Chapter 24

In previous chapter when Mr. Takahashi was telling the story of the bunny land and about prince Akihiko to Inoue. Then out of the blue Takemichi arrived...

"Inoue..." Takemichi suddenly appeared when Mr. Takahashi was talking to her. "Inoue, Mr. Takahashi, what are you doing here. Is everything okay? Inoue?" he asked in surprise. " Takemichi... everything is fine. We were talking about some school related work. But what are you doing here?" Mr. Takahashi asked back. "I was looking for Inoue because she had gone somewhere without informing anyone." "Oh..." Mr. Takahashi sighed slightly and tried to help Inoue regain her consciousness . "Inoue, are you okay? Look, Takemichi is here for you". After she regained her senses she was astounded to see Takemichi. "Mr. Takahashi you said you were talking about school-related work. isn't it ? Then why is she looking so worried? Please tell me what's going on?". After hearing that, he felt like it would be the perfect time for him to remember everything about Minamoto. "Okay, I'll tell you everything," he said moving forward. "No, you can't. He still can't remember him, " Inoue murmured . "But before I tell you anything you have to drink this potion now. It will give you energy to listen to me. " " Why do I need to drink it just to listen to you ? " " If you want to know what we were talking about. You have to drink it or else I'm not going to tell you anything".

He was curious to know about the matter because of Inoue's involvement. So, he drank that potion in one go. "Yuk ! it's disgusting" he gave a strange facial expression as he drank it. "Mr. Takahashi what did you give him?" Inoue was really scared. "Oh my girl. Just wait a little while, you will know everything". While responding to Inoue, he murmured "memory rewind". And suddenly Takemichi put his hand on his head and shouted "Aa, it's hurting, it's hurting... it's damn hurting... ". "Takemichi..." Inoue was frightened when she saw him in that condition. She stepped towards him. "No, Ichika-chan don't go near him. He's going to remember everything. I brought this potion especially for you. But you remembered everything before I arrived". He closed his eyes and suddenly he began to see the past in front of him. He saw everything from the very beginning. How he entered playschool for the first time, how he met Hina and Inoue and then he saw Minamoto. He remembered how he first fought with him for Inoue. And he also remembered what he once told him, " Minamoto, I think only you can make her happy. I saw how you were getting frustrated seeing Inoue in that condition. So, promise that you will never let her suffer again. You know in her childhood everyone used to tease her, bully her. So, today you make me sure that you will protect her, no matter what happens, you will never let her get hurt again. Promise me" It was the day Inoue fainted in the middle of the play at the school's cultural program." Wait... how could I forget such an important thing. How can I forget the guy who challenged me on his second day at school. how can I be so stupid? How can I forget that jerk. How can I ?" He started questioning himself in his mind. Meanwhile "Takemichi do you know Minamoto Akihiko?" Mr. Takahashi asked. Yes, absolutely....that jerk. I will never forget him, " he said with a shout. "Well, I am glad you remembered everything". "What just happened? "Inoue mumbled as if she didn't understand anything. " Now let's go I want to meet the rest of your friends". "Wait, can you tell me what's going on?" He stopped Mr. Takahashi while questioning. "I'll tell you everything. But in the presence of all your friends. No more questions. Now, let's go," he added as he continued moving forward. Inoue and Takemichi were both confused, yet they kept on walking with him. On the way, Takemichi wondered and asked himself, "I know I don't deserve to live with Inoue together. So I asked him to stay with her. Then why did I tell her how I truly feel... Am I an idiot?

"Oh, there they are" Fuji shouted seeing them coming. "Ah Gengi...Wait...he's Mr. Takahashi? Isn't he? " Sato was furious as Takemichi left her midway. And had gone somewhere without saying anything. But she was shocked to see Mr. Takahashi too. "Hina, Sato" Inoue came running."Yo, Guys!" Takemichi waved as he saw his friends. But he got a punch from Sato for disappearing somewhere without informing anyone. And she did the same to Inoue too. After dealing with them she was about to say something to Mr. Takahashi . But he interrupted her saying, "Before you say anything. I want you all to have this wonderful drink. I brought this especially for you". "Wonderful drink? Huh?" Takemichi knew very well what that wonderful drink tasted like. So, he made a disgusting face. First of all, everyone was already surprised to see him there . And now all of a sudden he started behaving like the sweetest man ever. But Inoue convinced them to drink. Because she knew it well that even if it tastes bad, it's still the only thing that can help them remember Minamoto. Everyone drank it with one gulp. They were all behaving the same way Takemichi did. Keeping their hands on their head, they screamed. After feeling a little relieved he asked "Do you know a guy named Minamoto Akihiko ?". "Of course we know him" replied Hina. "Well where is he? He didn't come with us?" Sato said looking around . We will tell you everything but I think we should go now. The festival is about to end right...?" said Mr. Takahashi as he went on. "What? I wanted to eat more yakitori" said Sato, making a strange face. "Did you say something?" The way Mr. Takahashi looked at her . She got scared after all he's their teacher. " I think we should go " Inoue tried to normalize the atmosphere. And they left. They reached Grandma Chio's place. And she was already standing outside the house. " Are we too late? " Sato asked while swallowing some spit. "I don't think so?" Takemichi replied.

"Yo, Granny. I brought them," said Mr. Takahashi as he got there. "Who allowed you to call me that, you dolt" Grandma Chio yelled while elbowing him. "Granny, can't you treat me a little gently ?" Inoue and her friends were astonished to see them both fighting with each other like this. They didn't understand anything. " Ah, Icku-chan. I'm glad you're all safe. You know I can't trust this dolt standing here, " she said. "Ah...Grandma, do you know Mr. Takahashi? ". "Yeah, it's a very long story but I'll tell you in a nutshell. But please come in and let's talk after you change into some comfortable clothes and get refreshed". "Okay..." They all nodded in agreement "Okay..." But seeing Mr. Takahashi and Grandma so close, Inoue was still confused." Akihiko...I hope you're fine" Inoue murmured looking at the moon to herself.

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A naked man was floating in a huge glass container. Due to darkness his face could not be seen. Kabuto was there and suddenly another man standing beside him said. "Sir, everything is ready. Now all we need to do is inject this chemical solution inside him which will awaken his demonic cells. And when he turns into a demon he will forget all his bitter-sweet memories. " Good " he said, lifting the specs, he was wearing. When the light of the moon fell on the container, the man's face became visible. It was Minamoto.

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"So, you all changed into your nightwear. Now you can ask me whatever you want to know-". "Mrs. Inoue , Thank you for letting me stay here tonight," Fuji interrupted as Grandma Chio was saying something. "Ah, never mind. Anyway, its too late now and I can't let a handsome young man like you face any trouble on the way ." "Eah" he blushed. "Now go ahead and clear your doubts". "Grandma, how do you know Mr. Takahashi? Don't tell me you know Akihi-" Inoue looked really serious. It seemed as if she already knew the answer to that question. And before she could even mention Minamoto's name, she replied "Yeah, Icku-chan, I know Akihiko too." To everyone who was present there except Mr.Takahashi it was a great shock, Inoue's eyes widened and she asked again without any hesitation. "That means you know about Bunny land too." Yes " she nodded. She was stunned to hear her. "Wait... we don't understand anything about what's going on here. Please tell us everything briefly from the beginning". Takemichi and the others panicked. "Oh yes, now I remember. I haven't told you anything about the bunny land yet." "You didn't tell? You're as careless as ever," Grandma Chio said with a slight sigh. "Sorry, granny." He got up and walked towards Takemichi first. "What do you want from me?" He said while swallowing some spit. Mr. Takahashi placed his forehead on Takemichi's . Then a bright light illuminated the entire area. He did the same thing with the rest of his friends except Inoue. He shared all his memories of Minamoto and Bunny land with them. He used a magic to save time. "What did you do to them? Why aren't they opening their eyes?" Inoue asked in bewilderment. "I just used telepathsium on them. I've shared all my memories of Prince Akihiko and Bunny land. So, after 10 minutes when they wake up. They must have known everything about us." He beamed. "Then why didn't you use the same magic on me ". Inoue asked giving an emotionless look. "Yeah, now that you asked about it I wonder why didn't this thought come to my mind back then?". "Haa. You'll never change, Haruto" Grandma Chio sighed. Mr. Takahashi bit his tongue while laughing. After a while they all opened their eyes, "Now do you know who the Bunny Prince is? Can you tell me his name ? ". Grandma Chio just wanted to be confirmed. "Yes, we know. It's Akihiko" they all answered together. " Okay, now I can totally wake them up," he said clapping. "Ah ! My head is hurting again. Wait...Akihiko is the bunny prince. And the bunny land....it really exists " Sato yelled. After regaining consciousness, everyone's senses were blown away. "Inoue...you already knew all this?" Hina asked with an angry look on her face. Inoue got nervous and answered her by nodding . " That means you've already found your bunny prince". Takemichi said as a tear rolled down his right eye, then the stream of tears started flowing by itself. " Takemichi..." Inoue, and Sato both mumbled his name.

"It is nothing...My pain is nothing in compared to his . That bonehead was ready to sacrifice himself for the sake of his love. But he never shed a single tear..." He really tried his best to control himself but the tears found their way to flow. "Takemichi, you want to save Minamoto? Don't you?" Mr. Takahashi wanted to be sure of his intentions. "Of course I want to . We are yet to settle a fight. And how can that jerk bear all this pain by himself, is he insane or what ? " he yelled. Mr. Takahashi didn't say anything but his smile told all on its own." There's something else i want to know from you. "Go ahead, Icku-chan". "That means the story you told me back then was real" After a brief silence, she finally replied "Yes, it was ​real. That yellow haired girl was my own mother. But the story I told you was a little different. As I had mixed it up with a fairy tale. You were a kid then so I told you this way. In fact, my mother had met the bunny prince in the back yard of her house. He was Akihiko's great-granddad. But it was not an accidental kiss, my mother kissed him for real because she wanted to, but she didn't know that he would turn into a human. They fell in love with each other. But when the people of Bunny land came to know about this. They forced him to leave my mom's side. After the prince's departure. My mother had never loved anyone else. But then my father came into her life . Both of them got married. Still she waited for him till her last breathe. I came to know about it five days after her funeral when he finally came to visit her. But then it was too late, he told me everything about them and returned to his own world with tears in his eyes. After a year passed a man from that world came and handed me a letter written by King Atsushi of the Tsuku dynasty. He was Akihiko's great-grandfather. The letter said that he was really happy to see me. After all I'm the only relic of my mother. He also asked me to stay in touch with the people of Bunny land. And do you know that the man who came for me with the letter was the maternal grandfather of Haruto. It was him who first introduced me to this Idiot."

" He also told me that King Atsushi had written this last letter only to me before his death. He committed suicide out of desperation. "They were all flabbergasted after listening to the grandmother." Grandma... " " Anyway, now I don't want you to face the same tragic end the way my mom and King Atsushi faced. So, go and save him. " she said in a loud voice ". "Mm, I won't let the past re-appear in the present." There was a gleam in Inoue's eyes." We're with you, Inoue" said everyone in unison ?" "with the first ray of tomorrow's sun, we will leave for Minamoto's hideout, we will enter the portal and go to Bunny land.." said Mr.Takahashi " Bunny Land? We are going to Bunnyland? for sure? " Fuji felt exhilarated . " Yeah... by the way. Who are you again?" asked Mr. Takahashi. " What? I'm Fuji. You just shared your memories with me." He got really stressed out. It must have been by mistake ". " Teacher ? why are you treating me so cold ?" he literally started crying. "Teacher ? When did I become your teacher? I was assigned to teach only Inoue's class". "You taught us too. It is a different matter that you took only four classes. But I answered all your questions. You complimented me too." "I did? Then why can't I remember anything?" Mr. Takahashi made him cry." Then drink your potion. You will remember everything. "He got very furious." Okay, okay now I remember you are that snotty nose kid. Due to cold, from whose nose the mucus was running like tap water. And you cleared your nose in the middle of my class with such a loud noise...that was so funny." He couldn't stop laughing. Actually he was just teasing him, of course he remembered him." And now you remember everything. " Sato grumbled. I guess I should start packing my bags for tomorrow" Takemichi sighed." Haruto, stop or else you'll be my next rival " The way Grandma Chio looked at him...he sat quietly with his mouth shut in fear." Now tell, Are you ready to go...?" She asked. "Yes we are-" " Wait Master...what about our fight? We haven't resolved that issue yet ". The moment everyone was answering Grandma Chio's question. Sato remembered the fight she had worked so hard for." So, she vociferated . " Ah, we'll sort it now..." Grandma Chio said with a smile. "Now ? what? But my practice isn't completed yet !".

" You're already ready. I know, so let's fight ". Grandma Chio said with a wide smile.

Sato was very surprised and scared but she was feeling excited too.

To be continue....