Going a little further into explaining how this game works.

Method 2 to win: Stop the Murderer

What this means is to figure out who is doing the killing and, convince a majority of the remaining alive to believe in you. Which requires 2 things. First they have to trust you. So their trust in you needs to be somewhere, the higher it is the easier they'll trust you and the less argument you need to make, unless the person you are accusing also has a high trust. So to make people believe you, the best thing to do is to make them not trust the person you are accusing, while at the same time getting them to trust you. Your actions and words will have effects on all of this.

Another thing, if you befriend the murderer, they will not attack you, however they might attack someone who has low trust for you, or accused you, and so on.

Hope that all makes sense.

I'll give you updates on their trust levels periodically throughout, so you can plot your moves.

Now then, on to the main matter at hand, who is going to enroll in this tale?

I'd like to give it a shot. We're going to go with the majority result when voting?

>>18866
By majority I meant the npcs.

The new student Rudolf has joined Akademi High

I've decided to open the game up to one more player. This 2nd player's backstory is basically the same, but not quite, they are a new club leader.

A little info about the story, the story is about all the club leaders gathering for an event to strengthen social relations between the clubs.

So the 2nd player in the game will be a newly appointed club leader. What club they are leader of, is up to them, with some exceptions, those being Martial Arts, Occult, Computer, Gardening, Chess, Book, Cooking, and Choir.

If no other player joins by Saturday, the game will start with 1 player.

I'll play. Just will make a character first.

>>18878

Thanks for holding my spot. I'm in.

Name: Miyako Wakahisa

Leader of the Astronomy Club

Name: Karma Akabane

Transfer student

~~~~~~~~~~ Karma ~~~~~~~~~
The teacher pounds on the blackboard when all the students don't quiet down.

"Quiet down all you maggots! I said quiet!"

She keeps pounding but it doesn't do her any good. She eventually gives up and lets it go.

"Forget it. You are all brats." She grumbles before introducing the new kid. "This is the new kid, Karma whatshisface." She loses motivation and desire to introduce Karma mid-sentence and just starts waving her hand to signal she doesn't care. "Sit wherever, I don't really care."

Karma wonders just how she is a teacher.

"Miss Doestgvafuk! Miss Doestgvafuk" A girl with long green hair stood up. "I'll give Karma a tour of the school! I'll help him!"

The teacher waved her hand. "Sure whatever. Your seat will be... I don't care, sit anywhere, if someone is sitting there already, sit on top of them, or move them, you can deal with it."

"It is nice to meet you Karma." The green haired girl extends her hand out to Karma.


~~~~~~Miyako~~~~~~~

Miyako finds her seat in class, and right after class starts her classmate hands her a note.

She looks at it, trying not to catch the eye of the teacher.

It reads, 'Are you excited about tonight? Nervous? Scared? If you're scared I can protect you. It will be fun don't worry.'

She knows right away who wrote the note, it had to be her classmate the Club Leader of the Gaming Club, that flirt.

She realizes he is talking about the club gathering.

As a way to bond the clubs together, and help unite the students, all the clubs leaders have an event occurring to do this. But there are so many clubs, they had to split them up into 2 groups.

She focuses for a moment, trying to remember which clubs were in her group, it was Martial Arts, Occult, Computer, Gardening, Chess, Book, Cooking, Choir, and then her own Astronomy Club.

The group randomly chose lots to see which leader got to pick the activity. She tries but she can't remember who picked the activity or what it was, she just remembers it wasn't her.

She stares at the note in her hand, she could write a response on it.

>>18884

Miyako smiled slightly, despite trying to keep her expression neutral for their boorish teacher. Even though she couldn't remember much about what was going to happen tonight, she was definitely excited for it. Now that there was someone new, it was even better! Perhaps he'd even be interested in joining the Astronomy Club, she thought. That'd be nice. I wonder if he knows of any good stargazing spots...

She caught herself before she got lost in her own mind, a bad habit of hers. After a moment's consideration, she decided to write back. After all, the leader of the Gaming Club was always so nice to her, a good friend and she was sure he meant well. Why be standoffish now? Quickly she placed the note face-down in her study book and began writing on it, trying to make it look like she was taking notes or doing other schoolwork.

She wrote, "My hero. :) I'm excited though. Except I can't remember what we're doing... You know me, such a 'space case!'"

Waiting for an opportune time, she passed the note back to him.

>>18884
"Ah, nice to meet you. Karma Akabane, and you are?"

~~~~~~~~~~ Karma ~~~~~~~~~

The girl smiles brightly at you, as if you are her source of life and happiness, you find it kind of creepy and annoying.

"I'm Midori Gurin! I'm the club leader of the Gardening Club. I like gardening because of all the green things. I love green things, but I guess that is kind of obvious given my hairstyle. It is so nice to meet you Karma. I hope we can be good friends. I just know you are going to love it here!"

The girl doesn't seem to ever shut up, she just goes on an on, and even the class is going on while she is talking. The teacher doesn't seem to care at all and is continuing with the lesson.


~~~~~~Miyako~~~~~~~

As your fingers brush when you give the note back. Haruto's fingers a little longer than most people would consider appropriate. He winks at you when you make eye contact. This action doesn't surprise you though, he is known as a heavy wide flirt throughout the whole school.

He passes the note back quickly.

It reads, 'You're so silly, we are doing the test of courage/occult thing, since Oka won the lot.'

Last edited at 16/02/12(Fri)17:47:11

>>18887
"Midori Gurin, eh? Your name is almost as funny as mine. Granted, I love my name.

Also, are there a lot of clubs at this school? I'd like to see all my options during my tour~"

>>18887

"Oh right," she wrote back. "Any word on what that is? A haunted-house-style thing might be fun. Occult tests of courage already seem like something from a horror movie. :-P"

~~~~~~~~~~ Karma ~~~~~~~~~

Her face lights up and she begins to go on and on endlessly about all the clubs. Taking the cliff notes of her speech, you make out that there are 18 clubs currently.

"I hope you really enjoy the clubs. As a way to make you feel welcome my group talked to the principal and got him to agree to let you join us tonight. It will be so much fun!"

~~~~~~Miyako~~~~~~~

The note you get back says, 'Oka just told us all to show up back to school at night. I wouldn't get your hopes up too much, it will probably be some crazy ritual chanting or dancing, to try and summon a demon. Though not like we have a choice.'

>>18890
"Tonight? How late of an event are we talking about? And why would the gardening club have events at night after the sun is down? Wait, is this going to involve heat lamp farming?"

>>18890

"I'm not really a fan of demons. I hope the new person isn't spooked off by them. He seems nice. Think he's a gamer or a stargazer?" she wrote back.

Secretly she hoped there'd be dancing. She did love to dance. It made her feel at home.

~~~~~~~~~~ Karma ~~~~~~~~~
She tilts her head in confusion. "How could you farm lamps? I don't think they'd grow even if you put the bulb in the ground."

She laughs. "Anyway, it actually isn't a gardening club activity. It is a gathering of 9 of the 18 clubs we have. The principal wants all the clubs to get along, so every 2 months we have a gathering of the club leaders to try and forge bonds between the leaders to help unify the clubs. We randomly draw lots and that decides what we do, last time was an art museum visit, this time we are doing a ghost hunt type thing. And it is happening tonight, the principal and I thought it would be a good way for you to start to fit in, so you are joining us. And no it isn't skip able if that is what you are thinking. It is a mandatory attendance if you are part of it."

~~~~~~Miyako~~~~~~~
'I don't like the look of him.' is what comes back.


~~~~Both~~~~~

Everyone in class is suddenly brought to attention when a large cracking sound echoes.

Everyone turns their attention on the teacher, or more specifically her desk. It has been split in half by a karate chop.

There is a student standing there in front of the now broken desk. He bows politely to the teacher as an apology for breaking the desk, before turning to face all his classmates.

"Class has already started, the time to fool around is later. Everyone sit down and focus on the lesson, we are at school to learn and better ourselves."

He folds his arms as he scans everyone's eyes, his stance is defensive and ready to take on anyone who would continue to act out.

>>18893

Miyako was halfway through her reply when she decided that discretion was the better part of gossip and crumpled the note. Although there were many definitions of bettering herself, she doubted that the head of the Martial Arts club would see it that way. So instead of bringing it up, she started doodling a spiral galaxy in her notebook.

>>18893
"Ah, my apologies. I appreciate you keeping us on task, but to break a desk is simply uncalled for.

Nonetheless, please continue the lecture, sensei."

~~~~~~~~~~ Both ~~~~~~~~~~

Budo stares hard at Karma but says nothing, with class starting to return to what one would consider normal, he returns to his own seat.

The class doesn't fully quiet down at first though, it is a buzz with hushed comments. 'Budo has become a real asshole lately.' 'He thinks he runs this class because the class prez and head the student council doesn't come to class.' 'All those Martial Arts students do is bully people nowadays.' Are some of the things that could be heard.

Budo scoots his chair back noisily, and instantly all the chatter stops.

The teacher un-phased by all this, clears her throat and continues where she left off once everyone is seated.

~~~~~~~ Karma ~~~~~~~

As soon as the chime for lunch is echoing in the classroom, Karma finds himself bombarded by the energetic green haired Club Leader.

"Let's eat lunch together Karma? All of us who are going tonight are meeting to discuss what we are doing."

~~~~~~~~ Miyako ~~~~~~~~~

"Miyako!" Miyako hears a voice call out and turns around to see the smiling face of the Haruto, club leader of the Gaming Club.

Just as Miyako is about greet him, Budo walks by the two of you, and he makes his presence known by giving Haruto a strong shove with his shoulder.

Haruto glares at Budo's back as he is leaving the classroom. His eyes look deadly aggressive for a moment, before he shakes it off and smiles back at Miyako.

"Ready to meet the others for lunch?"

Last edited at 16/02/12(Fri)23:18:34

>>18896
"Sure, I might as well get to know everyone.

Say, who was that karate chop guy, some sort of martial artist? He certainly has the air of someone who wants to be in charge."

>>18896

"Mmhmm!" she nodded in a carefree manner. As they walked she looked up at the ceiling, like she was seeing the sky beyond.

"I think a lot of people in our class don't like Budo. Including you, eh, Haruto?" Without waiting for a reply she continued. "Try not to though, maybe? I know that he is rude, and likes proving he's strong, but it's not his fault. He's stuck in a gravity well." She turned her gaze to him and smiled cheerily. "So what are you having for lunch?"

~~~~~~~ Karma ~~~~~~~

As you and Midori head to the lunch room, she answers your question and several others you didn't even ask.

"That's Budo, he is the club Leader for the Martial Arts Club. I wouldn't recommend messing with him, he is kind of feared right now by everyone. He is the righteous fury type of guy if you do something to disrupt school or anything he deems 'bad' he'll restrain you will all his strength. People say he has even taken down local gangs around town, even when they came at him with knives and guns! He doesn't normally act like that, or well he didn't. There are a lot of rumors lately that he has been beating up other students after school. But don't take all that the wrong way, he is a good guy, or used to be."

She drifts off and then changes the subject going into the school's long and boring history that apparently she had memorized for just this moment.

~~~~~~~~ Miyako ~~~~~~~~~

Haruto's fists clench at the topic. "He is just a bastard, that's all. I can't believe I used to call him a friend."

He turns toward you. "I know you are new toward our group, but I've been in the same group as Budo since the club gatherings started. So I'll tell you straight out, stay away from him. He might act friendly and like a good guy, but he is anything but. He is chaotic neutral for sure. And if you cross him, you'll get it. Remain low and stay out of his line of fire. He is like an executioner type role, if you get caught by him, its all over."

Haruto smiles and laughs when the two of you enter the lunchroom. He is staring at Midori firing conversation bullets at rapid speed toward the new kid, Karma. Her words are flying a mile a minute, she could easily become the world's greatest auctioneer.

"I should have known, she'd get all caught up and clingy like that." He turns toward you. "Let's go save the poor guy."

~~~~~~~~ Both ~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Midori, he doesn't have any interest in learning the school's history, frankly no one does."

Midori's month finally stops moving as a new voice enters the conversation. She turns toward Haruto.

"You don't know that. He could love history."

"Key words there, 'history' our school's is not interesting like regular history can be."

Midori grumbles and pouts, but she brights up seeing Miyako.

"Miyako it is so nice to get a chance to actually talk to you. I hope our group doesn't overwhelm you. We kind of have known each other for a long time, so we are a tight circle already."

While Midori found new prey in Miyako, Haruto turns toward Karma.

"Nice to meet you, I'm Haruto Yuto, I'm the leader of the Gaming Club. We are the best club because all we do is play d'n'd, card games, and video games."

"Hey! What about the gardening club, we are awesome too!"

Haruto smirks at Midori's reaction. "All you do is watch plants grow. How is that 'awesome.'"

Midori "Hmph! You just can't appreciate the beauty of seeing life grow. You playboy you, one of these days, you're going to be forced to. You'll randomly get a text or letter saying, 'I'm having your child.'"

Haruto freaks out a little, "Don't even joke around about that. I don't want to be tied down to a kid."

A snide smile appears on Midori's face "Or one girl," she adds on.

>>18900
"Nice to meet you Haruto. I'm sure everyone thinks their club is the best, so I'm going to simply have to see them all before making any decisions about joining.

So, there's a club get-together tonight to search the school for ghosts? You kids do this often, or is this a first time thing?

>>18900

"It's nice to talk to you too, Midori. Don't be worried about me being overwhelmed by a tight circle. I'm just a happy little planetoid drifting through space, glad to find a solar system. I'll find my orbit soon enough, once everything pulls me into my spot. That's the laws of the universe, after all! Well, or I could possibly collide with one of the other planetary bodies, thereby annihilating it and potentially causing the whole system to devolve into chaos, but I like the first outcome better..."

Her gaze drifted back upward to the ceiling for a moment, before she brought it back down and smiled in her carefree manner. At Karma's question though, she grew confused. "Ghosts? I thought it was some kind of test of courage?"

~~~~~~~~ Both ~~~~~~~~

Midori frowns, "We honestly don't know what we are doing tonight. Oka the club leader of the occult club is the only one who knows. She planned it out this time."

Haruto adds on to answer Karma's question, "We have a joint activity with all the leaders every month. But, to answer your question specifically we do different things each time, this is the first time we've done something like this. I'm honestly a little surprised, the school wouldn't even let us take a camping trip, but they are letting us into the school at night, their priorities are a little wonky."

"Every month? But we didn't have one last month.." She is a little confused.

"That's because you just recently became the leader of your club. We took last month off, but normally it is every month."

He begins grumbling under his breath. "Anyway, I doubt we have the school's permission to use the school at night.
But I wouldn't say anything about it, or else Budo will lay you down flat."

>>18904
"Wait, Haruto, I'm confused.

You said that we are allowed by the school to come here at night, but then later said that you doubted that we had permission and should keep it a secret. Don't these statements contradict each other?"

~~~~~~~~ Both ~~~~~~~

Haruto looks confused for a second, but then he laughs nervously. "Ah that's right, you are new here, and Miyako is new to our group. Well, putting it bluntly. The school itself probably doesn't know. And if we were to tell anyone Budo would probably send you to the hospital. Because Oka would get in trouble."

Midori looks away nervously while Haruto continues talking. "Budo will protect Oka, because frankly, he is banging her. So if you try to get her in trouble, he'll kill you."

>>18907

"The school doesn't know? Then, um, how are we going to get in?"

She looked to Karma and shrugged. "I'm kind of new to this too," she said, by way of explanation. Miyako Wakahisa, by the way. I'm the head of the Astronomy Club, if you're interested."

>>18939
"Astronomy club, huh? You do mean like looking at the stars scientifically, right? Because that astrology stuff like horoscopes is rather boring."

Turning back to Haruto, I say "well anyway, sneaking in sounds like a lot of fun. Hopefully this will be entertaining."

~~~~~~~~ Both ~~~~~~~~~

"I'm sure Oka must have some type of plan." Midori answered.

The four of you chat a little longer while heading over to the table with all the other club leaders in the group.

Haruto sits down next to a girl with purple hair, and Miyako is about to sit down next to him. Midori is about to sit down as well, but she glances at the seat she is going to sit in. A frown appears on her face, and in a flash she snatches up the seat Miyako is just about to sit down on, almost causing Miyako to fly backward.

She is slightly phased by the sudden event, but sit downs in the seat that Midori was about to sit in. Karma sits down in the last seat next to Miyako.

Budo is the first to speak. "Ah here are the stragglers. First let me apologize to you, I showed off something vulgar in class earlier." He stands up and bows to both Karma and Miyako. "I'm sorry to have shown something like that."

The girl sitting next to Budo speaks up. "He is really sorry. Will you forgive him?"

>>18947
"You have nothing to apologize for. You were right, we should have been paying attention in class."

Looking around at everyone, I continue. "Allow me to introduce myself formally. My name is Karma Akabane. It is very nice to meet you all."

>>18947

She chuckled and nodded at Karma's question. "Mmhmm. Though the stars can mean so much to so many, we only gaze at them and learn about them, not any mystical properties they may have."

Miyako smiled at Budo's apology, deciding to ignore the stolen seat. "Of course! Karma is right, the class was being disruptive. It may have been a bit much to destroy the teacher's desk, but it was who you are. A star burns hot to light the way, right?"

~~~~~~~~~ Both ~~~~~~~~

Budo raises his head at the acceptances of his apology. He always looks a tiny bit flushed and embarrassed probably because of Miyako's comment.

The guy sitting across from Miyako speaks up. "It is nice to meet both of you. I'm Ryusei Koki, I'm the leader of the Chess Club."

The woman sitting next to Haruto gives a sultry smile to Miyako and Karma. "I'm Sakyu Basu, the club leader of the Choir Club, my voice is known to enchant people, you should come and listen to me, I'll cast a spell on you."

The girl sitting next to Budo speaks up next. "My.... name is Oka... I run the Occult Club."

For while there is silence, until Ryusei lightly jabs the girl sitting next to him. She is too engrossed in her book, and even after a few jabs she barely looks above it. "Kuu Dere, Book Club."

The guy in front of Midori fidgets as it is finally his turn. "Ummm..... well..." He mutters barely above a whisper.

"Speak up! You're a man!" Budo shouts.

He probably meant to encourage, but the act causes the guy to get even more nervous.

"Come on! You're a man! Don't be a whim." After a while a shouting some more, Budo gives up and sits back down.

The boy still looks like he is unable to speak, but maybe it isn't from being nervous anymore though, it might be something else, embarrassment perhaps.

"This is Sota Yuki, he is the club leader of the Cooking club." Midori decides to try and break the tension and answers.

"I...... I like to bake things...." Sota finally speaks for the first time, but it is still just a whisper.

The group looks like of unsure how to continue talking after the awkwardness.

Oka claps her hands together and then kind of looks embarrassed and looks away. "Tonight... is the night." She tells everyone, a smile appearing on her face.

>>18956
"Chess club? I'd like to play you some time but I'm not really all that good.

As for Miss Basu, I'd love to be enchanted by some beautiful choir~

Looks like the book club girl has priorities matching her duties....

Sota, no need to be embarrassed. You chose a craft, it is your duty to be the best at it that you can be. If you need anybody to taste test your food, that happens to be one of my specialties.

Oka, was it? I hear our activities tonight are being arranged by your club. I look forward to what you have planned.

And Budo, I'm rather intrigued by your martial arts techniques. Tell me, what form of karate do you practice? It certainly looks effective, how long have you been practicing?"

>>18963

"A pleasure to meet you all. Well, again. Or rather, formally," says Miyako, smiling.

While attempting to not interrupt Karma, she replied to Oka, "Do we get to know what you have planned? Right now the rumors are going wild!"

~~~~~~~~ Both ~~~~~~~~

Ryusei smirks, "That's okay, I can give you an handicap. I play any and all skill levels of people, so if you are interested just stop by the club sometime. We don't force you to join to play."

Sakyu gets up and walks over to Karma. She leans down and whispers in his ear. "Oh really? Well if you are 'man' enough I can can entertain you sometime." She gives one last long breath on his ear before she rises and laughs. "I'll be on my way, I have some stuff to get ready." She waves to everyone and sends a wink to someone but it is unclear who she is looking at, she could be just sending it to everyone.

Budo responds to Karma's question. "I practice lots of forms, not just karate. Karate, Hapkido, Jiu Jitsu, Krav Maga, Tae Kwon Do, are my main focuses, but I've spent time with others before."

Oka speaks up then. "Yes... I have to get ready as well. I need to explain. We are coming back to school at night, everything will be set up then."

Sota looks a little nervous, he probably is scared. "Wh-wh-what do you mean?"

Oka responds cryptically "I can't say. Everything will be clear later tonight."

Oka smiles a little giving a glance toward Budo for a moment before she looks back at the ground and rises from her seat. "I better get going."

Budo gets up right after her. "Hold, on I'll escort you back to class."

Midori looks down at her watch after they leave. "But we still have 15 minutes before class."

Haruto lets out a sigh. "Why don't they just say it flat out, it obvious enough as is."

Ryusei chuckles, "You mean announce to us, 'hold on, we're horny so we're going to go fuck quick, catch ya later.'"

Kuu stops turning pages in her book. She looks up at Ryusei and utters exactly 1 word, "Vulgar," before once again going back to her book.

Midori turns bright red and stutters, "W-w-wh-what that is what they are doing all the time they leave early?! But but but that is like everyday."

Haruto shrugs, "Budo is one horny bastard, I guess."

"I wouldn't say Oka is completely innocent in this regard either though." Ryusei chimes in.

>>18991

"Charon and Pluto, spinning around and around. But which is which, and what happens when Eris changes the rules?" murmured Miyako to herself, watching them go.

She shrugged and turned back to the group, idly munching on a carrot stick.

>>18991
"Huh, you guys and girls really like rumors don't you? What business is it of ours what they do?"

I'll finish my lunch.

~~~~~~~~~ Both ~~~~~~~~

"It is only a rumor because they don't just tell us." Haruto answers.

Midori smiles at Karma. "Karma is right, it isn't our business what Budo and Oka do. It isn't right to pry into it."

And with that the group ends that topic and resumes eating and chatting about other topics.

Lunch flies by and before you know it you're already back in class, and then class is over, it is like someone is flying through time. Like time is in someone's control, and that person wants school to end already.

It is now after school, and time for school clubs, for those who are apart of them, though daily participation is not required. Budo, Haruto, leave class almost right away. Midori is gathering her books together, but she doesn't seem to be any type of rush, perhaps she isn't going to her club today.

Last edited at 16/02/15(Mon)23:01:11

>>18996
"Yo, Budo, wait up."

I follow him out of the classroom.

"Hey, I was wondering if you'd let me watch you practice. I'm rather interested in your club, though I understand if you're not accepting new members."

>>18996

Miyako, in the meantime, approached Midori.

"Hey, Midori! Are you alright? You don't seem in that much of a hurry to go to your plants."

Noting her own delay self-consciously, she continued, "I mean, I know I'm not going to my meeting, since it's rather hard to look at the night sky without it actually being, well, night, and we have that thing tonight, but I figured everyone else would have club meetings and whatnot."

~~~~~~~ Karma ~~~~~~

You follow Budo out into the hallway, he stops when he hears you call him. He frowns for a second before he quickly masks it, but you notice it anyway.

"Sure, I don't mind. I'll meet you there in a little bit, I have something to take care of, it won't be long though." He points behind you. "If you don't know where the club room is you keep going down that hallway and go upstairs to the second floor, it is to the right then." Before you can say much more, he continues down the hallway, you take note that he is going the opposite way from the club room.

~~~~~~ Miyako ~~~~~~~

Midori smiles back at you. "I was thinking I'd skip the club today, since I'm going to be back at school for in a few hours. I kind of wanted to get home and do my homework, and get ready before I have to come back. I live pretty far away, so if I did the club, I'd wouldn't have enough time to get home, and then back again."

>>19002
"You two have fun," I state as he leaves.

If he doesn't hear me, I'll just take a stroll. First to the classroom I just left to see if anyone is still there. If not, then I'll head to the clubroom to see if any of the martial arts club members are there

Last edited at 16/02/16(Tue)16:47:19

>>19002

"Oh, I see. Yeah, that makes sense. I don't live too terribly far away, but I was thinking I might go to a restaurant or something and work there."

She seemed to hit upon an idea. "Hey! I know you said you wanted to get ready, but if you're ready enough how about you come with me? We can get something to eat and work on homework together! It might even matter if Miss Doestgvafuk ever actually grades our work!"

~~~~~~~~ Miyako ~~~~~~~~

"Oh, that sounds like fun. It saves my feet the trip." She finishes gathering up her things and heads to the door with you.

~~~~~~~ Both ~~~~~~~

As Midori and Miyako are heading toward the door, Karma comes in the same door.

"Hi Karma." Midori greets energetically. "Miyako and I are going to head to a restaurant nearby and do our homework before we have to come back for the event, do you want to join us?"

>>19005
"Wow, it's like a double date, except I get two ladies all to myself, how can I say no?"

Last edited at 16/02/16(Tue)17:54:31

>>19006

"Well, to yourself and the books, you mean," replied Miyako, laughing innocently. "Let's go then!"

~~~~~~ Both ~~~~~~

"Let's go!" Midori shouts out energetically while pumping her arm, like she is conducting a train. "We'll take the side exit, by the Gardening Club, it is faster."

You three leave the classroom and start to make your way out. She stops and freezes with her hand on the door's handle.

Her eyes go wide and she spins around. "On second thought, the other way is closer to the cafe, so let's go out the main after all. Come on, let's go. This way will take way way longer, we don't want to go this way."

She grabs both Karma's and Miyako's hands and begins to bolt with them away from the door. A kind of echoing 'thud' is heard as you are leaving the area.

"Hold on, before we go can we stop by the Martial Arts Club Room? I need to at least ask them to relay a message for me."

I just need to ask one of the club members to tell Budo that something came up and I'd be unable to be there today.

~~~~~~ Both ~~~~~~~

Midori raises an eyebrow. "O-okay.. we'll wait for you by the main entrance, so let's meet up there! We'll wait, so come there."

Karma watches the two of them leave, with Midori pulling Miyako along at a brisk pace. She really wanted to get her away from there fast.

~~~~~~~~ Karma ~~~~~~~

You hear the thud sound a few more times as you are walking past the side entrance toward the stairs. It sounds kind of strange, it doesn't sound like a person, like the noise of an object.

You ignore it and keep moving and the sound fades away. You reach the stairs and are about to go up it, but stop when you hear a very strange set of voices. 2 voices, both of them female. They are trying to be quiet, but for some reason you can hear them pretty well. You kind of recognize those sounds, being a teenage guy, you know what those sounds mean.

Slight curiosity just to make sure you are right about what is going on and not misunderstanding pulls you over to the storage room by the stairs.

You lightly push the door open and make a startling discover. It was not what you expected to see at all, or rather it wasn't WHO you expected to find. Wasn't she with Budo right now?? That's what you had assumed.

Oka is in the room, but she isn't alone. Another girl is there, you also recognize the girl, it is Sakyu.

"My, aren't you really into it today." Sakyu says as she touches Oka's head. "You really should just forget about Budo, he doesn't treat you well enough, clearly. I mean that is why you are here with me."

You back away from the door after hearing that. And decide not to pry any further, but what you saw just now was surprising to say the least.

>>19010
My, my, isn't that interesting? I'll just leave quietly and finish what I came here to do, going to the Martial Arts Club Room.

>>19010

Miyako waited for a moment, leaning against a wall as they waited. Eventually she said, "Are they doing some kind of construction that I haven't heard about? I thought it sounded like it outside. Hope it doesn't mess up tonight..."

~~~~~~ Karma ~~~~~~

You make a retreat and head to the Marital Arts Club room. They are mostly setting up, and talking. It seems they can't start officially unless Budo is there.

~~~~~~~ Miyako ~~~~~~~

Midori seems to not hear you at first, but she snaps to attention. "Construction?" She looks confused. "Oh right!" She then smiles innocently. "Yep, so we can't use the side entrance. I completely forgot about that, that's why I turned around."

She looks at her phone. "Karma is taking a long time, I wonder if we should go get him. Since the construction wouldn't want him to try and leave out the side door." She mutters. She seems to be debating on what she wants to do. She doesn't seem so cheerful anymore.

>>19014
Get the attention of the nearest member of the martial arts club.

"Yo, I'm the new guy, Karma. Can you deliver a message to Budo for me when he gets here? See, I really wanted to watch you guys practice, but something came up and I'm gonna have to take a rain check."

Once they confirm they will deliver the message, I'll take the side exit out of the building and walk around the school to the front entrance.

>>19014

"Oh maybe, but maybe he's just trying to not disturb them too much. I think we should give him another minute or two before seeing if he got lost. I'm just worried that we'd end up going co-orbital and missing each other again and again. He knows where we are, after all."

~~~~~~~ Miyako ~~~~~~~

Midori frowns but nods, "I guess that is best."

Midori lets out a sigh as she stares at her phone again. "Look at how good we all used to be..." She shows Miyako her phone, on it is a picture of the group. They are all laughing and smiling, all 8 of them are in the photo.

She takes her phone back, and just gazes down at the photo. "But now we aren't."

~~~~~~~~ Karma ~~~~~~~~~

The Martial arts club members say they will give the message to Budo when they see him next time. Maybe he isn't coming to the club today.

After bidding the Martial Arts club goodbye you head back downstairs, you can't hear Oka and Sakyu anymore, so it seems they have left.

Going to the door, you don't hear that noise anymore. You push the door opened and see someone as soon as your leave the building. They are leaning up against the wall of the school building. They look to be pretty badly hurt, and are trying to endure the pain. It looks pretty bad.

You consider going to get the nurse, but you decide to go over and help them first.

You recognize who it is, it is Haruto. You rush over to him.

"Oowww, don't touch me." He groans when you try to help him up. He brushes off your help "That hurts."

He looks down at the ground. "You should really just leave me here, get out of here while you can. I'd rather not drag someone unrelated into this."

>>19017
Scan my surroundings. If my hunch is correct, the assailant is still nearby. Gotta keep my guard up, lest I get hurt too.

"No can do, Baker. I have a bad habit of sticking my nose where it doesn't belong."

If nobody else is around I'm gonna shout and try to draw attention to us, see if I can't call some more people over.

>>19017

Miyako takes the phone and looks at it, sadly. "What happened?"

~~~~~~~ Midori ~~~~~~~

She looks like she is about to cry. "I really don't know. One day we were all on good terms and then the next it seemed like everything was different. I wish I knew what happened."

"Tonight, I really hope, things work out. If they do, this night will be one we'll never forget." She smiles and takes back her phone. "Yeah, tonight is going to be special."

~~~~~~~~ Karma ~~~~~~~~

Despite Haruto's protests, you stick your nose in anyway.

After a little while of shouting, someone hears and comes out of the school building. It's Budo. His eyes go wide when he sees the two of you.

"What happened?!" He shouts as he rushes over. "Haruto are you okay!" He starts looking over Haruto's body, checking all his muscles and bones.

Haruto lets out a shout of pain when Budo pushes on his left arm. "It could be broken."

"I'm fine! Just leave me. I don't want to get either of you involved."

Budo shakes his head. "Help me, will you." He asks You for assistance and together the two of you help him get up. "Thanks, I'll take him to the nurse's office." Budo says as he lets Haruto use his body as a support.

"I'm fine you idiots. Stop helping, you'll just get involved...." He gives a quick glance at Karma. "I don't want you helping me."

Budo then starts to walk inside with Haruto. "Thanks for making sure Haruto is okay." He says with a smile at Karma before they disappear inside.

>>19020
It's best to make sure they make it to the nurse's office safely. Plus I need to ask Haruto what happened.

"Hey, wait up!" I shout after them. "What happened? It looks like someone attacked you. Who was it? Where did they go?"

I follow after them.

>>19020

"Any time with friends is special. Even if they don't remember they're friends. Constellations don't change."

She looked around again and sighed. "Alright...maybe we should go look for him..."

~~~~~~~ Miyako ~~~~~~~

Midori smiles a little. "Thanks." She puts her phone away. "Let's go."

~~~~~~~ Both ~~~~~~~


"Hey, wait up!" Karma shout after them. "What happened? It looks like someone attacked you. Who was it? Where did they go?"

Midori doesn't look surprised or react at all when seeing Haruto.

"It is nothing, I told you. It doesn't involve you. They are no-one, and they are still around, I'm sure. Just stop helping me, all of you."

>>19023
Budo was surprised at what happened to Haruto. Midori was not.

The thuds were probably whoever did this to Haruto. Midori avoided this exit.

"Hey Miyako and Midori. Looks like Haruto got in a fight and lost. Whoever did this was gone by the time I arrived."

I pause for a moment.

"Well, we should follow them to the nurse's office. Best to make sure he is going to be alright."

I will follow Budo and Haruto to the nurse's office

>>19023

Rather than assist Haruto, Miyako hesitated, then stayed back, apparently in respect for his wishes. "I hope that you recover soon, Haruto," is all she said.

After a few moments, she headed off back down the hall, in the direction they had come from. She seemed to be muttering inaudibly to herself, as she made for the side door.

~~~~~ Karma ~~~~~~~

Midori nods and follows you, and you both go with Budo and Haruto to the nurse's office.

The nurse has Budo put Haruto on one of the beds and then begins to examine him.

You notice Midori go over to Budo and whisper something to him. "We'll be right back." Budo tells you before he and Midori leave the nurse's office, with serious looks on their faces.

~~~~~~~ Miyako ~~~~~~~~~

You reach the side door, from the window you can see a large pond in the distance as well as the gardening clubs space, it is really noticeable with the large shed, greenhouse and flower field. You also notice that there is no construction is sight.

>>19026
Something is wrong. Something is terribly wrong. I should follow them to see what they're up to, but I really can't afford to let myself get caught snooping. It would kill any chances of getting them to like or trust me.

I guess I'll sit here and chill, waiting for their return.

>>19026

Miyako exited the door, looking around the nearby area for signs of where Haruto may have been injured.

"Gotta find the meteorite, gotta find the meteorite..." she repeated to herself over and over as she searched for any indication of how Haruto could have gotten so badly injured.

~~~~~~~ Miyako ~~~~~~~~

You look all around the area, but most of what you find is unhelpful in your investigation. You find some what appear to be dents in the school's wall. This is probably where Haruto was attacked, but there isn't anything that would pinpoint what happened.

~~~~~~~~~ Karma ~~~~~~~

You wait for a while, but the two don't return. The nurse finishes her examination and after having Haruto stay in the bed for a moment she comes over to you.

The bootylicious nurse sits in the chair in front of you. She is holding a clip board filled with notes.

"So did you see who did this?"

>>19033
"No, it appears the assailant had already fled by the time I arrived. Has this happened before? Surely it isn't a common occurrence."

I pause briefly before continuing.

"Based on Haruto's and Midori's reactions, it sounds like this wasn't very much of a surprise. Is there anything a new student such as myself should know and/or watch out for?"

>>19033

"So many craters, yet no meteorite... Is it Tunguska in miniature?" She traced the edges of the dents, then bit her thumb in thought.

After a moment, a thought seemed to strike her. "Or is the single spot of light in the silent night a binary star system? Could it be? Oh, that would be an amazing and terrifying sight to behold..."

She kept looking for a minute or two longer, on the hopes of getting any more information.

~~~~~~~~ Miyako ~~~~~~~~

Your in-depth examination has netted you some new information. You notice some blood on the ground near the wall. There isn't much, but it exists nonetheless, you assume it is Haruto's since he did have some cuts on him.

~~~~~~~~~ Karma ~~~~~~~~

The nurse doesn't really pay your questions much attention. "So you don't know who did this... I see." She writes something down on the clipboard. "You do realize this is a serious matter correct? I'm going to ask you to stick around for the police questioning."

"Police questioning!?" Haruto cries out from the bed. "Why?!"

"Because this is serious. This is more than just a simple school brawl. You have multiple broken bones, and some cuts as well. It seems your attacker used a knife at some point, or some other sharp weapon." She walks over to the phone. "Haruto are you sure you didn't see who attacked you?"

You swear you saw Haruto smirk for a moment. "No, I didn't." Or maybe you just imagined it. Since why would he been smirking at a time like this.

>>19036
"Police questioning? What a bother. I didn't see anything at all."

I go and whisper to Haruto. "Say, who are you covering for and why? If you'd prefer not to say, just tell me it's personal and that you're covering for someone and I'll drop the subject."

~~~~~~~ Karma ~~~~~~~~

"I'm not covering for anyone." Haruto answers, however there is a strange emotion coming from Haruto's tone, is seems almost happy.

>>19038
"M, huh? Weird. Suit yourself."

Looks like I'm stuck waiting for a police investigation.

>>19036

After that time, she looked to the shed and narrowed her eyes, but then shook her head. Opening the side door once more, she wandered back inside, walking back in the direction of the intersection where Midori and her had first seen Haruto and Karma.

~~~~~~ Karma ~~~~~~~

The nurse is about to call the police, but Haruto speaks up. "I refuse to press any charges. If you have them talk to me, I'll just lie my ass off and say I injured myself."

The nurse is put-off. "But, you're so hurt. This, I can't just let it go."

"I just fell down the stairs, I was holding a box cutter at the time." Haruto tells her. "There is no 'attacker'"

He gets up from the bed. "So there is no crime. I'm going to leave now."

The nurse tells him she needs to sling his arm at least, and he agrees to let her do that much.

The door opens and Midori and Budo come back inside, along with Oka. They all look happy now.

"Karma..., we are all going to go out and celebrate, Budo's scholarships. If you want... you can come with.." Oka says to you.

"Count me in." Haruto says with a bright smile.

"Oka I'll text the others." Midori says as she pulls out her phone. "Let's see there is," she starts counting people on her finger. "Oh, can't forget about Miyako. I know! After the party we can start the event!"

"Let's all meet by the main entrance then, I'll catch up once the nurse is done with me."

The others leave, making it so you, the nurse and Haruto are in the room.

The nurse lets out a sigh. "I see, so you're really not going to press any charges."

A very devilish smirk rises to Haruto's face. "That's right."

~~~~~~~~~~ Miyako ~~~~~~~~~

Just as you are about to head inside the building, you hear a strange chime. It is a popular song that is going around. It seems to be coming from, the roof? Is someone up there?

>>19041
"Fell down the stairs.... holding a box cutter..... outside, away from the stairs........

Eh, whatever you say, bud."

Guess I'll wait until Haruto's arm is in a sling and escort him to the front entrance.

>>19041

Miyako looked up towards the roof, puzzled. Her eyes squinted a little in thought, and then she headed inside. Instead of going the way she had planned, she decided to take a short detour. Walking slowly and casually, she wandered to a point where she might be able to observe the staircase that led down from the roof.

~~~~~~~~ Karma ~~~~~~~~

You and Haruto head to the main entrance. Haruto doesn't say a word the whole trip.

You arrive at the entrance to see everyone except, Miyako (of course), Midori and Sota.

~~~~~~~~ Miyako ~~~~~~~~~

You wait by the stairs, you don't want to wait long, as you soon see Sota coming down the stairs. When he notices you, he quickly puts away what he is holding in his pocket, you don't get a good look at it unfortunately.

>>19044
"Ah, I guess we're just waiting on a few stragglers?"

Time to wait until the rest of them arrive.

>>19045

"Oh hey Sota!" she said. "I would have figured you'd be at Cooking Club. Is it upstairs and I've just never known? Oh and have you seen Karma anywhere lately? I was trying to find him earlier..."

~~~~~~ Karma ~~~~~~~

"Yeah, Midori should be out looking for Miyako, Sota however should be here soon. He didn't appear to be going to his club today." Ryusei answers.

~~~~~~~~ Miyako ~~~~~~~

Sota smiles at you. "No, I was actually up on the roof just looking up at the clouds. The roof is such a nice place to be. It is good for quiet thinking."

"No, I'm sorry I haven't seen him. He hasn't shown up at the roof at least. I've been there since class ended."

"Miyako! Sota!" Mirdori's voice calls out, you see her at the end of the hallway waving and calling out to you.

Sota makes a quick exit over to her. You catch a glimpse at what he had shoved in his pocket this time, it appears to be a camera.

"I'm so glad, I found both of you." She shouts out excitedly. "We are going to celebrate, Budo got his scholarship today! Everyone is waiting by the main entrance, let's go, I've already made the reservations!"

>>19047

"Scholarships? That's wonderful! ...wait, scholarships for what? Martial arts? And reservations for where?" she finished, with a sinking feeling in her wallet.

Still, no matter what the answers were, these were her new friends, so she would go along whereever.

~~~~~~~ Miyako ~~~~~~~~

Midori nods "Yep, this one really good college was impressed by Budo's dedication and his grades, as well as excellent behavior. He is going to go to a really good college, and it will all be paid for."

~~~~~~~~ Both ~~~~~~~~

The group meets up with those at the main entrance, and then heads out of the school.

The cafe they go to is a decently fancy place, a kind of place teenagers don't normally frequent.

Haruto whistles, "Wow, this place is fancy."

"Certainly a step-up from Wacdonald's." Ryusei says with a laugh. "So how are we going to pay for this?"

Sakyu laughs and pokes Budo, "Budo's paying for it all, so order the most expensive things."

"What? Why am I paying!? This is my celebration party."

"Because you have the money now of course. don't you feel bad for us, who are not blessed with scholarships." Sakyu teased, sill poking him.

"Yeah, you should treat us." Haruto adds with a smirk.

"I don't feel bad enough to tread you guys to an expensive meal." He lets out a sigh though. "But I'll pay the brunt of it. Happy?"

Sakyu frowns, "Oh well, I'll take what I can get from you."

The waitress leads all of you over to a big table, one large enough for 12 people or so, 11 places have been set, with 11 chairs.

"Midori, you ditz, you made the reservation too large." Ryusei laughs.

Midori frowns and starts counting on her fingers again, "But I was sure, I counted everyone, and didn't mess up." She is counting all the people again using her fingers.

"Foolish," Kuu says looking up from the menu. She seems to be focusing intently on the menu immensely.

Sakyu holds Midori tightly interrupting her counting, "Don't worry about it, we love you for who you are, ditz and all."

Everyone sits down and orders their food. Chat fills the table as you are all waiting. But every now and again all 8 of the friends take glances at the last, empty, plate and the 11th seat.

Last edited at 16/02/20(Sat)10:51:08

>>19074
"Well now, who am I to pass up an opportunity to eat free food? Anyway, I wouldn't worry too much about accidentally reserving for too many people, mistakes happen."

Hopefully I didn't accidentally just say something I shouldn't have. I'll try to read the mood, and I'll stay silent if I've made a faux pas.

~~~~~~~~~ Both ~~~~~~~

"Y...yeah...." Midori frowns as she speaks. "But... I thought for sure, I invited the correct number."

"Y-you must have made a mistake." Oka stutters.

"Yeah, you just clicked an extra number, since you did it online." Ryusei chimes in.

"Yep, that's all it was." Haruto adds on.

"Is this a joke?" Budo growls. "Did you guys think this would be funny?" He glares at everyone at the table. It is furious and full of hate.

"No...no... honest. I don't know what happened. I didn't mean anything. I didn't mean to invite the wrong number." Midori stammers.

Haruto's face also turns dark. "Hey, chill Budo. It was an accident. We are all surprised by it."

"Shut up! You better be quiet if you know what's good for you." Budo snaps back at Haruto.

"I wouldn't act like such a big dog if I were you, not anymore." He responds with a smirk. "Because it won't work on me anymore."

"What was that."

"You heard me, your fangs are gone." Haruto continues to smirk, despite Budo grabbing him.

"Stop it! Stop it!" Midori shrieks, trying to calm the situation. "Stop fighting!" She starts to break down and cry. "I just wanted everyone to get along again.... I thought having a party would make that happen... I just wanted-"

"Well it isn't going to happen!" Budo shuts her up instantly. He points at everyone at the table. "And you know why. You all know why."

Ryusei is the next to speak, "Yeah... Midori things will never be the same, because they can't be anymore."

"We... aren't friends anymore Midori." Sakyu gives her a cold statement. "I know it hurts you to hear it, but we aren't."

Budo lets out a sigh, finally cooling his temper. "This party is over." He gets up and leaves, after dropping some money on the table.

Everyone else is kind of powerless to stop him, nor do they want to. The happy atmosphere that was around doesn't exist anymore, and everyone is looking down not sure what to say anymore.

Last edited at 16/02/20(Sat)16:11:38

>>19078
Time to get up and follow Budo. See if I can catch him outside before he's gone.

"Yo, it isn't my place to say, but maybe it's a bit overboard to walk out of a celebration being thrown in your honor. I'm just looking in from an outsider's perspective, but I see someone throwing away one of their last opportunities to spend time with friends before college. Surely you'll regret wasting all this precious time and opportunity 10 years from now."

>>19078

"...um...I might be saying the very wrong thing...but he said we all know why. I...I don't know why..."

~~~~~~~ Karma ~~~~~~~

Budo is staring up at the evening sky as he leans against the wall of the building, it is already almost sunset. He doesn't look at you, but responds to your statement.

"That would only be the case if I really cared to see them again. Quite frankly, I don't. I can't wait to get out of this hellhole of a school, and then forget, everything that happened. I can't wait to get away from those murderers."

He clenches his fist and a look of rage appears on his face.

~~~~~~~ Miyako ~~~~~~

Everyone seems a little put-off by your question. Then don't seem to want to even answer it.

However Midori finally stops crying, and calms herself, and answers you. "We used to be a group of 9. But... but... one day, suddenly we became 8." She starts crying again.

>>19081
"Murderers? Who, those people we left inside? You mean, you lost a dear friend to the actions of one or more of them?"

*sigh*

"Being a new student, it's kind of important for me to know if there are people I should be wary of. Wait... don't tell me this is related to Haruto's injuries."

>>19081

Miyako mutters to herself, "Eris again," before speaking loudly enough to be heard. "I, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you all this upset. Especially you, Midori. I just...wanted to know what happened..."

~~~~~~~~ Karma ~~~~~~~~

Budo shakes his head, "I don't think they're dangerous to someone like you. You don't need to worry about it."

He clenches his fist. "One of them has a sick sense of humor. I'll tell you straight out, that it was no accident that we got an extra place. One of them set it up, to mess with me... and it worked."

~~~~~~~ Miyako ~~~~~~~

Haruto answers your question, "There used to be 9 of us, but stuff happened and suddenly one day the 9th member of our group, committed suicide. She drowned herself in the pond on the school grounds."

>>19085
"Bullying, huh? Such a shame. Why not take it up with the person responsible for setting you off? Why hold it against everyone? Don't tell me you don't have a clue as to who it was...."

>>19085

"Oh..." she said, obviously saddened. Then her forehead scrunched up in thought. "Wait, though... If it was in the school pond, could it have been an accident?"

~~~~~~~ Karma ~~~~~~~

Budo doesn't answer and instead looks away.


~~~~~~~ Miyako ~~~~~~~

"Her shoes were found next to the pond." Kuu speaks up. "So very unlikely."

>>19089

"I...suppose so..." She succumbed to the uncomfortable silence.

>>19089
"Right, my mistake. If you had known for certain you would have directed your anger properly. Hey, you don't think that event and the one from today where Haruto got injured are related do you?"

~~~~~~~~ Miyako ~~~~~~~~~

A long silence fills the table. After a while Kuu speaks. "So who was it? Who arranged the 11th spot to mess with Budo?"

"I didn't do it! I only made reservations for 10!" Midori shouts getting defensive. "I wouldn't have done that to Budo."

~~~~~~~~ Karma ~~~~~~~~~

Budo frowns and looks up at the sky. "No, I don't think so."

>>19092
"So what now? Are you still coming to the event tonight? Or are you going straight home?"