Summary:
Manai Yume is a Special Academic Excellence Scholarship Student at Teikō Middle School. Yume is a reserved and softspoken girl due to her past. She drew a clear line between her and others and she doesn't particularly stands out. Yume is especially keen on picking up emotions and people's personalities. Entering Teikō, Yume's fated meeting is about to change her life.
I'm starting a new story here, but I'm not abandoning Rainbow Drops either. I'm doing this for fun and so I could take a break and back refreshed and probably with more ideas for Rainbow Drops. So yeah, I'll still be updating Rainbow Drops in the regular schedule. I just wanted to give this story a try. The OC is just interesting to write and is almost the opposite of Yuki from Rainbow Drops.
I haven't decided the pairings yet, but it's going to be with one of the GOM or Teikō's students. Since the Teikō days are not mostly revealed, this story will most likely be non-canon, but also with the additions of the revealed canon.
Pairings : Undecided
Warnings : Teikō Middle School Days.
Disclaimer : I own only the OCs.
Chapter 1 - The Beginning of Dreams
It's Spring in Japan.
The vivid sceneries of Spring and the distinct blooming cherry blossoms filled the street, bringing the season of beginnings.
Many beginnings start in Spring, including the start of the new academic school year.
If you're a first year student, then this must be an important day for creating the best first impression amongst your peers.
Also a first year student, a girl wakes up at 6.00 o'clock sharp to prepare for her Middle School Entrance Ceremony.
Her light-honeyamber locks waft gently as she folds her blanket and tuck it neatly by the corner of her bed. She then walks to her bathroom and takes a nice warm shower.
As she walks out to her room, her newly arrived spring uniform for girls lies neatly on her bed.
She slides on her lightblue longsleeved shirt over her undergarments, button it up to the collar and tied the darkblue lace into a simple ribbon. She then took her skirt, slid it on and zipped it closed, the skirt is black in colour, simple, with a white streak slightly above the hem. The last set of the uniform is the white blazer with the school logo emblazoned on the left side.
The girl dons her complete uniform as she sees her reflection in the mirror. She ran her fingers through her uniform to smooth the visible creases.
After deciding she's ready, she took her cellphone besides her bed and stuffed it into her school bag. She walk past the hanger where she normally hangs her key, took the key in hand and stepped out of her apartment. She locked her apartment before putting her key into her school bag.
The walk to her Middle School isn't far, about two to three blocks away from her apartment, a reasonable distance for Japanese students to commute by walking.
Teikō Junior High
帝光中学校
Teikō Junior High had many booths lined up on the sides after the school gate. It's most likely the after-school club activities stands where the second years and third years promote their clubs. The booths are currently empty, the students in charge are not there, yet.
The girl blinks her soft hues of limegreen orbs as she takes in the surroundings she will frequently be in for the next three years of middle school.
Teikō Junior High strongly encourages their students to have at least one after-school club activities.
Despite that, the girl walks past the booths without taking particular notice of any.
If asked why, the reason is because the girl is not included in the mentioned 'students'.
The girl is a Special Academic Excellence Scholarship Student of Teikō Junior High.
This status gives her many privileges such as exemption from both school fees and mandatory participation in at least one after-school club activities, also an unlimited access to the school library.
In reality, the brunette isn't exactly a genius. She's above average at most, but she takes her studies seriously and never skips reviewing her lessons every day after school ends.
The library and its books are also the girl's constant friends. The serene ambience surroundings the place has is just enticing for the brunette, inviting her to stay for as long as she likes.
Teikō's auditorium is huge and magnificent, befitting its reputation. Seats are neatly lined up for the freshmen and also some seats by the sides for teachers and school staffs.
The girl sits on the middle row at the very end seat as she is not particularly fond of being sandwiched by the crowds, hoping she could slip out easily later when the ceremony ends.
Many seats are still empty, only a few early students are present and thus the quiet atmosphere.
Out of those few students, at the first row, there's a vibrant, eye-catching green tuft belonging to a boy.
'He's sitting at the very front line...exactly in the middle..' The girl noted as she blinked with disbelief.
There's many empty seats. Yet, the boy is sitting at the exact middle and at the very front. It's obviously not a coincidence.
'Is he a perfectionist or something? He must be the strict type that follows his beliefs to a T...' The brunette couldn't help but conclude that way.
Perhaps, she should keep her distance from said boy. Out of the students here, he stood out, and not exactly in the best way.
If the greenette stood out, then there's one student who's the opposite.
Before sitting at her seat, the girl managed to spot another early and peculiar student sitting at the very back row. A boy with a weak presence.
He was so lacking in presence that it seems he could just fade away any moment. The boy had a pretty, babyblue locks and he's burying his nose in his book.
'He must have like reading.' The brunette smiled a bit at that.
One who buries themselves with books, had the doors to infinity opened before them. The girl believes that.
After about 15 minutes of waiting, students finally filled the hall, chattering sounds of the room occupants make it hard for the girl to focus on the ceremony.
"Ehem." A man in his fifties to sixties with a suit cleared his throat as he stood by the podium. He's the Principal.
"I am the Principal of Teikō Junior High, Kobayashi Hideyoshi." Kobayashi smiled as he stood with pride. "I would like to welcome all freshmen to Teikō Junior High where you will be spending your three years."
"Teikō Junior High prides itself with the brilliant achievements, ranging from academics to after-school club activities."
"100 battles, 100 victories." The man paused as he glanced over the freshmen. "This is Teikō Junior High's motto."
"All of you here should be proud for being accepted to Teikō. You have all passed the strict and difficult tests."
"You are all personally selected from your peers, and you are at least a step higher than them."
"The fact that you're here, sitting in this hall is the definite proof that you all possessed the qualities and potentials above your peers."
"You are all here to outshine all the rest and prove your worth."
"Teikō Junior High, all teachers and school staffs are all here to help you achieve and realise that possibilities."
"Finally, I would like to say, have a fulfilling three years at Teikō Junior High."
*CLAP* *CLAP* *CLAP*
A loud roars of applauses salute the Principal's speech. All of the freshmen had a proud look on their faces as they clapped.
On the other hand, the girl just clapped her hands in silence, her expressions indifferent.
To be frank, the brunette is not quite sure about putting herself above her peers, she didn't want to stand out and wishes for a quiet three years.
The girl knows of Teikō motto before applying, and to be perfectly honest, it doesn't appeals to her. The reason why she applied to Teikō, is because Teikō Middle School is irrefutably a school with a prestigious pedigree with vast connections to Nationally Recognised High Schools and Universities.
Her future is the reason why she decided to apply at Teikō. She never plans to get too involved with the school itself.
"And now, let us welcome the freshmen with the best entrance scores. Please take the stage." The Principal spoke as he stepped aside and sat in the back seat on the stage.
She looks up and sees a boy from first row stood up and walks to the stage, going up the stairs and to the podium.
The way the boy carries himself spells his distinguished pedigree and high-ranking standing in society.
Despite realising that fact, she looks more interested in the boy's crimson-red locks, that seems to gleam with brilliance, a colour of passion.
'His eyes...they're the same colour. They're beautiful...' She thought in wonder, those orbs look entrancing with the authority it emits.
However, at the same time, she couldn't help but notice the hidden depth behind those shining orbs. What lies under those depth, she wouldn't know.
The boy smiles charmingly as he started his speech. "Good day to you all, Principal, teachers and fellow freshmen."
"It is an honour to be here, standing before you all. I thank the Principal for his kindness to let me stand here."
The boy then continues, saying that he's proud of the school motto and that he will surely meet their expectations.
She tones out from then as the boy went on and on about the school, meeting expectations, the greatness and bla bla bla.
The girl doesn't really wishes to hear anything about standing above the rest. She just wants to attend school peacefully without any dramas. She had better things to do. More important things she can't skip. Things she can't leave.
The ceremony ends with thunderous applauses as the freshmen then dispersed to look for their class placements.
The brunette slips out of the crowd, and passed by the noticeboard for class placements. She also noticed that there's an incredibly tall boy, sticking out like a sore thumb in the crowds before the noticeboard.
She is awe-struck that a Japanese freshmen in middle school can reach that height.
'That's amazing... Though, I had to wonder.. Is he really Japanese..?' The boy's bold lavender locks had Yume honestly doubts his ethnicity.
Today, school will only be for half-day, with class introductions in, and then off to look for club activities.
Even so, the brunette was told that she can skips the class introduction and being exempt from after school activities.
So she went directly to her sanctuary, the library.
'Library' is written on the small wooden board above the door. She slides the door open, and she can see that there's no one inside.
She then wanders around and took books that interest her. Then she went on reading.
Books have always been her friends. They would provide her knowledges, feed her curiosities and fill the void in her heart.
Our heroine is not a people-person, but she knows how to keep proper relationships between her peers.
People are difficult. They all had a mind of their own, a desire to satisfy and just frankly troubles.
Whereas, books, with their pages after pages, would only give her a sense of fulfilment and satisfaction, happiness even. She loves to bask in knowledges.
After finishing her fifth and last book, she notices that it's now almost 11.00 and school ends at 12.00.
She stood up and returns the books to the shelf. She took a deep breath before stepping out the library and she walk passed the quiet corridors and towards the loud school grounds.
The girl walks to the school noticeboard which is now desolated, the crowd of students have now dispersed and gathered around the school clubs booths.
Manai Yume 1-B
Yume couldn't care less about her class since she didn't have anyone she knows in Tokyo. Yume's primary school is in Kyoto, she lived there with her maternal grandparents. Due to certain things, Yume decided to go to Tokyo for her middle school and thus she applied for Teikō.
Yume sighed as she walked away from the noticeboard. She needed to find something to do other than reading in the library. She'll be here for the next three years, of course, Yume needs to know all the school had to offer for her.
*CRASH*
"Owie!"
Yume is now on the ground, on her butt. She, or rather, someone, bumped into her. That someone is the one who let out a small yelp.
"Ow! I'm really sorry!" The one who bumps into Yume is on her knees, a pretty girl with a beautiful shade of Sakura locks.
Yume smiles as she offered her hand to help the both of them back on their feet, the girl accepted her hand and she quickly bowed.
"I'm really really sorry! I was in a hurry to get something my childhood friend left in the classroom, and I didn't notice you there..!" Now that the girl is bowing, Yume can see that it's another freshman bumps into.
"It's fine. There's no harm done." Yume offered a small smile, indicating she really doesn't mind.
The other girl lifts her head at that as she smiles gratefully before extending her hand.
"I'm sorry about that. My name is Momoi Satsuki, a freshman from 1-B."
Yume is sure the girl is not a bad person, but she just had to doubt. Nevertheless, Yume knows better than to be rude to her fellow classmates.
Yume then took Momoi's hand as they shake. "It's okay. My name is Manai Yume, also a freshman, from 1-B as well."
"Reallllllly?!" Momoi squealed as she smiled wider. "We're classmates!"
Momoi looks excited, whereas Yume just offered a small smile as a sign of acknowledgement.
"I hope we will be good friends! Is your name 'Yume' as in 'dream'?" Momoi asked with an excited expression.
"Mm." was Yume short answer.
"Uwah! What a nice name! I was named Satsuki because I was born on May! Oh! And can I call you Yuu-chan?" Momoi looked hopeful at that and Yume can't refuse.
"Uh, sure. Can I call you Sat-chan then?"
Momoi looks delighted at that. "Of course!" She gushed. "We will be best friends, Yuu-chan!"
Yume sweatdrops at that. Why would you declare someone (who you got off the wrong foot with) you just met moments ago, as your bestfriend? But, of course, Yume can't say that.
"Mm, Sat-chan."
Momoi gazes at Yume adoringly, her peachpink orbs seem to shine. Until a flicker of remembrance passed through her eyes.
"Ah! The shoes!" Momoi exclaimed as she gasped in surprise. She had forgotten why she hurried in the first place. "I need to go, Yuu-chan!" Momoi ran off right then, before glancing back once. "It's nice to meet you, Yuu-chan!" Momoi shouted before she disappears from view, leaving behind trails of dust.
Yume then turns back to her activities, which is touring the school grounds for now. Yume walks past the blooming cherry blossoms as she appreciates their beauty, also the fragrant smells wafting in the air.
"Eh?"
Yume halts to a stop when she stumbled into a small hill beyond the grooves of cherry blossom trees.
There in the small hill, stood a cherry blossom tree not yet blooming. The thick and dark bark shows that the tree was planted around the same time as the surrounding trees, but it hasn't bloomed when others have.
Yume steps closer into the tree, gently putting her hand on the bark.
"I found another sanctuary in Teikō.." Yume muttered softly, leaning closer to the tree.
Soon after that, Yume left the place after 5 minutes rest. She doesn't want others to also stumble on her secret sanctuary.
Yume then traces her steps back as she's now near the noticeboard area where Momoi bumped into her earlier.
"Ah! Yuu-chan! Get awaaaay!"
It seems like it's not a one time occurrence. Momoi bumping into her. Thankfully, Momoi stops in time, unlike before, and Yume caught her shoulders to keep Momoi steady.
After regaining her composure, Momoi looks up as she smiled sheepishly at Yume.
"Sorry, again, Yuu-chan..! And thanks!" Momoi straighten herself, hugging a medium-sized pouch close.
Yume assumes that it contained the shoes Momoi was running for earlier, and she's now running back from where she came from to deliver the goods.
"Ah! Do you want to watch the basketball try outs, Yuu-chan?" Momoi lit up. "My childhood friend is trying out!" Yume assumed that's the forgetful owner of said shoes with Momoi. "I'm applying for the manager!"
The thoughts alone is appreciated, but Yume just hates crowded place and would prefer to stay away when possible.
"Ah, thanks for the offer, Sat-chan, but I-"
"Ah! I need to hurry back! Let's go, Yuu-chan!" Momoi exclaimed as she yanked Yume's arm towards the Gym, running.
'...She didn't even give me time to refuse...' Yume inwardly sighed as she let herself get dragged by Momoi. Yume had to eventually give in, and she quicken her pace to keep up with Momoi's running speed.
The Gym the Basketball Club is using, is huge and spacious, the floor squeaky clean. There're also nice-looking bleachers and even a second floor for spectators. Teikō is an elite school.
"Sanada-kantoku (coach)!" Momoi greeted a man in a suit with a spectacle and darkbrown locks.
Coach Sanada turns to Momoi and nods in acknowledgement before turning his attention back to the court where the try out is on-going.
"Let's sit there, Yuu-chan!" Momoi pulled Yume to the bleacher.
Yume sits as she shifts uncomfortably, the gym is loud and crowded like she expects it to be.
On the other hand, Momoi is enjoying herself. Momoi rummages through the pouch she was carrying and pulled out a pair or basketball shoes. Then Momoi stood up, the shoes in one hand as she lifts it high behind her head. "DAI-CHAN!" Momoi shouted as Yume flinched from the volume. Heads turn to their direction, including the one Momoi shouted for. "Catch!" Momoi threw the shoes to a player on court.
Yume curiously directs her gaze towards where Momoi threw the shoes to. There, stood a boy with midnight-blue locks. His dark tanned complexion makes him easily noticeable. In each of his hands is the shoes Momoi threw earlier.
'So he's the forgetful owner of the shoes...and Sat-chan childhood friend..' Yume saw the boy grinning even as he sweats, and Yume can't help but feel a bit envious. '..How nice.. He must have like playing the sport..' Yume smiled a bit.
Momoi gazes soften as she speaks in a gentle tone. "He's a basket-baka." Yume turns to Momoi at that remark. "He loves basketball more than anyone else and takes it more seriously than anything else." The boy in conversations is grinning as he dribbled an orange ball.
"He's a complete blockhead in academics, though." Momoi laughed a bit at that. Momoi then turns to Yume. "You know, Yuu-chan? I had to drill the primary lessons to his hardened brain on school breaks so he could pass the Teikō's entrance test..!" Momoi complained as she recalled the hardships, the threats to keep the boy seated, the numerous methods to get him to understand... It's Momoi's worst school breaks ever..!
"It's horrible, Yuu-chan..!" Momoi exclaimed in exasperation. "That guy is all brawns and no brain..!" Momoi huffed.
"..It must be terrible.." Yume laughed shakily as she sympathised with Momoi's hardships.
"It is!" Momoi cried out, looking like she's about to tear up from desperation.
Yume smiled as she scrunched up her face, expressing her condolences. Yume then let herself looked at her wrist watch and sees that it's already past 12.00.
"Ah, Sat-chan, I'm sorry but I had something to do." Yume spoke as she stood up from her seat and grabs her school bag.
Momoi is dejected. She frowned before quickly smiling again. "That's sad, but I'll see you tomorrow, Yuu-chan!" Momoi waved towards Yume who has stepped out of the bleacher.
Yume turns and nods in response, smiling a bit before quickly turning and walks to the exit.
What escapes Yume's knowledge however, is that six curious gazes trailed her back as she left the gym and disappears from view.
Six gazes from people Yume took notes of for the day. But they didn't know that.
And so, Yume's dreams are about to begin.
Author's note :
So yeah, how is it? :D
Read and Reviews~
