Part Two

"H-Hey, Hoshimi--" Isamu called.

"While you're at it, you may as well call me Meika," Meika said quietly, though she wouldn't turn around to look at him. "So, Isamu, take her to the infir--" she stopped halfway through the word infirmary. "No, actually, don't take her to the infirmary. Get that baka to Kisaragi-sensei."

"Kisaragi-sensei?" Isamu repeated. "But wouldn't Dr. Yamamoto--"

"Gosh you're dense!"

Isamu flinched at her loud shout.

"You're the one who said it, right? 'Spirit Casting was used to heal,' right? Hurry up and go."

"...Ah." The meaning behind his own words just clicked in his mind. "So that's what it was...I got it! H--Meika, aren't you coming too--"

"Nope, there's something else I got to take care of." With that being said, she held out her hand and-- "Flight Cast: Air Compression."

"Wait--" Isamu could only watch the blond hair vanish in the distance. He sighed and reluctantly picked up the black-haired girl bridal-style and hurried down the hallway back towards the cafeteria. He wanted to pull the poison needle out from her hand, but he really wasn't good with first-aid, so he left it alone for now.

Luckily, on the way there, he ran into the Student Council President.

She turned. "Ah! Katashi-kun? What are you doing--" she paled when she saw Eimi's condition. "Mi-Mihara-san? Katashi-kun, what happened?"

"There's no time to explain," Isamu said breathlessly, "Can you get Kisaragi-sensei?"

"Kisaragi-sensei?" Minori frowned. "But what about Dr. Yamamoto--"

"Senpai!"

Minori nodded. "I got it. I'll go get her. Katashi-kun, you meet me in the infirmary."

And so, for the second time that day, Minori tore down the hallway to the cafeteria and into the room. Again, every head turned to look at her, but being an idol she was quite used to it.

Sakiko-sensei stood up. "Did you find her?"

Minori shook her head. "No, but--who knows how to Cast a Healing Cast?"

"Huh?" Sakiko-sensei looked confused. "But couldn't you just ask Dr.--"

"I do," Kisaragi-sensei stood up. "I'm not the best, but it is possible. Is something the matter?"

"Yes--"

"Senpai..."

This came from the timid Akina.

"--What happened to Eimi?"

Minori sighed. Once again she'd underestimated the power of the freshmen. "Kisaragi-sensei, can you follow me please? Oh, also, you three, come with me as well. I'll explain on the way."

Kisaragi-sensei nodded. "I understand."

Masao, Akina, and Kyoko stood up as well.

They took the stairs two at a time, too impatient to wait for an elevator, and approached the third floor, where Minori threw open the first door to find Isamu sitting in the room next to Eimi.

"Katashi-kun!" She called.

Isamu turned. "Thank goodness, Senpai..."

This gave them the full view of Eimi lying without moving on the hospital bed, blood streaming down the white sheets and a needle stuck directly in her palm.

They all drew in a sharp breath. Akina collapsed on her knees and broke down in tears.

Kisaragi-sensei paled and rushed over to the bed. "A poison needle? Exactly what happened here?"

"Uh, well," Isamu gave a quick rundown of the situation. "...And then that's what happened."

"Someone attacked you?" Minori repeated as Kisaragi-sensei gently pulled out the poison needle from Eimi's skin.

"Un," Isamu nodded. "I couldn't get a good look at who it was, though Meika flew after them immediately."

"'Meika'?" Kyoko repeated teasingly.

"A-A lot happened and she told me to call her that!" Isamu insisted.

"Eh~ then why are you blushing~?" Kyoko teased slyly.

"Oh shut up, you."

"This isn't good..."

They all turned when Kisaragi-sensei spoke. "What's the matter, Sensei?" Minori demanded.

"There's only so much that I can do with Healing Casts," Kisaragi-sensei removed her hand from where she had it around Eimi's bloody one. "I really can't do anything... The poison's already spread throughout her body. We'll have to wait until Dr. Yamamoto comes back."

Dr. Yamamoto. Isamu's stomach sank. He hadn't told them about Meika's suspicions because they were out of time, but even now, how would he explain something like that?

"I don't think--" he started, but right then the door burst open.

"What happened here?"

It's too late.

Dr. Yamamoto stood behind the door.

"Dr. Yamamoto!" Minori exclaimed in relief. "Thank goodness! It's Mihara-san!"

"Let me see," Dr. Yamamoto said quickly, pulling a syringe from her pocket.

"Wait--" Isamu started, but right then--

Bam!

A hole appeared in the ceiling along with a mass of long blond hair. Meika dropped in front of the blond doctor, wielding the silver katana from last night.

"Don't you dare touch Eimi, you witch."