A knock came from the door

(chapter originally by doragom333 at writing.com)

A student Fuuka didn't know entered the room. "Excuse me," he addressed the teacher.

"What is it?" the teacher replied.

"I am here for Fuuka Yamagishi," the student stated. "The student council has business with her."

"We are nearly finished with today's lecture," the teacher said dismissively. "Just wait until the top of the hour."

"I'm sorry, but Kirijo-san was strongly insistent that she be brought to her immediately."

The mention of Mitsuru's name sent all the students into hushed chatter, and sent Fuuka's blood to a chill.

"Kirijo, eh?" the teacher frowned. "Well, you heard him, Yamagishi, go!" he snapped towards Fuuka.

"Ah! Y-yes!" Fuuka stammered, getting up from her seat.

As she walked towards the door, she could hear the other students' whispers more clearly. "Kirijo..." "What trouble has she gotten into?" "Wait, could she have been-" "Sh!"

"Come along now," the student councilman said. "We don't want to keep her waiting."

In no time at all, Fuuka was brought to the Student Council Office. Inside, she saw Mitsuru and Minako, both sitting down at a table and facing each other. Minako turned towards Fuuka, then quickly turned away.

Fuuka wished that the earth would swallow her then and there.

"Thank you," Mitsuru addressed the councilman. "Now, leave us in private."

The councilman nodded, and left the girls alone.

Mitsuru, turning to Fuuka, calmly spoke: "Have a seat, Yamagishi,"

Fuuka immediately complied, knowing that this was not a request.

"Now, do you know why I have summoned you here?" Mitsuru asked, cooly staring at the girls sitting across from her.

Minako and Fuuka looked at each other. "N-no," Fuuka said as levelly as she could.

"We weren't told why we were coming here, so no," Minako said, somewhat more solidly.

Mitsuru paused, closing her eyes and opening them before continuing. "I am already aware of your truancies for the past period, and your breach of dress code is clearly evident," she said, causing Fuuka to squirm uncomfortably. "But that is not why I have brought you here."

"Then, why did you ask for us, Mitsuru-san?" Minako asked.

"This-" Mitsuru brought forth a bag from underneath the table, "-was found in the courtyard near the end of the lunch period."

Fuuka's lips pursed together, her eyes going wide with shock, as Mitsuru revealed the contents: a wadded up bundle consisting of a pair of female Gekkoukan uniforms, as well as two different sets of brightly colored women's underwear. She immediately steadied herself.

"Well?" Mitsuru asked expectantly.

"Well, what?" Minako asked, though not without noticeable unease.

"Are you seriously going to make me spell it out for you?" Mitsuru shook her head disapprovingly. "Two discarded uniforms and undergarments are found during lunch, two students disappear the following period and return without their uniforms, and you two are the only two students to be out of uniform. Everyone else is accounted for," Mitsuru glared at the pair.

"That doesn't necessarily mean it's us!" Minako shouted back. "There's no proof that those clothes are mine. I spilled some of my lunch on my uniform and had to change, and spent the hour cleaning my clothes so they wouldn't stain, but I remembered I had to get to class, so it's probably stuck with the rest of the uniforms in the laundry as well. Check it out for yourself!"

"I don't need to check the school laundry system," said Mitsuru, standing up from her seat and walking towards Minako. "In fact, I don't need to leave this room to determine the validity of your story."

"Y-You don't?" Minako asked, standing up and backing towards the wall.

"Arisato, I must ask you to disrobe!" Mitsuru pointed at Minako.

"What!?"

"Do not make me say it twice!" Mitsuru continued. "Remove your clothing at once. Or I shall do it for you. The culprits do not have underwear, therefore the presence of underwear shall determine your innocence!"

"WAIT!" Fuuka cried out, slamming her arms against the table.

"Fuuka-chan!" Minako gasped.

"No, Minako-chan! No more!" Fuuka shuddered, on the verge of tears. "It was us, Mitsuru-san. But don't punish Minako-chan, it's all my fault anyway."

"But, Fuuka-chan!" said Minako. "You couldn't have known that would happen! Mitsuru-san, I take full responsibility!"

"Enough!" Mitsuru shouted. "Perhaps it would be best to start from the beginning."

---One Explanation Later---

"So what you're telling me," said Mitsuru, clutching her head, "Is that because of a dish Yamagishi cooked using some unique combination of herbs, it somehow hypnotized Arisato into tearing off and disposing of both of your outfits?"

"Um..." said Fuuka.

"Well..." said Minako.

"Yes," said both at once.

"I know it sounds weird," Minako spoke. "But it's all true!"

"You expect me to believe this... 'Naked Stew' really exists?" said Mitsuru incredulously.

"Well, either that's what it does, or it made me act on some primal instinct by giving me an overdose of energy. How else do you explain what happened?" Minako asked.

"Simple," Mitsuru said, tapping her forehead. "Yamagishi's stew had no effect at all, and you simply took advantage of the weather and dragged Yamagishi into your depraved little fantasy. One that you said you've had for some time now, if I recall?"

"That's beside the point!" Minako blushed beet red. "Even if I have, I would never **** anyone into it. It's purely a private, personal fantasy like we all have. I never even thought I would do it for real! I'm telling you it was the stew that made me do it!"

"And I'm telling you that is pure nonsense!" Mitsuru snapped back. "I want to believe you, really, I do, but how can you prove this?"

"We can try it ourselves!" Minako said, desperately. "Fuuka-chan cooked it after all! She can do it again!"

"Minako-chan!" Fuuka gasped.

"Hm..." Mitsuru pondered. "Yamagishi?"

"Yes?" Fuuka asked, full of dread.

"Can you make the stew again?"

"I think so. I still have the recipe and spare ingredients."

"Enough for how many?"

"Well, the entire team, and then some," said Fuuka, suddenly realizing Mitsuru's intent. "Wait, no! Mitsuru-san-"

"Then it's settled," said Mitsuru. "We will all settle this tonight, before the Dark Hour."

"Wait, you're bringing everyone into this!?" Minako gasped.

"An adequate sample size is necessary for accurate results," Mitsuru stated, matter-of-factly.

"But, Mitsuru-san, that's too dangerous, even if it was just Minako-chan again!" Fuuka pleaded. "Don't make me cook it the stew, it will end terribly. You have to believe me!"

"Fuuka-chan's right, Mitsuru-san," Minako added. "There's no telling what will happen! I'll take whatever you can throw at me, just please, let this go."

"I believe you enough to test your theory," said Mitsuru. "And I must admit I am curious to see first-hand whether this mystical stew truly exists. But I cannot let this matter slide. After all, you two broke the rules and made a mockery of this institution, and it is only due to our friendship that I am not stringing you up right now. If you are unwilling to provide proof, then I shall have to punish you both for streaking. Not public, of course, but I am aware you've heard of my executions by now."

"Mrg..." Fuuka groaned, looking to Minako for support.

Minako herself seemed to be at a loss. She simply looked back and said, "It's up to you, Fuuka-chan."

If only Mitsuru could have been convinced without putting all of them at risk. But, there seemed to be no alternative. It was either make that accursed dish, or face severe, private, punishment for a crime they were only partially responsible for.

In the end, Fuuka knew what she had to do: