And now, let’s dig in to the dessert…

*

(Day 9)

(Sleep seems to be the objective of the morning – after last night Killer’s game, people are realising where priorities are being led to…and Satoshi’s words echo in their heads…)

(…but that doesn’t stop our team to struggle against fashion…specifically Aya…)

Triela: I can’t understand why you have to change outfits every day…

(Yep, since when have anime characters done that? ^_^)

Aya: It’s kind of a ritual I would say, if Ran or Miyu saw me without a new outfit, they would scream about me being blasphemous or something…besides…aren’t you tired of…

Triela: (pointing) Don’t…even…think about it.

(Aya pouts as another failed attempt to try and dress up Triela happens…)

Triela: I like the strength of putting on a suit and tie – it makes me feel more confident considering the life I’ve lived…

Aya: I guess…

Triela: That, and I feel I can be more intimidating than any killer…

*

(Aya, wearing casual white T-shirt and khaki shorts (if Kurz were still ‘alive’ he would have a nosebleed), as everyone is up bar Kotone and Hinata at this time…but we cut to a part where Negi is in the library, and is looking…rather bored…)

Negi: This is nothing compared to the library back in Mahora…the history and architecture was more interesting…

Satoshi: A man of the past then Negi?

(Negi turns, a bit surprised at Satoshi’s appearance – and Negi feels a little edgy considering last night…)

(…Satoshi, either not realising the tension or just plain ignoring it, gets a book from a shelf…)

Satoshi: Hmm, Famous Cases of Fanfiction Stalking…what’s this doing here?

(Negi shrugs, but Satoshi does open the book and begin to read…)

Satoshi: I didn’t realise people were that obsessive about one half-chapter…or upset that his choice of work on more than one occasion was refused that he had to send e-mails to popular Canadian’s authoresses among others…and then blames it on racism rather than their own miscomings…

Negi: Hmmm…

(Negi looks at what appears to be his photo album…)

Satoshi: Surely you realise that as much as her, I was speaking about you as well?

(Negi looks up…)

Satoshi: You’re upset about what happened last night – it was my choice and I stay with it. It could have been very different you know…

Negi: So…then…why…

Satoshi: Because I want to make sure the game isn’t brought by feelings, and instead by skill. In a just world, it will be you, me and Aya in the final, who I believe are the best overall detectives.

(I’m sure Triela would have been interested in hearing that as well as Ban, but let’s continue…)

Negi: I suggest you think about that as well…if you are right about eliminating threats, why do you suggest that? Wouldn’t you be the most threatening of all?

Satoshi: (nods) Correct. That’s exactly why I did it.

(Negi looks confused, but Satoshi takes a book and heads out…)

Satoshi: Breakfast is ready, I suggest you get there.

(Negi looks in awe at the DNAngel rep…)

*

(…as Ban wonders what life will be without Fai…)

Ban: I should be celebrating really, but…it just feels weird without him!

Triela: Everyone has their own subtle charm and we only really notice it once they’ve gone. Fai wasn’t a great detective, but he made the group much more fun…

Ban: He seemed to me like that tacky shirt that your friend always gets for you for Xmas and you say ‘you love it!’ and you hide it unopened in your closet, still there years later…

Triela: Now, I bet you don’t mean that…

Ban: Well…

Triela: …and chew.

(Ban not exactly known as a fine master of the food arts – translation: he downs anything he can find edible in record time…)

Ban: Sorry…it’s been a long time when I can consider I’ve had a full day worth of food on a regular basis…

(Triela sighs…soon, Kotone and Hinata will get up, as Hinata isn’t exactly genki after last night…but someone else enters the fray which brings the energy back in the team…)

*

*

(Indeed, we can see Negi and Hinata together seemingly a bit happier, but the main topic is the lovely Rika…Ban in particular seems smitten…)

Ban: Wouldn’t it be perfect if she was your wife? Beautiful, kind, intelligent, polite, well mannered…

Triela: …everything you’re not…

Ban: HEY!!!

Satoshi: Stop fantasying and let’s head in…

Ban: Yeah says the token yaoi icon…

Satoshi: Takes one to know one…

(Ban’s jaw opens…)

Ban: I’M NOT GAY!!!!

Triela: Shall I refer him to the end credits of the second ending song of Getbackers?

Ban: THAT…THAT WAS CAUGHT AT A BAD TIME!!! AND HOW THE HECK DID YOU KNOW THAT?

Triela: Oh come on…a girl can’t enjoy a little yaoi innuendo at home? I’m in a dorm full of pre-teen girls, what do you expect?

(Silence as even Satoshi seems stunned…)

*

(Inside the van, Negi decides to break Hinata into shape by actually talking about his family…)

Hinata: (gulps) Negi-kun?

Negi: Yep…you’ve had a family life you haven’t enjoyed Hinata-san…but…well…when I was young…my family was turned into stone, and only a little help…

(Negi swallows…)

Negi: Fortunately, my onee-chan was saved…and I hope to get the power to return…but…

Hinata: Negi…kun…

Negi: It’s O.K! I’ve gotten stronger and I know I can help them – but my family…I guess my family now are these girls…Asuna-san, Konoka-san, Nodoka-san, Setsuna-san…

(Negi is obviously homesick…ironic considering what nearly happens later on…)

(…but Hinata is forced to wipe her Hyuuga eyes from a few tears…)

Hinata: S-sorry…I’ve just been so selfish…K-Kotone-chan t-tried to help me last night…but I couldn’t respond…

(Hinata breaks down…)

Hinata: I’m so sorry!!!

(Negi now seems a little stunned – that WASN’T the reaction he wanted…)

Negi: HINATA-SAN I’M SORRY!!!

Hinata: N-no, it’s O.K…I’m glad you told me…I-I knew you were strong…and know I can see the reason why…

(In a moment which if he saw it, would only add to Shiine-chan’s jealously, Negi puts an arm around Hinata, who bawls…Negi smiles and closes his eyes…)

Negi: Let it all out Hinata-san…and then be back to the person you are…strong. And let’s pass.

(Hinata doesn’t answer, just nods…)

*

(…meanwhile, Aya and Kotone discuss the last day and their own feelings on life outside the case..)

Kotone: …she was depressed. All I could do was offer her a hug, and she collapsed…that’s not the Hinata-san I know…

Aya: The game is evil. I know that…and I’m scared it will happen to me as well…

Kotone: Playing the Killer’s game?

Aya: Yeah…I know it will happen…and I also know I’ll have to go against someone I like eventually…

(That happens sooner that expected for Aya-chan, but let’s continue…)

Aya: I do feel weird after being in this case – it’s been only a week and a bit, but I feel like I’m getting too involved…but at the same time…

(Aya points at her attire…)

Aya: …doing something like this continues to make me feel like a gal, to be proud of being one…

Kotone: (smiles) As long as you can avoid cramming…

(Aya nearly facefaults…)

Aya: DON’T REMIND ME! Man, how much have I got to catch up on…

(Kotone chuckles as Aya seems to be enjoying coming out of her shell, as she take out a picture of Otohata…)

Kotone: That’s your boyfriend?!!

Aya: (blushes) Y-yes…

Kotone: He’s really handsome! How long…

Aya: Just over a year…we’ve had some struggles…as he’s kinda…stoic…b-but…

(Aya’s turns bright red…)

Kotone: You’re blushing!!!

Aya: S-sorry!!!

Kotone: No, don’t be embarrassed!!! That’s so sweet!!!

Aya: Th-thanks! (rapidly trying to change the subject/attention) But what about you?!!! You’re very beautiful too Kotone-san! Have y…

(Kotone turns red as she shakes her head…)

Kotone: N-no…well…I did confess to the boy I liked…b-but I knew he had eyes for another…I knew it and he tried not to hurt me…and I smiled…

(Kotone bows her head)

Kotone: …but it still hurt. But…someone helped me turn the corner…

(Kotone smiles…)

Kotone: If there is anyone I love…it’s her…

(Aya’s ears raises…)

Aya: As in…

Kotone: N-no, not like th-that!!!

(Kotone is very embarrassed…maybe it is LIKE THAT…but we cut to…)

*

Shiine: Yeah?

Shiine: That’s good…but why are you calling me about that?

(Shiine gets a light bulb…)

Shiine: Oh!

(Shiine nods, and for once, the TL does something for the LI other than pass on more work…)

*

*

(Shot of Chiriko waiting outside his place…a bit in tears…)

Chiriko: I’m glad that’s over…but is this right..

Rika: Chi…chan?

(Chiriko turns as Rika, she may be on duty, but she’s going to do something she’s never done before…)

(…be selfish.)

(Chiriko is stunned when Rika kisses him on the mouth, the young adults, both still with that cute, innocent exterior let go…)

Chiriko: I-I never thought I’d see you again…

(Rika is crying…)

Rika: I…I can’t do this…I couldn’t…but this opening…I had to…it’s just for 2 days…b-but…

Chiriko: I understand…

(Chiriko hugs Rika, as both wipe their tears…and it’s soon understandable why Rika doesn’t arrange a late night meeting like the other LI’s…)

*

(Ban explains to the others about the inquiry that involved…)

Ban: Man…I got squeamish…

(Kotone seems ready to vomit, as does Negi…)

Satoshi: The next thing you’ll be saying is that you picked parts of his skull from the floor…

Triela: (sweatdrops) Satoshi, you’re not helping their images…

(Weird that Aya and Hinata aren’t so bothered by this, but the (un)lucky 7 have reported to Shiine-chan, who has failed to contact Rika…and when he comes back with the explanation…)

Aya: Awwwww….

Shiine: Well…er…

(Shiine seems embarrassed, though he turns to look at Negi and Hinata, speaking to Triela…)

Hinata: …Kanzaki-san was quite helpful – there seems to be some discrepencies between the stories…

Triela: So it’s seems Anna may have more than just the financial motive…it’s definitely personal…

Negi: The fact that Tenchi-san ran…and that murder occurred barely 30 minutes after that…

Triela: He wasn’t carrying a weapon?

Hinata: Not that I would have seen…my Byakugan would have spotted that…

Triela: Unless the weapon was hidden somewhere else, and he picked it up…

Negi: It does seem suspicious…

(Shiine looks a bit concerned, especially when Hinata starts laughing…but shrugs it off…)

Shiine: I’ll just ask him tonight…

*

Triela: These things are addictive…

(Triela trying her hand at saving people a different way…playing Trauma Center on the Nintendo DS…)

Triela: That’s it…that’s it…

(Unfortunately, the fiendish difficulty of the game can even put off powerful pre-teen cyborgs. Triela is almost tempted to bring out her AK-47 but then remembers she hasn’t got it…damn.)

Triela: Who invented video games should be shot…

Negi: Quiet Triela-san!!!

Ban: To the left…

(Unfortunately, Negi and Ban aren’t helping her cause, as Tetris DS is destroying their lives…)

Ban: Going down kid!

Negi: No way!!!

(Triela sighs…)

Triela: Boys will be boys…

(Elsewhere, Aya’s concerns about the vote may for interesting thoughts as she speaks with Kotone…)

Aya: I think it’s scary about Ban…considering everything that has happened, I’m really concerned…

Kotone: I think if he passes…it will make tomorrow nights vote very uncomfortable…

(Again, bonus points for irony…as elsewhere, speaking of uncomfortable…)

Hinata: Um…

Satoshi: Be my guest. Don’t feel nervous after what happened – you are a part of the team…as I said, what I did could be considered the greatest compliment of the game.

(Hinata is obviously nervous…but nods…)

Hinata: O.K, let’s…

(And in a show of complete surprise, we see Satoshi plays go with Hinata…^_^…I suggest this would have been more fun if Shikamaru played him but…)

*

(Night descends on the game…and Shiine-chan has headed up to his room where he expected Negi to be there…)

(…but isn’t.)

Shiine: Huh, where’s Negi? It’s near midnight…

(He gingerly steps out of the room, aware that a few are still up…but suddenly he hears a small shout outside his window. He seems quite on edge after the whole moxibustion joke…but…)

Shiine: No…he’s not…

(He peeps outside, where Negi is indeed outside…practicing martial arts strikes…)

Shiine: (breathes with relief) Oh, not like…

Hinata: Strike to the edge…

(Shiine nearly has a heart attack, but he continues to look…yep, Hinata is teaching him some forms of ninjitsu based taijitsu, to add to Negi’s impressive learning skills of Chinese martial arts…)

Negi: This is different…I hope I don’t forget what Ku-fei-san taught me…

Hinata: You won’t…once it gets added to your repertoire you won’t forget…

Negi: I hope so…

Hinata: Hold it…

(Hinata gets closer…as Shiine’s teeth gnash closer together…and even more when we see Hinata’s arm clutching Negi’s…and their faces…)

(…of course, completely innocent. Hinata is showing him a form of stretch used to loosen the muscles.)

Hinata: You can move more freely…if you mastered something called the Gates, someone like Lee-san would do this better than myself, you can move so freely that your speed is near impossible to judge…

Negi: Right!!! I’ll have to research this when I get home…I need to get stronger…(bows)…thank you Hinata-san!

(Hinata seems a lot better than she was at the beginning of the day and smiles.)

Hinata: I think we’d best go in…it is getting late.

Negi: (yawns) Trust me Hinata-san, this is easier than the two days in one day I live when I’m training in Evangeline-san…

Hinata: Huh?

Negi: Well…

(As another unusual (but true) story begins, one seriously pissed off (and jealous) Shiine-chan makes a defining moment in the game…though the effects won’t commence until tomorrow night…)

*

(10 days gone, and how close are we to tracking the killer? Well, I’m sure everyone has their own agendas and ideas…but as for the detectives, ideas take a second guess to…)

Ban: Coffee…

Aya: …black…

Triela: …heavy on the sugar…

Kotone: Are you supposed to be drinking that stuff Triela-san?

Triela: Trust me…it’s the working cyborgs oil…

(The morning coffee injection is always a good thing…unless you’re hyper of course…)

Satoshi: So why do you need such energy in the morning?

(In contrast, Satoshi is calmly sipping is coffee…)

Triela: Isn’t he underage as well?

Ban: First person for a maturity comparison joke…

Triela: …will get punched.

Ban: ……

(Someone not very genki is Shiine-chan, who is without coffee injection…maybe it’s the fact that Negi and Hinata aren’t here yet…)

(…again, innocent reason. Negi has again managed to avoid his natural enemy…the bath/shower and is casually washing his face, whilst Hinata is outside doing a small jog…)

Hinata: Rika-san!!!

(Shot of Rika pulling into the drive – Rika bows, a bit embarrassed and talks briefly with Hinata…before both girls head in, Hinata via the front and Rika by the back…)

Hinata: Better be quick…

(Fortunately, Negi is downstairs by the time Hinata enters, much to Shiine’s relief and annoyance. Kotone is the first to introduce Rika as she enters the room, to many smiles…)

Rika: I’m s-sorry about last night but…

(A few look cheekily at the CCS girl, as Rika’s embarrassment escalates. Fortunately, Aya makes the save…)

Aya: I think we’d best prepare for the morning meeting, we’ll let Rika-san get her bearings first…

Triela: That, and we haven’t had breakfast…

(A few sweatdrops and stomachs growling confirm Triela’s comment is both true and in silliness…)

*

Ban: Weird…we have Rika come in clearing Chiriko, and now this Mia girl…

(Ban’s smiles and sightly wistfully…)

Triela: (under her breath) Got it bad with Shiine-chan, so Ban…

Ban: What was that?

Triela: Nothing about you.

Ban: That makes me more suspicious but never mind…but it does make it more enjoyable in a way. I mean, these circus freaks are insane in their abilities…though not as good as me…

Satoshi: My, aren’t we special?

Ban: But hey, you’ve got the comparison of a lot of cute girls…my age…

(Triela nods as Ban survives another bullet…literally…)

Ban: …then you have these guys at the sites, the police stations…they say it’s a game, but I seriously can’t find it like that!!!

Satoshi: My, looks like Ban is finally getting into the spirit of things…

Ban: I always did…just now…I feel like I can do it.

(Ban lights up a cigeratte and blows smoke out of it…)

Triela: Well, I’d say he’d be the next candidate for strongest player, right Satoshi?

(Satoshi doesn’t react to Triela’s ‘not so’ subtle dig…instead, gets ready for some more work…)

*

(…but it’s the other two teams that have overtime, and it’s where Aya has to make a tough decision…)

Aya: That was bad…

(Shot of Kotone a bit behind tying her shoelaces…)

Aya: She’s nice…friendly…sweet…smart…and a good leader…but as a detective…

(Aya looks incredibly guilty…)

Aya: I know we’ve messed up somewhere…so…

Kotone: Aya-san, are you ready?

(Aya nods)

Aya: Let’s go.

(The two head off, as on the way back…)

*

Negi: Hinata-san, why are you…

(Hinata is even more shy than she usually is after Anna’s little kiss and it’s VERY uncomfortable for the kunoichi. Negi doesn’t really want to pry, but he knows SOMETHING HAPPENED…)

(…and then he notices Hinata’s hand on her cheek…reminding Negi of a few ‘unpactio’ moments with Asuna and Konoka most notable…)

Negi: Er…what happened?

Hinata: Um-um-u-u-um…

(Hinata crawls into a corner, crouched in embarrassment. Negi turns red from this being uber-cute, but recovers quickly enough to ask again…)

Negi: Hinata…

Hinata: A-A-Anna-san…sh-sh-she…

Negi: She hit you?!!! No, you wouldn’t be like this, you’re all blushing not in pain. What…

Hinata: K-K-kisu…

(Negi jumps back…before realising what she meant…)

Negi: She…she kissed you?!!

(Hinata’s head is crouched down but he can make out the nod. Negi now turns red…)

Negi: Oh dear…we’re going to be quiet about this…

*

(…and then they forgot something…)

Kotone: THAT’S CO CUTE!!!

Negi: (sweatdrops) Why did her psychic powers hit there?

Kotone: The feelings just hit me there…it wasn’t hard to read…but I half expected it that it was you who kissed her…

(Negi and Hinata turn uber red, as Triela begins to harass…I mean make fun…I mean encourage in her own way…)

(…but Shiine, who just heard the words ‘you…kissed her…’ seems ready to explode. Triela, who notices this…begins to calm the situation…)

Triela: Anna kissed you?

(We hear a fainting sound in the kitchen…)

Aya: Shiine-chan, you’ve got a major nosebleed!!!

*

(…cuteness aside though, this only seems to add to his envy, which results in a shocking vote…)

(…as Negi speaks to Kotone prior to being sent out…)

Negi: I spoke to him…

Kotone: Why? You two…I mean…

Negi: Well, whatever happens, he’s on his own tonight even if I do come back…

Kotone: Negi-kun…

Triela: He’s jealous of you Negi.

(Triela pops up out of nowhere after a brief conversation with Ban as anarchy (once again) hits the group when a killer’s game occurs. Kotone is the more calm of the two, but you can tell she’s been crying. Triela puts her strong hands on a shoulder of both Murder Game victims…)

Negi: Triela-san?

Triela: (sigh) Negi-kun, for someone who has 31 girls in the same room as him, you can be a bit dense. He likes Hinata…and he’s jealous of you with her…

(Negi would have probably facefaulted, but he’s still too stunned by the KG to really be affected…)

(…Kotone though does seems surprised…)

Kotone: So…that’s why…

Triela: Yeah…

(Kotone pauses…)

Kotone: …and your reason for voting me off?

(Triela stops. That she didn’t expect…and now Triela looks glum…)

Triela: Guilt.

Kotone: Guilt?

Triela: Guilt after the first episode I was intending to vote off Aya…but now I’m her room-mate, I just didn’t feel I had that right…and I didn’t want to vote off Hinata or Negi…

(Triela sighs…)

Triela: Trust me, I didn’t like it anymore than you did.

(We can clearly see someone on the side listening in…the sandals prove it. However, they are platform sandals…meaning…)

Kotone: I certainly can’t say I was thrilled with it…

(Both Triela and Negi look ready to say something…and it’s Negi who surprises the two girls with his comment…)

Negi: Maybe…I was wanting this.

(Both girls turn at the chibi-sensei/wizard…)

Negi: I spoke with Hinata-san earlier…I…well…maybe my family…the 31 girls in my classroom, and my family…my older sister in Wales…maybe I really did want to go…

Triela: SNAP OUT OF IT!

(Both Kotone and Negi jump back at that sharpness of Triela’s voice (Kotone didn’t see THAT one coming) as she puts both hands on his small shoulders…)

Triela: Look…I know this sounds selfist, especially as your opponent is next to you, but if you give up and surrender yourself to the killer, I won’t forgive you!!!

(Negi seems stunned but Triela continues…)

Triela: Remember Negi, you helped me a while back when I was in pain, and I want to help you as well. So…

(Triela gently hugs him as she begins to cry slightly…)

Triela: Please…

(Negi seems enlightened, and gives a small smile. Kotone smiles as well, as a small group hug lifts them up…unaware of a little voice outside…)

Aya: So…it was you…

*

(A lot of emotion before, during and after the killer’s game…)

(Kotone or Negi haven’t returned and the nature of the wait is always a bad one. However, apart from the little shout out between Negi and Shiine, he’s still sequestered himself in the kitchen…)

(…and Ban is the surprising mediator…)

Ban: Kid, you made a tough call…

Shiine: Leave me alone.

Ban: Hey, I’m just saying you realised it before we did…

Shiine: What? That Negi and Hinata…

(Ban shakes his head)

Ban: No…you realised you were playing the game as much as anyone. Myself and Satoshi made bold moves…and mine paid off. Satoshi’s didn’t, though pretty much any team he’s on now is guaranteed to survive…

(Shiine doesn’t answer, just pouts…)

Ban: So I don’t think what you’ve done was any different to what we did…just a hell of a lot more difficult…

(Ban walks out…as he sees a familiar sight…)

Hinata: KYAHHH!!!

(Hinata is sweating badly, her battle cries are like pained screamed as well, and Ban notices the shallow bruises on her wrists and scarlet showing on her kunoichi attire…)

Ban: Oh shit…

(Hinata hits another palm against a rather thorny tree, as Ban grabs her hand and puts on a full nelson. Hinata screams as she struggles against Ban, but Ban is way stronger. Hinata collapses in tears…)

Hinata: My…my best friends…

Ban: You knew it was gonna happen…

Hinata: B-but…h-how it happened…

(Hinata cannot control her tears as Ban looks down, a surprising look of concern…)

Ban: Kid, you and that wizard gained my respect in this game. Don’t make me lose it.

(Ban turns around, his face twisted in emotion, gnashing teeth…)

Ban: Damn, don’t get attached to this game…

(Hinata cries a bit more – looks back…wipes her eyes…)

Hinata: No…whoever returns…I cannot look like this…

(She touches her cheek where Kotone kissed her, and picks up an Ermine dollar, given to her by Negi…)

(…she heads inside to get cleaned up…)

(…as Ban sighs.)

Ban: Damn, this wasn’t what I expected…

Satoshi: Emotion?

(Ban jumps as Satoshi is (as usual) the calmest one in the room. He’s busy revising his notes…)

Ban: I don’t think that’s such a comment you should say…

Satoshi: Oh, I’m emotional…trust me on that, but I can control them well enough…most of the time…

(Satoshi seems to remember the scene between him and Daisuke to seal Krad and the fate of the Hikaris…)

Satoshi: Yeah…most of the time…

(Ban doesn’t seem to be able to figure out what this kid is about…)

Ban: Yeah. Anyway, I’m gonna get a drink…they’ll be back soon I hope…Shiine’s killing himself with guilt, and Hinata’s just killing herself. I don’t think Triela and Aya have been exactly life of the party either…

Satoshi: Yeah, Aya seemed to not head in after Triela though in their room…that was…odd…

Ban: Paranoia.

Satoshi: Hmm?

Ban: No-one can trust anyone now…that’s what this game is about. Anyone is easy meat so to speak…

(Ban heads outside…)

Ban: …and that’s as much my type of game as it is yours Satoshi.

(Ban heads in to the recreation room, as Satoshi’s eyes follow the Getbackers…)

(…and he simply nods…)

*

(Negi’s return is met with mostly jubilation – but of course…)

Negi: It’s O.K…I think I’m fine sleeping downstairs…

(They turn and look…realising…)

Negi: It won’t be comfortable up there…sorry…and I will need a bit of time alone….

(Negi does leave, and sees Shiine still in the kitchen…Negi turns and heads outside…almost at the same time, Hinata runs upstairs…she was happy Negi came back…but…)

Ban: Jeez…

Triela: Ban, you’re enjoying this more than you let on…

(Ban nods…)

Ban: Not this emotion…this sucks…

Satoshi: It’s not what I expected, that’s for sure.

Aya: (sighs) I feel so horrible for saying this, but…what did he…

Satoshi: (nods) I don’t think he even looked at it…

(Satoshi inspects the killer clue – like the third clue, it’s a scrap, but it has a message…)

Satoshi: 9216597?

Aya: A clue obviously…

Ban: …but to what?

Satoshi: I get the feeling if we can decipher this clue…we can find the killer…

Triela: Ignoring the fact it’s a jumbled set of numbers…

Ban: Do we have to find something in this?

(The team look through it…but as tiredness sets in…Shiine skulks off to bed, as Negi looks at the stars…)

Negi: Everyone…

(…and upstairs, Hinata is again crying…she clutches Kotone’s pillow…)

Hinata: Kotone-chan…

(Her eyes close as water flows down…)

Hinata: N-Naruto-kun…h-help me…

*

*

Oh dear. :P

A lot of angst, jealously and strategy here, and to think that next episode is going to be a LOT of fun.

O.K, nothing much to say that hasn’t been said in the main chapter, so a quickly note checkii..

Famous Cases of Fanfiction Stalking…I don’t think I need to explain hopefully to those who know what I’m referring to here – I think myself, Freedom Fighter and Adam in particular are well aware what I’m referring to – for those new to the reality game, feel free to e-mail me and I’ll gladly explain. Be warned, I could swear a little…

I’ve joked before about Satoshi being, as Greg Ayres says himself (the voice of Satoshi) the creepy yaoi boy, but it’s ironic because Getbackers has plenty of yaoi innuendo as well, especially with Mizuki and Juubei, and Akabane as well is the trademark psycho yaoi bishounen, but Ginji and Ban obviously – the second end theme has an end shot of Ban with an arm around Ginji looking rather…admiringly. Yeah…I had to discuss GB yaoi during my fanfic panel at Aya…an interesting experience if I say so myself…and all the more ironic that Triela is the one who seems to enjoy it, considering the shoujo-ai marking GSG has between her and Henrietta (and Rico as well).

I’m sure those who are familiar are well aware what Chirika is about – it’s a pairing I made during the fanfic ‘Animole.’ It turned out to probably be my best ever ‘cross-over’ couple because of the sweet nature of this two understated characters and ended up in a real bittersweet victory for Rika (who won Animole) when they were forced to separate at the end of the game. It was something I wanted to bring back in my works, and not such a cross over couple have I enjoyed since the early date of Anime Survivors and I was still an anime rookie, where Madison(Tomoyo: CCS) and Cody (Iori: Digimon 02) became something of a pairing which went to a cute one-shot fic from Star Otaku. Ah, has it been that long?

Ban’s little garb about the KS guys and gals not a patch on him is actually surprisingly not far off true and not his ego talking. Ban’s speed is DBZ level, which is very scary. When he is serious, he can do things like strike 3 times without anyone really seeing it, and return to the same spot, seemingly not moving. Whilst the KS characters are the most agile people in the world IMO, Ban’s speed would probably make him a special attraction…maybe Anna could throw tomatoes at him…^_^

Next up, the most obvious TL in history, but who will be history? Find out soon…