I stood at the entrance of Saotome Academy. I had passed the entrance exam with no problems but my nerves were on edge. My knees felt like they could buckle at any time. My heart pounded in my chest.I adjusted the tie on my uniform and straightened the strap on my bag. With a deep breath, I stepped through the gate. It caused a wave of nausea to hit me. What if I don't make friends? What if I fail while at the academy? Other kids began walking through the gate with me. Some of the older students stood around, waving their arms and directing the new students. One girl seemed particularly enthusiastic. She bounced excitedly, her long blonde hair flowing behind her. Her glasses bounced slightly as did her uniform. How was she so excited? She glanced over at me, grinning. Her hazel eyes sparkled in the morning sun, making my heart skip a beat. She was cute, I'd admit. Suddenly, she spotted something just behind me as her grin grew wider.
"Ryuya!" She called as she ran past me. The smell of roses and sugar lingered in front of me as my head turned to see where she ran to. She hugged a brunette boy almost half her size.
"Gah! Let go of me!"
"Oh come on! I haven't seen you in ages! Isn't it common for besties to hug when they haven't seen each other?"
"Yeah but it's not common to run at them and crush them into a hug!"
His cheeks turned red. Though his face expressed anger or annoyance, his blue eyes suggested he was happy to see her. He was pretty cute too. He spotted me watching them. I turned quickly, heading over to my class. I must've looked like a weirdo. I counted to ten, slowing my breathing as I went.
"You'll do fine, Riku. Our days at Saotome Academy were some of our best." Dad said.
"Your way with lyrics have always been inspiring. You will do fine." Mum said, packing my lunch. I nod, fiddling with my shirt. Dad's hand reassuringly squeezed my shoulder.
"Riku, you're very much like your mother. If you can find an idol to write for, you will become a worldwide sensation."
I felt at ease as their voices rang in my head. Class 1-B. From outside the room, I could hear voices laughing and chatting happily. I grabbed the handle of the door, my grip tight. Here goes nothing. I pulled open the door.
No one noticed my entrance. They simply continued their conversations.
"Oh hey, it's you from earlier!" A boy's voice called. Looking up, I saw the boy and girl from earlier. He beckoned me over with his hand.
"Um… Hi." I replied.
"Name's Ryuya." He stated. He pointed to the girl and introduced her as Maki. She stared at me before grabbing my face between her hands.
"What… What are… You doing?" I asked, feeling my face heating and becoming sweaty.
"You're so cute!" She squealed, hugging me.
"Huh?" My mind raced. This was all so sudden!
"Maki, let go of the poor guy." Ryuya stated, pulling her away.
"Awwwww. He reminds me of a puppy! I couldn't help it!" Her smile grew wider.
"What's your name, man?" Ryuya asked.
"Riku… Riku Ichinose."
They both stared at me.
"Ichinose… Like Tokiya Ichinose?"
My eyes widened.
"How do you know my dad?"
"Your dad is Tokiya Ichinose?!" Maki asked, shocked.
"What's the big deal?" I asked, stepping back slightly.
"You don't know who we are, do you?" Ryuya questioned, raising an eyebrow.
I shook my head.
"Ryuya Kurusu and Maki Shinomiya."
The surnames sounded familiar. Then it hit me. Maki's blonde hair and Ryuya's blue eyes.
"Wait… Syo Kurusu and Natsuki Shinomiya?!"
"They're our papas!" Maki giggled.
"I didn't think you guys would be coming here!" I said.
"Hehe! It's great to finally meet you, Riku. Dad told me a lot about you." Maki smiled softly.
"Your dad told you about me?"
"Yeah! Dad loves hearing about the other STARISH kids."
"And Uncle Shinomiya won't stop talking about Maki." Ryuya grinned.
"Shush, Ryu!" Maki blushed slightly.
"So, are you guys idols or composers?"
"We're hoping to get into the idol classes. Maki sings very well and we kinda have idol groups already."
Idol groups?
"You're gonna make a mix gender idol group?"
"No, no, no. We're part of different groups. But maybe we could collab! What is your idol name, Riku?"
"Oh… I'm hoping to go to the composers' class."
"Oh cool! Maybe we can ask you to compose some songs?"
"Sure." I smiled.
More students filed in and I sat in front of Ryuya. I didn't want to sit surrounded by strangers. The last few students took their seats as man in a faded red suit walked in and introduced himself as our homeroom teacher for the year.
"Head over to the hall where our headmaster will instruct you on what to expect here."
The students rose and walked to the hall. Maki grabbed my hand.
"We can walk together!" She exclaimed. I kept my eyes to the floor. Her hand was… really soft. We walked and talked as we entered the entrance hall. The newer students stood around, not entirely sure what to do while the older students looked excited. The teachers meandered around the sides of the hall, chatting amongst themselves. I stood with my new peers, equally confused.
"Where's the headmaster?" I asked.
"I'd assume he's prepared a grand entrance. I bet it'll be huge!" Ryuya grinned.
A buzz of excitement washed over the crowd, only to die down when a young man waltzed onto the stage. Super Saotome. Eldest son and heir to the Saotome fortune. Much like his dad, he too was an idol famous across the globe. After a dispute with his composer and manager, he decided to take up position as head of the academy. He wore a simple brown suit with a blue tie and sunglasses. His vibrant red hair was brushed over the left side of his head.
"Good morning, students. And welcome to our newest members. From the bottom of my heart, I hope you will feel welcomed into our school." His head bowed as he said this. Where was the grand entrance? I thought Super Saotome would be as energetic off stage as he would be on stage. Plus, he didn't have the accent he normally had as he spoke.
"First of all, I would like to congratulate our current students for succeeding to the advancing years. You have persevered, and will continue as you finish your time here."
As he droned on, it seemed that the teachers and older students were just as confused. They would cover their mouths with their hands and whisper to one another. One of the older students nearby whispered something about fireworks and a horse. Super droned on, making my brain feel numb.
"Oh, and one final announcement," He stated "Could the following students please come join me on the stage. Ryuya Kurusu, Maki Shinomiya, Suzu Jinguji, Kentaro Hijirikawa, Hinata Ittoki, Harumi Aijima, Deedee Kurosaki, Fumiko Kotobuki, Hibiki Mikaze, Alexander Camillo and, of course, Riku Ichinose."
When he called my name, I felt a cold shiver down my spin. How would he know my name? Why did he call me? I hesitated as I followed Maki and Ryuya. I felt the hall's eyes stare at me, judging me. Their hands covered their mouths as they whispered to one another. My body began shaking. I felt my heart beat faster. Oh God, was he gonna kick me out? Maki's hand gently rubbed my back.
"These, for those of you who haven't recognised their last names, are the children of some of our most famous and well known alumni. They have some of the highest scores of exam results that this school has ever known. I expect amazing things from you lot in particular. So, with that said-"
Super was cut off by an avalanche of confetti and glitter covering the hall, causing those in it to gasp. The hall stayed silent, Super's face looking disgruntled.
"I told you tech lot, THE CONFETTI WASN'T MEANT TO COME DOWN 'TIL THE END!" Super roared. I jumped. His accent came into full effect.
"God, ya really can't get the help these days, can ya?" He sighed. He loosened his tie.
"Well, after that whole fiasco, I gotta run."
"Wait, what were you going to say?" One of the girls on stage asked.
"Ah… Shoot, what was it?" He scratched his head. He paced around for a moment.
"Oh well, probably wasn't that important if I forgot it. Well, CIAO!" He said hurriedly as he jolted towards the sky, flying around the hall before exiting out a top window. I heard a thud outside and Super crying that he was ok. While the older students and teachers laughed, I looked over at the others on the stage. They seemed to be chatting amongst themselves or standing, looking off silently. Did they all want to become idols like Maki and Ryuya? Or was I amongst a group of fellow composers? Either way, my mind raced with the possibilities of the year ahead.