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School Rumble (Broom and I)

"Hah! This is just my second wind!" Masami sniffed, tossing her another token. "Fine! This time, I'll stomp you into the pavement!"

"Uh...Mei," Jana said idly. "...Remember why we're here, yeah?" Still, she couldn't help but smile in amusement. She really was having fun. Huh, who knew the Ice Queen even knew what fun was?
 
Jana's words went ignored. Mei just kept playing, and she didn't stop until she beat Masami. She didn't remember how many times she played really, and when the screen finally deemed her the winner, she smirked. "Not bad for my first day playing this horribly repetitive game." She took her blouse and then slid it back over her shoulders, buttoning up to the top.
 
Sixteen times, if you were keeping track. And the point difference? Five. Five goddamn points. Masami huffed in annoyance, the top of her jumpsuit zipped down and around her waist to reveal her t-shirt. "Right," Masami said dryly, arms crossing when she hopped off the console. "Because you weren't dancing like you enjoyed it, did you?"

"You were, she's right." Jana grinned. "You were awesome, Mei! You kicked ass! You dance like a pro!"
 
"Enjoy? Dancing? Oh no, you've got it all wrong. Well, not the being awesome part." Mei began as she put her blouse back on. Oddly enough she wasn't really sweating. She only took off her sweater and shirt to move better. Her skirt was so loose and wavy that it didn't hinder her legs. She turned to Masami. "I just simply wanted to beat you so I can get my information is all. So, why don't you go ahead and tell me." When Mei took her sweater from Jana, she realized exactly how much of a crowd had gathered among them. "Alone." She growled, and the spectators would feel an icy breeze hitting against their ankles. Too bad, the Ice Queen was still the Ice Queen. That was the only thing she needed to do to disperse the crowd.
 
There was more grumbling than you'd expect, but eventually everyone parted as Jana grinned. Like usual, she does one thing and says another. Masami, for her part, simply smirked. Well, her brother liked to fight people to see they were worth respecting, she did too. But she kept up, that alone was impressive...especially given how she had only done it today.

"I like you," she decided, arms crossing. "Fine, I'll help you...come on, let's get out of this arcade, I'm getting tired of people staring at us." Oh, this would be around for a while, the Ice Queen, playing arcade games, and winning. There'd be no end to the rumors about it.
 
Mei nodded at Masami as she flipped any caught strands of hair from her clothes. She was the first to walk out, and finally she escaped the annoying sounds of the arcade. As Jana and Masami came out behind her, Mei turned to face her. "Alight, Miss Rokujo. Tell me everything you know."
 
"Not much...and call me Masami," she said dryly. "I have a first name, you know. Let's use it....as for your question, I know what Komoku told me...which I doubt he told you, because he likes being difficult just because." she sighed. "Nicholas approached him and asked him to take part, why...I don't know. They used to hang out together, and as far as I know, that big idiot brother of mine still likes the guy. He asked a few of his friends, though...big hitters, C-Grade people." she mused. "I always thought it was kind of weird, but fighting means everything around here, you know? If you get some of the big names, people start to pay attention to what you have to say."
 
Mei listened to the girls words closely. Well, if that's how it was..perhaps she ought to meet with Nicholas again. All they had right now was gossip, but somehow Mei just couldn't see this girl lying to her for no reason. Justin and Masami...weren't the best types of people. However, with a second student pointing a finger at Nicholas, something wasn't right. "Thank you for your cooperation, Masami. I trust that if it comes down to it, you'd be willing to testify this in any hearing against Nicholas? For your brothers sake?"
 
"Yeah, I guess," Masami sighed. "I said I'd help if you beat me...and you did, by five points," she reminded dryly. "Don't get yourself all roughed up, Mei. We are going to a have a rematch," she smirked. "And next time, I'm going to win." she purred, lightning trailing along her fingers. "Count on it."
 
"...Don't hold your breath." Mei said, a smirk appearing on her lips breaking that icy composure of hers. "Have a good night. Come, Jana. I have one last thing I need to do, but first I'm going to escort you back to Central." With that, Mei began to walk away from the arcade, the smirk remaining on her face. Mei enjoyed competition, and while she wouldn't call that stupid little game "fun", the competition was certainly refreshing.
 
"Sure thing," Jana said, following after with a smile. Mei hadn't done a lot, honestly...but that? That was awesome. She totally blew that short little lightning bolt away, and she had just learned how to play the game! "You had fun, didn't you?" she teased, milling about her like an excited puppy. "I saw that, Mei! You had fun!"
 
"If by fun, you mean pleasure in that game, no. The only thing enjoyable about that entire ordeal was beating that girl at her own game and retrieving the information we needed. Though, let's not dwell too much upon that subject. I'm going to be calling Nicholas and inviting him for a chat. Though you need to go home and tell everyone you're okay."

Home. Central was Mei's home..not even the home away from home but just simply her home.
 
"I will, I will." Jana smiled, giving her a friendly one armed hug. "...You sure you don't want me for back-up, partner?" she murmured. "I don't like this, Mei. I don't want you going there alone." No, this was something different from normal. A guy who could attract people like Rokujo, friendship or not...she didn't like it, at all. She knew Mei was a tough girl, but two tough girls was better than one, right?
 
"There's no need. I'll be fine. Nicholas seems to enjoy being civil himself. Not getting his hands dirty. I'll meet him at a cafe and we'll talk over coffee. I doubt he'd try to attack me inside of a building like that. He's too smart for that." He also knew that Mei had nothing on him, at least nothing solid. He'd continue his charade up until the point where it had to be broken, and tonight was not the time.
 
"Okay," Jana murmured. "...But let me know the moment something smells, alright? I'll be there." she said, smoothing out an odd strand or two with a grin. "Nice seeing you have fun out there, Mei. You were really...well, you were awesome back there. No wonder you're so good at your job."
 
Mei just sighed. Jana wasn't going to let go of that fun thing. Though she just gave her a thumbs up, and then she took out her cellphone. "I'll let you know if I need back up." She told her as she texted Nicholas one sentence.

Coffee at six. 184 Casa Blanc Rd. Don't make me wait.

"Need money for a cab, Jana?" She asked her as she sent the text.
 
"Nah, I'll walk," Jana smiled, hands in her jacket pockets. "I'm sure I'll get a harsh talking to from Piotr anyway, might as well enjoy the silence while it lasts. Take care of yourself," Jana said with a wave. "And don't fall for any of his tricks!"

It's a date, he texted back a few moments later.
 
Mei rolled her eyes and then just gave her a wave. Looking back at her phone, she sighed. Stupid terminology, but she couldn't get too mad. She separated off from Jana and went to the address he had sent him. This cafe was Mei's favorite spot outside of school. It was a small, family owned business simply called "Nirvana Cafe". She took a seat and waited for Nicholas to arrive.
 
Nicolas was there on the spot, actually. She wasn't waiting too long, he was out of his uniform...but that was to be expected outside of school hours. He dressed rather conservatively, with a white button-up shirt and a pair of slacks to go with his jacket. His smile seemed genuine as he sat down to join her. "To what do I owe this wonderful pleasure, Miss Wolfe? Have I been caught up in something again?" he said, amusement in his blue eyes.
 
"Nothing new, Mr. Trevlyn.." Mei remembered that he just wanted to be called Nicholas or Nick, but since he called her by her last name, she found it appropriate to return the favor. "I just had a few more questions about your protest, and they have to do with the support you've been rallying lately. Before we begin, feel free to order yourself some coffee." Just as Mei said that, a waitress came from behind her and then took their orders. Mei simply ordered her usual. She just stared at Nicholas when he ordered and once the waitress was gone, she resumed speaking. "Tell me about your main supporters."
 
"My main supporters?" he mused. "Well, my cause has attached itself to the...I suppose we could say, lesser understood students of Turuga," he smiled. "People like Kumoku, as I'm sure you're aware, Mei...Blue houses many wealthy families, and the remainder are left to fend for themselves. There is truly only one way to be recognized," he mused. "...I grew up as Kumoku did, fighting for any scrap of recognition. He went one way, I went the other. It was sad...but I was able to understand how Turuga really functions."
 
"Lesser understood," Mei started as she thought about his words for a moment. "How Turuga really functions." She repeated his last words and then looked into his eyes, that perfect composure of hers in place. "I'm sorry. Continue. What understanding did you come to about Turuga and the way it functions." She had an idea of what he was going to say, but she wouldn't interrupt. Not yet.
 
"It is simply a matter of survival," he said with a casual shrug. "When you are a child, you are taught the mandate. Taught to follow and believe in your school, and what it stands for...with the hope that one day, you would live to see the banners of your school all over Turuga. But that has never happened, people fight and lose...and win for nothing but a score card." he murmured. "Our talents are quantified by an exhaustive list that, if someone cannot meet, we are simply discarded. So what happens to the student if they cannot meet those requirements? Wasted potential, if you ask me...yet this is how the Mandate says it is so. Things must be done a certain way, fights declared in a certain manner...unified, yes...but for children like me, who did not reach those initial requirements...you lose everything." he sighed. "Have you ever had that, Mei? A moment that completely changes you, for the rest of your life?"
 
Mei was silent for a moment as she was lost in her own thoughts. Of course she had that moment, a moment where she had failed the expectations of not just her parents but everyone around her, teachers and students alike. Mei may have not lost everything when she failed to meet the expectations set for her, but she did lose a lot, namely respect. She became invisible, and only when she worked so hard to be perfect was she somewhat recognized. "...I have never had a moment like that. I can't say I understand you." It was a lie, but if Mei continued to think about her past, she wouldn't be able to focus on the here and now. She had to remained focused.
 
"Then I'm afraid that you will never understand," Nicholas smiled. "I earned my place, Mei...but I remember that I had nothing, and because I had nothing...people thought I was nothing. But I am something now, and I will make everyone know that. Perhaps I am wrong," he mused, giving the waitress a brilliant smile as she returned with their drinks. He took a faint sip of the coffee before continuing, as well as waiting for the waitress to leave. "Perhaps this is just the stubborn thrashing of a spoiled boy, but I will change Turuga."
 
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