Dyed-haired Man's Office
*knock**knock*
"Come in." It was one of the black-suited security personnel. "What is it?"
"Ummm, Sir, there's a man downstairs who wants to see you."
"Does he have an appointment?"
"H-he doesn't have any."
"Tell him to get one first. My schedule's kinda hectic right now, and I'm heading to a meeting in a few minutes. I can't..."
"I-It's Ichiro, Sir."
"What? Where is he?"
"Should I call for backup? Sir, where are you going?"
The Dyed-haired man headed to the entrance of the building without any hesitation. He went out and noticed someone sitting on the steps.
"You're not Ichiro." he said as he sat down with the boy.
"Of course I'm not. Your employee just got things messed up. Do I look like him that much?"
"Yes."
"Should I be proud of that?"
"That's up to you to decide."
"I see."
"What do you want? The girls aren't around. Are you here to get rid of me?"
"That time will come. You're in luck because that time isn't today. But you should tell your men to back off or I'm going to kill them."
The Dyed-haired man saw a horde of the black-suited security personnel a few meters away from them. They surrounded the area and there were even some snipers, their crosshairs already locked on to Jirou. He signaled them to disperse. Once they were left alone, he sat beside the younger clone again.
"Hmmm. So, why are you here?"
"Tell me more about him. Tell me more about Ichiro."
"Why?"
"I want to find out if we are really the same."
"I don't know if I'm the right person to tell you about it."
"Why not? Ichiro was cloned from your DNA right?"
===
"Why so glum M? You've been like that ever since you got back from your date with Niigaki-san. Did something happen?" asked K.
"Don't tell me she let you...you...YOU FIEND!" D said.
"Nothing like 'that' happened K. And cut your wild fantasies D, I'm not like you. I was just thinking about something she told me when we went out." anwered M. "S probably knows about it too."
"Hmm. It's because of the policy, isn't it? Next year Niigaki-san will be twenty and will no longer require a Guardian, right?" S asked. "Don't think about it too much. It's not the end of the world when that happens. They can take care of themselves. "
"What happens to us?"
"We'll be reassigned to other girls. I should give them a warning so Maeda Yuuka-san or Fukuda Kanon-san won't end up with you."
"I'm serious S."
"So am I."
"Do you realize what you're saying? Are you telling me that you're fine no longer being Kamei-san's Guardian?!"
"Why? I'm just her Guardian. Nothing else."
"Say that in front of her face."
"I have. She cried."
"And you're fine with that?"
"I am. And I should be."
"Don't lie to yourself."
"I'm not. And I didn't lie to her. I told her what she should know."
"Bastard!" M said as he grabbed S's collar. He punched him and S's glasses flew off. "You don't really care about her feelings, huh?"
"Of course I do. I told it to her as soon as I started so that she won't get hurt in the future anymore, so I'll be the only one to carry that burden. I don't have any feelings for her! And I don't deserve any feelings she has for me!" shouted S as he picked up his glasses. He didn't say anything else as he left the room.
"Shit. I went overboard this time. I should go apologize to him." said M.
"Good thing he didn't decide to punch you back. If he did, you'd be needing a new face." joked D.
"I never saw S like that before. Something must be wrong." K told them.
The worried trio stormed out of the room and followed him. There were able to find him immediately. He was at the indoor garden. Eri would sometimes ask him to go with her there but S would always decline. Except when M or H2 would volunteer to go with her.
"I'm sorry about what happened S. I lot my temper."
"No problem. That punch brought me back to my senses. You raised some valid points, M."
"I did? Oh yeah. I did. But I'm not letting you punch me in the face."
"No need."
"Whew!"
"Everything was according to my plan. Until you arrived."
"How the heck did I get involved? I rarely talk to Kamei-san! Okay, I check her out sometimes, and...I'm sorry about that S."
"I know that you do. But it's not because of that."
"Then what?"
"It's because of how you give attention to Niigaki-san. Not just you M, but K, D and the others as well. Because of you I found out that I was wrong. I could see Eri's sadness whenever she watches you and Niigaki-san talking. I realized that I was too cold but I kept telling myself that it was the right thing to do. I tried to correct my errors but it felt like the hole I created was so big it cannot be patched. I felt that she wasn't happy with me. So there was a time when I asked her if she wanted to have another Guardian assigned to her."
"She wanted you replaced?"
"No. She said that she wanted me to be her Guardian until the end."
"That's great! You should be glad. Wait, did you just call her Eri?" asked M.
"I did. Anyway...everyone knows it's not easy not to fall for her but I was able to do it for quite some time. However, a few weeks ago, when we were in Canada...she told me that she likes me. And she asked me if I felt the same. Half of me wanted to hear that a long time ago and was still waiting. The other half wished that she didn't tell me. But I was helpless. All of me likes Eri. "
"Awww. That's sweet. Just like in those erogames that K plays.." said D.
"Was that the time when we were talking to me via messenger?" asked K. "What did you tell her?"
"I...I haven't told her my answer yet."
"Don't play hard to get S." M told him. "You're wasting a lot of time."
"I'm not playing hard to get. I just don't want anyone to get hurt, especially her. I want to protect her. From the stalkers, from the paparazzi. But those were just excuses because most of all, I want to protect her from me. I wanted our relationship to be just Guardian-assignment but she said that she likes me, despite me acting like a total asshole towards her. And she forgave me. For everything I did. Now I don't know if I can even admit my feelings for her."
"What are your feelings for me?"
"I like you Eri. But I'm a coward. I can't even look you in the eye and tell it to you..."
"You just told it to me."
"..."
"You're not a coward, Shingo-kun. Even if you say that you are one, it won't change how I feel for you."
The Guardians turned around and saw Ai, Risa, Eri, Reina, Sayu and Junjun behind them. They were giggling, except for Eri who was in the verge of bursting into tears.
"K-Kamei-san? Morning Musume? W-what are you doing here?"
"Michii-kun asked me if we could come here." Risa answered.
"So you heard everything."
"We did. That was sweet, Shingo-kun." Sayu told him. "You get my vote."
"Why don't you tell her your feelings now, Shingo-kun?" Ai asked as she pushed Eri closer to S. "I think she wants to hear it again."
"I..." S said as he blushed.
"Are you afraid to say it in front of all of us?" asked Sayu. "Come on, Domo-kun, help me encourage Shingo-kun."
"Don't hide behind me, Eririn." Risa said as she kept Eri from staying behind her. "I don't think Michii-kun will try to check you out. Not while I'm around."
"Don't tell us that you're gonna spazz out again!" Reina said as she gave him a nudge. "You told me you did that when you two were alone back in Canada."
"Eeehhh?!!!" said everyone.
"You! YOU FIEND!" Sayu and D shouted together as they pointed at S. "What happened in Canada?!!!"
"Nothing happened." S said. "Nothing."
"And you expect us to beleive you?" M said as he nudged S. "Give me some details later okay?"
"Michii-kun..."
"I was just kidding, Gaki-san."
"Reina-chan?" pouted Eri.
"Oops. Sorry. I didn't mean to blow your cover." Reina said as she scratched her head. "Kyo-kun, can you make them forget about that?" she whispered.
"Sure...I ca...Sorry, can't do it Tanaka-san. Ehehehe." K told her as he tried to escape others' death glares. "I don't think they'd let me."
"If Glasses-kun is a wuss, I'll take Kamei-san then." Junjun said. "I'll make sure that something happens when we share the same room."
The others started laughing. Except S and Eri. And Junjun.
"What's so funny? I'm serious!" she told them. "Glasses-kun will just make Kamei-san cry!"
Eri started to walk away but S stopped her.
'Kamei-san, I..." said S as he grabbed her hand.
"I thought I told you to call me Eri?"
"Ah, yes. Eri..."
"It's alright Shingo-kun. You don't have to say it. I know." said Eri. "Just be honest with me. I'll understand."
"I'm sorry."
*sigh* "It's alright."
"I'm sorry...for pretending that I don't like you."
"Shingo-kun..."
"I like you too, Eri. I'm sorry if I only told you that just now. Maybe it's too late for me to say it. But I like you. I only have one year left before I'm going to be assigned to someone else. According to the policy, you won't be my assignment anymore. But policy aside, I want to be your Guardian. Until the end. If you let me."
"I. Don't. Want. Anyone. Else. But. You. Shingo. Kun."
"Thank you."
"I should be the one thanking you. I cherished every moment you were my Guardian, even during those times that you didn't want to talk to me, even after that time when you shouted at me and told me that I was starting to annoy you."
"I...I did that?"
"Yes. But I don't blame you for it. I should have known when to stop. I just wanted to know you better, but I guess you didn't want me to. Don't think about it too much anymore. That was my fault."
"..."
"All those times I felt safe because I know you're watching over me. It doesn't really matter if you're my Guardian or not. Because I know that you're always there."
"It was an honor to be assigned to a person like you."
"Why?"
"Because..."
"Because?"
"Because you have a nice attitude."
"..."
"And because you are beautiful."
"..."
"Eri?"
"Not because of my thighs?"
"And that too."
Eri walked towards him and embraced him. But unlike when they were in Canada, S embraced her back this time.
"Thank you, Shingo-kun. Being my Guardian is just some kind of fancy label. You mean a lot more than that to me."
"No fair! I like Kamei-san too!" Junjun said. "Get your hands off her, Nothing-happened-Glasses-kun!!!"
Everyone laughed. No exceptions. And It was Eri and S who were laughing the loudest.
"I...I brought the antennae this time." Eri whispered.
"..."
"You don't like it anymore?"
"Of course I do."
"Do you still have your antennae too, Gaki-san?" asked M.
"Ehhh? Antennae? What are you talking about?"
"Umm, guys. Sorry to interrupt but I just got a message from the boss. He says it's urgent." K said. "It's says it has something about that Ichiro clone."
"Finally, they decide to act. Time to pay them back for knocking me out and making me suffer with Fujimoto-san's dream machine." said M as he cracked his knuckles.
"You're just eager to see what that girl clone is going to wear this time." D said.
===
Dyed-haired Man's Office
H, H2, Jack and Kirari were already there when M and the others arrived.
"As you know, Jirou went here earlier. He didn't do anything, except ask me a few questions." he told the Guardians. "Also, the main reason he went here is because he wants to challenge one of you in a duel. To the death. If he loses, he said that he will kill himself in front of you."
"Sounds like a trap. He'd probably blow himself up, including us when that happens." D said.
"Maybe. But what if he doesn't lose?" wondered K. "I don't think he's stupid enough to issue that kind of challenge if he's not sure he's gonna win."
"He also said that if any of his two companions interfere, he will be the one to kill them." added the Dyed-haired man.
"Can I fight him?" Kirari volunteered. "I want to fight. I'm tired of fighting those stalkers. I can't even use my full power."
"I don't think Dan-san would let you, Kirari-chan. You'll get your chance but not with him. He is too dangerous." D told her.
<What about me? I can fight him.>
"We know that you have the skills Jack, and you almost beat one of the clones. But I doubt if your skills and the suit can handle him. It took ten of us to stop Ichiro before. I doubt if he's an exact replica. He is probably even better or an upgraded version." M said.
"We don't have any data about him, unlike the other two. We can't even estimate what he is capable of." said S. "All we know is that he's a clone of Ichiro and that his whole body is wrapped with bandages because something went wrong during the cloning process."
"I can fight him. Just ask Dan-san to reinstall my death glare." Miki said as she entered the room.
"Sorry Miki, but no. I have plans for you next year." The Dyed-haired man told her. "It would be best if you stayed out of this."
"Is she going to get another photobook Sir?" asked M.
"No, dumbass. I'm going to be assigned to C-ute and Berryz Koubou next year. Permanently!" Miki answered.
"Like I'd let that happen!" H and H2 said together.
"You can help out Aniki with Berryz, Fujimoto-san. They have more members that are prone to trouble." added H2. "I can take care of C-ute."
"Yeah. But I heard that there's one from C-ute who likes to touch a lot too. I must eliminate all other competition."
"Ah yes. Before I forget to tell you, the policy on assignments has been revamped." said the Dyed-haired man. "You are now designated permanently to the current assignments you have, disregard the age rule we had before. The board decided to tighten up the security, especially for the current active members. They are expecting that the girls will be targeted more in the upcoming months so do your best to protect them. There will still be times when you will have ad hoc assignments but I believe that all of you are familiar with that already. Just read the policy in the manual."
"..."
"That's great! I get to stick with Buono!" exclaimed Miki. "Those three still owe me some booze."
"Who made Buono your assignment?" asked H2.
"I did. Just now." answered MIki. "By the way, did you know that Airi-chan likes strawberries?"
"Of course. That's why I buy some for her every week."
"Not the fruit, newb. But strawberry soap."
"Strawberry soap?"
"Yes. Soap. You know, the stuff you use to clean your body."
"Do not desecrate Suzuki-dono!!!"
"I've got a feeling that the rules got changed because of you, Fujimoto-san." M told her.
"Yeah, yeah. So what if I got caught? You guys should thank me because you'll get to hang around with the girls longer now."
"Alright. So Miki, Jack and Kirari-chan are exempted. I'm leaving it to the rest of you to decide who will fight. Jirou said he will just send us the venue in a few days." The Dyed-haired man told them. "I'll tell Dan and Tezuka to give the one chosen anything he needs. But in the meantime I have to attend another meeting."
And so, the Dyed-haired man left the Guardians by themselves...
"Alright, who's gonna do it? Any volunteers?" Miki asked them. "I know, I'm just going to appoint someone."
"Jankenpyon?" suggested D.
"We can't decide using jankenpyon. There's too many of us. And K-senpai can change his hand in a split second." worried H
"Oh! I have something you can use." Kirari said as she took out something. "Kurohige Kiki Ippatsu! Who pops the pirate out first gets to fight."
"Nice idea there kiddo." Miki told her. "Okay, who wants to go first?"
"Yosh! Let me try!" said H2 as he took one of the small swords from Kirari. "Kappa guide me!" he said as he plunged it into one of the holes. The next thing he saw was the pirate from the barrel hitting Miki on the face.
"..."
"Damn you Kappa." T_T
Topic: Detonator M Shuffle (Read 25925 times)