Welcome back, Yuusuke

Yuusuke trembled as he sat in the stands and wrapped the blanket around himself tighter. Despite having been brought back into existence, today had been the worst day of his life. From his perspective, him losing to Skaberghast and being brought back into existence had been near simultaneous, primarily due to the DESPER erasing all his memories of suffering in the void of nothingness. While that was good, it didn't change the fact that he had been spat back into existence, naked, and in front of the entire playing hall.

"I want to erase myself from existence," Yuusuke sobbed.

"As if! You know how much trouble you being erased caused us!?" a familiar voice snarled.

Yuusuke nervously turned to see an angry Hagemi. "Why is my day getting worse? GAH!"

"THAT'S what you say when you finally see me again!? You fucking shit! I'm still responsible for your ass you know, so who do you think's gotta repent n' bow her head to all the folks that saw you streaking!?"

"I- I..."

"My, my, she's never been good with words or proper human interaction when it comes to Yuusuke," Daria thought as she watched from afar.

"I'm glad we were able to bring Hagemi-chan back, Shousen-kun too," Mimoko somberly smiled.

"Still down about forgetting him? That's just how the DESPER works, sadly."

"I know, but now that I remember him, it hurts. He's a good friend, yet I forgot everything about him. But Tanabe-kun... He never got along with him, yet he's the one that saved him, and Hagemi-chan. It just makes me feel pathetic."

"That's just how things rolled. If you had gone to the bathroom at the time and faced those tikis, you'd be the only one to remember him. But even then, it wasn't easy for the boy. Skaberghast was aware that he knew and only got caught off guard due to pure luck. Had he not lowered his guard against Casablanca, it would have been for not. The boy has something special if he can attract that many followers to his cause."

Speaking of the man, Okisato had decided to show up to speak with Yuusuke.

"Oh come on. You too!?" Yuusuke groaned.

Slam!

"Bow your fucking head! He just saved our lives!" Hagemi fumed as she slammed Yuusuke's head to the ground.

"Like hell! This guy's the worst! Yakuza, asshole, womanizer-"

"You added that last part to better slander me," Okisato grumbled.

"It's true-"

"I SAID BOW YOUR FUCKING HEAD!" Hagemi roared as she slammed Yuusuke's head down harder. "I'm sorry... As you can see, this idiot doesn't grasp anything."

"I expected it. How are you holding up?"

"Fine... I guess."

"That's good."

Mimoko then walked over and nervously stood before the two.

"Oh, thanks. You're the other reason I'm here right now," Hagemi smiled.

"Inoue! Thanks for saving us-"

"She only saved me, not you! Mimoko, sorry about this idiot. Him messing up existence caused me to implode in front of ya, which probably messed ya up a bit."

"Yes, it did. But I don't blame you or Shousen-kun. Kuon was the one at fault for all this."

A frown formed on Hagemi's face at the mention of Kuon. "I can't believe she betrayed me like that. I always thought she was just competitive, not some psychopath yandere. Though Xiao Lin's the one who kidnapped me after I beat her! She needs to be punished!"

"Of course. How do think she should be punished?" Okisato asked.

"Wait, Tanabe-kun, didn't- Mmph!?"

"Yes, yes, how should that bitch get punished?" Daria smirked as she covered Mimoko's mouth with her hand.

"Oh, good to see you looking chipper. I had some updates on you, but it's nice to finally see you all well n' good in the flesh," Hagemi smiled.

"Same for you. Now, why don't we have ourselves a little casual. Think of it as part of your recovery, so the point price will be wavered just this once."

"You saying I could beat you, and for free?"

"Yes to the free part, but if you think you can beat me, we might have to check you back into the hospital."

"Hoh? You're on now."

Daria and Hagemi quickly headed out, leaving Mimoko, Okisato, and Yuusuke alone in the stands.

"I- Inoue... How much did you see?" Yuusuke trembled as he wrapped the blanket tighter around himself.

"Luckily, nothing as I was focused on punishing Kuon. Though I hear Iori-chan saw it all."

"Great. And where is that bitch?"

"Probably hiding somewhere. Interpol's trying to nab her."

"HELL YEAH! Finally some good news!"

"No it isn't. Iori-chan might have done some really bad things in the past, but she's different now."

"The problem is that she was nearly taken by Interpol's commando team. They really hate the fact that chess has become so integral to the world, and are seeking to dismantle it's influence and the WWCF's as well. I do support their plight to rid the world of the DESPERs, but I also don't want Iori to be executed or locked up for the rest of her life. And they're trying to bust us all too. Hopefully our victories will keep them at bay as I doubt Raymond will allow winners to be faced with such trouble. Now, I got something to take care of."

"The awards ceremony will take place at 6. You've got a few hours to work with," Mimoko nodded.

Okisato nodded back and headed out, leaving Yuusuke completely confused and out of the loop.

"I know it might be hard for you to accept, but Tanabe-kun... He was the only that remembered you. If he didn't, you wouldn't be here, and Hagemi-chan likely wouldn't be either," Mimoko sighed as she sat down next to Yuusuke.

"Oi, Inoue. What did he do to you?"

"Nothing. Shousen-kun... Yuusuke-kun, please thank Tanabe-kun for saving you."

Yuusuke's jaw hung open in shock. "Th- That's the first time you've ever called me by name... Did... I really mess up that bad? I know I was targeted by that scientist, and so was Maida- MAIDA-SENSEI!"

"I'm right here," Maida growled.

Yuusuke spun around and shrieked, falling over a seat and nearly exposing it all again. Luckily for him, the blanket didn't come undone so easily.

"I'll have you know I was subject to quite the humiliation, and I hated every second of it. My ultimate savior would be Inoue-chan as it's thanks to her I have hair again. But there's no denying Tanabe-kun was the one who remembered you and put forth the plan to save you and your mother. If you don't want detention for what I had to go through because of you, thank Tanabe-kun when you get the chance."

"Detention with you doesn't sound so-"

"It'll be with a male teacher."

"I'll apologize, ma'am."

"Much better. Though first... Put some clothes on."

"Y- YES MA'AM!"

...

Okisato sighed as he entered Iori's room to find her in nothing but a bathrobe.

"Hey, Oki-kun. Just showered, so I'm all nice n' clean for ya. So... Any preference? I can stay like this or put something on."

"Sneakers... I guess," Okisato grumbled.

"Kinky. I'm down," Iori nodded as she slid her feet into her sneakers. "So anything with my hair?" she asked as she undid her towel, sending her hair tumbling down.

"... Bald."

"Figured you'd say that. You like your women smooth n' shiny."

Okisato then proceeded to shave Iori completely bald, also shaving her eyebrows off. He kept her eyelashes though, but did give her head a wax.

"Wow, and you were being all hesitant before, but now, you shaved n' waxed me smooth like the bitch I am," Iori giggled as she laid down on the bed.

"I'm just keeping my promise," Okisato sighed as he laid down next to her.

...

Mimoko scowled as Okisato and Iori emerged from the room. "And why are you bald, Iori-chan?"

"Thought I'd clean myself up for the awards ceremony," Iori grinned.

"Well... Suit yourself. But if you decide last-minute you want hair, I have a bottle of stuff that can grow your hair back."

"I don't mind what you do," Okisato sighed as he tried to leave before Mimoko set her sights on him.

"In that case, maybe after the ceremony. Your girl's making headlines by showing up to the ceremony BALD!" Iori grinned as she slapped her bald head and struck a cute pose.