Seven Seconds in Hell

"I can't believe I got tricked." He said in frustration, banging on the door. It appeared that someone propped something on the other side to keep them from opening it. Meaning that his efforts were very much wasted. "Those kids won't be getting any treats from me!"

"Tricked?" Yuriko questioned. "This isn't a very funny joke at all. Why would the kids pull something like that?" Arata had an idea as to why.

"So that's what they were planning..." He said, turning around to face her in this dimly lit room. It was explained to her how he noticed the children chatting among themselves, away from everyone else. He felt it was strange, and when he confronted them. The kids responded suspiciously.

"And why did they want to do this?" She asked. "It's not really cool to trap us, when we're helping to set up the party."

"I think I know the answer to that." Arata believed it was because the children wanted to get the two of them together, or at least in a romantic situation. After all, the two of them had been babysitting all of them for a while now. Kids kind of get that way when they see a couple they think fits well.

This setup seemed suspiciously similar to when Misao locked Misei in the classroom, twice in fact. Though the idea that a girl had the same level of elementary school students when it came to supporting a romance didn't fill him with any confidence in her experiences.

"That doesn't sound like a good idea." She commented, which he agreed with. After all, Arata knew she had a crush on Yogi anyway.

"On the bright side, I can just call someone and they'll free us." At least, that's what he thought was going to happen as he attempted to call Yogi first. No response, which was odd considering he was certain that boy had his phone with him.

What these two didn't realize was that these kids were a little smarter than they appeared. Elsewhere, using an excuse of the party, Yurisa and her little gang convinced their friends to give up their phones for a while.

"No answer." Yuriko said, after her own attempt at phoning for help failed. "They must've thought of something to account for that." Giving up on escaping in a timely manner, Arata leaned back onto the door to relax for a bit.

"Well, I guess if we're going to… Whoa!" He was prepared to be stuck in here for the long haul. A belief that was shattered as the door opened up behind him. Since he was leaning on it, Arata lost balance. His body fell backwards onto the ground, he slammed onto the ground, hard.

"Ugh…" He could hardly muster up any words. The only place he could look at in his position, was up. What was he seeing? Legs? Black panties?

"You're really looking up my skirt after I just saved you?" The person above him sounded really angry. "You pervert!" There was an attempt from this person to stomp on his head, which he quickly noticed and rolled out of the way.

In a fight-or-flight mode, Arata rushed back up to his feet. Prepared to defend himself from this strange person, it was then he finally saw who they were.

"It's you." He said, not remembering her name. It was Rouza Ichinose, also known a major delinquent at school. The run-ins between the two of them were never positive. "What are you doing here?" Arata didn't drop his guard, since this girl was capable of violence. "And why are you wearing that?"

Her outfit was far from what she normally wore. It was a black cat girl costume, complete with the ears, whiskers, and a tail.

"If you think of making fun of me, I'll kil-"

"Sister, is it safe?" Another voice came out, it stopped her threat. A little boy slightly peeked his head around the corner to the kitchen. "Did you get the monster?"

"I did." She replied, her tone was the complete opposite to how she talked with Arata. "I beat that monster like it was nothing." She grabbed her arm as a showcase of strength. Hearing this, the young boy ran up to her. Then hid by her leg acting like Arata might try and hurt him.

"Who are they?" He pointed to both him and Yuriko, who had made her way out of the storage room.

As it would turn out, Arata's banging on the door did attract some attention. This school boy heard his noises and thought there was a real monster behind the door. Scared out of his mind, he did the first thing that most kids would do in that situation. Run for help.

"Good thing you came along." Arata said, swallowing a bit of pride for what he was about to say next. "Thanks for getting us out of there."

"Pff, if I knew it was you two. I might've just left you in there." She dismissed him. "Now come on Ruo, let's get back to class."

"Why are you here?" He asked, confused at her presence in all this. Arata couldn't exactly believe that she was here from her own goodwill, with what he had seen from her.

"He's my brother." She answered. Then left, without saying any nasty remarks to them. It was definitely because that boy was here, why the two of them were able to not worry about any confrontation.

"We should head back." Yuriko was unamused with the situation she was placed in. All she wanted to was get back, and scold her sister for that stunt she pulled. Arata took note of the fact he was alone with her. It seemed like a good time to ask a question that had been bothering him.

"Hey, can I ask you something?" He said, as they exited the kitchen. Empty handed, as the promise of candy was a lie.

She allowed it, not thinking much of what he was going to ask. However, if Yuriko had known the contents of his words. She may have considered not letting him ask it.

"So how was it when you went here?" He asked, trying to lead it to where he wanted it.

"It was fine." She answered, in a brisk and effective manner. Something that was unlike her.

"Really?" Arata could tell from the response that she had something to hide. Maybe it was best of him not to pursue too hard, but he couldn't resist trying a little. "I just thought it was funny that you didn't know Yogi or Yuki back then."

"What are you getting at?" She asked, the tone in her voice was something to be concerned about from his point-of-view. Yuriko was worried with what he apparently knew.

"I mean, you only used to go here. But I heard that you went to a junior high that was out of town?" That set her off. In an instant, she shoved him to the wall. Now the two were face-to-face. His back up against a wall here.

"What do you know?" She asked him, anger welling up from her voice. Those eyes, they were the look of someone who had something to hide. More than that, afraid of some truth coming out. Was that what he used to look like, back then?

"I'm sorry." It was obvious that he pushed her too far. "I should know better than to pry into private things, I'll let it go." He assumed that'd be enough to calm her and move on from this, but it wasn't enough.

"I said, what do you know?" She said again, ruffling him up a bit. What was wrong? What could he possibly know about her past, that she could get this upset over?

"I know that you fell into a bad crowd here." He admitted what he learned from Yurime to her. "That's why you were sent to somewhere else, right?"

"Is that all you know?" She said, loosening her grip on him. "Nothing else?"

"I don't know what's getting you upset, but whatever you want to keep a secret. I won't ask about it anymore." Yuriko looked both ways, then let go of him. An elementary school is not a place for violence, she regretted her actions from the heat of the moment.

"I'm sorry." She apologized, hanging her head down as she let go. "I went too far there."

"It's fine." He let it go, turning to head back to the classroom. "Come on, I'm sure they're wondering what's taking us." He took one step, before she said something.

"It's true." That made him stop in his tracks. "I used to be a delinquent back then." Things got too bad with her, when she was younger. Yuriko found herself sent off to her aunt and uncle's place. There, she went to a school that was infamous for it's large amount of delinquents and troublemakers. In the hopes that maybe she could turn things around.

It didn't work, not at first at least. Getting into fights, breaking curfew. She was a very rebellious girl during those years. But it all changed, in her second-to-last year in that town.

It was then, she met a boy. Well, for the official first time anyway. His reputation preceded him, that kid whose parents died. In terms of actions, they weren't all that different. He seemed just as bad as her.

Their meeting almost seemed prepped for disaster. Two kids that were known for fighting as much as them. Even the students at this school were afraid for what was to happen. Afraid of the damage that might've been caused, when these two forces met.

The two were aware of the other's reputation. Which is why getting stuck working on some school event was enough to make both of them weary. Yet at the same time, it might've been the best for everyone involved.

"You're lucky." She said to him. "You don't have to worry about what your family thinks of you." If it wasn't so confusing to the boy, he might've gotten mad at such a dumb statement. But Yuriko wasn't in a smart person at the moment. She had been living her life, believing that there was no return from where she went.

"I'll never get to see my parents again." He scolded her, then said something. That both of them needed to change their lives. "You still have that chance, don't ever say it's too late."

It was a wake-up call for her. From then on, she turned her attitude around. No more staying out late, no more fights. Studying became much more important, and soon enough. She earned herself back into the graces of her family. Not that it was easy by any metric.

The truth is, we did know each other." Yuriko informed Arata. "But, I was only known as that troublemaker girl then. I've apparently changed so much, that they don't recognize me."

"That's why you were so worried about what I knew." He said. She only nodded at that statement. "Look, I don't know what you did back then. But I know the Yuriko I know now, is a good person." Mostly a good person, he'll never forget that time she decked him... There were some anger issues that had to be dealt with.

"Thanks…" Her tone had something wrong with it, he was certain. Arata had seen the way she held herself before. He had seen the same thing from Erina during his bout of amnesia. Back when he had forgotten how they met. So then, what was missing with this story from Yuriko?

"Hey." He took her hand. Regardless of what he did or didn't know. This was her secret to keep. If she didn't want to, then he wouldn't bother her about it anymore. "We got friends that are waiting for us. So, let's focus on today."

"Right…" She accepted, then noticed them holding hands. Quickly, she ripped hers from his. "And don't hold my hands like that." She crossed her arms, and walked back to the classroom.

Arata could only smile as he followed her. Glad that whatever weight she had on her, appeared lifted.