Chapter 25

Monday…

"Sakata, nice to see you again. Are you settling in ok?" Vice pres. asked.

"Uh, yeah."

"That's good." He smiled.

"How can a smile look so damn cute?" She thought.

"Hey, get your head out of the clouds. We already have a Mr Right." Tis said.

"Put a sock in it." She pushed Tis to the back of her mind.

"Are you feeling ok?" He asked.

"Yeah, why?"

"Your face is turning red."

"Don't worry, I'm fine," She blushed even more.

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, it must be hot today or something."

"If you say so. Oh yeah, I wanted to ask: have you decided on which club you're going to join?"

"Yeah, I've already joined one. The kendo club."

"I guess we'll see each other more often then."

"Huh?"

"I might not look like it, but I'm also part of that club."

"Handsome and has sword skills," She thought. "This guy's the full package. Where have you been all my life?"

"Will you stop ogling over him already?" Tis rolled her eyes.

"You used to do the same thing with other guys. Now it's my turn."

"Whatever."

"Anyway, see you after school, Sakata," Kogami said.

"Wait."

"Yeah?"

"You can call me by my first name. I prefer it if you do."

"In that case, you can call me Kogami instead of Vice Pres."

"I think Ko would suit you better."

"Sure. Wait for me after school, Sa- I mean Tisiphone."

"Yeah, ok."

Twilight went on her way to meet up with Ayaka and Atsumi.

"Sorry I'm late, you guys. I ran into someone just now."

"That's ok. We haven't been waiting for long anyway. I've been thinking."

"About what?"

"Since you don't have a boyfriend, you must have a crush on someone. Right?" Ayaka asked.

"No one in particular. But I guess Ko is pretty cute though."

"Ko?"

"Kogami."

"Kogami? As in Kogami Kobayashi, Vice President of the Student Council?"

"Unless there's another Kogami Kobayashi I don't know about, then yes, that's the one."

"What, no way," Atsumi said.

"What's wrong with him?"

"I can understand if you say Rengoku-san or Pres. Even Ichiya is acceptable, but Kobayashi-san? He's the most average of all average guys and a little on the scrawny side. You have very weird taste in men." Ayaka said.

"You don't have to sound so disappointed."

"It's hard not to. A really hot dude is your neighbour, and yet you choose to chase after a not-so-hot dude. That's the very definition of disappointment," Atsumi said.

"Hah, I told you so," Tis said

After school...

"Ko, is there a smaller uniform that I could borrow?"

"You're wearing the smallest one we have. We don't usually get members as small as you. Sorry about that."

"It's ok, I'll just roll up the sleeves and legs a few times. There. All done, let's go."

"Wait, your sash is a little loose. Here, let me."

Instead of tightening it, he ripped it off. Then sat her on a nearby table and ravaged her lips. Of course, it was all just in her imagination.

"Let's go." He took her hand and led her to the dojo. She was blushing at their hands holding.

At the dojo...

"Supreme Commander, here she is."

"New member, long time no see."

"Ma- uh, Supreme Commander, is there a separate room where girls practice?" She asked.

"No, this is it. Not many girls are interested in joining. There is one but she couldn't make it today."

"Oh."

"Since everyone's not here yet, I wanna see what you're made of. How about you go up against Vice Supreme Commander of Justice and..."

"How about I just call him Vice Supreme Commander?" She suggested.

"Today is my lucky day." She thought.

"Sure."

"So, that's your nickname?" She asked Kogami.

"Embarrassing, I know. Supreme Commander is just quirky, I guess, buts don't let that fool you. He may act like an idiot almost all the time but he's good at what he does."

They took their stances.

"I must warn you though, I'm the second-best in the club. Want me to go easy on you?" He asked.

"Nah, it wouldn't be fair if you did. I have enough experience to beat you."

"Getting cocky, are we?"

"It's not being cocky if I'm stating a fact."

"I'm pretty sure it's more of an opinion."

"Then I'll just have to prove you wrong."

"Is that so?"

"If you two are done flirting, you can start," Keigo teased.

Ten minutes later...

"Wow, you're better than I thought. Although your style is more on the aggressive side," Kogami said.

"Well, I do come from a long line of kenjustu masters. And I told you it was a fact."

"I think we'll call you Kendo-chan from now on," Keigo said.

"Phew, I thought that I'd get an embarrassing nickname."

The rest of the club members entered and sat down.

"Greetings, Supreme Commander of Justice and Righteousness, Banisher of Evil!" They all said.

"He's really serious about this whole Supreme Commander thing. And I just realised that I'll have to say that too," She thought.

"Greetings to you guys too. We have a new member joining us," He dragged Twilight to the front. "Everyone, this is Twilight. But from now on she'll be known as Kendo-chan."

"Hi, Kendo-chan!" They all said.

"Hi."

"Kendo-chan, let me introduce you to everyone. We have General Samurai, Captain Katana, Vice-Captain Carrot Top, Major Riptide and Colonel Poker face. Lieutenant Tsundere is the one who wasn't able to come today."

"Still grateful for my not-so-embarrassing nickname."

Later, Twilight and Takumi were walking home.

"So, I heard that you think vice-pres. is cute."

"What, no. It all lies. Lies and slander."

"You look pretty flustered for someone who says it's lies."

"That's only because I've been under the sun for too long."

"If you say so. Then what about me?"

"What about you?"

"Am I cute?"

"Jealous much?"

"No. I was just asking."

"I don't know; you sound pretty jealous for someone who says they aren't. But if you say so, then ok."

"So, am I?"

"You're ok, I guess."

"Just ok?"

"Why not?"

"Are you messing with me?"

"Maybe."

"C'mon, I'm being serious."

"Stop fussing about it so much."

"But it's bothering me."

"Ok, this is embarrassing to admit, but I'm in heat."

"Ok?"

"Don't take it personally. I'm unmarked, so my attractions aren't limited and I've honestly never paid attention to him until it came. The healers did give me some herbs to help with the pain and mask the scent. I guess they don't do much to ease any attractions. As much as I'd hate to admit it, Tis does knock some sense into me, so you don't have to worry about me acting on anything."

"Oh. How long is it supposed to last?"

"It's usually between 3 and 5 days. It's my first one, so I'll see. But at least once it's over, I won't have to worry about it for the next five months. Can we have dinner at a fast-food place or something?"

"I wish you had asked me this morning so that I would've taken some money with me."

"It's ok. I'm asking, and it was last minute, so I'll pay."

"Only if you'll ask me beforehand next time."

"Deal."