Chapter 1

Shujin Academy

Morning

"Did you hear? Principal Kobayakawa is letting a criminal come to school with us!"

"I hear he was arrested for assault. Sounds like a really dangerous guy."

"He's a second-year?! Please tell me he's not in my class!"

"Drinking, smoking, theft… I've heard this guy's done it all.

"Apparently, he's such a problem student that no other schools will take him."

As Haru walked through Shujin Academy, she continued to hear rumor after rumor involving the new transfer student. She had heard dozens of rumors about the apparent delinquent, and she had not even been inside the school for a full ten minutes.

Haru wondered if the rumors were true or if the students were creating crazier stories to one-up each other and be more interesting than the person who said the last rumor.

But, in the end, it didn't matter if the boy was as bad as they were saying. There was nothing she could do about it, and she didn't want any attention that would come to her if she became involved with the transfer student. It was hard enough keeping people from realizing her father was Kunikazu Okumura. Combined with the issues she was already dealing with at home, considering her father seemed to be more stressed than usual, even if she got involved, it would only bring the poor boy more trouble.

So, she ignored the rumors the other students were saying and continued on to her new classroom for this year, room 3-B on the first floor. As she was about to walk into the class, Haru heard someone call her name.

"Haru-san!"

Turning her head to look behind her, Haru found the second-year, Ayaka Fukuda, running toward her. The black-haired girl seeming to be slightly out of breath as she approached.

Smiling, Haru turned to fully face her fellow student. "Ayaka-chan, it's so good to see you! How was your break?"

Slowing down, Ayaka shot a tired smile toward her senior, "It wasn't long enough! We had so many assignments and I barely got them finished in time!"

"Well, at least you got it done," Haru said. "Was there something you needed?"

"Yes! Harada-sensei wants to meet with all members of the gardening club today during the first ten minutes of lunch to discuss the plans for our first club meeting. Apparently, there's going to be a faculty meeting after school today, so she won't be available during our normal time."

"Thank you Ayaka-chan," Haru responded. "I'll see you and the other two at lunch."

"Right! I'll see you then. I still have to tell Ruru and Hideo before classes start." Ayaka said as she began to walk away.

Haru sighed as her junior left. Joining the gardening club during her first year had been a great way for Haru to work off the stress she accumulated at home. As much as Haru loved her father, their relationship seemed to only grow worse with each passing year. Recently, it seemed that even when they spoke to each other, he only heard the things he believed were relevant and ignored everything else.

With the gardening club, she finally felt as though there was something she could do, something she was absolutely sure she was good at. Even if she couldn't really connect to the other members because they seemed to have their own friend groups, being able to care for the plants on the school grounds was a relaxing activity she could lose herself in and forget about any troubles she might have.

Entering class 3-B Haru found her assigned seat was in the back at the desk closest to the door at the back of the classroom. Hooking her bag on the side of her desk, Haru began to take out her notebooks and prepare herself for the first homeroom of this year.

/|\

Shujin Academy

Afternoon

As Haru made it through the day, she found that the classes weren't as hard as she was expecting for a third-year curriculum. She smiled and introduced herself to her desk mates, but after the initial introduction classes began and she didn't speak with her new acquaintances. Still, she would remember their names and wish them a good morning every day. It wouldn't be that much of an issue, and sometimes a simple 'good morning' could brighten someone's day.

As the lunch bell rang, Haru began to make her way out of the classroom and began to make her way up to the second-floor faculty room.

"I heard he didn't even show up today."

"Do you think that means he won't come to school at all?"

"He's probably out mugging some people, or maybe he's already taken over the local yakuza and he's fighting anyone who challenges his position!"

As Haru walked, she began to feel a sense of deja vu as the students seemed to be creating new stories to fill their time. But the stories did give Haru a moment of pause. Did the transfer student really not show up for the first day of school? Was he really a delinquent?

Haru shook off those thoughts and continued to make her way to the faculty office. It didn't matter what others said, the transfer student wasn't her problem, and she certainly wasn't going to make life harder for him by creating or spreading rumors without even taking the time to get to know him.

"Haru-senpai!" a voice sounded as she made it to the second floor. Looking around, she spotted the other second-year of the gardening club, and only boy, Hideo Hiroshi, followed by the newest member of the club, first-year Ruru Urishido.

Haru smiled at the two as she greeted the black-haired boy and brown-haired girl. Hideo had joined the club last year alongside Ayaka, and Ruru seemed to have been planning to join the club because she was already friends with Hideo. The fact that Haru was the oldest member of the club, as well as the one who had been there the longest, meant that she was the president of the gardening club. She had taken over the position when the previous president graduated last year. It wasn't that much of a problem to handle the extra responsibility, so when Haru was asked if she would take over, she didn't have any real objections to the matter.

"Hello Hideo-kun, Ruru-chan, how are you two doing today?" Haru asked the duo. Ruru made a quiet squeaking noise as she shuffled slightly behind Hideo. Hideo, on the other hand, beamed as he fell in line with Haru as they made their way to the faculty office.

"I'm doing great! I got put in Mr. Hiruta's homeroom so my class won't have to deal with that dangerous transfer student. On the other hand, we supposedly have Sakamoto in our class, but he hasn't shown up today, so who knows," Hideo said. "I heard that the transfer student didn't show up either. Do you think those two already started a gang or something? It wouldn't surprise me if the two delinquents of the school got together. Birds of a feather and all that."

Haru let out a quiet sigh as Hideo began his usual chatterbox tendencies. He was a good person when you got to know him, but he tended to be swayed easily by rumors and could go on rants about things he only knew a little about.

"You shouldn't believe everything you hear at school, Hideo-kun. It's just as likely that Sakamoto-san is sick or that the transfer student got lost. This is a new school for him, after all, he could have gotten confused and hopped on the wrong train," Haru lightly admonished. It would be best if she prevented the gardening club from becoming another place for rumors to spread. Even if the two second-years treated club meetings as a place to hang out, she was the president now, so hopefully she could get the others as interested in growing plants as she was.

"Sorry, senpai," Hideo responded lazily, holding his hands up slightly in surrender. "It's just that the delinquent transfer student is all anyone is talking about. Well, him and the new honors student, but everyone seems to be more focused on the criminal transfer student than the honors one."

"…is that guy really that dangerous?" Ruru asked quietly.

"We don't know yet," Haru interjected. "We don't even know what exactly he did to get arrested. I've heard rumors that go from several different felonies to some crazy stories that can't possibly be true."

"It was an assault," Hideo said as he began reaching for the faculty office door. "It's all over the internet. Don't know how it got there, but that guy's criminal record is available for anyone to look at.

Haru turned to Hideo with a shocked expression on her face.

"What? But how did-?"

"Hello Okumura-san, Urishido-san, Hiroshi-san. I'm glad you three were able to make it so quickly. Is Fukuda-san with you?" Mrs. Takumi asked as she scanned over the students.

Mrs. Takumi was a black-haired teacher that always had a gentle expression on her face. She was well-liked by many students because her presence was reassuring and calm at all times.

"No Mrs. Takumi," Haru responded. "I haven't seen Ayaka-chan since-"

"I'm here!" Ayaka yelled as she slammed open the door. "Sorry, but one of my classmates really had to talk to me! Everyone in Ms. Kawakami's class is freaking out over the new transfer student. I mean, who doesn't show up to school on the first day? That guy must be crazy!"

A cough interrupted Ayaka's rant. Turning, Haru saw Mrs. Takumi staring expectantly at her. Panicking a little, Haru realized the teacher was urging her to take control of her club.

"Um…okay, Ayaka-chan, we don't have much time before we have to go eat our lunches and prepare for afternoon classes. Please calm down and listen to Mrs. Takumi."

Taking a breath, Ayaka smiled sheepishly as she looked at both Haru and Mrs. Takumi.

"Sorry Haru-senpai, sorry sensei." She said as she rubbed the back of her head.

Smiling at the students, Mrs. Takumi began the meeting.

"Now, as Fukuda-san hopefully told all of you this morning, I won't be able to act as your club advisor today as the faculty are holding an after school meeting. So you can just go home after school if you want. However, there is one thing you need to decide as a club before you leave."

Shuffling some papers on her desk, Mrs. Takumi brought out a single sheet to show the club members.

"There are unused planters on the school roof that have been left unattended for some time. They were put there because there was no room for them anywhere else on the school grounds. Now, could you four please decide if you want to keep these planters or if you believe the school should just sell them? It doesn't matter too much, but Principal Kobayakawa does not want school resources to be sitting unused on the roof. You can take the rest of the day to discuss this, but I would appreciate it if you four could give me your answer before you leave for the day."

Haru took the paper and read an itemized list of the types of planters sitting unused on the roof. There were six small planters that could maybe hold three plants a piece without overcrowding said plants and two larger planters that could be used for many small plants or maybe six larger ones.

"Eh…I don't really think that sounds too interesting," Hideo said. "We already have so many other plants to take care of with the garden at the front of the school. I'm not too interested in taking on unnecessary work."

"I agree," Ayaka said after a second of deliberation. "I have a part time job outside of school. That combined with what the gardening club already does, I don't believe I would have the time or desire to care for a small garden no one is ever going to see."

Ruru looked between her two seniors before glancing down and giving her own answer.

"…I don't want to do something if it means I'm going to be all alone on the roof. I agree with Hideo-kun and Fukuda-san."

Hearing their answers, Haru began to agree with them about not wanting to do it alone, but paused before she could speak as a random thought crossed her mind. She already did most of the gardening work by herself. As much as the others might complain about how busy the gardening club makes them, the most they normally do is water the plants or maybe add some fertilizer when the last club president told them to.

Haru enjoyed gardening because she found it relaxing. She enjoyed the fact that it was something she was good at. If she could get permission to use the roof planters for herself…did that mean she could do whatever she wanted with them? Did that mean she could have something that was only hers? With no one to tell her how the plants should look or how far apart they should be spaced? No one to tell her how some plants would be prettier than the ones she wanted to plant?

The idea was completely different than what she normally did with the gardening club. Mrs. Takumi seemed to not want to have to deal with these planters either. As much as her expression seemed to say that she wouldn't mind, being a teacher must be extremely difficult, and selling these planters or adding them to the gardening club's budget would only add to her workload.

"Um…" Haru began nervously. "If no one else wants to do it…I wouldn't mind using those planters."

A look of slight surprise passed over Mrs. Takumi's face before being replaced by one of pensive relief as she glanced at the other members.

"Are you sure, Okumura-san? This wouldn't fall under the purview of the gardening club. You can do what you want with them, but you won't be receiving any extra funding for the planters."

Feeling a small flame of resolve begin to build in her, Haru nodded at the teacher.

"Yes, sensei, I wouldn't mind. I don't have that much going on after school most days anyway. I would appreciate it if you would allow me to use the roof planters." Haru said with a small bow towards the teacher.

After a few seconds Mrs. Takumi smiled and nodded towards Haru.

"Well if you feel it won't impact you too much, then I'll make sure to tell Principle Kobayakawa that the school does not have to sell the planters. Thank you very much Okumura-san."

With that the four members of the gardening club began to leave the faculty office. As they neared the exit, the door opened and on the other side was a tall student with black, fuzzy hair, and glasses, carrying his school bag over one shoulder. As the group of four was already close the student got out of the way before making his way inside the faculty office, closing the door behind him.

Not thinking too much of the boy, Haru turned toward the other members of the club, a soft smile on her face.

"Well, since we won't be meeting for the club meeting today, you all enjoy the rest of your day. I'll talk to Mrs. Takumi after school to learn more about the planters on the roof. Please be prepared to meet at the front garden of the school on Wednesday after school in your gym clothes for our regularly scheduled meetings."

"Sounds good," Hideo said as he began to walk away with the other two. "Welp, see you later Pres! Do you guys want to go see a movie after school? I heard about this new one that was just released…"

As the three walked away, Haru felt a pang in her chest. She knew that they weren't that close, but why didn't they want her to hang out after school? Haru knew she probably wouldn't be able to accept even if they asked, considering she just accepted responsibility for the planters and her father might want her to return home early…

And thinking about the planters, now that she had more time to think it through…Would she be able to do a good job? What if she messed up? What if she wasn't able to grow anything and the gardening club or Mrs. Takumi realize she actually just accepted a responsibility that is too much for her?

She knew that she was probably overthinking things, but now that it was just her by herself, she couldn't help the slight fear that she made a small mistake accepting an unneeded responsibility.

/|\

Shujin Academy

After School

"Showing up late on the first day, that guy must be crazy."

"I heard he was ditching school with Sakamoto when they were caught by the cops and forced to attend the rest of the day."

"He seems quiet…but I bet when he loses it…"

"I heard that he keeps a knife in his bag just in case someone makes him angry."

"Luckily Mr. Kamoshida is here. He'll make sure that delinquent isn't able to hurt anyone."

Haru continued to hear and ignore the ever-growing rumors as she began to walk up the stairs to the third floor. Mrs. Takumi teaches the first years during the last period of the day and she had to make sure that she had permission to go onto the roof, as it was normally against school rules to be up there.

Making it to the third floor, Haru saw Mrs. Takumi walking down the hallway. Calling out to her, the gentle-looking teacher turned and smiled as the third-year made her way over to the side of the hallway.

"Hello Okumura-san," the teacher said. "Do you need something?"

"Yes, sensei," Haru replied. "I just wanted to make sure that I had permission to go onto the roof. I want to look at the planters, but I wanted to make sure I wouldn't get in trouble."

Nodding as Haru explained the situation, Mrs. Takumi took out a pen before writing on a small sheet of paper before handing it to Haru.

"Here," Mrs. Takumi said. "I'll bring up the planter situation at the faculty meeting today so that you will have permission in the future. Until then, though, you can use this permission slip from me if anyone questions why you are up there."

"Also," Mrs. Takumi continued. "I wanted to thank you for volunteering to take care of the planters."

Once again feeling that small surge of doubt, Haru began to fidget a little, looking away from her club advisor.

"Oh, it's no trouble. I'm not sure I'm up for the task though…"

Smiling, the gentle teacher caught Haru's eye before responding.

"Don't worry. You're being a huge help. Oh, and I've made sure the roof is unlocked for you…I imagine it's going to be a lot of work, but I'm sure you can handle it."

As Haru looked at the teacher, she began to feel a small bit of the confidence she felt earlier when she declared her intention of caring for the planters.

"Alright, I'll do my best! I'll go take a look at them now. Thank you sensei." Haru said with a smile on her face.

"You're welcome, Haru. And just so you know, even if you aren't going to be receiving much help with the planters, I am always available if you need advice or you have any special requests you want to make. Now, I have to get going. The faculty meeting will be starting soon and I don't want to be late."

Watching Mrs. Takumi walk away, Haru began to make her own way toward the staircase leading to the roof. As she reached the staircase Haru saw two students walking down the steps.

One she recognized as Sakamoto immediately. His dyed-blond hair and terrible slouching posture really made him stand out. Him being at the center of so many negative rumors at his obvious distaste of Mr. Kamoshida ensured he was known to basically every student at Shujin Academy.

The other student was the fuzzy-haired boy she and the gardening club passed earlier in the faculty office. Looking at him now, Haru realized she didn't recognize him at all. Remembering some of the rumors she heard earlier, Haru began to wonder if this was the infamous transfer student that everyone was afraid of. Looking at him now, Haru wasn't really sure why the entire school seemed to be afraid of him. He didn't look that dangerous, and the fact that he already seemed to have made a friend with Sakamoto seemed to indicate that he might be better at talking to people than Haru, herself was.

As she passed the duo they glanced at her before continuing on their way towards the front entrance of the Academy.

Shrugging her shoulders, Haru decided that it wasn't her issue. She wasn't going to tell someone who they could and couldn't hang out with. Besides, she had never seen Sakamoto do anything bad, and she didn't even know the transfer student. What right did she have to judge them?

Continuing on, Haru made it to the door to the roof. There was an off-limits sign posted on it, but the door was unlocked.

Walking outside Haru immediately noticed the large air conditioners and vents on the roof. Around the border was a large fence to prevent anyone from accidentally falling off. There were six unused student desks a little to the right with a fold-up chair right next to them. Finally, Haru noticed the planters on the left side of the desks, almost right in front of the door going back inside the school.

Looking around, Haru decided that she would first need to organize the roof a bit in order to ensure a space where she could keep the planters organized and ensure her new "workspace" is relatively clear of any debris.

After that…Haru wasn't sure. She could grow anything she wanted. It was like Ayaka said, no one was going to see her rooftop garden, so she didn't really have to plant a bunch of pretty flowers for others' enjoyment. Maybe she could make a beautiful flower garden for herself? Or maybe she should plant something else…

Well, Haru had time to think about that later. Maybe she'll find some seeds she can use at home, but first things first. She needed to get her new garden organized.