#w.Ali

[kakiokuru]

NOBORIZAKA: NOVEMBER RAIN

Chapter Fourteen | Healthy Bodies

“Naachan!! Stay in bed!!”

Kazumi did her best to hold the restless patient in bed, her booming voice echoing off the walls. It hadn’t been more than three hours but Nanase could hardly stand to lay down in silence anymore. With the painkillers in her system finally working to the best of their abilities, she was more than prepared to hop out of the bed and join a fight she had no place in. “It’s been too long! What if she needs me? Get off!!” Nanase hissed, holding her bandaged side as she fought to sit up in the hospital bed despite her classmate pressing her palms on her shoulders. “Yumi needs my help!! Kazumin, I feel fine!!”

“Have faith in Waka!! She won't lose!!” Kazumi gripped her shoulders and gave a firm shove, holding back as much strength as she could. “Lay down!! Or you’ll open your stitches!!”

Nanase let out a soft growl, gripping her side with a small wince. “I don't give a shit-- Yumi needs me--” Nanase reached up and pushed with desperation, Kazumi being forced to retaliate by grabbing her wrists.

“Naachan, cut it out!!”

“Quit yelling.” The door slid open. “You two are in a hospital, remember?”

The two paused mid fight, looking over with guilty expressions. There stood Yumi, with little damage to her and a bag of treats from the convenience store. She shut the door behind her, sighing at the sight. “You two really are hopeless.” Striding to the table, she lay out the array of snacks and juices. “Is anyone else here yet?”

“Ah, No! Nanamin said if everyone showed up and crowded the hospital it would be a bad idea, so they’re visiting at separate times tomorrow!” Kazumi moved away from Nanase, letting her fall back on her own. “I reassured them not to go out of their way to come here anyways, since Naachan is super tough!”

“I really do feel fine…” Nanase sighed softly, hiding her wince as her hand fell over her bandages once more. With Yumi in the room, Nanase felt uneasy. Knowing she was well and fine, caused her worry to turn to anxiety. Anxiety of having to face Yumi. But there was no getting around it, nowhere to run. “Kazumin.” Nanase mumbled her name, her opposite arm falling over her eyes. “Can we have some privacy for a little while?”

“Yeah, sure! Ill lock the door so no one can bother us–” Kazumi smiled brightly, reaching for the lock.

Yumi stuck her hand out, shaking it slightly. “That’s not what she meant, Kazumin…” Shoving her hand on her skirt pocket, she fished out some coins and dropped them into the tall girl’s hands. “Here, I forgot energy drinks for tonight.”

Kazumi paused. “Wait. Oh– Oh!!” Her eyes turned into sunrises as she bowed apologetically. “Sorry! Sorry, I'll go give you some time alone!” Kazumi fumbled over to the snack table, scooping a large portion of the snacks into her arms. “Thank you Waka-sama!” She beamed before rushing out.

Yumi couldn’t help but laugh and shake her head, taking a seat beside her bedridden companion. “How do you feel?”

“I’ve been better.”

“That’s for sure, she really did a number on you.” Yumi tilted her head, her eyes scanning over each bruise and newly formed cut. She had never seen Nanase so broken up. Even though she had already gotten her revenge, the sight still made her blood boil. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there fast enough…”

“Don’t be, I’m not your responsibility.” Nanase let out a soft groan, stretching her arms upward. “I would have won if she didn’t use a dirty trick, so don't think I’m weak or anything.” She gently let her hands fall across her chest, lolling her head to the side, staring at the wall.

“Yeah, Yeah, I’m sure.” There was the haughty personality Yumi was used too. She couldn’t help but crack a small smile, edging her chair closer. “But it doesn’t change the fact you were caught, I thought maybe losing a little would humble you. Even if it would be just a little.”

“I told you didn’t I? I would have won if she wasn’t a cheater!” Nanase huffed, glaring daggers into the other.

Yumi rolled her eyes. “I guess it didn’t work.” She mumbled under her breath, crossing her arms across her chest. Walls were being built again, Yumi could see it. It seemed old habits die hard, even after trauma. “You said you wanted to talk, didn’t you? You need to stop putting up an act then.”

Nanase glanced at her from the corner of her eye. Yumi was right. She exhaled, lowering her arms. “Sorry.” Breaking down walls when Nanase put them up was almost impossible. But Yumi knew how to tear them down, or at least crack them. Nanase opened her mouth to speak but closed it as quickly as she did, her lips scrunching with uncertainty. She didn’t know where to start.

This would take some time, wouldn’t it? Yumi exhaled, walking over to the visitor’s chair next to the bed. “Take your time. Just know that Kazumin will be back sooner than later once the money and snacks run out.” Yumi tried to meet her eye, even when Nanase looked away. “Here, I’ll start.” Yumi straightened out, clearing her throat. “I shouldn’t have pushed your buttons.” Her voice was calm, steady. Clearly something she had practiced in her head. “ I was trying to get a rise, I wanted your jealousy because it was the closest thing I could get to what I really wanted.”

“And what exactly is that?”

“Your real love.” Yumi spoke without hesitation, clearly as if she rehearsed it in her head. “No walls, no hiding anything, just the feeling of being seriously loved by you. After two years I thought I had more than earned it.” Yumi tilted her head to the side, a small smiling of sincerity creeping up. “It’s all I ever wanted.” She smiled as she remembered the feelings she had felt back then, licking her lips as her smiled wavered. “Being rejected like that really hurt my pride. Knowing for the first time I loved someone who couldn’t give that same feeling back. It really hurt.” Yumi cleared her throat, rubbing the back of her neck. “At least when I made you jealous or angry I could see that you cared. Not exactly the same, but at the time it made sense.”

“Anyway.” Yumi instantly cleared her throat, forcing a reassuring smile. “Your turn.”

“A-Ahh–” Nanase fidgeted with the bed sheets, still pondering where to start. This was why talking was so hard and took so long. She had things she wanted to bring up, but the words kept getting stuck in her throat. How did Yumi make it so easy? It was like her nerves were on fire. This was much easier when she was barely awake. She glanced around the room nervously, curling her lips inward before opening her mouth once more.

“I’m– Sorry.”

Yumi cocked her eyebrow. “That’s all?” Yumi knew there was more than that. Nanase had also done a lot wrong. “You don’t have to hold back, it’s just me.”

“That’s the problem.” Nanase whined softly while mumbling, her fingers kneading at the sheets nervously. She furrowed her brow in frustration. “I didn’t– … All the things I did– I didn’t mean what I said.”

“Which time.”

Nanase flinched slightly. She wanted specifics. Of course she did. “All of it. Everything I said back then.”

“Well, that much you made clear when you were high on painkillers.” Yumi leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees. “Nanase, come on.”

Nanase closed her eyes, her fingers curling in and out against her palms. She took a deep breath, attempting to steady herself. Opening her eyes, she found it nearly impossible to lift her gaze even slightly towards the girl. Her hands began to tremble and her throat closed up once more. God she hated confrontation. “You–”

“Go on.”

Why was looking at Yumi so hard? She had to peel this off like a bandage. She took one more pause to clearly sort her thoughts. “You are worth it.” She spoke clearly, fighting to keep her gaze off of her hands in her lap. It was always this way when Yumi tried to tear down her barriers and protective walls. Nanase wanted to let her, god, she wanted her to read her mind. Just see exactly how she was without words, like a manga. But in reality, that isn't how people work. “I didn’t mean what I called you in the courtyard, or the club room.”

“That’s all?” Yumi was happy with the apologies, but she knew there was more underneath her sorries.

Nanase shook her head. “I shouldn’t have taken my frustrations out on you.” Raising her hand, she tucked her short hair behind her ear.  “You didn’t deserve to have things thrown at you. I shouldn’t have made you a scapegoat for my own problems either.” Nanase let the words fall out of her mouth, feeling her chest well up. “I let my resentment get the better of me.”

“Well I’m glad you realized that much.”

Nanase finally met her eyes, her own starting to water with self realization.  “Because I was angry and cocky I lost my fight and you had to help me out. I failed everyone.” Her voice began to raise as her frustration with herself started to get the better of her. “I ruined how our friends see me and you, I could have gotten the people in our school really hurt because I always go too far!” She sat up sharply, ignoring the stinging from her side. “I screwed up and I ruined what we had, and I can't take back what happened.” Tears rolled down her cheeks one by one as her back fell back against the pillow. “I screwed us up because I couldn’t admit I was scared.”

Yumi raised a brow slightly. That was new. “Scared? Of what?”

“I’ve never been in love before.” Nanase rubbed at her wettened cheek with her palm. “I didn’t want you to be disappointed by me, or targeted by yankee’s.” She pulled the cloth of her hospital gown to her face, drying the last droplets on her cheeks. “I couldn't help but think of all the things that could go wrong. I got scared and couldn’t help but feel cornered. You looked really expectant..”

Yumi tensed slightly. She supposed that made sense, but she never thought that could be the reason. “I didn’t mean to make you feel that way.” Yumi ran her hand through her hair, resting her palm over her eyes. “That wasn’t my intention at all, no wonder you lashed out..”

“It’s not your fault, I can’t blame you for admitting something like that.” Nanase tilted her head towards her. “Being beaten, feeling real fear, it really put some things into perspective for me.”

“I can say the same thing.” Yumi nodded. “When I saw the blood, I lost control. I didn’t realize how scared even I was until I had you in my arms.”

Nanase shot her gaze up. “You? Scared?” She scoffed. “Impossible.”

Yumi couldn’t help but smile. “Even if my nickname says otherwise, I can be shaken.” She carefully leaned over the bed, grasping Nanase’s hand in her own. “Not often, obviously, but you are a special case for me.”

Nanase couldn’t help but smile herself, still turning her face away slightly. “I really messed things up, didn’t I?” Her face turned in discomfort and regret. “It’s too late for us, isn’t it? After everything that's happened.”

“It’s never too late.” Yumi shook her head slightly.  “I wouldn’t have saved you if I didn’t still care or have hope.” Her thumbs gently ran over Nanase’s hands. “If it means anything, I never stopped loving you.” Yumi scanned her eyes over Nanase’s wound. For the inevitable scars, Yumi would never forgive herself. The markings on her wrist would always be her painful reminder. “I don’t think I ever will stop loving you.” Yumi paused, her hands drawing back. “Even if you reject me a thousand times.”

Feeling the warmth leave her hands, Nanase’s fingers instinctively reached out. Yumi was normally open with exactly how she felt at all times. But, hearing that deary weight in her voice was disheartening. Nanase let out a soft grunt in discomfort as she sat up fully. “I think.. I denied you more than enough times when you confessed first year.”

Yumi laughed, shifting onto the bed. “Even then, I couldn’t give up on you that easy. I think this will be a trend until I die.” She smiled in admiration, her hand gently pushing the hairs from Nanase’s face.

To be continued…

[kakiokuru]

NOBORIZAKA: NOVEMBER RAIN

Chapter Thirteen | My Most Precious Person

The PA shut off and idle chatter filled the halls. Someone had trespassed on school grounds and created unrest in what was supposed to be a restful school. Confusion settled in as to what was happening and why. However, Yumi heard none of it, the only thing she could hear was her heart was beating in her ears. Her blood began to pump warm to her face and she couldn’t shake this sense of dread and worry. She knew about this Magic girl, actually took the time to study on her and figure out her ways. It all concluded to the fact that she was a cheat and dangerous if you weren't smart. And Nanase wasn’t smart once you knew how to get under her skin. Yumi knew the scout best and she was going to lose if she didn't find her fast. She needed protection and Yumi would still give it to her. Whatever their problems were and all the wrong that was said didn’t matter anymore. Yumi still cared for her, and will still protect Nanase to the end.

She bolted down every hall, checked every room, all to find this supposed secret location within the building. She was supposed to know Noborizaka’s grounds like the back of her hand, how was she to know that it would be the old room from a dissolved first year class? She only glimpsed in from the jarred doorway for a moment, the sound of a heavy strike that caused a disgusting crack echoed to her ears, it was all it took.

Her eyes shrouded in red, tunnel vision with her sights set and she instantly burst through the door gap and lunged at the magic girl’s slender throat. Yumi’s slender but strong fingers gripped so tight around her neck, like she was threatening to permanently crush her windpipe. Before Magic could even attempt to resist her, Yumi slammed her head into the nearby metal filing cabinet over and over, indenting the girl’s face into the surface with a crimson splatter. Magic’s body squirmed with near lifelessness but Yumi continued her attacks, tangling the hand previously on her neck into the wavy locks to face her again and reeled her other fist back. Unleashing three powerful strikes to the magic girl’s face resulted in a bloody, swollen visage and a broken nose. When she finally released the knotted mess of hair, the magician’s body collapsed limp, out cold but still breathing somehow. Good, at least she wasn’t dead.

Exhaling a breath to calm her wired instincts, and waiting for her vision to clear, Yumi kneeled down to a knee and began to loot the girl’s pockets, fishing the handcuff key from her pink jacket. Magic may have been a yankee but at least as a magician, she was smart enough to carry it on her. However as she held the key between her fingertips, she caught sight of the red stains that painted her knuckles, even underneath her fingernails. She’d have to give herself a good cleaning after. She also would have to to return the girl later to where she belonged soon, but right now someone else was more important to her. 

Looking at Nanase was almost too difficult for her. She hadn’t seen her this damaged in… ever. The most she had witnessed was a bloody lip and a bruised cheek, sometimes even a bleeding nose. Yet the sight before her made her own chest hurt, as if feeling the broken rib within herself. Yumi took another deep breath and approached her chained former lover, gently trying to brush her bangs from her face for further inspection of Nanase’s state. Sweaty hair clinging to her swollen cheeks, her uniform stained with dirt and blood, glass imbedded in her hand while her wrist was mangled from fighting the steel restraints. This wasn’t war anymore, beyond it. Majijo would pay dearly.

Finally, Yumi jammed the silver key into the keyhole and twisted to release Nanase from the shackles. “Don't worry, I’ve got you…” She whispered softly as one arm tucked under her legs and another around her mid-back, pressing the scout into her frame. Yumi laid a small kiss to her head, pressing off the floor to carry the broken girl to the infirmary for care.

Nanase wasn't ready to fight someone like Magic, who relied on tricks and traps to fight her opponents. That much was clear and Yumi couldn’t take a loss of Nanase’s like that without acting on her own. However, before revenge was even an option, Yumi had to make sure Nanase was properly tended to.

She had seen hundreds of unfair fights, more of untreatable injuries, and even a few deaths. Yankees are still wild animals, driven by their emotions and pride. Yumi’s only difference from them was that Nanase was her pride, despite the circumstances of their current relationship. However, her pride had been damaged and she couldn't properly fight, knowing she could become a statistic. She had to get her to the infirmary at the very least, she can convince the nurse to keep quiet about this. The hospital was out of the question. Too messy, too complicated. The last thing they needed was the police snooping into yankee affairs.

“Yumi…?”

A soft, tired, voice dragged her from her thoughts and her attention snapped downward. Had she been awake this entire time? Yumi tightened her hold, her thumbs gently caressing the skin they came in contact with. “Don't speak. We’re almost to the nurse's office.” Yumi kept her voice low, letting her beloved's head fall against her chest. The more she gazed upon her and her wounds, the angrier she was becoming. She could have prevented those injuries if she found her sooner, she could have been safe.

Yumi kicked the infirmary door open, the reek of sterile supplies and bleach stung her sense of smell. Nanase must have cleaned up recently. No nurse again today. Sometimes being a self-sufficient school really put a wedge in plans. Scuttling in, she gently lay her on the fresh white sheets of the bed. She must have already let the exhaustion get to her, she would have argued or yelled at her by now. But it was better she did stay quiet. Yumi was a horrible medic, couldn’t do much for her on her own, but the least she could do was wash the blood from her cheeks and extract the glass from her palm. With care, she wrapped her hand with a bandage as tight as she saw Nanase would do for her when she got injured. Pressing her lips to her forehead, she whispered softly to the resting girl as she gently ran her hand against the damp but clean cheek.

“I’ll be back in an hour. Just hold tight, okay?”

No answer, but as it should be. While she would have liked to stay at her side longer to make sure she was properly bandaged, Yumi had more pressing matters to attend to. She would have to call Reika to keep an eye on her while she was gone. She slowly lifted the blanket over her resting companion and speeded out of the nurse’s office while making the necessary calls. 

Of course she still had the matter of the magician’s limp body in the old classroom, laying in probably by now a puddle of her blood. Sliding the door open, Yumi knelt beside the body, nudging the girl for a reaction. A bit of a wheeze but still out cold. Yumi weaved her hand through the matted hair to grasp the collar of her uniform. With ease, she pulled the dead weight out of the room, and dragging her off the property. She’ll come back to clean up the blood later, try not to leave a trace. Or have Kazumi do it if she bribed her with free croquettes from her favourite shop. Yeah, Kazumi was the right idea.

Swiftly, she made it a point to return the magical girl all the way back to her school, even through public streets and neighbourhoods. She couldn’t care less about who saw her, only that she would make it to her destination no matter what obstacle stood before her. Any yankee who crossed her path immediately gave way upon seeing the Majijo uniform and pink jacket she dragged behind her. The sight of their Queen in such a destroyed state, it caused a stir so violent that prompted immediate attention from higher ups. They couldn’t believe their eyes, a Noborizaka to cause such destruction on a person. No one dared to touch or even interact with Yumi or Magic, not until they finally managed their way to the base of Rappappa’s stairs where she was greeted by the shambles of who remained up top.

“Here.” Effortlessly, Yumi threw Magic’s body into the remainder of the Hinabe teams that stayed on grounds, using themselves to cushion her landing. “Get her to a hospital, I won’t be responsible for murder. And next time, don’t ever trespass on private property.” Her tone, her aura, her attitude, all so… eerily calm. Composure that would match any self-respecting Noborizaka lady would have. Yet, the hateful burn of eyes driving daggers into Otabe face as she stood silently at the top explained all too well just how much rage was whirling inside her. Yumi did well to control her urges that screamed at her to rip out everyone’s throat right then and there. She was still a yankee at heart. “I’ll be back tomorrow.”

However, the chipper lisp of the shaggy haired, chest-baring girl stepped into Yumi’s line of sight, wearing her signature grin. “This will be fun, I’ll be waiting~”

Katsuzetsu would be her opponent next. Seeing her as she is, she could tell they had a lot more in common than she would like to admit. Without another word, Yumi turned her heel and made her exit.

Immediately, Yumi returned to the infirmary to find Reika sitting at Nanase’s bedside, tapping away at her tablet. No doubt she was arranging for a hospital that would keep Nanase’s situation quiet, against Yumi’s wishes. Though, the yankee knew better, Nanase had a broken rib and would probably need stitches for her hand and wrist. No amount of gauze and disinfectant could measure up to a true doctor’s care.

“She’ll be okay. She’s Nishino-san. The only one tougher than her is you.” Reika comforted softly as she stood next to Yumi who watched paramedics enter and gurney Nanase out. From the window, Yumi nervously watched her disappear into the private ambulance. Reika gently placed a hand against her shoulder. “I’ll let you know when you can see her as soon as I can.” She hated seeing her crush so worried, but these were facts. The only thing she could offer to bring her peace.

“You didn’t see her… But thanks, Reika.” After watching the vehicle blare off, she silently sighed and turned to face the school president. Revenge and unshakeable resolve burned behind her eyes. “For now, tell me everything you know about Katsuzetsu.” Majijo still had to pay.

Reika dug up as much information she could about the Hakata-born female, feeding it directly to Yumi as soon as she was done screening it. And the yankee soaked it all up like a sponge. However, it would all be be put to the test come tomorrow. Katsuzetsu was unpredictable which meant one mistake could cause the tide to drastically turn. But the bespectacled girl believed in Yumi, just like she did in her.

The next morning came as well as a chilly breeze of the winter season. The private hospital that housed Nanase remained as quiet as ever save for the occasional soft beeping monitors from various rooms and facilities. The doctors were quick in their efforts, skillfully patching the student with haste and sure enough, all she was settled in her own room with some much needed bed rest.

The sunlight that peeked through the curtains, the beams stirring the groggy scout awake by the end of the tenth hour. Squinting, her eyes carefully surveyed the room. Pure white posters or decorations, comfortable furnishing, sterile and clean, along with the sour scent of alcohol and hand sanitizer. A hospital room that looked more expensive for the average citizen but well provided for their patients. Reika must have arranged this if she were in this kind of medical facility. Slowly shifting her head, she spied Yumi as her site at her side, curled up and asleep in the visitor’s chair with a hospital-provided blanket over her shoulders. So it was Yumi who decided to give Nanase true medical care, surprising too since she wasn’t a fan of hospitals. But for that, Nanase was thankful for the care she was given. She groaned softly, raising her binded up hand with some difficulty. So many bandages, she wondered how severe the damage done was. This morning was going to be hell, she just knew it.

Nanase attempted to sit up using the support of her good arm but an unforgiving sharp pain in her chest sent her back onto the mattress with a loud groan. “God…! Fuck me…!” She cried out, gripping her wrapped abdomen. Definitely broken and definitely hell. Her body trembled for a moment as she tried to steady herself back into a somewhat comfortable position. Everything stung with each slight movement, with each jolt of of her nerves cementing the realization of how much trouble she had caused and the result of the consequences. She looked to the other girl with tears forming in her eyes from the pain. “Yumi… Wake up…” Her voice was soft in volume but rough in texture, still weary from her fight. Nanase reached her hand out, attempting to rouse her to make the pain stop. So many things she wanted say, tell her, even if she didn’t have the right to be listened to by someone like Yumi.

Carefully, her bandaged hand found its way around Yumi’s fingers hanging off the arms of the chair, hooking on tightly as if they were dear life. In her sleep, Yumi unconsciously curled her fingers around Nanase’s like an old habit difficult to quit. All night she had sat in that chair, waiting for some sign of life to reveal itself past the heart monitor beeping.

“Nana… se…?” Yumi scrunched her brow, stirring with a soft groan. “Ah, you’re up… How do you feel?” She groggily spoke as her yawn drawled out her words and rubbing the sleep out of her eyes.

“Better… now that you’re…” here. Nanase’s voice trailed off quietly.

“Mm…” Her head nodded, followed by a small shake side to side to awaken her senses. “That’s good.” Yumi sat up in her seat, stretching out an arm above her head and her back with an arch. “That means I can fight without any distractions.” With that small confirmation, Yumi rose from her seat, patting down her navy skirt neat. “Rest easy, okay? I’ll be back and with a win.”

“You're going to fight?” Nanase tightened her fingers around the other’s when she left them loosening around her. She refused to let go, there was still so much to say that needed to be said and they couldn’t wait until she came back should something happen. “Wait, don't go yet.” With what little strength she still had, she pulling her slightly closer to her bed and she attempted to sit herself up. “We need to talk… I’m sorry. I… I need you…”

Yumi paused, her eyes widening slightly as her gaze locked onto Nanase’s weak and defeated expression. This was new, Yumi had never heard Nanase ever apologize before for as long as she had known the girl, even before their getting together. For anything. She was always a go-getter, no look backs, no regrets type of person. Different now, but somehow for the better.

Her heart swelled for a moment, a small smile growing. “We’ll talk when I win. For now, just wait and get some rest.” The yankee released her fingers from the scouts grasp only to gently lay her back down and tuck her back in. “I’ll call the others to keep an eye on you. Kazumin will never let me hear the end of it if I didn’t call her first. You know how she is.”

Nanase couldn't help but smile back, imagining the loud-fest the tall girl would cause. Since when was the last time she smiled because of something Yumi had said and wasn’t tease? She hadn’t felt like this in a long while, the silent loving feeling the two shared, Yumi’s uncharacteristic sincerity and care. Despite everything, she knew the other still cared. And for that, she wanted to go with Yumi and watch her fight but just this once, she won’t argue with her. She’d only be a distraction.

Giving the sheets a light pat, Yumi turned her heel and heading for the door. “I’m off then.”

Mumbling from under the blanket, Nanase watched her go. “Don't die.”

“And leave you alone? Never. I’m not unbreakable for nothing. Who do you think I am?”

“Stupid…”

Yumi left with a smirk as she shut the door, watching her until her vision was blocked. Out of sight and out of mind, Yumi could focus on bringing home the win.

It took no more than twenty minutes to reach to Majijo grounds on foot, the cold breeze blowing past her as she stood in front of the gate, waiting to be acknowledged. Almost instantaneously, she caught the eye of literally all those who decided to attend school at this hour. After all, she was the one who ‘escorted’ Magic back. The death glares, the shrieking threats, the poisonous atmosphere, none of it phased her, not like she’s never been through this before. Here, she was completely in her element.

Yumi leaned against the stone post as she watched for her intended rival, only to hear a small snicker from her left. Turning her head, her eyes laid on the same short shaggy-haired girl with her bandaged chest exposed and her uniform top hanging off her shoulders. That lopsided grin plastered on her lips along with her lustful eyes scanning her body carefully was enough to cement what kind of person Yumi’s opponent would be. She pushed off the wall faced her, greeting her with her own smirk.

“Took you long enough.”

Katsuzetsu huffed with amusement. “Should I apologize? Not used to the whole, ‘someone is waiting for me’ crap.”

“Let’s just get it on.” Yumi rolled her eyes.

“In rush, are we? What happened to those fiery eyes and anger I saw yesterday? I liked it~” A backhand swung in her direction, her stepping just out of the way for it to miss. Katsuzetsu’s brow raised in piqued interest as she adjusted her top properly on her shoulder. There was passion behind what she saw yesterday, she was glad to see it was still there now. “Oh, scary~” Grabbing Yumi’s hand gently, her other hand pointed a thumb towards the inner facilities of the school building. “Let’s go somewhere more… private.”

This time, Yumi’s brow arched but with amusement, yanking her hand back as she followed Katsuzetsu into the school gymnasium. Various sports balls, equipment, and mats lay about on the scuffed floors that oh-so needed a waxing, as well as the pitiful state of said object spread around with reckless abandon. None of it all looked appropriate for use at all. A beyond complete contrast to the state of things at Noborizaka and maybe it was the prim and proper in her but she she was more than grateful to be sent to her current school than choosing to come here.

“Not an ideal date spot but at least we can be alone. Though, I wouldn’t mind a few extra pairs of eyes watching.”

Yumi scoffed. “Of course you wouldn’t.”

“Talking like you know me? Wouldn’t be surprised if you were one of my ‘friends’.”

“Hah, in your dreams.”

“Don’t tempt me~” Katsuzetsu licked her lips.

She was exactly as Yumi imagined, a cocky, arrogant, promiscuous homosexual. Owns it too, Yumi had to give her credit for that. Reminds her of a little of herself at a certain point of her life. Minus the sexual innuendo that habitually fell out of her mouth. She was starting to understand more and more of what Yumi’s possible future would have been like if her past self did come here. In all honesty, if she had she could have found herself entangled with the likes of Katsuzetsu, in more ways than one. And enjoy it. Such a thought almost sent shudders down her spine. For the first time ever, she had to thank her parents for stepping in.

“Look, I have a place to be and someone to see. Let’s get on with it.”

“The damage did on Magic, that was beyond just a yankee fight. She challenged the shitty brat who broke Uonome’s leg and then she comes back like that? I can tell, that girl can’t have done that.” Shifting her weight on her heels, Katsuzetsu tilted her chin upward. “So what? You two used to fuck or something?”

Once more, Yumi rolled her eyes as she rolled up her sleeves and brushed her hair back with her fingers, approaching the girl until merely two steps from the other. “Wouldn’t you like to know.”

“I would actually, want to if you’re available. Or not. I can work with either if whatever relationship you two have allows it.” The Majijo girl shrugged, letting her uniform slip of her shoulders to the floor. “See, I’m in an open partnership with–”

“Just shut up and put up.”

Yumi then let loose her right fist just as fast as she cocked it back, aimed straight for the bandaged chest. Katsuzetsu swatted the arm away with her own to throw the Noborizaka yankee’s weight down with her, launching her knee into gut. Yumi took the blow, wrapping her arms around the limp once it made contact with her stomach and lifted her enemy off her feet and dropping her on her back. While Katsuzetsu took a split second to catch her bearings, Yumi came forward to stomp down on her only to miss when the downed opponent rolled away onto her knee.

“You like it like that? On the back?” Katsuzetsu smirked at the girl before her, panting.

Yumi scoffed, barely phased. “You always this lippy?”

“Someone has to fill the silence. I’m used to the quiet ones who are too shy to let loose.”

“… Okay, fair point.”

Katsuzetsu then charged at the younger girl, ramming her shoulder into her mid-section and forced her back into the wall, pinning her down on the surface. Grabbing hold of her shoulder, she fired punch after punch into Yumi’s face until one was dodged and was countered with a headbutt against her forehead, stumbling back. Yumi took the chance to grab the girl by her wraps to pulled her again, releasing a barrage of fists at the Majijo girl’s face and stomach, each hit more powerful than the last. Finally, she gave a heavy kick to the girl’s stomach, letting her fly when she finally released the fabrics.

Tumbling to the floor and coughing, the Hakata-born female picked herself up again and wiped the blood from her lip. She can feel the bruises on her cheeks forming, unable to remember the last time she was overwhelmed like that. “I’m curious, what do you even see in a shitty brat like her?”

“She’s pretty cute when she’s not shit talking or treating me like a trashcan.”

“What are you, an M?”

“Some shit happened, don’t want to talk about it.”

“Well, at least you have shit happen. Sakura barely gives me the time of day.”

Yumi snorted at the fact. “Sakura’s your girl? Fuck, you have awful taste.”

“She puts up a front but I’ve seen her soft side. I wouldn’t have transferred here without her giving me reason.” Katsuzetsu knew that all too well.

“I find it hard to believe she’s okay with an open relationship.”

“Whether she likes it or not, she’s not giving me away anytime soon.”

“Uh-huh.”

“At least Sakura loves me, she just won’t say it out loud.”

“And you’re sure?” Yumi snorted. “Shit, I thought that Nishino was a pain in my ass.”

“Enough talking.”

The Majijo girl charged once more at her rival with a vicious grunt. She kicked out her leg and Yumi was prepared for a frontal attack, but her foot aimed for Yumi’s calf to bend her knee, and as Yumi dropped, Katsuzetsu grabbed either side of her head and pushed her down into her fast, rising knee. No time to recover or register the surprising combination of actions, Katsuzetsu yanked the girl by her collar, blowing a heavy strike across the temple.

Yumi held herself up as the force sent her to the floor, shaking her head for her bearings to return. Suddenly she felt kick to her shoulders by a thick heel of Katsuzetsu shoe, causing her to roll over to her back. Promptly after, a heavy weight landed on top of her lower-mid section, looking above to see her enemy straddling her waist. She struggled to push her off, roll them both over to switch positions but her arms were pinned down by strong hands.

“Well, this is intimate.” The Noborizaka yankee groaned, resisting against her restraints. “This how you catch all your dates?”

Katsuzetsu smirked, leaning down slightly, shaking the comment off. “One thing about Sakura though, she doesn't want anything from me unless it's a fight. Sorry if it’s shameless, but you have to make the most of all interactions.” The Majijo girl held firm, adjusting her thighs over the girl. “Kind of annoying but it’s the way she is. Even after I came all this way from Fukuoka to see her.” Katsuzetsu scoffed, recalling their past meetings. “You know, just once I like to see her take charge in a relationship, or maybe even call me her girlfriend. But oh well, I can’t complain with what I get.”

The more Katsuzetsu rambled about Sakura, the more Yumi understood that even a carefree, horny, fighter had issues. Surprising, considering it was Katsuzetsu, since all she understood from what Reika told her was that she was completely flexible and goes with the flow most of the time. Too bad Sakura seemed like the type to trade Katsuzetsu for a half eaten, stale cheese puff if given the choice. And even then, Katsuzetsu looked like the type to skip back to her side with little care in the world for the transaction history. These two were hopeless, even more so than Yumi and Nanase.

Planting her feet firmly into the floor, Yumi used as much core strength she could muster into thrust the girl on top of her upward. The unexpected action caused her to topple over, Yumi taking the chance to ram the crown of her head into Katsuzetsu’s nose. With her opponent disoriented, Yumi shoved her knee into her spine as she reeled back from pain and finally threw her off her body.

Katsuzetsu tumbled to the floor, gripping her nose with a soft groan. “Fuck me.” She lowered her hand to see the blood caking her palm. “Fuck, even Sakura never went that far to get out of my hold. I think you broke my nose. Shit, what is your head made of, steel?” Flipping herself, Katsuzetsu rested on her elbows, scrunching her face to try and stop the blood. “I bet you’re real fun in the sack. That Nanase must be one lucky bottom.”

She rolled her eyes, not bothering to acknowledge the lewd comments. “Nanase is a little like that. Never says anything, does things on her own. When we piss each other off, we usually talk things out. Well, when she’s open to it.” Yumi propped herself up by the elbows, sitting herself up as she watched Katsuzetsu sit up next to her. “The last month has been the worst.” Rising to her feet, she patted down her skirt and fixed her red scarf. Strangely enough, she barely had any scratches on her aside from the bloody lip when she chomped down the muscle thanks to Katsuzetsu knee hit. “But now after the magic bitch beat her to shit, now she’s willing to talk. Stubborn brat always has to learn the hard way. Felt like I was dating a kid sometimes. Tell her I love her, she fucking cuts it off with me, and then she goes and holds my hand. Can’t stand the mixed signals she sends me, you know? She even wanted to come watch me fight.”

“At least you get signals.” Katsuzetsu shook her head, rolling her neck side to side with a stretch before standing herself. “But you said she became really friendly after she got the shit kicked out of her? Hah. Maybe if I lose Sakura will acknowledge me and come out of that shitty hostess bar.” She paused. “Actually. Do that. Beat me up.”

“Excuse me?”

“Beat the shit out of me.”

“You… want to lose…?

“It might be interesting, don’t you think? Sakura getting all worried about me. Your school getting closer too whatever the hell you want. Win-Win right?”

“You’re fucking kidding me?”

“Come on, just one good hit to my cheek to sell it. Give me all you got. I know you got it in you, don’t hold back.”

In all actuality, Yumi hadn’t even been using her full strength throughout this whole fight, but she swung an incredibly strong right hook into Katsuzetsu’s cheek. Unexpectedly, the girl did more than fumble to the side, being thrown off her feet upon impact and into the pile of sports equipment off to the side. Katsuzetsu lay limp among the soccer nets, ball racks, and floor mats. Looking at her hand, she noticed the blood splattered on her knuckles from whatever orifice from the girl’s face. Perhaps she used a little too much strength but she wanted her to sell it, right?

“That’s my win? I guess.” Yumi didn’t really expect the fight to go like this. But if it was this easy, the better, right? She could go back to the hospital and make sure Nanase was okay. Have that talk they needed. Yumi sighed and ran her hand through her hair. “See you then. Good luck with Sakura.”

“You too.” Katsuzetsu weakly threw her hand up as she turned away. “Hey… if things don’t work out… you can give me a call.”

Yumi couldn’t help but laugh at the thought. “Crazy… But thanks for the offer.”

To be continued…

[kakiokuru]

NOBORIZAKA: NOVEMBER RAIN

Chapter Twelve | Smoke and Mirrors

No one was surprised at the outcome of Sakurai Reika’s fight. Well, save for Majijo’s students. The details of how it was accomplished had been muddled and blurred quite a bit to save the girls’ face when they arrive back at Noborizaka. Nonetheless, it was a victory on paper and a victory well earned. As far as the world was concerned, the second step on the staircase of victory, much like the first, had been taken with ease. However, that in itself was a problem. News of the first Queen being taken down by the princess school's student president and assistant with little to no trouble spread like wildfire. Rumors of cheating or foul play were thrown around in casual conversation as well as who was going to be fighting next and against whom. Whether or not it would be a private of public match was yet to be seen. If Mai had it her way, they would wait another week before jumping into action again but with how quickly and easily they beat the first Queen and stair guards, of course Majijo wouldn’t stay quiet.

“Waka! You'll be next, right? Right?!” Kazumi bounced around the couch in glee, still ecstatic from the praise she was given after winning their fight. Once more all the girls were doing nothing other than lazing around in their clubroom, with the images of Majijo students projected onto the wall, a large red cross plaster over the fallen members.

“Hm? Ah, yeah. Sure, whatever.” Yumi nodded a couple times, her focus lost. Her eyes were searching unintentionally for the one thing not in the room.

“Idiot, we still have to prepare, it's only been a day. We need to recuperate and plan.” Erika interject, pointing her finger into her desk.

Mai exhaled softly with her arms crossed over her chest. “Magic is next. No doubt she will come to us before we go to her. Nishino, be prepared.” Mai craned her neck over when no response was given. “Nishino?” The room did feel a bit more empty, Mai looked to Erika for answers. Erika merely raised her brow in irritation, not having an answer.

“She isn't here.” Yumi sat up on the couch, running her hand through her hair. “She's probably on the roof, as far away from me as she can get.” With a low sigh, Yumi fell back once more with her forearm over her eyes. “Not my problem.”

“Eh, Waka–” Kazumi started.

“The shitty brat wants to play cocky and arrogant, let her.” Yumi finished.

There was an awkward silence, coupled with a heavy, uncomfortable tension looming in the room. Mai looked to Erika once more to urge her to slice the silence but pianist was too wrapped up in her frustrated feelings to even notice. Even Kazumi was burying her feelings in an extra large box of pocky she obtained at the convenience store.

“Well–” Reika opened her mouth to speak but was cut off quickly by the PA system’s melodic ringing throughout the rooms and corridors. Throughout the school, it started with a loud screech of feedback before the sound of sharp, foreboding clapping. All of the girls raised their head up in confusion, looking towards the PA speaker on the far end of their room. An announcement? Now? During free period? Unheard of. One that was so… bold? Something was off.

“Good morning, Noborizaka students.” A higher voice, taunting and arrogant in tone rang through the halls. “Today, your friend from Majisuka Girls Academy has a very exciting announcement! Today, the one and only Majikku Show will be performing for your special school!” The sound of clapping was heard before laughing. “However, it is invite-only and there’s only one premium ticket to the event and such ticket has be won by your very own Nishino Nanase-san!” Once more, laughter sprang from the speaker gradually becoming more and more grating on the nerves, purposefully so. “Nanase-san~! You’re the lucky winner! Congratulations~!”

Mai’s eyes widened perplexed. Here? Now? How did she just slip through the school’s security? The gates should have been closed and walls would have been too high for a regular yankees to make an effort to jump over. More than that, this girl had the nerve to infiltrate non-yankee territory and call out a fight during class hours? She clearly had no respect for Noborizaka or its rules.

The inside of Yumi’s chest churned with uneasiness, like a premonition, a sense that something horribly wrong would and will happen. She couldn’t shake it, couldn’t ignore it. Yumi rose to her feet, ripping her umbrella from the coat rack. “I'm going to look for her. That little shit couldn't have gotten far.”

“I thought you said not to bother?” Reika peeped up, just as she was about check the school’s security updates. Peeking from her tablet, she bit back her envy. “Even with an announcement like that, Nishino should be fine based on her skill evaluation. She’s fast so it’s very likely she could outwit Magic’s trick–”

“Forget what I said! I'm just… I need peace of mind.” She shut the door behind her without looking back. She couldn't place why she was so worried suddenly, but something felt grim. That she had to find Nanase, just in case something went wrong.

After a long pause, Magic’s voice rang through again along with a snarky giggle. “The time and location are a secret to everyone else, it's super private after all. Please look forward too it, Nishino-san.”

There was a loud click as the PA shut off.

Even on the roof, Nanase heard the announcement loud and clear with a playing card nestled between her fingers. The queen of hearts, seemed normal enough though much stiffer material than a standard card. Like glass. Upon further examination, she saw the perimeter of the rectangle sharpened to an edge, threatening to cut. That’s how she had found it stuck within the wood of her desk. History was repeating itself, she couldn’t help but anticipate that some sort of shitty trick or illusion would reveal where and when she was to show up for the fight. Nanase smoothed her fingers over the playing card, the final words echoing in the back of her mind. She held it up to the light and scoffed at it.

“How tacky.”

Nanase held it up under the clouded sun, light permeated through translucently to reveal words within the card, a classroom number and time. Class 1-G, 11:40AM. Even Nanase had enough respect for this school to not particularly enjoy fighting during class hours, especially on school grounds. However, she was called out and Magic made it a point to have the entire school know. More importantly, her team know. This was impossible to ignore, especially in the midst of war.

“Can't be helped…” Heaving a heavy sigh, Nanase pushed off the roof’s flooring. She carefully patted away any dirt that clung to her uniform before slinking out the door. She had exactly thirty minutes to reach the classroom and prove herself. Although, she had no doubt in her mind she would win. She hated cheap tactics, and always saw through them. This girl would be no different. She never believed in magic to begin with.

Nanase was always cocky. Just because the opponent was a Queen of the infamous Majijo, it didn't mean that would change. She took her time in reaching the destination classroom and slid through the door without a shred of hesitance. Across the room was a student peering out the window. She had a curly mess of hair atop her head, leather skirt over her dark uniform, thigh-socks, and shining pink jacket with its sleeves rolled up.

“It's a little early don't you think? Don't you need to wait a while to bury your dead and lick your schools wounds?” No response. Nanase scoffed to herself, walking forward. “Oi? You deaf?” Her hand fell on the girl's shoulder. Nanase went to turn the girl around to face her opponent, but lept back in surprise when she toppled to the floor as nothing more than a hollow mannequin in a wig. “What the fuck?” Nanase furrowed her brow in irritation, one that quickly boiled to anger when she heard the footsteps behind her. Thankfully with her speed, Nanase moved fast enough for the kick launched at her spine to completely miss. The real girl stomped her foot down, inches away from the Nanase with a confident grin.

“Nice to meet you. I'm Magic.”

The Majijo girl quickly swung her fist at Nanase, twisting her body to stop her from escaping but the scout already foresaw the attack. She leaned back, catching Magic’s arm with her left hand and from underneath, Nanase leaned out with a step back from her entrapped arm, giving her the same cocky sneer when she felt Magic’s resistance. “Fast, that's dangerous.”

Nanase wasted no time in slipping her own foot behind Magic’s, kicking out her ankle to crumble her balance but the magician caught herself on the scout. Using Magic’s falling weight, Nanase smirked arrogantly as she grabbed a handful of her opponent’s white collar and jacket, and then twisted her stance. Pivoting her body in the opposite direction, her back towards the Majijo girl, she used whatever strength need to judo-throw the magician over her shoulder to the floor.

“But I'm–” Nanase took a step back, tucking her medium hair behind her ears. However, when she lifted her head and opened her eyes, there was no body writhing in pain at her feet. In fact, there was never even the thud of a body hitting the floor. She quickly whipped around, trying to find her opponent. “Where–”

“Not fast enough it seems.”

Despite sharing similar skills in speed, Magic was Nanase’s opposite. The scout would normally allow the fight come to her but Magic wasn’t particularly confrontational as she was arrogant. Just like with Yumi, she would have to take the reigns and finish things herself. Across the room, her eyes narrowed as they found their target leaned against the teacher’s podium with a cocky grin. With a soft growl, she lunged forward at the magical student, swinging her heavy fists down against her but only to be greeted with a piercing, shattering noise as her fist collided with a standing glass mirror. Nanase cried out, gripping her hand as blood began to seep from her knuckles where shards embedded itself in her flesh.

“Ah–! Fucking… bitch!!”

From behind her she could heard the most aggravating laughter which were followed by intervals of clapping and gasps of air. “I heard you were one to jump the gun but are you really that stupid?” Magic snorted, having to hide her toothy grin behind her hand. “I can’t believe this, this is even better than magic.”

“Fighting dirty… why don't you come at me seriously!” Nanase took her bloodied fist, ignoring the stinging pain as she attempted another speedy swing, whipping the crimson liquid in every direction. One after another, Nanase aimed at her chest before slinking around her to launch knee her in the back. However,  before she could even make contact with Magic, the magician jumped forward with her hands up in a mock surrender. She twirled on her heels to face her again with a laugh.

“Another girl before you said the same thing! Something like ‘living without seriousness means nothing.’ Stupid.”

“What the fuck do I care!?” Nanase growled and rushed forward, kicking at her with her heel. And when Magic successfully dodged, Nanase would fling herself right into swinging punches again, gritting through her throbbing pain. Her annoyance and anger boiled over, not even realizing just how much strain she was putting her body through.

“Interestingly! We ended up as comrades. So Ill tell you what I told her.” Magic blocked her rival’s fist as it flew past by grabbing it with her own, slamming her fist into her opponent's stomach the moment she could. When Nanase groaned softly, Magic met her eyes with a confident smile. “This is my Majikku.”

Nanase snarled, the magician’s words grating on her nerves. She hugged the girls arm with her own now stained with blood and drove her back into the blackboard. With her body pinning the annoying girl against the surface, she ripped her hand from Magic’s grip and use it to grab the Majijo girl’s messy hair to trap her. Driving her fists against the girl’s lower stomach until she felt her slump against her arm, she stepped back and released her foot into her side.

Magic only forced laughter out with each painful hit. Bruises formed and blood spilled, but she allowed it, couldn’t care less. It was as if she was judging her character based on every action she chose to do. While Nanase was about to land a punch to her cheek, Magic gladly let the fist fall against her as her hand gripped for the scout’s school tie. With the close proximity, she forced the other closer, face to face with blood pooled from the corner her smirk.

“That hurt, you know.”

Nanase grinned softly. One thing was always true about her and that was she would never get caught unless she allowed it. She straightened out slightly, peering into her. “Good.” With the distance so short, the scout drove her fist into her side repeatedly until Magic tried to force her off. Even then, Nanase pushed her back against the wall, holding her by the throat with her right hand as her left continued its assault against Magic’s frame and face.

Magic beamed still. The pain was no more or less as painful as the pain Sakura inflicted the first time they had met. She knew exactly how to deal with it thanks to such an experience. It had made it all the more simple as to how to embed her way into her opponent’s head. With each hit, the damage became more bearable. “You really are an idiot.”

Nanase paused, her fist stopped mid-swing. Before she could question Magic, a cold, stinging liquid sprayed at her from her mouth like a puff of vapour. It smelled like a chemical of some sort, sour but peppery at the same time, still incredibly intense and intoxicating. It narrowly missed in the heat if the moment, yet some of its range landed into her eyes. She instantly jolted back, wiping at her eyes with the cuffs of her sleeves as she loudly groaned and hissed in pain.

“You know, you're a lot like Sakura, thinking you have an advantage as soon as you’re able to land a few hits.” Magic scoffed, walking around her and spitting out a mouthful of blood to the side. With her thumb, she rubbed the streak of thick crimson from her chin. “Please, I know how you fight better than you do.”

Nanase growled and threw her fists blindly towards her voice but missed each time. Even as to say she resembled a flailing fish. Her vision was blurred, watery and burning, opening them and exposing her eyes to air proved too painful. However, her stubborn nature refused to let her flame burn out.

Magic merely danced around her, laughing with successful dodge. She couldn’t help but be entertained with the display of blind desperation since Nanase had gotten a few really good hits in her after all. Though, after two minutes of fooling around she knew what little of the pepper spray that got to her wouldn't hinder her for much longer. Magic placed her hands against Nanase’s back and shoved her sharply into the locked supply closet near the back of the room.

Nanase snarled and rubbed at her eyes again, turning to make out her shape well enough to jump at her figure. But she was stopped. A bitter metal held her bloody mess of a hand to the supply closet handle. “What is this!?” Nanase squinted and wiped her eyes with her uniform sleeve as the burning began to weaken. Blinking out the blurred haze, she saw metal handcuffs were restraining her wrist back like a wild animal. For the first time she was caught against her will. Nanase pulled and struggled against the short chain, trying to break the steel, but here was a larger threat behind her. She snapped her attention over and lunged as far as she could and attempted to kick at the magician. And missed.

“You really think you could hit me?” With a scoff, Magic took a step back with every swing her victim attempted. “Not so easy this time is it, idiot?”

Nanase hissed venomously. “You really are weak if you have to use tricks and weapons to take someone down.” She pulled at the cuff more and more, trying to worm her way out, hoping at least the wetness from her open wounds would help her slide out of her entrapment. But to no avail. “A cheap victory like this won't be counted. Not with real yankees.”

“Only when my opponent is a little shit who doesn't know the consequences of her actions.” She crossed her arms, striding over. “You think I saw this as a real challenge for a second?” She took the opportunity to grip Nanase's chin with a smirk. “You broke a girl’s leg as a declaration of war. This is payback, nothing more.” Roughly, digging her fingers into her chin, Magic released her head first against the cold metal cabinet. Of course, after, she jumped back before Nanase recovered enough to come back at her.

Having her head slammed against hard metal shook her equilibrium, disorienting her balance and vision. Payback, huh? Possible brain damage in return for a broken leg. Nanase groaned, gingerly lifting her head while pressing her free hand to her crown as if to steady her spinning vision. She shook her head from side to side to rid herself of her dizziness, narrowing her eyes at the Majijo girl as her figure finally singled. Glaring daggers at her, an ebbing worry deep inside her told her that she may be in over her head this time, but she buried that feeling and masked it with anger and rage. Nanase was going to slaughter Magic, if she could.

“You know, I researched you a little before coming here.” Magic watched her attempts to grab at her and free herself with great amusement. “I found it really interesting!” This really was deja vu. Nanase completely resembled Sakura from when they first fought. Except this time, she was sure the scout before her didn’t have the strength to break out of steel cuffs. She laughed to herself, holding her side as it stung from the wounds. “Keep trying! I'm sure you'll get out!” Magic slid back over and gripped Nanase's tousled hair, ripping it back to meet her eye. “As if. You're not the protagonist. Don't flatter yourself.” With her venomous words, she drove home her point with a punch to Nanase’s temple the second she released her hair. Once more, she tangled her fingers in the mess of hair to make sure Nanase listened to her. “You're just a kid who thinks they can get away with anything and everything.” Magic snorted with a conniving smirk.  “You're not special. You’re strong but you don't fight for shit.” With the leverage Magic manufactured, she began her barrage of attacks as payback for the assault made on her. “Not for that excuse you call a team, not for that girl in the courtyard.” A punch to the chest, the cheek, at one point she stretched the girl out and drove her knee into the girl's stomach until she dropped to the floor. “You’re nothing more than an entitled brat who no one will miss.”

Nanase trembled and gripped onto the chain binding her, her breath shaking more and more from pain and the crawling sensation of fear. “What’s–” She paused to inhale sharply, grimacing at the floor. Even the slightest movement stung everywhere, the air stinging her wounds and broken skin. “What… what does that make you then? An old hag who can't even manage to graduate?” Slowly, She rose her gaze, still wearing that shitty grin through all of her bruises and pain. “You hardly even filled the last Queen’s shoes… and you said I won't be missed? Don't flatter yourself, you're trash.” Nanase coughed softly, laughing through the pain with her free hand on her stomach. “At least I–”

Magic narrowed her gaze. The Noborizaka yankee’s words had struck a nerve, the anger boiling in her and apparent on her face, all traces of humour was gone. In an enraged fit, she kicked at the girl on the floor, sending her back against the cold metal. “You fucking brat!!” Magic snarled, slamming her boot into Nanase’s chest with a sickening crack.

Nanase gripped the cabinet, crying out in pain. A new pain she hadn't known before, surely a broken rib, or at least a fracture. She knew enough about anatomy to deduce that on her own. Sure, she got the last laugh, but this was bad. That terror and worry was creeping back on her and she didn’t have to energy to fight it back anymore. Her entire team would be stopped here. Even worse than that, she would have disappointed them after talking so haught. She couldn't fight anymore. Her eyes fell closed, she expected another fatal strike but the pain stopped. She didn't dare open her eyes but faint grunting, loud banging, and yelps could be heard. Did someone come? She couldn't be certain. But her hand fell from the restraint into her lap, bruises and cuts finally being revealed across her wrist. Whoever had come, pulled the broken yankee into their frame with care and a loving touch, allowing her head to fall against their chest.

“Don't worry, I've got you…” The soft voice was whispered against the crown of her head as lips pressed against her unkempt hair. Nanase knew that voice.

“Yumi…?” She struggled to open her eyes for a second, looking up at the girl whom she assumed would have left her for dead. She was carrying her down the hall, arms wrapped around her so tightly, she had no fear of being let go. “Why…?”

“Don't speak, we're almost to the nurse office.”

Nanase had no room to argue, complying with her order just as soon as she had spoke. Her head gently fell against her chest again, letting her warmth sooth her sore muscles. The last thing she could recall was being laid upon a soft and cool bed before her world was safe enough to relax. Nanase’s work was done for today.

To be continued…

[kakiokuru]

NOBORIZAKA: NOVEMBER RAIN

Chapter Eleven | Unrequited Feelings

It’d have taken a miracle. For Reika, she trained as hard as her tiny body possibly could. Under Nanami’s intense training regiment, not a single second was wasted, not a moment’s rest was allowed, and especially not a fraction of energy was used for anything but focus. Yet, after all the blood, sweat, and tears put in, the reality was, she was marching to her death with Kazumi in tow. The training she was under was less than gentle, working until the group was scolded to leave by the school’s custodial staff. All in all, Reika was lucky that she missed one punch from a very reluctant Yumi, even luckier with the hits that did connect since they were light and gentle to any normal person. Reika had the bruises to show for it too.

“Ahh, I always feel ready for anything after a good, long meal! Thanks for the food Reika!” Kazumi patted her stomach with an overzealous grin. “I bet everyone else will be jealous they didn’t come along! Having gourmet food from a person with your type of budget was amazing!” Kazumi stretched her arms out, thoroughly pleased by the day thus far. Having a well-earned lunch the day after a hard day’s training was the ideal way to go into a big event in her eyes. “The meat will really keep you energized for your fight! Proteins are everything!” Kazumin then proceeded to list the beneficial nutrients and vitamins of the food they just had. It was the one thing that she strived in.

Reika smiled meekly, clutching her tablet. She thought having lunch beforehand may give her stamina, or perhaps make Kazumi happy enough to leap into her position. But the further along they went, the more of her spirit left her body. She felt her heart beating uncomfortably and her gaze was hard to raise from the ground. She was genuinely afraid, all of the confidence and drive just… died as soon as she woke up today. But Yumi said she believed in her so she had to do this. She had to make her proud somehow, hoping that there was some underlying chance that Yumi would look her way. And if that meant being destroyed by a girl who was named for a low class athletic activity then so be it.

“Ah yeah, the fight.” Reika pressed her index finger against the side of her head from habit. Normally glasses would be adjusted this way, but today she had to wear contacts. There were definitely no Maeda-like triggers to be had with her, besides her glasses were expensive. “We should probably have a code, for when you need to step in.” Reika nodded once as she leaned towards Kazumi. “Like a safe word, or as wrestlers would put it; a ‘tag in.’”

“Tag in?” Kazumi tilted her head.

“It’s when one person switches to another fighter during the fight. Sometimes they clap hands or say a certain word.”

“Heh?! I'm only here for when you can’t fight anymore… There's no need, I’ll be there when you can't get up.”

“Wouldn’t it be more reasonable to do it when I need it rather than when I’m already defeated?”

“Maiyan’s plan is to come in after, not during.”

Reika sighed, staring down at the concrete underneath her loafers. “There really isn't a way around this, is there? I'm going to die today.”

Kazumin then gave the president a hearty pat on the back. “Oh, don’t say it like that! No yankee has ever died from a challenge! Naachan told me so. Yankees just take really long naps, like Waka!”

Reika paused in her tracks, darting her attention at the bigger girl. Was she serious? She knew Kazumi wasn’t the smartest but there were no way she was that oblivious. She had to be playing some kind of mind game or wasn’t taking her seriously. “Th-that’s not right at all! My records clearly show that there have been at least one yankee related death from a little over five years ago, during Maeda’s time!” Reika stared at her in firm shock, adamant to disprove the tank. “Nishino-san must be lying to you and a very unreliable source of information if she says things like that because that is blatantly false.”

Her brow visibly twitched. “Naachan isn't a liar.”

“In this case, yes she is a liar. I'm sure this isn’t her first dishonest act towards you.” Reika spat back at her, a little bit more spiteful than she had intended. Surely, Kazumi couldn’t be this naive. “A good friend wouldn’t make a dangerous lie like that.” Reika spoke with her thoughts aloud, even uttering her personal biases that she’d usually keep to herself. This time pertaining to her dislike of the particular girl in question. “Although, Nishino-san isn’t really a good anything if I'm honest…”

That struck a nerve. Kazumi stopped in her tracks with a firm crunch of the thin veil of snow, crossing her arms over her coat in a huff with a large frown painted on her lips. “Naachan is a great friend, I’ve known her since we were in preschool. If she wants to tell me things to spare my feelings then that means she's an even better friend!!” Kazumi practically shouted at the schoolmate in her already naturally booming voice. “Do you think I’m stupid that I really wouldn’t know people could die?! Going through life spouting negative feelings and dark facts will only make you sad, so shut up! You don’t know anything!”

Reika scrunched her face in discomfort upon realizing what she had said and to whom. Nanase was Kazumi’s best friend and therefore would no way would share the same distaste for the former. She wouldn’t even know the president’s situation or why she would have a single reason to dislike Nanase, no one should but Yumi at this point. There was no way her words could be justified–

“You’re only talking smack about Naachan because Waka liked her more back then… That’s unfair! You’re mean!”

Reika’s eyes nearly fell out of her head, snapping wide in disbelief. Her mouth fell open as she could only stammer in the shocking realization. No way… No way Kazumi could have known. No one should have known about her affections for the yankee. No one was meant to know and she couldn’t have been obvious. They were feelings she buried within her so just how? Reika wouldn’t even record it in her personal records, a thing that included even excruciating detail in every other account. From illnesses, to baby photos. But nothing ever on Reika’s sexuality.

“How did you… I-I think you’re confused, Kazumin.” Reika raised her hands in an attempt to feign ignorance. “Something like that would be idiotic to get angry over, besides I’m not–”

“I’m not smart but I’m not stupid. Just because I don’t get high marks on tests doesn’t mean I’m blind! I notice things!! You’re the real idiot here!” Kazumi puffed her cheeks, actually shouting. “Go alone, I didn’t want to fight anyways!!” In a robust huff, Kazumi stomped off in the wrong direction, choosing to go the convenience store route over the path home.

Reika was alone on a Majijo school path.

Rather than fear, she was filled with remorse, regretting over the words she used in a topic that was more personal she was too late to realize. Kazumi didn’t get angry often or easily, but Nanase was her best friend, would kill and die for her. Reika knew that and she still crossed the line. She should have stayed quiet. Being intelligent was a blessing and a curse, more often than not unable to understand social cues and was careless in the way she handled emotions that weren’t her own. Now she had to pay for her mistake, everything was on her completely. There was no running from this.

Walking the trail while fighting her cold feet, Reika kept her head high. By now, the yankees recognized the white top and dark plaid skirt, what school the timid president represented, and why she was here. Fighting up to the gate meant nothing, so no one touched her. In fact, because of the broken knee incident from a few days prior, they backed away and cleared a path for her up until the front doors. The prissy girls are the ones to look for, and Reika was definitely one of the more sophisticated ones among them. They didn’t want to risk it. However, looking into her eyes all you could see was screaming. The knowledge that she could possibly end their teams noble struggle with one fatal misstep weighed heavily on her shoulder. God, she was really doing this.

Reika bit back her hesitation and strode into the school while mustering up some sort of aura of confidence. Once inside, the smell once more hit her like a brick wall. This time it was the overly spicy kick of hot pot broth wafting through the air and into her nose from a classroom as she walked down the hall. She still couldn’t believe the school allowed a gas burner in the middle of a class, even a Japanese charcoal grill for that matter. But the girls who would crowd around the boiling pot quickly made sure to spread news Reika was there, earning her a small audience at her heels. They quickly made sure Reika knew what they were thinking, cursed and slurred, bash and intimidate, anything to make her lose her nerve. All that bounced off her supposed tough skin as she kept herself grounded with Yumi’s pep talk. The girl of her affections was counting on her.

Sooner than later, she let the crowd subtly direct her to the bottom of the stairs. There was no way she could climb them. It was something no one should do unless it was to take on the top, unless they wanted to be beaten down that is. With all the ruckus, one would simply assume Yoga would know and head down. That didn’t stop the Noborizaka president from calling out in a firm voice.

“Iriyama Anna, I’ve come to fight for Noborizaka’s name.”

Loud clacking against the tiled stairs sounded her end. From around the corner, a girl with the most sleek and orderly hair, wearing a purple rayon sukajan appeared with a calm but dark aura around her. Her piercing eyes honed in on the prefect, giving her a hateful and unamused glare. The students behind her all moved two paces back for every step Yoga took, gripping the walls out of fear and respect. Her cold, uncaring eyes scanned the crowd in disapproval. The day had only just started and the atmosphere was already been tainted with malevolent energy sourced from the small fry about.

“The air here is bad.” Yoga stopped mere inches from the class president, gazing around the corridor before meeting her eyes. “Follow.” Was said clearly, before the elder girl glided around her and down the hall to the right.

“A-Ah, yes ma’am.” Reika nodded a couple times, her hand coming up to adjust the missing glasses out of nervous habit and hugging her tablet to her chest as she hurried to follow along.

Three rights, a couple long halls, and a cut through the back courtyard. Reika was given a very generous tour of their derelict excuse of a school. From it, she gauged there were absolutely no teachers, just loose girls doing as they pleased until the school said they could graduate. She had to wonder what merit there was in attending a place like this. What was so appealing about being a yankee and graduating with no education? Reika would never understand.

It seemed like Yoga couldn’t find ‘good air’ until the two were in the gym storage closet. The door shutting behind Reika’s back was the heaviest sound she had heard in a long while, earning a small jolt of fear from her. This gym appeared similar to the one in Noborizaka but the stark difference of cleanliness and overall inventory left an impression. These girls couldn't even have proper equipment for recreational activity. That or they've been stolen or used for unintended purposes. Either way, Yoga deemed this place to have ‘good air’ so Reika has no more than a few minutes to say her prayers.

“You know, I hate dirty things.”

Reika perked up, bringing her attention off of her nerves and to her rival. She did know that, had records saying so. It was why Reika decided to take extra care in her presentation.

Yoga slid her jacket off, neatly hanging it on a hook against the wall. “Dirty faces, dirty clothes, dirty language.” Listing as she turned, she pressed her fists into her hands, cracking her knuckles against her gloved palm. “But you, you’re different.”

Reika felt her uneasy feelings grow with each pop of her opponent's joints, her heart beating loudly in her ears. She had spoken for school assemblies, reported to high position parents and faculty, but nothing gave her nerves like this. “I-I understand.” She quickly emptied her pockets, carefully placing her precious tablet next to her possessions by the door, tying her hair into a neat ponytail with the thin scrunchie on her wrist.

“You understand nothing. You aren’t a yankee.” Yoga raised her hands, pressing them together in front of her chest and prayer position, her signature fighting stance. “You’re barely a fighter. Your aura bears no trace of hostile nature at all and yet you stand before me. You aren't fighting for anyone’s sake. You’re only trying to save face in front of your friends and classmates.”

Reika’s eyes widened slightly in surprise. “That’s not–”

“It is, isn’t it? One look at you and I can clearly see that you aren’t a match for even the lowest weeds in Majijo. This is a wasted effort. A waste of everyone’s time.”

“You’re wrong!!” Reika balled her fists, raising them. For once she could feel a small frustration burn inside of her.

“Am I now?” Yoga narrowed her eyes.

“There is someone.” All she could think of was that hand against her head, that warm smile that gave her hope and told her how she was believed in. They tried so hard to prepare her for this moment. She couldn’t let them down. She couldn’t let Yumi down. “There is someone that I’m fighting for.” Her fists clenched deeper into her palm as she felt a wave of emotional adrenaline well up inside her. “Wakatsuki-san is counting on me… she said she believed in me! So, come at me with all you have! I won’t lose!”

Reika took a deep breath, lunging forward towards the Queen. Her fist flew into empty air, her eyes crashing closed the second she moved and unable to realize that the other girl was already a step ahead of her. It earned her a sharp palm against the chest and then an elbow to the spine, sending her directly onto the floor. With the wind knocked out of her, Reika curled into herself as she experienced true physical pain for the first time.

“Fighting for someone’s sake isn’t enough.” Yoga stared down with uncaring eyes.

The Noborizaka president was pitiful, coughing and trying to steady her breath again. One move and she already looked done. She could completely tell that Yoga didn’t even use her full force with that hit, only trying to incapacitate her. Was she not worth it? Was she that weak? Either way, how did she really expect to win?

No, no more negative thoughts. Reika wasn’t finished yet, she could endure the pain. This was nothing compared to the near three years of heartbreak. She had to fight back. At least hold out and land one hit. Something to take pride in. With a loud groan, she peeled herself off the dusty floor, holding her chest and gasped out. “I can’t lose, I won’t! She’s relying on me so I refuse to go down like this!”

Another lunge, another sloppy swing. Yoga didn’t need to do anything more than take a step to the right and slap opponent’s back firmly with her palm, sending the girl into the wall with a loud thud. However, as she watched her rival hang off the wall, her words resonated with her, struck a familiar chord that Yoga understood too well. She let out a soft sigh, lowering her hands. This girl was just like her. Pining for the approval of someone who would never pay her even a glance. The need and want to be part of the life of the person she admired so fondly. She pitied Reika, because she was just as Yoga was.

“Give up. That girl isn’t going to want you even if you miraculously beat me. Like I said, a waste of your time.“ Locking eyes with her opponent, she saw a clear reflection of herself behind those deep brown eyes. She liked someone she had no chance with. “Have some self-respect and fight for yourself. Not for someone who might not even pay you special mind after this. At least that way, you have a reason to go on.”

“You’re wrong…” Reika glared at her, moving off the wall. The long-haired girl was basically telling her to give up on her love. Her love is what got her to this point, it’s what drove her to want to change. After everything she had to endure, how could she simply let go? “If there’s even a sliver of a chance, I won’t give up.”

Yoga mentally rolled her eyes. She had to admire her drive but she was so… stubborn. She wouldn’t listen to logic so easily, despite her intelligence. Maybe she did have some yankee in her. Still, Yoga couldn’t help but feel empathy towards the girl she spoke to. However, she was still a challenger. Yoga strode over to her, striking her across the cheek with her swift palm and throwing her on the floor once more with ease. “Take this is advice from someone who experienced a similar situation…” Yoga offered her hand down to the pitiful class president. “Fighting because someone is relying on you will mean nothing even if you win. There is no merit, no drive. No reward if your feelings are unrequited. In the end, you’ll just be disappointed. Save yourself from that and you will be better off.”

Reika looked up at her, taking in her words. Was she saying that she and her were the same? That seemed quite impossible for a bold yankee. Yet, there was clarity in her fighting advice and held truth. “I don't have a single drive to fight if it's not for her…” Reika wiped the blood from her lip, pulling herself up without the extended hand. “For the first time, Wakatsuki-san noticed me seriously when I was chosen to fight.” With simply remembering it, Reika felt her face grow warm as a lump of frustration grew in her throat. “She finally left that no good delinquent. She looked so pained all day until she smiled at me and told me ‘It'll be okay’ and ‘I believe in you.’” Reika felt her eyes begin to water as the frustration began well up and take over her. In a small burst of anger, her fist slammed against the wall with a resounding thud. “Why won't she notice me?! I don’t care if I’m a rebound or whatever!!” Reika’s voice cracked and echoed off the dusty walls, reverberating her emotions with emphasis. “But this… this was the only way… I hate fighting… I hate Nishino! I know how impossible this is but I can’t fail here! I don't want to disappoint her, I can’t!!”

Yoga watched the girl unravel, lowering her gaze for a moment. She understood her frustrations, even if she didn't know the girl formally. She understood them probably better than anyone her enemy came across in her daily life. The desperation of seeing the one you care about not pay you any mind, the painful knowledge of the one you loved was taken by another by someone better, the torturous fear of letting them down, and the soul-crushing rejection when you did. It was the worst, most unhealthy place to put yourself but because you cared, you wanted them happy. Though she could never hate her superior who was like a mother to her. Yoga couldn't live like that that anymore or else she would have ended up like Reika.

Letting a soft sigh out, she pulled a lavender handkerchief from her skirt pocket, offering it to her. “Here.”

Reika looked up with tears streaming down her now red, puffy cheeks, confused by the gesture. Nevertheless, she accepted the cloth, wiping her eyes and cheeks with it. “Thank you…”

Heels clicked against the tile as she paced back to hangers. “Like I said, I hate dirty faces.” Quietly, Yoga retrieved her jacket from the wall and slipped her arms through the sleeves. “Reality is harsh and unforgiving. But living for anyone but yourself will only end in pain. I learned that the hard way when Salt-san told me I shouldn't have bothered fighting Sakura and then being comforted by Otabe.” Yoga flicked her hair out from under her jacket, rubbing her neck with her gloved hand. “Blaming another girl or doing things you hate to look good for a person who won't love you is shameless. One day you'll find a girl who'll look at you and believe in you without needing you to change. It may take a while, and she could be someone you don't expect, but be patient.” There was nothing but sincerity in her voice as she crossed her arms. “But you're smart, You should know that already.”

She was right. All of her words. Reika curled her lips in, feeling her anger melt away with logic replacing it. If she thought back, it really was no one but her own fault things turned out this way. Hating Nanase for doing what she couldn't, having what she couldn't. It wasn't right. She wasn’t even sure if she truly hated Nanase anymore or if it was only pure envy “You're right. I should apologize to Nishino-san… Though, she wouldn't want to hear from me even if I did apologize, would she…” Reika couldn't meet her eye as she spoke, gripping the handkerchief to her chest. “You really think so? Thank you… You know, you're not what I thought you would be.”

“What? A big, angry yankee who is nothing more than a pair of fists?”

“Not at all!” Well, sort of. “I thought the Queens were these great pillars of strength, come strong and not care for talking. Or just be flat…”

The Majijo Queen exhaled, “Normally, I wouldn't care, but you remind me of myself. Whether you take my words or not is up to you. In any case, seeing as brought emotions to a fight and didn’t strike back, this was my victory.” Yoga noted the girls appearance, bruises forming on any exposed skin and a emotional breakdown, the result was obvious.

“You’re wrong!!”

With that loud bellowing but familiar voice, Reika snapped her attention to the door while Yoga turned her head, dropping her hands with an irritated look.

The door slid open with a resounding black and in the doorframe was an idiot, rice grains stuck to her face and an angry pout on her lips. Kazumi in all her food-loving glory. She took one glance at her school president’s bloody lip and her cheeks puffed up in hatred. Fire grew in her eyes, her fists balling at her sides. “You hurt Reika!” Kazumi growled out as she extended her hand with an accusatory finger pointed at the Queen. “I'm going to ‘tag in’! Reika, don’t worry, I'll protect you!!”

“Tag… in?” Yoga furrowed her brow, tilting it to the side with mild disgust. This girl was exactly the thing she hated, from the mess on her cheeks to the yellow smudge– was that a mustard stain on her uniform? The very presence of the tall female was offensive to each of Yoga’s senses. Like Bakamono, she was too dumb to even realize she was shouting at the top of her lungs instead of talking like a regular person. A pest, a noisy one. “Who are you?”

“I'm going to punish you for hurting my friend! Just one, ah, second…” Kazumi patted her skirt pockets, tugging the contents out and scurrying to load them into Reika’s palms. Two lukewarm curry buns, a handful of assorted treats, and a slew of colourful candy wrappers. With a small smile, she raised her hand to the bloody class president. “Reika, watch my stuff okay? We can share afterwards!”

“A-Ahh–… okay?”

Yoga was thoroughly confused. Was she trying to take over the fight? Win for her? Not unheard of but definitely not taken well. For the sake of a team, yankees would throw themselves at anything. But this girl– Yoga didn’t even want to touch her let alone fight. God, this girl was disgusting to be around, probably sticky too. Ugh. She put her hands up in a fighting stance once more. “I’ll make this quick then.”

Raising one finger, she dropped her idiotic grin, replacing it with a scowl and disapproving frown. “I said one second, I'm not ready yet.” Kazumi slowly and carefully used her fingers to brush back the mess of her hair, pulling it up into a neat ponytail with the hair tie around her wrist. “I know, it's my fault I'm late. Reika wasn't suppose to get this hurt. You really went too far, lady.” The idiotic girl’s tone lowered and steadied into a serious intensity as she rolled her sleeves up to her elbows. “I’m late because I was really angry, I ran off on my own and let this happen. And now I forgot why and came back. Then I heard Reika say sorry and remembered.” Kazumi patted Reika’s shoulder before stepping away to face her opponent. “So thanks for that. We’ll talk later, okay?”

“Kazumin…”

With an uncharacteristic smirk, Kazumi faced the elder Majijo girl with her fists raised. “Being beaten by you was a good punishment for her. But I won't let you lay another finger on in her without walking away without a scratch. You still haven’t really won yet. It’s my turn.” Her eyes narrowed into a strong and piercing glare. “You’ll pay.”

Yoga stepped back in surprise. Her aura, her demeanour, her speech, her eyes, everything was different. Dark, powerful, familiar. The same as the legends of a past student who was infamous in Majijo. Was this girl, who still had rice clinging to her cheeks, really a match for her?

Suddenly, without any warning, Kazumi jolted forward, swinging her leg towards the girl's head. A direct hit, Kazumi’s brown leather loafers impacted itself into Yoga’s cheek with enough force to send her into a pile of floor mats and hurdles. Yoga cried out in pain as gripping her cheeks while blood spilled from her lips, but there wasn't a second to recover. Kazumi was ruthless, instantly grabbing her by the hair, slamming her head into the wheeled blackboard against the wall beside them, once, twice, and a third time.

Reika watched in horror as her idiot companion, straddled the opponent after, dropping fist after fist. Was this really what Kazumi was capable, unbridled strength that looked as if it could even scare Yumi? If she was this strong, why did she stop? This was a completely new side that Reika had no knowledge or record of. And it was… strangely appealing.

The horrible onslaught of punches wouldn't let up. Blood pooled out of her victim’s mouth and nose, making a splatter mess with each attack but Kazumi didn't care. Yoga attempted to grab the girl's wrists, but it didn't help. Kazumi saw her attempts and rose to her feet, giving her a swift kick to the side the second she tried to get up. “Don't try it.” Kazumi looked down with a cold glare, watching her groan in pain and sweat with fatigue. “I win.” The tall smirked again, wiping the tiny splash of blood from her cheeks with her thumb.

Kazumi straightened out, staring down at the now unconscious girl before tugging out the black tie from her hair. Turning on her heels, suddenly that familiar idiotic smile appeared as if she had no worry in the world, like she didn’t just beat someone into a bloody pulp. Kazumi raised her fists with triumphant glee, bouncing in place with her eyes beaming with pride. “I win! Reika, did you see? Did you!” Her voice heightened as she shouted with excitement while she rushed over to the beaten class president with her hand extended. “Let's go home! Before the buns get cold!”

After Kazumi stuffed her pockets with the snacks she had her friend hold, Reika took the hand extended to her, more lost than ever. Suddenly she had a million questions floating around her head, unable to grasp one to ask. Kazumi was known to be strong, incredibly so. Except, she had a heart of gold and was known as a newly proclaimed pacifist. Although, Reika didn’t know why. No one did, well, with the exception being Nishino Nanase. If the reason why was because of the attitude she had just displayed , that didn’t make too much sense, even from a yankee perspective. She needed to ask. She wasn’t even sure how to bring it up.

Kazumi may not look it but she was just as complicated and complex it seemed. Her own person with her views, thoughts, and reasons. As she said before, she’s not stupid, only slow. Even right now, she seemed just as distracted by her own thoughts. Understandable. Kazumi pushed the heavy metal door open, holding it open for the school president to exit. “What are you waiting around for? Come on!”

“Ah! Nothing, sorry.” Reika cleared her throat, quickly gathering her tablet and smaller objects and  hugging them to her close to her body as she walked to the door. Hesitantly, she glanced over her shoulder to see the Majijo Queen defeated body among the bloodstained mats and felt a knot in her stomach. Fighting was definitely not for her. With Kazumin’s lead, they both managed to building exhausted but victorious.

Kazumi stretched one arm over the other to relieve her joints with a satisfied sigh as the two walked along the river bank. “Now that we won, we should go get a nice, big congratulatory meal! I’m thinking grilled meat! What about you?”

Reika looked up at her. “Kazumin… What was that…?”

“Uh, grilled meat? You know the one where you cook yourself on a table grill and tongs and–”

“You were… completely different…” Reika shook her head, trying to expand on what she thought she saw in easier terms for Kazumi. She wanted to know the reason for the completely change in character and the easy revert back to how she is now. “What I saw… it was a different person, in fact. Is this why you stopped fighting?”

She paused. “Ah, that?” Kazumi unwrapped one of her candies from her pocket, popping the sweet treat into her mouth. She swished the candy around her cheeks, crossing her arms. “Sort of. Naachan calls it my ‘youth drama mode.’ It’s cool name isn’t it?” That stupid smile appeared just as quickly as it faded. Her hand came up as she rubbed her neck in thought, her cheek puffing out. “It’s super dangerous… It’s actually how Naachan and I became friends.”

“Is it really?” Reika tried to read her face, to see any details she kept locked away.

Kazumi was a mystery to her. Someone so open and dopey, yet, so secretive and serious behind the face she put up. An open book yet closed, to be judged purely by what’s on the cover, a childish drawing of herself. Reika only knew of the synopsis of her book. A yankee girl who wanted to turn her life around and studied hard for a better future alongside with her best friend. A cliche story at best, but Reika finally realized she never truly understood the full novel. Honestly, with the front Kazumin put up, she never really felt like asking.

“Kazumin, if you don’t mind me asking… May I know why you became a pacifist?”

Kazumi shifted the hard candy around in her mouth, looking down at her with an unsure purse of her lips. “Mm… It’s a really long story though, and really boring…”

“It’s a long walk back, I don't mind–”

“Ahh!! Fine, you pulled it out of me.” Kazumi threw her hands up in a dramatic fashion. She spit the candy out into the snow with a sigh, clearing her throat as her hands fell on her hips. Reika recoiled in surprise, grimacing at the careless and bold act from her teammate.

Kazumi tapped her chin, pursing her lips. “I guess I should start from the beginning…”

Reika scrambled to pull the tablet from her skirt, diligently tapping away at the screen to get the details coming towards her. “Go ahead, I’m ready.”

“Mm, in elementary school, Naachan and I were really good friends. Well, mostly because she was getting bullied a lot, you know? When she moved here for the first time, kid’s called her a lot of mean things so she tried to stand up for herself. But she was really weak, so she got hurt a lot in fights.” Kazumi took a deep sigh as she spoke, trying to remember the important details from so long ago. She never had the best memory, but for Nanase, she tried. “I had to defend her because I was bigger than most of the kids. That’s how we became best friends, even until now!” Her smile grew at the memories, but quickly faded. “But then, you know, Naachan got strong too… And she became a yankee. Where we went to school and grew up wasn’t the nicest area so I guess I saw it coming… Of course I had to follow her. I didn’t want Naachan to get hurt. I made it my mission to make sure she never got hurt!” Nodding firmly, Kazumi tapped Reika’s tablet, adding in a bunch of random letters to her log. “That was our entire middle school life. Naachan and I were a great team. Make sure you put that down!”

“Ah, yeah, of course!” The school president quickly deleted the extra characters.

“Okay, so back to the story… Naachan’s special. She is super fast! Yankee kids soon realized that people couldn’t hit her unless she let them. I was the strongest so to make sure she stayed safe in the end, I did most of the fighting while she distracted whoever was our opponent.” Kazumi loosely punched the air, kicking snow as they walked. “But Naachan is super careless, especially back then. And really mean to her opponents! There was a girl this one time, she had a knife and she tried to stab Naachan…” Kazumi raised her hand, imitating a small stabbing action from memory. “I snapped. All I could see was red, and that girl ended up in the hospital for a real long time. Her friends too, apparently Naachan had to pull me off with all she had. And even when she did that, I struck her too.” Kazumi lowered her voice, rubbing her bicep where faint scars hid underneath her sleeve. “I have a couple scars from that day too. Girls called me a monster, unstoppable. Stronger than Waka is, when I lose control that is. Though I’ve never seen Waka lose control so I’m not too sure one that. Could be equal… Hm…”

Reika looked at her in surprise, lowering her tablet. “Kazumi… I’m sorry…” It must have hurt having to remember something like that. “If it's too much you don't have too keep going–”

“No, no! It's okay! The good part is afterwards! Naachan patched me up and realized she was good at something!” Kazumi waved her hands slightly. “It’s why she came to Noborizaka!” Kazumi grinned at her, seemingly burying her unhappy memories and replacing them with happy ones. “Because I took the stab wound, Naachan decided to be a nurse when she graduated! Well, sort of. She won't admit it to anyone– Don't put that down! It's a secret!” Kazumi reached over, quickly hitting the back button on the tablet haphazardly, erasing parts that weren’t supposed to be erased.

“Hey– Hey! I'm sorry, I’ll fix it.” Reika scrunched her brown, pulling the tablet back and re-entering the missing bits.

“Anyways! When she did get here, she sort of relapsed into bad habits when she started dating Waka… But she still has her goal at heart! I know it!!” Kazumi spoke with pride, shoving her hands in her pocket. “But, after that fight, the one where I put people in the hospital, I was really broken up honestly. I didn't let anyone know about it and it affected me for a while. Depression and all. I know, hard to believe now. Scared to touch people, watched my anger, careful of my surroundings. All that not-so fun stuff. MaiMai was the one who told me about pacifism, said I didn’t have to fight if I didn’t want to. Violence is a choice.” She nodded a couple times, looking at Reika. “Really shined a light on everything.”

“Sounds like MaiMai.” Reika smiled in return.

“You didn’t meet me when I first started going here. But MaiMai was the first friend I made in my first year. She helped me a lot with my depression! I’m always grateful for that! MaiMai showed me that optimism is a great thing to have, and that focusing on the things that have gone wrong and dwelling on the past doesn't help anyone if you aren't looking towards the future.” Kazumi kept her smile as her hand landed on Reika’s shoulder. “By looking at the bright side, facing the future gets easier. Life is already hard as it is, but that doesn’t mean it has to be bad. The little joys matter. And that's the lesson I’m passing to you.”

Reika looked at her in thought. “Kazumin… You really aren’t as stupid as you put off.” Not an insult, and Kazumi didn’t take it that way. Instead, she smiled even brighter at the class president, hugging her arm. Reika couldn’t help but laugh softly, placing her hand on Kazumi’s. “Thank you, really.”

“Little joys matter so that means food! Can we eat now? I’m starving! Grilled meat is a little pricy, but you’re super rich! I’ll pay you back later!!”

“No worries, it’s my treat.”

To be continued…

[kakiokuru]

NOBORIZAKA: NOVEMBER RAIN

Chapter Ten | Work in Progess

After Nanase’s win and abrupt leave from yesterday, the Noborizaka team had decided to fall back in preparation to challenge the next step of authority. It was… untraditional at best and everyone knew it but without a full team, they didn’t want to run the risk of being blind sided. Unlikely but it was better to be safe than sorry. Declaring war and taking out two tiers all in one day was enough for them. Now the real fun was about to begin. Except, there was one issue.

Sakurai Reika was to be their front runner in the next fight.

Noborizaka agreed amongst themselves that they were to follow Majijo’s structure of power. That meant to them they had to pit their weakest fighter against Majijo’s weakest Heavenly Queen. Reika was mortified to say the least but they tiniest form of guilt and sense of duty forced herself to face this fight head on. However, she needed help. A lot of it.

The girls had gathered in the gymnasium, sporting their vibrant purple, rayon tracksuits and sneakers. Mai watched as a panicking Reika uncoordinatedly attack a standing heavy bag that was rolled out from the storage room backstage. For the umpteenth time, she sighed at the lackluster display when saw the bent angle of her wrist.

“Don’t curl your fist when you swing forward.” She instructed, tucking stray locks of hair behind her ear. With little time to spare, Mai made sure to keep an eye on the informant while trying her best to keep her patience. Reika literally only had until tomorrow to toughen up, she should at least know proper form. “Keep your feet firmly planted, and turn at the hip.”

“Sorry!” Reika squeaked, fixing up her stance and throwing another punch.

“Isn’t it a shame?” Standing next to Mai, Erika sighed, crossing her arms over her open purple jacket. It was like watching a frenzied mess of noodles slink and flail in what was supposed to be fighting. “If Naachan hadn’t taken out those two tiers at the same time we may have had more time to get her ready. This is… sad.”

The sight before her was more than unsettling. Reika was weak, everyone knew that, even Reika understood that fact best. She knew how everyone saw her, a princess from birth from a rich family. Born to a life where she shouldn’t have to lift a finger. Guarded by others so that she never had to do so herself. Erika believed she had an impossible amount of work to master and in less than 48 hours. Her opponent was someone who left bloody floors in her wake. Could they even hope to win?

“Mai, this is crazy and a waste of time. It would be better if we send the black hole with her, or just let the black hole do it on her own.”

The leader sighed, “At this rate we might just have to– No! Reika! Keep your body firm, strike with intent to hurt, not fear!!” Mai called out, throwing her hand up in frustration.

Reika was almost literally a blank slate when it came to violence, no amount of dramas she watched could prepare her for this. She sighed and pouted dejectedly as she hugged the heavy bag for support. She felt the judgemental gazes around her, her team was watching in both concern and amusement. Well, some were a little preoccupied with her own business to show interest. At least Kazumi was getting in the spirit, punching the air with two curry buns she was using as weights. Amazing what a Nanami-brand pep talk can do. Why couldn’t Reika be like that?

Mai slipped up behind her, carefully putting one hand on her side and another on her wrist, gently prying the student body president off the heavy bag stand. With a soft sigh, she placed her chin atop the girl’s shoulder, pressing her frame into her back. “Like this.” Slowly, she began to move the girl in the proper motion. Over and over until Reika moved on her own. “See, you’re getting it.”

Reika couldn’t help but get a slightly flustered  at the close proximity, cheeks faintly clouding with a rosy pigment. She couldn’t remember when she had last been this close to anyone. Her mind filtered the youth dramas she fantasized about as she moved her arm to Mai’s instruction.

The lack of actual focus didn't go unnoticed by Erika’s keen eyes. She didn’t even realize she had been staring intensely until a small bruised formed on her forearm caused by the rhythmic tapping against her skin. Her brow furrowed in slight irritation, watching the scene. Some would assume it was the fires of jealousy burning within her, but it wasn’t that. Not at all. “Mai, you shouldn’t coddle her.” Erika stomped towards the two girls. “Her fight is tomorrow. We need progress now.” Grabbing Mai by the shoulder, she yanked her off with a firm tug and took it upon herself to a new lead on Reika’s training. “Wakatsuki, get over here!!”

The girl in question was on the other side of the gymnasium laying down on the stage on. She opted to sit out of team training today, didn’t really think there was a point since it was for Reika anyways. Besides, her head was already busy running on overdrive due to recent events. To keep her mind off of them, she took the chance to take a long needed nap on a gym mat. Her presence enough should be moral support for Reika, given the circumstances.

Though, Erika wasn’t too happy about the laziness. “Wakatsuki!!” She stomped to the side to grab a tennis ball, previously used for projectile dodging, and chucked at the yankee’s spine. “Get up!!”

The impact was hard and loud, the hollow bounce echoing off the walls as the yellow ball ricocheted into the air. Yumi shot up from her former sleep, rubbing her back and arching in pain that would surely take the form of a dark bruise soon. Groaning and rolling over on her knees, she glared at the pianist. “The fuck is wrong with you, I was sleeping!!”

“Sorry.” She wasn’t. “The only way to really train is how the yankees do it, with action.” Erika grabbed Reika by the arm, walking her to the stage. “Wakatsuki, fight her.”

“Wait, what?!” Reika’s eyes became so wide they nearly popped out of her head.

Yumi’s eyes narrowed with brows furrowed together. “You know that’s not going to end well, right?”

“I’m not telling you to kill her, just make her fight back.” Erika stepped back, taking a seat on the bleachers. “You don’t even have to hurt her if you can avoid it.”

“That’s contradictory…” Reika whined.

“That’s stupid.” Yumi rolled her eyes.

“Just do it.”

The yankee and president both sighed.

Reika reluctantly raised her fists up as she watch Yumi begrudgingly hopped off the stage. Seeing she straighten out her jersey and stretching her arms, she couldn’t help but stare at the perfect specimen in front of her who was obviously out of her league in every way. How could she be expected to fight Yumi? The apple of her eye? The one girl she wanted to be held by, not punched. For some reason, Yumi looked more intimidating than ever, facing off against an active and proud yankee was terrifying, even in practice. Almost as if the girl in front of her had grown thirty inches, comically looming above her head, and could destroy her with only her pinky finger. Well, in theory she very well could but now she could prove it. Reika gulped.

Yumi could see her she was physically shaken by the mere thought of exchanging blows. Reika was stood in form before her but everywhere the yankee glanced, she can already see thousands of ways to get Reika on her back. No innuendo intended. This was going to go nowhere. “Hey, don’t be afraid. It’ll be okay.” Yumi put on a charming smile, trying to relieve her. It was difficult and forced but Reika needed it. Raising her hand, she gently let it rest against the crown of the timid girl’s head. “Just do your best and you’ll do fine. I believe in you. We’re all relying on you.”

All senses froze and Reika’s heart nearly leapt out of her chest. Yumi noticed her feelings, well she had made it obvious but she was taking her seriously now. She had heard that Nishino finally took the final steps to ending their relationship, but she never thought Yumi would look her way. Especially this quickly. Maybe she was reading too into it. She shook her head side to side and nodded into Yumi’s hand. “Y-You can rely on me…!!” Even if she was a rebound, Reika didn’t mind. For too long had she worked hard to gain Yumi’s recognition. She wouldn’t blow it now. Besides, this wasn’t the time to thinking about possible romances.

“Good then. I'm going to come at you slow, don’t get caught.” Yumi gave her a small nod, raising her fists. “Most yankees aren’t shit but they all have a style. Trick is to predict where they’re going to be and block and avoid and then go for an opening. At least that’s the most basic thing to do. Since this is your first, stick to that.”

“Okay…” Basics, okay… Reika could do that. “Then, what’s your style?”

Yumi smirked. “Take it all and go for the kill. Let’s go.”

The fight went just as well as you would expect it. Reika kept on her toes like she was taught and watch Yumi carefully. A rock solid basic form that contrasted the way that she would usually fight. She must have changed for her. Ah, gay thoughts go away. She stepped forward and attempted one swing before backing off, losing her footing and landing on a pile of mats the second Yumi retaliated. Nanase scoffed at the sight, turning away the second she lost interest. Mai’s face was buried deep into her palm in frustration she didn’t dare look. Erika couldn’t stay silent.

“Are you kidding me!! Sakurai, she didn’t even aim for you!!”

“I-I’m sorry– I–” Reika scrambled to her feet with Yumi’s help.

“Do you want us to fail before we get a chance to redeem the school?”

Kazumi chimed in, taking to Reika’s side as she munched into her buns. “Slow your roll, she’s trying!”

“Ikuchan, you’re being too harsh.” Mai straightened out, placing her hand upon Erika’s tense shoulders.

“Harsh? No, you’re being too soft. All of you are. If you want results, you need to push her to her limits. It’s not like we can send her to our military sister school for a day and expect her to be like Hirate by the time she gets back.”

“Hirate-san is pretty amazing…” Reika murmured as she mentally compared herself to mentioned sister school student representative.

“Give her a break, girl never even stepped on an ant before.” Yumi attempted to defend her, but it came off as more of an insult.

Erika directed her hateful stare to the Yankee. “If she can't do it then she’s not worth her place within the team.” Blunt and cruel, just like Erika to take out her anger to the things around her. “May as well send Kazumin in her place so we don’t have to waste time. She's obviously not willing to better herself.”

“Don’t say that. Nanamin wanted us to work as a team.” The leader mildly chided.

“I'm only a back up!!” Kazumi pointed to her, bearing her signature pout.

“You're wasting your time…” Nanase glanced over from the bleachers before slipping her ear bud back into her ear. Even she could feel the hopelessness in training the bookworm.

“I thought you all seriously wanted to honor MaiMai and avenge that first year. Quit babying her!!” Erika glared around the room. She may seem harsh, but she really did care. She wouldn't push if she didn't care. Still, it didn't stop the rising tension from every girl in the room.

Suddenly, Kazumi stuffed the remaining curry bun into her mouth and loudly muffled out. “I’m calling Nanamin!!” And stuffed her hands into pockets. Desperate times called for desperate measures.

All hearts sank into the pits of their stomachs. “No, stop!!” This time Erika lunged at the tank and snagged her phone from her hands.

Kazumi, being the big child she was, whined while extending her arm to grab her phone, Erika stretching her arm just out of her reach. “I’m not going to tell on you guys, I just think she can help train Reika since she’s not responding to any of our ways!” She made a good point, for once.

Still, no one wanted to face Nanami’s wrath from being called out of the blue again. Especially Erika. “No, she said don't bother her! She’ll kill us if we do.”

“She said I could call if it was an emergency!!” Kazumi gripped onto Erika's shoulder, bouncing closer and closer to the phone. “Come oooooon!!”

“No, you idiot!” Erika protested, leaning back as she took careful steps to stay upright with the stupidly strong girl against her.

Yumi grabbed it from the pianist’s grasp when the two wandered into her range, instantly moving far from the two, her fingers immediately working against the glass screen. Kazumi’s passcode was easy enough if you knew what her favourite flavour of ice cream was, it was only a matter of seconds until the phone was ringing. “Yo, Nanamin. I know this is really unlike me but… Reika needs training. She wants to actually fight. I, uh, also… kind of want to talk. Nothing bad, promise… Yeah, okay… Oh, you’re done work in an hour? Perfect… Okay, see you later.” With the tap of the button, she ended the call.

Everyone looked over in horror, unable to believe that Yumi was the one who would lead them to death this time. Almost in a flash there was the familiar feeling of dread throughout the gym. Well, save for Nanase, whom opted to ignore everyone of them.

“Nanamin… is coming… here?” Mai continued to stare at Yumi in horror. The gym was a mess, balls are scattered about in reckless abandon. Their gym suits were a mess and unkempt. Suddenly she could see a million things they would be scolded on. As pristine as Noborizaka was, she hated to admit that her team usually made a disorganized mess if they were not mindful. This was bad. MaiMai would be disappointed, Nanamin even more.

“Yeah, we got about an hour and a half to clean up.” The yankee tossed Kazumi back her phone. Yumi was surprisingly calm about the impending doom she had just set forth. “Should start now.”

“What are we standing around then for?!” Erika shoved Kazumi off, zipping her jacket up and clapping her hands for everyone’s attention. “I'll get the equipment, Kazumin will clean the floors, Wakatsuki should wake the brat up and organize the stage, Mai can make sure the gym is unoccupied when she gets here.”

“What about me…?” Reika meekly piped up.

“You… keep punching the sandbag.”

“Oh…”

“And for the love of god, zip up!!”

One would think an hour and a half would be plenty of time, but of course even to the last second they were all rushing around in a panic. Before they realized the time, the gym doors kicked open in a scarily cinematic fashion. Hashimoto Nanami had arrived, kendo stick in one hand, bug-eyed sunglasses hiding her intense glare, wearing her nostalgic golden tracksuit in all its glory to tie it all together.

“Line up.”

Without hesitance, her little headaches grouped into formation. Once more, save for Nishino Nanase, whom was still drowning the world out with music from her ear buds.

“Where's Nishino?”

The group all looked at each other in discomfort before gesturing behind them. Looking closely enough through her shades, Nanami’s brow twitch in irritation by Nanase’s lack of respect. She pounded the bamboo blade against the still damp gym floors as she approached the resting student. First, she cleared her throat. Second she called her name. By the third action she had lost her patience, swinging the stick down against her slightly exposed stomach.

Nanase ripped her earbuds out, groaning in pain as she doubled over. “Fuck!! Ow… Nanamin…?”

There was little to no remorse in her action. “Good, now that everyone's paying attention we can begin.” Nanami turned on her heels to address the team. “I told you all to never call me at work, didn't I?” The fact her voice was steady and calm was really the most unnerving thing they had ever heard.

“It was Wakatsuki and Kazumin–

Nanamin whipped the point of her kendo blade into Erika’s face just inches from contact, effectively silencing her. “No excuses. A team is as good as a hive mind. For insubordination and discordance, ten laps around the school. Now.”

“But our school is huge! And on top of a hill!”

“Did I stutter, Sakurai?”

The team let out a collective groan. They wanted proper training, they got it Nanami style. It was rough, ruthless, and excessively vigorous with little mercy in every aspect. They ran for a full hour, no water breaks, and came back as sweaty messes. Well, save for Kazumi and Yumi, who were sort of used to the physical exertion. However, it was only just the beginning of the worst to come.

“30 pull-ups, 30 sit-ups, 30 real push-ups, none of the girly ones, and 50 curls with a 10lb weight.” Nanami listed orders off of her phone, stand at the head of the stage as bounced her kendo sword on the polished floor. “When that’s finished everyone can have a ten minute water break. After that, Reika will fight everyone one on one. Make your break count.”

“Wait, what?! That-that’s impossible!”

“When I said everyone is pulling their weight, I meant it. These are your friends, they'll go easy on you. A yankee will not.” She stated with her voice somehow colder than Erika's. “Either hike up your skirt now or Kazumi will have to fight. I'm not letting you quit before you try.”

With a hesitant turn of her head, Reika looked over to Kazumi whom look terrified. Even more so than she was. Kazumi was stupidly strong yes, but she was still a pacifist at heart. She only just recently decided to throw her gauntlet into the effort and Nanamin was the one to convince her. If only she didn’t decide to quit fighting then they could have resolved the Yoga tier with no problem; Kazumi wasn’t called a tank for nothing. Reika felt guilty that Kazumi fighting depended on her ability to throw a single punch.

“If you leave it all to Takayama, can you really call yourself her friend being so selfish?”

Reika shook her head, raising her fists to the heavy bag. “I can do it.” She hoped. Only the worst would come if she should fail in the end. Even if Kazumi was an idiot, Reika did care immensely for her. Like a little sister, she did wanted to try protecting her from doing things she didn't want to do. But being as smart as she was, she knew this wasn't an appropriate amount of time to train, even if she had been proficient at violence. The results were inevitable, but damn it she’ll try. “It will be hard, but I will do it.” With a firm nod, Reika zipped up her purple jacket and lunged at the heavy bag with Nanami’s instruction.

Meanwhile, the others were left to their own devices, either to finish up Nanami’s set or do some serious training of their own. Not a moment to slack off lest they want to get an earful.

“Mai, You know how this will end don’t you?”

Mai nodded, jogging out of the room with Erika at her side. Even if Reika accepted her punishments, they all still had laps to do. “Of course, did you see her? Even Reika knows.”

“I think everyone but that idiot understands this is pointless, but teamwork right?” Erika scoffed, mentally rolling her eyes. “We’re sending her to die.”

“No, we’re sending Kazumi as well to protect her. If all goes well they both will come out with maybe a bump or two.” With a small, optimistic grin, Mai glanced over her shoulder. “Are you actually worried for your team?”

Erika furrowed her brow. “No way! I just don't want them to screw up!” Erika pouted slightly, looking forward. “That’s all.”

“Mhm~” Mai couldn’t stop grinning. “I’m sure that’s it.”

“Shut up, we have laps to finish.” Erika pushed herself in running to get a nice distance from the pack.

After a short while, the majority of the girls returned to the gym, tired and sweating. In front of them were lined up blue mats. However, Reika was fine, punching the air with weights in the corner. Surprisingly enough, she was able to lift the two five-pound dumbbells in each hand with some ease.

“Now you should be an even match, right?” Nanami watched the group with little interest, fanning herself with a school pamphlet.

Yumi hunched over, arms supporting her up on her knees as she coughed once while attempting to steady her breath. Since she oh-so effortlessly ran her ten laps, she was assigned ten more with weighted ankle wraps. Nanami said it would help her get more ‘springy’. “That’s… that’s really why you made us run around the school so much?! Fucking bullshit…” Yumi collapsed herself in exhausted irritation, ripping off the ankle weight off of her. Her legs never felt more… light actually. Dead, but light.

“And to build character Wakatsuki, silence.” Nanami tapped her kendo stick on the floor, commanding attention. “Let’s all look at the facts for a moment. Reika has never been in a fight nor do we think she should ever be. She can’t punch, she can’t kick, she has the balance of a bendy straw. We all know she won't win this fight.” Nanami strode back and forth in front of the group. “If she were fighting a newborn puppy she would lose due to its sheer cuteness and a yawn. She has absolutely no chance.”

Reika lowered the weights as if she was a deflating balloon. “Hurtful…”

“That’s why you need to show her what will happen in a fight, so she can at least last long enough to throw in the towel. Only then Kazumin will come and avenge her.” Nanamin stopped dead center in front of them, who were all confused.

“Avenge her after quitting? Doesn't that sound like failure in general?” Erika straightening out, perplexed by the strategy.

Once more, she aimed her faux blade at the pianist’s face. “Erika, if you would just let me finish… By the way, have you paid Reika back for her tablet yet?”

“Er…” Erika had not yet. Better keep her mouth shut.

Nanami exhaled and continued. “You’ve seen the videos Reika compiled of Majijo fights so you should have noticed that not all fights were as cut and dry. So consider this: even if you fail, so long as a Queen goes down to the challenging team in some way, it's our victory.”

“It’s not the best way, hell, it’s not even a good way to win but I find nothing wrong with it.” The yankee shrugged, rubbing her calves with her thumbs.

Nanase crouched down, resting her arms on her knees. “Hm… So just hope the princess last long enough then?” She snorted shifting her gaze to the bespectacled girl, giving her a condescending smirk. “Good luck.”

Mai weighed on Nanami’s suggestion and since Yumi didn’t protest it, they had no other choice. Reika was serious about fighting so she had to let her go. “It’s the only way Reika is going to live through this without us being labelled cheaters for sending two against one.”

Glancing around her, Erika tried to strand the logic together and mumbled under her breath. “I don’t understand yankees at all…”

“So I am needed after all?” Kazumi pointed a finger at her chin and tilted her head in a quizzical fashion.

“Let's give it our all!” Mai smiled, seeing the pieces fall together in her mind. “MaiMai would love this sort of plan, I know it.” Mai was the first to step forward, finding a suitable position opposite of their student body president. Raising her fists, her eyes steeled in only her opponent in mind. “Get ready, Reika. I'm not holding back no matter how much you cry.”

Reika nodded with nervous seriousness. “Understood.”

She could do it. She hoped.

To be continued…

[kakiokuru]

NOBORIZAKA: NOVEMBER RAIN

Chapter Nine | Shitty Brats

“If this is war, we’ll take it from here.” A small group stood proud in front of Rappappa. Their uniforms clashed with their tracksuits, red as bright as their uniform’s scarf. “If you want to play yankee, we’ll gladly put you back in your place. You’re all still a million miles away from reaching Rappappa.” The leader of the pack had a similar haircut to the Rappappa woman, though their auras were completely different. They all shared a look of amusement as they scanned their eyes across the students. Their thoughts were as plain on their faces as the garish colour they sported. They saw Noborizaka as nothing but flashy upstarts biting off more than they can chew. Suffice it to say, the Norborizaka team didn’t appreciate that.

Otabe’s eyes widen in slight interest, flitting to the back of each Hinabe head. She had to admire their confidence but if she had any experience with the food-themed teams, they couldn’t stand a chance longer than a few minutes. She sighed, her lips spreading in a smile encouraging smile. “I suppose it’s customary. I’ll leave it to you all.” Her head shifted towards the remaining girls standing behind her, nodding her head upstairs. “Posts everyone.” Slowly, Yoga, Magic, and even Katsuzetsu filed up the stairs, the subsequent Rappappa leader following in tow. However, upon taking the first step, she halted turning her head to the side to address their new rival. “Whether you choose to attempt us all in one day or over the course of several is up to you. Come at us anytime.” With that, Otabe disappeared behind the graffitied wall. She’ll have to update Salt soon.

With their upperclassmen gone, Team Hinabe took an authoritative step towards the opposing team. “Because Sakura isn’t here, to even rank in you’ll have to defeat us to even touch the stairs.” The dead-eyed girl fronting the gaudily red team boasted, cracking her knuckles in the palms of her fingerless gloves. Uonome’s lip curled upward in a lopsided grin. “So let’s get this over with quickly. We don’t want prissy bitches in our school any longer.”

“Huh?! Who the hell are you calling prissy?” Yumi stomped forward in a growl, getting in the girl's personal space. They wanted a yankee, they got one. She may have been from a princess school, but Yumi was in no way a princess in the slightest. “I’ll gladly take on any piece of trash who thinks they can win so easily…” Yumi’s eyes darkened, peering into the other girl's. It was dead eyes versus devilish eyes. Yumi was a 24/7 yankee but it was a side rarely seen and lived, well, save for Nanase. She had a rough and merciless way of finishing a challenge so Hinabe was surely in for a treat. Tilting her head back, she puffed out her chest. “I took out your sorry excuse for a gate protection squaf in less than a minute, I have no problem crushing ugly girls like you.”

“The fuck did you say?” Another girl ripped the Hinabe leader out of her stance, taking her place. This one had her curled mess of hair flicked behind her shoulders, her bangs pulled into a ponytail atop her head. “Who are you calling ugly you–” She froze, colour rose in her cheeks. Her mouth formed sentences of retaliate but the yankee in front of her was perfect. From her eyes to her lips, not a single flaw was apparent. Her mouth was agape for a moment, her snaggletooth showing as she tried to find the words to say. Thumping in her ears, why was her heart beating so loudly suddenly? Her eyes were like Uonome’s only… Not dead. She had become putty in Yumi’s hand, despite the Noborizaka yankee not doing a single thing. “You… spoiled… Ah… Rich girl.”

Yumi smirked in response; this was going to be too easy. She could tell from looks alone these girls were disorganized and barely worth the effort. This girl in particular was loud, hotheaded, clearly homosexual. She could play that, easily too. Her wandered a split moment to judge what she was seeing. Yumi lifted her hand, rubbing her own bottom lip with her thumb in amusement. “You remind me of someone, a certain brat I know.” Right down to the curled brown hair that seemed to need a brushing after a fight. A shitty brat, just like the girl she loved. Yumi tilted the opposing girl's chin up with her forefinger and thumb, biting the corner of her lip. Her eyes met with Nanase tauntingly before she leaned closer to the brat. “Maybe you can replace her when all this is over.”

Nanase's eyes shot up. Those words, the two were too close, that look. How dare she? Her fists balled around the red umbrella, threatening to snap it in half. Rage sparked in the scout. “No. I want her.” Nanase spoke up, instantly jutting her crimson umbrella between the two with enough force to leave a bruise against her teammate’s chest. Watching the scene didn’t sit well with her, eliciting a burn in her that would be remedied by their distance and her fist in the tiny girl’s disgustingly blushing face. “They want a prissy girl, I’m more prissy than you. I’ll take care of it. Move. Over there. Now.” Though their eyes met for only a brief second, Yumi received the full brunt of her anger. Pressing her umbrella against her teammate’s chest even harder than before, Nanase finally had enough space to slide in. She made a point to stare the older but clearly smaller girl down. How could Yumi like a girl like her? Her stare quickly turned into a glare. “Don't even try it.”

However, Yumi only groaned in response. A fake one, but a groan to play along. “Jealous much?”

“To see you throw yourself at yet another girl who might open her legs to you?” Nanase face her frustrating partner while she raised her brow. “Not at all. However…” She paused, nearly forcing the umbrella into the girl's hands as she leaned in close to her face. Speaking in a hushed tone she whispered just loud enough for the rival to hear her. “…I don't like being compared to fugly dykes from a rival school. I especially don't like being replaced by clearly lesser girls, so allow me to destroy my competition. Hold my fucking umbrella, Wakatsuki.”

“Hot.” Yumi grinned to herself. Of course she gladly took it off her hands, but handed it off to Kazumi to carry. Somehow she ended up carrying everyone’s umbrella. Happily so too from the way she hooked them off her shoulders. Just like a semi-colourful idiot.

“You can do it Naachan!”

“Son of a bitch…” Kusogaki gritted her teeth.

Turning back to the group, the fires of jealousy could finally clearly be seen. Nanase could deny it all she wanted, but anytime another girl became close to her Yumi, she couldn't ever sit quietly. Even if the two were separated. This alone propelled her anger towards to group. “A shitty brat, a useless leader, and what are you two? Extras? Figures that shark bitch’s followers were just as disappointing. Are you going to run away like her?”

“Sakura would never run away.” The leader spat the same distaste back, fists clenched and nails digging into her fingerless gloves.

“Funny. Then why is she hiding in a hostess club, whoring herself out for money?”

“Her exact words were–”

Her shoulders shrugged dismissively. “I don't give a shit what her reasoning is. She ditched you all to feed you to wolves.” Nanase didn't bother even lifting her fists, she’d finish this quick enough. “Let's get this over with, so we can climb the stairs and clear our school's name.”

Though, the opposing forces readied themselves. Jisedai narrowed her eyes at the girl in front of her. “Bitch… Don't look down on us just because you cleared the road to the building.” She gave her team a side-eye in an attempt to communicate their formation.

“Sakura trusted us to guard the stairs in her place. We're more than enough for a bunch of spoiled ankle-biters!” Kusogaki snarled as she spoke, balling her fists. “Come at us, we’ll show you why rich kids like you should stay home!!” With a low growl, Kusogaki lunged into the jealous girl.

Nanase smirked in response, not moving from her spot. Not until she was inches away, Nanase took one step back, letting the older girl hit the floor. Sloppy. She couldn't help but laugh, seeing the brat miss so easily. “Slow.” Nanase taunted her, taking careless steps forward. “Sakura trusted people like you? I wouldn’t even trust you to watch my dead pet rock.” The red clad team then formed a square around her to gauge her every move. Nanase could only smirk at the worthless attempt intimidate her. “Are you sure she didn't just find a quick fix to fill her place while she gets her holes resized?”

Hearing such slander made Uonome’s blood boil. Under her breath, she cursed as she dug her heel into the floor, dashing inward to the center. With her arms tucked against her chest, she brought her leg up for a mid-kick at Nanase’s back. “I’ll make you eat your words!!”

Without needing to turn, Nanase swiftly sidestepped, absorbing the blow by wrapping her arm around the ankle. Seriously, did they have to grunt so loud before throwing a hit? “You noisy bitches make it so easy to counter. God, what did that slut see in all of you? Oh right. A scapegoat for responsibility.” While being resisted, the scout stepped back, one hand latching to the dead-eyed girl’s ankle and used the elbow of her other arm to smash into her knee, throwing her opponent's weight back when she buckled. “Messes, all of you.”

There was a sickening crack heard from the girl's leg, just before she released the opposing girl, matched with the blood curling screams of pain. The other girls all rushed to crowd their apparent leader. There was a brief second where Nanase felt guilty, but it was shirked off. From what she experienced, attacks from behind were cheap and she brought this upon herself.

In an instant, the box around her dispersed upon seeing the leader’s leg bend the opposite way. Kusogaki was immediately at her side, followed by Dodobusu and Jisedai. “Uonome!!”

“Gagh… My knee… Fuck… Sh-she broke my knee!”

“Nishino–!!” Mai stared in shock. That was too far, breaking bones wasn’t in the plan. She body reacted by stepping forward nearly into the fray but Erika’s hand around her arm kept her back. Even Yumi was there to give her a shake of her head. Was this really the yankee way?

She smirked, crossing her arms. “That's my victory then. That was fast.” It was very clear the rest were more concerned with their broken leader. There would be no more fighting from this lot. With a sigh, Nanase rubbed her neck, striding back to her team. “Shall we prepare for the next?”

“A cheap one-hit victory like that… you're trash!!” The girl with a single clip keeping the hair from her eyes called out to her from the floor.

Nanase glanced at her over her shoulder. “Is that so?” She never did like people insulting her; Nanase did the cursing, never tolerated taking it. While she would typically let girls come to her, this was a special case. Nanase stomped over, grabbing the girl by her ear. Soft cries of pain escaped her as the scary student began to force her to her feet. “Dodobusu, right? Your name precedes you.” Nanase wore a sweet and teasing smile. “You think that victory wasn't enough? She didn’t hit back did she?”

“You–… You still have two more of us…” The other girl attempted to grip at her arm, pull away, anything to stop the pain of her ear tearing off. “If you fought fair… Uonome could have destroyed you.”

That prompted a small, amused chuckle. “Really? Fair? So, you don’t like me winning with one hit, but as I recall didn’t Sakura take you down with one hit too? The one-inch punch. Now look at you, at the beck and call of a shark bitch who left you to the wolves.” There is was, that flicker of realization and fear in Dodobusu’s eyes that Nanase occasionally liked to ride on. “You don’t have any right to talk. But, clearly you feel for your stupid leader so… Should I show you how she feels right now?” She released the girl’s ear, but no relief would come for her as she gripped Dodobusu’s nose with her other hand. “You should be careful who you call trash.” Her eyes darkened. Without warning, Nanase swung heavy fists against her lower abdomen. One after another until she tossed the red-jacketed girl haphazardly into the only other unscathed member of the team, slamming both into the wall. There wasn’t any way they’d come back from that. She proved her point. “I win. Again.”

“Not quite.”

A voice called out from the end of the hall. Turning around the corner, two more girls appeared to join in on the downed Team Hinabe’s aid. One was sporting another red jacket though weathered and dull, her visage matched that of a humanized otter that rivalled Nanase’s. The other fashioned a pompadour and her red scarf lazily hanging off her shoulders, her facial features sharp and eyes intense. Kamisori and Katabutsu, feigned their tough exterior and stared their enemy down.

“Are all you Majijo girls so dramatic?” She rolled her eyes as she watched the final two girls approached. “Oh well, it makes for a more satisfying defeat.” Nanase waved her hand in a way she couldn’t care less. Glancing between them she crossed her arms. “I heard you were strong. Want to have a go?” Nanase raised her hand, beckoning them both over. However, she paused, putting a finger to her chin. Her tone was cheeky and but dripped with venom. “Wait… Or was it that you were only strong with a lame partner? Or only strong when people remember you exist?”

“You…!” The otter-faced female squeaked. Sure Zombie wasn’t around but her razor sharp nails were more than enough. She didn’t waste time in dashing forward with her fingers out stretched.

“Each Majijo girl has a strength of their own, don’t underestimate us.” The shorthaired girl raised her head, narrowing her eyes. Clearly she wasn't one to mince words. Without another word, Katabutsu raised her fists and charged at the Noborizaka student.

Nanase scoffed. “Two at once, hm? We’ll see about that.” Once more she raised her hand, beckoning the two over. Kamisori was faster than she expected, needing to dodge from getting slit in the cheek. However, a quick but firm grasp of the sharp girl’s hands and then a twist of her fingers ensured her safety. Nanase then turned the girl around, twisting her arm behind her back, using her as a human shield from Katabutsu’s incoming strike to the face. Disoriented, the Majijo girls cursed at each other for attacking their own. Idiots. Nanase took the chance to twirl the girl around and launched a powerful kick to the gut followed by another roundhouse kick to side of the head. Kamisori was sent crashing to the wall next to the pile she called her friends. “Well that was disappointing. You’re all so uncoordinated.”

“Son of a…” The remaining girl cursed, going in low to tackle her enemy down.

Expected. “Please.” Nanase remained still, taking the tackle in with her body and letting herself be forced back. But she wouldn’t go down. Latching on to the girl’s uniform, the scout planted her loafer down into the dirtied tile of the floor in a display of strength. “You’re going to need to do better than that.” Nanase laughed, lifting her knee repeatedly into the girl’s stomach until she felt her opponent’s arms weaken around her. Yanking her up by the collar to face that pained expression, she let loose a flurry of hooks straight to the jaw. And just like the rest, she hit the floor in a beaten, bloody mess. “Just like Majijo to be all hype and no game.” Nanase won a fourth time.

The pile of bodies on the ground at their feet, it was clear to every witness they weren’t putting on airs. The display showed just how much of a threat Noborizaka truly was.

“Impressive.” Yumi finally chimed in as she leaned against the locker.

Her voice resparked her adrenaline. Nanase whipped her attention to her yankee teammate, glaring her down with the embers of jealousy still burning with her. Of course, she couldn’t forget why she was triggered in the first place. This wasn’t a victory she could rejoice in. Not while that person-sized irritation pricked at her. Nanase couldn't let that go, she was too prideful, too petty. Marching back to her group, she snagged her umbrella from Kazumi’s shoulder.

“Good work. Cleared the second and third tier. Should we continue on ahead or come back tomorrow to challenge the first Queen?” Reika stepped forward as she recorded the fight into her tablet.

“It’s probably best that–” Erika started.

“Wakatsuki and I will be walking home separately.” Nanase finished.

“Eh, Naachan–” Kazumi waved her arms slightly, letting the umbrellas clack together. Once more she resembled a disgruntled toddler. “It’s dangerous!”

“We’re still in enemy territory, you could both get hurt.” Mai warned.

“Don’t care.” Nanase almost completely forgot her team was even there. Blind hate would do that. With one hand she carelessly waved them off, completely ignoring them. She didn't allow a chance for Yumi to protest, grabbing her growing irritation by the red uniform ascot. With a firm look, she peered into the others eyes. “We need to have a talk. Now.” She wanted them to know how pissed she was.

“Well, that answers that…” Erika, and the rest, watched Nanase strangle Yumi away. Hopefully they’ll see them both unharmed again.

A strained grunt of a choke escaped as she was yanked away, weaving through the various faceless small fry. She was mad and Yumi expected it. Such scornful rage always inhabited the petite girl and Yumi always felt pity at who the anger was directed to. However this time, she dug herself in this grave but she knew how to handle it. At least, she thought she did. Well, this case was a little different. She spoke the unforgivable line. Yumi had to think fast. She watched the back of Nanase’s head as she was dragged along, a less fearful but more thoughtful grimace on her face. To save herself, Yumi would have to put up a good defense.

Nanase made sure to drag the girl somewhere they shouldn't be bothered. She finally stopped in what look to be the overgrown school courtyard, where Sakura fought Bakamono in the beginning. Empty barrels, broken chairs, and dented cabinets still laid about untouched; it was a place long since forgotten and never cared for. Pebbles shifted under her feet as she paced briefly, trying to think of where to start. Her emotions and mind were in overdrive, still riding high on her anger and the burn of her jealousy. Her hands cupped her cheeks, rubbing up and down in frustration.

“You have a lot of fucking nerve, Wakatsuki.” Pausing, she turned her head to daggers into the yankee opposite of her. “Always telling me ‘don't let people push your buttons’. Then you do it yourself?” Nanase mocked before letting out a disgusted grouse. It was a minor thing, but still something on her mind. Honestly, she had three million things she wanted to yell about, yet conveying them was the difficult in itself with how stubborn she knew herself to be. She groaned in frustration as she stomped across the yard to face her again. “‘Maybe you can replace her’? Are you kidding me?! What the hell was that about?!”

Yumi just simply let her blow off her steam, giving her a small shrug. “I wasn’t serious.”

That response earned her a sharp resounding slap across the cheek, one that echoed off the dirtied walls. “Do not give me that.” The scout gritted her teeth. Deep down, she didn’t like seriously hurting Yumi for any reason but her body acted on instinct, feeling the sting of the impact in her palm. “You know exactly what I don’t like and you still do it. What kind of passive-aggressive shit are you trying to pull?”

“Nothing really. I was pushing their buttons too. Get them riled up and they’ll fuck up. You know that.” Yumi sighed, unfazed by the smack to the face.

“That is not an excuse.”

"Look, if I get you riled up at me, at least you won't fuck up in a fight against them, right? You won, lighten up."

"What kind of logic is that?!"

Yumi rolled her eyes, shifting her weight to lean against the wall. “Honestly, you have to loosen up. Getting your panties in a tizzy by everything I say shows bad character.”

“Bad chara– You’re one to talk, chasing everything in a skirt, getting down on any girl who might open her legs for you. First that sleazy hostess club, now the bitch with the snaggletooth. Don’t think I don’t know about you and Sakurai in our spot on the roof. As soon as you’re available, anyone will do, huh?”

Fuck, she knew about Reika. Good thing she never pursued her. "Just living by your old motto. 'Enjoy yourself,' right?"

"I thought you hated that."

“I do but do you really think I have such low standards to actually want to get it on with any of the girls from this trash heap of a school?” She scoffed.

“Oh, I know you do.”

“So you’re saying that you’re also a low standard.” She smirked.

Nanase’s eye visibly twitched. She was doing it again, pushing buttons that should never be pushed, even going as far as twisting her words. Yumi could be a real bitch if she wanted, Nanase knew that best. Taking a deep breath, she tried to show that measly words wouldn’t crawl under her skin. She knew better, or at least tried to. “That’s not what I meant.” She growled out. Her hands clenched so tight blood threatened to spill from the nails against her skin and all to contain the urge to strangle the girl before her.

"See, this is your problem, you don't say what you mean, you don't talk about anything. I never know what you want because you never tell me and then get pissed at me when I do something wrong. So I have to either wait or force it out of you, both things I don’t want to do but you leave me with no choice. What happened to talking shit out? I’m sick of being expected to understand you when I really don’t know what going on in your head. You just do, you never think. Why is it so hard to talk to me?"

"It's hard for me, you know that! I’m not an open book unlike someone. I’m not throwing myself at everyone like I've been sex deprived."

"Yeah well, I'm not as petty as to start throwing shit at people after being suggested to take a break to sort out my feelings."

"That’s not fair. You put me in position where I didn't know how to respond. When you didn't like my answer, you turned tail."

Yumi pushed herself off the wall and paced to Nanase, narrowing her eyes at the girl. She wanted to play it like that, fine. "You gave me a 'thank you' to my 'I love you'. Not something someone wants to hear after they've spent three years with that person. I wanted to give you time and space until you can either figure out if you actually cared about me enough back. If you did, cool. If you didn't, I still would have stayed. But you took it as me ending it permanently."

Nanase's lips twisted and curled as she tried to muster up something to form a rebuttal. "So, I jumped the gun, it doesn't give you the excuse to flirt with everything and everyone around us while I'm still here. You love me? I could hardly tell."

Okay, Yumi had to admit she was in the wrong for that. "You can have your fun but I can't? Talk about fair, then again, I always had the short end of the stick."

"Yumi– I didn't mean it like that!"

The yankee threw her arms up, letting out a sigh as she walked away from the scout. “Then what do you mean? What do you want? Seriously, we have better things to do right now at this very moment then talk about my love life. On Majijo grounds too.” Yumi sighed, running a hand through her hair as she looked around for watchers. “You really know how to pick the place.” Honesty dripped from her words, coated with sarcasm in her tone.

Nanase let her glare stay firm. How else did she really expect this to go? She couldn't deny it; dragging Yumi by the collar to 'talk' to a place like this was a bad idea. Her emotions got the better of her judgement… again. ‘Just do and never think’. Both of them were too stubborn for their own good, Nanse could recognize that this situation would only become a vicious cycle in they continued on. Their future had begun to show signs of bleakness. Even being friends seemed impossible. “… You aren't worth it.” Letting the tension out of her shoulders, she deflated with the realization herself. If she were honest, she never wanted them to be this way.

“Yeah. Clearly.” Yumi looked away, feeling a heavy weight of her words. Her mind had come to the same conclusion, almost three years of work crumbling in front of her, as if it never happened at all. “Apparently I never was…”

Nanase wanted to insult her, fight back, something, but what point was there? She licked her lips, glancing everywhere that wasn't the opposite girl. Her chest hadn’t ached this much in a long time, she could feel her eyes sting from the pain alone. It took a lot of courage to look her in the face again. “When this war is over, don't speak to me ever again.”

Slowly, Yumi let her focus fall on the scout, her brow slightly rising in surprise. “That far, huh?” She let a moment of dead air to pass in order for the nothing to sink in. Talking and talking things out, it was one of her favourite things to do. Nanase knew that. It was the best way to get her to open up; years of trial and error had gotten them so far. Until now. Yumi exhaled a quiet breath and nodded. “…Fine.”

Heavy tension hung in the balance as neither word or sound came from either of them. It was as if they were waiting, an empty promise of hope that one would take back their words. But nothing.

Nanase turned away, leaving the courtyard. “… See you.”

As soon as she was gone, Yumi cursed, showing a faint sign of the same aching feeling Nanase felt. “… Fucking brat…”

To be continued…

[kakiokuru]

NOBORIZAKA: NOVEMBER RAIN

Chapter Eight | A Reason to Fight

Nanami sure did put them on the correct path. The strategy would go along with Majijo’s rules, but more importantly, guarantee victory. Of course, even if a guarantee was made, she cautioned them to take the plan with a grain of salt. Anything could happen and Majijo girls could be pretty crafty, it wouldn’t be a surprise if the order of appearances would be as predicted. Therefore, should anything happen, Nanamin made sure they knew she wasn’t going to be there to save them. She also made it very clear not to call her again during her work hours. Or at all. Nanami was ‘retired’ so she wanted nothing to do with high school drama. Though before she left, she had everyone clean and reorganize the clubroom until it was as spotless as it formerly was. It took an entire day.

The bitter wind blew round the group of students as they walked to the school, umbrellas concealing their identity. Winter was here, the leaves from the trees had more than all disappeared, the remnants beginning to be covered by one of the first snows of the season. Each of them had fire in their eyes, ready to take on the huge task. Well all but one girl…

“Maiyan, it’s cold!” Kazumi shivered as her free hand rubbed her arms up and down.

“Idiot, we told you to wear thicker socks– Wait, are you wearing the summer uniform?!”

Erika nearly dropped her umbrella, looking at her complaining companion in shock. Kazumi stood in confusion, looking herself over. Bare arms, normal knee socks. Despite this, she looked back to the group with a grin.

“Ah, I forgot to take it off the clothing line this morning.”

“Girl, it’s fucking snowing! Since last night!” Yumi’s brow furrowed in disbelief.

“I fell asleep while watching TV and forgot…”

“Then couldn’t you have worn your tracksuit?” Mai tilted her head, a little irritated by the carelessness.

“Hori still has it.”

“Kazumin, that was almost two months ago.” Even Nanase was a bit concerned for her friend.

“I guess she forgot too?”

“Unlikely. There have been a number of times where Hori-san has visited council room to return it…” Reika injected as she shook her head with a soft but expected sigh.

“But Kazumin is always off doing something stupid, like eating her fifth lunch from the convenience store.”

The group released a collected sigh. Erika had little to no tolerance for Kazumi’s careless nature and that would never change. In a fit of frustration, she tugged her own jacket off, tossing it over the freezing girls shoulders.

“But my uniform! If they don't see it won't it be bad? Mama and Nanamin always say we have to represent–”

“You're the only one who thinks like that. From what I’ve witnessed, yankees modify their uniforms all the time. It’s really disrespectful to the school in my opinion…” The pianist sneered.

“Yeah, I remember when Nanase rolled up her skirts and wore flashy bangles. She even curled her hair, wore heavy makeup, manicured her nails…”

“Shut up, you pervert. You’re one to talk, wearing a male uniform in a girls school.”

“Excuse me? Either you’ve fantasized that of me or you’re mistaking me for that one Majijo person that carried themselves as a boy with a pompadour. The one from Reika’s history lesson.”

“Ah, that one!” Reika grinned, holding her tablet up with one arm. Without even needing to look, she gushed. “Gakuran, real name Miyazawa Sae, currently graduated. Was a lone yankee before joining the Maeda Army. Changed their name to Youran in their third year! I was in the fan club during my last year of middle school and year one!”

“Ironic now, isn’t it?” Erika chimed in with what seemed to be sarcasm.

Reika’s eyes were wide for a moment, but she promptly shook the slight embarrassment off with a small smile. “In any case, we’ve all come a long way. Look at us, going to a war… Who would have imagined.”

“Honestly, when I decided not to attend Majijo I figured this could happen one day.” Yumi pursed her lips in thought, leaning her black umbrella against her shoulder. “Although, back then there was something a little more important to me, so I chose to attend Noborizaka.”

It was a good think she was lost in thought, she didn’t notice a certain girl's shoulders stiffen as she spoke. “I thought about going to Majijo, but the uniform was ugly so…” Nanase turned away as she walked, keeping her eyes on literally anything else. “Besides, fighting to be the top of a shitty yankee school won't help you later on in life.”

“That was surprisingly really mature of you to say, Naachan.”

“I’m not one for tacky nicknames, either.” Nanase crossed her arms a bit, straightening herself as she walked.

“And ‘shitty brat’ was already taken…” The yankee teased as an aside, prompting the group to snort and look away. “I guess you have to stick with ‘little shit’ then, huh?”

“The fuck did you call me!!” Nanase stopped in place, tossing her umbrella to the ground.

“Enough.” Mai pulled her umbrella back a little to expose her face to the group with Nanase halting in her tracks. “We’re almost there. Walking in while fighting will make us look bad.” She glanced over her shoulder slightly. “When we turn that corner, we’ll be on the path to their gates. We only have one shot to do this correctly. I’m counting on you all. No matter what is said to you on the way, no matter who tries to intimidate you. Keep walking. We already cleared the gates once. We don't need to do it again.”

“Mai and Nanase reported how messy the school is so…” Reika dug into her messenger bag and tugged out a large bottle. “I’ve brought hand sanitizer!”

“Like that shits going to help. This school is disgusting. It hasn’t changed since before I even knew what yankee’s were. Trash and graffiti everywhere.”

“Then, I’ll make appointments with the school doctor for everyone later.”

“Just don't touch anything and you’ll be fine.”

“If anyone touches me, I’m swinging just so you know.”

“Ahh, it can’t be that bad!! They’re students like us, right? Right! Like Naachan and Waka! Rough but teddy bears on the inside!”

“Ehh… That’s…” Yumi rubbed the back of her neck in discomfort. Never has she been called a teddy bear in her life.

“If anything, the janitors come and clean up, right?” Kazumi tilted her head, puffing one of her cheeks.

“Kazumin… just shut up and you’ll see.” Nanase rolled her eyes, leaning down to collect her discarded umbrella.

“Remind me again why we’re surrounded by these idiots?” The short-tempered girl tilted her black umbrella to the side to lean over to her leader’s ear.

“Because MaiMai loved them.” Mai replied, pushing on. Though, Mai's reason was a little different. She wouldn’t trade her team for the world. This was her family, migraines and all.

Erika sighed. “I wonder why…” Well, she knew why but still questioned it.

Turning the corner, the first thing you would notice in the shouting. Even in winter, the sound of yankee’s clambering and causing havoc down the path was just as loud as the hottest summer day. Then as you pushed on there was the smell, granted by the discarded wrappers and dead leaves. No matter how many yankee’s shouted at the group or attempted to get a rise out of them, not a single member would grant them any attention. However, they were most put off by the sights and smells, even upon entering the school gates.

“Who the fuck are you?”

Mai lifted her umbrella, giving the small group behind them a cold look. A pack of three. They were on Reika’s presentation but were more like footnotes, unimportant side characters to the bigger story. At the head of the pack was a girl with long hair with slight waves, feminine features but a prominent chin. The group knew very well anyone not in Rappappa wasn’t worth their weight in salt. Accompanying her was a short but well endowed girl with a white streak in her hair, as well as a fairly tall girl in comparison to the other girls, who's uniform was too short to reach the hem of her skirt. Though, it could be thanks to her heels.

“Ikizama, Bouyomi, Mirror. Komiharu Haruka, Tomonaga Mio, and Kojina Yui, respectively.” Reika pressed her glasses up the bridge of her nose. “In Naachan’s terms… Weeds.”

The shortest of the group stepped forward, her arms folding against her chest. “You have a lot of fucking nerve just walking in like this.” In typical Majijo fashion, she attempted to rush forward and attack the closest to her. Unfortunately for her, it was an idiot wielding a bright yellow umbrella.

Before she even managed to get close with her punch, Yumi grabbed the girl’s fist and yanked her face to face. “Look at this squeaky little punk. Who let this tiny microbe on grounds like this? Are you someone's lost child? Are you even old enough to be in high school? Don’t worry, I’ll send you right where you belong.”

Mai sighed. “I told her not to waste her energy…”

“It was bound to happen, just let her go… Make ourselves known at least.”

Mai glanced at Yumi, giving her a small nod of confirmation. That should be all she needed.

Yumi grinned widely, turning back to the small girl as her hand gripped even tighter around the fist. It was a vice grip, clamping down harder and harder, threatening to crush bones. Bouyomi let out a shrill squeak of pain, latching on to her own wrist in an attempt to free herself but to no avail. The tiny girl’s raised her other fist to launch at Yumi but only to be snagged in her other empty palm. Surprised and shaken, Bouyomi didn’t have any time to think being suddenly swept off her feet, her chin colliding with the stronger girl’s knee. Another yelp. And now she couldn’t even see straight. Yumi wasted no time to pull Bouyomi by her arms and swing her around, releasing her fists and letting her fly right into her comrades like dead weight. Suffice it to say, Bouyomi was already down for the count.

“Belongs to you, doesn’t she?” The Noborizaka yankee grinned as if she was already having the time of her life. It had been too long, two weeks long since she last fought. She needed the thrill. She patted her hands together, “Nanase’s right, you all are nothing but weeds. And you have rough hands. You’re all girls, ever heard of moisturizer?” Even Yumi did that much.

The three-man team, downed by only one girl, held onto their now bruised friend. The apparent leader, Ikizama, did try to step forward, but she knew better than to engage when she saw the red and white umbrellas. They had been here before. More importantly, Ikizama had already seen what sort of strength they had. The white was familiar, and if she could recall, the red was reported to have appeared a year ago. If a black umbrella can throw a girl with no effort at all, this meant trouble. Who knew what two black umbrellas meant, let alone yellow or purple.

“Please forgive us, we have more important matters to attend too.” Erika bowed her head to the group, still as polite as she could muster in a situation like this. “Let’s hurry, I’m sure all of them are paying attention from the windows now.” Erika glanced up, pointing with her free hand. Sure enough, crowds had gathered at the windows, anticipating the group's next move.

“Let’s go.” Mai folded her umbrella, leading her team inside.

The further the group ventured inside, the most disgusted a certain member became. Reika physically recoiled at the sights around her. Vandalism to the extreme, broken tables and bent chairs, trash of all sorts just recklessly abandoned. There were even scorch marks and burned barrels in some corners of the rooms and halls. Was this a school or a city waste facility? There wasn’t even a single blank space on the walls left, all taken by various curses and insults. Even some were covered by cardboard that held even more curses. And the students, if they even could be called such. Yumi wasn’t joking when she said they modified their uniforms, but some didn’t even resemble it anymore. Cut up, shredded, torn, covered, and dyed, any possible way to change the original form. Reika had never seen anything like this before, the pictures and videos didn’t do this place justice, or in this case injustice. It was an extreme 180 degrees from their prim and proper school.

“D–… Disgusting.” The bespectacled girl reflexively hid behind her tablet.

“Told you.”

Erika was appalled, “Can this place really be called a school anymore…? Where are the teachers?”

“I think I’m losing my appetite…” Kazumi lowered her umbrella, grimacing as she looked at the yankees who looked her way. She wasn’t frightened by any of them, but the environment around her didn’t leave a good taste in her mouth. She wanted out, and she wanted out fast.

“Yeah… so glad I didn’t choose to come here.” Yumi’s sour expression was clear as day. “Reika, get the sanitizer ready.”

“These so called ‘students’ here certainly match their surroundings. Put yourself in an environment you feel comfortable in. So this is how they keep their attendance up.” Erika huffed, keeping her annoyance in check.

“Of course they match this shit show. Majijo is overrated, always has been.” Nanase closed her red umbrella, swinging it over her shoulder. “And don't you mean lack of attendance? Most girls are in their twenties… or older. Don't show up, don't graduate. These idiots keep repeating and wasting their lives.”

Reika tucked her umbrella underneath her arm. “Judging from their graduation statistics, a fair amount of girls do graduate with attendance alone. The only reasons one wouldn’t be able to graduate are low attendance percentage and excessive violence, the latter being redundant in my opinion. Though, from the recent years, Rappappa looks to be choosing to stay behind. Well, except for one case who miscalculated.” Reika explained while peeking at her tablet to make sure she wasn’t feeding her team misinformation while at the same time squirting a dot of disinfectant each other their hands. “Their lack of staff means the students are responsible for themselves so I wouldn’t be surprised if they’re fudging numbers to leave. Or skimping to stay.”

“In other words, they aren't very bright and they would rather pretend to be children until they get themselves killed here.” Erika spit venom, glaring at the crowds.

“Well, I wouldn’t go that far.”

A voice called from the end of the hall and all the Majijo students suddenly disappeared into the classrooms for safety. Soft murmuring could be heard from all sides and directions but it all came down the word, ‘Rappappa.’ All of their faces were white as sheets, conflicted on if they should run and risk collateral damage or stay for the show.

“My, my, I’m surprised you’ve returned, and with friends too. I thought I told you our top isn't here. She’s in the world of cabaret clubs.” A woman with a straight, shoulder-length bob in a red jacket strode down the hall, the Heavenly Queens parading behind her, There was an air of class and poise, almost that of a Noborizaka student but the seriousness and flame in her eyes spoke otherwise. She halted a few feet from those opposing her while comrades only a step behind. “If you’ve all come to transfer in, I’m afraid your timing couldn’t be any poorer. It’s a bit late in the year, don’t you think? There are only a few months to this year left. Unless you’re here for reasons I truly hope you’re not thinking about.”

“Otabe, I presume.” Stepping to her leader’s side, Erika addressed her properly. “We are students of Noborizaka Elite Private Academy. We’re… pleased to make your acquaintance.”

Otabe crossed her arms, her eyes inspecting in between the six that stood before her. “Your friend there looks absolutely freezing. Why not have some tea now and rethink your options?” Her Kyoto dialect was strong and evident but her voice was oddly pleasant, given the circumstances.

“That isn’t an option.” Mai stood at the front of her team, facing the opposing woman. “One of your students attacked one of ours. A defenceless first year on her way home.” Mai glared at the elder woman, her voice lowering as she spoke with more authority. “We don’t come from a yankee school. But, we can’t let this crime go.”

Otabe lifted her chin slightly in interest. She wasn’t aware of such an event. However she was aware of a non-Majijo uniform in their possession. So this is where it came from. Her head slowly shifted to her right, peering over her shoulder to the girl behind her with a wavy half ponytail and thigh-high socks. She’ll have to speak with Magic about this later.

Noticing the wordless interaction, Nanase smirked and pointed with her umbrella. “That one. Little Miss Magic. Of course it was the sleaze who uses tricks to win…” Nanase scoffed, looking away with little to no surprise. “You can keep the uniform. I’m sure Hori wouldn’t want to wear it now that it’s sullied by someone by someone who sucked up to men as a hostess… Even worse, used it in a sex ring.”

The magician instantly sparked up in a rage, nearly lunging at Nanase in retaliation. “Why you little–!!”

Otabe shot her arm out to stop the girl behind her from acting. The last thing she wanted was for this mess to get even worse. “While it was rather… unfortunate and regrettable one of our own assaulted and stole from you, a year ago, a red umbrella carrying student had swept our street of our student. I would not like to call it payback since it was a matter of the past long before this but for the sake of evening the grounds, let’s set this aside. We’ll return your uniform as well. Dry-cleaned. With the thief’s own money.” Her final words were directed to the girl hanging off her right arm.

Nanase lowered her head. Thinking back, Noborizaka being attacked was their own fault. Even Erika shot a glare at Nanase before remembering it was at the order of Mai, their leader.

“Actually…” Reika piped up, pushing to the front of the group. “Saying that this attack might have happened as a possible means of evening a score against us… Wouldn’t be plausible.” Reika lifted her tablet, turning for the girls to see and image of the old uniform, dark scarf and plaid skirt. “Hori-san, at the time, was wearing an old version of the current school. Being a scholarship student, it was all she could afford. Magic had ambushed her and stolen this uniform and her handbook. Noborizaka is clearly written in the front page so she knew where this particular uniform came from. However…” Reika swiped her screen to show an image of the current uniform, red scarf and plain skirt. “We changed our uniform last year, Nishino-san had this uniform on when she attacked last year. It’s unlikely there would have been anyone checking her handbook since Nishino-san lost her handbook the day she received it.” Reika retracted her tablet as and pushed up her glasses. “So no one could have known about Nishino-san fighting for our school and Magic attacked up knowing. We still have reason to be here.”

“Tsk, if I wanted to retaliate I would have. I borrowed it for something more important than yankee wannabes…” Magic looked at the group with little interest as her anger subsided. “Although, from how half assed your team is, I don't think you would understand my reasons even if you knew the entire story.”

“You make a fair argument but in revealing the red umbrella girl was still here to attack our girls means you struck against us first.” Otabe had been quietly deliberating the facts. “So we still have the choice to settle this simply or not.”

“We did strike first, we will admit that. A select few of us had the desire to take the top. I made that clear in my personal visit, didn’t I?” Mai recalled that day nearly perfectly. She was ready to storm the stairs without her team. “However, with the current events before us… Now it involves my team.”

“Honestly, while I was walking down the street, they called out to me and stuck their face under my umbrella. And we all know our umbrellas are for one person only and that’s the owners.” Nanase played with the red umbrella in her hands, sporting her signature smirk. “You could say they initiated the fight, self defence right? Even if it was my initial intent, how could they have known? What if I had chosen to leave, or if I had been a normal student? I’m sure the situation would be much worse.”

“True, I suppose.” Otabe had to admit it.

Yumi was growing antsy, too much talking, and not enough hitting. She growled in frustration and pushed passed Mai and Reika. “Argh! Can't believe we're just standing around and bitching about who did shit. You want a reason to fight then how about this? Golden rule of the yankees. Never fight anyone who’s not involved. Hori’s not even a yankee, you attacked a normal girl on her way home for no fucking reason.” Yumi stuck her hand out, pointing in an accusing manner. “She wasn’t even threatening you and you still punched her out when she said no and stole her clothes and uniform, the fuck kind of yankee does that?”

“A desperate one.” The light brown haired girl behind Otabe spoke. Her hair was long and seemingly perfect, not a hair out of place. Her sleeves were rolled up with purple silk showing in the fabric. “I was in trouble, she had stolen the uniform to help me.”

“The sex ring? By posing as a Noborizaka student, you could have tarnished our name!” Reika was surprisingly starting to feel the same frustration Yumi was feeling.

“Funny, I figured prissy girls like you wouldn’t know anything about shit like that.” Magic scoffed and laughed softly to herself before raising her head in a taunting manner. “After all, the guy who interviewed me said ‘You’re the first girl from Noborizaka looking for a part time job here.’ Rich kids really don’t have to worry do they?”

Otabe clapped her hand one, resulting in a loud sound that echoed the hall. “Enough, we’re beginning to sound like squabbling children.” Her gaze finally rested back on Mai, taking a few steps forward to close the space between them. “What’s your reason to fight despite all of this?”

“Simple.” Erika finally cut to the chase, sliding in between the leaders. “To save face and restore our school's name, we will take your school down.”

A small huff of air escaped from her lips. “Hm, I understand that, very well actually. But it’s not the first and certainly won’t be the last I hear of this.” Otabe had been here long enough, too long, to know that reason alone what never the end of it. “There’s more to this isn’t there?”

Slender fingers rested atop Erika’s shoulder gently moving her aside to face the woman in red. “I made a promise a long time ago. To someone who is very important to us. We intend to keep that promise and take the top position. We won't lose to the likes of Majijo.” All of Mai’s emotion and pain could be heard for a moment as she spoke, even if she did attempt to hide it with that low voice. Erika gently hooked her pinky around the leads finger to lend support, the rest of the girls moving just slightly closer to lend their strength.

Eyes locked to hers, Otabe silently measured Mai’s resolve. There was no denying how deeply invested she was to defeat them, how much power she held, and the ferocity within her. But her words resonated within her. “To prove a point to someone you care about…” She couldn’t help but assume that person wasn’t around any longer from the way she spoke. Otabe couldn’t help but draw the similarities, causing her smile out of amusement. Tilting her head to the side to address her team behind her, her tone carried a fascinated tone. “Salt would find this interesting, wouldn’t she?” Back to the opposing team, she glanced to each one of them. “Then I suppose…” Otabe uncrossed her arms, hanging her thumbs out of her pocket, and gave a long quiet sigh. “This means war.”

Each girl in the hall absorbed the weight Otabe’s words carried. Finally, an official declaration. There was no turning back from here. The aura of every girl changed in an instant.

“If this is war, we’ll take it from here.” A small group in tracksuits quickly made their way between the opposing forces.

To be continued…

[kakiokuru]

NOBORIZAKA: NOVEMBER RAIN

Chapter Seven | Information and Formation

“Alright everyone, settle down.” Reika wore an air of confidence as she spoke; making sure her laptop was securely hooked up to the borrowed projector. Reika wasn't a fighter, but there was a reason she was a part of the team and this was it. If you needed a game plan and thorough information, she was the best. With her moment to shine, Reika adjusted her glasses while waiting for her comrades to get comfortable. “Majijo is currently leaderless, but that isn't to say they are weak. Let me fill you in on what we’re up against.” Time to get right to business.

Lifting a small remote, she moved to the next slide of her PowerPoint. Yes, she made a PowerPoint. The first photo up was of a young woman with bobbed hair and wearing a red velvet sukajan. “Otabe, real name Yokoyama Yui, is the closest thing to the leader now. She's repeated many years for unspecified reasons but doing the math from when she first transferred in, I suspect she's around twenty-two. She’s what you can consider a seasoned Rappappa member, previously the president of the second generation of Rappappa but now acts as the advisor and a Heavenly Queen. She fought against Sakura once and they were evenly matched, however Otabe does possess strength powerful enough to break through blocks. Maiyan, I suggest she be your target.”

Mai gave a firm nod at the screen, burning the face into her mind. “I saw her at the gate. She shouldn't be a problem.”

“Now, under her are what you can call lieutenants. Or in their terms Heavenly Queens." Reika clicked her remote to bring up the next slide. “Magic, AKA Kizaki Yuria. Yoga, AKA Iriyama Anna. Katsuzetsu, AKA Kodama Haruka. Both Magic and Yoga have been Queens for some time, since before Sakura transferred in. They have some… unconventional fighting styles. Magic is the ‘third’ Queen and incorporates, as you would have guessed, magic into her attacks as distractions and sabotage, though her combative capabilities lay with the use her legs and her speed. Yoga, to be put bluntly, is the weakest among the Queens. Because of her proficiency in yoga, she’s rather quick, flexible, and prefers to dodge attacks and counter. Katsuzetsu… is more unofficial than anything. She transferred in recently to follow Sakura but some digging revealed that she was somewhat of a lackey and possibly harbours romantic feelings for Sakura. She was as bold was as bold as to infiltrate Rappappa’s clubroom and declare herself as the president. ” Reika continued on to explain her analysis on the battles between Sakura and the Queens.

“I want the magic girl.” Nanase rested her chin in hand, staring at the screen with little interest in the others. “Sakura almost lost when she was caught. I'm too fast, even with tricks. I'm sure to win against someone like that.” She smirked with anticipation. “Besides, someone who relies on magic and tricks to win a fight has no place in a real fight.”

Reika shook her head. “While you did clear up to the gate in under five minutes and probability of success looks to be in the green…” She pushed up her glasses and brought up the next slide, showing an image of her recommended formation of attack, flowcharts, graphs and all. At a glance, it was a sound and solid plan. “We will need the gate to be re-cleared of all the miscellaneous others before we charge the stairs.”

Nanase made a displeased face, rolling her eyes. “Make Kazumin do it! She's the tank! She could clear the small fry altogether in under three minutes.”

“Eh, I don't want to fight!” Kazumi pouted, still enjoying a bag of chips in her lap. “Maiyan said I didn’t have too!” She protested, in between crunches.

A loud sigh interrupted the chewing. “An attack like this is unreasonable. These are yankees.” Even Erika understood that. “There are systems and rules. Going in so boldly would be looked down upon even if we were victorious.”

“She's right.” Yumi sat up on the couch, lazily slouching against the leatherback. As a yankee herself, she understood unspoken yankee ‘traditions’ the best. “If we want to take down Majijo without a leader then we need to work up the totem pole. Reika had the right idea, declare war by clearing their gate but then attack their lower teams and work up.” She sighed, as if reading off a script. Anyone who attacked Majijo seemed to stick with this structure and eventually it became a system that all yankees abided by. “When we solidify ourselves as a threat, then we can take on their top fighters.”

“That seems tedious.” Erika furrowed her brow at Yumi, crossing her arms.

Yumi sighed, waving her hand listlessly. “It is, but anyone who has done anything different failed. We already have a strike against us for not having a student transfer there.”

“It’s all superstition.” Mai stood and stole the remote from the bespectacled girls hand, turning the slides back and forth until she could see every member. “We aren't everyone else.” Mai glanced over every image, the gears turning in her head. “We’re Noborizaka students, not yankees. Mai would want us to uphold Noborizaka’s name, and go about this with class. We will do this by their rules. Confer with Wakatsuki on these rules, Reika.” Turning on her heels, Mai crossed her arms. “Nanase already completed step one, clearing the gates.”

“Well, if I have to again to prove a point, then I don’t mind~” Nanase grinned, twirling her fingers in her hair. “But like I said, I already picked the girl I want.”

Mai rolled her eyes, trying to keep focus. “We don’t get to pick… But we’ll see how everything will turn out. Our next task is taking out Team Hinabe. Who should clear the second tier?” She turned slightly to view her team, lips curling in thought. Kazumi would be preferable but she had already told the tank of a girl she was allowed to stand on the sidelines. Going back on her word and forcing her would be wrong.

“Hinabe, this generation’s food-themed team. They’re actually significantly stronger than their previous incarnations. They are currently comprised of four members…” Reika tapped the photos against the wall with her stylus. “So if we go by yankee rules, wouldn’t it take a matching amount of girls to fight them?”

“Nah, these girls are chicken shit. Uonome, Dodobusu, Jisedai, and Kusogaki. All of them get downed with little to no trouble. They only got into Rappappa by riding on Sakura’s coat tails.” Yumi smirked to herself, stating the fact. She glanced to the student body president, her imagination picturing an amusing thought. “Even you could do it, Reika.”

The group snickered at the thought, although Reika didn’t seem as amused. Reika wouldn’t last very long at all, even against the weakest member. Hell, her tablet case had more endurance than her. If she didn’t shield herself when Erika darted her stylus towards her, the metal would have went right through her like a bullet.

Such a thought broke her out of her confident and serious demeanour prior to the presentation. “No-no-no-no way! I can’t even slap my hands to kill a fly without hurting myself.” She waved her hand a bit in front of her face. To return to the topic at hand, she turned to look the projected images. An idea struck her. “Nishino-san cleared the gates before, by herself, didn’t she? That wasn't a declaration of war, just scouting. So, why don't we all go together…? Aren't teams still in the rules? Going together might stir up enough buzz to properly declare war and they’ll see us as a threat.”

Erika scoffed. “Fight a team of flies together to declare war?”

“Hm… Considering we don’t meet their ‘transfer’ rule, it's not out of the question…” Yumi nodded a bit while she spoke.

“Then, I don’t… hate the idea.”

“Together? I want to come! I don’t want to fight but I want to come!” Kazumi jumped in, hand raised in the air.

Mai’s eyes glanced around the room, tossing the remote into Reika’s possession. “Seems we’re all in agreement here.”

Reika fumbled with the device as she tried to catch it, pulling in the next slide. “Ah, there's still the third tier. Kamisori, AKA Kojima Mako, and Katabutsu, AKA Okada Nana. They aren't stair guards and they also don’t really fit into Rappappa either but they’re still a level above Team Hinabe. At least according to the order Sakura fought them in… Not quite Heavenly Queens, but still in the highest positions. We could also take them on at the same time as Hinabe since they’re never far behind in terms of proximity.”

Nanase’s eyes dropped to her nails. “So in the end, it’s six against six.”

“That means the black hole and Reika has to fight.”

“Eh!!” Kazumi let out a loud groan in protest, a large open mouth frown decorating her face. “Do I have too?”

“I… would really rather not.”

“If what Wakatsuki said was true and one of us can do it alone, I'm sure four can pick up Kazumin’s and Reika’s slack.” Mai smiled softly, patting the sitting, tall girl on the head. “You don’t have to fight, remember? Ikuchan, Naachan, Wakatsuki, and I are more than enough.”

“Isn’t that unfair?” Erika snapped her attention over. “Kazumin is a member of this team so I say she do her part. I don’t want to fight either but I’m here, aren’t I?” Erika looked over, her eyes growing cold. “Even Reika is doing something for the team so why isn’t Kazumin.” Crossing her arms, she looked out the window while her fingers tapped against her skin in a rhythmic fashion. “I think even Reika should fight, but we all know that’ll never happen… pussy…”

“I–…” The student body president opened her mouth but she couldn’t deny that it was for a fact that she never plans on raising a fist against another person. She eyes slowly dropped to her floor, ultimately feeling disappointed in herself still. “I’m sorry…”

Mai lifted her arm protectively in front of Reika and faced Erika with the same authority. “We aren't yankees. We aren't a fighting team with a hierarchy. We're friends. While I would want everyone to make the effort, if someone doesn't want to join the fight then they don’t need to fight. But if they want to be here for MaiMai’s sake–”

“MaiMai’s, or yours?” The pianist injected, giving her leader a hard glare.

There was a heavy tension in the room. All of the girls glanced at each other as if mom and dad were fighting at the dinner table. All stayed still, except for the loud uncomfortable crunch as Kazumi slid a potato chip into her mouth. Nanase sharply kicked the noisy girl in the back to quiet her, grunting at her softly with as stern a look she could muster. Kazumin nearly choked on the chip, finally taking in the atmosphere. She glanced in between Mai and Erika, seeing the sparks flashing between them even when no words were exchanged. Like a tiger clashing with a dragon. She hated it. There hadn’t been an air like this since–

“…I’m calling Nanamin!!”

Kazumi shouted, visibly upset after Nanase’s kick. She almost resembled an angry toddler as she dropped the bag of chips to get her phone from her skirt pocket. Wakatsuki fell off the couch, quickly scrambling to try towards her in an attempt to stop her from dialling her phone. Even Mai and Erika broke their non-verbal argument and lunged forward to halt her from bringing the embodiment of their worst nightmare into this mayhem of a team.

“No, no, no, no–!! Wait!! Stop!! Kazumin, don’t–!!”

But it was too late. It took no longer than twenty minutes for the air of dread to grow unbearable. Knowing death was soon upon them, the girls stayed as far as they could from each other in the small clubroom. No one particularly wanted to meet eyes with each other, or acknowledge the doom coming for them. Reika hid behind her tablet, Nanase hiding her nose in a manga, Erika staring at the window but her fingers fidgeted with nervousness. Even Wakatsuki was keeping focus on her phone while Mai studied the photos on the laptop. Then the door opened so quickly it almost fell off its rollers and everyone froze mid activity.

“I was in the middle of my shift.”

A tall woman with lightened hair peered into the darkened room. Every girl stiffened, fighting to even look at her. The woman had a large pair of sunglasses on, and was dressed to match her age and profession of fashion consultant standing poised and proud. Well, angry and proud.

“Nanamin!” Kazumi bounced up, still sporting that upset, immature face. “Everyone's fighting again! Make them get along!! They tried to make me fight too!! And Naachan kicked me!!” Kazumi hugged the woman’s arm, with an accusing point aimed at the group who were all still hiding behind books and electronic devices. Some even sunk into their seats to avoid ‘dad’s wrath’. Nanamin tugged the sunglasses from her face, shirking Kazumi off. With her long slender legs, it only took a few intimidating steps to make it to the back of the room where she ripped the blankets away from the windows to let proper light in. Without even turning to face the inside of the room, she tapped her foot expectantly.

“Everyone, line up.”

Even if she spoke with an eerily calm tone, her voice thundered through the room. The girls all raised their hands to their eyes, hissing from the sudden influx of light. With the curtain down you could properly see how destroyed the room had become. Dust everywhere, things nonchalantly thrown in the formerly dark corners of the room. Even the furniture hadn’t had a good cleaning in quite some time, Wakatsuki’s shape taking a permanent indent in the couch. Nanami’s head shifted slightly, her eyes scanned the room in growing anger. The girls hadn’t even moved from their spots out of fear.

“I said… Line. Up.”

Nanami stomped her heel into the floor, threatening to crack the tile. It was all that was needed. All of them leapt from their spots, forming a line three paces from her. There was no denying the woman’s power; she could shake the very will of even the most hardened souls. When Nanami finally turned around, she stared directly into each girl’s frightened eyes. Her eyes were like ice, freezing each of them to their very core, her aura like a queen that would destroy any and all walls in the name of conquest. The only person not to be intimidated by Nanami was MaiMai. But with MaiMai gone…

“I cannot believe this. You are all a mess.” Nanami crossed her arms, tilting her chin upwards with a brow raised in disbelief. “What would Mai think? Blindly calling out war, fighting amongst each other. On top of that, you trashed the club room.” She really did sound like a disapproving father, beginning to pace in front of them. She gave an exasperated sigh, dropping her hands to her waist. “I called in a fake emergency for this?”

“But, Kazumin–”

“Had a genuine concern for her teammates, Sakurai.” Each girl snapped her attention over the second Reika opened her mouth. No one spoke back at Nanami, no one but MaiMai. “Kazumin did what MaiMai told her to do if the situation called for it, something that should have been done a month ago. Are you insane Mai?” Nanami looked more than pissed. She barely cared for what would happen to this council but she was seething at what has become of MaiMai’s beloved team. “This situation at a glance is beyond ridiculous. Starting a war with Majisuka Jogakuen? You are not yankees. You are Noborizaka Elite Private Academy students.”

“Actually, Nishino and I are–” Yumi shakily raised her hand with an uncomfortable pout and matching soft tone.

The graduate immediately lifted her forefinger out towards the yankee girl, promptly silencing her. “You are both children stuck in your middle school rebellious stage. You will be silent, Wakatsuki.”

Yumi lowered her head just as fast as she had raised it. Nanase didn’t even bother, knowing Nanami’s wrath better than any of them. Erika smirked to herself, keeping her head down as she attempted not to laugh. Of course, it didn’t go unnoticed.

“And you, Erika. You had your temper under control, what the hell happened? Has MaiMai moving on really made you uncontrollable again? Destroying property, challenging anyone with a different opinion? Huh?” Nanami raised her brow at her, stepping forward. “Didn’t we tell you to channel your anger into the piano? Oh, and I know what you did to Reika’s tablet. I expect you to pay her back for it.”

The short-tempered girl gulped. “Y-Yes, ma’am. Sorry ma’am.”

Nanami gazed over each of her former teammates once more before taking a deep breath to calm her annoyed nerves. “Kazumin filled me in on what's going on, has been for quite some time. I’m more surprised it took until now for you all to need me.” Turning around, Nanami strode to the projector, debilitating Reika’s formation. “This composition will only work if everyone pulls their own weight. It’s how teams work.” She sighed softly, grabbing the remote to slide through photos of their opponents. “That means Kazumin and Sakurai, too.”

“Eh… But…” Kazumi wasn’t expecting to hear that.

“Kazumin.” Nanami glanced at her before extending her hand to the girl. Without a shred of hesitation, Kazumi took Nanami’s hand, staying close even if she was pouting the entire time. “I know you dislike fighting, but try to think of it like this. You’re protecting your family instead of fighting for the sake of fighting. Doesn’t that sound better?” Nanami tilted her head as she offered a small smile, trying to relate to her to appeal to her peace-loving nature. Nanami was pretty good at it, often consoling her in the past when Fukugawa Mai couldn’t. She had to learn the skill slowly, knowing that depending on Nanase to be a voice of reason was impossible. It was a side of her that few people experienced.

“I guess it does…” Kazumi looked down in thought, even if her mind was very gullible and easily swayed. Yet, after a few moments she raised her head with a smile, giving the most energetic nod. “I’ll do it! For my family and my school!”

“Atta girl.” Nanami grinned, patting her head before sending her back to join the others.

“But Nanamin… what about me…?” Reika hugged her tablet, unsure of her position in the team. If everyone was going to fight, where does she stand? “I can’t even properly punch someone…”

“That’s fine.” Nanami shifted from Kazumi, placing a hand on her shoulder. “That’s why you won’t be alone. You have everyone with you.” She held her head high, trying to boost the girl’s confidence. “They’ll help you become stronger and stand your ground. I know you’re not a violent person but you can’t be afraid. Let them teach you.”

If you looked close enough, you could see Reika smile at Nanami’s words, giving her a nod. Everyone always benefited from Nanami visiting. Whether it is with her lectures or pep talks, Nanami always said what was needed rather than what was wanted. Even if she was clearly biased towards Kazumi as the favorite of her children, she was the father figure to MaiMai’s mother figure of the group. Nothing went by without her knowing about it.

Nanami exhaled and stepped back, striding towards the laptop. “Okay, everyone, sit down. I’ll figure this plan out in a way that everyone will have a winning chance with little to no trouble.” She grabbed the remote the PowerPoint, watching everyone file into their seats. As well as a fashion consultant, she was also a proficient strategist. Reika had to have learned from someone to be where she is now. “With any luck we can knock the declaration and first battle out of the way in one fell swoop to save time. Just trust in me, Dad will help.”

Dad will always be there to help.

To be continued…

[kakiokuru]

NOBORIZAKA: NOVEMBER RAIN

Chapter Six | Close Calls

“You absolutely sure this is the place?”

“That’s what my trackers indicate, yes.”

“Aquarium? How tacky.”

“Wonder if they actually have fish… I want to see fish… Eat some too. Maiyan, I’m hungry!”

“Always thinking with your black hole stomach... You’re so noisy.”

“Let’s go.”

Exactly four weeks had passed from the day Miona arrived from her attack. Mai had planned, stressed, gathered every detail she could about Majijo and their missing leader. All sources pointed to her working at this hostess bar, still maintaining her leader status. Even if they couldn’t start a fight here, simply putting out a declaration would be enough. Mai had more than a few choice words for the absent leader and her train wreck of a team.

The rag tag team of six rode the cramped elevator up and stood at the door of the thriving hostess club, right at the beginning of their evening. Some customers had already gone in, taking their pleasures as they saw fit. Mai couldn’t help but to think how disgusting a place like this was. How completely degrading it was for a yankee and a woman. To think Majijo had stooped this low.

“Reika, what’s the deal on this place?” Yumi nudged the girl with her elbow.

Glancing down at her tablet, the student body president tapped her screen and swiped up a window of text to read from. “The summary of it is that Majijo was in an appalling amount of debt that threatened to close school down. So Rappappa, uh, the top fighting team of the school, and some other girls dropped out and opened a hostess bar to raise the money to keep it open. Suffice it to say, they made their goal.”

“So, they sold their bodies? Tramps.” Nanase couldn’t help but snicker at the thought. “Wouldn’t giving up be easier?”

“Well that’s not far off… I have it here that–”

“Enough. We’re going in.”

Leading the pack, Mai crossed her arms, holding her head high as she strode inside. The scent of alcohol smacked the barely legal group in the face as the doors closed behind them. Bright, flashy lighting could be seen just down the hall, contrasted with red and black seating.

“Uwaaah~ Maiyan, it stinks!!” Kazumi’s face dropped in disgust as the group made its way down the hall, pinching her nose to shield herself from the stench of alcohol and intense perfume.

“Perhaps the fish in the aquarium have already died and rotted, typical of a Majijo girl. Never living up to the hype.” Nanase tilted her head to the side, looking at Mai as she added to Kazumi’s statement.

“Don’t assume things too early. Hostess or not, this girl lasted two minutes against Salt.” A record indeed. Most opponents were downed in thirty seconds or less, but this Sakura girl was durable, even if she lost.

“All of you, honestly… You’re being rude.”

“So? We’re yankees who gives a shit?”

Mai stopped in her tracks, turning on her heel to look at the group and looking each one in the eyes. For the first time, she almost resembled MaiMai, regarding her teammates like children she was looking after. “We’re meeting someone dangerous. Someone we plan to either fight or declare war on. You’re all going to keep your mouths shut. You’re all going to be respectful. You will all stay at my side and not touch a single thing in this building. We’re representing our school. MaiMai. We’re honouring a fallen classmate. Do not fuck this up, please.”

Erika looked to her leader for the first time with a sense of pride, smiling as she spoke. The rest, however, deflated like balloons. But none the less, they continued after their leader without a word.

The music grew louder, drowning out any chances of hearing conversation. There was glitter littering the floor, tacky decoration pieces on every inch of blank space in the showroom floor. And the smell, god the smell. How could anyone breathe with this disgustingly stuffy air? Despite it hardly being evening, many men were already intoxicated and tossing money at girls who were over dressed and far too friendly.

However, as soon as a blacksuit approached them in question, Mai wasted no time or words to get right to business.

“The top here, where is she?”

The music cut out, everyone stopped and turned to look at the group of intimidating, actual high schoolers. The air in the bar all but completely changed, immediately filling with tension. Mai took a step forward, taking charge of the group, the rest standing at her heels. “Sakura, where is she–”

“Ahh, Maiyan! Look, fruits!” Kazumi bounced off to the table five feet over, kneeling down and eyeing the tray of colourful fruit. She took a tiny, plastic sword, stabbing a chunk of melon and popping it into her mouth. “They’re fresh!”

“Whoa, wait hold up. A lot cute girls here. We can hang around for a while, right? You don’t need all of us. I’ll just sit over there for a while. Thanks!” Yumi scurried off to the nearest empty seat and claimed it as hers. “Well, hello there.”

“Figures you would find interest in girls who bedazzled their chests with too much glitter. Control yourself, pervert.” Nanase called across the room, aimed directly at the fevered teammate.

“Oh, come on, Nanase, don’t tell me you didn’t look either.”

“I never look at girls like that.”

“Liar~ You’re doing that thing you do when you lie! Holding your breath and puffing your cheeks!”

“Kazumin…!!”

“You’re single, aren't you? Go enjoy yourself. Like always.”

Mai turned to her quickly dissipating group, her eyes widening. “G-Guys!!” Her brow furrowed in irritation. Kazumi and Yumi were already long gone. Reika eyes were glued to her tablet as she took photos where she saw fit. Even Nanase seemed to have little to no interest, picking at her nails in irritation. Erika was the only one who seemed to have every intention of staying at Mai’s side.

“You’re fucking kidding me…”

“Are you really surprised, Maiyan? It’s a wonder why you even invited them.” Erika crossed her arms, sharing her leader’s annoyance towards her comrades. She stepped up and took her place at Mai’s side, as she promised. “Keep your head high, just us is enough.”

“You asked for me?”

A girl in a sparkling, pure white dress and a tiara on her crown made her way to the pair of girls, heels clacking against the tile to signal her entrance, and emerging from the small crowd like a shark in the shallows. Her eyes did not fit her appearance; even her aura seemed more than she what appeared. She truly fit her pseudo persona, Same. Shark. There was no denying, this girl was secretly a yankee.

“How rude of you, making me seek you out a second time.” Mai held her defences high, staring at the former yankee down. “You sure are a troublesome leader, off doing whatever you want.”

“My apologies. I didn’t realize there were still stupid yankees willing to pick fights with my former school. I’m not a student there anymore, and this is no place for yankees. Please leave, children are not welcome during business hours.”

“We are of age. One of your underlings attacked a student of our school. Our school is a private academy, not a yankee girls school. This wrong cannot be overlooked.” Erika stopped Mai from interjecting, holding her arm out in front of the leader. “The girl was only a first year, she couldn’t defend herself, was badly hurt, and her uniform and handbook were forcibly taken. As your school’s leader you must answer for those crimes.”

“Didn’t you hear me? I’m graduated.” Sakura stared at the group with cold, uncaring eyes. Even she could tell these were not proper yankees. This was hardly a team, already seeing that two of them were off in their own business and one clearly incapable of throwing a proper punch. These girls had no idea what they were trying to start. Any war they started, Majijo would stop in an afternoon.

“Actually, you dropped out.” Reika raised a hand, jumping into the conversation. Everyone snapped their attention to her. She hid the bottom half of her face behind the tablet, shy from everyone’s staring. “What? I’m simply stating a fact…”

Mai took a deep breath to clear her head, growing increasingly more irritated. “Anyway, your school has no top. You never passed that torch, so either fight me one-on-one or… Noborizaka will take over Majijo.”

“Go ahead. I’m sure the slaughter of your pathetic rich princess school will be fun to watch.”

Mai was taken back by the girl’s words, her eyes slightly widening to the insult flown their way.

Even Yumi couldn’t ignore the slander spewed from the hostess in white, immediately rising to her feet and returning to her leader’s side. Her eyes narrowed at the flashy girl in front of her, glaring daggers into her made-up, blemish free face. “Who the hell do you think you are?” She growled under her breath.

Nanase pushed through the team, grabbing the snobby girl by her fake pearls. “The fuck did you say? Washed-up, trashy, one-dimensional piece of shit. Majijo is nothing now. I would know, I already made it to the gate easily. You have no defences. If we wanted too, we could take that piss poor excuse of a top school with no trouble at all. Just as we are.”

“Ah, you’re the girl who caused trouble last year and walked away. Couldn’t commit? That a common problem for you?”

Nanase’s eyes darkened. Like a volcano, all that pent up anger bubbled up at once and exploded into a fit of rage with just a few little words. The angered scout raised her fist and swung it at the hostess only for her fist to be caught in Sakura’s manicured fingers. Nanase was known to be fast, faster than any other fighter. If someone caught even her hand, everyone knew it was because she let them, wanted them to. Just as soon as she saw her hand being grabbed, Yumi was on the scene, pulling Nanase back by the waist before the enraged girl could land cheap jabs on the hostess.

“Don’t. Let the leaders handle it.” Yumi scolded her in a hushed tone, pressing her face against the side of her head to whisper in the girl’s ear. A familiar scene, Yumi’s arms snaked around Nanase’s frame to keep the girl from letting her temper control her. Yumi knew she was probably the last person Nanase wanted defending her, but Yumi was the only one strong enough to stop her. “Now isn’t the time. She’s just trying to set you off. You’re smarter than that.”

Sakura smirked to herself, watching the scene. “You really are all children…” She spoke with amusement, her heels clicking against the tile as she came face to face with the opposing leader. “If you want a war, go ahead. But I have no stake or place there anymore. All I can offer in my warnings and premature condolences.”

Mai glared at her in response, her gaze unwavering. This truly meant war. Sakura wouldn’t fight her one on one so the only choice left was to take down Majijo themselves. The first strike had thankfully been stopped in a call closer than she felt comfortable with. She would have to scold Nanase later, but for now, more pressing matters must be tended to.

“Thank you for your time.” Erika grabbed Mai by the hand. “Let’s go, it’ll be curfew here soon.” Even if they were yankees, they had school rules to follow like normal students. “That means everyone.”

“Fine.” In a huff, Nanase jerked forward, forcing the yankee off. “Didn’t want to stick around in a sleazy place like this anyways. Come on, Kazumin.”  

Kazumi, whom had been stuffing her face with fruit the entire time, perked her head up from the booth when she heard her name. “Ah, yeah, coming!” Carefully climbing out of the now slightly sticky seat, Kazumi hugged the still full fruit bowl as she charged after her group of friends to the elevator. “Anyone want some?” She pulled from her pocket a handful of tiny, plastic swords. She was only given a tired staring as a response while the elevator door closed.

Reika sighed, recording the outcome of the confrontation into her notes. “Well, that went well. So what’s the plan now? Clearly Miyawaki-san doesn’t want any part of this. The gall honestly, you’d think she’d take more responsibility.”

As the door closed, Mai wasted no time dropping her cold leader face. “We’re going to war. Sakura says they don’t truly have a top, then it's time for us to take over in Noborizaka’s honour.” Her voice carried a weight of pride with her aura intensifying to match. “Reika, research every girl. I want a strength chart, weaknesses, special information, all of it.”

“Understood.”

“Wakatsuki, save your strength. You’re a hard hitter; I need you at 100% so that means no challenges. Erika too.”

“Finally some good action.”

“I hope you know what you’re doing, Maiyan.”

“Naachan, I know she pissed you off but she isn’t our target. You’re fast enough to get in and out of Majijo unscathed. Channel that anger into the upcoming mission.”

“...Fine, Miss ‘Leader’.”

“Kazumin…” Mai looked over to the tall girl, who was a happy mess with strawberry seeds clinging to her cheeks. Kazumi was strong and a great fighter, she wasn’t the team's tank for nothing, but a pacifist at heart. Mai couldn’t force her to fight, it wouldn’t be right. “Just keep eating and cheer us on, okay?” Mai, for the first time in a while, smiled at her guard, patting her on the head, making a mess of her hair.

“Can do!!” Kazumi raised a fist in the air, bouncing in place with the brightest smile only she could show.

Mai stared forward as the doors opened on the first floor. “We attack at the end of the week. Rest up until then.”

To be continued...

[kakiokuru]

NOBORIZAKA: NOVEMBER RAIN

Chapter Five | Culture Shock

Reika shuffled down the hall, hiding her flushed face in her tablet. She was still recovering from the assault on her eyes that was their new leader in the embrace of another woman. Erika to be exact. Not that it was something that particularly upset her, rather, scenes like that let feeling others didn't know about emerge. Scenes like that, that seemed to only appear in manga and youth dramas. Between two lovely girls that really love and care for each other. It was a beautiful scene she had dreamed of, but no girl had ever lived up to the image she wanted. Never had there been a time she could be open enough to confess her preference to anyone. Not even her friends. Even in her beloved tablet records, the detail wasn’t recorded.

This was just how the informant was. Not because she wanted too, but there were details about her and others she was too afraid to speak out even if she wanted. Call it her own anxieties, but that part of her made her more observant than most, retaining information. Sometimes she wondered how easy it was for others, while it was hard for her. But she figured it was simply the human condition. Girls who loved girls surrounded Reika; it wasn't uncommon in this district, given the sheer amount of girls’ schools all around them. But Reika had no interest in yankees. All with the exception of one.

In Reika’s eyes, she was completely perfect. Except, the one flaw of her being a yankee. Wakatsuki Yumi was a girl no one could beat in turns of appearance. Despite her brash and bold nature, Yumi always had good grades, a perfect attendance record, not a single issue that the school knew about. Reika had noticed her from their first year, but buried her feelings when she ended up with Nishino Nanase, opting to simply be a friend. The two had been inseparable for so long that even Reika couldn’t pinpoint what caused them to split up. But, even if it was selfish, Reika couldn’t help but feel like it was life smiling on her. Giving her a second chance to finish the confession she never had the chance to do in year one.

But that was for another day. Lately the only issue she needed resolving was the stylus lodged in her tablet case, a real hindrance. If Erika was too busy, Wakatsuki couldn’t be too bothered right? Reika casually tapped the home button on her tablet, opening the weekly schedules, something Reika took a deep pride in. A detailed daily schedule of where everyone was at all times. The only person she couldn’t seem to completely finalize was the ever so fickle Nanase.

“Wednesday, 1PM… Should be coming to the roof from a challenge.” Reika promptly made her way to the school’s plateau.

As usual, she was correct. Using her body weight, Reika managed to open the rusted and heavy metal door enough to slip through. The roof was strangely clean, devoid of the usual wrappers and wet tarps. It had been that way from the day Wakatsuki and Nanase made it their ‘home away from home’. Although, Reika avoided entering, as did everyone else, to avoid the two’s abundance displays of affection. However, with the couple broken up, it couldn’t hurt to set foot there now, right?

Reika pressed on, taking a quick once over the area. Being a large school, the roof was sectioned by wings yet still large enough to fit many students. Wakatsuki’s choice was the west wing that overlooked the sunset.

“Wakatsuki?”

Reika called out, keeping her voice at an appropriate volume. “Wakatsuki, are you here?” She had to be; there was nowhere else she would be. But then again, with how things have been, everyone's been harder to track. “Wakatsuki? She had to be here…”

“Ah, shit!”

Reika snapped her attention the water heater, honing in to find a poorly bandaged Yumi sitting on the other side. There was a first-aid kit next to her, supplies strewn about in a mess around her. She appeared to be in an injured state, having just come from a challenge, like Reika predicted, trying to fix herself up and completely failing. Yumi had no idea what she was doing, putting the wrong bandages and wraps in incorrect spaces. Reika couldn't help but laugh, kneeling at her side.

“Wakatsuki, stop. If you do it that way, you’ll leave marks and the swelling will get worse.”

Yumi jerked back in surprise, partially scuttling away from her by reaction. “Gah, where’d you come from?!” She took a deep breath, hand to her chest to calm her nerves.

Reika leaned back in a startled manner, pausing to tuck her hair behind her ear. “… I did call your name three times…”

“Ah… Well, what do you want?”

“Right now, to help you… I did come with a request, but you seem to need me more.” Reika knelt down once more, picking the gauze up off the ground. A little dirtied, but they would still work fine. “Could you hold out your wrist for me, please?” She glanced up at the girl, gesturing her hand over. Still need to ask if it's okay, that’s the polite thing to do.

That was a first, being asked to be helped. Usually her wrist would have just been grabbed, threatening to worsen the bruise before it was cared for. Now she’s given a choice and a gentle touch. Yumi glanced down at the student body president’s hand and her eyes behind the glasses and cautiously placed her wrist in her care. “Okay…?”

Reika could see her hesitance, the hint of caution. This really did feel like her big chance, the scene from a youth drama that played in her head. “Don’t worry, I won't bite.” Reika smiled to herself, taking Yumi’s wrist. Score, a joke that would lighten the mood. With care, she began to properly wrap the girl's wrist, tightly but enough to be comfortable. It didn’t feel like a sprain, but Reika hadn’t poured a lot of time into researching wounds and first aid other than the basics. “If it feels lose, tell me… You’re suppose to make it a little tighter for the pressure.” Reika tucked her lips inward, focusing as she tightened the woven cloth.

Another first. Being considered. “No, it’s fine.” Again, usually, she’d just sit quiet while being tended to and wasn’t given the chance to say whether her dressing was too constricting or not. Not that it ever was but still. Yumi retracted her arm again when Reika was finished with wrapping her injuries. She stared down at her wrist, pivoting the joint back, forth, and around to judge its flexibility. This patch job was… pretty good actually.

“Did you want me to help with the plasters and disinfectant too? You have a couple really ghastly bruises– Ah, your lip is bleeding again–!!” Reika fumbled into the supplies, searching for anything to wipe it away. Finally her hands came across some alcohol cleansing wipes. Ripping open the sealed packaging, she glanced at Yumi once more. “May I?”

There wasn’t much reason to protest, given she seemed little to no harm. Without saying a word to decline, she allowed Reika to bring the antiseptic pad across her lip, feeling the bite of a small sting. Yumi flinched at the pain, reflexively shifting away from her. “You don’t bite but that does.”

The bespectacled girl laughed softly, continuing to gently dab the blood from the wound. “Don’t be a baby. You’re better than that.”

Yumi furrowed her brow in confusion for a moment. Someone was speaking highly of her? Another new thing. Was this how Reika always viewed her? How hadn’t she noticed in the years they had known each other? Yumi was thoroughly bewildered. Flattered, but bewildered.

“There, perfect...”

The two met eyes, the air seemed to stand still. Reika’s eyes locked with the deep brown of Yumi’s and she suddenly could hear her heart thudding in her ears. Her two-year crush and teammate was sitting so close to her like never before. And she wanted to be closer. Was this an okay thing to do? Reika was frozen in place, staring at the girl’s lips. As if something inside her, some force within welled up and she slowly began to close the gap between them.

“Uh…” She had to break contact, turning away to clear her throat. “You wanted to… ask me something?” Reika’s staring put Yumi at a loss. That wasn’t a first; she’s seen those kinds of eyes before. She’s seen those kinds of eyes many times over. Even the first time Nanase had met her. It didn’t take much to put two and two together.

“Ah-ahh!! Yeah…” Reika snapped out of it, shaking her head and scooting several inches away, “Sorry, ah, here.” Shifting her weight, Reika held her tablet out to the other. “I was wondering if you could do something about this. Erika kind of… well, you saw.”

The brash girl took the tablet and inspected the metal jutting straight out from the back. “Why didn’t you just get a new case? You’re rich, right?”

“It would be a waste. Besides, it’s only the case. I hope…” Reika protested. It would be a simple fix, but she didn’t want to bother her parents for money, even if it was small. Furthermore, explaining what happened would be a headache. They still don’t know she’s part of the fighting team of the school.

“Exactly, it’s only the case. Easy to replace.” Yumi wrapped her fingers around the stylus, gauging how rooted it was in the hard plastic.

Reika’s lips formed a small frown. “I think it’s still useable if you just take it out. So far I’ve been trying to make do with it. Using it as a stand to raise my tablet but it’s not very stable.”

“Then get a case with a kickstand?”

“I like this one!”

Yumi sighed.

“Please, take it out?” The girl was stubborn on the subject, intent on getting it fixed rather than replaced. But, still, for those personal reasons.

“Okay, okay. Give me a second.”

Yumi looked the tablet once over. Simple enough. She waved a hand at Reika, a signal for her to give her a little space lest she might hurt her from using too much force. With the right leverage and a small grunt, she pulled it out with ease. It took less than two seconds, but still left a gnarly hole in the back of the case. A permanent reminder of what happened when you pushed Erika too far.

“Here.” Lazily, Yumi extended it out to the strange class president, tossing the stylus over her shoulder.

Reika grinned from ear to ear, taking the tablet back. “You did it! Thank you!” She exclaimed, wanting to hug Yumi with the same care she saw the other girls show earlier, but stopped herself. This wasn’t the time. She wasn’t living in a youth drama. Anything she did would only end in trouble later on. “This really means a lot, I won't forget it.”

“Yeah, yeah, whatever. Just returning the favour.”

It may be just a favour to her but to Reika, it meant the world. Her eyes flitted between Yumi and the newly restored tablet. Was that really all? Reika rose to her feet, bowing her head. “Well then, I’ll be going then…” Reika turned away, hugging the tablet to her heart. This was her chance, alone on the roof. It was now or never.

She opened her mouth to speak, but nothing would come out. Behind her, she could hear Yumi starting to clean up and leave. What are you waiting for? Reika thought to herself, taking a deep breath. This was the time to be brave; she just had to take it.

“Yumi, I–”

“Hm?” Yumi looked up at her, wondering why she still stuck around.

“I–…” The words drifted off her tongue, evaporating into air. No matter how she tried, she couldn’t bring herself to say what she was feeling. It wasn’t the right time. She had to save herself.  “I… I was wondering, why did you and Naachan split up?” Not what she wanted to ask at all, but that was the only way she could save herself from the awkward dead air between them. At least it was a chance to learn information she didn’t know yet.

“Naachan? Tsk...” Yumi ran a hand through her hair with a low growl of frustration. The very name seemed to set her off. The yankee gave an exasperated sigh. “Don’t go around telling everyone, but the short story is… she didn’t return my feelings.”

“Didn’t return…?” That was impossible… wasn't it? “Can you elaborate?”

“What, isn’t it simple enough? I said ‘I love you’ but that brat didn't want to commit so we’re on a break. Now she’s pissed and flinging shit at me! As if I did anything wrong, seriously… ”

“So it’s just a short break then, huh…” Reika felt her heart sink. Thank god she didn’t confess, she thought. She saved herself from a horribly awkward and painful situation, even if it hurt her now. “Do you love her?”

“‘Course I do.” Yumi huffed, gathering the medical supplies back in the kit and roughly shoving them in a side bag. “You don't stay with someone for over two years without loving them.” Slinging the bag over her shoulder, she pursed her lips, almost talking to herself. “I must have shitty taste, falling for someone who can’t even fully commit to wearing matching socks everyday. But as her stupid TV dramas put it, you can’t help your feelings, right?”

“I see…” Reika couldn’t agree more.

“Nanase is fickle. She's impulsive, never thinks things through, bottles things up, and always has a hard time saying what she wants. For her sake, I suggested a break so she could sort herself out, and it pissed her off. I figured by now she would come around but she hasn’t. I give it another week but if she doesn’t by then, then that’s it for us.” She put up a tough front but there was no denying the hint of sad bitterness in her tone. Like a broken heart she didn’t want anyone to see. “If you’re satisfied, go ahead and tap that into your records.” Exhaling, she ruffled her hair once more as if to shake away her frustrations. “Ugh, I’m in a bad mood now. See you, Reika.”

Reika watched with a sullen look as the girl she admired stomped her way back into the school. As the door slammed shut, so did her world and felt any and all future opportunities to profess her emotions were bleak. She always figured there was no chance in her lifetime she would be with her. Yumi and Nanase would always be together, that wouldn’t change. As fickle and bratty as Naachan was, Wakachu was patient. Forgiving and devoted.

Reika didn’t have a place in their love story.

She should just focus her attention to the upcoming battle.

To be continued…

[kakiokuru]

NOBORIZAKA: NOVEMBER RAIN

Chapter Three | Steamed Buns & The Rolling Stools

There was an uncomfortable air clouding the hall as the three made their way to the infirmary. Kazumi’s unending optimism, matched with Nanase’s clearly pissed expression, only made the poor first year in their company more anxious than she was before. She didn't dare speak up or make a sound, expecting either the worst or the words of a complete idiot. But even with that silence, Kazumi couldn't help but interject with anything to ease the tension.

“Hey, did you know, Naachan is actually amazingly strong?” Miona looked up at her with slight concern. Was that supposed to make her feel at ease? “When we were kids, she started to beat up boys when they said she looked like an otter.”

“Kazumin.” Nanase pushed her arm slightly, pursing her lips. “Don't tell people that.”

Kazumi only chuckled and ducked her head in a slight bow, raising one hand up in a half-prayer fashion while the other held onto Miona’s wrist. “Sorry~”

Nanase smiled slightly to herself, a smile only Kazumi would recognize no matter how hidden it was. Nanase could never be angry with Kazumi, even if she had been less than perfect before.

Taking initiative of the walk, Nanase turned the group into the pure white infirmary, flicking the light on. The smell of bleach and cleansers was prominent, mixed with fresh, clean linen. She sidestepped to let the other two in, taking a place in the corner.

Kazumi gingerly plopped Miona onto one of the bed and bounced over to any and every cabinet, drawer, and shelf she can see. Alcohol, plasters, cotton balls, and rolls of bandages were jumbled into arms. She just grabbed anything that seemed useful for treatment, though it seemed a little much for a few minor scrapes and bruises. The girl just wanted to help.

“Okay… hold still.”

Nanase picked at her nails idly, leaning against the filing cabinet as she listened to the ramblings and noisy attempts of Kazumi’s amateur medical attention to Miona’s wounds. Every few moments, she would glance up to see the tall girl with her tongue sticking out from between her lips with her eyes laser focused on the gauze she tried to wrap Miona’s wrist in. She mentally and physically cringed with each time her best friend would exclaim 'Did it!' when all she had done was a poor man’s patchwork of loosely bound dressing around the injured girl’s wrist. This was how Nanase could tell that Kazumi wasn’t hurt often.

Finally Nanase had enough, watching her friend starting to overuse the plasters on even the smallest things. No one needs a bandage on a tiny blemish on the nose.

“Move over.” She scoots Kazumi with her foot to the side with a strong push, causing her to roll away on the wheeled stool until she stopped against a side table. Nanase wasted no time, undoing as much of Kazumi’s horrid work as she could manage. “Kazumin, you wasted too many supplies.” She sighed heavily, grabbing a fresh pack of gauze. Taking extra care, she lifted Miona’s wrist. It looked like it was a sprain but it wasn't anything serious. A light layer of gauze was wrapped around the joint, tightened and clasped down on the back of her wrist.

“Wahhh, Naachan! You’re good at this!” Kazumi shuffled her feet against the tiles, moving her rolling stool closer to examine the girl’s work.

“Yeah, well…” She had managed to get a lot of practice before this. Something of this degree was less than child’s play for her.

“Where'd you learn how to do that?" A gasp. "Are you finally studying?” Kazumi beamed with happiness for her friend, grasping Nanase’s arm and shaking it while she attempted to finish her patch job on Miona. “Are you really going to pursue nursing finally?! Congratulations, I’m so proud of you!”

“No, I just had a lot of practice before.” With a sharp tug, Nanase yanked her arm out of Kazumi’s grip. Although that was true, she really didn't want to delve into the details of her practice. “You can go now. I suggest taking the main roads home, you won't be attacked if a lot of people are around.”

Miona nodded slowly, lowering her gaze to the dark blue uniform she had on. “What about…”

“They told you to put on a tracksuit, didn’t they? It’s not my responsibility to make a safety plan for you. Take the main roads, or change and throw that shitty uniform in the furnace. Get out.”

With a small ‘eep!’ Miona rose to her feet and bowed to both Nanase and Kazumi, thanking them for their help and hurried outside the door.

“Well that was harsh…” Kazumi puffed her left cheek, turning the swivel seat back and forth. “You’re still bothered by something, aren't you? Is it–”

“No.” Nanase cut her off, cleaning the supplies the two had used.

“You're lying~”

“You’re noisy~”

Kazumi smoothly glided over to Nanase, teasing and poking at her waist. “Come on~ You can tell me~”

Nanase responded by turning to face her, flicking the girl in the forehead. “I’m not mad.”

“You know, if it’s about Waka, you can always tell me to beat her up. I mean, she’ll probably destroy me but…”

Once more a switched flipped in her. All facades dropped at the mere mention of that name. Nanase stood up with enough force to knock the chair over in a huff. “I told you I’m not angry!!”

The guard straighten her back in a jolt from being startled from the scout's knee-jerk reaction. “Okay, okay! Sorry…” Kazumi frowned as she rolled away in her stool, spinning herself in the process.

Regret pooled in Nanase’s stomach when she saw Kazumi frown. Frowns were horrible, frowns never fitted her image. Then again, Nanase was never good at heartfelt apologies. She paused for a moment, watching Kazumi swirl back and forth in the chair. She couldn’t figure out how to even start an apology let alone give one.

“Hey… Kazumin. Do you… want to get steamed buns from the convenience store on the way home? They’re still on sale. My treat?” If all else fails, bribe with food.

The tall girl her spun on the stool, once, twice, and then three times before coming to a halt with biggest and brightest grin plastered over her mouth. There was the Kazumi she knew.

Nanase strode over her side, hand extended to her with a smile to match her best friends. “Shall we?”

“Yeah!” Kazumi nodded, gripping onto her hand. However, rather than stand, Kazumi stayed in the chair, gripping onto the cushion. These two had a special relationship. Nanase didn’t need instruction; she didn't even have to be prompted. Without hesitation, she began to wheel the overjoyed girl out by the hand.

“You’ll have to return the chair later, you know!” Nanase laughed, starting to run when the two entered the hall.

Yes, Kazumi knew but that’s a worry for later. Because being together like this made her best friend smile.

Suddenly, realization hit her. “Oh wait!!” Planting her feet into the floor, the wheels of the stool clattering against surface. “My umbrella, Reika’ll scold me if I leave without it again.” Kazumi rotated in her seat and began scuttling in the opposite direction in the hall, this time leading Nanase along.

The scout sighed. “Did you lose it again?”

“Uh… Don’t know. I was just going to check the umbrella rack.”

“Last time, we found it under the couch of the clubroom.” Hurrying along, Nanase kept her fingers entwined with Kazumi’s, walking around her to pull her to the room. “The other time it was under a coat rack in the clubroom… I’ll wait outside while you look, okay?”

“Sure!” Kazumi gave her best friend and smile along with a peace sign in the air.

She placed her hands at the base of the stool, gripping into the seat's leather as she pushed herself down the halls in uneven bursts of long and short strides.

Erika heard the loud clattering down the hall, lifting her head with a death glare, prepared for the tornado of a girl. “I thought we were rid of her for today…”She mumbled under her breath, craning her neck to look at the door.

As expected, the door slid open revealing exactly who she knew it was. But when she tried to ride herself in the room, the chair wheels wedged itself into the gap of the doorframe, causing the not-so-bright member to tip over and fall face first onto the floor.

Nanase peeked in the doorway to witness the chaos, pointing and laughing just as much as she had when the two wheeled down the hall. That was until she caught glimpse of Erika’s unamused expression at the mess on the floor. She only chuckled in response. Grumpy as ever but it was wiser to leave than to face the pianist’s wrath. “Kazumin, hurry and find your umbrella, the sale will end soon if we don’t run.”

“Ah!!” Nanase’s words triggered something in Kazumi, her flipping over to her back and rising to her feet, not a single scratch appearing on her. As swift as she can, she began to leap and bound all over the room and around the clubroom in search of her light yellow parasol. “Here? No… Uh… Here! No… Damn it. Hm…” Kazumi peeked into and prodded every possible hiding spot she find but to no avail. Her investigation made her completely unaware that her teammates were still here, watching her every move.

“What’s she looking for this time…?” Yumi’s brow rose at the sight of the team guard crawling on the floor.

“Ahem.”

“Hm?” The sound shook Kazumi out of her focus and she pouted slightly, looking to Reika who lazily waved her hand to the overrun coat rack beside the door. Beneath the pile of clothing was the slight glimpse of yellow. “Oh yeah!” The tall girl skipped to the long piece of furniture and slowly shimmied her umbrella from under the mounds of outwear. “Here we go.”

With that, Kazumi swung the status symbol over her shoulder and turned to face the room. “See everyone tomorrow! Waka, don’t get into bad fights. Ikuchan, remember your breathing exercises. Reika, be sure to get home safe. Maiyan, I still think you’re pretty cool.” With an enthusiastic beam and a salute-turned-wave, the wall of a girl made her exit, grabbing her best friend by the hand. Her loud and bellowing voice can be heard echoing down the hall. “Time for steamed buns~!”

The remaining females all stared at the door until the voice finally faded to silence.

“Didn’t she just eat like four lunches?”

“Black hole.”

“Well… at least she remembered her umbrella this time.” The student body president sighed as she noted it in Kazumi’s account.

To be continued…

[kakiokuru]

NOBORIZAKA: NOVEMBER RAIN

Chapter One | High School on the Hill

A spotless entrance, not even a speck of dirt or a fallen stray leaf obscured the stone road leading to the front gates. No yelling, or cursing, not a single raised voice broke the silence of the atmosphere of learning. No yankees crowding the halls, no gangs blocking the doors, not one student was without a place to be. You would never guess what sort of school this was unless you had seen the students first hand or heard the rumours. This was truly a high-class school for girls at face value. With top ranked marks and a reputation to make even the most elite school envious, all of this was thanks to the students in attendance. Every girl in the school was bright, beautiful, and well rounded. Thought best of all, their greatest characteristic, or in this case, non-characteristic: this was not a yankee school. But that's not to say there weren’t a few… colourful girls.

“Oiii!” A tall girl with a lopsided walk, clumped down a silent hallway. One steaming bun in one hand, a messy binder holding a disarray of papers together in the other. “Oiii, did everyone start without me?” She seemed to not give any mind to the classes around her, continuously talking to the club room at least ten paces away. Using her foot, the woman kicked the door to slide it open. “Sorry I’m late, the convenience store was having a sale! See? See?” With her naturally free minded nature, her smile shone like the sun as her hand shoved the steaming bun into each uncaring members face.

“As if anyone cares about that, Kazumin…” Another voice called from the other side of the room. “You’re late. You made everyone halt their plans so you could buy… What, is that your second lunch? Lunch just started like ten minutes ago, what the hell?” The clearly upset female turned to note every flaw in her. Her eyes scrutinized at the white bun as it was brought up to Kazumi’s mouth. Erika groaned to herself with every hungry munch the tall girl took and rolled her eyes as she was responded with a gleeful beam and… is that a piece of pork stuck at the corner of her cheek? Oh god… She could already feel her annoyance flare up in the pit of her stomach, her fingers pressing into her upper arms in a rhythmical sequence. Honestly she thought her stomach was a black hole of just food.

“No, third!” Kazumi grinned so wide, her eyes nearly closed with joy. Her right hand held the half eaten meal held high in the air almost like a proud parent, papers sliding out of the binder she had all but forgotten was still in her hand, collapsing into a mess on the floor. “Oh, oops.” Jamming the pork bun in between her jaw, Kazumi quickly crouched down and began sliding the haphazardly strewn sheets into a single mound again.

There was a collective sigh in the room. This was typical behaviour from the girl, as annoying as it was to deal with. Everyone did their best with it but Erika… She never was very good at controlling her anger. Everyone in their own right had their quirks and things that got on everyone's nerves. Kazumi was easy to ignore if you knew how. The others… not so much. In truth, everyone was a little on edge and mostly with each other.

“Takayama Kazumi. Arrived at 11:42AM. Late.” Reika lazily lifted her gaze from the decent sized tablet in her hand, her other hand tapping away every word said in the room. “Mai would be disappointed, Kazumin.” Her brow furrowed inward, intent on attempting to teach Kazumi the lesson Mai had failed to. A punctual lifestyle is a healthy lifestyle. “If you insist on showing up later, should we lock you out like a dog?” A small smile crept its way out of Reika as she waved the stylus at the girl on the ground. 

Reika wasn't as serious as she looked, being smart but knowing when to poke fun. But her one main flaw, she was clumsy, almost comically so. Just as she was waving the stylus, she happened to use a bit too much force, flinging the smooth metal out of her fingertips. Unfortunately for her, the metal collided with the already angry Erika.

The room fell silent as the soft thud sounded followed by clacking as the stylus hit the table promptly so. The intense furrow in Erika’s brow somehow deepened as she slammed her hand on the stylus, resulting in a bellowing shake of the desk, tightening her grasp on the metal in a rage filled iron grip. The metal bent between her fingers and her eyes glared venomous daggers through the sleek tablet that a terrified Reika hid behind to avoid that furious gaze. Suddenly, like a bullet, Erika whipped the crooked stylus through the air in the school president’s direction, lodging itself deep within the hard plastic of the tablet’s protective casing. At the impact, the most unearthly scream erupts from Reika’s lips.

Once more, the door slid open, pouring out the awkward tension in the room that lingered even more now as a red umbrella closed in the doorway. Nishino Nanase haphazardly threw her umbrella to the couch, where typically two things resided: junk and Wakatsuki Yumi, whom Nanase completely disregarded entirely.

Snickering almost instantly turned into irritation as the red umbrella was pitched her way without warning, barely missing Yumi’s face if she had not forcefully swatted it away. “What the fuck?!” Her eyes stared straight at her in disbelief and annoyance. “Jesus, didn't even do anything…” Nanase had been flinging things at her for two weeks now, just how long was she going to stay pissed at her?

Nanase only briefly acknowledged the angry female. Long enough to shoot Yumi a taunting look in her direction, before returning to everyone else's attention. The chaotic scene wasn't upsetting at all to her, earning a small smirk of amusement from the final girl as she took a seat on the school chair next to the couch. This was just how things were for them. How this team had been for over a year. It was part of the reason why you rarely saw some of the girls even in the clubroom. Nanase’s shit eating grin didn't falter as she put her feet up on the arm of the couch, her arms crossing over each other.

“So, Maiyan isn't back yet… huh? Does that mean she failed and is limping back in shame? I told you guys… There’s no better leader than MaiMai.” Her tone flipped like a switch, dripping with the same acid she spat at her enemies. “Relying on Maiyan who only has hopes and dreams will kill us.”

“I don't think Maiyan is that bad!” Sitting with her legs crossed on the floor, Kazumi grinned, her face still littered with crumbs. “She's doing it for Mama after all, right?” Kazumi tilted her head as she spoke, tossing her bun wrapper over her shoulder in a careless fashion, landing right in Yumi’s lap.

As the paper landed, Yumi’s snapped right up from the couch and chucked the wrapper to the white tile of the floor. “Oi, I’m not a trashcan, the fuck?!”

“Could have fooled me.” Nanase mumbled softly to herself to which she was greeted by another Wakatsuki glare. Once more, Nanase retorted with her small grin.

Kazumi stood on her toes. “Ah-Ahhh!! I'm sorry! I'm sorry!” It was a wonder how she bent so perfectly into a 90-degree angle before jumping straight into dogeza. Like one seamless action you could miss if you blinked. “You’re not a trashcan! You're not even shiny!! Or metal!!” Nanase nearly erupted with laughter at the scene. Kazumi was her best friend, ever since they were kids. And Kazumi never failed to make her smile even in the strangest ways.

A miffed growl escaped Yumi’s lips as she waved her hand and shook her head. “Whatever! Are we really here to discuss Maiyan? That’s what we’re wasting our lunches over?” Her eyes darted between Reika and Erika. “Who cares if she wants to go out and play youth drama protagonist? She’s not really inconveniencing anyone but herself. So what?”

“It concerns us all as a collective, we are a team… Remember?” Reika used one slender finger to adjust her glasses. “By association, if she starts a war, we all have to get involved. Isn't that the yankee way?” Reika gently laid her damaged tablet to the side, rising to her feet. “We have responsibilities.”

“She’s the one who wanted to go off on her own. Let her take responsibility. I don’t really give a shit.” Yumi shifted her weight on her heels and crossed her arms across her chest. “The yankee way, yeah, but we’re not a yankee school. If she starts anything, she’ll get expelled. If we get involved, we’ll get expelled as well.” There was a pause as she let out a sigh. “MaiMai wouldn’t like that.”

“For once Yumi isn't completely wrong. Shocker.” Nanase lazily stretched her arms above her head, allowing her midriff to show ever so slightly, just before using her hands to support her head. “This isn't a yankee school, even if we are.” She paused for a second, looking at everyone in the room, mainly at the bespectacled school president. “Well, some of us.” Pursing her lips slightly in thought she let out a deep sigh. “I never voted for Maiyan anyways. I already scouted Majijo. Nothing but shitty door keeps and flaky tops. They've been gone for almost a year being, what… escorts, was it? Whores? Ah. Hostesses.” Sitting up with a soft grunt she shook her head. “MaiMai would scold us for attacking trash.”

“I don’t want to get scolded by Mama…” Kazumi moped quietly on the floor, knees hugged to her chest. With a soft sniffle, she reached into her skirt pocket from which she pulled out a cooled bun, just the same as before. Kazumi wasted no time eating her sadness, with even more emphasized noise given her now down mood.

Erika’s body instinctively jerked to push her in the chair; legs scraping against the tile as she slightly face Kazumi. Her brows scrunched as the rasp of plastic unwrapping and her eyes snapped its focus on Kazumi chomping down on another food item. “Again?! Seriously?!”

Kazumi looked at the woman like a kicked puppy, cheeks stuffed to the brim with her bun. “I'm always serious… about food.”

Kicking her legs to the ground, Nanase rose to her feet. “If that's all, I'm ditching. You guys know my stance on that girl already.”

Aggressively stuffing her hands into the pockets of her skirt, Yumi huffed a short breath of mid exhaustion. She swears being around all of them at the same time just sucked the energy out of her.

“I’m out. Call me up when there’s something more serious to talk about. Like if we get attacked.”

Just as Nanase went to slide the door open, her free hand grabbing her crimson umbrella, the door slid open on its own. There stood Shiraishi Mai. More irritated than anyone had ever seen before, with a bright fire in her eyes. Nanase took a pre-emptive step back, everyone else rising to their feet as a habitual reaction.

“Majijo… has no top.”

“Uh… Well, yes. My sources say they’ve been gone for a while…” Reika stated with a slow nod, having known this too be fact as everyone had. “It's been that way for the past year…”

“No. Sakura. She isn't returning with everyone else. They have no top. Just the remnants of Rappappa. Majijo is weakened.”

“And that concerns us…. why?” Yumi rolled her eyes.

“It doesn't.” Nanase rolled her eyes, already tired of hearing the faux leader speak. She swung her umbrella over her shoulder, attempting to slink past the woman only to be grabbed by the arm. You could see the smaller girl visibly tense as she was grabbed, sending glares into Mai’s hand that held her.

“It's the prime time to take down Majijo, and become the new top…” Maiyan peered into Nanase's with her tired, yet driven eyes. “For Mai’s sake. Remember?”

Erika and Reika watched the tense exchange in silence. Even Kazumi had stopped her chewing at the mention of their beloved mother figure. The school president slowly sank into her chair again, fingers idly fiddling the corners of her tablet while the hot tempered girl looked down at her desk in an almost thought gaze.

Yumi grabbed the arm that was grasped onto Nanase’s, almost protectively. “Hold up. MaiMai’s sake? Since when did she want to become the top?”

Maiyan turned slightly, her grip still firm. From the corner of her eyes she looked into Wakatsuki with a pained look. “I swore to her we would take the top a year ago. We can still finish that promise.”

“Isn’t that your problem then? We didn’t make a promise like that to her. At least I don’t remember.” Yumi narrowed her gaze in thought as she spoke, trying to recall. But nothing came.

“MaiMai loved seeing us work together, probably only let you promise that sort of goal as a pipe dream… Stupid. Yumi, let’s go.” Nanase yanked her arm from the girl, shooting Maiyan a dirty look just before disappearing from the room with Yumi in tow. Though, Nanase didn't get far as a beaten girl in a Majijo uniform dropped at her feet. But she was no Majijo student.

“Hori?”

To be continued…

[kakiokuru]

NOBORIZAKA: NOVEMBER RAIN

Chapter Four | Regrets

“So, Maiyan. Still plan on starting a war?” Erika hugged her collection on piano sheets, her phone pressed against her ear.

It had been two days from the last meeting in the clubroom, a meeting that became way more of a mess than it needed too.

“I can’t particularly stand by you if you make the wrong choice… It’s a bit too risky, don’t you think? Risking expulsion and possible failure over a first year who took the wrong path home.”

This was nothing Mai hadn’t heard already. In fact she hadn’t heard the end of it, from Reika too. At this point, her responses became more script like, simply repeating the same– “I’m doing it because I promised MaiMai. Not for that girl.” Mai, herself, was laying around in the courtyard. Her free block was almost always spent the same, sleeping or training to take someone on. “But I can’t say her timing wasn’t lucky. I’ve been impatient…”

“I know. Everyone in the entire school can tell.” Erika had confidence in her step, entering the music room and locking the door behind her.

Being the eldest in the group, Erika and Maiyan had known each other the longest. Although, they hardly spoke a word to each other until Fukugawa Mai had introduced them to each other. From then on, they’ve had their moments of civility. Mostly butting heads though. Mai’s lack of expression always seemed to clash with Erika’s temperament.

“But you need to remember this isn’t a yankee school. This is Noborizaka Elite Private Academy. If you tarnish the school’s name, you will be removed.” Moving to the grand piano and sitting on the piano bench, Erika carefully laid her sheets out in proper order, making sure she can see each bar and note perfectly. Not that she needed them anyway. “Might I suggest going in a different uniform? We still have that Majijo uniform that girl had on. Or a mask perhaps?”

“No. That’s not how yankee schools work. If I’m kicked out, at least I can still say I met MaiMai’s promise.”

She made an unsatisfied sound. “How dangerous… Anyway, can you meet me? I’m in the music room. We can talk further.” Erika hardly waited for an answer, turning her phone off just as soon as she asked. She knew Mai, She wasn’t doing anything so she would show up in ten minutes or less.

Erika lifted the fallboard up, straightening herself out. Her fingers softly traced the ivory and onyx keys and then positioned her hands just an inch over the keyboard. Her slender digits would shift up and down to barely touch the surface but not yet press any note. This was her small ritual, a habitual act she’d perform to prepare herself before playing. The pianist was known for being angry, always expelling her distaste for things before any other emotion. But at least on the piano, no matter how she felt, anyone could read her by the notes she played.

Mai could hear the music from three halls over. This was how it always was. No doubt she locked the door too. Today’s notes were… different. Mai half expected the same angry piece, or something a little more upbeat drowning out her singing as she went along. Today was almost sullen, even a bit nostalgic. Mai sighed, standing on her toes and running her hand above the doorframe to retrieve a small, silver key, one only she and Erika knew the whereabouts of. If anyone else were to find out, Erika would surely have killed them. Mai turned the key in the lock, opening the door to even louder music. Her face tilted and scrunched in discomfort as her ears adjusted while she paced her way over to the grand piano.

“I take it you have a lot on your mind, Ikuchan?”

Her fingers came to an immediate halt with all her fingers pressed into each key they touched resulting in a thick din of mashed notes. “Nothing you haven’t already heard. But I would like to have an unbiased talk. Sit down.” Erika gently closed the fallboard, crossing one leg over the other without turning on the bench. “Would MaiMai really want this?”

“MaiMai wouldn’t let this go.”

“I’m sure, yes, but do you think she’d go the way you’re about to? To put her family in danger?”

“They are all more than capable of taking care of themselves–”

“You really know nothing about us, do you?”

“… What do you mean?”

“This is selfish.” Erika’s expression was unchanging, glaring with the same cold eyes. “Just for a short-sighted promise only you made.”

Mai exhaled a silent breath. “I’m not asking anyone to follow me if they choose not to. Didn’t you say this would be unbiased?”

“Do you really think even if everyone said no to your mindless need to take over a school, you wouldn’t be followed? Nishino already risked herself scouting for you. Wakatsuki is already at the ready if you just give her the word. Kazumin, as stupid as she is, won’t let you go on your own. But most of all, what about Reika? Do you think she would last long if it came down to just her? Out of all of us she’s the most ‘normal’.”

Mai’s eyes fell to the sleek, blackened wood of the piano’s fallboard. She had to concede that Erika did have a point but with one point, a million arguments formed in her head. She wanted to explain each one, but the pianist wasn’t done.

“Even from an unbiased point of view, this is the most irresponsible thing that a leader could do… MaiMai would never let you go through with it. If MaiMai were here–”

“MaiMai isn’t here!!”

There was tension that loomed for a second. A silence that was only broken by Erika storming over the inexperienced leader, giving her a firm slap across the face, leaving a stinging red blotch in its wake. If you looked closely, you could see the cracks in Erika. Her hands began to tremble, her cheeks flushing as her eyes became wet with anger and grief she long ago choked down inside of herself.

“What the hell are you saying? The way you keep bringing her up, you make it seem like she still is.” Erika’s words hissed with a bitterness that bit deep. “How dare you? Who do you think you are compared to the rest of us? We all loved her. She wasn’t just a mother to you, she was a mother to all of us! She brought us all together, made us a team! Do you think we aren’t all carrying regrets? Just because you had one talk with her suddenly that’s your reason to live? You’re the only thing that with keeps her memory and preserves her? How fucking dare you? This is not what Mai would want. You don’t know shit about her.”

“Quit talking about her like she’s dead…” Mai took the verbal beating, feeling her own pain swell up and begin to overcome her. “She will come back, she wouldn’t just leave us.” With every word, her voice became softer, cracking and broken. She lifted her head slightly to meet with Erika’s. She was surprised to see Erika cry, didn’t think she could. “MaiMai loves us too much to leave without saying anything…”

The moment they locked eyes, Erika felt nothing but regret. The bruise forming on Mai’s face was anything but small. They both were hurting, but now the two could finally see it. Erika raised her hand, gently tracing the bruise with her fingertips.

“I’m sorry, Mai.”

With her free hand, Erika pulled her teammate into her arms, holding her close. Her other hand slid it’s way around Mai’s frame, her fists gripping at the fabric of her uniform. Mai’s head nestled itself in Erika’s neck, the girls uniform absorbing the girl’s tears that she fought desperately to hold back. “I’m so sorry, Mai..” Erika curled her lips inward, taking a deep breath. “I miss her so much..” Erikas voice began to shake, her hand coming up to run fingers through Mai’s light brown hair. “I just… I can’t lose you too.” Tears finally started streaming down her face as words began turning to sobs. Erika’s embrace only tightened. “Mai… I can’t lose any more of my family.”

“I–…” Mai stood still, holding back everything she could. She hated showing what she felt inside, couldn’t stomach the thought of anyone seeing her cry, or worse feel pain. She was a leader now, a yankee spearheading a revolution. She wasn’t supposed to show weakness. She had to be strong, for Fukugawa Mai, for her team. Erika shouldn’t be consoling her; it should be the other way around. And yet, Erika was ripping down every wall she built inside of her for the last year like a wrecking ball.

Erika inhaled deeply, tilting her head up to dry her eyes. “Mai, you don’t have to be strong. No matter how much it hurts, even if MaiMai isn’t here. Don’t be afraid.”

Mai pulled back, her lips trembling but she still forced a smile. No matter the pain, Erika needed this more. “I won’t force anyone to go with me. But no matter what happens, I’ll carry everyone’s feelings with me.”

“Don’t bother.” Erika leaned back, lightly moving the messed hair from Mai’s face. “We will always be right at your side. Even if it’s selfish.” A bittersweet smile slowly appeared, Erika’s hand ghosting along Mai’s cheek. If you looked closely, you could see the corners of Mai’s lips turn upward. “We’re your family… You aren’t alone.”

“Thank you, Erika.”

In that moment of shared bliss, the door flying open interrupted the two. The bespectacled class president, entered with little to no care of knocking, focused on pulling the embedded stylus from the back of her case. She’s been trying on her own for the last two days, using it as a makeshift kickstand whenever she wanted to lay it flat on its back.  But enough was enough.

“Erika, Can you pull this out? You know I’m not strong enough on… my…”

Reika halted in her steps, eyes wide at the scene. Two girls above her, embraced in an intimate state. “I– uh– Uhm. Sorry for interrupting! Excuse me!” As she spoke, she slowly backed to the door just before turning and running out, making her exit as quick as possible as to not gain Erika’s ire. Maybe Yumi could help instead. Hopefully.

To be continued…

[kakiokuru]

NOBORIZAKA: NOVEMBER RAIN

Chapter Two | Opposable Thumbs

Within the safety of the clubroom, the battered girl sat with her hands clasped together in her lap. Her eyes wouldn't lift to meet the girls who looked upon her with anger and concern. What sort of Majijo student would attack a girl from a non-yankee school? Hori Miona was already a soft-spoken girl, keeping in line and working hard on her own. She had never exhibited unpleasant behaviour nor would she ever do a bad thing in her life. Yet, here she was, wearing the dark blue and white uniform with the red scarf, beaten and broken. Simply wearing that uniform was almost a promise to be ambushed by unsavoury types of all kinds of backgrounds. There must have been a reason and everyone needed to find out.

“How come we didn’t know about this?” Yumi demanded answers, shooting a side glare at the student body president who looked just as perplexed as everyone else.

Reika’s eyes glances between the seated girl and her tablet, tapping and swiping furious at the screen, brows scrunching in the middle. “I… I don’t know. I’m sorry, I’m just getting the updates now.” A pout formed on her lips.

“Obviously this happened recently.” The scout interjected, examining Miona from head to toe in what seemed like a disgusted leer. “Still dirty as ever. Weren’t their uniforms completely dark once? The white isn’t doing any favours.” She sneered at the dusty patches on the now off-white collar.

Erika was absolutely livid, the rhythmic pressing of her fingers leaving small bruises against her arm. It was amazing at all that she kept quiet since the girl in the Majijo uniform sat down and even more so that no one was asking for answers. The pianist’s mind ran circles in the confines of her head as to what happened but couldn’t said a word. She knew if she did, the things that would spill out wouldn’t be on the spectrum of ‘nice’.

Most of the room stayed silent, unsure of what to say. Not sure what course of action to pursue. A yankee would storm the school and destroy them for hurting one of their own. But again, this was not a yankee school and the students here, aside from the six in this room, were hardly the type to play rough.

“Tell us what happened, from the beginning.” Mai stomped forward, her arms crossed to hold herself back from any irrational behaviour. “Every detail.”

Mai’s cold voice caused Miona to flinch, hesitantly raising her head. “I was… I was walking home. In the stairwell, one of those girls was waiting in there. From Majisuka Jogakuen.” The girl paused for a beat, “She stopped me and asked for my student handbook, but I didn’t give it to her. Then she…” Miona’s hands ran up and down her arms, clearly uncomfortable in recalling further memories. “I don’t know why, I don’t know how, but she got it off me and stole my handbook.”

The room kept their eyes locked on the girl as she spoke, taking in each word. Some were looking for a reason to start a fight, others just out of pure curiosity. Kazumi, however, was thinking about how much she liked how the uniform looked despite Nanase’s jab at them.

Miona’s eyes scanned the room, her lips curling in and outward. “Does anyone have a spare uniform by chance?”

Kazumi’s hand shot straight into the air, her lopsided grin hard to miss. Like a homing beacon, Erika smacked her hand down. She hated how easy she could tell what the idiot was thinking. “You can’t trade uniforms with her, stupid.”

“Mm… Fine…” Kazumi puffed her cheeks, rubbing the back of her reddened hand. Her mouth silently mimicking Erika’s words in a not so pleasant manner which she was given another sharp slap to the back of her head.

“We don’t. Change into your tracksuit for now and buy another from the school or wait until you get home.” Reika spoke in Miona’s general direction as she tapped the horrible account into her tablet, stylus still jutting out offensively from the back of it. “Did you catch her name? Any distinguishing features? You could take her to the police and win. Even if you hit back.” A slender finger gently touched her own chin as she tilted her head. “Hm... Perhaps I can gain access to the Majijo student records… “

“Hell no, you can’t snitch.” Yumi quickly retorted, a harsh snarl dashed in Reika’s direction of which she shielded herself again with her electronic device.

“This is a yankee matter, you don’t involve police.” Nanase shot a glare at the ignorant informant. “Why not have Maiyan serve some of her self righteous leader crap? Take on the head to save our school’s face.” She kept her voice soft and sarcastic, almost as if she was attempting a shred of care for Mai’s feelings should she hear her. Scoffing at herself, Nanase rolled her eyes at her own words. “Wouldn’t that be just like a youth drama…”

Mai shot a side eye at Nanase, clearly not amused by her snide comments. “I’ll handle it.”

“No, you will not.” Erika shot up, her fists balling up. Her voice was strong and firm as she asserted her dominant nature, hardly needing to move from her seat for Mai to feel her powerful aura. “You’re going to sit down and not make stupid choices that could get you thrown out of school.”

Yumi averted her attention to the angry pianist this time. “What? No! They attacked our own, we have to do something now.” Her protest earned her a burning glare from Erika.

“I thought you didn’t want to get involved.” Mumbled Reika who peeked from behind her tablet.

“I didn’t want to get involved because we had no reason, we weren’t provoked. Now…” The heated yankee extended her arms out to the personified subject at hand. “we’re provoked. How can you not do anything?”

“By doing what you do often, looking the other way and pretending it doesn't exist. Shame there isn't six couches. Do you think we could all fit, Wakatsuki?”

Yumi groaned, throwing her head back as the extended hand slapped against her own forehead and slid it’s way down her face. “Really? Is this really the time for personal snipes at me?”

Cocking her head to the side, Nanase picked at her nails with little regret in her words. “Sorry, I guess I’m just used to you turning your head the other way at situations you don’t like.”

“Oh my god, this isn’t about me. This is about Hori. You know, bob-haired girl, got robbed, wearing the Majijo uniform? What are we going to do?”

“Oh, oh, oh!! Let’s hold a vote!” Kazumi raised her hand again, trying to ease the tension. “Who votes to fight back, and who votes to get adult help? Thumbs up for fighting back, thumbs down for adults.” The wall of a girl grinned as she looked around to the other girls, a fist extended towards Miona who still sat awkwardly in the center of all the squabbling. “Okay, okay, ready? No middle votes.”

Five more hands hesitantly lifted towards the middle. On Kazumi’s count of three, the votes were casted. As expected, the room divided perfectly in half with three thumbs pointing to the ceiling and three thumbs pointing to the tiles. Of course Mai, Yumi, Nanase wanted to fight back while Reika, Kazumi, and Erika opposed the idea.

“Uh… um…” The wrongly dressed Miona shifted in her seat as she stared at the directionally varying thumbs surrounding her. “May I go now? I want to change.”

Reika groaned in irritation, retracting her hand and rubbing her temples. “I think what’s most important right now is not traumatizing the girl who wanted help.” She let out a sigh to calm herself. “Someone get Hori-san to the infirmary, we will discuss it further later.”

Her thumbs-down instantly turned into a thumbs-up at Reika’s suggestion. “I’ll do it!!” Kazumi loudly volunteered herself and grasped Miona by the hand, yanking her up and out in a manner that threatened to pull the girl’s arm out of its socket. “You can borrow my tracksuit since someone said I can’t trade you my uniform.”

“I’ll go too, it’s too cramped in here.” Nanase stood, waiting by the door for her friend, her fingers running along the umbrella in an irritable fashion. Of course she made sure to look straight at all those she wasn't exactly with happy with, before rolling off the door siding into the hall.

With the three gone, the remaining females retreated back into their usual positions. Yumi’s annoyance and frustration was as clear as day on her face. Erika silently tapped on her desk with her pads of her fingertips in swift practiced sequence. Reika returned her attention back to her tablet and typed away to record the outcome of today’s meeting.

Almost carefully, the student body president shifted her gaze momentarily to her leader. “Maiyan, what’s the plan now? Do we even have one?”

Mai curtly turned on her heel and walked around her desk to her white leather chair that stood on the elevated platform in the back on the room. Lowering herself into the cushion, and placing one hand over the other atop the table, her eyes focused forward with an unshakeable resolve.

“We strike back. That is final. MaiMai wouldn’t let this go unpunished.”

To be continued…  

[kakiokuru]

A spotless entrance, not even a speck of dirt or a fallen stray leaf obscured the stone road leading to the front gates. No yelling, or cursing, not a single raised voice broke the silence of the atmosphere of learning. This was truly a high-class school for girls at face value. With top ranked marks and a reputation to make even the most elite school envious, all of this was thanks to the students in attendance. Every girl in the school was bright, beautiful, and well rounded. But that's not to say there weren’t a few… colourful girls with umbrellas.

A Nogizaka46 ✕ Majisuka Gakuen Fanfiction written by genkings & @ali-vasion