Monta and Capa Minds Think Alike

“Geez, we can walk.” Meguru complained as he felt his feet dragging along the hard asphalt. “Come on, I just got these loafers.”

“Listen, Riyone.” Bensou spoke as he struggled to keep up with her pace. “I understand you’re upset, but this is unlikely to be him having a secret rendezvous with a girl.”

“Who said I thought he was going on a date?” She immediately stopped, causing Bensou to trip over himself and Meguru to fall over now that she no longer supported his weight. “I’m not worried about him dating anyone. Clearly he has to be up to no good if he’s going out dressed like that.”

“You don’t have to pretend around us, we already know.” He replied as the pair stared at the red faced girl.

“And you can’t honestly expect us to believe you’re this worked up on trying to bust him on something.” Said Meguru, which only earned him more ire as she nearly pressed her face up against his.

“Listen here.” She spoke with a deep, soft voice. As if worried someone in public would over hear them. “I’m not jealous that he might be seeing a girl in secret, you two are idiots for assuming that just because I’m the only girl who spends time with him that I should date him, and most importantly…” She took a deep breath before yelling out loud the final part of her statement. “I do not have feelings for Ryuo!”

For a brief while, the trio stood in silence after her outburst. As if frozen in time as the only sounds made around them were the cicadas buzzing and birds chirping. Though both Bensou and Meguru stood in shock and slight fear, neither of them appeared to believe her despite the emotion put into her denial.

Riyone took a deep breath, calming her nerves. Finally, she was the one to break their silence. “Now, let’s get back to the task at hand before he gets away.”

“I sure hope Ryuo didn’t hear that.” Meguru muttered to himself as they returned to the side of the path, looking out for where their council president had wandered to. Unfortunately, or fortunately depending on how you look at it, they had lost him. However based on the direction they saw him walking towards, it was easy to surmise his destination laid somewhere within the neutral zone. So this was where they went to first.

Knowing the type of person he was, the trio went to reasonable places they could expect him to visit were he to ever visit this location. This being the public library, then their favorite cafe, to finally the beautiful park in the center of this region. However they failed to spot him anywhere.

“Strange. I wonder where he could be.” Said Benzou as they rested on a bench sitting in front of the park’s main attraction, a giant fountain.

“It’s not like him to be like this.” Meguru replied. “Maybe we’re better off just confronting him tomorrow about this. We’re his best friends. I’d hate if he’s just going to keep secrets from us. What do you think, Riyone?” He asked, but received no response.

Instead, she sat besides him without uttering a word. Her hand holding up her chin as the girl was deep in thought on the matter of Ryuo. She went through each possibility to explain his actions, yet most sounded illogical to her. Only one could stand out that would make any amount of sense.

That he’d be going on a secret date with a girl.

Sure, the boys would accuse her of being jealous. Even though they’d agree after she gave them proper proof to back up her hypothesis. After all, Ryuo was the student council president of Monta academy. He was in a powerful and public position that left him little room to live how he wished. Perhaps the only way he could enjoy a love life was to keep it a secret. Even to those closest to him.

She tightly gripped her hand over her chest as the thought ran through her mind. Of course she’d want him to be happy. But a slight twinge betrayed her true silent feelings.

“Riyone?” Fingers snapped in front of her face, snapping the girl out of the trance she found herself in. “Are you okay? We’ve been trying to ask you a question.” Said Benzou as the pair of boys stood before her.

“Sorry, I was just pondering over some things.” She cleared her through to compose herself and stood up. “What was it you were asking?”

“Well well well, look who we have here.” Before they were able to ask her once more. The trio were interrupted by the words of their mortal enemies. “Didn’t think you stiffs would be outside enjoying this beautiful sunny weather.” It was Tenmaro speaking as he was accompanied by Niiya and Sumiwa. The opposing student councils stood against each other, lined up as if ready to fight.

“Of course you can’t go a single day without harassing some Montas.” Riyone took charge as the vice president for the group as she took a dominant step towards the boy. “Though it seems you’re running without a head. Where’s your president?”

“Ah, well…” After the tough guy act he had on, Tenmaro stammered for words as he struggled to give an explanation.

“None of your business is where she is.” Niiya stepped in and aggressively gave them a nonanswer. As she made a cold glare towards the other girl. Meguru look among the group and took stock of the situation. It couldn’t be mere coincidence they would only run into the Capas without their leader. Especially when they were in the same situation too.

“You’re searching for her, aren’t you?” He spoke up, breaking up the potential fight with simple words. “It seems that your precious little president has abandoned her friends to be left on their own. And now you morons are hopelessly lost without her.”

“And I see your so-called fearless leader has pulled the Houdini act too.” He wasn’t the only one to notice this as Sumiwa spoke up. “And I figure you three saw him leaving his house in a sus outfit and followed him to somewhere around here.”

“How can someone like you figure that out?” Benzou took a step back in shock.

“Well I didn’t, but thanks for telling me.” She giggled as her trick ended up working as she had intended.

“Then I imagine you also see what I’ve figured out by now.” Meguru pushed up his glasses as he took a good look at the girl.

“Of course.” She shrugged her shoulders as if the conclusion was obvious as the pair both simultaneously pointed an accusatory finger at the other.

“He/She is obviously blackmailing her/him!” The pair said in unison, accusing the respective presidents of a crime.

“So that’s why he was being so secretive earlier.” Benzou couldn’t help but break down into tears over this revelation. “I’m so sorry president. I should’ve been there for you.”

“Ha, to think you dorks could be capable of such actions.” Tenmaro shook his head and wagged his finger in Riyone’s face. “Or perhaps that’s how you people work. By doing the dirty work right under the shadows.”

“Get your hand out of my face.” She slapped his away with a powerful swat. While she wanted to aim somewhere a bit more painful to him, Riyone held back given their current position in the neutral zone.

“If that’s true.” Tenmaro felt a hand on his shoulder. Turning over slightly, he saw a stern look on Niiya’s face. “We need to get to work on finding her. Jurie’s in trouble and we’ve got to save her before it’s too late. I’d hate to think what that Monta president would make her do if he really has dirt on her.”

“It looks like you’re all lucky... For now.” Tenmaro gave them a smug shrug as he turned around with the other two girls. “Once we save our damsel in distress. You all will see the consequences to your actions.” After those three walked away, the monta already got to work on trying to figure out a plan.

“Vice president, it looks like you’ll have to take charge on this operation.” Said Benzou, anxious to begin working on saving their leader. “The two of us will do anything you order us to.”

“And if I may-” Before Meguru was able to give any of his suggestions based on their skills and general area around them, he was interrupted by the sharp voice of Riyone.

“We’ll split up and search for them.” She spoke in a direct and frank manner. In this moment, they weren’t friends. They were three members of a team on an important mission. “Benzou, you’ll be going around every alleyway here. They might be having their secret meeting in those locations. Meanwhile Meguru should check out the shopping district. You can ask around to see if anyone’s seen him or her.”

She barked out orders as naturally as she breathed. As if this position was second nature to her. “I’ll search for him in places where we’ve encountered the Capas around here before. I figure that witch might choose a place familiar to her as she does her dirty deeds.” She spoke out the word witch with a seething rage she struggled to contain. “Any complaints?”

“I want to switch roles with Benzou.” Meguru spoke, raising his hand as if he needed to ask permission to speak. The pair stared at him, confused as to why he’d want such a mix up. “I’m much faster than him, so I can run around the alleys in no time. Afterwards, I can meet up with him and search the shops together.”

“That’s fine with me.” There was little time to argue, so Benzou agreed to it. “But be careful. It may be daytime and we may be in the neutral zone, but those kinds of places can house some seedy individuals.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll stay safe.” After barely giving his assurance, Meguru had already turned and began running off.

“Okay team, break!” Riyone officially ended their game plan meeting as the other two turned off towards their respective directions. “Let’s go find Ryuo.”