Part 1 - The new class
When I went to talk to the counselor to see if I could still join the costume design class he gave me a long lecture, that I had to do this at the beginning of the semester, that it was very irresponsible of me, that I should worry about my future, and a lot of blah blah blah, in the end he accepted me because there was still space, for that he would have better told me from the beginning that I could attend, he checked in his computer if I didn't run into any of my other elective classes and luckily I didn't. He said: 'Well young man, classes are Tuesday and Thursday, they are 8 hours a week, as the class is advanced, you will be asked 70% to pass instead of 60%.
-Well young man, the classes are Tuesdays and Thursdays, they are 8 hours a week, as the class is advanced, you will be asked 70% to pass instead of 60%, is that clear?
-Yes, Mr. Lopez, I promise it won't happen again. - I said without the slightest interest.
Aki was the one who was the most entertained by the situation.
I'm glad you're entertained by my problems.
-Quite a lot actually, especially when you roll your eyes and start imitating what he says with his lips.
-I really do that, I didn't know that.
-I guess this is the room, 269, who was the funny guy who took the 2 off, if it wasn't for the time stamp I wouldn't notice it.
Aki arrived and walked through the door without waiting for me, I knocked on the door waiting for the teacher to come out.
After a few seconds he came out, and I explained to him what had happened, handed him the paper that had been handed to me, and he let me in.
Students stop what you are doing for a second, I introduce you to your new classmate Hikaru Nishimura, from today he will be in my care like you, be good to him.
Asuna was excited, she greeted me happily at the back of the classroom, what surprised me was that she was sitting alone, instead the others were divided into three groups, there weren't many of us, with me there were 13 of us.
-Nishimura, I am Professor Sanada Pierot (48), as the others know me I am a designer for Top Model, and I am also a professor of the technical university of design of Arekkaido, I expect a lot from you.
I knew that in this school we had some renowned teachers especially for the elective subjects, but the Top Model brand was even known abroad, so I was surprised that we had someone of that calibre teaching us.
-Thank you very much, Professor Pierot.
-A one more thing, you should join one of the four groups we have for now, you are in good time because just today we start a new free themed trouser design project, I will give you all time to get to know each other.
Part 2 - The members of the Design class
They all greeted me which I returned, not that I mind meeting new people, but I was still annoyed from my conversation with Colmillos, so I didn't really feel like introductions, I still had to accept them, at least Aki was hanging out with Asuna.
-I didn't think you liked fashion, Nishimura.
-Angi Yukiro, Akimoto's best friend, was talking to me.
-Don't be surprised, it's something I only talk about with my friends, but I'm also surprised to see you here.
-Initially I went in with Yui, she was interested in this class, but Yui didn't like it in the end and dropped the class, and I ended up liking it.
Yukiro aren't you going to introduce me to Nishimura Boy?
A tall, stocky blond was looking straight at me.
-I know you, you're the one who helped Marcus in his fight with the third year, or rather with your classmates, Enko Yoke (17) if I'm not mistaken.
-I see that you are a friend of Frances Boy, a pleasure then Nishimura Boy, you have before you the next great designer of Chipon.
What a strange way of talking this guy has, but I have to talk to him after all he is a target of that company.
Let me introduce myself, I'm Kami Korude, a sophomore but from another letter, my forte is knitting.
Now a pretty green-haired girl was talking to me, she was tall, flat, but she had a nice butt, the moment I noticed her butt, I felt two murderous looks, so I quickly took my eyes off her.
Instead of shaking my hand, she came and hugged me, which was a bit awkward, and I could see both Asuna and Aki were annoyed.
Don't hog it so much Korude, excuse her Nishimura, this lethargic is like that with all men, I introduce myself I am Martin Pierot, son of the teacher and first year student I specialize in the dyeing of garments.
Martin gave me his hand which he received.
-Don't be so mean, Pierot.
Korude now hugged him.
So things went on for a while introducing me to the others, when we had finished, Yukiro approached me again.
-Well, I can do a bit of everything, but the best thing I can do is designing dresses.
-I don't really know what I'm good at, but I've come to find out.
-I don't think you should worry about that, here we all cooperate with each other, well almost all of us.
I was a bit curious about that last part because I think he was referring to Asuna.
-Why don't you join our group? Besides, we have the best of this class in our group, Enko.
Enko gave me a nod of approval.
I was going to refuse because I had decided since the teacher said I should join a group to go to Asuna's group, but I was pleasantly surprised.
-You mean second best Yukiro, because like it or not none of them have beaten me yet.
Asuna approached us annoyed.
-Don't think so much Kimigawa, in my eyes Enko is much better than you.
-No, no Angi girl, this time Kimigawa girl is right for now, she has a unique talent like me, and at least until they are born again only I can compete with her.
In a way I was liking this guy.
-But Enko...
-Yukiro, sorry to interrupt you, but I had already decided to join Asuna, besides if anyone knows her talent is me, I've seen the things she has created, and no offense to you professor, but she has done things much better than even what Top Model does.
The professor approached me.
-You have a sharp tongue Nishimura, it will serve you well if you stay in this business, and don't worry, I am aware of the talent of my best student.
Asuna was pleased.
I noticed that almost everyone was upset by the teacher's words, from his son I could understand, it must be hard for your own father not to recognise your effort, something that was alien to me. But I didn't understand the displeasure of the others, although Yoke wasn't bothered by what the teacher said either.
-As you wish, Nishimura, but you will regret your decision, believe me.
-I doubt it Yukiro, we'll show them by beating them with our design.
I grabbed Asuna by the hand, and we went to sit down.
-Hikaru, would you let go of Asuna's hand already.
With all that had happened I let go, obviously I let go immediately, but Asuna at least was very happy.
-Aki, don't think that...
-Relax, I'm not upset, I even liked how you defended Asuna, you looked very manly.
Aki had put on a face that wasn't very usual for her, a face with a second intention, which, as I never noticed, I couldn't help blushing, especially because Asuna was listening to us.
Asuna hugged my arm.
-Thank you for standing up for me, Shiii.
-You know I will whenever I can, but I don't understand what's going on here, why isn't anyone in your group Asuna?
Asuna pretended to be oblivious.
-Asuna, let him go already.
-I can't work in a group, that's the problem.
-What are you talking about? For group work we've always understood each other well.
-Yes, but this is different Hikaru, here I put my soul into what I do, so when I see someone doing something wrong, or when I don't want to, I can't help it, I end up throwing them out and I end up doing the work myself.
This is bad, besides, I don't even know how to knit.
-Asuna, you know I don't know anything about this, so you're going to have to be patient with me.
-I don't think I have that attitude with you, Baki helped me a couple of times, and we never had any problems.
Because he makes a face that I can't trust.
-Hikaru doesn't cut himself like that, it's the other way around, I've told you three times already... achhh.
-The baking machine doesn't hit like hitting the mole, you move the pedal delicately.
-This would be fine... if you hadn't done the embroidery backwards.
This was the ninth time he called my attention for something, and he was only teaching me to do the basic things, we were not even with the trousers, in fact it was curious that nobody was working with the machines but everybody was discussing about the design.
On several occasions Yukiro would look at me when Asuna was challenging me for doing things wrong, it was as if he wanted to tell me that he was right, an idea I refused to accept.
Aki tried to dissuade Asuna from calling my attention, but it seemed that the more he insisted, the more he provoked Asuna.
At least in these 2 hours I learnt how to use the knitting machine, more or less, my problem was that sometimes I did things without paying attention, which is fatal for this area.
-Asuana stop it.
-Hikaru, you do things the way you ask for it, how do you want me to.....
-I don't mean that, if I do things wrong I understand, but if it wasn't me, I'm sure someone else would have told you to fuck off, but I'm interrupting you so we can stop for a while, besides you're frustrated just like me, if we go on like this one of us is going to end up saying something we'll regret.
-Achh... you're right, I'm sorry, but it's like you say, it's frustrating.
I think Asuna's about to cry...
-Let's change the air for a while, what design are you going to make?
-You're wrong Hikaru, the question is what are we going to design,' said Asuna as if it didn't matter.