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Chapter 6: Tequila tears.

The party had finally started at eight P.M. Teruteru and Gundham had walked in about thirty minutes beforehand with plates filled to the brim with pastries, soups and snacks of all shapes and sizes. Kazuichi and Marihu walked in with a trolley with mountains of boxes full of soda and several alcoholic drinks ready for consumption. They stalled it all out on the tables that Fuyuhiko and Peko had prepared, and added a tower of plastic cups. Meanwhile, Ibuki stood on stage, performing final tests on the speakers, guitar and microphone while Nekomaru patted Mikan on the head as a friendly gesture. After Hajime and Nagito's deep clean, the music hall completely smelled like lemon, but nobody seemed to mind. With a satisfied smile, Byakuya ticked off the last box on his to-do list and perched himself against the wall as the party slowly started. Kazuichi dragged Hajime over to Sonia, whom he was planning to romance this evening, too.

''Kazuichi,'' Hajime groaned, ''Isn't it about time you gave up on Sonia? I mean, it's pretty clear who she's dating.''

''I'm never gonna give miss Sonia up!'' Kazuichi exclaimed, ''That animal creep might let her down, but I sure won't! Besides, it hasn't been confirmed yet! Until the game's over, you never know what might happen!''

''If two people are making out on the dancefloor, I'm pretty sure that means they're in love,'' Hajime hissed between his teeth.

Either Kazuichi hadn't heard him, or he just didn't feel the need to respond. With a toothy grin, he arrived at Sonia's side. ''Hi, miss Sonia,'' he swooned.

She glanced up from her cup. ''Oh, hello there, Hajime, Kazuichi. How are you doing this evening?''

''Oh, not bad,'' Kazuichi chuckled, ''Not when you're around, anyway.''

Hajime shrugged. ''It sucks to be paired up with Nagito, but I'm glad we got everything done in time. Crazy as he might be, that guy is good at cleaning.''

Sonia chuckled. ''He would fit right in in my country. We have national cleaning days every Thursday.''

''I- I'm really good at cleaning, too, you know,'' Kazuichi exclaimed, ''Yes, I love cleaning!'' Hajime wanted to comment that Kazuichi's room was a mess from top to bottom, and that there were vague footprints on the floors wherever he went, but Sonia already looked really disinterested, and Kazuichi probably wouldn't stop whining about it, so Hajime kept quiet.

''You do? Then I should invite you and Nagito over to come clean with us sometime. What about you, Hajime? Would you like to come, too?''

Hajime chuckled and shook his head. ''N- no, sorry. I've done enough cleaning today alone.''

''Oh, what a shame. Do you suppose Gundham would like to come as well? He does need to clean up after his animals, after all, so perhaps...''

Kazuichi crossed his arms and hmpf'd. ''I bet he's never seen a broom in his life! He always goes around, smelling like hay, so I don't think he likes cleaning very much.''

Hajime glanced over at Kazuichi annoyedly. Would Kazuichi leave him alone if he just opted to talk about Gundham all the time? Better yet, become friends with Gundham so Kazuichi wouldn't set foot an inch near him... That was the best way to stay out of trouble. A small frown appeared on Sonia's face. ''Do not talk ill of Gundham so recklessly! He does not smell like hay! Watch out, he might curse you if you insist on pushing this inaccurate narrative!''

Kazuichi laughed. ''What's he gonna do? Turn me into a hamster?!''

''No, however I could banish you to the Nightmare Realm where you'll wander around aimlessly for the rest of eternity,'' A deep voice grumbled behind them.

Kazuichi and Hajime glanced behind them to see Gundham, a monolith with his nose buried deep within his scarf. Anger could be read in his mismatched eyes. ''If you wish to challenge me,'' he roared, ''you must be prepared to risk it all: your life, your body, even your sanity! However, you don't even come close to qualifying as my opponent! You are just a measly ant in a forest of anteaters, a soft bar of gold among diamonds, a-''