Chapter 1:
The day before the DEAD.
' The Day before everything ended. I
met someone who would change my life
Forever...'
" Keller Grayson-san," The Fujimi High School director said, looking up from the my file. He was an Asian man, in his late fifties or early sixties. Like almost every male in Japan, he had dark short hair and a silver streak showed on the right side of his head. He had a few wrinkles around his eyes and mouth. His face was impossible to read, a clear sign of his old aged wisdom. He sighed and looked back down at the file.
" Age seventeen, height five' ten, hair color dark brown. A little unkempt." He said to himself, before continuing, " Grades at previous school, mostly, "A's", a few "B's". Exemplary athletic abilities. Fluent in both reading, writing, and speaking Japanese. Fourth dan in kendo. Winner of three U.S. national tournaments in a row... and one of the reason you were accepted," he paused. " Your father is an active duty officer in the U.S. Army. You are currently staying with your uncle and guardian, Sodaku Yukazoh," he stopped. Setting the file on his desk, he leaned forward a little bit, with his right hand stretched out before me. His attitude suddenly changed a bit. "Keller-san, let me be the first to welcome you to Fujimi High School," he said with a smile on his face. I reached out my hand and grasped his. We gave each other a good handshake, then we both leaned back in our seats a bit.
" Now about your dorm. Wwe are still making arrangement with our Dorm Head-making sure everything works... theres no faulty wiring, and that the water will work good, you know stuff like that. Will you be fine living with your uncle for a few more days?" He asked me.
" Thats fine," I said, then continued, "Will I be the only one living in the room?"
" For the time being yes. Since you transferred mid-semester, all the other students were already assigned two per room," he explained. "Now are you planning on joining any of our clubs?"
Without even needing to think about his question, I replied, "I'm going to join the Kendo club," I said with an air of confidence.
" I figured as much. I believe Busujima-san would find your skills, quite remarkable," the director complemented. "Now I would love to give you a tour of the campus myself, but i'm overflowed with paperwork at the moment. So I'm going to have one of your classes honor students give you a tour. Is that alright with you?"
"Of Course," I said.
"Great, I was going to have him give you a tour whether you were ok with it or not. This makes it easier though." He had a devilish grin on his face, as he reached for the buzzer. "You can send Igou-san in now," he said releasing the button.
A second later, a tall male student came walking through the office door. He was about five' ten", with short dirty blond hair. Like all students at Fujimi High, he wore the schools dark grey uniform. He walked over to me with his hand held out. "Hello, i'm Igou Hisashi," he said with a friendly smile on his face.
Returning the smile, I shook his hand and I replied, " Keller Grayson, its nice to meet you Igou-san."
"Likewise, Keller-san." We finished shaking hands, when the director told Hisashi to take good care of me. "Don't worry sensei, you can count on me." Hisashi gave him a thumbs up before he and I left the directors office.
I felt a little out of place, since I was the only student...'well, soon to be student,' I said to myself, being the only person not wearing the school uniform. I wore a blue hoodie with a grey T-shirt under it, a pair of jeans, and a pair of skate shoes.
Hisashi and I started my tour at the bottom floor entrance. We passed through multiple hallways and classrooms, Hisashi telling me what each of them were.
"These are called, one 'A' through 'F', rooms. I don't really need to go into much detail about these rooms, since you're going to be in our class. Class two 'A'." Hisashi told me. Finishing our tour of the first floor, we made our way up the stairs to the second floor. As we started down the halls, the lunch bell rang. A wave of students came pouring out of their classrooms-talking with each other, getting money out of their pockets to buy lunch. I saw a guy with really short blond hair, trying to hit on a girl with pink pigtails, although it didn't even seem she was aware of the guy's existence.
We were making our way through the now crowded halls, when a girl walk up from behind us and regarded Hisashi. "Hisashi, there you are. You missed first, second, and third period," she said, her face showing signs of worry.
" Sorry Rei, the director asked me to give this new student a tour of the school," Hisashi said.
" New student?" the girl said. She then turned to look me over. I couldn't help but do the same. She looked to be about Five' Five", she wore the green and white female school uniform, her hair was a light brown, with two strands braided around both sides of her head, meeting in the back to form a small ponytail. Her eyes were also a shade of light brown. She gave me a bow and said, "Konnichiwa, my names Miyamoto Rei. Its nice to meet you." A very cute smile complemented her face.
" Hello im Keller Grayson. Its nice to meet you too," I said returning the bow.
Rei looked up at Hisashi, " Hisashi I wanted to ask if you wanted to go to Karaoke after school tomorrow? Just the two of us."
"Rei, lets talk about this after school. I've given Keller-kun the tour, okay?" He replied.
"Ok see you after school," Rei said then walked off.
I looked at Hisashi. "Let me guess. You two are a complete set?" I prodded.
"Yeah," Hisashi said as he watched Rei walk away. "Now lets continue the tour!"
We were already on our way up to the third and final floor, when the bell rang again, telling the students it was time to get back to class. "Now this is where all the third year classes are, as well as the nurses office and the Kendo dojo," Hisashi said. I know he saw my ears suddenly perk up at the mention of the Kendo dojo. We continued down the third floor hallway, passing by third year students headed back to their classrooms. Hisashi only stopped to talk to one in particular. She was a third year, with long purple hair, that went all the way down to her waist. Her eyes were an amazing shade of blue, and her skirt was longer than most of the other female students.
" How are you today, Senpai," Hisashi asked in a friendly yet subordinate tone. The beautiful third year girl stopped as Hisashi finished his greeting.
" Good afternoon Igou-kun, I-" the girl stopped mid sentence as she looked me over. Probably because i'm the only one here who isn't wearing a school uniform. I couldnt help but stare at her Beautiful blue eyes, they looked as if they held the sky itself in them.
Hisashi's voice finally snaps us both back to reality. " Oh, I almost forgot. Allow me to introduce you two." Hisashi said with a smile, " Busujima Saeko-senpai, third year, Cap-"
" Captain of the kendo club," Saeko interrupted and finished Hisashi's introduction. "And you are?" She asked.
" Ga-Gra-ay-" I stumble over my name for some reason. " Grayson Keller!" I blurted out. Crap! I'm not supposed to say my first name before my last. Quickly I attempted to fix my mistake. " I-I mean Keller Grayson, But i also go by Gray. Im anewstudenthere Istartinafewdays"I rambled. Feeling really embarrassed, I prepare myself to be scolded by this upperclassmen for such an inadequate and clumsy reply. But the scolding never came. Instead the girl with the dream like eyes, lets out a cute giggle, while trying to hide a smile.
" Its very nice to meet you, Gray-kun. I look forward to seeing you in school," She said with that same dazzling smile. " Igou-kun." she regards, passing us and continuing down the hallway to her classroom. I watched her as she walked down the hall. I think shes teasing me, because her hips are swinging in a very provocative manner. My heart started racing. Then I feel Hisashi's hand in my shoulder.
" I think she likes you, Love Struck-san. Now lets finish the tour." The the rest of the tour took about an hour, it was more or less uneventful. We stopped at the kendo dojo, I go to open it as Hisashi speaks up from behind me. "Its locked when theres no club members in it," Hisashi informed me. " Only the Captain, and the club officers chosen by the Captain, are allowed to have keys. You can guess why." It was probably to stop any troublesome students or new club members, from going in there without supervision, and trashing the place. Why someone would have the gaul to trash the kendo club dojo, or any dojo, is beyond me. Sighing i walk away from the door to the dojo.
Our last stop was the nurses office. I wonder why this is our last stop. As if reading my mind, Hisashi Looks at me, " I saved the best for last." With a smile he knocked on the door ones, then entered. The nurses office looked like any other nurses office. There were a few beds, a wheelchair, cabinets with medicine and health books, and finally a woman sitting hunched over her desk...Using her boobs as a pillow. She begins to stir as we enter the room. With drowsy eyes, she looks up at the two of us, and then smiles.
" Konnichiwa, how may i help you?" She says. I felt as if a blinking dotted arrow was pointing straight from my line of sight to her breasts. They were HUGE! Like two watermelons, or pumpkins... No watermelons for sure. She leaned forward slightly, moving her head into my line of sight, " Can i help you?" She asks. I shake my head, snapping myself out of the trance i was in. Removing the hormone induced, teenage male, thoughts from my head.
I took a second to look at her face. She had long blond hair, and yellow eyes. Her face was clear of any obstruction. Save for the drool hanging from her mouth. A result of her sleeping with her mouth open. She looked to be in about her mid to late twenties, lets just say twenty-seven, I think to myself.
I suddenly realise that I haven't answered her yet. Feeling Embarrassed I bow, " Hello my name is, Keller Grayson. I'm a new student here. I start school the day after tomorrow. Igou-san has been giving me a tour of the school."
" Its nice to meet you Keller-kun, I'm the schools nurse, Marikawa Shizuka. I look forward to doing your health physical ones you start school, I'm very thorough." She had a devilish grin on her face, when she said that. I wonder what she was thinking.
" Well we need to get back to the tour. Have a nice afternoon, Marikawa-sensei." Hisashi says while grabbing my shoulder, and pulls me out of the room.
The tour ends at pretty much the same time as school, so Hisashi walks with me back down to the school entrance. Most of the other students are either leaving to go home, the ones that live close enough, or are headed to the dorms. "Well it was nice meeting you Keller-kun. I can't wait to see you in class."
" Same here Igou-kun. I'm excited to start school here. And you can call me Gray, if you want, all of my friends do."
" Ok Gray-kun, I'll see you in in class."
" Alright see ya." I wave goodbye to Hisashi, and make my way back to my uncles shop. Hisashi lives in the dorms, which are close to the school in the other direction.
From the school gate, to the bus stop, I made my way down the hill. I took my time to enjoy the beautiful and surreal tunnel of overhanging sakura trees that stood watch over the road. The wind blew the pedals around me as I walked. It felt like I was the main character of a heart touching anime. About a boy with no hope for the future, who meets a shy girl, with a weak constitution. Which helps him find hope for his future. By taking him on an heartwarming and tragic adventure through life. Full of twists and turns of happiness and sadness; involving them getting married, having a child-only to have her die after giving birth do to her weak constitution. Thus throwing the him into a deep depression. The one thing that pulls him out of his depression, is being reunited with his child, after fiv-. What the hell am i thinking about! I shake my head.
" Man i'm such an otaku sometimes," I mumbled, rubbing the back of my head as I rest of my walk to the bus stop was uneventful. As I sat on the bench, waiting for the bus, I pull out my cellphone out. Swiping the screen, I check the notifications. Three missed calls, one from my dad, one from uncle Yu. Neither of them left messages, figures. And a third missed call from a number I didn't know. It had Tokonosu Cities area code on it. So it had to be from someone in the city. The call date shows that I just missed it. Turning my phones sound on, I tapped the unknown number and listened to the to the message.
" Hello Keller Grayson-kun, Its Igou Hisashi. The director gave me your number, because I forgot to give you directions to the tailor's shop, where you need to pick up your school uniform. I'm going to text you the address. See you at school, Gray-kun." The message ended. A few moments later my notification ringtone sounded. sliding my menu down, I tapped the text. I was relieved, the tailor's shop was close to uncle Yu's shop. So i don't have to go on a wild goose chase.
It only took a few minutes for the bus to arrive at the stop. The trip into town was uneventful. I spent most of it playing games on my phone, I almost beat my high score on Angry Pigs. When the bus stopped I got off and checked the text on my phone. "Ok," I said and headed off in the direction of the tailor's shop. The tailor's shop was in a small little strip of stores, close to Onbetsu bridge. As I entered the shop the girl tending the store looked up at me
" Hello, how can i help you?" She asked. She had brown hair with blond highlights, and dark brown eyes.
" I'm here to pick up my school uniform for Fujima High School," I told her.
" Ah yes, you're there new student from America. Wow you speak Japanese very well," The attendant said.
" Arigato." I said back to her with a bow. She held her hand close to her mouth, trying to stifle a giggle. But the smile on her face told me she found my actions amusing. Maybe i did it wrong, or maybe it was because i'm a foreigner. I didn't take any offence to it, I don't think she was insulting me, and that smile made her look really cute.
" Come with me and we'll take your measurements for your uniform."
I followed her into the one of the rooms in the back of the store. There she took a tape measure and measured almost every inch of my upper and lower body. After that was over she took me back to the front, where she put all my measurements into a computer.
"That computer takes all your measurements, and finds the perfect size for you. It should only take a few minutes." And that it did. It only took five minutes, for a new uniform in a see through bag to come along the hanging conveyor. Since it was already paid for, all I had to do was sign for it. Giving the attendant a small bow and thanking her, I left the shop. Now I need to head to uncle Yu's shop. He should still be there, Its only five pm.
It took me about ten minutes to get to his shop. Yu's Guns and Supplies: Gun sales, repairs and tune ups. Entering the shop I take in my surroundings. Hunting rifles and shotguns, lined most of the walls. One wall was nothing but ammo. There were also racks of random equipment around the store floor. There was no sign of uncle Yu in the front, maybe hes in the back? " Uncle Yu are you here?" I yell
The reply was almost instantaneous, " I'm in the back Gray. Come on back."
"Ok be right there." I walked over to the counter. Jumping over it, I entered the back workshop. Uncle Yu sat on a workbench, fiddling with the slide to a sidearm. Not only does he work on hunting weapons, but he also does "under the table" repairs and tune ups for SAT officer's
I walked over and sat on the bench opposite him. Resting my elbows on the table, I stare at the disassembled sidearm strewn in front of him. " So, what SAT officers illegal sidearm are to working on this time?" Uncle Yu is well known by most of the SAT officers, For his extensive knowledge of firearms.
" Guess," Yu says with a smirk.
I sigh, he always does this to me. " Hmmmmm." Scratching my chin I look at the slide in my uncles hand. It was a sage green, and the slide had a sharp squarish shape to it. Next I take a look at the rest of the pistol on the table. I snap my fingers, " Its a Glock!"
" Yup, exactly. A Glock 18, 45. Its illegal because it fully automatic . This one here has four, twenty-one round magazines. It can also fit any other Glock compatible magazine."
" So whose sidearm is it?" I ask him
" Rika-chan's," he said with a smile that clearly didn't hide the fact that he was fantasizing about Minami Rika-san. A SAT sniper, ranked fifth in the country. Shes a regular customer who comes here a lot to have repairs and tune ups done on her "personal" armory. Uncle Yu has taken a liking to her. And thats another reason why she come here. She loves to tease Uncle Yu, by playing just out of his reach. She constantly seducing him with her words or showing her assets off just enough, to get uncle Yu drooling. And then saying, " Well see you next time." Before walking out the door. But I don't think he minds. It probably make him want her more.
"So what's wrong with it?" I ask redirecting my attention back the the disassembled Glock on the workbench.
"The slide jams back after firing a few rounds. I think it has something to do with the spring, but i'm not sure yet. This ones going to be a bit of an all nighter, because i have a few other tune ups I promised I would finish by tomorrow." Fiddling with the slide he continued, "So don't worry dinner for me. You should probably head home. It'll be dark soon, and you know they have a curfew."
"Alright, I'll head home. I hope i can see it when you're finished with it." I sit up and start to walk to the front counter, then stop. " Oh, I got my uniform today." I hold up the new uniform still hanging in its plastic bag.
"Wow. I bet Anna and Dylan will love to see how you look in it," Uncle Yu said, with a thoughtful look on his face.
"Mom will, but you know. Dad's still mad at me for coming to Japan to finish school. They have US history classes at Fujimi High too so i don't know why he's upset with me."
"Your father's never really liked Japan, Its a wonder me and him are best friends. He just doesn't want you to abandon your heritage and culture, for another country that was once the US's enemy."
"I'm not abandoning my heritage. I'm just learning about new ones. I'm opening new paths in my life. And maybe someday I can help bring both cultures closer together," I said with conviction.
" I know that. Thats why your father didn't stop you. He just needs to warm up to you living here is a all. Let him pout a bit, he'll get over it." Whoa, this was a rare moment when Uncle Yu actually said something with wisdom.
"Yeah, your right. Ok I'll see you tomorrow," I said leaving the shop.
A few meters outside his shop I passed by a Fujimi High student. He was about five' foot one'. I greeted him as i passed. All he did was give a distant smile back then he walked into Uncle Yu's shop. I shrug. " I guess he's a gun otaku or something."
I slowly made my way back to Uncle Yu's home, listening to my music as I walked. I saw a girl, as I went, with twin pink pigtails, and a lot of bags leaving a clothing store across the street. She stood by the road seeming to be waiting for someone. For some reason I decided to wait and see what happened next. A few moments later, a car pulled up to where she was waiting. A man came out of the drivers seat and walked over to her. She started yelling at him and gestured at the bags sitting at her feet. I snickered a bit, when the man gave the girl three sharp bows. " I hate snobby rich girls." I said to myself, then continued down the sidewalk. As I walk away away I glance over my shoulder. The girl was entering the back seat of the car, while the driver scrambled to get the bags into the truck of the car. A few moments of walking down the sidewalk, that same car drove past me. Sighing I shake my head. " Teens these days," thats something I would expect my dad to say, if he saw the way that girl was acting.
I got back to Uncle Yu's house a bit past 7:30Pm. 2 hours and 30 minutes before curfew. Unlocking the door with the spare key Uncle Yu gave me, I walk into the western style two story house. Kicking off my shoes in the foyer I slip into a pair of slippers, then step up onto the hardwood floor. I walk down the front hall. To my right was the living room and kitchen. In front of me was the staircase leading up to the bedrooms. And at my left was an "L" shaped hallway leading to the bottom floor bathroom, office room, guest bedroom, and a few extra rooms. I walk into the kitchen to my right. Tossing the keys and my uniform on the kitchen table. From the kitchen I continued into the living room. Turning on the TV as I flop on the couch while grabbing my game controller. I pressed the power button, turning both the controller and the console on.
I joined a party with one of my friends on FieldBattle 3.
" Hey Takashi, hows it going," I said to him. we only know each other online. But we're good friends; all I know is he lives somewhere in Japan. I've been hoping we could meet up sometime in the future, if he lives close enough.
" I feel like crap," he said.
" Why?" I ask him
Takashi Sighs. " Well my girlfriends dumped me."
" Sorry to hear that. How long were you two going out?" I asked.
" Ever since we were kids we've been talking about getting married to each other," he said to me with a hint of anger in his voice. " She dumped me for my best friend. But I can't really blame him all that much. He didn't steal her, she left me." He paused, " but i'm still pissed about it." ' Pinky promise my ass.'
I heard him say something else under his breath., but I couldn't really make out what he said. It was obvious that he was angry, so I didn't want to push the issue. I looked at my clock, its already 10:00 Pm. " Hey man I need to get off. I promised i would call my parents in a few minutes. I just got my school uniform today. They'll want to see it."
" What school you going to?" Takashi asked me.
" Fujimi High School in Tokonosu city." I told him.
" No way man! I go there. When are you starting?" Takashi asked me. He sounded a bit excited now.
" The day after tomorrow. They gave me a tour around the school today."
" Well I can't wait to see you there. We should meet up after school," he said
" Definitely," I replied. " Sorry man, I need to get off. Sorry about your girlfriend, hope you feel better."
His tone changed to a sadder tone again. " Yeah me too, see ya man."
I get up and turn off my console. Then headed to the staircase in the front hallway, Taking up my school uniform along the way. In my room. I pull off all my clouths and put on my uniform. I look in the mirror, and flex abit, the whole uniform was black no other color was on the uniform.
After I finished looking at myself. I jump on my laptop and invite my parents to video chat. It doesn't take them long to answer, its about the time they wake up anyway.
" Hey Sweetie!" My mom yelled in excitement, " How are you doing? How was your meeting with the school director? Did you get a tour around the school? Did you meet anyone interesting?" Mom stopped to take in a breath. Before she could continue, my dad jumped in, " Yeah how was it? I bet they were talking all sorts of crap against the US weren't they?" My dad said in an condescending tone.
" No Dad he didn't. Everyone was really nice and friendly to me. They even complimented on how well I knew their language," I replied, trying to stay calm against his the attacks he made toward my decision
" Don't worry, the slander will come you just wait." Dad's tone was beginning to rise. " And once that happens, you'll come crying back to us. And we'll be saying. I told you so." He had a very angry expression on his face now. I could feel my own temper rising higher.
" Well-"
" Anyway." Mom cut me off, " did you get your unif-"
Now Dad cut Mom off. " So when does the indoctrination begin?"
That was the straw that broke the camels back. " Indoctrination!?" I repeat, dumbfounded. " All the classes are going to be like they were back home!" My voice started to rise again. " They even have a US history class. Taught by a US history teacher from one of the US bases."
" Oh so that makes it better!?" He yelled. " they're going to corrupt you. Force you to abandon your heritage!" He yelled
" They're not going to force me to abandon anything!" I countered, " They gave me a chance to go out and see more of the world." I could see Dad starting to stand up now, fury showing on his face. But i couldn't stop myself. " I'm getting the chance to experience a new cultu-" Dad was about to say something. When the video link suddenly cut out. I sat there, clenching my fists. Taking deep breaths to calm myself down. Both me and Dad took it too far.
After my heart rate slowed down and my breathing came back to normal. I went to my bathroom and washed my face. Drying my face I walked downstairs to the living room, and laid on the couch for a bit, watching TV. After a few minutes I felt myself drifting off into sleep. Still a bit hung up over that fight with Dad.
' The day before everything ended. I
argued with my Dad. Not knowing it would be the
last thing I ever did with him.'
Chapter 1:
The day before the DEAD.
END.
