"Another long in-depth description, eh". I said and stared at Zaku waiting for him to say something.
"Yeah, I just felt like you should know about them. In case you get lost or something like that. Anyway, while I was explaining, it seems the others finished picking and I think it is time for Tadashi to present the results". Uttered Zaku.
I just hope I end up with Akari, and the others could be anyone as long as it's not Arata. I can't imagine how exultant I will be. Just as I was picturing how Akari and I will be sitting together sipping tea by the riverside, Tadashi interfered with his deep voice that scared the pants off me.
He said, "Now, that you are all done picking the cards, let's move on to the second phase. Here, when I mention the number, be upstanding and step forward to write your names down only if that was the number you got. Let's begin!
Number one"!
Tadashi bellowed. Five people stood up, moved forward, and jotted down their names.
"Number 2"!
He shrieked again. His voice was frightening because it came out of nowhere without warning. Just like the first badge, they walked to the front of the class and wrote their names.
If I am not mistaken, we are next. And I just can't wait for it to be confirmed that Akari and I will be in the same squad. Man, I am the happiest man on earth! I just need a little time. It's coming . . .
"Number 3".
I got up with full energy and turned to my back waiting impatiently for Akari to get up. She was slow in doing it but she did! Finally, it's confirmed!! I am in the same squad with the most beautiful girl in the world!!!
"Why are you looking back? Do not tell me you have grown fond of Akari".
Zaku asked.
"Well, what can I say? You guessed right, Zaku. I like her"!
I bawled and gave a thumbs up.
"Come on, you wouldn't really want to be in the same squad with her when you find out that Arata is included. Would you"? Zaku inquired and smiled.
"Say what?! He's part of the squad?!! Noooo! I am doomed! Doomed for life". I said. I made a fist and tightened it out of rage. I also scowled and glared at him.
When I looked back, I found Arata standing up next to Akari.
Zaku's point of view:
Excellent! He's part of my squad. That'll make things easier. I thought I would have to transform into someone else and gather intel on him. I guess fate brought us together. Eh, Arata.
My point of view:
As I was thinking of how Arata got into our squad, I heard Zaku saying, "Come on, do you really think you stand a chance against Arata. Get this into your bonehead, as long as Arata is around, do not go near her, or else she will reject you and or you get pulverized by Arata himself. One of the things that stand in the path to becoming a successful ninja are girls and you must find a way to avoid them by any means possible. Let me explain . . ."
Yeah right, there he goes again coming to give me a long lecture about girls. I am not in the mood for his boring speech. I'll just cut him off because he is showing more interest in Arata than me and that takes me off.
"Yeah, yeah I get it. Let's proceed with the important stuff". I uttered trying to cut him off from his speech.
"Right". Uttered Zaku.
We got out of our desks and walked to the front of the class. I folded and scowled because I was still upset that that slug, Arata, was on the same squad with me. Zaku and I stood in a queue waiting for whoever in the first place to finish writing. Soon enough, whoever was done. The person was walking back to his/her seat when I noticed that it was a girl. She had a bandana on her head to hold her long blond hair backward. She was wearing a pair of fingerless gloves which made her appear to be kind of cool. I couldn't see her face because she was wearing a mask. I just do not get it. What's the deal with this mask thingy? I have two people on my squad wearing a mask. The fact they do not know is that the mask makes them appear like clowns. Somebody ought to tell them that in their faces. Anyway, despite all of that, I could tell that she was beautiful.
Arata wrote his name and as he was resuming he glared at me for some reason. I just wondered what was wrong with him. It's not like I've crossed him in any way, nor have I done anything to him. Or, was that for looking at the girl who passed by earlier? As far as I know, she isn't his, Akari is his so he clearly has no reason to do what he is doing now. After all, he doesn't control my eyes. Does he? He's getting on my nerves. I can't acknowledge someone I know nothing of. Besides, who on earth does he think he is? He's no less than me. We are all equals. I glared back at him as a form of payback.
Arata's point of view:
Who does this kid think he is? I bet no one has given him an intro about me cause if he knew, he wouldn't dare.
My point of view:
It was my turn. I wrote my name in my worst possible handwriting because I can't begin to understand how a sluglike Arata got to be on our squad. I resumed my seat still frowning.
"Hey, Kuragari, why the long face"? Asked Zaku.
"I bet you know about it. It's Arata". I answered. I didn't want to talk so I kept things short.
"Hmmm . . . I thought as much. You know something, Arata is not as bad as I described him. He's just being himself. He's a pretty fun person. By the way, he does those things because he wants competition. Arata often grumbles that he's not challenged enough so he's always looking for trouble hoping to get defeated someday". Zaku elucidated.
"So then, why did you lie to me in the first place. Didn't you think that that was be a waste of breath knowing that you'll finally tell me the truth later"? I inquired.
"To avoid getting yourself into any trouble with him. You see, you are new and I do not want you getting scars or injuries all over your body. You might be of some use later in the future". Uttered Zaku.
I wonder what he's saying. Most of what he says especially the long talk is gibberish to me.
"Also, having Arata on our squad means that we'll excel in pretty much everything so there's no need to worry about anything. Well, for now". He added.
"Last but not the least is that you might stand a chance snatching your crush from Arata . . ."
"Say what?! Wait! . . . Do you mean it? Or, is this another one of your lies"? I shrieked with a shadow of a doubt. I narrowed my eyes at him waiting irritably for a response.
"Come on, why should I lie to you? I won't get anything from it. Will I? Anyway, from the rumors, I heard that Akari is destruction to Arata and is drastically slowing his development pace. Arata noticed that girls are destruction and wish to cut all ties with them so there's a high possibility that they may break up, thereby, giving you a chance. But of course, the odds are that there's a higher chance that she'll refuse your proposal so I suggest that it's best to leave the situation the way it is right now. As I said, girls are destruction in the path to becoming successful ninjas. Simply abide by the rule". Zaku explicated.
"I was looking forward to spending some time with her but if you insist, I have no choice but to do just as you say". I said.
"It's about time I announce the members of the squad" Tadashi sensei spoke in his deep voice and just as usual, it came out of the blue.
"So, for squad one, here are the members: Aoi Yoshida, Den Takahashi, Jiro Ono, Jin Imai, and Isamu Kato". Sensei said.
"For squad two, we have: Haruki Appiah, Emiko Kimura, Rika Saito and Matsuo Hashimoto". Sensei declaimed.
Finally, it's our turn to shine! I've been waiting for this moment like crazy. Atlas, everyone will know the name, Kuragari Watanabe!
"On to squad three. We have: Zaku Atta, Kuragari Watanabe . . ."
"Yep! That's me"! I interrupted and giggled as I stretched out my hand and waved, signaling to everyone that that was me.
"Followed by Arata Fujii, Akari Kimura and Hana Yamaguchi". Sensei continued.
Hey! How come when Arata's name was mentioned, everyone especially the girls looked at him even when he didn't make a move, but, when I attempted, no one even bothered to shift their eyeballs to look at me. How come he has all the attention? How does he do it?
"Hey, Zaku". I murmured.
"Yeah, what's up"? He asked.
"What's the name of the girl on our squad. The one with the mask"? I inquired.
"Huh . . . what a pain in the ass? You bonehead! Didn't you hear Tadashi sensei mentioning her name? Where were your ears"? Zaku asked.
Wait a sec . . . what's a bonehead?
"Yeah right, I was pondering about something so my mind wasn't really there. Anyway, just go on and spill it you imbecile, I do not have the whole day"! I bellowed.
"Okay, okay fine. She's Hana Yamaguchi. Why ask anyway? have you ditched Akari already"? Zaku asked.
Hana Yamaguchi, huh, pretty cool name. I just hope it matches her appearance.
"No, not really, I am just curious about her, that's all". I answered. After a while, I remembered that I have to ask Zaku a question.
"Uh . . . Zaku". I called out.
"What now"?! Questioned Zaku in a vexed manner because he was getting irritated with all the questions I was asking him.
"What is the meaning of bonehead? If memory serves me right, I have heard you use that twice. Does that mean that people have heads made of bone and no flesh"?
I enquired. Zaku slammed his hand to his forehead and closed his eyes.
"What's the problem"? I asked.
He opened his eyes and narrowed them at me.
"You fool! You are truly a bonehead because you do not know what a bonehead is. Anyway, I suppose you will never know until I tell you. A boneheaded person is simply someone stupid". Uttered Zaku.
"So, you've been insulting me and I have been ignorant the whole time. Huh . . . anyway, it is a moot point". I sighed.
"I suggest you listen to the names of other squad members. It might just come in handy especially when you need help from someone". Zaku stated.
I sat upright and gazed at Tadashi sensei with full attention as he declaimed the names of the troop members.
"For squad four, we have: Goro Kobayashi, Kenji Suzuki, Jai Makino, Kei Okamoto and Himari Tanaka".
Sensei announced. I didn't seem to be getting the hang of this but since Zaku says I should do it so I don't have much of a choice here.
"Finally, squad five: Himari Ito, Amaya Ikeda, Ayame Hava, Daiki Inoue and Rika Harada. These are all the squads and the members assigned to them. From today onwards, you must work together to hone both your group skills and individual skills. To attain that, I recommend that you sit close to each other to cram basic skills and abilities from each other. Furthermore, it is a necessity to train together. Moreover, I wish you all the best on your quest to become outstanding ninjas. Until then, class is dismissed". Tadashi sensei expressed and walked out of the class.