(This is a joint post between Cinia Pacifica, Katsucha, BlinkXPoke, TheLoneGentleman, and Gahald_Mills.)
“Is something the matter, Kiriya-san?” Sakura asked, tilting her head, noticing Aoi’s gloomy face.
“You see, Ichigo is hospitalized there. So I just can’t help but want to visit her… the hospital is forbidden to go to, at the moment. Since Reo is coming, they disallowed access to it.”
“Wait, what? Hoshimiya-san is hospitalized?!” Sakura asked, apparently completely misinformed about the occurrences around the academy. Was she so busy with her Alice that she hadn’t been hearing about the rumors? “When did this happen?”
“Sometime around yesterday, probably when Ichigo ran off when we went to Central Town… I’m not very sure, either,” Aoi answered.
Sakura then asked, “Can I come with you guys? As much as I don’t like Shiraishi-san… perhaps I can help somehow?” Sakura offered - with her voice lowered when commenting about Shiraishi - Aoi and the others made signs of rejection.
“We can’t just get you involved in this, you know,” Shouta said, “Do you even like either of the celebrities?!” Shiraishi angrily asked. This wasn’t something one should get involved with - especially with half-baked reasons - when being useless as an Alice, or so Shiraishi believed. Meanwhile, Ing didn’t seemed to be side-tracked due to Sakura’s sudden interference.
“Hm… so it’s six people including me and Sakura, who just suddenly joined us. Alright, I’ll contact my desk at the workshop to prepare the items.” Ing said as he took out his tool box and opened it, a keyboard with different buttons appeared and he typed on it.
“So I guess we’re taking Hiiragi-san after all?”
“I see no actual problem, as long as she can look after herself?”
“I can at least do that much!” Sakura instantly responded, then faced Aoi, Shouta, and Ing, “Accompanying you all is the least I can do, since you guys came with me to the Eastern Forest.”
Aoi and Shouta gave light smiles as a response, Amelia however gave the cold shoulder. That event was cancer to her, it was everything bad in the world, but she didn’t speak about it.
”With that settled, welcome to the group, Hiiragi-san,” Hyuuga said, Sakura tilted her head, “Who are you?” she asked blatantly, “I apologize that we couldn’t meet sooner, I was discharged from the hospital only yesterday. My name is Hyuuga Aoi, a pleasure to meet you.”
Sakura gave a bow as she introduced herself in return, “Ah, I’m Hiiragi Sakura. Pleased to meet you too!”
“Oh, will you be joining us too, Kouzuki-san?” Aoi said, with most things decided; suddenly felt excited about the plan, albeit it being dangerous and against the rules. If it’s for Ichigo, it’s totally fine for her to do such a thing.
”Yes, since I pretty much have a lot of time on my hands.” Ing nodded and replied as he closed his tool box and put it back under his table.
“But wait, really? Why me too?” Amelia frowned, asking Hyuuga Aoi.
“Because you know of our plans!” Hyuuga Aoi cheerfully responded, “You shall be one of our partner is crime!”
”Why does she let herself be dragged into these shenanigans. “ thought Sono as he listened in to the plans of his classmates. He found it amusing how they never failed to try and find ways to get themselves in a horrible situation.
“Jeez, and here I thought that I’d sit back and watch,” Amelia said, with a defeated smile, “Well, I’ll tag along, I suppose,” She’d love to see Reo in person once, so she didn’t deny any further.
Who the hell is Reo? He thought. ”Oh and one more thing, it’s not free,” he said with an evil-ish grin on his face.
“Hmmm, I can’t cover everyone’s expenses, knowing you and your prices… how about we all pay for it together?” Hyuuga Aoi suggested.
“Sounds good, that would be far more fair,” Amelia agreed, as the others nodded.
“W-Well… Shouta and I don’t have any allowance from the academy yet… ” Aoi said, ashamed, she continued, “May we pay our share after we’re granted our allowance, Kouzuki-san?”