ask-the-shorty-squad

[ask-the-shorty-squad]

Or... Maybe you're even stronger. Simulations usually have restrictions to some extent. Maybe now that we're back in the real world theres even less holding you back!!

ONLY ONE WAY TO FIND OUT!!!

Let's go see what you're made of!! You too, Yayoi!!! I wanna see just how far your strength can exceed!!

*Nekomaru and Yayoi give a loud cheer of excitement as the three make their way to the gym. Teruteru attempts to join in their cheers, only to just end up covering his ears with his hands as their hails grow louder than he can push himself to tolerate. The two loud boys are fortunately quick to notice his discomfort and lower their volumes to optimal levels. It isn't long before they finally arrive at the entrance of the gym.*

Eeeeeeee! I'm so excited! C'mon! Let's Go Let's Go Let's Go!!

*Yayoi rushes inside with joyous enthusiasm as the other two men calmly follow behind.*

[ask-the-shorty-squad]

Dont be modest, Teru. I remember you punched a punching bag so hard it tore in half, that takes strength. Took me years before I could even get close to that level.

Yep!! You were incredible!!! Cant wait to see that action again!!!

Maybe we will, maybe we won't! Given that it happened while we were in that simulation within a simulation, I doubt I could do it again here. That ain't just me being modest, I'm also tryna be realistic after everything that's felt far from real as of late.

Realistic or not, try not to doubt yourself too much. Leave room for at least a bit of unrealistic spirit. Like you said! It's the spirit that counts!

[ask-the-shorty-squad]

DESPAIR TERUTERU IS SO CUTE OMGGGG

Well thank you so much for your compliment! I bet your just as cute if not more! I hope you have a wonderful day!

[ask-the-shorty-squad]

THEN COME ON!!!! LETS GO GET OUR WORKOUT THERAPY ON!!!

And dont worry if ya get too tired! I'll use 'it' on ya to get you back on your feet in minutes!!

*And just like that, the 3 were off to their workout therapy sesh!*

You ready to go nuts today! Throw punches so powerful we break the chain off of punching bags!!

Don't think they'll be that powerful, but it's the spirit that counts! God knows we could use a day like this after everything.

[ask-the-shorty-squad]

Happy Birthday Fuyuhiko!

Source: https://www.pixiv.net/en/artworks/73572448

[ask-the-shorty-squad]

S-sorry, Hiyoko!!!

We're here to get Teru..! We're going to be doing our Workout Therapy today!!

AND IT'S GONNA BE AWEEEEEEESOMEEEEEE!!!! ...

I mean..! It'll be awesome..!! ...

OH WHO AM I KIDDIN!? ITS GONNA BE AWEEEEEEESOMEEEEE!!!!!

*Here we go again...*

*Hiyoko rubs her eyes in frustrated annoyance at Nekomaru's constant yelling.*

I'm surprised he's not already awake by now.

"Oh don't worry."

*The three of them look inside the darkness the house as a figure approaches the light of the early sun.*

I was already awake before they even arrived. I don't think I got so much as a few hours of sleep to be honest.

If that's the case, you sure you're gonna be okay for workout therapy?

*Teruteru nods slowly with an expression of reassurance, but his silence clearly presented his exhaustion.*

[ask-the-shorty-squad]

*They soon arrive outside Terus house, Nekomaru steps forward and bangs on the front door... Ever heard of knocking?*

RISE AND SHIIIIIINE!!!! WE GOT THERAPY TO 'WORKOUT'!!!!

BAHAHAH!!! MAYBE I SHOULD QUIT COACHIN' AN' BE A COMEDIAN INSTEAD!!!!

*Ehhhhh.....*

...Hm.. Teru still hasnt answered the door... Wonder why.

*A real mystery indeed -_-*

*A mystery that is quickly solved the moment the door opened. They're greeted with one of their extremely exhausted pals*

Who... and why... the hell... are you yelling at our door at 5 IN THE FUCKING MORNING!!!

[ask-the-shorty-squad]

'A little scary' is an under-exaggeration..! I gotta be cursed or something..!

I just gotta take my mind off it..

Let's go get Teru..! And after we do we can start the newly reborn...

WORKOUT THERAPY SESSION!!!

YEAH!!! WORKOUT THERAPY!!!

*With that, they continue onward, leaving the FF building and quickly making their way to their dear friends home, all while loudly chanting "workout therapy" to keep themselves hyped and ready.*

[ask-the-shorty-squad]

Could you two shut up!? I cant focus on anything with you two yelling constant..ly...

.....

Right, of course. We'll tone it down.

Oh, n-no you dont need to apologise. I was really talking about, Yayoi anyway.

I could've sworn I was louder-

Nono! You were fine!!

Say.. You're really handsome. If you wanna grab a bite sometime I'd be down to-

HELL NOOOO!!!! L-lets get outta here, Yayoi!! Forget breakfast I just lost my appetite!!

*Nekomaru grabs Yayoi and dashes out of the Foundation.*

Not again.. Blonde, pink-themed outfit, blue eyes, rude... Shes the type of woman I put an effort in to avoid..

I know. It's like you've got some sort of magnetic curse with those women. It's a little scary to think about.

[ask-the-shorty-squad]

HELL YEAH HE CAN!!! HE'LL PROBABLY PUNCH IT STRAIGHT INTO NEXT YEAAAAAR!!!

But what I wanna know.. Do you think YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES???

Heck yeah I've got what it takes! I'll smash that punching bag to kingdom come!!

*The two continuously hype each other up growing increasingly louder by the second. Their now booming voices echo throughout the diner and down the halls till nearly everyone and anyone in proximity can hear them.*

[ask-the-shorty-squad]

I see... Well.. Think of Workout therapy as like a... Rage room. You put all your anger and frustrations into a workout.

You shoulda seen Teru when he first started!! He was a born natural! And I bet you'll be too!

Well I certainly can't wait! You think he'd be able to break the chain off the punching bag again?

[ask-the-shorty-squad]

Ah!! Goodmorning, Yayoi! Today I made Steamed rice, miso soup, and grilled fish!

Fairly simple today.. It's been hard to focus with all that's going on...

But it is in our best interest to keep moving forward..

Am I missing something..?

*Oh shit right.. He doesnt know about the Haiji situation...*

Oh! U-uhm... One of.. My plants.. died. Mon- ... Monty.. Monty was his name.

*That lie was so unbelievably stupid-*

I see... I understand being attached to things.. Even plants. Monty is dead, but not forgotten.

*That he actually fell for it?*

It was nice saying goodmorning but I should be getting back to work..!

*With an awkward wave Bandai uncomfortably walked back into the kitchen. Nekomaru stared as Bandai walked away, then turned his head back to Yayoi, not thinking much of it.*

So.. Yayoi... You ever done a workout therapy sesh?

Not really. Most of my workouts have been more akin to battle training than anything therapeutic.

[ask-the-shorty-squad]

BREAKFAST!! OF COURSE!!! HOW COULD I FORGET!?

I got so pumped for the workout therapy I forgot about the most important meal of a persons day..!

I wont let myself get so carried away again..!

FIRST, WE DEVOUR BREAKFAST, THEN WE GRAB TERU SO HE CAN FUEL UP TOO!!! AND ONCE WE’RE ALL POWERED UP, IT’S TIME FOR SOME INTENSE WORKOUT THERAPY!!!

LET'S GOOOOOO!!!!

*They quickly rush over to the the dining area. As they enter, they finding a few of the members already present, and a few more entering at the same time they are. Once everyone is seated, Bandai emerges from the kitchen with a kart full of food for everyone.*

Hey there Bandai! What's today's breakfast?

[ask-the-shorty-squad]

*Yayois alarm set his alarm for 5:00 AM, and went to bed.*

(4:30 AM)

BAM! BAM! BAM!

*Suddenly, the door busted open and someone stormed in.*

RISE AND SHIIIIIIINE!!! THE SUN IS UP AND SO SHOULD YOU!!

Wh-why would you break his door down?! Thats- thats- completely uncalled for!!!

I-I'll pay for the damages.. Sorry, Taka..

NOW TIME TO GET UP, WARRIOR!!! WE DONT HAVE TIME TO SIT AROUND!! WE GOTTA GRAB TERU AND HEAD STRAIGHT TO TRAINING!!!!

*There is PLENTY of time to sit around. And what about breakfast??*

Can we at least spare some time for breakfast? Out of every meal it's the most important one and we really shouldn't skip it. Also, the sun's just barely up. We've got more than enough time. Plus, pretty sure Teru wouldn't take too kindly to being woken at this hour. At least not as much as me.

[ask-the-shorty-squad]

R-right.. Hope...

Ah.. I thought I heard voices.. What're you two doing here?

O-oh.. Chiaki..! Sorry... We've been talking about Monaca... We're worried about what they'll do to her.. What if they take her away..?

Hm... Well, I wont say it's not a possibility... But it's very slim.. I mean, at worst she'll be sent to do Rehabilitation with Yayoi.. But I doubt it'd even be that long. And as I said before, the chances are slim.

Th-thats a relief... B-but h-how do you know this..?

Miss. Yukizome told me. She's been keeping me updated on everything.

I really wouldnt worry.. It'll all be okay, Makoto wont let anything bad happen to Monaca. Neither will Fuyu or Teru.

Now then.. It's getting late.. We better get some rest.

...Oh, and Yayoi. Nekomaru called and said you need to be up from the crack of dawn.. He's gonna be picking you and Teru up bright and early.. And since Toko isnt here Taka will be taking her place until she's back..

Alrighty then. Hopefully everything calms down from here. Hopefully...

*With that, everyone leaves to their stations. Ryota and Chiaki to work most likely, and Yayoi to his room. Today was certainly eventful.*

[ask-the-shorty-squad]

Y-you're right I'm sorry... I should've known you were stressed...

..I-I’m sure they’re not gonna actually do anything bad to Monaca...

*Ryota gave a shaky little smile, trying his best to sound reassuring but his voice cracked halfway through.*

I-I mean.. It got pretty heated.. B-but th-they're probably just as stressed as us.. I-I'm sure they dont intend to cause Monaca harm...

*He trailed off for a beat, eyes twitching toward the hallway again. His hands fidgeted relentlessly with his sleeves.*

...B-but what if- what if it’s not just stress? W-what if someone snaps? Or-or they think Monaca’s a threat or something and they- they say she needs to be ‘stopped’ or ‘contained’ ...

And then they try to remove her from the situation, or isolate her, or lock her away somewhere, or worse, t-they convince themselves it's for the greater good and then- then- they won’t listen to anyone, not even us, and- and Monaca’s just a kid, and-!

*He covered his mouth with both hands suddenly, realizing how loud and panicked he’d gotten. His eyes were wide, filled with horror at his own spiraling.*

...S-sorry... I-I didn’t mean to say all that, I-I was just trying to... y-you know... be positive...

I see now that I'm not very good at it...

Don't worry about it. All we can do at the moment... is hope for the best. Just hope.

[ask-the-shorty-squad]

A-again? You do it frequently..? Y-you should be careful.. I-if it gets infected it could make you ill...

...N-not that I'm one to complain.. Whenever I'm stressed out or anxious I bite my nails.. They get infected more often then not..

Could it be.. A-are you feeling stressed out too..? About this whole... Situation?

How could I not be!? They're arguing about what punishment they should give to someone who's, not only still a child, but my own niece! I'd be insane not to be stressed over it.