A/N: Aaahh I'm not sure how I feel about this fanfic so far. The writing style really dulls in comparison to my past works, and it's much shorter, totaling just past 1000 words. /sigh/ Since this is to help me get out of this writers block, I hope that it's okay.. Please comment and critique! I'd really appreciate it.
As soon as she wakes, she forgets about it all as always, for her dreams leave only the fleeting impression that something has gone terribly wrong.
In stark contrast to the pastel blue skies above, mingling with the sweet scent and soft petals of cherry blossoms at their peak bloom, Chizuru Yukimura wakes from a deep slumber, her body stiff with anxiety and turmoil for reasons unknown. She rises from her sleeping position, heaving a deep sigh and attempting to pinpoint what exactly is causing her such emotional unrest as she carries out her responsibilities, only hoping that the all too familiar feeling will die away soon, as it always has and inevitably will in her future. After all, today was an important day for her, one that could not be overlooked simply because of a mysterious feeling. Today was her first day attending the newly opened prestigious private school, known as Hakuou Academy. She contemplates for a moment if gambling on a new school was really worth it, and brings forth to her memory Osen's kind words, her tone, however, mingling with an unsettling sense of concern and distress for her lifelong friend. "You know the student population will be different, Chizuru.. If you ever want to leave, tell me right away! We'll enroll you to our academy immediately." Chizuru nodded enthusiastically, assuring her that no such thing would be a problem, but if it was, Osen would be the first person she consulted. Interrupting her cacophony of thoughts is the obnoxious ringing of a doorbell, and the equally obnoxious voice of a childhood friend.
"Chizuru! Hurry up, we'll be late!"
"A-ah! Look at the time! I'll be right there, Heisuke!" Chizuru smoothes out her uniform, takes a deep breath, and with one last glance in the mirror, opens her dorm door.
Heisuke offers her a bright smile. "Are you ready for your first day?"
Chizuru confirms she is, and the two depart for school together, as the fluttering cherry blossoms waltz on the gentle breeze.
During their walk to Hakuou Academy, Toudou Heisuke, first year student and long-time friend of Chizuru, explains the basics of the school - the basics he was told by upperclassmen, rather. "Well first of all there are the teachers. I was told about Hijikata the most, our teacher of the Classics. He's supposedly a demon teacher." Chizuru falters, pausing momentarily, a strange feeling of dread washing over her. Heisuke, however, continues with a laugh. "I doubt that will be a problem though, teachers usually love me." Chizuru returns to her senses, and almost has to force a laugh, knowing fully well that Heisuke was mistaken. "Wh-what? They do! Remember our fifth grade math teacher?" This time Chizuru doesn't have to force herself to laugh, no matter how badly she felt. It was a long story on how Heisuke believed that, involving the teacher switching test grades by accident and Heisuke consequentially receiving the "Most Ambitious Student" award.
Regardless, he continues. "Next one I heard about was the nurse. His name was ? I think? or Yanamami? I can't remember." Chizuru's concern for her classmate increases. If he can't even remember the nurse's name, Chizuru reasons, then the nurse really won't get along with him, because that's where Heisuke goes to skip class, as she's figured out by now. Heisuke glances back at Chizuru. "But the other teachers call him Sannan, and so do the frequent visitors. So I guess I'll just start calling him . " Hopefully he won't start calling him , Chizuru thinks to herself. "He's supposed to be obsessed with this one medicine, so there's that. They say you can't really tell what's going on in his mind." Chizuru chooses to pay no attention to this and classifies these stories as rumors.
"And there's the gym teacher, Mr. Harada, but you know him! He used to teach at our old elementary school, remember? I think he got tired of us all there so he wanted to teach better, more mature kids. And now we're here. Weird, right?"
Chizuru feels a bit of relief at that. There would be at least a few other familiar faces there."That is odd, Heisuke. Do you think gym will be more difficult this year?"
Heisuke smiles. "Well, maybe. I mean gym's gym though, so it'll be just like middle school, except with more running, I think… Don't worry Chizuru, you'll do fine!" The two are approaching the school now, and Heisuke attempts to fit as many more explanations as possible in.
"After that is the guy who should be our Math teacher, . He's really cool apparently, and his class is supposed to be easy." Heisuke stretches. "Thank God!"
He went on to explain that the principal was Mr. Kondou, and he was supposed to be really nice too. He was just beginning to talk about their peers and the rumours surrounding them, when they approach the school, and the two pause to take it all in.
As the duo approaches the expansive campus, Chizuru takes one final look behind her. She had no idea what they had ahead of them, nor what they were leaving behind in their past. She smiles as a warm rush of wind stirs more cherry blossoms in their direction.
"Welcome to Hakuou Academy!"
Heisuke's chocolate brown orbs observe Chizuru. She'd been odd today, out of character. Of course it's understandable, Heisuke muses, It is her first day at school, and so much was bound to happen that he too would be nervous had he not already known so many of the students in attendance this year.
But that wasn't it.
He could tell. From the moment Chizuru opened her dorm's door, she had seemed troubled. Her radiant personality and down to earth, yet optimistic outlook had been replaced by a weariness to her surroundings that Heisuke was not accustomed to, a weariness that made him worry for her. Was she this nervous for high school? Or had there been something, God forbid, that she couldn't tell him? Heisuke falters momentarily. No. That's impossible! They've been friends since childhood, inseparable since their first meeting in a preschool playground. But if it was, Heisuke resolved, he would be there for her, protect her no matter what.
And so, the school year arrived with a new school and a precious, unspoken vow.