Vol. 3 Ch. 2 Ep. 2: The Sisterhood

Oh, there you are, Sensei!

Don't worry about it. More importantly, take a look! They're our latest mock exam scores!

Hmm. It was very close.

Yeah, you're doing a lot better! Almost there, Azusa!

H-Hey, she's not the only one who improved. My score went up a lot too.

I know! You scored a 15 on your last exam, but now you're up to 49. That's the biggest jump out of all of us!

Of course I did! I told you I've been holding back all this time.

Yeah! Keep it up! You're doing great!

U-Um... Hanako?

Heehee. What's wrong, Hifumi? Why so sheepish?

I scored a 2 on our first real exam. Then I scored a 4 on our first mock exam. Now I've scored an 8.

That means I'm steadily doubling my scores each time. At this rate, I just need to take three more tests and I should be passing too, right?

Well...I suppose so, technically.

That's right. We'll all be above passing sooner than I thought if we keep this up.

I will not stop until I complete my mission and win those cute things. No matter the cost.

Y-You remember the real goal is to avoid failing, right?! The rewards were just incentives.

That's now my secondary objective that I don't mind completing along the way.

Secondary?! I mean, I respect it as a fellow Momo Friends fan, but still...

Huh?

Seems we have a visitor.

Y-Yeah, but who would come all the way here to visit us?

U-Um... Excuse me!

Oh. That voice sounds like...

...an intruder. Good thing I've taken measures.

What are you talking about, Azu...

Ahhh!

I set explosive traps to stop intruders.

Azusa...

How many did you set? I hope there aren't mo...

Ahhh!

There's nowhere to run. Naturally, I laid traps along an intruder's likely escape route.

Azusa!!!

*cough* *cough*

A-Are you okay?! You're not hurt, are you?

May peace and *cough* happiness be with you today. *cough*

There's nothing peaceful or happy about this situation!

Wait, I know that uniform... Are you from the Sisterhood?

I thought that sounded like you, Mari.

H-Hanako...

Here. It's water.

Thank you.

*gulp* *gulp*

Phew. That really caught me off guard. What was that just now?

Azusa...

Um...

I'm sorry. I thought it was an enemy ambush.

M-Me? An enemy?

So what brings someone from the Sisterhood here?

Right. About that...

I was told this is where I could find the Make-Up Work Club, but I didn't expect to run into Hanako here.

It just so happens my grades are terrible.

Oh. So they are...

You know her?

Haha. You could say we're acquainted.

If you're not here for me, then what are you here for?

Right. Of course.

I've been looking for Shirasu Azusa.

Me?

Yes. There's a student you rescued recently that wanted to reach out to express her gratitude.

Rescued?

Gratitude?

Yes. Azusa helped a student that was being constantly bullied by her classmates. Apparently, she was called to the back of a secluded building and harassed on the day in question.

Someone was harassing the poor girl?!

What?!

These things happen, sadly. You may not hear about it often, but that's because perpetrators intimidate and coerce their victims into silence.

We only found out ourselves when the student came to us asking for advice.

She told us you rescued her one day when you just happened to be passing by.

She did?

I suppose that did happen. I don't enjoy watching gangs prey on the weak.

As I understand it, one of the attackers you suppressed retaliated by reporting you to the Justice Task Force, which escalated to you and the Task Force engaging in a firefight.

...?!

At which point you occupied a tear gas warehouse and held the Justice Task Force off for three whole hours with an assortment of traps.

That's how all of that started?!

I never retreat from a fight. I could have defeated at least three more of your comrades had I not run out of ammunition.

You have to be kidding me...

That student came to us wanting to thank you, but since you couldn't be found at the academy...I ended up having to come here.

So that's it.

Her gratitude is undeserved. I ended up being captured in the end.

I don't think that's what's important...

But you shouldn't allow yourself to be bullied. Even if everything is meaningless, that is no reason to give up.

Wise words. I'll pass your message along to her.

...

People say that you're nothing but a violent ice queen, but that couldn't be further from the truth after all.

That's so sweet, but I wouldn't say those rumors are completely unfounded. Azusa is rather rough around the edges.

Hanako...

Mari. I'm glad to see you're doing well.

I am, however...

I'll show you the way out. Come on, this way.

Oh. Okay...

I'll be going now. I'm sorry for interrupting, Sensei.

Listen up, everyone! Tonight is laundry night!

Put your uniforms, underwear, socks, and anything else you need to have washed into the basket.

Sure. Thank you for offering.

You want our underwear too?!

I can wash it myself, thank you very much!

But doing all of our laundry at once saves water and detergent. Hanako is being efficient. Fall in line. Now.

Fine... Here you go.

*sigh*

Why thank you. ♥

What about you, Sensei? Anything you need washed?

Aw, okay. I'm off to the laundry room, then.

Everything here should be dry by tomorrow morning.

We should be heading to bed. Good night, everyone.

'Night.

Sensei. Can I talk to you later? It's about Hanako.

Are you there, Sensei?

"(That must be Hifumi.)"

Open the door.

Hi, Sensei. It's me.

"...?!"

That was a lot easier than I was expecting. You really wanted me to come in, didn't you? ♥

Why do you sound so uncomfortable? These are just my pajamas.

Heehee. You worry too much. Anyway, I have an important reason for coming here.

I wanted to talk to you.

It's about Azusa.

Are you there, Sensei? It's me.

Sorry I took so long. I know I'm here later than last night...

Oh.

...

...

I-I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to interrupt! I had no idea the two of you were, I mean, how long has this been going on?!

Hifumi? Did you just say you were in Sensei's room last night too?! How long has THIS been going on?!

I-I'm sorry! I never would have imposed had I known! I'll c-come back later, Sensei. Wait, no! I should probably leave you two alone for tonight... I'm sorry, I'll talk to you tomorrow, and...!

Where do you think you're going? I want to know what's been going on between you two, all the juicy details. Or better yet, a reenactment would do just fine too.