Hi. My name is Link Avalon. I am a sophomore, and so far have no plans for the future. I've never really known what I want to do when I grow up; I was always changing interests, not sticking to any in particular. Whenever people would ask what I wanted to be, I would say, "I don't know yet." And they would say "That's okay. You still have a lot of time to decide."

I wish they hadn't said something like that. Because in the end, you don't have a lot of time to decide. Elementary school focuses on getting-used-to-interacting-with-other-people-your -age, and so that's why it takes up the most grades. They want you to learn how to build relationships with people at a young age, and they want it to last a while. Not like middle school, which is more like a slap to the face. This is when they want you to realize that school isn't just some walk through the park, you won't get good grades just by sharing some wooden blocks that don't even belong to you. Middle school flies by the fastest, and that's what sucks the most, because you end up spending most of it complaining about how much work you're getting and how hard it is, and then by the time you get settled in its straight off to high school. And if you thought middle school was fast, high school is only one year longer. It'll only be a matter of time before we all go to college? And then what? Four more years, then work for the rest of your life? It would've helped to at least have a basic idea of what you want to do, right?

I attend Fusajiro Yamauchi Private High School. My cousin went there, and he loved it. Yamauchi is a science-oriented school, so everything there is high-tech and stuff. It's a spacious facility with a vast campus, equipped with a football field and bleachers, an indoor basketball court which also serves as the gym, three computer labs, a rooftop pool, and a beautiful garden. Students there also have the opportunity to work as interns in the Nintendo Company, one of the nation's most successful companies and definitely one of the more valuable ones. Nearly everyone in the city is employed there. If you live in Dairantō City like me, chances are you know someone who works there. Nintendo is actually the founder of the school, so the two have close connections with each other. But if it's one thing Yamauchi High prides itself on: it's the enormous variety of after-school clubs.

Despite it being focused on the sciences, Yamauchi has over 45 different clubs, ranging from the baseball team to the knitting club to the Photoshop club to peer tutoring. You'd think that someone like me would be able to find at least one club I'm interested. In truth, the only club I'm interested in is Class 10A. See, by the time you're in high school, everyone pretty much knows what their interests are, and most have them perfected to a certain extent. But if you're like me, and wasted your time trying out different things only to find out you didn't like them, then joining a group of pros is going to be kind of awkward. Which is why I didn't bother trying out for any extracurricular activities.

My cousin Raven disagrees with me. He says that people join clubs so they can learn about something they're fascinated with, while meeting friends who like the same thing. It's that whole "meeting friends" thing that really bugs me. You go to school to learn, not to make friends.

And this is why Raven and I are so different. When he was in Yamauchi, Raven was at the top of his class, voted most popular, captain of the football team that won the state championship, and had a blonde girlfriend. Raven should get a prize for having what might be the most stereotypical high school experience ever. Me? I'll take the prize for most likely to succeed. Because as far as I'm concerned, I'm the only one in the entire school who's worried about getting perfect grades so I can have the widest choice of colleges possible. Cause honestly? When you're in high school, colleges watch your every move. I have to make sure I'm in top shape at all times. And no friend can help me do that.


Thursday, September 6th

Dairantō City, 97 Eldin Street


Ring! Ring!

Link rolled over in his sleep. He could sacrifice a few minutes of preparing for school if it meant being able to sleep like this.

Ring! Ring!

Link squeezed his eyes tighter for a second, subconsciously hitting the snooze button on his alarm clock. Ah…much better. Link continued to lounge around on his bed, calming now that that annoying sound was off. He sighed in content. The sun poked through his blinds, just enough to warm his face, but not blinding. The covers had been kicked to the end of the bed so they were all bunched up. For Link, this was pure bliss.

Ring! Ring!

"What the hell?!" Link yelled as he sat up angrily. Looking down into his lap, Link saw his silver laptop, opened to a news article about scholarships. Must've fallen asleep while it was still on. In another tab, a video of a rock concert was open. Link stared at it, confused. Why did I have this open? Rubbing his eyes sleepily, he walked over to his desk, where his phone was still sounding. Link checked the caller id, then rolled his eyes and answered the call.

"What?" he asked, rather irritably as well.

"Link? Link, the bus is going to come! Where are you?!"

"You idiot…" Link mumbled, sitting down on his swivel chair, twirling absentmindedly. His eyes fell on his electric guitar, which was still in its case in the corner of his room. "We're taking the7:08 bus. It's 6:00 AM."

There was a moment of silence. "Link? It's 7:00."

Link swerved his chair to the left so he could face his clock. Sure enough, the clock read 7:00 in digital numbers.

"Shit!"

Link hung up immediately and threw open his closet door. Grabbing his uniform, the teenager quickly threw on his white button-down shirt and pulled up his black slacks and socks. Link didn't even have time to think about tying his tie correctly, so it hung loosely around his neck. Dashing downstairs, Link nearly slipped on the polished hardwood floor. Luckily, he was able to regain his balance. He ran into the kitchen, where Raven was making breakfast.

"Oh, good morning Link." Raven smiled. He was always in a good mood, it seemed. Raven looked almost exactly like Link, only Raven's hair was more of a dirty-blond and Link had larger eyes that were an icier blue, as opposed to Raven's, which were a warm brown.

To Link's relief, Raven had already prepared a large platter of toast, eggs, and bacon. Any other day, Link would've stayed to eat, but not when he was running late. Link grabbed a piece of toast, knocking over a glass of milk and messing up the silverware in the process, and rushed over to the refrigerator to grab a water bottle.

"Hey! Link, that's not your-" Raven protested, but was cut off.

"Sorry Raven!" Link shouted back. Link snatched the strap of his book bag and dashed out the door, while Raven followed after him in attempt to scold him for ruining the breakfast he had made for him and his girlfriend, before giving up and heading back inside. Sighing at his frantic cousin, Raven locked the door and went to go clean up.

Now sprinting at full speed, Link clenched the piece of toast in his mouth and slung his dark green backpack over his shoulder. Ducking left and right to avoid the people on the sidewalks and jumping over three squares of wet cement, Link managed to take out his phone and check the time. 7:04.

At the crosswalk, the light was green, for the cars. Link tapped his foot impatiently, watching the cars drive by at speeds far past the limit. Without thinking, Link ran across the street, earning several honks and even a couple curse words.

"Sorry!" Link yelled through the toast. Hastily rounding a corner, Link nearly crashes into his childhood friend and upcoming freshman, Pit Icarus.

"Eh? So you actually made it? What happened to you anyway…?" Pit stifled a giggle at him, knowing that on a normal day Link would never want to be seen like this.

"Woke up late. Must've slept through the alarm. If you hadn't called me, I would still be in bed." Link replied in between breaths. He placed his hands on his knees in attempt to calm down.

Pit's eyes widened. "Really?! Link, sleeping in? I don't believe it. Even so, I can cross meeting an upperclassman off my list." he scribbled something into a small notepad. Link raised his eyebrows suspiciously but decided not to question it. He then lifted his head so he could get a better look at his friend. Pit had a youthful appearance, which was supported by his shortness compared to other students in his grade. His dark brown hair stuck up in tufts all around his head. Pit wore a white collared short-sleeve with a black vest layered over, along with maroon shorts. Like everyone else in Yamauchi, Pit had added his own personal touch to his uniform. On anyone else, it would look ridiculous, but on Pit, it fitted him perfectly, partially due to the fact that he acted immature for his age.

While Pit was occupied with his notepad, Link finished off the rest of his toast and drank some water as well. "Got any gum?" he asked nonchalantly, attempting to comb down his blond bangs.

Fumbling around in his pocket, Pit pulled out a small piece of pink chewing gum, then tossed it in Link's direction. Link scanned over, wondering how long it had been there, then took off the wrapper and popped the strip of gum in his mouth. Glancing over at Pit's paper, Link couldn't help but wonder what it was for.

"What're you writing over there?" Link asked, leaning over to get a glimpse of the brunette's handwriting.

Pit smiled and held out the notepad proudly. "It's my goals for high school! See, one of my goals was to meet an upperclassman, and since you came along now I am one step closer to fulfilling my high-school life!"

Pit instinctively held up his hands as Link's fist came crashing down on his head. "Stupid…" Link snapped. "If you already knew me from before how is that accomplishing something!"

Pit looked dazed for a moment. "Ohhh… that's true…" he said innocently, rubbing the growing bump on his head.

"Besides," Link said, folding his arms across his chest. "If you want to make the most of high school, then work hard and study. Then you'll get the most education and get into a good college. That's my advice."

Pit pouted. "But that's so boring, Link. Isn't high school supposed to be a time to socialize and have fun?"

"No." Link said bluntly. "Also, don't get yourself into trouble on the first day. It isn't fun."

"How would you know…?" Pit said in a sing-song voice.

Memories of his first day of high school came rushing back to Link. His face became red just thinking about it.

The loud sound of tires screeching against asphalt snapped both teenagers out of their daze. "Ah! The bus!" Pit gasped frantically, feeling his pockets for his bus pass. Link stepped inside as soon as the doors opened and swiped his bus card.

"Shoot…." Pit stared at Link with huge eyes. He stuck his lower lip out a bit and tried to make it quiver. Link glared at him, then sighed and slipped his bus pass in Pit's hand when the bus driver wasn't looking. Pit beamed at his friend, who was muttering something under his breath while searching for a seat.

Pit plopped down across from Link, who was seated in the back of the bus on one of the side chairs.

"Thanks! You're a life-saver Link-sempai!" Pit handed Link the plastic card.

Link rolled his eyes and took his pass. He then stared out the window coolly, but Pit knew he was blushing because of the honorific he had used. Sempai. It got to Link every time.


Once at school, Pit had waved goodbye and the two had gone their separate ways. Link checked the schedule that had been given to him along with his report card last year. Homeroom was in Room 209. If Link had remembered correctly, that was the science room. The classroom itself was divided into three rows, each one two desks wide. Windows bordered the west side of the room, opposite the door. Having a last name like Avalon would probably mean he would sit on that side.

Looking up at the 4-story white brick building, Link realized what a nice setting the school was in. Cherry blossom trees that bloomed pink in the spring surrounded the borderline of the school fence. The sidewalks were clean and white, and an elaborate fountain was placed in between the gates and the school itself. Deciding on one-strapping his backpack for a more laidback look, Link strolled through the courtyard and into the building, smirking at the confused 9th graders holding their schedules up to their faces and glancing around nervously.

When Link entered homeroom, he was relieved to see he knew most of his classmates. Not that he was friends with anyone, in fact, he couldn't care less, but at least he didn't have to introduce himself to all these people.

School wasn't anything special, in Link's eyes anyways. For the first three periods, there was the opening ceremony, with a speech from the principal and the newly elected president of the school council, a bright, bubbly girl named Peach. She had a white blouse with a black vest over it and wore the school uniform's red and black plaid skirt, although from the looks of it the president must've cut off at least 2 centimeters from it. Along with her red tie and white knee-socks she looked like one of those spoiled prepsters.

After listening to five minutes of her giggly voice Link zoned out. Let's see. Who else is in my grade?

Well, there was Peach, Link knew enough about politics to know that she was in 10B. Sitting conveniently behind a large pillar was kid with blue-hair. "Must be some new craze." Link thought. He wore the school's traditional black blazer, unbuttoned, over a collared shirt with the same red tie everyone was required to wear, along with black pants. He had his hand propped up behind his head and seemed to be snoring.

Well, I got to hand it to him, no one will ever catch him sleeping if he's behind that thing. All of a sudden, the blue-haired kid jolted upwards. Link nearly jumped himself, thinking he had been caught by a teacher, but when he saw a blond-haired girl yelling at the boy Link relaxed. She was swatting his arm angrily and hissing angrily in the process.

Next to the blonde was a girl with brown hair. Oh yeah, her. He didn't know her name, she was never in his class, but if he tried to talk to her, as in a quick question, she would start getting all nervous and flustered, to the point where it was annoying.

She seemed to be trying to get the blonde to lay off, and despite her shy approach, succeeded. The blonde then turned to Peach, listening intently.


"Link!"

Classes had ended a while ago, and Link had dropped by the school library to borrow some test prep books. Now prepared to get home, Link stopped and turned around to see Pit running towards him with a piece of paper and a pen in his hand. He caught up to him quickly and looked up at him excitedly.

"I've been looking for you everywhere! Did you get the after-school club signup form?"

Link rummaged through his bag and pulled out the sheet, which he had tried to model into an origami crane during the ceremony, but failed miserably. "Yup."

Pit looked as if he were going to say something degrading, but decided not to. "Are you going to sign up for anything?"

Link held up his deformed crane. "Does it look like it?"

Pit's smile broadened. "Great! Then you can join the Independent Music Club!"

Link skimmed through the brochure that had come with the form. "Pit, that club doesn't exist."

Pit rolled his eyes playfully. "Well, duh, that's because I haven't gotten enough members yet!"

"What?!"

"That's right! I'm starting my own club!"

"You, starting a club? In this school?! What club doesn't this school have?"

"An Independent Music Club."

Link struck his palm against his forehead. "Pit, this school has so many clubs. You can't find not even one that you want to join?"

"It's not that all the other clubs are not interesting enough, it's just…" Pit bit his lip. "They're all so specific. Like, if you're in the jazz club, you have to play jazz music. If you're in the orchestra, then you have to play orchestra music."

"Don't you mean classical music?"

"Same thing! Anyway, as I was saying, if we have an Independent Music Club, then we can play any type of music, you know? We can be open to all musicians!"

"Doesn't independent music refer to being free from major recording companies and producers?"

"Well, I'm using the term differently! It's like we're being free from sticking to one specific genre. See, cause I like rock, but I also like alternative, and even then I like instrumental versions of those pop songs with all the synthesizers."

"Tch. Good luck with that."

Pit's eyes grew wide. "No, you're supposed to help me by joining! I need more members; otherwise they'll never take me seriously!"

Link stepped back. "Guess you'll have to look elsewhere. I can't join any clubs, way too much work to do at home. You know that."

"Come on. You haven't done anything your whole life except get good grades. That's all you care about! It's high school man! It's time to get out there! Do something!"

"And what would I do?"

Pit looked at him as if he was crazy. "Play the guitar of course!"

Link froze for a moment, then waved his hands in front of him nervously. "No, no, no. I'm not doing that again. I already gave up the dream of a rock star long ago."

Pit crossed his arms. "That's the problem! Remember when I was in fourth grade, and you were in fifth, and we both decided to take guitar lessons together? And we were going to be in a band one day…"

Link looked down, recalling the memory. They had pinkie-promised that day. But a few years later, Link had grown tired of the guitar, and stopped playing, while Pit had continued learning.

"And once we'd gone pro, we'd split the profits, 80-20…"

Link smacked Pit across the head for the second time today. "Like that'll ever happen!"

"Please? You have to join! You promised!"

"Why do you choose to remember that now?"

"Please? I need people to come! No one's going to join a club with one lonely freshman!"

"Which is why this club will never work."

"Please?!" Pit was practically begging now.

"No." Link said, walking off.

Picking the guitar up again? As if…


Heheh. In honor of me starting high school this fall (also because this has been sitting in my files since 7th grade and I've been dying to release it), I present to you, Ninten-Stars! Stupid Fanfiction won't give me more letters for my summary .3. (Lol just kidding is awesome) As I said earlier, this is based off the manga/anime series K-On!, and those of you who've seen it will get all my little references XD The storyline is almost the same, but the characters and setting are much different. I figured since Whatever It Takes is getting real dark and depressing (not really, compared to other stories), I wanted to start something light-hearted and fun. Anyway, let me know what you think of Ninten-stars!, and as always, thanks for reading!