Ryō High, Schoolyard, 7:30
Mid-June, late-dawn, and the first wave of Ryō High's students were pouring through the doors. The bright corridors gave some nice relief from the unusually warm sun glaring above, with the first draft of fresh air pumping up many of the boys and girls—and teachers—for the start of what was definitely going to be yet another long school-week.
By now, there were at least a hundred people, probably more, scattered about the halls or classrooms, mingling with each other or getting their things ready. The curriculum began at 8:00, so there was plenty of time for students to prepare—though, most of the students there were only interested in the several new faces that were showing up. It was definitely a time where foreign students with different school calendars would come and transfer...but along with these new kids, many of these transfer students were from other districts.
...oddly enough...
In fact, two junior boys were busy staring at a new kid who was busy talking to an apparent acquaintance. The transfer, faintly tanned from his short break, looked as if he were fifteen or sixteen, and he stood casually, keeping his almond-brown eyes on the girl he was speaking to. His matching brown hair, short and tapered back just slight, topped him at around six feet: more than a foot over the girl he spoke to.
One of the upperclassmen watching, a fair kid around 5'5, nodded his round face in the direction of the other pair. Rubbing a finger against his right ear, he was deep in thought, wondering out loud to his friend beside him:
"Hey, who's the new kid this time around? Just talkin' it up like he's not even nervous at all. When I was a freshman here, I was watching myself, man."
"I dunno." the friend replied. But he's dumb for sure, comin' here in the first place.
Pft. Out of all the schools..."
"Yeah, he's pretty dumb if he thinks he knows what's goin' on here...but he's probably got no clue. Think we should warn him?"
"...nah. Every time we get some transfers, they usually know their place or find out who not to fuck with by watching others get messed up.
...either that or they're good enough to roll with the gang. Which I'm pretty sure he's not. Just another idiot who chose the wrong school."
"Heh, but by now, if you don't know what's goin' on here, you've gotta be living under a rock or something, right? I mean, who doesn't know about Kagami and her glorified clique?
"True. Then I guess he's just an idiot if he's from around here."
"Yeah, well, it's 7:33. Kagami's gonna be here soon, so...we'll see what happens, when it happens."
"Mm."
Further down the sparkling beige floor, past the T and in a new hallway, the girl and guy were still talking in the midst of their peers, oblivious to all of them.
"—well, I can't really say you're gonna like it here, man...it's pretty rough. I haven't gotten into anything with the Hiiragi gang, but I've seen a lotta students fall deep, and trust me: when you're in it, you can't get out. Lucky for me, I'm almost done after this year...but since you're a 1st-year, you don't wanna rush things and get someone mad by accident.
Believe me, bro: it's not worth it."
...
"...hmm..."
The transfer sighed, staring at the girl's grey stockings for a moment, and not caring that a few boys were looking at him. Of course, they thought he was trying—and failing—to make a move. He looked like he was considering the girl's advice pretty well, nodding with his eyes wide open. But when he brought his head up a little to face the girl, he found himself disagreeing some...
"I get what you're saying. I heard a lotta bad things about this place—even though the academic standards are excellent...private school..."
"Yeah, for sure."
...
"But, really—"
"Konata! Hi!"
...until he was interrupted. The new kid looked past the girl's blue bangs as she turned around and looked down the hall. Brushing back the hair that'd wrapped around her neck, she noticed then where the innocent-sounding voice came from.
It was Konata's best friend, the one she knew for two years now, since she started high school.
"Oh, hey, Miyuki. What's up?"
"Nothing out of the ordinary...aside from all of these new—oh, hi! Sorry, I didn't notice you there!"
(I was standing right next to her.) the boy thought as he nodded a bit. He was barely managing a fake smile, but really, he was sizing this student up—just as he did with her friend before.
Her posture was perfect...more so than Konata's for that matter. But unlike Konata, she was nearly his height, only a couple inches or so below his 5'8. And unlike Konata, Miyuki didn't look concerned with her long hair.
"No problem." he said.
Even still, when Konata spoke, the lady's thin pink strands waved easily as she politely nodded and turned from him.
"Eh, right." Konata remembered: she hadn't introduced him yet. "This is Takashi. He's a transfer from Norizawa High. A first year."
"Oh, you're a first year?"
"Erm...yeah." Takashi told her...and though he didn't realize it...his cheeks started to flush red as he tried to look away from the violet eyes behind her lenses.
"That's nice." she smiled. "I'm not very sure why you would want to transfer to this school, but...if you know what it's about, I really do hope you can enjoy it..."
...
"...I..."
...
(...wait a sec: so, what grade's she...)
"...actually, what grades are both of you in?"
"We're second years." Miyuki told him while Konata looked on.
"'Second years'?
Hmph, so you're both, like, a year older than me?"
"If you're 15," Konata teased, "I'm two over you, heheh—
—oh, wait, but yeah...what were you gonna say?"
"Hm? What do you mean?"
"Like, you sounded like you weren't agreeing with me."
...
"...oh...right."
Miyuki noticed Takashi look down at the ground and away from Konata. But what she didn't know was he was trying to gather his words. It was a habit of his when things got stressful, so the oblivious girl decided to ask him:
"What's the matter? You feeling okay?"
After all, he couldn't have gotten into trouble already: it was only his first day, and classes hadn't even begun.
"I'm fine." he said, raising his head. "That's just something I do when I'm...thinking...
...bad habit. But, yeah...I remember now."
"Sorry, Takashi..." said Miyuki, "...but may I ask what were you and Konata discussing?"
"I'll tell ya." Konata interrupted. It seemed something about the subject was pretty serious to her. The short junior looked sternly at her friend, and went silent for a brief moment...
...and in that moment, Miyuki knew they were discussing something important indeed. Without even realizing it, she tuned out the dozens of other footsteps, clanging lockers, and laughing and chatting kids in the hallway.
...
...
...hopefully...
...
...
(...I hope we're not doing this...again...
...
...not today...)
...
...
...she focused only on Konata's words...but she already had a feeling of what they'd be.
...
"...what's the time now?" the bluenette asked.
"7:42. They'll be here in about eight minutes."
"Good, since they're not allowed to be here before 7:50: ten minutes before school starts. Remember that, Takashi, if you have anything you ever want to do."
"Yes, but keep it down, still..." Miyuki pleaded, bringing her voice down to a whisper. "There might be others..."
...
"...right." Konata nodded. "Sorry, forgot..."
Then, turning to Takashi, she softly explained: "Some of the kids here aren't even in the Hiiragi Gang, but they get bribed or forced to spy on regular Joes like us, in case we say anything out of line or interesting to them.
Miyuki knows a few kids from her homeroom who got reported without even knowing. Their parents ended up moving...but no one saw what happened to the kids right before that or ever since..."
Miyuki acknowledged everything Konata, nodding and only adding one extra warning for their new schoolmate: "You also don't want to be seen whispering by any of Kagami's gang, though. Act normally whenever they're around.
But as for the snoopers spying on us, they need proof before informing anyone—so it's not a witch hunt—such as a phone. So, merely seeing us whisper isn't enough."
...
"Sheesh, all these caveats." Takashi sighed as he tried to wrap his head around it all.
"It's a lot, isn't it?" Miyuki smiled, speaking up again. The way she said that...it was almost as if she'd grown used to the gang. And since she was never punished for anything along with Konata, that may have been part of the reason.
"Yeah, but..." he started—although he stopped, deciding where he was going necessitated a softer tone. "...how can I even tell who's in it?"
Konata smirked at the newbie's question. He'd have learned pretty quickly, but:
"Two words: black rings."
"'Black rings'?"
"Mhm. Every member of Kagami's gang's required to wear at least one black earring or finger ring—or bracelet—before entering the school...so they can tell them apart. They'd got H's engraved on 'em—don't ask how to get 'em, though...only people in the gang know that.
But otherwise, they'll get kicked out. That's how you know who you don't wanna mess with. Basically, heh, don't go near anyone with a black ring on just to be sure. You're not supposed to have one, obviously, if you're not in with them."
...
"...but..."
...
"Hm?"
...
"...no, I get it.
...well, thanks."
"Eh—no problem. Keep safe."
"But what I was saying, though...before Miyuki came..."
...
...
...
Both of the girls waited for what Takashi was about to say, staring directly at him.
...
...
...
"...it's not about avoiding 'em. I'm gonna take 'em on, Konata. There's no other way we can stop this unless someone else challenges them. ...all the things I've heard about the Hiiragi gang...and I've never got the chance to see for myself.
But believe me: Every single one of us; everyone who's not in this school right now wants to put a stop to these...these crimes.
It's the reason you see so many transfer students today. And you'll see 'em all summer: they're either just interested in what's going on here, wanting to experience the atmosphere personally, or...they're running away from their other schools because you guys' bullies cause us hell. Maybe they wanna get outta there, so the bullying can stop.
Or...they're like me. Out of all the transfer kids here, I'm probably like one outta ten.
Those of us who want to help you all out. Be a solution...
...
...we know about the danger. We're not gonna stop no matter how dangerous you tell us it is. We're gonna fight 'em. Not all at once...some of us wait longer than others. And we don't all know each other either. But still...
...
...I'm sorry, Konata. I know you mean well, but...well, I didn't come here for nothing. I've gotta beat Kagami since none of you other vets can on your own—and if I don't, one of the new kids will...or at least we'll try."
...
The boy felt a sudden need to look away from the upperclassmen now.
And so, he did—but it was out of embarrassment this time.
For some reason, he felt Konata was going to be upset at him.
Yet, as the girl stared back...rather disappointingly...it was Miyuki who replied instead.
"And how do you plan to stop her? This gang...she has over a hundred members you know...just in this school..."
That was an interesting question. He didn't feel insulted...but in fact, he was actually rather surprised it hadn't been brought up before.
It was definitely enough to make him face the two again.
"...well...I actually have a 2nd-degree red belt in taekwondo—but I'm getting my black belt next month, so my instructor says. And our school's tough as heck anyway. I might as well be one already. And I've a friend from another school who's coming here during our lunch break to help me out.
He's a 3rd-degree black belt, going 4th next year, and only a senior too—doesn't mind getting punished for skippin' school either for this. I told him I'd pay him back for taking the heat. We sparred with each other a lot: together, we're not gonna lose."
"I see."
"So, what about you? You train in a martial art too? Were you looking for some backup or something?"
"No, no, that's not it!" she said while sharing her head, whispering louder. "Only Konata does martial arts. I...do daily walks, if that counts...heheheh..."
"Oh. Well, I suppose you don't have to be proficient in a martial art to stand a chance against these thugs...not that it doesn't help...heh..."
Konata rolled her eyes when he timidly stared at the ground. His words were so confident and "manly," and nevertheless...even though he wasn't blushing just yet, the junior knew a love-struck fool when she saw one.
...but when she thought about it, even she had to raise her brows. A bit of surprised approval.
(That sounds better than most of the guys here...
...but a belt doesn't really mean that much...)
In the meantime, he recovered pretty quickly, bringing his eyes back to Miyuki as he picked up his tone.
"Not why I started, though: I began my training three years ago. And it was only during the middle of my senior year in junior high that I found out what's going on here. That's why I 'transferred' from Chūbu: so I could get 'em while they were high on their power. Unfocused. The school year's almost over, after all. And that's why a lot of others have transferred to, I think.
And so, you, Konata? What's your belt?"
...
The girl who'd been glaring this entire time closed her eyes and sighed...
...she was going to explain it once. But if he didn't get it, he probably never would.
"I'm a 2nd-degree in karate. Shōtōkan—but it doesn't make any difference. I'd have to be crazy to go at Kagami just because I have a black belt. They really don't mean anything, man. I'm so for real right now..."
"And have you ever tried to fight any of 'em? Like when you saw someone being hurt or harassed? Or did you just stand by and watch?"
...
"...what do you think?" she replied, looking insulted by the question. "I'd never go up against them. They're a gang, man. A 'gang'. Even if I beat down one of their peons causin' trouble, people are gonna spread the word, and I'll be marked. I can't win against a whole—"
"That's why we've gotta fight together; don't you get it? If we can all join up, we'd outnumber—"
*sigh*
"Forget it. You just don't understand. Kagami alone is probably strong enough to take most of these transfer morons without breaking a sweat, and I bet the leftover martial artists and good brawlers still won't bother her at all. Her younger sister could probably do just as good...I've never seen either of 'em get hurt by anyone in school, even on accident. No one has.
...do you know how insane that is? I'm not gonna waste my time worrying about them—and by 'my time,' I mean 'my life'. I'm a black belt, so I know my limits and what I've gotta to improve on. And I know I'm nowhere near bein' able to take on those guys."
...
"...are you saying I'm ignorant because I'm not a black belt yet?"
"I don't care what belt you are. Belts don't matter with these guys. This isn't your dojo, man. Belts don't mean anything here in the real world. I found that out fast...and you will too.
But I can't stop you...I just hope you don't throw your life away...and that's exactly how...it'll end for you if you cross their line."
...
Takashi looked away. Konata had this tone of defeat in her voice that he...just couldn't believe—and if she was even a 2nd degree black belt in karate...
(...if she's a fighter...I wonder how fearfully the normal kids are living...
...
...
...yeah. I've gotta stop this. There really is no other way at all.)
...
"...you sound like you've already given up, Konata."
"...yeah? I have.
Doesn't matter, though. Miyuki and I are still here...
...unlike some of these guys...
...and luckily, we're nearly out. Just one more year after this. Some of the smart seniors are almost done with it for good. No way I'm throwing away my life to try and beat Kagami and her gang. And you shouldn't either. Not to be rude—but you should just go back to Norizawa."
...
"...hm..."
...
"...Konata...Takashi...wait..."
Miyuki's voice was full of quivering...like she'd just seen a ghost. The young girl wasn't whispering anymore, but it was probably because she was too nervous to remember. Her tone fell softer and her face fell paler as she barely got out her next words.
"...they're here."
"Ah—right!" her friend said. "Don't say anything Takashi. Don't move in the middle of the hall, don't touch any lockers or anything. Just stand and watch once they come in."
"Fine. I'll stand here and do nothing. But don't expect me to stay silent later today."
(Because you won't want to. Trust me.)
...
7:50. Just 10 more minutes before the start of classes.
As for now, though, it was time for the elites to make their entrance. Every day, around this moment, a few hundred students wearing black and onyx jewelry stepped through entrance doors and halls all across the school. From the high-ranking officers of the gang to its lowliest, newest recruits, airs of confidence swirled all about them.
And for good reason, no doubt: once one had entered this clique, they practically had all the power they could've ever asked for.
All the students who had arrived before 7:50 were the "regulars". The "normals". They had nothing to do with the gang unless they were agents, or "snoopers," as the regular students called them—and most weren't.
Well, although agents were hated by all the regulars, they were untouchable, having gang affiliations. Only school staff and those actually in the gang could punish them for any reason. And not even the staff of Ryō High could interfere with the gang's matters: they were all being tracked.
Its members weren't just untouchable: their influences reached throughout the school and beyond. To all the outsiders, their appearances alone demanded the utmost respect and awe. The regular students stopped all they were doing as soon as they saw their superiors walking in...and they paid their daily respects, watched in humbled silence as the gang members passed by.
Yet, despite the positions and power these elites had over the normal kids, none of them attacked, taunted, or even paid much attention to their weaker peers. The most the worst of them did was smirk in arrogance.
...and that was very unusual...because something was bizarrely calm about this morning, when all others were filled with panic and chaos...
...
...perhaps Kagami had said something...
...
...but, whatever the cause was, more and more of the regular students noticed soon enough.
(They aren't...hitting anyone yet...?) thought a young red-headed transfer. As the girl stood at her locker next to the building's main entrance, her blue eyes anxiously flitted from one gang member to another—and...she didn't see any problems at all...
Farther along the hallway and down the right cross, another student noticed an older kid coming up beside him. The guy had a black flattop he'd just ruffled through with the brown pick in his pocket. He wore the same black uniform required for most the new male initiates.
And on his left hand: a black, plastic ring.
(Oh crap!)
The blond boy shifted back, feeling the sweat break on his forehead. He holding his side...
...wincing, a warm shudder rushing through his ribs. Apparently, he had a bad encounter with an irritated gangster before.
...
This one.
...
(...did he come to...)
...
...but the other kid didn't pay him any attention In fact, almost as soon as he started worrying, the gangster was rustling through his locker, looking for supplies.
It was almost as if they were both on the same level...and the regular couldn't help but stare...
...
...
...
(...so...he's...not gonna...)
...
"What're you staring at?"
"Ah—I was just...
...sorry..."
...
"Pft."
The older kid turned back to what was more important: his binder.
All the way on the other side of school, Konata and Miyuki recognized the same things as everyone else. Students stood timidly and averted their gazes to the floor as their betters walked by—but unlike every other day up until now, none of them made any hostile moves.
Gradually, the airs of confidence exuded by the students in the gang were matched by the growing feelings of relief from the powerless regulars.
What Konata, Miyuki, and especially Takashi saw, though, few other students did: those airs of confidence weren't faltering in the slightest.
And for the majority of students to not have seen this...
(It's real dangerous, man...
...Kagami or Tsukasa or Shouto...Misao...one of those high-ranks must've said something to keep the others in line...
...but if we start to get too comfortable and cocky...and whoever called this thing on calls it off...all hell's gonna break loose.
We've gotta stay in line even if it looks alright now. No matter what.)
Hiiragi Limo, Ryō High Schoolyard, 7:54
"Damn! I still can't believe I had to do that!
And it's all because you two fuckers screwed everything up...
Now I've gotta finish calling off all the after-school activities until we get this shit sorted out..."
"Kagami, if it's okay for me to sp—"
"Shut the fuck up, Misao! Tsukasa should've stopped you, but it's especially your fault. If it wasn't for the fact that you owe me for killing that girl and forcing ME to have to pay the fucking family off, and blackmail them since YOU decided to leave your blood-prints out while the FUCKING CAMERA...
...DAMMIT!"
"Please, sis'...it'll be fine. I'll take care of the security guard. Today. He's trying to blackmail us, but since he hasn't already gotten the word out about the recording to anyone else yet, he won't get the chance."
"Ugh, and then what'll we say if the body's found? Even if you claim it was an accident, that'll be the end of us..."
"We've got most of the force here on our side and the rest too afraid to do anything. Trust me, though: he won't be found." Tsukasa replied. "I hate dealing with traitors...
...
...but I love dealing with traitors."
...
Kagami stared on, utterly unamused. But her sister's smirk was strong. Unwavering.
She meant every word.
...
(...well, as long as Misao's not doing it.)
With that, the ride stopped. Kagami nodded and Tsukasa opened the door of the black limo, stepping out the back. Ryō High was right down the block.
...
...but now, Kagami turned her last stare back on Misao. Her lavender glare made the girl's heart skip a beat. Her lips felt dry, and she suddenly felt cold...
...even still, the Hiiragi said nothing...and yet Misao knew exactly what was on her mind.
"Listen, Kagami—"
"'Listen, Kagami'."
That was much too informal.
"Uh—uh, I didn't...um...mean it like that. Sorry, I just...
...I—I can fix this, I mean—"
"No, you can't."
"Please, just gimme a chance! I know you're mad...furious! But I can—"
"God. I'm so lucky my sisters aren't here right now. They'd be laughing at me so fucking hard..."
"But I—"
"Look, Misao...
...
*sigh*
...I'm gonna try not to yell at you. I need to stay calm: A calm mind is a prepared mind. And a prepared mind can react to opposition.
I'll be lax with you...for now. But I want you to comply with a few requests of mine in return."
"Sure, sure—anything you say, I'll do it." Misao nodded; there was still a hint of worry in her tone...though fortunately not as much as before.
"Good."
Kagami closed her eyes and sighed again before she answered—she nearly lounged back in her roomy seat, actually, as Misao tried to sit firm, wishing she could just disappear.
...
"Now, this is what I want you to do:
For one, stop acting so scared. Whenever Tsukasa snafus something I've got set—which is exceptionally rare—, she takes the penalty like a man instead of pleading and trying to avoid it. Her attitude's what's making her so prudent and sharp-witted...
...and it's not because she's my sister. If she did what you did today, I'd more likely than not be talking to her the exact same way. I'd be even harsher because she's—frankly—more mature than you. But I want you to learn from your slip-ups.
And I don't know why you nearly killed her, but it wasn't called for at all. I don't want you to put your hands on anyone this week. No matter what they do; you need to cool the hell off. Got it so far?"
"Yes, Mam...I understand completely..."
"Mm—and two more things:
The first is you have to present the money to that girl's family and apologize to her. I'll hand the envelope, along with her address, after school. Make sure your apology isn't garbage, but give a somewhat reasonable excuse as to why she died. The last thing I want is for the family to get pissed, take it past the district, and have everything blow up.
...
...and if you have to...
...
...put on some gloves."
"I got ya. Don't worry: I'll take care of it."
"Okay then...and last is because you can't pay me back the fee I've gotta give you. I know ¥100,000 for throwing my day off's hard to procure..." Kagami teased.
Then, brushing back her lilac locks, she grew serious.
"...and I don't need your help with anything other than enforcing for now. I let you know when I do need you...so I want you to report to Tsukasa in the meantime. Do whatever the hell she says, and don't let her complain about you if you don't wanna end up like Yuri."
"Ah—"
"I'm not done. Report to her before me, and she'll report to me.
Alone.
You're still a lieutenant, but you're no longer my seconds-in-command: she's the 2nd, and you're 3rd row with Shōto and the others. You're both still directly under me, but treat her as if she is me. And tell her everything I've told you.
Understand?"
...
"...yes.
...I understand..."
And the boss said nothing more. Misao hung her head low, the shame glimmering in her eyes.
...
Kagami didn't have time for the pity, though.
"Alright. Well, you can step out now. This restriction's permanent, by the way...since Tsukasa's never made a mistake this awful. And rest assured, I would've demoted her the same way if you'd traded places—but that's not the case."
"...right..."
"Mm." she nodded. "Like I said: dismissed."
So, in a daze, Misao scooted out of the limo without another word, the automatic door sliding back behind her so she could finish her personal work. The brunet started her dazed walk over to the school.
To Tsukasa.
She was taking it slow on purpose: the lieutenant wasn't going to reach the front doors for a couple minutes. Though once she got in, she wasn't going to enjoy speaking to Tsukasa at all. If only she didn't have to...
...
...deal with this...
...she really despised those "told you so" eyes...