New Surprises Ahead
Claire stood near the train, ready to enter. She stood her ground when she was pushed along by some common folk, trying to get their way through to continue their busy lives, almost as if to win a challenge. As she was just about to adjust the volume on her earphones, she heard her name being said in worried tone, and she signed and turned around. "Touji-san, it's my first day, so I want to experience a normal day of a student. Okay? I won't tell my parents you didn't drive me today." She smiled brightly. "But what if your mugged, or hurt, or kidnapped? Being your driver at this moment, it means I'm responsible for Ojo-sama's life!" Touji, a middle-aged man hired as a driver for Claire, sweat from fear and running too much. " Come on, don't you trust me? I can kick all their asses in a single blow."
"Wha—"
His voice was overpowered by the trains loud arrival, it's large white doors opening for people to enter and exit. She slung her bag over her shoulder and half turned to smile at him. "How 'bout this? You can pick me up from school, okay? I'll see you then!" And with that, the shiny doors closed on Claire appearance, and the train left its previous station.
"Excuse me, Ma'am, but can you please tell me where Hakusen High School is?"
"Oh, no problem dear, it's that building over there." The kind old woman pointed across the street, towards the blue building.
The word "HUH?!" was slightly shrieked, and was heard throughout the area, enough to make everyone look but eventually continue walking. Claire's clear blue eyes scanned the sight before her. "This is the school?!" She shrieked again, but with less force. Compared to her old school, this was, in fact, rather small. She stood their flabbergasted, and then noticed the old lady was still standing there, clear shock on her face. " Ahhh--hahaha. Sorry! I was just surprised! S-sorry to bother you! Have a nice day!" She said while running off towards the school. "Sweet child," the old woman said to herself, "but a little weird in the head…"
Claire stood at the entrance of "this thing they think qualifies as a school." She gave a sigh and stretched. "Alright! Don't be scared! You can do this, Claire!" She said to herself, a spoken confidence. Well, I'm already twenty minutes early. Might as well explore… She began her adventure by walked around the school, watching the flowered trees blow in the spring breeze. She smile to herself, and reassured herself that this was going to be a good year. This has to be a better school than the one in Mineral Town…
"This is new."
Claire skipped to the end of the wall and turned right.
"A new beginning and a new adventure."
The first thing she saw was a giant cherry blossom tree, full in bloom
"And in adventures,"
But the thing that really got her attention
"I look forward to the good surprises"
Was the rope tied to one of its branches.
"As well as the bad."
And the boy hanging from it.
"Isn't that what makes an adventure fun?"