Kurumu sighed, cupping her cheek as she savored the morsel in her mouth. She leisurely fetched a wad of this exquisite omelet with her chopsticks, kneeling by the table in Yukari's room. The hem of her black skirt was pinched beneath her knees while black hose covered her exposed feet and calves. Her pink shirt which she had worn to bed last night was protecting her from the coarse fabric of this PSC jacket.

"It feels like forever since I've enjoyed having breakfast with you."

Yukari huffed, kneeling across from her. The witch had already tied her bow at the collar of her school blouse and had her jacket folded on the floor beside her. The young girl daintily retrieved a chunk of omelet from her plate, stowing it away in her mouth.

"It was last Monday."

Kurumu frowned, picking up her next serving.

"I ate in the dining hall with Ms. Ohno last Monday."

"That was this Monday. Last Monday was last week."

Kurumu swallowed down her latest morsel, sighing softly. She glanced at Rubi whom was kneeling at the table to her left. The witch had her back to the kitchen and was wearing a black shirt dress with white lace stitched to the hems of its short sleeves. The garment had pockets on the swell of Rubi's breasts with the same shiny black buttons which went from the stiff collar down to Rubi's navel. The lower half of the dress was a pleated skirt while black fishnet stockings covered the rest of Rubi's legs.

"Do you have any plans for the weekend?"

Rubi smiled, bringing her hand up to cover her mouth as she chewed.

"I'll be helping Ms. Hitori and the drama club with those costumes for the play."

"That's right. What day are you doing that?"

"Saturday. Ms. Hitori is bringing us lunch so we can start at ten and work until dinner if we have to."

Kurumu nodded thoughtfully as she chewed her next morsel. She scooted the remaining bits of omelet about on the plate to make a pile.

"Will you need Mizore there?"

"No. We have her measurements. We plan to bring it to her on Sunday to see how it fits."

Kurumu picked up her plate, bringing it close to her lips. She shoveled the small pile into her mouth, munching as she set her plate back down.

"I need to talk to Tora today. Hopefully she has details on when exactly we are having Nozomi's birthday party which Mizore is supposed to attend."

Yukari nodded, taking a sip from her cup of tea.

"There is also that call you want to make to Kabuki on her birthday."

Kurumu grinned as she grabbed her own tumbler.

"That's right. Has your grandfather said anything about when I can do that?"

"I haven't spoken to Grandfather since Saturday."

Kurumu laughed before taking a swig of her drink. The rich tea warmed up her body.

"Could you check with him tonight?"

"He said that he could give you a better answer on Friday. Presuming that you will be too busy with your duties to Moka's sister, I can ask him tomorrow night."

Kurumu sighed, holding the vessel against her bosom. She could barely feel its warmth through the thick fabric of this jacket.

"I understand if he is reluctant to let me do this on Tuesday but it would be nice if he could at least let me do it on Monday. That's only a few hours early."

"I will mention that option."

Kurumu was about to express her gratitude when a bird chirped in the apartment. All three of them looked at the exterior door in the entryway.

"Are you expecting someone?"

Yukari snorted, getting up. She strolled around Rubi on a path for the door.

"Of course not. Hopefully it is my Moka in need of my love."

Kurumu smirked as the witch unlocked the door.

"I doubt it would be that."

Yukari eased the door open and the visitor let out a sigh of relief.

"Thank goodness you're awake. I was worried that it was still too early."

Recognizing the voice of the older Hitsuji sister, Kurumu got to her feet.

"I prefer getting to school before seven if possible."

"Would you know if-"

Kurumu sauntered over to the entry, peering through the opening. Hitsuji Ryomi looked almost identical to her little sister, possessing the same golden white tresses and honey eyes. She was slightly taller than Chiyu but still shorter than Kurumu. Ryomi's face brightened up when she saw Kurumu.

"Ms. Kurono! Even better! Have you seen my sister?"

"She isn't with you?"

Ryomi whimpered, shaking her head. Her fluffy tresses were not in their usual braid, causing them to dance upon her bare shoulders. Thin, dark blue strands held up that baby blue tank top covering her petite body which was no more developed than Yukari's. A canary yellow pair of shorts hung loosely from her waist which was barely thinner than her scrawny hips.

"No! She didn't come home last night! I was hoping that you might know something but you wouldn't answer your door last night."

Yukari snorted, favoring Kurumu with a reproachful look.

"She was either mooching a meal off Shirayuki or in here since she hates being alone in her room."

Kurumu pouted, absently reaching up to fuss with a lock about her ear.

"Well there isn't anything to do in my room."

"I don't know where Chiyu might be. Do you think it is possible that she is with Mr. Huang?"

Kurumu grimaced at the mix of emotions in Ryomi's voice.

"She was going to have dinner with him. We parted ways with her at his doorstep after I showed them a shortcut to his clearing."

"And you just left her there?!"

Yukari huffed at Ryomi's agitated tone.

"It wasn't me. Kurumu was with Ms. Uboku whom accompanied her to Shirayuki's residence."

"Well Iko hadn't seen Hatsue yet. She didn't need to stick around for Huang's impromptu dinner."

Ryomi sighed dramatically.

"Since you know where he lives, could you take me there?"

"We should grab our things."

Kurumu frowned as Yukari walked off towards the table.

"You'll have to clean up and lock the door."

Rubi sounded an affirmative as Yukari fetched her school jacket.

"You're coming with?"

Yukari nodded at Kurumu's confusion while slipping on her jacket.

"We may as well leave now. Grab your stuff."

Kurumu picked up her schoolbag which she had left here beside her loafers. Placing the strap on her right shoulder, she wiggled her feet into her shoes as Yukari came over to pick up her own schoolbag.

"That brat better be there. I don't know where else to look."

Kurumu smiled, sauntering out to join Ryomi on the landing. The morning air was crisp and fresh with the sun peering over the treetops.

"I'm sorry. I just assumed that she would go home after that dinner."

Yukari snorted, walking out with a shooing gesture.

"Conveniently forgetting he has a crazy wife."

Kurumu pouted, starting down the stairs which prompted Ryomi to follow. Yukari closed her door before descending in Ryomi's wake.

"Routier clearly said that she would not kill the other girls."

"Is she really that violent?"

"She tried to kill Huang before Kurumu made her obsessively want his dick."

Kurumu gasped at the accusation, pausing at the bottom of the stairs. She drifted away, turning about to face the obstinate witch.

"I did no such thing!"

"She was in love with her cousin before you dabbled with her head."

Kurumu pouted as Yukari strolled by her, forcing her to follow the witch towards the nearby building.

"I only amplified the admiration she already had for him. She was protecting Huang from assassination attempts for years."

"Which she was doing for her cousin. When it came down to it, she was willing to kill Huang."

"Master Touhou asked me to do that for Huang's sake."

"He married a woman whom tried to kill him?"

Walking under the stair up to Udetama's suite, Kurumu sighed at Ryomi's confusion.

"It was an arrangement to unify his household with a rival family."

"Which was completely unnecessary. The rival family was wiped out."

"We didn't know that when Huang agreed to marry her."

"There was no reason for him to keep that promise when the reason behind it was gone."

Kurumu sighed as they approached the start of the trail leading out of this clearing.

"He is a man of his word."

"He is an idiot. I despise him with every fiber of my being."

Ryomi chuckled softly. After a short stretch of silence, they started down the trail.

"I suspected as much. I worried that you wouldn't help me if I had tried talking to you last night."

Kurumu smiled, glancing at the older girl. Ryomi had a February birthday, making her only six months older than Kurumu. Chiyu had been born in October of the same year as neramu pregnancies lasted thirty weeks on average.

"Yukari says that but she would have helped."

"Not for his sake. I'm only doing this for her silly sister whom is a poor judge of character."

"I've been saying that for weeks but she won't listen to me."

"And yet you helped her invade his dreams."

Ryomi pouted at Kurumu's remark.

"I'm still confused why you think I would do that."

Kurumu smirked, recalling how Huang became interested in Chiyu.

"Because he was having dreams of the two of you naked."

"He saw us naked because of Mr. Kyuushutsu."

Kurumu clucked her tongue with a shake of her head.

"Nope. Most of the guys involved in Mr. Kyuushutsu's nudist colony had their memories wiped. The only two I left alone were Nijiro and Ginei and that's only because those two weren't in the gym when I took care of the other guys."

Kurumu perked up at a sudden thought.

"And Kyuushutsu but that's because he was unconscious. Didn't you realize that none of the guys from your homeroom remembered seeing all of you girls naked?"

Ryomi bit her lip.

"I thought they were just being polite."

"Miyamoto has no recollection of that insanity so neither should Huang."

"Which I am thankful for."

Kurumu smirked at Yukari's comment as they reached the small clearing where the trails combined. The witch strolled across the open space, drifting slightly to the right for the narrow trail which would take them to Huang's clearing.

Ryomi sighed heavily as they started down that trail.

"I may have helped her a little at first but I've always thought that his parents would reject their union. When he got married, I thought for sure that this was over, but then he kept writing to her. He can say as many pretty things as he wants to her, but I doubt his parents would sign a relationship form when Mr. Huang already has a wife. I know for a fact that our parents won't."

Kurumu laughed under her breath.

"I didn't even think about the rules against relationships."

"Even if he wasn't married, I can't imagine my father condoning this. Dad wants both of us to marry into communities so that we don't make the same mistakes Mom did."

Kurumu recalled how neramu mothers controlled their mates during their pregnancies. Ryomi's father had lost his job because her mother couldn't control her powers.

"Haven't your parents always lived in Uchimori?"

Ryomi smiled, shaking her head.

"They lived with humans at the time. They moved to Uchimori a few months after Chiyu was born so that Mom's possession of Dad wouldn't be so troublesome when they had Oru."

Kurumu nodded thoughtfully, recalling what little she knew about these girls.

"Did they grow up together like you and Inemuri?"

Ryomi groaned, rolling her eyes.

"Why would you bring that goat up?"

Kurumu giggled, shrugging.

"Chiyu told me about him joining your greetings club."

"I really wanted to reject his application but I didn't have a good reason to. At least we got one good recruit this year."

"Chiyu also mentioned that. Hatameku Ren. Her friend, Karasu, is in my choir."

"Yea. She's sweet. Lazy, but sweet."

Kurumu snickered, seeing the door to the commissary building beyond Yukari.

"I'll have to take your word for that. So how did your parents meet?"

Ryomi breathed in deep, smiling softly.

"By chance. Mom was with her mother on a shopping trip in the city. Dad took a fancy to her and talked her into seeing him. Grandma was against it and warned Mom about how dangerous it was to be fooling around with humans-"

"He's human?!"

Ryomi nodded with a flush grin as they entered the clearing. They followed Yukari whom was drifting to the right on a direct path to the door to suite 815 on the corner of the nearest building.

"So was Grandpa. Grandma was worried that Mom would kill Dad with sex just like she had done to Grandpa. Obviously they ignored her warnings."

"Did he know that she wasn't human?"

"He did but they both overestimated her ability to control her powers. Or they just forgot about it, considering they were married six years before her first cycle."

Kurumu laughed, joining Yukari at the door.

"And here I thought your kind would wait to have a cycle before pursuing marriage."

"Well marriage isn't just about having babies."

Yukari snorted, knocking on the door.

"You don't need to tell Kurumu that."

The sound of a deadbolt turning prompted Yukari to step back. The door eased out, revealing Koyomi. The succubus had a black sheet wrapped about her voluptuous frame with her shoulders bared.

'Morning.'

Kurumu wagged her finger at the young woman whom glowed with satisfaction.

"What did you do?!"

Koyomi smiled pleasantly with an innocent shrug.

'I may have taken things too far.'

"She reeks of sex."

Yukari snickered as Ryomi covered her nose.

"Do I want to know what happened here?"

Kurumu let out an exasperated sigh.

"It was just supposed to be dinner."

Koyomi held the sheet at her bosom while her other hand had the door knob. The succubus rubbed the side of her head against the door.

'We sated all of our appetites last night. It was wonderful.'

"Is this his wife?"

"This is Hajinai Koyomi. She's another one of his admirers whom Kurumu neglected to mention to me as being part of this dinner invitation."

Kurumu winced at Yukari's accusation. Seeing how upset Yukari still was about Huang's announcement, Kurumu had not wanted to mention Koyomi being compatible with Huang.

"I didn't want to worry you."

Yukari huffed indignantly.

"Why would I be worried?"

Kurumu whimpered, adjusting the strap of her schoolbag. She wagged her finger at Koyomi again.

"You know this was wrong. Her sister had no idea where she was."

Koyomi's pink eyes drifted to Ryomi. Smiling, the succubus let go of the door and bowed. Ryomi laughed nervously, glancing aside as she fussed with the hem across her chest.

"Nice to meet you."

Ryomi jerked with a start.

"Wait! Did you think to me?!"

Koyomi straightened up, slightly adjusting the sheet about her bosom. She smiled with a nod.

"Oh. Okay. Is my sister here?"

Koyomi nodded, turning with a gesture.

"Um. Thank you."

Ryomi shook her head as she slipped by the buxom succubus.

"Oh dear the smell is so thick. Chiyu? Where are you?"

Kurumu glanced at Yukari whom huffed, turning her face away. Suddenly Ryomi let out a startled cry followed by Huang's frantic apologies.

"Sorry! Sorry!"

"You are naked!"

"Well it is my room."

"Get dressed!"

Huang could be heard rushing away with more apologies which was answered by a loud groan.

"Shut up. You're too noisy."

Kurumu snickered at Routier's drowsy protest in Cantonese. She shook her head, regarding Koyomi.

"You just had to find out."

"There you are, Chiyu. Get up."

"Who are you?"

Koyomi smiled in a way that betrayed being pleased with herself. The succubus let one of her hands drift down to her navel, caressing herself through the sheet.

'It still hurts a little. But not as bad as your first time.'

Kurumu blushed, glancing aside.

"Well. Tsukune is huge."

"I'm sorry, Miss. Could you let go of my sister?"

"No. She's soft and cuddly."

'I went last. Hopefully there is enough of his seed inside me to confirm our compatibility.'

Kurumu rolled her eyes in disappointment.

"And what if there isn't? Are you going to do this again?"

'I can wait a week first.'

"Whom is at the door?"

Kurumu sighed at Routier's question. The girl had been speaking Cantonese which most likely made no sense to Ryomi.

"It's me, Routier. Why did you let these two spend the night?"

Routier groaned as Chiyu whimpered in protest.

"No. I don't want to get up."

"You need to get up and get dressed. I can't believe you."

"That girl kissed me. Made everything fuzzy like I was under water."

"Is this girl that desperate to get laid?"

Kurumu pouted at Yukari's sharp tone.

"The situation is complicated."

"No it isn't. She's known him for three days."

Kurumu winced as Koyomi pouted.

"I don't want to get dressed."

"Oh shush. Where are your panties?"

"Maybe under the bed?"

Yukari's eyes widened after that yawned remark.

"He's what?!"

Yukari whirled on Kurumu, wagging a finger.

"You should have known not to leave this tramp with Huang if that's the case!"

Guessing Koyomi had explained the situation, Kurumu waved her hands defensively.

"We didn't know for certain and I didn't expect Koyomi to do this."

"Why are you all so noisy?"

Kurumu groaned at Routier's confusion.

"Yukari is upset that you all had sex with Huang."

"This is a perfectly normal reaction to when a succubus forces an orgy!"

"You stink. You'll need to bathe before we go to school."

'But Routier was very angry with Huang. Kissing her calmed her down.'

"You're just jealous because I was made a woman before you."

"Oh, you calmed her down. Charmed her right out of her panties."

Ryomi chuckled at Yukari's protests.

"I'm not following what that meant."

"Girl with big tits is succubus. She daze me with a kiss."

Chiyu giggled sweetly.

"That's Koyomi. Can she spend the night with us?"

"What? No!"

"Why not?"

Huang laughed heartily.

"I humbly ask you to agree to that."

"No offense to Ms. Hajinai but it sounds like she instigated this situation."

"Yea but she made it feel real good. I barely felt the pain after she kissed me."

Routier snorted at Chiyu's testimony.

"Though I feel it now. Fang never dared to be this rough with me before."

"Because you would cry whenever I showed the least bit of aggression."

Koyomi smiled at the exchange in Cantonese.

'Fang enjoyed his wife being so submissive for a change. She was begging to be bred.'

Kurumu held her hand up with a slight shake of her head.

"I don't need any details of this."

Koyomi smirked, shoving lust filled emotions into Kurumu's consciousness.

'Are you not curious how I lost my virginity?'

Kurumu flinched at the image of Routier's pussy, realizing this brat had licked that to prepare her for Huang. She shoved those lecherous memories away, steeling her mind from intrusion.

"Stop it, Koyomi!"

Koyomi flinched with a look of uncertainty.

"I apologize for my sister's behavior-"

"She was very agreeable."

"I understand. Please excuse us. We both need to get ready for school."

Routier gasped loudly.

"Breakfast!"

Kurumu laughed softly, hearing the wife rush from the bed.

"Can we stay for breakfast?"

"No! We can have breakfast at home."

"But why?"

"Because we have to go home anyways. Now say goodbye to Mr. Huang."

Chiyu sighed theatrically.

"Fine. It was nice of you to let me spend the night."

"Think nothing of it, my beloved Chiyu."

"And thanks for dinner, Ms. Routier."

Routier huffed, moving things about.

"Barely remember anything after that."

Kurumu smiled when Ryomi came back into view with her sister. Chiyu had her clothes from yesterday and her schoolbag. The girl paused to hug Koyomi whom was still at the door.

"Thank you, Koyomi. Last night was awesome."

Ryomi tugged her sister by the sleeve.

"We will talk about this."

Chiyu drawled out an affirmative as the sisters stalked off.

"And this guy wanted provocative pictures of me."

Huang laughed merrily at Yukari's grumbling. He strolled over to Koyomi's side, wearing the white school shirt and tan slacks.

"That reminds me. Is my envelope with the one million yen still on my doorstep?"

Koyomi immediately decided clinging to him was more important than holding up the sheet. Thankfully pressing against his side had the same effect.

"There isn't any envelope here."

Kurumu nodded at Yukari's statement.

"Yea. Guess your money got swiped."

"Obviously it would be. Anybody could have taken it after he advertised where it would be."

Huang frowned, glancing about as far as he could with the succubus glued to his side.

"But that can't be. I had a spell on it."

"What kind of spell?"

He grinned at Yukari.

"One that prevented the envelope from being moved without pictures of you being put in its place."

Yukari regarded him with a neutral expression.

"So the mysterious stalker drops a picture of me here and picks up the envelope. What is there to prevent him from coming back to take the pictures after that exchange has been made?"

Huang grinned broadly.

"That envelope and yen are cursed to prevent that. The moment the perpetrator walks out of my magic circle, he would not be able to return."

Yukari nodded thoughtfully.

"So it curses the person making the exchange. What if he has an accomplice?"

Huang gagged before laughing nervously.

"None of the information suggested that was the case."

"Maybe somebody else swiped the pictures after the exchange was made, thinking that was the money. You told the whole school there would be money out here. There is no way you could prevent that."

Huang winced with a stricken look in his eyes.

"I am terribly sorry, Yukari. I didn't think of that."

"You should have consulted me first before using me as bait for your stupid trap."

"I'm aware that you are more skilled at considering possibilities. If only I had apologized to you last night as I originally intended, then you could have prepared a better gambit."

"Any idiot could have realized the flaw in your enchantment."

'Be nice to him. You know he meant well.'

Yukari rolled her eyes at Koyomi's request.

"I believe that the reason for our visit has already expired. We should go."

Kurumu nodded as Yukari started walking off.

"Yea. I suppose that you will be staying here for breakfast."

Koyomi smirked, snuggling against Huang's side.

'Jealous?'

Kurumu snorted, taking a step away from the door.

"Hardly. Behave yourselves."

"Please make her understand that I did this with the best intentions."

Kurumu rolled her eyes at his request.

"Oh, I'm sure. Don't be late for class."

She trotted off, hearing his promise for that before his door closed. She quickly caught up to Yukari as the witch passed by the door to Tsukune's suite.

"That jerk deserves to die a thousand deaths."

Kurumu laughed softly, falling in step with her friend.

"That isn't entirely his fault."

"Tell that to whomever has my pictures!"

Kurumu grimaced.

"I was meaning the whole orgy thing."

"He knows nothing about being a man. Tsukune resisted your antics for two whole months. That pervert didn't even last a week."

Kurumu sighed as they walked under the stair to suite 805.

"I was more worried about winning Tsukune's heart than having sex."

"So she's just using him to make a baby?"

Kurumu groaned, passing by the corner of the building. They turned into the open space behind the commissary, heading towards the end of the clearing where the shortcut started.

"That sounds shallow when you put it like that."

"Does she love him?"

Kurumu sighed, wondering if her initial approach to Tsukune had been any different.

"I only know that she doesn't want to pass up a chance to have a baby. If they are compatible, she wants him to go with her to her village over the summer where her grandmother can provide her a surrogate."

Yukari snorted, shaking her head.

"You should apologize to Ms. Uboku. She could have made another dirty comic from that dinner."

Kurumu snickered, doubting Yukari meant that.

"I'm sorry that I didn't tell you about this. Koyomi told me about this possibility only moments before Huang made that stupid announcement."

Yukari sighed dramatically as they entered the woods.

"I suppose that I should accept that apology. I'm more concerned about those pictures."

"Is it possible that he just botched the spell?"

"I don't know if I can rely on him being completely incompetent."

"Maybe there is a way that he could track the money?"

"I don't care about the money. It's the pictures I'm worried about."

Kurumu sighed, feeling helpless as she carefully picked her footing across the uneven terrain.

"What can we even do about that?"

"Apparently nothing. I can only hope that his spell parameters could be satisfied by any pictures of me."

Kurumu followed Yukari in silence. She could think of nothing to say that she had not already mentioned this morning or last night. Yukari was not interested in her breasts being sore and her bras being tighter, acting like Kurumu had been bragging about that. It was not like Kurumu wanted to get bigger. That meant she would have to ask Kokoa for new bras. Overtaking the witch when they reached the pond, Kurumu angled to the right through the thin woods.

Yukari had agreed with Okimune's sentiment about most high school friendships not continuing beyond graduation, dismissing Kurumu's concerns about Manami. Naturally that standard would not apply to Yukari's friendships as those were not acquaintances of convenience. Her love for Moka would endure the test of time. At least she regarded Kurumu among her few real friends.

Kurumu reached the main trail without having said a word. She sighed, glancing back at Yukari. The little girl was too distracted with fixing her school bag to notice the look. Sighing again, she looked ahead to the trail. She saw no signs of other students, guessing it was still before seven.

"I forgot to grab my satchel with the bentos."

Kurumu laughed at Yukari's sudden remark. She glanced back with a smile.

"Want to go back?"

Yukari groaned before making a dramatic sigh.

"If Rubi doesn't bring it to me, I'll just subject myself to the poison the cafeteria serves."

"It isn't that bad."

"I'll have to warn Ms. Imai and the others of my error. I'm so stupid. Why did I let that idiot disrupt my usual routine? I knew that nothing good would come from seeing him this morning."

Kurumu smiled softly, noting that they were already nearing the split in the trail.

"Because you care about him."

"I do not!"

"I'm not saying that you love him, Yukari. You care about him. You did save his life back in Hong Kong."

"Things would have gone poorly for us if I hadn't."

Kurumu sighed, supposing there was truth to that.

"I know he can be-"

"He masturbated with my body, Kurumu."

Kurumu grimaced. Groping Juri's tits had not been the only crime that pervert had committed while in Yukari's body. His first offense had been playing with himself in the shower.

"You weren't there, Yukari. You didn't see him do it and you didn't feel him do it."

"I still have braces, Kurumu. Just because I don't have a memory of something, doesn't mean it didn't happen. I hate that guy. I sometimes wish he was dead just like the bastard whom raped me."

Kurumu shook her head, refusing to continue this argument. It was not like either of them would ever call Huang a good guy.

"Morning, fine gentlemen of the PSC! Can I interest you in a package?"

Ginei's loud voice cut through the morning air. Kurumu and Yukari shared a wide eyed look before they hurried down the trail.

"Mind you it's not for sale but I do charge for a peek."

The coarse fabric of this jacket was no match for her bosom. Adding the fact that she was already sore, the bounce caused by this quick trot was unpleasant. She held her arm across her breasts while the other pressed her schoolbag to her hip.

"Okay, okay. But at least look at the pictures before you confiscate them."

Yukari let out a frustrated cry as they finally were close enough to see the altercation. Sabaku and Koike stood by a table that flanked the path. The werewolf was grinning while sitting in a chair across from the two seniors garbed in PSC attire. Sabaku huffed loudly, chucking a manila envelope onto the table.

"Is this some kind of joke?"

"The package does say that it's only for the pure of heart. Seems there is more to you than I guessed."

"Watch it, Morioka. You're going to piss someone off if you try to scam them with this nonsense."

Ginei glanced at Kurumu's approach before returning his smirk upon Sabaku.

"I'll take my chances. Get going before you scare off my customers."

Sabaku snorted, stalking off as Koike snickered.

"Don't get yourself killed."

Ginei chuckled as the inugami departed. The werewolf grinned broadly at Kurumu.

"No need to rush, Kurumu. I'm not going anywhere."

Kurumu let out a breathy laugh, stopping shy of the table. Yukari arrived seconds later, panting.

"You. Selling. My pictures?!"

Ginei clucked his tongue, wagging the manila envelope at them.

"I wouldn't dare sell something so valuable. I'm charging for a peek."

Yukari was already flush from the jog.

"How could you?!"

Kurumu snatched the envelope out of Ginei's hand which should have been difficult. She frowned at his grin as she clutched the package against her bosom.

"What are you playing at?"

"See for yourself. Though you probably aren't pure of heart."

Kurumu snorted, noting that the envelope had a message declaring the contents could only be seen by the pure of heart. She handed the envelope over to Yukari.

"Compared to you I am."

Yukari gasped, shaking her head in disbelief. The witch had pulled out one of the pictures, regarding it with eyes full of anguish.

"How could you?!"

"It's all part of the plan. I just need to find someone interested in that package."

Yukari slammed the envelope down on the table with the top picture exposed. Kurumu gagged, realizing it was a close up picture of Yukari masturbating next to a bathtub. It was as if the picture had been taken from the floor between Yukari's ankles. The angle even captured the tense expression upon her face.

"You're the camera stalker!"

"Wait. What?"

"Die!"

Ginei had a genuine look of confusion the moment he was thrown back from his seat by a huge push of energy summoned by Yukari. The werewolf smashed through a thick trunk, causing the innocent tree to topple to the side. Sobbing, Yukari ran down the trail towards the school as the werewolf groaned.

Kurumu sighed, picking up the envelope. She stuffed the picture back inside, clutching it against her aching breast. Shaking her head, she walked off with the intent to console Yukari if the witch let her.

"They did warn you."

"That concludes the lecture for today. I better see good grades on tomorrow's quiz."

Several students droned out their understanding as Mrs. Unsei gathered up her things. Their English instructor was wearing a cream cardigan over that sleeveless, dark blue blouse to get around the rules against teachers baring their shoulders. A black pencil skirt hugged her hips and thighs as the teacher strolled over to the door.

The moment the woman had departed, Kana hopped out of her desk to pat Yukari on the shoulder.

"Cheer up, Yukari. It's not the end of the world."

Touzoku snickered, stuffing her materials away in her schoolbag hanging off the side of her desk.

"Yea. It's not like any guy could see that picture of you fiddling yourself."

Yukari scowled, casting an angry look over her shoulder.

"I would have preferred that nobody had seen it."

Kurumu pouted, glancing at the side of her desk where her schoolbag hung.

"Well that did confirm those pictures aren't normal."

Touzoku snickered, getting up from her chair.

"They certainly aren't normal."

Kana sighed, toying with Yukari's locks.

"I'll never be able to see you as just an innocent girl now."

"I'll have you know that I've been doing that longer than I've known you."

Kana laughed softly, withdrawing her hand.

"I've always known how mature you act. But you really are a woman. Maybe more than I am."

Yochimaru snorted, stalking over to join Kana and Touzoku near Yukari's desk.

"Just because she plays with herself doesn't make her more of a woman than any of us. I'm sure that we all do it now and then."

"Does Riku fiddle herself while thinking of her boyfriend?"

Yochimaru blushed, walking off the moment Itazura joined them.

"So what if I do? I'm supposed to want my boyfriend."

Kurumu laughed softly as the four exited the room. All of the guys on that side had already departed. A quick glance confirmed Umizake was the only guy left in the room. He was wearing his PSC uniform.

"See you in choir, Ms. Kurono."

Kurumu nodded at Dakuhime whom took Yokumoto by the hand and started off. She noticed Kochimaru looking at her and they both smiled. The flush girl was waiting with Shinayaka as Kosame put away her vocabulary notebook. Kochimaru had also seen some of the pictures when Kurumu had dropped the envelope, causing several pictures to escape the packaging.

The bell sounded the official end of the period. Moments later, Kosame got up from her desk. The trio strolled off, leaving Kurumu alone in the room with Yukari and Umizake.

"Do you mind if I have a look at the evidence?"

Kurumu bit her lip at his request. She watched him get up and slowly walk over to them.

"That's something you should ask Yukari."

"I was asking her."

Yukari huffed when he stopped beside her desk.

"It doesn't matter. You'll only see blank sheets."

Kurumu smiled, leaning over the side of her desk. She tugged out the envelope, handing it over to him. As he moved to open it, she decided to put away her notebook and writing utensil.

"They really are blank."

Kurumu chuckled at his flat remark. She settled back in her seat.

"It's crazy, right? None of the guys whom helped pick up the pictures could see them."

"You shouldn't have had those out in the first place."

Kurumu pouted at Yukari's complaint.

"Something wasn't right, Yukari. I'm positive now that Ginei couldn't see these pictures."

"But the girls could."

Kurumu nodded emphatically at his remark, taking the envelope back from Umizake.

"I don't know why but that appears to be the case."

Yukari sighed dramatically, exaggerating her motions as she put away her things.

"It's hypnosis magic. Any guy whom looks at those pictures will see nothing. For that matter, girls whom think they are guys probably couldn't see them either. That's how that spell works."

Kurumu smirked, having suspected something similar. She stood up from her desk.

"You know that Ginei can't do this."

Yukari groaned, slouching in her seat.

"I don't want to apologize to that pervert."

"I thought you did that during the break after my useful accident."

"I told Ms. Imai and Ms. Nyuuwa that I didn't have bento lunches for them."

Kurumu swatted Yukari with the envelope full of pictures documenting the witch's lecherous exploits.

"Get up. We'll treat you to a PSC lunch."

Yukari grumbled, vacating her seat.

"I suppose skipping the line is preferable in this situation."

Kurumu snickered, following Umizake over to the door. She nodded at him as he opened it, allowing her and Yukari to walk out. Starting down the hall, she noticed that the line was already blocking the back door to Ms. Yumeito's lab. Most students with that biology class this period were entering through the door farther away from the cafeteria.

"We have midterms next week."

"That has been obvious for days."

Kurumu laughed at Yukari's remark.

"I was just thinking about how the class trip is right after that. Your grandfather is expecting a bunch of permission forms to arrive in the mail tomorrow. I hope that most of the third years will be able to go."

Yukari shrugged indifferently, passing by the last of the classrooms. The doors to the home economics room on their right were closed with the end of the line almost reaching the other door to Ms. Yumeito's lab. First years were still coming down the nearby stairs to join the line.

"I'm more concerned with my ability to go. If Grandfather is upholding the guidelines which require permission forms for off campus activities, I probably can't. My father won't want me there."

"Technically we wouldn't be part of the class trip."

"It's still an off campus trip. Grandfather could just let me go like the old headmaster did but I don't know if I should hope for that."

Kurumu smiled softly, strolling by the students in line. They turned at the end of the hallway, heading towards the passage to the serving line.

"Maybe you could go if Rubi came as your escort?"

"That might be acceptable. I'll have to ask him tomorrow night when I ask about your call to Kabuki."

Turning left, they approached the cart with the lunch trays which stood near the door to the work area. Umizake strode by them to reach the door first, holding it open for them. Kurumu nodded at him before turning left into the small passage.

The clamor of cooking food and washing dishes filled the air as she made her way to a small break area which had a double door to the exterior. She immediately turned right, entering another short passage to the kitchen. She passed by the huge steel doors for the freezer and cooler which were on her left. An opening on her right was for a storage room filled with dry goods.

Mrs. Aono was washing dishes at the first station on the other side of this passage to their left. The mother had a hairnet over her dark locks and was wearing the green blouse and green slacks reserved for the cafeteria staff. A heavy black apron was worn over her uniform to keep Mrs. Aono from getting thoroughly soaked.

"Afternoon, Mrs. Aono."

The mother glanced over her shoulder and grinned. She promptly went back to her task.

"Afternoon, Ms. Kurono."

Knowing she should not further disturb the mother, Kurumu continued into the main kitchen. Ahead of her was the cooking line which had a massive exhaust hood over the hot surfaces. Standing in the midst of that line was Mrs. Teisen, the cafeteria manager. The woman looked like every other cafeteria worker but she had a red hairnet over her dark green hair styled in a pixie cut.

Kurumu headed over to another dark haired woman standing by a silver cart laden with preassembled lunch trays for the PSC. Seeing her approach, the lady fetched a tray from the cart and presented it to Kurumu. Taking the tray which had two white entrée boxes and a white cup with a plastic lid, Kurumu drifted off to the side. The lady gave trays to Yukari and Umizake before Kurumu moved to the door.

She opened this door in the corner of the room, revealing the space behind the ladies working the four registers. A double door to the main auditorium was only a few paces along this wall. Once Yukari and Umizake had passed through, Kurumu followed her friends. The door closed under its own weight.

Despite taking their time to get here, there were still many empty seats in the cafeteria. Kurumu strolled behind Umizake down the central aisle, noting that Nijiro was not at the table with his math club friends. Mikomi and her friends were also not here but most of the third year cheerleaders were settling down in their usual spots at their table.

"There is the little fiend whom assaulted me this morning! Arrest her!"

Kurumu smirked at Ginei whom was sitting at his usual table beside Koike. The inugami snickered at their approach, shaking his head while fetching another morsel from his entrée box.

"If you mean Ms. Sendou, then your trip to the infirmary was deserved."

Kurumu giggled as they took seats at the table across from the pair. Since Umizake claimed the middle of the bench, Kurumu took the end with Yukari between them. She was careful to keep the envelope with Yukari's suggestive photos beneath her tray though Ginei had probably noticed it.

"You were in the infirmary?"

Ginei wagged his chopsticks at Yukari whom opened her entrée boxes which contained the katsudon.

"You sent me through a tree. You're lucky I survived that."

Yukari huffed, freeing her disposable chopsticks from their cellophane wrapping.

"If that was enough to kill you, then it was a miracle you survived our fight in Tokyo."

"Are you okay?"

Ginei favored Kurumu a fanged grin.

"I am now. Tora kindly nursed me back to health."

"She wouldn't have if she had known what you were up to."

Ginei pouted at Yukari.

"I've had enough emotional trauma this morning. At least a dozen students walked by me, ignoring my genuine pleas for help."

"You actually begged for help?"

Ginei waved his chopsticks dismissively, before using them to fetch a chunk of breaded pork cutlet from the complimentary PSC meal Koike must have treated him to.

"Well not from guys. I'm not gay."

Kurumu rolled her eyes, deciding to open her own box of katsudon.

"So much for your claim of genuinely needing help."

"He was out for hours even with Ms. Nazohashi's healing. He missed half of fourth period."

Kurumu pushed her chopsticks out of their wrapper.

"Guess that does sound serious. But you hurt Yukari's feelings."

Ginei huffed, fetching another morsel from his box.

"She nearly broke my back. Some thanks I get for trying to help her."

"How were you trying to help me?"

While chewing, Ginei smirked at Yukari's dubious tone.

"I procured that package from Mr. Huang's doorstep."

Kurumu giggled, picking up a slice of pork cutlet.

"We knew that much. Why were you trying to sell them?"

"I wasn't selling them. I was charging people for a peek."

Yukari scowled, pointing at him with her chopsticks.

"Could you even see them?"

Ginei shrugged nonchalantly.

"I have no idea what you are talking about. That package had nothing but blank sheets inside it. I was thinking that the real culprit might try to reclaim it when he realized I had foiled his prank on Mr. Huang."

"Those weren't blank sheets. Those pictures were enchanted so men could not see them."

Ginei frowned at Umizake's neutral explanation.

"Now that makes no sense."

Koike snickered, opening up his second entrée.

"Though that does narrow down a list of suspects. Were these provocative pictures of Ms. Sendou?"

"It doesn't matter if they were!"

The flush witch quickly regained her composure.

"I already have a good idea whom the culprit is."

Kurumu frowned while chewing on the delicious morsel.

"You didn't mention that earlier."

Yukari blushed darker.

"The girls were already questioning if I had posed for those pictures."

Kurumu laughed softly, recalling how embarrassed Yukari had been over her accident.

"Some of those angles do look impossible to do in secret."

"I see. Suggestive angles."

Ginei stroked his chin thoughtfully.

"What is the quality of those photos?"

"You don't need to know that!"

Koike snickered at Yukari's sharp response.

"If you confirm that package was the work of the camera stalker, then tell us the name of this villain."

Yukari sighed dramatically, daintily picking up another cutlet slice.

"Murakami Katsuya of my arcane club."

Kurumu laughed nervously, shaking her head.

"Surely he wouldn't. Is he even capable of casting spells like that?"

Yukari sighed again while chewing. The witch swallowed with another sigh.

"You've seen him cast hypnosis and invisibility. And I'm aware that he has some polymorph spells in his arsenal. Combining those spells could allow him to get into places without being detected."

Kurumu frowned, recalling Yukari's earlier dismissal of an invisible stalker.

"But you splashed water around."

Yukari groaned with her shoulders slumped.

"In search of a normal sized intruder. If he made himself small like a mouse, I wouldn't notice him."

Kurumu gasped when it all made sense.

"That explains that angle!"

Ginei made a thoughtful sound as he continued stroking his chin.

"Angles from the floor in your bathroom."

"Stop thinking about it!"

Kurumu laughed at Yukari's distress.

"It definitely is him. He must have used those spells to get into the dance club room undetected."

"It also explains why he could barely look me in the eye these last two club meetings."

Kurumu giggled at Yukari's comment.

"Well most of the pictures are from Saturday night."

Yukari whimpered, covering her face.

"I regret everything."

"I'm seeing the picture now."

Koike smirked as Ginei continued to exaggerate his pondering.

"Unless you swapped genders, it doesn't sound like you will."

"Little Yukari did something recently that warranted more pictures being taken."

"Stop trying to figure out what those pictures show!"

Koike snickered, pointing his chopsticks at Yukari.

"I'm assuming you still have those pictures."

"They are under Kurumu's tray."

Yukari groaned at Ginei's casual remark.

"Which I don't know why she brought them with."

Kurumu frowned at Yukari's protest.

"Would you rather I leave them in my schoolbag?"

"Give them here. Maybe when the Fairy Tale office opens, the staff will be willing to run fingerprints on them. That might be all the evidence we need to prove his guilt."

Kurumu moved to comply but Yukari slapped her hand on Kurumu's shoulder.

"No. You can give that to Ms. Kiyomizu or to one of the other PSC girls. Not to him."

"You don't trust me?"

Yukari wagged her chopsticks at Koike's frown.

"If you need more evidence, you could search his room. He probably has copies."

Koike nodded thoughtfully.

"That could resolve this issue quicker. Do you know which room he lives in?"

"No but you could just ask Mrs. Hagimoto."

Mrs. Hagimoto was the woman in charge of admissions.

"It's not likely this guy will let us search his room if he has incriminating evidence in it."

Koike chuckled at Umizake's remark.

"Obviously. We would have to do this while Mr. Murakami is not home."

"I could arrange for that."

"What are we plotting now, Mr. Morioka?"

Kurumu grinned, acknowledging the arrival of Mikomi. The student council president sat at the end of the nearby table with her back to Nijiro whom must have arrived at some point. Wanibuchi claimed the spot beside Mikomi while Tokori slipped through the break between the tables to take the spot across the table from Mikomi. Tokori was wearing the PSC uniform with black slacks.

"We got a strong lead on the identity of the camera stalker."

Tokori snorted at Koike's explanation.

"Did that idiot's plan actually work?"

"I'm genuinely confused that it did. I didn't get the impression that he needed money."

Kurumu nodded at Yukari's remarks.

"Exactly. And these pictures are from before Huang made that offer. It's not like he took them with that purpose in mind."

Yukari shuddered, poking at her meal with her chopsticks.

"I don't want to know why he took them."

"So what's your plan?"

Ginei grinned at Koike's prompting.

"I'm aware that our suspect recently joined a secret organization. I can skip some of next period to have a chat with Haiji. I'll let you know in gym if he will call an emergency meeting for us."

"What secret organization are we talking about?"

Yukari huffed at Mikomi's curiosity.

"If it involves Mr. Miyamoto, it is probably the notorious loli appreciation club."

"I thought that group got shut down."

Ginei smirked at Tokori.

"Tora exposed their meddling with the popularity contest but that was not an official school event. As there were no rules broken, none of the guilty parties were punished."

"Isn't taking unsolicited pictures of girls against the rules?"

Ginei smirked at Kurumu.

"There was no evidence of that."

"And with this being an unsanctioned club, there wasn't much the student council or the PSC could do."

Ginei laughed at Koike's input.

"Fortunately true."

"Don't you mean unfortunately?"

Ginei grinned mischievously at Kurumu.

"If Haiji can keep this guy busy, we can raid his place tonight."

"But we have our PSC dinner tonight."

Ginei wagged his chopsticks at Tokori.

"It wouldn't be much of an emergency if it didn't happen right after school. We will have the whole hour before the dining hall opens to carry out this search."

"I must confront him at this meeting."

Koike frowned at Yukari's demand.

"You shouldn't do that before we confirm his guilt."

"The fact that he is going to this kind of meeting means he is already guilty of something."

Kurumu giggled at Yukari's assertion.

"Can she go if I was with her?"

"She is in a PSC uniform."

Koike mulled that over, glancing at Ginei.

"She isn't a full member."

"So send Tora with them. Once we have our proof, we can swoop in and make the arrest."

"Hold on. What do you mean by that?"

Ginei grinned at Yukari's suspicious tone.

"The two of us are very fast. We can get back to the meeting place in minutes."

Yukari emphatically shook her head.

"Absolutely not! No guys will be involved in searching that room!"

Ginei pouted as Koike chuckled heartily.

"You must not want any guy to see those pictures."

"Of course not! You can have Ms. Meirowasa and Ms. Hineri search the room with Ms. Kiyomizu."

Kurumu giggled, sharing a glance with Tokori.

"What about Satsuki?"

"I'd never hear the end of it."

"How bad are these pictures?"

Kurumu smirked at Tokori. She tugged the envelope free of her tray, handing it over.

"You can see for yourself."

"Not in here!"

Tokori laughed, lifting up her tray to scoot the package beneath it.

"I wouldn't do that to you."

"I swear. Kurumu should have given those to Ms. Kiyomizu this morning."

Kurumu frowned at Yukari's complaint.

"But if I had done that, we wouldn't have discovered the enchantment."

"Enchantment?"

"Those pictures can only be seen by girls."

Tokori and Mikomi exchanged confused looks.

"Why would this guy want to do that?"

Yukari sighed heavily.

"That's what I plan to find out."

"Dismissed."

Ms. Atsumoto chuckled as several students sat back in their chairs. The salamander tucked her portfolio beneath her arm as she started towards the front door. The teacher was sporting a mint green dress shirt with a pair of pristine white capris.

"I'll see you all tomorrow."

Kurumu smiled as the teacher departed. The bell sounded the official end of the school day.

"Ms. Dakuhime and Ms. Yokumoto. You have cleanup duties today."

Kurumu breathed in deep, watching her classmates put away their things. Ginei had shown up very late to choir, confirming that Haiji would handle it and Tora would be joining them. Now it was just a matter of waiting for the confrontation.

"Want to help them sweep?"

Kurumu laughed at Yukari's suggestion. She grabbed her notebook, pushing it into her schoolbag.

"Sure. Will you clean the board?"

Yukari sounded an affirmative, putting away her own things.

"See you tomorrow, Yukari."

"Yea. You'll be okay."

Yukari made dismissive sounds as Kana and her friends took off. Most of the boys had also left the room with Shinayaka lingering beside Kosame's desk. Kurumu scooted out of her chair, strolling to the back of the classroom where Dakuhime was retrieving the broom from the cleaning locker.

"Let me do the sweeping, Dakuhime. I'm taller."

Dakuhime huffed, closing the locker.

"I can manage without your help."

Kurumu smiled softly, glancing at Yokumoto whom held the dustpan. The girl betrayed no interest in the current situation.

"Can I have the dustpan then?"

Yokumoto clutched the dustpan tighter, turning her head slightly.

"No. The windows need cleaning."

Kurumu laughed, supposing she could do that. She stepped around the girls, opening up the locker. She fetched out a spray bottle and rag before closing the locker. Stalking over to the nearest window, she aimed the bottle at the clear surface. Pulling the trigger created a scattered circle of white foam which she promptly wielded the rag against.

As she smoothed away a layer of grime she had not even realized was there, she wondered when this window had been last cleaned. She was too short to do the entire window, doing as much as she could while on the tips of her toes. Stepping over to the next window, she sprayed it with several douses of cleaning solution. She vigorously moved her hand back and forth against the surface.

She shivered under the sexual appreciation of Umizake. He strolled by her, opening up the locker.

"You really should have a bucket of water to rinse out that rag."

The sound of water alarmed her at first. For a moment she thought he had done something indecent before realizing he was just filling the cleaning bucket with his finger. Groaning at her own perverted mind, she resumed her task.

"You shouldn't use your powers."

"I'm not walking all the way to the bathroom to fill up this bucket."

Kurumu shivered again when another familiar lecher admired her chore.

"There should be a public announcement for when Kurumu is cleaning windows."

Umizake chuckled softly at Ginei's remark. He placed the bucket on the desk near the window receiving Kurumu's attention.

"It's definitely distracting."

"I expect this from Senior but not you, Mr. Umizake."

Kurumu chuckled at Tora's remark. As she rinsed out her rag, she regarded the sphinx standing beside Ginei. The tan girl had her raven locks braided in a circle above her ears. She was wearing her PSC attire with the black skirt. Her schoolbag hung by its strap against her right side.

"It's because I'm spending too much time with Mizore. Umizake is starting to have a crush on me."

"Or it could be that skirt shows the curve of your ass better than the school skirt."

Tora swatted Ginei's arm with the back of her hand.

"Don't be crude."

Yukari snorted, strolling over to her desk.

"May as well ask him not to breath."

Kurumu giggled, moving over to the next window. She noticed that Dakuhime and Yokumoto were only halfway done with their task.

"Is everything set?"

"I saw Haiji leading the suspect out of the building. You should give them a few minutes before heading up to their meeting place."

"We should get going then."

"Yes. I imagine Koike and the others are waiting for us in the teachers' lounge."

"See you at dinner."

Kurumu sounded an affirmative, feeling his admiration with her chore one delicious moment more before Umizake finally walked off. Ginei was savoring every second of this, making her a little envious of his girlfriend. She was disappointed when she felt him leave.

"I'm assuming that you know about your ass wiggling when you clean side to side."

Kurumu snickered, bringing the bucket over to Mizore's desk before rinsing out her rag.

"Yes, Yukari. I could definitely feel that."

"So you were deliberately putting on a show."

Kurumu sighed at Tora's disappointment. She sprayed white circles onto the next window.

"Not at first. Cut me some slack."

"I would if I thought that could make you happy."

Kurumu groaned, carefully cleaning the window without any excessive movements.

"Do you have any news on Nozomi's birthday party?"

"They will be meeting at the roller rink for the noon to three slot. Coach Kibashiro and Ms. Uchikawa will be bringing lunch and cake."

"Is the whole track team going to be there?"

"No but there will be quite a few of them there. Sounded like it would mostly be the girls whom went to junior high with Ms. Bikiyama."

Kurumu nodded, moving the bucket over to the teacher's desk. She started on the last window.

"I'll make sure that Mizore shows up."

"That's nice. It will be fine if she doesn't bring her baby. Ms. Bikiyama will understand."

"If there will be that many girls, she probably shouldn't. We can leave Hatsue with Umizake."

Yukari snorted at Kurumu's suggestion.

"You mean with Mrs. Shirayuki."

"It's the same thing. It's not like Umizake needs to show up for a birthday party that is mostly girls."

There was a long moment of silence, interrupted only by the opening of the locker. Kurumu moved to rinse out her rag as Dakuhime put away the broom and dustpan.

"Could you dump out this bucket for me? The bathroom in the main lobby is the closest one."

Dakuhime sighed dramatically, stalking over to her.

"Toshiko can since cleaning them was her idea. I'll put away the other things."

Kurumu smiled graciously, draping the rag on the side of the bucket. She handed Dakuhime the spray bottle as her friend drifted over. Hefting up the bucket, Kurumu surrendered it to the quiet Yokumoto. The two girls retreated to the back, stopping to put away the rag and spray bottle before continuing across the room to the back door.

"I heard about the breakup."

Kurumu sighed at the comment made the moment the girls had left. She managed a smile at the sphinx whom was standing by Yukari near her desk. The witch had her schoolbag's strap up on her left shoulder.

"Yea. It wouldn't surprise me if everybody on campus knows."

"I only heard about it this morning. Are you okay?"

Kurumu shrugged, stalking over to retrieve her schoolbag which hung off the hooks of her desk.

"I guess. I'm more worried about Manami. It's like she's the only girl whom hasn't talked to me about it."

"She probably needs time to sort her feelings out. You did just break up with her brother."

Kurumu nodded, hefting the strap up over her head. She smoothed the strap across the swell of her bosom, letting the schoolbag dangle against her right hip.

"Are we walking there in our slippers or should we get our outside shoes?"

"Outside shoes. No reason for us to come back here."

Tora nodded at Yukari's statement. The sphinx stalked over to the open front door.

"If you need to chat with someone, you could always spend the night with me."

Kurumu laughed softly, following the sphinx out. They walked along the balcony flanking the classroom.

"I might take you up on that offer."

Quickly reaching the end of the hall, they turned left and headed towards the front of the school.

"And here I thought you would go back to imposing on Shirayuki."

Kurumu smirked at Yukari, absently brushing a lock behind her ear.

"I didn't say that I would take Tora's offer tonight. I can't be neglecting my baby two nights in a row."

Tora chuckled softly as they steadily approached the main foyer. The door to the broadcasting room was only a short way from the end on this wall to their right.

"Speaking of babies, did you hear the news about Coach Yaisoku?"

"Did she finally have her baby?"

"Mhm. I understand that she went into labor during her niece's birthday party."

Kurumu laughed, shaking her head.

"Figures. I'm surprised that this is the first I'm hearing about it."

Tora shrugged as they entered the main foyer. They strolled through the gap in the railing, starting down the winding staircase to the central landing.

"I only heard about it during our Tuesday's gym class from Ms. Tobuyoku. She does live across the hall from Ms. Hineri and Ms. Yaisoku. Apparently they both missed school on Monday."

Reaching the central landing, they started descending the wider flight of stairs to the ground floor.

"How long was she in labor?"

"I have no idea. But it sounds like the midwife has everything under control now."

"I hope that Ms. Kiyomizu won't mind if I talk to Kumiko about this during dinner."

Tora laughed as they arrived at the bottom of the stairs. They followed Yukari across the foyer.

"We can always chat about this after our meeting."

Tora veered into the adjacent aisle while Kurumu and Yukari stepped down into their own. As they were swapping out their footwear, Dakuhime and Yokumoto emerged from the bathroom near the door to the teachers' lounge. Holding the bucket by its curved wire handle, Yokumoto followed Dakuhime behind the main stairs. The pair disappeared into the lower hall which ended at the first year wing.

Kurumu headed towards the main entrance a few steps ahead of Yukari. When they exited their aisle, Tora was already closing in on the door. Kurumu sighed as the sphinx held it open for them.

"I'm a little disappointed that I'm just finding out about this now. Nagisa and Mizudake both talked to me about Nijiro during gym yesterday. Surely girls from the tennis club know about their coach giving birth."

Yukari snorted as they stepped outside, taking off across the grassy school grounds to their right.

"Gossip about your relationship woes was more interesting."

Tora chuckled softly, effortlessly overtaking the shorter witch.

"I don't know about that but it has been a busy week. I didn't realize that Mr. Huang had returned until he made that surprising announcement yesterday morning."

Kurumu snickered, catching up to the sphinx. To the right of them was the area where she had used to eat lunches with Akari and Nozomi before the lunch rules had changed. She could already see the end of the perimeter wall on her left. An uneven line of trees curved about, defining the open school grounds.

"He offered to pay Juri for that time he groped her tits in Yukari's body."

"He also offered to marry Ms. Morisato if she didn't agree to the amount."

Tora laughed in disbelief, shaking her head slightly.

"That young man has strange ideas about how to fix his mistakes."

They angled towards the distant tennis courts. Off to their left was a notable gap in the trees, marking the start of the trail which would pass by the kendo and fencing club facility.

"Did Suzume mention anything about flying this weekend?"

"I asked about it back on Tuesday but forgot to follow up today. She was supposed to confirm with Ms. Dangai if Ms. Hanada had agreed to chaperone for that."

"It would be nice if we could start doing that again."

Tora shrugged nonchalantly.

"Ms. Tobuyoku will be at Ms. Bikiyama's party on Saturday. You'll find out then if not before."

Kurumu pouted, thinking that was late but it was not like she had any pressing plans for Sunday. She could just spend the day with Hatsue if flying was off the agenda. While dealing with Mrs. Shirayuki for hours was emotionally stressful, babysitting would enable Umizake and Mizore to go on a double date with Okimune and Shiname. She felt like she owed that to Okimune.

"There is that soccer game."

"What soccer game?"

Kurumu smiled at Tora's confusion.

"Just thinking out loud. Our soccer team has a home game on Sunday."

"I hope you aren't wanting me to attend that."

"No. I was just thinking of things I could do that day if we weren't flying. But even if we were, Ushio made it sound like I could go since it was a late afternoon game."

"I'm surprised you are considering going to that."

Kurumu pouted at Yukari.

"You could show some support of the school."

"Why would I bother doing that?"

"I'll probably spend the day studying if there is no flying. We do have midterms next week."

Kurumu sighed at Tora's sensible alternative.

"Have either of you decided on an article for the next newspaper?"

Tora laughed as Yukari grumbled.

"Senior believes that he and Ms. Hajihachi will be covering the class trip. He is letting me take over that article on the new Fairy Tale office."

"I'll write an article about the wicked pedophile organization we are about to destroy."

Kurumu snickered as they closed in on the perimeter of the school grounds. Glancing at the school on their right, Kurumu confirmed that they were already beyond the wings. The exterior wall was set farther back for the kitchen and even more so when it was at the auditorium. Looking back to the left, she saw the start of the rugged trail which would take them to their destination.

Kurumu could hear the students on the tennis courts playing but they were still too far away to see it clearly through the black fencing. The concession stand building was almost directly in front of them. A short way beyond that would be another trail in the woods which went to the school's small pool.

"You don't think this will turn into a fight, right?"

Tora let out a nervous chuckle before they started down the rugged trail leading away from the school.

"I certainly hope not. Mr. Miyamoto should be on our side."

"It will be a bunch of perverts, Kurumu. You will easily have this under control."

Kurumu hoped Yukari was right. It was not like she had ever had any issues subduing Miyamoto during their training sessions in Hong Kong. It was unlikely that Murakami would be a problem but they had no idea whom the other leaders of this club were. The former leaders had all graduated.

The trail veered off to the right but Tora favored a less notable one to the left. The more obvious trail would end at the shack that Ms. Ishigami had stored the girls she had turned into statues. That felt like forever ago thought it had only been a year.

It could not possibly have been more than two minutes on this passage which could hardly be called a trail before they heard the indistinct murmur of conversation. Following Tora's example, Kurumu slowed and lightened her step through the woods. They crept towards a small wooden shack. Vines and thick bushes threatened to swallow up the porch flanking the structure. Not a single window was intact.

"- hand you over to the authorities."

"Your colleagues wanted pictures and I provided them."

"I don't regard you or Mr. Yamakaji as my colleagues. As for Mr. Doroishi, he is simply in my grade. I had more dealings with his predecessor and I wouldn't ever call Mr. Katahara my colleague."

"The fact remains that if you dare hand me over, I will take you all down with me."

"For what? Those pictures of Ms. Iwasaki might get me in trouble if I had taken them but I just have them in my possession. It would be different if you had actually fulfilled your promise."

Murakami laughed nervously.

"I was working on it. Teachers live in town so it isn't convenient to get those kind of pictures. I'd have to do it on a weekend."

"Yet you succeeded for Mr. Yamakaji when his object of affection lives in a dorm inaccessible to men."

"Technically he didn't get pictures of Kanon in her dorm. They're all taken in the girls' locker room."

"Unforgivable."

"It simply was more convenient than risking more invasive tactics. We both have the same gym period."

"Yea. I would argue these pictures of her in her lingerie aren't much different than pictures of her in a swimsuit. Hardly something I would be in trouble for since I wasn't the one taking them."

"Are you also refusing to defend me?"

"I'm sorry, man, but I don't know what you think I can do for you. Mr. Miyamoto is the guy with all of the connections here. You need his help. Not mine."

"Surely there is a girl that you admire, Mr. Miyamoto. I could offer you the same services."

"Even if you could, it doesn't change the fact that the PSC will have you ousted soon. Ginei gave that envelope with Ms. Sendou's pictures to the PSC and they will check them for fingerprints."

"Oh please. You think I dared touch pictures of my goddess with my bare hands? I handled everything with plastic gloves. They have no way of linking that envelope back to me."

Kurumu saw Yukari tense up. She held a finger up to her lips, shaking her head as they closed the last stretch of uneven ground preceding the shack.

"If you care so much for Ms. Sendou, why would you give explicit pictures of her to Mr. Huang?"

"Because she hates him. I enchanted those pictures, preventing any man from seeing them. I figured that he would be confused at the blank pictures and show them to his wife. From what Ms. Sendou has told me of this woman, I fully expected this dangerous lady to murder that fool in a fit of jealousy."

Kurumu covered her mouth to stifle her snicker. Yukari scowled at her, holding a finger up to her lips.

"Your ploy failed and Ms. Sendou has identified you as the primary suspect."

"She knows?"

"Like you said. You enchanted the pictures so Ginei couldn't see them. He showed them to Ms. Sendou and she listed you as the primary suspect."

Murakami laughed under his breath.

"I would have never anticipated someone to be bold enough to show that package to her, let alone take it off Mr. Huang's doorstep."

"There is no helping you. And I find it disconcerting that the new leaders of this club which is meant to protect and cherish little sisters were complicit with your unsavory methods."

"Protecting the young ladies of my kind is still something I strive for. My admiration of a fully mature woman of my race does not contradict this club's purpose."

"Was this supposed to be about little sisters? I thought it was just about little ladies."

Tora sighed theatrically, catching the occupants by surprise. She strolled across the creaking floorboards of the porch, opening the door.

"I believe we've heard enough of a confession here to not even require any evidence we might find in Mr. Murakami's room."

Yamakaji forced a laugh as Kurumu stood up from her cover. She saw the young man through the nearest broken glass window. He had a narrow face and bright emerald eyes. His short maroon hair was carefully groomed and he was wearing the school jacket and tie just like Doroishi beside him. The gnome adjusted his boxy glasses as he regarded Tora's approach.

"Ms. Nazohashi! What a surprise?!"

"Yes. It is a surprise and a disappointment to see you here, Mr. Yamakaji."

"I can explain."

"Were you followed?"

Miyamoto huffed at Doroishi's sentiment. His arms were crossed over his karate gi.

"Ginei mentioned he might send a few of the girls out here to confront this scoundrel. I presume that Ms. Sendou is with you."

Kurumu chuckled, motioning for Yukari as she stepped up onto the porch. She entered the room which was missing some of the floorboards. The musty smell permeated this enclosed space.

"She's here. We unfortunately heard most of the talk about the others having pictures of girls."

Doroishi stiffened up though he still looked ridiculously short next to Yamakaji whom stood as tall as Miyamoto. Murakami continued to laugh nervously, backing against the far wall away from the others. He was also dressed in the full school attire.

"Ms. Iwasaki is a mature woman."

"She's also a teacher whom you shouldn't have pictures of."

Doroishi sighed at Tora's admonishment.

"I understand if you must confiscate them. It's only pictures of her in the teachers' lounge."

Kurumu shot a look at the nonsensical culprit.

"You only took pictures of her at work?"

Murakami glanced aside when Yukari entered the room.

"She has lunch when we do. It was the most convenient time and place."

Kurumu thrust her consciousness in his direction, forcing him to calm.

"Why did you take pictures of the dance club girls?"

He swallowed thickly with his gaze on the broken floor.

"To test out my spells. See if it was even possible to take pictures while invisible and diminished."

"Diminished? What do you mean by that?"

"He means he shrunk himself. I'm assuming you did the same to your camera."

Murakami nodded at Yukari's conclusions.

"Once I knew the spells worked, I started looking for ways to prove myself to my fellow club members."

"Were you giving these guys Yukari's pictures?"

Murakami gasped, shaking his head vehemently.

"Never! Those were only for me!"

Yukari grimaced, clenching her fists.

"You should be in prison."

Murakami sucked in a deep breath.

"I'm sorry. I was only admiring you. I never expected you to find out."

"You took pictures of me and gave them to someone with the intent of instigating a murder."

Murakami whimpered, holding his hands out as he regarded Yukari.

"But you hate that bastard! You said that you wanted him dead!"

"Yea. Are you going to kill yourself if I say the same about you?"

Murakami grit his teeth, looking down. A long moment of silence followed.

"I'm also going to need those pictures of this girl named Kanon, Mr. Yamakaji."

The guy groaned, placing a hand over his face.

"Fine. Just don't tell her about this."

"If you like her, just ask her out like a normal person would."

Yamakaji chuckled at Tora's remark.

"She'll just turn me down again while saying how she isn't a woman."

"Tora. This is the girl in Kokoa's fencing club. We met her at the party."

Tora nodded at Kurumu's input.

"I see. You'll have to wait for her to be able to accept her own value as a woman. Until then, I insist that you don't request any pictures of her in her lingerie."

"I understand. We won't get in trouble for this, right?"

Tora let out a thoughtful sound, turning her gaze to Murakami.

"If you two can give those pictures back to us at our dinner meeting tonight, you probably won't."

"Yea. The idiots of the dance club didn't get in trouble for this."

Yamakaji chuckled at Kurumu's comment.

"Well that's reassuring."

"Shall we escort this misguided fool to your dinner?"

Kurumu smirked at Miyamoto.

"Would you have asked this guy for pictures of Kokoa?"

Miyamoto chuckled, shaking his head.

"Only if I wanted him to die."