⇲ 𝐊𝐀𝐌𝐈𝐆𝐎𝐄 𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘,
𝐊𝐀𝐌𝐈 𝐇𝐈𝐆𝐇    〉 𝐉𝐀𝐏𝐀𝐍 !
XXXX.      ✿      CIRCA JUNE 2012.
𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐎𝐓𝐎𝐍𝐎𝐊𝐄
CREEPY NUTS.
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The crab-headed alien wasted no time launching an assault on Okarun, striking him relentlessly while he was still recovering from his earlier battle. Each punch sent ripples through the flooded floor, the sound of the impacts echoing through the eerie, empty corridors.

"Stop that! If you do that, he'll die! Please, stop!" Aira screamed, her voice cracking with desperation as she watched Okarun being pummeled. Despite her pleas, the alien continued its relentless attack, showing no signs of stopping.

Suddenly, amidst the chaos, Okarun's body jolted. His hands shot up, gripping the alien's gloved fist mid-punch. His eyes burned with a fierce light, and his Turbo Granny form surged back to life.

With a guttural yell, he swung the alien into the air and hurled it out of the so-called "Awesome Zone," sending it crashing into a wall. The alien slumped to the ground, unconscious, leaving the Serpos momentarily stunned.

"Impossible!" one of the Serpos hissed, its elongated face twisting in disbelief. "He broke through the Awesome Zone?"

"No," the other Serpo corrected, its voice filled with alarm. "Our psychokinesis is being repelled by someone!"

As if on cue, Momo burst onto the scene, her psychic energy radiating like a storm. Her entrance sent a shockwave through the air, disrupting the Serpos' hold on their psychokinesis. Not far behind her, Odette was flung into the fray by Momo's powers, her scythe gleaming as it sliced through the air.

"Momo! Dot!" Okarun gasped, relief flooding his face. "Thank God you guys are safe."

"Safe? SAFE?!" Momo yelled, her frustration evident. "Okarun, you moron! I know you did something stupid again! I just can't put my finger on it because Odette won't spill the beans!" She turned her glare toward him, fists clenched.

Okarun's Turbo Granny form flickered briefly, his guilty expression confirming her suspicions. His eyes darted to Odette, who gave him a small, strained smile. Despite the situation, there was an awkward tension between them, one that hadn't dissipated since earlier.

Odette scratched the back of her head, clearly annoyed. She shifted uncomfortably, the soaked fabric of her blouse clinging to her skin. Her black bra was visible through the wet material, and she pulled her scythe closer to her body as if to shield herself. "Can't these guys just know when to stay down?" she muttered.

Momo, already irritated, snapped, "I'd never forget your damn faces!" Her psychic energy flared, causing the Serpos to take an involuntary step back.

The Serpos, momentarily caught off guard, didn't notice Odette dart forward. Using the distraction to her advantage, she delivered a swift kick to one of them, sending it stumbling backward. Despite the Serpos' psychokinesis weakening her movements, she managed to throw a solid punch that connected with the other Serpo's elongated torso.

Odette turned to Momo, noticing her gaze lingering uncomfortably. "Your shirt! I'll take off mine so your bra won't show," Momo said suddenly, her eyes flickering to Odette's drenched blouse.

"No need, Momo," Odette replied firmly, her tone laced with exasperation. "I don't think anyone is looking at my boobs or bra, nor would care at this moment. I'll be fine."

"You're a saint," Momo muttered, her cheeks slightly flushed as she tried to refocus.

The Serpos regrouped, their blank faces turning towards their crab-headed subordinate. "Until we harvest the man person's banana organ," one declared.

"We want both women specimens under our confinement," the other added.

Aira stepped forward, her hair snapping like whips as she transformed fully into her Acrobatic Silky form. She stood protectively in front of Okarun, her expression defiant. "It's annoying that Monroè and Momo Ayase are rescuing me, but I have no choice. I'll help you out, but I won't let you have Ken Takakura!"

"As if he were yours in the first place," Odette murmured under her breath, her grip tightening on her scythe.

The tension escalated as the Serpos, undeterred, injected the crab-headed alien with a glowing serum. Its body convulsed before transforming into a monstrous, mantis shrimp-like form. The creature's claws crackled with energy as it launched shockwave punches that sent ripples through the water and shattered nearby walls.

"Regain, Regain, our own Regain. The mark of courage on our briefcase. Can you fight far off in a distant world? Business Man! Business Man! Japanese Business Man!" the alien sang in a distorted tone, its newfound power making it even more dangerous.

The first punch landed squarely on Okarun's chest, sending him flying into a broken desk. Aira tried to counter with her hair, but the alien's claws severed the strands before slamming her into a wall. Momo, still regaining her balance, winced as she saw her friends struggling.

Odette twirled her scythe, the motion creating a gust of wind that disrupted the water around her. "Guess it's my turn," she said, charging forward.

The alien swung at her, but she slid under its claw, using her scythe to deflect its attacks. Her movements were fluid yet forceful, each strike aimed at incapacitating the creature. When the alien raised its claw for another strike, Odette vaulted over it, landing on its back and driving her scythe into its exoskeleton.

"Momo, now!" Odette shouted.

Momo, finally regaining her composure, channeled her psychic power into a concentrated blast. The energy collided with the Serpos' Awesome Zone, shattering its hold on the area.

With the Serpos temporarily weakened, Okarun transformed back into his Turbo Granny form and tackled the crab-headed alien, pinning it to the ground. "We're not done yet!" he growled, his eyes glowing with determination.

"Worker! Go after that woman!" one of the Serpos ordered, its voice grating and cold.

"You're not going to ignore me," Okarun growled, his voice deepened by the Turbo Granny transformation.

"I just wanna go home," he muttered, his shoulders sagging for a brief moment before he steeled himself again.

The crab-headed alien didn't wait for further instructions, launching itself at Odette with startling speed.

Okarun and Aira quickly transformed, stepping in to intercept the alien. Aira lunged at the creature, her hair snapping forward like whips, while Okarun used his heightened reflexes to shield her from the alien's rapid counterattacks.

"Uppercut!" the crab alien snarled as its claw swung upward, connecting with Aira and sending her crashing into the ceiling with a deafening thud.

"Aira!" Odette called, her heart sinking.

"I can't see the attack!" Aira groaned as she peeled herself off the ceiling and landed shakily on her feet. "That thing is bad news!"

As the crab alien charged at Aira again, claws raised to strike, Okarun dashed forward, grabbing her and dodging the blow just in time. "He dodged!" Odette noted, her eyes wide as she watched his quick movements.

"Ken must've seen the alien's movements," she muttered to herself, piecing together his strategy.

Okarun's grip on Aira was firm as he maneuvered them both to avoid another flurry of attacks. With each dodge, he created an opening for her to counter. "You said I'm lacking in power, didn't you?" Aira's voice had an edge to it, her Acrobatic Silky form giving her an eerie, commanding tone. "Then... I'll simply nail your weak spot multiple times!"

Odette's brows furrowed as she watched them fight. Their movements were almost synchronized, like a dance, each attack flowing seamlessly into the next.

"You know," Odette muttered, "it'd be way cooler to look at if they just had some proper clothes on." Her tone was light, but the tension in her voice was evident.

"Be careful!" she shouted, her concern breaking through as she saw the alien narrowly miss Okarun with one of its claws.

Although they were working well together, the closeness between Okarun and Aira grated on her nerves. Momo, noticing Odette's discomfort, smirked slightly. "Oh my, are you jealous?" she teased.

"I am not!" Odette snapped, crossing her arms defensively.

"That's great advice," Okarun called back to Odette, his focus never wavering from the fight.

Odette sighed, her frustration mounting as she watched them. Deciding she'd had enough, she charged forward, her scythe in hand, and forcibly separated Okarun and Aira. "Do you guys wanna die?!" she shouted, glaring at both of them.

Okarun and Aira skidded back, turning to face her in confusion. "What the hell is wrong with you? We were just about to finish this thing, and you came in separating us!" Aira barked, her tone sharp and accusatory.

Odette's grip on her scythe tightened as she retorted, "You may have a death wish, but I don't think I want any of us to die in their hands, alright?"

Before anyone could respond, the crab alien let out a frustrated roar, turning to the Serpos. "You're penalizing me? Reducing my pay for this? What kind of bosses are you?" it whined, its claws drooping in apparent defeat.

Odette blinked. "Wait... is this alien seriously arguing about its paycheck?"

Momo let out a short laugh, despite the situation. "Even their minions have work complaints."

The unexpected moment of levity was cut short as the water beneath their feet suddenly surged, rising rapidly to flood the void space. The sound of rushing water drowned out their protests, and within moments, they were all submerged.

Odette kicked furiously, her legs burning as she fought to reach the surface. "What was that just now?! My feet don't touch the bottom!" she gasped as her head broke the surface, taking in deep, frantic breaths.

Okarun and Aira surfaced beside her, their expressions equally panicked. Momo followed shortly, coughing and sputtering. The water churned violently around them, and Odette's eyes darted to the walls and ceiling, now shimmering like liquid mirrors.

Above them, the creature they had previously encountered glided through the water, its massive form casting an ominous shadow. It swam gracefully, almost lazily, as if it were toying with them.

"Oh, hell no," Odette muttered, her grip on her scythe tightening. The water made it nearly impossible to wield properly, but she wasn't about to give up.

Momo's gaze hardened as she surveyed their surroundings. "This is bad. We're sitting ducks in here."

"Water!" Aira's scream cut through the unsettling silence, her panic rippling through the already tense atmosphere.

Odette instinctively reached out to the wall, her hand slipping right through it. A wet, cold sensation coated her fingers, sending an uneasy shiver down her spine. "The walls... they're water now," she muttered in disbelief. She quickly pulled her hand back and wiped it on her soaked skirt. Her blouse clung to her body uncomfortably, her black bra visible beneath the now-transparent fabric.

Above them, a shadow loomed, and the already dim room darkened further. All eyes lifted to the ceiling, where a massive creature swam through the watery void above them. Its serpentine body twisted with an unsettling grace, its scales reflecting faint hues of green and blue as it moved. Its presence was haunting, its size overwhelming.

"It's here," Odette whispered, her voice trembling. She immediately felt the weight of panic pressing on her chest. "Crap, crap, crap! We need to get out of here—now!"

"Hold on! Why are you giving orders?" Aira snapped, her usual arrogance cutting through her voice. "I'm the leader here!"

Odette spun around to glare at her, her voice dripping with exasperation. "Girl, ain't nobody trying to be a leader right now! Either help or get out of the way, because I'm not about to die for your dumbass!"

"It's Nessie!" Okarun's excited voice broke through the tension. His eyes sparkled as he stared up at the creature in awe, completely oblivious to the danger. "The Loch Ness Monster is real!"

Aira clutched her hands to her chest, her tone suddenly soft and dreamy. "Takakura is so cute when he's excited!"

Odette's jaw dropped in disbelief. "Oh, for the love of—" She clamped her mouth shut and turned away, muttering angrily under her breath. The urge to lash out was nearly overwhelming, but she knew it wouldn't help their situation.

Momo raised an eyebrow, her irritation palpable. 'Seriously? She's acting like this now?' she thought, her eyes flickering between Aira's giddy expression and Odette's boiling frustration.

"No, no, no. We're in Kamigoe City," Okarun said, his voice rising with excitement. "Should I call it Kamissie instead?"

Odette had finally had enough. "I've had it with this shit." she shouted, yanking Momo by the arm. "Let them nerd out all they want—I'm leaving!"

She swam away, dragging Momo with her. "Odette, wait—" Momo began, but Odette cut her off.

"I'm tired, wet, freezing, and I feel like I'm about to lose my damn mind. Let's just figure out how to get out of here before I punch someone."

Her frustration wasn't unwarranted. The rising water soaked through her clothes, clinging uncomfortably to her skin. She shivered as a cold draft swept through the room. Her thoughts were a chaotic mess, with a nagging sense of jealousy gnawing at her chest.

She hated feeling this way—she hated how Aira's presence seemed to pull Okarun's attention away, even if it wasn't intentional.

Behind them, a loud crashing sound interrupted her thoughts. Odette whipped around just in time to see Nessie release a powerful laser-like blast at the Serpo. The alien barely had time to react before being obliterated, the force sending shockwaves through the water.

"Oh, well, that's our cue to get the hell out of here," Odette said, summoning her scythe. She mounted it like a broomstick, her movements quick and efficient. "Hop on, Momo!"

"Wait for me!" Okarun yelled, swimming desperately to catch up.

"You steady playing around. Get yo' ass over here already!" Odette snapped, grabbing his arm and hauling him onto the scythe. With Momo seated securely behind her, the trio took off, skimming across the water's surface as Nessie's massive body moved ominously above them.

"Nessie is seriously bad news!" Okarun exclaimed, still in awe despite the situation.

"That's what we've been saying this whole time!" Momo snapped, smacking the back of his head. She glanced over her shoulder. "Wait—where's Aira?"

They all turned to see Aira struggling to keep up, her movements panicked and uncoordinated. "Hey! Takakura, wait—" Her cry was cut off as the crab-headed alien emerged from the water, unleashing a powerful shockwave punch. The force sent Aira flying toward the watery ceiling, her body twisting unnaturally as she tried to right herself.

"Miss Shiratori!" Okarun shouted, his voice filled with concern.

The trio came to an abrupt halt, watching in horror as the alien prepared another attack. Its glowing eyes locked onto Aira, its presence radiating malice.

"That was from him?" Momo asked, her voice tinged with disbelief.

"Business Punch!" the crab alien bellowed, his fist glowing with energy. Another devastating punch sent waves rippling through the water, narrowly missing the trio as Odette swerved to avoid the impact.

"Does he punch harder underwater?" Momo asked, her mind racing to process what they were up against.

"It's the mantis shrimp thing!" Odette exclaimed, her memory flashing back to their science class discussion. "That thing's got the characteristics of a mantis shrimp! Momo, remember when Miko and Muko were joking about you being one?"

Momo's eyes widened in realization. "Oh, yeah! The punch strength!"

Despite boasting about his underwater abilities, the crab alien soon revealed his critical weakness. His movements slowed, and bubbles began to rise from his mouth as he struggled to breathe. "Still need air, huh?" Momo smirked, her confidence returning. "Get him while he's distracted!"

Okarun sank deeper into the water, his Turbo Granny form proving ineffective in the aquatic environment. His powerful legs, usually an asset, were now useless, and he flailed helplessly as the water dragged him down.

"This is the worst situation ever!" Momo yelled, her grip tightening on Odette's arm as the two floated above the chaos.

"How are we supposed to fight like this?!" Odette added, her tone sharp with panic as she glanced up at Aira, who was still unconscious, floating precariously above them.

"I don't know the answer either!" Okarun shouted from below, his voice muffled by the water around him.

"If we don't hurry up and save that stupid girl, she'll drown!" Odette's voice cracked, her worry evident as she stared at Aira's lifeless body drifting in the water.

Okarun, desperate for a solution, looked to Momo. "Miss Ayase, what about your psychic powers? Can you pull her down?"

Momo hesitated, her brow furrowed as she calculated the distance. "I can reach her if we're right below, but that mantis shrimp guy is in the way, and I can't get close!"

Odette, her scythe still in hand, sighed heavily. "I'll stay up here and keep an eye on him. Underwater isn't my thing, but if you need help, I'll toss this down so you can use it as a magnet pull. Just don't let him get too close!"

Momo nodded, and the three quickly formulated a plan. Okarun dove down, his determination overcoming his earlier panic. As he swam toward the mantis shrimp alien, the creature unleashed another shockwave punch. Okarun positioned himself in front of Momo, absorbing the brunt of the attack and shielding her from the impact.

Momo gasped as the force rippled through the water. Her psychic powers surged, wrapping around Okarun like a cocoon. "Hang on, Okarun!" she shouted, her voice echoing through the water. Using her powers, she transformed Okarun into a makeshift speedboat, propelling him upwards with incredible speed.

With her precision, Momo guided Okarun toward Aira. As they reached her, Momo used her powers to expel the water from Aira's lungs. Aira coughed violently, gasping for air as her body convulsed. "You're okay now," Momo reassured her, though her voice was strained from the effort.

However, their relief was short-lived. The added water resistance from their soaked clothing slowed their movements, making it nearly impossible to evade the next attack.

Momo glanced at Odette and Aira, her expression grim. "We're going to have to strip down. These clothes are dragging us down too much."

"Excuse me?" Odette's voice was sharp, her eyes narrowing. "There is no way I'm taking my clothes off in front of these idiots."

"Didn't think I'd be saying this, but we don't have a choice," Momo replied, already stripping down to her underwear and bra. "You too, Aira!"

Aira reluctantly complied, though her face flushed red as she glanced at Okarun. "I didn't think my hero fantasies would play out like this..." she muttered.

Odette groaned, clearly irritated, but finally relented, removing her waterlogged blouse and skirt. Her black bra and matching underwear clung to her, and she crossed her arms over her chest defensively. "This is so humiliating."

Before anyone could respond, a deafening roar echoed through the water. Below them, the enhanced crab alien was still alive and struggling. As it looked around, it noticed one of its Serpo allies swimming nearby. The alien's eyes widened in shock as it realized it was merely a severed head, clearly killed by Nessie.

Another Serpo approached, its body cables slithering out like tentacles. It wrapped around the crab alien and began to fuse with Nessie, creating a grotesque, fused creature: the Serpo Dover Demon Nessie.

Momo's eyes widened in horror. "What the hell is that thing?!"

The fused creature roared, unleashing a barrage of water blasts from its mouth. The trio barely managed to dodge the onslaught, swimming frantically in opposite directions. Once the attack ceased, they noticed the creature pausing to absorb water through its gills, recharging for another assault.

"We've got a window!" Odette shouted. "While it's recharging!"

Aira, now fully revived and emboldened, used her Acrobatic Silky hair to launch herself toward the fused creature. Her hair coiled tightly around its neck as she prepared to deliver a flying kick. "Take this!" she shouted, her voice echoing with determination.

But the Serpo Dover Demon Nessie was ready. It blocked her attack with one of its massive mantis shrimp arms, sending her flying backward. The creature responded with a barrage of shockwave punches, the force shaking the watery void around them.

"You said you were good at close combat!" Odette shouted, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Looks like it's better!"

Momo and Okarun quickly moved to recover Aira, pulling her out of harm's way. The trio regrouped, their minds racing as they tried to come up with a new plan.

"This thing is way too strong," Momo muttered, her eyes darting around for any advantage.

Okarun, still in his Turbo Granny form, frowned. "Its arms—those mantis shrimp arms. They're its weak point, right?"

Momo's eyes lit up as she realized what he meant. "Of course! Those arms can't handle force out of the water!"

But before they could act, another shockwave punch scattered them, sending each of them hurtling through the water in different directions.

The Serpo Dover Demon Nessie turned its attention to Odette, recognizing her as the most formidable opponent. It lunged toward her, its teeth bared, ready to deliver a fatal blow.

"Odette!" Okarun shouted, his heart pounding as he swam toward her.

Just as the creature prepared to strike, Momo used her powers to bring the water crashing down, creating a massive force that tore the creature's mantis shrimp arms apart. The creature howled in pain, its once-powerful limbs now useless.

The Serpo Dover Demon Nessie, now desperate, attempted to ensnare Momo with its teeth. It dove into the depths, generating another water blast aimed at cleaving her in two. But before it could strike, Aira intervened, her Acrobatic Silky hair wrapping tightly around its neck.

"Not so fast!" she yelled, pulling with all her might. Her hair created a makeshift track, allowing Okarun to use it as a springboard.

"Hang on!" Okarun shouted, using the momentum to propel himself toward the creature. With a final, powerful kick, he split the fused monstrosity in two, its body disintegrating into the water.

As the chaos settled, Okarun found himself holding Odette in his arms, her breathing ragged but steady. "Are you okay?" he asked, his voice soft.

Odette nodded, her cheeks flushed. "Yeah... thanks."

Following the defeat of the Serpo Dover Demon Nessie, Momo, Odette, and Okarun successfully exited the void space, finding themselves sprawled out on the solid ground of the school hallway.

For a brief, blissful moment, they all breathed heavily, savoring the feeling of safety and relief. The battle was over, and the oppressive, waterlogged nightmare had finally ended.

Okarun, out of his Turbo Granny form, still found himself holding Odette tightly. His arms were wrapped around her as though letting go would pull them both back into the nightmare they'd just escaped. His heart raced, not only from the fight but from the realization of their closeness. His voice was soft, filled with concern as he looked into her face.

"Are you okay? Okay, this time?" he asked, his eyes searching hers.

Odette blinked, her cheeks turning a shade darker as she realized their position. Her hands were on his bare chest—more specifically, his completely naked chest. She cleared her throat and nodded quickly, her voice slightly higher than normal. "Y-Yeah, I'm fine, Ken. Just peachy." She tried to keep her tone casual but failed miserably.

Momo sprawled out a few feet away, and let out a loud, slightly hysterical laugh as she realized they were finally safe. She pounded the ground lightly with her fist, tears of laughter streaming from her eyes. "We're alive! Finally, it's over! We didn't die! That stupid shrimp didn't kill us!"

But as the adrenaline ebbed away, the trio's sense of relief gave way to something far more mortifying. They became painfully aware of their surroundings—the fluorescent lights above, the familiar tile floors, and most notably, the numerous faces peering at them through the classroom windows.

Students were crowding at the glass, their jaws hanging open, eyes wide with shock.

Okarun froze as the reality hit him like a brick wall. His arms were still securely around Odette, but now he noticed a crucial detail: he was completely naked. His face flushed beet red as he scrambled backward, shielding himself awkwardly with his hands.

Momo, still laughing, quickly stopped when she realized her state of undress. She was in nothing but her bra and underwear, and the realization made her shriek, covering herself with her arms. "Oh, no. Oh, hell no. This is not happening!"

Odette, still sprawled on the floor, quickly scrambled to her feet. Her school blouse and skirt were long gone, leaving her in her black bra and underwear, and she could already feel the heat rising to her cheeks. Her brain raced as she tried to process the horrifying situation.

"EVERYONE'S LOOKING!" Aira's voice suddenly screeched, and the trio turned to see her running out from a random hallway, also clad in nothing but her undergarments. She looked around in panic, her hands trying to cover as much of herself as possible. "My reputation is RUINED! Everyone saw me like this!"

Odette didn't need to hear anymore. Her embarrassment turned to raw panic, and before anyone could say anything, she bolted down the hallway. "Nope! No way is Grandma Mo hearing about this! NOT TODAY!" she yelled as she ran, her voice echoing through the halls.

"Odette, wait for us!" Momo yelled, grabbing Okarun by the arm and hauling him to his feet.

The three of them, along with Aira, sprinted down the hallway in a mad dash to get away from the prying eyes of their classmates. Their bare feet slapped against the tile floor as they zigzagged through the halls, dodging students and teachers alike.

Okarun, somehow managing to keep up despite the mortification of his current state, called out to Odette. "Wait! Odette, can we talk about what happened earlier?"

Odette whipped her head around to glare at him, her voice full of exasperation. "WRONG TIMING, KEN. NOW'S NOT THE TIME!"

——

AUTHOR'S NOTE:
had to finish up episode 8-9 in this chapter or my head was going to explode. Next chapter Okarun & Odette can finally sort out their issues..well her issue lol.

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