Chemical Engineering

Chapter Six: Allies?

Kaori directed the way everyone went as they followed him down to the cafeteria. Kumiko was rather hungry since she hadn't ate since yesterday morning.

"Hey sweetheart. Wanna sit next to me?" Minato popped out behind her, startling the fire dancer.

"Ah!"

"Oops. Sorry Kumi. I thought you'd seen me?"

"Sorry, I was preoccupied. I'm probably just gonna sit wherever there's an open seat."

"C'mon doll fa-"

"Pretty sure she said no." Yui frowned at Minato's behavior.

"You're such a priss, Yui. Why don't you just let loose a bit?"

As the two began a heated argument, Kumiko felt a hand on her arm. She looked behind her to see Ryozo with a finger to his lips, signaling to be quiet.

"C'mon let's go ahead of tweedledee and tweedledum."

Giggling at the names, Kumiko agreed while silently thanking both Yui and Ryozo.

Ryozo was able to maneuver his way to the front along with Kumiko so they were the first to be in the cafeteria after Kaori.

"Alright Spitfire, where ya wanna sit?"

"Ain't you sitting with me?" Minato tried to grab her by the arm, making Kumiko tense...

But he never made contact.

She looked up to see Ryozo staring down at Minato, his height towering.

Chuckling, he answered Minato. "Aww if you wanted some sugar, all ya had to do was ask." Smirking at the obvious discomfort presented on Minato's face.

"Ahh... I'm good thanks." Disappointed, Minato sat down next to his brother.

"Man that guy better knock it off. If it's not me, one of the chicks are gonna get real mad." Ryozo muttered.

"Thanks Ry." Kumiko smiled up at him, prompting a smile of his own.

"No prob, now let's sit down shall we?"

They finally sat down just in time for Kaori to come out with a proud smile.
"Alright! I've made some delicious cinnamon rolls if anyone's up for it."

Seeing the amount of hands shoot up, Kaori gave a hearty laugh and went back into the kitchen. He quickly returned with a platter full of cinnamon rolls and placed two in front of everyone.

"Any drink requests?" Kaori offered.

"Apple juice please." Kumiko asked.

"Sure thing miss. Be back in a sec."

Kaori once more left but came back with a tall glass and a jug of apple juice.

Everyone else put in requests for drinks and as Kaori went back and forth, Kumiko reached into her pocket to get her meds.

"Whatcha got there?" Ryozo asked.

"Oh just my anxiety meds. Give me one second." Taking a moment, Kumiko swirled a gulp of apple juice to help her medication go down. "There we go."

"All done, looney?" Kenta snorted in disgust.

"I'm... sorry?" Kumiko furrowed her brows in confusion.

"I said are you done taking your meds, looney." He rolled his eyes, chewing his roll with his mouth open.

"I don't know, are you done grossing everyone out with showing us the food in your mouth?" Kumiko had no idea where this bravery came from but she had instant regret as Kenta stood.

"Someone feels brave today. Hate to tell you, but only people who belong in the padded room acts like you." Reaching over, he snatched the bottle of her medicine and held it with a smirk.

"Hey! Give it back!" Kumiko jumped up only to be pushed down, hurting her arm.

"Ugh!"

"What is your problem?!" Aiyana said angrily.

"Don't get mad at me just cuz some," at this he sneered directly at her. "Some whacko is too weak to stand on their own."

Kumiko was getting fed up with his deliberate attack to her but before she could get back up...

Kaori came behind Kenta and wrapped his arms around Kenta's, restricting him. In doing so, Kenta was forced to drop the bottle, which Kumiko grabbed.

"What the hell? What are you doing, weirdo!"

"We need to all stay calm. Otherwise a kill is, is gonna happen." Kaori explained, stuttering at the end.

"Why the hell are you able to hold me back?! Aren't you just some weakling who likes to bake?"

At this, Kaori's eyes darkened and he tightened his hold around Kenta. At one point you were able to actually hear the bones crack. Not enough to harm him but to fill with discomfort.

"What the hell!"

"Do NOT misunderstand my kindness for being weak."

At that, Kaori let go and took a breath. Jiro stood between the two buff boys and spoke.

"I think everyone is high strung, especially in this situation. Let's take a breath and eat. Ok?"

Silence was met until Kenta scoffed. "Fine."

"Okay. "

Everyone sat down and ate their food quietly. Not a single word was said.

Since Kumiko was the first one done, she went into the kitchen to wash her plate, still upset.

What a jerk!

She rubbed the food off her plate under the sink, not paying attention. Only when she felt a slight pain, she noticed what happened.

She had been washing her hands under the water as well until they were raw.

Sighing, Kumiko turned the water off and rested her head in her hands.

"Hey you okay?"

Turning around, her eyes met with Hiroko's honey golden ones.

"Oh hey Roko. I'm alright."

Noting how sad Kumiko seemed, Hiroko made a decision.

"Would you like to come to the dance hall with me?"

"Yeah I'd like that actually."

With that, the two left the kitchen and cafeteria, not giving Kenta a second glance.

They walked through the halls once again, padding their feet along the cement floor. Until finally reaching the dance hall again.

Going inside, Kumiko decided it was time for her favorite coping mechanism.

Dancing.

She turned on the boombox, listening to the harmonious music and letting it move her to the music. She swayed from left to right, flipping the staff with her to create a crescendo of flames around her.

The fire flickered across her body, giving a slight touch to her face, beckoning her. With a smile, she the music dictate her movements, letting go of all her negative emotions.

If there was one thing Kumiko knew how to do... it was to dance.