[Rail IC] Academy City

[Anyr]

For a while all Moroe could do was stand there and blink. Was this a trick? If so then it was a good one, because she couldn't detect anything beyond simple good will from the suddenly placid Souji. No no, this had to be trick. Surely nobody could switch between such distant emotional tracks so insanely quickly; Unless...

"Unless a certain comrade of mine is hiding nearby and playing around with Souji's anger level. Yes of course, that has to be it; He's getting his own back for the way I interfered with his 'experiment' in the park."

With this newfound knowledge in hand, Moroe resolved to get out of this situation as quickly as possible and arrange an appropriate accident for said comrade. She also resolved not to say or do anything that could provoke another episode from Souji, even going so far as to actually shake his hand.

"Friends? Yeah, that would be fine. I'd like to stay and get to know you more, but I really need to be going. It was...nice meeting you, Fushichou Souji."

She would then proceed to try and walk away as casually as possible. Hopefully she'd be able to put some distance between herself and this walking electric bomb before her teammate went too far and caused it to explode.

[Terry576]

Souji blinked and rolled his eyes, walking after her. "You know Ishimaru-san, it's not very polite to leave in the middle of a conversation. Especially after that rough patch we just had..." He winced. He wasn't a big fan of threatening people.

"And anyways, now I have two things to pay you back for! And I'm not the kind of guy who would just let his debts go unpaid! It's not like I can't afford it..."

Souji was renowned at the casinos as 'that brat who made us bankrupt.' While he was only carrying 500 yen on him, he had enough on that spiffy little card one casino gave him while yelling 'please please get out' to take Ishimaru-san pretty much wherever she wanted.

"Hmm... I know! We should go to an amusement park Ishimaru-san! They've got some great rides there, and I haven't been to the one in this district yet! What do you think!?!" He looks genuinely excited by the prospect.

[Anyr]

Okay, that clinched it. Either this person was a fantastic actor, or he was being supernaturally manipulated. 'Quick to forgive' was one thing, but this was simply insane. Souji had gone back to following Moroe around and asking her out as if nothing had happened, showing not the slightest trace of the hated that had filled him less than a minute before; Only this time she couldn't just curtly refuse, lest he be provoked into instant bloodlust again. Though it wasn't exactly her style, a more delicate touch was needed here.

"Okay, you've twisted my arm. Let's go to an amusement park; Just...not right now. I've got appointments to keep that can't be shirked, and homework to finish before tomorrow. So let's just say goodbye now, and get together another day. Okay?"

[Terry576]

Souji looks at her curiously. Homework? The hell was that?

"Erm... What's homework Ishimaru-san?"

Clearly this will prove he is not being manipulated in any way shape or form. Because it makes complete and total sense.

[Anyr]

Moroe felt an all too familiar burst of envy. So Souji attended one of those really expensive elitist schools that didn't give out homework? No wonder he had so much time to follow people around and read manga.

"It's extra work which schools give you to do when you're not there. I'd love to tell you all about it, but right now I really need to be going."

[Terry576]

Souji bit his lip. He really didn't want her to leave. He hated being alone with a passion. Ruined his day. Hell. He needed to figure out something to say to stop her from leaving. "Er... Could I help? I've never done homework before! It sounds really entertaining!"

He thinks for a moment, before snapping his fingers. "I've got it! I've got nothing better to do with my time Ishimaru-san. How about you show me where your school is! I should probably sign up for something anyways."

Moroe might notice his offhand mentioning of his complete lack of school.

[Anyr]

"Sorry, but getting help on homework would be cheating. And as for my school, it...doesn't...admit boys! It's girls only. So no, you can't sign up for it."

By this point Moroe was seriously considering ducking into an alleyway while Souji was looking the other way; Assuming, that is, that he ever did stop looking at her. There had to be some way of persuading him to postpone his stalking until their (completely fictional) visit to the amusement park.

[Terry576]

Souji sighed, flicking some hair out of his eyes. "You're being difficult Ishimaru-san. And don't think I haven't figured out your plan already."

He winks at her, smirking. "How could I find you tomorrow if I don't know anything about you other than your name? I wouldn't be able to, Ishimaru-san! And then you couldn't come hang out with me at the amusement park."

He's seriously considering grabbing her coat and dragging her ass to a nearby diner or whatever. It was getting bothersome chasing after her everywhere.

[Anyr]

...He wasn't going to leave; That much was now clear. No matter what clever story or polite excuse Moroe made up, Souji wasn't going to buy it. She saw now that only the direct approach would ever have worked against such a person. And while doing so risked giving her colleague a gap in which to pour hot molten rage, it was better than gaining a second shadow who'd peer in her dorm window at night and watch her sleep. So, with an exasperated sigh, she finally stopped and wheeled around to face him.

"You're absolutely right. I am indeed trying to get rid of you. I never had any intention of going on a date with you, and in fact hope never to see you again. Now that we've finally got that cleared up, would you please just stop bothering me and go away?"

[Terry576]

Souji thought for a minute. "Hmm... Nah, I don't think so Ishimaru-san! You see, if I left then I'd have to go back to my apartment, and there's like, nothing to do there."

He winks at her again. "You, on the other hand, are entertaining! I think it'd be far more amusing hanging around you then going back to my apartment and watching television."

He's grinning widely, and just looking at her. But a darker look takes over his face, that same calculating gaze standing right over his amused eyes and his smile. An outsider would think they were on a date, from the way his stance purposefully portrayed and his grin.

"Besides, you clearly know something about me Ishimaru Moroe. And if you know something about me, you're with one of three groups. You've said you're not part of the first one, so you're with the one of two now. And personally," The grin stays, and his eyes return to normal. "I don't want either of them to find out about me! So no Ishimaru-san, I'm not gonna leave for a while now. Sorry!"

[Crafty Cultist]

Park

Goliath staggers and collapses with a thud that sounds all throughout the park. The reenforcements from Anti-skill arrive jsut in time to witness its defeat.

Frank salutes his co-workers non-chalantly "'Bout time you guys got here. Take care of uglius maximus for me will ya? I've got some other business to take care of. Oh, and there was a sniper around here a minute ago."

Frank turns to the various civillians that aided in the fight "All right everyone! As a moderately responsible semi-authority figure, I feel obliged to repay your efforts in keeping academy city safe."

Frank turns with a flourish and begins marching "LETS GO GET PIZZA!!!"

[druid91]

Akiyama walks out of the darkness, "That's real nice of you sir!So what sort of pizza? The good kind? Or squid pizza... I can't even believe anyone would make squid pizza but grandpa loves it. Oh and I'm Hachiro Akiyama."

He stands there clearly expecting a name in return.

[KerfuffleMach2]

Souji and Ishimaru's attention might be grabbed by a girl walking near them. She wears the uniform of a Tokiwadai student. Her hair is short and white, and her eyes silver. A crystal hanging from a string around her neck reflects what light there is.

She looks around as she walks, seeming to be slightly lost or something.

[Anyr]

Spoiler

Show

Souji thought for a minute. "Hmm... Nah, I don't think so Ishimaru-san! You see, if I left then I'd have to go back to my apartment, and there's like, nothing to do there."

He winks at her again. "You, on the other hand, are entertaining! I think it'd be far more amusing hanging around you then going back to my apartment and watching television."

He's grinning widely, and just looking at her. But a darker look takes over his face, that same calculating gaze standing right over his amused eyes and his smile. An outsider would think they were on a date, from the way his stance purposefully portrayed and his grin.

"Besides, you clearly know something about me Ishimaru Moroe. And if you know something about me, you're with one of three groups. You've said you're not part of the first one, so you're with the one of two now. And personally," The grin stays, and his eyes return to normal. "I don't want either of them to find out about me! So no Ishimaru-san, I'm not gonna leave for a while now. Sorry!"

It was at times like this that Moroe felt she was growing far too soft. Why oh why had she felt the need to stop some manga-reading freeloader from going to the park? If she hadn't she wouldn't be stuck in this predicament, and Souji might be groaning in agony on the grass with a piece of shrapnel in his leg. There had to be some way out of this that didn't involve a duel to the death. She just had to bide her time and wait for an opportunity.

Souji and Ishimaru's attention might be grabbed by a girl walking near them. She wears the uniform of a Tokiwadai student. Her hair is short and white, and her eyes silver. A crystal hanging from a string around her neck reflects what light there is.

She looks around as she walks, seeming to be slightly lost or something.

There! The perfect distraction had just delivered itself to the doorstep. A lost, pretty rich girl in a short skirt? If that didn't draw Souji's eye away for a moment, nothing would. Quick as a flash, Moroe sprang into action with a deadpan comment designed to stop the wanderer in her tracks.

"Well well, a Tokiwadai girl who doesn't walk like she owns the streets? Miracles will never cease."

[Terry576]

Souji eyes flicked to the girl for scarcely a second, returning to Moroe almost instantaneously. If he lost her, then they'd find him again. He liked his current apartment, thank you very much. It had been hard to get, considering the fact that he had no identification, no schooling, and barely enough money to buy a goldfish.

It was a nice apartment, and he liked it. It would be a damn shame if some random girl made him lose it. "C'mon now Ishimaru-san, that's no way to talk to an ojou-sama!"

Turning to the girl, trying to keep his eyes on Moroe, he waves grinning. "Oy! Ojou-sama! are you lost?"

[KerfuffleMach2]

Huh? The girl turns to the pair of them. Oh, uh, yeah, kinda. I'm still kinda new here.

I'm Krystal, by the way.

[Anyr]

"'Kinda'? Are you lost or not? Because if you're not, the dazed look is a bit misleading. Did you get so wrapped up in admiring the scenery that you forgot where you were going?"

Good. This was good. Not only had the girl joined them, but Prince Souji had leapt straight to her defence. Even though he must have realised how stupid it was to divide his attention, he'd done it anyway. This chivalric streak of his was going to destroy his entire plan and...and...

...Come to think of it, what was his plan? Did he even have one? If he was planning to kill her, why hadn't he made his move already? He should have struck the second he'd identified her as an enemy, rather than letting her stall for time. It wasn't as if she was going to go anywhere less public, and every second of delay increased her chances of escaping or calling for help. And yet, he seemed perfectly content just following her around and engaging in pleasant banter. Was this some sort of sick joke at her expense? Had she missed something important? Was she playing right into his hands without knowing it?

Damn. This was going to bother her...

[Terry576]

Souji surpressed a twitch in his left eye as Moroe continued to insult the Tokiwadai student. He murmurs to her out of the corner of his mouth, "Listen, Ishimaru-san..."

If Moroe was confident enough to look him in the eyes, she'll see a look of compassion as he grins at the girl across the road.

"Tokiwadai-san is lost. It's not her fault. I'd bet if you were lost you'd want someone to help you, so..."

He turns to her, a small smile on his face. "You can leave, if you'd like. We'll never see each other again, unless you get to see me as a target, even if it's for Judgement or Skill-Out. But that's alright, I guess. I'd rather die for helping someone then for stopping you from leaving."

He turns back to Krystal, but not before he throws another grin at Moroe from over his shoulder. "Later... Ishimaru-san."

He looks at Krystal, a huge smile on his face. "Ojou-sama, where do you wanna go? I've got a list of cool things to do in this District, and every one of 'em might make you remember where you wanted to go!"

[Crafty Cultist]

Akiyama walks out of the darkness, "That's real nice of you sir!So what sort of pizza? The good kind? Or squid pizza... I can't even believe anyone would make squid pizza but grandpa loves it. Oh and I'm Hachiro Akiyama."

He stands there clearly expecting a name in return.

Frank stops abruptly and swivels to face Akiyama without moving his feet "We'll work out the details when we get there!"

Frank swivels back and lifts his foot to start marching again, then pauses and swivels back "Oh, and the name's Frank Marshall."

Frank swivels for a final time and marches off once more.

[Anyr]

Moroe didn't need to be told twice. The second that Souji had finished his farewell she turned on her heel and made a swift exit, and five seconds after that was completely out of sight. Her training and experience had taught her that hesitation was often the difference between life and death. So no matter how much she wanted to ask Souji why he was letting her go, she didn't stop to do so.

Half an hour later Moroe stood in a distant alleyway, making absolutely sure that she'd actually escaped. She'd watched for any signs of being shadowed, checked her clothes for tracking devices and taken such a random route that even she wasn't sure where she was any more. At last she was forced to concede that there was no trick and that she really was free and clear. The weirdest level of Moroe's life was finally over. With any luck she would never have to see or think about that insane electromaster again. She could just go on as usual, without ever needing to know who he was; Or why he'd let her go; Or who he'd been running from; Or what had turned him into a killer; Or why he'd been so concerned about giving directions to a complete stranger when it might have cost him his life.

...Maybe his file was in the archives.

[Terry576]

Souji rolls his eyes as Moroe flees the scene, a slight pang in his chest. He wished her well, but regretted that he now had to move again. Maybe Tokiwadai-san could help him out...

"Don't worry about Senshu, Ojou-sama! Senshu's got some important things to do, and she had to go somewhere. So what'd you wanna do Ojou-sama? There's not much for a person to do alone here, so I guess you're gonna have to rely on me to show ya around!"

"Please go to the arcade please go to the arcade please go to the arcade"

[KerfuffleMach2]

After Moroe's initial statement, Krystal didn't like her much. I mean...it was a little harsh.

Souji, however, came across much nicer.

Well, I was trying to get a better idea of the layout of the city. And got lost. So, I guess, I'm gonna have to rely on you for directions.

Any ideas where I should go?

[Terry576]

Souji nodded sympathetically. "I know what you mean ojou-sama! I've been here for like..."

He stops, counting on his fingers. "Six months or so, and I still forget where my house is!" He grins at her.

"Well, I was planning to go to the amusement park with Senshu, but she left. We could go together, if you'd like!"

[KerfuffleMach2]

Krystal chuckles a little at his joke.

Then she nods. Yeah, that sounds good.

[Terry576]

"Alright! Let's go ojou-sama!"

He begins walking in the direction of the amusement park. Which might be to the north.

[KerfuffleMach2]

Yay northward walking!

So, um, what's your name?

[Terry576]

"What's my name? What's my name?"

Oh hell. She shouldn't have asked that.

"I'm Souji of course! Maybe you've heard of me, ojou-sama!"

...Nevermind.

[KerfuffleMach2]

Uh...nope. She shakes her head. Can't say I have.

Nice to meet you, though. I'm Krystal.

[Terry576]

He rolls his eyes.

"You already said your name ojou-sama. You said it when we first met! Come on, let's go."

He continues heading northwards.

[KerfuffleMach2]

Krystal holds her hands up. Okay, okay. It's just, you keep calling me "Ojou", so I wasn't sure if you heard me. That's all.