Disclaimer: I do not own Zatch Bell, Yandere Simulator, School Days, Cross Days, the Persona series, Magical Girl Raising Project, and Pokemon X and Y

Chapter 3

Sora departed his household early. He couldn't bear to be in the same kitchen as his father and stepmother without feeling vomit. Saki told him that she'd catch up with him. Sora didn't care about his sister wanting to spend more time with his father and stepmother. He just wanted to leave. He didn't even finish half of his breakfast. Sora walked on the sidewalk, thinking about the nightmare from last night. He's been getting nightmares lately and was sick of the damned torments. As Sora turned to the corner, someone bumped into him.

"Gah! This is the second time I bump onto someone! I'm sorry!"

Oh. It was the new Mizuno girl from his study hall class. Sora stepped away while Suzume was on her knees. Her hair was still tied up in the same annoying low-tie pigtails. He didn't know why he found Suzume's hairstyle bothersome. Suzume lifted her head and stared at him blankly. Then she smiled at him brightly.

"Oh, it's you, Mizukawa!" Suzume stood up, holding her school bag. "I did not expect to run into you this morning!"

"You really need to watch where you're going," Sora told her unkindly. "Being a clumsy girl can cause accidents."

"HUH?!" Suzume's eyes went widened in shock at his brutal honesty. Then, she put her head down, fidgeting her fingers. "Do you really have to call me clumsy?"

"Yes. Because that's what you are," Sora looked at her, annoyed. He turned his back on her. He didn't want to deal with Suzume. Being alone with her was making him feel anxious already. "Well, I see you at school."

"Hey, wait!" Suzume quickly grabbed his arm. "Can we walk to school together?"

"Oh, hell-" Sora was startled by her sudden hand on his arm.

"Yo, what do we have here?" Haruto asked, emerging alongside Hayato and Sota. "Are you two dating already?" He grinned in a teasing matter.

"It's too early to assure things, moron," Sora glared at Haruto. Then, he frowned at Suzume. "Can you let go?"

"Oh, right..." Suzume released his arm from her grip.

"You got these morons to walk school with. I'm outta here."

"Man, what a freaking grouch," Hayato chortled.

"Hey!" Sora scowled at Hayato. "I didn't get enough sleep last night! Also, did you guys finish your math homework?"

Sota, Hayato, and Haruto paled at his question, and Sora sighed in grief, facepalming. Why does he even bother tutoring these friends of his? Sora swore he was so done with his friends' foolishness.

"I did," Suzume spoke out softly. "Well, not really my math homework. It was more like self-studying with a math book."

Sora had forgotten Suzume was still here. He stared at her in surprise. She stood there straight, still clasping her hands together. Sota grinned and put his arm around Suzume's shoulder, but Suzume paid no mind. She was still gazing at him.

"Is that so?" Sora responded, not sure what else to add. He turned his eyes away from her. "...Well, good for you, I guess."

"Oh, come on, dude!" Sota called out to him. "That's all for a compliment for a girl who worked her ass off?! Also, I think your expression just got softened, man." Sota grinned mischievously.

'That little shit! The hell, Sota?' Sora thought in irritation. 'Stop reading my expressions, you nosey otaku! Shit log! I swear!'

"I don't need compliments," Suzume admitted to Sota, who gawked at her in shock. "All I needed was guidance." She eyed Sora. "I was able to figure out my math problems last night. It's all thanks to your tutoring, Mizukawa. I thank you again." Suzume bowed her head.

'This is so fucking embarrassing,' Sora thought awkwardly. 'Why can Sota and the others walk this girl to school already?'

"Mizukawa?" Suzume approached him, attempting to touch his cheek. "Are you okay? You looked pale."

"Don't touch me." Sora flinched at her and snapped her hand away.

"I'm sorry," Suzume saddened.

"Hayato," Sora glanced at his green-haired friend. "Walk this girl to school. I'm outta here." Sora turned around and walked away.

"Hey, what the hell gives?!" Hayato responded back, confused.

'What gives, Hayato? You should know damn well why I'm nervous around certain girls,' Sora thought in distress. 'I swore I'd never get close to a girl again.'

"Sora, please do not worry about me." A mature-sounding voice of a girl spoke. "I am okay. I can handle my problems."

Sora facepalmed. His chest started to hurt. His heart was pounding like crazy.

'That was a fucking lie. You couldn't handle it in the end. Now, I'm all alone. What the hell am I supposed to do without you?'

Makoto Itou entered Ytiniciv high school. Students were socializing nearby the shoe lockers as he walked to his. After Makoto changed his outdoor doors to indoor doors and placed the other shoes inside, he was greeted by Ayato.

"Good morning, Itou." Ayato smiled at him. "Did you eat your breakfast?"

"Ah, Aishi. Of course, I did." Makoto smiled back. "So, what's up?"

"Oh, I was asking if you'd like to join me on the rooftop for fresh air and a quick chat before classes starts."

"Sure, Aishi."

Ayato and Makoto left the locker area and walked to the rooftop via the stairs. The boys wore simple white dress shirts and black pants. The girls wore white collar blouses and black pleated skirts. That was the uniform of Ytiniciv high school. Once the boys arrived at the rooftop, they leaned onto the railing. The weather felt pretty agreeable today. Sunny and breezy.

"So, how is your sister, Aishi?" Makoto asked as Ayano flashed in his mind.

"Oh," Ayato snickered. "She's still hanging on in that shithole, Itou. How about yours?"

"Itaru is playful as always. Last night, she asked me to teach her how to write. So, I did. I taught her to write in a notebook." Makoto smiled softly. "It was cute and fun to experience."

"That's good, man. You're being a responsible big brother, Itou." Ayato smirked proudly.

"Yes. So, why did you really bring me here for?"

"Well," Ayato sighed, straightening his standing posture. "They had been too quiet over there."

Makoto twitched at this. He knew what Ayato was talking about. He thought of Akademi high school. The school where he was a student before he transferred out of shame. Makoto bit his bottom lip as he clenched his hand in distress.

"Damn it. If I hadn't screwed up, things would have been fine." Makoto felt tears forming in his eyes. "If only-"

"Itou," Ayato gazed at his schoolmate sternly. "Our time for revenge will come to us naturally. Be patient. There's no need to cope with the past. What matters is that you've atoned for your actions."

"I feel like I haven't atoned enough."

"Well, if you still feel that way, work harder."

As the bell rang for classes, Ayato and Makoto headed inside while thinking about what to do after school today.

Umeji and his friends decided to stay home today. They did not feel like attending classes and hanging out at their spot at school. The gang met up at Umeji's home in the trailer park. Umeji's mother wasn't at home since she was working. The boys were in his bedroom, playing video games. Umeji sat on his bed while his friends sat on the ground.

"So, Umeji. Still thinking about recruiting Kaneyama?" Hayanari asked. "Have you figured out how to reconvince him to join us?"

"No, man. I still haven't figured it out. Leave the thinking to me. Relax." Umeji said, looking outside of his window.

"Impressive," Ososo spoke in awe after she witnessed Kaneyama's fight with the men, captured in video on Umeji's smartphone. "I want that boy in our gang. Use whatever is necessary to convince him, Umeji."

"That's rare. You haven't expressed interest in someone since that Yamada guy."

"Hmph. We don't speak of Taro Yamada." Osoro scowled. She folded her arms after giving the smartphone back to Umeji. "Also, I hear this Kaneyama has siblings."

"Yes. An older sister and a younger sister."

"How annoying. Eliminate those girls if they'd dare to interfere." Osoro added to her order before she walked away.

'Serena Homura and Suzume Mizuno,' Umeji thought. 'Homura is in my homeroom class, and Mizuno is in my study hall class, according to what Sora told me,' Umeji lay down on his bed, having his arms behind his head as he gazed at the ceiling thoughtfully. 'I don't bother attending that shithole, after all. I go straight home after the sixth period. I know what Homura looks like, but this Mizuno girl, I have no clue what she looks like yet. I should observe Kaneyama and his siblings next time.'

"Yo, Umeji! Wanna play?" Gaku offered his video game console controller, grinning at him. "It's fun, man!"

"Meh. I'm fine. I am thinking."

"It's your lost." Gaku returned to playing the video game while chatting with Hokuto, Gaku, Dairoku, and Hayanari.

'That Homura chick. She expressed her desire for justice.' Umeji recalled Serena's tough and determined expression when she read a page about justice in front of the class yesterday. 'It looks like she'd be difficult to eliminate because obviously, she'd opposed her brother joining the delinquents, the outlaws of Akademi high. Also, I can't forget about Masuyama. That bastard.' Umeji growled in anger. 'I will never forgive you, Masuyama.'

"Finally! It's break time!" Midori raised her arms up. "I'm hungry! Let's head over to a snack bar outside, Homura! Oh, do you want something? I'll buy it for ya! My treat!"

"There's no need, Miss Moriyama." Serena declined the snack offer politely. "I can buy my own snacks."

"If you say so," Midori pouted. "So, has any hot guy caught your eye yet?"

"Of course not. I'm not interested in dating," Serena was flustered. "I'm more into fashion design." She pulled out a sketchbook from her schoolbag and handed it to Midori. "Please take a look."

"Don't mind me!" Midori chirped. She was scanning through the pages. "Wow! This is so amazing! Did you design these clothes?!"

"Yes, I did." Serena smiled proudly. "I sketched whatever popup in my mind."

"You should be a fashion designer, Homura," Midori's eyes sparkled. "This is so cool. I'd totally buy an outfit from you one day."

"Thank you very much," Serena said. Her eyes were full of appreciation. "You're the first person who compliments my designs."

"No!" Serena screamed in terror as her bully ripped her precious fashion designs in front of her while the bully's friends snickered at her.

"Give it up. You will never become a fashion designer, Homura. Your designs are trash, just like you. Scums like you don't have the right to design clothes for the fabulous! It's the way the world is, Homura." The bully flipped her long pink hair. "Also, you're too ugly to get a boyfriend or a girlfriend."

Serena gasped and stared at her bully in terror. How did her bully figure out she was bisexual? Her heart was pounding out of fear. It'd be a matter of time before the whole school would know about this secret.

"I can't believe you're a half dyke. Horrible enough, you lied about my boyfriend sexually harassing you. You really do want attention, Homura. How pathetic. I wonder if your mother was also a slut before giving birth to a worthless slut like you."

Serena had finally snapped. All she could see was red. She jumped onto her bully, pushing her down, and started to beat the hell out of her while the bully's friends ran away, screaming for help.

"Homura, are you okay?"

Serena blinked, snapping out of it. She took a deep breath. She was having a flashback of her horrible middle school years. Midori was carrying her sketchbook while staring at her in concern. They were in the snack bar area.

"I'm fine, Moriyama. Thank you," Serena smiled. "Let's go wait in line and get our snacks."

"Got it." Midori grinned. "Oh, it's them." Her voice became dull. "The Gyarus."

"Who?" Serena observed a scene before her eyes.

Musume Ronshaku and her friends, Kashiko Murasaki, Hana Daidaiyama, Hoshiko Mizudori, and Kokoro Momoiro, walked passed the bystander students. The girls had dyed blonde hair with colorful streaks and tan skin. Each girl wore a colored sweater around their waist and carried a school bag with the same color as their sweater. The boys were drooling while the girls gazed with praise in their eyes.

"Just wow..." Serena was in awe as the boys and girls approached the Gyarus and started to ask them questions. "How unbelievable. They do have a good taste in fashion. I'll give them that."

"...Homura..."

"Yes, Moriyama?" Serena turned her attention to her classmate, who had a worried expression. "Something's wrong?"

"I suggest you keep away from those girls," Midori whispered. "I heard a rumor about Musume Ronshaku, the one in the blue. Her real name is Mutsumi Rokuda. Her father runs a loan shark called Rokuda Loans. They said if someone would dare to piss off Musume, she'd get her father to hire his henchmen to get rid of the problem."

"No way..."

"Also, Mr. Rokuda does shady stuff. He's greedy with money and is corrupted. He worked alongside a corrupted cop. Hoshiko Mizudori, the one in the green, is the daughter of that cop."

"...I don't feel like eating snacks now. I feel sick." Serena could taste the bitterness in her mouth. "Let's go."

"Can't blame you." Midori followed Serena the opposite way to ignore running into Musume, her friends, and the students. "There are indoor snacks and sodas inside the vending machines. I'm sorry. I should have thought of it first."

'Still, those girls reminded me of the bullies from middle school. They also had influence over social standing. I have no doubt. Those Gyaru girls are the most popular in Akademi high school, next to the heiress of the Saikou Corp herself, Megami Saikou.' Serena thought, clenching her hand. 'If the rumor is true, I have one more reason not to befriend Musume Ronshaku, as I will not tolerate abuse and corruption.'

"Homura?"

"I'm okay. I'm not mad at you. Let's head inside and get something to drink. I'm thirsty now." Serena flashed a smile at her classmate.

"Oh, okay!" Midori grinned happily.

Kaneyama was in the Japanese-style house, drinking and eating his favorite Doritos ranch-favored chips while chatting with Shima, Ryuji, Mana, and Uragi about fun stuff.

"So, any plans for lunch off campus?" Mana asked. "We can go together to eat something at that taco truck."

"But, isn't a senior supposed to be with us?" Uragi said, reminding Mana of the off-campus rules.

"We could always invite Kenko. He doesn't have to eat the tacos. He could just be there to eat his healthy bento box. He's a senior, so we'd have an excuse to leave the campus." Mana grinned cheerily. "He's going off campus with Yuna anyway."

"Well, dude?" Ryuji looked at Uragi.

"Sure." Usagi shrugged. "I told the Sports guys I'd be chilling with y'all today."

"Well, Ann will be with her friends, so I'm in," Ryuji added, eating a Granola bar. "How about you two?" He turned his head toward Kaneyama and Shima.

"Sure!" Shima raised her hand. "I'd love to join y'all!"

"Tacos, fool? Of course, I'm so joining in!" Kaneyama smirked thrillingly. "Don't cha ya dare to leave me behind, fools!"

Everyone laughed. Kaneyama liked these people so far. They'd so much fun to hang out with. They finished their snacks and drinks on time when the bell rang. It was time for the third and fourth-period classes. They groaned in disappointment.

Hanako and Osana were heading toward her third-period class with Suzume. The girls were carrying their notebooks and books. Minami joined them in the walk. They strolled to the second floor, where their next class was located.

"So, how've things been with you, Minami?" Hanako asked in curiosity.

"Oh, Hanako. Things have been great." Minami nodded with a kind smile.

"Hey, Minami." A feminine voice called out.

"Yes," Minami turned around to face her friend, Otome Katou, and her other friends, Natsumi Koizumi, and Kumi Mori. "I know. I will meet you girls at the gate at lunchtime."

"Good," Otome smiled at her. Then, she eyed Suzume, who reacted with a blink of curiosity. "So this is the girl who spoke to Sora this morning."

"Yes," Suzume confirmed. "Are you a close friend of Mizukawa? I noticed you were referring to him by his given name." She smiled at her. "It's nice to meet you. I'm Suzume Mizuno. It's nice to meet you."

"Hey," Osana stepped in front of Suzume protectively. "I know what this is about, Katou. Sora wouldn't appreciate you stalking him." She added boldly. This act caused some students to freeze in place. The bystanders were now interested in the scene. Some were whispering between them.

"S-stalking?!" Otome blushed at the accusation. She placed her hand on her chest. "As you know, Miss Najimi, I'm not a stalker. I just saw Sora with Miss Mizuno this morning." She shook her head sadly. "As you know, my heart belongs to Makoto Itou. You know that, right?"

"I know," Osana stared at Otome with a stern gaze. "And let's keep it that way."

"Of course," Otome agreed with Osana.

"Let's go, girls." Osana turned around while Suzume, Hanako, and Minami followed her. Once they were out of reach from prying ears, Osana turned her head towards Minami. "You need to keep your friends in check."

"Y-yes! Of course." Minami trembled nervously. "I apologize for the inconvenience." She downcasted her eyes in shame.

"Excuse me, Miss Najimi..." Suzume inquired. "What is Miss Katou to Mr. Mizukawa?"

Osana stared at her for a second. Then, she sighed. She placed her hand on her hip as she spoke.

"Ex-girlfriend, Miss Mizuno. I don't trust her after what she had done to him."

"What did she do to him?"

"She cheated on him with Itou."

Suzume gasped in shock as her eyes went widened. Osana sighed. This poor girl doesn't know Sora's troubled love life in the previous year. Even Hanako was surprised, while Minami's eyes were full of remorse. Suzume placed her clasping hand on her chest. She gazed at Osana in hurt.

"Is that why Mizukawa is cold to girls now?"

"Obviously," Osana answered. "However, it's much deeper than just the cheating, Miss Mizuno, but it's not my place to say." Osana suddenly became pale. "...In fact, I wasn't supposed to say he dated. Oops. He's going to be pissed at me. I've said too much."

"Don't worry, Miss Najimi. I won't mention it to Mizukawa. I should have just stayed oblivious to his love life."

"Hey, what's done is done," Hanako said, placing her hand on Suzume's shoulder. "Let's get to our classes before the tardy bell rings."

And the tardy bell indeed rang, causing the girls to scream as they ran to their classrooms.

"Sir, may I use the restroom?" Makoto asked his math teacher as he raised his hand.

"Sure, come to my desk so I can give you a bathroom pass, Itou." His math teacher answered, too busy grading his students' math problems to look at Makoto.

"Yes, sir." Makoto rose and walked to his teacher's desk. Once he was given a bathroom pass, he bowed his head. "Thank you, sir."

"You're welcome. Hurry back, lad. Stay out of trouble." His math teacher cautioned.

Makoto nodded and exited his classroom. He greeted a female student council member with a smile on the way and entered the boys' restroom. Once he was finished with his business, Makoto washed his hands at the sink. Then, he reacted to his reflection in fear. But, it wasn't his own reflection that scared him.

"Hey, bubby." Taisuke smiled happily, putting his arm around Makoto's shoulder. "Are ya going to say hi to us? It's been a long time since we had seen each other."

"Sawanaga, Toyama, Matsudaira, what are you guys doing here?" Makoto's eyes twitched as he stepped away in fear. You guys aren't students here..."

"Don't be cold, man," Toyama smirked. "We're just here to visit an old friend. That's all."

"Exactly," Matsudaira added, adding a smirk of his own.

"We're not friends..." Makoto bit his bottom lip, glaring at them. "Not anymore. So, you three should leave my school before I'd summon a student council member to report you assholes for trespassing!"

"So, you finally have the balls to stand for yourself, Makoto." Taisuke put his hands into his pockets as he stalked toward his ex-friend. "Why didn't you do that shit a year ago?"

"Because I was too preoccupied with my own shit, and now I regret it every damn day! I will never forgive you for what you have done to her, Taisuke Sawanaga!" Makoto screamed in rage, pointing his trembling finger at him. "You should be behind bars by now!"

"I don't know what you're talking about, bubby!" Taisuke shrugged his hands, tilting his head in insensibility. "I didn't commit a crime! Right, fellas?!" Taisuke eyed back at Toyama and Matsudaira.

"Innocent as heck," Toyama and Matsudaira said simultaneously, grinning filthily.

"You bastards," Makoto growled angrily. "Did you come here to mock me?!"

"Watch what you say, Makoto Itou," Taisuke pinned him against the wall threateningly. "I have the power to make you disappear, you know."

"More like the status power of those bitches from Akademi High." Makoto countered. "I'm not scared of you because you and your lackeys wouldn't be nothing without them!"

Taisuke clenched Makoto's throat and started to choke him.

"How dare you talk to me like that, you lowly piece of shit! Know your place, Makoto Itou!"

Makoto couldn't breathe. Toyama and Matsudaira were smirking and snickering. He couldn't believe he was friends with these horrible boys a year ago at Akademi High, and he had paid the price. This was his punishment.

"GET THE FUCK AWAY FROM HIM!" Ayato emerged and punched Taisuke in the head, causing Taisuke to release Makoto.

"Shit, boss." Toyama stepped away, only bumped into Yuuki Ashikaga.

"Oh, my. It's been a while, has it?" Yuuki adjusted his glasses. He glared at Taisuke, Toyama, and Matsudaira. "If you guys wanted to visit Makoto, you could have gotten permission from your high school. Now, I think about it, it'd be too dangerous to have you guys on this school's campus. So scram before I have the school call the police. This is the first and final warning. I will not hesitate to call the police if I see you guys on this school's campus next time."

"Fine! We're leaving!" Taisuke exclaimed cowardly. "Let's go, guys!" He and his friends dashed out of the boys' restroom.

Makoto was on his knee, coughing. He thought he was going to die. Thank goodness Ayato and Yuuki arrived in time. Yuuki bent down to place his hand on Makoto's shoulder.

"Are you okay, Makoto?" Yuuki asked, concerned.

"Yes, thank you." Makoto smiled weakly.

"It's no problem," Yuuki smiled. "It's my job as a student council member to ensure the safely of my fellow students."

"We should report this incident to the higher-ups, and I don't mean by the school staff," Ayato suggested.

"I already did it. I just texted our school council president," Yuuki showed a text on his smartphone. "Let her do the rest. After all, it is her job, not mine."

It was around noon in the City of Distance. A couple of black GLS SUVs arrived at an abandoned steel warehouse building discovered in a deserted area in the East End of Distance. The East End was known for its atmosphere of criminals and their crimes. A black G-Class black SUV arrived at the scene five minutes later. The driver stepped out and opened the door for his boss, Junya Kaneshiro. Kaneshiro's men also came out of their SUVs.

"All right, boys! The good shit should be in that storage!" Kaneshiro stepped out of the car. "Collect 'em rewards!" He took out his smartphone from his pocket and checked unanswered text messages. "Thanks to those gullible fools we dealt with." He smirked in triumph.

Kaneshiro's men opened the storage. There were stocks of cash and gold inside. The men gaped at the scene in awe. Suddenly a couple of police cars emerged from the corners of the area and stopped in front of Kaneshiro and his men. Police officers came out and pointed their handguns at them. Ryotaro Dojima and his partner, Tohru Adachi, arrived at the scene. They approached Kaneshiro and his men, holding their guns after stepping out.

"Well, well!" Kaneshiro shrugged his hands. "What do we have here? Do you ever get sick of interfering with my affairs, Ryotaro Dojima?"

"And do you ever get sick of exploiting innocent people, Junya Kaneshiro?!" Dojima countered back angrily. "You're under arrest for the crimes you've committed against humanity and your alliance with the Dove!"

"The Dove? I have no idea what you're speaking of," Kaneshiro laughed, mocking Dojima. "Does the police also falsify evidence?"

"Of course not!" Adachi spoke in defense of Dojima. "We just have spies!"

"Shut up, Adachi!" Dojima snapped at his partner.

"Sorry, Dojima!" Adachi shuddered in fear. "I've said too much! Oops!"

"What an incompetent fool of a partner you have there, Dojima," Kaneshiro smirked while his men laughed at Adachi. "Well, thanks for giving us a heads up about spies in the police force. You just made our jobs much easier."

"Enough of your chit-chatting! Get into the car now!" Dojima ordered infuriatingly.

"I apologize, Dojima," Kaneshiro grinned pompously. "but me and my men ain't coming with you and the police. Boys, you got your last resort?"

"Of course, boss!" A lackey answered proudly. "We've come prepared!"

Dojima's eyes widened in shock as he felt a sharp pain in his foot. He collapsed on his knees. He had just gotten shot in the foot. Adachi reacted alertly and called for the ambulance on his smartphone. Kaneshiro and his men threw smoke balls. The whole area was covered in white smoke. The police officers were coughing.

"Don't let them escape! After them!" Dojima called out in rage.

"Dojima! I called the ambulance! They will get here soon!" Adachi helped Dojima up and assisted him in walking to a safe spot. "Hang on. You'll be okay, Dojima."

"Thank you, Adachi." Dojima winced at him, still in pain from the gun wound. "That bastard! To think he had a sniper somewhere! Damn it!" He smashed his fist onto the ground. "No!" Dojima cried when he heard a painful groan from one of his men.

"Dojima! Our men are getting attacked in the white smoke!" Adachi gasped in terror. "I can see a shadowy figure!"

"DAMN IT ALL!" Dojima pointed his handgun and began shooting the shadowy figure. There were screams of pain, fear, and torment from his men.

Once the white smoke disappeared, Kaneshiro and his men disappeared, and there were dismembered bodies of the policemen on the ground. Dojima had a horror look in his eyes while Adachi covered his mouth and vomited. More police cars and an ambulance arrived at the warehouse building.

"How is this humanly possible...?' Dojima asked, his eyes twitching in despair.

It was only fifteen minutes left of classes before lunch. Suzume was in the bathroom, washing her hands. She gazed at her reflection in the mirror. She had a black smudge on her cheek. She took out a handkerchief from her blazer pocket. She moistened it with water and wiped the smudge away.

"You got to be fucking kidding me." Sora's voice was spoken from outside.

"Huh?" Suzume blinked in curiosity.

"Shut the fuck up, old man. I can talk to you how I fucking want."

Sora sounded furious. Suzume peeked outside and saw Sora leaning against the wall with his arms crossed while talking to his smartphone. He scowled.

"That's your fucking job, not mine. Why do you even bother talking to me when you do know goddamn well I fucking hate you, Father?"

'Mizukawa is having problems with his father?' Suzume thought in concern.

"Keep mother's name out of your filthy mouth, you bastard...Fine. You owed me big time." Sora growled before ending the phone call. "Huh?" He locked eyes with Suzume.

'Shit!' Suzume panicked. 'He caught me! He's going to be so angry with me now!' She covered her mouth as she trembled. 'What an idiot I am!'

"And here I thought you were Torayoshi." Sora sighed in relief. "Or worse, Murasaki." He added bitterly.

"I didn't hear anything." Suzume stepped out of the restroom. "Or see anything. Well, see ya." She quickly turned around.

"Wait."

"Yes?" Suzume responded to Sora nervously.

"How much did you hear?"

"As I say, I didn't hear or see anything. I have no desire to pry into someone's personal life." Suzume clasped her hands together tightly.

"So, you aren't the type to gossip."

"Of course not," Suzume looked at Sora over her shoulder, frowning at him. "Gossiping is distasteful."

"So, you won't say anything." Sora gazed at her cautiously. "That's good to know, I guess."

"See you at Study Hall," Suzume jogged to her classroom. 'That's right. It's none of my business what's going on between Mizukawa and his father. I won't even ask his older sister.' Suzume paused in front of her classroom door. 'Miss Katou...' Otome's face flashed in her mind. Suzume narrowed her eyes suspiciously. 'Could she have been the gossiping type? Well, no need for me to pry into Mizukawa's past.' Suzume entered the classroom and shut the door behind her.

"It is a good day for off-campus lunch, it is?" Roka asked happily.

"Yes," Kano nodded, eating a piece of a sandwich.

"It's good to be off campus." Ayato smiled. "The cafeteria food was getting too dull for my taste."

Roka, Kano, and Ayato sat on a bench together underneath a tree. They were at a playground park. The three decided to eat off campus. Unlike Akademi High's off-campus senior rule, Ytiniciv High students didn't need an upperclassman to leave the campus for their lunch hours.

"Wow, your bento box looks delicious, Kitsuregawa." A haughty voice spoke out.

"You," Roka lifted her head and saw Otome and her friends standing before her, Kano and Ayato. She scowled at Otome defiantly. "What are you here?"

"Oh, is that a way to greet an old friend?" Otome asked, glaring at Roka.

"Please do share some food with us," Kumi attempted to knock Roka's bento box off her lap, but Kano quickly stood and grabbed Kumi's hand. "Hey, get your filthy hands off me, you slut!"

"Oh?" Kano narrowed her eyes in a flash of anger. "Are you still delusional, Mori? You haven't changed." She gripped Kumi's hand tighter.

"You're hurting me!" Kumi screeched in pain.

"And your words didn't? Fuck you!" Kano countered.

"Aishi, please tell your friends to stop and listen to us." Natsumi eyed Ayato with a demanding glare.

"Nice try," Aishi stood to challenge her. "You have the nerve to come to my town to demand our spinelessness? Also, I see Obuchi

is still following you bitches like an obedient dog," " Ayato's gray eyes flashed dangerously at Minami, who gasped and looked away from him, embarrassed. "Think again, asshole," Ayato grimaced at Natsumi. "We will NOT give in to your ego-sick fantasies."

Natsumi gritted her teeth in humiliation. Kano released Kumi from her tight grip. Roka and Otome were glaring at each other.

"So I heard your mother is still a slut," Otome smirked spitefully. "It'd be a matter of time until you become one just like her."

"And I heard you are still obsessed with the younger Mizukawa twin," Roka's expression darkened as she smirked at Otome derisively. "How pathetic. You really do need to get a life, Katou. It's unhealthy to chase after a boy who wants nothing to do with you."

"You!" Otome flinched as she clutched her fists. "How dare you speak to me in that way!"

"I'm human like you, Katou. I can speak to you however I want."

"You bitch."

"Hmph." Roka's lips turned into a smirk.

"I see your mother is still sleeping with men," Kumi attempted to say something hurtful to Kano.

"Yeah, so? I stopped giving a single shit since I moved out of that shithole." Kano gives her a sullen look apathetically. "You seemed to be obsessed with someone's sex life. Maybe it is because you are having troubles yourself?"

Ayato burst out in laughter while Roka grinned proudly at Kano for the comeback. They could see the rage on Otome's, Natsumi's, and Kumi's expressions. Minami looked quite frustrated. As if she wanted to speak out. Instead, she stomped on her foot, biting her bottom lip.

"Oh, Obuchi. Got something you want to say?" Ayato noticed her reaction with a sheer. "Maybe it is time to tell these assholes how you really are about being part of their shitty clique."

"Shut the hell up, Aishi!" Otome bellowed at him. "Don't you even dare try to turn my friend against us!

"Yeah!" Kumi growled. "Minami is our friend! She'd never betray us!"

"Damn right," Natsumi added. "We do trust Minami."

"So, it is okay for you to break up a certain pair's friendship, but we can't do the same to Obuchi?" Kano asked in disgust. You all are fucking hypocrites."

Otome widened her eyes at Kano. Her face became pale.

"You know who I am talking about, Katou. You bitch. I will never forgive you for what you've done."

"But, that was Murasaki's fault, not...mine." Otome stepped away from Kano, fear appearing on her face. "I didn't mean-"

"Katou," Roka shot at her angrily. "You and your friends need to leave. NOW."

"SCRAM," Ayato ordered harshly.

Otome, Natsumi, Kumi, and Minami stomped away. Ayato, Roka, and Kano decided to head back to campus as their lunch period was also almost over. They couldn't eat their lunches, thanks to the disturbance from their former bullies.

'Assholes. Think they can still ridicule us. ' Ayato smirked wickedly. 'We got 'em good.'

A/N: I did a oopies. I revealed a hint of the character's pasts and another hint of a future event in this crossover fanfiction. Originally these hints would be revealed in the later chapters but since I revealed these hints too early, I feel like this crossfic will be shorter than I originally planned. I guess things don't always go according to plan. Tee hee hee. Also, I'd reread the chapter two times and did some edits and my writing skills still look like shit. Oh well.