Lesson Learned

You've learned so much

Nagisa stood on a rock next to Kayano and looked over his shoulder. "Come on, guys, we need to—"

The wind whipped around them violently when a shadowy figure sped in without any of them clocking it until it was too late.

"Ah!" Rio nearly fell backwards but was caught by Mitsuko, the two girls sighting in relief that the precious package was safe.

Their relief died quickly when they saw Hojou dressed all in black with a very large gun hoisted over his shoulders as he leant against a tree.

Mitsuko grimaced, moving over to the others so they were better crowded together as Hojou stared them down behind his glasses.

"From this point forward..." Hojou smiled and adjusted the specs on his scarred face. "I'll give you a lesson you will never forget."

Mitsuko's eye widened in alarm. "Shit."

"Uh, not good," Kimura yelped.

Sugaya grimaced. "Uh, anyone else guessing he isn't carrying fake bullets in that gun?"

Hojou stood up straighter, casting large shadows as he stared down at them from his high point near the trees. "Honestly." He didn't even flinch when he caught two tranquillizer darts aimed at his face. "Tranquilizer darts. You're better off using my subordinates guns. Without real bullets, you have no hope in defeating me."

Mitsuko's stomach flipped horribly as the air around them grew thick and cold, feeling some fear start to creep in, but she forced it away.

Can't freeze up now.

She looked around for Karma and Nagisa and started to smile when she saw they were gone.

Good, then we stick to the plan and give this everything we've got.

Rio narrowed her eyes and slipped the bag off while Hojou was busy talking. "You ready?"

Mitsuko nodded, touching the tazer on her belt while Rio hid the bag behind one of the rocks so it was safe.

Then in a blink, Karma leapt out of the shadows and attacked from behind.

Her stomach lurched when Hojou hit him back so hard he went flying up and into the bushes.

"Fuck!" Okajima swore as they all were struck with shock just how hard he had managed to hit him back. "Did you—?"

Sugino threw a rock near Hojou's head, sending it crumbling against a tree and knocking them back into action.

"Less talking more killing!" Rio hissed, stepping forward as they all jumped in.

Before Hojou could recover, Yada flashed the torch in his face, blinding him as his eyes scrunched up.

In the blaze of the light, they attacked from all corners with stones, sticks, and whatever weapon they had.

Hit and run. Don't give him a chance to remove his glasses or shoot.

Hojou was swerving around to block each of their hits, not having the chance to fire as he blocked off attacks from in front and behind.

Mitsuko threw a stone at him and then back off, trying to find an opening.

Be aware of your enemy and allies.

Mr Karasuma's instructions came back to all of them as they worked to manoeuvre around each other like a well-trained dance.

She saw an opening when Hojou rushed to avoid an incoming rock. She leapt forward and kicked the gun from his hands before the bastard had a chance to keep a tighter hold out of it.