(Okay, I can do this! I can do this!)
I encouraged myself while I was shaking in my shoes just by standing outside the big iron gate. I inhaled and exhaled deeply 5 times before finally pushing the big gate.
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My new school life has finally begun!
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Just as I was going to go inside, a young girl buzzed past me like lightning.
"Huh?! Hey!"
I nearly lost my balance and was about to fall, but thankfully, I didn't make a fool of myself. Just when I breathed a sigh of relief, I got knocked down by another young boy.
"Ah!"
Now I fell right on my butt.
"Oww... Just when I thought I made it. At least apologize before leaving!"
The last thing I saw was the maroon flowing hair of the girl as well as the smooth maroon hair of the boy.
(Twins...?)
After the unexpected meeting, I finally managed to get in the school building. There were only strangers in my sight.
For some unknown reason, I had been pretty much changing schools ever since my mom remarried. I lost my dad when I was 4. This was like my 5th new school.
Shouldn't I be adjusted by now? Never! I can never be social around people considering I am an only child. Guess it's natural?
I always get nervous no matter what, even though I have always been around new students like a million times. I have never made a best friend because I never really got the chance to get to know my classmates...
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I was trying to search for the principal's office in order to get to my class, and also to introduce myself. It would be rude not to.
After a few twists and turns, I somehow ended up in a spacious room. There was a stage at the centre.
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"Where AM I?"
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I was totally lost. Fear crept over my body as I tried thinking straight.
(What should I do? Where should I go?!)
Just when all hope seemed lost, some distant footsteps could be heard.
"Huh?! W-Who's there?!"
I tried hiding my tears by questioning. Someone's figure could be seen followed by a loud voice.
"Whoa? What are you doing all the way here girl?"
It was a really cheerful guy who was looking straight at me with a lolipop in his mouth.
(Does he... like sweets...?)
"I, um..." I blushed and lowered my head as I spoke.
" ...I'm kind of lost..."
The guy was right in front of me as soon as I looked up.
"Really? Students normally don't get lost around here, especially not in an auditorium."
Seeming as if he just realized, the guy spoke up, "Oh, you must be new!"
I lightly nodded my head.
I somewhat explained everything and the guy decided to lead the way. He had dull red hair with two eye colours: red and yellow.
The entire time it was awkward. Not one of us spoke a word and even if the guy talked, my answers were all short. Well, I wasn't good with keeping conversations going.
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Finally, we ended up in front of a fancy looking door.
"Whoa...!"
My jaw almost dropped at the unusual sight. I heard the guy chuckle in a low manner. I took a deep breath and knocked on the door twice.
"Come in."
A stern voice resonated from behind.
"Well, good luck! He can be scary at first, but trust me, the principal's pretty cool." The guy advised before strolling down the hallway, but for some reason, he stopped and turned to look at me.
"Oh, and the name's Raizo. Don't forget!"
With that, he disappeared in a few seconds.
(Raizo, huh... Thanks anyway.)
"How long do you plan on waiting outside?" The principal's voice snapped me back to my senses.
"U-Uh... Coming!" In a fluster, I turned the door knob.
Once inside, I was greeted by a tall man signing some papers which seemed to be important as he never once looked up at me.
(Wow, he is scary already!)
"Well, what brings you here?" He asked, showing no interest whatsoever.
"U-Um, I am actually the new student who has joined this school and it is my first day so..." My voice faded in the spacious room.
The principal's pen stopped moving. He then looked up at me seriously.
"Ah, you must be Asuna."
"Y-Yes I am!"
The principal's lips then broke into a smile.
"Welcome to Yomiyama High. I assure you that you WILL love this academy."
"Sure..."
"I am Headmaster Haruto. Whenever you are in need or confused, come to my office."
"Okay...!" I nodded quickly.
(Wow, he is much nicer now!)
"Well, your class is... Ah, Classroom 3-1. Hmmm... That's a nice class for you. I am sure you will get along with everyone just fine."
He then winked at me.
(What?! Did he just--?)
"Uh, thank you very much headmaster! If you don't mind, I-I will be going now."
He nodded once and told me the directions to my classroom.
I left the room in a hurry.
"Phew, that was so nerve-wracking! But, it went smoothly I guess... Now, where is my class?"
I looked around as I kept walking down the hallway until I reached a familiar board.
"Ah, Class 3-1! Okay, here goes nothing..."
I checked to make sure I wasn't a mess before knocking on the door and opening it gingerly. As soon as I entered, the teacher and students all looked at me.
"Oh, you must be the new girl." The teacher announced, smiling.
"Yes. I am Asuna, nice to meet you."
As soon as I greeted, everyone clapped and welcomed me. It was a warm atmosphere.
I scanned the room with an embarrassed smile, only to notice a familiar person who was also equally shocked as me.
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(Whoa! RAIZO is in the same class as me?! Talk about fate!)
The teacher told me to take a seat behind a timid girl with glasses and I did as I was told. As soon as I sat down, the teacher continued her lesson. It was history which I couldn't follow as I just came.
*ding dong ding dong*
The chime of the bell rang, marking the end of class and the friendly chatter of students filled the air.
As I was figuring out what to do, Raizo stood up and started walking my way.
"Hey! So, we are in the same class, huh?"
"Oh, yeah..."
Raizo took an empty chair in front and sat backwards on it, facing me.
"Want one, Asuna?"
Raizo held out a little candy in front of me. He also had a few in his pocket and another single one in his other hand.
"Wow, thanks!" I answered, taking the candy from him.
(OK, he LOVES sweets.)
"This one's my favourite." Raizo pointed at the one which he gave me.
"O-Oh, really? Then you can have it back!"
"*laughs* Nah, it's alright! Keep it~"
"I'm sorry..."
"Ahaha, why are you sorry? I gave it to you because I recommend it! Don't make such a big deal outta it."
Just as Raizo declared, his watch made a weird sound.
"Oh, well looks like I gotta go... See ya Asuna!"
"Uh, yeah...!"
He waved his hand one last time before exiting the classroom.
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I barely made any friends in my class so I was pretty much all alone in the break. Just as I was walking around the campus, I saw two or three figures in the corner of the building.
(Hmm? Wonder what that's all about?)
I knew it wasn't my business, but curiosity beat me to it. In an attempt to prevent myself from being spotted, I tip toed my way there and hid behind the academy's wall.
"So, you actually talked to her?" A female voice spoke up. Judging by the voice, I knew she was a senior.
"Well, I couldn't just leave her! She was lost!"
My eyes widened at the familiar voice.
(R-Raizo?! What is he talking about?)
"...Haaa... This is going to get tough... And it is all thanks to you..." Another senior guy's voice joined the conversation.
"Sorry bro... Didn't mean to expose our identity..." Raizo spoke apologetically.
(What...? What's going on? I feel like--)
Just as I was about to turn around, I accidentally stepped on a twig which was under my foot.
*crack*
(Ack! I'm busted!)
Their serious sounding conversation came to a halt as they all looked my way. I was still behind the wall, holding my breath and not moving a muscle.
The footsteps rang through my ears as they came closer and closer.
"Who's there?!" The senior girl questioned.
(Ugh, no point in hiding now...)
I shyly came out of my hiding spot. Everyone's eyes widened as if they just saw a ghost.
"Asuna?! What were you doing over there?!" Raizo was clearly surprised.
"Oh, um, well, I just happened to pass by here! I will be going now!"
I quickly turned to leave but the senior guy ORDERED me to stop. He had shiny silver hair with golden eyes. The girl had purple hair and purple mixed with light blue eyes.
"...Forget you heard anything, okay? ...Only trespassers put their annoying nose in people's business." The guy warned rather harshly.
"Yeah, stay out of it." The girl added before dragging Raizo with them.
"Sorry... Everything will be clear soon..." Raizo whispered as he crossed my way.
I was left dumbfounded. I was embarrassed and ashamed for eavesdropping like that.
(They were really mad... So much for making friends...)
I tried hard to hold back my tears as I clenched my hands and bit my lip.
Thank God the bell rang, meaning that break time was over. I reluctantly entered the classroom.
I was so not in a mood to do anything but to just go home and forget this ever happened. I could see Raizo was also present from the corner of my eye.
The lesson took longer than ever, maybe because I got scolded by the teacher for daydreaming and also because of what happened in break.
It was home time. I was about to pack my bag when Raizo came up to me with a sad look.
"Uh, Asuna? Sorry about before."
"Yeah, it's okay..."
With that, I quickly packed and left the class. I didn't turn back even with Raizo calling out my name over and over.
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•••
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(I'm horrible! It wasn't his fault, so why did I act like that?)
My mind was so messed up that I just wanted to sleep for the rest of the day. By the time I reached home, dad had already come back from work. I could hear some argument from the kitchen.
(Mom and dad arguing? That's new... But then again, I'm not too surprised... I feel like I just can't trust dad. He seems like he's hiding a lot of stuff from me.)
I went to get a scoop of what they were discussing about.
"Honey, I think now's the time to tell her the truth..."
"No Yukari. She's still not ready for that."
Dad's voice was so low that I couldn't exactly hear. I slightly poked my head in the kitchen. What I saw, I couldn't believe my eyes for a second.
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(H-How? Whaaaatt??!)
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