Sorry. It took so long.
Chapter 3: New Rival3 pm, at the back of the school, an old baseball field is starting to get filled with students. For sure, it’s not some lousy baseball practice they wanted to see. One of them is a tall slim girl in a ponytail who seems so excited when she found a good spot to watch the upcoming event. She immediately drags her poor companion who was too tired carrying their heavy equipment.
“Are you sure this is the place Koharu chan? We’ve been walking for almost an hour looking for such place. We even skipped class for these.” The small girl whined. She put down her heavy black duffel bag gently on one of the bench before fixing her straight long black hair. The other girl doesn’t seem heard her companion’s complain as she is too busy focusing the field using her point and thumb finger as a frame. She is imitating a movie director when trying to focus his scene with his fingers.
“Yep. I guess this place is enough. Hand me my camera Yuu chan.” The other girl is starting to get annoyed with the bossy newspaper club president. She unzipped the duffel bag and grabbed the small black plastic case and hand it to Koharu.
“Hey! The Pink Bunnies are here!” Koharu who almost yelled as she immediately prepare the camera to have an initial shot for the event.
“Why are you so excited Koharu chan?? Aren’t you worried that these bullies will beat up someone again?” Yuu whispered. She tries to lower her voice on the part of her statement that are offensive against the group. She is too aware that there might be pink bunnies spy out there.
“Just go with the flow Yuu chan. You know that nobody could stop the Pink Bunnies on getting what they wanted. Most of their members have influential family to the society.”
“Yeah. Even our local police wouldn’t want to stick their nose on to these. They would just say it’s just a kid’s problem. But they are just covering their higher ups whose most of them are influenced or even the parents of the group.” Yuu, in lower voice, while checking her surrounding like a paranoid.
“Did you say something Yuu chan??” Koharu asked while busily focusing her camera to her subjects.
“Nothing.” Yuu groaned. She can’t believe how Koharu treated her like she doesn’t exist or a slave when interesting things caught her attention.
“Ggrrr… What these guys taking so long?” Koharu anxiety said as she puts down her camera and setup up its tripod.
“Maybe the challenger runs away. It’s a wise decision I could say.” Yuu said while opening her net book and start typing things for tomorrows article.
“Eh? That’s too bad. Do you know who is this challenger is?” Koharu asked.
“No idea.” Yuu answered. Still typing things.
“It’s Reina Tanaka. Blood Type O. Born on Nov 11, 1989. Zodiac Sign Scorpio.” Koharu and Yuu almost lost handle on their expensive equipment. Thanks to the new comer who sneaks in and surprised, unintentionally, the two successfully.
“Sayaka!!! Quit doing that!!” The two yelled in unison. The short hair girl just shrugged off and took the empty seat. She doesn’t have the intention to surprise them in the 1st place. She is just good on walking quietly and fast. With her is another black duffel bag. Unzipping it, she took out a dish like radar, a box like transmitter and a covered ear headphone. Set it all up and check if it’s working. Satisfied, she look back on her bag and took out a small handy cam and another set of tripod and hand it to Yuu who immediately set it up and connect it to her net book.
“Do know this… Reina girl? Sayaka?” Koharu asked again while playing the camera’s focal lens on the girl in question’s face.
“Not really.” who gave a weird facial expression in front of the camera as she respond.
“ That answer creeps me out Sayaka. You know her basic information but you don’t her?”
“She’s your classmate right?” Yuu interrupted.
“Umm yeah. She talks too much and too bossy like… like… “ Yuu signaled Kitahara to not finish her statement.
“Like who?” Koharu, who seems interested, asked.
“Umm… Like ahh… like our school doctor. You know how she mistreated her nurses sometimes.”
“I see.” Yuu was glad that Koharu bought it. Sayaka just rolled her eyes off and continue on what she’s doing. But it seems the photographer aren’t finished asking questions yet.
“So what do you think? Can these Reina girl beat the Pink Bunnies?” Sayaka paused for a while and then look at the club president.
“ I don’t know.” Yuu stopped her typing and look at Sayaka. She seems interested on Sayaka’s answer.
“ It’s easy to say that she won’t stand a chance against them. But saying you don’t know? Are you saying that…” Koharu didn’t finish as she wants to hear Sayaka’s explanation.
“ That girl has a strong aura. She has confidence. She reminded me of Yoshizawa sempai.”
“Oh. You mean the first who stand against this group successfully?” Sayaka nodded.
“This is interesting.” Koharu said with a grin.
“I think the girl we are waiting for is finally here.” Yuu said while pointing on the direction where Risako and her members are looking as well.
“Ok people. Time to work.”
*****
“ How dare you make us wait for 30 minutes? You really know how to piss people don’t you?”
“ Gomen ,gomen. Junjun cooking was great and I didn’t realize that I ate too much this afternoon. That’s why I need to use the bath room.”
“Umm… that lunch was supposed to be for Risa.” Junjun whispered.
“ Risako. Is there any other way to stop this?” Risa asked while advancing towards the group. Junjun held her back knowing there is no other way.
“ Just shut up Risa! Just stay there like a role model you are.” Risako turn her attention back to Reina.
“You think you are funny? I guess I don’t mind for this is the last you’ll be able to do that.”
“We’ll see about that.” Reina said while doing some stretching. Then she felt a hand on her shoulder. The hand owner’s eyes seem worried.
“Don’t worry Eri. It’s not like they’ll kill me or something. And besides, it’s been a while since I did this so it’s not something new.” She said with assurance. Eri nodded and smiled back. Reina is good on showing her aura, her aura of confidence.
Pink Bunnies members and Reina’s companion stepped back to give the competitors enough space for their match.
“Soduo Maasa, Yoroshiku.” Greeted by a girl whose wearing her school uniform but change her blouse with T-shirt. Anyone who would par with her should have cold sweat by now. Especially if they know that they are facing the school’s karate club ace.
“We met this morning right? Reina Tanaka. Yoroshiku.” Reina as she do her fighting pose.
“Eri. We have to stop this fight. Do something.” Risa plead the girl next to her. But the other girl just gave her a smile.
“Don’t worry Risa chan. I think she can handle this. And beside, I know now where the infirmary is. We just take her there if something happen.”
“… Right… “ Risa said in sarcastic tone. She felt she received an idiot answer from an idiot girl. She just sighs and prayed hopefully that nothing bad happen.
The two competitors stare at each other. They are trying to analyze each other capabilities.
"She looks tough. The way her pose is, she preferred a defensive style. Adding that to her karate discipline, she’s someone who is hard to knockdown." With that conclusion, Reina just smiled.
She makes her first move knowing that Sodou decided to defend first in order to know her capabilities. She throw a one two punch followed by a kick in a swift motion. Knowing that it won’t work, she immediately moves to her opponent’s side and do the same thing. She even tries to take behind but Maasa somehow manage to deflect the attacks. Reina back off for a while.
“ Your good Tanaka san.” Maasa said while wearing a non-emotional face. Reina on the other hand wears off her smiling face.
“ This is no fun. I thought that we would be enjoying ourselves with this fight. I thought that I would enjoy this. It’s better if we just have a rematch if you’re really up for it.” With that said, Reina turn her back and start to walk away. Risa was confused but glad on what happen and followed Reina. Junjun and Eri followed them as well.
“ Hey you squirt!! The fight is not over yet!!!” Risako yelled but Reina just wave in dismiss while not looking back.
“Why you little… “ Risako was about to charge them but Maasa stopped her.
“ I lost Risako. Sorry.”
“What do you mean lo…?” She was cut off when she saw the Maasa holding her arm like it was hurt.
“When did… “
“Just now.”
“How did…”
“ I don’t know. Her style is something. It’s like she can delay the effect of her attack. “ And with that. Maasa turn her back as well and walks away.
“Hey you!! Don’t turn your back on me!! We are not finished talking!!”
“Risako chan. I think you should leave Maasa for a while. She needs time for herself after what happen.” Chinami as she swing her arms around the other girl’s neck. Risako, somehow, calm down. Chinami was right. Maasa might have her arm hurt but her pride as well.
Audience and spectators doesn’t have a clue on what happen as both group left the premises. They left the place as well disappointed and clueless.
****
“ Hey. Wait up!!” Risa called as the 3 of them catch up the disappointed girl who walks slowly this time for them.
“ What happen back there Reina?” Risa asked, who seems interested. She thought that she might try to use her method one of these days.
“Maasa san seems troubled.” And with that, Reina didn’t answer Risa’s follow up questions. She tries to be quiet for she doesn’t know the reason and doesn’t want to predict things. The group was to busy pestering Reina that they didn’t notice, except for Eri, a little girl who is staring at them while trying to hide behind bushes. When she felt that she was noticed, she run off.
“ Umm. I think I forgot something from my shoe locker. You guys go ahead.” And with that, she left.
“ Shoe locker? Does she put something else beside her shoes and slip on?? “ Junjun scratching her head.
“ She’s weird but I like her.” Risa and Junjun were surprised on what they heard from the small girl. They both look at her like they want to know it.
“Hey! As a friend ok. Don’t think any stupid ideas like what I’m thinking right now.” But her defensive state only grew suspicious for them.
“ Leave me alone.” Reina said annoyingly and walks away. The two giggled and followed her.
****
At the school library, a small girl walks in while catching her breath. But a few minutes later, the door slides open and enters a worried girl.
“Momoko chan? Are you ok?” the other girl startled and was about to run away. But Eri is fast and manages to grab Momoko’s arm.
“No wait. Don’t go. Please?” Momoko stopped her attempt to run. But she’s shaking. She’s too nervous and Eri felt it but she doesn’t know why. She doesn’t want to intrude the little girl’s privacy. Eri don’t know what to do except for one thing. She gently pulls the girl towards her and gave a warm hug.
“You know, when I was at your age, I used to cry a lot. That’s why my big sister always hugged me like this. She won’t let go. Not until I’m ok. She is so dear to me and I loved her. I don’t know what happen to you but I want you to know that I won’t let go not until your ok.” Eri sound so insisting but Momoko seems doesn’t mind. She felt warmth to the older girl. Her body reacts unconsciously as she hug back and started to cry. Eri caress the little girl’s hair. She let Momoko cry as much as she wants. She know Momoko will feel better afterwards just like her when she cried to her big sister. A few minutes later, Momoko quiet down but she is still crying. She held back embarrassed of what happened. Eri just smiled and reach out her handkerchief. Momoko smiled while wiping her tears away.
“ Is it ok if you come with me for a while? I want to share you these great tea that I have. I’m sure it will make you feel good.” Momoko smiled as the other girl grabs her hand and walks out.
****
Meanwhile, at the front door of the Karate club dojo, sat a girl holding her arms now wrapped in bandage. She don’t have serious injury but as the key player for her team, the team doctor want to make a 100% sure that she’s ok.
“ You seem upset with your match.” Maasa look up and a bit surprised to see whom it was.
“Do you have any idea on what you are doing? Coming here all alone? Where are your friends?”
“You asked too much. They already went home. It’s just happen that I forgot my textbooks so I have to go back.” Maasa look at her for a while.
“Lair.”
“Am I that obvious?”
“Aren’t you afraid?”
“What’s wrong talking with you?” Maasa just sigh and look down.
“I f you want to laugh, go ahead, but please not in front of my face.”
“Laugh at you? Why would I do that? Actually, I came to help you.”
“Help me??”
“Yeah. I know your family has a big debt from the Suguya Enterprise. That’s why your not happy doing this. You’re ashamed you are ruining your honor. Well let me tell you this. If you fight Reina full heartedly, I will pay half of your family’s debt. But if you manage to beat her, then I might pay it whole. How’s that?” Maasa was surprised on what she is hearing. She looks up on her again.
“Why would you do that? Who do you think you are? Why would I listen to someone who is willing to betray her friends?”
“ Let’s just say that I’m interested on Reina’s ability. I want to see how good she really is. I know. It sounds like you will ruin your honor even more when you do something like this for money. But let me ask you something. Aren’t you interested in knowing her? You are a martial artist. Sparring with someone who could match your skill is a good experience, don’t you think?” Maasa eyes grew making the other sense that she’s interested but her heart doubt it.
“ Don’t worry too much. I can sense that you want to face her. You won’t tell unless you do it.
“Fine. But don’t think I’m doing this because I need to…”
“Hai Hai. But first we should do something first with your arm and some preparation as well. Come with me. I want you to meet someone.” Maasa nodded. She sling her sports bag to her shoulder and followed the other girl
To be continued
Topic: Izanami's Seed (Read 8596 times)