After two days of settling in, I woke up and got dressed in my new uniform, I pushed my hair back making the scruffy bed head look a little smoother. Walking from my room to the kitchen to get a small snack before leaving. There was a combini near my place, so I picked up a bento for lunch and a packaged sandwich for breakfast last night. After finishing my food I left, locking the door on my way out, and started the walk. It felt weird not walking to school with Hiro for the first time in a long time. Although I was just at the school the other day, Hanabira high looked massive up close, and there was a pressure in the air, I made my way to homeroom and sat in the back nearest to the window, you might think I picked this spot because I felt like some main character of a manga or something, but the real reason was because Kimori was sitting in the seat just in front of the desk I picked. He, unlike myself, was carefree about being in a new high class setting. He was wearing the school uniform, but he stood out the most for being the only kid in class with not only dyed hair but also an earring. As I sat down, "morning" I said.
"Good morning," he responded.
"Is it just us in class 1C? I didn't check the class registration."
"Just us I'm afraid, Goda is in class 1A and Himori is in 1B. This is looking up to be one boring class." He explained.
"What you consider a bore, I find mentally draining."
"You worry too much Kyo."
As he said those words, our home room teacher, Mr. Shindo walked in. A man with a strong demeanor, black hair about mid necks length,glasses covering his dark green eyes, wearing a black trench coat down to his knees, a white undershirt, purple tie, black slacks and shoes to watch. He was not only well put together, but looked more like a fit gym teacher than a home room one.
"So this is my class for the next year huh?" He said with seriousness, his voice was deep. "Listen to this one piece of advice, first years tend to make Hanabira high sound like an amazing school. Don't get me wrong, it is a feat just to get into, but we are, at our core, a school. You are allowed to make some mistakes, you are allowed to enjoy your youth, whatever you do, do not put school above youth." His words were to those with normal situations, but I do not get the luxury of making mistakes nor do I get to enjoy my youth. That is what I believed at the time. "Time to start, first let's do some introductions, let's see here … let's start with Mr. Arianagi and go up row by row."
I stood up, "hello my name is Kyoyota Arianagi, I like to study and eat sweets. My favorite food is pudding." I sat back down, Kimori just looked at me with disappointment, as though I could have said something more interesting. Kimori then stood up.
"I am Kimori, I like art both looking at it and drawing, my specialty is portraits. I have a twin who also goes to this school which is the coolest thing about me." He said with utter confidence, as he gave his introduction he only looked at the girls in the class. I then looked at him with even more disappointment than he gave me. The other people in the class were uneventful in their introductions, the only ones that stood out was in the 3rd row in the back, the one who stood up simply nodded to the class before sitting back down. The guy in the front of the class located on the 4th row from me said his name was Ryo and that he wanted to be a doctor. The last one that stood out was a girl who had heterochromia eyes blue and green, she had light brown hair, her cool fact was that she wanted to be a lawyer. Call it intuition after spending three years in the number two spot of my grade for highest scores, but these four people, including Kimori, were my biggest rivals in this class.
"Right then, here are the papers you need to have signed by your parents to make sure you have everything you need, consider it free points." He looked right at me when said this. I got the feeling he knew about my situation, but I wanted to talk to him after class to make sure. With introductions and papers out of the way, we were sent to lunch. Apparently when my Aunt went to the school for my uniform she explained to some of the staff, part of my situation and signed everything for me in advance.
"Thank you Mr. Shindo."
"It's nothing at all Mr. Arianagi, if you need anything at all just let me know."
"Will do."
After I had gotten my explanation I was the last left in the classroom. I already had bought my lunch yesterday, but I wanted to explore some of the school grounds. I went over to the fields and watched people practice. Our school was massive even though the number of students who go here does not match its size, so there were a few fields where people were playing. I sat on some steps leading to the school's gym and watched people play soccer and baseball from afar. About halfway through my bento a girl walked past me, carrying four boxes extending well over her head, making her stumble her steps. I stood up and grabbed three of the boxes she was carrying. "Wow, these are heavier than I expected, where do you want them?"
"Huh? You really don't have to help, I got it."
"You were two steps away from falling over, now, where are we taking them?"
"Follow me."
We went to a store room back behind one of the fields.
"Put them up on that shelf up there please," she asked.
I lifted all three at once over my head and placed them on the shelf, it was just big enough to fit all three perfectly. I then took hers and put it next to the other three. As I looked back at her, she looked worried.
"Are you ok?" I asked her.
"You lifted all those heavy boxes over your head like it was nothing, are you ok?"
I placed my right hand behind the back of my head lightly scratching it out of embarrassment, "yeah I am good, I am used to picking up heavy instruments so that was nothing."
"Umm, right, thank you for your help."
"No problem, anything else you need help with?" Now that I got a breather I got to see her completely, she was about 5'7 in height with light blond hair, the ends of her hair were curled naturally making her hair stick out on the sides, she had emerald red eyes, the black uniform of our school made them pop out and look even more red. She was slim with a good body, very cute.
"Well not with this stuff, thank you for the offer." She paused for a moment, she leaned towards me slowly, hands behind her back, she was close, "Would you be interested in joining the student council?" She asked this with confidence and determination in her captivating eyes. But I spend no time on my response at all, "No." I then stepped back, turned around, and began to walk away. I was not going to deal with awkward silence, but I did feel bad for how she might have felt.
"Why not?" I heard behind me.
I stopped without turning my back, "I don't do clubs it is as simple as that, it's nothing against you or the council, nor to this school, but it would take too much time."
"Please reconsider, you would be a perfect fit for the role!"
"My answer is final. If you need help when you see me then just ask but beyond that I can't be of help to you."
"Is there anything I can offer you? Anything you might need?"
"Nope"
"Being a member of the council looks good on college applications, and for jobs as well."
"I don't need that, please just drop the idea, you don't even know me, and an important position like the council is jumping the gun don't you think, especially for someone you just met?"
"Kyoyota Arianagi, I know who you are, and I choose you to be the next member of the council. I beg you to reconsider."
I am not sure how she knows my name, maybe through my mother? "Maybe you know who I am but I don't know who you are."
"Please forgive my late introduction then, my name is Yuuki Hanami, the president of the student council."
"It's nice to formally meet you Ms. Hanami but I decline your offer."
"Fine, I will drop it then, forget I asked."
I sighed with relief, and began to walk away again.
"Until tomorrow." I heard her whisper, I brushed off that comment and continued to leave. I finished my bento and finished my first day with no other bumps. Weirdly enough I felt happy at the end of my first day at Hanabira high.
The next day as I walked into school I saw Hanami at the entrance welcoming students in and saying stuff like "good morning" or "hey x name how are you?" It was a good publicity act from her, and her attitude in the morning was something to commend. She really was a captivating person. As I continued to walk in, I passed right by her avoiding eye contact.
"Good morning Arianagi" she said this while walking next to me. "How are you this fine morning?" I wanted to avoid her, but I did say I would help her if needed, I didn't want to be mean to her, I was the only one making this situation awkward. So I sighed, stretched my back and said, "I'm tired, but not bad. How are you?" She looked at me with a smile, "I'm doing great. Now about my offer, have you thought about it?"
"Thought about what? I turned you down and that was that." I retorted. She gave me a smug look as we walked to my class, then parted ways. I was hoping that was the end of it, sure enough though, when lunch time came around she was at my class faster than I could leave. It was at that moment I knew she wasn't going to back down.
"Heeeyyy Arianagi let's eat lunch together!" Again I wanted to make an excuse but didn't have a reason to turn her down. "Sounds good," I said this while pulling my bento out of my bag. We walked over to the stairs by the gym, a shady spot with mild entertainment from the people playing sports.
"I don't mean to be rude, Arianagi, but do you have any friends?" She asked with worry and seriousness in her eyes.
"Yeah I do, three go here and two others go to Nyūgaku Gakkō high."
"Why don't you hang out with them?"
"My friend Kimori and Himori play tennis during lunch and I don't want to be a distraction and Goda is busy with whatever he does."
"You have friends in high places huh? Good for you Ariangi." I knew what she meant when saying this, Kimori and Himori were junior high national stars who won a number of tennis tournaments. Their names were well known in the junior sports scene. Goda was higher than they were in terms of name reputation, not only in sports, but also in academic events, rightfully holding the nickname of Ace.
"Please just call me Kyo, it feels weird to have this formality with you."
"Kyo huh? Can I take this as a sign of our friendship?"
"I guess." In truth I asked this of her since I simply dislike my last name.
"Yay! Then as your friend can I ask a favor? Please join the council."
"No."
"Ugg, you're impossible Kyo."
We both looked at each other, and started to laugh, it was strange this was how our friendship started. A simple back and forth of "pleases" and "no's."
After school Yuuki was standing at the entrance of the school just like in the morning. I walked past her to leave.
"Byeee Kyo!"
"See you later Yuuki."
The next day at school Yuuki did the exact same things, walked me to my class, ate lunch with me, said bye after school, repeat. The difference was that she took our new found friendship as a sign to endlessly beg for me to join the council. This repeated the next day as well and the day after, I started to avoid her, but I could never escape her. In my attempts to escape her vision I learned the layout of the school. There was the main building for classes, which had four floors, first years on the first floor ascending by year upward. The fourth floor was for teachers. The building next to it was for science and labs, things of that sort. Behind the school was a gym, which had a court and swimming pool, as well as two large fields each with a storage room. I hid in one of those storage rooms during lunch to escape Yuukies advances. "KYOOO!!! Where are you!?" I heard her say right outside of the room I was in. "Prez you are ok? you're sweating a lot." I heard someone say. "Yeah I am fine, I'm just looking for someone is all." "I see, don't push yourself too hard." "I won't, thank you." She was running around looking for me, she was pushing herself for me, why? I don't get it? Why me? The heat of the storage room and their conversation playing on repeat in my head was making my head spin, I stood up to leave and hit my head on a shelf and fell down, a loud thud was made, "ow that hurt." The door was then pushed open, "Kyo! Are you ok?" A worried Yuuki exclaimed. "Yeah I am fine, but man that hurt."
"Let me get the nurse," I grabbed her arm to stop her, "I'm fine really." I stood up to brush myself off. As I walked out of the storage room to get some fresh air and turned to Yuuki, she looked like she was about to cry.
I lightly grabbed her shoulders, "I am fine really, look no injuries, so please don't cry." She looked up at me, "It's my fault you got hurt!"
"Huh? You didn't do anything at all."
"You were avoiding me because I kept pressuring you, you hid here and got hurt as a result, I am to blame for this incident … I am really sorry Kyo, I will leave you alone." She said this while dropping her head.
I paused, in all reality it was my fault, not just the injury, but this situation. She pushed herself for my sake, I thought back to Mr. Shindo's advice "You are allowed to make some mistakes, you are allowed to enjoy your youth, whatever you do, do not put school above youth." These last few days at school have been more fun than anything else I have experienced. I thought his advice didn't apply to me, I thought I couldn't join a club because it would take time away from studying which would lower my chances of passing with good enough scores. I thought highschool would be like my middle school life, this girl in front of me, she was extending a once in a lifetime opportunity for me at this school and I have been pushing it off.
"Listen Yuuki, if I did join what would I get out of it?" Depending on that answer I would seriously reconsider her offer.
She looked up "Huh?"
"Like what is in it for me?"
Her eyes shined so bright and her soft voice began to speak, "You get to know people, teachers and students alike, you get access to all school supplies at any time. For what I will have you be doing, you will never be bored. I am not sure what else there is to offer you."
Her words may not have been the most convincing, but I made the excuse in my head that if I can get to know teachers then I can understand their expectations better, which would help me pass their classes easier. I took a deep breath.
"I accept your invitation to join the student council." She smiled, whipping her tears off her face. "Right! Thank you Kyo, starting today you are officially the treasurer of the student council of Hanabira high. We will have our first meeting after this weekend. I am going to clean up, I will see you later Kyo."
"Right! See you later." As she walked off I began to ask myself what I had just gotten myself into. I didn't have much time to process that question however, as the bell began to ring. I went back to class, Kimori could see how exhausted I was, "You good bro?" he asked, "I am not sure, but I am now an official member of the student council." "Oh really, that's cool." A moment paused as he turned back towards me, "Wait whaaat?!?" Apparently it was a bigger deal than I expected. Kimori explained that there were only five positions on the student council, meaning five students and one advisor, it was simultaneously the smallest and most impactful club the school offered and you could only get into it via recommendation by faculty or from the president.
"Seriously Kyo, I am jealous of your position."
"Why? Because it's rare?"
"No, because all of the girls in the council are total babes."
"Shut up Kimori!"
"You two in the back BE QUIET!" Mr. Sindo yelled.
"Yes sir, sorry sir." "Yes sir, sorry sir."
We said in sync.
After school I didn't see Yuuki in her usual spot. After four whole days, which felt more like a few weeks, it felt off to me. I knew I would see her after the weekend so it was no big deal or anything, just unexpected. I hoped she was ok after what happened at lunch though, she seemed more hurt and tired than I was. With my first week of school out of the way I could tell this was going to be an exhausting three years.
Later that day my aunt came by to see how I was doing, I told her about everything that had happened. She was all dressed up for something again.
"I am proud of you Kyomeowta, you really have grown up a lot."
"Thanks but I feel the same and stop it with that stupid nickname."
"You will see your change one of these days, but I am happy for you. Oh right my sister sent this over for you."
"My mother sent something?" I grabbed the bag that was in her hands and took a look inside. There was a card, some candy, a violin keychain, and some stickers. "What a random assortment of items."
"I know you two aren't exactly on talking terms right now, but you should tell her thank you."
"I will, thank you for stopping by."
"I am here for you Kyo if you need anything at all, with that being said I have to go to Sendai over the weekend to rent some apartments and meet the buyers, so I will see you when I get back."
"Sounds good, be safe." She then closed the door.
I grabbed the letter from the bag and opened it, it read,
Dear Kyoyota,
Congratulations on getting into Hanabira, my husband gave you the candy, your sister gave you the keychain and stickers. Best of luck.
It was a dull and straightforward message, not one she deserved a thank you for. I figured I would call the house sometime over the weekend to tell them thank you. I then laid on my bed and fell asleep quickly. That weekend, minus the phone call, was the last peaceful weekend I would have for a while.