Chapter Four

Not Very Neru

After we'd hung up our whiteboard, we decided it was time to have a look around. I got my wallet out, slipping my key and my ID card inside and stuffing it in the pocket of my hoodie, and I looked over at the other two, who were waiting on me.

"Ready?" I asked, and saw that Nana had the map in her hand.

They both nodded and we headed out of the dorm, with me locking the door.

"Wait," I mumbled, turning to them, "where are we going to go?"

"Well, I think we should have a quick look around the dorms, you know, check out the living room and stuff. Then I think we ought to look at the gym, and the school, and finish up looking around the cafeteria and getting lunch. Afterward, we could always hit the shops?"

"That sounds like a great idea to me!" Nana said, and I nodded too with a smile.

I'm being pretty friendly today. Good, at least I'll have some friends.

We went downstairs, and after a quick peek in the laundry room, which was a decent size, we had a look at the living room. There were a few nice big couches, and a good-sized TV, and I could see a couple of dance mats folded away underneath the TV and a well-used PS2. I guessed that somebody must have brought that along. The kitchen area was small, but had a cooker, microwave and a fridge, with a notice saying that every week we'd be brought the bare essentials, but it was up to us to buy anything else from the shops.

We left the dorms, and walked over to the gym, which would probably be my least favourite place. They had a normal gymnasium, with the floor marked for basketball, and a nice pool. There were also some inside tennis courts, and the obligatory changing rooms and showers. We had a quick trip around the school, finding our classroom and checking out the bathrooms. It was pretty much the same as a normal Japanese school; we had our normal classrooms, with single desks set out in rows, a few computer rooms, some small laboratories and art rooms, supply closets, a hall, theatre and a very large library. After we'd walked around the school, we headed over to the cafeteria, which had a few other students in. There was a pleasant inside eating area, a little separate from where all the food was.

We approached the food tables, and I glanced over it all. There were lots of different kinds of fish, a few meats, large crates of fruits vegetables, bowls of rice and noodles, tables of condiments, and some drinks machines and some of the chefs serving tea.

"Let's split up and get our food!" Nana said cheerily, "whoever finishes first can save our table!"

Uta and I nodded in agreement, and we separated as we looked around at all the different food. I picked up a tray and went to the first counter, looking over the fish and meats. I picked out a bowl, spooning some mackerel into it, before moving on to the next counter. After taking another bowl, I glanced over the vegetables. There was a very large choice, although not as large as the fish. I decided on some sweet potato and pickled vegetables, some chestnuts and a sudachi. I took a small bowl of rice, and after taking a moment to put some soy sauce over some of my food, I proceeded to the drinks machines and tea tables. There was a simply enormous choice of different drinks, and it didn't take me long to find my favourite – Mitsuya Cider. I eyed over all the different flavours, before glancing at the others. I sighed, instead going for Jurokucha. Mikuo had always served it up, as it was meant to be very healthy when eaten with meals. I guess old habits don't die out too easily.

It seemed that I had been the last out, as carrying my small tray I saw Uta and Nana beckoning me over to their small table. I wandered over, occasionally glancing at the other students, before taking a seat at the table. I glanced at their lunches, which were similar to mine but with slightly different meats or vegetables.

"Ooh!" Nana squealed, "you got mackerel, Neru-chan! I was going to get that, but ended up with salmon instead," she gestured towards her bowl."

I stifled a yawn as I started to dig in to my rice. God, I love food so much. I nodded in acknowledgement, and Uta spoke up. "They have such a wide selection, its great don't you think?"

"Yeah," I replied, "and I'll bet there are plenty of cafés and things in the little town."

Nana looked up, "oh! We need to get our books, remember? They're getting dropped off at our room, right?"

I drank some tea and munched some potato, before saying, "well if we aren't there, nobody's going to steal them are they?"

Uta smiled cutely, "of course not. I guess we shouldn't get back to late though, just in case. Also, I heard you have cousins here, Neru-chan?"

I almost choked on my potato. Damn, people already knew I'm related to Miku? "Yeah," I mumbled, "Hatsune Miku and Juon Kiku are my cousins."

Uta gave a big grin, "I did speak to Hatsune-san briefly, and she seems nice. She's very outgoing, isn't she?" Uta chuckled.

"Unfortunately," I replied, my eyes automatically narrowing. Why does everyone love Miku and her weird and irritating personality?

Uta laughed again, "you two really are different. Do you have any relatives, Nana-chan?"

"Mmm!" Nana hummed, her mouth full. She swallowed, "I have a pair of elder twin sisters, both called Coco, and a little sister called Nana Petit. My family are kinda strange," she blushed. "How about you, Uta-chan?"

"Oh! I have an older brother, Defosuke-kun, and a younger sister called Koe," Uta giggled.

"Do you guys know anybody else here?" I asked, eating my chestnuts carefully. Mmm. Did I already say that I love food?

Nana shook her head, but Uta spoke up, "yeah! I know two girls here already, since they went to my previous school; Kasane Teto and Momone Momo. They aren't in our class though," Uta looked disappointed.

"Mm? Did they already tell you which class they're in?" Nana asked.

Uta nodded, and the pair continued to speak. Hey, I don't even know which classes Miku, Kiku and Haku are in yet. I ought to text them and ask… I thought to myself. I reached into the pocket of my hoodie to grab my phone – but it was empty. My eyes automatically widened and I could feel myself begin to panic. What? Where is it? I can't have dropped it, I'd have noticed…

And then I remembered. I'd left it on my bed for some reason whilst I was packing. That's not like me at all.

Why is this school suddenly changing me?