Chapter XVI: The Hoods
Ryujin, Haruto, Inoshiro, and Okaki sit at the student parks near the gymnasium.
"Hmm, how about the girls?" (Ryujin)
"What about the girls?" (Haruto)
"You mean Arita and Fujima? (Okaki)
"No, the ones that we bumped into from the stalls" (Ryujin)
"Oh yeah, Rikiyo, Saki, and Kitsune. Oh yeah, where could they be at right now?" (Inoshiro)
"Oh by the way, which reminds me, how was your sport? (Okaki)
"The Badminton Tournament?" (Ryujin)
"Yeah" (Inoshiro)
"Well, we won the first and semi-finals, but the latter round, we both lost." (Haruto)
"Yeah, but glad we won semi-finals." (Ryujin)
"Like Japan bombing Pearl harbor and sadly still lost the war." (Inoshiro)
"What?!" (Haruto, Ryujin, and Okaki)
"It's a euphemism for 'winning the fight but losing the battle' dudes" (Inoshiro)
"Oh that explains it" (Haruto, Okaki, and Ryujin)
"Hey, what about let's go back and check the others if how they are doing?" (Ryujin)
"I agree!" (Haruto)
"Let's-a-go!" (Inoshiro)
"Woah-ho!" (Okaki)
The four go to the basketball court where Kuebiko and Hageshi are still battling against the 2nd years. Their ferocious attacks, together with some other 1st years or freshmen combine. Kuebiko's vine manipulation fends off the 2nd years as a trap, Hageshi surfs on with his wave.
"Dude, look at Hageshi!" (Inoshiro)
"Yeah, now that's going into the Marvel Universe!" (Haruto)
"Seriously dude, Sandman a villain! (Okaki)
"Technically, he was a villain, but only misunderstood" (Ryujin)
"Why?", Okaki and Inoshiro tilt their heads, while Haruto raises an eyebrow.
"C'mon dudes, didn't y'all watch Spiderman 3 from 2007?" (Ryujin)
"We did", Inoshiro and Haruto.
"Wait, 2007?! Man, I feel old" (Okaki)
"But look at your height!" (Haruto)
"LOL" (Inoshiro)
"Yeah, apparently, sandman or by his real name Flint Marko was a misunderstood villain since his criminal acts stem from a desire to help his sick daughter." (Ryujin)
"Oh, I did not saw that!" (Inoshiro)
"Yeah, me neither" (Haruto)
"Wait, how old were you when you watched the movie?" (Ryujin)
"10" (Haruto)
"9" (Inoshiro)
"Damn! Go to Pewds' 9 Year old army LMAO" (Okaki)
"But look at Hageshi there, Sandman but the moves are Frozone!" (Inoshiro)
"Man, I love the part where Frozone said, "Honey, WHERE IS MY SUPER SUIT?!"" (Haruto)
"Yeah, someone should make a meme out of it someday" (Ryujin)
Suddenly, a burst of flame through the court since the 2nd years have a Leo, speeding the bull up to an acceleration to a combustive move.
"Did y'all think the ball survive?" (Inoshiro)
The three shakes their heads.
"Hmm, as a Leo, what do you think?" (Ryujin)
"That's a good question, I've broken many of my balls back then" (Inoshiro)
"Y-y-you broke your balls?" (Haruto)
"It's not what you think it is! Back then, I was equipped with many balls. Basketball, Volleyball, Dodgeball, Golf, Baseball, Ping Pong, name any balls that are soft or made of light materials, I broke every ball." (Inoshiro)
"Well, that's a bummer, glad you didn't broke your dad's balls LMAO!" (Okaki)
"Jokes on you, I didn't but maybe it was your dad's balls that broke!" (Inoshiro)
"The thing is, yup lol" (Okaki)
Laughter erupts with Inoshiro, Okaki, Haruto, and Ryujin. Since due to the moves of the 2nd years, Hageshi, Kuebiko and their Team, pushes through their limits. As the ball gets snatched by a Capricorn from the 2nd years, Kuebiko creates vines of the hardest material there is. Then, to be followed by a vine of Pothos Plant, where each slice of the vine by the opponent, gives the vines an additional stem and they do not wilt. Hageshi on the other hand, with each fiber of sand, he controls. He puts a sand bed beneath the opponent carrying the ball, and the player slips, securing the ball for the defense or such the offense. The ball gets into their custody, Hageshi shoots the ball with precision and it makes the basket. With such move, the 1st years pulverized the 2nd years in a swift move, and they will be moving on to the semi-finals. With this, there is a 1 hour break before the semi-finals. As Hageshi is resting on the bench,
"Hey, nice job, Hageshi!" (Ryujin)
"Hey! Thanks!" (Hageshi)
The four approach him.
"So, how did it went for your sports dude?", Hageshi wipes off his sweat.
"Well, we entered the finals but we lost" (Haruto)
"But at least, we won the semi-finals" (Ryujin)
"How about you too?", Hageshi turns to Inoshiro and Okaki.
"Nah, we didn't signed up for any sports" (Inoshiro)
"Man! Really?" (Hageshi)
"Have you've seen this skin? Never been out of the house dude" (Inoshiro)
"And look! We're hooked up on this game, see!" (Okaki)
"WHAT?! Chronicles of Destiny?! I'm in!" (Hageshi)
"Dude, how about your game?" (Haruto)
"Oh, 1 hour break"
"Nice" (Inoshiro)
"Hmm, what are the others might be up to now?" (Ryujin)
On the other hand, Samero and the others, together with Fujima and Miku are playing volleyball but not in a competition. Next to them, Takeshi playing Mobile Legends with Aoto.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the campus, Kitsune, Saki, and Rikiyo take a stroll by the stalls, browsing the various offerings. As they pass through a deserted alley, a chill ran down their spines as they overhear two hooded figures discussing a sinister plan.
"Everything is going according to plan. We just need to ensure no one interferes," one of the hooded figures whispers.
"Agree. We must act swiftly and decisively," the other replies.
Their blood run cold as they realize the gravity of the situation. Before they could react, another hooded figure appears, blocking their path.
"Well, well, what do we have here?" the figure sneers.
Terrified, Kitsune springs into action like a fox, channeling her power of 7th Element: Terra. With a swift motion, she creates a barrier of earth, shielding Saki and Rikiyo from harm.
"Quick, follow me!" Kitsune urges.
Together, they dash into a nearby tunnel, the force field keeping their pursuers at bay. Rikiyo, drawing upon her own abilities, activates Dance Monkey, creating a loose-bound gravity shield that reinforces the barrier.
As they emerge in an alley near the Sadalmelik Building in the Aquarius District, they waste no time in seeking help. Rushing into the High School faculty room at the ground floor, they are met with an unexpected sight—a hooded figure lurking in the shadows, his gaze piercing and malevolent.
"Welcome, ladies. It seems you've stumbled into quite the predicament," the figure taunts.
Their hearts races with fear as they realize they are in the midst of a dangerous game, with unknown adversaries lurking in the shadows. Little did they know, the true test of their abilities is only just beginning.