TWUMP

Mira awoke to a pillow impacting her face.

"Wake up loser!" an older girl with brighter pink hair and pear green eyes said as she lifted the pillow she had thrown. "I don't want to be seen with you on our way to school today, so get moving!" she derided.

"Fine, fine!" Mira waved off her sister. "Get out Ayako!" she rolled her eyes as her sister stood, hands on her hips, and glared at her. At Mira's command, Ayako threw the pillow in her hands, hitting Mira with it again.

"Don't sass me twerp!" She scoffed then walked out. Mira sneered then prepared for school. She had a fairly bland life outside of her sister's harassment. Her parents were fairly apathetic towards her, but she preferred it that way. She didn't like to stand out. She purposely made errors in school to keep her grades average and dressed modesty to achieve obscurity. She had few friends but never saw them out of school or club activities. She enjoyed art but sought no recognition for her work. The more she was noticed the more her sister would berate her. She arrived at the campus and headed for her out of the way spot she'd sit and wait for class to start at. Not only was there usually not much foot traffic but it also offered the perfect view of the popular crowd. After looking on for a bit she noticed something was off. "Again?" Sal wasn't among them. Mira sighed "Not like he'd ever notice me but I can't help feeling a little jealous." as she was lost in thought a tall figure approached. Another much shorter one chased after the first.

"What do you think you're doing Kanamura san?" Sai called out. Mira jumped having just noticed her unexpected guests.

"No more absurd schemes." Syrus sighed. "Don't drag me down with you for the fun of it!" he poked her in the arm and scowled. Mira blinked a few times bewildered by the scene before her.

"H-hi?" her voice wavered. Sai crossed her arms and looked to Syrus.

"You like Tamsin san, right?" he asked bluntly. Her face flushed red.

"W-wh-what? H-how did y-you?" Mira stammered in response. Sai looked to Syrus in disbelief.

"If you come listen to what we have to say, you can talk to him." Syrus nodded confidently. Sai choked in surprise. A smile crawled across Mira's face.

"O-ok!" she grabbed her bag and followed the pair. As they walked, Sai grinned and elbowed Syrus.

"Thought you didn't like to meddle?" she whispered coyly.

"Normally that's the case, yes." he huffed. "But this is for the greater good, it couldn't be helped." he crossed his arms and asserted sternly. Sai began laughing. Mira looked up at them curiously.

"Uh...what is this about?" she asked tentatively.

"We're almost there." Syrus waved back at her then pointed to a group ahead of them. Jem and Mini clapped their hands excitedly as the three walked forward. Anya smiled cordially while Skai sat with his usual strict expression. Kelly filed her nails and ignored their presence. Tori sat quietly looking to his feet and occasionally smiled to Aren. Sal watched the two skeptically. Mira blushed as soon as she saw Sal. Syrus leaned in close and whispered, "Told you so." Mira laughed bashfully as she stood before the odd group.

"That was quick." Skai remarked then adjusted his glasses. Syrus shrugged.

"Unlike her, I'm not crazy!" he pointed to Sai. She just laughed. Aren stared at Syrus for a moment before a large grin stretched across his face.

"That was you?!" he began laughing hysterically. Syrus stepped back and scoffed, his face became red.

"Sh-shut up!" he growled. "She made me do it!"

"Wait, what?" Mira laughed a little. Sal's jaw dropped as the realization set in.

"N-no...no no no!" Sal started to panic.

"Sai!" Tori shouted. "Th-that's not nice...pfft." he held back laughter.

"Huh?" Jem looked around as the others reacted.

"What are you weirdos talking about?" Mini asked.

"It seems the girl Tamsin was so enraptured with yesterday was Kanamura in disguise." Skai revealed.

"SHUT IT!" Syrus roared as everyone other than Sal began to laugh. "We need to tell her!" he gestured back to Mira. The group quieted down and Skai adjusted his glasses then gave the explanation as Syrus sulked. After he finished, Mira looked around in awe.

"Woah...wait..." she looked back to Syrus. "Why did you go through all that trouble then?" she asked about Syrus cross-dressing.

"I'm able to identify other guardians but I have to be within a certain proximity to be certain." He crossed his arms again and sighed.

"O-oh!" Mira chuckled a little. Sal groaned loudly.

"This can't be happening!" he grasped at his head.

"I knew something was off about 'her'." Aren teased.

"Oh hush!" Syrus huffed. "It was super obvious..." he mumbled shamefully.

"Yeah, Nakamura san!" Sai taunted. Sal slammed his head on the table in embarrassment.

"Please don't tell anyone about this!" he begged weakly.

"I concur." Syrus sighed. Jem and Mini grinned to each other.

"It would be hard to explain without proper context." Skai affirmed. "We can't go around telling everyone about our situation, can we?" he adjusted his glasses and looked to the twins then shook his head.

"Boo!" they exclaimed together. Kelly looked up after she finished with her nails

"That means there are two more." she stated in a 'matter-of-fact' tone. Syrus looked over to Sai inquisitively. She shrugged, and he sighed.

"There doesn't seem to be any more at this school..." Sai rubbed her lips in thought.

"Wait...then how are we supposed to find them?!" Anya interjected. Everyone grew silent.

"No use sitting around here anymore then." Skai commented.

"Yeah, let's go to class." Syrus sighed and averted his gaze, still feeling embarrassed. Mira looked to Sal and smiled timidly. He pulled his head up and looked to her.

"Welcome to the gang, Hiroko!"