September 17, 2042*
After all six of the Higanbana girls had talked, Natsuki had decided to believe in Shino, Yuuka and Miku although her trust in them as well as her trust in Sachi and Chikao were still strained.
Natsuki: Sigh~
Ku-kun: Hey Natsuki are you sure you want to go to school?
Batta: Yeah, your parents already called the school so you can skip school for the time being.
As of right now, Natsuki was walking to school although she was still very mentally exhausted after her talk with the rest of the Higanbana girls the previous night.
Alongside her was Ku-kun and Batta who came to monitor her after her friends left the house.
Natsuki: How long have you two known?
Batta & Ku-kun: E-Eh? Is this about-
Natsuki: Yes.
She was also a bit angry at the Beast Knights, specifically the former insect familiars.
Ku-kun: O-Of course, I'm sorry.
Batta: Yeah same here...
The two felt guilty.
Natsuki: Well... I forgive you then.
But surprisingly, she forgave the two very easily.
Ku-kun: W-Why? We had also been lying to you as well.
Natsuki: To be honest I don't have the energy to be angry anymore. Besides Ku-kun, you could only talk by saying your name a while back.
Ku-kun: Oh... Thanks...
Natsuki: No problem, and Batta kept her mouth shut because you thought it would hurt Kaneki right?
Batta: Yeah... Again I'm sorry.
Natsuki: It's alright... Although I probably will have a harder time talking or even look at them, more so when it comes to Shino, Yuuka and... Miku.
Batta: I understand, it will take some time for you to trust them again.
Natsuki: Well then, we'll be running into them soon assuming that they're actually going to school though.
Ku-kun: Kotori already gave an explanation, hopefully she was able to calm things down at Mato High.
Natsuki stared at Ku-kun confused as she didn't know about anyone else knowing about what happened except everyone present in Kaneki's hospital room.
Natsuki: Wait how did information about... Well the incident got to Mato High got out?
Batta: We don't know ourselves but apart from Kotori, Kagemi is also searching for the culprit.
Natsuki: Akuma Castle?
Ku-kun: Yes, information about what happened to Kaneki and about Shino, Yuuka and Miku were leaked through the internet.
Natsuki: Eh? The internet? How is that possible? The only ones in that room were us and Kaneki's parents, and when I got out no one was nearby.
Batta: So you've noticed.
Ku-kun: Yeah it is very odd, and it didn't help that there were multiple accounts that leaked information so Kagemi is working hard to find the original leaker who somehow got hold of all the information.
Natsuki's thoughts*
(It was obviously not me, I was too angry and I wouldn't go as far as revealing that those three were the cause of all this, it would only make Kaneki sad.)
Natsuki began looking at the possiblities of who the leaker could be.
(It can't be Sachi and Chikao, those two only thought about helping their friends and this would only make things worse. I don't fully trust Shino, Yuuka and Miku it's probably not them.)
Her friends were the most unlikely as it would have made things worse for them if they were the onee who leaked it.
Batta: Just so you know, it was not the others.
Ku-kun: And Atsuo-san and Aiya-san were too focused on Kaneki so it can not be them.
Batta: and Kotori was busy tending to Shino, Yuuka and Miku so it was not her as well.
Hearing confirmation that it wasn't anyone in the room from Ku-kun and Batta, Natsuki stopped thinking about it for the time being.
Natsuki: Sigh~ This is such a pain- Oh.
As she stopped thinking about it, Natsuki saw five familiar faces up ahead.
Natsuki: Just on time.
It was her friends Miku, Shino, Sachi, Yuuka and Chikao.
Miku: G-Good morning, Natsuki.
Natsuki: Good morning...
All 6: ...
After they've gathered on the same area, they had a rather awkward atmosphere around them preventing them from starting a conversation.
Takoyaki: Now, now girls standing here will only waste your time.
Kamakura: THAT'S RIGHT! YOU NEED TO HEAD TO SCHOOL ASAP OR YOU'LL BE LATE!
But very quickly the awkward atmosphere was dispelled by the Beast Knights.
Smack!
Kamakura: Hey! Why did you smack me with that tail of yours!
Dagon: My little eight-legged brother there was no need to shout, you were causing a scene.
Sachi: Hehe~ What was that about?
Shino: Kamakura, you're seriously so loud.
Yuuka: Haha~
Natsuki: You should seriously control yourself.
Chikao: Was it really necessary for you to shout like that?
Miku: Thanks for reminding us.
Kamakura's thoughts*
(Heh! Just as I planned!)
With the awkward atmosphere now gone, the Higanbana girls all began walking to school all while talking on the way.
While being followed by the Beast Knights from behind.
Chikao: So how is everyone?
Natsuki: I'm honestly exhausted right now, and guess who's fault it is.
All 5: We're sorry...
Natsuki: Whatever. I just want you all to be more honest from now on.
All 5: We will...
Sachi: Oh yeah. Shino, Yuuka have you two talked to your parents about everything?
Shino: Oh... Yeah I told them earlier before eating breakfast.
Yuuka: Same here.
Natsuki: So? What happened?
Shino: Well...
Flashback*
After I've told my parents about what happened during the entrance ceremony, how I've hurt Kaneki and everything I've done...
They were rightfully upset.
Shiro: Sigh~ Our Daughter is an idiot, what do you mean you fell in love with another boy and when you realized you've hurt Kaneki and was no longer in love with the other boy you still sticked with him?
Genta: And it was the same boy that almost got Kaneki killed?! What was wrong with you?!
Flashback end*
Shino: They've scolded me a lot but after I told them about me no longer sticking to you know who for a while now, they told me. "Once Kaneki wakes up you better be ready for any punishment he has in store for you".
Natsuki: Wait they're going to allow Kaneki to punish you?
Natsuki was surprised that Shino's parents were willing to let Kaneki personally punish their daughter.
Shino: Yeah they really like Kaneki, and with how close our families are... Yeah I guess they think it's appropriate that he's the one to punish me.
Sachi: Don't blame them, compared to me just keeping your plans a secret from him and lying to Natsuki my punishment would probably be more light.
Hearing that Sachi would probably receive a light punishment, Natsuki made a suggestion.
Natsuki: Maybe I should ask Kaneki to punish Sachi for that as well, maybe even a bit harsh too.
Sachi: PLEASE DON'T!
Sachi begged Natsuki, but she didn't bothered listening to her begging.
Natsuki: That's what you get for lying to me and keeping their plans a secret from Kaneki.
Sachi: PLEASEEEEEEEE!
Chikao: What about you, Yuuka? What happened with your parents?
Yuuka: Well... Shino's situation was a lot more tame, and as for how my parents reacted...
Flashback*
Yuuki: WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU'VE FALLEN IN LOVE WITH A BOY YOU'VE NEVER MET AND STOPPED TALKING TO KANEKI FOR A WHOLE MONTH?!
My Mom was very very angry at me, as for my dad.
Jin: Dear! Please calm down! At least listen to everything our daughter has to say first!
Flashback end*
Yuuka: Dad was definitely angry at me, but compared to my Mom she was very calm.
All 5: Seriously?
The rest of the Higanbana girls were shocked to hear how furious Yuuka's Mom was compared to Shino's.
Natsuki: I-I don't know what to say, I mean sure she probably liked Kaneki and wanted you two to get along but she was THAT mad? Was I like that?
Yuuka: Yeah... Pretty much.
Natsuki: Wow...
Sachi: Wait why is she that angry anyways? I get that she definitely liked Kaneki and thought of you two getting married, but you barely even finished and she reacted that way?
Yuuka: Yeah... About that, before I left home Dad told me that Tohru-san and Mom were actually really close best friends and when she heard that Tohru-san died many years back made her really depressed.
Miku: Ohh~ So basically Onii-chan is one of the last things that helps her remember Tohru-Mama and after hearing about your mistake she thought you were essentially not just breaking your own friendship with Onii-chan but also your mothers as well.
Yuuka: That is the likely scenario. Luckily after ri explained everything Mom did calmed down and said. "You better make things right with Kaneki got it? I don't want Tohru to kill me when she finds out what you have done."
All 5: Is she paranoid or something?
Yuuka: I'm surprised as you guys, I did try to tell her that Tohru-san already knows but... Yeah she had enough.
Miku: It is kind of strange though, didn't Onee-chan explained everything to your parents yesterday?
Yuuka: Mom probably didn't believe her that much until she heard it from me.
Natsuki: Geez. No offense, but your mom has some loose screws.
Yuuka: Yeah... I guess the sudden news about her friend dying out of nowhere did affect her. Sigh~
Miku: But we'll be facing someone definitely a lot more angry than your Mom, Yuuka-Oneechan.
Sachi: Yeah... Uncle Atsuo is really really mad at us.
Shino: We can only hope that he has calmed down as of now.
Natsuki: That would be hard to do, but maybe I could talk some sense into him?
All 5: What?
Natsuki suddenly volunteered to talk to Atsuo.
Miku: Why would you talk to Dad?
Natsuki: The thing is Uncle is mostly mad at all of you and probably even Kotori-san, but he and I were both deceived by all of you.
All 5: Ah...
Natsuki: Well... As I said, since we were both deceived by all of you. He might trust me more.
Hearing Natsuki's reason the rest of the Higanbana girls thought about it.
Yuuka: Yeah... Atsuo-san didn't yell at you yesterday, so it might be a good shot.
Chikao: Agreed, you might be able to talk to him.
Sachi: Although it will probably get more complicated once you start talking about us.
Natsuki: Yeah and talking about you three will probably make him angry.
Shino, Yuuka & Miku: Yeah...
Natsuki: But either way I'm still going to talk to him.
The five nodded as they agreed with Natsuki.
Swoosh!
Kotori: In that case, I'll have to join you then.
Kotori appeared in her Demonized form and landed in front of the Higanbana girls.
Kotori: I was listening to your girl's conversation, and I have to agree Natsuki talking to Papa is probably the smartest move right now.
Natsuki: But are you sure you want to join me?
Kotori: Yes. I even have someone else to join us as well.
Shino: You do?
Miku: She does, Tohru-Mama will be talking to Dad as well.
Sachi: Really?! Great! She might be able to convince him!
Yuuka: How were you able to convince her to talk?
Kotori: Mama surprisingly suggested it herself before me and Miku-chan asked her.
Miku: Yeah it was very easy.
Natsuki: I see, in that case I guess we're prepared now right?
Yuuka: Who knows?
Kotori: Let's find out after school.
All 6: Yeah.
And so the Higanbana girls all went and spent most of their day at school where they were approached and questioned by some students and even their classmates.
Many hours later~
Shino, Yuuka & Miku: That was so exhausting!!!
Shino, Yuuka and Miku were very exhausted after being confronted and questioned by the students of Mato High including their classmates.
Kotori: I'm sorry, I tried my best to calm things down. Looks like it only worked to some degree.
Kotori had tried to calm the situation down by making a stream after taking a bath with Miku the previous night, addressing the situation and even talked about the possibility of someone else being involved.
Sachi: You did your best Ai-chan, so don't worry about it. Anyways! We should head to the hospital now!
Natsuki: You all remember the plan right?
All 5: Yes.
Kotori: Good. Hey Mama are you ready?
Tohru: [I'm ready.]
With all preparations ready.
Kotori: Okay let's go.
Splash!
Kotori used Darkness travel and teleported the Higanbana girls and herself to the hospital and near Kaneki's hospital room.
Kotori: Alright we're here, now you five will have to stay out here for the time being.
All 5: Got it!
Kotori: Are you ready? Natsuki-chan?
Natsuki: Let's do this.
Tohru: [Kaneki-chan...]
Now that they were ready
Creak~
Kotori and Natsuki entered Kaneki's hospital room.