Act: 34
As he ran down the hallways heading to class, he came to a complete stop after seeing a woman with long gracious pink hair. His body tensed slightly, nervous to approach her and he knew that no one else in this school had such a perfect face, scent, body, and elegant hair.
It's been so long. He felt awkward even approaching her the butterflies in his stomach had gone crazy, to him it felt wrong as if he wasn't good enough to do so.
"It- it's Hinako!"
She turned around after hearing her name be called by a particularly sweet voice. Her eyes lit up as she saw Shizu stand out.
"Shi-zu! Is that really you! Hold on Amamoto..."
She ran up grabbing him by the hands, shaking them up and down eagerly.
"It's really you! I haven't seen you in ages, why haven't you answered any of my calls or texts! I have too many questions about where you were! Answer, answer, answer.
"Hold on Hinako! You're pulling my arms out. Ahh."
"!!"
"Oh no! I'm sorry I was getting carried away. It's, I'm just so happy to see you again! We must catch up when we have the chance?"
Amamoto, who was behind them had been signaling her to hurry up and go.
"Hm, I guess I was gone for training?"
"I'm so sorry but I have to go now, again glad to see you. I'll text you later if I remember!"
She left with another unknown lady from Shizu's point of view. Leaving without saying goodbye or anything.
"That felt... Kind of rushed and I didn't even get to say anything. Hmm, she's probably really busy I bet."
- - - -
Returning to class, surprisingly he didn't get an earful for being late; the only thing he was told to do had been to sit in his seat and pay attention. The class proceeded to go by smoothly and like always Shizu, being the teacher's pet answered all the questions and had been called on the most. The whole class agreed that Shizu was the smartest among the rest regardless of if they hated him and for some reason, everyone but Shizu saw himself as being the teacher's pet.
Once she finished talking and left the classroom, the class had begun to talk to each other like normal, going on about homework and being excited for the tournament brackets along with soon being able to finally go out for quests.
"So Shizu, did I tell you that I got myself into some actual quests?"
He said quietly enough, so the rest of the students didn't hear.
"What!"
"Hey, hey now keep it down. I don't need the others getting me in trouble."
As he moved around all weirdly like.
"Oh, my bad...? But you know that if the school finds out that you got an ID without the slip granting permission for students attending here. You'll get in some serious trouble. I heard they can revoke your card and suspend you from certain activities."
"Yeah, I know. Who cares, sometimes Shizu you need to learn to live a little. Break some school rules now and then. Plus, we will get one in the future anyway so it shouldn't matter too much."
"Why would I do that? This school isn't like the other ones, we all were selected for a special reason for entering this high-end high school. And I sure wouldn't want to upset my parents now."
'Parents?'
Taku had thought to himself.
"Shizu. You really do confuse me sometimes."
The same group that came to Taku from before showed up again putting their hands on his shoulders.
*Why don't you leave the teacher's pet out of it. Hang with us, guys who have strong Stars. That will be useful on any kind of quest! *
"Again, with you touching me."
Taku's shoulders began to drop in temperature, getting cold causing the kid to jerk his hand back, shaking it a bit, almost feeling like he got some form of frostbite.
"I'll have you know. I do what I want when I want and for the teacher's pet. I will be the one to pound his face in for the tournament and see surely how weak he is."
The boy's expression became smug while he leaned all in Taku's face, trying to assert some dominance between the two, showing off to his friends who really were the strongest.
*Huh! If you want, we can settle this fight down at the training area. Thinking you're so strong my three guys and me vs you two! A funny joke I would say! *
*Ding*
Sound of the school bell going off.
Shizu started to smile.
"Sorry Taku, we can hang out later. I must go now. I remembered there's something I need to take care of."
"Wait, are you serious? What do you mean, we have to fight these guys and show them who's boss."
"Sorry!"
Shizu walked past the guy who had his hands on Taku's shoulders. He reached for Shizu's hand gripping it tightly and stopping him from leaving.
*Snap*
Breaking his hand in the opposite direction the bone snapped, popping out of his wrist. He screamed out in pain which caused another scene, and the rest of the classmates were shocked to see him do something so out of the ordinary. Before he reached the door, he spoke loud enough for everyone to hear.
"Now it's a two vs one, you can win that easily right Taku?"
Closing the door behind him.
'Shizu...?'
"So, I guess I will take your offer, now I won't allow him to one-up me and do it in front of the class. Seems he got tired of you calling him weak."
*Oh, fuck off, hurry up you dead shits! Assist me already to the health room! *
The other two boys began to scurry around helping him get over to the health room for treatment even though he could go alone.
- - - -
Shizu walked around the school heading to the library thinking that's where she may be. Soon reaching his destination he saw a familiar someone walking towards him with glasses and the same girl from before, the one Hinako was with. Hano.
Hano walked up to Shizu with the utmost disgusted tone to his voice.
"You won't get far. Although I will love to see how this tournament will play out and a reminder for you, just give up. Honestly, you won't win."
Shizu had stopped to look back at them, seeing how those two walked past him without even looking back.
'What's his deal? I didn't do anything to him last time I checked…?'
When he walked into the library he looked around and saw the beautiful pink hair spread out on the backside of a chair. Moving faster he sat down in the chair across from her.
"I knew you'd be here. Would you like to talk and continue where we left off?"
"My bad for earlier, I was in a rush, but I was glad to see you and I figured that maybe we could hang out tomorrow since it would be the weekend. I did come up with the idea that we could go shopping together and watch a movie of some sort?"
She had blushed looking away here and there, saying all that while being this close to him.
"Huh-Uh yeah! I would love to!"
*Shh*
The two blushed from the embarrassment, thankfully the place was pretty much empty. Shizu whispered much quieter than he originally was.
"What time should I meet you and where?"
"Um- let's say 15:30 at the main plaza?"
"Ok! That works it a date-"
Shizu's mouth froze from fear of what he said.
'No, no, no, no, no... I meant to say deal... The excitement got to me!'
*...*
'I blew it, my chances are all gone now... Why is she not saying anything!'
Blushing more than before and now smiling.
"It's a date then. Don't be late."
He began to scream with joy in his head.
"I do have some studying to do so I will finish my work here, you're free to stay if you would like to."
"Thanks, I would love to, but I have to head over to one of my teachers for a scolding, but I will be ready for tomorrow. Bye-bye."
"Cya later."
When he left the library. Now making his way to Ito Sensei's little room she usually hangs out. He jumped in the air with joy screaming out loud, not thinking of anyone else.
"Let's go! I did it!"
'The one time an accident of mine worked! Wait… I forgot again to tell her my phone broke… Oh well, it'll be fine.'
Sliding the door open as fast as he could. Ito Sensei's room was dark, and the one small window was her only source of light. She held her cigarette tight from him scaring her in the process, he ran over to her hugging her tightly while she sat in her spinning chair.
"I got a date Ito Sensei!"
"Ugh… Get off me and why did you have to burst in here!"
"I'm sorry I'm just excited and so happy, these feelings are new to me I've never felt this way before!"
"Kids and youth, ugh. New feelings? So, you never have had a crush before? Really now."
She watched as he stopped hugging her and walked around her as he went to open the window.
"Yep, all new from what I can remember, and as for a crush none that I can think of."
"What are you doing?"
"It smells bad, and you shouldn't be smoking it's not good for your health."
"Whatever life gets to you and you're lonely, these will become the company you need. It's an adult thing you may understand one day."
"I know I know. That is why I am here again to lessen the burden for you and make sure you're not lonely."
He moved close to her face and bent down.
"Now what?"
"No smoking, it stinks!"
He moved his hand up and flicked the cigarette out of her hand and out the window.
"My baby!"
Getting out of her chair and reaching out the window hoping to catch it, but it had already been too late. She started to sob a bit and watched as he walked around cleaning and straightening things up making sure paperwork was organized and neat.
"Shouldn't you be hanging out with friends or in a club? You don't have to waste time with me, go have fun."
He pulled a chair out sitting down brewing green tea for the two of them.
"This is better than any of that. I have fun with you and like I said we both accompany each other so you get to deal with me."
She snickered to herself.
"You are something special. You know we can do some of the classwork later, heh maybe even let them do it themselves. So, tell me about this date, how about, who is it eh??"
"Oh, her name is Chisaka Hinako."
"Wow, you are something special, a very popular pretty girl. You have some heavy competition on you, be ready for it."
Shizu smiled.
"Competition, Nah I'm way ahead of the other students. They don't have a date tomorrow.
Shizu was confident in himself for once and happy about it all. They talked for a while laughing and smiling until class picked back up and he went home for the day. He cleaned himself up and ate lastly, sitting in his bed getting ready to sleep, and the big day up ahead.
*...*
*zzz*
"I can't sleep."