Chapter 167: Sudden Death Run-Off Election (1)

Chapter 167: Sudden Death Run-Off Election (1)

~Third POV~

[7 days later, Honnouji Academy, 8:30 am]

At long last, a week had passed. Those who had survived the battle royal gathered in the academy's courtyard at 8:30 am. All of the No-Star students waited just outside the entrance with Mako cheering for her friends, "Those two will win! Go Ryuko! Go Mash the like button!"

Mash's face twitched at that comment with Ryuko chuckling at his name's convince, "Ha! Mash the like button. Dude your name was meant for this."

Jabbing him on the shoulder he rolled his eyes mumbling to himself as he pouted lightly in a childish tone, "Haha very funny exhibitionist you don't see me striding in that slutty attire you wear?"

Her smile soon shifted into an angry growl steadily grabbing her Scissor Blade in a pissed-off tone, "What was that you said jackass!"

Both glared at each other but knew it was all for fun. Soon, however, Satsuki emerged from her tower and stared at the crowd beneath her in a serious tone, "Fellow comrades of Honnouji Academy! You have done well to struggle through seven days of mortal combat to gather here to take part in the Sudden Death Run-Off Election! However, your battle has just begun! I will begin assigning new Three-Star students based on the results of the battle here!"

*Rmbl*

Suddenly 6 massive, spiked towers rose out of the ground busted from the ground, and ascended upward as Satsuki explained with an amused grin, "There are 6 towers in the schoolyard! Those standing atop them will be considered front-runner candidates, and the election will be conducted! And the one that remained standing last will have the honor of being the Vice-President of the Student Council!"

Hearing such a declaration certainly surprised the Elite Four of the news as they weren't informed of this information. However, Mash knew what she meant with a curious expression on his face and thought to himself, 'The Elite Four didn't seem to know about this… the hell is she planning here? Does she want me that badly to be at her side? I will never understand that woman's mind.'

He helplessly shakes his head at this as he snaps his attention to reality listening to Ryuko's voice in an annoyed tone, "There she goes, being devious again! You ready for this?"

She raised her fist as he did the same following suit forming a fist bump with a cheeky grin on his face in a determined tone, "Wouldn't have it any other way Gear Eyes. Now if you can keep up is the question?"

She rolled her eyes as they shifted their focus to Satsuki or rather the Elite Four with an amused grin on his face, "Well, well. I see you aren't called the Elite Four for nothing."

Ryuko and Mash then sped to each one of the towers, cutting or punching anyone who got in their way soon standing atop the tower. When they reached the towers, Mash held an amused expression much to the Elite Four's utter annoyance.

Each member of the Elite Four had different expressions as Mash spoke in a confident tone, "I seem to recall you four owing up. The additional tower didn't count because of your lady last second decision. We all knew how this would go hahaha…"

Laughing mischievously the Elite Four scoffed each responding to a different answer to his words in a very annoyed tone.

"Why did we make that bet?"

"Damn it!"

"See? I told you guys you should've let me bet!"

"Looking back at it, it was obvious this would happen."

Satsuki grew a bit confused as Ryuko looked at her partner who only laughed at their misfortune causing Satsuki to ask in a confused tone to match her expression, "What is this bet you four had?"

Inumuta sighed out loud as he explained in a neutral tone placing one of his hands over his head, "We had a bet with Bastion. He stated if we of the Elite Four ended up against Matoi at the sudden death run-off, we each had to pay him 1000 dollars. Except for the added tower from you Lady Satsuki, we got scammed."

Stomping her foot on the ground Nonon bitterly added on in an annoyed tone, "That asshole played us. He knew that it would end like this!"

Mash laughed much to Nonon's frustration with Ryuko's eyes opened mouth agape in an impressed tone, "Holy… damn. Okay, now that's just scary accurate or very impressive playing Satsuki's Elite Four like a kid. I'm glad you're on my side."

*BAM*

At her tower, Satsuki slammed her Bakuzan's sheath into the floor making herself known. At the same time, a much larger tower emerged in the center of the courtyard as she spoke in a serious tone, "Ryuko Matoi, you will be facing a gauntlet of enemies on your lonesome. Should you succeed, then I shall inform you about your father's demise in detail."

"OBJECTION!!!"

Ryuko's eyes narrowed at Satsuki's words eyeing her with a curt nod agreeing. But soon enough Mash interrupted the tension in a curious tone, "Now hold there Eyebrows! I've got an interesting proposal that you might wanna hear!"

Satsuki gazed down at him for a few moments narrowing her eyes not knowing what he had in store said in a stoic tone, "Speak."

He smiled giving the chance to explain a better opinion and give out info to the enemy that they can't resist knowing in a confident tone, "I already deduced from the fact you intend Gear Eyes to fight these four then me considering the Towers purpose? But I propose we abandon that nonsense and cut straight to the point, shall we?"

Ryuko looked shocked by this as she bit her lips feeling a bit betrayed and conflicted but listened to what he said in a calm tone, "Just hear me out Gear Eyes. If she wins she moves on but if I win then I get to take on your Elite Four with her! You wouldn't back down the offer you gave your words upon how Matoi would succeed would you?"

Satsuki contemplated the opportunity present as Ryuko yelled out loud in a stunned tone shouted, "What the actual fuck man?!"

But before she could ask further Senketsu soon replied getting Ryuko's attention causing her to stop and listen to his words in a logical tone, "Now, hold on Ryuko. This is a golden opportunity you have in front of you. There is no outcome where you don't win in some way and we could use this means to not get eliminated against Mash or avoid fighting him as last in an exhausted state. At least this way we won't give Satsuki her desired outcome."

Ryuko paused as she narrowed her eyes at Mash for suggesting the idea but ultimately decided to trust him in a serious tone, "… Fine. I'll take you up on that offer. Kiryuin, that good enough for ya?"

There was another pause as Satsuki exchanged glances with the Elite Four. Then she turned back to them and nodded in approval in a stoic tone, "Very well. I shall allow it. Mash Bastion shall be your first opponent."

Mash nodded turning around to leave much to Ryuko's confusion till Gamagori spoke in a neutral tone, "With this out of the way with Lady Satsuki asking the Elite Four to battle you Matoi alone or with Bastion the battle will begin at 1:00 pm! Till then everyone get your ass back to class!!!"

Ryuko chose this time to not ask and followed Mash as she glared demanding from him in an angry tone down the tower's stairs, "Dude what the hell was that?! Don't think I could handle the competition or something?!!"

Contrary to what she expected Mash spoke in a calm tone locking on her gear eyes with an amused grin, "No I know you can. Just not against me. Besides that, Satsuki probably expected me to battle you at the end of the gauntlet if her Elite Four failed and by default joined her little crew."

This made Ryuko pause listening carefully to his words as he continued explaining in an appreciative tone, "Recall she said she'll make the one last standing be her vice-president? I highly doubt you'll take it, so she instead trusted me to win in blind faith that I'll simply follow her rules. Judging from the silence she didn't expect this or my reaction. So, I decided to bamboozle her before she could make any threats like say expel me if I fail to truly battle against you instead of a dive."

She immediately understood what Mash was saying as she clicked her teeth. Ryuko knew Satsuki might pull out all the stops if that were the case making excuses because her mother controls the school.

Despite her fiery, reckless, and passionate nature Ryuko knew she wasn't dumb as she asked him in a confident tone, "Tch. I hate it when you're a smartass. But at least I have an excuse to finally beat your sorry ass with all your snide comments!"

He grinned as he replied with a light shrug soon joining Mako to class in a casual tone, "Oh, I don't know… it might end up with me bending you over and smacking your ass red if you aren't careful Gear Eyes. Such naughty thoughts you have Gear Eyed exhibitionist masochist hmm…"

He casually spoke as Ryuko's face turned red having her thoughts wander to such an event occurring in her transformed state. Before she shook her head marching a bit faster away shyly yelling back, "S-Shut up asshole!"

Mash simply grinned easily teasing Ryuko's emotion but thought to himself in a serious tone his feelings about her, 'Teasing aside though… do I feel that way around her? I mean I thought at first were just friends but…'

Mash's thoughts soon drift to another memory having a flashback moment… pausing briefly having his flashback moment as people looked weirdly at him.

/////

[Flashback Start]

[Worldline: Re:Zero]

[Rosswaal Manor]

"What?"

Cue to a few months back within the Rosswaal mansion, Rem and Mash were both talking like usual till she spoke in a serious tone with a worried expression, "Mash-sama… you need another to help you. Someone you can rely upon when I'm not around because I'm fearing for your mental well-being…"

Holding her hand Mash asked in a confused tone but behind his eyes showed pain and loneliness, "What…? I know you said that I should have someone to be around me but… I didn't think you would be open for me to form…"

He didn't finish his words as Rem pressed her lips with his surprising him. They locked to each other's faces before Rem let go of both hands on his face having his undivided attention with a gentle grin said in a kind tone, "A harem yes… I would've preferred if I kept you to myself honestly but…. I know I have my duties here in my world. That's why for the person and hero I love it's okay for you to seek other kindness to help the void inside your heart."

Carefully placing her head onto his chest he was stunned by Rem's words as she continued embracing him tightly, "I know I can fill the void in your heart calling for home. But I know I can't abandon my duties either or help you outside my world. So please…"

Clasping her hands on the sides of his face Rem pleaded to him in a comforting tone stunning him in the process, "… promise me to never lose your way or kindness. Never forget who you are and seek others who'll appreciate and love you the way you are. You're not alone. No one is meant to be alone. Just… just promise you'll be fine."

Leaning in with tears forming in his eyes leaving a trail of tears he promised Rem hugging her greatly of someone who understands him in a thankful tone, "… I-I promise… can I just hug you a bit longer Rem…"

She merely grinned allowing her hero to have solace in the face of being stranded alone in the world having someone to share his burden or someone to talk to who understands him completely….

/////

[Flashback End]

[Worldline: Kill La Kill]

[Honnouji Academy, 8:31 am]

Returning to the present he shook his head at the idea sighing to himself and muttering loud enough for him to hear with a light grin, "Why did I agree to Rem's request… I swear that woman makes me feel like a coward who is not worthy of her. But I would still love her all the same… but that's if Ryuko agrees which I doubt…"

He shook his head of the idea before returning to class preparing himself for the incoming battles ahead…

/////

A/N: Alright folks we are at the changing point of the Kill La Kill canon plot. From this point forward the story will start to drift off from canon slowly but surely from the anime plot line. On a side note, I'm working on High School DxD Arc... take it how you will.