Chapter 2
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Ichigo Kurosaki did not see his day starting in the changing room of the all-women kendo club. Honestly, he wondered why this was his job and not one of the many females on the council, the girls here glared at him as he transgressed on their holy ground or at least that was what Issei had called it when he saw him walk into it.
"Ichigo Kurosaki, Student Council," he said, the words rote by this point and they were all fully dressed naturally but they were looking at him like he would rip it off of them...or they were just mad which was reasonable.
One of the girls was fully dressed in the club garb with there wooden bokken at the ready. "Your club leader is Katase Yuna?"
The girl with brown pigtails nodded at him "I have been sent by Sona Sitri to look the...incident" he decided not say aloud anything about the picture "Also fair warning given the nature of this...I have seen the evidence however that was only so I could do this"He walked over to the lockers before they could speak and pointed "Whose is this?"
"You, you pervert," one of the girls said as his words caught up with them, she covered herself as if he could see through her clothing.
"Whose locker is this," he said again looking at the club leader, the girl looked utterly engaged but still answered "Hana Niki but she's overseas"
"Well That makes sense" he muttered pulling out the master key and opening it drawing cries of alarm, he reached in and drew out a towel along with...something else. It was an odd thing, looking like a webcam but with a longer lens, the locker almost tipped over as several wires were pulled out with it. "Before I came over, Kaichou, Fuka Kaichou, and I looked over the pictures to see if we could get the angle from which they were shot at...anyone good with electronics here because I am not?"
"A smaller younger girl nodded shyly raising her hand "Could you unplug this without damaging it?"
There was a snarl and he found himself facing Katase with her kendo stick raised and hurtling towards his head, his body reacted automatically to such a threat, the winter war saw to that. Even if he was a human now, his battles with Aizen would forever have lasting scars. In his mind it was not a fake sword, it was real for a brief instant. He slapped it aside on the flat of the blade with his palm, his other hand clenching into a fist and snaking forward to...he halted the blow as the bokken was slid across the room and his fist hovered halfway to Katase's face, the girl had gone pale as a ghost which was understandable.
He lowered his arm "My apologies" he honestly did not know what else to say, he sat down what he assumed was a camera. "I have been attacked by those before, what to do with them is reflex." Katase took a step back this time a lot less threatening.
"W-why" she seemed to find her voice again through it held a lot more wariness now "Why do you want to keep it, why not break it?"
"You do want to find who has done this right?"
"Everyone knows who did it, there are only five boys that's not a lot of suspects" Ichigo shrugged and motioned for the younger girl to come forward and unplug it.
"There are more men on this campus then the five students," he said walking to the other end of the room and hunkering down to under the bench at the end, he traced the spot where there was a little less dust but no camera was there anymore. "One was here but it has been moved" He glanced back at the girls "Could you help me look for two other camera, the one here might have been moved to somewhere else and you know this room better than I do." He did however had one more place to look and pulled out a screwdriver to unscrew the air vent and found another camera this one battery powered.
The was a shout of horror as one of the girls found one in the showers and another over the toilets. Needless to say, they were very agitated and after a heavy searching met him back in the locker room proper "When we find whoever did this" Katase said her voice filled with pure venom "We will"
"Call us….if you find the person." he said interrupting her "Kaichou wants to hear nothing of random gangs of school girls beating the crap of people with sticks am I clear?"
Their expression told him his words were falling on deaf ears, well he would just have to give his opinion to Sona. "Hey Ichigo!" if his ears could have they would have flattened in annoyance they would have, Motohama, Issei and Matsuda were coming towards him and behind him, all the eyes of the kendo girls were locked as if they were lionesses spotting rabbits. "How dare you enter that sacred ground, you who have no way of properly appreciating," Matsuda said with pure jealousy.
The tension behind him skyrocketed "Ya I'll bet you did not even try to" Matsuda said with a creepy smile.
He moved to get ahead of what was about to happen"I would suggest" he said calmly "The three of you turn around and walk the other way."
"Or what you beat our asses, your student council you can't do that."
"You misunderstand me" he started to say
"Hey Perverted Trio!" He did not know who said it but it seemed to come from the kendo club as a whole. The three finally looked past him into the eyes of death that were blazing their way, "We found the cameras, you, you" Katase gripped her retrieved bokken "You bastards"
"Cameras?" Motohama asked "Someone had cameras in there!" his face contorted into a look of respect "The balls they had."
Any sympathy for what might happen vanished as Matsuda put his hand over his heart "Respect" he intoned like a holy word. Only Issei looked a little perturbed though that might have been the approaching mob.
"No," he said looking back at the girls "This will not happen" they stopped as his gaze swept over them, eyes that had seen and lost more than they ever had. Glancing back at the three "You disgust me" he said calmly "Do you three even stop to consider what this kind of thing will do to a person." There was a pause from the first two then a shrug, only Issei took a step back and Ichigo could feel the approaching mob behind him.
"Run," he said
Issei turned and took off at top speed and thankfully some of his good sense, as small as it was, rubbed off on the other two who took off after him. His eyes stopped the kendo girls from following again none could bring themselves to meet his gaze for longer than a moment. "This is not how it is done" he said "Put your sticks away or I will have you club disbanded for the foreseeable future" That was a bluff as he did not think he had that authority but these girls believed it and with mutterings of anger moved back to their locker room no doubt to give it another through once over.
His heart slowed at last as he leaned back against the wall "That was very well done" he jumped at the voice turning to find Sona walking up next to him. Odd how he had not seen her, he could see the rest of the student council following through at a wave of her hand they turned around. "Saw what was happening on the school security," she told him watching the retreating Kendo girls.
"I told them if they did anything I would disband there club...which I don't think I can do"
"You can't" she agreed "But I can, and I would….through I would prefer if you did not use that threat often."
He nodded "I will remember that"
"Still you handled that with grace, I am curious what you would have done if it had not worked?"
"Tried to stop them bodily" he answered truthfully.
"Do you think you could have done that?" she sounded curious.
"Yes," he said without rancor or pride, only pure hard fact. "That kind of fight is the kind I have been doing my whole life, though I had not expected to find it here…." he shook his head "Speaking of finding unpleasant things" he handed her the bag "These are the cameras we expected to find plus two more. They jumped to the conclusion that it was those three and while they are..unique I do not think they have the capacity to do this at least not without getting caught."
"I have a list of all the people who have access to the room, though now they will not come back to it I think."
"We should to a school sweep," Ichigo said "The pictures were claimed to be hacked from somewhere, whoever it did not want them to get out. It makes me think there might be more" Sona's expression was dark "We will look into that" she promised, "When school ends we will all stay late to search."
"Do we know anyone who is good with electronics and or computers"
She pursed her lips in thought "Perhaps, if not I will hire someone." She nodded "Yes that will work...I am curious who you think might be responsible the only staff are teachers at this school and if as you think that those three students did not do it, then who?"
"I did not say that no student did it, only those three and I could be wrong...in fact" his mind worked at the thought in his head "If I was looking to shift blame I would use them, send them pictures I know they would look at and use...I know this would be asking a lot but do you think you could call them to meet the student council. Inform them of just how much of a crime this is and that if they receive anything related to this they need to save the source and bring it to us." He winced "I don't know how you will get them to do it they are...focused in there wants."
"I will think on how to do that"
The started walking back to the council room "Your insights are interesting." She told him "How do they normally turn out?"
"I don't know, I'm just speaking my thoughts." Plus he had to watch Aizen's scheme come into place if he had retained anything from that it was the knowledge of just how much could be manipulated, how facts could be distorted and lies become reality...it made an impression that was for sure. "Again I could be wrong," he said, "It could have been one of those three and I am just underestimating them."
"I know" She replied, "Truthfully I do not think they did it either but they are the most obvious suspects so we will look into them of course."
He accepted that as the truth it was, after all by know the whole school knew about their...fantasies as they were very vocal about it. So far that had not done anything too stupid but it was only a matter of time.
"Kaichou" Saji called as they reached the student council room "Mai Tanaka is here for your meeting."
Sona winced "Right, I am late" she nodded at him and hurried into the office carrying the cameras with her.
"That's the president of the computer club correct?" Ichigo asked.
Saji nodded "She wants to upgrade her clubs computers to the latest tech and Kaichou is working out the details with her, the school pays part and they pay part."
"I see" he waved as he walked away heading to his gym class, the student council could be late for classes and they very often were but Sona made it clear that they were to use all haste if that was the case.
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The Gym Coach Alexander was running them through the laps when he slipped in with them, the man was American, ex-army that had been stationed in Japan. He was about as fluent in Japanese as a native, which went at odds with his blonde buzz cut hair. He was well muscled and had a rough quality that had a lot of the female students looking to him as a possible match.
From what he had heard the man would only consider college students at the absolute youngest as candidates for a date, Ichigo remembered an amusing story about a child who had been passed so many grade levels she has been thirteen and attending college. She has heard about the coach's rule of dating and thought it would be amusing to take him up on it. The man had stayed true to his word and gave her one date, then added that you had to be over eighteen despite the age of consent being sixteen in this area of Japan.
He had sharp blue eyes that noticed him join the moment he arrived, but Ichigo had proved he was willing to put in the effort. The man held up five fingers and Ichigo nodded continuing his laps after the others had finished to make up for the ones he had missed. The coach let the others rest until he was done.
Once caught up he went the rest of the class through various exercises and games, another feature of this class was that Yuuto Kiba was part of it and it made for an interesting look into what the girls here preferred. There was about one third who liked the pretty boy look, a third that liked the Coach's rugged countenance and a third that might have been looking at both or neither. He knew this because it came up in there conversion fairly often as each camp pushed their ship, perhaps the third camp was the group that wanted to see Kiba and the Coach as a paring.
Ichigo shuttered at the memory of helping Reya moderate the Academy Forums, as it turned out some of these girls in private were just as bad as the Perverted Trio. Thank the heavens he had not been given that job again there were some things he did not want to know.
"Ok time for Swords" the Coach called, the man was an instructor in the art of Kendo through he tended to let the students have fun with the weapons as long as they were wearing the garb and did not hit too hard. It was a refreshing change of pace from pull ups and sit ups, "Ichigo Kurosaki, Yuuto Kiba" he called looking at his list "You two are first."
They had not spoken much, though they had been around each other by virtue of being the only men in this section of the class there had been more than a little outrage when the Coach had started pairing them together for team exercises. But in Kiba's case when the girl you are helping started making orgasmic sounds it tended to distract from the class.
Neither of them had felt the need to speak as they worked through these two weeks as workout partners. It was comfortable and almost like being back home hanging out with Chad, while there appearances could not have been more different something in their manner was similar. Though when he was walking to school Yuuto proved to be far more talkative to the girls who actually spoke to him coherently.
This would be the first time sparring however and he wondered if the boy would be any good, he picked up his weapon holding it in two hands his body shifting to a familiar stance. It was not as long as Zangetsu but its weight was close, he had to ignore the pain at that thought flaring through him at the memory. Across from him, Kiba took his own stance and Ichigo knew at once the boy had training. They sized each other up neither moving as the Coach nodded at them and repeated the rules. "And last of all no attacks at the crotch level" the man nodded at them "Go"
Kiba exploded into action covering the distance between them quickly, he fainted high and went low for his belly, Ichigo tilted his blade down catching the blow and letting it slide off the blade. The boy spun quickly avoiding the return strike and their blades clashed with a loud crack.
Gods above this boy was strong, like physically strong, their blades straining and Ichigo found himself overpowered. Just like Sona, Tsubaki, Tsubasa, his appearance and his power simply did not match. He pulled back blocking two blows that sent shivers of pain up his arms, he pulled back buying a few steps pushing back his surprise.
This was not the first time he had faced a being stronger than he, at the next blow he dodged with a quick step and flicked a light blow at Kiba's head. The boy blocked and attempted to lock blades again but Ichigo gave ground stepping into a circular pattern. He tilted his head past a lighting quick strike and his wooden blade struck the chest of his opponent, one point to him.
That actually seemed to take Kiba aback, to surprise him and... it made him smile like a kid who had just found a new favorite food. The fight returned in earnest as he seemed to stop holding back. Ichigo found himself on the complete defensive, jumping, dodge, avoiding. His reflexes were just fast enough to keep him ahead through Kiba was starting to see through his movements. Without the flash step, his normal fighting would not work. He deflected a blow and began his own attack, Kiba making use of his better strength to simply block the attacks and not waste energy. One area where he had the advantage was height and reach using the several inches it provided him for all they were worth. The Bokken cracked echoing all over the gym, the others had stopped to watch. Ichigo took a risk catching a blow on the hilt and cutting down at the masked head. Quicker than he could have managed Kiba dodge backward his blade out of position Ichigo following with his fastest thrust. Somehow Kiba twisted away throwing himself back landing on his hand and spinning on the palm landing his feet on the ground.
Had he not been Ichigo Kurosaki he would have lost a point right there, but while he was surprised by the display of near breakdance like skill his guard never waved as Kiba hit him with a one-handed swing. The blow cracked the wood on the bokken and knocked him spinning like he had been smitted by a Warhammer. His arms felt numb beyond the spars of pain dancing through them, he then noted the panicked look in Kiba's face as Ichigo slammed down on the mat. His roll was a lot less graceful as he took some small advantage of the moment to roll backwards on the mat and come to his face.
The panic was replaced by relief, Ichigo stared at him trying to recognize the force with the arm that has struck it and came up with nothing...nothing mortal at least. He was aware that humans did get powers sometimes perhaps it was one of those?"
Kiba made no move to attack letting Ichigo recover the feeling in his arms and good lord they hurt like nothing else. But they were not broken that was a plus, so he summoned his resolve pushed the pain back from the forefront and charged. He struck a blow aimed at the head waiting until the last possible moment to pull back in a spin falling to one knee and striking low. The boy had bought the feint and instead of trying to block he swung down, catching the mask with an almost gentle sword blow as his leg took the hit from the blade.
Two to one Ichigo's favor through in a real fight that head blow would have killed him, his swordplay learned in the crucible of combat had been made for a much faster, much stronger, Ichigo Kurosaki...he would need to start correcting that if he still wanted to mess around with the art.
But right now he did not have time to do that so he went back to basics, back to when he knew nothing but how to swing. Kiba came at him his blade cutting three slashes in quick but human speed. He swayed away from them and made a quick cut at Kiba's arm to force him to defend rather than attack, he was on the full defense now and only gave only the most basic of attacks to stop Kiba from going all out. He had to think, if he was indeed fighting a human with enchanted strength and speed he was going to lose unless he did something, did something drastic. His heart began to beat faster with excitement, he almost did not realize it when a smile crossed his face.
The weapons cracked against each other and he accepted the pain as the start of a plan began to form in his mind. With every chance he got he struck out at his opponent, Kiba scored the second point such was his efforts on offense. With every strike, he could feel the Bokken cracking and from the look in Kiba's eyes, he knew it too. *Crack, Crack, Crack* the sound was loud in the otherwise silent Gym. He noted his opponent was not slowing in the slightest, not looking tired, or even putting himself under any real strain physically. In fact, he was smiling back at him and his moves became smoother, less restrained, and the difficulty of blocking them went up. *Crack, Crack, Crack* he was only defending now any weakness in his defense would end the fight. *Crack, Crack, Crack* He was using everything he had catching blows, deflecting when he could, dodging but he was slowing down, his breathing labored, but the smile never left his face.
He took his moment before he would be too slow for it to matter, he had found Kiba's rhythm and saw the swing before it happened, he met it with his own attack with all of his considerable human strength. The result was inevitable as the weapon weakened from the fighting snapped under the force of Kiba's attack. It was the moment he had been waiting for, he did not hesitate, not even for a heartbeat. He pulled the remaining piece of the weapon and thrust forward in a single motion of his body placing the broken point against the hollow of Kiba's neck. "Three," he said just as Coach Anderson called the bout to a stop.
Kiba looked stunned, Ichigo kept on his feet breathing hard his arms aching with shivers of pain "Good Fight" he wheezed.
That seemed to bring him out of his trance and the smile stayed on his face, "That was well done Kurosaki-san" those were the first words he had heard sent his way from the boy. He held out his hand "I would love to spar you again if you have the time, you were incredible."
For a normal human, he thought then mentally berated himself for the uncharitable thought, "That sounds like fun" he looked at his shaking arms "When my arms stop hurting, you hit like a man five times your size"
There was only the lightest of flinches from him and Ichigo decided to let it go, perhaps he was just getting weak and assuming power in others. Or even if he was correct it was really none of his business. Still, that idea helped make sense of Sona, Tsubaki's and Tsubasa's apparent speed and power. Were there a lot of empowered humans here?
Perhaps, but again that was really not his concern, if they were here like this they clearly wanted to live a semi-normal life and that was fine by him. He walked back with Kiba after class hand ended up speaking with him about swordplay and giving tips on what they saw as a weakness in the other. The main point against him was that he was reckless, which was true "Where did you learn your swordplay?"
He shrugged " I had a mentor show me the basics for about a week then the rest was self-taught."
The boy shook his head "Then you are truly impressive Kurosaki-san, I would be my honor to spar you again, I truly mean that."
"When my arms stop hurting and when I have to time to do anything outside of the Student Council, I think I would enjoy that as well." It was an exercise in learning to dodge better at least. Kiba looked chagrined but said nothing. Still, the bout had been fun despite the pain, it has been like an itch he had been ignoring had been thoroughly scratched.
"Well, This is where our paths part I think as Kiba paused with the Occult Research Club building.
"I have English in a few minutes so I have to head that way." They shook hands before parting ways, as he walked away he got a look at just how many girls had their eyes on him, following his every move, how many of them were actually following him he was not sure. He shook his head, there were downsides to being a pretty boy, he stretched out a little as he made his way back to the main building. After English, he had some council work to help with followed by yet another class, yes he was a busy, busy, busy person, just what he needed here.
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The sun was almost below the horizon when the last of the student council returned to the council room, from the looks on their faces most of them had found what he had. "Two more in the Judo Club Changing room, three in the general boy's locker room for the pool."
Tomoe had none of her usual cheer, which was noticeable because before the start of the hunt she has been bouncing off the walls with her desire to hunt for hidden things. "Changing Room for girls swimming" she tossed two on the table "Tennis club four" she placed those on the table as well.
Saji pulled out eight looking a little green "Men's and women's restrooms eight"
Momo and Tsubaki tossed three more "Changing rooms in the auditorium stage"
Reya and Tsubasa each dropped six "No less than half from the Occult Club's residence three from the shower, and three in their restroom, the others were scattered across the smaller changing rooms and bathrooms across the school.
Sona Sitri looked...cool and composed her expression like a wall of iron "Eight" she said "All teacher areas"
"Forty-five cameras," Ichigo said "All wired into the school power and internet?" they all nodded.
"Whoever is doing this is indiscriminate to gender which made me wonder about age…" there was a moment of horrified silence as the same thought when they're all there heads.
"The elementary section" Ichigo voiced, fists curling up into balls.
"Thankfully I took the time to check and found nothing, though the same cannot be said for the college areas" she put down a bag "Add twenty to the number"
"Sixty-five" Sona breathed something molten in her voice, he watched as several members of the council shuttering at the sound. It was the first time he had heard that tone of her voice, it actually brought a bead of sweat to his neck. She took a breath "How was this able to happen without us noticing" she said more to herself than any of them. How did I miss this."
Ichigo turned over several of the cameras "The oldest is three years, so this could have been done slowly over time. That would be the easiest way to have pulled this off, one at a time every few days or weeks."
Sona tapped her hands on the table "Tsubaki I will need you to stay late with me tonight, I want to see if anyone has used school funding to obtain these times"
"Yes Kaichou"
She nodded, looking at the rest of them "Thank you for your efforts today you are all free to go" he watched the others stare at her. It was at that moment he realized they were truly hers, as a single person they moved to take their seats to help their leader in her quest.
She almost teared up at the sight, and Ichigo shook his head finding himself smiling. He understood why they had done what they had done. How long they had been a group he did not know but he would guess that it has been longer than their terms as the student council.
While he would make no claim as to love, Sona Sitri for all her serious demeanor, cared. She cared about this school, about the students, about her council, her friends, she cared about them all. And there was more than that he saw in her, that anger at the injustice, the wrongness of what they had discovered. He felt that anger too, how much more was her anger, she who had known these students for years while he was only two weeks in. In her, he sensed a kindred spirit, someone that desired to protect, to cherish, to grow the ones around her.
He would help these people, he would help Sona Sitri in her goals while he was here, he might not be a true member of this group but they had not treated him like anything less than one of them. Perhaps in time, they would become friends. Sona seemed to sense his stare and turned "Yes?"
He wondered how long he had been staring, he shook his head looking over all the students there, nothing that Saji was giving him an evil eye probably for staring at his crush for too long. "They are lucky to have you" was all he said.
The statement brought up a choir of agreement and for some reason, it brought a blush to her ivory cheeks "Enough" she said cutting them off "If you are going to stay get to work." She almost fled to her desk but he had the time to notice a single tear fall down her cheek.
Even though he was not truly part of them yet he felt for the first time like he had a real chance of making this change something truly special. The feeling of hope, joy, and laughter bubbled in his chest as he wound about handing out the papers Tsubaki had pulled out.
Ichigo Kurosaki felt good.
Chapter 4
Even on a Saturday Ichigo Kurosaki found himself only grabbing an extra hour or two of sleep. Saturday was the day that he almost never saw Sona, she slept till late in the afternoon, one of her guilty pleasures or so she had mentioned. This was her day of rest and considering how late they had all been up going over budget sheets the girl had more than earned it.
He took the time in the morning to push himself in his exercises, the bout with Kiba had stoaked a flame he had been trying to smolder. By the time he stumbled into the guest house shower, he was soaked in sweat. The water felt good like he earned it, soothing away his aches but making him wish it was late enough for him to use the baths in the main house.
Closing his eyes he went over the events of last night, the oldest camera was almost four years old and they had gone back in school and club budgets and found nothing. There had been a few inconsistencies but none had turned out anything, no school money had been used to purchase any of the devices. They had assumed that it was coming out of a person or person accounts, possibly blackmail for funds.
What he was almost sure of now was that the perverted Trio had nothing to do with it, in his opinion given what he had seen and heard they were more of the peephole type. Of course, he could have misjudged them completely, but his main strike against them was that he knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that they had zero interest in men.
What really rankled him was they had found could not be considered a crime, according to the law of the land non-sexual nudity was not a crime and neither was the filming of such. Which meant that contacting the police would be almost pointless and so they would have to deal with it themselves. He shook his head this kind of thing was never his strength in dealing with mystery or crime...he blinked he did know someone who was did he not?
He got out of the shower and went about drying off and dressing before falling back on his bed and grabbing his phone. He typed in a number he still knew by heart, wondering if it would even work or if it did he would even get an answer. The man he was calling had no reason to "Hello, Hello" a man's voice said sounding upbeat "How are you doing Kurosaki-Kun"
"Urahara-san" he replied politely "How is everyone doing"
"Doing well, very well" there was a loud yowl, "Yoruichi says hello" the sound was followed by a light meow. "So what can I do for you, I heard you moved out of town"
"I got a scholarship to another school, I needed to...take some time to myself, sort myself out."
"Yes, no one can begrudge you that you have more than earned it." there was a pause, "I do not think I even mentioned this to you but what you have done has saved countless lives never forget that."
He felt his chest curl in sudden pain "I know...thank you"
There was a moment of silence "So why are you calling this fine day."
"I wanted to ask for your advice, an issue has come up at my school and it is not a situation I am good at dealing with and I wanted some advice."
"Mundane or Spiritual?"
"Mundane"
There was a sigh on the line "Since it's you, Hero, what do you want to know?" So he started with everything, the original pictures being hacked from somewhere, the cameras they had found, his thoughts on the suspects, everything. The man listened in mostly silence though he did interject with a few questions.
"Hmm, I suppose it makes sense you still try your hardest to protect people, you would not by you otherwise."
"What?"
"Nothing, So there are several things you should expect to happen rather rapidly, some will happen soon. One is that whoever is doing this knows what has happened. I hypothesize it is a group rather than a single person, they have to know and will move against you and your acquaintances, this student council you are on. Either today or tomorrow they should receive some form of threat or blackmail. Second, those three boy's you mentioned will either be implicated or framed as they do make really good patsy's" the man laughed "That is what I would do in their place at least, third they know discovery is imminent and that whatever they have planned will have to be accomplished soon. What that is I have no idea, I mean it could be blackmail on a large scale, selling to other people who might want to make use of it." Ichigo could practically feel the shrug across the phone line. "So you might want to get ahead of the curve and try and prevent or prepare these people you know. I will tell you right now I have some projects that cannot be left so do not expect any help from my direction. But if the school is rich enough you might think of hiring some expects in computers that might help." there was an explosion of sound, "Oh Dear that is not good, I have to go Ichigo, good luck with your issue" the phone call ended abruptly and Ichigo placed it back on the table.
Something burned in his belly, a fire of anger at the idea that these good people he knew were about to be attacked. What was worse attacked in a way that you could not simply block a punch and counter. He...he wanted to protect them from that, even if several of the girls almost certainly had some sort of spiritual power something that enhanced their bodies he would guess. But still, he wanted to help, to do something, do anything that would help him live up to his ideas.
Dressing as quickly as possible he glanced at the clock, it was before eight so he would be breaking a rule doing this but….it was more important than that and she would understand he or at least he fully believed that. After all, she wanted to protect people too, her council, her fellow students, her friends, he could see that in her clear as day.
Ichigo knew where her room was, he had never been in it but she had pointed it out to him when he has been given the grand tour of the house. He went up the stairs and moved down the hallway at a quick pace, so it was almost a disaster for him as a door was flung open and he almost crashed into a figure that stepped out. Steam poured into the hallway preventing sight for a few brief moments. How that much could come from a shower was anyone's guess and he stepped back from the figure he almost crashed into.
It was a woman or at least his instincts told him that, she was shorter than Sona's height by several inches but shared the same hair color and bright violet eyes with student council president. Her hair was currently spilled out behind her head still wet from the shower, she wore a pink satin bath shirt and pants, said shirt way too small considering how much more developed she was. She was smiling at him and in her head was a….toy pink wand with a heart on the end? If that was odd that fact that she was pointing it at his chest like it was a gun….granted knowing what he knew it very well be deadly. Objectively she looked like a teen with large breasts, in his head however he was registering her as women... it was rather odd.
What was odder was that several emotions went through him at once, first was a biological reaction to the sight of her that while it might make sense was odd, as he was normally in better control of himself. Perhaps that lapse was linked to the second surge of confusion at this women he was seeing, third was...well it was a terror. It went through him like a cold wave through it did not suppress the first reaction if anything that got worse, every cell in his body was, every neuron in his brain was screaming at him that he was in very real and very present danger. They said he should run or failing that grovel for his life...some power of hers perhaps? Had he been anyone else he would have run off screaming...but if he did that every time this sensation tried to overtake him...well let's just say his baby sister would still be trapped in hell. It was yet another thing that separated him from his fellow humans, a scar of what he had been before.
"Herr-oo" she said and he noted that her other arm held a toothbrush and she was in the middle of brushing her teeth.
"Uh...hi?" she tilted her head and then nodded the wand lowering and the sense of raw threat that had every fiber of his being wilting on the spot vanished. The women held up a finger and stepped back into the bathroom she bent over a sink and rapidly brushed the rest of her teeth and spit into the sink. There was the sound of a water faucet followed by a gargle and another spit.
The water turned off and she stepped out sans the wand and toothbrush "Hello" she beamed at him "Who are you?"
"Ichigo Kurosaki"
"Ahh" she walked around him looking him up and down, he felt his body tense like it was a mouse watching a cat "Hmm you have the build and hair for a home invader but not the attitude."
"I'm not a home invader...I live here"
There was a sharp intake of breath "So-tan has a boy living with her and did not tell me" Her hands went to her hips and her cheeks puffed out "That's not fair, So-tan is being naughty...she's too young to be doing naughty things."
Ichigo felt the familiar sensation of watching something slip out of control, She put a finger on his chest "Who are you and how did you steal So-tan from me?" that sense of danger began to rebuild.
"I didn't" he offered, "I think you may have got the wrong impression."
"Oh how else am I supposed to see this, So-tan is supposed to still be calling me Onee-Sama and we kiss in a Yuri-Yuri way that's the good So-tan."
He held up his hands in surrender "I'm here on scholarship, she is letting me stay in her guest house and I work for her council."
The girl paused "Oh, oh that right" she slapped her hand on her forehead "She did tell me about you...well not that you were a boy but she did say she had an exchange student living in the house" her face got bright "What far off land are you from?"
"Uh...small town...hundred miles that way?" he pointed behind him.
"Oh, local," she said "So-tan did say that too" her expression turned into a pout "I was so excited to see her I forget...Oh right where are my manners" she grabbed his hand and shook it "I'm Serafall Lev-" she paused "Sitri, Serafall Sitri, So-tans Onee-Sama"
He nodded, the family resemblance was quite striking though her skin was not quite as pale as her sisters "Also by night" she waved her hand in a mysterious fashion "Miracle Levia-tan Magical Girl"
The name did not ring a bell but he decided not to mention that "I'm sorry I interrupted you I needed to see Sona-san I have learned something important that is about to happen to her fellow students and." his phone buzzed cutting off his words.
"And?" Serafall asked, "Is it a serial killer, a meteor, tidal wave?"
"One moment," he said holding up his phone and pressing the email app "Ichigo Kurosaki, you are to cease and actively hinder all attempts by the student council to investigate matters which do not concern you. Failure to comply will result in the photos below being released to all your classmates and the internet at large. Make sure you comply as this is not a request." Below the message were six pictures, two of them were him changing in the small men's locker room, he was only in his boxers in those, the next two had his back to the camera when he had been undressing for a shower. This one had him nude and the next two were ones that had gotten a full frontal while he was in the said shower.
He paused for a moment sighed and said "Well that was fast"
"What was fast? Serafall asked
"I've just been blackmailed, and they want me to hinder Sona's efforts...they really picked the wrong leverage for me." He thought about it for a moment "I wonder what that says about me….they have nudes of me and I could care less." he shook his head at the thought "Anyway I believe that the rest of my fellow council members will be receiving something similar and they might take it harder than I" he glanced at Serafall "Hence the reason I wanted to go see Sona-san"
"That's awful...if you care" she tried looking at his phone standing on her tiptoes "Can I see?" Now Ichigo felt there was a difference between someone trying to use this for blackmail and showing his body to a girl he had never seen before especially if he was the one doing it. He opened his mouth to say no but she put a hand on his wrist and pulled down with effortless strength her touch sending a jolt of pure sensation through his whole body. It surprised him and befuddled his mind "Wow" she said looking up at him "You, have a nice body you know that"
He shook off the surge of pure thrill that went through him at those words "Thank you" he said dryly doing his best to she nothing of how uncomfortable that statement made him.
"But you are right, if this is going to happen to So-tan's peerage then she does need to know." she grabbed his hand "Let's hurry" he ran after her his longer legs let him keep up enough so that she was not dragging him. As they did so he was trying to put the word peerage in any context at all. That word meant something, perhaps a foreign word for a council but given the way, Serafall was speaking she was native Japanese by accent alone. They stopped in front of a door near the end of the hall and the women glanced up at him "How were you planning on getting her attention?"
"Knock until she said something or came to the door...why?"
"Really, you weren't going to burst in with your important information, discover that So-tan sleeps in the buff and get slapped for your accidental perversion." somewhere there had to be a god because an actual cricket began to chirp as Ichigo stared at her. "No," he said.
"Really, that's too bad, So-tan really does sleep in the nude"
"I...did not need to know that."
"Oh I do too, so does mom it's kind of a family thing"
His mouth opened and closed like a fish "I really did not need to know that." he turned and knocked on the door several times.
"Hmm, by the way, do you recognize me from anywhere?"
He knocked again "No, sorry"
"Ah, well I have a TV show, does not get primetime despite how popular, honestly you do a magical girl transformation the real way and all the moral guardians start there to fuss about seeing boobs." she shook her head "Why can't they focus on the love, friendship, and hope aspects of the show."
Ichigo had no good answer for that and decided to knock again "I have been out of touch with entertainment for a while." he offered.
"Well that won't do at all, how do you destress then...well besides the obvious way only guys can do."
"One, exercise and ice cream once in awhile and two I am not even going to discuss that with you."
"Why not" she looked to either side of her as if she was about to tell a grave secret and leaned in "Girls do it to"
He was saved by a growling sound that might have been the door or might have been the girl who opened it, Sona was covered head to toe in a large fluffy blanket that when held as she was doing it covered everything but her glasses-less face. And on a second check, the growl was definitely coming from her Ichigo tired not to think about what might or might not be underneath. With an effort of will, he pushed the thought away "I have reason to believe that the rest of the student council is about to be blackmailed by the people or person who set up the camera" he held up his phone "This was further supported by the fact I just got this email." It took her a moment to process as she fumbled on her glasses. With them her vision seemed to clear she blinked at the message taking it in along with what he had told her. Her sleep-deprived face vanished flash of anger, panic, and wrath mixed into something singular followed by fear, fear not for herself but for her people. She dropped the blanket, and as Serafall had said she was indeed very much naked, by the time he registered her lovely white skin and perfectly formed body she had turned giving yet another view of something well formed and shaped as she crossed the room to her phone at a speed just as boggling as her nudity.
He recovered in a nanosecond and doing a perfect right face and marching off down the hallway before his mind or his slowness could get him in trouble. Of course, his mental images, seeing her long strong legs and very well formed backside was not going to help his day that was for sure.
His face burned red as he reached the stairs which was about the time Serafall caught up with him "Where are you going?"
"To make breakfast, I have a feeling there will be guests over soon." his reply was like that of a robot lacking inflection and personality.
"Oh how thoughtful you are" she smiled at him focusing on his beet red face.
"Would you like a place Serafall-San?"
She stuck her tongue out at him "Boo, call me Levi-tan, and yes I would love some breakfast" she paused for a moment "Thank you by the way for not perving on my baby sister, I would have had to break your legs for that."
"I would have helped" he answered.
They reached the kitchen Serafall still watching his face "You're still red"
"Thank you for the insight, I am a guy sorry" he half snapped more angry at himself than anyone else.
The girl took it in stride thought "Hmm… do you like So-tan?"
Odd question or perhaps it was not considering the situation "I have known her for two weeks" he pulled out the rice.
"And?"
He sighed "From what I have seen she is a good hardworking, honest girl with the best intentions for everyone...how could you not like that kind of person. However that like is different from saying friendship, I make those a little slower than most."
"I understand" she nodded "It makes sense, so are you attracted to her?"
"Physical attraction is normal" he replied.
"So that is a yes?"
"She is very attractive...so are a lot of people here, it does not mean I am going to do anything because of it," he growled.
"I think that you're a good person, so its ok," she said like it was the most obvious thing in the world "So are you attracted to me?"
"Yes…." dammit how did she do that? "Why are we talking about this," he asked in desperation.
"Miracle Levia Tan has to deal with relationships and attraction in her next episode I am just getting in some practice."
He felt a need to change the subject and fast, granted in the fifteen minutes he had known her he felt he knew a good way to do it. "So I did not know Sona-san had a sister:"
Serafall grinned "Where we come from lots of people know my name, know who I am and how my family is. So-tan wants to make it on her own" she sniffed back what looked like real tears "I'm so proud of her " she wiped her eyes "It sometimes feels like it was just yesterday when I would push her on the swing, or take her flying, or we would watch tv together."
While it was not in the same way he knew how she felt, Yuzu had just hit puberty a soon after he had last of his powers. "True" he replied.
"You have siblings too?"
"Two baby sisters…" he shook his head "They hate it when I call them that."
"Sona does too."
"Though I do think of it as sad and happy, after all, they are becoming their own persons" He reached over and flicked on the stove.
"Sona is someone who I am very proud of, I brag about her all the time to my friends. In fact, I get to them tell all the fun baby stories too, like the time"
Onee-Sama!" a voice interrupted in a semi-panicked voice" The both glanced over at Sona, like her voice the expression on her face was slightly panicked "Onee-Sama," she said once again in a much calmer voice. "No baby stories you promised" She was currently dressed in a tracksuit and her hair had clearly been given no attention.
"So-tan" Serafall was on her sister in an instant wrapping the girl in a hug that looked like it might have cracked a rib.
"Onee" Sona chided as Serafall pressed her face into her hair.
"I haven't got to hug you in two whole weeks let me have this" Sona sighed but went silent. Ichigo turned away from the moment and continued to put the breakfast together.
Sona endured about thirty seconds of her older sisters nuzzling before pulling away from her sister "Onee-Sama what are you doing here?"
"I check on my So-Tan every Saturday cant have any home invaders or foreign army's infringing on my So-Tan's beauty sleep…" she glanced at him "Through I guess your very own live in exchange student is an exception to that."
"Please tell me you're joking" Sona sounded almost horrified.
"Yes So-Tan no foreign army's have shown up yet though I am watching so never fear," she said primly "Besides your so adorable when you sleep, like a big lovely baby."
"NEE-SAN!" Sona half screamed actual sweat starting to bead down her face.
*Sigh* "To fast Ichigo-Kun, they grow up too fast"
While he himself could see the reason for Sona's….embarrassment he felt the need to stay on this person's good side "As you say Levi-tan" He heard Sona choke at his words.
Serafall smailed letting go turning to him "See. See" she hopped up and down like a child "See Sona someone who is willing to call me by my preferred name."
"I-I….I can't deal with this right now" she sounded on the verge of hyperventilation "I need to focus...focus yes" she blinked and scanned the room "Ah...thank you we will have guests soon" Guess she found her focus. Ichigo picked up a mug and held it out behind him "Here you might need this" she took her favorite drink from him and sipped it the way a rich man might a fine wine. Once she had a mouthful of that she turned back to Serafall "Onee-Sama I am so glad you have come to visit."
"Truth be told Sona I often don't stop by for more than moment to check on you if it makes you feel better" Ichigo smiled at her change of tone as she looked lovingly on her sister. "I was really surprised by Ichigo-Kun here I had my wand pointed at him and everything. Sona froze at the words looking over him like she was checking for missing parts "Don't worry So-tan I did not break him or anything...in fact you were the one that almost did that when you dropped the blanket" she made a clicking sound "My baby sister, only seventeen and already so bold." He felt the horror-filled gaze of Sona on him and closed his eyes sighing...he could see why she was on eggshells with her sister.
"It was only for a moment and I turned away as soon as I realized….I'm however very sorry for what happened."
"You should have seen him Sona he had a chance to perv on you and what did he do...he acted like a pure gentleman and turned away."
"I-I-I... I need a moment" Sona said turning and leaving the room, Ichigo and Serafall glanced at each other and after a moment decided to pretend they did not hear a muffled scream of embarrassment, some things were better left that way. To his surprise Serafall came over and began to help him set everything up...guess she knew her way around the kitchen, neat.
1
1
1
Ichigo could tell that the various members of the student council had received similar blackmail, they came at Sona's call. Most save Tomoe had varying degrees of controlled panic, humiliation, anger and fear mixed on there face. The two worst off were Saji and Tsubasa both of whom looked almost sick. He found himself wishing that he could truly empathize with their plight, a plight any normal (however possibly spiritually empowered) high school student should not have to deal with. But how could he, the threats that would affect him were ones like we are taking your sister to hell or the women you have grown to have as a friend and feel attraction for to be executed. How could something as simple as we have a picture of your dick make him even pause for a second?
He served them the breakfast he had made rice topped with furikake(A Japanese spice meant to be put over rice by itself) with a bowl of steaming miso soup and cup of hot tea. They ate, through it was in silence as they waited for all the council to arrive Tsubaki being the last and looking like she had not gotten the blackmail. In fact, she took one look over the rest of the council and went over to Sona to speak quietly, most likely to get filled in.
Serafall was somewhere around she had not shown herself to the rest of the guests, hell the only thing he had to go on that she was around was the feeling of attraction and fear she seemed to generate in him. But then again it could be his imagination...sure...he glanced at the empty seat gave it a moment through and set some food there as well. The others did not seem to notice, in fact, most had not even said a word. Tomoe looked distraught at that but the others were fully distracted.
Sona entered the room with Tsubaki toe, she had taken a shower, put on the light amount of makeup she used and had discarded the tracksuit for her student uniform. "Everyone, thank you for coming." they all had their eyes on her it was why they did not notice Serafall take her seat and start to eat.
"Now as to why I have called you all here, this morning it was brought to my attention that we are all under the potential threat of blackmail." As she said the words almost every one of her people flinched "Given that I know for sure that the one who brought this to my attention has been blackmailed, has anyone else received such threats?"
They hesitated and Ichigo raised his hand "Got it this morning, told me to sabotage the investigation we were doing." He shrugged "I'm tempted to tell them where they can shove it but I decided to wait on that."
"Thank you," Sona said, she said that possibly for him showing restraint or breaking the ice he was not sure.
Tsubasa closed her eyes lips peeling back in a contained snarl "I woke up and found the email, it said pretty much the same thing." her shoulders relaxed once she said it and perhaps because one of them, one who they had known longer for two weeks had done it the rest confirmed their plight. Only Sona and Tsubaki had not received anything, Ichigo felt he knew why and considered his words before holding them back. If these people needed a driving force he should not be the one to do it...unless it was needed.
"This" Sona said her glasses almost glowing with reflected light "Will not go unpunished, I thank you all for your trust me, for your trust in each other to speak. Her hand clenched and unclenched "Now we will need to discuss how to proceed with this."
"We could find out who did it and freeze their house solid" Serafall offered.
Every head save his and Sona's whirled to the person they had not noticed before that moment, the girl smiled and waved "Hi ya"
"Miracle Levia Tan?" Saji asked confused.
"You watch my show!?" she brightened like a Christmas light preening under his gaze "That makes me so happy" she sent a pout his way " Cause I was feeling underappreciated"
"Sorry," he said "But I have not seen the show Levi-Tan"
"T-T-the Leviathan" Reya whispered.
"Poo" she stuck her tongue out "No business names here, I'm"
"Serafall Sitri, my Onee-Sama" Sona interrupted smoothly through that sweat had returned to her scalp. Ichigo noted the mix of awe, fear, and trepidation that the others watched the smiling bubbly girl with….and she did too. It was only for a moment, only a flash of expression here and gone in an instant. A moment of intense sadness, of aching hurt, the expression of a woman who wanted nothing more than to love and let love. To be happy and bring that to others, all that twisted by resigned resolve. It was an insight that he normally only received when crossing blades with someone.
"Well, either your the prime minister of Japan and I did not know or they must be star struck," he said turning to her "Your show must be really popular."
That smile of hers returned sending shivers of nerves through his chest, the same kind Rukia could cause when she was not being an annoying midget. But he did not turn away from that smile, or her powerful searching eye's she would not have taken it well."
"They all have a taste" she agreed before turning back to look at her sister "So-tan what about my suggestion?"
"While that is an amusing Idea Onee-Sama we have no way of freezing a house or building this is not your tv show and you do not have magical powers." Sure she didn't and everyone around here was perfectly normal peak human level creatures...well he at least felt like he could call bull on her, her sister, Tsubasa, and Tsubaki at least. However, it was not his concern as to what they felt like doing.
"Aww you're breaking the magic So-tan"
"Onee," she said gently.
"Mmm ok," she said and took a sip of tea through still smiling at her own joke if nothing else she lighted the mood by pure confusion.
Sona sighed and put a hand on her head "Kurosaki-san would you relay to them what you learned from your friend."
Hat and clogs a friend? Well perhaps that could be the case but he was nowhere near drunk enough to tell that to the man himself. He kept his words clear concise and succinct going over the several points and guesses that Urahara on who they what the people they were up against would do.
"Basterds" Tsubasa snarled and to his growing concern her white hands clenching the thick wooden table began to show the signs of cracking the damn thing...that was some serious strength, he pretended to ignore it.
Sona coughed meaningfully at her friend and the girl let go of the table instantly, he was started to almost feel sorry for whoever they were chasing. "Given that Ichigo-San has been shown to be quite wise in seeking expert help, I have hired a firm specializing in computer and...other things to look into our case." Her smile was sharp "They have promised results by this Monday, a bold claim but according to there records they have done so before. As for the other issue, I would like to speak to each of you privately and you have my word that nothing will ever leave my lips about this nor will it change my opinion of you, everyone is different when they are alone that is normal."
Her council did not look happy at that and having to tell your boss about the nudes that were taken of you could not have been a fun thing to go through. He caught Tsubasa looking at him her expression searching through for what he did not know. Getting up he went about collecting the plates and cups, what was going to happen next was something...private, intimate and it was not a place for an outsider like him. '
Tsubasa's eyes followed him as he vanished into the kitchen, and the eyes of Serafall were like weights on his back. They had followed him around the table and through his retreat from the room, it was a relief when he closed the door behind him.
With efficiency he got to work cleaning the mess, putting away the extra food, washing plates, cups, and utensils. The task was straightforward and simple and right now that was a welcome blessing. It had been a hell of a morning and he was feeling the need to go for a walk and relieve some stress.
It seemed like moments passed but the clock told him he had been in her for half an hour when the kitchen door opened. He could see Serafall still at the table telling a story that managed a few smiles out of the worried teens. Tsubasa closed the door behind her as she entered leaning back against it.
He glanced her way raising an eyebrow, she looked beaten almost her shoulders drooping, anger and humiliation burning in her eyes. "May I talk to you?"
Ichigo nodded turning back to wash the plates " You seem very calm about this, calmer than all of us anyway." he nodded "Were your photos not that bad?"
"No they got everything" he replied, "Got me in the boy's main locker room and the swimming area, they leave nothing to the imagination."
"I see" out of the corner of his eye her head drooped "Then...how are you taking it so calmly"
He paused in his washing "The honest truth...is I don't care"
There was a long pause before she spoke again this time almost a whisper "How do you not care?"
Ichigo ran his fingers through the hot water contemplating the best way to answer "When I was little I was bullied...a lot and while never stripped or anything there are a lot of other amusements that were quite humiliating ones that they could think off, most of them involving toilets." he shook his head at the old thought, the scars of those actions long since healed. "After I learned how to defend myself and made it clear to them that not only would I no longer take it but I could turn it back on them, no matter how many friends they brought. They either stopped or turned to others means, rumors, pranks, lies, it became rote to ignore, to become callous." he let out a breath as the surge of unwanted memory surged through him "In time they grew board but by then I graduated to a whole new class of bullies in high school who after learned the very hard way that they could not physically beat me continued in that tradition."
He put a plate in the dry rack "My thoughts on it had changed along with me, I came to realize that if so many were focused on me, obsessed with me, that there were others who they were not attacking. I realized that the reason I had never cared about such things was not that I was a hard person it was that I did not care if I was the target. I could take it, I could push back, the only thing that could get to me was if they targeted my friends, my family." Something cold touched his voice "Someone tried it once, and after he was sent to the hospital they rest got the message." gods above was he bragging?
He shook his head "So in this place, at this moment, they send pictures of me naked, say that they will give them to everyone. But the problem is that I could care less if everyone in the school had them. If that changed their opinion of me, the fact I got naked, something everyone does then so be it. I much, much more care about the fact that you, that your fellow council members have been attacked. That makes me mad, that affects me much more than simple humiliation could ever hope to."
There was silence as he words died off, Tsubasa was breathing heavily "They have a picture of me...touching myself, they have it on fucking video. I just had to tell my friend and boss about something so personal and humiliating." her breathing was heavy "Could you say the same if they had you jerking off."
"Yes," he said "The only chance to my thought would be, oh no they have a picture of me doing something at almost everyone else on this entire world does." he turned to look at her "If that changes their opinion of me fuck them. My words may not mean much, but I do not think any less of you knowing that." the picture the words had spawned in his traitorous head was another matter that he decided not to mention that.
"You mean that…. you say it so easily, so simply, like it is the most obvious thing in the world."
"I judge myself before I judge others, and for what it's worth I am possibly a headcase because of the way I think. It is normal and natural for you to be worried there is nothing wrong with it and I highly doubt that any of your friends will think any less of you...I mean would you of them?"
"Of course not" she whispered, "I don't care what they do, they are…."
"Family," he asked.
"Yes" she took a few shuddering breaths "Care for them, care for them over yourself, I might not be able to feel nothing for what has been done...but at least I can help them."
"And those words do change what I think of you, those words put into action will only make me respect you more."
"Thank you"
He nodded as she turned took a deep breath and opened the door to the dining room, she did not close it as she left and he watched her take a seat beside Momo, who was not looking well at all. The girl put her arm around her and with an almost rough moment pulled her into her body. Momo sniffled and turned her face into her fellow council members body, Tsubasa leaned down and began to whisper something.
"That was beautiful," Said a voice from directly behind him, now he did manage not to yelp but the plate he was holding when flying over his head only to be caught by Serafall before it could crash. He took a breath to calm down his heart and refused to allow himself to ask something stupid like how long have you been there or how did you get there. Now that would serve no one "What do you mean?"
"She was drawn to you because of how you felt, they could all see it in the way you spoke. Your voice did not change, you told them what had happened the same way you must do when reporting the day's events. She wanted to know if that was a facade or if not how you did it." Serafall made a purring sound in her throat "And the simple answer is you do not consider it blackmail, you told her that and had you left it like that I think I might have hurt Tsu-Chan. But you didn't, you told her how you perceive your vulnerability, that you considered her family and by extension her more troubling than yourself." A hand was placed on his shoulder " She told you something that she expected to change how you look at her, something so private that it was hurting her. And you accepted that as well, no judgment, no looks, nothing save how you look at her now...then you praised her, now she is out there supporting her family. That Ichigo-Kun is what was beautiful."
His cheeks burned as he washed the already clean plate once more "I only told her what I thought was true….Levi-tan"
Serafall hummed in pleasure at the words and let go of his shoulder, "Then you are quite the interesting person."
The words brought him down back to earth "Not so much anymore" he said shaking his head.
There was a light whack across the back of his head "Don't say that, I meant what I said and Miracle Levi-Tan does not lie…..unless the fate of the world is at stake….or she has the last chocolate mochi roll."
He pulled the drain and let the water filter through it, helping along the suds by application of the sprayer, "Well that is a noble endeavor, I, however, cannot say the same for myself"
"Well that is why Levi-tan is a magical girl from a distant planet and you are a boy from the earth"
He laughed as he went over the counter with a washcloth "Hard to beat that" he agreed, Serafall grinned and went to get another washcloth and helped him finish the cleaning of the kitchen. "So what are you going to do after this?"
"Going to take a walk" he glanced at the people in the other room "While I'm still here they have to hold back somewhat" He was glad they were far enough away that by speaking quietly they would not be overheard."I have not been here long enough to be one of them."
The girl looked at him curiously but said nothing as he took the washcloth from her their hands brushing, the contact sending a surge of thrill up his whole arm. He turned at once not wanting anything to be seen and washed the rags in the sink. From her light chuckles it seemed Serafall had noticed….stupid teenage hormones.
He stepped out into the room just as Sona and Saji returned were walking downstairs, his face was a little green with the look of one he had just signed their own death warrant. He walked over to her and spoke just loud enough for all to hear "I have my homework and council work finished for this week, I'm going to head out and relax for a bit." It went unsaid that he would also give them time to talk without and outsider spying on them. Sona hesitated her mouth opening and closing, she looked behind him probably at her people and nodded "When will you be back?"
"A few hours, I need to clear my head some"
"Ok, I will see you then."
He nodded "Thank you Kaichou" and walked out of the room closing the door behind him once more, he blinked as Serafall stood in the middle of the kitchen. Her clothing had changed in the few moments of his conversion with Sona. She wore a white tank top that went mercifully down to her black skirt which before coming to Kuoh Academy he would have thought too short but it was about the same length so he did not complain. She had shoes on we're good quality athletic shoes along with knee-high white socks, and her hair was now down in twin ponytails. The abrupt change made him stop and well look like a confused idiot."
"Not all girls take forever to dress Ichigo-Kun" she held out a hand "Now let's go have some fun"
"I-I um...what?"
"Selflessness can't go unrewarded all the time." she grasped his hand with surprising strength "Besides you are right, So-tan needs some time with her peerage alone"
His mind was still doing flips and his thoughts spilled out unbidden "What is a peerage?"
Serafall lost a step for a moment then grinned "Where I come from it means a family of a sort, now come on I actually have not gotten to see this city before."
Ichigo Kurosaki felt his everything stand on end….this could not be good...or perhaps it would...you never knew.