Epilogue

"Ngh... Huh, WHAT!? WHERE AM I!?" Iori cried as she suddenly woke up.

"The bus. You conked out shortly after winning your game," Okisato stated.

"Ah, right after I- WAIT! How'd the match go!? We 4-0 them!?"

"Yes, and Mimoko's opponent threw a very unsportsmanlike temper tantrum," Daria stated.

"Wait she WHAT!? FUCK! I snoozed through prime drama!"

"There's most likely videos online of it."

And no sooner did Daria say that did Iori instinctively reach for her phone, only to remember she didn't have it on her. Luckily, Daria had grabbed it for her when everyone exited the playing hall. Once the phone was back in her hands, Iori wasted no time in checking social media.

"SHIT! Mimo-chan, this bitch went full mask-off!" 

"I know, and I'm disappointed by it. I can understand the fury at me being skilled, but that crossed the line. Though at least Mei-mo-san will be able to attend the Bermuda Party before she's properly suspended for a day," Mimoko scowled. 

"Shit, the party's tonight! I'd better make sure everything's charged," Iori grinned.

"Aren't you still sick though?"

"Nope! I'm feeling-"

"ACHOO!"

Mimoko shot Iori a skeptical glare.

"That wasn't me! I feel great!"

"Iori-chan, you-"

"ACHOO!"

"ACHOO!"

Mimoko raised an eyebrow, but something was clearly off. Despite seemingly sneezing, Iori hadn't displayed any of the motions for it, making it hard to believe she had been the one sneezing.

Mystified, Mimoko looked around, and it was then she noticed Mimosa and Alice rubbing their noses with their sleeves.

"Are you two alright?" Fifi asked Mimosa and Alice.

"No. We just started feeling congested. It must have been that bitch, dammit. She got us sick when she violated Mimosa's lips!" Alice fumed.

Sweat began to run down Iori's face as Mimoko's glare narrowed. "Iori-chan, what did you do?" 

"Uh, ah, sleepy, power nap! Zzz," Iori cried as she pretended to fall asleep.

...

At the hotel, Maida crossed her arms as Iori kneeled before her. "You know why you're in trouble, young lady?"

"I snuck out?"

"Yes, though in retrospect, it was the right judgement call. But just what possessed you to kiss someone else while sick?"

"I didn't mean to!"

Iori quickly explained what happened on the bus, but Maida was still skeptical. "The French team is claiming you assaulted one of their members, yet you claim it was an accident. Do you have proof, or perhaps know of someone who might have witnessed the event in question?"

Iori thought for a moment. "How about Alya?"

"And any others?"

"Hmm, Anastasia, maybe?"

"Noted."

"If you're going to search for testimonies, I'd recommend approaching Anastasia first," Okisato suggested.

"Why's that?"

"Because if we have Alya testify, she might make a false testimony just to hurt Alya, or at best, a testimony which doesn't help prove Iori-chan's innocence. But if we ask her first for a testimony without any mention of Alya, we could get a good testimony out of her."

"I see. I'll try approaching her first then."

Okisato nodded and began to head out. As he did, he encountered Utami. "You feeling better?" 

Utami scowled. "I feel disgusted. That bastard, he got the jump on me. Next I see him, I'll slug him." 

"We all want to. Bastard threw his match today." 

"Did you-"

"Oh no, we won. Hobou-san really pulled his weight today as did our masked friend." 

"I heard Iori also won despite being sick. Tanabe, I'm pissed. My carelessness lead to a sick Iori filling in for me, jeopardizing our perfect streak Mimoko-sama has cultivated. I really want to go to the playing hall, go on a rampage on the board," Utami trembled as she began to cry. 

Okisato nodded and patted Utami on the shoulder. "Vanquish those thoughts, no, refine them proper. Tomorrow's a rest day, so dwelling on those feelings isn't an option. If you get too strung up on them-" 

"I know... But it's still frustrating..." 

"How about thanking Iori-chan?" 

"Tanabe, I do not wish to wound my pride-" 

"You don't need to bow your head. Just thank her. Oh look, here she comes now." 

Utami began to groan as Iori came strutting into view. "Yo, Lame-tami. Stopped hurling buckets?" 

"You want to?" Utami glared as she cracked her knuckles. 

"No, no, no. I just started feeling better, so I ain't gonna miss the Bermuda Party over a slug. And shouldn't you be thanking me? I had to hang out of a bus as undead Mongols chased me to cover for your ass!" 

Utami's face began to glitch as she struggled between raw anger, and the deep desire to genuinely thank Iori for filling in for her. "Th- Thank you," she finally snarled. 

"Wow, already better than Mimo-chan's opponent. Now don't fuck up again. Missing last round was bad enough. I don't wanna miss the big Bermuda Party too. So come on, let's grab Mimo-chan and head to the party!" 

"And are you forgetting me?" Tenju glared as she suddenly appeared. 

"Wha!? Ugh, perception's still a little off." 

"Then perhaps you still need some rest?" Daria scoffed as she appeared along with Mimoko. 

"Nope, sniffles are gone. Probably gave em all to the- Uh, hey Mimo-chan. Feeling better?" 

"Yes. And it's good to see Utami-chan is feeling better as well." 

"And with all the ladies plus a guy here, what say we grab a quick bite before the party begins?" Daria smiled. 

Everyone nodded and began heading out. 

[Volume 7 End]