Sunday 26th April 2015: Time Unknown

Leiko Hamada: Enchanted Woodlands- Grand Stage

The woman before her...she changed.

Leiko had barely been aware of the strange beings that shielded her from the oncoming vines, her eyes fixed on her aggressor with a look of numb shock. Its skin peeled away, exposing thick, gnarled bark and long, blood-red claws that sprouted from its fingertips. Every aspect of her graceful beauty had been twisted, revealing the darkness and cruelty behind her visage. But nothing struck her more than the cold, wicked smile that spread across the creature's lips as she sent endless vines at Rui and the others in an effort to tear them apart.

She didn't know what to do. Frozen in place, she helplessly watched as Rui, Noboru, Kami and the other boy raised their weapons boldly against the forceful gale. They were going to fight it. But how? She seemed so strong, so vicious in her onslaught. If they stayed...would they end up dying just to save her?

No. Leiko didn't want anyone to die, especially not like this. She wanted to raise her voice, tell them to leave and save themselves, but she couldn't. It was if she didn't have to strength to form words anymore.

That creature had truly taken over.

"Come on, now. Won't anyone save me from myself?" The Shadow crowed, cackling all the while as she threw another burst of fierce wind at the Persona Users. "The audience is just dying for some action!"

TRACK: I will Face Myself

It appears the Shadow had been prepared for Matt's fire. It was working on the vines sure, but as the fire enveloped the vines, the Shadow gave a hearty laugh and a taunt before a large gust of wind swept at them. This blew all of Matt's fire back at the entire party, dealing some damage. Matt's Persona being resistant to fire took nearly no damage, but everyone else took a minor heating.

"Please Matt, be careful with that mixtape of yours", he joked. In any case, the vines and the wind were a problem.

"We can't get to her through these vines, we'll need you to burn them again. This time I'll stop her wind, everyone else just charge afterward. Megumi, scan and see if we can exploit another weakness", Rui was taking his role as leader quite well.

"Understood. Hang in there", and with that, the shadow's vines rose up once more to resume battle.

Akane Hanazawa // Warakuma Amusement Park
Sunday, April 26th, 2015
Golden Week

As the life started draining from the boys faces with each crack of the knuckle, unbeknownst to Akane, a chilling grin formed on her face. Excited as she continued to goad them into a fight, she simply justified it as doing her duty to help a poor defenseless girl in need, suppressing the thoughts rattling around in her head. Looking directly into the boy on the ground, who was clearly the leader, as his buddies pleaded for them to split, she waited for his decision as he remained there silent. For a moment, it was starting to look like he was up for a third round when they took noticed of another boy showing up.

As the boy offered a hand to the trio's leader, prompting him to smack the hand away, the mood began to change. It was then a sense of disappointment filled of Akane as she figured what the next turn of events would be. Shouldn't she be glad that she stopped them and saved the girl from getting hurt? It's not that she isn't happy, it's just....hmm. Shaking her head, she simply laughed at the boys parting words. Before they managed to flee the scene, she raised her voice "Lightly, huh? Than I won't hold back next time." She shrugged as her focus went from the boy to the girl.

Getting a better look at the girl, she instantly knew who the girl was. "Shirohane-san..." Of course, she is the type to attract such situations, it's only natural. She sighed as a relieved smile swept Akane's face. Not only did she go to the same school but also the same class. She also sits reasonably close to her. She was bound to run into people from her school, it is golden week and this is a key attraction, no surprise. Before she could say anything, the boy spoke up first. He seemingly knew Kotori and if she heard her right, he's their senpai, a third year.

As he waved off Kotori's thanks, he mentioned Akane as he turned towards her and smile. Despite this, she remained silent as she tried to figure him out. As soon as he stopped talking, she waited for a moment before finally speaking up. "Just as he said, No thanks are necessary. It's only natural to help someone out when they're in need." she beamed at Kotori with a reassuring smile. With the assurances over, he asked a question regarding the trio. With a nod to answer it, she sighed and added, "Unfortunately."

Taking her by surprise, the boy, turned towards her, giving her a respectful bow as he introduced himself. It was strange, considering she did it for Kotori and not him. It's like something a father or an older brother would do on behalf of the family. Well, they do know each other, given that, could be close friends? One way to make sense of it. Returning to her usual smile, "Hanazawa Akane, from Class 2-2. This is my 2nd year in Warakuma, so I understand." she laughed lightly as he continued with a small grin on his face. "Yea, they do it quite often. The last time I caught them, they were stupid enough to do it on school campus. Had to chase him around as well. I guess I should've punched him harder, huh?" she laughed.

Sunday, 26^th, 2015 – Golden Week

Itoshi Residence

10:00 AM
The alarm went off. Why did it have to go off on a Sunday, of all days? Oh right, because Gen had forgotten to set it off. Oh well. Gen was face-down on the bed, completely covered, one arm peering from outside the hideout. It travelled towards the nightstand, fumbling carefully so as not to drop anything, and felt the alarm clock. Now, if he could only find the button… No, not that one… That one either… There! Gen flipped the switch and the alarm stopped, and the room gained once more its silent peace. A low groan could be heard from under the blankets. Maybe he should sleep until lunch? No, it was Golden Week; it was his moment. He needed to seize it as long as it was there, because then school will resume and he will not be able to loiter around.

A louder groan sounded as Gen flailed his arms a bit to uncover him. He sat on the bed, a narrow stream of drool coursing from his mouth, messy hair, and groggy eyes. He stretched. “Hmm! Okay.” His feet touched the floor as he sat at the edge of the bed, his hand looking for his glasses. “Where did I leave them?” Ah, right! The drawer. He opened it and Gen took them out and put them on. Now he could he as perfectly as someone who did not need glasses. Okay, holiday routine: Start!

Gen changed into some casual clothes, and went for breakfast. Mum would probably be watching television, and would already have had eaten, so it was up to him to cook for himself. Not that he would mind, though. He usually was in charge of the kitchen when his mum had parent-teacher meetings or something of the sort.

”Good morning, mu-“ She was not in the living-room/kitchen/dining-room. They lived in a very small house, so Gen would know if her mum was there or not. Apparently, she went out while he was sleeping. Maybe she went shopping. Yes, that is probably it. Gen started fixing himself something to eat. He devoured what he had prepared, and went out, locking the door behind him. On the table, he had left a note that said: ”I went out. I have my cellphone on me if you need anything. Love you, Gen.”

Kotori Shirohane - Warakuma Amusement Park | Afternoon

Kotori felt some measure of relief when both of her fellow schoolmates that had come to her help waved off the whole thing; making clear that they didn't see it as too much of a hassle. Not only that, they even said that she should talk to them if she was bothered by the trio in the future - a kindness to which Kotori quickly raised her hands and shook her head. Not only did she not really think it was very likely that such a thing would be repeated, but she also wouldn't want to be a burden to either of them - but the smile that Akane gave, showing she really did not mind in the least, made her hesitate and lower her hands; giving the smallest of nods instead.

As the two introduced themselves to each other - apparently strangers to one another, though each knowing of Kotori in one way or another, Kotori quickly followed suit. Whilst she'd already met Toma before, she hadn't exactly spoken very much with Akane before. Bowing briefly, she gave her name and class, "Kotori Shirohane, also from Class 2-2," in her usual quiet voice - the nervousness from before having mostly receded by now. As Toma then asked about the three from before, Kotori gave a reluctant nod before Akane elaborated on the point - the three weren't exactly unknown around the school and had had run-ins with the Akane before, it seemed.

As her classmate spoke, Kotori looked at her in surprise - she'd heard that she was called a Prince by some of her fellow students, most of them girls, for her tendency to help out others in need, but to hear her put down taking on three boys by herself and winning - twice before even - wasn't quite the same. As she joked the she should have punched them harder, Kotori realised that whilst they'd asked if she was okay, the same couldn't be said for either of the two. "Ah, are you alright?" she asked with some concern in both voice and eyes, glancing at both Akane and Toma in turn - though there hadn't been any real violence to be seen, Kotori would have felt guilty not asking seeing as any such injury would have been incurred because of herself.

Once Shizu's shift at Star Drop Cafe, the cosplay cafe, was over with, she changed out of her attire and wig, wiping off the unnecessarily glam make up at the Warakuma mall public bathroom. The maid costume was to be used for the last time in awhile since this coming week's theme for the cafe was traditional Japanese with waiters as samurai and waitresses as kunoichi (female ninja). The apparent reason for this was the sudden popularity of a particular game with personified swords or somewhere along those lines.

Unfortunately, the raven haired girl was to be absent on the first day of the theme change due to an appointment she made for herself. Said appointment now stood before her, a poster for the movie beginning its screening starting tomorrow, Persona 3: Falling Down. The closet otaku girl religiously watched both of the previous movies at the theaters and the next one was no exception. The series over all was enjoyable to Shizuka which got her hooked to the point where there was no way she would miss any out for whatever reason. It was a well deserved break from her part time job anyways.

Hazel brown eyes glittered behind the long, dark locks of hair while gazing at the illustration, before dropping downward to the schedule of showing times. Her hand rummaged through her simple, white purse and picked out her flip phone. Rather than mentally taking note of the schedule, it was safer to keep a picture of it to be perfectly sure. Upon unflipping the mobile phone, a new message seemed to have arrived a couple of hours before. Pressing onto the button to view her received message, it read:

"Shizuka-chan!
Did you hear about the discount on the amusement park tickets this week? Nozomi-chan and I thought it'd be a great chance for all of us to have a bonding time♪ Text me back on when you're available so we can plan out a sched ok?
-- Rinko ✩"

A soft smile formed upon her lips as she typed out a reply right away and sent.

"I'm afraid this is the first time I've heard of it but that sounds delightful, Rinko-chan. I would love to spend time at the amusement park together! I'll be available any day after tomorrow!"

TRACK: I will Face Myself

"Oooooohohohohoho!", it appears as though Leiko's shadow was onto them. Matt was immediately buffeted by vines and roots, preventing him from attacking. Noboru with his fists won't be able to get through, but he moved quickly, and so did Kami, enough that if there was opening they can charge.

"Can't be helped. Askr!", crushing the card in his hand, Rui summoned his Persona again, putting Garu into the blade, the swordsman Persona made a wide slash, severing the vines that rushed at the party. This was their chance, and Noboru and Kami should know this too. The Garu expelled from the slash even cancelled out the next wind spell from the shadow. He didn't intend to simply wait and watch either, as his allies charged ahead, he began to cast Sukukaja on himself.

Chiaki Nettu

Chiaki was abit unnerved. She has dealt with divas before and really, this woman was no different, except, she looked like the type to actually act upon the words she spoke.
"An interesting time?" Asked Chiaki as she stood up out of the water to be at eye level with that lady. Warm spring water swiftly slid down her smooth skin and off her thighs into the water. Her hair still dry and in a fierce ponytail, she managed to look as fierce as the girl with the dragon tattoo, minus the the tattoo of course. Having to hold her twins with her arm, she looked the woman in the eyes, trying to show no weakness. With her years of acting and modeling behind her, she could pull it off. But at the same time, she could sense a terrifying aura about this person. As if they had a history of criminal offenses, or something bad like that.
"There's nothing interesting about us being here, we're just to cousins who decided to go on vacation for the golden week!" Tilting her head, she fired back a question.
"So Himura-san, why'd you come here alone? Tired of people or something? Oh by the way, I'm Chiaki Nettu and that's my cousin Ayano."

Despite the situation and how they were talking to eachother... Chiaki lowered herself into the water once more, next to Ayano and whispered to her (She might like, be lonely all by herself, should we try and be friends or something?)

Jun chuckled as she noted the panic of the first girl, and the way Jugs tried to put on a brave front. In all likelihood, Chiaki did feel as if Jun wasn't that intimidating at all. Not that she was trying to be, to be honest. "Do you know who frequents this place?" She asked rhetorically, knowing that the girls had to be unaware if they thought this was just some inn they could spend their weekend at.

She sighed and sat down next to them, lowering herself until she could rest her head against the edge of the spring, reclined comfortably. "I guess the novelty of gossiping about me has worn off." She commented, more to herself than anyone, before gesturing at the exit, indicating the rest of the inn. "Sit along the corridor facing the garden tonight then. There'll be a show to watch."

"Chiaki and Ayano, is it?" Jun confirmed their names again, before smiling wryly. "I hope you two don't mind sharing the place with yakuza for the night. I'd stay away from the male guests if I were you."

As Chiaki explained the situation to the newfound Himura person, Ayano couldn't help but just nod gently to Chiaki's words. When her cousin introduced both of them to the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Ayano just bowed lightly as she diverted her gaze to the intimidating girl, it was only when Chiaki whispered something to her while they were both lowered into the water. "She might like, be lonely all by herself, should we try and be friends or something?"

Ayano just shot a discontent glare at her cousin, beginning to doubt the value of their friendship. The girl just groaned before whispering back to her. "With that kind of tone and attitude, she's the kind of girl I would meet once in my life and never talk to again. If any of the stuff I've seen is valid, she's either going to kill us" Ayano paused for a moment to look back at the Dragon Tattoo Girl once more before returning to her cousin. "or she's just that 'grrr I'm tough outside but actually a really soft girl inside' trope". She said in a mocking tone. "And lonely? Really? I know lonely, if I was less of a recluse but still have very little social interaction, I wouldn't go to a hot spring inn situated miles away from Tokyo just to wallow in my self-pity, I'd do that in my bedroom." As she re-positioned herself, Ayano and her cousin were posed with a rather peculiar question from Himura.

"I dunno, people who want to relax?" Perhaps that wasn't the best answer when faced with a girl that looks like she could just beat you to a pulp. Jun then gestured somewhere around the exit of the hot springs and told them about some show to watch later on. Her interest piqued, Ayano looked back at her cousin with concern, as if to ask "Should we go and see?". Then, one word from Jun just made Ayano freeze in shock and terror, what did she say again? Yakuza? Did she just straight up say, "yakuza"? The boys with the big guns, straight up right in this inn?! Talk about inconvenience. Ayano quickly sank to the waters again and just stared in dumbfounded terror at her cousin, her whispers becoming frantic and her words becoming lost from all the panicked speed she's saying it in. "Shit, shit, shit! What do we do, what do we DO, Chi-Chi?!"

Noboru watched the shadow hit Matt. His vision blurred with red. His breathing got heavy. He huffed and puffed. He reached his limit on his playful facade.

"YOU'VE DONE FUCKED UP NOW BITCH. YOU BETTER RUN NOW." Noboru in his rage turned to Leiko. "Listen up here you huffy ass pretentious fucker! You better accept your damn shadow or i'll drag your damn shadow and shove the shadow down your fucking throat you hear me? If you can't handle a damn shadow rhen you don't even deserve to be the drama club president!"

Noboru raised his fists to his chest. One. Two. Three. He ran ahead.

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! TAAAAKE THIS! OORRAAAAA"

He drove his left fist inward, twisting it as hard as he could go. He waited for Rui to bring down his hit as well.

Chiaki Nettu

Ya-yakaza?! You don't need to be a genius to know what that means. Hit men, people put into sacks and thrown in the river. Ayanos' slight panicking wasn't helping the situation ether. Trying to reassure her cousin... (A-Aya-chan! Calm down. If what I've learned from movies is correct, as long as we don't get on a Yakuza's bad side, they've got not reason to come at us!) Suddenly realizing that the whispering may be interpreted poorly as something else by their knew found Yakuza hotspring friend, Chiaki quickly shifted and smiled. Nodding to what she had to say.

"Please, forgive my cousins' brash way of talking, its not quite often she talks to people face to face. She's normally behind a computer screen as such, this is the first time we've hung out since the begging of the school year." Chiaki put her hand on her face and made a shocked expression. "Oh goodness I appear to be ranting again! But. uh, yes thankyou! Thankyou for the for warning about the Yakuza men, if anything happens I'm sure there will be a lovely glass or porcelain object we can bob them on the head with... ahaha.. ahaha ha..."
Shaking her head, whilst simultaneously shaking her body to swish around the water, she questioned the show that Himura mentioned.

"Oh a show! How quaint! I'm sure it'll be quite lovely, what do you think Aya-chan, she we watch it together?" Said Chiaki as she smiled sweetly with an expression that was rather forced.

“There goes Masahide again! It’s a wonder that walking ghost doesn’t scare people off.”

“I know, he looks so ill… I wonder why security lets him sleep on the benches like that?”

If Masashide had overheard this conversation once, he’d heard it a hundred times. Every day it’s the same thing, people calling him specter or a ghost… At least until they ask him to tutor them. Being one of the top students in the school had earned him attention- mostly from those looking to leech of him- but he didn’t care. All he cared about was passing his classes with the highest marks possible and it’s off to assist the town’s folk. Just the other day he had volunteered to assist cleaning up the amusement park, and had been there hours after he should’ve already gone home… What did he do then? Study for his classes until it was time to leave for school the next day.

Opening his eyes, he’d sit himself up as he stretched and yawned eyeing over the center plaza curiously. Seems he’d drawn a few spectators, mostly kids and classmates that stood and stared, all the while gossiping about his situations. But it wasn’t an illness or depression, just simply fatigue. It had been at least 36 hours since the last time he slept, and these benches certainly didn’t make it seem any shorter. Yet as he stood, he couldn’t help but stagger his stance. Every muscle in his body flexed and ached, the soreness made it hard for him to even walk. You figure after years of this, he’d become more accustomed… That never happened though.

Walking past everyone without making eye contact, Masahide would begin strolling about the place. Though mostly to soothe the aches and pains in his legs, he’d come to enjoy just walking… There was a certain peace to it. Just like all the epic tales he’s heard and read, it felt like just another step in his own saga. It gave him time to reflect on the things he had done and yet to achieve. If he was going to be a symbol of perfection, he had a long way to go. Yet he would never stop trying, someone would recall his name and remember it as something to aspire too… Someday.

It wasn’t long after he started walking that Masa decided upon a change of scenery, after all, the countless eyes staring at him had become rather bothersome. Pausing a moment, he’d take out his phone and dial home. It wasn’t long after he walked through the doors to leave the complex that his mother picked up the phone, “Saji residence.”

“Hey, it’s-“ He wasn’t able to finish a sentence before his mother lashed out him.

“Masahide! Where are you?! I just got a call from the mall that you’ve been sleeping on the benches again! Why didn’t you come home last night?!” Most of this Masa didn’t hear as he held the phone away from his head.

“I just called to tell you I’m heading to the amusement park. I’ll be home later.” Looking about the town around him, he’d attempt to recall the directions on how to get there. Slowly, his memory recalled the way as he began his walk.

“Do you want me to come pick you up? I could take yo-“ The concern in his mother’s voice was all to evident. Odds are if she came to get him, she’d take him to the psychiatrist again. Even his own mother thought this was a phase of some sort of mental illness that had beset him… She didn’t understand

“No. I’ll be fine.”

“… Masa, you know I l-“ halfway through her reply, he stumbled, dropping his phone, causing it to shut as it hung up the call. His body would shudder as the pain coursed through him. First his body was betraying him, now his mother was hounding him, and then those odd dreams of a one hand man in armor. Maybe he was going crazy… Catching his breath, Masa stood up and dusted off his clothes. Pausing a moment with a sigh of relief, he’d retrieve his phone from the ground as he opened it back up. Sure enough, a text message from his mother. ‘I Love U, Masa.”

While pacing around the mall, watching out for Golden Week sales that pique her interest, Shizuka's eyes caught a scene of a male teen stumbling and passerbys merely glancing and whispering at the unfortunate incident. A short flashback of last week played in her mind, herself being involved in a similar mishap as the boy and few kind souls coming to her rescue. Her ordinary self would usually be shy to approach and voice out her concern but having been experienced something similar not too long ago pushed her courage to ask if he needed any help.

Hesistantly approaching the now standing male, the raven haired girl neared to a distance where her soft voice could be heard. "Um... Are you alright? Do you require any assistance? O-Or a bottle of water perhaps?" While she spoke in a soft tone, the concern was still evident. Since her face was always half covered by her dark bangs when not cosplaying, people usually couldn't read her expression by face.

Masahide gave a brief reply to his mother, texting back 'u2' before closing his phone. He knew his mother meant well, and it's true he did love her... But what type of person would he become if he kept leaning on her? She already lost her husband, another burden would be too much. Or that was what Masa chose to believe. Getting back his bearings, he'd attempt to walk off once more before pausing upon hearing an unfamiliar voice. Turning to see who had spoken, his eyes fell upon the raven haired girl that gave him a rather familiar look...

He was used to these sympathetic eyes, people feeling sorry for him or wanting to assist in his 'troubles'. "I'm fine... Thanks." he replied rather dismissively as he finished dusting off his clothes. Eyeing over the girl, he could tell that she was out of element in approaching him.

"Masahide Saji. It's a pleasure to meet you, miss-?" He asked with mild curiosity. His parents made sure he had plenty of practice in social and formal interactions. Though he very rarely used this skill, preferring to be on his own and out of the public's eye as often as he could. Still, she forced herself to speak to him... The least he could do is return the favor.

Matthew Harvester

Before Matt could carry out Rui's plan he was battered down by vines, getting knocked over from the strong vines Matt felt the pain course through him.
Shit that really really hurts
"argwggg" Matt started trying to back up while witnessing Noboru's Rage mode. shit dudes acting like im already dead Matt thought as he was trying to get back on his feet thanks to Rui stopping the attack.
As Noboru charged towards the shadow in rage Matt was getting pissed himself
"wow those are some harsh words... I got nothing like that but..... HEEEEEEEEY BITCH THAT HURT, THAT. FUCKING. HUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUURT!!" Matt yelled as he tried getting up up... He wanted to do something to, like fucking hurt the shadow. whether he could do anything or not in his condition was another matter thou, but he would bloody well try.

TRACK: Time for True Revelation

"What?! Noboru! Get back!", Noboru's charge connected with the shadow, but shortly after his fist hit, a soft light emanated from the shadow for a moment. The vines were instantly regenerated, and whatever damage Noboru had managed to inflict was nullified. It was a healing spell.

"Huhuh... Ooooohohoho!", it was a mixture of fear, realization and vines that hit Noboru next as he was sent flying back too. Matthew seems to have taken more damage than usual from that attack too. It didn't look like there was a way through... They can take care of the vines, but not enough of them can attack to nullify her heal's damage.

"This isn't looking good...", the battle would play out for another round. Matthew attempted to enact the original plan, though it worked, again, there weren't enough of them to undo her heal...

"Riku?!, Riku? Who was Riku...?

A blue-purple blast of light shone from above and disintegrated the vines in a harsh light. A Persona adorned in red armor and a body of pure energy descended onto the battlefield. Destroying the vines and whatever defenses the Shadow had was simple, they regenerated, but with a single motion of it's halberd, the vines were swept away again. From behind the party, they could hear footsteps, as a boy in the private school's uniform appeared, bleached yellow hair and orange sunglasses.

"Same old same old, so wreck this bitch and let the little girl here sort out her problems... Hey you, you're the 'leader' now?", he was referring to Rui.

"Give us our orders", was all he said, cracking his knuckles and neck as he did so. He brought a lot of pure destructive power to the field... Similar to Noboru, but in a more... Overwhelming form.

"Alright... Noboru, Kami, position with me to assault the main body. Riku clear the way. Matt, heal us up from the back", the orders were given, it was time to turn this around.

"And Leiko, you decide for yourself who you are. We're just here to make sure you don't have to face that alone"

These girls were handling the news better than she thought they would. Though in all honesty, yakuza weren't just gangsters. As long as Jun gave the word, none of her father's men would harass the pair of girls. Unless they were drunk, in which case her fist would be a decent reminder. The blonde haired girl chuckled before letting her down and draping it over one shoulder, letting the end of it soak in the water.

"I suggest you don't do anything of the sort unless you want to end up in real trouble." Jun warned the pair when their 'defense strategy' was mentioned. "I'll be here tonight, so if any of them get too friendly with you, just drop my name and tell them to sod off. I'll probably be having tea in my room after my part in this whole meeting is done, so why don't you join me if you want to avoid the mean gangsters?"

The menacing demeanor she carried was softening a little, now that she had her fun scaring the pair of them. She got up to leave, seeing that the time was near for her to take her place at the meeting. She turned back to the pair. "I'm not sure if you'll find me scarier than them though, after watching what happens in the gardens." She commented cryptically on her way out.

---

For most of the evening, she had her hair bunned up neatly, sat poised and elegant in her yukata as she entertained the guests her father was meeting with. Pouring them sake with a faked smile that they took to be charming and genuine. All of it grated on her nerves.

So when the time came for her demonstration of her strength, she had a lot of steam to let off. She walked into the gardens, dressed in her kendo gear and armed with a bokken. A ring was loosely demarcated by the spectators, her opponent stepping in at the same time she did.

"It is an honour to see your skill firsthand, Himarua-sama. I shall not insult you by going easy on a young girl." They bowed, exchanging compliments, though Jun couldn't tell if her opponent was being genuine about his compliment or if he was trying to make a veiled insult.

"And I shall absolve you of the shame of losing to one." Jun replied flatly, all of her irritation channeled into her fighting spirit.



The first exchange took place right after the judge declared the start of the match. It was vicious and brutal, neither party willing to hold back, especially not in front of the audience they had. Every blow was both testing their opponent's guard and a punishment for slipping up. Jun managed to dodge and sidestep most of his blows, but at the same time none of hers were really landing anywhere critical.

They broke off, the crowd cheering at how serious the fight was getting, while each combatant sized up their opponent. Jun was faster, more agile, but she couldn't match the raw strength or experience of her opponent. It would all come down to skill and who made the first mistake. Of course, she made the mistake of assuming they were going by conventional kendo rules.

Because when her opponent attacked a second time, he was aiming below the waist, at her knees, trying to knock her off balance. She stepped back nimbly, cursing her mistake. So that's how you want to play, huh? She cursed silently as she stepped back in and proceed to draw on all of her training. Her kendo instructor had been paid to teach her how to fight with a sword to injure someone instead of just for sport, and apparently her opponent was going for the same. Well, in for a penny, in for pound.

It was over in one movement. With impossible speed, Jun landed nine strikes successively, comprising the basic attacks one used to lethally wound an opponent with a real sword. Kuzuryusen., her mentor had called it. There was a racuous cheer of victory from her father's side as her opponent crumbled to the floor and gasped out the yield. Silently, her father was glaring at how her opponent had gone for her unprotected leg and possibly tried to cripple her.

Jun just turned and left, eyes scanning to see if the two girls really had come to watch.

Ayano could do so little as her cousin faked that smile, making her grit her teeth. Seeing as there was no choice but to go along with her plan, she mustered up the most fraud smile she could, "Y-Yeah...It'll be t...t-totally...wacky!", the girl said with an obvious look of pain in her face, realizing her poor choice of words, the girl immediately said another word to replace her last. "I-I mean fun! Yes! F-Fun!" As Jun spewed more words fit for someone such as herself and made her leave, Ayano just faked the smile until she was gone and when she did...

She burst and flopped her arms open and laid down on the water, making her float lightly. She groaned and put her arms over her head, like a child being grounded. "Don't tell me we're actually going to see this freak show, Chi-Chi?" Ayano said as she glanced back at her cousin. If anything, the wisest course of action right now would be getting all of their stuff, go back home and make plans to move to the nearest prefecture. Sitting up in the springs, Ayano motioned to Chiaki and splashed some of the spring water in her direction.

"Look, you probably want to watch her cause she's all lonely and broody, right?" She sighed and stood up, slowly walking away from the springs. "Fine, I'll come with you, if it makes you any happy. But I won't enjoy it!"

After the dismissive response the spiky haired boy gave, Shizuka's worry grew. With the pale, ill complexion the face of the boy had, there was no way to proclaim that he was perfectly 'fine'. The stumble just now could have proven this point but before the female student could point out anything, he introduced himself. To return the courteous gesture, she politely bowed with her hands clasped in front of her as she made her own introduction. "Li-Likewise, Saji-san. My name is Otonashi, Shizuka, a high school student." The soft tone of her voice made her timid nature audible.

While internally debating whether she should bother him any further after his clear disinterest of any assistance from her, Shizuka stuttered 'Um's while shifting her gaze from the ground to the boy, back and forth. Perhaps he could be well aware of his current condition? Did he just not appreciate help from total strangers? After a moment of conflict for what she should do in this situation, the raven haired female decided that she could not simply leave a troubled person alone. Maybe he had to see for himself how fatigued he appeared to be convinced he might require some assistance.

"I-I don't mean to trouble you any further bu-but your face shows clear signs of exhaustion. I believe it would be best for you to take ample rest, i-if not visit a doctor." While speaking, she dipped her hand into her purse to pick up a compact mirror, facing it towards Masahide to take a look at himself.