Hello! I'm back! Now before I start I would like to give many thanks to the readerTomoyo Kitomoto for reviewing my first and second chapters.
They gave me some ideas and really helpful advice to help clear up some confusion and make parts of the words flow easier and make the overall story better as it is created.
Because of this reader and their good advice, I plan to make the chapters longer (at least one thousand words or more). I hope more readers can enjoy this story and I hope to make it great. So I'll start the chapter and I hope you can all appreciate my work.
Chapter 3: The Two Schools
Ichigo was now sitting in a white chair in front of a steel table outside with Yuka next to her with a small menu in her hand. The café had a comfy atmosphere and a nice appearance to give the square a bit of color.
The building itself was fairly two stories high and a clean cream color with dark brown and magenta highlights. The building had some clean windows with sill baskets full of colorful flowers. Ichigo could smell sweet treats being baked and readied for consumption inside, making her mouth water. Inside there were many tables and chairs. The inside held large white lanterns that gave the café a homely glow. Outside there were steel tables with white chairs and detachable umbrellas for sunny days, there were also small trees growing along the cobblestone path that lead to the other small buildings as well as the gardens.
Ichigo stirred her strawberry juice with her straw; I can't believe I'm here… It's more amazing then I thought… she thought blissfully as a calming breeze brushed against her cheeks.
Yuka noticed the redhead staring off into space and smiled before holding the menu in front of Ichigo's face. "How about the assorted cake platter?" she offered, Ichigo blinked and looked over at her. "Um, sure." she mumbled. Yuka laughed, "Great! I'll order the platter and we can wait for Tajija-san and Kureno-san to come over!" she tweeted before hopping up and going into the café to order their sweets.
Ichigo smiled and looked at her juice, placing her hands in her lap. Her mind ran back to the memory of her getting her acceptance letter to Michaelis. She grinned as she remembered jumping up and down with her mother when she read the main sentence:Congratulations! Momomiya Ichigo, we are proud to welcome you into our curriculum at St. Soclaire Academy.
The redhead smiled as she remembered how important it was to get into Michaelis. Her education was very important to her and she planned to get it in one of the finest schools in Japan. She had already had a head start in junior high, she had the finest marks in her classes and she was humble about it. Ichigo knew in order to succeed she would need to work hard in school to get where she wanted to be and Michaelis was a great place to continue toward her goal.
Ichigo had been so excited about attending that she took care of her papers and everything on her own.
It was then that Yuka had returned with two large platters with multiple square pieces of cake. "Ichigo-chan! I'm back!" she chirped as she placed the plates down on the table. Ichigo watched as Yuka sat down and picked up some forks, handing one to Ichigo. "Here's to new friends and cake!" she cheered as she picked up a piece of chocolate cake and shoved it in her mouth.
Ichigo giggled and picked up a piece of white vanilla cake.
Only five minutes later did Yuka finish one of the plates of cake and was patting her full tummy. "That was delicious!" she cheered, Ichigo giggled and picked up her fourth cake. This girl reminded her of her good friend Purin. They were about the same age and they had plenty of energy, they also had the tendency to use 'chan' with others names, even complete strangers.
One of the aspects of being that young I guess… Ichigo thought as she finished chewing her cake.
Yuka then abruptly stood up and cried out, "Look! It's Ami-chan and Yuki-chan!"
Ichigo blinked before looking over to where Yuka was looking. There were two girls walking their way in the school uniform, only they had school bags in their hands. Their school skirt looked a bit different as well… Yuka cheered and waved the two over to their table to sit, which they gladly accepted. The two quickly sat down and greeted Yuka with gentle smiles and a bow of the head. "It's good to see you again, Takeshi-san." the taller one greeted.
Yuka revealed her big smile and spoke up, "It's Yuka-chan!"
Ichigo sweatdropped as she remembered that was how Yuka wanted to be addressed when they met. Then the girls looked over at the redhead with kind eyes, "Is this the new student we've heard so much about?" the shorter one asked. Yuka nodded, her black hair bobbing up and down cutely; "This is Ichigo-chan! My roommate!" she chirped.
The redhead bowed her head in greeting, "It's nice to meet you." she said calmly. "It's nice to meet you as well, Ichigo-san." the shorter one replied. The taller one placed a hand on her chest, "My name is Tajija Ami." she stated then placed her open palm toward the shorter one, as if to show her friend in a dainty manner. "This is Kureno Yuki." she introduced.
Ami had long blonde hair that was tied in high pigtails with blue ribbons. She had round doll-like eyes with a baby blue coloring; her eye lashes were long and elegant. She had pale skin and a modest figure, but her uniform fit perfectly. Her uniform was clean and pressed and there were no wrinkles in sight. Yuki had dark brown hair that reached below her shoulders and it was braided neatly over her left shoulder. She had dark eyes that lightly sparkled; her eyelashes were long but not as elegant as Ami's. Yuki had a slightly darker complexion than Ami and she had lightly pinker cheeks. Her figure was slightly less modest than Ami but her uniform fit fine as well.
Yuki placed her hands in her lap and smiled at Ichigo. "Welcome to Michaelis. I hope you can enjoy it here." she said kindly. Ichigo giggled, "Thank you very much. I'm very excited about attending my second half of high school here. "she said. Yuki giggled too, "Well, this school is amazing and I'm sure you'll fit right in."
It was then that Yuki's eyes widened as she noticed Ichigo's skirt. "Ichigo-san? What happened to your skirt?" she asked. Ichigo as well as Yuka and Ami examined the redhead's skirt. The fabric was not stained nor ripped, "What's wrong with it?" Ichigo asked, thoroughly confused. Ami shook her head before turning to Yuka, "You didn't tell her about the skirt?" she hissed. Yuka gulped and pouted, "I may have forgot…" she mumbled.
"What?" Ichigo asked, this not-knowing thing was getting on her nerves.
Yuki looked at Ichigo, "There is a requirement for junior and senior students who come to Michaelis. Students who are upperclassmen must have a different aspect in their uniform. For example, the upperclassmen at St. Soclaire Boy's Academy must wear ruby cufflinks on their wrists and the St. Soclaire girls must have an opening on the front layer of their skirt." she explained.
It was then that Ichigo noticed Yuki and Ami had openings on their skirts, revealing layered lace.
Ichigo looked at her skirt to see there was no opening, only black fabric.
Yuki sighed, "I'll ask Midorikawa-san to take care of it." Ichigo looked up at the mention of 'Midorikawa', "Anyway… We'll have that mix up taken care of on a later date." Ami chuckled.
Ami gazed at Ichigo, placing her elbows on the table and crossing her fingers. "So tell me. Besides all the crazy business, what do you think about Bloom?" she asked as she placed her chin on her fingers. Ichigo tilted her head in confusion, "Bloom?" she repeated. Ami blinked, "Yes, Bloom." she confirmed.
Ichigo looked at Yuka for an explanation. "I'm sorry, Ichigo-chan. I also forgot to tell you but 'Bloom' is the nickname for the girl's school." she said. Yuki spoke up, "Yes. The schools both have nicknames." Ichigo looked over at her, "Why?"
Ami was the first to answer, "Well, the entire district of Michaelis is said to be like a large blooming cherry blossom tree. It's a little difficult to explain." Ichigo tilted her head and wondered, "A sakura tree?" Ami nodded and picked up a clean fork and picked up a piece of kiwi cake. "The schools, Scolaire Boys Academy and Soclaire Girls Academy represent an important part of the 'tree', in this case, Michaelis itself." she said, placing the cake in her mouth and began to chew.
Yuki looked at Ichigo's confused gaze. "The Main District Buildings, North and South, represent the trunk of the tree. The Main District maintains support of the schools; it keeps all the crazy events and other activities in each school clear and ready." she explained.
Ami finished chewing her cake and swallowed before speaking again. "The Main Buildings keep everything supported and balanced. But the Academies are very important. Scolaire Boys Academy is the branch or branches of the tree which help hold up blossoms. We call the Boy's Academy 'Annex' which means an extension." she murmured before picking up a piece of chocolate cake.
Ichigo felt her brain go dizzy, "This is so weird…" she mumbled. Yuki chuckled, "I know Ichigo-san, I didn't get it at first either." Yuka then piped up, "Personally, I only call the schools by their nickname mostly. The real names are too similar; Head Director Blue did a stupid job naming the schools."
Ami swallowed the cake and continued, "But the girl's school represents the blooming fruit and flowers. The names also symbolize what each Academy gives Michaelis."
Ichigo looked at them, wondering what she was to reveal.
Ami placed her chin on her palm and with a bored gaze; she looked at the bright flowers in the outdoor pots and window sill boxes. "Michaelis is known for knowledge, beauty and strength. Knowledge and beauty from the girls and strength as well as ability from the boys… Such an odd campus…" she murmured. "And complicated!" Yuka piped up from her chair.
The three sweatdropped but Ami and Yuki looked at Ichigo, "This campus is strange but it is also a very fun place… Lots of amazing things happen here…"
Ichigo laughed nervously, not quite knowing what to say before Ami spoke again. "So have you enjoyed your time here already?" Ichigo then remembered that was an unanswered question from before. The redhead nodded, "Yes, I've only been here for a few hours and yet I've already learned so much!" she giggled. Yuki laughed, "I'm glad you're enjoying yourself. Despite being knocked out for a few hours…"
Ichigo gasped as she remembered being run over and falling unconscious earlier that day. "Oh my God." she mumbled as she recalled the small things before her vision had gone black.
Pale face… concerned golden eyes… green hair…
Ichigo rubbed her head where it still felt tender. Ami looked at her in concern, "How isyour head by the way?" she asked. Ichigo continued to rub the back of her head and looked at the blonde. "It is a little sore…" she mumbled.
"What exactly happened to you when you went unconscious, Ichigo-chan?" Yuka asked, looking at the redhead. Ichigo looked at her half-drunk strawberry juice, thinking about what had happened clearly. She looked at Yuka and the other girls who looked at her in wonder, "I remember falling over and seeing a pale face, golden eyes and green hair…" Ichigo said.
Ami looked at Yuki with what looked like knowing eyes. Yuki gave her the same look before turning to Ichigo. "You were run over by-"
A pale hand slammed on the table, shaking the plates of cake and glasses of juice.
Ichigo and the girls jumped as a simple voice rang out.
"Hi there…"
Ichigo followed the hand, up the arm and towards a shoulder. Close to her, stood a tall boy wearing a black school uniform. He had pale skin, green hair and Ichigo felt her insides twist as she looked into his eyes. Hisgolden eyes.
This boy had a smile on his face with a pointed canine flashing on his lip; his eyes glanced at Ichigo, examining her.
"Hello, cutie."
DONE!
Okay that chapter may have been a little confusing due to all the information about Michaelis. But I'll make a special note that will explain further.
But anyway, how was it?
I hope that this story will continue on at a steady pace. (That is, until school starts up…) Nevertheless, I've worked hard to make this chapter better that the last and I hope everyone can continue to read my story.
Ciao!