3 months later
April 5, 2021
Riku POV
It has been 3 months since I've returned to Japan after I retired from my career as a competitive musician. Those 3 months were the best and the most interesting months I've had by far.
The vacation had to be cut short because of some issues back at Portugal. Both Johan and Ceb were needed there personally, so instead of taking a 6 month vacation, we decided to make it 3. It might be short, but it's worth it.
Flashback
(A/N: This is gonna be a summary on what happened in the past 3 months so..........yeah)
The first thing that we did was to go to the live house that my grandfather gave me. When we made it there, we met with a woman named Tsukishima Marina who is supposedly the manager of the live house and was handpicked by my grandfather, I know my grandfather has a knack of picking potential, maybe he saw something in Marina.
I gave her a brief explanation on why we were there and she accepted it immediately, maybe it's because she knew of me beforehand, but when the Johan and the others introduced themselves...she fainted....with a huge grin on her face, we gently placed her on the couch available and we took a quick tour for ourselves inside while she's unconscious.
Marina regained consciousness just as we came back, she realized just what happened to her and she apologized to us while blushing beet red and admitting that she is one of our fans and she asked for our autographs in a shy tone, we gladly signed while giving a light chuckle.
As time went by the day. Me, Johan, Ceb and Marina were discussing on trying to renovate the live house a bit and adding an office for me and a lounge area for the bands to hang out, Marina was concerned about the expenses but I told her that I'll be paying for the costs with the money that I won from my earnings in the tournaments that I participated. She accepted the terms and we plan to begin 1 week later. We finished everything that is needed to discuss and we said our goodbyes and just realized that it's already sunset, we just call it a day and went back home.
The following day we plan on doing a 2 month road trip, unfortunately, Ayabe won't be coming with us because he will be needed in the mansion because he'll be taking his father's place as the head butler when I become the next head. He insisted that we continue the trip with just the 5 of us, we just said that we'll be bringing back some souvenirs once we come back and he'll be expecting it.
We started our trip to Kyoto for 2 days, then to Osaka, then we continued our trip and made our way to Fukuoka, Okinawa, Miyazaki, Nagano, Yamanashi, Miyagi, Hokkaido and ended our trip back in Tokyo. We enjoyed every moment of the months we have together, we have a lot of pictures to commemorate our trip, and also brought some souvenirs for the people in the mansion.
Johan left for Portugal 3 days after we came back on our trip so he can start his podcast, Ceb followed the day after with his flight set for France. Sumail and Topias stayed for a few weeks until they left before the end of March. Topias left for Malaysia to be with his wife and newborn child and continue his study in the culinary arts, and Sumail returned to the US to spend time with his brother Yawar.
Back to the present
I'm currently on my way to Hanasakigawa to start my school year as a 3rd year student, and I am wearing the uniform that is custom made for me.
(A/N: I'm gonna use Sakuta's school uniform from Bunny Senpai as that is the closest color scheme to the Hanasakigawa uniforms.)
My grandfather insisted that I take the car to go there but I told him that I would rather walk so I can familiarize my way to school and back which he understood immediately and wished me good luck on my first day.
After a few minutes, I made it to Hanasakigawa and standing in front of it's gates. As I was taking a look at the school, someone touched my shoulder, and I looked back and I saw a girl with slanted royal blue eyes and long, curly brown hair worn in a high ponytail, usually tied up in a ribbon. She has spread-out bangs and shoulder-length curled forelocks.
She took a look at me and asked.
???: Um....excuse me but, are you here for something?
I just simply replied.
Riku: Yes, I'm actually about to go to the principal's office. Can you show me where it is if you don't mind?
???: So that means you're the rumored male student that will be enrolling here?
Riku: Yes. I am. I'm Riku. Nagae Riku.
???: Pleasure to meet you Nagae-kun. I am Yamabuki Saaya. Call me Saaya if you want, I'll lead you to the principal's office now while we still have time.
The girl who is called Saaya said that to me with a gentle smile....a smile that could give a motherly aura. I answered back with a smile to her.
Riku: Then lead the way Saaya-san. And just call me Riku. Calling me by my family name makes me a bit uneasy.
Saaya: Ok then, Riku-kun. Follow me.
I followed Saaya-san on our way to the principals office, but what I didn't expect that my reunion will be a little quick than I expected.
Meanwhile
Hanasakigawa Girls High School Principal's Office
Rinko POV
I'm currently in the principal's office with Hikawa-san because she was still unsure that allowing boys to enroll in Hanasakigawa is a good idea, that's why we are here to confirm it.
Sayo: Are you sure about this principal?
The person in question has maroon eyes, short wavy pink hair, instead of wearing a suit, she wears a light blue and white kimono with dark blue trim and white designs. She is none other than the principal of Hanasakigawa Girls High School and the current head of the Saigyouji Family, Saigyouji Yuyuko.
Yuyuko: I am sure of this Sayo-chan, but don't worry about a thing, the one I chose is the perfect candidate for this trial although he'll be attending as a 3rd year. Knowing him, he won't do a thing that will damage the school's name that I can assure you.
The principal said that in a calming tone with her eyes closed while giving a light smile. This gave Hikawa-san a sigh of relief knowing that the principal trust the person so much.
Just as the principal said that, we heard a knock from the door.
???: Principal, there is someone here to see you.
It was Yamabuki-san. She said there was someone looking for her, and the principal opened her eyes and stood up from her chair.
Yuyuko: Ara~ he's already here. You can go back to your classroom now Saaya-chan, I'll take it from here.
Yamabuki-san said her goodbyes and went to her class and as the door opened and saw the person coming in, my heart suddenly starts beating faster. The dark violet-blue haired boy, the on that I've been waiting for to return for years is now in front of me.
Without even thinking, I rushed to him and gave him a tight hug with my face buried on his chest, shocking Hikawa-san and the principal was just there standing and giggling.
The boy who I hugged just looked at me a bit dazed, but when he came to, he gently patted my head and just simply said as he returned the hug.
Riku: I'm back.....Rinko.
Rinko: Mmm.....welcome back.....Riku.
Riku POV
I'm in a difficult spot now as you can see, there is my childhood friend Rinko who is hugging me tightly like she wouldn't let me go, a teal haired girl glaring at me like she's about to kill me and my aunt Yuyuko who is just giggling there and enjoying the show.
I try to talk to Rinko before the situation escalates.
Riku: Rinko, could you let go of me now? I need to talk to Yuyuko-san.
Rinko listened to me and let go of the hug, she still has tears on her face and I just wiped it off of her, I patted her head and made my way to my aunt.
Yuyuko: I'm glad you took the offer Riku-kun, it's been a long while since I saw you.
Riku: Mn. Aside from that one time, it is indeed a long while.....aunt Yuyuko.
Rinko/Sayo: Wait!? The principal is your Aunt!?
Rinko and the teal haired girl were surprised that me and Yuyuko-san are related. Me and Yuyuko-san explained so they could understand.
Yuyuko: Ufufufu....I've known Riku-kun when he was still a young child, before I became the head of the Saigyouji, I used to take care of him when his parents are away so when he competing in music competitions back then, I was always there.
Riku: And she is the one who always supported me even when I go compete overseas. And by the way, here you go.
I put a box in the table in front of Yuyuko-san. She opened the box and what's inside is a triple chocolate cake. Seeing the cake made Yuyuko-san drool but she kept her composure and continued our talk.
Yuyuko: Thank you so much for the cake Riku-kun. Now, I want to introduce you the members of the student council. Girls, kindly introduce yourselves.
Rinko: I-I'm Hanasakigawa's Student Council President, Shirokane Rinko.....
Sayo: And I'm Hanasakigawa's Student Council Vice President, Hikawa Sayo, a pleasure to meet you at last, Nagae-san.
I raised an eyebrow as she already knew me.
Riku: It appears that you know me.
Sayo: Shirokane-san talked about you a few months ago, it was when she saw you by chance.
By chance? By chance, you mean she saw me when I was inside the limo back then? Pretty sharp sight for Rinko.
Riku: Then that makes introductions much easier, and call me Riku, calling me by my family name makes me a bit uneasy.
Sayo: Understood Riku-san. Principal, which class where Riku-san will attend?
Yuyuko: He'll be in the same class as you in 3-A. I'm sure your happy about this Rinko-chan~.
Rinko just silently blushed as Yuyuko-san teased her a bit. She continued as if she just remembered something.
Yuyuko: Riku-kun, If I remember, your aide Ayabe-kun won't be with you for the rest of the year right?
Riku: Yeah, why do you ask?
Yuyuko: Youmu.
When Yuyuko-san said that the door opened and a girl with short silver hair and blue eyes, wearing a Hanasakigawa uniform. She is Konpaku Youmu, Yuyuko-san's head gardener. And one of my best friends.
Youmu: I have come Yuyuko-sama, and it's been a while Riku-dono.
Riku: Yeah, been a while Youmu. Yuyuko-san why did you call Youmu anyway?
Yuyuko: Because starting today, Youmu will be your aide up until you graduate from this school.
Yuyuko said that to us with a cheerful wink. And it made me and Youmu blink several times.
Riku/Youmu: Eh?
Youmu who is still shocked on what Yuyuko-san said just now just replied while stuttering a bit.
Youmu: W-w-what d-do you mean by that...Y-Yuyuko-sama.
Yuyuko: It's exactly what I just said. You're already aware on his situation right?
As Yuyuko-san said that, Youmu immediately understood and accepted her order.
Youmu: Understood. Until you graduate, I'll be under your care Riku-dono, I am yours to command.
Youmu knelt down on one knee as she said that. And I simply answered.
Riku: Very well. I will rely on you for the rest of the year, Youmu.
Me an Youmu sealed the deal by having a handshake and Yuyuko-san being the witness to make sure we don't break our deal.
Yuyuko: Now that is finished, Rinko-chan, Sayo-chan, you can take Riku-kun along with you and go to your class. Classes is bout to start.
We took a look at the clock and it's 5 minutes till classes start, we said our goodbyes and left as I was the last to leave, Yuyuko-san stopped me a bit.
Yuyuko: Riku-kun. I hope you enjoy your time here, for both of our sakes.
Riku: I will. And thank you for giving me this chance, Yuyuko-san.
I gave her my honest answer as I left Yuyuko-san's office as I catch up to Rinko and Sayo-san.
Few minutes later
Classes have begun, Rinko and Sayo-san are already inside and the homeroom teacher of this class has asked me to stay outside so she can introduce me. I complied and stayed outside and waiting for the teacher's call.
HRT(Homeroom Teacher): Now before we begin, you girls may be aware that a male student will enroll in this school.
I can hear some murmuring from outside the classroom. Guess this confirms the rumors that they've been hearing a while back. The teacher continued her explanation as I still wait her call.
HRT: Now quiet down everyone. As you can see, the board of directors has decided to make Hanasakigawa from an all girls school into coed. However, this will be a trial where the school will select one male student to attend this school for one year. The principal already chose someone beforehand for this trial, if the trial receives positive reviews by the end of the year, the school will officially start enrolling male students in this school. In case negative reviews overlap the positive, the school will stay the same.
The girls understood what the teacher said, the school needed to change, they noticed bit by bit that the students that try to enroll this school is decreasing by the year. They accepted it and will try to contribute in any way they can to the school.
The teacher noticed that they understood the situation and quieted down, she continued to talk as she is about to call me in.
HRT: Now that's settled, I like to introduce the male student that will attend this school. You may now enter.
As she told me to come in, I opened the door and entered the room, I can see some mixed reactions from the girls, I see Rinko and Sayo-san. I also see a girl with platinum blonde hair who was in shock with her mouth open(A/N: Don't get any ideas), and a girl with pale curly blue hair who is getting flustered seeing the platinum blonde haired girl who is sitting beside her shocked.
I try to calm the atmosphere in the room by introducing myself.
Riku: Allow me to introduce myself. I am Nagae Riku, 19 years old. If you're going to ask if I'm from that Nagae Family then yes, I am from that Nagae family, but please call me Riku, it makes me feel a bit uneasy if you call me by my family name.
I start to see the girls having suspicions that I used my family name to enter this school. But I continue to speak to shut down their suspicions.
Riku: If you're thinking that I used my name as a Nagae to get here, then you're dead wrong. I wasn't aware of this because I am living overseas for 9 years and I just returned to Japan 3 months ago. I was only informed of it moments after. And if you're also thinking that I'll do something indecent to you then don't worry, I was raised to treat women well so rest assured.
As I finished talking the girls have calmed down and removed their suspicions of me and one of the students asked me some questions.
Student 1: You said earlier that you were overseas, what were you doing while you were away in Japan?
Riku: Well, I've been competing in music competitions around the world most of my life, if you want to confirm it, you can ask Rinko. She and I were at the same competition when we were kids. Any more questions?
Student 2: You said that you're 19. Why did you decide to go here instead of attending college?
The students start talking to each other because why would a 19 year old that is already considered a college student attend high school.
Riku: Yes, normally I would've been a college student at my age. But me attending here is one of the requirements that I need.
Sayo: Requirement? What do you mean by that Riku-san?
Riku: Well in order for the heir of the Nagae to be the next head, they must at least graduate high school without having any problems before graduation and this also gives me a chance to experience on being a high school student.
Everyone were tilting their heads in confusion as to what I meant by that.
Riku: I've only been focusing on my music career most of my life, all of the things I've learned are mostly self-taught or home schooled. When I returned here 3 months ago, my grandfather offered me to attend this school so I could at least experience on being a high school student, I hope you could understand that. Now, anymore questions?
As I see no one is raising their hands, the teacher tells me and points where I will be sitting, coincidentally it's beside Rinko. As I sat on my chair, I looked at Rinko and said.
Riku: Guess we'll be seat mates for this year. I'll be relying on you Rinko.
Rinko just nodded with a light blush and with that we started homeroom.