Working With Phantoms

Digging Deeper

July 11th

Madran's POV

Madran arrived at lunch with Sheila and Suga. Then, seeing that everyone else had arrived, she sat down and began chatting.

"Hey, how was that firework festival yesterday, y'all?"

"Oh, it was fine until it rained."

"Yeah, that must've been a bummer."

Madran reminded herself that there was indeed a celebration of some kind yesterday, but couldn't bother herself to remember what it was about.

"Well, at least Akira brought an umbrella."

"I doubt that helped at all, with all six of you being there."

Suga looked at Sheila.

"Oh, Sheila, weren't you there?"

"Huh? Oh, yeah, right. Well, the rain certainly sucked, but my new agent was an angel and brought out a few surprise umbrellas, just in case."

"Oh, right, who's the new agent? You, like, haven't said anything about them."

"Yeah, well, she's none other than Miyabi Hanakouji."

"...who?"

"Oh, well, since you don't know, here's something for you, Suga: she's close friends with Eikichi Mishina, and is also on good terms with Baofu and Lisa."

"So, basically, you shed a creep for a girl with connections? I like it."

"Right?! It's amazing! She's great at practically anything, and has a life story that could easily make any grown man cry."

Akira smirked.

"Try me."

"Oh, you're just as old as me. I could try telling it to Sakura-sama, though..."

Sheila giggled.

"Well, anyways, I bet you're dying to hear it. So, she and-"

"Hey, shouldn't you not be spilling someone's life story to a group of gossipy female teenagers?"

Madran cringed at Morgana's use of a double negative.

"Your grammar sucks, Mona."

"Why are you talking to a cat?"

"Don't pay it any mind, Haru. Anyways, Sheila, yes, please, tell us this obviously tragic rags-to-riches story."

"Um, well, it's not so secret. She literally has it on her website."

"Just, tell the story already!"

"Ok, ok. So, back when Hanakouji-sensei was young, she and Eikichi were on good terms, but he was bullied to the point where he took it out on her and she began to overeat from the stress. However, after several years, she and Eikichi met back up, and he helped her overcome her eating disorder and slim down to where she liked it. Then, she became a costume and makeup organizer for Gas Chamber, which is his band, which eventually spiraled into her making a company for her unique designs and brands."

"Wow, that's nice. Hey, how does this go with, uh, yeah?"

Following Madran's request, Suga twitched her lip at Haru, and Sheila glared at Madran. Haru then spoke up.

"About what?"

"Don't worry, Haru, let these girls keep their secrets."

Haru sighed.

"Well, it's fun to be let in on the spice, even if I won't understand it."

"Ok, well, promise you won't tell?"