Target Acquired - VOLUME 1

CHAPTER 5 - "School Trip Time, Part Two"

"So it's settled," Korosensei says. "Groups will split up to explore the city and return back here by five. Any questions?"

Karma raises his hand.

"Yes, Karma?" Korosensei asks. He's clearly very excited for this trip.

Karma holds up a pistol and shoots a bullet at Korosensei, who dodges easily and announces, "Well then, have fun, students! I'm sure you'll all learn something new in Kyoto!"

My group gathers and begins to discuss where we should visit first. "Can we please go to a convenience store, so we can get food?" Kaede asks. Her stomach growls.

"Why don't we go to that ramen restaurant Sugino was talking about?" Okuda suggests chirpily. 

We all agree and follow Sugino's directions. The ramen shop is small and cozy  - the perfect place to relax after a nauseating train ride. We enter and eat, joking around the whole time. I start to feel more comfortable with my group members. Maybe this trip won't be the end of the world.

~

As we explore the city, I come to realize just how useful these kids are going to be for assassinating Korosensei. Nagisa is quiet and unexpected, while Karma is unpredictable. Kaede is creative, and Okuda is an expert at chemistry. Sugino's willingness to try anything and excellent athletic skills are sure to be helpful. Speaking of helpful, Kanzaki is one of the most agreeable people I've met.

"Hey," Karma says suddenly. "Why don't we go get some sugary Kyoto coffee?"

"Sounds good to me!" I respond.

"You know, this part of the city is practically deserted!" Kaede observes. She's right; we've barely passed any people for the last ten minutes. It's a little ominous.

We turn into an alley and continue talking. I joke, "This is, like, the creepiest alleyway I've seen."

"What's so scary about it?" Karma asks. "You scared that the boogeyman is gonna get you?"

We laugh, but the uneasy feeling is still in the air. We're about halfway through the alley when I start to hear whispering. Am I going crazy, or did I just hear someone ask, "Is that her?"? I'm definitely going crazy!

"Sure is," I hear a voice say behind me. It's deep and grisly and sends chills down my spine. The others and I turn to see a figure in a dark trench coat. It steps closer, and I recognize it as... a gang member?! Shit!

I'm in front of the others, and I take step back but feel someone put their hands on my shoulders. It's a boy around 18 years old or so wearing the same trench coat as the other gangster. I try to move away, but increases the pressure on my shoulders.

"Megumi!" Kanzaki cries out.

"Hey, let her go!" Sugino yells.

A handful of more gang members block both sides of the alleyway, leaving my group and I trapped. The first gang member, who I guess is the leader, steps towards us and grins.

"Listen, kids," he says. "We don't want a fight, so just let us take princess over there."

"It's a shame that you guys don't want a fight," Karma mutters under his breath. "Because we do."

He grabs a trash can lid and chucks it at the guy's head. It hits, causing him to curse and grab his head in pain. He growls, "Fuck those punks up!"

His other members, about 20 or so in total, close in on us. Okuda manages to run past them, while the other two girls attempt to defend themselves from a few gangsters. Nagisa rushes to help them, and Sugino and Karma start fighting with some of the other gangsters.