Miss Iumi and Minamoto were staring each other angrily. Then a soft smile appeared on her face and suddenly she started laughing out loud. "Ha-ha, you all seem so serious, I was joking. Do you think all those things I just said were true, ha-ha you're so foolish " Miss Iumi guffawed. Everyone's jaws dropped seeing an abrupt change in her behavior. Hina felt very embarrassed by Miss Iumi's stupid actions. So, she forced her to bow and apologize to all. Even she herself inclined her head and made a sincere apology. " Hina , what are you doing ? Stop it now" Inoue showed her generosity. "Absolutely correct shorty ! Why should I say sorry , I was just kidding" . "You...." Hina wanted to hit her hard but Inoue and Sato stopped her. "Hey ! You've orange spikes, is this your real hair or you've dyed " she said touching and pulling Takemichi's hair". "Aah...No it's hurting just leave it , Hina stop her " Takemichi screamed out of pain. "Are you going to stop doing all these weird acts right now or do you want me to reveal your secret ? " Hina lost her cool...She was burning with wrath. After listening to Hina, Miss Iumi's face's expression changed . She was horrified. She remembered Hina can do anything, so she stopped her stupidity right away and to change the topic she said " We...we are here to practice the play right, why aren't you focusing on that , huh kids these days...are really great at wasting their time" Miss Iumi laughed weirdly. "Who was wasting , whose time?" Sato asked
Miss Iumi, Hina's dance teacher. She is at her 30's . But every time, someone asks her about her age she says a year or two less. Hina always has to be embarrassed in front of others because of her craziness. But hopefully she knows some of her deep secrets. Which helps her a lot to stop this crazy head.
Everyone's jaws dropped again. As they didn't understand what was going on. "Hey, sorry to all from my teacher she is really insane . I asked her about the costumes. And she insisted on coming with me . I locked her in the room but this weird women broke the lock too , sorry " Hina again apologized
"No , Hina you don't need to say sorry because we also needed someone to guide us right ? Someone more experienced. And I guess Miss Iumi is the best one " Inoue said smiling .
"Thanks Inoue, I'm really glad you are my friend" said Hina holding Inoue's hands . "Hey, do you really think this air head 'I mean Miss Iumi' can really help us ? " Yuma questioned (a guy out the four students) . There was a point on Yuma's question . So, they all doubted .
"I think we should give her a chance to prove herself right ? " Inoue opined her voice was shivering . As she was also not sure . Whether they can trust Miss, Iumi .
"I support you Ichika, I also want to know this woman perfectly" Minamoto's expression was different than others . He felt something odd about Miss Iumi . And meanwhile Takemichi cried "Hey, everything else is fine but please someone keep her away from my spikes. She will make me bald before the cultural festival ends" Takemichi's words really made everyone laugh. But Minamoto just grinned, as he was trying to figure out . Who this lady could be...
"If your chit-chats are over, shall we start practicing now" Miss Iumi asked. "Hey, Hina-Chan does she has any personality disorder" asked Aoi " Shut up !" Hina yelled at her . "Okay" said Aoi placing a finger on her lips. "Yes sure " Inoue replied. "But there's a problem I haven't written the song yet, how can we..." Inoue seemed confused.
"Inoue, don't worry you have written the story . We'll use it to practice the play until you finish writing the song , okay " said Hina . "Alright" Inoue smiled while nodding
Miss Iumi : "So you all know your roles ?
Everybody shouted : Yes , Miss Iumi .
Miss Iumi : Fine, everyone take your positions... Start performing after I complete counting upto three.
Everybody : Okay !!
Miss Iumi : So, 1...2..
Inoue : Wait... (Inoue shouted in the midst ).
And Miss Iumi forgot her counting !! " Ah Shorty, what's the matter ? Why did you suddenly raise your voice ?
Inoue : Sorry , Miss Iumi but Akihiko . I mean Minamoto is missing. He is playing the main character's role...
Takemichi : Oh! yeah I just noticed, he hasn't been here for a while ? Inoue's phone beeped , she took it out of her purse and found . A message from Minamoto saying " Ichika ! An urgent task has arrived . So, I won't be able to practice with you guys today please manage everything else . I promise I won't do this again . Take care". The message turned her face withered , " Inoue what's the matter ? Why are you looking so troubled?" Asked Hina. "Akihiko has sent a message . He has some urgent work to do . So he left " Inoue informed everyone.
Takemichi : "What ? How can that jerk be so irresponsible ? this play isn't important to him ,I knew it from the start . But what about Inoue's feelings. She is trying , so hard to make it the best one and he..." (Takemichi bawled in rage)
Inoue : " Let's begin " (she said looking down)
Sato : " What? but the Bunny Prince is not here ? " Sato was confused.
Inoue :" If Akihiko is not here , it doesn't mean we won't practice . He may have some important work to do . For now 'Ken-Kun'. Can you be the Bunny Prince ? . Just for today. As we have only four days left before the festival ".
Ken : " Me..? A...As you say Inoue-san" (He was befuddled. But he agreed to Inoue . Because he didn't want to make her angry )
Inoue : "Yes you , because you look pretty good too." Inoue said pointing to Ken.
(Ken blushed...)
Sato: " But..."
Hina :" Sato no more questions...". (Sato was about to ask something again but Hina stopped her)
Miss Iumi : I think Inoue is right (Miss Iumi got serious, as if she was wondering something)
"Oh prince, have you forgotten your way or what?"Mr.Takahashi grinned . "Haruto, there's something I want to ask you . And you have to answer me honestly " Minamoto was emitting a feeling of uncertainty. He went to meet Mr Takahashi at his place.
Here the practice began
Inoue :"There was a little girl named Marie. Who lived with her Grandma Cheryl in the mountains . She was the kindest girl ever. She loved playing with harmless animals and little birds" (Inoue was narrating the story while others were acting) . Miss Iumi was watching them and noting their mistakes.
Hina : "Hey, what's that ? a sparrow ? , she looks badly injured . I need to treat her . I should take her to grandma " (Hina stepped towards Sato . Who was lying on the floor, playing the role of that bird).
Inoue : " Little Marie couldn't control herself and rushed to save the dying sparrow , she picked it up by her hands and started running . Suddenly a thunderbolt struck a big tree. And It fell in her way .
'Growls ! Growls' Takemichi played a record for thunder bolt's sound . To make it seem more real.
Inoue : little Marie was scared, she turned back and again started running. Darkness has surrounded her. She was in the middle of a dense forest . It was raining heavily . So, she decided to take shelter under a huge banyan tree till the rain stops .
Hina was holding Sato. As if she was not in her senses...
Sato : Hina why you are tickling me, (She whispered on Hina's ears)
Hina : I'm not tickling you . Just act like you are really unconscious . Or I will make sure . You don't wake up till the day after tomorrow's sun rise.... Sato got scared. After that she didn't say a word . This time she really acted well like she's truly senseless .
Hina looked at her and murmured "good !".
Miss Iumi marked the sudden change in Sato's acting. So, she smirked...
Inoue : The bunny entered the cave jumping and sat down. Marie was petrified yet she went inside following his footsteps.
Ren was the bunny , So he was hopping...(Aoi, and Niko chuckled seeing him jumping like a frog ).
Inoue : "Due to lot's of pressure. She lost her consciousness. In the middle of the night. She tried to open her eyes slowly . And She saw the bunny....the bunny...."
Inoue was narrating the story . But when she said these lines. She saw the bunny covered with blood standing infront of her . And trying to protect her . The words stopped coming out from Inoue's mouth.
No one understood . What had happened to Inoue . But Miss Iumi figured it out. She understood that Inoue might have something to do with this story.
So, she proclaimed : "I think that's enough for today. Let's continue where we left from tomorrow."
Everybody clamoured "okay"
After hearing to Miss, Iumi . Inoue got back to her senses . She herself didn't understand . What just happened with her . She didn't wanted to make her friends worry. So, she behaved normally. And said " Sorry guys . I forgot my lines".
"It's okay Inoue. It happens " Everyone replied back to her smiling. Miss Iumi said nothing just stood their staring at her.
"Inoue today's practice play was good . We really had fun. Let's do this again " Aoi, Niko and two others left saying goodbye to Inoue and all.
Sato : Inoue , what's the matter ? Don't you want to go home ?
Inoue : No, it's not like that. I was just...
Sato : You were just...? Sato asked teasingly.
Inoue : Ah..
Sato : Wondering if Minamoto will be alright or not? (She grinned) .
Inoue : No not at all , I'm not thinking about him .
Sato : Huh ? Then I was wrong.
(Inoue didn't say anything just looked down)
Sato : That means I was right ?
Inoue's face redden as her voice fluttered "N..No"
Hina came and hit Sato from behind. She said " Stop bothering her" . "Ah ! Hina..." Sato groaned. The moment Hina glared at her angrily " I think Takemichi needs my help , I should leave by now " She fleet away steadily.
Hina : Inoue are you okay ?
Inoue : Yes, I am...
Sato : Hey Genji (Takemichi's first name) Let's go together .
After all we live in the same neighborhood. Genji....?
Takemichi : Huh ?
Sato : where are you looking at ? Inoue...?
Takemichi : No ! let's go... (Takemichi was staring at Inoue. But when he saw Inoue worrying for Minamoto. He became sad). Sato understood why all of a sudden his face turned blue . And all her smiles just disappeared.
Hina : You can tell me what's going on your mind .
Inoue : The thing is . It's too late . Since, he left . Our practice started and ended . But he hasn't come yet.
Hina : That means Sato was right ?
Inoue : "No , I was just worried, he left without saying anything t...that's why !" She spoke really very fast out of shy
Hina didn't replied back . She just kept looking at Inoue quietly for a while . Then she held her hands and said "Don't worry too much, My worrywart. He'll be fine , let's go" . Hina's words really gave a kind of relief to her mind . She said " okay ! ".And a big wide smile appeared on her face .
"Hina , are you planning to spend your entire night here ?" Miss Iumi shouted . " You are still here , I thought you went back on your own " Hina replied "Are you joking ? You brought me here . How can I go back alone? I don't know any way out of this jungle " Miss Iumi cried out. " Oh! really then who told you to come with me to this jungle. Listen, don't get me started again . I'm already tired , let's go" said Hina dragging Miss Iumi's hand .
"Hina , please be gentle " said Inoue. "If I had your hand , I would have held it more gently . But...unfortunately it's not ". "You are so bad, you must be the first student in the whole world. Who bullies her own teacher".
"Shut up and walk or..." . "Am walking " Miss Iumi got scared. "Good !" Said Hina . Inoue was coming from behind. She chuckled watching them fighting like such children....
"No, I don't think she can be one of them. Because as far as I know there are no such crazy women in Bunny Land. Like you mentioned " Mr. Takahashi told Minamoto while making a drink for himself. "But you didn't say why you are asking about her and who is she?" Mr Takahashi made a query . " It's non-of your business. I was asking about her, because I suspected that maybe she would be one of those who wants to hurt Inoue . About whom you were talking that day . But I was wrong" Minamoto replied back . He was about to leave. But Mr Takahashi said stopping him" If you don't want to tell me your secrets, I won't force you to do so. After all you are the prince . But I have no problem sharing mine. And my secret is . As I told you earlier. The queen is suspecting me. This is the secret number 1 . And the secret number 2 is ' Kubota is still alive...'Just be careful 'Prince'" Mr .Takahashi grinned . No, it was a vile smirk..
Minamoto's eyes widened after hearing that name. His hands and lips started trembling. Again a blurred image of someone with an evil smile appeared before his eyes.
Who is this Kubota? And why Minamoto got so terrified the moment he heard his name .
(Minamoto's past is still a mystery !!)