[FIC] Class Act (part 6)
Posted: Sun Mar 07, 2004 12:11 pm
Kaname was not in the best of moods. She wanted to find some way to gain the upper hand and add to her reputation in a positive way. At least she wasn’t the only girl getting caught in the crosshairs. Crosshairs? She shook her head. Sousuke was rubbing off on her.
When Ren picked up the phone and said it was Sousuke, wanting to talk to ‘Chidori without delay,’ Kaname’s mind went into overdrive. An idea was forming. A way to be a leader again.
“Ren, stall him!” Kaname turned to the girls. “Ready to strike back against the boys? Sousuke especially?”
“AFFIRMATIVE!” was the group answer.
“Then let’s set up a false damsel in distress. Me. We’ll send the rescuers to the deserted room next door.” Miss Okibasu had detailed the roster for each room. The end room, not entirely finished yet, would be left empty.
“Kyouko. Act frightened and say Kaname isn’t in the room any more.” Ren handed the phone to Kyouko who complied. It was time for teamwork.
“Then, while they’re in the room, or when the come out, we strike. Perfume. Fire extinguishers. Leftover dip. Whatever we can think of. Gather it now.” Kaname’s words galvanized the girls into action. Some emptied out garbage cans and ran to the shower to fill them with water. Others grabbed whatever came to mind. It was payback time.
Kyouko passed the phone to Maya, who improvised.
“OK. Listening team, go stand by the unfinished vent work between the two rooms. You won’t want to miss this. Save a place for me. Action team, stand by the door. Get ready to deploy on my signal.” Kaname was in total control.
Ren took the phone again. Her performance was very convincing. Kaname was kidnapped, and the last thing Sousuke and the boys should do is get involved. There was nothing to do. They should just wait and leave things up to hotel security. Ren remembered Sousuke’s scathing remarks about the lazy and disjointed security guards. “He sounded upset. I gave him the room number. It shouldn’t take too long.”
They should have listened first, but things were set in motion with little time to spare. They couldn’t afford to lose the momentum, and had all assumed that the room would have stayed empty. Kaname felt a lump in her throat when one girl said she heard noises---probably a television.
Kaname started running. If there was someone in that room, she’d need rescuing from Sousuke. Ironic. Her luck was holding true to form.
Seeing Kaname run by, the strike force followed. They thought she was leading the charge.
Sousuke got to the door to the room first. Just before she stepped into the hallway, Kaname had heard a loud noise. She ran to the doorway as the other girls stopped dead in their tracks. They were staring down a bunch of guys who ran out from the stairwell. Despite their differences, both sides remained quiet. Their focus was on the room.
************************************************************
It would be impossible to determine who was more shocked and embarrassed, Sousuke or Miss Okibasu.
The teacher had been looking to relax. She was wondering what she should do to police the actions of the students under her care. For the umpteenth time, she wished that Miss Takiroshi hadn’t gotten sick at the last moment. Not only to have an extra chaperon, but also to have some company. After her painful divorce, the young woman was having difficulties dealing with her loneliness. The television was on, so she could hear the sound of human voices.
“If only I lived in medieval times, or in a storybook land.” If she were trapped in a castle, or held captive in a cave, an armed warrior could fight his way to her side and carry her away. “Where is my hero? Is there a knight in shining armor for me?”
Perhaps a nice warm shower might help to ease her tension. Having folded her blouse and slacks, she was ready to head into the bathing area.
Then the door jumped off its hinges.
A shirtless figure entered in a blur, stopping a mere ten feet from her. It was Sousuke Sagara. He held a gun of some kind. His expression changed from determination and concern to surprise and confusion. That was the only thing that kept Miss Okibasu from crying out, or trying to lock herself safely away in the bathroom.
“Uh…I came to rescue…” Sousuke blurted out, blushing. As hard as he tried, he couldn’t take his eyes off of his near-naked teacher.
For a moment there, Miss Okibasu put her hand to her mouth. All thoughts about yelling at Sousuke to get out, or about covering herself with a bedspread or blanket, melted away temporarily. A rescue. HER rescue? Just what were the young man’s intentions.
“Who, Sousuke….” She said that rather than ’Mr. Sagara.’ “Me?” Why might he think she was in any danger? Was that a real gun?
“Uh…no…I didn’t even know you were here…or, uh…not…” Sousuke was fearless in battle. Faced with a scantily clad beauty, he was reduced to a quivering mound of jello. He had spoken so quietly, Miss Okibasu had trouble hearing what he said.
Shaking her head to clear away any inappropriate fantasies, Miss Okibasu realized that she was at no risk, and knew what she needed to do to loosen Sousuke’s tongue. Picking up her clothes, she could barely see around the near corner of the L-shaped room. Kaname Chidori was sneaking a look into the room from the distant doorway. She was also shushing someone else out of view.
Putting on her clothes, the teacher whispered to Sousuke. “I think you were set up. Would you like to return the favor? We have to act quickly. She saw me undressed.”
“Uh…who?” Sousuke saw the answer in Miss Okibasu’s eyes. For some reason, she wanted to do this. “Yes. How?”
“Repeat what I tell you. Say 'I came for a rescue, but I think I’ve found something much better!'”
Sousuke did exactly as he was told, speaking in a loud voice.
“No. What are you doing. Keep your hands off of me. Don’t touch me there. Ohhhhhh.” In a quiet voice, she told Sousuke to say ‘These look nice on you. But, I want to see ALL of you.’
Again, Sousuke’s line was said in believable fashion. Miss Okibasu found herself getting excited. She almost wished this were not an act. Seeing no sign of the guilty parties rushing to her rescue, she continued. “W-What are y-your intentions!”
Sousuke had begun to perspire heavily. Even the play acting was having its effect on him. He had come across enemy soldiers raping women on the battlefield before. He always ended up shooting such men.
“Say ‘I’m going to do you in a way Miss Chidori keeps begging for with her eyes. When I’m done, YOU will beg for me to do it again!’ And knock that lamp off the table, in view of the door.”
Sousuke did as he was told. The lamp broke. He decided to add to the realism. The TMP landed near the lamp.
“Oh…no…DON’T…oh…YOU’RE SO HUGE!!!” Miss Okibasu treasured that moment. The look on Sousuke’s face had been priceless. “Now, make grunting noises” she whispered. She felt so alive. This was so melodramatic, but it was fun.
Sousuke’s efforts were a bit off, as he had no ideas what the appropriate noises should be. Nonetheless, he was very effective. His teacher found her pulse quickening and her breath speeding up.
“No…oh…ah…oh…please…no…stop…ah…oh…oooooooooh…pleaaaassseee….” In turn, Miss Okibasu’s acting had Sousuke sweating up a storm.
“SOOOUUUSSSUUUKKKEEE….” Kaname ran into view.
************************************************************
Kaname, like anyone else in earshot, was taken aback when she realized just whose door Sousuke had broken past. There would be Hell to pay, and she had a good idea who would be picking up the check. At best, she and Sousuke could go Dutch.
That would have been bad enough. Then she caught a glimpse of Miss Okibasu, wearing only her bra and panties. Damn that Sousuke! He has done it to ME again. I’d better get in there and smooth things over as best I can. With Sousuke being so utterly clueless around women, Miss Okibasu might be able to view the whole thing as a joke.
She better work fast at damage control. If Miss Okibasu found most of the class outside of her room, EVERYONE would end up in trouble. Quietly, she started to wave the girls back to where they had come from. But, a group of hard cases refused to leave. And, her friends stayed to offer her support.
Realizing that it was Miss Okibasu’s room, a large number of boys high-tailed it up the stairs, whooping and hollering all the way. This was just TOO good. Some stayed, wanting to see the fireworks if they came.
No one, Kaname least of all, was ready for what came next. When Miss Okibasu cried ‘Don’t touch me there,’ everybody froze. What was Sousuke doing? Time slowed down. It was like listening to a bad movie, without watching the screen. When Sousuke mentioned her name, Kaname snapped out of her trance. She tried to get some of the boys to go into the room, in case Miss Okibasu needed help. No one would budge. They didn’t want to get in trouble with Miss Okibasu. They had no desire to face Sousuke when he had a gun in hand.
“Mizuke, get to a phone. Call security. NOW!” Kaname was thankful Mizuke didn’t take time to argue. What have I done? Looking at her friends, she guessed they were wrestling with similar thoughts.
Gun or not, Kaname felt compelled to act. She almost stumbled when she heard her teacher yell out ‘YOU’RE SO HUGE!’ It was too late. The noises gave clear indication to what was taking place. Still, she might be able to prevent Sousuke from killing her. Seeing Sousuke’s gun, she picked it up and yelled “SOOOUUUSSSUUUKKKEEE!!!” The footsteps behind her meant she was not alone in her mission.
“Yes, Kaname?” Sousuke, clothed from the waist down, stood next to Miss Okibasu. She too was dressed. She wore a big smile as well, but her eyes narrowed and her posture became more rigid. “Is there some problem?” he continued
“Other than convincing Mr. Sagara to break down my door, that is….” Miss Okibasu had to fight to keep a straight face. Sousuke’s ‘Is there some problem’ was said in such a deadpan fashion. He was certainly something else. It almost sounded as if he dealt with things like this all the time.
“I…uh…you see…I’M SORRY!” Kaname bowed her head. She looked truly stricken---until she looked at Sousuke. The look she gave him would have curdled milk on the spot. Sousuke had tricked her. The NERVE of him!
Maya slid to a stop near Kaname, accompanied by Ryo, Kyouko, and Ren. “Uh oh!” Ryo didn’t take long to realize they’d been had. “Busted!” Maya worried more about what happened next. “I’m very sorry too. We didn’t think anyone would be in here.” Ren was weak with embarrassment. “Smile!” Kyouko couldn’t miss the opportunity to take these shots.
Miss Okibasu walked over and smelled the girls’ breath. She did not do the same to Sousuke. “I see. You girls have been drinking. Underage. Do you realize what trouble that could cause me.” She wasn’t entirely surprised. Her own school trips had not been too many years ago. Still, they needed to be taught a lesson. “Mr. Sagara, could you take your weapon from Miss Chidori. Guard the prisoners for me, will you. I need to take some aspirin.”
Sousuke saluted. “Sir, yes Sir!” He snapped to attention, looking somewhat less than regulation without his shirt. “By your command!"
“Sousuke, you are SO dead!” Kaname hissed. She walked over and kicked Sousuke hard in the leg.
“Chidori? I only called you to check on your welfare. I wanted to make sure you were safe and unharmed.” Kaname blushed, doubly so when she saw her friends smirking at her. “Why should I be faulted for my actions? I did not wish to be lied to. I had no intention to disturb our teacher. What would you have me do when I find you have been taken captive?”
“But all those crank calls…you…we…” The words sounded hollow in Kaname’s mouth. It had all just been a harmless prank. Still, with Sousuke, ‘harmless’ was a relative term. She shuddred to think what might have happened, seeing that Sousuke was armed and sounded as if he had been drinking.
“I don’t hold Sousuke at fault in the slightest…” Miss Okibasu said, walking back into the room, carrying a handful of empty trash bags. When a winded security guard hustled into the room, she paused to explain matters to him. Reassured, he hurried back to catch the remainder of his television show. “I might question a gun in his possession. I could wonder why he is running around without a shirt. But I will not chastise him for using excessive force to break open a door when he thought a life was in the balance. It’s not his fault that he caught me…that he arrived at an inopportune time. He‘s a hero, as far as I‘m concerned.”
Kaname looked at Sousuke, then at Miss Okibasu. What was that note in her voice. It almost sounded as if she viewed Sousuke as her savior. After he had burst uninvited into her room, and came close to catching her in the buff?
“Now, you girls are a different matter altogether. I’m sorely tempted to throw the book at you, calling your parents and informing the principal and superintendant of everything that has been going on. But, I am willing to overlook this episode.” She paused, glaring at each girl in turn. “There is one condition. You will visit each of the rooms that your fellow young ladies are staying in…collect ALL of the alcoholic beverages…and take them out to the dumpster? Have I made myself clear?”
Each girl nodded her head.
“Good. You may go. I now need to deal with Mr. Sagara.”
When the girls had gone, Miss Okibasu turned to Sousuke. “To be fair, I should ask you to do the same thing for all of the boys’ rooms.”
“I understand. If that is your order, Teacher, I will carry it out immediately.” Sousuke saluted.
“At ease. No need to be in such a rush. Why don’t you put the door back together, then close it. We can negotiate after that.” She smiled when Sousuke ran to complete her request. He really was clueless. So clueless it was cute. “Oh, and Mr. Sagara?”
“Yes, Teacher?”
“Would you prefer I stay like this, or go back to the way you found me?” She laughed when she saw the resultant look on Sousuke’s face.
Sousuke dropped the door heavy on his foot.
************************************************************
“Perhaps it is the beer…” Sousuke said aloud to himself, finishing up his business in the restroom. He found himself in a state of perpetual confusion and wonder. “Or the sake…the whiskey…the mao-tai…the cognac…or the shochu.”
After Kaname and the girls had left Miss Okibasu’s room, his teacher had made it a point to tell him she was not angry with him. In fact, she repeatedly said how impressed she was by his heroism. While discussing her expectations for him, regarding drinking and carousing, the older woman kept sitting closer and closer to him on the bed. He found himself wondering about her intentions, but quickly ignored such ridiculous paranoia. She was his teacher after all. Still, she seemed disappointed when he said she could leave her clothes on. And she said to save up his strength for when he was no longer in her class.
That last statement was the most confusing of all. When he had time, he would ask Kaname to explain it to him. Was Miss Okibasu thinking of taking over the PE class?
His own reactions were no less befuddling. He had found himself sweating. Parts of his anatomy had acted of their own accord. His eyes had wandered across his teacher’s body without express permission. He could easily write off the vague feelings of anticipation as the desire to commit to a promised battle that never came about. But why did Kaname’s face come to mind when he was sitting with Miss Okibasu?
Things did not become any less puzzling when he returned upstairs. Even though there had been no kidnapping or abduction, he was treated like he was a heroic figure. Where he had expected the other boys to be quite upset about his orders regarding the alcohol, they all raised a toast to him. He had won them an extra hour of drinking. Being guys, that simply meant that the same amount of booze would be put away in a shorter period of time. No empties were expected.
Better yet, not only had the drinks been saved, but the girls had suffered a tremendous defeat. Just like in cartoons or silent movies, they had lit the fuse on the powder keg, but the barrel rolled back down to where they were hiding from the explosion.
With alcohol to finish off, munchies running low, and the girls trumped, it was time to focus on gambling. Everyone rooted out all of the money they had brought with them. Somewhat short on cash, Shinji would need to wager his treasured military magazines and photographs. When those ran out, he would need to sign IOUs---there were any number of tasks the other guys might want done: having their homework done…taking candid pictures of girls…stealing snacks from the cafeteria...and so forth and so on.
“Five Card Stud, ladies,” one of the rugby guys announced, breaking the seal on a new deck of cards. “Poker, to the unitiated. God’s gift, or the Devil’s trap, depending on your point of view…and whether or not you leave with any of your money.”
“Stud?” Shinji hadn’t heard that term applied to any card game before.
“Yes,” a member of the soccer team answered. “In honor of Sousuke.” When Shinji didn’t laugh, he continued. “There’s two basic types of poker: closed, or draw poker, where the cards are hidden until the completeion of the hand; open, or stud poker has some of the cards in a player’s hand exposed during play, with all cards shown at the showdown.”
“Stud, of course, is a man’s game,” one of the debating club members asserted. “But, we’ll let Shinji play anyway!” Everyone laughed except for Shinji and Sousuke.
The rugby guy took over again. His father worked at the on-land casino at the Tokyo Dome, as well as any number of literal floating card games. He had been well versed in games of chance since he was a toddler. “The dealer deals each player one face down card, the hole card.”
“He deals from the top of the deck” someone made certain to add.
“Of course. Next, he deals each player a face up card. Then, he places the deck face down on the table in front of himself. The hole cards are the only ones which remain unknown to the opposing players. The player with the highest-ranking up card makes the opening bet. The next bettor, to his left, can say fold…stay…raise the pot…or reraise. Once finished, the dealer deals another up card to each player still in the game.”
“Before you continue, I have questions.” Sousuke may not have gambled much himself, but he had been exposed to gambling throughout his life---in camps within Afghanistan…as a member of earlier mercenary groups…and on various missions for Mithril. He was all too aware of the vagaries of human nature, especially when it came to money. “We will be able to exam the deck? And we will be be playing according to a code of ethics?”
“Yes, of course. We’re all honorable men here.”
“Good. I am glad that we have made that pledge.” Some of the boys wondered why Sousuke was being so serious. No one realized how important his words had been. “The second round of betting is begun by the player with the highest-ranking hand with the two up cards. The betting goes as before. The rounds continue the same, with the exception that a bettor can choose to call in the fourth and final round. The showdown begins when all betting is completed and the players starting with the call hand turn over their hole cards.”
It seemed simple enough. Shinji had been scribbling like a madman, taking it all down.
The rankings of the cards and hands were explained and the games began. Three groups of ten each were set-up, with the other boys waiting for a chance to get into the fray. The more experienced poker players were chatting among themselves. Unfamiliar words were bandied about, making it more than just another male-bonding ritual for the newcomers. It was a small world unto itself, filled with uncertainty and mystery.
“All right, lets see who had the Nuts!” A boy from the drama club had top hand. He raked the money towards his pile.
“Hey man, better stop playing on the tilt.” One boy admonished another, warning him that an unbalanced emotional state could result in erratic play and a loss of money.
“Yeh, I hear you. Just be sure you guys all play on your belly.” Everyone swore they wouldn’t cheat.
“That’s right, remember that your dealer is a Rounder, not some kind of sucker.” Rounders know all of the angles. “Any of you Railbirds want to join in?” Some of the spectators exchanged places with other players.
Sousuke lost money slowly. Shinji, quickly labeled as a Rabbit or weak player, was soon into IOUs. The more experienced players had the lion’s share of the money, but that was to be expected. Nonetheless, Sousuke kept his eyes wide open. While the other boys continued drinking like fishes, Sousuke cut back on his intake some.
As the time went by, Sousuke spotted a number of players who were dubious at best. They were careful, but each finally made a mistake or two. The other honest players were too clueless to notice. Obviously, the fact that the cheaters did not bring their adversaries’ misdeeds to light meant they were likely in cahoots.
“Full House!” One cheater said, reaching for the money. “Give me the Glimmer.”
“Man, you played that great! You must have Alligator’s blood.” Another cheater.
“You keep having the Brass Brazilians, dude.” A third cheater.
“Yeh, but I’m not the only one.” He mentioned the other six cheaters by name. “When you’re good, you’re good.”
“NO!” Sousuke shocked everyone by slamming an empty pitcher on the table. “What you are is a mechanic.” He accused the winner of being a cheater capable of manipulating the deck to his own benefit while dealing. “I kept an eye on you. Your motions occurred too frequently to be accidental.”
“Hey, what the Hell do you know Sagara? Sounds like the lover boy is getting too full of himself. Let’s see the proof!” The rugby guy had an excellent poker face.
Sousuke opened a number of beers and poured them into the pitcher. “You and I will play a different game first. My version of Sake Bomb. It does not use a shot of sake, however. It uses this.” Sousuke slammed one of his weaker concussion grenades onto the table, causing piles of coins to jump and rattle.
“What the f@ck. Are you CRAZY?!! I’m not playing that.” The rugby player looked frightened.
“You can’t make him play!” One of the other cheaters was quick to come to his friends defense.
“That is correct.” Sousuke put his Glock 17 on the table. It was loaded with rubber bullets, but no one but himself was aware of that fact. “If he is clever, he will volunteer.” The Grim Reaper himself would have fliched seeing the young soldier’s face. “You are a clever man, are you not?” Sousuke maned it a point to eject the clip, then ram it home with authority.
The boy agreed to play. Sousuke explained the rules. They were rather simple. Pull the pin. Drop in the grenade. Drink the beer until you catch the grenade in your mouth. Toss the grenade off the balcony.
“W-Who goes f-first?” the boy asked, quivering.
“The one without the gun.” Sosuske looked very relaxed.
“Oh…OK…I…uh…here goes.” The boy pulled the pin. Beer geysered when he dropped the grenade in the pitcher.
“You will find that there is no cheating in this game” Sousuke pontificated as he moved away from the table, signaling for the others to follow him.
“The boy almost caught the grenade in his teeth, but he buckled under pressure. He had been counting, but had no idea how many seconds he had. Resigned to taking some damage, he turned his head and held the pitcher as far away as possible. The detonation flipped him through the air, sending him bouncing across the two other gaming sites.”
“You lose. But you have regained your honor for now.” Sousuke had no illusion that his lesson would be long lasting. But, one never knows….
“Sagara…you…you’re going to take your turn, aren’t you?” One of the other cheaters was sweating.
“No. I won. He asked for no such stipulation. And, I have no additional grenades to spare. However, I will be playing another game. You will be one of the players, too.” Sousuke named all of the other cheaters as players too.
“No way, man. Why us. We all lost that hand too, right?”
“Because you are all cheaters.” Sousuke pointed at each dirty player in turn. “You dealt from the base a number of times." "He specialized in Seconds." "That boy is also a Greek dealer." "He had cards concealed in his sock." "That one had cards up his sleeve." "He also handed out the second card, keeping the top card for himself.” The fingered players all stammered their denials, but their heart was not in it. They had been caught red-handed.
“The game is called Six Bullet Draw.” Sousuke put the gun on the table. “It’s rules are simple too. There is no betting. I deal five cards to each player, including myself. Low hand gets shot.” The boys stood up, and looked as if they were ready to make a run for it. “With rubber bullets.” Everyone returned to their seats. Still they were edgy. No one wanted to face the possibility of being shot with ANY kind of bullet. “I will be in each hand regardless. Anyone else who is shot may retire from the game if he so wishes.” Sousuke motioned for each cheater to stand. He joined them.
Five cards were dealt to each player. One boy reached to turn over his cards. “Remain still!” Sousuke’s shout froze the boy. “We do not turn over the cards in this game. I decide who has the low hand.”
“But…but…that’s---”
“Cheating? Yes. Now you will all learn what it feels like to be cheated. You may thank me later if you wish.” Sousuke raised the gun.
“Please. You CAN’T!”
“Incorrect.” Sousuke shot the boy who had moved. “To save time, the same hand will be used for each round.” Five more shots rang out. The injured boys rolled about the floor, grabbing their aching shins. “If you all return your winnings, we won’t have to play again.”
Not surprising, the cheaters gave back all of their spoils. Sousuke’s status had gone up another notch in the other boys’ minds, if that were possible.
A knock came at the door. Followed by Miss Okibasu’s concerned voice.
Sousuke went to the door. “Miss Okibasu, we are about to remove the alcoholic beverages as you have required. It would be best if you remained in the hallway. The room is rather messy. I shall join you outside.” Sousuke was followed out by a roomful of hoots and whistles.
“I was worried about you, Sousuke. I heard what sounded like an explosion, followed later by firecrackers, gunshots, or something. What happened?” The teacher straightened her shoulders, knowing she had a responsibility for everyone’s safety, not just Sousuke’s. She had to keep to the high road.
“Some boys were caught cheating at cards. Appropriate actions were taken to explain the errors of their ways. At this moment, if asked, none would claim that they were in any danger.” Not if they knew what was good for them. They had all sworn to secrecy.
“I see. I trust you will continue to behave in a responsible fashion?” She knew better than to define what she meant. It was rather obvious that Sousuke’s take on ‘responsible’ differed greatly from her own.”
“I will do my best to keep everyone out of trouble.”
************************************************************
Thanks to Sousuke, Kaname knew more about the military than she ever wanted to. There was a tragic record of military incompetence extending back through history. Many of the names of the offenders were lost in time. That was her only condolence, as her name now appeared next to that of General Nogi, who in the Japanese-Russian War of 1904 tried to capture Port Arthur by “human wave” techniques, only to lose five times as many troops as his enemy.
Ren, Kyouko, Maya, and Ryo had been tarred with the same brush, as participants in the telephone charade. “It was a SNAFU” she told them. “Situation Normal, All F@cked Up.” The acronym seemed more than apt. It should have been a certain victory. The boys should have been put in their place. Sousuke should have been shown the foolishness of his head first dives into action. The girls should all be toasting victory now.
Instead, attacking without reconnaissance, the distaff had rushed forward into the teeth of the cannon and been blown asunder. The ring leaders were now on Miss Okibasu’s list, escaping true trouble by a hair’s breadth. Their followers had to deal with the ignominy of having their drinking discovered and curtailed. The boys were no doubt whooping it up at all of their expense. And Sousuke was viewed as a hero.
“Damn that Sousuke!” It wasn’t the first time she said that. Maya and Ryo eagerly joined in the chant. Kyouko simply said ‘Damn.’ Ren had done her part, reminding them all that they had tricked him.
The other girls’ reaction was not quite what Kaname had expected. She had underestimated their resilience. True, they were unhappy to have to toss out all of their drinks, but they had all quaffed more than enough---they were NOT boys, and did not have a gene that made them drink until they fell over. Most had started off being incensed, having lost face to the boys. But, one wise head pointed out that it wasn’t The Girls who had actually lost---they were only spectators. It was The Five who wore the egg on their faces. Looking at things that way, the occurrence was wonderful.
Finally, Truth Or Dare could get started in full swing. It promised to be a great session, for some. Tonight, there would be no ordered movement around the circle, making certain that every player was called on. It would be a free for all. The caller could choose anyone, even the person who called on her. There was no limit of how many times any player could be called on. There would be no observers---everyone plays.
“How will we work the choices and consequences tonight?” Ren was ever the pragmatist.
“How about the same as usual?” Kaname asked with a sense of foreboding.
The room of girls shook their heads with one big collective ‘No Way.’
“The choices will be Truth, Dare, Double Dare, and Caller’s Choice.” The largest member of the basketball team spoke up. “We all agreed on that while you five were gone. There will be no Pass. If someone balks at their question or their dare, the group will enforce a penalty.”
“W-what kind of penalty?” Kyouko’s voice squeaked with fear.
“Oh, nothing too severe” a member of the track team answered. “We could paint her face like a clown and make her wear that look at the museum. We could have her be the serving girl in the school cafeteria for the rest of the year. We could strip her entirely naked and push her into one of the boys’ rooms. Stuff like that. It’s a matter of imagination.”
A fair number of girls shivered at the sound of that last word.
“Sounds fair, if the same rules go for everyone.” Ren appeared serene.
“Ren, remember what I told you about SNAFU? The set-up is not fair. They could focus most of the questions and dare on the five of us!” Sensitized to Sousuke, Kaname always feared the worst.
“Hey, good idea Kaname!” one of Kaname’s softball teammates called out.
“Yeh!” “Sounds good to me.” “That’s big of you, Chidori.” “Great!”
Kaname shrunk under the glares from Ryo, Maya, and Kyouko. Ren just shook her head.
“This is just perfect!!!” someone shouted out. It was Mizuke. She was rubbing her hands together in anticipation.
"I have a request," Ren asked after getting everyone's attention. "Can we make it that the person who was called on had the right to call the next player? That would only be fair, if the selection process has a chance to focus heavily on a small number of girls."
Because Ren was universally respected, the group agreed. Although, for some, it might have been a matter of Ren's family and their connections. Regardless, her suggestion just made the game that much more exciting. Everyone would have to be careful. If they asked something too personal, they might find themselves on the receiving end of something worse.
"But, we should limit the number of times any one person can call on another." Ren was again seconded, and a near unanimous 'Aye' cemented that provison. The number chosen was 'five.'
The game began. Ren was given the honor of the initial call. At first, all of the questions were relatively tame. For example:
"If you had to get married tomorrow, who would you choose?"
"What was your most embarrassing dream?"
"What was the meanest rumor you ever spread about someone, and who?"
"Have you ever cheated on an exam, and when?"
"What is your most feared baby story."
"Have you ever broken the law, and which one?"
Similarly, the dares started off as reasonable, if somewhat embarrassing. They included:
Ryo had to tuck a short blanket in her shirt like a cape and run through the lobby telling every person she saw that she was a superhero.
Kaname had to walk into the lounge, go to the karaoke machine, pull up her shirt, and wish everybody 'Happy Belly Button Appreciation Day'.
Ren had to call up a Chinese restaurant, place an order, then ask for it to come with 'Extra Cat.'
Kyouko had to show everybody ALL of the pictures on her camera. Kaname groused that it was more like a dare for HER.
Maya had to take a shower with all of her clothes on.
When it was Mizuke's turn, she stood up and walked over to Kaname and tapped her on the shoulder. "I chose YOU. Are you going to hide behind 'Dare' again? Is our big bright beautiful class representative too scared to play 'Truth' with us less fortunate girls?"
"Truth." Kaname was not about to back down from a challenge, least of all from Mizuke.
The electicity in the room was a near palpable thing. Everyone held their breath, waiting to see just what Mizuke would ask.
"Kaname, have you ever dreamed or fantasized about having Sousuke see you naked?" All heads zeroed in on Kaname's face as she prepared to answer. Kyouko had her camera ready.
"Yes." Kaname was proud that she spoke in a smooth even voice. She couldn't help but blush when the room dissolved into a rabble of ecstatic girls. She realized that the person she least wanted to reveal that Truth to was herself.
Mizuke preened like she was the Queen of the ball. She was little prepared for Kaname's return salvo.
"Mizuke, I choose you." The look on Kaname's face was deceptably pleasant. "Are you brave enough to choose Truth too? Or will you admit you're not as brave as me?"
"I can do Truth, if you can!" Mizuke stood ramrod stiff, her chin thrust out.
"OK. Mizuke, did you and Shirai ever have.........sex."
At first, you could have heard a pin drop. Then, the room exploded with noise before the question was even answered. Mizuke had upped the ante. Kaname had met that raise and upped it, calling Mizuke.
Mizuke stood completely still, as if she had been dipped in liquid nitrogen. Her mouth moved, but no sound came out. She began to shake.
"Well? We agreed on a three minute time limit for answers." Kaname was still angry at Mizuke's question, but was beginning to feel dirty about her own.
"I don't want to answer. I don't want to talk about Shirai." Mizuke was close to tears.
"OK" the girl who had been elected umpire said, "It looks like we have to work out our first punishment. Anybody have a good idea?"
The group deliberated. Someone remembered mention of Sousuke kissing Mizuke. Another girl suggested that Mizuke should have to go upstairs and return the favor.
Despite her struggling and pleas, Mizuke was forced up the stairs by the rambunctious flock of girls. Kaname, as the caller for that round, was given the task of getting things done. When she tried to stand up for Mizuke, she was told by the umpire that she would take Mizuke's place if things didn't turn out right.
Kaname knocked on the door. When Kaname asked to see Sousuke, the boys room became even more frenzied than it already was. It was like stirring up an ants nest with a stick.
Everybody listened as Sousuke, holding a hand of cards, walked shirtless to the door.
“Oh. He must work out!” One girl called out.
“Yeh! Kaname, you come upstairs to be his exercise of the night?” The boy’s question had predictable results.
“No, I’m here on Mizuke’s behalf.” Kaname bit her tongue. She could have explained things better.
“Kaname?” Sousuke had no idea what she was talking about.
“Kaname said she wanted you to see her naked!” Mizuke, feeling like a cornered beast, struck out with the only weapon she had.
“Mizuke! We are hear because YOU wouldn’t answer YOUR truth.” Kaname quickly added, before Sousuke had time to give much attention to Mizuke’s statement. “Don’t try to put the attention on someone else.”
“Sagara, you machine!” “Two more to choose from?” “Lucky dog!” “WooWooWooWoo Woo!!!”
“Chidori, please explain.” Sousuke did not wish for things to get too far out of hand. He had made a pledge to Miss Okibasu.
Kaname did as she was requested. Sousuke walked into the hallway and closed the door, much to the disappointment of the boys. When someone jerked the door open, Sousuke took his combat knife out of its calf-sheath. The door quickly closed.
“This should not be a spectacle.” Sousuke might be mostly clueless when it came to women, but he was wise enough to know how Mizuke might be feeling. “We should respect Mizuke’s feelings. What has she done to deserve such treatment?”
Misuke looked shocked. Then her eyes filled with tears and she looked at Sousuke with growing gratitude. Kaname was just as shocked. It was as if she had seen Sousuke for the first time. She never realized that he could be so noble.
“I shall allow Mizuke to kiss me, as I have a choice in this matter. I shall NOT allow all of you to watch. You may return to your rooms now.” Sousuke purposefully stuck the knife into a portion of the wall that was still unfinished. “As class representative, Chidori shall remain as your witness.”
Kaname almost keeled over. She started to feel strangely anxious inside. It wasn’t jealousy, was it?
“Hey, no way! Kaname will probably let her off the hook and lie to the rest of us!” The umpire took her job seriously.
“No, she will not. It would prove pointless, as I do not lie.” Sousuke was oblivious to the doe-eyed look that a number of girls gave him at that remark. “I am sorry. I do not recognize you. What is your name?”
“Yumi.”
With his knife, Sousuke carved a Y into an exposed 2x6, followed by a U, an M, and a I. “Yumi, do you challenge my proviso?” He rammed the knife in the center of the engraved YUMI.
“No. Of course not. I trust you. I trust them too.” Yumi hurried to the stairway, followed by an anxious mass of girls.
“Thank you…” Sousuke said to the running umpire. “Mizuke, I am now prepared.” Sousuke made it sound as if he were ready for an innoculation or a filling. Kaname sighed with relief, then caught herself. Why should she care what Sousuke did?
Mizuke shocked the three of them, herself included. She wrapped her arms around Sousuke’s neck and gave him a long kiss on the lips. Finished, she stuck her tongue out at Kaname. “Thank you,” she said, squeezing Sousuke’s hand briefly, before running after the other girls.
“Well Sousuke, did you enjoy that?” Kaname asked crossly.
“It was not entirely unpleasant.” Sousuke answered.
“Hmmppfff! Not that is matters any way.” Kaname turned her back on him and headed back to her room. She was happy that this incident was behind her now.
“Chidori. When you have time later, perhaps you will explain to me what Miss Inaba meant about you wanting me to see you naked.”
Kaname almost tripped over her own feet.
************************************************************
The room was abuzz when Mizuke and Kaname walked back in. Everyone wanted to know about The Kiss. Mizuke just smiled and kept quiet. The girls kept wanting to talk about Sousuke. Kaname fumed.
When Truth Or Dare resumed, the game did not take the tact that Kaname feared. The questions did not get bolder and bolder. It did not become a Kanamefest. Everyone started off cautious and tentative, wary about the Truths that were asked before.
There was a lot of laughter. The girls began bonding, rather than pursuing a course of one-upsmanship. There were plenty of secrets and minor embarrassments to go around. Kaname finally felt the tension ebb away. She hadn’t been called on for a while. Sousuke seemed like yesterday’s news. For a while.
An explosion in the room above caused everyone to dive for shelter or cover their heads with pillows. Not to much later, a number of Bangs followed, sounding like gunshots.
“What’s going on up there?” One girl asked, laying under a table. “What are the boys DOING???”
Kaname looked at Kyouko. Maya looked at Ren. Ryo, Ren, and Kyouko looked at Kaname. They all answered “SOUSUKE!” at the same time.
“Do you think he’s hurt?” Mizuke asked, taking a pillow off of her head. “Should someone go and check on him?”
“He’ll be just fine,” Kaname answered. “It’s EVERYONE ELSE that you need to worry about!”
“Misuke probably just wants to go upstairs for another kiss.” Ryo gave Misuke a playful nudge.
That question, in addition to Sousuke’s rather loud gamesmanship, sent the game down a totally new path. Mizuke was called on. She was asked what she thought about the kiss she gave Sousuke.
“It was nice. Very nice.” She smiled, but admitted that she wasn’t interested in Sousuke. “Yet,” she said, winking at Kaname. Everybody applauded. Mizuke welcomed the positive attention.
“Oh, I wish it was me!” One girl blurted out her thoughts without thinking. Blushing up a storm, she had to weather her friends’ good natured razzing.
Kaname started to feel on edge again. Sure enough, one girl called on her. She was faced with a difficult decision. What stood to cause her more grief, a question about Sousuke, or a Dare that might have her headed upstairs. She chose ‘Truth.’
“OK. When Mizuke kissed Sousuke, what did you feel?” Girls stopped their side conversations to listen to Kaname’s answer.
“I felt…well…funny.” Kaname didn’t know exactly what to say.
“Funny? C’mon Chidori, you’re NEVER at a loss for words. You can do better than ‘funny.’ Right?” One of the girls from the gymnastics team was not about to let her off the hook that easy.
“I…uh…” Kaname scowled. That was a Sousukesque reply.
“Were you jealous?”
“I think…I…”
“WELL!!!”
“I think…maybe…”
“Did you wish it was you kissing him?”
The girls were ruthless. Finally, Kaname admitted that she wasn’t certain, but wouldn’t be surprised if she were jealous. She also said that she hadn’t been thinking about kissing Sousuke herself at the time. ‘At the time’ prompted another series of questions.
Finally, the umpire got the game back on track. A lot of girls seemed eager to call on Kaname, but Kaname quenched their ardor by taking a series of Dares. One had her promise that she would give Sousuke a long hug the next time she saw him, and tell him honestly how she felt about him. It hjad to be the exact moment she caught sight of him.
Before everyone tired of Truth Or Dare, things became rather risqué for a while, when the girls from the Drama Club had their turns. Kyouko had to pose as sexily as she could, standing on top of a table in just her panties and bra, while the other girls took snapshots of her for a change. Ryo had to call Shinji and tell him she really was topless, waiting for him to visit her. Ren stayed away from Dares at all costs. The umpire ruled that Maya did not have to call the front desk and ask to have flowers and a box of condoms delivered to Miss Okibasu’s room.
When Kaname was called on again, she chose ‘Double Dare.’ She was given two Dares to choose from. If she accepted the first one, she would would have to walk through the lobby and the lounge in a white T-Shirt with ANYONE WANT SOME SEX? drawn on it with an indelible marker. The other Dare would have her go out on the balcony and take her shirt and bra off, then howl at the full moon like a wolf.
“Wonderful. Remind me to call on you next” Kaname said, faced with two nasty Dares. “I’ll do the second one.” It was a simple choice. Despite the full moon, it was very dark out. And, with all the trees around, she doubted that anyone could see the balcony, even if someone were looking,
The girls all clapped in rhythm as Kaname took off her clothes. As she slid open the door, the chill air sent a thrill all the way down to her toes. Stepping out on the large balcony, she raised her arms up. “ARROOOOOOOOOOOO!!!” Her cry echoed across the quiet grounds. About to head back inside, she realized she was NOT alone.
Someone had set up a makeshift tent on the balcony. A rope led to the room above. A shadowy figure seemed to be standing in the nearest corner. “Is somebody there?” She quickly folded her arms against her chest and started backing towards the room. The mass of onlookers blocker her retreat.
“Yes, Kaname.” It was Sousuke. During a lull in the Guys’ Night festivities, he rappelled down to set up his guard post for the night. He had not thought his presence would be detected.
“S-S-SOUSUKE???” Kaname was shocked. This was worse than it would have been if the shadow were a complete stranger.
“Remember that earlier Dare, Chidori!” Some helpful soul reminded Kaname of her pledge to embrace Sousuke.
Kaname was well and truly caught. But, she would at least salvage some dignity and try not to leave Sousuke with the wrong impression. “I’m only doing this because of a Dare, Sousuke. DON’T YOU EVER FORGET IT.” Thankful that it was dark, she walked over to Sousuke and wrapped her arms around him. She whispered in his ear “I might like you Sousuke.” She turned tohead back into the room, ready to hide herself in a closet for the rest of the trip.
It was dark on the balcony because no one had ever turned on its outside light. One mischievous young lady took care of that. Sousuke blinked, the light in his eyes. “Kaname. I do not understand. Mizuke said that you wanted me to see you naked…but, you still have pants on….”
“W-W-WHAT?!!!” Kaname rushed back out and pushed Sousuke over the balcony.
************************************************************
End of part 6
When Ren picked up the phone and said it was Sousuke, wanting to talk to ‘Chidori without delay,’ Kaname’s mind went into overdrive. An idea was forming. A way to be a leader again.
“Ren, stall him!” Kaname turned to the girls. “Ready to strike back against the boys? Sousuke especially?”
“AFFIRMATIVE!” was the group answer.
“Then let’s set up a false damsel in distress. Me. We’ll send the rescuers to the deserted room next door.” Miss Okibasu had detailed the roster for each room. The end room, not entirely finished yet, would be left empty.
“Kyouko. Act frightened and say Kaname isn’t in the room any more.” Ren handed the phone to Kyouko who complied. It was time for teamwork.
“Then, while they’re in the room, or when the come out, we strike. Perfume. Fire extinguishers. Leftover dip. Whatever we can think of. Gather it now.” Kaname’s words galvanized the girls into action. Some emptied out garbage cans and ran to the shower to fill them with water. Others grabbed whatever came to mind. It was payback time.
Kyouko passed the phone to Maya, who improvised.
“OK. Listening team, go stand by the unfinished vent work between the two rooms. You won’t want to miss this. Save a place for me. Action team, stand by the door. Get ready to deploy on my signal.” Kaname was in total control.
Ren took the phone again. Her performance was very convincing. Kaname was kidnapped, and the last thing Sousuke and the boys should do is get involved. There was nothing to do. They should just wait and leave things up to hotel security. Ren remembered Sousuke’s scathing remarks about the lazy and disjointed security guards. “He sounded upset. I gave him the room number. It shouldn’t take too long.”
They should have listened first, but things were set in motion with little time to spare. They couldn’t afford to lose the momentum, and had all assumed that the room would have stayed empty. Kaname felt a lump in her throat when one girl said she heard noises---probably a television.
Kaname started running. If there was someone in that room, she’d need rescuing from Sousuke. Ironic. Her luck was holding true to form.
Seeing Kaname run by, the strike force followed. They thought she was leading the charge.
Sousuke got to the door to the room first. Just before she stepped into the hallway, Kaname had heard a loud noise. She ran to the doorway as the other girls stopped dead in their tracks. They were staring down a bunch of guys who ran out from the stairwell. Despite their differences, both sides remained quiet. Their focus was on the room.
************************************************************
It would be impossible to determine who was more shocked and embarrassed, Sousuke or Miss Okibasu.
The teacher had been looking to relax. She was wondering what she should do to police the actions of the students under her care. For the umpteenth time, she wished that Miss Takiroshi hadn’t gotten sick at the last moment. Not only to have an extra chaperon, but also to have some company. After her painful divorce, the young woman was having difficulties dealing with her loneliness. The television was on, so she could hear the sound of human voices.
“If only I lived in medieval times, or in a storybook land.” If she were trapped in a castle, or held captive in a cave, an armed warrior could fight his way to her side and carry her away. “Where is my hero? Is there a knight in shining armor for me?”
Perhaps a nice warm shower might help to ease her tension. Having folded her blouse and slacks, she was ready to head into the bathing area.
Then the door jumped off its hinges.
A shirtless figure entered in a blur, stopping a mere ten feet from her. It was Sousuke Sagara. He held a gun of some kind. His expression changed from determination and concern to surprise and confusion. That was the only thing that kept Miss Okibasu from crying out, or trying to lock herself safely away in the bathroom.
“Uh…I came to rescue…” Sousuke blurted out, blushing. As hard as he tried, he couldn’t take his eyes off of his near-naked teacher.
For a moment there, Miss Okibasu put her hand to her mouth. All thoughts about yelling at Sousuke to get out, or about covering herself with a bedspread or blanket, melted away temporarily. A rescue. HER rescue? Just what were the young man’s intentions.
“Who, Sousuke….” She said that rather than ’Mr. Sagara.’ “Me?” Why might he think she was in any danger? Was that a real gun?
“Uh…no…I didn’t even know you were here…or, uh…not…” Sousuke was fearless in battle. Faced with a scantily clad beauty, he was reduced to a quivering mound of jello. He had spoken so quietly, Miss Okibasu had trouble hearing what he said.
Shaking her head to clear away any inappropriate fantasies, Miss Okibasu realized that she was at no risk, and knew what she needed to do to loosen Sousuke’s tongue. Picking up her clothes, she could barely see around the near corner of the L-shaped room. Kaname Chidori was sneaking a look into the room from the distant doorway. She was also shushing someone else out of view.
Putting on her clothes, the teacher whispered to Sousuke. “I think you were set up. Would you like to return the favor? We have to act quickly. She saw me undressed.”
“Uh…who?” Sousuke saw the answer in Miss Okibasu’s eyes. For some reason, she wanted to do this. “Yes. How?”
“Repeat what I tell you. Say 'I came for a rescue, but I think I’ve found something much better!'”
Sousuke did exactly as he was told, speaking in a loud voice.
“No. What are you doing. Keep your hands off of me. Don’t touch me there. Ohhhhhh.” In a quiet voice, she told Sousuke to say ‘These look nice on you. But, I want to see ALL of you.’
Again, Sousuke’s line was said in believable fashion. Miss Okibasu found herself getting excited. She almost wished this were not an act. Seeing no sign of the guilty parties rushing to her rescue, she continued. “W-What are y-your intentions!”
Sousuke had begun to perspire heavily. Even the play acting was having its effect on him. He had come across enemy soldiers raping women on the battlefield before. He always ended up shooting such men.
“Say ‘I’m going to do you in a way Miss Chidori keeps begging for with her eyes. When I’m done, YOU will beg for me to do it again!’ And knock that lamp off the table, in view of the door.”
Sousuke did as he was told. The lamp broke. He decided to add to the realism. The TMP landed near the lamp.
“Oh…no…DON’T…oh…YOU’RE SO HUGE!!!” Miss Okibasu treasured that moment. The look on Sousuke’s face had been priceless. “Now, make grunting noises” she whispered. She felt so alive. This was so melodramatic, but it was fun.
Sousuke’s efforts were a bit off, as he had no ideas what the appropriate noises should be. Nonetheless, he was very effective. His teacher found her pulse quickening and her breath speeding up.
“No…oh…ah…oh…please…no…stop…ah…oh…oooooooooh…pleaaaassseee….” In turn, Miss Okibasu’s acting had Sousuke sweating up a storm.
“SOOOUUUSSSUUUKKKEEE….” Kaname ran into view.
************************************************************
Kaname, like anyone else in earshot, was taken aback when she realized just whose door Sousuke had broken past. There would be Hell to pay, and she had a good idea who would be picking up the check. At best, she and Sousuke could go Dutch.
That would have been bad enough. Then she caught a glimpse of Miss Okibasu, wearing only her bra and panties. Damn that Sousuke! He has done it to ME again. I’d better get in there and smooth things over as best I can. With Sousuke being so utterly clueless around women, Miss Okibasu might be able to view the whole thing as a joke.
She better work fast at damage control. If Miss Okibasu found most of the class outside of her room, EVERYONE would end up in trouble. Quietly, she started to wave the girls back to where they had come from. But, a group of hard cases refused to leave. And, her friends stayed to offer her support.
Realizing that it was Miss Okibasu’s room, a large number of boys high-tailed it up the stairs, whooping and hollering all the way. This was just TOO good. Some stayed, wanting to see the fireworks if they came.
No one, Kaname least of all, was ready for what came next. When Miss Okibasu cried ‘Don’t touch me there,’ everybody froze. What was Sousuke doing? Time slowed down. It was like listening to a bad movie, without watching the screen. When Sousuke mentioned her name, Kaname snapped out of her trance. She tried to get some of the boys to go into the room, in case Miss Okibasu needed help. No one would budge. They didn’t want to get in trouble with Miss Okibasu. They had no desire to face Sousuke when he had a gun in hand.
“Mizuke, get to a phone. Call security. NOW!” Kaname was thankful Mizuke didn’t take time to argue. What have I done? Looking at her friends, she guessed they were wrestling with similar thoughts.
Gun or not, Kaname felt compelled to act. She almost stumbled when she heard her teacher yell out ‘YOU’RE SO HUGE!’ It was too late. The noises gave clear indication to what was taking place. Still, she might be able to prevent Sousuke from killing her. Seeing Sousuke’s gun, she picked it up and yelled “SOOOUUUSSSUUUKKKEEE!!!” The footsteps behind her meant she was not alone in her mission.
“Yes, Kaname?” Sousuke, clothed from the waist down, stood next to Miss Okibasu. She too was dressed. She wore a big smile as well, but her eyes narrowed and her posture became more rigid. “Is there some problem?” he continued
“Other than convincing Mr. Sagara to break down my door, that is….” Miss Okibasu had to fight to keep a straight face. Sousuke’s ‘Is there some problem’ was said in such a deadpan fashion. He was certainly something else. It almost sounded as if he dealt with things like this all the time.
“I…uh…you see…I’M SORRY!” Kaname bowed her head. She looked truly stricken---until she looked at Sousuke. The look she gave him would have curdled milk on the spot. Sousuke had tricked her. The NERVE of him!
Maya slid to a stop near Kaname, accompanied by Ryo, Kyouko, and Ren. “Uh oh!” Ryo didn’t take long to realize they’d been had. “Busted!” Maya worried more about what happened next. “I’m very sorry too. We didn’t think anyone would be in here.” Ren was weak with embarrassment. “Smile!” Kyouko couldn’t miss the opportunity to take these shots.
Miss Okibasu walked over and smelled the girls’ breath. She did not do the same to Sousuke. “I see. You girls have been drinking. Underage. Do you realize what trouble that could cause me.” She wasn’t entirely surprised. Her own school trips had not been too many years ago. Still, they needed to be taught a lesson. “Mr. Sagara, could you take your weapon from Miss Chidori. Guard the prisoners for me, will you. I need to take some aspirin.”
Sousuke saluted. “Sir, yes Sir!” He snapped to attention, looking somewhat less than regulation without his shirt. “By your command!"
“Sousuke, you are SO dead!” Kaname hissed. She walked over and kicked Sousuke hard in the leg.
“Chidori? I only called you to check on your welfare. I wanted to make sure you were safe and unharmed.” Kaname blushed, doubly so when she saw her friends smirking at her. “Why should I be faulted for my actions? I did not wish to be lied to. I had no intention to disturb our teacher. What would you have me do when I find you have been taken captive?”
“But all those crank calls…you…we…” The words sounded hollow in Kaname’s mouth. It had all just been a harmless prank. Still, with Sousuke, ‘harmless’ was a relative term. She shuddred to think what might have happened, seeing that Sousuke was armed and sounded as if he had been drinking.
“I don’t hold Sousuke at fault in the slightest…” Miss Okibasu said, walking back into the room, carrying a handful of empty trash bags. When a winded security guard hustled into the room, she paused to explain matters to him. Reassured, he hurried back to catch the remainder of his television show. “I might question a gun in his possession. I could wonder why he is running around without a shirt. But I will not chastise him for using excessive force to break open a door when he thought a life was in the balance. It’s not his fault that he caught me…that he arrived at an inopportune time. He‘s a hero, as far as I‘m concerned.”
Kaname looked at Sousuke, then at Miss Okibasu. What was that note in her voice. It almost sounded as if she viewed Sousuke as her savior. After he had burst uninvited into her room, and came close to catching her in the buff?
“Now, you girls are a different matter altogether. I’m sorely tempted to throw the book at you, calling your parents and informing the principal and superintendant of everything that has been going on. But, I am willing to overlook this episode.” She paused, glaring at each girl in turn. “There is one condition. You will visit each of the rooms that your fellow young ladies are staying in…collect ALL of the alcoholic beverages…and take them out to the dumpster? Have I made myself clear?”
Each girl nodded her head.
“Good. You may go. I now need to deal with Mr. Sagara.”
When the girls had gone, Miss Okibasu turned to Sousuke. “To be fair, I should ask you to do the same thing for all of the boys’ rooms.”
“I understand. If that is your order, Teacher, I will carry it out immediately.” Sousuke saluted.
“At ease. No need to be in such a rush. Why don’t you put the door back together, then close it. We can negotiate after that.” She smiled when Sousuke ran to complete her request. He really was clueless. So clueless it was cute. “Oh, and Mr. Sagara?”
“Yes, Teacher?”
“Would you prefer I stay like this, or go back to the way you found me?” She laughed when she saw the resultant look on Sousuke’s face.
Sousuke dropped the door heavy on his foot.
************************************************************
“Perhaps it is the beer…” Sousuke said aloud to himself, finishing up his business in the restroom. He found himself in a state of perpetual confusion and wonder. “Or the sake…the whiskey…the mao-tai…the cognac…or the shochu.”
After Kaname and the girls had left Miss Okibasu’s room, his teacher had made it a point to tell him she was not angry with him. In fact, she repeatedly said how impressed she was by his heroism. While discussing her expectations for him, regarding drinking and carousing, the older woman kept sitting closer and closer to him on the bed. He found himself wondering about her intentions, but quickly ignored such ridiculous paranoia. She was his teacher after all. Still, she seemed disappointed when he said she could leave her clothes on. And she said to save up his strength for when he was no longer in her class.
That last statement was the most confusing of all. When he had time, he would ask Kaname to explain it to him. Was Miss Okibasu thinking of taking over the PE class?
His own reactions were no less befuddling. He had found himself sweating. Parts of his anatomy had acted of their own accord. His eyes had wandered across his teacher’s body without express permission. He could easily write off the vague feelings of anticipation as the desire to commit to a promised battle that never came about. But why did Kaname’s face come to mind when he was sitting with Miss Okibasu?
Things did not become any less puzzling when he returned upstairs. Even though there had been no kidnapping or abduction, he was treated like he was a heroic figure. Where he had expected the other boys to be quite upset about his orders regarding the alcohol, they all raised a toast to him. He had won them an extra hour of drinking. Being guys, that simply meant that the same amount of booze would be put away in a shorter period of time. No empties were expected.
Better yet, not only had the drinks been saved, but the girls had suffered a tremendous defeat. Just like in cartoons or silent movies, they had lit the fuse on the powder keg, but the barrel rolled back down to where they were hiding from the explosion.
With alcohol to finish off, munchies running low, and the girls trumped, it was time to focus on gambling. Everyone rooted out all of the money they had brought with them. Somewhat short on cash, Shinji would need to wager his treasured military magazines and photographs. When those ran out, he would need to sign IOUs---there were any number of tasks the other guys might want done: having their homework done…taking candid pictures of girls…stealing snacks from the cafeteria...and so forth and so on.
“Five Card Stud, ladies,” one of the rugby guys announced, breaking the seal on a new deck of cards. “Poker, to the unitiated. God’s gift, or the Devil’s trap, depending on your point of view…and whether or not you leave with any of your money.”
“Stud?” Shinji hadn’t heard that term applied to any card game before.
“Yes,” a member of the soccer team answered. “In honor of Sousuke.” When Shinji didn’t laugh, he continued. “There’s two basic types of poker: closed, or draw poker, where the cards are hidden until the completeion of the hand; open, or stud poker has some of the cards in a player’s hand exposed during play, with all cards shown at the showdown.”
“Stud, of course, is a man’s game,” one of the debating club members asserted. “But, we’ll let Shinji play anyway!” Everyone laughed except for Shinji and Sousuke.
The rugby guy took over again. His father worked at the on-land casino at the Tokyo Dome, as well as any number of literal floating card games. He had been well versed in games of chance since he was a toddler. “The dealer deals each player one face down card, the hole card.”
“He deals from the top of the deck” someone made certain to add.
“Of course. Next, he deals each player a face up card. Then, he places the deck face down on the table in front of himself. The hole cards are the only ones which remain unknown to the opposing players. The player with the highest-ranking up card makes the opening bet. The next bettor, to his left, can say fold…stay…raise the pot…or reraise. Once finished, the dealer deals another up card to each player still in the game.”
“Before you continue, I have questions.” Sousuke may not have gambled much himself, but he had been exposed to gambling throughout his life---in camps within Afghanistan…as a member of earlier mercenary groups…and on various missions for Mithril. He was all too aware of the vagaries of human nature, especially when it came to money. “We will be able to exam the deck? And we will be be playing according to a code of ethics?”
“Yes, of course. We’re all honorable men here.”
“Good. I am glad that we have made that pledge.” Some of the boys wondered why Sousuke was being so serious. No one realized how important his words had been. “The second round of betting is begun by the player with the highest-ranking hand with the two up cards. The betting goes as before. The rounds continue the same, with the exception that a bettor can choose to call in the fourth and final round. The showdown begins when all betting is completed and the players starting with the call hand turn over their hole cards.”
It seemed simple enough. Shinji had been scribbling like a madman, taking it all down.
The rankings of the cards and hands were explained and the games began. Three groups of ten each were set-up, with the other boys waiting for a chance to get into the fray. The more experienced poker players were chatting among themselves. Unfamiliar words were bandied about, making it more than just another male-bonding ritual for the newcomers. It was a small world unto itself, filled with uncertainty and mystery.
“All right, lets see who had the Nuts!” A boy from the drama club had top hand. He raked the money towards his pile.
“Hey man, better stop playing on the tilt.” One boy admonished another, warning him that an unbalanced emotional state could result in erratic play and a loss of money.
“Yeh, I hear you. Just be sure you guys all play on your belly.” Everyone swore they wouldn’t cheat.
“That’s right, remember that your dealer is a Rounder, not some kind of sucker.” Rounders know all of the angles. “Any of you Railbirds want to join in?” Some of the spectators exchanged places with other players.
Sousuke lost money slowly. Shinji, quickly labeled as a Rabbit or weak player, was soon into IOUs. The more experienced players had the lion’s share of the money, but that was to be expected. Nonetheless, Sousuke kept his eyes wide open. While the other boys continued drinking like fishes, Sousuke cut back on his intake some.
As the time went by, Sousuke spotted a number of players who were dubious at best. They were careful, but each finally made a mistake or two. The other honest players were too clueless to notice. Obviously, the fact that the cheaters did not bring their adversaries’ misdeeds to light meant they were likely in cahoots.
“Full House!” One cheater said, reaching for the money. “Give me the Glimmer.”
“Man, you played that great! You must have Alligator’s blood.” Another cheater.
“You keep having the Brass Brazilians, dude.” A third cheater.
“Yeh, but I’m not the only one.” He mentioned the other six cheaters by name. “When you’re good, you’re good.”
“NO!” Sousuke shocked everyone by slamming an empty pitcher on the table. “What you are is a mechanic.” He accused the winner of being a cheater capable of manipulating the deck to his own benefit while dealing. “I kept an eye on you. Your motions occurred too frequently to be accidental.”
“Hey, what the Hell do you know Sagara? Sounds like the lover boy is getting too full of himself. Let’s see the proof!” The rugby guy had an excellent poker face.
Sousuke opened a number of beers and poured them into the pitcher. “You and I will play a different game first. My version of Sake Bomb. It does not use a shot of sake, however. It uses this.” Sousuke slammed one of his weaker concussion grenades onto the table, causing piles of coins to jump and rattle.
“What the f@ck. Are you CRAZY?!! I’m not playing that.” The rugby player looked frightened.
“You can’t make him play!” One of the other cheaters was quick to come to his friends defense.
“That is correct.” Sousuke put his Glock 17 on the table. It was loaded with rubber bullets, but no one but himself was aware of that fact. “If he is clever, he will volunteer.” The Grim Reaper himself would have fliched seeing the young soldier’s face. “You are a clever man, are you not?” Sousuke maned it a point to eject the clip, then ram it home with authority.
The boy agreed to play. Sousuke explained the rules. They were rather simple. Pull the pin. Drop in the grenade. Drink the beer until you catch the grenade in your mouth. Toss the grenade off the balcony.
“W-Who goes f-first?” the boy asked, quivering.
“The one without the gun.” Sosuske looked very relaxed.
“Oh…OK…I…uh…here goes.” The boy pulled the pin. Beer geysered when he dropped the grenade in the pitcher.
“You will find that there is no cheating in this game” Sousuke pontificated as he moved away from the table, signaling for the others to follow him.
“The boy almost caught the grenade in his teeth, but he buckled under pressure. He had been counting, but had no idea how many seconds he had. Resigned to taking some damage, he turned his head and held the pitcher as far away as possible. The detonation flipped him through the air, sending him bouncing across the two other gaming sites.”
“You lose. But you have regained your honor for now.” Sousuke had no illusion that his lesson would be long lasting. But, one never knows….
“Sagara…you…you’re going to take your turn, aren’t you?” One of the other cheaters was sweating.
“No. I won. He asked for no such stipulation. And, I have no additional grenades to spare. However, I will be playing another game. You will be one of the players, too.” Sousuke named all of the other cheaters as players too.
“No way, man. Why us. We all lost that hand too, right?”
“Because you are all cheaters.” Sousuke pointed at each dirty player in turn. “You dealt from the base a number of times." "He specialized in Seconds." "That boy is also a Greek dealer." "He had cards concealed in his sock." "That one had cards up his sleeve." "He also handed out the second card, keeping the top card for himself.” The fingered players all stammered their denials, but their heart was not in it. They had been caught red-handed.
“The game is called Six Bullet Draw.” Sousuke put the gun on the table. “It’s rules are simple too. There is no betting. I deal five cards to each player, including myself. Low hand gets shot.” The boys stood up, and looked as if they were ready to make a run for it. “With rubber bullets.” Everyone returned to their seats. Still they were edgy. No one wanted to face the possibility of being shot with ANY kind of bullet. “I will be in each hand regardless. Anyone else who is shot may retire from the game if he so wishes.” Sousuke motioned for each cheater to stand. He joined them.
Five cards were dealt to each player. One boy reached to turn over his cards. “Remain still!” Sousuke’s shout froze the boy. “We do not turn over the cards in this game. I decide who has the low hand.”
“But…but…that’s---”
“Cheating? Yes. Now you will all learn what it feels like to be cheated. You may thank me later if you wish.” Sousuke raised the gun.
“Please. You CAN’T!”
“Incorrect.” Sousuke shot the boy who had moved. “To save time, the same hand will be used for each round.” Five more shots rang out. The injured boys rolled about the floor, grabbing their aching shins. “If you all return your winnings, we won’t have to play again.”
Not surprising, the cheaters gave back all of their spoils. Sousuke’s status had gone up another notch in the other boys’ minds, if that were possible.
A knock came at the door. Followed by Miss Okibasu’s concerned voice.
Sousuke went to the door. “Miss Okibasu, we are about to remove the alcoholic beverages as you have required. It would be best if you remained in the hallway. The room is rather messy. I shall join you outside.” Sousuke was followed out by a roomful of hoots and whistles.
“I was worried about you, Sousuke. I heard what sounded like an explosion, followed later by firecrackers, gunshots, or something. What happened?” The teacher straightened her shoulders, knowing she had a responsibility for everyone’s safety, not just Sousuke’s. She had to keep to the high road.
“Some boys were caught cheating at cards. Appropriate actions were taken to explain the errors of their ways. At this moment, if asked, none would claim that they were in any danger.” Not if they knew what was good for them. They had all sworn to secrecy.
“I see. I trust you will continue to behave in a responsible fashion?” She knew better than to define what she meant. It was rather obvious that Sousuke’s take on ‘responsible’ differed greatly from her own.”
“I will do my best to keep everyone out of trouble.”
************************************************************
Thanks to Sousuke, Kaname knew more about the military than she ever wanted to. There was a tragic record of military incompetence extending back through history. Many of the names of the offenders were lost in time. That was her only condolence, as her name now appeared next to that of General Nogi, who in the Japanese-Russian War of 1904 tried to capture Port Arthur by “human wave” techniques, only to lose five times as many troops as his enemy.
Ren, Kyouko, Maya, and Ryo had been tarred with the same brush, as participants in the telephone charade. “It was a SNAFU” she told them. “Situation Normal, All F@cked Up.” The acronym seemed more than apt. It should have been a certain victory. The boys should have been put in their place. Sousuke should have been shown the foolishness of his head first dives into action. The girls should all be toasting victory now.
Instead, attacking without reconnaissance, the distaff had rushed forward into the teeth of the cannon and been blown asunder. The ring leaders were now on Miss Okibasu’s list, escaping true trouble by a hair’s breadth. Their followers had to deal with the ignominy of having their drinking discovered and curtailed. The boys were no doubt whooping it up at all of their expense. And Sousuke was viewed as a hero.
“Damn that Sousuke!” It wasn’t the first time she said that. Maya and Ryo eagerly joined in the chant. Kyouko simply said ‘Damn.’ Ren had done her part, reminding them all that they had tricked him.
The other girls’ reaction was not quite what Kaname had expected. She had underestimated their resilience. True, they were unhappy to have to toss out all of their drinks, but they had all quaffed more than enough---they were NOT boys, and did not have a gene that made them drink until they fell over. Most had started off being incensed, having lost face to the boys. But, one wise head pointed out that it wasn’t The Girls who had actually lost---they were only spectators. It was The Five who wore the egg on their faces. Looking at things that way, the occurrence was wonderful.
Finally, Truth Or Dare could get started in full swing. It promised to be a great session, for some. Tonight, there would be no ordered movement around the circle, making certain that every player was called on. It would be a free for all. The caller could choose anyone, even the person who called on her. There was no limit of how many times any player could be called on. There would be no observers---everyone plays.
“How will we work the choices and consequences tonight?” Ren was ever the pragmatist.
“How about the same as usual?” Kaname asked with a sense of foreboding.
The room of girls shook their heads with one big collective ‘No Way.’
“The choices will be Truth, Dare, Double Dare, and Caller’s Choice.” The largest member of the basketball team spoke up. “We all agreed on that while you five were gone. There will be no Pass. If someone balks at their question or their dare, the group will enforce a penalty.”
“W-what kind of penalty?” Kyouko’s voice squeaked with fear.
“Oh, nothing too severe” a member of the track team answered. “We could paint her face like a clown and make her wear that look at the museum. We could have her be the serving girl in the school cafeteria for the rest of the year. We could strip her entirely naked and push her into one of the boys’ rooms. Stuff like that. It’s a matter of imagination.”
A fair number of girls shivered at the sound of that last word.
“Sounds fair, if the same rules go for everyone.” Ren appeared serene.
“Ren, remember what I told you about SNAFU? The set-up is not fair. They could focus most of the questions and dare on the five of us!” Sensitized to Sousuke, Kaname always feared the worst.
“Hey, good idea Kaname!” one of Kaname’s softball teammates called out.
“Yeh!” “Sounds good to me.” “That’s big of you, Chidori.” “Great!”
Kaname shrunk under the glares from Ryo, Maya, and Kyouko. Ren just shook her head.
“This is just perfect!!!” someone shouted out. It was Mizuke. She was rubbing her hands together in anticipation.
"I have a request," Ren asked after getting everyone's attention. "Can we make it that the person who was called on had the right to call the next player? That would only be fair, if the selection process has a chance to focus heavily on a small number of girls."
Because Ren was universally respected, the group agreed. Although, for some, it might have been a matter of Ren's family and their connections. Regardless, her suggestion just made the game that much more exciting. Everyone would have to be careful. If they asked something too personal, they might find themselves on the receiving end of something worse.
"But, we should limit the number of times any one person can call on another." Ren was again seconded, and a near unanimous 'Aye' cemented that provison. The number chosen was 'five.'
The game began. Ren was given the honor of the initial call. At first, all of the questions were relatively tame. For example:
"If you had to get married tomorrow, who would you choose?"
"What was your most embarrassing dream?"
"What was the meanest rumor you ever spread about someone, and who?"
"Have you ever cheated on an exam, and when?"
"What is your most feared baby story."
"Have you ever broken the law, and which one?"
Similarly, the dares started off as reasonable, if somewhat embarrassing. They included:
Ryo had to tuck a short blanket in her shirt like a cape and run through the lobby telling every person she saw that she was a superhero.
Kaname had to walk into the lounge, go to the karaoke machine, pull up her shirt, and wish everybody 'Happy Belly Button Appreciation Day'.
Ren had to call up a Chinese restaurant, place an order, then ask for it to come with 'Extra Cat.'
Kyouko had to show everybody ALL of the pictures on her camera. Kaname groused that it was more like a dare for HER.
Maya had to take a shower with all of her clothes on.
When it was Mizuke's turn, she stood up and walked over to Kaname and tapped her on the shoulder. "I chose YOU. Are you going to hide behind 'Dare' again? Is our big bright beautiful class representative too scared to play 'Truth' with us less fortunate girls?"
"Truth." Kaname was not about to back down from a challenge, least of all from Mizuke.
The electicity in the room was a near palpable thing. Everyone held their breath, waiting to see just what Mizuke would ask.
"Kaname, have you ever dreamed or fantasized about having Sousuke see you naked?" All heads zeroed in on Kaname's face as she prepared to answer. Kyouko had her camera ready.
"Yes." Kaname was proud that she spoke in a smooth even voice. She couldn't help but blush when the room dissolved into a rabble of ecstatic girls. She realized that the person she least wanted to reveal that Truth to was herself.
Mizuke preened like she was the Queen of the ball. She was little prepared for Kaname's return salvo.
"Mizuke, I choose you." The look on Kaname's face was deceptably pleasant. "Are you brave enough to choose Truth too? Or will you admit you're not as brave as me?"
"I can do Truth, if you can!" Mizuke stood ramrod stiff, her chin thrust out.
"OK. Mizuke, did you and Shirai ever have.........sex."
At first, you could have heard a pin drop. Then, the room exploded with noise before the question was even answered. Mizuke had upped the ante. Kaname had met that raise and upped it, calling Mizuke.
Mizuke stood completely still, as if she had been dipped in liquid nitrogen. Her mouth moved, but no sound came out. She began to shake.
"Well? We agreed on a three minute time limit for answers." Kaname was still angry at Mizuke's question, but was beginning to feel dirty about her own.
"I don't want to answer. I don't want to talk about Shirai." Mizuke was close to tears.
"OK" the girl who had been elected umpire said, "It looks like we have to work out our first punishment. Anybody have a good idea?"
The group deliberated. Someone remembered mention of Sousuke kissing Mizuke. Another girl suggested that Mizuke should have to go upstairs and return the favor.
Despite her struggling and pleas, Mizuke was forced up the stairs by the rambunctious flock of girls. Kaname, as the caller for that round, was given the task of getting things done. When she tried to stand up for Mizuke, she was told by the umpire that she would take Mizuke's place if things didn't turn out right.
Kaname knocked on the door. When Kaname asked to see Sousuke, the boys room became even more frenzied than it already was. It was like stirring up an ants nest with a stick.
Everybody listened as Sousuke, holding a hand of cards, walked shirtless to the door.
“Oh. He must work out!” One girl called out.
“Yeh! Kaname, you come upstairs to be his exercise of the night?” The boy’s question had predictable results.
“No, I’m here on Mizuke’s behalf.” Kaname bit her tongue. She could have explained things better.
“Kaname?” Sousuke had no idea what she was talking about.
“Kaname said she wanted you to see her naked!” Mizuke, feeling like a cornered beast, struck out with the only weapon she had.
“Mizuke! We are hear because YOU wouldn’t answer YOUR truth.” Kaname quickly added, before Sousuke had time to give much attention to Mizuke’s statement. “Don’t try to put the attention on someone else.”
“Sagara, you machine!” “Two more to choose from?” “Lucky dog!” “WooWooWooWoo Woo!!!”
“Chidori, please explain.” Sousuke did not wish for things to get too far out of hand. He had made a pledge to Miss Okibasu.
Kaname did as she was requested. Sousuke walked into the hallway and closed the door, much to the disappointment of the boys. When someone jerked the door open, Sousuke took his combat knife out of its calf-sheath. The door quickly closed.
“This should not be a spectacle.” Sousuke might be mostly clueless when it came to women, but he was wise enough to know how Mizuke might be feeling. “We should respect Mizuke’s feelings. What has she done to deserve such treatment?”
Misuke looked shocked. Then her eyes filled with tears and she looked at Sousuke with growing gratitude. Kaname was just as shocked. It was as if she had seen Sousuke for the first time. She never realized that he could be so noble.
“I shall allow Mizuke to kiss me, as I have a choice in this matter. I shall NOT allow all of you to watch. You may return to your rooms now.” Sousuke purposefully stuck the knife into a portion of the wall that was still unfinished. “As class representative, Chidori shall remain as your witness.”
Kaname almost keeled over. She started to feel strangely anxious inside. It wasn’t jealousy, was it?
“Hey, no way! Kaname will probably let her off the hook and lie to the rest of us!” The umpire took her job seriously.
“No, she will not. It would prove pointless, as I do not lie.” Sousuke was oblivious to the doe-eyed look that a number of girls gave him at that remark. “I am sorry. I do not recognize you. What is your name?”
“Yumi.”
With his knife, Sousuke carved a Y into an exposed 2x6, followed by a U, an M, and a I. “Yumi, do you challenge my proviso?” He rammed the knife in the center of the engraved YUMI.
“No. Of course not. I trust you. I trust them too.” Yumi hurried to the stairway, followed by an anxious mass of girls.
“Thank you…” Sousuke said to the running umpire. “Mizuke, I am now prepared.” Sousuke made it sound as if he were ready for an innoculation or a filling. Kaname sighed with relief, then caught herself. Why should she care what Sousuke did?
Mizuke shocked the three of them, herself included. She wrapped her arms around Sousuke’s neck and gave him a long kiss on the lips. Finished, she stuck her tongue out at Kaname. “Thank you,” she said, squeezing Sousuke’s hand briefly, before running after the other girls.
“Well Sousuke, did you enjoy that?” Kaname asked crossly.
“It was not entirely unpleasant.” Sousuke answered.
“Hmmppfff! Not that is matters any way.” Kaname turned her back on him and headed back to her room. She was happy that this incident was behind her now.
“Chidori. When you have time later, perhaps you will explain to me what Miss Inaba meant about you wanting me to see you naked.”
Kaname almost tripped over her own feet.
************************************************************
The room was abuzz when Mizuke and Kaname walked back in. Everyone wanted to know about The Kiss. Mizuke just smiled and kept quiet. The girls kept wanting to talk about Sousuke. Kaname fumed.
When Truth Or Dare resumed, the game did not take the tact that Kaname feared. The questions did not get bolder and bolder. It did not become a Kanamefest. Everyone started off cautious and tentative, wary about the Truths that were asked before.
There was a lot of laughter. The girls began bonding, rather than pursuing a course of one-upsmanship. There were plenty of secrets and minor embarrassments to go around. Kaname finally felt the tension ebb away. She hadn’t been called on for a while. Sousuke seemed like yesterday’s news. For a while.
An explosion in the room above caused everyone to dive for shelter or cover their heads with pillows. Not to much later, a number of Bangs followed, sounding like gunshots.
“What’s going on up there?” One girl asked, laying under a table. “What are the boys DOING???”
Kaname looked at Kyouko. Maya looked at Ren. Ryo, Ren, and Kyouko looked at Kaname. They all answered “SOUSUKE!” at the same time.
“Do you think he’s hurt?” Mizuke asked, taking a pillow off of her head. “Should someone go and check on him?”
“He’ll be just fine,” Kaname answered. “It’s EVERYONE ELSE that you need to worry about!”
“Misuke probably just wants to go upstairs for another kiss.” Ryo gave Misuke a playful nudge.
That question, in addition to Sousuke’s rather loud gamesmanship, sent the game down a totally new path. Mizuke was called on. She was asked what she thought about the kiss she gave Sousuke.
“It was nice. Very nice.” She smiled, but admitted that she wasn’t interested in Sousuke. “Yet,” she said, winking at Kaname. Everybody applauded. Mizuke welcomed the positive attention.
“Oh, I wish it was me!” One girl blurted out her thoughts without thinking. Blushing up a storm, she had to weather her friends’ good natured razzing.
Kaname started to feel on edge again. Sure enough, one girl called on her. She was faced with a difficult decision. What stood to cause her more grief, a question about Sousuke, or a Dare that might have her headed upstairs. She chose ‘Truth.’
“OK. When Mizuke kissed Sousuke, what did you feel?” Girls stopped their side conversations to listen to Kaname’s answer.
“I felt…well…funny.” Kaname didn’t know exactly what to say.
“Funny? C’mon Chidori, you’re NEVER at a loss for words. You can do better than ‘funny.’ Right?” One of the girls from the gymnastics team was not about to let her off the hook that easy.
“I…uh…” Kaname scowled. That was a Sousukesque reply.
“Were you jealous?”
“I think…I…”
“WELL!!!”
“I think…maybe…”
“Did you wish it was you kissing him?”
The girls were ruthless. Finally, Kaname admitted that she wasn’t certain, but wouldn’t be surprised if she were jealous. She also said that she hadn’t been thinking about kissing Sousuke herself at the time. ‘At the time’ prompted another series of questions.
Finally, the umpire got the game back on track. A lot of girls seemed eager to call on Kaname, but Kaname quenched their ardor by taking a series of Dares. One had her promise that she would give Sousuke a long hug the next time she saw him, and tell him honestly how she felt about him. It hjad to be the exact moment she caught sight of him.
Before everyone tired of Truth Or Dare, things became rather risqué for a while, when the girls from the Drama Club had their turns. Kyouko had to pose as sexily as she could, standing on top of a table in just her panties and bra, while the other girls took snapshots of her for a change. Ryo had to call Shinji and tell him she really was topless, waiting for him to visit her. Ren stayed away from Dares at all costs. The umpire ruled that Maya did not have to call the front desk and ask to have flowers and a box of condoms delivered to Miss Okibasu’s room.
When Kaname was called on again, she chose ‘Double Dare.’ She was given two Dares to choose from. If she accepted the first one, she would would have to walk through the lobby and the lounge in a white T-Shirt with ANYONE WANT SOME SEX? drawn on it with an indelible marker. The other Dare would have her go out on the balcony and take her shirt and bra off, then howl at the full moon like a wolf.
“Wonderful. Remind me to call on you next” Kaname said, faced with two nasty Dares. “I’ll do the second one.” It was a simple choice. Despite the full moon, it was very dark out. And, with all the trees around, she doubted that anyone could see the balcony, even if someone were looking,
The girls all clapped in rhythm as Kaname took off her clothes. As she slid open the door, the chill air sent a thrill all the way down to her toes. Stepping out on the large balcony, she raised her arms up. “ARROOOOOOOOOOOO!!!” Her cry echoed across the quiet grounds. About to head back inside, she realized she was NOT alone.
Someone had set up a makeshift tent on the balcony. A rope led to the room above. A shadowy figure seemed to be standing in the nearest corner. “Is somebody there?” She quickly folded her arms against her chest and started backing towards the room. The mass of onlookers blocker her retreat.
“Yes, Kaname.” It was Sousuke. During a lull in the Guys’ Night festivities, he rappelled down to set up his guard post for the night. He had not thought his presence would be detected.
“S-S-SOUSUKE???” Kaname was shocked. This was worse than it would have been if the shadow were a complete stranger.
“Remember that earlier Dare, Chidori!” Some helpful soul reminded Kaname of her pledge to embrace Sousuke.
Kaname was well and truly caught. But, she would at least salvage some dignity and try not to leave Sousuke with the wrong impression. “I’m only doing this because of a Dare, Sousuke. DON’T YOU EVER FORGET IT.” Thankful that it was dark, she walked over to Sousuke and wrapped her arms around him. She whispered in his ear “I might like you Sousuke.” She turned tohead back into the room, ready to hide herself in a closet for the rest of the trip.
It was dark on the balcony because no one had ever turned on its outside light. One mischievous young lady took care of that. Sousuke blinked, the light in his eyes. “Kaname. I do not understand. Mizuke said that you wanted me to see you naked…but, you still have pants on….”
“W-W-WHAT?!!!” Kaname rushed back out and pushed Sousuke over the balcony.
************************************************************
End of part 6
Pick the latter you fool!!! Hahahahah!!
