ã€ŠThe Kaimon Tales!ã€‹


 Chapter 1: Another Morning in Kaimon!

    Story #1: Another Morning in Kaimon!

    It begins another usual morning in Japan. As the streets of Tokyo is blustering with life of the mundane, life is as normal as it can be.

    Then there''s the very unusual town of Kaimon...Actual location, sort of a question not many in Japan is willing to answer. Some say a tad bit close at the left of Tokyo or was it Osaka?

    Wait, Kyoto maybe? ...Let''s just move on.

    Founded by a pirate of the Tokugawa shogunate, the town only got weirder from then on throughout its history. For most of the country, the less said about Kaimon, the better.

    But of course, we''re treated to a usual morning in such a place. Specifically, in the eastern side of town known as East Kaimon...

    <hr>

    The Onimada carpentry and family medical clinic, an old small three story building between various small businesses and shops. Home to the Onimada family, a well known family of carpenters with an infamous reputation.

    Yeah, they¡¯re still trying to fix that last part. If it was only easy...

    "Uggghhhh¡­." A young man with short spiked hair with brown eyes groans as he pulls himself up from his pillow, revealing a scar that goes across the bridge of his nose. Maxtaro Onimada, youngest of the Onimada family. High school student, ex-delinquent, a real smartass at times. He turned to see his alarm clock blaring at early morning, narrowing his eyes with irritation as the alarm continued to blare on. With a fist, he slammed it at the snooze button and retreated back to his futon bed. "Ten minutes...Just ten extra minutes¡­" He muttered to himself as he closed his eyes. Maybe his next dream would be on a trip to a sunny beach. Yeah, those ten minutes will be worth it...

    Only for him to be jarred awake as his bedroom door is suddenly kicked off its hinges, a larger figure having just kicked it down!

    "Rise and shine, Maxtaro!" Kenshin Onimada shouts with a grin entering the room as an annoyed Maxtaro only gave a glare in return. Kenshin Onimada, Maxtaro¡¯s older brother. Full time carpenter, high school graduate, retired delinquent leader, all stupidly strong!

    "...You do know that''s the fifth door you kicked down this week?" Maxtaro said bluntly as he forced himself to rise to his feet from his bed. He looked at the sorry state of his bedroom door, scratching the back of his head. "Damn, you know Dad''s gonna kill you for this...Again.¡±

    "Oh come on, little brother." Kenshin said with that smile still on his face, his eyes beaming with enthusiasm. "You know I can''t help it when we got a new job to do!"

    "Right right, you and Dad found a new building to fix up." Maxtaro replies as he stretched his limbs, yawning before his face turned to a scowl. "But still, don''t kick down the freaking door! Now get out so I can change for school!" He shouted as he walked by Kenshin to head to the bathroom. "Goddamn every freaking day now." He muttered to himself followed by grumbling as Kenshin gave a chuckle.

    "Man, I love doing that." He said with a smile.

    After a routine of cleaning up, Maxtaro changed into his school uniform; a black gakuran uniform with jacket and slacks. A vertical blue stripe on the center of the jacket with two horizontal stripes near the sleeve cuffs. Maxtaro as always never bothered to button the jacket up, showing an untucked t-shirt underneath. He soon head down to the small kitchen of his home, eying at his parents sitting at the table.

    "Dad, he did it again." Maxtaro said rather bluntly. ¡°I thought we set ground rules on that.¡± He couldn¡¯t help but roll his eyes. ¡° I guess not.¡±

    "Oh jeez, Kenshin kicked the door down again?" Maxtaro''s father Hiro said as Maxtaro only nodded with an added frown in response. Hiro Onimada, patriarch of the Onimada family, an honest carpenter...A man you seriously don¡¯t want to screw over. "Don''t worry, I''ll get him to fix it by the time you get home today."

    "Yeah, and please use the stronger hinges this time." Maxtaro responded with a sigh. "I think Kenshin got even stronger...Somehow." He then grabbed a piece of toast as he headed to the building door. "Alright guys, gotta go to school. See ya both later."

    "Ah, Maxtaro." His mother Miki said with a slightly raised hand. Miki Onimada. Matriarch of the Onimada family, decent doctor, world class snarker. "Before you go, I want you to have this." She then pulls out a smartphone, much to Maxtaro''s surprise, his eyes widening in surprise. "Hiro and I are thinking that you really need a new cell phone-"

    "Holy crap-Thank you Mom!" Maxtaro said excitedly as he takes the phone from her hands to her annoyance. "I never thought I''ve seen the day you''ll get me a-Wait, what?" He said in confusion as he notices the scuff marks on the phone, numerous old text notifications, and the random medical related apps on the screen. "I do appreciate this, Mom, but level with me here...Are you seriously giving me your old phone?"

    "H-Hey! What''s wrong with it?" Miki ask with a very defensive tone. "It''s not a bad phone!" She added to her protest, all while holding a new phone to boot. "As a clinic doctor, I need to use better equipment!¡± She soon gave pause. ¡°...Though I haven''t gotten all my contacts in yet...And I haven''t installed my apps on there at all¡­"

    "Miki, I told ya to do it when I bought the damn thing." Hiro said with a concerned look.

    "I-I was going to eventually!" Miki said with a rather embarrassed look. "...Maxtaro, can I ask for a favor?"

    Maxtaro only gave a nonchalant wave as he check out his sorta new phone. "Yeah, I guess. Just hold on a sec, got some apps to delete. I don''t think I need this rectal thermometer for dummies app-"

    "W-Wait a minute!" Miki cried out. "Don''t do anything just yet! I need that phone!"

    <hr>

    Meanwhile, at another part of East Kaimon, specifically the neighborhood area, the Hino residence and its rather barely repaired dojo stood ready for another day. A young woman and heir to the dojo itself has just finished putting on her school uniform!

    "We really need a new uniform." Kyoko said quietly as she adjust the black ribbon on the front of her seifuku uniform; white shirt with the Kaimon colors of black and blue adorned on the collar and cuffs with a blue skirt. It''s a fine uniform...But a tad old fashioned these days.

    "Seriously, what kind of budget are we running to not get blazers?" She said with a sigh as she pulled up black socks that ends just below the knee. Kyoko Hino, high school student, karate black belt, a fierce tigress with a soft spot for cartoons nobody talks about!

    "Kyoko, breakfast is ready!" Her mother called from below.

    "Yeah, I''ll be there in a second!'' Kyoko shouted as she tied her long black hair to a low messy ponytail, held by a long tightly wrapped red ribbon. "Well, time to start another day." She said quietly before cracking a smile. She heads down the stairs upon leaving her room, noticing her father Yuu standing at the main hallway. "Oh, what''s going on, Dad?"

    "Oh, Kyoko." Yuu said with a rather depressed look, holding several slips of papers. Yuu Hino, dojo master, loving father, suffers a rather misinterpreted reputation! "Well, these are the new recruitment slips that came in." He said with a sigh.

    Kyoko couldn''t help but gave a confused look. "Really? Then why the gloom?" She asked with a raised eyebrow. "Isn''t that a good thing?" She then notice her little sister Miyu walking out of the bathroom.

    "You know Dad." Miyu said. "He wants new students, but he''s getting rather annoyed they''re mostly street punks." Miyu Hino, youngest in the Hino family, skilled swordsman, and subtly suffering from height woes! ¡°They can¡¯t help but think Dad¡¯s a total badass for beating people up.¡±

    Kyoko confusion then suddenly changes. "Oh! That''s true!" She said with a light smacking of her palm.

    Yuu then gives a scowl at this reveal "Miyu!" He cried out. "You actually want me to accept these?! You do realize we''re getting a pretty shady reputation in our dojo, right?!" He then bit his lip. ¡°And again, I had my reasons to beat up those people back then-Uh, just don¡¯t do what I do!¡±

    Miyu could only cringe as her father only grew more distraught by the mere seconds. "Okay okay, I''m just saying." She replied back, with a shrug and sigh. "I mean, either we take them in and have people assume the worst of us or watch the dojo be empty like the last few months¡­" The three altogether could only grimace at the past memories of a very very empty dojo.

    It wasn''t long for Kyoko to speak up. "Dad, I hate to say this, but you probably need to accept those applications." She said with a gloomy tone. "It''s getting kind of sad we''re not getting new students if you''re too picky¡­"

    Yuu simply gave a long winded sigh. "You...You are right." He said quietly...Before returning to a pleading tone as he hands the various papers to her. "Which is why, I''m entrusting this to you, Kyoko!"

    "That''s the spirit-Wait, what?!" Kyoko shouted. Her mother then shouts from the kitchen once more.

    "I really hope you guys like breakfast, because I burnt the rice again!"

    <hr>

    Elsewhere, at the Mori Household and metalworks, Baku Mori prepares his day. Preparing his day while not wearing a shirt of all things.

    "...Baku, you are going to school wearing a shirt, right?"

    Baku could only give his little sister Kana a bewildered look as he packs his school bag. "Kana, I''m not an idiot. You know the air conditioner is broken." Baku, Maxtaro¡¯s best friend, fellow ex-delinquent, yet prone to be a hardass to people he dislikes. He only gave a frown as he notices Kana looking away as if she''s trying to choose the right words. "Y-You''re scaring me¡­"

    It wasn''t long for her to finally say something. "I know, but I''ve been noticing something...Have you been shirtless the last few days at home, just to send selfies to your girlfriend?" She finally said, rather to the point.

    "Kana!" Baku blurted out in shock.

    "I-I''m sorry! Kana said with an embarrassed look. "It''s just that Maxtaro said-"

    Baku only gave an irritated growl. "Why am I not surprised? Look, just because Maxtaro said that doesn''t mean he''s serious."

    Then a shout from outside is heard. "Hey Baku! Stop taking selfies and put a damn shirt on! We leaving or what?" Baku could only give a small pause.

    "...Kana, do me a favor while I get dressed. Get me a hammer...And look away the moment I head outside." He mutters before leaving the kitchen. It took Kana several second to register that.

    "...W-What?!" She said with shock.

    Moving on, Maxtaro stared at his new sorta phone. Still his mother''s mind you! He noticed Baku, hastily buttoning a dress shirt as his uniform jacket is loosely hanging on his shoulders, heading out to meet him. "Hey, why the long face?"

    "Yeah, give me a reason why I shouldn''t knee you right in the jewels." Baku said bluntly as he puts on his jacket, leaving the collar open.

    Maxtaro only gave a smile. "Cause you love me like a brother." He noticed Baku giving a dry chuckle.

    "Hoho, you''re just really testing how far that excuse works." He said as the two give a bumping of fists. "Seriously though, give my sister ideas, I will kill you."

    "Whatever man, can we just go already?" Maxtaro ask as he points to the scrapyard entrance. "Your mom is beating the crap out of your uncle for selling food around here again."

    They heard a crash followed by high pitched wails. The two then hear the voice of a woman clearly in an unforgiving mood. "What did I tell you bout selling crap at my place again?! I oughta shove those durian shells up your-" Followed by even more crashing noise much to the cringing reaction from Maxtaro and Baku.

    "...I seriously don''t know how your old man can sleep through all that noise." Maxtaro muttered, eying at Baku¡¯s father sleeping soundly on a nearby hammock by the house..

    "It''s a thing of his." Baku replied bluntly. "Let''s go." The two then quickly walked away as they began to walk to school. Not long after, the two walked in the mostly empty streets. "Say, I noticed you got a new phone." Baku said with a chuckle. "Bout time."

    Maxtaro gave a frown. "Yeah...Too bad I''m keeping this phone for today until my Mom gets all her junk outta her old phone."

    "Wait, your Mom is making you take her old phone?" Baku asked with much confusion. "Ain''t that kind of awkward? I can get if she bought ya an older phone, but this?"

    Maxtaro didn''t paid attention as he begins to ready his temporary phone for a selfie. "Right, so going to take a selfie for a wallpaper on my actual phone for tomorrow." Baku then grabbed Maxtaro by the arm.

    "Whoa Maxtaro. I know you can be a lot of things, but narcissist ain''t one of them." He said, right to the point. "Come on, a selfie of yourself as the wallpaper? That''s sad, man."

    "Wait, what?! I''m getting this from the guy who sends topless selfies to the pervy girl?!" Maxtaro shot back in an incredulous tone.

    Baku could only stammered at...That rather harsh truth. "Can you get off my back about that-agh!" He growled before calming himself down. "Look, single person selfies as a wallpaper is...Just too depressing in my opinion." He replied with a growing calmness. "This is more like a group thing with that kind of stuff."

    Maxtaro gave a pause but soon nodded. "Huh, never thought of it that way. Come on, let''s do one together. Best buds count, right?"

    "Right." Baku said with a returning nod. The two then set the phone pointing at them, only to hesitate. "...This is too awkward with just us."

    "Y-Yeah¡­" Maxtaro said back as the two chuckled nervously as they place the cell phone away. "I think we need more people. How bout Kyoko and Nagase?" Baku then pulled out his own phone.

    "Good thinking, I''ll call Nagase and see-" Suddenly, a thrown rock hits him square in the hand. "Agh! Son of a-" He gasps as his dropped phone hit the ground hard. "Oh crap!"

    Maxtaro looked at the direction the rock is thrown. "Who did that-Oh." He grew baffled at the sight of street punks...An army of them in fact, all led by some multi-colored mohawk wearing weirdo holding more rocks. "Well, never thought I start my morning like this. What the hell do you guys want?"

    "Aw hell, my phone¡­" Baku said in shock as he looked at his dropped phone.

    The mohawk thug then raises his voice. "Onimada and Mori! I, Mohawk Jim, declare war because of your-" He never finished as Baku in a fit of annoyance, hurled a trash can that smacked Mohawk Jim right in the head, knocking him out cold. How very anti-climatic!

    "Boss!" The small army of punks cried out as they tend to their wounded leader. "Mori, what the hell?! He wasn''t even done talking!"

    "Shut up! You assholes better pay up for this phone!" Baku cried out only to be confused. "Wait, who the hell is Mohawk Jim?"

    Maxtaro shrugs. "I''m just as lost as you are. Didn''t we ran into someone of that name recently? I''m hitting blanks here."

    Baku nearly open his mouth only to pause. "Yeah, I''m getting nothing too¡­Really, you''d think this would be obvious." Maxtaro nods as the two ponder, ignoring the roaring of the punks close by as they scream out various things, from concerns to insults.

    "Boss, get up! Oh god, he''s frothing at the mouth! You two are dead, you hear?! Stop ignoring us dammit!"

    Baku then snapped his fingers. "Got it, we made fun of his mohawk a few nights ago!"

    Maxtaro smacked a closed fist at his palm as Baku says this. "Yeah, that''s right! It just look so stupid, we-Ohhhhh." Maxtaro muttered as he soon looked at the bloodthirsty group. This wasn¡¯t exactly an unfamiliar situation for our duo, as until a year ago, they were once a very infamous pair of delinquents with targets on their backs. Apparently, the various people that they angered don¡¯t believe much in retirements. "So Baku, should we fight or should we run?"

    "Get those bastards!" The group roared out as they charge towards our heroes!

    "Yeah." Baku said before suddenly running off to the other direction. "Totally run!"

    "Damn right!" Maxtaro shouts as he follows suit, the large gang beginning to chase the two.

    "Kill em!"

    <hr>

    Not too far off¡­

    "Who the heck is Mohawk Jim?" Kyoko asked herself as she sorted out one of the many applications she''s been checking since leaving her house, walking the way to school. "Who names themselves after a hairstyle?" She sighed as she moves on to the next application. "This is ridiculous. Five applications already rejected. This really can¡¯t be it." Kyoko couldn''t help but feel dejected at such pickiness on her part. "This suuuuccckkks." She bemoaned herself as she buried her face with these slips of paper. "No wonder why Dad couldn''t decide, these guys so far are lame." She let loose a long sigh. "I''m going to need some help sorting this out...Well, Nagase''s place is just by the corner, so maybe she can-"

    "Aghhh! Go down already!" A voice cried out, loud enough to spook Kyoko, ponytail raised up in brief terror.

    Kyoko, shocked and confused, rushes to the voice. "Eh?! Was that Nagase?! What''s going on-" She nearly tripped out of seeing that her closest friend Nagase is in no real trouble, the bespectacled brunette merely arm wrestling against her older brother on a worn out tree stump in their yard.

    But it''s an epic arm wrestling match mind you.

    "Gaaaahhh!" Nagase cries out as she puts all her strength only to see her older brother Akira barely moved an inch. Nagase Omiko, a total dork with super strength, she once tore a whole textbook in half in just a second...Her parents were impressed! "Why won''t you go down?!"

    Akira rolled his eyes. "Just give up already!" He said with a lot of irritation in his tone. "Are you seriously going to do this for a donut?!" Akira Omiko, a giant of a man, with a rude attitude to match! He then spots Kyoko, too baffled to make a response. "Oh, hey Kyoko." He said rather nonchalantly, waving his free hand in greeting. "Sup?"

    "Kyoko!" Nagase shouted with excitement followed by more straining. "Good timing! Help me win this!"

    Kyoko only stood in silence. "...Uh, how exactly?" She noticed Nagase pointing towards her with her free hand.

    "Like, hit him with that fold up chair next to ya!" Nagase replies.

    Kyoko only raised an eyebrow. "...In an arm wrestling match?"

    Nagase quickly gave an exasperated look. "Can''t you see I wanna win this?!" She screamed out in frustration before her phone close by gave a sudden vibration. "What-" She is then rocked by a sudden jerk as Akira suddenly slams her hand down, winning the match.This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

    "Akira wins!" Their father Renji shouted in booming joy. "Sorry Nagase, rules are rules!"

    "N-No fair!" She cried out. "I was distracted I tell ya!"

    "Jeez, take your loss like a real adult, Nagase." Akira said bluntly as he snatched the last donut from the box on the table before walking to his moped. "Nobody likes a sore loser!"

    "Hey!" Nagase shouted with a growl. She then stares at Kyoko with teary puppy-like eyes beneath her glasses. "Why is life unfair?"

    Kyoko gave a sigh. "...If it makes you feel better, I bought a pastry for you-"

    "Bye Dad, love ya!" Nagase said, back to sudden joy in her tone as she walked up to Kyoko to the latter''s surprise. "C''mon, gimme some of that sweetness!" She followed up with a wave of her hand like a dog begging for a treat.

    "Please, stop that." Kyoko said, growing red in the face. "This is getting awkward¡­

    The two then walked back to the streets of Kaimon, as Kyoko took a look of envy at Nagase. The taller girl wearing the Kaimon uniform but her legs were of focus. Long slender legs that wore long dark colored socks that reached to her thighs and red sneakers.

    "...How in the world did you get that height?" Kyoko muttered in disbelief.

    Nagase simply gave a grin, pastry between her teeth. "I probably got some neat genes."

    "Whatever, just help me out with these." Kyoko said with a sigh as she hand Nagase a few applications. "Bet you don''t have being too picky as a gene because I can''t choose any of these violent idiots."

    Nagase then finishes her treat with a big bite as she looks at the applications. Her usually expressive and joyous green eyes suddenly gave a rather baffling look before narrowing in skepticism beneath her glasses. "...Please tell me you didn''t pick Mohawk Jim."

    Kyoko instantly shook her head. "Nope, didn''t even consider it once." She then gave a surprised expression. "Wait, you know him?"

    "Well, not really." Nagase said. "I heard he came by the wrestling gym and asked my Dad to train him...He got mad when Akira laughed at his hair and stormed off."

    "Ugh, that''s your brother alright." Kyoko said with a frown. "He can''t hide brutal honesty the way you can''t really control your strength." She then gave an intriguing look upon recollection. "Say, what happened back there? It looks like you got distracted." Nagase couldn''t help but giggle as she pulled out her phone.

    "Turns out Baku just sent me a picture!" She said with a smile, revealing a series of strange back and forth selfies. "Shirtless during the morning, how bold! Totally forgiven even though that made me lose!"

    "...You can''t be serious." Kyoko said bluntly. "I thought Maxtaro was kidding when he mentioned about that selfie game you two are playing last night."

    "Hey, it doesn''t hurt to try new things in our relationship." Nagase retorted. "Besides...I send him pictures of my legs in return. I''m in the lead too!"

    Kyoko only shook her head in disbelief. "Why am I listening to this?! Just be quiet and sort these applications out!"

    Nagase then gives a smirk. "...And at times, I send pictures of my midriff." She snickered upon seeing Kyoko''s cringing reaction. "Haha, you really need to loosen up a bit!"

    "While I say you should rein in it once in a while." Kyoko replied with a sigh, biting her lip in annoyance towards her dilemma. "I guess I''ll have to wing it and get...Whoever seems the least crazy in these slips."

    Nagase gave a shrug. "We can always try drawing out names in a hat." She then gave a small frown. "...I''m sorry, that really sounds stupid, even for me."

    "No...To be honest, I was thinking about that myself." Kyoko said with a tone of shame. "Why is this so hard-"

    "Those two are around here somewhere! Let''s find em and kill em!"

    The two girls paused as they notice not too far are several thugs looking around the area, paying no mind to them. Well, more like too busy focusing their bloodlust on a certain pair but whatever!

    Kyoko then finally began to speak up. "...They better not be talking about-"

    "Onimada and Mori are dead for messing with the Mohawk Jim Gang!"

    "Ugh...Unreal." Kyoko quickly muttered under breath, a palm over her face.

    "Say wha?" Nagase said with disbelief. "He actually calls his gang that? He''s terrible at names!"

    "Who said that?!" The two then froze stiff as it wasn''t long for the man himself to show up. Bandages covering his face...Yet that mohawk still stands out. "Wow, I should have known you of all people would mock me after that embarrassing rejection." He said bitterly before pointing an accusing finger at Nagase, much to her confusion. "What, your brother laughing at my hair ain''t enough, Omiko?!"

    "Hey!" Nagase said with a frown. "Don''t lump me with my idiot brother!"

    "Shut it!" Mohawk Jim cried out. "For all I know, your stupid boyfriend is probably in cahoots with you, wrecking my face with that trash can!"

    "Baku did that?!" Kyoko and Nagase said with shock. Nagase then pondered, a hand on her chin. "You''d think Maxtaro would have done that to be honest." She said in confusion.

    ¡°Then again, this is Baku we¡¯re talking about.¡± Kyoko retorted. ¡°I¡¯m surprised this guy is still standing.¡±

    "W-Whatever!¡± Mohawk Jim stammered, clearly embarrassed. ¡°You two are coming with us!" He followed up with authority and bravado in his tone. "So you can watch us beat down Onimada and Mori by force!" He gave a rather typical evil laugh as the two girls are mostly unimpressed at this level of petty evilness.

    Kyoko simply paused before just nonchalantly ripping up Mohawk Jim''s application, a very blunt expression on her face as he gave a shocked expression at her actions. "Well, you just made my job easier. A flat out no thanks for you."

    "W-Wait Hino! M-Maybe I was a little too hasty!" Mohawk Jim said with a nervous chuckle, as he attempted to save face. "I totally forgot about applying to your pop''s dojo! Forget what I just said there!"

    Kyoko then gave a very frustrating sigh. "Okay, you already manage to be one of the most irritating people I had to run into this morning, but I''m going to be blunt and honest here." She took a deep breath. "My Dad and I are pretty sure we''re not teaching some violent jackass in a rainbow mohawk! Get a damn haircut, you''re embarrassing to look at!" She shouted, at the top of her lungs no less.

    There was a full minute of shocked hesitations from many upon those words leaving her mouth. Even Kyoko herself is in a state of awe and horror.

    "...Pretty please?" She asked politely.

    <hr>

    Few minutes later¡­

    "Get those two!"

    Kyoko and Nagase could do nothing but flee in terror as the Mohawk Jim Gang gave chase. Never knew a man with a mohawk would be so grudging!

    "Geez, couldn''t you say that when he doesn''t have an army?!" Nagase shouted.

    "I didn''t think he''d be growing that big of a grudge!" Kyoko snapped back as the two took a sharp turn into an alley. "Besides, how in the world did he get like forty guys?!"

    "I''d rather run away than find out!" Nagase responded as they bemoan their very lousy start of a morning! "Do we even know where we''re going?!"

    "Of course!" Kyoko cried out only to bite her lip. "...Sorta?!" She shook her head. "Just trust me-gahh!"

    A pair of hands suddenly took hold of the two, as they are dragged to a small open corner. Both then reacted quickly, as Kyoko slams her elbow right at her assailant''s side while Nagase smashed hers at the wall.

    Only then did they notice that they had just struck Maxtaro and Baku, the former holding his side while the latter rubbed his sore head.

    "Agghhh¡­" Maxtaro groaned in pain. "Jeez Kyoko, didn''t even bother to check?"

    Baku simply gave a frown, eyeing at the cracks on the wall where his head was driven into. "Ow."

    "Oh my god, I''m so sorry!" Nagase exclaimed quietly. Kyoko however walked right past her to confront Maxtaro.

    "Maxtaro, what did you do with that guy?!" Kyoko asked, with an accusing look. "He was already looking like he was going to tear your head off! Now he''s after me and Nagase!"

    "Excuse me?!" Maxtaro said incredulously. "How was I supposed to know that mohawk idiot there has a short fuse?! Besides, I bet you said something to tick him off too!"

    "...Okay, you got me there." Kyoko finally admitted, biting her lip nervously again. "Seriously, he''s that thinned skin¡­We seriously aren''t going to wait this out right?" The four then stood in silence as it slowly dawned upon them that no, Mohawk Jim isn''t going to stop hunting them down.

    "...Never thought this would happen." Baku muttered.

    Maxtaro only gave him a glare. "You didn''t need to throw a trash can at him, ya know!"

    <hr>

    Some unknown time has passed, as our main four could only be idled at their dark corner, weary as they heard the distant of shouting thugs that continue their hunt for the four.

    "Ughhhh, this is insane¡­" Maxtaro said as he decided to lay on the concrete floor in exhaustion. ¡°These idiots are taking forever to leave.

    "I know Maxtaro¡­" Kyoko said tiredly as she leaned her back against the wall. "Can''t take much more¡­"

    "Ugggghhhh." Nagase moans as she kneels on the ground, head looking up at the skies. "How long has it been since being trapped here?"

    Baku simply looks at his watch in annoyance. "It''s been three minutes." All four could only fume in sheer utter silence upon knowing this fact. Maxtaro then sat up.

    "Alright, enough of this! We gotta get out of here!" He shouted. "I don''t know bout you guys, but I''m not going to be late to school because of this idiot!"

    "You''re right, Maxtaro!" Kyoko replied with similar fervor. "I mean, we''ve gone through worse as a team!"

    "Huh, I never realize how many times we''ve gotten ourselves in trouble." Baku said with a pondering expression.

    "Yeah!" Nagase said with a nod before looking at Maxtaro and Kyoko. "So, fearless leaders, what shall we do?!"

    Instantly, both Maxtaro and Kyoko gave shrugs. "No clue." They both said bluntly, their fiery edge suddenly shimmer down to near coldness. Kyoko then grunted in annoyance.

    ¡°Hold on!¡± She said, looking at Maxtaro and Baku. ¡°Don¡¯t you two usually just fight your way out of this kind of crap before?! Why aren¡¯t you doing that instead?!¡±

    Maxtaro frowned. ¡°Kyoko, I¡¯m done with that kind of thing, remember?¡± He rolled his eyes. ¡°I did told you I was serious about retiring from delinquency.¡±

    Kyoko still remained unimpressed. ¡°So tell me why I heard you beat up a gang last week then, huh?¡± She said in a deadpan tone, arms folded.

    ¡°...Other than jumping me, they were talking trash about my favorite soda.¡± Maxtaro replied rather bluntly to the utter surprise of the girls. ¡°They had it coming, nobody talks crap about Dragon Cola.¡±

    Nagase turned to Baku. ¡°Wait, how bad did he hurt them?¡± her eyes widen as Baku simply widen his arms open. ¡°Dammmnnnnn¡­¡±

    ¡°Yep.¡± Baku said. ¡°Like half of them are probably going to enjoy drinking their food with a straw for days I bet.¡±

    Maxtaro chuckled nervously. ¡°Okay! Enough about my poor choices, my decision stands!¡± He pointed at Kyoko. ¡°So what¡¯s your excuse? You can probably beat them up too!¡±

    Kyoko simply gave a guilty look. ¡°Well yeah...But I don¡¯t want to, since it¡¯ll just attract even more weirdos to my dojo¡­¡± Kyoko muttered, twiddling her fingers. ¡°My Dad¡¯s been getting really stressed out about that¡­¡± The two then looked at Baku and Nagase, the latter two being taken aback.

    ¡°Don¡¯t look at me.¡± Nagase said as she shrugged. ¡°I¡¯m not happy about hurting people really.¡±

    ¡°I would just throw fists and get it over with¡­¡± Baku eyes then averted the gazes of Maxtaro and Kyoko''s. ¡°But I really don¡¯t want blood on my uniform.

    An awkward silence arose for a bit after such a bafflingly yet honest answer.

    Kyoko groaned as her palms rested on her face. ¡°Oh my goddddd, we¡¯re trapped here¡­¡± Suddenly, a thought came to her as she snapped her fingers. "Wait Maxtaro, we can call your brother instead!" She said quickly. "I mean, he was a delinquent warlord before he graduated! Maybe he can shut these guys out!"

    "Yeah, right!" Maxtaro pulls out his phone only to pause. "...I rather not call him." He then gives a nervous chuckle. "If I told him, I''m gonna say this section of town is going to be a wreck by the time he''s done."

    The four couldn''t help but gave a audible gulp, already visualizing the aftermath of destruction only Kenshin Onimada can create. It is something words alone can''t describe.

    "Please, don''t call him." Nagase pleaded. "I get night terrors just thinking about what he did last year!" She then notices Maxtaro''s phone. "Wait, you finally got a smartphone?"

    "It''s his mom''s." Baku said bluntly.

    Nagase narrowed her eyes in disappointment. "Really?"

    "Wait a minute." Maxtaro then position his phone for a picture. "May as well do it here. Everyone pose." The four then smile and make peace signs, until Kyoko shook it off in shock.

    "Wait, why are we taking selfies?! We need to get out of here!" She cried out. "I mean, we''re not seriously thinking about just fleeing, right?!" The others then look at her with a blank stare. "...Right?"

    <hr>

    "I can''t believe we''re resorting to this."

    Kyoko continued her grumbling as our main four sneaked their way back to the streets, using a rather large cardboard box as a cover. "This is ridiculous, Maxtaro. Why the cardboard box?"

    "Don''t rag on the box." Maxtaro sharply retorted back as he led the way as eyes looked at the odd sight before ignoring them in general. "I''ve seen this work in a video game...And several military operations."

    "He ain''t kidding." Baku added. "There''s a documentary about it on TV."

    "...The more I learn." Kyoko muttered to herself. "Can''t even ask for a normal morning-Nagase, can you please stop fiddling around with your phone and move?! I know you''re taking selfies behind me and we don¡¯t have time for that!"

    "Sorry, but since Baku''s phone is broken, I''m so taking this advantage!" Nagase said with a grin. "No offense, Baku."

    "Looks like I''ll be paying for lunch next time." Baku said quietly, fuming all the while about this fact. "...Screw it, can we just beat up this asshole-"

    "No!" Everyone said sharply.

    "Dude, it''s a cracked screen." Maxtaro said with annoyance in his tone. "Let it go!"

    "It''s my phone, Maxtaro!" Baku sharply replied. "Because of that, I''m like five images behind Nagase!"

    "Six actually!" Nagase added, much to Kyoko''s grunt of displeasure.

    "Baku, keep your cool cause this cardboard box is keeping us from getting wrecked out there unless you won''t-"

    "Hey Boss, did that moving box just talked?"

    The gang stood still, blood freezing over. An awkward sight sight arose as various class skipping punks now swarm around the gang in hiding, civilians looking in confusion. How in the world did these punks didn''t notice the box till now is a mystery!

    "Wait, maybe they''ll think it''s nothing!" Kyoko whispered.

    "Wait, wasn''t there a documentary about the qualities of boxes in military stuff?" The voice of Mohawk Jim asked in confusion. "...Should we check it out?"

    Maxtaro gave a frustrating sigh. "Damn. Looks like we''ll do plan B! Nagase, flip something!"

    "Got it!" Nagase shouted as she busts out of the box, shocking the group of punks. "Gaaahhhh!" She roars as she heads to the closest parked car and with a burst of sheer strength, flipped it onto its side with a loud crash. The crowd is stunned at the sight. "Alright, what''s next-Hey!" She cried out as she chased after her friends, having used the distraction to flee. "Wait up!"

    The thugs simply gave a glassy stare until Mohawk Jim shook his head. "What the hell, get em!" It wasn''t long for the Mohawk Jim Gang to suddenly give chase as the four made a mad dash through town!

    "Oh man, they''re gaining on us!" Kyoko shouted with a look of worry on her face.

    Nagase gave a groan. "I know...there was that food truck nearby! I should''ve flipped that!"

    "Cut the chatter, there''s a bus!" Maxtaro cried out as he points to a moving bus nearby. "Hey, stop the bus!" He could only fume as he is ignored. "Baku, get his attention!" Baku nodded as he took a sudden sprint...To bash his fist against the window."

    "Hey driver!" Baku shouted. "Stop or I''m gonna break something, pronto!" The bus then takes a screeching halt much to the surprise of Kyoko and Nagase.

    "That actually worked?!" They cried out only to get on the bus in a huff. "Driver, step on it!" Kyoko roared out.

    "Eh?" The driver asked in confusion. "B-But don''t you know-"

    "Please!" Nagase pleaded as she notice the large mob heading towards the bus. "Just do it!" The driver gave a frown but proceeds to push the gas. "Oh thank you, thank you, thank you!"

    "Haha!" Maxtaro laughed with an air of arrogance as he stares at the back window, looking as the gap between the bus and the mob is getting bigger. "Good luck chasing us, you mohawk wearing prick!"

    "Yeah!" Kyoko said with a evil grin as she proceeds to rip up what remains of Mohawk Jim''s application. "Reap what you sow, chasing us with that bad temper-"

    Suddenly, with barely several seconds having been passed, the bus took a stop. "Alright, last stop for the morning commute, everyone!" The bus driver called out. He then notice the shocked looks of our four heroes. "...I-I''m just d-doing my job¡­" The four then turn to see Mohawk Jim slowly catching up, then turn back to the confused driver with glares. "S-Sorry?"

    <hr>

    Five minutes later...At another part of town.

    "...Why did I even bother going to school today?" Ryo Hondo mumbled to himself, his group of friends looking at him with surprise at his rather depressed statement. "I could just drop out and work full time at the fireworks store¡­What''s so great bout school anyway?" Ryo Hondo, a classmate and vitriolic friend of the four friends. Total delinquent and a piss poor student!

    "Why it''s obvious Ryo!" His best friend, Gen Saito said with a laugh and optimistic smile. "Cause school is part of that spice we call youth!" With that, it wasn''t long for an annoyed Ryo to put Gen in a full nelson hold. "Gah! I''m just saying!" Gen Saito, Ryo¡¯s partner in crime, ever optimistic, and is surprisingly strong for a ramen delivery boy!

    "Stop smiling bout it then!" Ryo snapped back as he strengthen his hold. "This is stupid, I should just skip class today. At least I won''t look like an idiot there." His childhood friend, Tae Yamanashi, gave him a sad look.

    "Don''t say that, Ryo." She said, before giving a small smile. "Besides, there''s more to school than just classes...Like me." Tae, ill-tempered newspaper delivery ninja, wears long skirts to hide a rather unhealthy amount of weapons!

    Zoey, Ryo''s sister simply raise an eyebrow. "Uhhh, it''s not like you can help him study, since you got similar test scores." With that, it wasn''t long for an annoyed Tae to put Zoey in a sleeper hold. "W-Wait, what did I say?!" Zoey Hondo, ...A very dangerous ditz when it comes to fireworks, enough said.

    "Shut it!" Tae shouts as she gave irritated growls. "Talking bout my grades like that, I oughta!" But what truly fuels Tae''s anger is far more than her lousy test scores. It''s the fact no one in town will ever realize she''s dating Ryo, no matter the obvious clues.

    It''s kinda sad really.

    "Wait, what do you mean anyway?" Ryo ask in confusion as he kept his hold on Gen. "Tae, that''s a stupid reason to keep going to school-"

    "Gah, idiots!" Tae shouts in response to Ryo''s lack of foresight. "You Hondos are idiots!"

    Gen gives a chuckle. "Idiots gotta stick together-Ow, that hurts."

    "Please just shut up." Ryo muttered. With that, those four are sorta our second set of heroes but we probably won¡¯t see that much of their exploits! ¡°...I swear I feel like someone really hates us or something.¡± Ryo said with a sigh before hearing a loud crash. "The heck-" He could finish as Maxtaro suddenly zoomed right past him. "Onimada-" He is cut off again as Kyoko suddenly zipped past him. "Okay, what''s-" A crash is heard as Ryo and pals turn to see both Baku and Nagase suddenly throwing various items lying about, from trash can to sign fixtures, onto the open street before rushing past the other group. ¡°...Seriously, what the hell is-¡±

    "Wait!" Nagase shouts as she heads back...To grab the nearest largest sign only to hurl it right into the junk barricade before running back to Baku. "Let''s go!" The two then leave in a full rush, as Ryo and gang grew baffled at those events, Ryo himself fuming.

    "...That can''t be good." Tae muttered as she release her hold on Zoey. "What''s with them?"

    "Tch, typical for Onimada." Ryo said bluntly as he let go of Gen from his full nelson. He stared at the large barricade in annoyance. "Probably did something stupid again-" Then the barricade pile of junk suddenly exploded as the Mohawk Jim Gang bursted through by the masses.

    "Gaaaahhh!" Ryo and crew screamed in horror and confusion as they fell victim to the stampede. As the dust clears, the four are seen lying on the ground twitching.

    "...Again, why bother going to school again?!" Ryo roars out as he lies face down on the street floor.

    <hr>

    "Oh god yes, I can see the gate!" Maxtaro shouted in joy. He is right to be as he saw the school gate of Kaimon High School not too far off. With that said, the gang finally took a massive breather. After all, they did nothing but run all morning! "I almost didn''t think we¡¯d make it!"

    "Damn straight!" Baku said between gasping for air. "I think we threw enough junk to block them off-Nagase, we don''t need to keep doing that! Leave the car alone!"

    Nagase gave a pout, already crotching to lift said car onto its side. "W-We don''t know that!"

    Kyoko gave an exasperated sigh. "Nagase, just calm down and-Ahhh!" She cried out in shock as she is suddenly grabbed from behind from Mohawk Jim. "Son of a-"

    "Aha!" He cried out in glee, much to our heroes¡¯s chargin. "Thought you four can escape from me?!"

    "Oh good grief!" Maxtaro shouted in annoyance, clenching his hands into fists. "How the hell did you catch up to us, you freaking dropout cockroach?!"

    "Simple, I called a cab!" Mohawk Jim replies with a haughty laugh. "Bet you didn''t see that coming!" The four are shockingly caught off guard of something so ridiculously simple yet so surprisingly effective.

    "Seeing how that''s mundane...Yeah, we didn''t see that coming." Baku admitted with a blunt tone. "How did we not see that at all?"

    "Well, it''s too late! I got your girl, Onimada, and unless you give yourself-" Mohawk Jim was quickly silenced as Kyoko slammed the back of her head at his bandaged face, followed by a elbow to the chest. As he released his hold, she turned and knocks him flat on his ass with a spinning back kick. She ain''t assistant instructor and heiress of the dojo for nothing! Maxtaro, Baku, and Nagase stood in stunned silence at the rather quick display of competence.

    "Whoa, remind me not to make you mad." Nagase said with a surprised expression.

    "Geez, he''s a total wimp!" Kyoko cried out while feeling the need to shudder. "Still gives me the creeps touching me like that!"

    "Owww!" Mohawk Jim shouted in pain as he slowly got up. "You bitch-" Again he is knocked down on his ass as Maxtaro simply came up and landed a punch right at his chin.

    "Please, just shut up." Maxtaro muttered. "Such a cockroach. You okay, Kyoko?"

    "Y-Yeah¡­" She answered with a frown. She looked at the barely conscious Mohawk Jim in disgust. "He''s still twitching¡­"

    Baku then out of nowhere smashed a trash can right at Mohawk Jim''s twitching form. "Not anymore he''s not." He bluntly said in a deadpan tone.

    "Baku!" Everyone cried out, horrified at the unnecessary coup de grace he added in..

    "What?!" Baku protested. "He totally deserve that-" A crash is heard as the Mohawk Jim Gang finally destroyed the last of the various junk barricades.

    "There they are! Get em!" They roared out as they rushed towards our heroes!

    "...I should''ve flipped more cars." Nagase bemoaned as Baku took her by the arm as the gang ran to the school gates. Upon closer inspection, they spotted the teacher in charge, their own homeroom teacher of all people, standing close by smoking a cigarette.

    "Tao!" Maxtaro shouted out. "For the love of god, help us!"

    Jin Tao only gave a sigh while other students nearby grew more baffled at the sight. "Son of a bitch, this again?" Tao-sensei, homeroom teacher, teaches history, a very surly drunk! He then pressed a switch as the gate began to close. "You kids get your butts over here pronto before this closes!"

    "...Leave it to Tao-sensei." Kyoko said dryly before her school bag suddenly burst open as her various application forms flew right out to her horror. "Oh no! My applications!" She cried out, only to watch and cringe as the sea of papers are soon trampled by the bloodthirsty gang...So bloodthirsty in fact they just unwittingly trampled their boss!

    "Oh god!" Mohawk Jim cried out being drowned out by the footsteps of the mob.

    "Ugh! I''ll never get those back again¡­" Kyoko bemoaned.

    "Forget about it, Kyoko!" Maxtaro shouted as they continued their rush. "It''s not worth it!" Then he heard a clatter as his phone, still his mother''s, suddenly fell out of his pocket to his absolute shock. "Oh hell! My mom''s phone!"

    "Maxtaro, no!" The gang cried out in horror as the moment they slip past the gates, they finally notice Maxtaro turning right back to get his sorta phone back. "You idiot!!" It wasn''t long for Maxtaro to realize upon picking up his phone that yes, he''s in between a rock and a hard place.

    ...For someone who isn''t too bad of a student, he is kind of dumb at times.

    "I regret everything!" Maxtaro cried out as he narrowly avoids attack after attack, phone in hand.

    "Die Onimada!" A random thug in the background screams out.

    "Hell no!" He reply back as he continues to dodge everything thrown at him. "Jeez, I need some freaking miracle here-" As if he cast a spell, the rear of the mob suddenly exploded as bodies flew in the air.

    "Yeah, that''s right!" Ryo roared out as he and his merry group of angry friends have long succumbed to pure vengeful spite, attacking every member of the Mohawk Jim Gang like a shark on a pack of fish. "See how you like being trampled on!"

    Maxtaro simply gave no words. "Uhhh, I guess I should thank him later¡­" He muttered in disbelief as it appeared the sudden distraction has gotten the thugs off his back!

    "Maxtaro, come on!" Kyoko shouted out, as she climbed to the school gate, extending a hand out. "Grab my hand!"

    Maxtaro ran and makes a leap towards her. Upon grabbing Kyoko''s hand, a large explosion rocked the background to the shock of many.

    "What was that?!" Nagase shouts with bafflement.

    "Hondo family fireworks." Baku mutters. "Enough to make an action flick."

    ¡°Haha!!!¡± Zoey cried out from afar as more bodies flew into the air from the blasts of fireworks that no civilian should really own. ¡°Taste my fiery balls of fury!!!¡±

    "Oh." Nagase said bluntly, no longer surprised at the display of cartoonish violence unfolding before them. "How could I forget-"

    "Can you two please help us?!" Maxtaro and Kyoko scream out in annoyance. After pulling Maxtaro in, the four collapsed and simply stared at the large smoke coming towards them. They winced at the unpleasant smell of chemicals. But all in all, they made it...

    "You know...I think we''re in the clear." Maxtaro said with awe at the sight. Then as if life wants to defy such a simple sentence, the battered remaining mob of the Mohawk Jim Gang crashed against the gate.

    "Aaahhhh!" The four cry out as they quickly back crawled away from the gate.

    "Oh come on already!" Kyoko cried out in exasperation. "What does it take to get rid of them?!" Then Tao walked up to the closed gate, hands in his pockets.

    "Alright, you all aren''t supposed to be here!" Tao said firm and sternly. "Go home and wait till your suspensions are done!¡± He also gave a scowl. ¡°And leave those kids alone, this is pathetic!"

    "Oh yeah, so what?!" One of the thugs cried out. "What can you do anyway?!"

    Tao gave a sigh with a roll of the eyes. "Well...I can just call the cops, for starters." As if magic had been cast, the gang suddenly dispersed, everyone having decided to drop their grudges!

    "Sorry bout that Onimada! We''re just playing! Please don''t tell your bro about this!" Various voices of all kinds were nothing but this kind of spiel. It appears even in Kaimon, nobody wants to mess with the cops!

    "That...That was surprisingly anticlimactic." Maxtaro admitted with the others slowly nodding as they rise to their feet.

    "So?" Tao said before turning away. "Get your asses in class already. We''re gonna start in ten minutes." With that said, life resumed as always. That''s Kaimon alright!

    "Thank god." Kyoko said with relief as she turns around to head inside. "But this is going to be hard to tell my dad the news¡­"

    "I wonder if Mohawk Jim is going to drop this." Nagase said with a pondering expression as she followed suit.

    "Who cares?" Baku said bluntly. "I''m just glad we kicked his sorry ass."

    "Right¡­" Maxtaro said feeling annoyed as he stared at the gate before turning around with the others. "He better not show up again."

    <hr>

    Outside the school grounds¡­

    "Wait...Don''t leave me¡­" Mohawk Jim groaned, still prone, as his gang walked away, some limping or carrying the injured. One of the members then approached him, giving a nervous chuckle.

    "Yeah boss...We all kinda had this thought and we all decided to go our separate ways¡± The member said with a nervous chuckle. ¡°Having a gang named after a hairstyle is...Kinda lame."

    Mohawk Jim gave a shocked expression. "W-Wait, we can talk this out-"

    "Oh sorry man!" The ex-member quickly said, looking at his exposed wrist. "I''m late...For stuff! Talk to ya later!" He then leaves, leaving his former leader lying there injured and so utterly confused..

    "...Son of a bitch." Mohawk Jim muttered until he noticed the feet of Ryo and his pals right in front of him. He looked up, seeing a very pissed off Ryo cracking his knuckles. "Uhhhh, no hard feelings, Hondo?" He finally said with a nervous expression.

    "Tae," Ryo said bluntly as he squats down to glare ever closer at the mohawk wearing idiot. "Got a knife?" As if on command, Tae then pulled one out.

    "Always." She replied, to the point.

    "Well then, looks like you need a haircut." Ryo then said with an evil smile as he took the knife in hand. ¡°So bald or crewcut?¡±

    "Noooooo!" Mohawk Jim cried out that can be heard many blocks away as he suffered the greatest hit to his dignity...Yikes.

    <hr>

    In Kaimon High School, class numbered 12-K¡­

    "Yes!" Maxtaro said as he slumped onto his seat. "Finally, we can get this morning behind us!"

    "You said it, Maxtaro." Kyoko said as she laid her head down the desk. "Anything to forget those last hours."

    "Aw man, the camera is busted!" Baku muttered bitterly as he fiddled with his broken phone. He turned to Nagase and sighed. "Guess I gotta pay ya lunch."

    "Yeah!" Nagase said with a burst of joy, raising a fist in the air. "Best news, ever!"

    "Hang on." Maxtaro said as he grabbed his phone. "Get together guys, we''re going to do this right." The four then gather and gave smiles as he took another group selfie. Having genuine selfies not fueled by peril and threat of violence is actually refreshing! "Now, just need to send that to my actual phone and-"

    "Hey!" Tao shouted as he walk up to Maxtaro and yanked the phone from his hand. "No phones when class is starting!" He then puts it into his pocket. "I''m holding onto this till the end of the day!" Maxtaro and gang look on with bafflement as Tao walked back to the front.

    "...God damn, this morning blows." Maxtaro muttered.

    "Yeah¡­" The gang muttered in sadness.

    And we end another morning in the town of Kaimon, hate to see how the full day goes!

    ¡°What?! We¡¯re late anyway?!¡± Ryo roared out as he and his group made it to the gate only to see it closed. "Why the hell did I even bother to show up?!"

    To be continued!

 Chapter 1 Omakes

    Story #1 Omake!

    End Day: Maxtaro.

    Late afternoon, Onimada household and family medical clinic.

    "I''m home!" Maxtaro shouts out as he enters the house. His mother quickly then approaches him near the front as he takes off his shoes.

    "Good, now you know the drill." Miki said, quick to the point. "I finally listed down all the necessary junk in my old phone. So give me my actual phone, Maxtaro. Deals a deal." She then notices Maxtaro looking away nervously. "...What did you do?"

    Maxtaro only grimace at her quick intuition. "Busted by mom." He mutters quietly before giving a loud sigh. "Okay mom, funny story happened this morning and...Yeah, long story short¡­" He finally pulls out Miki''s new phone, marked heavily with scuff marks. A long silence arose as Miki gawks at the sight, glasses nearly slipping out. "Mom, I''m sorry. I really should have-" He is cut off as Miki reaches out and pats him on the head.

    "No, I admit I''m kind of mad...But you confessed...That''s good enough for me, Maxtaro." Miki said rather softly. "Unlike your brother."

    Maxtaro only beams up in confidence. "So am I off the hook then-"

    "Heck no!" Miki said sharply, quickly changing her tune. "I said I''m mad! Don''t think I''m like your father!" She then swipes the phone from Maxtaro''s hand and walks away. "Just be glad I''m grounding you for the next few days, no phone or TV while I''m here!" She then walks off in a huff, leaving Maxtaro in stunned silence.

    "...I knew I should add duct tape before showing it to her¡­" Maxtaro said with a pondering expression.

    Cause duct tape solves most of everything!

    <hr>

    End Day: Kyoko.

    Late afternoon, at the Hino dojo.

    "Well, I got to admit I''m impressed." Yuu said with genuine surprise over the few badly makeshift applications Kyoko handed to him. "You actually got some people to take lessons here."

    Kyoko only gave a nervous chuckle. "Yeah, it took some begging to get those filled out." What she didn''t tell her father is that by some...She meant a lot. "N-Not that I was desperate!"The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

    Yuu gave a relieved sigh. "You did good, Kyoko. After all, none of the people you did pick seem to have a bad record-"

    "Wait!" A voice cried out, a voice familiar enough to make Kyoko twitch in sudden irritation. "I''ve come to make a case!"

    "Oh god." Kyoko mutters as she sees Mohawk Jim, now lacking any hair on his head, approach inside. "Wait, what happened to his-" She is cut off as the larger man suddenly bows in such a groveling manner.

    "...Kyoko, is he on the forms we didn''t take?" Yuu ask in confusion.

    "Look, I know I am a man who has made one too many mistakes." The thug said in a rather calming tone. "I lost everything. My gang, my respect, ...my hair. But it taught me a lesson, that being a foolish punk with no respect towards others is a wrong path! So I, Bald Jim, would ask for you to take me-"

    "Dad, he tried to take me hostage this morning." Kyoko said rather bluntly.

    "Yeah, no." Yuu said with a nonchalant wave for Bald Jim to leave. "Just leave."

    "Oh come on!" Bald Jim said in shock.

    It took a few days before Bald Jim left the Hino residence alone...Sad.

    <hr>

    End Day: Baku

    Late afternoon, Mori Household and metalworks.

    "Oh, Baku''s home already." Kana said surprisingly as she notice his shoes by the doorway. She then frowns. "He''s going to take his shirt off again, right?" She sighs as she enters the house. "Dad said the AC is fixed so there''s no excuse this time-Wha?!" She gasps as she sees Baku, wearing a shirt at home, watching TV.

    "Oh hey Kana, how''s school?" Baku ask before flipping the channel.

    "I should ask why you''re still wearing a shirt!" Kana said shockingly. "What about that thing you''re doing with Nagase?" She notice Baku giving a frown.

    "Yeah, bout that¡­" Baku then couldn''t help but put a palm over his face in shame. "Thanks to my phone being broken, I lost¡­"

    "...Are you actually crying?!" Kana exclaims.

    "She has 30 selfies by now! How can I beat that?!" Baku cried out.

    He bought Nagase lunch for a week since.

    <hr>

    End Day: Nagase

    Late afternoon, Omiko household.

    "Nagase, you can''t just flip cars like that!" Nagase''s mother, Anko, said sternly. "You know your father and I raise you to do better!"

    "I know, I''m sorry." Nagase said with a bow of shame. "Won''t happen again...I hope."

    "You better hope." Anko said, sighing until Renji and Akira enters the room.

    "Hey, what''s going on?" Renji ask with a smile.

    "Bet Nagase did something dumb again." Akira bluntly said while returning a glare that Nagase gave him for that remark.

    "Renji, our daughter flipped a few cars over!" Anko said in exasperation. "Say something to her."

    Renji instead...Then grows terribly excited. "Oh my god! You flipped a car Nagase?!" He quickly takes a seat at the table. "How large was it? I knew you can be as strong as your old man!"

    "Uhhh, mom, am I supposed to be scolded here?" Nagase ask her mother in confusion as her father continues to sprout more praise, much to Anko''s only shrugging in bafflement. She then notices Akira giving a thumbs up. "Whoa, even Akira''s impressed?! Whhhaaaa?!"

    It took a good hour before Nagase gets a proper punishment.

    End Omake Chapter! See ya next story!

 Chapter 2: Up Our Dating Game?! Part 1

    Chapter 2: Up Our Dating Game?! Part 1

    We begin a fine sunny afternoon at downtown Kaimon, as Maxtaro and Kyoko are out gathering supplies!

    ¡°Seriously, what kind of idiot doesn''t bring nails to fix a dojo?!¡± Kyoko shouts, barely containing both her anger and annoyance. ¡°Because of that, we had to go to the hardware store...Again! What kind of son of a carpenter are you?! Jeez!¡±

    Maxtaro couldn''t help but cringe throughout her rant. After all, it''s overkill...Yet so right in many ways. ¡°Kyoko, I said I had a plan." He mutters. ¡°We had plenty of duct tape back at the dojo-¡± He stops, noticing the shimmering aura of misery coming from Kyoko. ¡°Oh, right...You said no duct tape.¡±

    ¡°Right, and don''t half ass it!¡± Kyoko said sharply, turning her head away in a pout. ¡°I really want you to try, is that too much to ask?¡± They then head close by Saito¡¯s Ramen Shop, where Maxtaro took a pause.

    ¡°Hmmm say, want to stop by here for lunch?¡± Maxtaro ask.

    Kyoko gave a surprised expression. ¡°Why now? We do need to head back you know.¡±

    ¡°Ah, come on.¡± He said with a smile. ¡°It''ll be my treat. After all, you do deserve something nice for helping me fix the dojo¡­¡± He then frowns. ¡°Even though thanks to some crazy agreement between our dads, I''m not getting paid for it.¡±

    ¡°Hey, don''t push it.¡± Kyoko replies, growing irritated. ¡°Get to the point here.¡±

    ¡°Well, yeah. I gotta show my gratitude after all.¡± Maxtaro said with a chuckle. ¡°After all, I bet you''re starving like me!¡±

    Kyoko scoffs. ¡°Yeah right, as if I''m hungry like that-¡± A long low growl is heard as if on cue. ¡°...You said you''ll pay right?¡± She said quietly.

    Maxtaro then nods. ¡°Totally.¡± They soon head towards the entrance. ¡°Yeah, I won''t tell anyone bout that.¡±

    ¡°T-Thanks.¡± Kyoko said sheepishly.

    <hr>

    Some time later.

    ¡°Ah yeah, this is good!¡± Kyoko said quite cheerfully, in much better spirits as she claps her hand with a smile, chopsticks at the ready. ¡°Thanks for the food!¡±

    Maxtaro chuckles. ¡°Knew you were cranky from hunger.¡±

    ¡°Right...But you''re still not using duct tape on my dojo.¡±She said as she picks at her bowl, never breaking her joyful stride. ¡°Not on my watch!¡±

    ¡°Right, of course.¡± Maxtaro mutters with a sigh. ¡°You''re more like my boss when it comes to that¡­¡± He then raises a brow. ¡°Huh, I guess this became like a date or something?¡±

    Kyoko pauses at that statement. ¡°Say wha? Really?¡± She then places a hand on her chin in pondering. ¡°I guess it is, now that you mention it.¡±

    ¡°But it feels like this isn''t the first time¡­¡± Maxtaro said, feeling confused. ¡°Why is that?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s because you guys keep coming here for improvised dates!¡± Gen said with a grin as he prepares to head off making his daily ramen deliveries.

    ¡°...We do?¡± Maxtaro and Kyoko ask in surprise.

    ¡°Right.¡± Owner and cook, as well as Gen''s father, Terry Saito said with a laugh. ¡°You both always come here whenever she''s mad at ya every once a week, Maxtaro! Is it not having screws at her place again?¡±

    ¡°N-Nails this time.¡± Maxtaro said with growing shock. ¡°Wait, this happens weekly?!¡±

    ¡°Well...Yeah.¡± Gen admits. ¡°I mean Kyoko''s even pretty much acts like this every week when you forget stuff like this, Maxtaro. Heck, she always usually denies being hungry before coming in too! It''s like watching a video on repeat!¡±

    ¡°S-Shut up, Gen!¡± Kyoko cried out. She felt appalled...And very annoyed at Gen¡¯s accurate analysis! ¡°Don''t you have a mountain to scale delivering ramen so you can leave us alone?!¡±

    ¡°Two actually!¡± Gen said cheerfully as he heads off to a sprint. ¡°Be back till dark, dad!¡±

    ¡°Hey it ain''t too bad, you two.¡± Terry said with a grin. ¡°The same dating routine doesn''t hurt...Till it gets boring¡­¡± He then frowns as he notice the dismayed faces Maxtaro and Kyoko gave. ¡°Ohhhhh...How about a freebie soda on the go?¡±

    <hr>

    Much later, at the Hino dojo. All is too quiet,as Maxtaro hammers in more boards to cover the holes on the walls and Kyoko sits on the steps sipping a can of soda in silence. Both...Are seriously bummed out at this recent revelation.

    ¡°....Agh!!¡± Kyoko cries out in frustration. ¡°I can''t get that out of my head now, Maxtaro! That''s how we''ve been dating lately?!¡±

    ¡°I know!¡± Maxtaro said in agreement, irritated enough to pound his hammer right through the wood, making a bigger hole before he bows before her in shame. ¡°I''m sorry for being such a lousy boring boyfriend!!¡±

    ¡°No, I''m sorry for being a static girlfriend!!¡± Kyoko said with both face palming at such incompetence in their dating routine. ¡°We have to fix this.¡±

    ¡°Hell yes!¡± Maxtaro shouts. ¡°Alright, next week, an actual date! None of that routine crap! This dojo can wait!¡±

    ¡°Right!¡± Kyoko then bit her lip. ¡°Also, no double dates with Nagase and Baku! Just us!¡± The two could only recall that those moments...Had more Baku and Nagase moments than it was of them, to their dismay. ¡°L-Like real effort from us!¡±

    ¡°Yeah! Just us!¡± Maxtaro notes as they both stood tall, revitalize from their slump. ¡°Man, I''m feeling quite good now!¡±

    ¡°Me too!¡± Kyoko said feeling the energy. ¡°So where to next week?!¡±

    ¡°No clue!¡± He replies quickly.

    It is then that Miyu arrives home, just in time to see Maxtaro and her older sister back in their aura of gloom.

    ¡°D-Did something happen here?¡± Miyu ask in confusion.

    <hr>

    A week later, Hino residence.

    ¡°Whew! That was a nice morning workout!¡± Kyoko exclaims with a relieved sigh as she enters her house, wearing a sweat laden t-shirt and jogging shorts. She then collapse onto the couch upon entering the living room. ¡°Ah...It''s nice to have the AC working again¡­¡±

    ¡°Ah, Kyoko, you''re covered in sweat!¡± Her mother Keiko said with concern as she just enters the room. ¡°Do take it easy today.¡±

    ¡°I got plans today, mom.¡± Kyoko said before chuckling nervously. ¡°Not exactly sure what though.¡± Her cell phone then rings to her surprise. ¡°Whose calling this early?¡± She asks before answering, not checking her phone. ¡°Hello?¡±

    ¡°Hey Kyoko.¡± Maxtaro¡¯s voice on the receiver said. ¡°Can I stop by your place?¡±

    ¡°N-Now?¡± Kyoko ask confusingly. She takes a quick look at the clock nearby. ¡°Y-Yeah, sure.¡±

    ¡°Cool.¡± He said quickly. ¡°See you soon.¡± He then hangs up before Kyoko could reply.

    ¡°Jeez, that was rather curt.¡± Kyoko said, feeling rather annoyed as she lies on the sofa. ¡°Still, at least he''s putting effort-¡± Then her doorbell buzzes several times in rapid fire succession to her amazement. ¡°Whoa! That was fast!¡± She exclaims sitting up in a huff before walking to the door, growing more irritated as the doorbell continues to ring. ¡°H-Hold on a second!¡± She said with a cross vein exposed before opening the door. ¡°Uh?!¡±

    And standing at the door is Maxtaro, wearing a rather hastily done outfit composed of a dark suit jacket, a lightly colored t-shirt with a tuxedo print on the front, and dark jeans. He looks to be quite haggard and exhausted to Kyoko¡¯s shock.¡±...Hey.¡± He said followed by pants and coughs.

    ¡°Oh my god, did you ran all the way to here?!¡± Kyoko cried out in concern. ¡°And you seriously went all out!¡±

    ¡°Funny story really.¡± Maxtaro replies as he begins a recollection of earlier today. ¡°I was actually decked up with dress shirt, slacks, the whole she-bang.¡± He then frowns. ¡°Then my Dad got an emergency fix up and needed me to help¡­And I didn''t have time to change until we''re done.¡± He couldn¡¯t help but put a palm over his face in shame, recalling the numerous stains and tears on his clothes that time. Remember folks, being the son of a carpenter isn''t exactly glamorous, though it builds character! ¡°I had no choice but to change into whatever I got in my closet after that¡­¡±

    ¡°Ohhhh¡­¡± Kyoko said. ¡°That can''t be good wearing clothes like that.¡± She then gasps. ¡°Wait a second, I''m not ready at all!¡±

    Maxtaro gave a blank stare. ¡°Really?¡± He said, completely clueless. ¡°I thought you are-¡±

    She then gave a sudden low kick at Maxtaro¡¯s shin, growling in annoyance. ¡°What kind of girl wears something like this on a date?!¡± She then lifts her arm and takes a whiff at herself only to groan. ¡°Hang on, I''m going to take a shower and get ready! Wait here!¡± She said as she rushes upstairs, ignoring Maxtaro clutching his shin in pain.

    ¡°Yeah...No problem!¡± He groans out weakly!

    Kyoko made a mad rush to clean herself up, taking a quick yet very thorough shower, as she quickly enters her room, having covered herself up with a towel. ¡°Alright, gotta find an outfit to wear!¡± She said to herself as she opens her closet, eyes scanning for anything that looks far more appealing than her usual get up. ¡°Dammit, why don''t I have anything really cute or sexy here?¡±

    Downstairs, Maxtaro sits nervously on the couch in the living room, sitting close to the whole Hino family.

    ¡°So, you''re taking Kyoko out on a date, but you guys have no real idea where to go?¡± Miyu ask with an eyebrow raised, stroking the back of the family''s large cat Busa. ¡°Isn''t that kind of weird?¡±

    ¡°Ho boy, Miyu.¡± Maxtaro said dryly. ¡°Simply preachin to the choir here.¡±

    ¡°Well, I say that isn''t exactly a bad thing!¡± Keiko said with a smile. "I can recall my dating days, romantic with a few sword fights in between!" She said followed by a laugh as everyone in the room are a bit baffled at the last thing she just said. ¡°Keep a chipper mood and you get far, I say! Right, Yuu?¡±

    ¡°Yeah.¡± Yuu said, nervously chuckling to himself before looking at Maxtaro. ¡°I mean you''re both seventeen and reasonable kids.¡± He closes his eyes, visualizing the date in his head. ¡°Yeah, Nothing to worry about. Just you two having a neat-Wait...Why are you two staying out so late-" He slowly grew a frown. "Wait, are you at a hotel-What the-She''s too young-Gahh!!¡±

    ¡°Whoa, dad!¡± Miyu cried out as she and Keiko shook and slap Yuu back to reality. ¡°Let''s not go full dad mode here!!¡±

    ¡°Oh jeez!¡± Yuu gasps out as he leaves his...Weird fantasy. Everyone present only gives him a confused look as he laughs nervously. ¡°Yeah, sorry bout that.¡± He gives a small bow to Maxtaro. ¡°I may have gone a little overboard on you in my thoughts, sorry.¡±

    ¡°W-What the heck did you do to me in your fantasy?¡± Maxtaro mutters in shock. The door then opens as Kyoko pops her head out.

    ¡°Sorry for the wait!¡± She said before entering the room. Her choice of wear is quite different compared to her usual attires. A white three quarter sleeved collared blouse patterned with black tiger patterned stripes, a loosely tied purple necktie, a short black pleated skirt, and dark colored thigh high stockings. Her hair tied to a high ponytail, the red ribbon tied in a neat bow than her usual tight wrap. ¡°W-What?¡± She ask as everyone gave a rather baffling look.

    ¡°...Is that really you, Kyoko?¡± Maxtaro ask.

    ¡°It''s like night and day.¡± Miyu mutters to herself.

    ¡°That¡¯s our daughter?¡± Her parents said with genuine surprise. Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.

    Kyoko only gave an flat expression. ¡°Please stop that, it''s embarrassing.¡± She turns to Maxtaro as they both head out the door. ¡°Alright, let''s do this!¡±

    ¡°Oh yeah, totally!¡± Maxtaro replies as the two march out to the hallway on the way to the entrance.

    Yuu gave a pause. ¡°...If you two do end up in a hotel-¡±

    ¡°Gah!!¡± The two said, turning to show baffled expressions as they nearly trip from the shock of what Yuu was about to say. ¡°It''s not like that!!¡±

    <hr>

    Not long after, deep into town.

    ¡°You really gotta tell your dad to loosen up.¡± Maxtaro said, noticing Kyoko giving a frown.

    ¡°Trust me, I tried.¡± She replies. ¡°He''s just stubborn.¡± She then suddenly stumbles, giving Maxtaro pause. ¡°What?¡±

    Maxtaro raise an eyebrow. ¡°...You seriously can''t walk in high heels?¡± He said, looking at the high heel shoes she decided to wear for the day.

    Kyoko quickly grew flustered at the statement. ¡°I-I haven''t worn these for a long time, so cut me some slack!¡± She snaps. ¡°It''ll come back to me!¡±

    Maxtaro couldn''t help but place a hand to his chin. ¡°Wait, you wear boots with heels, like almost all the time.¡± Maxtaro said, feeling confused, recalling numerous instances of this one strange topic. ¡°Like, I seen you run, jump, kick, and do all sorts of crazy stuff in heeled boots! Suddenly this gives ya trouble?! What¡¯s the difference?!¡±

    ¡°Because those heels work than these ones!¡± She flusterly retorts before marching ahead. ¡°Now shut up already so we can-¡± She then trips and lands face first on the floor, to Maxtaro¡¯s horror. She raises a hand. ¡°...Hold my hand for a while...I''m begging you.¡±

    ¡°R-Right.¡± Maxtaro said nervously as he brought her back on her feet. The two then walked hand in hand, feeling rather embarrassed at the sight the townspeople gave to them as they walked slowly. However, a certain other pair watches from afar in a large bush!

    ¡°I thought this would be fun...But this is boring.¡± Nagase said as she peeks her head out of the bush to watch.

    ¡°You said it.¡± Baku replies with a frown. ¡°But I ain''t spending my Sunday sitting at home.¡± He then gives a small smile. ¡°Still, so this is what they''re up to...Frankly, that explains what the hell was going on all week.

    <hr>

    Days ago, in school.

    ¡°Hey Maxtaro, got plans this weekend?¡± Baku asked as the two walked down the hallway. All he got was a grin from Maxtaro for no reason. ¡°...The hell are you doing?¡±

    Elsewhere, in class, Nagase grew confused as Kyoko gave a nervous laugh after asking a similar question ¡°Uh, so you do have plans then?¡± She asked. ¡°...Is a secret or something...Like looking for aliens?¡± Her eyes grew wide upon saying this. ¡°It is, isn''t it?!¡±

    ¡°No.¡± Kyoko said bluntly as her expression changes to annoyance. ¡°It''s not, so please stop giving me that thumbs up.¡±

    As the week progresses in school, not a single word was blabbed regarding weekend plans...Causing some reactions.

    ¡°Maxtaro, just give me a yes or no if you¡¯re free-No!¡± Baku shouts as the two had lunch at the school roof, growing annoyed as Maxtaro gave a weak chuckle. ¡°Stop giving me smiles and chuckles, you ass! Seriously, why are you doing that when we talk about-Stop that!¡±

    In class, Nagase continues to prod at Kyoko, the latter munching on a rice cracker. ¡°Come on, tell me about the weekend...It''s totally looking for aliens, right?¡± She asked, only to frown as Kyoko simply gave her a blunt expression, her chewing grinding to a snail''s pace. ¡°A simple yes or no, please.¡± She pointed out with eyes narrowed.

    Cut to the last day of school for the week, a day before the present¡­

    ¡°Gahhhh!!!¡± Baku screams out in frustration as he puts Maxtaro in a headlock in the middle of class to everyone''s shock. ¡°Talk, you scarfaced moron!!¡±

    ¡°Ow! Quit it, ya dumbass!!¡± Maxtaro cried out in shock.

    ¡°So now you''re talking about this weekend?! Guess what? Too late for that!!¡± Baku roars. Nagase however, ignores the ruckus as she whispers to Kyoko.

    ¡°Look, if I buy you juice and rice crackers, would you tell me what you''re doing tomorrow-¡±

    ¡°Nagase, I told you to cut that out!¡± Kyoko snapped quietly as she looked as various classmates attempt to pull Baku off of Maxtaro. ¡°I''m not looking for aliens tomorrow!¡±

    ¡°Liar!!¡± Nagase shouts. ¡°You so are!!¡±

    <hr>

    Back to the present¡­

    ¡°Wait, I did get in trouble because that idiot didn''t tell me anything all week!¡± Baku said with a growl. ¡°They better do something!¡±

    ¡°...I was really hoping for a UFO sighting¡­¡± Nagase mutters. ¡°You know, I still think this is kind of nice, seeing them like this.¡±

    ¡°Yeah...It kinda makes you realize they don''t do much in those double dates we planned out.¡± Baku said bluntly. The two couldn''t help but imagine back to those moments...Where Maxtaro and Kyoko acted more like background noise. ¡°...They¡¯re not really good on romance huh?¡±

    ¡°Hey, at least they''re not running errands and stopping for ramen like usual.¡± Nagase said with a shrug. ¡°Gen said they¡¯re his dad''s favorite customers after all.¡±

    ¡°Whatever, let''s just see where this goes.¡± Baku quickly said as the two stood up, revealing to be wearing dark colored business suits. ¡°We didn''t put on these suits for nothing.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, these suits rock!¡± Nagase exclaims in excitement as they quickly follow their quarry. ¡°Like a buddy cop film!¡±

    Not long after, Maxtaro and Kyoko finally made a stop, looking intrigued over a food stand.

    ¡°Uh, what the hell is a flaming paan?¡± Maxtaro ask as he watches the large sign, turning to Kyoko. He frowns as she gave a shrug.

    ¡°Don''t ask me.¡± She replies. They watch as the man running the stand began to create the thing itself. ¡°Well, we did agree to try at least something unusual¡­¡± She then raised a brow. ¡°What is he doing with that leaf?¡± Her eyes grew wide as the man then sets the top of the leaf, filled with savory fillings, on fire. ¡°Wha?!¡±

    ¡°Wait, huh?!¡± Maxtaro said in surprise alongside Kyoko, only to see the man then shove the flaming treat into a paying customer''s mouth. The two couldn''t help but drop their jaw at such a blatant action.

    ¡°No freaking way!¡± They shout in unison. Such unity they have, right?! The vendor then points at them. ¡°Us next?!¡± The two then exchange glares at each other.

    ¡°Rock Paper Scissors then?¡± Maxtaro said tensely. ¡°Loser goes first.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re on.¡± Kyoko said with a low growl. ¡°No way am I going first.¡± If anything, they look more like rivals than a couple, readying themselves for this children''s game! The crowd could only stare in bafflement.

    ¡°...You can¡¯t be serious.¡± Baku mutters at a distance as he and Nagase watch Maxtaro and Kyoko kept playing round after round of the game.

    ¡°...They just keep choosing rock¡­¡± Nagase said, feeling bad at her friends lack of strategy.

    ¡°Gah!! Stop picking rock!!¡± The couple shouted, baring fangs fueled with blood and vinegar. Love can¡¯t stop competitive nature after all! A full minute later¡­

    ¡°Noooo!!!¡± Kyoko cried out in horror, clenching her fist as tears are welling up on her eyes. ¡°Why have you failed me, rock?!¡±

    ¡°Haha!¡± Maxtaro said with glee, revealing his open palm. ¡°You didn''t notice I can change to paper! Just as planned!¡±

    ¡°Just as planned? Hell no¡­¡± The entire crowd thought in unison as it is too painfully obvious he just now realize rock wasn¡¯t his sole option.

    ¡°So, I guess that means you''re first-¡± He froze in bafflement as Kyoko looks about to cry, in a pleading motion while shaking her head. ¡°...Fine, I''ll go first.¡± He mutters only to cry out as she puts him in a wide hug. ¡°Gaaaahhh!!!¡±

    ¡°Oh god, thank you!!¡± Kyoko cried out while sobbing into his chest. ¡°Thank you!!¡±

    ¡°Just get off!¡± Maxtaro shouts in full shock mode. Several minutes later¡­ ¡°Look, I''m gonna count to three, so you better not shove that flaming-Mmmph?!¡± It appears the vendor really couldn''t follow directions as he shoves the flaming paan right into Maxtaro¡¯s mouth mid speech. The young man suddenly going to a coughing fit as soon as he finished eating. ¡°Jeez,I said till three, you freaking-¡± He is soon cut off by more of his coughing. Kyoko and the crowd could only stare in horror. ¡°But it''s kinda good!¡± He manage to say, deflating some of the terror.

    ¡°Uh!¡± Kyoko stare at shock as the vendor approaches her, flaming paan in hand. ¡°Okay, Kyoko¡­¡± She said to herself quietly. ¡°It''s just a snack. Don''t hit him, don''t hit him, don''t hit him, for the love of god don''t hit him¡­¡±

    <hr>

    A half hour later, a disheartened Kyoko place a palm to her face in self disgust. ¡°Why did I hit him?!¡± She bemoan as Maxtaro walks besides her.

    ¡°...If it makes you feel better, that was kinda a textbook elbow to the jaw-¡± He stops as he notice she replace her sulking with a grim look directed at him. ¡°Nevermind, let''s just forget I ever said that.¡± He mutters nervously as the two arrive at the local theater. ¡°Anyway, how about we forget that and go watch a movie? That''s like a date thing.¡±

    ¡°Right!¡± Kyoko said, shaking off her troubles. ¡°Nothing says a typical dating routine like the movies!¡± She smiled only to grow confused. ¡°Wait, what are we watching anyway?¡± Maxtaro looked to be ready to say something only to pause followed by a shrug.

    ¡°No clue.¡± He bluntly states.

    ¡°You can¡¯t be serious¡­¡± Kyoko mutters as she stares at the current posters on the wall. ¡°Let''s see¡­" Her eyes lit up upon noticing a certain film. "Hey, Tiger Man goes to Hawaii is playing-¡±

    ¡°But it''s a kids film.¡± Maxtaro interrupts, only to see Kyoko glaring at him, biting her lip as to force herself from exploding to his surprise. One has to wonder, is she a fan of such things? Maxtaro only look on in confusion. ¡°...Oh-kay then, how bout Operation Fishnet-¡±

    ¡°Please, no war movies.¡± Kyoko said quickly with a cringing reaction. ¡°I really can''t stand all the blood and body parts¡­¡±

    The two then pause, looking at the one film they might agree on...The Haunted Lunchbox, Part 14: The Croquettes of Enma! They couldn''t help but frown.

    ¡°I heard this one really sucks...But part 13 ended on a cliffhanger.¡± Maxtaro mutters. ¡°I wanna know what''s next¡­¡±

    ¡°It''s trash...But I do have a soft spot for those movies¡­¡± Kyoko sheepishly replies. The two gave each other a look. A look that says ¡°even if this movie is trash I¡¯m glad you''re watching it with me¡± all over their faces. They then take a deep breath as they walked to the cashier.

    ¡°Two tickets for Haunted Lunchbox.¡± Maxtaro said with an embarrassed look on his face.

    ¡°...And two drinks?¡± Kyoko ask with a similar look.

    <hr>

    Some time later...At a movie where there''s a decent film being played!

    ¡°No fear, children! Tiger Man¡¯s gonna stop that volcano...With tiger spirit!!!¡±

    Baku groans at the cheesy dialogue, though it''s being drowned out by the cheers of everyone else. ¡°Dammit, I should have picked Operation Fishnet instead of this¡­¡±

    ¡°Yes, go wreck Volcano Joe¡¯s butt!¡± Nagase said with a fist pump to the air. ¡°Sorry we didn''t check out Haunted Lunchbox.¡± She frowns. ¡°My brother forced me to watch it twice...Never looking at coquettes the same way now¡­¡±

    Baku waves off her concerns. ¡°Eh, it''s cool. I watched it like seven times with my dad this week.¡± He said casually as he sips his drink.

    Nagase couldn''t help but raise an eyebrow. ¡°...W-Why?¡± She then shook it off, mostly interested in an obvious couple watching another film nearby. ¡°Say, you wanna bet those two be clinging on each other, holding hands, any of that juicy stuff right now?¡± She then gave a sly smile. ¡°You know I''m right.¡±

    ¡°Someone''s clearly invested.¡± Baku bluntly says as he continues to drink his soda but nods. ¡°But yeah, I think they finally got something right going down-Eh?¡± He stops and checks his cell phone. ¡°A text?¡±

    ¡°Hey, you left your phone on during a movie?¡± Nagase said with a pout. ¡°Someone''s clearly not following movie rules-¡± She froze as her phone then vibrates, noticing Baku raising an eyebrow. ¡°...Don''t say anything.¡± The two then open their cell phones and immediately scowl upon looking at the screen.

    ¡°You gotta be kidding me!!¡± They both snap loudly, unaware of the attention they''re getting...Though it seems they got the wrong idea!

    ¡°Yeah, why is Tiger Man losing to Volcano Joe?!¡± A random member of the audience cries out as the titular hero is getting beaten down by the villain. ¡°He can''t lose!!¡±

    <hr>

    The theater next door, playing Haunted Lunchbox¡­

    ¡°Come on, dude¡­¡± Maxtaro mutters as he stares at his phone in secret.

    ¡°You better text back, Nagase¡­¡± Kyoko mumbles as she too stares at her phone in secret, the two simply staring away at each other. They then frown as a similar text reply is sent.

    ¡°That¡¯s your problem!¡±

    Maxtaro and Kyoko both gave frowns, growing more irritated at the ruckus at the nearby theater. The theater that happened to be playing a certain kids movie¡­

    ¡°Kyoko...You know, I heard couples watching this kind of scary stuff tend to get close, if you know what I mean.¡± Maxtaro said quietly, noticing her nod at him.

    ¡°Y-Yeah, especially when a really scary part comes in and they cuddle...Wanna do that?¡± She responses, seeing him give a thumbs up. ¡°Alright...Stupid predictable scare in¡­¡± The victim of the film then gave a stock bloodcurdling scream that made the audience yawn as they saw that coming. Maxtaro simply tense up in surprise as Kyoko...Now sits on his lap, in a faux terrified expression. ¡°Uh, Kyaaa...That was so scary?¡± She sheepishly said while the audience now took notice of the two, Maxtaro never breaking expression.

    ¡°Don''t worry, you''re safe in my arms.¡± He said with a monotone expression before putting his head down. ¡°Are they still looking-They still are¡­¡± He mumbles in growing embarrassment.

    ¡°...Now I''m too scared to get off now¡­¡± Kyoko said quietly.

    ¡°...Jeez, it''s not even that scary.¡± A nearby audience member said, only to pause in terror at the glare Maxtaro and Kyoko gave him. ¡°...I''ll shut up now.¡±

    ¡°Damn right.¡± Maxtaro mutters. ¡°...My lap¡¯s growing numb¡­¡±

    <hr>

    Much later, back at the streets.

    ¡°Damn, I can''t believe we missed them.¡± Baku said with a sigh. ¡°I didn''t think a cartoon of a guy in a mask wrestling a freaking volcano would be that long!¡±

    Nagase simply gave a pondering expression as the two continue walking. ¡°...I wonder if it''s possible to chain a brainbuster into a headlock, or is that just an animation botch?¡±

    ¡°Focus, please.¡± Baku said bluntly. ¡°Where are those two anyway?¡±

    ¡°Uhhh, I''m gonna assume that sense of dread over there is a clue?¡± Nagase points out as she notices an aura of gloom in a certain direction that heads to a park. Baku gave a look of intrigue in response.

    ¡°Jeez, that aura of misery is thick enough to cut with a knife¡­¡± He said as he heads towards the park. ¡°Come on, let''s go!¡±

    It wasn¡¯t long for the two to see the couple sitting on a bench, face down in a slump of misery. It''s...Surprisingly depressing really.

    ¡°Gee...What a scary movie, huh?" Maxtaro said both sarcastically and bluntly as he slumps on his side of the bench. Kyoko simply covers her face with her palms.

    "Shut. Up." She said, face still covered. She then looks away in annoyance. "Should have begged to watch Tiger Man¡­I seriously need to tell him." She mutters to herself.

    Maxtaro gave a loud long sigh before regaining his composure. "...Look, maybe we''re trying a little too hard today. We should, you know, actually do something fun."

    "That''s...Probably the smartest thing we ever thought up of." Kyoko said, now a little more high spirited than before. "You know, we don''t need to prove ourselves today!"

    Maxtaro nods in approval. "Yeah, who cares you hit a street vendor?! I thought that was kinda cool!"

    "And who cares you''re dressed like a cheapskate? At least you''re trying!" Kyoko follows up on. "In fact, we looked like idiots back in the theater, but points for effort!" The two laugh, leaving Baku and Nagase from afar to feel pretty bad for them.

    "...They must really be crying inside to say that crap." Baku said bluntly, Nagase nod in agreement. A van with speakers then drives by the park, blaring out a strange announcement.

    "Couples of Kaimon!" The speakers blare out, drawing attention to many. "Want to prove you''re one of the best love birds in town? Come on by to Central Kaimon to sign up for our annual Romantic Killer Special Gauntlet! Sign ups last for one more hour, so hope to see you there!" The van drives away, leaving many to discuss this new development

    "...Why add Killer into your love event?" Nagase asked in confusion. "Nobody is gonna die...Right?" Maxtaro and Kyoko sat in silence, but quickly laugh off such an upcoming event as they stood from their seats.

    "Nah, why go through all that trouble?" Maxtaro said. "I mean again, we got nothing to prove."

    "Yeah!" Kyoko added. "We''re fine!"

    "Oho, just what I expect from those who resign to be in second place forever."

    Confused, both Maxtaro and Kyoko look at the direction where a well dressed couple stands, themselves staring at our couple with haughty disdain.

    "Uh, who are you guys?" Maxtaro finally said, feeling a bit annoyed. The two strangers then do a strange pose.

    "Arakan Kotani!" The young man then shouts. "One half of the grand couple of North Kaimon!"

    "And I''m Eriko Taguchi, the second half!" The young woman added. "We''re the number one bloggers in town that reviews couples in a weekly basis!" A long awkward pause arose as the two remain in their pose.

    "...People seriously blog that kind of crap?" Maxtaro mutters. "And number one? They''re probably the only ones."

    "Leave it to those rich weirdos in North Kaimon¡­" Kyoko said with a roll of the eyes.

    "Hey!" Arakan shouts as he point an accusing finger at Maxtaro. "We don''t need to take such insults, especially for a lazily dressed hack like you! Seriously, a tuxedo printed t-shirt?! Are you East Kaimon idiots that inept to buy a suit?!"

    Maxtaro...Did not take that comment well. "Hey douche, want a free trip to hell?" He growls out, while cracking his knuckles. "It''s free and one way."

    "Maxtaro!" Kyoko cry out. "We''re not out here for a fight!"

    "Oh that''s rich coming from you!" Eriko said maliciously. "Despite having decent taste, you have a violent attitude! We saw what you did to that food vendor!"

    "E-Eh?!" Kyoko said in shock. "H-He was shoving flaming food into my mouth!!"

    "Save it!" Eriko retorts. "We are well aware of your family''s dojo filled with degenerates and miscreants!"

    Kyoko bit her lip. "Dammit Dad!" She muffles out in cringe.

    "And finally, that atrocious move you two pulled back at the movies!" Arakan follows up much to Maxtaro and Kyoko''s horror.

    "They were there watching that stupid movie?!" The two thought frantically as Arakan continues his rant.

    "Sloppy timing and it wasn''t even the scariest part of the film! Shameful display!" He continues on while Eriko wrote down on a notepad. "Grade so far, Eriko?"

    "Maxtaro Onimada and Kyoko Hino of East Kaimon¡­" Eriko said before revealing the letter C onto the paper. "Letter grade C...Minus!!" Maxtaro and Kyoko couldn''t help but drop their jaw in appall of such a mediocre grade. "That will be on our blog tonight!" Our main couple couldn''t help but be on their knees in despair, feeling as if someone had just punched them in the gut.

    Couple. Destroyed!! No mercy!!

    "Oh god...Every emotion hurts!" Maxtaro gasps out while clutching his chest.

    "I don''t know if I want to cry or puke!" Kyoko said while holding her mouth, fighting back tears.

    "Eriko, time for us to leave these second placed C minus graded fools!" Arakan said as the couple walked away. "We have a gauntlet to win! We got our review of the week ready too!"

    "What perfect timing!" Eriko added as they leave. Maxtaro and Kyoko could only be on their knees still, their gloom now tenfold. But suddenly, gloom slowly turns into something else entirely...That of rage.

    And trust us, it ain''t pretty!

    "Kyoko¡­" Maxtaro said quietly as he slowly gets back onto his feet. "Remember when I said we have nothing to prove?" He then growls between gritted teeth. "I still stand by that...But we''re doing this stupid event anyway!" He finally roars out in anger.

    "Hell yes!" Kyoko shouts as she gets back up, a fierce expression on her face. "Anything to beat those pompous idiots after that stupid grade they gave us! I wanna put those rich smug jackasses down a peg!"

    "To this stupid gauntlet thing!!" Maxtaro cries out as the two storm off the park in a thunderous rage. Baku and Nagase could only be stunned at the scene that unfolded.

    "...Shit, that escalated quickly." Baku said in genuine surprise.

    To be concluded, ladies and gents!

 Chapter 2 Omakes

    While we wait for our main characters to get to the Romantic Killer Special Gauntlet, let''s take a bit of downtime for:

    Intermission Omakes!

    Secret Fangirl

    Several months ago, at a local movie theater¡­

    "Tiger Man¡¯s gonna stop that villain...With tiger spirit!!!¡± Kyoko, Nagase, and Miyu said with high spirits and enjoyment as they laugh, walking out of watching Tiger Man saves the Galaxy Once More!

    "Man, I shouldn''t have come in thinking this would be weird!" Nagase said. "That was awesome!"

    "Glad we managed to convince you!" Kyoko replies, sporting a Tiger Man t-shirt. "Miyu and I been fans ever since our grandpa took us to a movie when we were kids!"

    Miyu nods, herself wearing a tiger theme cap on her head. "If you like, we''ll ask him to bring all his copies of the Tiger Man movies next time he stops by."

    Nagase beams right up from that request. "Heck yes! You bet your little butt I''m gonna binge watch the crap out of those!" She shouts, ignoring Miyu fuming at Nagase for daring to mention her short stature. Fourteen years old yet still a bit of a late bloomer! "It''s funny you never really told me you''re that much of a fan, Kyoko!"

    Kyoko shook her head. "Come on, it''s a tad embarrassing, right?" She said with a nervous chuckle. "But trust me, I''ll be honest about that eventually-"

    "Baku, I told you we should stop watching these stupid horror movies!" Maxtaro says in annoyance as the two just exited The Haunted Lunchbox Part 13: Mochi Devourer of Souls! "They started sucking since Part 8, so why are we still going?!"

    Baku shrugs. "Watched it with my parents five times and no doubt about it...It ended on a cliffhanger so we probably have to watch the next one anyway..."If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    "They all do!" Maxtaro laments until noticing Kyoko and her group, Kyoko herself frozen in horror. "Oh, hey! Didn''t think you were out watching the movies tonight-"

    "I-I had to watch Tiger Man!" Kyoko shouts out in embarrassment in a flustering expression, surprising everyone. She clutches at her shirt to hide the cheesy image on her chest. "M-Miyu and Nagase a-asked me to join!" The other two girls gawk at this sudden push under a bus. Kyoko herself quickly place a hand over mouth, horrified that maybe...She is a tad too embarrassed to admit her love of Tiger Man.

    ...Enough to betray her loved ones apparently.

    "...Geez, the mood here just freaking died." Baku mutters grimly, all while Maxtaro remain so ever confused at this scene as the girls turn ghastly pale.

    <hr>

    The next day.

    "Aw, putting an extra pudding in your sister''s bag?" Keiko said as Kyoko, looking very shameful, sneaks a pudding cup into Miyu''s school bag. "What''s the occasion?"

    "Just an apology, Mom." Kyoko said with tones of regret as she heads off to school, carrying a box. "...I hope Nagase will like the whole cake I bought."

    "Eh?" Keiko said, eyebrow raised in confusion as the front door closes. "...Am I missing something here?"

    By the way, Maxtaro never really got the hint. How sad.

    An Actual Romantic Moment?

    A few weeks back, at the local batting cages.

    "Agh!" Nagase cries out in frustration as she misses another swing. "Man...This is harder than I thought!" She notice Baku chuckling from not too far, earning her slight ire. "Something funny, Baku?"

    "Well, obviously." Baku said as he enters the cage. "Be honest, who taught you to swing a bat?"

    Nagase gives a sheepish look before opening her mouth, nervously chuckling all the while. "Well...My parents happen to own a bunch of old pro wrestling tapes-"

    Baku simply frown as he cuts her off. "That''s not learning. Come on, I''ll teach ya. You got power, but everything else sucks."

    "...You''re not teaching me to crack skulls, right?" Nagase said bluntly. "My Mom''s a cop, you know-"

    "Yeah, I know...You keep telling me that." Baku bluntly retorts as he walks behind Nagase, placing hands on her shoulders. "Now listen to me. Bend your knees a tad."

    "Uhhh, do I have to-" She suddenly tenses up in pain as Baku, becoming annoyed, suddenly tightens his grip. "Owowowow-O-Okay, I''m doing it!"

    "Good, now keep your body in a straight line. Loosen your muscles...Hover that bat over your shoulders¡­Yeah, that''s it." The two exchange a small warming look, relaxing a bit¡­

    "...Man you guys, get a room." Maxtaro said with a very blunt expression, having just returned with snacks. Kyoko slurping a drink with a straw not too far behind as the two look at Baku and Nagase. "No no, keep up the moment...We''ll just be background as always." He added

    Nagase couldn''t help but crack a sly grin. "What, you guys being too jelly at us?"

    "Hah, that''s a good one, Nagase!" Baku said, slowly pulling an evil grin on his face, clearly getting his jollies at this scene. "They probably are-"

    "Like hell we are!!" Maxtaro and Kyoko said as they finally explode, feeling flustered and...Being very transparent on their actual feelings. Double dates, never works out well for our main couple!

    End Omakes! See you next time!