Chapter 84: Chapter 84: Back to the Mall
After Gram and Kono concluded their conversation with Aimi, the following day arrived, and they returned to Hana and the others at her house in the morning. Zodiac, Ohma, Daru, and Akira were in the living room when Hana entered with a concerned expression.
Hana: Ummm, guys?
Himitsu: Yeah, what’s up?
Hana: Do you remember seeing a hole in my wall?
Daru: No, why?
Hana: I find that strange.
Ohma: Maybe you forgot about it.
Hana: No, I know that hole was never there before.
Akira: Who cares about a little hole? Are we going to school or not?
Hana: Y-yes, I should be ready to go. Oh, and since it’s Friday, we won’t have school tomorrow or the day after; those are our off days.
Himitsu: Wait, really?
Daru: How are we going to investigate if school is closed?
Hana: We’ll just have to wait until next Monday to continue.
Zodiac: (shaking his head) Oh great...
Ohma: Why are you complaining?
Zodiac: Because I want to get this over with.
Daru: Same here.
Hana: I’m sure we’ll find out who’s behind this sooner or later. Well, let’s get going!
Hana and the others prepare and head outside, walking to school. As they stroll down the street, they notice a group of students ahead of them playing rap music from a speaker.
Student Boy 1: "I got the money and I got the fame, counting my checks like there’s no one to blame."
Student Boy 2: Man, this beat is fire!
Akira becomes annoyed because she does not like the music.
Akira: What the hell is that!?
Hana: Oh, it’s rap music they’re playing.
Daru: Whatever it is, it sounds terrible.
Himitsu: What? I think it sounds pretty good.
Zodiac: Himitsu, just shut up. If you think that sounds good, you need to fix your ears.
Himitsu falls silent, feeling somewhat upset.
Akira: If they don’t stop playing that garbage, I’m going to stop it myself!
Hana: (waving her hands) Whoa, hold on! Let’s not cause any more trouble.
Student Boy 3: Yo, crank that up!
Student Boy 1: Say less!
The student increases the speaker’s volume to maximum, irritating Akira and everyone around them.
Himitsu: (holding his ears) Okay, that sounds pretty bad.
Zodiac: If they don’t shut that off, I’m going to—
Akira: That’s it!
Akira briskly approaches the students, takes the speaker from the boy’s hands, and forcefully slams it to the ground, shattering it.
Student Boy 1: Hey, what the hell! Do you have a death wish!?
Akira: Do you have a death wish!? Your awful music was hurting my ears!
Student Boy 2: So? If it was hurting your ears, that’s your problem!
The student picks up his broken speaker, his anger escalating.
Student Boy 1: You asshole! Now you’re going to pay for a new one!
Akira: I’m not paying for anything!
Akira turns to walk away.
Student Boy 1: Hey! Get back here!
The student grabs Akira’s shoulder, but she swiftly seizes his wrist, lifting him off the ground before slamming him back down. The other two boys stand in shock.
Hana: (worried) Oh no!
Daru: (yelling) Akira! Don’t you dare!
Akira maintains her grip on the boy’s wrist, refusing to release him.
Student Boy 1: Owwww! Okay, okay, I’ll stop!
Akira releases his wrist and locks eyes with him.
Akira: Now leave before I do something worse.
The student scrambles to his feet and runs away, followed by the others.
Himitsu: Man, I thought you were going to kill him.
Akira: If this wasn’t a mission, I wouldn’t have a problem doing it.
Daru: (annoyed) You guys with this killing talk are driving me insane.
They arrive at school, heading to their homeroom classes and settling in. The scene shifts to Himitsu and Hana in their science class as the bell rings.
Mr. Kyto: Alright class, make sure you finish your homework by next week. You are dismissed.
Himitsu: (exhausted) This class is way too hard for me.
Hana: Really? We haven’t even started the difficult stuff yet.
Himitsu: Aww man! If I were a real student, I would definitely fail.
Himitsu rises from his desk, gathering his belongings.
Himitsu: Well, I’ll see you at lunch, Hana.
Hana: Yeah! See you later!
As Hana is about to leave, Mr. Kyto calls out to her.
Mr. Kyto: Miss Hana.
Hana: (turns around) Yes, Mr. Kyto?
Mr. Kyto: Could you come here for a moment?
Hana approaches his desk as the other students exit the classroom.
Hana: Is something wrong?
Mr. Kyto: (smiling) Oh, not at all! I just wanted to commend you on your outstanding performance on your last assignment. A perfect score is quite impressive.
Hana: Oh, thank you! It was pretty easy, so I didn’t struggle much.
Mr. Kyto: That’s the thing. Some students are struggling with fundamental questions they should have mastered in elementary school. However, you, Hana, demonstrate exceptional intelligence.
Mr. Kyto placed his hand over hers, rubbing his finger up and down. Hana began to feel uncomfortable.
Hana: T-thanks...
As Himitsu was leaving the classroom, he realized he had forgotten something.
Himitsu: Oh no! I forgot to give Hana her pencil back!
Himitsu turned around and rushed back to the science room. Upon hearing the door open, Mr. Kyto quickly withdrew his hand from Hana.
Himitsu: Hana! I forgot your pencil!
Himitsu handed Hana her pencil, which she accepted.
Hana: Oh, thank you, Himitsu. But you could have kept it; I have extras.
Himitsu: No, it’s yours, after all.
Hana: Alright then.
Mr. Kyto: You two better get to your next class. You only have a few minutes before you’re late.
Hana: Right!
Hana and Himitsu exited the room while Mr. Kyto continued to smile. As the second class was about to begin, Akira was in the gym with the other students, dressed in her gym attire.
Mr. Ben: Alright, students! Since it’s Friday, we’re going to play a fun game of dodgeball.
Akira: (Confused) Dodgeball?
Student Boy 1: Let’s go!
Student Boy 2: I’m going to beat all of you!
Student Girl 3: Oh no, you’re not!
???: Yeah, that’s not happening.
They all turned to see who had spoken, surprised.
Student Boy 4: Dexter?
Dexter: Nobody can beat me.
Akira: What the hell?
Student Girl 5: (Speaking to Akira) Dexter is one of the best dodgeball players at this school. He has never lost a game.
Akira: Hmph. That doesn’t matter to me. I’ll make sure he loses.
Subsequently, Mr. Ben divided the students into teams, positioning them on opposite sides of the gym. Akira noticed Dexter across the way, and they exchanged glances.
Mr. Ben: The game is simple. When I say go, you rush to grab the balls and throw them at your opponents to eliminate them. If you catch a ball, the thrower is out instead of you. The team with no players remaining loses, and the other team is declared the winner. Now, on your mark, get set, go!
All the students rushed to grab the dodgeballs and began throwing them at one another. Akira remained still, uncertain of what to do. As students were eliminated, a dodgeball flew toward her, and she caught it with one hand, taking out another player.
Mr. Ben: You’re out!
Student Boy 6: Damn it!
Akira: Nice try.
A few seconds later, Akira observed Dexter surrounded by three students, all hurling their balls at him. In a remarkable display, he executed a backflip, effortlessly dodging their throws. After landing, Dexter picked up a dodgeball and threw a fast curveball at one of the students, hitting him squarely in the face.
Mr. Ben: You are out!
As time passed, more students were eliminated, leaving only Akira and Dexter.
Mr. Ben: It’s now Akira versus Dexter! Who will come out on top?
Student Girl 7: You’ve got this, Akira!
Student Boy 1: Win it for us!
Akira: Shut up!
Dexter: Sorry, but you’re losing this.
Dexter picked up another dodgeball and threw a curveball at Akira. As it approached, she tilted her head to the left, dodging it effortlessly.
Dexter: Oh, so you think you’re good?
Akira shook her head.
Akira: You have no idea who I really am.
Akira picked up a dodgeball and assumed a throwing stance, concentrating her energy into the throw. As she released the ball, it flew toward Dexter at lightning speed. He couldn’t react in time, and it struck him in the stomach, sending him sprawling across the floor. Everyone, including the teacher, was taken aback.
Mr. Ben: L-looks like Akira has won!
Her teammates erupted in cheers, chanting her name.
Teammates: Akira! Akira! Akira!
Akira: (rolling her eyes) Just kill me already...
The scene shifts back to Aimi and the others, where Gram paces back and forth, hand on his chin.
Kono: Gram, can you stop pacing and tell us what you’re thinking?
Aimi: Yeah, it’s strange seeing you actually think.
Gram stops walking.
Gram: Hey, that’s rude! I just find it odd that when your mom passed away, your dad went missing a few weeks later.
Aimi: Okay, so what about it, Gram? It’s annoying that you keep bringing them up. Do you think my parents were bad people?
Gram: Well...
Aimi’s expression shifts as she becomes upset.
Aimi: My dad and mom weren’t bad people!
Gram: Okay, okay, I’m sorry. You just never know.
Kono: Sorry about that, Aimi. He didn’t mean it. He feels left out because he can’t help the others on Earth.
Aimi: Left out! I wish I could help, but I can’t because I have powers, and no one with powers can go to that stupid school. I just wish I could be in my mom’s class just once.
Gram: That sounds—wait, what did you say?
Aimi: Huh? Say what?
Gram: Y-you mentioned something about being in your mom’s class!
Aimi: Yeah, in my mom’s class.
Kono: Are you implying that your mother was a teacher?
Aimi: Yes, my mother was an English teacher.
Gram: Your mom taught at that school!
Aimi: Yes, you big idiot, that’s what I just said.
Gram: Okay, jeez! So how long was your mom a teacher for?
Aimi: I think it was one year. It was during my dad’s first year of opening the mall.
Kono: Year of opening?
Aimi: Oh my gosh, you guys are so slow. My dad’s mall!
Kono: You’re not talking about that mall we got you from, are you?
Aimi: Yes, that mall was opened by my father.
Gram: Aimi, do you have keys to the mall?
Aimi: Yes, of course! Wait, why?
Gram smiles.
Kono: Oh, I hate when he does that.
Aimi: What?
Kono: That smile means he’s going to do something stupid.
Gram: We’re going to break into the mall again.
Aimi: Sweet!
Kono: I knew it would be something stupid.
Gram: Let’s go!
Aimi: I think you’re forgetting something.
Gram: What?
Aimi: You idiot! I’m on house arrest!
Gram: Oh yeah! Ko—
Kono: Yeah, yeah, I’m on it.
Kono pulls out a gun and points it at Aimi’s leg where the device is, causing Aimi to feel anxious.
Aimi: Whoa! What are you doing!?
Kono: Just hold still.
Aimi: No, I don’t want to lose my leg!
Kono shoots the gun at the device, which deactivates and falls off her leg.
Aimi: Oh...
Kono: Okay, we’re good.
Gram: Alright, let’s go!
They sneak past the guards and head to the ship, flying down to Earth. Ten minutes later, they arrive outside the abandoned mall.
Gram: This place still gives me the creeps.
Aimi: Scaredy cat.
Gram: I am not!
Kono: Yeah, you are, Gram.
Kono and Aimi walk toward the front doors as Aimi unlocks them with her keys. They all walk inside, finding the interior of the mall dark and gloomy, as it is messy.
Gram: (Entering) I am not a scaredy cat!
Suddenly, Gram spots a spider in the corner, jumps, and runs back outside. They proceed to the main office of the store upstairs, where Aimi is seated in her father’s chair, enjoying chocolate.
Gram: Eww, you know how old that probably is?
Aimi: Yeah, it’s probably old, but it still tastes good.
Gram: Gross.
Kono: Gram, what are we looking for?
Gram: Uhh... really anything, I guess.
Kono: Wait. We came all the way down here, and you don’t know what we’re looking for?
Gram: Yeah, I’m kinda just winging it.
Aimi: (Laughs) I can see that Gram’s not the brains of the crew.
Kono: Definitely not.
As Gram and Kono search, they find nothing.
Gram: Have you found anything yet?
Kono: Nope, nothing yet.
Gram: There’s gotta be something.
Aimi: Dad, where did you go?
Aimi opens her father’s drawer and finds pictures of her family from their younger years.
Aimi: I love this picture!
Gram and Kono walk over to see what she is examining.
Kono: So that’s what your mom and dad looked like.
Gram: Your mom’s hot.
Kono and Aimi look at Gram with puzzled expressions.
Gram: What? She is.
Aimi: That’s my mother, you know.
Kono: Don’t mind him.
Gram looks in the drawer and discovers another picture; it depicts Aimi’s parents with the principal of the school.
Gram: Who is the man beside your father?
Aimi: Oh, that’s Mr. Fugen; he is the principal of Kenosaki High School.
Gram: Wait, he’s the principal of the school?
Aimi: Yes, I met him only once, and that was when Hana started her first day.
Kono:
Aimi, can I ask you a question?Aimi: Yeah, what’s up?
Kono: Why are no creatures allowed in the school?
Aimi: Oh, well, four years ago, there was a student who was a Skell.
Kono: A Skell?
Aimi: Yeah, they have three eyes and weird-looking hands.
As they converse, Gram wanders around the mall hallway outside the office.
Aimi: He started attending the school when my sister did, but he was bullied by the other kids and ended up causing a lot of problems. The thing is, he didn’t cause the problems; the bullies framed him, did bad things, and blamed them on him.
Kono: That’s so cruel!
Aimi: Yeah, and the worst part is he was really nice and used to give Hana a red flower.
Kono: He gave your sister flowers? That’s so sweet.
Aimi: He was nice, but one day the bullies crossed the line and tried to kill him.
Kono: Kill him!?
Aimi: Yes! They didn’t like his kind, so they tried to kill him.
Kono: D-did he die?
Aimi: No, he ended up killing one of the kids, but it was in self-defense. The teachers saw the kid on the ground dead and him standing there with a knife. Since that day, they expelled all creatures and people with powers from that school, and that’s why I can’t go there—
Kono: Because you have powers.
Aimi: Exactly! See, you’re learning.
Kono: What was the kid’s name, anyway?
Aimi: Right, his name was Eklis—Eklis Tension.
Kono: Eklis Tension. So where is he now?
Aimi: Oh, he moved. I’m pretty sure his parents left.
As Aimi and Kono were conversing, Gram rushed in, visibly distressed.
Gram: Kono! Aimi!
Kono: Whoa! Gram, calm down!
Aimi: Are you okay?
Gram is attempting to catch his breath.
Kono: Gram, breathe.
Gram begins to breathe slowly.
Gram: I found something.
Kono: Found what?
Aimi: What’d you find!?
Gram: Follow me!
Kono and Aimi follow Gram to the kitchen.
Gram: Here!
Kono and Aimi exchange puzzled looks.
Kono: Ugh... It’s just a kitchen?
Gram: Exactly!
Aimi: Okay, I take back what I said about you being an idiot.
Gram: (smiling) Thank you.
Aimi: Because YOU’RE AN ABSOLUTE IDIOT!!
Gram: What! No, I’m not!
Kono shakes her head in disapproval.
Kono: Gram, what are we doing in here?
Gram: Okay, okay.
Gram approaches the refrigerator.
Gram: Because of this.
Aimi: I’m going to lose my mind.
Kono: Gram, please be serious!
Gram: I am being serious!
Kono: Gram, you’re pointing at the fridge!
Gram: Don’t you see what I see!?
Aimi: See what?
Gram: (pointing to the ground) This!
Aimi and Kono look down to observe scratch marks on the floor.
Kono: Scratch marks?
Gram: Exactly! Now help me move the fridge!
They shift the refrigerator to uncover a hidden pathway.
Gram: (laughs) I knew it!
Kono: It’s a pathway?
Aimi: My dad never told me about this.
Gram: Okay, let’s go!
They enter the room and discover a board filled with photographs of various individuals.
Aimi: What is this?
Kono: I—I don’t know.
Gram picks up a piece of paper, visibly shocked.
Gram: A—Aimi, I think I know why your dad left.
Aimi and Kono turn to Gram, astonished.
Aimi: Why? What did you find?
Gram: Your dad left because he was looking for your mom.
Aimi: Huh? Why would he do that when my mom passed away?
Gram: No, Aimi, you don’t understand. Your mom didn’t just pass away... I—I think she was murdered.