Disclamier: I don't own Azumaga Daioh or it's characters. But I do own this story idea and the original characters in it. And that makes me proud. :D
Though her grades weren't up to par with what her mother wanted, they had improved. Kagura couldn't help up cringe when she heard her mother sigh. She's disappointed... It was true that she was surprised, and even proud, when she received her grades and saw she had gotten straight D's. But at the thought of handing the report to her mother, she began spazzing. She knew her mother wanted her to do better, but could she help it if she didn't understand most of what she was supposed to learn.
Her mother sat down. "Well, at least you didn't fail any of your classes this time."
"Yeah, but if I don't get better grades, I won't get into that high school..." Kagura put her head down.
"Don't be so hard on yourself. I know I push you, but it's just so you can get a nice career and don't have to marry a salaryman you didn't pick...like I did." Kagura picked her head up in confusion. "Now, I'm not saying I that I don't love your father, he gave me you and your brother. But your grandfather picked him to marry me. Now look at us today. Our marriage didn't last. But if you don't want to go to that high school, I'll understand."
Kagura quickly responded. "No, no. I want to go there." It was half truth, she did want to go, but only because her mother wanted her to go.
"Ok, well this," she pointed at the piece of paper on the table in front of her, "this is an improvement. Continue increasing your grades like this, and you'll be ready when the time comes to apply." Kagura was about to leave the room, when her mother called her back. "I remembered something. Your father called today-"
"Oh, right. I go to house tomorrow."
"Uh, not this time. He's on a business trip for the next two weeks."
"Oh, alright..." Kagura tried to hide her disappointment, but apparently she had failed.
"Aw, I know how much you look forward to this visits with your father. But that's just the life of a salaryman."
"I know. Anyways, I'm going to the arcade," Kagura wanted to change the subject.
"Do you need money?"
"No, I got some saved up."
zzZzz
Maybe it was because she was angry, but Kagura found the violent video games to be enjoyable. It had been a little more than a year since her parents got divorced. Since then, she was supposed to visit her father for a week every other month. But, really she had only visited him once. He was always busy. Well, it's his job. I don't blame him. But still... She walked by a pinball machine and doubled back. She inserted her money, played her game, and left as soon as she lost. She went to a vending machine and bought herself a soda.
As she was sitting on a bench outside by herself, Kagura realized she was crying. I wanted to see him this time. And tell him about my grades and my swimming. She began to think about her brother. Plus, Hara-kun needs to see him too. It's not fair that he shouldn't know his dad. Parents are so stressful. She placed her head in her hands. "Kagura-san?"
"Huh?" Kagura looked up and saw one of her three "fans" in front of her. "Oh, hey."
A sharp gasp. "Kagura-san! Are you crying?!" The short Kaiya practically yelled.
Kagura wiped her eyes. "No. I...I have allergies."
"Since when?"
"Since...I was born?
The short girl sat next to Kagura. "You're a bad liar."
"Yeah, well, you're a bad...athlete."
Kaiya laughed and put her arm around Kagura's shoulder, which was promptly removed by the swimmer. "Kagura-san, you're always saying irrelevant things. But what's wrong, really?"
Kagura sighed. "My grades...aren't where they should be. And I haven't seen my dad in a year."
"Do you need a hug?" Kagura quickly shook her head. "Well, is there anything I can do," Kaiya said it with as much sympathy as she felt, or at least she tried.
"Yeah, actually. Don't let me copy your homework anymore." A thought then struck Kagura. "Hey instead, why don't you tutor me? Or will be a burden"
"Nonononono! It won't be a burden at all. I'd be honored to help you. With what subjects?"
"I don't know...all of them?"
"Well...my forte is math, but I could help you with other subjects too."
Kagura felt a smile tug at her lips. "Thanks. You're not so bad Kaiya-san."
"Uh...one thing though. Could you call me 'Kaiya-chan'?"
"Huh?"
"Well, you call Emi, Emi-chan. I was wondering if you could call me Kaiya-chan."
"Oh ok. No problem Kaiya-ch-"
"But!" Kaiya stopped Kagura. "Not until you want to."
Kagura was confused but agreed anyway. "Alright."
zzZzz
She was proud of herself. Not only was she able to cheer up the object of her affections, but she somehow was able to get the opportunity to spend alone time with her. Sure the other two would be jealous, maybe even mad, but she knew that they were like the other girls at her school who only noticed Kagura-san because she was the captain of the swim team. They had decided to meet every Sunday, since that was the only day they had off. "I can't wait for this weekend," Kaiya told herself.
zzZzz
Kagura was almost asleep when her mother walked into her room. She sat down on the bed and stoked her daughters hair. "I know you had a hard day today. But I'm proud of you. Even if you failed all your classes, I'd still be proud as long as you tried. I want you to continue swimming, because it's what you're good at."
There was silence for a few minutes. "Hey mom."
"Oh, Yu-chan. I thought you were sleeping."
Kagura sat up. "I was almost asleep. Hey mom. My grades will get better, I promise. I'm getting tutored from my friend."
"Really. All these years, and you finally decide to get help in your second year of junior high."
"Well yeah. My grades need to be better if I'm going to get into that high school." Kagura let out a toothy grin.
"Get some sleep."
"Don't wake me up this time." Kagura's mother grabbed the blankets and threw them over her daughter.
"Sleep."
Alright so, there may mistakes in this chapter, because I just skimmed this. I'll re-read and correct any mistakes soon, but right now I'm just too tired. I wanted to get this posted before I went to sleep. (I'm a bit starved for time at the moment)
Ok so, I really like my OC Kaiya for some reason. (Maybe you can tell) Probably because I based her off of someone I know. Anyways this chapter is just setting up for the rest of the story. I hope you've enjoyed it thus far.
