The next day only added to Aaron's perplexity. He was already surprised that he had dared to use the belt to transform himself into Kamen Rider and confront the Deadman created by Junpei. He wondered where the latter had gone, as he hadn't shown his face since the altercation.
His thoughts were interrupted when his main teacher spoke up.
"Today we have a new transfer student. I ask you all to make her feel welcome."
Murmurs circulated around the classroom. Three girls sitting next to them were chatting.
"A new girl, eh? I hope she's not pretentious."
"I feel a bit bad for her. The boys will be all over her if she's cute. If she's not, they'll take it out on her, you know how they are, don't you?"
"I hear she's from an all-girls school. She'll probably freak out anyway."
Aaron felt detached from the subject. A new girl only meant one more person in the class. He could hear the girls' murmurs and the boys' silent admiration when the new girl arrived. It probably meant she was cute. Of course, he couldn't see her since he was looking out the window.
"Please introduce yourself." Said the teacher.
"Hello. My name is Houko Tange. I'm delighted to meet you all."
A tremor ran through Aaron's body. He knew that voice all too well.
Kasumi stood in front of the class. She was wearing the same school uniform she'd worn during the fight with Junpei and his gang. Her auburn hair was loose and she wore a pair of round glasses.
"There's a seat available next to Monsieur Dupain, near the window, over there." Said the professor, pointing a brittle finger at Aaron. "I'm sure he'll be happy to share his books with you until you acquire yours, Miss Tange."
Aaron could only watch as she walked over to the empty desk next to him and sat down. Every eye in the class followed her as well, undoubtedly captivated by her beauty.
"Man, did you see her tits?" he heard someone say behind him.
Some seemed drawn to a more specific part of her beauty.
"Hello, Monsieur Dupain." Houko smiled. "Pleased to meet you."
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At lunchtime, he slipped Kasumi a note asking her to join him on the roof. However, it was she who arrived first. She looked out into the courtyard where many students were having lunch as a group when he arrived.
"What the hell are you doing?"
"What do you mean?" Kasumi replied calmly.
"Don't take me for a fool, please?" Said Aaron, frustrated by the Kunoichi's response. "Why are you here? And why are you dressed like that and wearing that name? What do you think you're doing? Playing super spy?"
"I'm here to be closer to you." She said. "If I want to protect you, I have to be near you at all times. And it's easier to do that being a classmate, than cuddled up in furniture or the false ceiling."
Aaron had to resign himself. Kasumi's answer was logical, and given his skills and his promise to be at her service, he was obliged to accept the situation.
"However." She said, turning to him, "Due to certain... circumstances... I couldn't use my real name and thought a disguise was in order too."
"A disguise? You let your hair down and put on glasses." Aaron laughed, finding the disguise ineffective, probably because he already knew her. "And why did you change your name? Is it because of your clan or something?"
"Sort of." Kasumi replied vaguely.
Just as the words left his lips, the door opened and a voice was heard behind him.
"There she is! This way, boys."
In an instant, a crowd formed around Kasumi, interrupting Aaron and their conversation.
"Wow, you're cuter than they said." Declaimed a boy.
"Where are you from?" Asked a girl.
"Do you have a boyfriend?" Asked another boy as he made his way over.
The chestnut-haired girl did her best to answer, but she felt rather trapped, which wasn't a good feeling for the kunoichi. Being surrounded by so many people and being the center of attention brought back... very bad memories.
Aaron, seeing this, looked for a way to help his friend get rid of the crowd until a hand suddenly grabbed his sleeve.
"Hey, Aaron, are you here too?"
Taki smiled at him. The taller boy was rather surprised to find his friend here. After the incident with Junpei, the bespectacled boy had become rather reclusive for the rest of the day. It was nice to see him a little more energetic.
"I suppose so." Aaron replied. "Don't tell me you're with them."
"Not really. I'm just here to see if the rumors were true."
"What rumors?"
Taki brandished a magazine. It was an old issue of a magazine in which were published porno doujins about video game characters that could be found in sex shops. The cover announced the release of an independent studio's new NSFW animation on the game Ninja Gaiden: Kunoichi 2 - Fall Of The Shrinemaiden.
"What's this? And how did you get this?" Aaron asked, grabbing the magazine.
"I nicked it off my brother while he was moving house. Turn to page twenty-three and you'll see." Taki smiled.
Aaron flipped through the magazine until he came across the page. It contained an article talking about animation, and among the screenshots he could see the face of his kunoichi with red eyes and a smirk tinged with lust. It was a 3D model, but it looked exactly like her.
"It's weird, isn't it?" Said Taki. "I mean, she could almost be from animation."
Aaron suppressed a laugh. Were people really fooled by his disguise?
Apparently so. The rest of the day was filled with people asking her if she knew that she bore an uncanny resemblance to the character from Dead or Alive and Ninja Gaiden in recent games. She laughed, saying she heard it all the time without knowing what they were talking about, hiding her discomfort. By the end of the day, she already had a group of friends, but she was still close to Aaron, which was the subject of many rumors.
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"I just don't get it. I mean, first she tells you she's a cosplayer who was attacked and now she's telling you she's a real ninja who got lost in town while running from something. Then she agrees to be your private ninja in exchange for living with you. She beats up Junpei and his gang in no time. She joins the under a false name and wears a shitty disguise. And now you find out she looks exactly like a video game character and star of a Not Save For Work animation trilogy?"
Aaron simply nodded, having deliberately avoided the part of the story where he'd changed into Kamen Rider. He really didn't want to draw attention to himself and risk having the driver and Vistamp stolen.
The two friends were sitting at a table in Ryo's favorite restaurant. Only a few customers were sitting at the banquettes and counter, as it was between lunch and dinner rush hours and one of the few times Aaron could eat there with his friend without being bothered.
"Are you sure it's not one of those monsters from that virus that brings video game characters to life?"
"I thought so too. And no, I checked, this stupid virus only affects games developed by Gemn Corporation."
Ryo looked out the window.
"So, where is it?"
"I don't know." Aaron replied with a shrug. "I told her I wanted to be alone for a while, so she disappeared after school."
"You know, if she's a real ninja, she could be watching you and you wouldn't even know it."
"She might. As long as she doesn't peep in the shower, I guess I can live with that."
Ryo looked at his friend with concern.
"I can't help noticing you're not as surprised as I am."
"At first I was. Then I guess I adapted pretty quickly." He confessed. "I mean, this kind of crap only happens in manga and anime, right?"
"Ask Taki, he's the specialist in this field." Said Ryo.
"By the way, why didn't you come today?" Aaron asked, intrigued. "It's not really like you to skip class without warning."
"Actually, I'm seriously working on the drawings for my sister's independent manga, based on the notes she left before..." Ryo replied, lowering his eyes.
"Oh, you've decided to finish it for her?" Aaron asked, doing his best not to depress his friend too much, still affected by his sister's disappearance a few years ago.
"Yeah, I figured either it could push her back home to see her work published without her permission. At least just to yell at me." Ryo replied with a slightly bitter laugh. "At least she left enough concept art and storyboards for me to manage. She even left a novel version of her script so I'd have the whole story she wanted to tell."
"She prepared well. Do you think she did all this so she'd be ready to get started before her job at McD's demotivated her?"
"Probably. Anyway, back to your ninja. It's a shame she's not here." Ryo said before smirking perversely. "Is she sexy?"
"I'd say so."
"You'd say?! Man, you've got to learn to appreciate the female form."
"I'm not a womanizer like you. Besides, I was a little too busy being down with her to look at her as jerk-off material."
"Like you didn't even think about it when Taki made the connection between her and the animated film prono." Ryo joked. "But really, you should give it a try. Otherwise you'll really end up alone. And don't tell me that's what you want, because I've known you long enough to know that's bullshit."
"Yeah... you're not wrong." Aaron admitted.
"Well, I've got to go. I still have time to get some drawing boards done before I go to the club tonight." Ryo smiled.
"You spend more time there than my neighbor. I can't decide if that's hopeless or not." Aaron joked.
"Gotta give her a reason to keep going." Aaron retorted with an amused smile. "Say hello to the guys for me, will you? Call me later, I need to know the details of what's going on between you and your new girlfriend."
"We're not a couple." Aaron interjected.
His friend merely smiled and waved as he left the restaurant.
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The silence at the table was almost unbearable, but Aaron couldn't think of a single thing to say that wouldn't make the awkwardness even greater.
Opposite him, Kasumi was eating with the politeness and grace of a well-bred person. Strangely, he wondered if the ninja training program included Japanese table etiquette. He wondered if there was a training program for ninjas.
"There seems to be a lot of rumors about you."
Aaron blinked.
"What?"
"At school." Kasumi clarified in a relaxed tone. "Most of my new friends are telling me to stay away from you. They've told me a lot of things, but nothing very flattering."
Aaron glanced worriedly at Kasumi, who didn't seem to be paying him any attention.
"I already know." He said. "I don't care what they say about me."
"You shouldn't." She replied. "You're not helping yourself by antagonizing everyone. I'd rather not have to protect you from the whole school."
This intrigued her.
"I've discovered several groups at school who mean you harm. Most of them are nothing but boys with big mouths, but there are some who are willing and able to carry out their threats to you."
"I don't doubt it. I've got the perfect face to be a target in this country." Aaron lamented. "But I'd like to know something. Why?"
"Why what?" Kasumi asked, hesitating for a moment. "I wanted to see who might pose a threat to your well-being."
"Nah, not that... well, yes, a little." Said Aaron. "Why did you accept my stupid offer so easily? And why tell me that practically the whole school wants me dead?"
"Why?" Aaron quickly lost his temper.
"I'm your kunoichi. It's my job to make sure you're safe." Kasumi replied.
Aaron was about to ask her again, in a more angry tone, why she had accepted his request made in jest, but she silenced him with a wave of her hand.
"I accepted your offer because you've done more for me than anyone else."
Her answer confused Aaron a little.
"When I told you I was running away from something. I wasn't being completely honest. Several months ago, I was captured by some people. They turned me into something... different. The more time passed, the more I indulged in what they made of me. But eventually I realized what it was doing to me. So I fled, pursued by my half-sister, who'd been through the same thing as me... with my helper."
The more she confessed, the guiltier her voice became, as she took his arms, as if to embrace herself. Aaron couldn't help but feel bad for her.
"She managed to catch me, and as we fought, we were sucked through some kind of portal. We then got separated... I landed in your garbage room, and she... I don't know where she ended up. Then you found me. And for the first time... I was treated like a real human being." She said as her shoulders shook. "I have nothing to repay the debt I owe you. So when you made this offer, I took it. Even if you don't want me anymore, my loyalty will always be to you."
Aaron didn't really know what to say. Kasumi seemed genuinely upset, everything she'd been through must have been really horrible for her to be so traumatized despite her skills. But he guessed something else: she was afraid. She was afraid of losing the sincere human contact they had. And he had to admit, they were probably a lot closer than he wanted to admit.
She'd been through things that had broken her spirit until she'd run away. And him, with the exception of his friends and family, everyone judged him as a foreigner because he didn't look Japanese.
He rose from the table and took Kasumi in his arms, catching her unawares.
"You know..." Aaron said, taking a breath. "I know people don't really have a problem with who I am, but for some reason, I attract those for who are looking for a fight. So I have to fend for myself because..."
"Can't anyone else help you?" Kasumi finished. "Didn't I tell you I would?"
"Yeah." Aaron laughed. "We're in the same boat now. "You protect me, I'm the shoulder you can lean on. And if someone pulls out a vistamp like Junpei did, I can handle it. We make a good team."
This joke made Kasumi laugh, before she refocused the conversation on what she'd expanded on in high school.
"When I asked what my friends thought of you, do you know what they said?" She asked, receiving his silence as an answer. "They thought you were sometimes too quiet, too distant. They thought it was surprising that you had friends. But they didn't speak of you with spite, fear or hatred. They felt sorry for you."
This surprised him. He hadn't expected it.
Aaron's father had once told him that being pitied was as bad as being harassed. He didn't think so, because pity doesn't motivate people to be violent. But he never thought people felt that way about him at school.
"A long time ago, I knew someone in my home village who was also despised because of who she was. She was so absorbed in her hatred that I was afraid it would destroy her one day. It's not just that, but I see this hatred in you too."
She turned her head to look out the patio windows. Thousands of tiny city lights reflected off their surfaces.
She broke their embrace, stood up, moved behind him and headed for the attic that had become her bedroom of sorts. Before climbing the ladder and disappearing, she said one last thing to him.
"During my training as a Kunoichi, I was taught that if a ninja commits himself to someone, he must stand by him loyally and faithfully. I'd already broken my clan's laws and disgraced myself. Then I was made into an obedient doll until I ran away. But now I have a purpose, thanks to you. I swore to be your kunoichi and that I'd keep my word."
"You know, when I made the proposal I was joking." Aaron admitted sincerely. His voice was barely loud enough for her to hear. "I was suspicious and wanted you to leave so I wouldn't end up in a bad situation. But in the end, we're a team in everyday life as well as in combat. Isn't that crazy?"
Kasumi smiled at his reflection.
"I think I've seen and felt a lot crazier things.
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"I don't believe you. Isn't that you? So, who called the meeting?"
In a secluded corner of an abandoned building, eight people were gathered around a makeshift table of cinderblock and rusted metal sheeting, each seemingly wearing a different gang get-up. Behind each of them stood someone else wearing a similar uniform with a weapon, either a chain or a crowbar.
"I thought it was you. The Kami-kaze losers. I heard last night some of your boys got away after scaring the shit out of people outside a karaoke bar." Says one of the people sitting at the table to the one sitting to his left.
"Shot? They disappeared, leaving behind puddles of blood and their motorcycle completely destroyed!" shouted the Kami-kaze leader. "They were great bikes too, damn it."
"So, you're the one who sent for us?" asked another gang leader. "And where's Shigeru?"
"I've no idea. And I thought it was Komogawa." He replied, pointing to the one on his left.
"It's not from me. The others from Hokuto Tiger suggested we keep a low profile while we finish refitting our base. I've got nothing to gain by holding a stupid meeting." Komogawa replied.
"You bet, somebody's got to stop Yo from messing with the decor." Laughed the gang leader in front of him, recalling a time when this Yo had put a huge chibi tiger plush at the entrance to their base.
It was partly this incident that motivated them to actually take neutral ground like this dilapidated building for their meeting, to avoid having to take responsibility for the dubious choices of some of their underlings.
"Well, if that's the way it's got to be. I'm outta here." Says another gang leader, rising from his chair. "You can stay if you like, but I've got other things to do..."
"Sit down, Toru." Said a voice from behind Komogawa. "I'm the one who brought you here."
They looked over to where the voice had come from, to see the same monster who'd given Junpei a Vistamp, briefcase in hand.
"Who are you?"
"What are you waiting for, the deluge? Smoke it." Ordered one of the leaders to the bodyguards.
But no sooner had the bodyguards taken a step than they all fell to the ground, a Kunai with a pink ribbon stuck in their jugulars as blood began to pour from the wounds.
"I said sit down." The fox monster merely said as the purple-haired woman with a tissue on the lower part of her face landed beside him.
"Do you want to die? There are easier ways to commit suicide."
"Yes, like yelling at the guy who has a bodyguard vastly more competent than the ones you brought back to help defend you in the event of a gang attack." Menaça the instigator of the meeting. "Listen up, you insignificant little gang leader, from now on you work for me. You are the leaders of eight gangs of young delinquents in this district of Tokyo. Rather weak gangs in terms of influence, practically invisible to the Yakuza, the cops and the bigger gangs. That's exactly what I need."
The gang leaders felt offended at being treated like scum by this surprise guest, but they were obliged to remain silent, not particularly wanting to end up like those who bled to death.
"And here's my offer, you scum. You go on with your business, but I want 10% of everything you steal, and every night you'll give me detailed reports on every shit your gangs pull. Every assault, every robbery, even rape, must be recorded in these reports. In exchange, each of you will get a stamp in the same style as those used by the Deadmans before they were cornered by Fenix. And you can use it as you see fit, against whomever you like. But you leave families with children alone. Hands off the kids, got it?"
The fox monster then opened the case and showed them the various Vistamps it contained.
"Okay, creep, that's very generous of you." Said a blonde-haired, green-eyed gang leader with a white headband on her forehead. "But why should we listen to you?"
By way of reply, the bodyguard tossed a large duffel bag onto the table. The female gang leader opened the bag warily before all the guests at the meeting stepped back, shocked by the contents.
"Did you fucking get Shigeru?"
He was the missing delinquent gang leader, his body in the bag, limbs bent or broken so that he'd fit in the bag without too much trouble.
"Yes, and his whole gang. After Ayane had a good time with them. I'd have liked to bring you more proof, but I didn't have a bigger bag on hand. And I didn't have the equipment to bring you anything but the heads, so I brought your buddy." Answered the figure as his bodyguard seemed to taunt them with a wink, striking a sexy pose. "Don't get me wrong. I'm not asking you to accept my offer. I'm ordering you to."
The remaining gang leaders all looked at each other, hesitating. Then the Kami-kaze leader spoke up.
"10% and daily reports against one of these and stay alive, that's good enough for me."
He approached the figure and chose a vistamp before being followed by the rest of the gang leaders who were then allowed to leave the meeting place, leaving the two collaborators together.
"You're giving them these Vistamps just like that? I thought you wanted to use word of mouth." Ayane questioned.
"I do. But one of them is bound to do something stupid in the next few hours. He's going to feel his wings grow and do even more stupid things. And with their reports, we'll know how to find vulnerable souls with whom to trade quietly." Explained the fox monster.
"I see. It's a good approach. Besides, it gave me something to eat during the day." Ayane smiled, moving a hand up from her crotch to her belly with a little laugh of satisfaction.
"And you took care of Junpei?"
"Of course, no one will find him and his minions." Ayane smiled.
"Perfect." He said before heading for the exit as he became human again. "And I don't know about you, but I'm a bit peckish. Would you like to stop off at McDonald's?"
Ayane laughed and simply followed her partner.
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"Ryo?"
Aaron was surprised to see his friend knocking on his door. It had been almost five months since his friend had been in his apartment.
"What are you doing here?"
"Oh, I was in the neighborhood and thought I'd drop by and see your ninja." Ryo replied with an amused smile.
"Kasumi? Well, she's..."
Aaron was interrupted when the woman in question made her way in front of him, apparently in a hurry.
"Excuse me, but I'm late!" She said, lifting a handbag onto her shoulder. "I..."
She stopped speaking as she came face to face with Ryo. His face was like that of a deer staring into the headlights of oncoming cars.
"Don't worry." Aaron said, guessing what Kasumi was worried about. "It's Ryo, a friend of mine. And he knows about our arrangement. Well, the big one."
"Oh!" She remained troubled for a moment before bowing respectfully. "Pleased to make your acquaintance, Mr. Kage."
Ryo had to take a step back to examine her. The teenager was dressed in a light pink sleeveless shirt and faded jeans. She hopped around on one foot as she tried on her white canvas sneakers. Her round glasses were on her face and her hair loose, signaling that she wasn't Kasumi at that moment, but Houko Tange.
"Nice to finally meet you in person." Said Ryo with his patented seductive smile. "And please, call me Ryo."
She answered with a brief nod and turned her attention to Aaron. Ryo blinked in surprise. Usually that smile would at least make girls blush.
"I'll be with my friends until late." She said to Aaron, trying to slip on her left shoe while performing her balancing act. "We're going to the mall and the movies. I won't be home for dinner."
"Deal." Aaron replied with a thumbs-up.
"Are you sure you're not going to leave the apartment?" She asked as she straightened up, both shoes on her feet. "I'm getting a cell phone today, so I'll text you my number. Make sure you keep it."
"Understood." The young Kamen Rider nodded.
Kasumi said goodbye and hurried down the stairs. Ryo watched with unwavering interest Kasumi's buttocks as she walked away. Aaron noticed the silly grin on her face.
"She's got a nice ass." He said when she was far enough away not to be seen. "I'd tap that."
"You'd bang anyone with two X chromosomes." Aaron retorted.
"That's not true." Ryo looked insulted. "I wouldn't do that to anyone in my family. Not the fat ones, not the ugly ones, not..."
"Yeah, yeah, I know." Aaron smiled, his friend's perversions and sexual demands were always fun to use to make fun of him. "Get your ass over here before my neighbor hears you. She's already trying to convince me to spend at least one evening in her club. So if she finds out you're here, I can't imagine the carnage."
"And you should agree at least once. You know, to pop your cherry with someone experienced enough to take you to seventh heaven." Ryo laughed as the door closed behind him.
Aaron's best friend sprawled out on the sofa with a sigh. He was a little disappointed not to be able to officially meet Kasumi, but he was happy to spend time with a friend he'd barely had time to see lately. Ryo stretched and let his body mold to the furniture. Aaron entered with two sodas. He handed his friend a can and slumped into the recliner.
"I gotta congratulate you, man." He said, raising his can as if in toast while still lying on the couch. "You've got a hot chick living with you, and you've barely known her a week! You're living life to the full! I hope she doesn't leave as fast as she moved in!"
"Don't be silly. We're not like that at all. Or at least not yet." Aaron retorted, opening his can before taking a sip.
"Oh, really?" Ryo asked, raising an eyebrow. "She's getting a cell phone and she wants you to be the first person to get her new number! She likes you, man!"
"It's just a way to keep in touch with me. You know, what a phone's for." Says Aaron, setting the can down on the table. "Ever since she agreed to be my ninja, she's made her mission her priority. In fact, she overdoes it. Two days ago, I bumped into a guy and he got mad at me for shoving him without looking out. She almost put him through a wall before I could get her to stop!"
"Well, she said she'd protect you. That just means she's serious."
Aaron thought back to what she'd told him the night after his first day of school.
"I think it's more that she puts so much energy into not thinking about what she's running away from. And that worries me." Aaron sighed. "I don't want her to end up as some kind of workaholic who runs away from her traumas with work."
"At least it means you're not frustrated because a woman is protecting you." Ryo joked, looking up at the ceiling for a moment before continuing. "Maybe she'll treat you right. If she becomes your girlfriend, she'll certainly be better than..."
"Don't say her name, please." Aaron interrupted coldly.
Ryo closed his eyes.
"Sorry, I forgot." Said he, absentmindedly playing with his half-empty soda while recalling some events from a year ago. "Man, you were a mess after that. It's a good thing she got away, or I can't imagine how bad you would've felt if you'd kept running into her."
"I'd rather not talk about her at all."
"Yeah, lots right." Ryo said with a chuckle. "Anyway, I've got a question for you."
"And what's that?"
"If you're not dating your ninja daughter, do you think I could..."
"Forget it, Ryo." Aaron interrupted him again. "Believe me, it wouldn't work between you two. And I think it's too early for her, for your area of expertise to come into play."
"Yeah, you're probably right. I mean, one wrong move and you'll never see my ass alive again."
"That's probably the only good thing to come out of this relationship."
Both teens began to laugh.
"So, any news on Junpei?" Ryo asked.
"Nah, strangely enough, since the day after the confrontation, he's completely disappeared." Aaron replied, finishing his can. "And it's all for the best."
"I'm surprised."
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As soon as she left the apartment, Kasumi felt she was being watched. She briefly wondered if Ayane had already caught up with her and tried to lose her in the crowd. And strangely enough, as soon as she drowned in the crowd, Kasumi felt the sensation disappear.
She found it strange, Ayane had always been stubborn, whether it was when she'd tracked her down to try to kill her, or... whatever it took to break her before finally making her like her. She assumed it was just paranoia and started back towards the mall.
But it wasn't paranoia. On the roof of Aaron's apartment complex, Ayane had watched him and smiled at her half-sister's fear before looking in the direction of Aaron's apartment. Then, a little later, she saw Ryo leaving Aaron's apartment, followed by her neighbor, who came out of her apartment in an enticing outfit.
The two chatted for a moment before leaving together, Ayane licking her lips before following them.