A disastrous obsession

Cai Kang and Kurai are at the arcade, playing games side by side against each other. It has been a few days since Sanada Fukuna's arrival and Cai Kang has steam to release. She is getting a bit annoying and now rumors are already spreading quickly.

"Dude, the thing with Ponytail girl is weird. She is now trying to get your attention. People at school are starting to think you might make a good couple. But people also think you're a player now." Kurai said while staring at the screen, playing the game. 

Fukuna, so far, is deviating her time equally between Cai Kang and Ryosuke. So far, she shows herself as being athletic in P.E., skilled in home economics and kind to those around her. That doesn't mean she is well liked though. Cai Kang underestimated the gossip that goes around the school. He immediately forgot about what happened between him and Kazuha. Kazuha's overall reputation is neutral in a general sense but she is very well respected. The boys see her as a challenge and the girls see her as a protector. The Shiratori twins are usually the heart of the gossip but rumors listed them as the right people to talk about their problems to for the right price. 

Sanada Fukuna is seen by the guys to be the ideal role model for a man's general taste in women. Kazuha was deemed difficult to approach and scary by the guys while Noriko is more interested in filling up her pockets so Fukuna's presence is a breath of fresh air to them. On the other hand, the girls see Fukuna as someone who is too easy and attention seeking. Perhaps the school has gotten used to strong-willed women like those two. Either way, the reputation is turning out badly for Cai Kang.

"What do you think?" Cai Kang asked.

"Well, you two have good chemistry and have known each other longer than you'd like to admit. Not to mention, she actually admits that she wouldn't mind hooking up with you." Kurai said, concentrating on the game.

"As friends. Wolf boy. As friends." Cai Kang corrected him.

"What about Clover and Cherry?" Kurai said.

"Clover and Cherry?" He paused for a moment then remembered Chiemi and Maiko having cherry and clover accessories on their phones. "Ah, the Higurashi twins, what about them?" Cai Kang said.

"You've been a bit distracted since meeting them." He said.

"I don't know what you're talking about." Cai Kang said.

"Don't play dumb. At first I thought you were interested in Cherry but I was wrong. You are interested in her sister." He said.

"That's not-"

"Ha! I knew it! You like her." He interrupted.

"Aw forget it." He said and accidentally hit the game after losing causing fist marks in the now broken console, scaring the nearby kids.

"It's not a big deal if you like Copperhead 2. She's single, cute and sassy. However she doesn't seem to like you. In fact, I don't think she likes you at all. Heck, she doesn't like me. Talk about a bad first impression." Kurai said. 

"How did you know them anyway?" Cai Kang asked.

Kurai sighed a bit. "Actually, I had a scuffle with them in the past. It's a long story. Clover especially didn't like me because I'm a delinquent."

Seeing Cai Kang's downcast expression, Kurai can't help but smile. "It's alright. I had briefly liked her too since the day I met her; however she didn't return the feeling."

"You like her?"

"Nah, not anymore. There's plenty of fish in the sea. What's one girl gonna change that?" He said.

"I don't think so." a random voice said.

The boys turned around and saw a girl with long rosy brown hair with curls at the tip. She has fair skin and light blue eyes with a shade of pink in the center of her iris. Upon closer inspection, she has flowers shaped irises. She has a bright, beautiful smile with cute dimples. She wears a baby blue kimono with matching hair accessories to the dress's flowery design. In conclusion, she is drop dead gorgeous but the strangest thing is that no one seems to notice her or even take a look at her unusual appearance but they seem to avoid her as they all walk around her like she's there.

"Sometimes even one person cannot compare to others." She said.

Cai Kang turned to Kurai. "You know this girl?"

"Not a damn clue." Kurai replied then turned to her with his arms crossed. "Who the hell are you?"

"My name is Aikyo Ayumi. It is nice to see you. I can't stop but eavesdrop on your conversation but I believe that with the right person, she will be irreplaceable and even other girls would not change that."

"Um, okay. Not to be rude, but you are creepy as hell for even butting in about our love lives. Just because you are a pretty girl, that doesn't mean that I wouldn't punch your face." He threatened.

"I'm sorry but I'm not here to get myself hurt." She snapped her fingers and Kurai collapsed on the ground, struggling to breathe. He is blue in the face and trying to catch his breath. If looks can kill then she would already be dead. Cai Kang panicked and pulled him in his arms to stop the spell.

"What are you doing? You know it's illegal to use chi on anyone here!" Cai Kang yelled but noticed that it's not working.

Cai Kang looked at her fingers. She didn't use chi. She did something else. In her nails, he noticed some powder. It is barely noticeable but after looking closely, he saw that when she snapped her fingers, it directed at him.

"Asphyxia powder," she said softly. "A product of my own creation." She kneeled down to get down on their level. "And it is discriminatory too as it only works on someone with a sudden, elevated heart rate."

The girl then pat Kurai and Cai Kang on the shoulder with a brief smile then disappeared and Kurai suddenly started breathing again. The kids and adults who were watching the whole thing were stunned about the situation.

"Buzz off." Kurai growled and their little audience walked away.

"Hey, are you okay?"

"That girl, she did something to me. I couldn't breathe. How did she do that?"

"You did something very stupid. Threatening people isn't the first thing that should even be on your mind."

"Noted," He coughed bitterly.

______________________________________________________________

Toya looked at Cai Kang and Kurai when they finished talking at a table. 

"Aikyo Ayumi?" he questioned.

The boys nodded. Toya then pinched his nose in frustration and groaned. "Why her?"

"What? Who the hell is she? And what did she do to me?" Kurai growled.

He then spoke up. "As you know, the class system is based on our families, special traits, and status. For example; the Hinagi clan as a whole is made up of families from different classes. The four great families are all elite classes. The rest of the families in the clan are mostly in the middle class. The class system is usually based on the special traits and how long a family has had them. The noble class have the most merit." he said. "In Japan, Aikyo Ayumi is of a middle class status but her family is one of the most famous families in Japan's Inverse that she is basically nobility."

"That girl is skilled in alchemy." Cai Kang said. "She immobilized Kurai with trigger powder."

"She is." Toya agrees. "Her family are merchants who created their own company with products from cosmetics to potions but their family are also made up of powerful sorcerers and alchemists. She has more skills in magic and alchemy than most."

"Really? They are that strong?" Cai Kang said in amazement.

"Now, this begs the question. How did you know that girl?" Kurai asked Toya.

Toya is pinching his nose for a moment before answering. "She tried to disfigure Nori-nee a few years ago while visiting the residence at the time but was banned after my other sisters made a deal with her. Before Kazu-nee got her reputation as one of the seasons, she is the first one, known as the Spring of Japan." 

"She is one of the seasons?" Cai Kang said in surprise.

She nods. "Out of all the current seasons, Spring is currently the most famous and well known and is known for being charitable." Then he thought for a moment. "But she's not like that at all. Aikyo Ayumi was obsessed, especially with romance and has a large information network and maintaining her positive reputation. When it comes to whatever interests her especially relationships, she goes out of her way to make sure that the people she thinks are right for each other get together and stay together even if they are not healthy."

"So she's a hardcore shipper." Kurai said flatly.

"There was an event that I cannot tell you but Aikyo Ayumi had nearly succeeded. She attempted to drug her victims but fails at every turn. She was annoying as she makes every opportunity to make sure that the ship sails. She was known as the matchmaker. Her logic of chemistry is so twisted that no one wants to marry her so she has no engagement or proposals from any well established family."

"That is scary." Kurai said. "The question is, why is she here?"

"I don't know but because she is from a powerful family, it wouldn't be of any surprise if she comes here a lot. My first thought will be a marriage proposal to Ren but she gave up on that."

Cai Kang was horrified. "He's like ten years old. Why not you?"

"Overruled. I'm exempted from the Clan's line of succession. She was interested in marrying into the main family once." Toya said.

"I am guessing the message is that she wants to ship you?" Kurai asked.

"Not necessarily. If she wants to do it then she would have met nee-chan in person instead of seeing you two. She is probably looking for more victims." 

"How do you know?"

"For one, it is because the person she tries to hook her up with isn't here and is unable to be a part of it anymore." Toya said with confidence.

"How are you so sure?"

"I know that person. He will definitely not be coming here."

______________________________________________________________

It was quite the strange day. If what happened at the arcade is strange then the next day was even stranger. Kazuha and Toya woke up with extremely high fevers and had to stay home, so both Noriko, Ren, and Cai Kang were asked to leave early to go to school by the Shikigami out of fear of the sickness spreading. Aikyo Ayumi's visit was announced and is indeed very strange so Kazuha and Toya had to go to a doctor to get them checked up. Ren left with Yae to go to school while Noriko and Cai Kang headed to school together. Cai Kang felt strange. Not in a necessarily sick way, but in a tingly sort of way. He even felt a bit of a chill even though it was early summer.

The day gets even weirder as he starts to feel a bit different. He has no idea why but it deeply bothers him. He didn't even talk all day and avoided almost anyone. Kurai notices something weird as well but dismisses it but he is visibly annoyed and suspicious of the scent he picked up until lunch. 

During lunch, Cai Kang noticed Noriko at his peripherals and the weird feeling grew more apparent. Kurai seemed to notice it as he pinched his nose again of the smell he is getting from him.

"What's wrong with you?" Kurai asked Cai Kang impatiently.

"What's wrong with me?" Cai Kang questioned him.

"You smell confused and... something else." Kurai said suspiciously.

"I'm sorry, what?"

"This is weird because this isn't happening to just you." He said and thought for a moment. "Are you drugged?" He asked.

Cai Kang is more confused than ever that he has trouble focusing. Kurai has a weird feeling and continues to observe at his surroundings. Cai Kang went to the bathroom and noticed his eyes. They are turning pink. 

"What's happening to me?" He said silently.

After class is over, Kurai looks over to where Fukuna is and starts dragging her away in a hurry. He has to get them out of here before things go out of hand. Screw school! This is more important.

"What are you doing?" She asked sharply.

"You people are sick. I need to get you out of here." He said.

"What are you talking about?" She said, not believing him.

He finds his second target; Noriko and grabs her by the waist, lifting her up from the ground and drag both girls away away from the crowd.

"What the hell?" Noriko said.

"What are you doing?" Fukuna said.

"We're going to your house stat, seaweed girl." He said.

"Let me go." Fukuna shrieked as she struggled against his grip.

Kurai noticed Fukuna's strange scent growing stronger and pulled her arm towards him to get a closer look and looked straight into her eyes. Both girls are extremely flustered and confused by this. Fukuna's eyes are turning pink. He could basically smell her embarrassment and feelings. He is beginning to smell a plot.

"You'll thank me for this." Kurai then swiftly knocked her out and she fell limp in his arms.

"What the hell was that for?!" Noriko yelled with shock.

Kurai carried Fukuna over his shoulder and looked at Noriko's eyes. Hers are normal. Thank god. He then puts her down.

"Something weird is going on here. I started noticing it during class. Kame, Daddy issues, and this girl have been smelling weird and it is growing stronger. They also have something in common. Their eyes turning pink. Only you and I were normal. I need to protect you because I have a bad idea of what's gonna happen if I don't."

"Like what?"

"You don't want to know." He said in a blunt tone and slowly shook his head as they head their way without notifying anyone.

Noriko and Kurai ran to the Shiratori residence, explaining on the way. Once they got to the mansion, Noriko quickly locked the gate. 

"Is there something wrong Noriko? You're home early." Saeko said.

"Is Yae home?" She asked.

"She's taking care of Toya right now. Why? What's the matter?"

"Hard to explain but don't let Ryosuke or Cai Kang in at all costs, got it?"

"If you say so," she says confused.

Both ran to the guest room and placed her on the floor. Noriko examined Fukuna's eyes as she noticed how pink they look. 

"When did this happen?" She said.

"No idea but they are out of control. I can't let the guys see you."

"I read this somewhere before. Eyes as pink as peonies. It's a love potion." Noriko said.

"Can you cure it?" Kurai asked.

"Nope. Other than my eldest sister, the rest of us are allowed to study a little bit of magic for protection only. The only other magic I know are ones that would bring profit."

"Shit! We need to figure out other options." 

Saeko opened the sliding door. "I heard everything and I can help." She said. "Follow me."

Noriko and Kurai, carrying Fukuna, followed Saeko to the storage room. Opening it with a key on a door with no keyhole, the door opened and Kurai was shocked at how much bigger it was on the inside. It is a large room which resembles a greenhouse, which contains different pots and shelves full of canisters. There are many plants in the glass tiled roof room separate from everything else. Noticing Noriko's expression, Kurai can tell this is also her first time seeing this too. 

"Saeko, what is this place?" Noriko said.

"The master uses this place to store his herbs to supply his healing stores for the students. It was forbidden and locked from here but this morning it was unlocked to heal Kazuha and Toya after he had discovered they were hexed." She said while examining Noriko.

That surprised them. 

"Hexed? Who on earth hexed them?" Noriko said.

"It is not quite terrible because this is advanced sorcery that is meant to temporarily harm them. Nevertheless the clan is investigating who has done this because this is a serious crime against the main family." 

Saeko then led Kurai to a bed where he put Fukuna down and she examined her. 

"She is affected by a love potion." She said while examining her. "A strong one too. It is a concoction made in the west."

"Is there an antidote?" Kurai asked.

"An antidote is no problem." Saeko went to get the ingredients and started making it. "We've gotten cases where people are drugged with love potions. I always have a supply to make an antidote in events like these."

"I'm lost. If those three got spiked with a love potion-" he turned his head at Noriko "-who did it and why? Also, you are targeted by Kame. He's after you. That smell grows stronger whenever he sees you." 

"Are you suggesting that I did this?" Noriko questioned. 

"Honestly, it could be anyone. Daddy issues and Love bird here are into each other because of the potion. Kame literally smells the same as them and he is after you. You are the normal one out. Why is that you are normal?"

"Well if you must know, our bloodline makes us immune to any love or seduction charms. It is a defense mechanism from my mom's side. Also, I have absolutely no idea how to make love potions. And why would I hex my own brother and sister? When I announced to the school about nee-chan and Cai Kang's engagement, it was for their own good. Why would I suddenly do this just to snatch Cai Kang back?"

Kurai can smell that she is telling the truth. "Then who did-" He stopped. He remembered the girl Aikyo Ayumi and what Toya said about her. Back when he and Cai Kang were hanging out, she touched Kurai to stop her technique but she touched Cai Kang too. "Did you meet a girl with long brown locks and pink eyes?" He asked. 

"No," Noriko replied.

Kurai put the pieces together. That must be when she gave him the love potion. He thought the way she moved her arms was weird. He initially thought it was because of the kimono but she must have given them the potion in powder form and flew it in their direction. It is undetectable by smell. He fell for the same trick twice. "It was her." He said darkly. "Dammit! Why didn't I figure this out sooner? That bitch drugged you guys." He shouted and slammed his arms at a nearby desk while sulking. 

"Pink eyes?" Noriko mumbled out loud. "Aikyo Ayumi? Damn it." she grit her teeth.

"I can see why she did this. She shipped Bandana and Ponytail because they were originally engaged to each other. She supports your sister with someone else and Braids is an obstacle because of the rumor. She probably see you as another marriage prospect so she gave you two a love potion so that Gin would no longer be an option." 

Kurai then suddenly turned his head to the door. "How long will the antidote take?" he said, staring at the door.

"Give or take an hour minutes. A love potion antidote is not difficult to make with the right condition but the process is lengthy." She said.

"Okay good because they're coming." Kurai said.

______________________________________________________________

Cai Kang and Ryosuke ran to the house and saw Yae and Shoraku who were at the gate, wondering why the gate was closed off to them. Shoraku looked around only to see their pink eyes and was mildly surprised. 

"Love potion. I see why Saeko strengthened the barrier to the point of keeping even me out." He mused.

"Where are Noriko and Fukuna?" Ryosuke said.

"Why don't you go back to school? They should be there." Shoraku said calmly.

"You're lying. The compass points to here." He said while holding a rashinban.

"I presumed that the love potion on you is western so I cannot think of a person I know who would do this. This might be linked to the hex casted on Kazuha and Toya so we're gonna have to apprehend them until reinforcements arrive." He said.

"Yes, master." Yae said. 

______________________________________________________________

Noriko and Kurai heard a loud thud. They are making a ruckus outside.

"You take Ponytail and hide. I will guard this area." Kurai looked at his phone. It says 1:43. "When you finish, give it to me. I'll give it to those hot and bothered." He said.

Meanwhile, Kazuha just went to the kitchen to get some hot tea after a nice shower. She wore a thick haori over her usual pajamas and her house slippers. She then poured the hot tea into a large mug and took a nice sip. As a Sen, she can remove the illness from her body faster than a normal person; however since it was from a hex, it is taking some time for it to wear off. Toya is still sick and she hasn't completely recovered yet as she is disoriented and unaware of what is happening. She then heard a loud thud. Even a person with less than normal hearing can hear that.

Kazuha opened the sliding door to the garden to hear better. It seems that her father has used his ability to stop the intruder. She looked up to see that the normally invisible barrier is visible and pink. Saeko has strengthened the barrier. Her enhanced hearing is cut off thanks to the properties of the barrier so she couldn't hear anything and opted to take a closer look. 

After getting close enough to not get caught, she saw her father and Yae standing and staring down at Ryosuke and Cai Kang flat on the ground. She noticed something strange about them. Due to years of perfecting her hearing, she can tell the symptoms just by looking at someone. They do not look injured since her father stopped them with one move but why are both of them still breathing hard and sweating profusely like that? They couldn't get that from physical effort. It was something else. Then she heard the word love potion from someone. It didn't take long for her to figure out the rest. She then went to the herb room after hearing some noise.

______________________________________________________________

Back in the herb room, Fukuna woke up. Her eyes are as pink as ever. Noriko was the first to notice and lightly shook Kurai who then was a bit horrified that she woke up too soon.

"When did I fall asleep?" She said and mused over something. 

"You knocked your head and you've been dismissed from school." Noriko lied quickly.

"I had a nice dream of my childhood. It reminded me of a lot of things." She said and was about to get up. "I need to go."

"Oh no, sleeping beauty. Be a good girl and wait til you get your medicine." Noriko said.

Fukuna is confused. "What medicine?"

"The medicine which can make you better." Kurai replied.

"Am I sick? But I feel fine." Fukuna sounds genuinely confused.

Then there was noise out there.

Fukuna is ecstatic, immediately recognizing the voices. "Ryosuke, he's come to see me!" She stood up and was about to head to the door but was stopped by Kurai. 

"Oh no, you don't. You're not leaving until you get the fucking antidote. You're not yourself!" He growled.

"Get out of my way!" Saeko was holding a small vial and came in the room to pour the substance into her mouth with Kurai holding her. After a couple seconds of coughing, Fukuna stopped, appearing to be back to her senses. Her eyes are back to normal. Her eyes roamed the room and she felt a bit disoriented. After a couple more seconds, she looked at Saeko.

"What happened?"

"Powerful love potion," She replied. 

"Great, now that you finished the antidote, you can give it to me and I will shove it down their throats." Kurai said.

The door immediately opened and Kurai was in a stance but they all saw it was Kazuha. She still looks fatigued but she's not as sickly as she was before.

"Nee-chan, you okay?" Noriko asked. 

"It'll take more than a hex to hold me back. Cai Kang and Ryosuke are trying to fight dad but he already took care of it."

"That was quick." Kurai commented. 

"How did you find us?" Noriko said.

"I didn't. I'm here for a healing session. Also, I hear some noises. My hearing is not as sharp right now but I could hear yelling here. What happened?" She asked.

"Love potion. Cai Kang and Otaka are affected. We just cured Sanada." Noriko said.

"That baby blue bitch did this." Kurai said.

"Baby blue..." Kazuha muttered but understood who he was talking about. "Ah, I had a feeling it might've been her the moment I heard love potion. I didn't know she cast the hex but I know she did something if she were to visit you. Magic is her strongest asset."

Saeko brought out two vials, giving them to Kurai. "You all stay here. We'll handle the rest." She said and both Kurai and Saeko left the shed.

Kazuha was in the room with them with her mug of hot tea from the kitchen and drank it, completely unfocused towards everything. After the whole debacle ended, they were all in the living room, except for Kazuha who went straight back to bed.

The boys stopped for a moment after both Kurai and Saeko fed the boys the antidote. "What happened? How did we get here?" Ryosuke said. His eyes as well as Cai Kang's turn normal.

"Love potion." Saeko said.

"When did we leave school? I don't even recall leaving the school building." Ryosuke questioned.

"We all left during lunch break." Kurai said.

"They are not gonna expel us for this, right?" Cai Kang said.

"No, they will just call our parents." Ryosuke replied.

"Who gives a damn? Our parents aren't even here." Kurai laughed. 

"These inflictions make sense now. I will have a meeting with the Aikyo family and talk about this."

"Have you traced it back to that girl?" Cai Kang asked.

Shoraku shook his head slightly. "Not quite but a warning should suffice."

She did all of this for nothing and then reveal herself only to get in trouble? Kurai thought. It doesn't add up.

______________________________________________________________

The next day, Cai Kang, Fukuna, and Ryosuke didn't go to school as they are suffering the side effects of the antidote, which gave them terrible headaches, bad enough to skip a day. They got off with a warning since none of their parents are even around in Nerima. Kazuha and Toya fully recovered and went to school the next day. 

As for Aikyo Ayumi, she wasn't punished because there was no sufficient evidence to get her convicted for both the hex and the love potion since it is untraceable, much to the former victims' chagrin and she proclaimed to be innocent. In the end, no one can figure out how she managed to cast the hex. Everyone kept quiet but will prepare for what will happen next.

______________________________________________________________

Aikyo Ayumi was at a shrine before closing her eyes as her appearance changed. If she was considered beautiful before, she is divine now. She has long platinum pink hair tied in a french braid and she is now wearing modern clothes. She laughed heavily and waddles around proudly of the chaos she created.