Ryuto: Wooow, dude, this hot spring's amaaaazing!!! Ever soaked with manga bubbles before?!
WhimsicalMountain
I had just started to get used to Ryuto's freakiness when I was knocked out from behind again. Ugh...what now?
Ryuto: Oh come on, don't tell me you're still embarrassed! You should be used to this by now! Just think of it as another thrilling adventure!
WhimsicalMountain
I opened my eyes and saw Ryuto looking at me. Well...I guess he was right. But that's not the point. What the heck did you do to my clothes, Ryuto?! And why does the school look like a giant manga panel?!
Ryuto: Whoa, don't get mad at me! It's not like I went out and stole your clothes! As for this place...well, let's just say I've been taking some extra courses in Fuusui.
WhimsicalMountain
Fuusui? What in the world is Fuusui? I looked around. I couldn't find anyone else.
Ryuto: Fuusui is the ancient art of using manga to control reality! It's pretty awesome, if you ask me.
WhimsicalMountain
Wait...you turned the whole school into a manga? That sounds like a crazy power to have...and it explains why everyone was acting so different. Damn, Ryuto...that actually makes a lot of sense. I sighed. And...I guess this means there's no one else here besides us?
Ryuto: Yep, that's right. It's just you and me, buddy! Can't have any distractions, after all.
WhimsicalMountain
I paused for a second. We're...naked though...
Ryuto: Oh, don't worry about it. Everyone's used to seeing each other naked around here. It's all part of the fun! Besides, you're totally toned, man! I'm a little jealous, honestly.
WhimsicalMountain
I stared. Why was this par talk of normalcy around here? Did I mention that my first language is not Japanese?
Ryuto: Hey, don't feel bad. There's nothing to be ashamed of! We're both dudes here, after all. And you're totally ripped, dude - you've got nothing to worry about!
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I sighed. I guess... I decided to change the subject. So...how'd you learn Fuusui? Did you go to a workshop or something?
Ryuto: Oh, you know it! I went to a super-freaky anime convention in Tokyo and met this guy who was all about Fuusui.
WhimsicalMountain
I looked at him. Tokyo? I thought to myself...then I remembered something. We were a good 15 miles away from Tokyo. Dude...we're not in Tokyo...we're up in the mountains...
Ryuto: No way! Don't tell me you didn't feel the energy in the air! This place is teeming with spiritual vibrations that are perfect for learning Fuusui!
WhimsicalMountain
I just looked around. The only thing I felt was the chill breeze was the steam from the hot springs. It was nighttime. All I saw were stars...and some clouds. I sure didn't feel any'spiritual vibrations'. Maybe Ryuto was just high or something. But then again... Could it be that Ryuto really did go to an anime convention in Tokyo? I asked myself.
Ryuto: Haha, no, dude, I'm totally sober! Trust me, I know a good high when I see one! Besides, you've seen what I can do with Fuusui - I don't need any drugs to enhance my powers!
WhimsicalMountain
I sighed. Did you get the technique from the convention? Or did you find it somewhere else?
Ryuto: Oh, I actually found a super-rare book on Fuusui in the basement of a quirky little anime shop.
WhimsicalMountain
I stared. A basement? A 'quirky little anime shop'? Where did Ryuto even find such a thing? Who in the world wrote it?
Ryuto: Oh, you won't believe it! It was written by this super-legendary manga artist named Go Nagai! Dude, he's like God to me! You should check out some of his old stuff - it's totally mind-blowing!
WhimsicalMountain
I paused. Go Nagai? Wait a minute...I remembered something. You mean...the writer of 'Devilman'?
Ryuto: Yeah! That's the one! Have you read Devilman? That book changed my life, man! It gave me the inspiration to learn Fuusui and turn this school into a giant manga panel!
WhimsicalMountain
I stared. Then I sighed. I've read Devilman...in fact, I loved it...but...it was only recently released...I remembered something else. Wait a minute...how long have you known about Fuusui?
Ryuto: Well, let me think...I guess I stumbled across that weird book about Fuusui and Go Nagai's stuff a couple of months ago, and that's when I first started learning it.
WhimsicalMountain
05am. The hot spring had drained considerably since I arrived.* So...when did you learn Fuusui?
Ryuto: Oh, you know, it takes time to master these things. I've been working on it for a while now.
WhimsicalMountain
I sighed. I don't think I really want to know what that means... The clouds suddenly glowed and I felt a chill in the air. I knew what that meant. Ah...darn it... I stood up and looked around. It seemed like the hot spring was completely dried up.
Ryuto: Woah, woah, what's going on now? Are you okay, dude?
WhimsicalMountain
I stared. I think our time here is up... I looked at the dried-up hot spring. Fuusui draws energy from its source...and right now, its source is completely dry...I sighed. Sorry dude, looks like we gotta get going...
Ryuto: Whoa, alright, alright! No problem, man. Let's get out of here before things get really weird, dude.
WhimsicalMountain
I picked up my clothes and put them on. As I put on my clothes, I turned around and suddenly froze.
Ryuto: I look behind you Woah, dude, check it out!
WhimsicalMountain
I turned around. At the bottom of the hill was a train station. There was indeed a train station down there... I picked up my shoes and walked over to the edge of the hot spring. This is how Fuusui works... I jumped in the hot water, instantly cooling off. Yo! Why'd you stop?! Get in here! The water's great!
Ryuto: Oh, you're crazy, dude! But hey, if you say so... I jump into the hot water Woah, you weren't kidding, this is nice and toasty!