Chapter 1 :: School Day

"Only like philosophy & after school the time
That's what i call my own time
Nice girls meet nice boys at end of the school day
While other girls go staight home
talking 'bout soaps'n' that..."

"Wake up, or else you'll miss breakfast!"

The voice resounded from the bottom of the stairs, the sound of dishes clattering echoing through the house.

In response, the covers shifted and a head peeped out from beneath them. Black hair was tied up into a quarter ponytail, most of it having fallen out during the night. Dark blue eyes blinked slowly open, wincing at the morning light coming in through the window.

"I'm up," the girl said sleepily, scratching her cheek. "I'm going to shower first, okay?"

"Go ahead, you've got a little while before I'm done," the voice said cheerfully.

A quick shower later, the girl stood at the mirror, wrestling her hip-length hair into two braids. After having accomplished that mammoth task, she hurriedly changed into her school uniform. She did a twirl, pausing to stare intently at the school's crest before admiring the outfit.

"Like I thought, this looks great, ~desho?" the girl said with a grin. Skipping down the stairs, she plopped at the table as a young man placed toast and eggs on the table.

"Are you ready to start your new school, Kamiko?" he inquired, sweeping his black bangs out of his eyes. "You'll be okay, right? It's already two months into the new semester." His green eyes were concerned as he sat across from her.

"Dun worry, I'll be fine Maro-nii," Kamiko said, scarfing down the eggs. "This is the start of my new highschool life ~desho!" She paused as she looked at the toast.

"Why toast as well?" she asked with a blank look on her face.

"You're going to be late," Maro said with a grin.

Kamiko glanced up at the clock. "Crap! Why didn't you tell me?" she groaned, shoving the toast in her mouth as she struggled into her jacket. She paused at the door as she put her shoes on.

"I see what you did there," Kamiko suddenly said, eyes gleaming. "Encounter rate chance increased, right?"

Maro gave her a thumbs-up while shooing her out the door. "Go on, and let me know when you come home how it went."

Kamiko gave a wave as she dashed down the street, heading to North High School.

"While I appreciate the gesture," she grumbled around the toast as she ran, "how do people not choke when they run into peo-"

She let out a squeak as she barrelled into someone as she turned the corner, hitting the ground.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry," she babbled, not looking up.

A male voice chuckled as a hand helped her stand. "I'm not hurt, so it's fine."

"[Crash into someone hello] much?" Kamiko muttered to herself, then glanced up at the person she had struck. "Are you okay?"

"I shouldn't have been daydreaming," the boy said with a smile. Kamiko noticed his eyes were a beautiful shade of amber. "I was just contemplating the Simulation Argument."

"Ah." An awkward silence fell between the two of them, until Kamiko shook her head. "I'm going to be late! Sorry again!"

"Your plan worked, Maro-nii," Kamiko said with a small chuckle as she sprinted towards the school's gates. "Although I really shouldn't be late on my first day."

The teacher in charge of her class was waiting in the lobby of the school, glancing at his watch and tapping his foot. Kamiko waved, but he didn't appear to notice her.

With a small sigh, Kamiko hit the edge of the lockers with her elbow, causing the teacher to jump.

"Ah, Shizuki-san," he said, rubbing his face. "You startled me. Come, I'll show you to the classroom."

As the teacher prattled on about the history of the school, Kamiko absentmindedly ran through her self-introduction, mentally editing it for the umpteenth time.

"...this is your homeroom," the teacher said, stopping at the door. "Sasaski-san?"

He looked around, puzzled, as the door opened.

"Oh, Sensei," a student chirped. "Why are you standing out there?"

"We have a new transfer student," the teacher said in confusion. "I don't know where she went..."

Kamiko massaged her temples, taking two steps back from her position beside the teacher.

"Sorry, Sensei," she said in a cheery voice. "I accidentally went down the wrong hallway."

The teacher and student both jumped.

"Well, then," he harrumphed. "Take care not to get lost on your way to your classes."

"Yessir," Kamiko said with a forced smile. Trotting to the front of the room, she bowed.

"My name is Kamiko Shizuki. I'm transferring here from Rei High School and I hope to get along with everyone."

Some scattered applause met her statement and the class quickly resumed its normal state of chatter. Kamiko stood uncertainly for a few moments, then turned to her teacher.

"Um, Sensei, where should I sit?"

The teacher, who had apparently forgotten all about her, twitched noticably. "You can sit in the back, there's an empty seat." He gestured, and Kamiko edged towards the desk.

The classroom door suddenly opened with a clang, startling everyone.

"Koizumi, you're late again," the teacher said with a glare.

"Sorry, sorry, I forgot my bag," a familiar voice said. Looking up, Kamiko saw the boy she had crashed into.

"There's a new student here. Since you're late, you can show her around the school," the teacher said, returning to his work. "You're both transfers, after all."

"I'll do my best, Sensei," the boy said with a bland smile. He took the seat beside Kamiko, near the window.

"H-hi," Kamiko squeaked. His amber eyes met hers and she blushed, looking at her feet. "Sorry about this morning."

"We meet again," he said with a smile. "I'm Itsuki Koizumi. I transferred in recently, too." His brown hair sparkled in the light from the window.

"Kamiko Shizuki," she said, fiddling with her braids. "I hope we can get along."

"I'm sure we will." He paused, a thoughtful look entering his eyes. "How about I show you around during lunch?"

"That would be great," Kamiko said with a small smile. "I look forward to it."

Itsuki was about to say more, but was cut off by the teacher as class began.

During the break between classes, Kamiko sighed and stretched, watching the people around her. Itsuki had disappeared, so she resorted to her standard Observational Mode.

"Where did that new kid go?" a girl said, looking around. "I wanted to talk to her."

"Me too," another girl said. "I wonder why she started in the middle of the month? And isn't Rei school a lot better than ours?"

I bet she has issues, their faces said.

"Koizumi-kun seemed to know her," a third girl said. "I wonder what their relationship is?"

She'd better not get too close, her face said.

Kamiko frowned, then stood up, her chair clattering. The group of girls jumped, looking around guiltily, but quickly resumed their chatter.

"I guess it was too much to hope for," Kamiko grumbled as she left the classroom. "[New transfer student] apparently lost its shine when Koizumi-san transferred. Though he does have the window seat." She glanced down the hallway curiously. "I wonder where he went?"

As if summoned by her words, Itsuki appeared around the corner with a small, silver-haired girl. They were talking quietly, absorbed in their conversation, and as such didn't notice her.

"Koizumi-san?" Kamiko asked hesitantly.

Though he was startled, Itsuki's expression didn't change. "Ah, Shizuki-san. I'm sorry, I didn't see you. Is it time for class to start?"

On cue, the bell rang.

"Nagato-san, we'll continue talking after school," Itsuki said cheerfully, waving as the girl went the other way down the hall. "Shall we, Shizuki-san?"

"S-sure." Kamiko followed behind Itsuki, taking care to ensure her steps were loud enough to distinguish the space between them. "I can keep this up, ~desho," she murmured. "It's not that bad."

"Pardon?" Itsuki turned around, but Kamiko gave a smile. "Ah, that reminds me. I didn't pack a lunch. Would you like to visit the cafeteria at noon?"

Kamiko mentally face-palmed as she pictured the lunch that Maro had made for her, sitting on the counter. "I also forgot my lunch, ~desho."

The dark-haired girl clapped a hand over her mouth, cursing her tongue.

"We can eat together, then," Itsuki said with a smile as they entered the classroom. Kamiko could sense the hostile stares, but they soon faded as her classmates were distracted by other things.

As the teacher droned on about history, Kamiko's eyes wandered around the room.

Likes the girl to the left.

Lying to him.

Laughing, but doesn't think it's funny.

Hates her for liking him.

She sighed. "[Sherlock scan] is rather inconvenient. I'd rather be [blessed with suck]."

Itsuki glanced up from his notetaking. "Blessed? What do you mean by that?" His eyes were interested, despite his usual bland smile.

Kamiko snorted. "I'm not blessed."

The girl in the seat beside her jumped.

"When did she get here?"

"She's like a ghost."

"Creepy."

Kamiko closed her eyes, slowly counting to ten before opening them again. "My first day and I've already got rumors going," she muttered.

"I'm sure it will turn out to be nothing," Itsuki smiled.

"I wish," Kamiko said wistfully. "That would be nice, ~desho?"

She put her head in her hands as that damned word slipped out again.

Kamiko stretched as the bell for lunch rang, standing and lightly kicking the side of her desk. Her neighbour twitched, but otherwise acted normal.

"Shall we go?" Itsuki asked, motioning towards the door.

"Certainly, thank you," Kamiko said politely. Trailing two steps behind the tall boy, she eyed up the students curiously. They all seemed to be quite interested in Itsuki.

"Another one?" one student whispered, leading to giggles. "How does that club work so fast? I haven't even found out that new girl's name!"

"Club?" Kamiko inquired, catching up to Itsuki. "What club?"

"Ah, it's nothing, really." Itsuki waved her question off. "Here's the cafeteria." As he gestured, his hand touched Kamiko's. She was startled at the fact that she blushed.

"[Accidental hand hold] already?" she murmured, dark blue eyes staring at Itsuki. The boy ran a hand through his light brown hair, slightly uncomfortable.

They were suddenly interrupted by a boy running up to them, his dark brown hair in disarray. "Koizumi-"

He paused, brown eyes widening as he took in the expression on Itsuki's face.

"You're not smiling," the boy said, raising an eyebrow.

Itsuki's expression suddenly melted into his bland smile. "I almost forgot."

"She wants to know why you're not in the clubroom," the boy said with a long-suffering sigh. The emphasis he placed on 'she' piqued Kamiko's curiousity.

"I'm showing her around the school, Kyon," Itsuki said, pointing at Kamiko. She waved, her braids almost mimicking the movement. "Kamiko Shizuki, meet Kyon."

"Agh!" Kyon jumped, breathing hard. "I thought Yuki...never mind." He paused, then shrugged. "I'll tell her that, then. Good luck."

"Surely you don't expect anything to come of it," Itsuki said slyly.

Kamiko stared at the two of them, confused at their mysterious conversation. "Um, nice to meet you, Kyon-san."

Kyon massaged his temples. "I'll leave you to it, then. You'd best be there after school, though." With that, he jogged off as Itsuki turned to Kamiko.

"We'd best hurry, otherwise the best food will be gone."

Kamiko smiled as she followed Itsuki, her steps swallowed up by the crowd.

"Maro-nii, I'm home," Kamiko called, taking her shoes off.

When silence greeted her, she peered into the kitchen. "Maro-nii? You're here, ~desho? You left the door unlocked again!"

The quiet of the house disturbed her.

She wasn't alone again...

...was she?

Suddenly the door slammed open, causing Kamiko to shriek in alarm and scramble backwards.

Maro stood there, sweating and breathing heavily. His hair was in disarray, green eyes concerned.

"Hey, Kami-chama," he said with an easy grin. "Sorry, I had to go and grab a few things. I wanted to be here before you got home, though." He sighed, dropping the bags he was carrying on the landing. "How was your first day at school?"

"Only triggered a few flags," Kamiko grumbled. "Ran into a guy on my way to school, and it turns out he's in my class."

Maro grinned, and Kamiko tossed a shoe at him.

"Aside from that, though, it's business as usual." She sighed as she undid her braids, allowing her hair to flow around her face.

"I look like Sadako," she muttered as she flipped her hair back. "Maro-nii, how was work?"

"Fine, fine," Maro said, waving a hand at the teen. "Although Nina-chan isn't nearly as good as you."

"Nina-chan? Isn't she the manager?" Kamiko inquired curiously.

"Come on, you know better than that. We all know how to do everything by now." Maro busied himself with putting away the groceries as Kamiko went up the stairs to her room, flopping face first onto her bed.

"I don't need friends, ~desho," she mumbled. "It's not like it matters. People will always be startled."

Itsuki's face floated into her mind.

"He's popular. Definitely a main character. I'm more of an NPC type of person, ~desho?"

She stayed like that for quite some time.