| Fan Fiction |
by biniBningPunkista
Yesterday before I went home, I have given her the letter for employment on the coffee shop so she may quit her job at the host club. I didn’t even give her a chance to talk to me because I just shoved it in her hand and hopped on my bike quickly that she didn’t have time to even react.
It was explained to me that the mama-san of that host club was one of her family’s close friends, so I took the liberty of talking to that person to let Sakura work for me instead. There wasn’t much argument, I didn’t even need to exert effort on convincing the old lady, seeing me made her stutter already, she might have already thought in advance to what would happen to her if she denied my request. Not that I haven’t prepared for that, I was willing to bribe but not do any physical harm to someone I was supposed to protect, but if she was thinking of the latter… well that’s something I wouldn’t want to change.
Fear induces several things to the human mind.
The class was noisy as usual before the lessons begin. Everyone was talking about the Parent-Teacher conference that would be held next week which I have already informed Kenshi about and asked him to clear off his entire schedule for that day to meet with my sensei. While everyone buzzed about this topic, I stared out the window looking at the late kids running towards the closing gate trying to catch up in time so as not to be caught up and punished to do physical work in the school grounds.
Swishh… Klack.
The sliding door that opened loudly caught my attention and Akami sensei walked in with a boy on tow, walking lazily behind her, his uniform scrunched up, even his hair was sticking in all directions and he looked sleepy.
As soon as everyone saw him girls started to giggle and talk with their seatmates, boys where scrutinizing him already and I… was getting bored.
Eherm… Eherm…
Akami sensei coughed out loud to get our attention.
“Everyone, I want you to meet your new classmate starting from today. Please do introduce yourself.” Akami sensie instructed him.
The boy looked around before he spoke, there was bit of something recognizable in his eyes that I caught. The way he looked at the people, the place… it was like he was measuring everyone and everything. This made me sit straighter to observe.
“Hajimimashite, I’m Ikuta Tuma. Transfer student from Ontario, Canada.” He spoke out with an accent and bowed slightly then stared quietly at everyone.
Everyone started mumbling again once they heard his accent.
“His father requested for him to be transferred to this school for him to adapt in Japanese culture. Be nice to him everyone and make him feel at home. You may take the vacant seat over there.” Sensei gestured to the vacant seat beside me.
My heart fell as I realized that I would not be having peace and serenity in my seat because of this transfer student. This made me feel very irritated, my selfish being has grown more horns than I have imagined.
Ikuta Toma walked over to his assigned seat, while I followed his movements with my gaze. There was something about him that kept bothering me, I just can’t think of what it was.
The new student sat down nonchalantly at his chair, slid down low from his sit and tucked his chin under his neck… after a few moments I heard his soft snore, evidence that he was simply asleep. The kid sat there peacefully as sensei Akami started to talk about the History of Japan and its geographical location, her voice was drowned out by the buzz of my classmates around me who were pointing at the new kid on my left who was oblivious of what was happening around him in his slumber.
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“Hey, wake up! The bell just rang.” The boy sitting next to the new guy slapped him at the shoulder to wake him up from his sleep. Earlier in class he was sitting as still as a mannequin in display and the next thing I knew he was slumped on his desk with a thud right after the second class that morning.
When his seatmate touched his arm Ikuta Toma suddenly jerked up from his seat and grabbed his seatmate’s arm tightly as if he was going to snap it backwards. The reaction took me and my classmates by surprise, everyone stopped what they were doing and stared.
“Itai itai!!!” The guy shouted as he squirmed at Ikuta’s grip on his arm.
Total silence has enveloped the classroom; Ikuta Toma must have realized this that he quickly let go of the poor kid’s arm and walked out of the room shoving his two hands in his pockets as if nothing happened. I stared at his back which disappeared behind the door.
That move… I know that move so well. Where did he learn that?
Mao had her brows furrowed as she looked at the new guy’s seat then back at me. I knew she was thinking of asking me about something that I would rather not talk about with someone else. I quickly got out of the room when everyone started chattering loudly about the transferee.
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“What are you doing here?” Someone asked as that person sat in front of me while I ate my bentou.
I was back in the art room where students stirred away from, because according to the rumors which I just discovered yesterday from Mao, my one and only source of school news, the classroom was hunted by some ghost who shows up to unsuspecting people especially if they’re alone. So eventually no one dared to come in here alone lest the ghost show up and make them crazy. This rumor suited me well.
Today was the day I wanted to avoid contact from people. Shun would probably be trying to seat on our table again today, I didn’t feel like dealing with him. The guy was always bright, and he reminded me too much of Otori-kun. Who’s Takoyaki I miss immensely. To add to it, was the nagging feeling that the Student President would be in that same cafeteria, looking over to where Shun would be. I don’t need to be observed anymore, Aoi was enough as an observer for me, and I don’t need two more eyes to watch my every single move.
The window in the classroom was wide open while the soft breeze caught my hair in time as I was shoving the food into my mouth. My mind was preoccupied before I realized that someone was talking to me. It was Takumi. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes, since I had something to ask.
“You’re a meddler right Takumi? Do you have any idea what happened to Otori-kun?” I asked after swallowing my food.
“I knew that question would come up sooner or later.” Takumi nodded knowingly.
“What do you mean by that?” I asked with a crease forming between my brows.
“It means that your friend may not be selling his Takoyaki anywhere near this place anymore.”
“WHAT?!? How did you know this?” I demanded.
“I guess Kenshi didn’t tell you. Otori’s family was ganged up in their own home by the Yakuza, not ours of course, but the rival one we have in the district. They have been lurking about lately, unfortunately since his father was the police in charge of a certain district they were the target of an assault, only it happened sooner than expected.” Takumi shook his head gravely as he spoke in a hushed tone.
Upon hearing this news I slumped on my seat rather heavily, losing my appetite completely. This was something I have never heard of in the mansion. Kenshi must have kept it from me, but why?
“Kenshi knew you were fond of Otori, not just because of the Takoyaki but because… you got a new friend.” He suddenly said as if he was reading my mind.
“Just like those girls you kept hanging out with and… that other guy.” Takumi said ‘that other guy’ in a grudging way. This reaction from him made me pause for a bit, and then I let it slide because there were more important things in my mind.
“They are not my friends.” I replied defiantly after a few seconds of silence, though a pang of concern swept through me when I heard the news about Otori-kun.
“Yeah, that’s what you told me when you first started hanging out with Inoue Mao.” Takumi shrugged then took a piece of maki from my bentou box from the cafeteria.”
“But they really aren’t my friends.”
“Right.” Takumi said sarcastically then looked at the open window, not looking at anything particular. He had a blank look upon his face.
We both sat in silence as I stared at him, thinking of what friends really represents for in one’s life.
“I heard there was a new transferee in your class.” Takumi started, looking back at me after a couple of minutes in silence.
“How did you know?”
“Because I am a sensei.” He said as a matter of fact.
“Of course.” I just nodded.
“So what’s he like?”
“How would I know? It’s just his first day.”
“Usually first days has the most unforgettable experience in it.”
This made me think of how Iktuta Toma, the new student did that move earlier.
“He’s… a bit odd.” I started to say, not sure if I should be talking about this at all. But usually my intuition serves me right.
“And you’re not?”
I gave Takumi a piercing look… which didn’t even affect him. That’s when I realized he was just teasing me. This made me roll my eyes in annoyance instead. I wouldn’t talk about anything regarding the new student ever again in front of this idiot.
Takumi suddenly stood up slowly from his seat, chuckling and shaking his head then walked off towards the door but before he reached the exit, he turned to look back at me.
“Just watch out for that new kid if you think there is something weird about him and also take care of your new found friends Shinku-sama, just the way we take care of you.”
With this, Takumi swiftly turned around and walked out of the room. Leaving me in a contemplating state, thinking of things I would have never thought of if I wasn’t in high school. Things here were different, much peaceful than I thought it could be. Yakuza life was a bit draining, though I was already brought up in that life style… but right now I couldn’t help but think what if I was different? Normal.
This thought made me shake my head vigorously.
I am Minami Shinku. Such a thought should not even cross my mind, for I am the 12th generation leader of my clan and I cannot let them down. Not now that I am just starting my high school, I just have to endure these three years of education then I shall be back to my own world, dealing with things that matters most.
With this thought in my mind, I gathered my unfinished bentou and left the room. There are things that could be out of my hand, but there also some things I could fix. I may not be able to fix it right now, but in due time I may. Time always has its own essence.
My footsteps echoed on the empty hallways as I walked back to the classroom.
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“What happened? Where is sensei?” I asked when I stepped into the Home economics room because I arrived late.
“There was a note left that we have this period vacant for today. She had to see an orthodontist because of…” Mao’s voice trailed off as she tried to remember the words that were announced earlier, but then it looked like she was really having a hard time remembering so she looked at Aoi instead.
“Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome.” Aoi helped her by saying those three words in her small voice.
“What’s that?” I asked, having no idea of what she just said.
“Beats me.” Mao shrugged.
“It’s a syndrome where the jaw locks, usually seen in people who have problems with the joints and ligaments of their mouth. Sensei was experiencing a mild lock jaw a few weeks ago already. Then today when she opened her mouth to speak there was a popping sound then she suddenly complained of a headache. Those are usually the cardinal signs of TJS.” Aoi said casually while preparing her things to follow everyone out of the room, Sakura was standing beside Mao listening to what Aoi was saying.
“How did you know that Sensei was having that problem? And how come you know so many things about bones and such?” I asked clearly intrigued by her knowledge.
“I usually stay behind for Home economics because I like to cook. Sensei and I talk about a lot of things, so I knew a couple of things about her in between work.”
“What about knowing the Temp… Temporo… the syndrome.” Mao said finally, as she prodded and tried to remember Aoi’s terms without success.
“Ano… I love reading books. I also wanted to be either an orthopedic or an orthodontist someday.” Aoi answered shyly.
“Really… I never thought of that. I thought you would like to succeed your family’s company or something.” Mao muttered to Aoi.
“What about you guys? What do you guys dream of to be?” Aoi asked looking at the three of us expectantly.
I have never given this a thought. College was not an option for me… my dream has already been met. I looked around the room as everyone was milling to walk out of it. The Home Economics room was almost empty except for the four of us.
“I always wanted to become a model.” Sakura said quietly.
My head instantly turned towards her.
A model?
An eyebrow unconsciously rose from my face, which Sakura caught. This made her bow head in embarrassment. Probably working in a host club did get to Sakura that she made such dreams for herself, but the host club did teach you how to be confident of yourself and how to fix yourself to be more that just pretty. The dream did suit her after all.
“To be a flight stewardess, that’s my dream. I have always wanted to travel the world.” Mao said brightly to everyone.
Typical of Mao to say that, she has always been travelling with her family, though she didn’t need to be a stewardess to travel around the world, still… it was her dream.
I just nodded at her remark and then started to walk out of the room. When I felt that no one was following me, I turned around to look at them, my eyes questioning.
“What is your dream Shinku?” Aoi asked, for the first time without flinching. She was usually careful with her questions for me, because my typical response would be a sarcastic one or I would just end up completely ignoring her.
Mao and Sakura’s head snapped towards Aoi. They completely knew what I was, the thing that I have stood for, but Aoi was still in the dark. This girl was far too observant than what I have given her credit for, she must have notice the treatment both girls have given me. Though Aoi was always on the back ground, she was still an onlooker.
I looked at her straight in the eye before answering.
“My dream…” I let my voice trail off, thinking of the appropriate words to use.
“….is to be the boss without any ties, to be the boss where nothing and no one can escape from, the boss whom everyone will stand firm for, respect and obey. That’s the type of boss I would like to be in the near future.” I honestly said for the first time.
Everyone was silent, trying not to interrupting me in anyway, only there was nothing next to say. Finally, Aoi spoke after a few seconds of silence.
“You’re strange Shinku. No matter how I put it, I try to categorize people according to how I observe them, but you Shinku is in a very different category. You don’t belong exactly in any type of clicks in this school; you stand alone as I have always watched you. You’re a very peculiar person to say the least.” I understand she was trying to air out what she had been thinking for awhile.
“Then I wouldn’t be Shinku if I belonged to any category.” I said smugly which made everyone smile, then I turned to walk ahead not bothering to look back and check if they were following or not.
I suddenly felt someone approach me from behind; I knew it was Mao since she was the only one who dared to get close to me without restrain. She quickly took my arm and hugged it close to herself as Sakura and Aoi walked behind us.
“That’s why I like Shinku the way she is, because when all else fails, Shinku won’t.” Mao exclaimed enthusiastically.
So this is how highly Mao thought of me. This made me look at her reluctantly, I wasn’t sure if could leave up with that statement. I was just 16, inexperienced in life, merely a high school student... then again… I am Shinku Minami.
------------------To be continued------------------
Notes from the Author:
I wish I could be a model… but considering the way I look and my height?
It just wouldn’t suit me at all. Darn.
Was this chapter boring? T_T I have so many situations in my head, I just don’t know how to get this out in the proper way. Please do forgive me.