June 16, 1999 -- later in the day

[all_onis_are_true]

[The call came to Alice later that evening. It's Hiroshi, and he sounds... unnerved.]

...I know what you did. I know you got to them all. I don't know how, and I don't know why, but...

Stay away from me. I am entirely ready to defend myself if need be.

[And then he hangs up. That's... unnerving.]

Comments

[itwasfeyt]

We wanted to see how you were doing.

[She tilted her head so her eyes could see through the crack at Hiroshi. Her smile, while still present, was less cheerful, and more honest.]

Are you okay?

[all_onis_are_true]

[His eyes narrow a bit.]

I am fine. Who sent you here.

[itwasfeyt]

Sent...?

[...He couldn't mean....]

It was Alice. She said you threatened her and she called me. I said I would come over and see what's up. Maria wanted to tag along.

...Seriously, are you okay?

[happyhalloween]

Maria brought bandages! [She already wrapped some around Tomosuke.]

[all_onis_are_true]

[The eye widens, then narrows.]

SHE sent you. Of course she did. The two who bought into that nonsense about the witch the most. Yes. I understand now.

Leave. I will do something very drastic if you do not.

[happyhalloween]

Maria will give you demerits if you do! Kihihihi.

[itwasfeyt]

Hiroshi...? [Maya felt something cold in the pit of her stomach at that last part.]

Hiroshi, c'mon. We just want to help. You're acting really weird.

[all_onis_are_true]

Demerits... heh heh heh. I wonder... is it because we both were aiming towards higher goals? Because we both supported being skeptical? Is that it?

IS THAT IT?!

[happyhalloween]

HIROSHI IS GETTING SO MANY DEMERITS! MARIA IS TELLING THE PRESIDENT!

[itwasfeyt]

[Maya's expression blanked, showing total confusion.]

Hold on, Maria... What are you talking about Hiroshi?! Is this about Souji?

[all_onis_are_true]

Don't act like you don't know. After all...

The Ninth is dead... right?

[He tries to close the door again.]

[happyhalloween]

Wait, Souji's dead? Did Shigetsuna-sama's bear eat him?

[itwasfeyt]

[Maya wasn't in a position to stop the door from closing, but after it does she starts pounding on it again.]

W-wait! What do you mean "The Ninth is dead"? What does that mean?! Hiroshi?

[....]

[all_onis_are_true]

[He doesn't answer, but it sounds like he's pushing something heavy against the door. What the hell?]

[itwasfeyt]

Hiroshi!

[...]

I... hope you're okay.

[she glances back at Maria.]

I don't think we can do much now.

[happyhalloween]

Let's call the President! Tell her Hiroshi has a hundred demerits!

[itwasfeyt]

I don't think that's going to work, Maria.

[with a troubled expression, and one last glance back at the house door, Maya started walking.]

Let's go back home. I need to ask Mia some things.

[happyhalloween]

[Maria pads after Maya.]

We should tell the President anyway. Maria can call her on Maya-oneesan's telephone.