It would be perhaps the craziest twist if the boy standing before them did turn out to be Tanaka, the killed yet not dead. It was the name that came to Luka's mind when she first set sights on him and she was going to say it had Hinata not said anything instead "Sh-Shoji Barlow!"
That was the cameraman's real name. A name only Hinata recognized given the club's loserdom. As for what he had to say regarding both Luka figuring him out and his motivations, "I guess I took your meekness for granted. The council really does have a brain above their shoulders. But as long as you're here that information won't be going anywhere."
Hinata ran up to Shoji to grab his shirt. "What the hell is your problem man?! You help me frame the student council then try to frame me?"
He was quickly silenced by a punch that sent him to the ground. Shoji's fist was left red from the blood gushing out of Hinata's nose. "You were just collateral damage. I don't care about what anything thinks of the council. I exist here for one thing alone…"
Spreading his arms like wings he said, "To never be bored again!"
An answer that left them all confused until he elaborated, "I'm sick of living day to day with nothing ever happening in my regular dull life. Wake up, eat breakfast, go to school, go home, over and over and over again--it's so sickening to me that no one ever looks to themselves and asks why they're doing the things they're doing. I got a little bit of joy bullying the council with you but that eventually became boring. I watched eagerly on the news 'another suicide has been reported,' and played games trying to guess why that business man took his own life. Then it all became the same answer 'depression' over and over. But one day I heard about students disappearing after they walked beyond those doors in the library."
He lowered his arms and grabbed the camera hanging around his neck. "And here I am. In the awesomeness of a fantasy world no one knew existed!"
"You're addicted to violence, dude!" Gachi was the most baffled compared to Pro and Luka.
"It doesn't have to be violent to catch my interests, it just happens that violence is the most interesting aspect of our lives." Shoji took photos of Her and Hinata's dumbfounded looks. Luka was stone faced for the most part and Pro was listening closely, being too far to properly capture. He looked at the camera screen then nodded. "Yup, this is going in my 'cute girls with surprised reactions before they die' folder."
"Whaaat."
Landing behind Luka and Gachi was the red dragon that crushed them previously. Its scales were a ruby red and its underbelly orange. It was bigger than the axehead dragon due its wings and it stood on its hind legs with its claws raised like fists. This dragon looked at them with blue eyes however it was wounded after they were transferred. One of its toe talons were missing and its tail completely gone, half of its right wing was missing as well, looking as if another dragon had taken a bite out of it.
Shoji was the first to notice his dragon's wounded state, almost leaning to the side swaying from its body parts missing. "Wait, h-how did you scratch that dragon!?" his voice scratched worriedly.
As cheesy as it was, Gachi had responded with, "Because we're Murakumo! We're capable of achieving anything as long as our hearts are together." In truth, when they transferred out while in the dragon's grip, the surrounding warp dragged bits and pieces of the creature with it. Thankfully the whole dragon wasn't transferred with them, it was a complete toss up whether this plan was going to work or not and it did.
They turned to the growling dragon with their weapons raised and Shoji called them crazy for even thinking about fighting a dragon. A single dragon could level cities and if one entered battle with them without being properly trained in magic, using magic weapons, and wearing magic armor then it was impossible to even scratch it.
"Then watch this," Gachi took the card from her sleeve and threw it into the air. It dissolved into particles and in its place manifested a sword made of pure light "Light sword yato!" she shouted and the weapon propelled itself forward stabbing the dragon then bursting into light. This left the dragon knocked over and staggered, struggling to stand and Luka with Gachi used that opportunity to attack with all they had. Striking with a flurry of swings and thrusts with their swords leaving deep marks and scars on the dragon's face, neck, body and down to the bone with Gachi's thunder piercing its scales.
This enraged the beast and it stood back to its hind legs and immediately slammed its claws down. Gachi and Luka jumped away before the attack landed and came to a skidding halt, quickly separating to circle around the dragon from both sides. Blinded on its left from the cut left on its eye, the red dragon aimed its attention on Luka, swinging its body and head with its claw that tore through the building's wall spreading debris and rocks behind it.
Luka stopped and dove under its fist that narrowly missed her back and before the dragon had the chance to strike with its other claw, blood bursted from its behind and again it fell staggered on its stomach. Gachi peeked at Luka from behind the beast, covered in red blood "I got it's leg~!" she said in a rhythm. The final strike was left to Luka who hopped up on the dragon's head. She pointed her sword down where its brain would be and with all her might using both hands, thrusted the sword--
Dink!
The blade snapped in two hitting the rough scales. Gachi tossed her thunder infused sword in the air for her to catch "Don't miss!"
Luka caught the sword and in a single motion of a finishing blow, stabbed the sword deep into the dragon's head, shoving the sword past its hilt and half its handle with blood spewing out all over her face and clothes. The dragon suddenly rose its head in a spasm causing Luka to fall off then fell again seconds after.
Shoji was speechless and scared. Scared of the two covered in the blood of a demonic creature and taking solace in it all smiling and revolving in it. They took comfort in the dragon's blood like it was made for them. It was too unnatural--too wicked, and they approached Shoji with slow steps and their eyes seemingly glowing under the dim red blood.
"No…" he stepped back.
"No no no no!" He slipped and fell on his ass.
"NOOOOOO!!!!!!" a scream heard echoing across the night.
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The days passed now changed after they dragged a bruised and beaten Hinata and Shoji to the principal's office where they confessed their wrong doings. Replacing details like dragons and shadow world with yakuza and criminal underworld. They were expelled instead and Shoji was sent to a detention facility, or so the rumors say. At the beginning of the day, the students were gathered in the school's theater where Pro, Gachi, and Kyokai(not Luka because she threw up backstage after seeing the thousands of students) gave a speech about the school's safety and to not ever cross the line when bullying. Permission to use force(their magic); granted by the principal; as long as they students didn't get permanent injuries. En masse students apologized to them in the halls both sincerely and rudely. Some would see their friend apologizing then join in themselves. It was weird finally being popular even for a short time.
The classroom was full of chatter, various topics but mostly about Hinata.
"I can't believe it… he was a great guy."
"Ah whatever! We aren't missing anything important."
The council members stayed out of their conversations. Choosing to ignore any questions and any rumors that sprouted up. Nothing special happened on this day, maybe that was for the best. To give the council a rest from the unusual part of their lives. Gachi, Kyokai and Pro did their usual council business but Luka on the other hand stayed out of it, choosing to lie in a ball on the bench outside. Crying? No, weeping, but metaphorically.
"Uhm… Luka?" Coming across Luka's body was Tatesaya meeting her again in the same spot however under different circumstances. The council was on the upswing now slowly becoming well liked and respected by students. So what could ever be the reason for Luka weeping metaphorically. "When the council delivered their speech, you weren't there with them. Why is that?"
"I threw up." She whined, "I can't show my face anywhere after that. People are gonna laugh. Uuu… It's embarrassing saying it outloud."
When Saya sat beside her, Luka swore the bench shifted from the weight. "It's nothing to worry about, the previous student council president was the same way."
This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
The previous student council; Luka had only heard stories about her being the greatest. She was like a mother to the school. Diligent, attentive, attractive, yet untouchable to everyone who admired her. Behind the scenes she too had moments she fell to the ills of stage fright and had to take days off to recover. That didn't matter to the students that loved her so blinded by her perfection. That pink haired perfect girl. "Before the next elections, before everyone had a chance to vote for her again. The principal announced that she had fallen to a sickness no one knew she had…"
The death was a shock to all, that day when it rained. Everyone lost their beloved friend, the one they loved but could never touch or understand beyond what she showed in front. No one was allowed to see what agony lied beneath her mask or the pain stricken under her sleeves. She made the council's sailor uniform, designing it with the intention to change the school's uniform with it but the plans weren't never completed and the designs were rumored to be lost. Unknowingly to everyone her eyes were always on a successor--that being the council today. She personally made the armbands named 'Murakumo' rather than 'Taichou' replacing the old one striped blue armband for one in red. Not many saw this and took their hatred out on them, so Saya believed.
Standing up and facing Luka again(still curled up), Saya Said, "But now everyone sees what you're all capable of and how deeply you care about the school's safety even if they hated you. You don't have to worry about them laughing at you anymore though… That's not gonna keep me from laughing hehehe..!"
It was a pleasant story, something Luka never knew just by looking at Pro and company. Hell, no one probably knew the other side of the story or didn't give it enough thought. Somewhere in the middle of her giggling Luka noticed that she was lifted off the bench by… Saya? Handling her like a weightless feather and holding her close, how was Luka so weightless here..?
"Uh… Saya… How much do you weigh..?" A tasteless question.
First a pause then, "2,432 lbs." a tasteful answer.
Luka returned to the council room right as Kyokai placed his 'school bag' on the ground and upon her arrival he looked up and uttered 'perfect' under his breath. "Now that we're all here, listen to this. I created a storage area in my bag that we can use to collect whatever treasures we may find in the superdimension. Despite the small appearance of this bag I reprogrammed it to hold a bunch of stuff."
"That's… amazing Kyokai." Gachi could barely keep her eyes open. She lazily handed him the katana which was wrapped in a black cloth to disguise the weapon.
He smirked proudly at his amazing plan. "We'll keep this bag in the council room for safekeeping. Surely Lari and others will just pass it off as just some leftover bag."
But Pro frowned at the idea of keeping secrets for too long. "Don't you think we should tell Kris and others about this? They have skills like us too." she said before sipping her water.
Kyokai shook his head rapidly. "Heck no! Kris works for the Tokyo Government Agency. If he finds out about this stuff we'll be kicked out and sent to government facilities."
"Zzz…" Gachi snored all the meanwhile.
Then the door burst open causing Kyokai's heart to jump out his throat, Pro to spit out her water, and Luka flattened like a pancake behind the door that made the jump on her, but Gachi slept on, while standing no less.
And there were three. Lari, of course, and the main attraction beside her. Wolf ears on top of this student's pinkish peach hair and tail would show that she was ‘Rushè’ the animal-like species of humanity. Her green eyes had a ring around the hollow pupil, a strange pattern but the wolf present wasn't an ordinary human. Dressed in a buttoned shirt and plaid skirt with dark tights underneath--with a light blue cardigan over and red bow, bearing the same council armband on her left. She was here, their worst fears barging in at an inappropriate time and way too early.
"Hey hey!" exclaimed Maine Akari, the treasurer of the council. Just as loud as she opened the door she would slam it close just as loudly. The third silent girl standing behind her had fox ears and a fluffy tail that matched with her white hair. She was dressed in the usual plaid skirt and buttoned shirt with a brown cardigan and black knee socks. Her name was Remy Prinz, a close, really close friend to Maine. She was practically her maid and did her every bidding.
In one swift motion Maine slipped off her shoes and pounced on Pro sitting on the couch, standing over her high and almighty. Her eyes illuminated a glowing green, her fangs were sharp like a werewolf and even more frightening when she asked, "So, Pro-chan~ what couldn't Kris-san know?"
"W-w-whwhawh--" Pro's eyes darted to the glimpse of panties she could see under her skirt then to Luka plastered on the wall.
"Hm?" Maine followed the direction of her gaze and gasped seeing Luka. Bouncing over to her and peeling her off the wall. "Haaaiii I'm Maine Akari, you must be new here and welcome to the student council, did Pro let you join? What's your name and what made you join us?"
A flurry of questions bouncing from one idea to the next. Still recovering, Luka responded weakly and dryly, "U-updog…"
"Nothing much, how about you!!" The joke and Luka's condition flew over her head.
"That's Luluria Wagami. She wanted to join the council to help with our workload while you were gone." Lari stepped forward, changing her attention to Kyokai and pointing at his bag. "But I wanna know what secret you're trying to hide as well. What is that?"
Kyokai blocked the bag lying on the front desk with his body. "It's just my notebooks and textbooks! I want to leave them here though because I'm afraid someone might steal my notes." He looked to Pro for validation and she nodded frantically after getting the message.
"Are you forgetting I can analyze items affected or altered by magic?" Lari took a step closer to Kyokai.
"It's just a bag! Tch! F-fine I'll tell you what's inside." He began to sweat nervously.
Lari crossed her arms "I'm waiting…"
"It's…"
Pro began to worry about his response. Luka was still in too much of a daze to know what was going on and Maine was eagerly wagging her tail. Gachi… was still asleep.
"It's porn magazines! I've been hiding them in my bag!" Kyokai bursted blushing with embarrassment even though it was a lie. Gachi fell over laughing in her sleep while Pro attempted to hide her chuckling.
"Stop laughing!" Kyokai exclaimed. "If only Kris was here he would understand…" He shed a single tear being the only guy in the council.
Lari let out a sigh slightly red herself from the answer. "Jeez Kyokai…"
"Porn magazines Pro! He said he was hiding them GAHAHAHA!" Gachi was fully awake now.
"S-shut up Gachi! I can't-- hehe! I can't breathe like this-- hahahHAHaH!" Even Pro lost control of her emotions.
Kyokai wanted to die.
After everyone calmed themselves, Kyokai, Gachi and Pro confessed the truth. Maine flipped the page of the doujinshi in hand "Wow you really weren't kidding when you said porn magazines. But I wasn't expecting you to pick something so… tasteful."
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Maine sat up on the couch and tossed the book on the table. "But anyways, it's wild to hear that you guys almost got expelled."
"Yeah and we almost died too!" Gachi rubbed her nose while smirking. She sat across from Maine, crossing her legs. "If it wasn't for Luka's awesome plan we would've gotten killed by those yakuza." They had managed to lie and slip out of their suspicions by giving the fib story of their bout between gangs.
"Oh if only Remy and I weren't so busy at the time. Next time you get into trouble you have to invite me."
"There won't be a next time. That was dangerous and stupid of you to do." Lari glared at Kyokai and Pro fearfully hiding behind the couch Gachi sat on. Meanwhile Luka was at the end of the couch, dead, and Remy gently patted her back apologizing for Maine's ecstatic behavior on her behalf.
Gachi rolled her eyes. "Fine, we promise we won't do it again. Even though it got everyone to respect us now."
Maine stuck her tongue out playfully. "I did notice that when Remy and I returned. Everyone was soooo much nicer to us." She stood up and puffed her chest out. "That doesn't mean we can rest though. We have piles of requests lying over there and it's up to us to solve the problems our students suffer."
And on the shelf she pointed at, two full stack of request forms the student council had to get through. Requests such as 'How do I get a girl to look at me' and 'Help! My cat has gone missing!'
The dragons were bad… but this was going to be utter hell!
At an unknown place at an unspecified time…
"Why did you rush in like that? That dragon would have crushed you flat. What made you think I would've transferred you out?"
With an emotionless face, Luka replied. "I knew you couldn't let me die. I left the plan to you."
"...Well I got what I wanted." Cynthia let out a sigh, "The super dimension and tempests. I'm leaving it up to you on how you want to go about things. When you slay the dragon keeping that world together, its pieces will start to crack."
"You're leaving?” Luka said with sorrow leaking out.
"No reason for me to keep going in there. Especially since I can't use my guns.” Cynthia turned away. "There’s a few other places like that, affected by that power. Find the root cause of it and become a hero. Or just leave it to someone else. Not my problem.”
Before the doll walked away, Luka had one last question bothering her. "...Why did you save me back there?"
"Because… we're friends, silly."
Those were Cynthia’s last words leaving into parts unknown.