Hello everyone. I'm glad a few people are enjoying this story thus far. I'm sorry for this being later than what I originally wanted; however, I have been obsessed with Animal Crossing City Folk.

Thank you for your time,

Ray M.

UPDATED 06/04/13

April 7th, 2009

Gekkoukan High School

7:30 AM

One, two, left hook and the bag swings back as I move out of the way of its rebound. I'm breathing heavy and drench in sweat. Damn I need a shower… How long have I been working out? An hour already? I did come to school early to get some training in since I missed out last night. I sigh and look up and mumble under my breath, "What a way to start off the first day back…Damn I'm a senior now…" I notice a hint of red out of the corner of my eye and look towards the entrance. H-huh? Someone's here? Why…? By the confused expression on her face, I think she's lost. She is looking around an- Oh, it's her! S-she's making direct eye contact with me. My face is starting to get warm again.

She runs up to me and asks, "Um…excuse me! I'm sorry to bother you but do you know where the faculty office is?" A smile appeared on her face as a small hint of red flushed across her cheeks.

She is cuter than I thought with her face; it kind of looks like a hamster and those big red eyes and rounded cheeks. I think my face is getting just as red as her eye color…

I shake my head as a slight smile comes across my face. I answer her question. "Well…I-it's…You went down the wrong hallway…When you are at the entryway…g-go to the left hallway." The hell? Why am I stuttering so much?

She giggles and smiles at me as she wrinkles her nose. She sure is perky in the morning… "Thank you!" as she ran down the wrong hall again.

I shout to her, pointing in the right direction, "Other way!" She stopped and made a nervous giggle as she went in the other direction.

I sighed and smiled again…Why do I keep feeling odd when I am around her..Wh-

Ring

Damn I'm late for class!

After School

3:10

Argh…Goddamn I feel like I've been hit by a truck…First day of the "glorious" senior year and I get a lecture from my teacher for being late then I get a test right off the bat. Of course, to add to the load I have boxing practice and I get to coach the rookies until 8 PM…

I head out of the classroom with my bag over my shoulder. Hm? There she is again. I seem to be running into her a lot in the past two days…fate I guess…And who is that guy she is with? I can feel my eyebrow twitch in irritation. My hands clench and breathe deeply in then out. I need to calm down. I shouldn't be feeling this way about a girl I just met and the fact that I barely know what their relationship is. I inspect the boy more closely. He looks about her age; possibly in the same class. He appears to have a buzz cut underneath his hat…Wait, I thought hats weren't allowed at school, but now that I think about it I shouldn't be able to wear this red vest.

"Akihiko Senpai! " Great. Fangirls…how annoying. I turn my head to look at them running towards me with heavy makeup and even heavily applied cheap perfume.

"Akihikoooo~ Why do you look so angry?"

"I mean your hands are in a fist and everything!"

Angry? Do I look mad? I look down and my hands are in a fist to the point where my nails are going through my leather gloves.

"Ohhhh~ I spy with my little eyes you looking at the transfer student and her boyfriend!"

Boyfriend? Already?

"Oh yeah! She is dating Junpei Iori!" she sighed, "How romantic. Love at first sight!"

I snarled at that statement. Love at first sight my ass. I saw them earlier. They look more like friends than a couple.

"Junpei…Is that right..?" That sounded more sinister than I meant it…I don't understand why I am so caught up with her business. I mean I don't even know her name.

"Uh-huh~ Anyway, Akihiko how about a da-"

"Yeah, gotta go now. I've got practice. Thanks for the info!"

And I left before they could reply back as I rushed to the gym. Is she really dating him or are they spreading rumors? It can't be true. It's only the first day; she doesn't look like that type of girl anyway… Heh, I'll find out one way or another.

Dorm

8:30 PM

Finally, I'm back after all that running and yelling at nercomers who can't tell their own lefts from their rights...

"Akihiko."

…and to be greeted by Mitsuru. Great. I look to the generally direction of the voice to see Mitsuru is buried into her work as per usual.

"Yeah?"

"We've watched her yesterday she has the po-"

"The potential. I know. I say her yesterday while I was out. Is she capable though?"

"We aren't sure yet, but she isn't facing any of the normal signs during that time or after it…its odd really."

She finally looked up from the book to me. Glad to be noticed finally.

"Also, cases of Apathy Syndrome are increasing as of late."

I smirked, "Yeah, I know and it's because of THEM. That's why we have to beat every last one of them."

"I admire the enthusiasm, but if you rush on ahead without a plan you will either end up dead or severely injured no matter if you are undefeated boxer or not."

I roll my eyes. "Yeah, yeah. I heard this all before Mitsuru."

"Heh…Is that all?"

She shifted her eyes and stood up. "Just one more thing."

That generally means multiple things, of course.

"I want you to talk to her and maybe comfort her a bit… She too was an orphan and lost her parents ten years ago in an accident…You and Takeba will be able to identify with her more than I since both of you lost something important…"

She had to bring that up…Me being an orphan as long as I can remember and… watching m-my sister dying in that fire without being able to do anything…Its inspired me to start boxing…to gain more power and to never be helpless again… Still, she too was helpless. I know it must hurt her deep down. I will try to comfort her as much as I can.

"I will talk to her about it."

She nodded and smiled, "Very well." She was walking away from me.

"Hey Mitsuru…What's her name? I-I mean I don't know it and it would be rude w-when I talk to her about this t-that I asked her name a-and all."

I am noticing more and more that I am sounding like a dumbass with a serious stuttering problem… and my face is getting warm again but not in a "good" way.

She smirked and cocked her head. That sly expression of "if you don't do as I say I will fuck you up."

"Minako Arisato. That's her name."

A warm smile appeared on my face again once I heard that name, "Alright." This is more of a rush than stepping into the ring.