I am not sorry what what I do in this chapter ^/^
It's by the grace of God that Kagetora manages to fax through a signed copy of the admission letter on Sunday afternoon to Aida-sensei. I'm not sure how they're acquainted, but I know that Aida-sensei was by far the teacher most likely to have contacted my 'legal guardian' if anything should arise. So it's with a relieved smile that I hand in the faxed sheet to Kiyoshi-sensei Monday morning at the beginning of class.
Somehow the weekend had flown by with the blink of an eye. In one way I was surprised to learn that Akashi-san now inhabited the dorm across from mine – why I'd never seen him enter or exit it before, I don't know. Considering that the room also inhabited Imayoshi-san, I found that avoiding it was simply the best solution. Nevertheless, this garnered information fuelled me into perfecting my sneaking capabilities and working on my evasive qualities. It made for a good weekend spent well.
The week following goes much the same. A continuous routine of checking the corridors before leaving the room or returning to it was implemented and I'm glad to point out I had yet to run into Akashi-san in the showers or recreation room. I'd passed by him momentarily in the kitchen and occasionally in the passages after classes, but so far things were looking up for me.
Inklings of fear have started to fade away – not all mind you, he still terrified me even from a distance – but I kept my distance. My mind supplied a slash of scissors and the cut on Kagami-kun's face whenever I started to relax in Akashi's vicinity.
The nightmares have become less hazardous and usually waking to see a room devoid of threat illuminated by the light of my desk lamp could ease most of the anxiety. Things were looking up, if only somewhat.
Granted the trip to Teiko shrine has consumed everyone in Kiyoshi-sensei's three Japanese History classes with excitement. Those who originally loathed going could be found discussing the outing at various intervals of the day and those originally looking forward to it were ablaze with curiosity and anticipation – myself included.
I was no stranger to ancient Shrines, Japan was littered with them, and although I'd been to the Teiko shrine once before it was years ago when I couldn't truly appreciate the mountainous forest range on which it was situated. Older now, my heart yearned to see the wooded area and the beautiful, yet dilapidated ruins of a once great shrine.
Originally a founding point of both the Tōō and Shūtoku country towns, the shrine marks a significant change in development. Rumours have even circulated that it was the original shrine Priestess that first encouraged men to build on the mountainous region. You could still see her influence in most tapestries and art works in the area– but of course that's just a rumour. Even still it makes my blood pump with eagerness. I want to see the stone steps and leaning walls that once formed a significant part of a society that's gone dormant. I need to.
There's this insatiable urge within me to explore this new world. Maybe it's the part of me that remembers how it felt to climb the trees and play hide-and-seek between the ruins, but I know without a doubt that the trip is going to be life changing. I'm not sure how and I'm not sure why, yet it will and I'm dying to find out the answers to those questions.
"No pushing!" Aida-sensei snarls in front of the line of students and the eager chattering and small pushes immediately cease. There's the muffled sound of laughter and then Kiyoshi-sensei's head appears above the rest – I never noticed he was that tall…
"All right everyone, keep your rucksacks with you at all times. Your responsible for your own things, I don't want anyone approaching me with reports on stolen or missing goods." There's a mild chorus of 'yes' from the students. Sensei beams brightly. "Good, you can filter into the bus from the back. Two per row on either side, don't leave any gaps,"
Excitement renewed the shoving starts up again and I stumble slightly, righting myself and falling further into the mini crowd – further from the bus. I don't mind too much, the teachers sit up front and that's usually where you can see the best of views anyway.
"I said, 'don't push'!" Aida-sensei starts again and is met with frustrated grumbles. Kiyoshi-sensei chuckles some more and I wonder whether it'll be Aida-sensei joining us or whether Shirogane-sensei – the Art teacher – would be accompanying the trip as he was sometimes allocated.
Students filter into the bus, the metal contraption shaking with the force of their pounding feet and the back windows instantly filled up with faces. I cringe when there's a cheek pressed against the glass, followed quickly by an almost bare butt. Whoever it is is yanked away before either of the present teachers can see the gross violation of sanitation.
Somehow I don't find it hard to believe that I'm not looking forward to spending an hour stuck in there with twenty other boys.
Finally, I enter the bus, only a small trickle of students waiting behind me with the teachers, Aida-sensei's presence replaced by the stoic Shirogane-sensei – sketch pad under one arm and paint smeared on a pale cheek – after all.
Searching, I find myself faced with a dilemma.
The row – of four seats, two on either side – is filled, save one open seat on the left isle row… Occupying the window seat is no one other than Akashi Seijūrō.
I nearly turn around and climb straight off the bus, but a firm pressure to my shoulder indicates that someone is trying to get me out their way and I step forward into the small, enclosed space.
Red-gold eyes turn to me, narrowed in lazy apathy and framed by a surprising set of eyeglasses. I gulp.
Akashi, Seijūrō…Danger Level: 10
"Good morning, Koji-kun," the red-head greets with a slight inclination of his head. Crimson strands drop onto his forehead and I swear he frowns in annoyance.
"Ah, hi," I mumble back lamely, shifting uncomfortably and glancing to the front of the bus where Kiyoshi-sensei and Shirogane-sensei are getting seated.
"You should sit, it's dangerous to stand while we drive." Akashi points out with all the compassion of a brick wall.
Nodding wearily, I place my bag under the seat and slowly sit down. Wincing and moving ever so slightly closer to the isle in hopes of creating more space between Akashi and myself. I cradle my hands in my lap, fidgeting nervously and craning my head so that I don't need to meet the gaze of the boy beside me. I hope to Heaven and Hell that the bus doesn't get a flat tire. I'm not sure how long I can do this for.
By the way I can feel his stare I know he's contemplating mentioning that I'm seated on the very edge of the chair, barely perched on it actually. But he makes no mention of my precarious position, instead turning his head to the window and examining his reflection in the glass.
"You don't perhaps have a scissors at hand, do you?"
I choke slightly and spin to stare at him in horror, slowly his gaze meets mine completely impassive compared to my rapidly declining mental state. "Why?" I all but yelp, I don't expect him to consider my question, I don't expect him to answer my demand for information – so I don't know why I even bother asking.
He blinks once, twice, before cocking his head inquisitively to the side and lifting a hand to touch his crimson bangs. "My hair needs a trim,"