Alley Cat-titude

Meguru sprinted quickly, breathing heavily, as he ran into another empty alleyway. Like the dozen ones he had ran into in this area, there was not even a hint of a single soul other than him inside. He sighed as this spot ended up being another dud.

Of course he was confident in his speed for searching, but that wasn’t the real reason why he suggested switching spots with Benzou. After analyzing their situation and considering all the options, he was confident the pair would most likely be hiding away in some alleyway. After all, it made for a nice private spot for someone to blackmail the other without any intrusions.

However he hoped he could be the one to be the intrusion. Meguru hoped he could be the one to save Ryuo from trouble and take down the student council president of Capa in one fell swing. Then he could become the hero he dreamed of.

But as he ran around town looking into shady alleyways, it was looking like it would remain a dream. One that could only be envisioned within his mind, rather than reality.

This routine would continue until eventually, upon trying to run into another alleyway, he would end up running into someone as he rounded the corner.

“Hey, watch where you’re going!” Unfortunately it was not whom he hoped it would be as he heard the voice of one of his greatest foes. Niiya. “Oh great, one of you nerds is out here.” She stood tall against him after getting up from the ground.

“Of course you’re out here running like a headless chicken.” He immediately hurled an insult at her as if it were second nature. “I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised a brute like you got the job of searching dank alleys for your beloved president.” Meguru got up, dusting himself after hitting the concrete sidewalk hard.

“And what about you? They realized how useless you are and stuck you with the dirty job?” She fired back, using her superior height to try and dominate him.

“For your information, I was the one who wanted to do this.” He responded. “I figured this would give the highest likelihood of success. Seeing you here makes the odds a lot worse now.”

“Pff, whatever.” She brushed him aside and walked past the boy. “There’s no one in this alley. Now I’m going to stop wasting my time and get back to looking.”

“Likewise.” He knew better than to continue to engage with the enemy. Not only because it was bad for his health, but also because he had more important things to worry about. Such as going to save Ryuo.

Without stopping to think more about his encounter, Meguru continue his run to the next planned alleyway. However the moment he ran inside, he saw Niiya standing at the other entrance. The pair exchanged a threatening glare over this repeated coincidence, but didn’t say anything as they ran off to their next location.

Which would end up being the same exact spot again. This time they both audibly sighed and pointed at the other threateningly before running again. This cycle would repeat a few more times, each time causing the pair to get more angry before finally they ran into the other right at the entrance of an alley.

“Dude, stop following me.” She spoke as they both scowled at the other, getting their faces up close.

“Look, I know I’m a genius, but that doesn’t give you the right to cheat off of me.” He fired back as the pair would then angerly walk shoulder-to-shoulder into the alley. It led them to another dead end and another location where neither their presidents were at. “I think I’ve searched all the alleys around here.” He sighed, realizing there was no longer any chance of him playing the hero.

“Me too.” She also sighed, but tried to act as if she could see the positive to this situation. “At least now I don’t have to see your mug anymore. I’ll just have to go back to Sumiwa.”

“Thank goodness for that, at least.” He didn’t plan on running back to Benzou right away. All that running left him exhausted and the boy needed to take a breather first. “Well, aren’t you leaving now?”

“Hey, I don’t have infinite energy.” It turned out she was also in the same boat as him as she leaned against the wall. “If I wasn’t this tired, I definitely wouldn’t still be stuck here with you.” The pair stood facing each other, both leaning on opposite sides of the alley as they both fell silent. The only sound being their heavy breathing, until they heard the meowing of a cat.

Their heads turned towards the dead end as they saw one lone black cat walking towards them.

“Aw, aren’t you so cute?” Meguru approached it, squatting down to its level and reaching a hand out. This earned him a brisk scratch on the hand as the animal hissed at him. “Ow!” He shook his hand as the cut on his hand bled.

“What are you doing?” She walked towards the cat as well, standing besides him.

“Sorry, I just love animals too much.” He laughed weakly. “They don’t seem to feel the same way though. So I usually get hurt.”

“But this isn’t like that.” She squat down besides him, slowly reaching her hands out to the cat as well. “Something’s wrong with this one. It looks like it’s been abused.” Niiya could see the fear in its eyes. As if it had been running from someone who caused its fur to be so disheveled. The same person who undoubtedly also gave it some of its bruises.

“Wow, you’re so good with animals.” He gave a compliment to a Capa student accidentally as Meguru saw her manage to convince the cat she was trustworthy as it allowed her to pet it.

“It’s called paying attention.” She didn’t simply take the compliment, reminding him of their feud. “I swear, boys don’t care about anyone else’s feelings.” As they were talking, the pair didn’t realize the exit had now been blocked by a large group of girls who were now right behind them.

“So that’s where it ran off to.” One of them spoke, prompting them to quickly turn to see they were no longer alone. This group of girls were infamous in the neutral zone as a bunch of dropouts from both majors schools.

“Well well well, if it isn’t the Niiya the lioness.” Another one spoke up. Given her position in the group, it seemed she would be viewed as the leader of the gang. “Funny running into you. And funny seeing you hanging out with a Monta too.” As the pair were still wearing their school uniforms, it was obvious they were members of opposite schools.

“Oh great…” Her expression darkened as she was confronted with a group she had ran with previously. “Look, I don’t have time for this. I’m busy with something else.” Niiya had hoped they might have mercy on them. She knew that despite her great ability to fight, that even she’d have trouble taking on so many of these girls at once.

“Are you the ones responsible for this?” Meguru had different feelings on the matter as he took a step towards the leader. His expression had changed as well. Except unlike hers, it was filled with inner rage. His fist tightened as he approached the group. “Because if so, then I am beyond disgusted. And to think… That it could be done by a Monta.”

“Ex-Monta.” The leader laughed loudly in his face. It was true, she used to attend the school. But for some unknown reason, she not only dropped out, but would end up creating this group to wreak havoc while everyone else was preoccupied with their feud. “And what’s a scrawny dork going to do about it?” Without warning, she suckered punched him.

Meguru fell to the ground. Niiya was left shocked at what had transpired. Were they really in danger? In a flash, she put down the cat and put herself between her former gang and the injured Meguru. “Wow, you’ve really grown so soft if you’re honestly defending a real Monta.”

“Look, I’m too worried about some other things to want to fight.” She silently assessed the situation, knowing that while she couldn’t win the fight. That she might be able to do enough damage to get them to run away. “Please, just let it slide this one time?”

“I’m not letting that one slide.” Meguru cut in once more, wiping his mouth as he picked himself up. “If there’s one thing I hate more than Capas, it’s bullies.”

“Hey, stop being so arrogant.” She whispered over to him as he stood besides her. “I’m way stronger than you, so I’m going to be the one who takes most of the beating here.” Niiya thought him to be selfish, forcing her into this situation. However, he surprised her as he leaned in close and whispered his plan to her.

“Take the cat and run.” He spoke into her ear. Her eyes widened as time seemed to freeze around her. He already had a plan in mind. “I’ll distract them. Just keep that cat safe.” Meguru was ready to sacrifice himself for a tiny animal. One that hurt him just moments before. “When I give the signal, do it.” Slowly, he walked towards the gang.