soon did the same. There was a JA-SS gas station on the left corner.

"Almost. Less than ten minutes. Maybe five."

A few seconds passed and the traffic light flipped to green. The black car ahead of them zoomed forward while Lord Sendou's sedan puttered in its wake. The road was soon flanked by fields again which was briefly interrupted by a small gathering of structures before the fields resumed. Kurumu felt tempted to count the seconds in her head.

Kurumu was mildly surprised when Lord Sendou signaled a turn. He decelerated, causing the vehicle ahead of them to pull away. He turned left on a side street which cut through the fields. He came to a stop at an intersection with another narrow road flanking a building with a graphic that read Little Dog.

Confirming the way was clear, Lord Sendou revved the engine which shot them forward. They passed through fields with homes not too far away on the right. They crossed another small road and the brush on the right side of the road become wild and untamed. The fields to the left remained, stretching out to the horizon. It was hard to believe a major monster settlement was nearby.

Lord Sendou slowed his sedan and made a sharp right turn onto a gravel road. They passed by a paved path on the left and moments later, they passed by a gravel path on the left. Both had metal barriers preventing a vehicle from driving down them. She only glimpsed a body of water on the left before Lord Sendou made another sharp right turn down another gravel road.

"Where are we?"

"Hyokosuikin Park. One more turn and then up."

"Up?"

The headmaster suddenly stopped the vehicle and got out. He walked over to the chain hung between two posts. He made a gesture and the chain lowered to the gravel. Turning about, he got back into the car and shut his door. He tugged the wheel and shifted gears, turning right on the adjacent path.

Once they had cleared the posts, Lord Sendou parked the car again. Exiting the sedan, he went back to the chain and made another gesture. The chain lifted back to its original position before the old man returned to the car. Shutting the door, he put the car back in drive and eased the vehicle forward.

"Like Ashikantai, this place is hidden by an illusion but it is the power of sylphs that keep it aloft."

Kurumu was momentarily confused before the car was abruptly lifted up. She heard Lord Sendou shift gears before he let go of the wheel. They drifted further up with the view of the fields ahead of them expanding. To her left, she saw the roofs of the nearby houses.

"Can the humans see this?"

"Of course not, Ms. Kurono. We are inside the illusion. What would be the point of hiding a floating city if they allowed the cars of visitors to be seen when taken up?"

"Kurumu lacks common sense."

Kurumu pouted, thinking magic and spirit barriers had nothing to do with common sense. She looked up but it was not like she could see through the top of the sedan. She resisted the urge to roll down her window and poke her head out, knowing she would see Agano soon enough.

They came up into a shaft with only rock to see all about. Several seconds passed before their sedan lifted above the rock. Several vehicles were parked in rows to either side of them. Their sedan drifted forward and suddenly stopped. Lord Sendou shifted gears and started driving forward.

A huge sprawling complex was off to the right at the end of this parking lot. A chain link fence ringed about the perimeter of that facility which made Kurumu conclude that was the prison. It was dour and rectangular with very few windows interrupting the gray concrete exterior.

Lord Sendou was steering their vehicle towards a building on the left. It was also a single story structure and appeared to have a huge footprint. The grandfather reached the end of the lot and pulled into one of the vacant spaces that was marked for visitors. A yellow path swept up from the lot to a central door. The sign on the arch identified this as the Agano Fairy Tale Headquarters.

"Why are we stopping here?"

Lord Sendou chuckled as he turned off the engine.

"I'm sure that Mr. Morimiya has told the office to expect us on Thursday. We should let them know that we are here now. Hopefully that won't be a problem with the prison."

Kurumu frowned as he opened his car door.

"Mr. Morimiya?"

"My friend at Hisoshi High, Ms. Kurono. Out of the car, everyone."

Kurumu undid her seat belt a second after the others. She opened up her door, slipping out. Adjusting the hem of her purse, she gestured at her schoolbag as Rubi closed her front passenger door.

"Can I leave my schoolbag in here?"

Lord Sendou paused as they lingered by the sedan. He nodded, stalking over to the back.

"Let me open the trunk. No reason for you girls to carry all of your things."

He pushed his key into the trunk, twisting it before lifting the panel up.

"But I don't think we should leave them out in the open."

Kurumu leaned in to grab her schoolbag as Rubi slipped behind her. Hauling it out by its strap, Kurumu closed her door at the same time as Yukari closed hers. They both joined Lord Sendou at the back as Rubi put her sack of laundry in the trunk. A tire jack and spare tire were the only things in this space.

"How do you know this Mr. Morimiya?"

Lord Sendou smiled as they parted with their schoolbags. He closed the trunk, pocketing his key.

"We went to high school together."

"Grandfather graduated from Shinsui Tech in 62."

Kurumu nodded at Yukari's input as they followed the headmaster up the yellow path. Everything was stone. There were no trees, bushes or grass on this hunk of rock.

"Did you both want to be teachers?"

"Not really. I was a scientist and wanted to unravel the mysteries of monster races. So did Yuki to some extent. It surprised me when he took a job at a new junior high in a new monster community."

They walked up the steps of a central porch, crossing to the main double door.

"He was a junior high teacher?"

Lord Sendou smirked as he tugged open the door.

"Hisoshi High had not been built yet."

He gestured off with his left hand, encouraging Kurumu to look behind her. She suddenly realized that the parking lot was actually in the center of this place. Stone buildings ringed the entire perimeter with the distant view of wooded hills or the unending sky between them. Most structures were single story but there was one six story building towering over the others.

"But as you can see, they have run out of space to expand. They will have to add new land to put up the dormitories Headmaster Sugahara recently got funding for."

Kurumu laughed under her breath as Rubi and Yukari entered the Fairy Tale office.

"So that's why Headmaster Mikogami was not seriously concerned with losing prefectural status. They have no room for outdoor athletics."

"It would be costly but not impossible. And certainly not something that can happen soon."

"Is that tall building the school?"

"That is the hospital, Ms. Kurono. The schools are over there."

Lord Sendou gestured at a sprawling structure at the far end of the lot. Most of the structure was one story but a part of it stood three stories high.

"Since the high school was built around the junior high, they had to build the original school upwards when they decided to include a primary school for the families that started living here."

He made a sweeping gesture at the other structures.

"This city has needed student dormitories for a long time. The original ones were only meant for the few junior high students whom could not make a daily commute. There are less than a hundred dorm rooms for a high school with almost six hundred students and a junior high with close to four hundred."

"Wouldn't people notice hundreds of cars driving into a public park every morning?"

The grandfather chuckled at her confusion, gesturing inside.

"Most parents are smart enough to have their kids walk the last part of their journey. That air tunnel doesn't only work on cars with charms. Students with school badges get the same treatment."

Taking the hint, Kurumu entered the building. The foyer was a large open space with benches lining the walls to the left and right. Marble paneling came halfway up the walls before transitioning to smooth white. Round lights hung down from the painted white metal structure by black cords. The floor sharply reported every step she made.

The wall ahead of her had a large wraparound desk made from stone with a glossy top. Open archways flanked either side of the desk, giving access to the rest of the building. Rubi and Yukari lingered in front of this counter which was manned by several people garbed in Fairy Tale attire.

Kurumu smiled softly as she joined her friends. There were black signs with white lettering mounted to the wall by these archways, declaring what services were down those corridors. The right side included the prefectural court.

"What took you so long?"

"Just admiring the view."

Yukari gestured at a nearby woman with black glasses. This lady had black hair and sparkling blue eyes. She was short and quite buxom.

"I mentioned my grandfather and they immediately sent someone to fetch Officer Yoshikaze."

"Why?"

Lord Sendou grinned as he drifted over to them.

"Perhaps he simply wants to meet me. I am the headmaster of the prefectural school."

"You could be right. You are sort of famous."

As they waited, Kurumu unzipped her purse and fished out her phone. She quickly checked the time, confirming it was a little after nine thirty. Dropping her phone back in her purse, she zipped it up.

It had probably been less than three minutes before the arrival of a man with cornflower blue hair styled in a proud pompadour. Silver tassels adorned his black uniform, signifying his important rank. He strode purposefully over to Lord Sendou, offering a stiff bow.

"I am Yoshikaze Sora."

He straightened back up, regarding the grandfather with silver eyes.

"It is an honor to finally meet you, Sendou Seitou."

"Likewise. My colleague, Mr. Morimiya, has spoken highly of you."

"I merely do my job efficiently. You on the other hand have accomplished much despite being a mere witch. Your books on the different races while controversial were beneficial to many."

Lord Sendou smiled politely.

"Many purebloods would disagree with you."

"Many purebloods are too proud to join Fairy Tale. My brethren seem to think only tengu are worthy of being under our protection. Books like yours would relieve them of such ignorant arrogance."

"I'm glad that you appreciated my works."

The officer paused, regaining the composure that had faltered in his frustrated rant.

"I understand that you wish to visit with a troubled young woman held in our prison facility."

Lord Sendou nodded, gesturing at Kurumu.

"Yes. This girl is friends with Ms. Sakamori."

Mr. Yoshikaze turned his gaze upon Kurumu and paused. There was a moment of sexual interest but it was quickly squashed. He turned his attention back to Lord Sendou.

"The warden would like the mother present during any visits but she lives in Chirasu. I will personally go fetch her but this will take time. Please understand but you are a few days early."

"That is fine. I need to visit with Mr. Morimiya and discuss a few things with Headmaster Sugahara."

"Then we shall meet at the prison around one thirty."

"I thought Chirasu was close to Agano."

Mr. Yoshikaze regarded Kurumu with a serious aura.

"Depending on traffic, the driving could take as little as an hour and a half to more than two hours. Plus there is the matter of lunch. I don't think anyone wants to go to the prison on an empty stomach."

Kurumu laughed, supposing even in the best scenarios he would be arriving around the lunch hour. The last thing she wanted to do was cut her visit with Hinoko short because she was hungry. It was not like they had eaten a breakfast this morning.

"Headmaster Sendou. Before I go, I do have a question for you. How well do you know Lord Inazuma?"

The grandfather chuckled softly.

"I don't. I would assume you would know him better as he worked under Lord Chiki."

"Lord Chiki rarely came to Agano. I am unfamiliar with the men working under his command out of the Watasora office."

"Are you concerned?"

The officer hesitated before giving a firm nod.

"Yes. I question if his plans for the prefecture are in everyone's best interests."

"Why do you have doubts?"

Mr. Yoshikaze favored the grandfather a grim expression.

"He put a man by the name of Hiame in charge of the Watasora office. This Hiame has no experience. The ink on his application to join Fairy Tale was not even dry before this Hiame was promoted."

"That is disconcerting but Lord Inazuma might have reasons for it."

"Perhaps. All I know is that this Hiame is a kitsune from Aranoiji."

Lord Sendou nodded with a contemplative look.

"Perhaps Lord Kenmei made that recommendation before his untimely demise. He was fond of looking after kitsune whom had issues existing with the village. Take Kuyo for example."

"You may be right but this promotion only happened two weeks ago. That was also when Lord Inazuma expressed his intention of establishing a Fairy Tale office in Uchimori."

"He is a raiji."

Kurumu flinched when the officer looked at her. She swallowed, glancing aside.

"Uchimori is ran by a raiji clan."

"Precisely my concern, young lady. If I had become prefectural officer, my subordinates would be right to question my motives if I pushed for putting a Fairy Tale office in Koutoukumo."

"I understand your apprehension, Mr. Yoshikaze, but we both know that Uchimori needs attention. You must have acquaintances in Hateshinai whom dislike the lack of student housing at the junior high."

The officer turned to regard Lord Sendou.

"It's one thing to expand the school but another thing to open a new office and propose a new hospital. This reeks of favoritism. There are plenty of other regions that could use the attention and resources."

"Like Koutoukumo?"

Mr. Yoshikaze sighed, relaxing his shoulders.

"Yes. It could be so much more if Fairy Tale stepped in."

Lord Sendou smiled, bowing his head slightly.

"Well I won't keep you any longer. Thank you for agreeing to fetch the girl's mother."

The officer nodded stiffly.

"No trouble at all. I will see you after lunch."

"Come along, girls. I'll introduce you to Mr. Morimiya."

Favoring the officer a smile, Kurumu hurried after their escort.


"It seems this is where we shall part ways."

Morimiya Yuki came to a stop in front of the guardhouse which the perimeter fencing butted up against. He flashed them a snaggletooth grin as he offered the headmaster a hand. Yukari's grandfather promptly shook the hand of his friend whom was wearing a tan suit jacket over a white dress shirt with matching tan slacks. The dark haired gentlemen had steel blue eyes.

"I'm sorry Headmaster Sugahara couldn't promise you more."

While Hisoshi High could give Mrs. Aono a job, it could not give her or Tsukune a place to stay. Renting a place in the nearby city was the only option and there were no guarantees that would work. If Tsukune could not remain enrolled at Yokai Academy, he would most likely have to drop out of high school.

"I understand. I'll try to argue some compassion into the elders but this may end up being something we never agree on."

Mr. Morimiya chuckled, letting go of Lord Sendou's hand.

"You should mention it to the mother so she knows it is an option. People want to feel like they have a choice, even if the alternative is full of uncertainty."

"I will keep that in mind."

"Thank you for the lunch, Mr. Morimiya."

The high school science teacher grinned when Rubi bowed to him. He had treated them to lunch at an udon shop ran by Fairy Tale employees. Apparently Fairy Tale did have jobs that did not require wearing those black uniforms. Utility workers and everyone hired for facility maintenance were paid by Fairy Tale from the money the school and those services charged. Naturally Kurumu's surprise over this revelation had triggered Yukari's loud disappointment over Kurumu's stupidity.

"It was my pleasure. Feel free to visit Agano any time."

Lord Sendou chuckled, motioning for them to follow him to the gate.

"Next time let Tsutako cook for us."

Tsutako was Mr. Morimiya's wife. She was an okami from Ashikantai which was part of the reason why Yukari's grandfather was so familiar with the community. Married back in 76, all five of their children were already done with high school. They were expecting their fourth grandchild this summer.

"She'll never speak to me again if I start bringing buxom high school girls into our house."

Kurumu smirked, having endured hours of lechery from this guy. Not that he was openly flirting but his thoughts were definitely not what a man his age should be having for a girl younger than his kids. She hoped he was not like this with his students.

"Hold up."

A man garbed in Fairy Tale attire stopped them at the gate. He freed a black walkie talkie from his belt and held it up to his mouth. He pushed a button.

"Got one old man and three young girls at the front gate."

There was a moment of static when the guy let go of the button.

"Confirm the man is Sendou Seitou."

The man pushed the button.

"Copy that. Do you have identification?"

Kurumu smiled as Lord Sendou pulled a wallet out of his slacks. She glanced over her shoulder, watching Mr. Morimiya head back to the parking lot. He had transferred to the high school when it had opened in 75. Tsutako had been one of his first students but their relationship had not been a full blown scandal. She had dropped out with her parents' blessing to marry him, having their first child in the fall of 78.

"The man is Sendou Seitou. Is it fine that he has three girls with him?"

Lord Sendou pocketed his wallet as the guard waited for a response.

"That's fine. Walk them in."

The dark haired guard nodded, hooking the device back on his belt. He gestured to the guardhouse and Kurumu heard the blare of a horn. The guard turned about and pushed on the gate. The metal hinges squealed as he walked forward, pushing it open wide. He gestured for them to pass through.

Following Lord Sendou, Kurumu walked into the compound as the guard circled about the end of the gate. Once they were all through, the man pushed the gate back to its original spot. It clanked loudly against the other half of the gate and the guard let go. He held his thumb up to the guardhouse and the horn blared once again. Nodding, the guard started down a yellow path.

"Follow me."

Agano was a city of yellow painted paths. These yellow paths connected the doors of residences, businesses, the hospital and the school. It honestly made little sense. There was no reason to not walk on the dull gray concrete that existed everywhere else, but it did feel sort of natural. These paths usually were not that much longer than a direct route.

They arrived at a broad metal door and the guard pushed a button. He grabbed hold of the handle and waited. A buzz sounded and the guard tugged the door back. He lazily motioned for them to proceed.

Kurumu followed the grandfather inside. They were in a reception area with a booth to the right. This booth had thick glass coming down to a counter, cutting it off from the rest of the room. A woman with her black hair held back in a ponytail sat at the counter, regarding them with hazel eyes.

"Ms. Kurono!"

A familiar woman's voice brought Kurumu's attention to the rest of the room. A woman stood up from the black plastic chairs flanking the far wall. The lady was garbed in a pink blouse and black slacks. Her dark hair was pulled back in a ponytail and she had warm, green eyes.

"Mrs. Sakamori."

The mother smiled, gesturing for them to come over as Officer Yoshikaze stood up from his own seat in this room. These plastic chairs lined both this wall and the wall to the left. The only way out of this room was through a door in the far right corner.

Kurumu hurried over to give the woman a brief hug. The lady let out a sigh, squeezing her for only a moment. She drew back from the embrace, letting her hands fall to her sides.

"Good. Now we only have to wait for Dr. Hiiragi."

"Who is that?"

"The physician looking after my daughter."

Yukari huffed, crossing her arms defiantly.

"How is she?"

Mrs. Sakamori smiled as Rubi and Lord Sendou wandered over to join them. The dark haired guard had stopped at the counter and was saying something to the woman in a low voice.

"Getting better, I hope."

"You don't know?"

The mother wrung her hands at Yukari's tone.

"I thought she was fine with me but you must know how that turned out."

Kurumu grimaced, knowing it had been over winter break when Hinoko had tried to end herself.

"It's probably my fault for not sending her another letter."

"Give it a rest, Kurumu. You're not responsible for the mental health of everybody you know."

"I just know that I can't trust her smile. I might never feel safe taking her back."

"Maybe you could try being a mother."

"Yukari."

Yukari huffed at her grandfather, looking away as Mrs. Sakamori sighed.

"You say that but I thought I was. I loved her so much. My whole life has been for her."

"Yea, Yukari. Hinoko's father ditched them like eight years ago."

The mother let out a short laugh, glancing aside.

"That's not entirely true."

"What do you mean by that?"

Mrs. Sakamori met Kurumu's confused gaze with sorrow in her eyes.

"He passed away. I just didn't have the heart to tell Hinoko."

"Think I see a pattern here. When things get serious, you run away."

Mrs. Sakamori frowned at Yukari's remark.

"What more could I have done?"

"Treat her like an adult for starters. You and Kurumu have this weird idea that you can smother someone with love and act like nothing bad ever happened. That isn't reality."

Lord Sendou placed a hand on top of Yukari's head.

"But you can't heap misery on a person either, little one."

Yukari reached up to push her grandfather's hand off her head.

"My baby was tortured and raped. She claims not remembering any of it because of Ms. Kurono but perhaps that was just wishful thinking on my part."

"Kurumu is a succubus. She did make your daughter forget any memories of the incident."

"Then why-"

"Because it still happened! Kurumu can't change reality. You shouldn't act like nothing was wrong!"

A tear rolled down Mrs. Sakamori's cheek.

"I just wanted her to be happy."

"She's depressed. She needs something to live for."

"That's a tall order, little girl. There are men my age whom struggle with that."

Yukari scowled at Officer Yoshikaze. When her grandfather tried to put his hand on her head again, she moved away from him, making a shooing gesture.

"It's not like I don't know what I'm talking about. I'm valuable. I'm a genius. It never once crossed my mind to kill myself after I was raped because I have always known my worth."

"You were raped?"

"The little girl probably doesn't know what that is."

"My granddaughter was raped, Mr. Yoshikaze. And yes, she has always been a precocious child."

Yukari huffed her chest up pompously.

"As I was saying, the issue is your daughter has no purpose. She was a terrible student, useless in gym and from what Kurumu told me, not any good in home economics."

Kurumu pouted at being dragged into this assessment.

"You're useless in gym too."

"What purpose did you try to give her? To simply exist as your daughter?"

The mother wrung her hands as she shook her head.

"I wanted her to help with my business."

"Which you could already run by yourself."

"She could help-"

"You don't need her."

Mrs. Sakamori cried out, clutching her bosom.

"I do need her! I love her!"

"And yet here we are. How often do you see her? Once a week?"

The mother looked down with a defeated air about her.

"The doctor said not more than twice a week."

"That's what you wrote in the letter. Not exactly evidence of you needing her."

Kurumu grimaced, lacking the nerve to get into an argument with Yukari. Yukari was too practical and stubborn. Even when Kurumu felt she was right, the witch could talk her into a corner.

"You have a very interesting granddaughter, Headmaster Sendou."

"I do indeed. She's currently the top academic student of her grade level."

"Is she in junior high?"

Lord Sendou barked out a laugh as Yukari scowled.

"Yukari is a special student. Her parents enrolled her at Yokai Academy because she insisted."

"Exactly. I'm a genius."

"Then tell me what to do."

Yukari flinched at the genuine request from the mother.

"I'm not that kind of genius."

A loud buzz drew their attention to the door in the far corner. The door was pushed open and a man in a white lab coat and gray slacks stepped through. His curly hair was a bright red hue and he had mint eyes. He smiled broadly, walking out of the door swing so it could close on its own.

"Dr. Hiiragi."

The man nodded upon being addressed by Officer Yoshikaze.

"I understand Hinoko has a few extra guests today."

The mother nodded, quickly moving to his side.

"Yes. This is Kurono Kurumu, her friend. The others I'm less familiar with."

Lord Sendou chuckled, bowing slightly.

"I am Sendou Seitou, the new headmaster at Yokai Academy. This is my granddaughter, Yukari. And this young lady is Toujou Rubi whom works at Yokai Academy."

The doctor nodded slightly.

"I am Hiiragi Arata. I primarily work out of the hospital but I help with some of the patients here."

"You have other patients here?"

The redhead grinned at Kurumu. She could feel how much he appreciated her looks.

"A few. Not every person held in these cells are here for crimes."

Mrs. Sakamori managed a smile, gesturing at the doctor.

"I didn't mention it in the letter but Dr. Hiiragi is a shojo just like Hinoko."

"Yes. Surprising to find another one of my kind though under less than desirable circumstances. She's at that age when drinking is the best thing in the world to her. We need to break her of that."

Kurumu frowned, thinking that was impossible.

"How? Doesn't your kind turn water into wine?"

Dr. Hiiragi snapped his finger with a wide grin.

"Correct, Ms. Kurono. We can't give her water normally. We have her hooked up to an IV that she can't tamper with. It drips water directly into her. With any luck, she will be completely sober by summer."

"And that will fix her?"

The man smiled at Yukari's dubious tone.

"Hinoko is depressed. Mixing depression with drunkenness is bound to cause more attempts. Trust me. I know that drying out is very painful for a shojo. But we need to rewire her brain to pursue an alternative to drinking. Preferably something that will also discourage suicidal tendencies."

"Like what?"

Dr. Hiiragi smiled with confidence.

"We will try a few different drugs and see how that works. Stimulants of course. Once we find the right one, we'll start into activities. Find something she's good at and likes doing."

"How long do you think that will take?"

The doctor shrugged at Kurumu.

"A couple of years. Maybe more."

"As long as her mother can afford it."

Dr. Hiiragi laughed at Yukari's skepticism. He shook a finger in her direction.

"A charming child. Hinoko should be ready for us. She's in the visiting room."

Mr. Yoshikaze nodded, beckoning to the guard.

"We are ready to be taken to the visiting room."

The guard thumbed at the woman behind the counter.

"Just go to the door. She'll let you through."

"Very well. This way."

Officer Yoshikaze moved over to the door, grabbing hold of the silver handle. Not even a span of two heartbeats passed before the buzz sounded. He tugged the door open, gesturing for them to go ahead.

The doctor and mother were first through the door. Kurumu was next with Rubi at her side while Lord Sendou accompanied Yukari. This short corridor had three doors on the right and one door on the left. Another door was at the far end of the hall. All of the walls were a drab gray and the ceiling was as smooth as the cement floor.

The doctor stopped by the left side door, grabbing a handle. Once the far door closed behind Officer Yoshikaze, a buzz sounded at the door by the doctor. He pulled the door out, holding it for them.

This was not the first time Kurumu had been in a prison visitation room. Kurumu, Rubi and Yukari had spent a weekend in the prison near the High Court as 'witnesses' for Tsukune's trial. This visitation room was quite similar to the last one. The room was split down the middle with a thick glass window coming down to a stone counter. Chairs were lined up against the counter for their use.

A young girl with a mess of strawberry sat in the center spot of the opposing counter. A white garment like a hospital gown was pulled over her torso. Her left arm was wrapped up in a black tape with a hose coming out of it. This hose was connected to a steel rack with a water bag hanging from it. That was Sakamori Hinoko. One of her eyes was the same green as her mother while the other was a sky blue.

A dark haired woman hovered beside Hinoko. This lady was garbed in a long sleeved, navy blue blouse which hung over a pair of matching slacks. She was watching Hinoko closely.

"Hey, Hinoko. Your friend, Ms. Kurono, is here."

Hinoko looked up as her mother sat in a chair across from her.

"Can I go home yet?"

Dr. Hiiragi chuckled, moving closer to the counter.

"Not yet, Hinoko. I want you leaving here in high spirits."

"I'd feel better if you let me drink."

Kurumu had to laugh at the grumbled response. She moved forward, clambering up on the chair to the left of the mother. Her decision prompted Yukari to sit at her side while Rubi claimed the spot on the other side of Mrs. Sakamori.

"How are you feeling, Hinoko?"

The shojo sighed, turning her gaze upon Kurumu.

"It hurts. Being sober hurts."

"I know it does, Hinoko. But you aren't well enough to be using your powers."

Hinoko glanced at the doctor.

"I've done everything you asked. Let me go home."

"We can't until we know you're okay."

Hinoko grumbled incoherently, absently touching the black wrap on her arm. This caused the lady at her side to step forward. Hinoko immediately withdrew her hand, letting out another sigh.

"They locked me up, Kurumu."

"I know. Your mother says you tried to kill yourself."

Hinoko grimaced. Her movements and expressions were so different from the girl Kurumu had known. She was not even remotely cheerful.

"Is that the only reason you came?"

Kurumu swallowed, wanting to deny that.

"I wanted to think you were okay with your mother."

Hinoko looked into her eyes. That look was not languid or lethargic. It was dark and attentive.

"Mom read the letter you sent me. Dated the last week of February."

Kurumu nodded with a slight mile.

"Yea. Your mother responded to it. Told us you were here."

"You forgot my birthday."

Kurumu frowned, shaking her head.

"No. It was in March."

"February seventh. Spent my birthday hooked to this stupid thing. Didn't even get to drink."

Kurumu flinched, feeling horrible.

"I'm so sorry. I could have sworn it was in March."

"Not that you cared."

"Oh shut up."

Kurumu turned wide eyes upon Yukari but the witch thrust her finger at the shojo behind the glass.

"You probably don't know her birthday."

Hinoko paused. She lifted her right hand, touching her temple.

"Did she ever tell it to me?"

"It was published in our paper for the article about ourselves and in the popularity contest brochure. The article my Moka did for your drama club didn't mention club members' birthdays."

Hinoko groaned, lowering her hand.

"Honestly don't remember your birthday."

"It's not important, Hinoko."

"Yes it is. If she wants to bitch about your shoddy memory, than she better have a firm place to throw her rocks from."

Hinoko grumbled, unwilling to look at them.

"Fine. Clearly we weren't good friends."

"That's not true, Hinoko. It was just that so much stuff happened in December and January. When Tarumi mentioned herself as being the first seventeen year old of our grade, I remembered that you were older. I swear that I thought you were a March baby."

Hinoko laughed mirthlessly.

"You always had a lot more going on. Too many friends."

"And it sounds like you had too little."

Hinoko cocked her head, regarding Yukari firmly.

"Yea. Maybe the doctor is right. Spent too much time being tipsy to notice."

"You had friends other than me, right?"

Hinoko sighed, shifting back on her stool.

"Kinzoku came to visit me on my birthday. She goes to school here. Mom let her know I was in here."

Kurumu smiled, recalling the silver haired girl whom had transferred out of Yokai Academy after the first midterms. She had been one of the victims of Ishigami's madness. The tall girl had gone to the junior high in Chirasu and had lived next door to Hinoko in Baratoge.

"That was nice. How is she?"

"Fine. She likes Hisoshi High but misses the freedom of living in a dorm."

Kurumu laughed softly. It was surreal hearing Hinoko talk so clearly, though in a dismal tone.

"Anyone else visit you?"

"No. Mom brought me three letters from Asuka. She remembered my birthday too."

That revelation caught Kurumu off guard.

"Asuka writes you letters?"

"Yea. Mostly nonsense. They made more sense when I was drunk."

Kurumu snickered, finding this amazing.

"You remember her birthday, right?"

"June first. And Unari's birthday is the twenty fifth. She doesn't write me though."

Kurumu smirked, thinking that was normal for Satsuki.

"Satsuki wasn't writing to Nerume that much when Nerume was gone."

"I wonder why you would remember Unari's birthday."

Hinoko shrugged at Yukari's confusion.

"We were drinking at her birthday party. Maybe if we had shared drinks on Kurumu's birthday, I would have remembered it."

Kurumu smiled softly, knowing that was out of the question.

"Well my birthday is on August second which is during summer break."

Hinoko let out a thoughtful sound.

"That's right. It was over the summer. I was disappointed about that."

"We won't forget each other's birthdays next time."

Hinoko huffed, gesturing at the steel rack with the IV bag.

"Knowing my luck, I'll still be locked up in here."

"A summer release is unlikely, Hinoko."

Hinoko scowled at the doctor.

"That's four months away. What do I have to do to prove that I can go home?"

"Patience, Hinoko. These things take time."

Hinoko sighed heavily, turning her eyes upon Kurumu.

"Do you think you can charm that bastard into letting me leave soon?"

As the mother admonished her daughter, Kurumu had to hide her smile.


"You should have read his mind."

Kurumu laughed, shaking her head as they neared the turn for the school suites. They walked along the main path between the school and dining hall, having ended their trip at the school parking a little after four. After some final words with Yukari's grandfather concerning their plans for the next few days, they had started their walk home. Headmaster Sendou would chat with Mrs. Aono on Thursday morning.

"I wasn't about to give them any reason to lock us up."

"He was a fraud. You could have confirmed it."

Kurumu smiled softly, doubting that would have helped. They reached the start of the trail to the suites, turning right. Both straps of her belongings were on her right shoulder but her schoolbag rested on her left hip while her purse remained on her right.

"Sometimes the truth doesn't help."

Yukari sighed heavily, having also crossed her schoolbag strap across her torso.

"The situation with your boyfriend's family is entirely different."

Rubi smiled apologetically, carrying her bag of dirty laundry.

"I'm sorry. I didn't know if I should say anything during the visit."

"Which is why I didn't think you coming along was necessary."

"I think it was better for her. Tsukune wanted alone time with his mother and Rubi wouldn't have had any fun at all being alone."

"What was fun about this trip?"

"I did enjoy the drive and seeing Agano. I just didn't have anything to say."

Kurumu grinned at Rubi's admittance.

"It's great for you to expand your world."

"I wonder if they could also get me a job if Mrs. Aono decides to transfer Tsukune there."

"So much for your promise to my parents."

Rubi pouted at Yukari.

"But you don't want me looking after you."

"It's fine. We all saw how easy it would be to visit Agano even without resorting to magic."

Yukari had a doorway spell that could connect two doors of similar dimensions. It was a spell that could even get around barriers like the one protecting Mononoke. She had used this spell to link her closet to her bedroom's door in her parents' house. She had even brought them back from Hong Kong once.

"I wonder how Huang is doing."

Yukari made a sound of disgust. Huang Fang, the heir of the Huang family, had recently married Routier of the Miao family to establish peace between the two clans. Before that union, there had been a brief misadventure where Yukari and Huang had swapped bodies with a spell Yukari had been developing to transfer Hatsue's soul out of Moka's rosary. During that event, Huang in Yukari's body had filled out a marriage certificate under the premise that Yukari was in love with him.

"That guy can die a thousand deaths."

Kurumu giggled as they neared the clearing at the end of this trail.

"Has he enrolled for the next school year?"

"No. I would have told Yukari right away if I had seen Mr. Huang on the school roster. I know how much he means to her."

"Nothing! He means nothing!"

They finally reached the small clearing. Four narrow trails cut through the woods in different directions, each heading to a clearing with four suites and a commissary. They drifted to the left, taking the first of these trails. They should be home before five which was almost time to start making dinner.

There was nothing to be said on this last stretch of trail to their clearing. It was ultimately up to Mrs. Aono if Tsukune would stay at Yokai Academy. Kurumu could see the commissary in their clearing up ahead. The main entrance, glass door was directly in front of them. The shapes of the nearest two suite buildings were visible through the thinning woods on each side of the trail.

"There you are!"

Kurumu flinched at the voice greeting them the moment they entered the clearing. Her eyes swept over to the source, spying a raven haired girl standing on the landing in front of Yukari's suite. The girl had on the green school jacket and tartan, pleated skirt. Her raven locks were unbound, reaching her shoulders.

"Tora! What are you doing here?!"

The sphinx crossed her arms as they walked at a brisk pace across the clearing.

"It was your idea for me to come back here early!"

"Sounds like someone has a bad memory."

Kurumu pouted as they hurried by the base of the stair going up to the single suite of the building on their right. Clearing the gap between that stair and the corner of the commissary, they veered slightly right to make a direct path to the stairs leading up to Yukari's suite.

"I didn't entirely forget. I just didn't expect her to show up at your place."

"I didn't have much choice."

Kurumu frowned as they made their way to the base of the stairs mounted to the side of the apartment building. She headed up quickly on the heels of Yukari.

"What do you mean?"

Tora bent over to pick up her schoolbag and a gray shopping bag. Her jade eyes greeted them as they joined the sphinx on the landing. Yukari fished her keys out of her yellow tote, moving to the door.

"Apparently the dorms are closed until Thursday morning. I can't get into my room."

Kurumu bit her lip, drifting over to Tora's side as Yukari unlocked her door.

"How long have you been waiting here?"

"At least an hour."

Yukari tugged open the door, entering her suite.

"Come on in, Tora."

Accepting the invitation, Tora followed the young witch. Rubi smiled, gesturing for Kurumu to go first.

"I had lunch before the bus driver dropped me off at the bus stop which was a good thing. It sounds like the dining hall will also be closed until Thursday morning."

Having stepped inside, Kurumu chuckled softly and she leaned over to unzip her booties. Yukari and Tora had already parted with their footwear. Tora drifted to the center of the room while Yukari headed to her closet. She was probably going to put away her dirty clothes in the hamper she kept in there.

"I haven't even tried eating at the dining hall yet."

Rubi closed the door behind her, locking it up.

"When did you arrive on campus?"

"Around one thirty. Stopped by my dorm first but quickly figured out that I couldn't get in."

Kurumu finally was free of her booties. Fixing the straps of her purse and schoolbag, she wandered over to join Tora.

"Are you needing a place to stay?"

Tora regarded her incredulously.

"What do you think? I went to the school to see if they could help me. That's when I was told about everything being closed until Thursday and how I should have received a notice about the change in the bus schedule. It sounds like my Saturday morning bus got moved to Thursday morning."

"You didn't get the notice?"

Tora shrugged at Rubi's query as Yukari emerged from her closet. The witch still had her schoolbag and yellow tote as she walked back to the entry.

"We might have. Things were hectic at my house with all of the family over for Father's funeral."

Kurumu patted Tora's shoulder as Rubi wandered over to Yukari's closet to part with her dirty laundry.

"You are more than welcome to stay with me."

Yukari huffed, putting her tote and schoolbag on the floor in the entryway by her shoes.

"Kurumu just doesn't want to sleep in her room alone."

Tora chuckled softly with a shake of her head.

"Mrs. Hagimoto suggested I talk to your grandfather. He might give me early access to the building."

"You don't need to trouble him. I'll take care of you."

Tora frowned at Kurumu. She hefted up the gray bag as Rubi came back into the main room.

"I have no clothes, Kurumu. What I'm wearing and this outfit Mother bought me for the Disney trip is all I have until Thursday."

Kurumu took the gray bag, glancing inside it. The garments within were both a sage green hue. One was a ribbed knit, short sleeved shirt while the other was a pair of shorts masquerading as a pleated skirt.

"This color will look good with your naturally tanned skin."

"I have no spare underwear, Kurumu."

"Is that a problem?"

Tora rolled her eyes at Rubi.

"Some of us like to wear undergarments, Ms. Toujou."

"I guess that means you don't have pajamas either."

"Yes. I would have talked with Headmaster Sendou today but I was told he was in Agano with the three of you. Since I felt uncomfortable loitering at the school, I decided to wait for you here."

Kurumu smiled softly.

"Well it would be weird if I let you wear my panties but you could fit in my clothes."

Tora shot her an incredulous look.

"I'd rather talk with her grandfather."

"It's only a couple of days and you already have an outfit for Disney."

"Are you forgetting my lack of lingerie?"

"You can wash the lingerie you have on tomorrow night so you will be fine for Disney."

Kurumu perked up at Yukari's suggestion, nodding emphatically.

"She's right. We just need to confirm that we can squeeze your sexy ass into a pair of my jeans or shorts and you'll be fine for tomorrow."

Tora grumbled with her jade green eyes evaluating their words.

"I suppose that could work. We are about the same height."

"Don't worry. I won't have you wear a top that you couldn't fill out."

"Gee thanks."

Kurumu giggled, gesturing at the empty closet.

"We can head to my room and have you try on some of my clothes."

"How sensitive are your nipples?"

Tora's eyes widened from Yukari's innocuous query.

"I'd rather not discuss that."

"I'm only asking because mine can be annoying if I'm not wearing a bra."

Tora grimaced, glancing aside.

"I suppose that I can manage not wearing one for a day."

"That's the spirit. I bet your perky tits might even grow if you left them unbound."

"That's not a thing, Kurumu."

Kurumu giggled at Tora's flat response. She snatched up the sphinx's hand.

"Come on. I'm sure that I have clothes which would look amazing on you."

Tora sighed, allowing Kurumu to steer her towards the empty closet.

"Why do I feel like I will regret this?"