Chapter C: Sneaky
The sun is rising, casting long shadows over the quiet street as Kota approaches Akiko's house. His mind is a whirl of thoughts—of the recent hacking incident, Tengen and Hanako's increasingly hostile actions, and the looming threat of their next move. But for now, he's trying to focus on something positive—seeing Akiko.
As Kota reaches the gate, the familiar sound of giggling reaches his ears. Hana and Hina, Akiko's lively aunts, are sitting on the front porch, laughing at some inside joke.
"Kota! Long time no see!" Hana calls out, her eyes twinkling as she waves at him.
Hina stands up, grinning,
"It's always good to see you around, Kota. Come on in!"
Kota smiles politely as he walks through the gate.
"Thanks, it's nice to see you both."
As he enters the living room, his eyes immediately find Akiko. She's lounging on the sofa, a soft blanket draped over her legs, her face lighting up when she sees him.
"Kota! I'm so glad you're here," she says, her voice warm and welcoming.
Kota smiles back, the weight on his shoulders lifting slightly as he moves to sit beside her.
"I wouldn't miss it for the world."
Just then, Akiko's grandma emerges from the kitchen, wiping her hands on her apron. Her face softens at the sight of Kota.
"Kota, it's good to see you, dear. You've grown even more handsome since the last time!" she says with a chuckle.
Kota, a little shy, scratches the back of his head.
"Ah, thank you, Grandma. It's nice to be here."
As they settle into conversation, Kota's eyes glance around the room, and he realizes that Akiko's mom and brother are nowhere to be seen.
"Where's your mom and your brother?" he asks.
"Oh, they went to Tokyo for a week," Akiko's grandma answers, a soft smile on her face.
"It's just us here for now."
The light, carefree atmosphere shifts as Hana leans forward from her chair.
"So, Kota, what's really going on with this 'Noodles' situation?" she asks, lowering her voice as if discussing a forbidden topic.
Her tone is playful, but there's concern behind her words.
At first, Kota looks puzzled, but then it clicks.
"'Noodles'? Oh, you mean Hanako and Tengen..." He sighs, the tension that he had momentarily forgotten now returning.
"It's been getting worse, actually. They're... well, they've been acting strange. It all started in the classroom..."
As Kota begins to recount the recent events—the confrontation with Tengen, the argument in class, the hacking incidents—Akiko joins in, filling in details and expressing her own frustrations. The more they talk, the more serious the atmosphere becomes.
Hana and Hina exchange horrified glances, while Akiko's grandma listens quietly, her face etched with worry.
"Oh my goodness, Kota," Grandma says, her voice soft and full of concern.
"You've been through so much. Those kids... they sound like trouble."
Kota nods, but there's a hint of fear in his eyes.
"I don't know what's going to happen next," he admits, his voice betraying the anxiety that has been building up inside him for days.
Before the worry can overwhelm him, Akiko takes his hand in hers, squeezing it gently.
"Hey," she says softly, "whatever happens, we've got your back. You don't have to deal with this alone."
Hana and Hina nod in agreement, their eyes full of warmth.
"You're practically family, Kota. We won't let anything happen to you," Hana says, her voice firm.
Akiko leans closer, smiling reassuringly.
"Now, let's calm down a bit. How about we watch that new anime I was telling you about?"
Kota hesitates for a moment, but then he nods.
"Yeah, I'd like that."
After watching the anime together and enjoying a few moments of peace, Kota and Akiko decide to head to school. They've made an appointment to speak with the Prefect of Discipline about the situation with Tengen and Hanako.
As they approach the school, Kota starts to feel his nerves creeping in. His palms are sweaty, and his heart races in his chest. Akiko notices and gently touches his arm.
"Hey, it's going to be okay. I'll be right here with you," she reassures him, her voice soothing.
They walk down the familiar hallway and stop outside the Prefect's office. Kota takes a deep breath, his nerves momentarily getting the best of him. Just then, the door swings open, and the Prefect of Discipline steps out, his sharp eyes immediately landing on Kota and Akiko.
"Come on in, you two," he says, motioning for them to enter.
Inside, Kota and Akiko sit down, and the Prefect takes a seat behind his desk, his expression serious.
"Now, what's this I've been hearing about Hanako and Tengen?"
Kota and Akiko take turns explaining everything—the strange behaviors, the classroom incident, the hacking attempts. Kota feels his stomach twist as he speaks, but the Prefect listens intently, nodding occasionally.
When they finish, the Prefect leans back in his chair, letting out a deep sigh.
"Kota, I've always known you to be a diligent and humble student. You've never caused trouble, and you've always been kind to others. This... this doesn't sit right with me."
Kota lowers his head slightly, his anxiety creeping back.
The Prefect shifts his gaze to Akiko,
"And you, Akiko, you've always been a good friend to Kota. Always there for him, supporting him. That's admirable."
Akiko,
"Thanks Sir, but I'm more than his friend"
The Prefect in shock,
"Oh, well ain't that surprising hehe. Kota, you sly dog"
Kota and Akiko smiles softly, squeezing Kota's hand again.
The Prefect sighs, standing up.
"I'll keep an eye on this situation. But for now, try not to let it weigh too heavily on your mind. You're good kids. Just be careful."
With that, they thank the Prefect and leave the office, the weight of the conversation still lingering. But Akiko nudges Kota playfully.
"See? That wasn't so bad, was it?"
Kota chuckles,
"No, I guess not."
After the meeting, Kota and Akiko decide to unwind by going on a date. They head to a nearby café, where they order drinks and sit outside, enjoying the bustling atmosphere of the nearby food bazaar. The air is filled with the smell of delicious food, and they take their time, trying different snacks from various stalls.
As they stroll through the bazaar, laughing and enjoying the moment, they bump into Megumi, Kota's junior.
"Hey! What are you guys doing here?" she asks, grinning widely.
Kota smiles,
"Just hanging out. Want to join us?"
Megumi eagerly agrees, and the three of them spend the rest of the evening playing games, sampling different foods, and making new memories.
At one point, the trio stops near the café they were supposed to visit earlier. Kota's eyes narrow as he notices something odd inside—a hooded figure sitting at a corner table, talking to none other than Hanako and Tengen.
Kota,
"Should we go there?"
Akiko,
"Hang on, do you have the disguises?"
"I got them here", Kota pulls out the paper bag.
"Wait, what's going on?" (Megumi)
"Sweetie, let's roleplay for a bit. Wear this sunglasses and lemme fix your hair" (Akiko)
"Oh boy, you're gonna be the best mom there my Ai hehe" (Kota)
"Same goes for you, you look like a dad right now my Ai hehe" (Akiko)
"Tsk" (Kota)
They then go inside the café. However, the staff lets them out.
Since they have nowhere else to go, Megumi goes home but Akiko and Kota are eager to know what is their plan.
They then lean their heads near the wood and glass of the wall of the café. Akiko brings out her trusty recording pen, which can record the voices and sound.
Hanako and Tengen's faces are tense, their expressions serious as they talk to the hooded figure.
"We're ready for the next step," Hanako says quietly, glancing around nervously.
The hooded figure leans forward, his voice low.
"It's time to bring in the big guns. Prepare for Operation: Kouhai."
Terrified, the Akiko and Kota and goes home and wonders what that could mean. Akiko stops the recording at home and as they both call and Kota, they listen to it, and worry.
However, back at the café, the hooded man laughs maniacally and utters the phrase,
"Sic Semper Tyrannis!"