AD 2009.

Narration by Tsukasa: --- While I was still young and didn't know much about the outside world I made a secret promise with my parents. At the time, I didn't know why my parents used to say that, but I knew that if I was good that I would be praised, and so I said that I'd keep that promise for life. Now that I think back, it was reckless of me to make that promise------...

---But listening to Dad say "Tsukasa, lying precedes stealing!"

And Mom saying "We both hate criminals!"

...Hearing those words from my parents who were cops, I kept that promise so that they wouldn't hate me.

---I've kept that promise, and even now, in the present------

Text: AD 2020 ---Tokyo---

Sirens sound in the background.

Passerby 1: "It's noisy today too."

Passerby 1: "So what else is new?"

A girl is cornered by 2 guys. Guy 1 has dark hair mostly swept back and is wearing shades. Guy 2 also has dark coloured hair.

Girl: "...A... ...A..."

Guy 1: "You'll buy this won't you...? We... want money..."

Girl, in tears: "...I... I don't want... I don't need......"

The first guy grabs her by the hair, wrenching her head back against the wall. "...Hey..."

Girl: "...!"

Guy 1: "...You'll buy this right...? Come on! Say you'll buy it! Come on---!" {I'm in a bad mood right now.}

Girl: "Kyaa!"

There is the sound of her being slapped. Two girls pass by and witness the scene.

Girl 1: "...A... A girl's being assaulted. Should we call the police?"

Girl 2: "Nah, she probably has some self-defense weapons. She'll probably get away herself."

Girl 1: "That's true. There's no reason to get myself into trouble for the sake of others."

Girl 2:: "That's right."

A lone figure watches the scene. "......"

Guy 1: "If you do these you'll feel really good." {You won't regret buying them.}

Guy 2: "It doesn't seem like she can talk any more." {Awww the poor thing.}

The girl is slumped against the wall. Her face is all bruised up.

Guy 1: "Fine, let's just take the money and try another one."

Guy 2: "E? We're just going to leave her like this? That's cruel~ The least we can do is make her feel good~~~~~~"

He slips a hand up her skirt.

Girl: "......!! ------! ------!!"

Guy 2, laughing: "If you don't raise your voice then nobody will come---." {Even if you did, I don't think anyone will come anyway---}

The guy with the shades turns to his companion: "Enough play already. Finish up and let's get on with it."

Guy 1 turns to leave and his face meets a fist. "Guoaa! ...U!"

It's Ryuji. He's expressionless as usual. "......"

Guy 1: "...Y... Y... YOU bastard------!!!" Blood spurts from his forehead. "What the hell was that for---------!!!? I'll kill you!"

He grabs Ryuji's collar and is about to punch him.

The guy feels a weight on his shoulders all of the sudden. "!?"

A chain slips around his throat.

Guy 1: "E...?"

Its Tsukasa. "...You... I'll kill you... HEY--------!!!" She yanks on her chain and starts choking him.

Guy 1: "~~~~~~~!?"

Tsukasa: "You!!! I'm really busy right now! Don't increase my workload---!!!"

The guy starts coughing and trying to talk at the same time. [Language is not decipherable...] Tsukasa keeps pulling on the chain.

Tsukasa: {---Mom, Dad, are you watching? ---People are still so indifferent, and there are still people who gain pleasure from hurting the weak. The year is 2020 in Tokyo. The Crazy Paradise hasn't changed at all...}

The guy is pulling at the chain around his neck and is still hacking away.

Text above the guy: I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I won't do it again!

Tsukasa lets the guy go after he apologizes a number of times. He and the other boy make a quick escape. "Man! The scent of liquor, cigarettes and cheap Jade cologne. You're not going to grow up as a decent adult."

Text below Tsukasa: Kozuki Tsukasa (age 14).

Clank!

Tsukasa: "......"

Kamo-san, in smiles: "Sandaime, we've captured her." Tsukasa now has a collar and chain around her neck.

Tsukasa, with fangs: "A---------!!! Dammit!"

Ryuji, holding the end of the chain: "Well done." He turns to Tsukasa. "How funny that you come flying no matter where you go."

Tsukasa in tears, pointing at Ryuji accusingly: "You---!!! You put yourself in danger just so that you could catch me---------!!"

Ryuji, chuckling: "My, what nice reflexes."

Tsukasa: "Shut up------! Auuuggghhh!!! And when I finally escaped from the chain------!" {Why'd I come back?} She's pounding the sidewalk crying.

Ryuji crouches down to watch her: "Here's your food reward for returning home."

Tsukasa startles: "!!" She covers her mouth. "......!" She then notices the girl behind Ryuji. "------..."

The girl is still sitting unable to move.

Ryuji: "...That's right, she was surrounded by those 2 earlier."

Tsukasa: "! Man, I should have finished him..." {I hate rapists the most. It may be because it was the act of crime Mom hated the most------...} Tsukasa crouches in front of the girl.

Ryuji watches silently:"------..."

Tsukasa turns back to Ryuji. "Ryuji... Can we take her to the hospital...?" She starts all of the sudden when she sees Ryuji's expression.

Ryuji had smiled slyly.

Tsukasa: {---Mom hated rapists the most---but---Mom, Dad, there some people that I hate equally---they are---the yakuza---------!!!}

At Kuryugumi headquarters.

Kumiins: "Welcome back home Sandaime!"

Ryuji is met at the entrance to Kuryugumi by his followers.

Text below Ryuji: Kuryugumi's Sandaime kumicho Shirogami Ryuji (age 14).

A little while later a large cake is unsteadily maneuvering across the room.

Tsukasa, who's wobbling under the weight of the huge cake: "Hey... Hey-----! What the hell are you making me carry------!?"

Ryuji: " That's a 1.2 million yen cake for someone's birthday tomorrow. It's important, so if you drop it I'll have it billed to your debt." [Remember, think of 1 yen as roughly 1 cent... actually, it's about 1 yen to 1.5 cents...]

Tsukasa, with fangs bared and a popped vein on her head: "Well if it's so important then why don't you......" She leans forward face to face with Ryuji.

Ryuji: "A~~~Aa..."

Tsukasa: "A?"

The cake crashes to the floor.

Kamo-san, with a calculator: "That'll be another 1.2 million yen------."

Tsukasa's hair stands on end: "Auuuugggghhhhhh!" She turns to Ryuji in tears.

Ryuji, as if suddenly remembering something: "A..."

Tsukasa:"That's dirty------!!!"

Ryuji: "Oh yeah that's right." He pops something into her mouth as she's yelling.

Tsukasa swallows it before she realizes what's going on.

Ryuji: "I forgot to give you your food reward earlier."

Kamo-san: "That's 10 000 yen for the special truffle. Together that makes 101 227 563 yen------." This statement came with the Kamo-san smile

Tsukasa slumps to the floor in despair, her head down. "......!"

Ryuji: "You've sure accumulated a lot haven't you." He sits down on a couch and lights a cigarette.

Tsukasa, pointing: "Thanks to you!!!" {With those dirty tricks like the one you just pulled---!}

Ryuji: "It's because you're neglecting your job. You're the child of the police aren't you? You're going keep your promise aren't you? Didn't you say that you were going to pay back by being my bodyguard?"

Tsukasa is in tears. {---The reason I hate yakuza is because they've taken our parents from me and my bros------...}

Moments later, Tsukasa is crying and walking down the hallway. The chain has been removed but she is still wearing the collar.

Tsukasa: "Damn that guy~" She scrubs the tears away. {Picking on me like that all the time~~~} "What do you mean a bodyguard makes more money than a regular job!? When he uses dirty tricks like that to increase my debt like that~~~!" {It's just increasing like mad~~~!}

She narrates about the past. {---Months ago, when my parents had died in some yakuza dispute, my 3 brothers and I had nowhere to go. So I thought of using Ryuji.}

Tsukasa, some time in the past: "This happened because of the yakuza so let's use them!"

Text pointing to that statement: Or so she thought but now it's like this. (The guy went and charged for all of that and more.)

Tsukasa: {At that time, it was because 'He (Ryuji) was a yakuza'--- since my parents died because of a Kuryugumi internal dispute---... Even if it wasn't something Ryuji and his members intended, he's still my enemy...}

She watches as a kumiin stops Ryuji in the hall to speak with him. They exchange words and the kumiin bows in appreciation to Ryuji.

Tsukasa: {---...But the reason why I instinctively save Ryuji is probably because------... ...he doesn't show his emotions to anyone except me------... It might be more correct to say that he rarely if ever shows his emotions but... it may be the way of the gokudo. ---I didn't quite understand that before but I think I know now------... In front of his kumiin he's cool and calm... ---So its like he shows his true self only to me and...I automatically move to save him...And there are times that I think hey, maybe he's not that bad a guy....}

Tap tap.

Tsukasa turns around to have a face full of cake. {---...Wha...} Bits of icing cling to her face and hair.

Ryuji: "Ahhahh! You just ruined the spare cake that costs 1 209 000 yen."

Tsukasa: "Hey wait a minute..." {What do you mean spare------!?}

Ryuji: "I'll charge you for the cost of making a new one." He starts to walk off with the cake. "The 9000 yen is the ambulance and medical fees."

Tsukasa starts.

Ryuji turns back to glance at her from the corner of his eye. "...That's what you wanted right...?"

Tsukasa: {Okay, I take that back---! I take all of it back---!!!} [Not a literal translation.] "You're such a---! How low can you go---!?"

Ryuji: "Hoho---... Since you don't like the idea of being bodyguard I was going to tell you about a job where you can easily make about 1 200 000 yen a day."

Tsukasa: "WHAT!? Is there really such thing?" {Hurry! Tell me!}

Ryuji smiles slyly. Tsukasa sweatdrops.

Tsukasa, narrating: {---Dad... Mom... Actually, I've broken my promise---...}

Ryuji backs her up into a wall and blocks her escape route. He leans in close to whisper in her ear. "I could pay you 100 000 an hour with that body of yours..."

Tsukasa: "...Y... You're such a yana yatsu------!" [yana yatsu when translated literally means "a guy that people don't like" or "someone unpopular/disliked"... Does anyone know a better term...?]

Sound effects of Tsukasa punching him out.

Tsukasa: {He not only has me by this debt but by another weakness...} [Yeah, yeah, that doesn't sound like English... Maybe "It's not just the debt he has against me but another weakness/weak point...]

The next day at school.

Tsukasa: "Hey you! Can't you take this off!?"

Ryuji: "...You should be glad that the chain is gone."

Tsukasa: "......" She suddenly walks at a quicker pace to distance herself from Ryuji.

Ryuji activates some program on his watch and Tsukasa is slowly dragged back to him.

Tsukasa: "IT'S THE SAME AS BEING CHAINED---!"

Text: Gravitational pull.

Ryuji: "...It's because it seems that I have to teach you the basics that you don't get paid unless you do your work. If you want to decrease your debt then don't leave my side." {How many times do I have to tell you that till you get it?}

Tsukasa hardens at that phrase. {And how many times do I have to tell you that the reason I escape is because you're torturing me with that debt!?}

Tsukasa gets mad. "...Ryuji-kun...You hate me don't you Ryuji-kun." She looks shorter all of the sudden as she sulks.

Kamo-san: {A.}

Ryuji doesn't say anything.

Tsukasa: "I know that for sure now after what you did last night."

Ryuji: "......"

Kamo-san: {Oh... my...! Sandaime... looks expressionless but he's pretty moved!}

Tsukasa: "You love to hurt me so that's why you make that unfair debt---" {That's it. That must be it.}

Ryuji: "... ..."

Kamo-san: {Tsukasa-san! That's not it! Sa... Sandaime if you don't hurry up and clear up the misunderstanding! Tell Tsukasa-san that the debt is not to torture her, but that it's the only way you can keep her by your side longer---...}

Tsukasa: "It's because of who I am isn't it. Police kids and yakuza kids are forever enemies." She leaves.

Ryuji: "... ... ---..." He still has no expression.

A wind blows out of nowhere and a leaf floats by. Kamo-san is crying in the background.

Kamo-san: {...Sandaime......} He sighs.

Ryuji: "..."

Kamo-san: {---...I guess that's impossible... for Sandaime to apologize or clear up misunderstandings...... Since he was raised in a way where he didn't have to learn such a thing---... Raised to do everything perfectly---... so that someday, he'll stand at the head of a group of several tens of thousands of people------...}

In the school, Tsukasa is still pissed off... and she's talking to herself.

Tsukasa: "That bastard. It must be true since he didn't say anything." {Dammit---} "How annoying---!"

Student 1: "---And it seems that it's becoming a problem at Rokuokita."

Student 2: "E--? Is it true that one of our (Rokuominami) students is selling them?"

Student 1: "So it seems. You want proof? Right now the Rokuokita's principal is in the principal's office."

Tsukasa walks by ignoring the talk.

Student 2: "Hey, then doesn't that mean that someone will try to sell them to us?" {Gimme a break. I don't want to be involved in some problem.}

Student 1: "It's possible since the pusher is in our school."

Student 2: "Ha~~~ Drugs is it---?"

Tsukasa's dog ears perk up.

Text: Police dog!! (Probably a mixed breed.)

Tsukasa, with a dog's face, paws and tail: {DRUGS!!? Rokuokita is our sister school! One of our students is the drug pusher!? ...No way... There's no way that's possible... Not while I, Kozuki Tsukasa am here. There's no way that I'd let someone like that slip out of my hands! I'm the head of the team of students that help to keep the other students disciplined!! Because of my strict enforcement, the only one that smokes cigarettes in this place is that aho Ryuji! I swear I'll make him stop someday!} [aho = stupid (person)] She slowly slinks around the corner.

She glances at the guard robots.

Tsukasa: "......" {From here on, guys aren't allowed in but that doesn't matter to me--- Fufun} Text: The boys and girls are in separate buildings.

She whips out her student card.

Text on the card: I am a member of the disciplinary committee. [Or something close to that...]

She feeds the card into the robot's mouth which seems to act as a scanner. The robot then spits the card back out.

In the principal's office.

Man 1: "---What's this Kiryu!?" [Kiryu is a last name.] The man and another man with a moustache are speaking with the seated principal. I'm assuming that this man is the principal of Rokuokita.

Kiryu: "...... What's this you say......"

Man 1: "I'm saying that my students are saying that one of your students are selling drugs to them! And forcing them in a violent way! What kind of education are you giving your students!? Are you teaching them the tricks of crime!?"

Kiryu: "...No!"

Man 2: "Kaibara-kun, I know that you're talking that way since you're friends (with Kiryu) but don't get so upset." [Kaibara is a last name.]

Man 1 (Kaibara): "But!"

Man 2: "As the acting vice principal, I can prevent the vice principal from hearing this sort of thing... but there is a limit... Once the rumours start spreading outside of the school won't be able to do anything... Before that happens, we have to find the student who's the root of this problem and do something......" [Vice principal for which school?]

Kiryu: "...But... There really isn't a single student here who would do such a thing..."

Tsukasa is seen crouched at the door to the principal's room listening. "..."

Kaibara: "There's one. ...Wouldn't it be easy for that yakuza's son to obtain drugs?"

Tsukasa starts.

Kiryu: "Shirogami-kun is not the type to do such..."

Kaibara [I think]: "But...!"

CRASH!

Tsukasa had burst in and delivered a flying kick to Kaibara's head. Rokuokita's principal ended up banging his face on the desk (the cause of the noise).

Tsukasa, landing with skill: "If he was such a yakuza to be involved with drugs, I would have been through with him ages ago!" {---He's a yana yatsu but he's never laid his hands on drugs!!!} [I wonder how she knows......]

Some time later.

Tsukasa: "That is what I think..." She looks ashamed.

Kiryu: "I think the same."

Tsukasa, frantically: "I'm sorry. I'm sorry!" {Before I realized what was going on I kicked~~~~!} She's on her hands and knees apologizing to the principal. {Why'd I have to do such a thing for the guy---}

Kiryu: "That's all right! I'll apologize to him again." {He walked off fine (though angry) so there's nothing to worry about.}

Tsukasa, with tears in her eyes: "Shige-chan......"

Kiryu: "N?"

Text pointing to the principal: Shige-chan. Kiryu Shigenori. [That's his full name.]

Tsukasa: "...I... think you're the best........." [Not a direct translation...] {---Shige-chan's a good person...}

Kiryu, smiling: "...Thank you......"

Tsukasa: {He thinks about us, the students before everything else in this time and age when more and more people are becoming so indifferent---...} "...Shige-chan...... is your job in danger...?"

Kiryu smiles sadly. "...Well...... The students' sins are my sins so if the one causing the problem is really here (at Rokuominami) then I'll take full responsibility---..."

Tsukasa: "---..."

Tsukasa stalks down the school halls.

Tsukasa: :...Dammit! Who the hell is it!?" {I'm positive it's not one of our students! My future super police blood even says so! At this rate, Shige-chan's retirement plans are shot. I'll find the guy for Shige-chan's sake too!!}

Voice: "...Um~~~..."

Tsukasa: "N?" She stops at the sound of the voice.

It's the girl she saved yesterday. The girls approaches shyly with bandages covering her cheeks.

Girl: "Um---... ...About yesterday..."

Tsukasa recognizes her. "!? Huh...? Hey!? You're one of us!"

Girl: "...I... wanted to thank you Kozuki-kun... for what you did yesterday..."

Tsukasa: "Huh...? You knew my name?"

Girl: "...Kozuki-kun... you're always active around the school."

Text: Referring to her part in the disciplinary committee.

Girl: "...And... ...you're famous... known as Shirogami-san's bodyguard..."

Tsukasa, looking slightly pissed: {Am I Ryuji's tag-along......? ...Oh... It's Ryuji that's famous...}

Girl: "...Thank you so much...... Um... please tell Shirogami-san the same thing..."

Tsukasa: "E... M me...?" {To tell him 'Thanks'? I don't want to...} "You should say so in person to tell him your feelings..."

Text: She escapes. And it's not like he did something that really deserves her thanks.

Girl: "...But... ...I'm scared.........!"

Tsukasa: {...That's true... I suppose that's normal... Since he is a yakuza member.}

Girl: "...So please......... ...Well..." She bows in appreciation.

Tsukasa, stopping the girl before she goes off. "A! I know it's easy for me to say don't think too much about yesterday but... Don't give in!"

Girl: "......"

Tsukasa: "If guys like them come around again I'll rearrange their faces!"

Girl: "...Really......? You'll help me again if they come to sell drugs to me!?"

Tsukasa pounds her chest proudly. "O---f cou---rse!!!" She smiles, then pauses. "...E?"

At Kuryugumi.

Kamo-san: "---Which means... That the girl was assaulted by the one who's selling the drugs?" {And then was about to be raped....}

Tsukasa: "So it seems. But she doesn't clearly remember their faces..." {Out of fear.} "Which means---..." She's standing behind Ryuji who's seated on the couch.

Ryuji says nothing.

Tsukasa: "...... ...Hey."

Ryuji: "I don't know."

Tsukasa: "Hey! At least try to think a little!!" She knocks him on the back of the head.

Kamo-san: {Well you only remembered what he smelled like...}

A hand bag falls to the floor.

Tsukasa: "N?"

Kamo-san: "A."

A girl with light coloured wavy hair enters. Her mouth is open in shock. "......! ......!" [Yeah, yeah, for the visually deprived, she's about Tsukasa's height and seems to be glaring most of the time. Right now she's dressed up in a dark coloured above-the-knee length dress and a matching jacket. Her shoes are really annoying... flats (I think) but with bows around her ankles.

Kamo-san: "...Asago-san?" [Asago is a first name.]

Asago: "...I... ...I... I can't believe it.........! Hey you! You just hit Ryuji! How could you!? Do you now who he is---!!?" She bares her fangs at Tsukasa and hugs Ryuji's head to her breast.

Tsukasa: "...E?" Ryuji is sporting a bandage covered lump on the back of his head.

Kamo-san, sweatdropping: "Asago-san, this is Sandaime's new bodyguard."

Asago turns to Tsukasa. "...Could it be... the rumoured katagi gaki who was picked up off the street who suddenly became Ryuji's guard...?" {---All because Ryuji was interested in him...} [katagi = law abiding citizen, general public; gaki = kid, especially an annoying one.]

Tsukasa: "......?"

Asago compares herself to Tsukasa. "He's only a little taller than me! His arms aren't that much bigger than mine! Ryujiiii Why did you such a girlie bodyguard~~~!!?" {Is he any good!?} "If you're going to hire this girlie guy, then I'll protect you!" She sits in Ryuji's lap and nuzzles him with her face. There are roses in the background. [By the way at this point, only Ryuji, Bun-san and Kamo-san know that Tsukasa's female]

Ryuji: "......"

Tsukasa is not impressed by the hearts that Asago is bouncing around the room. "......" She turns to Ryuji's personal guard. "...Kamo-san?"

Kamo-san: "This is Kuryugumi's head clan's Sumongumi's kumicho's beloved daughter Sumon Asago (age 14). She is the ojyosan who will soon be engaged to Sandaime." [ojyosan = lady from a well-to-do family, miss]

Tsukasa: {...E...?}

Asago, with her arms crossed. "That's it. To me, he's a very important person! A bodyguard who can't defend his kumicho (chief yakuza) is the disgrace to the underworld. I won't expect a child like you to participate in a battle but the least you can do is pretend that you're some nearby rock or tree and act as protection against bullets!! Bodyguards can easily be replaced. You even said so yourself right Ryuji?" [I find her personality a bit annoying for the next 70+ episodes...]

Kamo-san: {Th that was when Sandaime was around six and he meant it as there were too many kumiin!!}

Ryuji: "...!" Seems that he can't think of what to say. "...! ...!"

Kamo-san, panicking quietly: {Aa! Sandaime! This isn't the time to be leisurely collecting your thoughts! If you don't hurry up and explain then Tsukasa-san will------ ------misunderstand------}

Tsukasa: "---..."

In Ryuji's car.

Kamo-san is driving and Ryuji, Asago and Tsukasa are riding in the back with Asago in the middle.

Kamo-san: {---...She is misunderstanding---..... for sure.}

Ryuji: "..."

Tsukasa is pouting and looking out the window away from Ryuji. "..."

Ryuji: "......" He glances over Asago's head to check on Tsukasa.

Asago notices this and hardens. "Hey Ryuji!"

Ryuji: "!"

Asago: "Do you know about the drug incident at Rokuokita?"

Ryuji: "...... Aa... the one where they're saying that the pusher is one of our (Rokuominami's) students..."

Asago: "Someone's pushing drugs in Kuryugumi's territory. What are you going to do?"

Ryuji: "---...I want you to ask around and find out if anyone remembers the face of the pusher since you're a Rokuokita student."

Asago: "Well all right... but in return, make me your woman today!" {In name and body!} [What a straight forward 14 year old...]

Ryuji: "...A?" {Talk about that again?} "I'm saying that it's too early for you."

Asago: "It is no! Today, I'm the same age as you. 14!" [I suppose that those huge cakes were for her...] "There's a persistent guy at school~~~" {Every time I see him it's 'Go out with me' or 'Let me have you'~~~} "If I become your woman then I can get rid of the guy just by my name." [She sound a bit whiny.]

Tsukasa has her thoughts turned inwards.

"---Bodyguards can easily be replaced."

Tsukasa: {...Again he says nothing---... I knew that he didn't like me but---"

Asago is still being persistent: "So! At the birthday party make an engagement announcement as well."

Ryuji: "..."

Asago: "And after that, I'll give you me (c)" {Actually, give me yourself (c) as a present (c)}

"At least act as protection against bullets!!"

Tsukasa: {---To think that he only thought of me as that------...}

Ryuji: "Well so you say but what part of that body am I supposed to desire?" {Say things like that when your body meets my requirements.} [Yeah, he actually said something close to that...]

Asago: "WHAT---!!?"

Tsukasa is still looking out of the window, but now with a popped vein on her face. {...My eyes must be failing me... ...To think that this guy had even the slightest bit of sympathy...... That stud man~~~}

Asago, in the background: "You know there's a lot of guys after me---!"

Tsukasa: {I'll never forgive that guy again!! He's nothing but a yana yatsu!} Glancing out of the window again, she notices a group of people at the entrance of a building. {---A problem... I guess that's not surprising... Murder...?} She's shocked as she catches sight of 2 students. One boy is trying to carry another. They seem to be crying for help but the observers are merely standing there watching or just walking by as if nothing happened.

Tsukasa: "STO--------P!!!" {They're our students!!}

Kamo-san: "WAWAWAWAWA!" He slams on the brakes.

Tsukasa: {---...Or so I thought. But these are Rokuokita students............ They have the other emblems.}

Text: As a reference. These buttons (on the school uniform) have the school emblem on them.

Tsukasa crouches on the ground. "Hey! Are you all right!?"

Boy 1, crying: "......! Call an ambulance......! Hurry! This guy will die~~~ " {Someone call for one~~~!} It seems that he has a head injury. His friend is stabbed in the chest/abdomen area.

Tsukasa: "!!" {He was stabbed!?} She looks up at the crowd but everyone only glances at her briefly. {These guys!!! And when someone is on the verge of dying......!}

Kamo-san: "Tsukasa-san."

Tsukasa: "Kamo-san! Call an ambulance!"

Kamo-san: "E...?"

Tsukasa, frantically: "Call for an ambulance!! Hurry!!!"

Ryuji and Asago are now out of the car --- Ryuji, with his hands in his pockets and Asago with her arms crossed.

Asago: "I can't believe it! Why does he have get so involved with other people's lives? If the guy dies there then that's his fate so he should just leave him. In this day and age, it natural that those who can't protect themselves to die. In our world, we're not even allowed to rely on others. ...To be worried over by your underlings means that you can't stand at the head of a group of people in this world. Right Ryuji!?"

Ryuji: "...Aa [True]... ...but..." He watches as Tsukasa tries to stop the bleeding. "...Its nice to be cared for sometimes..." He thinks back to when Tsukasa was worried that Odawara was evil. He kind of smiles.

Asago starts. "-----------!! ------..." {---...No way... ...Ryuji just smiled---... ...What's this.........?"

"...Its nice to be cared for sometimes..." Ryuji's words echo in Asago's head.

Asago: "Who is it that worried over you to make you do that...?" {------Who made Ryuji do that------!!!? He's never shown me that face before...!!} She pouts.

Kamo-san: "...U---m...? This is..." He holds up a package of powdered substance.

Tsukasa: "......"

Kamo-san: "Drugs."

Tsukasa hollers at the boy: "...You... Where did you get...?"

Boy: "......!" He sniffles. "...I was forced to buy them...! When I said that I didn't need them they punched me......! And they took all the money I had!"

Tsukasa: "Their faces! Do you remember the faces of the guys that sold them!?"

The student shakes his head. "...But...! They! Said that they were Kuryugumi's kumiin...!"

Kamo-san and Bun-san (who seemed to appear all of the sudden) have dots for eyes. Tsukasa and Asago have wide eyes. Ryuji doesn't look even slightly moved by those words.

The next morning in the hallway just outside Tsukasa's room.

Kamo-san is stooped over to Tsukasa's height. "I'd like to make an explanation now!!"

Tsukasa, who's ready for school: "...What are you doing so early in the morning...... Kamo-san?" There are birds chirping in the background. Tsukasa is still wearing that collar.

Kamo-san: "...... Um... I'd like to explain about last night in place of Sandaime!"

Tsukasa who's trying to walk away from the conversation: "Why do you have to explain for the guy?"

Kamo-san is hovering around Tsukasa, trying to explain. "But...! You're misunderstanding." {That the one dealing the drugs is our (Kuryugumi's) kumiin. If I let Sandaime explain then it will be like last night or worse...} "Tsukasa-san? I'd like to let you know that Kuryugumi's involvement with drugs is"

Tsukasa cuts him off. "I'm not misunderstanding anything. He said so, so it must be true."

There's a pic of Ryuji last night. Sweatdropping, he simply said. "No! It's not Kuryugumi!"

Text around Ryuji: Sandaime's words last night. That was it.

Kamo-san glances up at that pic as well. He then realizes that Tsukasa is walking off. "A Tsukasa-san! Where are you going so early in the morning!?" {Could it be?}

Tsukasa, flatly: "SCHOOL!"

Kamo-san starts panicking: "N! No! You can't! If you're going to school then with Sandaime------!!!" {You know you're always told to stay by his side---!} He dashes up in front of Tsukasa.

Tsukasa pouts some more. "I don't want to see his face!" She walks around him.

Kamo-san: "See! You're misunderstanding---!" {Wait a minute.}

Tsukasa: "It's not that!"

Kamo-san, with dots for eyes: "E?"

Tsukasa: "That's not the reason I don't want to see his face."

Kamo-san reluctantly lets Tsukasa continue on her way. {---...Tsukasa-san... ...Then what is the reason------...? For not wanting to see Sandaime. Aa... there's so many possible reasons... that I don't know which...! }

Tsukasa is walking alone towards school.

"Bodyguards can easily be replaced so the least you can do is act as a protection against bullets!!!"

Words echo in Tsukasa's mind.

Tsukasa: "...I'm not even worried about the drugs... ...but then why......?" {...Why am I still wondering about it after a night......?} Anger wells up. {Up until now, I've been able to forget things like this after a night's sleep!! But.........!} She turns her anger outward and start going wacko. "Ki---!! Stop, stop---! Don't think about the guy that doesn't treat people as human beings---!!!" {Disappear---! Get out of my head---!} She starts hitting her own head with her fists. "Dammit---! I'll get amnesia---!" She starts banging her head on a nearby lamp post. "Uoooouu!" Blood spurts from her split forehead as she then starts rolling around on the ground. "Ou." She stops in mid-roll as she spies 2 boys looking her way.

Boy 1: "...This is a good target. Looks like a junkie already. And on top of that, it looks like the Rokuokita uniform." He has light coloured hair.

Boy 2: "E? He might be from Rokuominami." He has dark coloured hair.

Boy 1: "Who cares where he's from. The more money we make, the closer we get to Kuryugumi."

Tsukasa: {Kuryugumi!!?}

Boy 1 pulls out a plastic package full of powdered substance. "Hey, we're from Rokuominami but you wanna buy this?"

Tsukasa: {Drugs!! Are these the pushers!!?} She takes a good look at them. {From Rokuominami... Well yeah I don't know everyone's faces but my sense of smell doesn't remember these guys!!!} She transforms into the police dog again and starts sniffing the 2 guys.

Boy 1: "What's with this guy!?"

Boy 2: {The junkie's withdrawal symptoms!?}

Tsukasa backs off: {That's strange!! Why do they claim they're from Rokuominami!!?}

Boy 1: "---... ...Hey......"

Tsukasa: {They don't smell like that one I almost finish the other day either! Who...?}

Boy 1, waving the package of drugs in front of Tsukasa's face: "You want these right? If you want them then hurry up and take out your money. I'm short tempered---"

Tsukasa: "Really?" {What a coincidence.} She smiles up at the boy. "Actually--- I'm short tempered myself..." Her expression changes to one of anger as she starts cracking her knuckles.

Boy 1: "Huh?" He starts to sweatdrop.

Back at Kuryugumi.

Kamo-san, glancing at his watch: {It's almost 8 o'clock---... It's about time---... I wonder if Sandaime went by Tsukasa's room this morning again... Knowing that he'll be yelled at, he takes the time to go when she's changing...... Well not that he's succeeded very many times...... ---and... since Tsukasa-san is not there today... Too bad---...}

Text on the sign on Tsukasa's door: This is not my kind of taste but it's my room. Knock will ya!?

Ryuji: "---..." He's standing in front of the door.

Text pointing to the empty speech bubble above Ryuji's head: He's reciting the explanation he thought about all last night.

He's holding a piece of paper and nodding to himself.

Text pointing to the paper: A cheat sheet.

Ryuji shoves the paper in to his pocket, still reciting his speech. Nodding to himself again, he opens the door.

Ryuji's eyes are wide.

Tsukasa is back... and changing. She is pulling off her pants but from waist and upwards, she's only wearing that collar.

Text pointing to Tsukasa: A strange pose. [She's sort of hunched over.]

A moment on silence passes between them.

Ryuji stares some more. Then starts nodding. "......"

Text: He's measuring with his eyes.

Tsukasa: "~~~E!!?" Her face turns red. She hurriedly puts the pants back on. "You------!!!! How many times have I told you to knock on the door!!!!! Don't make me same the same thing over and over---!!!" Her chain flies out of the door after Ryuji who's running away and nodding.

Kamo-san who is just passing by freaks and ducks backwards. "E!?"

Text pointing to Ryuji: He's satisfied that they are developing well.

Kamo-san: "Tsukasa-san!? Didn't you leave already!?"

Tsukasa: "I did!"

Kamo-san gets a face full of Tsukasa's pants. "!"

Tsukasa: "And then I met some suspicious drug pushers who claim to be one of our (Rokuominami's) students! I thought of getting some information from them so I gave them a 2 or 3 soft punches but they escaped...... But I found out where they escaped to."

Ryuji starts.

Voice: "Where do you think it is?"

Ryuji turns to see Asago.

Asago: "He claims that it's my school (Rokuokita)! He caught me at the school entrance and do you know what the first thing he said to me was? Give me your uniform so I can follow them!!" {He almost tried to strip me in front of the whole school} "Don't you think a guy would stand out more wearing my uniform? He's got to be kidding!!" {Hentai!!} [hentai = abnormal/perverted/strange] She had her hands on her hips. "Why don't you go see just how strange he looks Ryuji!"

Kamo-san: "And... Tsukasa-san, are those guys really Kuryugumi's..........?"

Tsukasa: "...I don't know... but when people are in a fix, they always run back to their allies."

Asago: "Ge!" [Ge = an exclamation of disgust.]

Tsukasa: "Rokuokita is their home base. It's time to find out exactly who's behind all of this!!"

Tsukasa emerges from her room.

[For the visually deprived, Tsukasa now has one of Asago's uniforms on. It's more or less a sailor uniform and she's wearing dark socks with it. She has a long light coloured straight wig on. She also has her chain in a pouch attached to her waist at the back.]