Strike Zone!

Chapter 8: Handbook

As of 9:38, Sunday. Hikari slipped Eiko's pads in place.

As another day passes through like nothing happened, like no one arrived so late from school, like no unwanted and strange visitors, even involving the police (almost), like no one is missing a doorknob in their door right now (which is locked temporarily using a chain), everything seems okay and dandy as the two girls, Hikari and Eiko is conversing in the couch like sisters.

          "Ahh... feels good to move again..."

Its visible on Eiko's face the delight of flexing her fingers and moving around, even though she shakes for a moment and regaining balance in front of a wall.

          "You seems so shaky, do you need a hand?"

          "I can handle myself, I just need a moment."

          "Charging those things is unbelievably took long to do!"

          "Finally, I can go to the bathroom..."

          "Wait, you can ask me anyway right?"

          "We can talk later, ok?"

Eiko rushes to the bathroom, and Hikari notice she is still a bit wriggly and might fall, but she carried on just fine.

A flush can be heard in the distance and Eiko came out and walk to the sofa with Hikari.

          "Well, now breakfast is finish and ... what do we do next?"

Hikari adjust her glasses in place while adjusting her seat to be more comfortable, she ask back.

          "What do you mean what do we do next? My goodness, I never knew starting blind is hard to start an investigation, and a shame too because I'm part of it at the academy..."

          "Well, now you mention it, what I need is leads. And you just said that you are part of the investigation team there? It strikes me as weird as to why your school needs that."

Eiko looks at Hikari with an intent gaze even though her hair is in the way of her sight.

          "I may not look like it, but yes, I am a member of the Investigation Team. Also the huge reason why I went home so late yesterday. Oh my goodness... it is such a hassle!"

Hikari is pulling her hair while yawning in sync to adress her distress. Eiko is ever-so-slightly amuse to see a not-so-sane student with problems other than academics.

           "Well, at least you ARE a member, meaning you have at least my minimum requirement to assist me in my problem right?"

          "Well... I guess I'm good enough? The other members are actually smarter than I am."

          "How many members does your team consists of?"

          "Well... we are only 5..."

          "5? Is that because yourschool is low on population or your team is just not as popular as I think it is?

          "The reason behind that is because, well you are kinda right on the population... but we are keeping it in a minimum to avoid informaton leak. But its actually because our president can take these matters at hand as efficient as 10 people..."

         "So you are saying you and the other 3 are just assistants?"

         "...I-Its not like that! But maybe it is... but dont you dare underestimate us ok!?"

         "Arguing about that now will not yield anything, can you think of a way to start?"

Hikari began thinking for a moment, and in a flash she thought of something. She began standing from where she sat on and went straight to her bag. After opening the first zipper, she rummages on her papers, then moved on to the next zipper in which her books are located. She pinpointed it immediately and closes the zippers back. She then ran towards back at Eiko, who is fiddling with her hair while waiting.

As soon as she returns, she revealed a small handbook labelled "Students' Handbook" and presents it to Eiko willingly.

          "You said you need leads, and you took interest on me just because I was studying at Daikan Academy... so I guess this is just what you need-"

Without even finishing her sentence, Eiko grabbed it like a flash in her hands and flipped it open. She is skimming through the pages, with hopes of finding something interesting. The handbook presented her with pictures of important individuals and their positions, vision and mission, school's history, guidelines, and many more. She continous to skim faster until she reached the end of the handbook, and once more flip it again from start to finish. And again... and again.

          "Mmm? W-why is it not here?! Hey Hikari? Is this outdated or something?"

          "What? No! Of course not! Look, the school year is recent so its the latest. What seems to be the problem?"

Eiko lend her the handbook and let her read it to double check. She first checked the Table of Contents... then she realized what she thought Eiko was looking for.

          "Ahhh... I can see why! I remembered! The handbook, from what I remembered before, is different now because of sudden changes! Well, its been rough to the Academy and all so I can clearly see it now."

          "Now that you mention it, your statement renders this Student Handbook useless in this time period. Do you still have the old versions of your school handbooks?"

          "Ok, sure. I'll be right back."

After hearing Eiko's request, she went straight into a cabinet... but then she stopped immediately after realizing something.

          "Wait a minute... oh right! For some weird reason, they confiscated those coppies from before!"

          "Wait, what?! That is unreasonable! Could you tell me the reason as to why?"

          "Well, its a long story. But I can summarize it for you, even along the history of the school altogether so sit tight..."

As of 9:44, Sunday. Hikari went back to her seat and confronts Eiko.

END CHAPTER 8