"Would Ms. Kurono please report to the teachers' lounge?"

Mrs. Senda's request over the PA system forced Ms. Nakamura to stop her lecture. The buxom woman had her olive tresses pulled up in her usual ponytail. A short sleeved, navy blouse with a peter pan collar was buttoned up over her curves while a black pencil skirt hugged her hips.

Kurumu sighed when the attention of everyone shifted to her. She was wearing her black, PSC uniform with her black skirt. Having anticipated a summons this morning, she hooked her mechanical pencil into the binding of her notebook.

"What did you do?"

Kurumu frowned at Yukari before standing up from her desk.

"What makes you think I did something?"

"Because you aren't acting surprised."

"Are you getting in trouble on the day you wore your PSC uniform?"

Kurumu smirked at Touzoku's grin.

"It was just some harmless mischief."

"Could you hurry along, Ms. Kurono? I would like to resume my lecture."

Kurumu murmured an apology, stepping around Yukari's desk. She hurried across the room to the front door, drawing it open. Slipping out of the class, she closed the door before heading towards the lounge.

There was a good chance that Juri would be present for this scolding. Juri and Kisurusu would have gym this hour which was not a big deal to skip. While there was no way of knowing how much they would remember from last night's dream, it would not be too hard for them to figure out what had happened.

Arriving in the main foyer, Kurumu was curious why this had taken so long. Her subliminal illusions only guaranteed that the girls would not realize the correct time. Any checking of the clock before nine would trigger a desire to go back to sleep. But that was not the only thing included in Kurumu's prank. She had expected to get called to the office shortly after the girls arrived on campus. How long had they slept in?

Passing by the base of the central stair, Kurumu strolled purposefully towards the door to the teachers' lounge. She was fairly certain there was not much they could do to her. As Kokoa had said, rules only work when people allow them to work. She was not going to play a game that favored the bully.

Upon opening the door, Kurumu caught the attention of the teachers standing by Mrs. Senda's station. Three of the four were Juri's teachers which was understandable since their students would all be in gym this hour. The only surprise guest was Ms. Kiyomizu whom must not have had a class this hour.

"There is our troublemaker."

Kurumu turned her attention away from the dark haired woman wearing a cyan blouse and black capris. She endured Mr. Fujita's lecherous thoughts as he favored her a fanged grin. He was sporting a short sleeved, black dress shirt and khaki pants. Beside him was the mysterious Mr. Sekiguchi whom had on a midnight purple kimono with black hem.

"What makes you say that?"

Ms. Uchikawa chuckled softly, holding her hands at her navel. The biology teacher was garbed in a yellow blouse and black slacks. Her long, dirty gray bangs hung over her pale blue eyes.

"Surely you must know."

Mr. Fujita snickered, crossing his arms about his chest.

"She's going to play stupid. Allow me to handle this."

Kurumu sighed, glancing at Ms. Kiyomizu. She would be the hardest to convince.

"Has another false report been made against me?"

Ms. Kiyomizu's darkest blue eyes met Kurumu's gaze without wavering.

"Not a false one."

"What were you doing last night?"

Kurumu turned to address Mr. Fujita's query.

"I was not with Nijiro."

"This isn't about Mr. Amesuki."

"There you are."

Mrs. Senda strolled through the open door, managing a smile. They physics teacher had on a crimson blouse with a black pencil skirt. Her third year students were also in gym this hour.

"Did you talk with Ms. Morisato yesterday?"

Kurumu sighed at Mr. Fujita's persistence.

"Is she claiming that I did something?"

"Just answer the question."

Ms. Kiyomizu's firm tone demanded compliance.

"I spent the night with Ms. Bouzuki and Ms. Umou. I was with them all of yesterday after school. You can ask them yourselves."

"That might be close enough for you to do something to them."

Kurumu sighed at Ms. Kiyomizu's correct conclusion.

"What exactly am I being accused of doing?"

Mr. Sekiguchi cleared his throat.

"Ms. Morisato and Ms. Kisurusu arrived late to my class."

"How does two girls being tardy have anything to do with me?"

"Because they showed up to class naked."

Kurumu frowned at Mr. Fujita's declaration. He was grinning like a fool as Mr. Sekiguchi looked away. The gaunt man absently fussed with his messy, glowing white hair.

"I find that unlikely."

"Did you use your powers on him?"

Kurumu scowled at Ms. Kiyomizu.

"That was an obvious lie. Nobody would be in that much of a hurry to come to school naked."

"But you knew that they would be in a hurry."

Kurumu rolled her eyes at Mr. Fujita's prodding.

"You just said that the girls were tardy so hurrying to school only makes sense."

"Nobody is in that much of a rush to forget to get dressed."

Kurumu sighed at Ms. Uchikawa's remark, imagining that the woman had second hand information.

"They did not come to school naked."

Mr. Sekiguchi chuckled nervously.

"But they did show up in their pajamas."

"And without lingerie. Both of those girls were so embarrassed."

Kurumu snickered at Ms. Uchikawa's addition.

"This is serious, Ms. Kurono. Neither of those girls realized their state of undress before arriving in Mr. Sekiguchi's classroom. He had to mention it to them."

Kurumu shrugged nonchalantly at Ms. Kiyomizu's accusation.

"Juri has been plotting against me for weeks. How do you know this wasn't her intentionally making a scene and trying to blame me for it?"

"Because she was crying."

Kurumu scowled at Ms. Uchikawa.

"Do you think a girl can't fake tears?"

"This is different, Ms. Kurono. You need to fix her."

Kurumu shivered, realizing that they already knew about the other prank she had pulled. There was no talking her way out of this one.

"What is there to fix? Didn't you already send them both home to get changed?"

"We already did but there is another issue with just Ms. Morisato."

Ms. Uchikawa nodded at Ms. Kiyomizu's statement, managing a meek smile.

"The poor girl can't answer any questions."

Kurumu smirked, glancing aside.

"I don't know what you are talking about."

"This isn't funny, Ms. Kurono. I expect better behavior from members of the PSC."

"I'm only in the PSC because you wanted me to be in it."

"Because of what you can do. We can't have you altering reality as you see fit."

Kurumu grumbled, knowing this was how Fairy Tale treated succubi.

"This faculty never helped me with Juri and you're also not helping me with Manami."

"That's not true. We gave her detention, like you asked."

Kurumu scowled at Mrs. Senda.

"I want these girls to leave me alone."

"And I want you to fix Ms. Morisato. Until you do, you will have detention."

Kurumu huffed at Ms. Kiyomizu's threat.

"Fine. I don't mind missing a few days of choir."

"You better fix her before the end of the week."

"Or what? I don't mind spending weeks in detention."

Mr. Sekiguchi chuckled nervously.

"Technically if someone's poor behavior persists, you would be suspended."

"Even expelled."

Kurumu snorted at Mrs. Senda.

"Good luck ever getting Juri fixed if you do that."

"Spreading gossip is not against the rules."

"It's bullying."

Fujita snickered at her response to the physics teacher.

"You're right but you're too damn good at it. Though if you want to send some naked girls to my class, I won't immediately report it."

"I'm not doing you any favors."

"If it had only been a matter of making those two come to school in pajamas, we could have overlooked this transgression. You need to fix what you've done to Ms. Morisato."

Kurumu sighed at Ms. Kiyomizu's stern command.

"I will consider it if Juri wants a truce. There is no reason for me to fix her otherwise."

"You would miss a lot of days with your choir."

Kurumu shrugged at Mrs. Senda's reminder.

"It's not like we would ever win in any choir competitions anyways."

Fujita sighed dramatically, turning to regard Ms. Uchikawa.

"Could you talk with Ms. Kisurusu during lunch? Let her know Ms. Kurono's demands."

"I could do that."

"Have those two come to the dining hall tonight at six thirty. The PSC will be discussing new potential members so I'm expecting you to be present, Ms. Kurono."

Kurumu nodded, surmising that Sabaku had succeeded.

"Do you expect me to fix her tonight?"

"That would be desirable but you will have detention today."

"Why?! She's already ran back home to avoid her punishment."

"You don't have the authority to punish her."

"Oh? So if I had your job, I could treat people poorly and it would be okay?"

Ms. Kiyomizu regarded her coldly.

"You are being punished because you did something against the rules."

Kurumu scowled, retreating to the open door.

"Kokoa was right. Rules only matter to the people whom benefit from them. You don't care about right or wrong. There still are rules against monstrels participating in competitive sports."

"That has nothing to do with this situation."

Kurumu huffed defiantly.

"Fine. I did something wrong to someone doing wrong to me. That's fair."

"No. That is vigilantism. That cycle never ends, Ms. Kurono. That is why laws are important."

Kurumu clenched her fists at Ms. Kiyomizu's quick retort.

"Can I go back to my class now?"

"Yes. I expect to see you tonight."

In a sour mood, Kurumu departed.


Kurumu breathed in deep, pausing at the front door to the disciplinary room. She was standing on the balcony flanking the business elective classrooms above the third year homerooms. The next door along this wall was for the infirmary which was near the opening for the bathroom.

Having no reason to delay things longer, Kurumu drew open the door and stepped inside. The buxom lady standing behind the podium in the center of the class was Idatsu Kimara. Her mottled brown tresses were pulled back in a ponytail. The construction trades instructor regarded her arrival with pink eyes. The teacher was wearing a red and black flannel shirt with denim jeans.

"Afternoon, Ms. Kurono."

"Afternoon. Looks like you are stuck doing this again."

"I don't mind it at all. Have a seat."

Ginei snickered, sitting in the center front row desk. He patted his thigh.

"I got a place for you."

"I won't sit anywhere near you if you act like that."

"You should show women more respect."

Miyamoto nodded at Hosokoun's declaration. Hosokoun was wearing the kendo club's blue robe while Miyamoto had on his usual gi. They sat in the second row, having left the desk between them vacant which was directly behind the werewolf.

"Indeed. He should follow my example."

Kurumu smirked, moving to claim that vacant desk. She hung her schoolbag on the hooks before settling down in the chair. There were three other guys in the back row but none of them were familiar. Kurumu surmised that they must be first years.

"What brings you here, Miyamoto?"

Miyamoto nodded solemnly.

"I am responsible for Kokoa's rampage. I should share in her punishment."

"He just wants to sit near his little sister."

Kurumu smirked at Ginei's comment which failed to get a reaction out of Miyamoto.

"Is it smart for you to be shirking your club duties?"

"I trust that things can be handled between Yudai and Mr. Miwa."

Kurumu smiled, glancing at the door when Kokoa arrived with Manami. The undine promptly looked away, taking the front row seat closest to the door. Kokoa sighed upon noticing Miyamoto, claiming the front row desk beside Manami.

"I barely got to talk with you last time. How do you like Kokoa's new look?"

Miyamoto chuckled as Kokoa stiffened up.

"She looks very mature. I miss the pigtails."

"My hair was too long."

Kurumu smiled, noting the arrival of Hatoko and Asuka. The blond bounded over to claim the open desk beside Ginei while Hatoko sauntered over to the desk behind Kokoa which was next to Miyamoto.

"I've got news, Kurumu!"

Kurumu smirked at the excitement in Asuka's electric blue eyes.

"Is this about the birthday party you didn't invite me to?"

Asuka pouted, hanging her schoolbag on the hooks of her desk.

"I wanted to but then I heard about Aono getting killed. I didn't think that you would be in the mood for a party after that."

Kurumu smiled softly, guessing that made sense.

"Did you have fun?"

"Yea, but that wasn't the big news. Yuu got a job at the Gates of Heaven."

Kurumu smirked, wondering how long Taijin had been able to keep it a secret.

"I've known about that for almost two weeks."

"Rights. She there when Taijin applied."

Asuka pouted at Hatoko.

"You could have mentioned that."

"Why? Not important."

Asuka sighed dramatically.

"Well we are going to check out the café this weekend to see if her maid outfit is ready. We might just get to be the first customers Yuu serves. Want to tag along?"

Kurumu smirked, doubting that uniform would be ready this weekend.

"I'll have to check my busy schedule."

"Did you join the PSC?"

Kurumu laughed, realizing this was not common knowledge.

"Only as an auxiliary member."

"And already in detention. Such a poor example."

Kurumu huffed at Ginei's amused tone.

"I don't want to hear that from you."

"What did you do?"

"Probably causing trouble like she always does."

Kurumu frowned at Manami's response to Asuka's question.

"That's true but I didn't mean any harm to you."

"Oh sure. You just accidentally ruined my life."

Kurumu sighed as the uninformed members of this room regarded her with piqued curiosity.

"Do you want me to explain what I did?"

Manami glared at her with fury in her periwinkle eyes.

"You better not share my personal business with complete strangers!"

"So I'm not allowed to defend myself when you are making false claims to the faculty?"

"Ms. Kurono."

Kurumu shot Ms. Idatsu an angry look.

"That's why she is here. Because she's so mad that she thinks she can lie to the faculty about me going on dates with her brother. She's trying to get us both expelled!"

Manami snorted, glancing away.

"My brother won't get expelled. You don't have any parents to demand for that."

Kurumu shot to her feet, pointing at the brat.

"Your mother was having an affair for years! All I did was point it out!"

Manami sprung upright, trembling with hatred.

"I just told you not to tell everyone! What the fuck is wrong with you?!"

"Oh fuck you! I didn't make your parents get a divorce! All I did was tell Nijiro about something you have known about for years!"

"Can't you keep a fucking secret?!"

Kurumu clenched her fists, having a passing thought about Mizore's baby.

"Of course I can! But your mother was treating me like shit so I returned the favor!"

"Girls! Sit down and lower your voices!"

Kurumu shivered with emotions, glancing at Ms. Idatsu. Shaking her head, she complied with the order as Manami did the same.

"I was with Ms. Kiyomizu the whole weekend investigating Tsukune's shooting."

"Spending your time with your former lover makes you a hypocrite."

"But he's dead."

Kurumu grimaced at Asuka's mild protest. While it was wrong, it did make Manami pause with thought.

"She still has no right to look down on my mother."

"Whatever. Your mother is a two faced bitch and you clearly have all of her deceitful qualities. You didn't care about Nijiro's feelings or your father's. You only cared about yourself."

Manami huffed indignantly.

"There was no benefit to wrecking my family. My father was never around so why would I ever want to end up with him?"

"You're a fucking idiot."

Manami scowled at Kokoa.

"This is none of your business."

Kokoa glared at Manami, pushing out an aura that made Hatoko and Asuka shudder. Kurumu could also feel the malevolence radiating from the vampire.

"You will shut your mouth before I break your jaw."

"Do not threaten students, Ms. Shuzen."

Kokoa scowled at Ms. Idatsu.

"That's not a threat. Kurumu is mine and this moron is causing her trouble. If she wants a fight, I'm more than happy to give her one."

"If you don't cease this attack, I will extend your detention."

Kokoa grumbled, dispelling the aura in a heartbeat. The girls about her gasped in relief.

"Bunch of cowards. You're a miserable excuse of a living being, Amesuki. Nobody would miss you."

Kurumu shivered, shaking her head.

"That isn't true."

"What good does she bring into this world? She's just a liar and a coward."

"It isn't fair."

Kokoa huffed at Manami's breathy protest.

"Life isn't fair. Do you think it was fair that Kurumu's mother was killed? Did she deserve that?"

"I didn't say-"

"Was the death of Haiji's little sister fair? Was the deaths of Sho and my mother justified?"

Manami shivered at Kokoa's rant. She shook her head.

"I'm sorry for-"

"Who the fuck are you? Why do you feel entitled to a life without hardship or loss? Grow the fuck up!"

Manami started to cry.

"But that was all I had."

"You lost nothing! You knew for years that your family was a farce. Instead of preparing yourself for the inevitable, you just closed your eyes and hoped for the best. You're a lazy coward whom wants to play the victim and blame someone else when you could have controlled this situation."

Manami wrung her hands as tears rolled down her cheeks.

"How? What could I have done?"

"You could have told the truth!"

"But that wouldn't have changed anything."

Kokoa glowered at the undine.

"Pathetic. I never said it would change the results. But you wouldn't be a lazy coward playing the victim. You must enjoy being a waste of space."

"That's more than enough."

Kokoa turned a look of annoyance upon Miyamoto.

"Unless you have something useful to say, I don't want to hear anything from you."

Miyamoto chuckled softly.

"I recognize that I will most likely never match your physical prowess. Even so, I am willing to lay down my life for you if needed."

Kokoa darted to his desk in the blink of an eye, hauling him out of his chair by his collar. The blushing vampire shook him vigorously.

"How dare you say embarrassing things like that?!"

"Ms. Shuzen! Put down Mr. Miyamoto and refrain from any acts of violence!"

Kokoa scowled, dropping the tengu unceremoniously on the floor.

"I don't need that from you! Leave me alone!"

Kokoa stalked back to her desk as Miyamoto picked himself up from the floor.

"My apologies. I will try to pick my words more carefully."

Ginei snickered when the two settled back into their respective seats.

"Maybe you should make him into your blood claim."

Kokoa huffed indignantly.

"As if that weakling's blood would be of any use to me."

Kurumu managed a smile with her attention upon Miyamoto.

"You mentioned Yudai earlier. How are things going between him and Sonoda?"

Miyamoto smiled politely, offering a slight shrug.

"They have been very quiet about their relationship. It wouldn't surprise me if most of my classmates are unaware of them being a couple."

Kurumu nodded thoughtfully, recalling that many of his classmates were from Koutoukumo.

"Was it that much of a secret?"

"Of course. While the girls in our class all get along with Kami, they also all know about the incident. They might feel obligated to report them breaking school rules."

Megumareta and Sonoda had been a couple for five months back in their eighth grade while they were students at Mr. Tsuyoshima's dojo. Miyamoto had reported this relationship to Megumareta's mother which had ended the relationship along with both of his friends getting kicked out of the dojo. Feeling guilty about that, he had helped the couple get back together back in December.

"Does he have other admirers?"

"Doubtful. But they still might report them."

"As they should if they are being blatant about an unauthorized relationship."

Kurumu smiled thinly at Ms. Idatsu's input. She lowered her voice.

"Doesn't Sonoda have her own place?"

"She does but they aren't having any late night rendezvous. Yudai has been with me every evening."

Kurumu smirked, feeling disappointed with that news.

"Well Ijouyama doesn't seem to be having an issue with that."

"Ijouyama? What does he have to do with this?"

"Just that he has his own place and has been entertaining visits from a senior in my choir."

"Sounds like I should have a chat with Katsuo."

Kurumu paused, wondering if she had made a mistake.

"You won't report this, right?"

"I can't report something when I don't even know the name of the girl."

"Hopefully these couples are filling out the proper paperwork."

Kurumu grimaced at Ms. Idatsu's comment.

"We should talk about something else."

Asuka snickered, nodding vehemently.

"We can start with you saying what you did to get in here."

Kurumu sighed, supposing that would work.

"I lashed out against Juri."

"Good. Bitch deserves it."

Kurumu laughed at Hatoko's curt remark.

"I heard that you started a fight with her during gym."

"Running her mouth every chance she gets."

"What did she say this time?"

"She says a lot of nasty things about you. It was frankly getting annoying but I didn't expect Hatoko to deck her out of the blue."

"Nots out of blue. She blabbed bouts my family to that first year friend of hers. Fuck her."

Kurumu smiled thinly, having seen the altercation through Juri's eyes last night.

"And you shocked Juri out of consciousness."

"I was just trying to break things up."

"Knocked me clean out along with six other girls."

"I don't get much practice using my powers. I didn't expect it to bounce around like that."

"You shouldn't be using your powers at all, Ms. Shindou. Leave that responsibility to your teachers."

Asuka sighed at Ms. Idatsu's admonishment.

"It really was an accident. I was only trying to help."

Kurumu smiled softly, gesturing at the blond.

"How many days of detention did they give you?"

"Same as Hatoko. Just yesterday and today. What about you?"

Kurumu sighed, relaxing back in her seat.

"I guess that depends on Juri."

"Why would they let her decide how long your punishment lasts?"

Kurumu smirked at Miyamoto.

"Technically it's how long it takes me to fix her."

"What exactly did you do to her?"

Kurumu glanced at Manami, confirming that the girl was paying attention to this exchange.

"Something that will make her think twice before causing me trouble again."


"Ms. Kurono! Over here!"

Sabaku was on his feet, beckoning for her. He stood near a table which was in use by the other members of the PSC. They all had their black, short sleeved jackets.

Sabaku was in the middle of that side of the table in the Kurai dining hall's seating area. To his right was Kitajima while Koike sat to his left. Beside Koike was Kumiko while Ms. Kiyomizu was on the other end. The teacher gestured to the vacant spot across the table from her.

Kurumu sashayed over to the table, holding a tray with her dinner and a can of green tea. She smiled when Tora looked over her shoulder. The sphinx was sitting in the middle across from Sabaku. Satsuki was on her left while Tokori was on her other side. Kurumu noticed that all of them were finished with their meals when she arrived.

"You're late. Where is Mr. Umizake?"

Kurumu smiled at Ms. Kiyomizu's question, placing her tray on the table. She slipped the strap of her schoolbag off her shoulder, setting it on the floor before taking her seat beside Satsuki.

"He left after school with his fiancée."

"Isn't her mother around to watch after her?"

Kurumu smirked at Koike's query as Sabaku sat back down on the middle of the bench. She pushed her chopsticks out of their cellophane wrapper.

"She is but he wants to be near Mizore as much as he can."

"He probably wants to be there when she goes into labor."

Ms. Kiyomizu nodded at Tora's explanation.

"I suppose that is fair. We were waiting on you before starting."

Kurumu smiled, opening her white box with yakitori and rice.

"Hopefully none of you mind if I eat while you talk."

"That won't be a problem. You may begin, Mr. Sabaku."

Sabaku nodded, leaning back behind him. He straightened up with a small stack of papers.

"We got nine applicants during the club showcase. Two are from Mr. Takagi and Mr. Kinoshita. As much as I appreciate Ms. Meirowasa's efforts to get these recruits from the local community, I think that we should not accept this pair at this time. They can reapply next term when this matter with Mr. Aono is not so fresh on everyone's minds."

"I suppose that is fair. I'll let Zuiichi know about your decision."

"Good. They will need to find another club."

"I'm pretty sure that Takagi also applied for the rugby team. Can't say the same about Zuiichi."

Sabaku nodded, shifting applications around.

"I have one from Awabi Maki. He's a kappa from Nugishio."

Koike nodded with a fanged grin.

"He was a portly fellow. Don't know if the PSC has ever had a kappa in its ranks."

"Diversity isn't a concern for the PSC."

"It matters if you want a better public image."

Sabaku waved a dismissive hand at Tokori's remark.

"The PSC will never be liked by the locals. They despise anything associated with Lord Kuyo."

Kitajima nodded solemnly.

"Agreed. I was not even under his authority for three months and I have been treated with disdain when I've worn this uniform in town."

"To be fair, you look a lot older than a high school student."

Kitajima shrugged at Koike's remark.

"Perhaps. May I make a suggestion?"

"Go right ahead."

"As we have two more weeks before finalizing club rosters, I propose that we utilize the results of the first year assessments to determine whom we can accept now. Any other prospects we can review next term if they are still interested in joining our ranks."

Sabaku nodded thoughtfully.

"That sounds reasonable but the assessments are a lot easier than the actual exams. We shouldn't use our eighty percentile minimum."

"We could bump it up to a ninety percentile minimum."

Koike laughed at Kitajima's suggestion, shaking his head.

"I don't make that cut."

"Neither do I but these are the assessments. We can always approach these prospects at a later date if they are within our eighty percentile requirements."

"I agree. If we go with the ninety percentile, we are guaranteed to get top students."

Kurumu pulled the last morsel off a skewer, gesturing at Sabaku with the stick.

"What other applicants do you have?"

Sabaku favored her a look of reproach as she chewed. Shaking his head, he moved to the next sheet.

"We got a Hagiwara Toshiki whom is related to the Hagiwara whom was technically in charge of the PSC before Lady Hineri. I'm a little concerned about accepting this application since you and Ms. Nazohashi played a role in his cousin's death."

"It might be worth taking him in to keep an eye on him."

Kitajima nodded solemnly at Koike's remark.

"Agreed. Keep your enemies close."

"Well he is a sylph from Koutoukumo. I can ask my classmates about his character."

Kurumu smiled, swallowing down the morsel as she picked up another skewer. Sabaku was one of the few students in Miyamoto's homeroom whom was not from Koutoukumo.

"I have an Iwahara Emi whom I'm reluctant to accept even if she breaks the ninety percentile."

"Why?"

Sabaku sighed at Tora's query.

"Because she is a gnome from Touboe. There is nothing intimidating about her."

"The same could be said about Unari."

Satsuki scowled, wagging a finger at Koike's grin.

"Big talk coming from a guy with one arm."

"Don't mock my battle scars."

"What scar? You're missing your arm."

Sabaku chuckled, waving his hand in a placating manner.

"I'm only concerned that we would be putting Ms. Iwahara in danger. Miscreants would see her as an easy target to vent their frustrations upon if they have issues with the PSC."

"A fair point but if she passes the ninety percentile, you should take her."

Sabaku frowned at Kitajima.

"Are you going to look after her?"

"I will if you request me to."

Sabaku sighed heavily, shaking his head as he shifted to the next application.

"We need more guys in this club. Not a bunch of little girls."

"Every girl is little compared to you."

Sabaku laughed at Tokori's declaration.

"Well this next girl isn't too little. Yoishi Rubi. I would have sworn that she was a giant or a kirin but her application has her from Moegara."

"You clearly haven't met many salamanders."

Sabaku balked at Kitajima's statement.

"And you have? I've heard enough rumors to know that Moegara has a sizable monstrel population."

"Is that a problem?"

Sabaku frowned at Tokori.

"I'm simply stating that the girl probably isn't a salamander."

"They can get that tall. My junior high had a few girls the same height as the salamander boys."

Kurumu perked up at Kitajima's testimony.

"Which junior high did you go to?"

"The Sanjo region one, Ms. Kurono."

Kurumu gasped, suddenly understanding why this guy was in the kendo club. Despite doing an article for the kendo club, she had not picked up his details since he had been with Huang when she had done the interviews of the other members.

"You're friends with Akegawa."

"I like to think so. Why?"

Kurumu shook her head, feeling silly for not realizing this sooner. She went back to her meal, grabbing a wad of rice with her chopsticks.

"If she makes the grade, we should take her."

Sabaku sighed at Tokori's conclusion. He shuffled the application to the bottom of his stack.

"I suppose that we can. The next applicant is a Nobuyashi Inu from Atsuen. Claims to be a shisa. His personality was similar to Mr. Koike's."

"Which means he is amazing."

"It means I'm hesitant to add another goofball to our ranks."

Koike frowned at Sabaku.

"Do you want more guys in the club or not?"

Sabaku smirked, shifting to the next sheet.

"We also have a Tsukamoto Takashi. He's a giant from Chouten. I would bet money on him not making the ninety percentile requirement."

"Should we lower it?"

"No. We can ask him later on if he's managing the eighty percentile minimum."

Sabaku adjusted the stack in his hands, letting out a sigh.

"Our last applicant is Suimon Kouga. He's an undine from Umishiro and he has an older sister whom graduated last year. Quiet fellow. Doesn't look intimidating but not many undines do."

Kurumu frowned when he leaned back to put away the applications.

"That's it?"

"That was all nine, Ms. Kurono."

Kurumu nodded thoughtfully, chewing on a mouthful of rice. She swallowed down.

"I thought that you might get a visit from Takikawa or Kiyomizu."

"I don't recall hearing from a Takikawa but we did meet a Kiyomizu."

Ms. Kiyomizu nodded with a slight smile.

"Yes. He was curious if I was related to him. Turns out that his grandfather is my mother's brother."

"I honestly didn't expect Tarumi to be right."

"How would you have the same name as him?"

Ms. Kiyomizu smiled at Satsuki's confusion.

"Well with my father being the Fairy Tale ambassador of Australia, I thought it would be smarter for me to use my mother's maiden name to draw less attention."

Kurumu frowned, recalling that Ms. Kiyomizu had applied to Yokai Academy back in 93 but had not been hired on until the English curriculum change in 97.

"Did your mother graduate from Yokai Academy before the Umiman dome was built?"

"Yes, Ms. Kurono. She was the only girl from Umiman to graduate from Yokai Academy in the sixties. A former teacher, Ms. Utakawa, mentioned having my mother in her very first homeroom."

"I've actually met that woman. She's-"

"We're here."

Attention shifted to the golden haired Kisurusu whom was with Juri. Both girls had on the long sleeved, school blouses with the school skirts and were carrying lunch trays with their meals. Juri scowled the moment her eyes met Kurumu's.

"You two are here even later than Ms. Kurono."

Kisurusu smiled apologetically, coming to a halt over by Tokori.

"Sorry. It was difficult to convince Juri to come."

"I'd rather not be around so many people."

Satsuki huffed at Juri's remark.

"Since when have you been shy?"

"I'm a whore."

Kurumu smirked, glancing away as Ms. Kiyomizu shot her a look of reproach. Juri whined with her fists clenching the sides of her tray.

"See what she's done!"

"What did you say?"

"I'm a whore."

Juri whimpered after the reflexive answer escaped her lips.

"Please refrain asking any more questions of the girl, Ms. Unari."

"I hate you so much!"

Kurumu favored Juri a smug grin.

"Are you going to leave me alone?"

"I'm a whore."

Kumiko snickered, shaking her head as Juri cried in frustration.

"Kurumu. Why?"

Kurumu shrugged at Tora's disappointed look.

"I don't see an issue with her telling the truth about herself."

"Fuck you! You're the only whore here!"

"Are you sure about that?"

"I'm a whore."

Kumiko giggled, covering her smile as Juri groaned in dismay. Tokori laughed softly while the three guys attempted to not look amused. Kitajima was the only one succeeding.

"I want you to fix her, Ms. Kurono."

"That is entirely up to her. If she doesn't want to play nice, I'm not going to play nice."

"Why don't you just expel her?!"

Ms. Kiyomizu sighed at Juri's fury.

"What do you think happens to you if we do that?"

"I'm a whore."

Juri whimpered, shaking her head as Ms. Kiyomizu smiled apologetically.

"Sorry for that, Ms. Morisato. But there is only so much that we can do to Ms. Kurono. The best we can offer is putting her in detention indefinitely."

"I have no reason to fix her if I will get punished afterwards. She can stay like that forever."

"Fuck you!"

"What did you say?"

"I'm a whore."

Juri whined, trembling with frustration.

"Can't you make her stop?"

"I can't. And kicking Ms. Kurono out of school won't fix what she's done to you."

"What exactly has she done?"

Ms. Kiyomizu sighed at Sabaku's question.

"From what Ms. Uchikawa observed, this girl will answer the same way to any question directed at her. We have no idea if this condition will persist."

"It's permanent. Just like her shitty attitude."

"Why would you do something so cruel?"

Kurumu shivered at Tora's upset tone.

"She's a bad person."

"You're the bad person here! All you ever do is cause trouble for people!"

"Could you shut up?"

"I'm a whore."

Juri growled with hatred burning in her eyes.

"I hate you! I'll always hate you!"

"Can't you let this go?"

"I'm a whore."

Juri shot Kisurusu a pleading look, causing the girl to smile apologetically.

"Sorry, but this is stupid. We don't need to talk about Ms. Kurono."

"I wasn't talking about her that much!"

"Don't bother lying, Juri. I've seen your memories and know that you were badmouthing me to impress the first years. And you are quick to agree with everything Hebihana has to say."

"Because she knows how much of a whore you were in junior high!"

"Who is a whore?"

"I'm a whore."

Satsuki snickered when Juri had to respond to Kurumu's question.

"This is hilarious."

"Fuck you, Unari."

"You're getting what you deserve."

Kumiko nodded with a slight smile.

"I did warn this idiot not to pick a fight that she could not win."

"Fuck you too."

"Could you say that again?"

"I'm a whore."

Kumiko smirked as Juri seethed in powerless fury.

"I think that you should listen to your friend."

"What friend? Juri looks down on everyone, including Kisurusu."

Kisurusu smiled at Kurumu.

"I'm aware of that but she can be nice."

"She's never genuinely nice. I've been inside her head and know what she thinks."

"That doesn't mean she is a bad person deserving this."

Kurumu scowled at Tora.

"Yoshii Kiria was a better person than her and he killed my mother."

"You're fucking crazy if you think I'm worse than a murderer!"

"Yoshii genuinely cared about people! He was willing to die to protect those he cared about. But you are nothing but a narcissistic psychopath!"

Kurumu glared into Juri's unwavering eyes. The sprite refused to back down.

"You don't know me."

"Unfortunately I do. I spent hours in your memories and you've been like this for years."

"Says a lot when Kurono thinks better of her mother's murderer."

Tora sighed at Satsuki's remark.

"I'm hesitant to believe her in that regard."

"You think I'm lying?"

"Yes. I think that you want us all to be upset with Ms. Morisato and are exaggerating the situation."

Kurumu faltered at Tora's bluntness.

"I'm being honest, Tora. She was a manipulative, two faced bitch even in the third grade."

"You did something wrong and are trying to justify it."

"Thank goodness someone here is rational."

Tora glanced at Juri.

"I'm not saying this was unprovoked. I'm well aware of the trouble you have been causing."

"There isn't anything that says I have to be nice to Kurono."

"There isn't anything that says you have to be a bitch either."

"Ms. Unari."

Satsuki huffed at Ms. Kiyomizu.

"What? This bitch is more concerned about what she can get away with than what is right or wrong. She isn't helping her case of being a good person undeserving of Kurono's wrath."

"Stay out of this."

Satsuki turned on Juri.

"You are fake. I'll gladly sit with Kurono in detention if she never fixes you."

"I will never speak ill of you again, Ms. Kurono."

Kisurusu smiled when attention shifted to her.

"I was only doing it because Juri was obsessed with you."

"I am not obsessed!"

"She isn't lying. You were badmouthing her in almost every conversation that we've had this last month."

"It wasn't that often."

"It certainly felt like it. I know it was petty and cruel but I honestly didn't think that our gossip would reach you, Ms. Kurono."

"Neither of you were being very quiet about in gym which is why Ms. Hanetsume started that fight."

"So you ratted us out?"

Tora frowned at Juri.

"I didn't but I'm sure that one of Kurumu's friends would eventually."

"I understand why she retaliated but she took things too far."

"I could have done a lot worse than have the two of you show up in pajamas today."

Kisurusu blushed, nodding.

"I'm very aware of that now. I don't want any trouble with you and will change the subject if Juri ever decides to bring you up again."

"Fine. Are you willing to call a truce?"

"I'm a whore."

Kurumu smirked as Juri scowled.

"That's not what I asked."

"Fuck you."

"Ms. Morisato. Will you agree to not gossip about Ms. Kurono in the future?"

Juri glared at the teacher.

"Why are you siding with her?!"

"I am merely trying to have this situation resolved."

"I'm the victim here! I didn't break any rules!"

"The faculty didn't make this mess, Ms. Morisato. Do you want to be fixed?"

"I'm a whore."

The instructor shot a look at the snickering from most of the girls which even included Kisurusu.

"I will hate this whore for as long as I live! We will never be friends!"

"I highly doubt that Ms. Kurono is concerned with you being her friend."

Juri scowled at Kumiko.

"I'm not apologizing when I did nothing wrong!"

"I don't want an apology. I want you to leave me alone and never talk about me."

"Couldn't you have done that?"

Attention shifted to Sabaku whom regarded Kurumu intently.

"If you can make her say something after every question, surely you could have made it so that she said something nice about you whenever you were mentioned around her."

"I could but she wouldn't mean it. It's not like she actually thinks of herself as a whore."

"Because you're the only whore here."

Sabaku sighed, glancing at Juri.

"I am trying to understand the limitations of her powers."

"Indeed. I would think it possible for Ms. Kurono to make someone forget that she exists."

Kurumu waved a dismissive hand at Kitajima's speculation.

"I could but that would just get confusing for her. If she saw me, she wouldn't recognize me and would promptly forget even if she was told. And any conversations about me wouldn't make any sense to her."

"You could have done that?"

Kurumu shrugged at Kisurusu's awe.

"Yes. I could have integrated myself into her past memories and become like a childhood friend. But as she lacks any sense of what friendship is, I would have been just another nuisance like her parents. I still don't know what they supposedly did to make her think they only pretend to love her."

"If stopping her gossip was your goal, it sounds like you could have achieved this without confrontation."

Kurumu regarded her unfinished meal, disliking Kitajima's conclusion.

"Yukari was right. I don't want Juri to forget me. I wanted her to admit that she was wrong."

"It is clear that the only way you will be fixed is if you yield, Ms. Morisato."

Juri scowled at Ms. Kiyomizu.

"Fuck that. There must be another way to fix this."

"The only way you are getting that fixed is if another succubus was willing to help you."

"So it can be done. You can expel this whore now."

Ms. Kiyomizu sighed heavily.

"The school would have to ask Fairy Tale to send a succubus here. There is no guarantee that they would do that. How long do you intend to endure your condition?"

"I'm a whore."

Juri grit her teeth, shaking her head.

"I'll manage."

"That's not going to happen, Ms. Kiyomizu. Any succubus trying to fix her will see how horrible she is and leave her that way."

"They will if I'm paying them."

Kurumu scoffed at Juri.

"I actually talked Ms. Kiyoshi out of having you transfer schools because I thought that you would leave me alone when we switched homerooms. You honestly think any succubi would help you?"

"Maybe one would help her out of principal."

Kurumu grumbled, knowing that Tora could be right.

"I know more about succubi than either of you. She's not getting fixed unless I do it."

"Then fix her, Kurumu. You know that you should."

"Absolutely not. I have no reason to fix someone treating me like garbage. She can spend the rest of her life telling everyone that she's a whore. I'll forget about her but she'll never forget about me."

Tora sighed, shaking her head.

"That's pure evil."

"Which is why she should be expelled!"

"Just apologize already."

Juri scowled at Kisurusu.

"No way! I'm the victim here! Just like Iko and Naomi were victims! This evil bitch hurts people for fun."

"Oh, please. Don't pretend like you care about those girls. You even have the audacity to believe that Huang grabbing your tits is on the same level of Yubikiri getting raped."

Satsuki snorted at Kurumu's remarks.

"That doesn't surprise me. Sendou was right that you should have given her a real rape experience."

"Ms. Unari."

Satsuki scowled at Ms. Kiyomizu.

"Don't think about lecturing me over that. There are women whom endure much worse and this fraud is trying to act like her sob story is on the same level."

"Just because there are worse things in the world doesn't make lesser evils acceptable."

"I didn't say it was acceptable. Fuck Huang, but Morisato can't act like she was raped."

"I have to agree there."

Juri scowled at Kisurusu.

"Some friend you are."

"You didn't even realize it was Mr. Huang. Your indignation was weeks after the incident."

"Because these girls didn't tell me the truth!"

Tora sighed heavily, being one of those accused girls.

"You really should fix her, Kurumu. Have you thought about the implications of what this will do to Ms. Morisato if this persists after high school?"

"That's not my problem."

"Her life would be ruined. Every person she meets is bound to ask her a question."

"It's not like she can't answer them."

Satsuki snickered at Kurumu's response.

"After calling herself a whore."

"Fuck you. I'll find a succubus to cure me."

"Could you speak up?"

"I'm a whore."

Ms. Kiyomizu sighed at Satsuki's smug grin.

"You girls are all acting very childish and petty."

"What about a job, Kurumu? How does she deal with having a job?"

"Not my problem."

"What about kids?"

Kurumu snorted, rolling her eyes.

"As if anyone would ever marry her."

"Kids ask a lot of questions, Kurumu. How would you feel if your mother always called herself a whore?"

Kurumu grimaced, unwilling to meet Tora's gaze. She knew that she should fix Juri even if the stubborn sprite continued badmouthing her. This was wrong but she refused to back down.

"Maybe she could claim that she has a disability. Isn't there one that involves cursing abruptly?"

Tokori chuckled at Koike's comments.

"I think so. Something like Toretsu syndrome."

"That sounds right. There are people out there just like you, Ms. Morisato."

Juri scowled at Koike's grin.

"I'm going to get this fixed!"

"I understand your pride but you need to accept when you have been beaten."

Juri huffed at Sabaku, turning her attention upon the teacher.

"Are you going to expel her?"

"No, Ms. Morisato. I've already stated the limitations of her punishment."

"Detention?! She ruins my life and only gets detention?!"

"Because you could be fixed but you are stubbornly refusing Ms. Kurono's terms."

"She isn't asking for much, Juri. Just stop talking about her."

Juri scowled at Kisurusu.

"Why should I? She's the one in the wrong!"

"There is no guarantee that another succubus will fix you, Ms. Morisato."

"Expel this bitch!"

Ms. Kiyomizu stood up, favoring Juri an icy look.

"Only if we expel you too."

"Me?! Why?!"

"Provoking a fight. You will find that is also against the rules."

Juri regarded the teacher incredulously.

"So I'm responsible for her actions?!"

"The fact that you have had altercations with Ms. Hanetsume, Ms. Unari and Ms. Kurono suggests that you are a troublemaker, Ms. Morisato. The school aims to have a peaceful environment and we will get rid of both of you if you refuse to be fixed by Ms. Kurono."

"You're going to expel Kurumu?"

Ms. Kiyomizu nodded at Tora's surprise.

"Yes. If these two refuse to fix things, the school will have no choice but to expel them both."

"That isn't fair!"

Kurumu shrugged indifferently.

"I figured this might be the school's only recourse. Kokoa already told me that she is fine letting me stay on campus with her. I just wouldn't be going to school."

"Are you seriously going to let yourself be expelled over this?"

Kurumu smiled at Tora.

"Why not? I'll have more free time to help Mizore with her baby."

"Can she do that?!"

Ms. Kiyomizu regarded Juri coldly.

"Yes, Ms. Morisato. Ms. Shuzen would only have to fill out a form to allow Ms. Kurono to continue living with her on campus. It would get approved, considering Ms. Kurono is Ms. Shuzen's handmaiden."

"I lose nothing except graduating high school, which Nijiro seems to not care if I do. And if I get expelled, I don't have to worry about the rules against me dating Nijiro."

"Though those rules still apply to him."

Kurumu shrugged at Ms. Kiyomizu.

"His parents aren't going to ask the school to expel him. He will be fine."

"Didn't think you would just give up on high school like this?"

Kurumu chuckled at Tora.

"Well it's not like I have any college plans."

"Do you want to get expelled?"

"I'm a whore."

Juri whimpered at Kisurusu.

"Stop doing that!"

"You're not winning this, Juri. And if Ms. Kurono is right about other succubi, do you want to spend the rest of your life like this?"

"I'm a whore."

Satsuki snickered at Juri's frustration.

"When will you expel them both?"

"This isn't funny, Ms. Unari."

Satsuki grinned at Ms. Kiyomizu.

"I'm only asking since I know Shindou is in her homeroom. I bet she will have lots of questions for her."

Juri trembled with anger.

"I don't have to come to school."

"Then you can go home, Ms. Morisato. I'll inform Headmaster Sendou that you and Ms. Kurono will be expelled as of tomorrow."

Juri's eyes widened in alarm when the teacher sat down.

"That's it? You're just expelling me?!"

"That's what you wanted. We can see about arranging a bus to take you home over the weekend."

"Hold up. I wanted her expelled."

"And I told you that the school would expel you both. Congratulations. You got her expelled."

"My parents will-"

"You can explain it to them. I'm sure that they will have lots of questions for you."

Juri flinched, regarding the teacher in disbelief.

"You're supposed to be on my side."

"I'm on the school's side. You will learn that the rules, first and foremost, are there to protect the ones making the rules. You are not a true victim here, Ms. Morisato. This was not unprovoked. As far as the school is concerned, you are as much a part of the problem as Ms. Kurono is."

Juri shivered, looking down.

"Fine. I'll promise to avoid talking about Kurono in the future."

"Is that good enough for you, Ms. Kurono?"

Kurumu smiled thinly, feeling some relief.

"Yea. I won't be able to fix her on the spot. She should spend the night at my place."

"Fuck that."

Kurumu scowled at Juri.

"You will spend the night with me or you can go home this weekend."

"Perhaps a neutral location would be better? The two could spend the night at my place."

Kurumu shrugged at Tora's offer.

"I don't mind that."

"I guess that works for me but I want Miho there."

Kisurusu laughed, shaking her head.

"I want nothing more to do with this."

"I don't trust this whore. You need to be there."

"Nope. I'm going to enjoy my time alone tonight in our room."

Juri scowled at the blond.

"I bet you will."

Kurumu snickered, wondering if Juri remembered Kisurusu's secret crush from last night.

"I'll need to get a change of clothes when we finish up here."

"How long will it take to fix her?"

Kurumu smiled apologetically at Tora.

"I have no sense of time when I do these things. It could take hours."

"We should go eat."

Juri took a hesitant step after Kisurusu.

"I better not wake up tomorrow madly in love with someone."

Kurumu snorted, making a dismissive gesture.

"I don't hate anyone enough to do that to them."

Juri scowled, stalking off as Satsuki snickered. There was a long moment of silence which ended with a heavy sigh from Ms. Kiyomizu.

"We should discuss our club's goals and activities."

Chuckling, Kurumu resumed her meal as Sabaku continued the meeting.