[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

[red_pleather]

"Sakurada Hiromu," I say promptly. We have code family names. I probably should've used mine. "All right. Good luck."

No self control I have.

[surprisingwolf]

I nod and turn to go to classes.

Unfortunately, I'm still not doing too well as I smack into a wall. Maybe I should find a bench until Mio can find me.

self control is for the weak :D

[red_pleather]

I yelp when he bashes into a wall, but a girl appears out of nowhere, scolding him worriedly. "Leo-kun! Sit down before you fall down! What are you even doing back here today?"

[surprisingwolf]

I jump and stagger as Kaoru-san appears, glaring at me, anger in her tone. "Going to school?" I ask weakly.

There aren't any benches, so I balance against the wall and wonder if this was a good idea.

[closingcreditsaremine]

I nod at Hiromu-kun, who awkwardly says goodbye and runs to catch Gentarou.

"You don't look like you should be here," I say worriedly to Leo-kun, with a steadying hand on his shoulder.

[surprisingwolf]

"I was cleared." By whom, I'm not sure, but my parents sent me back here anyway. Mom made my lunch and gave me an encouraging smile.

I'm wondering if this was a good idea as Kaoru-san steadies me. I thought I'd be all right too. Especially since the figure tried to electrocute me, not beat me up

[closingcreditsaremine]

"Yes, but..."

I sigh, resolving to train harder. "I worry about you, Leo-kun."

[surprisingwolf]

I give her a smile that's probably as shaky as I feel. Maybe I shouldn't be here. I wish Sigma was, but he had a big argument with our parents yesterday and disappeared this morning.

"I wanted to come back, before I was too afraid."

[closingcreditsaremine]

"...oh."

That makes far too much sense. I fit myself against his side, partly to give comfort, partly seeking it. He feels too shaky but at least he feels real. Solid.

[surprisingwolf]

It's very odd to have Kaoru-san leaning into me. I think she did when I was going to hospital, but I can't help stiffening a little. It's not her fault, though.

Why am I having so much trouble with people touching me? He, that man, never did touch me, at least while I was conscious. Maybe he did something while I was out besides putting a sensor on me.

Do I want to know what he knows about me now?

"I'll be able to defend myself a little better, though," I say softly to Kaoru-san, pulling my sleeve up a little to display the green bracelet. It's clunky and ugly, but I don't mind that if it saves me.

[closingcreditsaremine]

He's tense.

Maybe I'd better step back. I don't go very far, though. Still need to help him if he falls over. "What does that do?" I ask quietly.

[surprisingwolf]

Kaoru steps away. I want to apologize, but it's not my fault. I lean more into the wall instead. "I need a focus to be able to use my... power. Wood. So mom gave me this because it's wearable."

[closingcreditsaremine]

I nod. "I don't understand how that works, so I shall be annoying you with endless questions," I say, smiling wistfully. "When you look less likely to fall over in a stiff wind, at least. I hope that's okay."

[surprisingwolf]

"I'm only starting to understand it myself." I give her a bashful smile. "And I'm told I'll feel better. I go back to the doctor in a day or two."

Maybe if I use the wall, I can get to classes. Or maybe I'll use Mio. She's finally shown up, and is telling me with her hands that I look awful and she doesn't care what that mage said, I should be in bed.

I lean against the wall, signing greetings to her as she joins us, and tell her that I was told I was cleared.

Mio is writing a note to Kaoru-san. I can read it as she hands it over. It tells Kaoru-san I wasn't cleared.

I sag against the wall. Thank you very much, Mio.

[closingcreditsaremine]

I thank Mio, read the note, and tchh. "He really needs to be looked after properly," I say to her, shy around her still because I don't know her very well. But I think we could be allies.

I swallow. Side question before I go back to worrying about Leo-kun. "Mio? If it's not really rude of me to even ask... would it be possible for you to teach me how to sign sometime? Even just simple things?"

[surprisingwolf]

"Of course," Mio signs, and then writes. "It would be nice to talk to someone who makes sense sometimes!"

There's a pause. "It isn't his fault. I think he thought he was okay."

[closingcreditsaremine]

I laugh at that. I've been shy with them partly because they seem like such a unit, such a strong, close family. Mio, Sigma and Leo-kun. Mio and Leo-kun -- why do I still append an honorific to his name? -- seemed the easiest to talk to, but I hesitated to really try to get to know them until Gentarou approached me.

I smile at her. "Thank you. And yes, I suppose I'll forgive him for it this time," I say with mock indignation but very genuine worry.

[surprisingwolf]

I'm blushing. But some part of me is feeling better, and I wonder if it's the nexus or just having pople here for me. Mio is smiling like she's found her new best friend. I'm doomed.

"I am cleared," I mutter.

[closingcreditsaremine]

"Okay," I say placatingly. He looks really fragile, and I don't want to push too much. It's not his fault he was hurt, after all.

I need to become stronger so I can help protect him.

I bite my lip, looking at Mio. I'm not sure now if we need to call for more help -- maybe Sigma, even if he doesn't like me? -- or if we should let Leo go ahead into class. I don't want to baby him, but then again it's not babying if someone genuinely needs help.

[surprisingwolf]

"His parents want him here," Mio writes to Kaoru-san. "It's complicated. He can explain everything later. If we can get him through the day, I think he'll be better, though."

I'm suddenly glad that Sigma doesn't like Kaoru-san. I'd hate to think of what he and Mio would do if they got together and planned to matchmake me with Kaoru-san. There are advantages to being a twin.

[closingcreditsaremine]

"Understood," I say cheerfully, because at least I have something to do, now, a course of action to take, and I don't want to upset Leo-kun too much further with my worry. "Leo-kun, what class do you have first?"

[surprisingwolf]

"Maths," I say automatically. "I'm in class 2-D."

Sometimes I wish this school was a bit more normal and I could just stay in one chair for the day. But it's not. At least I'm excused from physical exercise. I'm not that well.

"Am I going to be a guest in library club, then?" I tease Mio, but out loud so Kaoru-san can hear. It's strange to have her form a trio with us instead of having Sigma here, but I'm sure he'll calm down soon.

[closingcreditsaremine]

"Okay, I can meet you afterwards?" I ask with my eyebrows raised. "I'm next door."

...he and Mio-chan are so cute together.

[surprisingwolf]

"Um. Yes." I know this is my chance to get to know Kaoru-san better. I just wish it wasn't because I got tortured. "The teachers probably know that something happened to me, too." Maybe not why I was tortured, but that I was injured in a monster attack.

Mio replies to me, smiling. "Of course you are! Ask Kaoru-san if she'd like to join us. There's so much the three of us could talk about. Does she have any interest in family records?"

I laugh as I convey Mio's words to Kaoru-san, mentally translating from the grammar of sign to regular Japanese.

Jou's aware and wants to check in with him at some point

[closingcreditsaremine]

I frown at Leo-kun's words. "I suppose so many kids have been involved in attacks. Fourze's here, and Meteor, and I've seen some other people in suits too, but is it really enough?"

I nod eagerly. "I do, but no one else in my family is. I'd love to hear about yours!"