[Mushball Universe, Dark!Shinkengers plot]

[interpolate]

After my up-close-and-personal encounter with Messiah's lieutenant, I found myself waking up in a world of pain, back at base, and sure of exactly one thing: I have to save him.

I let Takosawa mother-hen at me for three days, which is three whole days more than I want to put up with that kind of behavior, and is about six months less than Takosawa bargained for. It'll be a while before the octopus in question forgives me for undermining his authority by going directly to the commander and requesting to be placed back on active duty as soon as possible, which, considering there's only four of us equipped to do this job, is basically guaranteed as soon as I'm capable of standing.

Of course, I'm still not combat ready, what with this limp, and the semi-frequent headaches, and the still healing bruises. But I'm well enough to return to deep cover at the High School, which is precisely what I want anyway.

Comments

[interpolate]

"Nor did I." I point out with a little smile. And it's true, I think we're equally at fault. Equally distracted. I wonder what has him looking so haunted. I want so badly to protect this school, and all of its students.

I bow once I'm standing again, then offer him my hand properly. "Kurosawa Etienne. A pleasure to meet you."

[surprisingwolf]

Mixed French-Japanese. That explains things. I give him a tenative smile back and look at the hand for a moment before I remember that I'm supposed to shake it. I grip his hand weakly, because I feel so shaky.

"A pleasure to meet you too. I'd ask if you were new, but I wouldn't have noticed anyway."

At least he isn't turning into that man.

[interpolate]

"I am, as luck would have it." I admit with a little duck of my head. His hand feels shaky in mine, but I suppose I could just be projecting. A headache is threatening just behind my eyes, but I shrug it off. "Not that I'm particularly noticeable." I hope. I'm not supposed to be, after all.

[surprisingwolf]

"Are you all right?" I ask in concern as he seems to wince just a little bit. He doesn't look that great.

To transfer here... he must have some awful luck. I know that my parents think I should stay here.

[interpolate]

"I'll be fine." That he's worried about me, a complete stranger, just makes me all the more determined to do everything in my power to save this school. "I've definitely dealt with worse."

I duck my head before I start in on the next. "And you?"

[surprisingwolf]

"I'm fine." I smile at him. Mio has told me that I don't look that great myself. "I've managed to miss almost all the attacks. Worst thing that's happened to me is almost getting electrocuted a few days ago and having to go to the hospital." It's a great chance to practice my cover story, which explains how shaky I am. "I'm pretty lucky." Not.

[interpolate]

"That's good," I start, but then I pause, and suck in a little gasp between my teeth. "Electrocuted?" I echo faintly. That doesn't seem particularly like an accident. There haven't been any storms or downed power lines that I'm aware of. And a shock of that magnitude...

I wonder, is Vaglass responsible?

Most likely. "I'm very sorry to hear that."

[surprisingwolf]

"It was my fault." I shake my head. "I'm a bit shaky, because it was only about three days ago, but I'll be all right." I smile at him. I'm in the engineering club."

I look at him. I should be going, but.... "Are you sure you're all right?"

[interpolate]

"Still." Three days ago. Three days ago, indeed. I'm quite sure he's lying, now. Or at least, covering. Much like I am. An accident in the engineering club, a traffic accident. Messiah and Vaglass, three days ago.

"No one wants to be in the hospital." I wouldn't really know, having never been. EMC covers all of my necessary health concerns.

"I'll be fine." I insist with what I hope is a most winning smile. "I suppose neither of us is lucky this week."

[surprisingwolf]

"Being in the hospital is nothing I want to repeat." It had not been fun, because I'd been given several drugs by the man before I'd woken up on his table, and the doctors couldn't figure out what they were. "But I'll recover. Eventually."

I check to make sure the man isn't there as covertly as I can. "Neither of us is."

[interpolate]

"I wish you the best of luck." I say seriously, reaching out to grip his shoulder in what I hope is an encouraging manner. I know it's a bit forward of me, again, some habits are hard to break, even after thirteen years, I still think Japanese people are generally too stiff and uncomfortable with simple physical endearment and support.

"Here's to hoping our fortunes reverse."

[surprisingwolf]

I'm surprised when he reaches out, and tremble a little, but I can't say anything. It would be uncomfortable even before this happened, but now, after.... "Yes."

And the man didn't even touch me.

"It was a pleasure to meet you, Kurosawa-san." I should get to my classes. My classes should be safe. There are people in my classes. I bow at him.

[interpolate]

I notice the tremble and immediately pull my hand back, take a half-stumbled step backwards and bow deeply, my hands on my knees. Stupid, Etienne, why are you so stupid? "I'm very sorry." I look up and try to smile, but guilt brings it out as more of a grimace. "Sometimes my foreign heritage gets the better of me."

I take a shaky breath and bow deeply again. My leg twinges but I deal with it. I deserve it.

I will most definitely protect this school, if it's the last thing I do. "And you as well, Fudou-san."

[surprisingwolf]

"No." I want him to make sure it's not his fault and that he doesn't fall over, just as others made sure I didn't fall over... after. "I'm still recovering from the accident." He's half-French. It's not something that bothers me, after a second thought. I give him a half-smile.

Not wanting to make him more uncomfortable, I excuse myself and head in the direction of my class.