Episode Seven

Lost in sound~

Mareea munches on her vegetarian pizza, stretching her arm out for the satisfying cheese pull. The mountain of cheese placed on her pizza slips off the slice, disappointing the maddened demi-shark girl as she roars. “RAAAHHH HOW DARE YOU, PIZZA SLICE?!” She shoves the inadequate piece of sauced bread into her sharp mouth, chewing grumpily.

“Heh heh. You good, Reea?” The slyly grinning shark boy across from Mareea teases her as Kai chomps on a tuna sandwich. 

She slams her fist on the cafeteria circle tables, almost knocking it down. “I’M.. fine. Just overly excited!” Mareea takes a deep breath, attempting to calm herself.

Kai speaks with a sandwich-filled mouth while covering it politely with his hand. “Fo da shwim match?” He gulps down the food, wiping his mouth with a napkin afterwards.

Seemingly powered up again, Mareea yells while jumping out of her seat. “I’M SO PUMPED! RAAAAHHHHH! THIS PIZZA— it was insufficient for my needs.” The demi-shark hisses with a grimace, sitting down again.

“Oh! BRAIN IDEA!!” Usually laid-back, Kai springs up, placing two spread out hands on the edge of the round table. “What if Yori does the bake sale during the match?! It would be awesome!” Kai announces with a sharp, toothy smile and a sway of his tail, proud of having a good idea for once. 

Mareea perks at the idea, nodding her head in agreement. “YEAH! Speaking of Hyori- where are those three?? Lunch is ‘bouta end soon.” She glances off to the large wall clock, looking past large monsters and demi-humans. “They only wenta get some subs, right?”

Sitting back down and resting his hand on his cheek, Kai looks to where Mareea has her eyes. “Hmm.. it has been a while since they left.. That was at the start of lunch!” 

“Oi! Fish ‘eads!” Mareea and Kai both turn to see Robin, the demi-arapaima, and Alicia by their side, a demi-gator girl. “H-Hello..” she says, giving a small wave.

Robin plants a foot on one of the empty seats at the table. “You two ready for the comp?! Better be ready, mate!” Robin pumps a fist in the air with a hearty laugh, their red scales and freckles shining brightly by the sunlit windows. 

The shy gator human speaks up with a shaky voice, pushing up her small round glasses and pulling out a large book. “A-According to past swim competitions, Kai and Robin have been at each other’s n-necks since freshman year! L-Last semester, Robin won; with Kai at a close s-second..” 

“That’s right, baby! And I plan to do it again!” The mischievous demi-arapaima looks at Alica with a sly grin, coming up behind her. “You gonna be rooting for me, right cutie~?” Robin traps Alicia in an embrace, nuzzling her cheek to cheek. 

“Ah- R..Robin! Of c-course!” The gator flushes a dark red, clearly embarrassed by the public affection. She glances at the yearbook, struggling to read off it. “Th-th-this past y-y-year.. K-Kai has—” 

“Hey, Robin, I think your girlfriend is malfunctioning.” Kai interjects, crossing his arms with stifled chuckling.

Robin gives Alicia a peck on the cheek, then lets go of her, resting an elbow on the demi-gator’s shoulder. “Nah, she’s fine. This ‘appens often.”

 “...yeaaahh..” Alicia reluctantly nods in agreement, knowing fully well this is a common occurrence.

Robin moves on, totally normal. “Anyways mate, I came over ‘ere to tell you that the swim comp was moved to Sweet’earts day, and—” 

The side doors near their table swing open with a quick and heavy creak, emerging from them are three heaving individuals. 

“MADE IT!” Hyori pants, placing a hand on her knee as she bends over, clutching the sandwich to-go box in the other. She turns to the demi-rabbit and demon boy “I didn’t think we’d make it on tim—”

‘BRRrRrrrrRrrrriiinGG!’

The cafeteria hastily clears out, each being going their separate ways to class. Waiting for the wave of students to pass, Xander, Vonni, and Hyori stay flat against the wall next to the flooding door. The cafeteria empties after a while, having held an entire grade of students in one place of various sizes, speeds, and appendages. 

“What was that you said about making it on time?” Xander turns to the human girl with a half-displeased, somewhat playful expression as he walks through the previously full doors to meet up with Mareea and Kai, knowing they stayed behind. 

“Yo, why’d you guys take so long? You missed, like, all of lunch!” Kai questions, stretching his hands out while watching Hyori and Vonni appear from behind the succubus demon man. 

Xander glances off past Kai, who's now standing up and throwing away his trash. “We.. kinda got caught up with something—”

“We met Juuzou at the bakery!!” Hyori jumps up, her ribbons bouncing along with her head. “She was so cool! Seeing her up close, she has heart pupils! Just like Xander!” She talks with her hands, beaming with wonder. “Oh, and! She has these purple arms! I dunno if you saw that when we first met her- But it's so pretty! Is that offensive to point out? I HOPE NOT- I just think everyone is so cool! Oh, and—!”

“You’re doing the thing again, Yori. Heh heh.” Mareea butts in, placing her hands on her hips and sashaying to the doors. “You can tell me all about it in Ms. Harmony’s class, girl.” 

“Wait, so you really ran into Juuzou at the Sweet Spot?” Kai runs up to Xander, asking more questions. “What was she doing there??”

Robin yells across the cafeteria, walking towards different doors. “YO KAI YOU BETTER BE READY MATE—!”

“Robin, we need to go!”

“Of course, love!” They turn to face Kai, pointing two fingers to their eyes then back at the demi-shark boy “BE READY.”

Puzzled, Xander shakes off the random interaction and focuses back on Kai. “Uhhh anyways.. She was there to grab a bite, surprisingly.”

“Surprisingly??” Kai wonders, the thought being interrupted by an authoritative voice followed by the click-clacking of heels.

“The cafeteria should be completely emptied at this hour. Please head to your classes.” Principal Deadman stares sternly at the group of five, all of them collectively saying “Yes ma’am” almost in unison. The five walk out of the lunchroom, saying their goodbyes as they walk to their own classes.

Juuzou paces back and forth, occasionally glancing at the light-hued envelope placed on Xander’s dining table. “Maybe.. they let me in! Yeah..!” 

She paces to the left, chewing on her thumbnail. “Ugggghhh but maybe they didnnn’t…” The demon girl sinks against Xander’s kitchen counter, pulling on the sides of her hair. “What if I just never open it??” She questions herself, getting back up. 

Juuzou paces to the right, talking with her hands. “But then.. I’ll never knnnoooowww hnngg” Grabbing her cheeks, she pulls on her face, plopping into a chair next to the envelope. She stares at it, the envelope does read her name. It is addressed to her. It’s not like there's many Juuzou’s around.. Right? She contemplates opening it all over again in her head, the thought hanging in her mind. 

“UGH!” Juuzou bangs on the table, making the mail bounce up slightly. She quickly holds her fist, whispering “owie ow oww…” Taking another look at the letter, the anxious succubus verifies the envelope is addressed correctly again. She then reaches towards it with a shaky hand and a deep breath. 

“Gently, now..” Juuzou tells herself, tearing the top open cautiously with a protruded sharp nail while her anticipation grows; as if the envelope would explode upon contact like a science experiment. She carefully sets it down, sliding out the letter contained inside with immense slowness. 

“Pleeasee please please.. WAIT.” Juuzou covers the half-emerged letter with her palm, looking away. “Do I.. really want to attend..?” The demon inquires herself, rethinking. Do I.. really want to..? She asks in her mind this time, making sure all parts of her are in agreement. Her lip quivers along with her hands, rattling the envelope underneath them. She stares intensely at the back of her palms, the only wall between the outside world and the inside. 

She recalls what she did today, something she would’ve never thought to do. To even indulge in. Sweets. A bakery. Bonding. Laughing. Friends. Beings. Humans. A girl. Hyori. Hyori.. Hyori… 

I want.. To be…

Lifting her hands with a bit of hesitation, Juuzou peers at the neatly folded letter; pinching the ends of it, she slides the paper out ever so carefully. “Here goes.. everything.. again.” The succubus girl takes an enormous deep breath, filling her lungs to maximum capacity before revealing the letter that dictates her immediate future. “please..” 

The envelope with Juuzou’s name in cursive print falls to the table, all that’s left is the folded paper in her hands. She takes another breath, trying to calm her tremendous anxiety. “Come on.. It’s just a piece of paper. How bad can this be?” She stops for a moment, backtracking. “Well.. actually it could be pretty bad.. Like if I don’t get accepted bad..” She shakes her head, attempting to get rid of the thought. 

“Oh my hell, just open it!” Fed up with herself, Juuzou unfolds the letter, looking away just as she does so. “NOPE! I can’t do it..” She forces her head down, taking in a few more breaths. “Yes.. I.. CAN! C’mon Juuzou! You survived fighting devils on Uroth, you can READ a damned LETTER.” The indecisive demon girl takes a begrudged look at the paper, scanning every word. 

“Congratulations.. Juuzou.. you.. have.. been.. accepted.. to.. Deadman’s.. High school.. AHH! Meettheprincipaltomorrowmorningat6am?!” She yells, throwing her hands to her head. “I actually got accepted?! Even though I’m.. the principal must know who.. Ughh WHATEVER!” Juuzou slaps her cheeks lightly, trying to ignore the thoughts in her mind. 

“Holy hell, I can’t believe it! I have to tell Xander—” She turns around to the door then quickly stops, having realized. “Oh yeah- He’s… kinda busy. Hm.” Juuzou looks around the room attempting to find something to pass the time, meeting her eyes with the to-go box Stella packed for her. Guess I could have a bite and watch some TV.. She turns to the television, taking a step. Something behind Juuzou falls to the ground with a quiet thump, making her jolt up. “Oh fuck! Oh..” She turns back around, analyzing the small item. Bending to pick it up, she plasters a curious look. “What’s… this? ..And a note?” Juuzou holds the object in her left hand, reading the handwritten note with the other. “A gift.. For your first day.. Huh?”

“Alright, class!” A giddy voice announces from the front of the room, calling attention to the students within it. “Welcome, welcome! If this is the first time you see me, I’m Ms. Harmony! My pronouns are She/Her.” She points to a neatly written cursive name on a whiteboard decorated with drawn tree branches. “With that out of the way..” Ms. Harmony lugs out a large metal cage with “humph!” and carefully sets it down on her desk. What appears to be a gray matter blob slugs around inside, staring directly at the classroom full of students with big large googly eyes. 

“This is the class pet. His name is Goop.” The ent teacher smiles, resting a bark-skinned hand on the top of the enclosure. The blob waves a hand(?) loudly saying “HELLO!” to the students.

A being in the back raises their hand slowly, Ms. Harmony points to them. “Yes?” she asks, expecting the question. 

“Is—”

“Yes, he is made of goop. Another question?”
“Can—”

“No, you cannot eat him” Ms. Harmony straightens her leafy brows, her cybernetic throat whirs as she speaks. 

“That’s not what I was going to—”

“Moving on!” She carries the cage containing Goop off to a separate table with a sign that reads “Please do not shake me, I glow.” Setting him down gently, Ms. Harmony feeds the gray matter being a glowstick. The goop happily takes the treat, swallowing it whole.

“Now that that’s taken care of.. Let’s move on to our physics lesson!” Ms. Harmony skips over to her desk. “Where did I put those pesky papers..” 

A knock on the door alerts the teacher as she calls out. “Come in!” 

Ser Creator walks through with his head down. “Hello, Harmony. Do you have any spare papers I—” He stops mid-sentence, peering at the enclosure.

"...you...still have that horrid thing?"

Ms. Harmony smiles, beaming. "Yeah, it's the class pet!" 

"What..?"

"Yeah, you know, the class pet." She emphasizes her words while crossing her bark-like arms, still holding a smile.

"So allow me to confirm what you are saying.” Ser Creator holds a hand to his head, taking a hefty deep breath. “You made such an idiotic creature from my own essence..." 

The blob creature inside the cage waves at him with a derpy smile. Ser Creator flinches in response. “Eugh..”

"Mhm. Yes.” Ms. Harmony nods her head vigorously.

"...and decided to turn it into your class' attraction?"

"Yeah!"

"Somehow that annoys me the most." He walks out of the classroom, waving a hand. “Forget about the papers, I’ll ask another. Thank you for your time.”

The cybernetic ent creature turns on her heels back to her class, clasping her hands together. “Okay! Anyways—”

A reaching hand zips up, eager to know. “I don’t mean to question you ma’am, but isn’t this a history class?” Hyori inquires towards the cyber demi-ent with a puzzled look on the human’s face, completely ignoring the interaction.

“Ah, yes. You see, I’m bored of that right now. So I’m doing physics instead!” Ms. Harmony responds, pulling out a stack of worksheets. Various whining murmurs fill the room, complaining about carrying their now unneeded history textbooks. 

Mareea taps Hyori’s shoulder as the teacher tries to settle down the rest of the class. “Yo, Yori! What were you talking about seeing Juuzou at the bakery?” She asks, curious. 

“Oh! Yeah! When Vonni, Xander, and I went to grab lunch at the bakery, Juuzou was already there! I think she was having a bite.” She rambles on as Ms. Harmony passes out papers to the class. “She said something about my sweet stuff?? I dunno, but she got reeeally nervous about it. Also, I’m still a little worried because she said she fell when Xander flew away after her.. But they said it was okay!” 

The demi-shark rests her tail at her side calmly, smiling as she watches Hyori beam while she talks.

“Anyways, she has purple arms! It’s so cool! I wonder why Xander doesn’t have arms like that.. Besides that, we just got busy talking to her! Oh! And she asked if we could all go shopping! I think it’ll be so fun.”

“SHOPPING?!” Mareea perks up, surprised a bit by her volume as she looks around the room to the students now staring her way. “Uh.. sorry— Shopping?? I would love to go!” 

Hyori giggles, covering her mouth. “Sweet! Hehe!” The human takes out a pink pen from her bag, accepting the paper Ms. Harmony is handing to her. “I dunno when we’re going, but yeah!”

Taking out her own pencil, Mareea places her worksheet on her desk, scanning it over. “Sounds good! I’m sure we’ll get deets later from those sibs.”

“Mhm! Oh, and, Mareea—?” 

Suddenly an alarm blares loudly, interrupting Hyori. The overhead speakers crackle with a whine, followed by a commanding voice. “This is not a drill. Everyone, please make your way to the emergency exits throughout the school. I repeat, This is not a drill. Teachers, please guide your students to keep order and calm.” The speakers crackle again as the announcement stops.

“Woah! Okay peeps, you heard the lady. Please calmly get out of your seats and go through the doors.” The ent hurries to the enclosure containing Goop, picks him up, and heads to the door. 

Hyori stands, grabbing her bag. “What’s going on?? The principal said this wasn't a drill! Oh sweetness..” She heaves, placing a hand on her chest.

“She also said to stay calm. I’m sure things are alright and it’s somethin’ small.” Mareea takes her bag as well, holding Hyori’s hand. “Here, I can take your hand if it makes you feel a little better.” The shark girl gives Hyori a warm toothy smile, trying to ease the pink-haired being’s mind.
Hyori smiles lightly, breathing to calm her nerves. “Thanks Mareea..” She holds Mareea’s hand tightly, walking together to the classroom doors. 

“Let's try to meet up with the others.” The demi-shark says, squeezing past students with Hyori trailing behind. 

Nodding, the human agrees, looking at her surroundings. “Yeah, good idea..” Worried, she pulls out her phone with a free hand, sending a group message. “I’m texting the group chat.” She alerts Mareea, following her lead. 

The halls flood with concerned murmurs from many students, trying to calmly make their way to the exits. The alarms, loud enough to be heard but not enough to hurt creatures with refined hearing, persist as they color the purple walls into a reddish hue. Hyori finishes sending her text, pocketing her phone.

“Hey! I got your texts, Yori!” A familiar voice calls out from afar, waving a high hand. “Vonni and Xander are here too!”

“Kai! That was quick! Sweetness, am I so happy to see you guys!” Hyori squeezes Mareea’s firm hand, waving with the other. The human and the demi-shark girl try their best to squeeze by walking students, and meeting up with the other three. 

“Hey, do you know what’s going on??” Mareea inquires, still holding Hyori’s hand. She tries to hide her concerned expression from Kai, but fails. 

“Don’t worry Reea, I’m sure we’re okay. I heard from Ms. Dilwyn that someone might’ve spotted a suspicious being on campus.. But it’s still a maybe!” Kai pats Mareea’s shoulder, noticing her worry. 

Xander butts in, looking towards the exit ahead. “We should get moving though guys, seems they’re taking this pretty seriously.” He wraps Vonni in a side hug, walking with her. 

“He’s right, you guys! What if there is some suspicious being?? The principal wouldn’t make us all exit the building if it wasn't true!” Vonni says with a shake in her voice.

Hyori stares at the exit, starting to walk with the two. “That’s a fair point.. Let’s go, we’ll talk more once we’re outside.”

The group makes their way to the emergency exit, following the rest of the students. Pushing open the doors, the sunlight meets their eyes, making them squint as they adjust to the brightness. 

“Goodness! They really did evacuate the entire school!” Vonni calls out, looking around at the variety of beings standing outside. 

A teacher comes up with a wet step. “Well, yes. We do not take things of this matter very lightly..” Ser Creator appears, straightening his bow. “We have not confirmed if there is a suspicious being or not, unfortunately. But as they say, it is better to be safe than to be sorry.” He says, directing his own class to the rest of the big group. 

“I see..” Vonni replies, some of her concerns washing away from her face as teachers begin to gather.

Hyori pumps a hand in the air, ready to ask a question. “Ser?”

“We are not in class, Hyori, but I will answer your raised hand. Go ahead.” Ser Creator replies with a fashionable bow, entertaining her antics.

“What about the rest of our classes? Will we continue if there’s confirmation of no being??” She curiously asks, a little worried still.

A click-clacking on the cement ground comes up behind Hyori, the tall principal making her entrance. “Well, we’re planning to cancel the later classes.. It’s too risky to send students back in, I personally don’t feel safe doing so.” Principal Deadman clears her throat. “Attention all students! We deem it safer for you all to return home. If you have any items you need to retrieve, have a teacher escort you. Please be safe!” Attempting to hide her concern with a booming voice, she turns to Ser Creator. “Since you can get around quite easily in small places, Creator, can I trust you to look around the school unnoticed?” 

The blobman tips his tophat at the principal, bowing again. “Of course, madam. I will do my best.” Ser Creator walks off, slinking by the doors. 

Hyori watches the interaction, hoisting her bag on her shoulders. “Well, good thing I grabbed my stuff..”

“Ditto. I’d never leave my bag behind! I have good makeup in here!” Mareea chimes in, zipping her side bag as she pulls out lipgloss. “I ain’t gonna lose it to some suspicious dude!” She applies the gloss, trying to get a rise out of Hyori.

The human chuckles, then turns serious quickly. “Mareea.. Thank you for being there.. I would’ve been so nervous without you!”

“Of course! You're my girl, girl!” She chomps her teeth into a sharp smile, giving a thumbs up as she stashes the lipgloss.

“Yo, should we go to my apartment? Since we’re being released, I guess we can go shopping around like Juuzou wanted.” Xander questions the group, combing his hair back. “I have my stuff already too. Is everyone else good?” 

“Yeah, I’m doing alright. What ‘bout you?” Kai says with a sly smile.

Xander turns away from him, addressing the demi-rabbit. “Ignoring that. Vonni, you good, love?” 

“Mhm! I have my things, thankfully.” She smiles, hooking onto his arm. 

“Sweet! Let’s go then!” Hyori’s concern seemingly washed away in an instant to the thought of hanging out as a group. 

Mareea chortles, looking at Hyori as she starts walking ahead. “Woah, look who’s perked up now!” 

“Hehe! I’m just excited! I love hanging out with you guys!” She jumps up, skipping by the group’s side. “So we’re gonna meet up with Juuzou??”

Kai walks with his hands in his pockets, butting in. “Sounds like the plan.”

Juuzou lays back on the couch, munching on her sandwich as she flips through channels. “Mmm.. Damn.. This sandwich is good!” She gulps down the food, staring intensely at the rest. “What do those people put in these things??” She questions, taking another bite. A faint alarm sounds from the direction of the school as she chews. Juuzou mutes the TV, trying to listen. 

“Is that.. An alarm?” That’s coming from the school.. She stands up, placing her sandwich down in the container it came in, then staring out the large window with Deadman’s High School in view. “I hope everything is okay.. Ughh now I’m worried!” Juuzou places her hands on her head, starting to panic. “It’s okay.. I’m sure things are fine..” She begins to pace again. “But.. they wouldn’t start those alarms for no reason! Hnnn..” She frizzles her hair as she walks back and forth, glancing a few times out the window.

“I WISH I HAD A DAMN PHONE ughh.. I need to ask Xander about that..” The succubus flicks her tail, taking deep breaths. “Calm down, Juuzou! Maybe it’s like a test thing or whatever! I’ve read about those... I think..” Turning back to the TV, she walks over to the couch and plops down. “Let’s just.. Try relaxing. I’m sure they’re all fine..” Juuzou unmutes the television, glancing once more to the gem-powered school. She turns the volume up, attempting to tune out the far alarm. 

“This just in, Alarms sound at Deadman’s High School for the first time in months due to—”

“nope.” Juuzou shuts the TV off with a firm click on the remote, then sets it down as she goes to stand again. “Maybe.. Some music. Haven’t played in a while..” Juuzou wanders around Xander’s apartment to his guest room, where she stays. The room, darkened by closed blinds, has various clutter amok. She analyzes her room, almost tripping over piles of Xander’s old shirts and pants. “Ah! Forgot that was there..” She makes her way to the closet, mostly empty except for a hot pink electric guitar in the shape of a half-heart leaning against the wall. 

“There you are, Richard.” Juuzou greets her cherished guitar, grabbing it by the neck tenderly. “Sorry I haven’t played much, bud..” The demon girl swipes away at a thin layer of dust accumulated at the base, scanning her room once more. “Where’s my pick.. Huh..” She sets Richard down on her bed carefully, opening the nightstand drawers as she looks around. “Hmm.. I probably lost it somewhere.. That’ll be a hassle to find in here..”

 

She turns back to her guitar. Ugh.. I don’t wanna bother.. Taking the guitar again, she walks out of her room, this time noting the pile of clothing by the door. I’ll.. clean that up later.. Making her way back to the couch, Juuzou sits down again, lying back with Richard in hand. She starts to strum, humming a random tune that pops into her head. Getting lost in the sound, she closes her eyes; continuing to strum. She takes a deep breath, clearing her mind of outside worries and concerns. “Hmmm~ Hmm hmm~ That sounds pretty good..” Juuzou finger picks the guitar with care, resting her head on the soft cushion. “Da dah.. Duh dum.. Heart beats like a drum~” 

A quick knock suddenly takes Juuzou out of the sound, shooting her eyes open. “Ah—! W-Who..?”