A/N: Just a heads up. My schedule is irregular as hell, I'm aiming for a chapter weekly.

Shootdamnit: Will do and I appreciate the words of encouragement, my guy. Glad you're interested.

On that note: S/O to my 6 followers of the story, I'm pleased to have y'all along for the journey.

Human nature is a pretty unfortunate thing to witness. The ebbing that is emotions, is something that we all carry with us - emotions could define you; your actions; your reason for being you; how the world affects you. Such a wide range of a selection to experience, and yet despite that, most of what humanity experiences is restricted by set limitations; either by their own doing or otherwise. Dreary moods, disingenuous people and hate permeate the world we live in today. Youth especially. Conforming to their peers' ideals just in a vain attempt to establish some form of long-lasting relationships with one another or to make them feel more superior to whatever poor schmuck(s) that has the unfortunate job of getting the shit end of the stick.

It's depressing all around — seeing it happen time and time again. I feel uniquely humble to witness this fact transcend different cultures without much difference from the fact itself.

Emotions are a helluva thing.

They can make you do some pretty odd stuff without even realizing it at the moment.

That being said.

Why is this random asshole mad dogging me? Since the start of class, this motherfucker keeps looking at me like I shat in his mother's breakfast and then proceeded to piss in his.

Eck. Keegan shuddered at his derailed train of thought before glancing over his shoulder once more, past Suzu's lowered head; noting a slender-looking boy in the second row with ruffled brown hair and round-rimmed glasses was indeed still attempting to glare menacingly at him.

I don't recognize him from yesterday. Must've not been in class at the time.

Letting out an exasperated sigh as he returned his restricted field of view to Mutou, who is still in the middle of his lecture, Keegan ignores the second pair of glasses he apparently earned the ire of.

After Mutou's spiel, he hands out the assignments and sets the class to work in groups. Keegan is paired with Suzu and the one-handed girl he saw yesterday.

Keegan looks at the sleeping Suzu, shaking his head. So narcolepsy. Definitely gotta be narcolepsy.

"Hey, might surprise you but she is actually pretty lively."

He looks over to see the hazel-haired girl looking back at him with a flashy grin.

"Yeah? I suppose it would."

"Don't take my word for it, I'm sure you'll find out."

He pauses. "...eh?"

"I'm Miki Miura. I don't think I caught your name. Tried asking Sleeping Beauty here but she just mumbled something about the length of arms and airheads." She states cheerfully.

Did she now? I'm more curious now about how much she witnessed from my first encounter with the 'council'. Miki seems… alright? Friendly enough. Just like… huh.

"Shiro. Good to meet ya, Miura. Officially." Keegan tacks on at the end, almost forgetting the fact they met yesterday.

"Just call me Miki. Surnames are too stuffy." She declares in an upbeat voice.

"Right. No objections here. I guess, just Keegan then?"

She giggles lightly. "Was that a question or a statement?"

"Both. You can pick one." He shrugs.

"Okay, Keegan it is then. Good to meet you too. Officially."

Keegan cracks a slight smirk before feeling the unusual sensation of someone looking at him. Without contempt. Unused to the feeling and uncomfortable about it, he starts to shift in his chair slightly - his eye trying to stretch its peripheral vision without turning his head.

"What's up?" Miki asked in a low voice, laced with intrigue.

His unease fades as she asks.

"Uhh. Weird... Just felt like… N-nah, it's probably nothing." Keegan says, uncertainty surrounding his words.

"You're not really built like a guy who gets nervous from 'nothing'."

Hisao sits, lost in the thought of yesterday's recollections. I keep thinking back to my talk with Kenji yesterday, Shiro's unsociable tendencies, Suzu's apparent affinity for sleep, Misha's constant laughter, and Shizune's sweeping sign language gestures. Well, I've only encountered some students so far. Maybe they aren't that normal, but I'm sure others are. Or, perhaps, people like them are what passes for normal around here? Yeah, what does pass for normal around here? What do people do? I didn't see a lot of kids hanging around after classes yesterday, so maybe there are clubs. If so, I wonder if I should join one.

All through class, the question remains on his mind, so he decided to ask Shizune about it when they were split into groups. After all, she did say if I had anything I wanted to know, I should ask her.

"..." She signs while looking at Hisao with an approving look.

"..."

She crosses her arms and shifts her gaze slowly to Misha, who looks more preoccupied with the conversation taking place in front of them, leaning forward a tad. Hisao follows Misha's eyes to the tanned girl chatting to Shiro about something.

"..." Shizune knocks on the distracted student's desk before signing swiftly, looking slightly irritable as she does so.

Misha sinks back into her seat after noticing her friend. "Ahaha~! Sorry, sorry, Shicchan~! Is there something you wanted from me? Oh~... I see! Hm... That's a good question, Hicchan."

My first thought is that means she doesn't know, which is worrying. Maybe I'm being too negative. Well, anyway, Misha, please don't prove me right.

Shizune takes a moment to think before signing. "..."

"Oh, that's right! Everyone is encouraged to join a club. A lot of people do so because there isn't really anything else to do. There are also school events, like the festival coming up in a few days. Almost every student in the school tends to help out with it, doing whatever. So~! You actually transferred in at a busy time... maybe you can help out, too~!" Misha explains vigorously.

"Sure. What's the festival about?"

Misha freezes.

"...Wahahaha~! I don't know, Hicchan, the truth is it's a local event, and I'm not from this area, so..." She starts signing desperately to Shizune, asking her to bail her out.

Shizune adjusts her glasses at the end of an oddly grandiose flourish and starts signing hard and heavy.

"..."

"Huh? Oh. Who cares?" Misha puffs out her chest as she shouts Shizune's words out at him with a disproportionate amount of pride.

Too loud. I can see heads turning to look in our direction. I'm starting to understand Shiro's reaction a bit better now..

"Not so loud..."

"..."

"Human beings evolve with each new generation! The ideals and beliefs behind a festival will inevitably change with time!"

"...!" Shizune signs with additional emphasis, a smirk showing as she does.

"Now, it's about delicious fried food and amusing little games that you play to win prizes~! Hahahaha~!"

The teacher clears his throat very loudly, batting his long wooden pointer against his other palm like a baton. He shoots a pointed gaze at the trio. Finally noticing where they are, Misha stifles a yelp and quickly quiets down. Shizune doesn't seem embarrassed at all, brushing it off without a care.

"..." The pair of girls exchange a knowing glance.

"We are in the middle of class and should start working. That's right, Shicchan~! What? That's right~! Hicchan, are you asking because you're interested in joining a club?"

It could have been my eyes playing tricks on me, but I think I saw a suspicious glance exchanged between them. Misha's tone has also changed, although it does that every other word, anyway.

"Yeah, I was thinking about it."

Misha and Shizune look at each other again. I'm about to ask what they have in mind when something dark flutters in my peripheral vision, catching my attention. Out of the corner of his eye, Hisao sees the girl with long, dark hair gets up from her desk and slip silently towards the door. It doesn't seem like she was working in any group, and no one seems to notice her but me. He glances at the teacher, who's also looking at the dark-haired girl go. Why doesn't he say anything?

"Hicchan? Is something wrong?"

Do I look as uneasy as I feel? Or was Misha just looking at me looking after the girl who left? "No, nothing."

"..."

"Okay~! Well, like we were asking, you don't have any plans for lunch today, do you?" Misha inquires.

I thought I would go to the library and pick up some books but...

"Actually, yeah. Suzu invited me to eat lunch with her and a few others."

As the translation registers in her mind, Shizune shoots a look towards the aforementioned girl before returning to sign to Misha.

"..."

"Awh~! Really? Well maybe next time, hey, Hicchan?" Misha says, pouting as she does.

"Yeah. Maybe." Hisao responds a thought occurred to him.

I get the suspect feeling they have/had a goal in mind. But, I shouldn't be thinking presumptuous things like that.

Working through a group assignment meant for three as a pair is more work than Keegan thought. Especially with the loud-ass conversation behind us. I wonder if Miki is typically the only one willing to team up with dear Suzu. I'd wager not. That'd be a damning thing for her grades if that was the case, I doubt Mutou, or any teachers for that matter, would let that happen.

As the two near the completion of the assignment, Suzu finally begins to stir. Lazily raising her head, the tiredness visible in her eyes.

Miki greets the awakened girl with some exaggerated pats on the back. "Welcome back to the land of the living. Just in time too."

Suzu wipes her eyes while yawning. "For?"

"Work!" Miki replies with a wide grin, sliding over her papers onto Suzu's desk.

With a sigh, Suzu gives a quick once-over of the work in front of her before turning to Keegan with an expectant look.

He returns the look with an amused smile. "Nah, I'm fine to help finish it off."

Suzu looks away, a similar smile taking shape. "O-ok."

As he starts to finish off the assignment, a vibration stops him. Stealthily pulling out his phone and checking the cause of the alert.

Sender: The Best Kouhai Ever!

[Senpai! classmates wan 2 have lunch wit me. U wanna joinn?] 11:56 a.m

His smile doesn't falter as he typed his response. Good to hear she's beginning to make friends in her class.

Recipient: The Best Kouhai Ever!

[I'll pass. Enjoy yourself tho.] 11:56 a.m

He returns the device to its normal spot before beginning to finish his portion of the assignment. The rest of the period passes by mostly uneventful, save for the conversation Keegan overhears behind him.

"Actually, yeah. Suzu invited me to eat lunch with her and a few others."

Keegan raised his head an inch, feeling a vibration in his pocket before noticing Suzu freeze for a split second. Intriguing. I take it from how he's replying, he is declining lunch with the 'council'. Haha. Good on you, brother. I approve.

The conversation he's overhearing grinds to a halt, fortunately, due to the timely intervention of the bell, Hisao manages to slip out of any potentially incoming awkward situations.

With the lunch break started, students start to vacate the classroom. Miki raises from her seat first, heading to the door while Suzu raises afterwards - turning to speak to Keegan.

"A few others and I are headed to the cafeteria. Hisao included. Want to join us?" The narcoleptic girl asks.

Before responding, Keegan notices Miki talking to the boy that was giving him the stink-eye earlier and is continuing to do so now; even in the middle of his conversation — invoking Keegan's irritation.

"This fucking guy…" He mutters in English.

"What?"

"Ahh, nothing important. But as tempting an offer as that is, I'll have to decline. Me and groups, don't mesh."

She crosses her arms, giving him a curious look. "Uh-huh. So you got plans already?"

"Well.. no. I was planning to go with someone but they're with others. Like I said me and groups d-"

"Don't mesh, yeah got it. That doesn't explain why don't you want to come with us, so what's the reason for that, grumpy-face?" Suzu deduces as Hisao joins the pair at the door.

I'm not that transparent. Am I? Whatever.

"The reason is the same as it's always been. Solitude is more my thing. I also think I'm going to knock out the motherfucker that keeps staring at me." Keegan spits out the words in vexation, nodding in the direction of where the trio gathered.

Her eyes go wide for a second at the sudden anger that was on display, turning to see what he was referring to. Suzu lets out a noise of irritation as she turns back around, rolling her eyes as she speaks. "Lezard? He's not usually like that. That's just… you're sitting in his original spot, he was moved involuntarily."

…...uwot m8. The way he's staring me down implicates a whole helluva' lot more than just some upset feelings about being moved from a friggen' desk. Seriously? Who the fuck is that possessive of a seat?

"That's a uh… really shitty reason to stare at me like I murdered his family pet."

"Ugh, I know… just ignore him?" She hesitates halfway through.

There's obviously something she knows but is not gonna' to disclose. That's fine, I ain't planning on prying.

"That's the idea. However the closer my proximity to him, the more I really want to jab him in the eyes. So! For everyone's sake, I'll have to decline. I appreciate the thought though, Suzu. Really."

Her arms fall to her sides dejectedly as she opens her mouth to speak again but is cut off by Miki.

"Hey! You two coming?!"

Suzu glances at Miki. "Yeah, hold on," She turns back to Keegan. "alright. Well, the offer will always be there if you want it."

"Noted."

They exchange a small wave as he watches Suzu leave with her group. He lets out a breath of relief. I do appreciate the offer, but I'm still not comfortable with the idea of being in a group like that. A group of 'friends'. What a sad notion. Whatever. One man wolfpack till death! He finishes the thought with a half-hearted fist pump into the air, earning a giggle from behind. Wait. What?

Slightly embarrassed, Keegan turns to see Misha on her own, covering her mouth; an audible sound of amusement getting through regardless.

Oh.

Still feeling the awkward tension from yesterday's encounter, he scratches the back of his neck before turning back around. "Don't mind me."

There was a brief moment of silence before hearing the giddy girl's voice. "If you say so… one-man wolfpack."

He spins back towards Misha. "How the fu.. where'd you hear that?"

She points a finger at him with a playful smile.

Did I say it aloud? I don't do that very often. Just goes to show, caught me slippin'.

Noting the absence of the class rep, Keegan speaks up. "Where's Hakamichi? I don't think I've ever seen you two apart since I got here."

"You know we are different people, Shiro-san." She says with a huff, pouting as she does - looking rather annoyed.

Oh-hoh. A little defensive there are we? Intriguing. At least she's not giving me a nickname, I guess it's a start.

He dismissively waves his hands. "Didn't mean it in whatever way you're taking it. It was just a literal observation that I haven't seen you two apart, no judgement or whatever, thus the question."

"Oh…" She says, fidgeting with her hands.

Oh? That's it? Eh. I don't know why I bothered anyways.

"Alright then…" He turns away, their conversation apparently concluded.

Oh right. I forgot to check the last message I was sent. He recalls, taking his phone out - revealing a message that causes some mixed feelings within the young man.

Sender: The Best Kouhai Ever!

[itdd be hard to w/o you there :(((] 11:59 a.m

Well… shit. That's kinda endearing. But goddamn it, why do I feel so bad about it. Keegan goes to reply but is interrupted by a cringe-inducing snap of the fingers, startling him as he slightly jumps in his chair.

Fucking christ almighty!

He rubs his ear, looking to see the offender be the student council president; with a much less venomous glare than before, but still glaring nonetheless. Seriously, no human should be able to make such a sound.

Keegan hesitantly signs to her. [What?]

[What are you doing?]

[What's it look like?]

[It looks like you're doing nothing.] She signs, emphasizing her last movements.

He shrugs. [Some may call it that, some may call it other things. I call it- never mind, do you need something from me?]

She pauses, seemingly unsure of how to proceed, exchanging a look with the girl situated behind and proceeds to hop out of her seat and take a spot beside Shizune. Oh boy. I'm getting a suspect feeling of what they want.

"Do you want to-"

"Nope."

"But I didn't even-"

Keegan lets out a frustrated sigh, his brow furrowing as he responds. "Want me to go to lunch? Whatever your goals may be, I don't want any part of it."

Surprising Keegan, Misha begins laughing heartily as Shizune looks taken aback and flustered.

"Wahahaha~! Don't be silly, Shiro-san~! We have no ulterior motive or anything like that."

[It's presumptuous to think we would want anything to do with a degenerate like you.]

Degenerate? "But you just-"

[So what's your answer?]

I'm so fucking confused. Is this reverse psychology?

Do they hate me and are attempting to trick me?

Is she bipolar?

Tsundere?

She most definitely does not seem like an illogical person so those are ruled out. Not Shizune anyways. It's got to have something to do with Hisao. I'm an afterthought, so why ask me the same thing? Student council perhaps? Yeah. I'd wager on that given they're the only two apart of it. Whatever the case, hold firm, Keegan. Two can play that game, you sly woman.

"So. Y'all want to eat lunch with me? But only after getting denied by Hisao? I don't mind being a second choice but tell me why. The actual reason. Because there is an obvious ploy at work here."

They look at each other, with Shizune giving Misha a nod as if confirming something before turning back to the quick-witted student.

[We need help.]

Side Note: Lezard Valeth. I found out his name through reading the pseudo-pseudo Suzu route; which was written by scissorlip.(It's great btw, go check it out if you haven't already) and discovering the class roster on the K.S wiki from comments on that story.