Rin couldn't believe that this was happening to her. The letter in her hand had been read over and over, and yet, she still couldn't believe it. Rin Hanasaki, the shy, straight 'A' sophomore from Kaminari High, had been expelled over false accusations! Apparently, there was a little incident that occurred in the girl's bathroom, and one of Rin's bullies, Kagura, pinned the incident on her. She couldn't believe that none of the faculty thought that, perhaps, this was one big scam. Rin thought that she was adored by her teachers, but that thought has now flown out the window with all of her other hopes and dreams about this school.

Her adoptive father, a smaller man by the name of Jaken Hanasaki, was absolutely fuming over this, "How dare they accuse my sweet Rin of engaging in inappropriate behavior! You are the reason they even have a decent reputation to the school board! Why, I ought to drive down there myself and—"

"Papa, no. It's fine, I promise. I'll just have to find a new school to go to—it's really not that big of a deal."

That was a lie. This accusation will follow Rin to the end of her days, but she didn't want to allow this to overwhelm her father. He took her in as a toddler when no one else wanted her. Rin couldn't speak a single word, but Jaken worked day and night with her until she was speaking like a college scholar. Now, Rin is the top student, or was, anyway.

"Well, there are only two other schools in this area, and they both have a higher demon population. Now, with me being a demon, I know that you are comfortable around my kind, but you always have to remember that they—"

"—are a lot stronger than me and can easily hurt me, I know. Papa, I'm not a kid anymore. I can take care of myself for the most part. Whatever school will accept me, I'll go," she informed him, a sweet grin plastered on her face.

Jaken smiled back as he thought about the two schools, "Okami High has more humans in it, but it's a troublemaker school. You would probably have a hard time there. Feudal High is where my boss's sons go. It's heavily populated by demons, but I know those boys personally. I can make sure that they'll keep you safe if you want."

Rin laughed lightly, "Papa, I don't need protection. I promise that'll I'll be fine. Feudal High sounds like the more appropriate choice if you ask me."

"An excellent choice, my girl! I'll give them a call right now, but oh, could you please grab some yen from my wallet and fetch us a few things for dinner? I need more dark soy sauce and a slab of pork meat," he told her.

"On it! Could I possibly get a snack while I'm there?" she asked with her large, earthy brown eyes widening in a pleading manner.

Jaken couldn't help but to agree, "Of course, Rin! You deserve much more than that after what you've been through today."

She nearly squealed in excitement as she grabbed the yen and placed it into her purse. Her jacket would be most needed today as winter was nearing. The forecast predicted snow over the weekend, though Rin was hoping that it would pass over. Her favorite season was spring due to the abundance of flowers, her favorite thing in the world. In fact, her goal in life was to own her own floral business someday.

Slipping her jacket on, she left the apartment and headed down the hallway. Her father works for the Inugami family—a family of wealthy dog demons who own several companies around Japan, and he is paid handsomely for his job as the CEO's head assistant, but due to his past, his credit falls just short of being accepted by a mortgage loan, so they rent for now.

The automatic front doors to the lobby allowed the unwanted chill to escape inside, mentally preparing Rin for the freezing weather ahead. Taking a deep, dramatic breath, she left the warm complex and stumbled onto the icy streets.

With it being a Friday afternoon, she was surprised that the local kids weren't out playing. Perhaps their parents knew better than to send their children out into this freezing cold, but what really astounded Rin was the fact that no one else her age was walking around to whatever normal teens do on the weekends. She had never had friends before, so the girl wouldn't have the slightest idea. Frankly, she didn't care that much.

Her thoughts distracted her as her body collided with another, both falling on the ground.

"Oh no! I'm so sorry!" a chirpy voice called out.

A girl around the same age as Rin stood up, offering a hand to the slightly shorter girl, "Here, let me help you!"

Rin was quite reluctant to allow help from a random teenage girl that she didn't know. Based on past experiences, she wouldn't be surprised if this act of aid was all a huge prank to humiliate her; however, she couldn't just seem rude, so the girl had to take her chances. Surprisingly, she was yanked right onto her feet.

"Again, I'm sorry about all of that! My name is Kagome Higurashi, by the way!"

"Rin Hanasaki...pleased to meet you," she said meekly.

"Awe, you're so shy. I haven't seen you around here before. Do you live close by?" Kagome asked.

Rin nodded, "I live in the apartment complex."

The taller girl gasped, "Really? I know someone who lives there—surprised you don't go to our school. I attend Feudal High."

"I may start there next week, actually," she told the girl, though she wasn't sure what compelled her to mention such a thing.

"You'll have to hang out with my friends and I! We're really nice, so I promise that you won't have anything to worry about!"

Rin smiled slightly even though she wanted to die on the inside. The idea of trying to make friends seemed very unsettling. Kagome was probably one of those girls who simply acted nice to lure you in. At the same time, she shouldn't judge people so quickly, "I'll think about it..."

"Great! I'll see you Monday."

Rin glanced up at the girl. Kagome herself wasn't all that tall, but Rin was so short that it was truly a laughing stock. The taller girl waved her off as she strolled down the street, leaving her alone once again.

"That was strange...people usually don't like to talk to me," Rin thought to herself, continuing onward to the neighborhood grocery store.

As quick as she could, she grabbed the needed ingredients as well as a snack for herself—mochi ice cream—and checked out at the front.

She raced back to the apartment complex as the temperature outside began to drop significantly. Her father was practically bouncing on the heels of his feet as she entered the apartment.

"Rin! I have astounding news! The principal of Feudal High is more than welcomed to have you. She can't believe the idiocy of Kaminari High! So, you will start on Monday!"

A large grin formed on her face, but on the inside, Rin grew nervous.

"This is going to be interesting..."