Chemical Engineering

Chapter Thirty One: Extermination

Awakened by the shrill sound of her alarm, Kumiko shot up, slamming het hand on the device. Standing up, she stretched, and walked to her closet. She quickly stripped out of her pajamas, shaking dead bugs out of her new clothes, before dressing herself for the day. She quickly brushed her teeth before strapping on the bug hat that Maiko gave everyone.

Just as she slipped her shoes on, she heard Shockbolt's irritating voice giving out the morning announcement and just as she thought...

Bugs immediately piled inside.

Hearing screams mainly from Aiyanna and Maiko's room, she stepped out. Without much delay, everyone piled out of their room.

"Hey guys... how is everyone?" Kumiko asked.

"M, me no sleep well. No likey bugs. How are you, k, Kumiko?" Kaori stuttered.

"I slept... okay, I guess. I set an alarm for 6:30 cuz I knew at 7, bugs would spread out."

"Smart thinking, spitfire." Ryozo gave her a lazy nod.

"Let's go eat. No good will come from standing around." Hiroko suggested.

Everyone in agreement, they all trudged through the hallway, dodging the various bugs. Some harmless like butterflies and honeybees, others more unsettling like spiders and scorpions. A few grasshoppers landed on Kumiko's arm but she shook them off.

Making their way to the cafeteria, everyone grimaced at the large group of centipedes. Ryozo, Kaori and Jiro stepped forward at the disgusting bugs.

"Hang on friends. We will take care of the nasties." Kaori assured his friends.

"Jiro, I'll help with these fuckers. Kaori, can you handle whatever is in the kitchen?" Ryozo double checked with his larger friend.

"I gots it!"

With that, Kaori side stepped the multiple legged creatures and made his way to the kitchen. Jiro had brought out his wrench again and Ryozo had shown his weapon: the blowtorch Kaori used from before.

Noticing everyone staring, Ryozo sighed. "Is it really so surprising that I like fire?" As he said that, he winked at Kumiko, summoning a deep blush from her.

Chuckling, the two masculine men destroyed the crawling insects, Ryozo burning the bodies of the bugs. After their quick work, it wasn't long til they heard Kaori.

"No! Bad bugs! BAD BUGGGGSSS!"

"Big guy? You okay in there? I'm comi- FUCK!" Ryozo even yelled.

Kumiko looked over to see what it was when she and everyone gasped.

A giant black spider with a bulbous back signified its danger with a red hourglass symbol.

A black widow...

"STAY BACK YOU FUCKER!" Misaki unleashed a war cry as she launched some kind of projectile at the immensely poisonous spider, before it cried, dying instantly.

Staring at the energetic female, Maiko was the one to ask. "Okay, what the fuck was THAT?"

"I know I should been asleep last night but I made some projectile bug bombs. They're really concentrated so they kill almost all bugs instantly. I'm saving them for the really dangerous ones."

"Thank you friend. You saved me." Kaori gave the bomb dismantler a bone crushing hug as thanks before setting her down.

"Now that bugs are gone, I shall make foods." Kaori promised before disappearing.

Sitting down, Kumiko sighed before clunking her head against the table. She slowly lifted her head, rubbing the quarter sized bump now apparent on her forehead.

Ouchie.

"You ok little lady?" Gin asked, concerned.

"Yeah, I think I speak for everyone when I say this is the worst motive yet." Kumiko groaned.

"I'm sure that it won't be forever. If no one kills from this motive, Shockbolt will have to do a new one. And while more motives aren't appealing, at least the bug aspect will be removed." Hiroko tried to stay upbeat for her peers.

"Either that or he'll do more at the same time." Maiko pointed out.

"Look I'm trying, ok?!" Hiroko sighed, annoyed.

Staying silent, everyone nearly jumped when the kitchen door slammed open and Kaori came out. "I make yummies!"

"Whatcha make bud?" Ryozo asked.

"These are banana and cinnamon donut holes. There's also strawberry creme ones and a few mocha latte ones!" Kaori smiled greatly when revealing his creations.

Taking a swig of her apple juice for her medication, Kumiko tried a mocha latte one and moaned. "Kaori, marry me."

"Hey, what am I? Chopped liver?" Ryozo pouted before eating a banana and cinnamon one. "Ok no, I can absolutely accept that. Kaori, marry the both of us."

Everyone laughed, even Kaori who turned pink at the praise. Soon enough, all the donut holes were eaten and one by one, the students stood.

Akiko stood first. "I, I'm going to the theater. Some of the old animal documentations my brother watched are there. If anyone wants to join me..."

"Hell yeah. Wait up Keeks!" Gin followed her, excited at the thought of animals.

Misaki stretched as she stood as well. "I'm going to burn some of this energy off in the skating rink. Hopefully it's too cold for most of the bugs there..."

"I guess I'll hit the arcade. Aiyanna, you can come with. I hear you're a beast with dance, dance, revolution." Ryozo suggested.

"Heck yeah, I'll beat your juvie ass!" Aiyanna said, pumped up.

"Bring it, sugar. C'mon let's go."

"I'm gonna be in the library. See if I can hack into the wifi system at all. Wish me luck!" Hiroko said, hopeful.

"Whatever. I guess I may as well check the principals office for any clues on this damned place." Maiko mumbled before trotting away.

"And I'll be in the computer room. I'm an electrician after all so I'll tinker away. Later." Jiro smiled at his friends before walking away, whistling.

"That leaves me and you, Kaori. Whatcha wanna do?"

"Can we go to sewing room? I wanna make a tophat and cape for the stuffie Yui made me." Kaori said with a toothy grin.

"You got it. Maybe I'll make a coat for Mr. Squiggles while I'm there."

Giggling the two made their way to the sewing room. Sitting down at the table, the two anxious teens grabbed cloth and needles. Kaori preferred the method of sewing by hand while Kumiko used the machine. Since she finished her coat for Mr. Squiggles, she also started on a pretty pair of boots for her stuffie as well, while Kaori finished the cape. As he began the tophat though...

A scream sounded.

Alarm. Alarm. Alarm.

Dead body found in Computer Room. Found by Misaki Domen and Maiko Miya.

Report to the Computer Room immediately.

Kumiko barely hesitated as she and Kaori bounded for the Computer Room, items forgotten. She trudged the stairs leading down the correct path, her mind whirling.

Who died this time?!

Screeching to a halt outside the computer room, Kumiko couldn't believe what she saw. Misaki and Maiko each held the body of their fallen friend.

It was a relatively athletic male, who had always managed to stay calm, even under the pressure of a killing game. His blond hair was slack and without life. His smile that hid his forked tongue was nearly invisible and skin was pale. A giant heavy computed resided on his chest and collar bone and the smell of death filled the air.

Jiro Azuma, the ultimate electrician, had been killed...

But by who?