Chiyo and the Lolicon: An Azumanga Daioh Fan Fiction Story

The little, brown haired apparition, pigtails
bouncing, stepped purposefully ...

Will he do right by Chiyo-chan ... Or will he "do" Chiyo-chan ... right? Yes, THIS is a story about THAT. A riff off a doujinshi I stumbled across on the net which, in turn, was a riff off scenes from episodes 10 and 14 of Azumanga Daioh. As "turn about is fair play" ... Please read this in its' entirety before jumping to conclusions.


Chiyo and the Lolicon

by

C V Ford


Jotaro Taniguchi still couldn't believe his good fortune. Yes, he did study ... HARD ... to get accepted into this school. All that intense work paid off and though this accomplishment was to open many doors, his beforehand doubts made him write himself off in advance, giving up hope. So his acceptance came as a complete surprise.

Another surprise was about to hit.

It was his first day as a 1st year high school student. Lunch hour, the 16 year old decided on a walk around campus to aquaint himself with the place. Even though it was for second year students, he decided to take a look on that upper floor of the main class building. Already rounding the landing between and partway up, he couldn't help but notice something singularly peculiar.

Descending the steps was a ... kid ... A little kid! Wearing one of the schools' uniforms. One in miniature but school colors all the same.

Her ... A student ... HERE?

The little, brown haired apparition, pigtails bouncing, stepped purposefully, determined frown on her face. She didn't look to be in any mood for talking, seeming quite perturbed at the moment. It was more than plain to see she was ticked off about something.

On passing, Jotaro without thinking, said aloud to no one in particular, "what's a kid doing here?"

The "kid" stopped on hitting the landing, clenching her fists.

"Man, she really looks pissed!" Taniguchi exclaimed to himself.

The young man was taken aback as the youngster spun around and climbed the steps toward him.

Stopping directly in front, she addressed him.

"You're new here to this school, aren't you!?"

"Mmm ... yeah."

"My name is Chiyo Mihama. I'm second year!" A commanding arm swept out, ending in a forefinger pointing pistol-like, seemingly THROUGH him. "That's SENIOR Mihama to you!"

"Uh ... yeah ... Okay." Jotaro replied, not quite sure what to make of it.

He couldn't decide wether to laugh out loud or take this seriously. Before him was an adorably cute little girl acting like an adult, albeit a very cross one. The anger only added to the charm though something told him to treat the situation with care.

The girl turned on her heel, resuming her descent, a thoroughly satisfied look on her face.

Senior?

xxxxx

At a library table, Taniguchi sat deep in thought. Third period algebra finished, he had to take a very needed breather and decided to spend lunch period in the library. He absolutely HATED algebra.

Basic practical math he was excellent at but when it came to arithmetic hooking up with the alphabet ... All (alpha)bets were off! This just wouldn't do.

No getting around it, he would just have to knuckle down and-

"Oh, excuse me?"

Jotaro looked up from the math text and jumped inwardly from surprise.

"I'm sorry about earlier today," the tiny one from the stairs incident said standing before him. "It wasn't very mature of me."

"Oh ... no problem-"

"But I-"

"You must have had some heavy things on your mind."

Though the girl was some years younger, (He was later to learn it was by five.) something inside the young man made him decide to talk to the girl as a peer. As he was to find later, she wasn't a peer but, intellectually speaking, a superior in all but life experience.

"Yes I did."

"Wanna' ... talk about it?"

The words just slipped out. Ordinarily, Jotaro wouldn't have dreamed of sharing conversation with what should have been, at least in appearance, a grade schooler. But ... At that moment, the kid intrigued him somehow.

The girl, with the trusting soul many her young age had, sat down to chat. It was the start of a most interesting relationship.

And no ... In spite of her age and what people thought of her ... Well ... She had the "mind" of a child but the "intellect" of an adult.

And she was still ... well ... CUTE!

xxxxx

Name: Chiyo Mihama, everyone (Including me!) calls her Chiyo-chan.

Age: 11.

Height: 135 cm

Wt: XX

In asking around I found she was some kind of genius. IQ WAY up there. Is well known, even sorta' famous at the school. Was tested extensively in elementary school. Evaluation concluded high school the next step. Skipped ahead five grades and right into high school.

Even here in high school she got, not almost but PERFECT grade scores, and no doubt, was one day going to be class valedectorian.

I know, if I'm to graduate and get in a top college, I'd need all the help I can get. Could this "kid" be a possible help or resource?

xxxxx

This DAMN algebra was ... IMPOSSIBLE!

Jotaro sighed loudly, enough that others in the library turned their heads. Noting who it was, all but one turned back to their studies.

"Trouble?"

The young man turned his head in the direction of the soft, immature sounding voice coming from down the long table.

"Oh ... Chiyo-chan ... uh ... Hi!"

"You sound like you're having trouble with your homework."

"Thought I'd try to get some of it done lunch hour. Less to do later 'n all."

"Algebra?"

"Uh ... Yeah."

The little girl scooped up her books and proceeded up to where he sat. For reasons Jotaro was wanting to keep from the front of his mind, he was glad she was on the other side of the big table.

Reaching for his Algebra text she said, "just what is it you're having trouble with?" Then leafed through his notes.

"These look pretty easy."

Easy!?

"Well ... I've finally have the concept of using Romanji with numbers down," coming out from under her 'easy' remark,  "but I can't get the hang of in what order to do these equations, I-"

"Please excuse my dear Aunt Sally."

Jotaro paused in exasperation, " ... uh ... What?"

"Please excuse my dear aunt Sally." Smiling.

"I ... uh ... heard you the first time, I don't-"

"Uh ... With these equations you use a hierarchical structure of order."

"I know THAT. I just can't remember the right order and-"

"P E M D A S. Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally. Please ... Everything in parenthesis first-"

Jotaro then realized she was doing an explanation.

 "Excuse ... then do all the exponentiation. My ... The multiplication comes next. Dear ... All the division after. Aunt ... Then the addition. Sally ... finally the subtraction."

He mulled it over a few seconds.

"This also means I do all the 'please excuseses' Within the parentheses first then.?"

"Right!" Laughing.

Normally Jotaro disliked being laughed at but as it was coming musically from the bright little girl ...

The young man grinned asking, "so what's so funny?"

"That's the first time I've heard it referred to as 'please excuseses'," giggling some more.

Jotaro was sure this one would be a BIG help in the future.

xxxxx

After that day, Jotaro would see her often, usually library or sometimes cafeteria if she didn't bring her lunch that day. Though self concious of it, he would, at times, ask her for advice on his work and at other times, even helped in study usually in the library.

Every so often they had lunch together in the cafeteria. Their talks would be interesting. Though tops in history, Jotaro found most of her knowledge in that subject to be rote and not really of interest to her. Her forte being in math and sciences. His being a military history buff in particular as well as general knowledge, helped in his "filling in the blanks" for her, making it more than just names, facts and dates.

It was on one of the rare occasions she made her own lunch AND went to the cafeteria that something other than math and history came up in conversation. Her self made lunches had a variety and richness about them that Jotaro couldn't but, in jest without thinking, help but comment in asking:

"Senior Chiyo ... ," he smiling, "Please marry me?"

The little girls' face took on a bright red hue.

"Uh ... um ... I'd have ... to talk ... to my mom and dad first ... This ... I ... uh ..."

The young man instantly regretted what he said. He had forgotten. Her being intellectually above par even for high schoolers made Jotaro forget Chiyo-chan still had the sensibilities of a child and thus wouldn't take such a comment as the joke it was meant to be. Then ... There were those other thoughts.

Jotaro almost was in a panic. If word got around-

"No! ... eh ... Chiyo-chan ... I was only kidding ... It was just a joke ... It ... "

His voice trailed off as he observed the pre-teens' facial expression, fluctuatiing from heavy nervoussness to "blank" contemplation to a faint smile on realisation. He let out a sigh of relief as her smile broadened.

"Oh ... It's been some time since anyone proposed. Not since Hideki Fujiwara in fourth grade."

"Fourth ... grade ... ?" Definitely NOT so long ago.

"Of course he was quite a bit more sincere about it than you."

This confirmed to Jotaro, Chiyos' acceptance of the levity of his remark.

For the rest of the semester, Jotaro made sure to check his tongue ... and thoughts ... around Chiyo-chan, keeping what relationship there was as kohai/sempai as possible.

xxxxx

Summer vacation came and went faster than Jotaro would have liked. As it was, it went well. His grades were (Partly in thanks to the help from Chiyo-chan as well as his being inspired by her to put out effort.) more than good enough to satisfy his parents thus pressure being off for him to enjoy the time off.

Nonetheless, he took advantage of his free time in getting the required vacation homework done the first couple weeks in and then supplementing his studies by going over what was to be ahead the following semester.

Next semester arrived too soon for Jotaro. He resolved to get on with his studies and felt confident what with his preparation of the last few weeks.

And with Chiyo-chan being more than a help to him ...

It was about a week of sorting out and settling in that Chiyo and Jotaro picked back up on their casual relationship. In the library they were alternately going over his math studies and relating their vacation experiences.

"You even have a summer home?"

Jotaro was taken somewhat aback. Though he knew the Mihama family was up in the tech industry and thus well off, he had no idea as to how wealthy they might be. The child didn't act the way he thought children from a such a priviledged background might, so it never occured to him that her family was so well heeled.

"Yes. My friends and I spent almost a week there this summer. Just before they left, mom, dad and Mr. Tadakichi came in and I stayed a few more days."

"Must be ... nice," the lad remarked, "though I'd think the place must have been quite a mess when your parents arrived."

"Not at all. Even Tomo can be orderly ... up to a point ... when she has to be and we had Miss Yukari and Miss Kurosawa supervising as well."

Jotaro cocked his head to one side in disbelief. Not only some of the more attractive (Albeit, somewhat STRANGE.) girls in the school were friends with this little prodigy but two of the foxier looking teachers were along as well. While Yukari was something of a loose cannon what with her "unique" teaching non-style, that didn't stop most of the boys in school from turning their heads as she passed by. Miss Kurosawa, with her athletic good looks, would elicit many a comment among the young men.

"If I had the money," Jotaro gasped involuntarily, "I ... I would have paid to have been there."

It was Chiyos' turn to look puzzled but only momentarily. She more than remembered an incident during that last summer home stay. In fact it was indelibly engraved on a "file" in a special corner of her mind. So much so she made it a point in "researching" after she got home that summer. Though she had the "mechanics" of the things that were brought up pretty much set down in her eleven year old mind, it was still a mystery as to what it was the adults and older kids were going on about.

Could this boy be able to clue her in about it? She felt she knew Jotaro enough to trust him with an answer.

"Jotaro-kun?"

"Uh ... wha-," the lad was shaken out of his thoughts.

"Could I ask you a question?"

"Mmm ... sure?"

"Actually ... A lot of questions ... And I'm not sure how to ask ... "

Jotaros' mind, at that moment, was a confusing jumble. Warning lights and bells were going off inside his head. From the changed tone of her voice, he sensed ... right off ... there was a possibility of forbidden ground about to be trodden. The role reversal of kohai/sempai was also hitting him hard. Now it was the little girl seeking answers HE might have. Answers perhaps not in keeping with his position of a sixteen year old young man vis a vis an eleven year old girl.

And yet ...

Jotaro looked about, making sure no one else was within earshot. The nearest was several tables away. The next nearest were the two librarians at their counter.

"Um ... try me," he said shakily. "Just what is it you'd ... like to ... uh ... know?"

The little girl launched into her inquiry.

Past experience in fruitless attempts in discussion with others about what she was going to ask, prompted her to lower her voice below even the volume of the recommended library level.

Jotaro knew he shouldn't have started listening to Chiyo. Her detailed description of the incident with Miss Kurosawa, though comical, he felt might be the prelude to something more far reaching than a humorous story.

xxxxx

It was the end of a day of drive, swimming and summer festival, Chiyo-chan, her friends and teachers returned to the summer house. Instead of retiring early, the teachers were easily persuaded to let the girls stay up late.

Some beer produced by Tomo, was quickly confiscated by Miss Yukari who was going to drink it instead. Knowing Yukari would go silly in no time, Miss Kurosawa snatched it in turn. A bottle of sake revealed by Yukari was also grabbed by Nyamo before her fellow teacher started to consume.

Miss Kurosawa took it upon herself to protect the kids from both booze and Yukari by drinking it herself. Though she could hold her liquor better than her fellow teacher, the alcohol soon took its' effect and the unfolding spectacle fascinated the kids. Both by the PE teachers' rambling on about any and every thing and of one rambling in particular.

When asked by Tomo about adult relationships and wether or not how "pervy" it could get, Nyamo, by then very much loosened up by the rice whisky, made for a very interesting lecturer on the subject.

The girls were more than fascinated, hanging
on every word the PE teacher spoke.

The girls were more than fascinated, hanging on every word the PE teacher spoke. Their reactions ranging from enthusiastic attention to Miss Yukaris' amusement to Sakakis' embarrassment on hearing the more than explicit detail Kurosawa was dishing out.

Not the least of which was Chiyo-chan. Though her mind was more than brilliant, the very young girl had next to no understanding of what Miss Kurosawa was saying. She did know it was VERY detailed and in her own unknowing way ... found it fascinating ... the well developed film of her photographic mind retaining every word.

After the PE teacher finally collapsed into a stupor, Miss Yukari, still quite amused at the spectacle, called it a night and everyone retired. Chiyo, full of questions, was dismissed by one and all as too young to understand, passing her off with variations of "wait 'til you get older".

This contributed to a mounting frustration in the little girl that had been simmering since her admittance to high school. Her being treated as "cute" and "different" meant to her as being treated like a little kid. Not even the last thing she wanted was to be left "out of the loop" or excluded from knowledge.

The following morning revealed a VERY hung over and bewildered Kurosawa. A still embarrassed and sensitive Sakaki FLED the living room on being hailed by the teacher staggering in. A puzzled teeth brushing Chiyo, also present and seeing her chance, started asking.

Miss Kurosawas' hung over reaction to Chiyos' explicitly detailed inquiries puzzled the inquisitive pre-teen even more. After all, she was only repeating the same narrative and terminologies from the night before.

"Chi-yo-CHAN! ... Where ... Where did you HEAR that!" The PE teachers' hands shaking and in grasping mode.

"From you!" A very stern and SOBER, for a change, language teacher declared on entering the living room.

"Huh!? ... What!?"

"FROM YOU! ... Last night."

"Wh- ... What- ... What happened last night? I-"

"Ha!" Yukari turned away from Nyamo, a grin of gleeful, sadistic satisfaction on her beaming face, leaving her fellow teacher in more than tense suspense.

It was then the othe four girls trooped in heading for the kitchen and breakfast.

"Oh! Miss Kurosawa ... Good morning to you!" They greeted in enthusiastic unison with a bow.

"I really wanted to thank you for last night." Yomi

"It was extremely educational!" Tomo

"Miss Kurosawa, I ADMIRE you!" Osaka

"I can't thank you enough coach!" Kagura

"Wait! ... Wh- ... What?" The PE teachers' mind in a turmoil, her pleas accompanied by a cackling Yukari. "What happened last night? Sombody! ... Tell meeeeeee ... !"

xxxxx

"I don't know what the problem is. I mean, Miss Kurosawa gave a really good and detailed explanation of everything the night before. I couldn't understand what she had to be worried about."

Jotaro just sat there staring in shocked disbelief. A little pre-teen girl had just told him ... well ... From what Miss Kurosawa had spouted off while drunk, amounted to one of the hottest confessions rivaling any porn or doujinshi he'd ever read, seen ... or downloaded and posessed ... which was considerable.

"Miss Kurosawa is one dedicated teacher," the lad thought to himself. "Even in ... THAT."

"At the time I didn't get it, still don't. After getting back home, I started looking up things ... on the net."

The net! Jotaro could only imagine what the kid found there.

"I have the 'mechanics' of the thing sorted out but ..."

Mechanics!? Jotaro broke into a sweat and shifted his weight on his chair to relieve the mounting physical pressure. The very young girl and her more than suggestive account were definitely having their effect.

"All those photos and stories have it pretty well mapped out and ... "

Her seemingly distant, clinical and contrasting anxious approach made Jotaro all the more ... "interested". The paradox of super intelligence and a childs' naivete ... wrapped  up in one extremely cute and adorable bundle. It was all the young man could do to keep from shaking in his shoes.

The kawais' next statement almost had him flying out of them.

"And I was wondering if ... if ... someone ... Someone like you maybe-"

Jotaros' eyes widened even more.

"-could tell... show me ... What it's exactly about."

SHOW!?

"Chiyo-chan ... I-"

"I asked my parents already. Mom and Dad have explained the process to me of course-"

Process? That's what she's calling it? ... Oh God!

"-but said I wouldn't really care or understand about the 'other part' until I got older."

Eleven years old and already is wondering about the "other part". Older!? She's caring about it NOW!?

"I don't dare ask my friends," her voice took on a peeved tone. "They just smile and say the same thing. I walk away and I hear them laughing quiet-like ... Except Tomo ... She doesn't care if the whole school hears her!

"Everyone treats me like a little kid!-"

You ARE a little kid ... At least physically ... Physically you're ... Oh God!

Jotaros' uneasiness approached max. Here ... literally in his reach ... The very personification of the stuff a lolicons' wildest manga dreams were made of.

"So ... please ...  " The wide eyes of the pleading tiny one were more than having their effect.

Jotaro made a last desparate attempt at breaking it off, resistance starting to fail in the face of an all too good opportunity with someone he truly did have affections ... and forbidden desires ... for.

"Senior Chiyo ... Chiyo-chan ... It's really not ... my place ... to tell, let alone show-"

SHOW!?

"-you anything on that ... It really is too early-"

SHOW!

"-for you ..."

Show.

Instead of launching into a semi-whining tirade as expected, Chiyo let out a sigh of exasperation, head hanging, looking down at the jumble of textbooks crowding their little section of the table.

In the space of a few eternal moments, Jotaro finalised his decision.

Show?

"No ... way in hell am I going to-," struggling inwardly with himself and finding a last erg of resolve, "-take advantage of a ... a kid ... A little kid! Good God NO!"

Yes ... There were his fantasies. His growing stash of porn, including LOTS of lolicon in various formats, fueled them. Cultivating desires he should not have. Some ... many ... of which ... involved Chiyo.

Up 'till now, he was quite happy to only be near the little girl and look on it as a side benefit to her helping him in his studies. It only peripherally occured to him that there could be a chance of it going further than that. But now ...

THIS ... was "in his face" reality. Words have meaning. Actions have consequences ... repercussions. In this case ... heavy ones. Even if ... No matter how careful and discrete he and Chiyo would be about it, the chance of others discovering would hang heavy overhead like the weight of megatonnage it was, doujinshi fantasies notwithstanding.

And the law ... In spite of Chiyos' seeming maturity, would hold her blameless ... Would assume Jotaro would "know better" and the little girl not. At worse, she would only get "counseling" but the TOTAL onus of guilt and punishment would be ALL ... his.

"I'm ... sorry," he said, getting up and hastily gathering his books. "I ... gotta' go ... now ..."

xxxxx

"Miss Kurosawa?"

The PE teacher looked up from her desk-shelf space in the teachers communal office.
Jotaro, felt some kind of proactive action needed. While nothing had come of it, he felt it best to "nip it" even before the possibility of anything of it becoming a bud. Reporting it at once to a person in authority was the best course and who better than the one who "innocently" set things in motion weeks before.

"You probably don't know me, I-"

"Of course I do. Jotaro Taniguchi, isn't it? Chiyo-chans 'boyfriend'!"

Big grin on her face.

Though he knew she was joking, this confirmed his present course to be the correct one. And none too soon! His being "tutored" by Chiyo in the past hadn't gone un-noticed by one and all. Every so often eliciting remarks.

"Uh ... That's what I want to talk to you about, Ma'am."

"Oh ... ," a now more serious Nyamo indicating an empty chair. "Better sit down and we can talk."

xxxxx

A RELIEVED Jotaro Taniguchi stepped off the school grounds heading in the direction of home. As an added precaution, he recorded on paper, time, date, and details he could recollect about what took place in both library and teachers' office. The paper lay reassuringly nestled in the satchel slung over his shoulder.

In assessment, he decided to ditch some (LOTS!) of the porn in his stash. At the very least, a couple of the categorized flash drives snugged in the bottom of his satchel had to go.

He, of course, resolved to have as little to do (NONE!) with Chiyo in the future as possible which was too bad. She had been a BIG help in his studies. A resource no more.

END

Storyline (only) copyright © 1-30-15 C V Ford

xxxxx

C V Fords' profile page and anime fanfiction stories list on Fan Fiction dot net here.

Fan Fiction dot net here.


Go to Jays' Tee Vee blog main page here.


Disclaimer: The preceding is a NON-PROFIT work of fan fiction for entertainment purposes only. I make no claim to ownership of the copyrighted names/characters, places, and events of other works mentioned in this work. They are the sole properties of  their respective owners. Please, by all means support the owners of such properties in the purchase and enjoyment of their works.

Pokemon: Vampires! ... Gotta' Stake 'em All!

"ALUCARD! ... I CHOOSE YOU!"

Pokemon: Vampires! ... Gotta' Stake 'em All!


Was wandering about the net and stumbled onto this. Not a fan of Pokemon (The babes in their late teens/early twenties doing Misty cosplay certainly turn ones' head though!) but, as a fan of horror films, I thought this was kinda' cute. Misty van Helsing ... Yeah ... Riiight!

Hmm ... do crosses work on vampires formerly Shinto and Bhuddist? Or atheists for that matter?

On another note, about a couple months ago, I looked out a window and, for a second there, I thought I spotted a pikachu. It was actually a chipmunk, but the way the sunlight hit the critter and it's black markings contrasting the yellowish cast, I did a double take.

Nope ... no such critter ...

Jus' sayin' ...

"And don'd efen 'tink of trying to stuv me into vun ov dose leedle fishing bobbers!"
Bela Lugosi Disapproves by Evertide on Deviantart.

Wikipedia Pokemon article here.

Evertide Deviantart entry here.


Go to Jays' Tee Vee blog main page here.

Thank GOD It's (Joe) Friday!

"Just the facts, Ma'am ... Just the facts."

Thank GOD It's (Joe) Friday!


Just thought I'd post this.

DUM da DUM DUM! DUM da DUM DUM daaaa ...

The story you are about to see is true ...


Wikipedia article on Dragnet here.

Wikipedia bio of Jack Webb here.

Ex-Army blog article where I got the photo idea here. Don't necessarily agree with the last few sentences but the article is other-wise sound.

Clean Copper Clappers! here.


Go to Jays' Tee Vee blog main page here.

Je Suis Charlie ... Martel!

Je Suis Charlie ... Martel!


If you know your history, you know what this is about.

Interestingly enough, about one in 15 Europeans are descendants of Charles Martel. He saved Europe in more ways than one!

Vive la France!

Vlad "Dracula" Tepes aka Vlad the Impaler. Another
favorite of mine. He knew how to handle the situation.

French national anthem La Marseillaise here.

French national anthem scene from the film Casablanca here. Nothing against Wacht am Rhine. I'm a movie buff after all.

Link to shirts 'n other goodies with the "Martel cross" here. I don't have any interest in that company of any kind. I just like the goodies. Gonna' get me a hat!

Link to the cartoon that inspired it here.

Ex-Army blog main page here.


Go to Jays Tee Vee blog main page here. Yer already there if there's other articles under this 'un.

Steins Gate: What the Hell's Going On! ... And Why Should I Care?

We all knew someone like this in school. And we
all wanted to beat the krap out of him. Still do ...

Steins Gate: What the Hell's Going On! ... And Why Should I Care?

Folks have been saying for several years now, that I should be giving this one a look see. I tried and ... well ... after two and a half episodes, I ditched it.

Now, I've nothing against shows that make me think. The Ghost in the Shell franchise, Serial Experiments Lain and several others are favorites of mine. What I don't like are shows that make me think ... that I have to take lots of notes in order to keep track of all the double/triple headers going on at once.

All I know from this mess is SOMETHING is going on with time, a microwave oven and a cell phone ... And that everyone is excited about ... something.

Not to mention the main character, a one Rintaro Okabe Kyoma Hooin whatever, is a LOUD, obnoxious, annoying jerk. That and a paranoiac as well. Pretty much the same reasons I don't care much for Trigun or Irresponsible Captain Tylor. Characters like Vash and Tylor get on the nerves. So does this show.

Jus' sayin' ...


Wikipedia article on Steins Gate here.

Go to Jays' Tee Vee blog main page here.

In Gods' Good Time: Chapter Twenty of an Angel Beats Fan Fiction Story

In Gods' Good Time

by

C V Ford


Chapter 20: Jacks' Story


"Mmmm ... Smells wonderful."

The aroma of popping corn wafted through Rachels' modest apartment, more than favorably registering on her olfactory sense.

"Yeah. The aroma of REAL popcorn ... ," the man answered as he helped with the dishes.  "'Course it doesn't compare anywhere near to that great Lasagna of yours."

The meal that evening had gone beautifully. The lasagna Rachel prepared was as every bit as excellent as she made Jack expect it to be. The two cafeteria salads, supplemented with the dressing from her kitchen and the red wine, rounded the meal out perfectly.

She turned from the sink, eyeing the near empty wine bottle on the table.

"That's about the last of it."

Duffy nodded toward the fridge.

"Managed to scrounge up the last four bottles of Coke for the movies. Been conserving it best I could. Special occasion and all. I'm glad it's this one."

"Wine, Coca-cola or no ... As long as it's you and me ... " pausing, looking at him, "that's what matters."

He looked down at the dish towel he held, frowning.

"Is something wrong?" Her concern surfacing.

"Yeah ... maybe ."

"What could-"

"That 'you and me' business."

Hesitantly, Rachel put her left hand over the two of his now tightly clutching the towel.

"Have I-?"

"That's just it ... Nothing wrong with you hon."

He looked up from her hand on his.

"The problem's with me."

"How so?"

"Maybe we should sit down first."

A few short steps to the dining area, they resumed their seats opposite, candles still lit.

"Just what could be the matter with YOU of all people, Jack? Ever since my arrival here in this crazy place, you've been wonderful. Not just in helping me adjust but-"

She stopped on his waving it off and noticing the pained expression on his face.

"It's something I kept putting off thinking about until ... Right after, in fact, you took me up on this ... uh ... date of ours."

She returned his look with a gently firm one of her own.

"You've something on your mind and think there's something in your past I should know ... that it might affect us both in some way?"

"Exactly ... There's some things I feel I MUST tell you before we let things go any further."

"All ... right."

Duffy took a deep breath, letting out half before continuing.

"I was ... considered by a lot of folks to be a strange kid ... I had ... 'problems'. Mostly school ... I ... "

"It's okay Jack."

"Oh ... Hell. I'm cutting right to it ... I ... I was institutionalised for a couple years ... They had me there- ... I was just a kid! ... Ten years old and they ... they put me away! Just like that ... I-"

The effect of Rachels' hands enfolding Jacks' was electric. He pulled away abruptly.

"I-I'm sorry! I-"

With no hesitation, the teachers' hands firmly regrabbed the mans'.

"Don't be," she said softly. "You've no reason to be. Go on."

The direct look in her eyes told Jack she to be sympathetic.

"Alright."

The awkward hurdle jumped, Duffy calmed and continued.

"Like I said, I was something of an awkward, weird kid. Obsessive ... episodic fits of temper ... overactive imagination. Given to wild fantasies about things I guess. I really don't remember much about what happened then except my parents alluding to several incidents at school ... again, I don't remember much ... prompted them to seek ... 'help' ... something about schizophrenia ...  At least that's what the ... uh ....experts ... called it.

"The so-called 'experts' suggested I be held for uh ... 'observation' ... in a place I'd rather not name. It was two years of so-called therapy with its' ... drugs, manipulation, mind games and ... abuse ... And what I mean by abuse I mean ... in every sense of the word."

"Oh Jack!"

"Yeah ... When it started going in THAT direction ... I ... I managed to spill it to my parents on a home visit. Dad took some action and I was out of there for a summer ... but ...

"They sent me back! They sent me back there ... that damn place. Guess the 'experts' convinced them other wise or they had a legal hold of some kind. But I was back there ... God ... DAMN them! ... the experts I mean ... I-

"Well ... my ... uh ... 'therapist' stopped doing what he was ... doing ... Probably thought I'd report on him again. And ... I was out after a few more months.

"Many years later, I found copies of some records stored by my parents. The bastard had signed off a clean bill of health on me ... to get rid of me I guess ... and I was out of there at age twelve. I was ten when I was put in ... just a ... kid ... "

"You HAVE been hurt. That much is plain. But you've been out of there many years now."

"In body, yes. In mind, I've kept myself there and let it get to me the rest of my life. Let it have a constant say in life and the fault is mine.

"That isn't quite all there is to it though."

"Oh?"

"My stay in that miniature looney bin was followed by a three year stint in a military school. Damn experts said there wasn't actually anything wrong with me and that my real problem was discipline and suggested I go there. Less said about that the better. All I'll say about it is it wasn't very good as a military academy ... Bullies and bedwetters supervised by nuns. All they did was pound into me the non-virtue of standing around waiting for orders ... To show initiative was to disrupt the order of things.

"I figured out later in life that that's one way how some others get ahead. Beat it into the heads of potential competition that thinking and action on your part is wrong, thus helping clear the way for them. While they have you convinced you'd be doing wrong so's to keep you from even trying, they'd be doing the same things and succeeding.

"And, to make it short, that's what I'd been doing the rest of my life. Waiting for the approval and consent of others ... Waiting for orders and having no initiative because I thought I'd be punished or penalised in some way. Things were just something to endure ... get through. Hell ... At the end of high school I didn't even attend the graduation  ceremony ...  Just another thing to get through.

"So ... for me ... life was just a series of things to slide through ... didn't apply myself much to anything. Was bad at relationships ... Wasn't the best boy friend in the world with what few women I'd been with ... Even my relationship with the Lord, I took the wrong attitude. Repentance requires living in a manner I wasn't much committed to. Salvation is empty and meaningless without that commitment.

"Thus, my life is ... was ... empty and meaningless ...

"I'm a loser Rachel. A loser because I let something from ... way ... back ... dictate the rest of my life to me. I knew all along that was the case but didn't care.

"There's a lot more to it but it comes down to the fault being all mine ... For not getting up on my hind legs and making a fight of it so to speak.

"So I'd understand it if you'd not want anything to do with me other than the work to be done here, I-"

"Sorry to disappoint you Jack."

"Say what?" The man looked up and into the eyes of a stern, determined looking Rachel O'Hara.

"You're really down on yourself, aren't you?"

"I'm-"

"You really like to punish yourself, don't you!"

"!?"

"Maybe you're one of those masochistic types who think breaking up is much more satisfying than hooking up. Maybe-"

"Now just a sec-"

"THEN MAYBE NOT!"

"Look! I-"

"NO! ... You look.

"Jack." She made his name sound like a definite statement. "Don't sell yourself short."

"Wait a-"

"You are NOT a loser."

"I-"

"If you were, I'd have no interest in you."

"But I-"

"Listen Jack and listen good." She waited to see if he'd try to speak again. Seeing he wasn't, she continued. "Up to this moment, I had doubts ... about myself."

"Your ... self?"

"Yes. I was thinking I wasn't uh ... for the want of a better word, ... 'worthy' ... to be near you until you just reminded me of something."

Jack cocked his head to the side with a questioning look.

"Look," Rachel continued. "My life isn't what you'd call Ideal or pristine either ... Everyone here ... you ... me ... all these kids ... are here for different reasons but they all involve sins of omission as well sins of comission. We're here because not only of things we did or didn't do but of things others did to or didn't do for us. If we were the perfect beings and had the ideal lives we would have liked, then ... Not only no one would be here but this place ... this school ... wouldn't even exist.

"You once said this place might be a test of some kind and I've concluded it is. If I were the one grading you, with the exception of the last few artificially pathetic minutes, I'd give you a perfect score."

"Rea-lly ..." He was dubious to say the least. "How so?"

"I've asked around. From what Yuri and the others say ... even Tachibana ... well ... When you came here they said you immediately took charge of your situation, took matters into your own hands. You started reconoitering the area ... assesed the situation and took measures."

"They looked on me as some kind of threat."

"At first, yes. Some thought you might've been the advance guard of an invasion of some kind."

"I guess they would at that ... what has this got to do with-"

"When you tried direct contact, you didn't push your weight around. You were calm, collected and polite in so far as the circumstances allowed. I understand you were even in a position once to gun them all down but didn't. That and the way you handled Kanade after made something of an impression."

"When was that?"

"The night when you first saw them coming back from one of their ... uh ... meal ticket runs," she giggled some.

"What's so funny?"

"Yuri said you were hiding in the bushes like some kind of commando or something."

"Never told them anything about that, how could- ... Had to be Shiina."

"Yuri and Noda watched at a distance but it was that strange girl ... Shiina ... who filled them in on it. Is she as good as they say she is?"

"Better ... Probably was standing right next to me the whole time for all I know ... I still don't understand how this has anything to do with-"

"YOU ... are more capable a man than you give yourself credit for. After you got here, you threw yourself into your work. From what I understand you more than earn your wages. You also aren't content to sit around on your time off. From what I've been told, you've done a lot of exploration of the surrounding area on top of your own interests. Much more than you've let on to me."

"Just filling in time, I-"

"Still down on yourself? That shouldn't be like you. Not at all-"

"Just a-"

"Let me make my point Jack."

"Just like a red head!" Exclaiming inwardly.

"What I'm trying to say is this ... After the ... When I came here ... I ... was ... scared ... I had no idea as to what was going on. I wake up in ... Japan ... Only to find it's not. First Tachibana then Yuri and her uh ... brigade ..."

Both gave out a laugh. Jack earlier noted Rachel also had Yuris' not so favorite anime in her collection.

"They give me the low down on an unbelievable situation. In spite of my being here so far, I still find it hard to take it all in. Though they told me all they could, a lot of blanks needed filling.

"So there I am. It's my second day here. Still can't  wrap my head quite around it. I'm in the cafeteria being absolutely GRILLED by what seems half the female population about where I'm from, when in walks up this ... GUY.

"He's kind of goofy and nervous at first ... Has a bit of trouble in what to say. 'Speaks' Japanese quite strangely and comes across as an unlikely cross between John Wayne and Woody Allen.

"Yet ... Has a strength about him I know I can trust and rely on. He's straight forward and plain talking on most things ... ," her grip softened then her thumb started caressing the back of his hand.

"But is kind of shy and reserved on others ... I ... I like it when he's around."

Jack held back a gasp. With a knowing twist to the mouth, he raised an eybrow and spoke.

"You trying to get me to disappear?"

"This may be a bit soon but ... If I do try to get you to uh ... disappear ... It's because I want to disappear with you. If we're to meet the Lord to be judged, I want to be before Him with you.

"But until that time comes, I'm quite happy to be spending my time here with you.

"As for your past ... c'mon. Like I said, no one here had perfect lives. You should hear mine sometime ... When I'm darn good and ready of course."

"Baby," Jack replyed, relieved an smiling, "you've got yourself a deal!"

xxxxx

Jack was pleasantly surprised at Rachels' choice of film. An earlier scanning of her collection revealed mostly an assortment of dreaded "womens films".

"Thelma and Louise ... Interesting."

"I felt it was the closest I had to the kind of movie you like. Still kind of a 'chick flick'."

"On the contrary. It's actually a guy flick ... It's only incidental that the two guys in it happen to be chicks."

"Uh ... Chicks, huh?" Right eyebrow raised look.

"Hey, you said it first."

"That I did."

xxxxx

Rachel was right. The few students coming and going by the lounge did add to the "theater experience" with some staying to watch. Soon, half the lounge was full of curious students quietly watching the American made films with the couple.

"Was it really like that in your country Duffy-san?" A curious one asked.

"Over twenty years before my time but yeah. The economy so bad, jobs so scarce ... People desparate for work, going all over to find a paying job. That scene you just saw-"

Jack noted Rachels' responding grimace at the bad grammar.

"-was real. Gable, Colbert and film crew were shooting that scene at the crossing when that train just happened to come by. The men on those flatcars, smiling and waving for the cameras, weren't movie extras. They were actual folks hopping trains, looking for work. The director decided to leave that shot in the film.

"I understand the Depression was even worse in Japan ..."

In watching the students responding to the films, Jack felt reassurance in the Left Behind-like "universal translator" or whatever it was this strange "afterlife" had, doing the same for electronic media as well as normal speech. He noted the odd Front uniforms dotting the audience here and there as well.

A couple off to his and Rachels' left stood out in particular. The girl having a look of curious speculation on her face while viewing the screen. Not being a TV watcher, let alone the possibility she might be from a past era to begin with, even an old black and white film would seem new and interesting to Shiina. The rather "worn" looking young man with her, patiently answered questions about what cars, trains and anything else appearing on the screen puzzling her.

"Poor fellow," Jack thought, chuckling inwardly. "I can only imagine what YOU'VE been through all day."

As if in answer to an unasked question, the lad looked at Duffys' speculative face.

"We thought you could do with some chaperoning." Grinning.

Turning back to the screen, Jack slumped back, neck on the couch while staring at the cieling, sighing and shaking his head.

"What?" Rachel smiling at his perplexed countanance.

"Irony ... all ... Is irony."

To be continued ...

xxxxx

Storyline and original characters (only) copyright © 5-1-14 C V Ford

In Gods' Good Time chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19.

Go to C V Fords' profile page and anime fan fiction list at fanfiction.net here.

Go to Fan Fiction dot Net here.


Go to Jays' Tee Vee blog main page here. Ifn' you be seein' articles under this 'un, yer there already!


Disclaimer: The preceding is a NON-PROFIT work of fan fiction for entertainment purposes only. I make no claim to ownership of the names/characters, places, & events mentioned in this work that are the intellectual properties of others. They are the sole properties of their respective owners. Please, by all means support the owners of such properties in the purchase & enjoyment of their works.

Strike Witches: Why Did I Watch This?

Mio Sakamoto and Minna Wilcke seem to be missing from this lineup.
L-R Charlotte/Shirley "Chuck" Yeager, Francessca "Franco" Lucchinni,
Sonya "Lydia" Litvyak, Perinne "Pierre" Closterman, Yoshika Miyafuji,
Eila "llmari" Juutilainen, Lynette Bishop, Gertrude "Gerhard" Barkhorn
and Erica "Eric" Hartmann.

Strike Witches: Why Did I Watch This?


I don't believe I ACTUALLY watched this silly thing! You Tubed it over a period of a few nights.

The historical references kept me glued to it. The Yeager/Lucchinni  buddy pairing was amusing and the confrontation between Barkhorn and Marsaille had me thinking "Wile E. Coyote vs Huckleberrry Hound".

Otherwise it was really nothing more than a lesboboobgrabpantyshotparade. Lucchinnis' enthusiasm in that direction had me wondering.

I'll never get that time spent watching this back, but I was amused enough not to regret it too much.


Wikipedia article on Strike Witches here.

Chuck Yeagers' official website here.


Go to Jays' Tee Vee blog main page here.

There's Something About Yui: An Angel Beats/Hell Girl Crossover Fan Fiction Story

There's Something About Yui: An Angel Beats/Hell Girl Crossover Fan Fiction Story

by

C V Ford

xxxxx

Place: Comandeered Principals' office, aka Safe and Sound.

Time: The beginning of Episode 4, Day Game. Mid-morning and conclusion of Yuis' semi-final Gi-De-Mo audition and demise/ressurection.

"Hey!" Screamed Yui kicking aside the mic cord.  "Don't IG-NORE me, darn it! There's-"

Business concluded with Yui, Yuri had turned to the assembled Battlefront members and already launched into plans for "sabotaging" the schools' baseball tournement. The plans being really nothing more than winning it. Somehow, she thought, this would affect Angel in a way so negative as to "hurt" her somehow.

"O-Kay, now listen up," Yuri continued, pacing laterally, oblivious to Yuis' protestations. "First thing, you gather up Front members, form your own teams."

Battlefront members hung on her every word.

Facing them, she stated ominously, "lose to any of the 'normal' student teams, it's a penalty death-match."

The Front made a collective gasp of breath.

"Why don't people pay attention t' me!?" Yui still rattling on. "I have a-"

Alternately watching Yuris' spiel and Yuis' altercating, Otonashi asked Hinata, "Yuri's pissed off at our failing at everything, isn't she?"

"It's part of the job to train each and every day. She's checking the results ... making sure we're in top form."

Hinata, reaching out, put his hand on the pre-occupied Otonashis' shoulder.

"Otonashi," he softly implored. "I REALLY neeed you, man."

Turning and putting his right hand to his faces' left side, Otonashi inquired, referencing to an earlier misunderstanding, "you sure you're not gay?"

"No-o! I-I need you for the team!"

Hinata put his arm around the carrot tops' shoulders, turning him away from the rest.

"Let's say you and me team up Otonashi. We're toast if we lose. Yurippe's that serious."

"I take it you have others in mind for this team of ours."

"Heh, heh! Just leave it to me, pal. I've been around here a really long time now and survived off my popularity quite well. We'll make one kick-ass team!"

xxxxx

Time: Several failed attempts at recriutment later.

Place: Behind the Teachers Building/Class Building B, upper level. The two doofuses heading east.

"So uh, we ARE going to get this team formed, right?"

"Oh yeah!"

"So far we struck out with getting Hisako, Matsushita and TK (So much for your popularity!). It's still just the two of us so we still need seven more players ... Isn't that a bit on the impossible side at this point?"

"Why you sayin' that Otonashi? Sure, most of the others may have been taken but I'm sure ... I mean ... We'll get SOME people. Even if we have to draft NPCs ... Anyone'll do I guess, anyone- gyah!"

The blue hair was brought up short on espying ... HER.

"-but ... THAT!

In their path, arms folded, left foot on the curb, the little, pink haired 'goth goblin' gave off a more than slightly smug/sinister air.

"Looks like yer in a biiiiind. Ha! Ha! Ha! Haaa!"

"looks like yer in a biiiiind. Ha! Ha! Ha! Haaa!"

"My, if it isn't the death metal girl with the killer performance."

"Wha-!?" Not even taken momentarily aback, Yui dashed up to Hinata. "Do I LOOK like I'd do a gig like that!?"

"Mm hmn, yeah ... uh huh ... You betcha'!"

"Rrrrr!"

"So whaddaya' want anyway?"

"Y'need more members for your team, right?" Questioned she, sidling up and softly elbowing Hinata to the ribs. " ... I'd be a biiig asset."

"Asset!? You gotta be-" Hinata paused, hand to chin and got to thinking. "Wait a sec! If she got beaned ... get a ball dead in the face ... The pitcher'd be disqualified and she gets a walk to first ... Yeah! Could work!

"You're a big hitter! Perfect ... You're in!"

"You sure yer brain didn't melt and drip out through yer nose? Hiyaaah!"

"AAAAAGH!"

He didn't see the flying roundhouse kick coming.

"Why you sneaking, little ... ," lying on the ground. "I"m your upper classman!"

"Oh, ex-squeeze me? So sorry ... " Yui squatted down, giving an annoying rap to the back of her victims' head. "What I meant to say was, did your gray matter liquify and ooze out yer ears?"

"Hell no!" He said, catching Yui with a flying foot to the face.

"AIIIGH!"

Yui lay face down on the tiles.

"Sirrrr, that hurt."

"Quit complaining! I'm hurting too!"

"But it sure looks like she has great reflexes. Better than me."

"What's WITH you Otonashi? You want people to think we're friends or something with this screwball?"

Yui looked up. "That hur-hur-hurrrt!"

"I hate to bring this up man," Otonashi reminded, "but we haven't gotten anyone you had your heart set on, and game time's getting close."

"Hhnngh!"

"Yup! Yeah!" Yui was instantly back at Hinatas' side. "Saw the whoole thing. I especially liked the 'busom buddies' part with Matsushita ... Totally butch that one-"

"She's been following us?" Otonashi queried in thought.

 "-So that's why I've come to offer my help, meww!"

"Mew!?"

Slooowly ... Hinata turned. Step by step, inch by inch.

"I ... dare ... you ... to ... say ... that ... again ..."

"O-Kay! ... ," head cocked to the side, smirky smile, hands up and crooked into 'cat paws'. "My help! Mewww ... eh-NYAAAH!"

In less than a space it takes to grab a breath, he had her sideways over his knee in a "backbreaker" lockhold.

"DON'T DO THAT VOICE! You've no idea how irritating that is!"

"DON'T DO THAT VOICE! You've no idea how irritating that is!"

"Aaaagh! Aaaargh! OW! OW! OW! OW! Uncle! Mattei! Mattei! Uncle! Uncle!"

"Could we please just get going?" Otonashi getting impatient.

"In a minute! I'm gonna teach this whackjob a- ... huh?"

He couldn't be sure. It wasn't even a fleeting illusion ... and yet ... Was that a-? It couldn't have been.

It wasn't possible but he was sure but for a split moment he saw a-.

Careful to keep his right hand outside of her blouse, he tracked his fingers up Yuis' spine. If there was something "extra", he just might find it.

"OW! OW! O- ... huh? What the-!"

Hinata didn't have time even trying to figure how she broke that hold. One moment she was in his power, at the convenience of his non-existent mercy ... the next ... jumping in all directions and "dancing" around him, screaming at the tops and bottoms of her lungs.

"HOLY SON OF A WHAT THE HECK! ... WHA' ZIS!? You gotta' back fetish 'r sumthin'!? ... Perv! ... Sicko! ...  Man, I can't believe-"

"Hold on a minute! I-"

"But then again," again instantly at his side and again softly elbowing the ribs, "you just got a leeetle more interesting if you know what I mean. Play yer cards right kid, this could be yer lucky daaay!"

"With you? Like hell!"

"Aw c'mon, both of you," chided Otonashi. "We gotta' get going!"

Turning, Hinata whisperingly  implored, "c'mon man! Need help here with this maniac ... she's practically propostioned  me!"

"Well, she IS kinda' cute-"

"The day I'd ... with this ... "

"No! Really! She is."

"You're a sick man Otonashi."

Hand to the side of his face, Otonashi intoned, "are you REALLY sure you're NOT 'light in the loafers', I mean ... Even a little?"

"Now just a minute!"

xxxxx

Time: Last game of the school basball tournement. Team Hinata vs. Team Student Body.

Place: Ball diamond, athletic field.

"Man!" Hinata exclaimed inwardly. "We can pull this off! I know we can. Let's see ... Final inning, one point difference, our favor. They're up with two outs, runners on second and third ... If we can get an out on them ..."

On the pitchers' mound, a tired and sweating Otonashi called a time out. Turning toward second to confer with Hinata stationed there. The team leader, on his part walked to meet him.

"Look man, I really don't think I can hold 'em off," the carrot top explained. "You think maybe we could change pitch-"

The weird, far off look on Hinatas' sky searching face brought him up short.

"Hey! Hinata! ... Anything wrong?"

It had been one eventful tournament. In spite of being saddled with Yui (Oh geez!) and the last moment addition of her three next to worthless groupies, they had managed to survive two previous games and made it to the final against the actual school team led by Angel.

Of course it helped they were able to get on their team, Shiina and Noda who both did surprisingly well. Neither Yuzuru or Hideki thought the no experience Shiina, or the unstable Noda would be any good but they were. The surprising arrival of Matsushida at center field in time for the final (Having previously been on an earlier eliminated team then "bought" with Udon cafeteria tickets by Otonashi.) not only rounded the team up to the regulation nine but also helped mightily.

Hinata momentarily glanced to his left, the boisterous Yui yakking away on the sidelines.

What a pain in the posterior! Like her three accompanying "fans", she was a guaranteed strike-out almost every time. And more than once, he had to "restrain" her (Backbreaker locks!) for borderline unruly conduct and making stupid threats to the umpire and opposing teams.

Once, he had to put her in a hold to keep himself from laughing. "Wipe yer butts!"? The proper term was "KICK yer butts!", the former being a hygiene measure. It helped he was royally ticked off at her already as it made it easier in keeping any potential giggles down. It was almost cute in the way she said it. She-

"Cute? ... Her!?, " he having a chilling thought. "Hold on Hideki, you-"

"Hey! ... What's wrong? Hey, Hinata?"

"Uh ... ," the blue hair snapped to. "This ... is familiar."

"Familiar? How do you mean?"

Hinata scanned the field and continued.

"Back when I was ... alive ... I ... I went through a similar situation. Just like you see it now ... Opposing men on second, third, we one point up. Probably the most important game I EVER played."

"Are you ... ? Man ... You're actually shaking."

"I am aren't I? Man ... That's weird."

"So what happened to you, if you don't mind my asking."

"Can't remember exactly. We were headed for the Koshien Nationals. Man was it HOT! All I could taste was the dirt in my mouth. That I DO remember.

"It was the last game for the regionals. Same situation I said before. They hit an easy pop fly to second where I was. Coming straight for me ... An easy catch.

"Did I catch it ... drop it? No way I can remember. Something that important ... How can I forget ... ?

"Heh ... I don't know. One would think to remember if caught or not. Maybe I didn't catch it after all ..."

Hinatas' wistful, vacant look sounded alarm bells in Otonashis' head.

"Are you ... going to disappear?"

"Say what!?" A skeptical look on Hinatas' face.

"You think you just might disappear if we win this one?"

"You kidding me? 'Course not!" Hinata answered semi-disdainfully, waving it off. "Obliterated ... over this? That's just crazy! It's only a game."

Otonashi had his doubts. He knew baseball was more than a game to the blue haired one.

"C'mon Otonashi!" Encouraged Hideki. "Get on that mound and finish the game. Win or lose ... I'll still be here."

Arriving back on the mound, Yuzuru checked and saw Hinata positioned back at second. A few seconds more, he wound up and heaved the ball where he hoped Nodas' mitt would be.

The semi-dull ping of aluminum on the ball signalled a high pop fly ... The trajectory ballisting straight toward a Hinata, in wonderment, on second. The scenario playing out.

"Holy-! ... NO WAY! ... Coming right to me ... just like back then, I-"

The same wistful reverie could be seen by Otonashi on the mound. Calling out his friends' name, the carrot top launched himself off the mound in a desperate dash to second.

"Would it be all over if I catch it? I'll bet it'd feel great. Oh Yeah! It'd feel amazing ... totally sweet ... "

"Hinata!" Yuzuru yelled, not wanting the only friend he had in this 'in-between' to vanish. "Don't catch it! You'll disappear!"

"Here it comes ... easy catch ... Up with the mitt and it's ... eh-NYAAAH!"

"This's what ya get for all those backbuster holds, ya jerk!"

"YER WIDE OPEN!" Proclaimed a triumphant Yui on a now face down Hinata, she sitting hard on his back, pulling his head rearward in an effort to break the lads' spine. "This's what ya get for all those backbuster holds, ya jerk!"

"Runner in!" Sounded the Ump. "Score's tied!"

"Die! Die!" Screamed the pink tressed menace failing in her goal of Hinatas' paralyzation.

"Why! ... You! ... Little!"

Hinata rolled on his back, snapped up and enfolded the assailant with his legs and right arm while using the other for a stranglehold.

"Of all times!" Screaming back. "Why'd you have to flip out now!"

"OW! OW! OW! ... I'm sorry! I'll wait for a more opportune moment to kill ya next time! OW! Stop it! Stop it! Lemme go, I-"

"No way!"

"Yes way! OW!"

"Runner in!" Ump sounding again. "And ... GAME!"

"Agh! GOD!" A more than frustrated Noda at home plate yelled, slamming mask and mitt to ground. "THIS SUCKS!"

"Aaagh! Aaargh! Quit!" A pleading Yui. "I'm gonna' DIE!"

"That's the idea!" Stating an 'enthusiastic' Hinata. "I'll NEVER forgive you for this! I coulda' caught that ball!"

"No! Stop it!"

"Like hell! My happiness was on the line! Die! Die!"

Otonashi could only stand and watch.

From up the hill, from out the front office window of the appropriated principals office, a more than peeved Battlefront commander balefully gazed through the 57 millimeter lenses of the binoculars.

"Both of you ... Go ... die!"

xxxxx

Time: End of day.

Place: A small house in the "twilight".

Tail twitching in anticipation, Yui grinned happily as she walked up the cart trail to the small house atop the hill. Before going to report at the OTHER place, she would stop off and say hi to her little cousin ... And maybe exchange a few words with that cute guy who also lived there.

She had nothing but good things to report. In spite of a near discovery of who/what she actually was, she succeeded in not only causing some misery today but also in preventing a "mark" from getting out of reach.

"Gotta' be careful of letting my guard down," reminding herself. "Almost lost one too but that's taken care of for now."

She had her eye on that one for some time. Maybe if she showed more than enough bowing and scraping, obesience, groveling enough at the feet of ... HIM, she might get to keep this one for herself. He was almost adorable enough for her to want to go human again, in spite of what it was like the last time ... All that lying around in bed. It would have "floored" mom to find her up and moving around when Yui thought she wasn't near. It definitely would have killed her to find out who/what dad REALLY was.

"So it's been awhile," Wanyudo called out from the porch.

"On my way to report 'n thought I'd pay a visit."

Yui looked around noting only the "old man" and Honne-Onna.

"So where's everyone else?"

"Ren and the Miss are following up a contact," the bone woman explained, knowing who Yui was really asking about. "Ren may not be back for a while."

"Oh."

Her crestfallen look lasted only a moment. After all, she had someone back at the school even cuter and much more attainable in her sights.

"So where's Kikuri? I-"

"Yoooo-eeee!"

A small bolt of purple eyed lightening flashed around a corner of the house and into Yuis' arms. The goth-goblin struggled a bit lifting her.

"Yer gettin' big kid! How's-," her speech cut off espying the young man, seemingly some years older, following.

"A little young to be havin' a boyfriend aintcha'?"

"More like a door mat," the geisha from the porch remarked.

"Boy ... friend?" Kikuri wide eyed. "What's that? ... Waro?"

"I'll tell ya in a bit."

"Hi," the boy greeted. "I'm Yamawaro. The princess and I-"

Yui looked at Kikuri in mock puzzlement and smiled. "Princess, huh? Since when did YOU get promoted?"

"It's only something Yamawaro calls her." Explained Wanyudo.

"Why you here?"

"On my way to the lake and thought I'd stop by to see ya. Wanna come along with me?"

"Yay!" The little demon exulted as Yui set her down and they started on their short journey.

"Now what a boy friend is ..."

"Wait! Princess, I-"

"Yamawaro!" Wanyudos' calling brought the young man up short.

"But ... the princess-"

"You DON'T want to go there," the relic spirit cautioned.

"!?"

"It's O-kay Yamawaro," soothed the bone woman. "She was born there ... and they're both ... used to it."

Yamawaro watched as the two imps, hand in hand, continued on their way to the expansive lake in the distance (Matthew 25:41).

"And that's what a boy friend is. Y'know ... All kissy kissy 'n stuff."

"Ewwwww!"

END

Storyline (Last part only.) copyright © 12-12-14 C V Ford

xxxxx

Go to C V Fords' profile page and anime fan fiction list here.

Go to fanfiction.net here.


Go to Jays' Tee Vee blog main page here.


Disclaimer: The preceding is a NON-PROFIT work of fan fiction for entertainment purposes only. I make no claim to ownership of the copyrighted names/characters, places, and events mentioned in this work. They are the sole properties of  their respective owners. Please, by all means support the owners of such properties in the purchase and enjoyment of their works.

In Gods' Good Time: Chapter Nineteen of an Angel Beats Fan Fiction Story

In Gods' Good Time: Chapter Nineteen of an Angel Beats Fan Fiction Story

by

C V Ford


Chapter 19: Hide and Tag, Seek! You're It!


As ordered by Yuri, Operation Drop Out individually commenced the moment any of the Front members opened his/her eyes that morning.

xxxxx

Target aquired.

With folded arms, Shiina nonchalontly leaned at the cafeteria entrances' side watching ... HIM.

Sitting alone at the Battlefronts' usual tables in the cafeterias' main room, no doubt feeling safe in the knowledge that it would take most of first period before Angel would deduce something was up and go searching for one and all. Probably thinking he had the rest of the day to himself and nothing to worry for the time being.

As far as the ninja was concerned, HE had the rest of the day to HERself. Being that Operation Drop Out was to be an all day affair so it would also be for hers ... and his.

She continued watching as he scanned about the vast room, seemingly trying to take in as many details as possible. Looking everywhere but in front of him. Nervousness evident, as he had every right to be ...

But it wasn't Angel who would be catching him today.

What amazed and amused Shiina about ordinary humans was their inability to focus their minds even though their eyes were. They could be such easy prey. Many was the time when standing out in the open made for the best concealment as now. Just a part of the "Game" she was trained and forced to "play" when alive. Though the kind of violence she had in mind at this moment was to be even more ... satisfying.

On finally seeing her, his startled reaction had her smiling in that feral, open lipped, teeth revealing fashion reserved only for him. The combined pall of primal fear and "little boy lost" aura, luxuriant in its' aroma, she inhaled slowly, .

Yes! ... he always ... "tasted" ... good.

The trajectory of her vision rifled straight into the young mans' eyes. Feline intensity from her registering on his brain that it was all over but the feasting.

Not that he never put up a "fight". The first time he tried evasion early in their "relationship", on tracking and finding him, she made it known, (In "actions" if not words.) in no uncertain terms what the penalties would be if done again. The second time, she concluded that, at times, he liked it ... rough.

She thoroughly enjoyed this game ... and relished in his being "game" even more.

Pulling on his collar to loosen it, his vision was inadvertantly taken off her. The huntress made her move, halving the distance between before his looking up.

A laugh she stifled on seeing his reactions. First relief at not seeing her at the foyer then turning to in-place panic upon espying the threat sitting at a table so near.

He blinked.

Another thing about the density of the general human population that amazed her, was their tendancy to look everywhere but ... up.

... the humanoid panther she was, gracefully sailing over ...

Had he done so, he would have seen the humanoid panther she was, gracefully sailing over.

Soundlessly rolling to the ground and somersaulting to her feet, she spun 'round, again suppressing a laugh on seeing him frantically looking under the table.

In less than a short breath, the predator was upon him, tracing her right middle finger from the tip of his, across the arm and shoulders. His fear she could sense, mixing with the cool sensual heat rising within. Fingertips' journey ending in a light caress up the neck and a whisp of a trace about the ear.

"Well ... Hellooo ..."

The afore-mentioned ear recieving her greeting in a whispy breath of softly heated purr.

Letting escape a half stifled gasp, the would be spotter bolted upright in his seat. Slowly, his head swiveled on its' neck to the left ... Into the very eyes of the "menace" seated immediately next.

The ninja savored fully, the wonderful taste of his apprehension on sizing him up at such an
un(?)comfortably close proximity. His helplessness, a delicacy she never tired of partaking, spiced the moment moreso as her depthless burgundy eyes ... slowly ... lovingly ... RELENTLESSLY ... unfurled his captive soul ... letting it stream in the ethereal breeze of their one sided struggle.

"So ... uh ... Shiina," squeaking in a medium rasp. "You ... eh ... run across anything ... cute ... and ... interesting ... lately?"

The clumsy, forced rejoinder, coming from the belief ANY response, even a weak one, being better than none, only made him more her victim of choice. A ... CHOICE ... victim indeed.

"Yes ... ," purring huskily, left forefinger oh so delicately drawing a voltaically charged spiral down the back of his right hand. Maneaters' visage but an inch away. " ... exactly ..."

Shiinas' hand came up, fingers lightly brushing across her victims' lips, forestalling further utterance. Her own wafting a soft pronunciamento hotly in his ear.

"I know ... where she can NEVER ... find us."

Feral eyes making a declaration of their own:

"Even IF you had a choice ... the outcome ... would be the same."

Heated clutch of the succubus' hand on that of her captive, zephyr light in leading him away.

xxxxx

"Un-believable!"

Going about his duties, Duffy couldn't help but notice ... At LEAST one out of every ten students, about two hundred, PLUS the whole of the Battlefront (40+), NOT attending class.

One tenth the student body! Some, he noticed, were NPCs ... or at least thought were. He might have to make revisions on a few.

Well into first period, it dawned on him as to why. A quick talk in passing with Hinata confirmed it.

A couple days before, Yuri informed him there would be no "meal ticket run" thanks to his purchases from the previous two months. In an off handed, joking remark, he suggested she take it easy and skip school that day. If it had occured to him she would take it as an idea and run with it, he would have kept his mouth shut.

His apprehension settled somewhat by second period as no gunplay being evident. The goal seemed to be in wearing the "angel" down.

Kanades' presence was felt by end of first period, trying as best she could to persuade, then escort, as many students back to class ... Only to find the very same ones back out a short time after. She soon started concentrating on Battlefronters, deducing them to be the instigators. It was a losing battle as she was only a force of one. The other members of the "morals commitee" (Mostly NPCs.) also making a valiant effort to no avail.

The start of third period found Duffy, toolbox in hand, trudging the courtyard between tiers 3 and 2 of Class C when the sound of running feet drew his attention.

Turning his head toward the southwest corner, seeing Matsushida and TK stomping through.

"Hmmm ... Looks like she's after 'Darwin 'n Dudley' this time," he observed.

Laughing and rushing by, Matsushida called out," hey Duffy-san! Lend us a hand, will ya'?"

"Help a homey out bro!" TK

An incredulous Jack Duffy watched as they rounded the southeast corner and out of sight.

"Looks like they're trying to double back on her," in speculation.

A sound of lighter running feet turned Jacks' attention back to the southwest corner where he saw the "force of one" tearing around incredibly fast in hot pursuit.

"She must have been down by the retaining wall when she spotted them, otherwise she'd have caught up by now ... 'Least she doesn't have her blades out."

Lending a hand, Jack held it out, pointing to the NORTHeast corner.

Kanade zipped by, giving him a frowny, eyebrow raised "Who you tryin'
to kid look and flashed around the southeast corner. Credit: Willwaldart

Kanade zipped by, giving him a frowny, eyebrow raised "Who you tryin' to kid?" look, and flashed around the southeast corner.

"Sorry guys," he apologized to empty space as his hand slapped to his side. "I tried."

From three stories up, the pair of the greenest eyes Duffy had ever seen before or since, glared balefully down on the scene just transpired.

"Un-believable!"

xxxxx

Duffy decided to take an early lunch but heading to his apartment instead of the food court. It wasn't hunger prompting him as much as it was curiosity in how this "Operation Drop Out" was going. He wished he could take his scanner with him to work but wanted that still kept secret from Yuri. As it was, the radio was in his quarters thus being the only place he could use it.

Turning the device on, he fixed himself a sandwich and listened in.

"I'm at the top of tier 1 of Class A, Yuri. Can pretty much see the same as you."

"Looks like you'll have to change position if the action shifts."

"Doesn't seem so."

"Seems like Angels' gotten smart," observed the Leader.

"Yeah, gathering everyone in groups then accompanying them all in at once."

"Well let's see what happens. I expected something like this and-"

"Yup!" Yusa exclaimed. "There they go, like you planned, in ALL directions!"

"Hah! Look at her! Can't decide which one to chase ... Okay! She's picked one."

"She's after Sakaki. Nope! Just broke off. Going after one of the slower- ... Yeah. Going after Takamatsu."

While Angel could eventually catch up to Sakaki ... a big maybe ... the rest would be scattered over a wide area. She obviously decided on an easier "target".

"By the way Yusa ... Have you seen Shiina since this started?"

"No, not since last night in fact. She must think this is hide and seek instead of tag or something."

"Or something." Yuri answered and went on. "It seems like someone else is missing but I can't figure. It's one of the guys, I know THAT."

"Well, there's twice as many guys as us girls in the Front. Harder to keep track of."

Duffy gave himself a knowing grin.

"Yeah," he thought. "Shiina gone to ground and one of the guys not accounted for ... (sing-song) I know who it iii-is!"

xxxxx

Entering the classroom, Duffy couldn't help but notice Kanade in front of Rachels' desk. The conversation seemed concluded as the petite one turned and started walking away.

"Uh ... Ms. Tachibane?"

Looking up she spoke.

"O'Hara-san informed me. It is not your fault."

Duffy was about to say something when Kanade concluded.

"I must go now. Student business to be done."

With that, the tiny one unceremoniously left.

The man turned toward the desk.

"Considering what transpired earlier, I was wondering if things were still on for tonight."

Rachel sat back in her chair, left corner of mouth up in an eyebrow raised, dubiously affirmative look.

"Oh don't worry, it' still on," she assured semi-sternly. "Almost wasn't ... Put a lot of work into that lasagna after all."

"Oh?"

"I almost cancelled everything ... Until I called Yuri. Turns out it all came from something you said in passing. It's not like you sat up with her cooking up this scheme."

"I can imagine what you were thinking as it went down."

"You wouldn't know the half of It!" She now smiling fully. "For a moment there ... well ..."

"And?"

"First thing I notice, Half the students not showing up for homeroom ... At the beginning. They start filtering in some minutes later, I guess a lot were relenting and decided to attend class. The period's half over, most are in but still a few missing. If it weren't for some of the kids informing me what was going on, I would have thought a mass transcendence happened with the missing."

"Consider the alternative. It was about due."

"Yes, you've mentioned that."

"I was debating with myself about wether to take you to see it or not when Ms. Nakamura told me they weren't going to do it this time. Seems they had enough meal tickets to tide them over.

"You wouldn't have liked it. Quite violent ... messy."

"So you've said. Maybe today was a good thing after all."

"I guarantee. Anything we would have done tonight would have been absolutely impossible."

"Would nothing ... ARE! I put a LOT into that meal.

"So," she continued, "It's the start of third period, I'm looking down into the courtyard and I happen to see you going by. Suddenly those two show up, running like a couple of soccer bums."

"Oh ... You must be talking about Darwin and Dudley."

"Uh ... Matsushita and TK," smiling. "They go past you and then I see poor Kanade ... uh Tachibane ... ramming after."

She paused.

"Poor thing," sidetracking herself. "She was quite upset when I talked with her."

"How can you tell?" Duffy skeptacle. "Kid has all the emotional range of a doorstop."

"YOU! ... ," Rachel continued, "start pointing away from where they took off to, trying to get the girl confused. I was looking for something to throw at you, I was so mad."

"Well ... Hey! ... I mean ... They asked for help ... And I'm not a rat."

"Oh ... But you ARE a rat dearie," teeth showing through her smile. "A nice one but a total rodent nonetheless.

"At any rate, she didn't fall for it and caught up with them."

"How do you know that?"

"They were scheduled for my class that period, that's how."

"I take it she escorted them here."

"You got it. Have you any idea how weird it looks seeing two big-"

"Jerks?"

"-STUDENTS! being escorted to class by a tiny, little girl?"

Duffy had seen it before, but Rachel was right. The sight never failed to amuse.

"So they sit down, big crap eating grins on their faces and she leaves. I ask what the heck is going on and they tell me about this ... what is it? Yes! ... OPERATION or whatever it is they call it ... and implicating ... you. Needless to say, I was furious.

"And stop that smiling!" Said she smiling. "You look just like they did."

Duffys' face settled into an insincere frown, twitching to keep from grinning.

"Then they did something that totally blew me away!"

"Which is?"

They get up, go to the windows and ... and ... JUMP OUT!"

"So?"

"So ... NOTHING! ...  It's ... It's three stories up! Three ... stories!"

"Again ... What's the big deal?"

"I thought they were committing suicide! ... eh ... Stop laughing!"

By this time, Duffy was sitting on a desk in a vain attempt at suppressing the giggles.

"I run to the windows, screaming my head off, the other students laughing and I see those two-"

"Morons."

"Yes ... MORONS! ... Scrambling into Second Tier, laughing their fool heads off, never to be seen again."

"Oh don't worry, you'll see them again."

"Never would be too soon! And how ... could they ... jump and ... "

"This school ... This place is ... how can I put it ... Well ... This IS the afterlife ... or something. The laws of physics or whatever only partly apply. You could trip over your own feet and 'die' from a broken neck. By the same token, you can deliberately jump from a building and hit the ground running with no ill effects."

"Have you ever ... ?"

"Me? No. I'm just happy to take 'em ten at a time going upstairs if the mood hits me."

"You know," she cautiously advised, "being as to what this place is and all ... You've got to be CAREFUL of what you say to these kids."

"Then I guess it's a good thing I DIDN'T mention anything to Hisako about ditching Mahjong and taking up strip poker."

"You really ... ARE ... Impossible!"

xxxxx

Kanade slowly left third tier of Class A and proceeded down the walkway. Much thinking to be done.

They had found a weakness. One they could exploit in the future with impunity. They as well as she knew she wouldn't even attempt another try at restoring order if they did it again. Failure had value in that at least it could tell one what doesn't work.

Several non-aligned students, a couple having been participants in todays' fiasco, passed her. Whispered conversation, punctuated by giggles, could be detected.

Though she knew jeers and insults were immaterial, especially in light of the fact she was physically, practically invincible, they did hurt to some degree.

A weakness revealed, a solution to be found.

Having turned into tier one, she passed the light music room a couple doors after. GiDeMo missing, they must be out with the rest of the "movement" celebrating. Reaching the piano room next, she entered and sat at the Yamaha by the windows, her favorite, and proceeded to play.

Claire de Lune helped calm her and Gymnopedie One helped her to think and these she played in that order.

A solution, something, had to be found and made. Something in helping restore system, order and-

Harmony.

Her fingers halted in their ballet with the keys.
Credit: Williamtio

Her fingers halted in their ballet with the keys.

Full note, half note, quarter note.

Like in radio and electronics. Harmonic frequencies.

Full wave, half wave, quarter wave, etc. Full wave, double wave, quadruple wave, etc.

Resonance. Infinite up or down.

She thought further.

Size might be a problem, most would be too large or small.

Sideband. Like Ham radio. Could beat frequency oscillation of a sort be a solution to that?

Pulling a notepad out of a skirt pocket she started swiftly jotting down notes, as many as came to mind, no matter how strange or impossible an idea might seem.

Yes.

Resonance, system, order ... Harmony.

A new guard skill could be formulated, tested and utilized.

Harmonics.

Done scribbling, she immediately got up and left the building for her dorm room where her computer and Angelplayer awaited.

Little knowing that several months later, the BETA program for the new guard skill would be inadvertantly "tested" by someone else ... With near disastrous results in its' working all TOO well.

xxxxx

Her opening the door in response to the knock revealed a very cleaned up, smartly dressed gentleman holding a large paper sack.

"Right on time!" Rachel exclaimed, taking the bag. "Lasagna's just about done baking."

"Excellent!" Duffy entered the apartment.

"So ... Just what do we have here."

Setting the bag on the coffee table, the teacher started fishing through the bag.

"The salads from the cafeteria and some other stuff."

"Haven't seen this for a few weeks," she stated, pulling out a bottle of Coca-Cola and examining it.

"The last four."

"Really ..."

"You'll also find some REAL popcorn and the cooking oil to make it. None a' that microwave junk from the cafeteria."

"Wait a minute! ... What the ?"

Duffy saw her looking sharply at one of the two disk cases she just removed from the sack.

"Just what ... on earth ... is this?'

Concerned, puzzled look on her face, she held up one of the two disk cases. The man smiled at her seeming perplexity.

"You said something by Frank Capra, right?"

"Know Your Enemy Japan," reading the title slowly, semi-shocked look on her formerly radiant face.
"He did ... THIS?"

"Sure!" Smiling further as he saw his joke going as planned. "Part of his World War Two 'Why We Fight' series. You being a history teacher and all-"

"You're kidding ... right?"

"Well hey, nothing like a little war time propaganda to-"

He cut himself off, noting her increasingly serious look. Time to let her in on the spoof.

"Of course I'm kidding hon. I'm absolutely sure it's the other one you'd rather see."

Wry, knowing set to her mouth, she placed the offending case in the bag and read the other.

"It Happened One Night."

"Claudette Colbert and Clark Gable. An early romantic comedy Capra did."

"Looks old," she speculating. "Black and white ... hmmm."

"1934, in glorious monochrome."

"So ... any racism?"

"'Course not!"

"Are you sure?"

Failing at keeping a straight face, he held up his right and took an oath:

"Honest injun!"

Smile/frowning, an eyebrow raised, she looked straight at him in faux exasperation.

"Sigh!"

To be continued ...

Credit: Matthugh1000

xxxxx

Storyline and original characters (only) copyright © 5-1-14 C V Ford


In Gods' Good Time chapters: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13. 14, 15, 16, 17, 18.

Go C V Fords' profile page and anime fan fiction stories list on fanfiction dot net here.

Go to fanfiction dot net here.


Go to Jays' Tee Vee blog main page here. If dere be a buncha' artikulars under this 'un then you done already be dere ... here ... whatever ... maybe ...


Disclaimer: The preceding is a NON-PROFIT work of fan fiction for entertainment purposes only. I make no claim to ownership of the names/characters, places, & events mentioned in this work that are the intellectual properties of others. They are the sole properties of their respective owners. Please, by all means support the owners of such properties in the purchase & enjoyment of their works.