Zodiac Girls

The Party

It was late in the afternoon. Rain was with Sherry and a few other girls in the soccer team at a supermarket, browsing all sorts of snacks for the party. Well, Sherry and the others were. Rain, on the other hand, could not stop wondering about last night. She knew she planned to leave, and she knew she really did leave, with a note left on her desk. And yet, after she freshened up and changed into some casuals, she looked everywhere in her room for that letter, only to find no trace of it. Could she really have fallen asleep without knowing?

“Yoo-hoo~ Earth to Rain~” came a voice, snapping the girl out of her daze.

“Huh? Sorry, were you calling for me?” Rain asked Sherry.

“I said, you seemed real focused on that bag of chips in your hand. You thinking of getting that for the party?”

At that question, Rain looked down, and saw she was holding a bag of extremely spicy chips, with an angry pepper logo on it, as well as a warning in the bag that read “Eat me if you want to burn!” 

While a part of her questions her subconscious for grabbing this questionable product, the girl quickly answered, “Y-Yeah. I thought it would really get the party going if we have a bit of devilish fun into the mix.”

Sherry smirked in response to the reason. “Sounds good to me~” 

“Hey Rain! Sherry!” one of the soccer girls with them called out. “We’re thinking of stopping by for some ice cream after we check these out. You two in?”

Taking this as a chance to get the dangerous product, Sherry answered, “Sure thing! Rain and I will check the snacks out! Can you guys buy our share?”

“It will be faster that way,” Rain supported.

“Okay. Any request?” another one of the soccer girls asked.

“Blueberry ice pop.”

“Make that two,” Sherry added.

“So a blue double pop. Gotcha.” With that, the girls left to get the ice cream.

“We should hurry with the check out. The sooner we’re done, the sooner we get those ice pops, and the sooner we can have fun at the party~” the blonde then told the orangette, who nodded in agreement.

Rain had to agree with Sherry about the last part, though. Regardless of what happened yesterday, today is definitely real. And the reality of her situation now is that she was getting some snacks with her friends, and they have a party to attend to, to celebrate their soccer game victory yesterday.

******

Once shopping was done, and frozen treats were nicely consumed, it was time for the girls to return to the academy, and head on over to the cafeteria for their party.

As soon as they were all situated, drinks in hand, most of the girls turned to one certain player amongst them, awaiting her signal.

“Ahem… As the captain, I have to say. I am proud of everyone here for yesterday’s game. Thanks to you all, we are pretty much guaranteed for Inter High,” the captain began. “Of course, we couldn’t have done with without our star players yesterday. I’m sure you all know who I mean.”

At those words, Rain looked down, feeling quite bashful with the stares and attention, while Sherry only grinned and gave them all a thumbs up.

“I have plenty more things I want to say, but I can leave it all off for later. For now… it’s a party! So have fun~! Cheers!”

“Cheers~!” the others cried out in agreement, raising their glasses high up and consuming their drinks. Some took sips, others- like Sherry- downed it in one gulp.

After that, they went on to do various things at the party, whether it was to eat the food set out for them, play games, or simply chat with friends.

While they were all having the time of their life after a worthwhile game, Rain simply stared at the girls having their fun, feeling more at peace simply watching them have the time of their life over joining them.

Of course, that was not the only reason why she was just watching the girls; Rain was also on a lookout for the people after her, as she took glances out the windows for anything suspicious. To her slight relief, she saw no one and nothing suspicious outside, but that did not put her at full ease, especially since she knew she sensed someone from that organization watching her. From where, exactly, she did not know, but she was not going to let her guard down. For all she knew, they could be hiding, waiting for the chance to get the jump at her. Especially if she plans on sneaking out later.

Just then, an arm was wrapped around her, and some weight was leaned against her. "What'cha thinking about?" Sherry asked.

The sight of a familiar face put Rain back at ease. "Sherry. Nothing much. Just... thinking about our next game," she lied, a lie in which Sherry bought.

"Well, someone is quite the diehard."

"I prefer the word 'convicted', mind you." The two shared a light laugh at the retort. 

Rain did not know why, but being with Sherry just put her to much ease. Whenever she was feeling anxious about something, anything at all, Sherry was there to calm her down in some way. Whether it was because the blonde was her first friend or because of that easygoing attitude of hers, the orangette did not know, but she was grateful to have ever met her either way. Well... Thinking about it now, her attitude may be the reason for it all, especially considering how they first met and became friends.

******

After the party, the girls all departed from the cafeteria and retired to their rooms. They have another game coming up, and with all stress relieved from the party, they needed their sleep for their next few days of training.

Like the previous night, however, Rain snuck out the dorms. Unlike the previous night, though, she did not bring her bag, as she instead only carefully roamed around the woods, being cautious of her surroundings. Despite finding nothing from the morning she woke to the end of the party, Rain could not help but feel all the more wary about her hidden pursuers. How could she not? These people have been after her since childhood. It would be weird from them to find her after a few months, only to then decide to let her go. This was all just too strange.

"If it turns out to be nothing, it will be official. I became paranoid from this long time of peace," she muttered to herself.

Approximately an hour of searching later, Rain came up with nothing, much to her confusion. 

"Nothing?" she questioned. "Oh, come on. There has to be someone left behind here to watch my movement, or at least a hint as to who is also here."

Try as she might, though, nothing was found in the area, increasing her confusion and slight frustration. 'I guess I really did lose it,' she thought, feeling quite ridiculous now. 'It's been so long since I've had such a peaceful life, I forgot what it was like to stay normal.'

With that, the girl went to return to the dorms. Unknown to her, though, there actually was someone in the woods with her. This person was nowhere remotely close to Rain. If anything, she stayed far away from the girl, while still keeping the orangette in their sight, and even kept a good hearing distance from her as well.

'I still think you're better off knowing about the past, and the truth, but orders are orders,' Rabbit thought from her hiding place. 'On the off chance you do find out about us, without truly understanding or accepting the whole truth first, I hope you understand that this is for your own good. ... Just as I did.'