The train ride was nothing like it had been days prior, filled with laughter and friends. Instead, young Kousaku Hata was alone on his way back to school. Summer Vacation wasn't even over yet but the teen decided it was probably best to have the rest of his Summer back at school after what he had tried to pull at the fake wedding that he almost went through with. Just how had he been roped into such a big mess? It was suppose to be a simple visit home over the summer until Minori tried that whole pregnancy thing confusing her folks into marrying them, and then Tsukasa turning the whole thing into a prospect to grab people's attention for country life. It had all just gotten out of control way too fast.
He couldn't even bring himself to use his phone and search for the latest Yuka-tan news, despite having come to know the true Ringo, even now there were still stories circulating about Yuka-tan and as a fan he couldn't just ignore it.
Minori was staying with her family for the remainder of Summer break and Ringo was staying with her, it might give them time to cool off after his supposed suggestion. In all truth he hadn't meant it like that, he just didn't know how to get it across in the right words and what his words had implied hadn't been well received by the two, he was never really good at that kinda stuff and he was sure he had made everything worse. No doubt he'd be a laughing stock once word got out at school. If only Kei was here to give him his useless guidance, at least then Kousaku could at least deal with it if his friend was beside him.
But instead he left the small village of his home way out in the sticks to return to Tamo No Rin Agriculture High School. It was still July so he still had a few weeks before Kei returned with Yoshida from their summer exchange trip for the next semester, Minori and Ringo might come back before classes started but that would still be a while he imagined, enough time for them to cool off he hoped. There might be a few students mulling around campus but he wasn't expecting anyone he knew to be present so he would have time all to himself for a good long while yet. All he had left to accompany him for the rest of the Summer was the young wallaby, Wakadanna who was currently curled up in his lap.
Patting Wakadanna with one hand he leaned on the other as he looked out the window, a lot had happened since Ringo had come all the way out here and no doubt a lot was still going to happen when school started up again at the end of August. As long as they could still be friends in the end, who cared what happened back at the small rural town that he had grown to love farming.
The train pulled into the station, Kousaku grabbed his bag, Wakadanna already hopping off his lap and making his way down the aisle to the exit of the train. Kousaku followed after the wallaby out onto the platform.
"Kousaku." He was surprisingly greeted and when he turned to see who it was he was even more surprised to find the principal of Tamo No Rin awaiting him. Kuwanosuke Naganawa was a well respected man at the school, despite his hiring of a certain over forty teacher, but that was out of his hands with who her father was.
"Naganawa-sensei." Kousaku greeted with a light bow.
"I didn't expect you back so soon my boy, when I heard the news you were coming back early I was surprised." The elderly man greeted as the two began to walk down the platform.
"Heh, some stuff happened and I figured I'd get out while I was still alive." Kousaku joked light heartedly giving a small awkward laugh. The elderly man didn't say anything as they stepped from the platform onto the road that would head back to school, it seemed that the principal had actually been waiting on him to arrive.
"I'm glad that you're back, despite it being your Summer Vacation and all, Kousaku." Kuwanosuke began surprising the teen slightly, had something gone wrong with the school while he had been away? Usually there would be a few teachers over breaks to tend to the animals and crops the students generally cared for. Seeing the boys questioning look Kuwanosuke smiled, waving away all Kousaku's fears. "No doubt you've heard over the last few months of the Liminal species that have recently been introduced into our society."
"Yeah, I mean we may be out in the sticks but sure news still got to us about it all, it's been what like almost a year now? I've never seen any in person before though not like they'd want to come out to the middle of nowhere when Tokyo's the place that it is." Kousaku admitted, infact before Yuka-tan had retired, an idol group of Liminals that went by ANM48 had begun to make themselves famous in Tokyo and were starting to top the charts every week where it had once been Yuka-tan at the top. Just because he was literally living in the same building as his idol, didn't mean he had stopped watching idols all together. He was still a fanboy deep at heart.
"I see." Kuwanosuke began as they made their way from the station, Tamo No Rin wasn't too far from the station so it was an easy walk back to the campus. "Tamo No Rin has been contacted by a company in conjunction, but separately operated, from the government run Bureau of Interspecies Exchange just when Summer Break started. They wish to bring several Liminal Species to study along with our students in Agriculture." This surprised the young teen, why would they be so inclined to come all the way out here when there was so much more for them to experience in the concrete jungle that was Tokyo. Sure if their aim was agriculture then Tamo No Rin would be the best bet, otherwise just a home stay on a farm would do.
"I guess that would be cool." Kousaku mused. "I mean, it'd be nice to see what all the fuss was about and who knows what kind of experience that they could bring to the students here." He shrugged, figuring there was no harm in having the experience.
"So you're for the idea my boy?" Kuwanosuke questioned.
"Well, I don't see why it would be a bad idea, unless there's some really shady business going on behind the scenes." Kousaku shrugged as they entered Campus, Kuwanosuke leading them to the main school building, no doubt heading for his office. While Kousaku would have liked to drop off his bags at the dorm he felt that he didn't have much of a choice here, plus he had come all the way to the station to pick him up for whatever was going on.
"Kousaku, once we reach my office, we'll be conducting a meeting that I want you to be present for." Kuwanosuke began as they headed through the halls of the school, all Kousaku could do was nod as the two headed for the principal's office. When they finally reached the office Kuwanosuke didn't hesitate and entered, Kousaku following in after him in a more reserved manner. There was a man waiting inside for them who smiled and raised from his chair.
"Naganawa-sensei, good to meet you. This must be the boy you spoke to me about on the phone?" He turned to Kousaku with a friendly smile, the teen obviously confused at his mentioning between the two men. "I'm Keiji Fujiwara, President of Black Lily Advanced Materials Laboratory." He was a rather tall man, dressed in a dress shirt and slacks and surprisingly enough with a white doctors coat over the top of it. He had a pair of glasses situated over his eyes and a little stubble on his chin with swept back black hair. "Most People just refer to me as Mr President." He offered his hand to the teen.
"Kousaku Hata, just your average Ag student here at Tamo No Rin." Kousaku took the man's hand, once that was done Keiji pulled out a business card from his coat and offered it to the teen, it was black in color and the writing white.
"Now, before we begin." The man cleared his throat. "I'd like to say that in no way does does the Black Lily Advanced Materials Laboratory speak on the behalf of the Japanese Government or the Cultural Exchange committee in-charge of the Cultural Exchange Between Species Bill." He smiled as he finished, Kousaku shared a look with Kuwanosuke but the man shrugged and walked around the desk to his seat, Mr President as he liked to be called gestured for Kousaku to sit beside him which he did, the man the last to be seated.
"Now, Mr Fujiwara..." Kuwanosuke began.
"Mr President is fine, I kind of like it actually." Mr President replied with a smile.
"Mr President, we've spoken over the last few days about integrating Liminals interested in Agriculture, into Tamo No rin High School."
"Yes, I've looked into it and there are several candidates ready and waiting." Mr President smiled. "While I know nothing is official yet, I do believe the idea we spoke about, the Summer trial period is still worth considering. It will allow for the Liminal Species to get accustomed to the school, some of the staff that are present and the duties they need to adjust too before classes start after Summer break and classes resume."
"I thought that most of them would want to go to the big city." Kousaku mused aloud.
"While in most cases, the Liminal's that are integrated into our society by the Cultural Exchange committee after offered places in cities where they can quickly accumulate to the way things work alongside humans. However what the Black Lily Lab offers, is a true experience for the Liminals not just a home stay. The ones interested in agriculture want to learn and work alongside humans. The Black Lily Lab offers them a place where while safe and accommodating, it also gives us a chance to study them in return as it's still new to us just where we can also benefit from them as they can from us." Mr President began and immediately brought up red flags in Kousaku, it was almost like they were using them.
"Uhh..." The teen shot a glance to the Principal who seemed more intent on listening than anything.
"I understand your concerns young man." Mr President stated, pushing up his glasses. "All Liminal species that sign up with the Black Lily Lab sign consent forms and nothing is done against their will." He went on to explain. "Everything is done lawfully of course with approval of the Japanese Government."
"Well I guess that works then." Kousaku nodded. "I'm still unsure as to why I'm here though..." He trailed off as Mr President smiled and turned to Kuwanosuke.
"You're a rather notable figure among the students of Tamo No Rin, Kousaku. Since you're back during Summer Vacation I wanted you to be the one to house our trial guests over the period of their stay here at Tamo No Rin." Kousaku was slightly surprised at how much responsibility the President was placing in him. He knew a little about the laws and regulations regarding the Liminal Species, but he'd never delved deep into them.
"Hmm, it seems that young Kousaku is not too sure about this, in truth I can understand his hesitation." Mr President began. "How about a shorter trial run before the Summer Trial, Naganawa-sensei?" He offered. "Tomorrow is Friday, how about I bring over one of the Liminal species tomorrow morning and they can stay until Sunday evening. It will allow Kousaku time to adjust while also experiencing a Liminal first hand."
"How about it Kousaku, what do you say to a weekend trial before deciding on it for the rest of the Summer?" Kuwanosuke spoke, Mr President looking at him, the smile never leaving his face.
"I uh... well..." This was certainly not what he had been expecting when he returned home after the debacle there. But... it might take his mind off what happened between himself, Ringo and Minori back in his home village and how stupid he had been. "Sure, I guess I can see how it goes for the weekend." Kousaku decided.
"Excellent." Mr President exclaimed raising from his chair. "I'll need to get everything organized for tomorrow morning then, Naganawa-sensei young Kousaku, I shall take my leave and see you in the morning bright and early." With barely a wood from either of the two, he was already out the door leaving a slightly shocked Kousaku at the sudden declaration that this was all going ahead.
"Kousaku, I'm proud of you taking on this task. I expect you to treat our guest with respect." Kousaku nodded.
"Of course."
"Good, now go and get some rest before tomorrow."
Kousaku was standing with Principle Naganawa as they stood at the entrance of Tamo No Rin. Kousaku was slightly nervous, he'd never met a liminal before and wasn't exactly sure as to what he was getting himself into. He had been given the large rule book but had barely gotten through it with how large it was. What if he screwed this up? He'd been doing that a lot lately.
"Nervous?" Kuwanosuke smiled down at the teen.
"Ah, slightly." Kousaku admitted sheepishly as he scratched at the back of his head. "I mean, this isn't something I'm really great at."
"You did an excellent job helping Miss Kinoshita adjust to our unique school setting, I'm sure you'll have no problem with our guest today." Kuwanosuke assured him as Kousaku sighed, he hoped that the principal was right and he could do this. He was no member of the Shitennō after all, just a regular Ag student. But this job was left up to him and he figured he could learn a lot from the unique species just as they could from him. While this weekend was only trial run, if successful there would be a lot more species around Tamo No Rin over summer and possibly longer. It seemed the Kuwanosuke was relying on him for this to work, so he couldn't let the man down.
The sound of an engine coming up the hill made Kousaku turn and watch as what looked to be a removal truck came into view. The teen had to blink, were they really dropping them off in such a small truck? Wouldn't a car have sufficed? As it got closer Kousaku spotted Mr President in the passenger seat while someone else was driving, wearing a work uniform. The truck soon stopped before Kousaku and Kuwanosuke, the driver stepping out as Mr President came around to greet them.
"Good Morning Naganawa-Sensei, young Kousaku." Mr President greeted, in all honesty this was pretty late in the day for an Ag farm student. Mr President led them to the back of the truck where the worker was undoing the locks on the back of the truck. "Everything is set for the weekend then?" He questioned.
"Yeah, since most students are away for the Vacation I've got a ton of things planned." Kousaku admitted, while he had been going over the interspecies handbook the previous evening, he also had gone to see the state of the farms and animals while the students away. Considering that he was here to introduce the liminal species into getting accustomed for the coming semester, he figured that they could take over some of the duties that the teachers had, it would also keep him busy so as to not think about Ringo and Minori a whole lot.
"Kousaku is a reliable student, you have nothing to worry about Mr President." Kuwanosuke approved.
"I'm glad that our guest is in such good hands, and no doubt if these trials go well you will be in for a few more guests." Mr President smiled at Kousaku who laughed awkwardly, he was hoping he could make it through the weekend first. As the three were heading for the back of the truck, the locks on the door snapped open and the door swung wide. Kousaku saw the truck shift as he walked along as the weight within moved before hearing heavy footsteps.
As the figure emerged from the back of the truck, Kousaku couldn't help but stare as they rounded the end. She was a very tall and muscular woman easily towering over his short height with her 7'7''. Her hair was a mix of black and white, she kept her hair in a long ponytail with black & white stripes going down the length of it with a white patch atop her fringe. Under each of her eyes she has two thick black stripes, one under each eye.
As he took her in, he understood that she was a Minotaur, having a pair of large horns on her head, cow ears, a cow tail, and her legs have hooves instead of feet and her legs were covered with fur. Her clothing consisted of nothing but ripped overalls with a small cow pattern bikini underneath and a pair of workers gloves. Kousaku didn't know if it was an accessory or note, but she also had a cowbell around her neck, she also had with her a bag no doubt her belongings were inside. What floored him the most however was the fact that he made Minori and Yoshida look flat as a board with a chest like he had never seen before.
"Now, young Kousaku, Naganawa-Sensei, please let me introduce you to Cathyl. She is a Minotaur that is apart of the Exchange Program that has come to learn the way of human agriculture and study at Tamo No Rin Agriculture High School."
"It is a pleasure to meet you, young miss I am the principle of Tamo No Rin." Naganawa-sensei smiled as he approached. "We look forward to having you here and we hope that we can learn just as much from you as you from us."
"Thankyou for the opportunity." Cathyl greeted in return.
"This is Kousaku Hata, he'll be your guide through our school until Sunday evening and onward if you believe our school to be a good fit." Kuwanosuke stated as he stepped to the side to reveal Kousaku to the minotaur. She almost made it a point to look down at him from how tall she was.
"Hi there, I look forward to working with you from today onward." Kousaku bowed.
"Likewise." Cathyl nodded.
"Naganawa-sensei, there are some minor details we should go over." Mr President began.
"Of course, Kousaku, you should show Miss Cathyl around and get her settled and then you can get to what you have planned. I leave this in your capable hands." Kuwanosuke told him as he and Mr President left heading for the school building, the other worker got back into the truck and drove away leaving Kousaku with the female Minotaur. Kousaku laughed awkwardly, unsure of what to say next as he looked up at her.
"Shall we?" He suggested, getting a nod from the Minotaur as they headed into Tamo No Rin.