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Chapter 4: Hopscotch Life

PART 1

“Ryuuka- sensei, is still not here!”

“Yeah I know!”

Tobe said. Crista and Tobe are both sitting by the pavement, resting together.

“Are you really hurt, Tobe-kun?”

“Yeah, I suppose?”

“If you… can I see it where?”

Cris nervously stated. Tobe was supposed to refuse but her hand already fondling her shirt.

“Aay… Cris-san, what are you doing?!”

Upon reaching the abdomen, she caressed gently his stomach and chest in a circular motion. Unexpectedly, the intensity rose.

“—S-stop it…Gaah!”

Tobe twitched and yelped because it tickled so much that his face reddened.

Cris, couldn’t help stopping herself, in fact, she’s so pleasured in touching his body that she lost herself in thought.

The delight of fondling his sweat-stained body is making her drooled and excited.

Tobe roared in laughter until he clasped her unruly hand from tickling her more.

Cris was surprised and realized what she has done. Tobe was already fleeting in breath from unstoppable guffaw.

“I-I’m sorry, Tobe-kun, I couldn’t stop touching your…body.”

She gulped between her lines.

“It is okay… I’ve hindered…it.”

Tobe’s eyes watered from too much pressure.

 Cris bit her lips in embarrassment. She lowered her head.

 “…but anyway, thanks!”

“Uh! But I—?”

“I don’t know if it is right but you made me laugh in times of trouble.”

“………………. I don’t know what you are talking about!”

She pouted indistinctively while Tobe chuckled.

The both sighed at the same time. They must’ve worried about their loneliness; the people around them are still missing.

“Hey Tobe… are you together with Yuki-chan?”

The question popped suddenly in her head.

Tobe mildly surprised.

“Uh yeah.”

“Then, are you with her in the mall?”

“Yes, why?”

“N-nothing. I’m just happy.”

“I am happy too.”

Cris made a wry smile, but she knew that she lied to herself.

She was sorrowfully hurt inside.

Cris and Tobe have been friends since ten years ago, making it eligible as a childhood friends.

She liked him a lot, often getting into trouble because of him. However, she thought that Tobe will never ever change his sight of her as a friend and she remained as the same too.

When Yuki entered his monotonous life, something stirred inside her.

Cris is aware that she is jealous.

She was sure about it, but she kept it from him.

“You were supposed to be alone with me…”

She murmured lowly to herself.

“Huh? Did you say something?”

“Oh…no, nothing.”

She quieted herself, looking at the ground and playing her fingers while groaning silently.

Tobe noticed it and comforted her.

“Are you okay? If you think this might be worse. Don’t worry, it won’t.”

Cris looked up and gazed him.

She chuckled.

“Ah, you got me…Tobe-kun.”

She glanced toward her watched awkwardly.

“…but Ryuuka sensei will be here soon, right?”

“I-I think so.”

Minutes later, not far from them, a familiar figure came running toward them.

“Oh, sensei is here!”

“Yeah…”

Both smiled each other contentedly, but Cris’ smile faded quickly while facing away from him.

“Sorry, if I’m late.”

“It’s alright!”

“Ryuuka-sensei…”

“Huh…?”

Cris supported Tobe from standing up.

“Thank you, Cris-san.”

Cris has something in her mind that made her obliged to do.

“Since you are here, Ryuuka-san. I think I’m leaving now.”

“Why, Cris? Is something bothering you or perhaps—“

“NO, no, Ryuuka-sensei, it is just… um getting late right now for me and it might not good.”

Ryuuka scratched her head and confused at what she said.

Cris giggled clumsily.

“If that is worrying you, then… ok, you can go— by the way, thank you for accompanying Tobe-kun, 

it’s a great help.”

“It’s not that big…!”

Cris departed quickly after she respectfully bowed, leaving Ryuuka and Tobe behind until she’s out of sight.

“Ryuuka-sensei, is something wrong with her…?”

“No…I think there is nothing. Anyway, come with me now.”

Tobe glanced left and right, expecting some authorities that he thought Ryuuka called.

“Um…where?”

“It’s hard to tell you right now…”

“But I thought—“

“No, I didn’t.”

Ryuuka firmly told him. She focused his glasses on him, it shined for a while.

“You are so weird… it made me felt worse!”

Tobe sighed; he never thought that Ryuuka is so foolish.

“I don’t bother call the ambulance, you are not wounded seriously...”

She added instinctively.

“… instead, you must have something to do.”

Ryuuka asked him. Tobe only gazed her with an [UH?] sound.

“….please!?”

“Ok…but something that is not stupid at all.”

“Thank you. But first close your eyes…”

Tobe obeyed. He think that he is so stupid for doing this but for some reason followed.

“…let me hold your hands.”

He felt the cold sensation slowly wrapping his hand, it was Ryuuka’s hand.

“one…”

Tobe was pressured with something.

“…two…”

Counting seemed to scare him as he gripped her hand harder.

“What are you doing…!”

Tobe exclaimed but he felt his voice was absorbed somewhere but Ryuuka’s voice continued counting, clearer and louder.

“…three!”

Suddenly, he felt the ground where he stood disappeared for a while. Swift wind came raging all over him but nothing happened at the same time.

His ears been pretty stuffed up too. He tightened his grasp on her hand in confusion and fear.

Tobe knew that this is not ordinary at all.

The phenomena disappeared quickly as if it is already nothing at all.

“Tobe-kun, you can open your eyes.”

The voice of Ryuuka echoed in his ears.

 Instead, a soft humming sound stirred him. He pried his eyes opened and blinked twice.

At first, his vision is partly blurry but gradually it became cleared.

He surprisingly found himself in a completely different place. Instead of an open ground, he was awed at the glowing platform he was currently standing right now.

Where are we…?”

Tobe stammered. He thought his head has gone dizzy all the way.

He searched for Ryuuka who calmly stood by the large automatic door.

She glanced back rudely.

“Are you coming with me?”

The corridor is very wide that he was dazzled from looking back and forth.

The footsteps echoed irregularly against the lonely walls.

“Tobe-kun, I’m so sorry to drag you along.”

“Don’t worry; I’m just glad I’ve made it alive…”

He chuckled wryly.

“…something made me curious enough…”

Tobe and Ryuuka strolled together slowly but surely. He didn’t know where he is and currently follows her briefly.

“What is it?”

“…Where are we?”

“Inside [Squairkraw I] ship.”

“I didn’t know about it.”

“Calm down, that’s the thing not to worry about.”

“H-How did we get here quickly?”

“I calculated our position here from the land and transported here via teleportation…”

“You mean some kind of magic or techy-like something?”

Ryuuka stopped walking for a while; she was kind of confused suddenly.

“…Um… let’s say yes!”

“………………I’ve never thought about it.”

“[Squairkraw I] isn’t something you’ve think as an ordinary ship on the water. Actually, we are gliding 

over twenty kilometers above the Saitama district, right now.”

“A-Airship…?”

His voice filled with nervousness.

“Yes, exactly.”

“Is it safe?”

Ryuuka sighed deeply. Seriously, she is not in this kind of conversation, at least not now.

“Yes… but this not important right now…”

Ryuuka removed her large spectacles, revealing her true nature of face that Tobe was surprised.

“Ryuuka-sensei, it seemed that you hid something more than what I’ve imagined.”

“As what you said, yes, it is true…”

Ryuuka chuckled and her eyes shined while they are seemed to be tired. She sighed later on.

“…For now, this is what I’m telling you… I, the principal of the school, is a part of a secret 

organization called the ‘ Neitframe’…”

Neitframe? What does it do?”

“…Neitframe is an independent faction that will do anything to restore and preserve the world as 

well as the resources from catastrophic events made by the other factions.”

“I see but I don’t see any trouble.”

“You’re funny. The odd of you being killed is great.”

“………yeah!?”

Suddenly, Ryuuka quieted for a while and became serious.

“Tobe-kun, do you have an idea why are you here?”

“Nope. Why?”

"You’ll see. I’ll gonna call you if it will be ready.”

They stopped right in front of a door of a designated room. 

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PART 2

Yuki opened her eyes, expecting some wild explosion on her but instead calmness entered her.

It’s very quiet right here. She found herself lying in a comfortable white bed while half-covered in linen.

With her bleary eyes, she explored the whole room but found nothing queer.

Yuki sighed for a meantime and slow dragged herself to sit.

Her muscles ache but not seriously.

“Where am I?”

She asked herself, or someone she thinks was present somewhere.

Immediately, the sliding door opened and a girl came in. Her clothes are dark blue all over. Her amber eyes shined burned with gentleness and her hair is neatly tied.

This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

The girl stood beside her, as if expecting her to react.

“Who are you…?”

Yuki asked her while gazing her deeply. Even though the girl was regarded by Yuki as a complete stranger, she felt no alarm or danger.

The girl smiled, her gestures are strikingly familiar to Yuki.

Instead of answering her babbling question, she remarked.

“You’re awake, Yuki-chan.”

Her soft voice comforted Yuki quickly.

She chuckled.

“Who are you…!?”

Yuki repeated her question toward the girl.

Suddenly, the girl gave a big sigh, adjusted her hair quickly and put on the quirky glasses.

In this way, Yuki remembered her.

“…Principal?”

“Yes. I’m Principal Monosume. How’s your condition lately?”

“I-I’m alright...”

 “Very true. I’m quite amazed on how your recovery works.”

Ryuuka smiled.

“…Tobe-kun, where is he?”

Yuki stirred a little, as if wanting to leave the bed quickly, away from her condition.

Ryuuka instinctively pat Yuki on her hand and paused her.

“Calm down. He’s right on the outside waiting for you.”

Yuki relaxed as what Ryuuka told.

Ryuuka went outside of the room. As soon as she was in outside, Yuki leaned out and grabbed a chance to peek outside, searching for Tobe.

She didn’t fail herself. Right coming in the room, Tobe quickly approached Yuki.

“Yuki-chan…!”

“Tobe-kun…!”

He gave her warm comfortable hug as though reunited at last as what will happen to some hospital scene or recovered from bad disease; he will thank the God and welcome her to life again.

 “I’m totally ok, Tobe-kun!”

“Yeah! How did you survive?”

“I don’t know but I don’t care either. As long as you were on my side, I will be happy.

“Me too…”

Yuki felt sad suddenly, and then she cried, bitterly lately. The presence of a loved one resembled it, but it’s entirely different reason behind it.

“…Are you alright?!...Does it hurt somewhere? Where?”

Tobe half-panicked, half-anxious while kept clasping her soft, pale hand. It made him deadly worried, especially, if someone is crying in front of her.

“No …I’m alright. Didn’t I just say it earlier that I’m happy for you…?”

She said, with an accompanying sniffle.

“…Tobe-kun…”

“What is it?”

“Do you perhaps, hate me? Don’t you feel disapproved or hatred because I’m not a human?”

“Even if you are human or not, I will never hate you!”

“R-really?”

“Really.”

“Then, is it ok if you let me live in your house once again!?”

“S-sure. I will.”

Tobe gulped silently and sighed.

“T-thank you…! I will be your sister now!”

Yuki surprisingly hugged him out of thought. Tobe was surprised but embarrassed at the same time because her voluptuous bust was pressed evenly on his body; for men, it is a dream come true.

“Well. You can be what you…----“

He stammered out of shame; if this happened in a public, surely he will be arrested because of perverseness.

“I like you!”

Red, hot flashes begin to appear on his face once he heard it and obviously Yuki noticed it while 

continued hugging him.

“W-What happened…Tobe?”

“No, I’m alright— I think you must need rest because later we will be going home.”

Yuki nodded. She slowly loosened her clasp and quietly lied down. Tobe adjusted her blanket and 

went lowly toward the door.

“Tobe-kun? — are you coming back?”

“Yes. I’ll just go outside for a while.”

Yuki smiled.

“Take care.”

Closing the door, Tobe breathed deeply.

“Well, a strange day for me!”

Tobe muttered to himself.  He glanced left and right, checking if someone is present and went right to the hallway again.

The place was awfully similar to a large labyrinth and felt himself like a test lab rat.

His footsteps echoed as he straddled alone.

Where am I, he thought to himself.

“If only Ryuuka sensei is here.”

He mumbled to himself. Actually, since he was alone, he has the tendency to talk to himself, even in exaggerating tone, which is not so unusual at all.

Tobe found himself in front of another door. He hoped that Ryuuka is really there and not to embarrassingly bump into someone he don’t know.

He shook his, saying that he has no time for that.

First he breathed deeply, in case it is a wrong door, and he went right away as the door rolled opened.

Luckily, he found it right.

He had entered a largely opened room, or what he imagined so.

“Good afternoon, Tobe!”

“Ryuuka-san!?”

 Yes. That childish voice was no other than her principal, who was sitting idly on a not so particular desk right in nowhere. The sight was so familiar to him in the school.

“You’re good---- finding this room is still hard, even some of my colleagues. I’m doubtful if you have really a good insight.”

She chuckled.

“R-Really?”

“But what you have in your mind is rightly not important right now. In other words I’m bluffing, get it?” 

“ok…”

She paused for a while, yawning softly.

“Tobe-kun, are you comfortable here?”

“Just a little, but overall I’m fine.”

“How about take a seat in front of me?”

“Thank you.”

Like an obedient child, Tobe sat immediately on a chair Ryuuka referred to. It creaked silently.

“Better. This room is designed perfectly for harmonious ambience. You can felt it right now, don’t 

you?”

Tobe observed the surrounding and tried to ‘feel’ what Ryuuka suggested to, but he seemed to be right after the issues straight.

“I see, Ms. Ryuuka-sensei. But I believe this is not what you are talking to.”

Ryuuka’s shoulder shrugged off, as if she has been directly hit by something. Beneath those shining, stupid glasses are cunning eyes of his principal.

She smirked, contentedly.

“My…my, you want it so badly? I’ll give it a shot…”

“Yes, I do. After this, I-I want Yuki and I back to our home.”

Tobe declared loudly to Ryuuka with nervousness while looking at her directly. After seconds of silence, Ryuuka replied.

“ …The organization [Neitframe] wanted to ensure the safety of Yuki as well as yours by letting us to 

protect you— that is if you join us.”

“But what if—“

“Doubting us is not tolerated, Tobe-kun. Since you’re deeply afflicted with Yuki-chan and if you disagree, we had no other choice but to force you in this decision.”

Ryuuka exclaimed seriously, almost slamming the table with strong emotions.

“…I fear you can’t have an ordinary life if you won’t allow this, won’t you agree?”

“I understand it.”

Tobe thought of it, deeply and seriously.

“Besides, I won’t let even one of my students to be endangered.”

There was a silence, now Ryuuka only awaits Tobe’s strained choice, who is deeply troubled, for a while.

“If that is what you want, then I decided that you will help us no matter the cost.”

Tobe proclaimed. Even if he refuses, he will still be under the organization no matter what he does. Besides, he was deeply in danger with Yuki, who is hunted.

Ryuuka smiled again, wider that she bears the Cheshire’s grin, with an accompanying squeaks of laughter.

“*kukuku* I’m glad that you get it. I swear you won’t –regret- it.”

Saying the last words at her own sentence, her eyes twinkled like the fox.

Tobe noticed and *gulp* was very afraid that he can foresee it. He tried to get up and run away when—

“…Wait, Tobe-kun.”

‘W-What is it?”

“Before you leave we seriously consider thoroughly physical examination both on you and Yuki.”

Tobe was surprised, and stood abruptly while shaking, or perhaps rapidly swaying his own head. It meant to him very nasty or shameful.

“No? I’m afraid not!”

Ryuuka sighed and snapped her fingers.

Two muscular men went in coincidentally. They both are wearing the same black uniform, a sort of special agents that can only be seen in spy movies, particularly the villainous one.

“Then force is really useful, don’t you agree?”

“What for!?’

“It is just important…trust me!”

Upon sudden order, Tobe was pulled back by the two man, they were so bulky and tall that he was left hanging between them like a limp one.

They left immediately while holding him till the door closed.

“Woah, I don’t want to be naked…!!!”

One can hear his agonizing, hair-raising, girly-like shriek that still ring behind the door that faded slowly and creepily.

Ryuuka only dismissed it and ignored the noise while the grin still flashed on her face.

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PART 3

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The night outside is very dark and enlightened by a multitudes of twinkling stars. It created a perfect silhouette on the large house.

Inside it, Tobe sighed and felt embarrassed.

Lately that hour, he was forced to remove his clothing to have his body examined and screened.

But to him, it gave him trauma and shamefulness.

Sooner, they have arrived in this house together with Yuki via the teleporting pad.

“Why I felt so abused this time?”

Tobe remarked to himself silently. Those images couldn’t get lost in his mind and right now he’s confused in that situation.

The smiley face on his fancy, vibrant T-shirt looked exaggerating.

Yuki watched it sternly, perhaps enjoying its still appearance. Her gaze went to Tobe this time.

“Tobe-kun, why did they remove my clothes?”

She said softly as if she was purring. Tobe felt embarrassed further because of her innocent nature.

He couldn’t stand it all the way.

“I-I’m sorry Yuki-chan, it’s my fault…”

“Uh…?”

Yuki observed him diligently, her aquamarine eyes mixed with a brilliant emerald looked beautiful and sparkling, as though it didn’t exist on earth.

She looked attractive further in her blouse which belongs to Tobe’s mother.

Tobe scratched his head in confusion as he looked at her clothes which is obviously too big for her that exposed some of Yuki’s unnatural white skin.

“It’s my fault that I didn’t buy any clothes while we have a chance.”

“It is ok…I can wear this all day long.”

After his courage sprang up, he suddenly has an idea.

“You can wear my mother’s dress temporarily until I can afford you something to wear.”

“Agreed—“

“I don’t suppose to think you’ll let her wear lewdly clothes…”

A nuisance voice suddenly popped out between them. Tobe didn’t ignore it lest she would do something very nasty to him.

"Oh, it is you…Principal— Commander Ryuuka…”

He coughed out loud.

“Thank you, Tobe-kun but I would be happy if you call me Ryuuka instead.”

Ryuuka told him mockingly. Her bare feet are resting on the table while she lazily sat by the chair.

She still wore the stupid glasses that annoyed Tobe instantly.

“What are you gonna do?”

“First, I like to stay here for a while… second, some advice to give you.”

“What are they?”

“It will be good if you resume schooling together with Yuki. In that way, we can monitor your health and safety. Another, swear to me that you won’t tell everyone about the last incidents, including 

today.”

“Well, for the sake of my privacy, I will.”

“Very good, I’m looking forward for it.”

“Can you leave the house now?”

Tobe pleaded. Ryuuka ignored his statement; instead she stood and tied her hair back, making her face appear brighter and visually stunning.

She swayed her head in motion, telling him that she refused.

Rigid at what she responded, Tobe quieted himself and gave a loud grunt.

It was so obvious that he was getting irritated every second he glanced at her. At the same situation, Yuki gazed them independently.

She busily listens to the whole conversation, which she couldn’t understand clearly and gave a quizzical look on Tobe.

“Well, you’re hungry, right? Yuki-chan?”

Tobe said nervously after Yuki gazed him right on her face.

“No, not yet… but can I eat?”

“Sure.”

Yuki went to the refrigerator hurriedly, like a child with empathic emotion and opened it.

She luckily grabbed a sliced pie for a light snack.

Tobe sighed quickly.

“We already made her personal information after her brief conversation.”

“So what? Ryuuka-san.”

“I’m surprised that she answered straight all of my questions with a dauntless attitude. I blamed myself for doubting her.”

“What do you mean?”

“Maidens, as far as I know, lack emotions, err— rarely trust humans. I believe so. Even contact with them is rare and dangerous, because of their unknown capabilities.”

Ryuuka remarked.

“…because of you, she became human through a physical contact, which is kissing.”

She grinned imperfectly, almost creeping Tobe out.

Her light-tinged glasses reflected an unnatural shine.

“…again, this is rare and contradicting upon the nature of Maidens, but she did it by her choice.”

“Then, my mission is finished?”

“Idiot…!!!”

Ryuuka gritted with impoverish.

“…you’ve been chosen by Yuki in an impossible situation, which I calculated not long after.”

Tobe drooped down, because of exhaustion but immediately glanced toward Yuki who silently ate her fill while watching the television.

Fascinating though, she watched it unblinking.

Her bulging cheek was spotted with white crumbs.

Hands operating the fork like an automated robot.

Tobe was a little annoyed with Yuki’s white hair which is not brushed.

He quickly returned his pace and listen Ryuuka actively this time.

“…Even by transferring the aura (mana) is still proven dangerous to your ordinary body…get it!?”

“Should I say, scary?”

Ryuuka looked him dumbfounded and rebuked him by her mysterious eyes.

“I think you too need rest now, I’ll be leaving.”

She said with her eyes half-closed; squinting him suspiciously behind those glasses.

She stood wearily and went to the door.

“One more thing Tobe… never be late to the school.”

Ryuuka warned him like a mother before she closed the door.

Tobe made a wry smile before he sighed wearily. He calmly set his hand right in his sight, imagining what kind of powers was bestowed upon him and how unlucky was he was to.

“If this is my will, then it must be!”

He muttered to himself with a dull sense of bravery.

Upon glancing toward the sofa, he found her to be sleeping. Legs curled in and silently in a slumber.

Tobe smiled, as though he regained his strength.

“Maybe, I can do this.”

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