Tense

Now all the pieces were set. All cards on the table were passed out and the time for the most important meeting between the Montas and Capas neared. As Ryuo saw Meguru finally join up with the others, he took a deep breath, knowing what was to come.

“Glad to see you finally join us.” He spoke as their group was once again complete. “I heard you didn’t actually talk to your patient.”

“Sorry.” The boy hung his head down in shame. “I promise I won’t let you down again.”

“Not that it matters if you did or not.” He put a hand on his shoulder to console him. “He would’ve told us the same thing they all said. I should be apologizing to you for pushing you too hard. It’s still too soon.”

“I’m not some kid.” Meguru chuckled embarrassingly. “Anyway, even though I didn’t talk to who I should’ve been. I did see one of those Capas around. Don’t worry, I didn’t do anything to reckless.” He lied, knowing they wouldn’t appreciate any action to make this precarious situation any worse.

“Is there anything we should actually be worried about?” Benzou asked, looking at him with suspicion.

“Well, she obviously wanted to know what I knew. So that tells me that whatever they got from their members was of no use to them.”

“And it seems like it’ll be of little use to us too.” Riyone crossed her arms and analyzed what they knew. “It’s strange that no one there seems to know what truly went down. I doubt both sides would be covering their tracks if only one was truly at fault. So at least I can believe them to be genuine in their confusion.”

“Great.” Ryuo shook his head and put a palm to his face as he knew this would only make his job more difficult. Of course, he knew Jurie was not in much of a better position based on what he learned from her. The only thing he knew the others didn’t was the fact that the Capa student claimed the Monta was the one to grab him. Which was the opposite of what he had heard. “Either way, I doubt any of our classmates want us to delay on making a decision on how to respond to this incident.”

“So does that mean you’re going to talk to them?” Azutoyo reminded everyone he was still with them, even if not acting in an official capacity.

“Of course.” He answered. “Since we know there here. Let’s wait in the lobby for them to ask where we can take this conversation to.” They all nodded their heads in agreement and went to the mentioned location. Fortunately they didn’t have to wait as the Capas already had the same idea and were already waiting for them in the lobby.

The Capas stood up from the seat as the two group both walked towards the other. They stopped right in front of each other, an unspoken tension was in the air which could even be felt by the people in the hospital. Were it not for their current location as a serious place, they might’ve been more aggressive towards each.

“Remember guys...” Jurie was the first one to speak with her words targeted towards the members of her group. “Let’s avoid being confrontational. We all know how important this is.”

“I’m glad to see you all are taking this seriously.” Ryuo spoke with an expected response to highlight his side’s professionalism. His tone was all an act though as he silently sighed knowing she would keep her side in check. So all he had to do was keep his members under control as well. “Now, this is hardly the proper place for some negotiations, correct?”

“That’s right.” She smiled, giving off a smug aura. “We need to be somewhere neutral and safe. I’m sure things will get heated, but I’m sure being in public will keep us in check.”

“Then let’s go to the cafe.” He suggested. “It’s familiar to the both of us and it’s also close to the incident. So it’ll be convenient in case we need to review it again.”

“Lead the way.” She waved her hand aside, as if guiding him out of the hospital.

“I’d say ladies first, but I assume you want to keep on eye on us.” He said, knowing that his group would also want to keep an eye on their opponents for fear of any funny business going down. “Azutoyo, stay behind them as we walk. Is that okay?”

“Yes sir.” He gave him a salute, showing full attention.

“Yumoko, stick with that boy so he doesn’t try anything funny.” She also gave a command to her servant, a rare action from her.

“Your wish is my command.” The girl gave a bow as the two groups finally made their leave. The entire hospital could all breathe a collective sigh of relief now that any trouble was averted from their meeting here.

As they all walked, the two servants were free to converse with each other as they lagged behind the others.

“So, what do you think is going to happen?” Azutoyo asked as he kept an eye on the Capas in front of him. “I don’t think Ryuo’s going to back down and that Capa president is pretty strong willed.” It took effort for him to remember his place in all this. The boy felt like he was being disrespectful by only referring to Jurie by her title.

“I can’t deny that I’m feeling apprehensive about this whole ordeal.” Yumoko admitted. “But there’s no way this can end resolved. We both know this.” She paused for a moment, knowing how important the next words out of her mouth were going to be. “Ultimately, the upcoming carnival will be put at risk depending on how this goes.”

“You’re right, I completely forgot about that.” He responded, knowing the event was supposed to be placed in the neutral zone with members of both school attending. It would be a bloodbath if that went through while all this tension remained. “And man, I was really looking forward to that.”

The group managed to reach the cafe in little time. The dark cloud above them remained as they opened the doors and entered. The patrons within all could sense the dread as every single person stopped what they were doing to look in their direction. To them, they all knew something big was about to go down. Some even left some money at their table and quickly made their exit.

“Jurie and I will share a table towards the back there.” Ryuo spoke up first to his team, pointing out his planned location. “Alone.” He looked at them with the attitude and aura of the strict leader they all knew.

“What are you talking about?” Riyone immediately didn’t agree with his suggestion. “This isn’t some silly little argument we’re having with them. The fates of our schools lie in what happens next.”

“And that’s why I want to do this alone.” He said. “We all hate them and they hate us, which means it’ll only get worse if more people participate. Besides...” He looked around at the rest of the people within the cafe. How afraid they were to see both groups here today. “We’re not the center of the universe. At least let the innocent live their lives without fear.” This was enough to convince his side.

“Don’t worry Jurie, we know you got this.” Meanwhile the Capa group were much more lax about the situation. “That dude’s got nothing on you.”

“Yeah, he’s easily half the man I am.” Tenmaro bragged. “And I can’t get one over you, so he’s got no chance.” Niiya didn’t knock him over the head because of the latter half of his statement.

“Right, I’ll be okay guys.” She smiled with confidence from their words of encouragement. Though her confidence came from another source beyond what they had said to her. That said, she also still had major concerns on what was to come. What would be the correct conclusion to benefit everyone? “Now you guys just hang out by the window spots. I’ll take care of everything.”

Both sides agreed to what she suggested as the girl and boy left and went to the back of the cafe. It was a dark, gloomy spot at the corner where few people went. So it was perfect for a private conversation that was going to involve sensitive subjects.

Ryuo and Jurie both sat down at their respective seat, right in front of the other. They stared at each other in silence for what felt like an eternally long while, even though it was only a few mere seconds. Finally, she broke the silence.

“So, now what?”