Chapter 1

First day's impressions

He woke up at the first alarm, unable to remember his dream. He got off the bed, got dressed, made an omelet, grabbed his bag, pocketed his lighter, and came to a stop outside; unable to choose how to arrive.

He decided to show up to school in style by riding his bike in his sleek leather jacket with skeletal wings on the back and a matching customized Atlas 3.0 helmet. He hand-painted Demon Horns on the sides, an Angel Halo on top, and a single corresponding wing for each on the back.

Is God "up there", watching over them all? Did Angels and Demons do anything to or for humanity?

Questions were asked and some were answered as he took the scenic route to his first day.

His bike, a Yamaha YZF-R1, was outfitted with a jet-black finish; LED blinkers and headlights; Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR 50/50 tires; Eazi-Grip Pro Tank Pads; and a Yoshimura Fender Elim-Kit.

It didn't look as aesthetically appealing like pro-bikes, but he wasn't a multi-national corporation sponsored rider; it was made by his own 2 hands on his dad's pay and pension

He could've sworn that when he arrived and locked his bike, he could hear and see the girls practically having micro-orgasms and the guys slightly die internally.

5'7; lightly tanned; well-toned muscles; notable facial details; slightly reflective (natural) silver hair with amazing volume; and surprisingly fitting heterochromia.

Left as white as the clouds and a right as dark as the night shade.

He could hear and see the small crowd of mostly girls forming around him, wondering about The New Kid; interested in the bike among other things.

The School Tech had emailed him his schedule the day before, which he opened as he walked to his locker to stache his jacket, helmet, and keys.

8:30/9:30- Calculus

9:40/10:40- World History

10:50/11:50- Language Studies

12:00/12:20- PE

12:30/12:50- Lunch

1:00/2:10- PE cont

2:20/3:20- AP Chemistry

3:30/5:00- Club Activities or Study Hall

'Meh. I'll manage. ORC sounds interesting, but I'll have to do something that'll pique their interest. Never got the point of StuCo. What is it that a student council does? They'd be better off calling themselves the Hitler Jürgen if they want people to listen.'

He finished memorizing his schedule and walked to his first class using the mental map he created during his pseudo-orientation.

He saw that the crowd around his bike had grew by a few heads, so he walked outside and screamed in rapid Japanese, "OI, GET AWAY FROM MY BIKE! GO EAT OR RUB OFF OR WHATEVER BEFORE CLASS!"

The crowd turned to see a 2nd year 17-year-old JapAmerican scream for them to disperse. The girls looked at him a bit before they ran away. He had to scream a bit more for the guys to back away from the bike before they got any smart ideas.

After the crowd dispersed, he inspected the bike for any gum or scratches. But after using some spit-shine on the prints and smudges, he grabbed his bike lock and secured the bike before he continued his walk to his first class, which was on the 2nd floor.

Looking at his watch, he noted the time was 6:15, giving himself 2 hours to spare.

When he arrived, he only saw that 3 boys were in the room: wavy (not messy) brown hair with 2 neck-long locks; deep brown hair with rimless glasses; and a buzz cut.

All 3 wore the school uniform and had dopey grins as they bunched around a window. He walked closer to see what the fuss was about.

The Trio's trance broke as Larlo startled them from behind.

"GAJSHDJ! What the hell man!" The Trio synchronically asked, surprised that someone got the jump on them.

Larlo, backing up a few steps, "Woah, woah. Didn't mean to scare you guys. I just got enrolled here… name's Larlo Deloniy, 2nd year."

The brown-haired student, "Oh, so you're the newbie everyone's been talking about. You're the same kid who strolled in on the bike, right?"

Larlo, amazed, "Yeah? It hasn't even been 20 minutes."

The brown hair, "News travels fast here at Kuoh, it's one of the quirks of this school… Oh, where are my manners. I'm Hyoudou Issei, these are my buddies since Junior High; Matsuda the bald and Motohama the glasses. We're all 2nd years, like you I guess."

Larlo, "Damn, I'm gonna need to get in deep in the web for fast news. Good to meet you guys. So what's so interesting that you 3 piled on the window?"

Motohama giddily alerted, "Issei, look! Murayama's gonna start her jumping jacks!"

Issei quickly turned back to the window, eyes peeled for this Murayama individual.

'Ah, the school pervs. So what're they called, The Perv Trio? They seem harmless enough.' Larlo silently answered himself.

"Huh, didn't expect little Koneko-chan to show up. Oh well, the girl's a girl. Hehehe." Matsuda lewdly interjected.

"Guess I'll see y'doofs in 2 hours." Larlo kindly said, excusing himself.

"Save to RAM… Done." Issei devilishly said.

'Think I'll have no troubles from them.'

"Could you watch my bag for me? There's things in there I'd rather not be seen." Larlo politely asked while placing his bag down to fish for a pack of candy cigarettes.

Issei failed successfully to understand what the New Kid implied, but got the general idea.

Larlo walked out the room, phone on hip, and walked to the 1st floor, then to the courtyard.

He walked past the arriving teachers and students as he headed to the side of the school facing the abandoned building. He remembered seeing a small space between the main and old buildings; out of the way, out of sight, away from all the people.

He checked his surroundings before sitting down and turning his phone on. He disabled a few alarms, opened google, and found a site to read Berserk.

'RIP KENTARO; The torment is over now, Guts.' He sadly remembered.

He placed his phone down and pulled out the contents of his pockets.

He opened the pack, put a stick in his mouth, grabbed his lighter, and lit the tip. He inhaled the sweet smell of burning sugar, grateful that they didn't taste or smell weird.

He picked his phone up and began to read, thankful for the solitude, peace, and quiet.

'6:30, hour 15 left.'

He then realized that he forgot to grab his earbuds, as he'd normally listen to music or an audiobook instead of reading. No matter, there was no one around to bother him, not yet at least.

He picked up his phone, started reading, and held the faux-cig between his lips.

Time passes, as he was now on chapter 29, and he heard the faintest of footfalls approaching him, like the stepping of a cat. The hairs on his skin shot out, as if warning him of a potential predator.

He looked up in the direction of the sound and saw a single girl wearing the school PE uniform. She was staring down at him, like she was watching a mutt being put in its place.

Short, petite, blanche white hair with long bangs on the side, and emotionless golden eyes. The stale smell hung around her.

"You're new, aren't you?" She asked flatly.

"Heard you walking." Larlo said.

"That isn't an answer." She coldly responded.

"Want one?" He offered.

"Smelled sugar, followed the scent. Answer properly." The girl pointed out.

"Yeah, I'm new. Name's Larlo Deloniy, newly enrolled 2nd year." He answered.

"Koneko, Toujou." She replied.

"Nice to meet you Koneko. Oh yeah, I wacked The Trio over their heads a few minutes ago while they said you were on the track or something." He convincingly lied.

The edges of Koneko's lips raised a few degrees, a small spot of happiness painted onto her stone mask.

"Thanks. By the way, nice bike." She blandly added.

*sigh* "Damn it, how did the news spread so fast?!" He asked.

"Dunno, Kuoh." She blandly said.

Larlo noticed that her pupils were hungrily fixated on the sugar sticks he had.

"Want one? I got a bunch more at home." He offered.

"Hmmm… I guess." She accepted.

Larlo reached into his pant pocket and grabbed the pack, pulling a stick for his fellow enjoyer-ess of sweets.

Koneko bent her knees slightly and picked the candy cigarette with her left index and middle, putting the opposing end in her mouth.

"Why's yours lit?" She asked while licking the sugar stick.

"Mouthfeel. Hate cold sugar, and the smell helps me think. Teacher lit it." He answered.

"Why have I never seen these?" She wondered.

"Do the Japanese not have candy cigarettes? And here I thought The States were done helping you all rebuild." He responded sarcastically.

"Oh, that's right. Folk're sayin' you're American." She flatly said.

"Half, mom's from this calm quite plain town. And you all thought you were doing a good job keeping an eye on me. StuCo at my orientation, and ORC today." He ironically retorted.

Koneko stared at him silently, emotionlessly eating away at the offered stick.

"What's the time?" She asked.

Larlo, looking at his watch, "6:50."

"Shoot, gotta run," She said as she started running. She slowed to a stop, "Can I get another?"

"Tsk tsk tsk. A small growing girl like you shouldn't be getting addicted to anything," As he smugly handed her another, "It'll stunt your growth."

Koneko gave a small nose exhale at Larlo's joke while pocketing the new candy-cig.

As she's walking away to the ORC meeting room, "Up yours."

"I can already tell that we're gonna be good friends." He replied, "It's kinda funny really. I almost mistook your presence for a cat; quietly moving, acting uncaring, open to treats even."

He could see Koneko's right ear twitch, then hesitate for a split-second to take another step.

'Must'a struck a nerve.'

He continued to read Berserk and to enjoy his lit candy-cig, which finished burning at 7:00.

He threw the stub into his mouth, let it dissolve in his mouth, then drew and lit another one.

He turned his phone off and let his mind run empty, taking his sweet time to enjoy the burning sugar.

Once again, his hair stood as the air reeked and felt off, like the hate of a large crowd. But it also had a partnering miasma of almost expired meat.

'That smell again?!'

He ignored the smell, closed his eyes, laid his head back, and licked the stub in his mouth.

After some time, he heard more footsteps, and the air grew increasingly staler.

"Ara ara. What do we have here? A smoking student on campus, near the Occult Research Club office of all places?" A female voice rang, with the slightest hint of a threat inbound.

He kept his head relaxed and eyes closed, not wanting to be bothered or bother.

"Not smoking. It's a candy-cig? And the smell helps me think." He impatiently answered.

"I believe that I must report you to the proper channels. But I also believe that I must reprimand you... personally." She cheerily responded, with a venomous drip.

"Well well well. Looks like we got ourselves an S here. So how do you want this to go down? What are you supposed to be then? My Guardian Angel? Demon? Well newsflash for you, oh Miss Big, Ballsy, and Busty! I already have something worse than angels and demons to torture me. So why don't you end your harassment and your piss-poor excuse of surveillance and go back running along to your Master before I get the cops involved and file a harassment case."

"I'm afraid I have no idea on what you are talking about." She cheerily responded, "I believe introductions are in order. My name is Akeno Himejima, 3rd year and Vice President of the Occult Research Club. Who may you be, do tell?"

Opening his eyes, increasingly annoyed. "Larlo Deloniy, newly enrolled 2nd year. You might also know me as the guy who rolled up in the Yamaha or the American student." He pointed out.

"Oh, so that was you with the bike? I must say, I unfortunately know nothing about motorcycles and automobiles, but I can safely say that your motorcycle is very nice." Akeno grinned.

"7:15." He plainly said.

"Pardon, but may you please repeat that?" Akeno requested.

Slightly louder and annoyed, Larlo repeated, "It's 7:15, Akeno."

Excusing herself, "Thank you very much. I believe that I must be headed off now. Morning Club Activities at my position is almost guaranteed to entail paperwork."

"Thank you for your time, Akeno. Your presence is an honor. Please continue to oversee the continuation of the ORC." Larlo sarcastically said.

Feigning embarrassment, "Oh, you are so kind and considerate. Maybe you'd have an easier time making friends and joining clubs if you were like this with everyone."

"Eh. Kinda have a feeling that'll happen in the near future. But for now, let the new face get adjusted to his new school." He confidently remarked and winked.

Akeno bowed a little bit before taking the same path Koneko had 20 minutes past.

'Weirdos.' He silently commented, 'What a load of BS, paperwork. What paperwork? Shuffling the spell trivia flashcards and ESP decks? Using character sheets on Ouijis?'

He noticed that his candy cigarette had finished dissolving in his mouth, so he savored the last few minutes of sweetness in his mouth.

Checking the time, 7:20, he felt his instincts poking at him to notice that there was another presence. It felt like the same pressure from his orientation, the one attempting to drill holes in his soul while he wasn't looking.

He closed his eyes and readjusted his head to relax against the wall before his classes started.

5 minutes past, and the wannabe soul-crushing pressure was still heavy on him like the stale air of the school.

He groaned and griped like a senior citizen before nearly screaming, "You can open the window if you wanna talk, y'know. I know you've been watching me right here, I'm not psychic, so I can only hear with my ears."

He opened his eyes and moved his head to spot Rias Gremory herself intensely staring at him from the ORC main office windows on the 2nd floor.

This time, she didn't flinch, as far as he could see. What he did see was that she was curiously inspecting him like a confused puppy.

He stared back at her, breaking the gap, piercing into her soul. He kept the lock engaged until he held a blink for a few seconds. She was gone when he opened his eyes.

'Guess she got the memo…. Ah fuck it. I'll just head back to class.'

Larlo stood up, dusted his pants, and walked back to his first period classroom to wait out the last hour.

When he arrived to the door, he put his hand on the knob and felt that something was off.

When he opened the door, he instantly found himself catching a desk that was sent flying.

He set it on the floor and looked around to identify the source of the chaos.

"Ah man, do I owe you one." Issei said in a reliving tone.

"Move it newbie, gotta teach that perv a lesson." Koneko demanded as she slowly began walking towards the brown-haired boy on the opposite side of the room.

"Huh, that's why the student body says you're the princess that packs a punch." Larlo finally realizing.

Matsuda, throwing Issei aside, "Hell naw crazy girl! It was this dumbass that was starin'! Leave me and Motohama out of this!"

Issei, clearly pissed, "Dude! I thought we were friends! Koneko, please not me! I wasn't looking at you, I swear! It's Matsuda that was staring! He's the self-proclaimed lolicon!"

Motohama, "Not cool man."

Koneko coldly responded, "So it's all you 3 again? Disrupting ME while I'm eating?! Go die in a hole of your own filth, you pervs."

Issei scoffed, "Get I line then. Basically every girl has told us to 'Rot in Hell' or 'Go die in a hole' and things like that! So what if we take a peak? It's not like the girls don't do it! That's just sexist! No harm is coming to the observed party, so why should there be a foul?"

"Preach, my brotha." Matsuda said sardonically.

Koneko stopped in her tracks, turning to a still calm Larlo, "Got any left?"

"There's a jumbo-bag o' Tootsies with your name on it if you let them go this time." Larlo offered.

Koneko looked deep into his hand, then to the Perv Trio, who began to quake in their shoes harder, then looked at Larlo's face.

She bowed towards him, then walked out the room; the small threatening pitter-patter of escaping feet reliving the Trio.

"Now that's one I gotta pay back. Thanks man. Y'know, I think that you might be the only one, besides the ORC, to stop one of Koneko's rampages. Not even in the first class on his first day and you're already makin' a name for yourself. I can see it already, Larlo The Koneko Whisperer." Issei congratulated.

"I will remember that," he said before he looked at his backpack, "Y'know what, scratch it off. You kept my bag safe, and I don't want that title floating around. Now excuse me, but I'm gonna stand for a while. Class is at 8:30, and its 7:30 already."

He grabbed his backpack and stood between the door and the "teachers wall", where the chalkboard was.

'They really still use these damn boards?' He shockingly discovered.

He turned his phone on and booted up WebToon to kill time while Issei, Matsuda, and Motohama cleaned the room up as stay out of trouble from this incident.

20 minutes later, the other students began to pour into the room en masse and take their seats while Issei and his friends took the window-side chairs; 29 of 30 seats filled, leaving only one chair left, in the center.

5 minutes later, the teacher arrived; about as tall as the other students, grey hair with no other outstanding features other than his button up shirt and beige khaki pants. Larlo put his phone back in the clip he kept in his front right.

The teacher went to his desk, sat down and Larlo closed the door, alerting the oblivious students to his presence like

"Good morning class. If you haven't had me before, then allow me to introduce myself. I am Chuwari-sensei, and I'd like to inform you that we have a newly enrolled student joining us for this year. And get this, he moved from America to attend on legacy. Sir, if you may introduce yourself?"

Larlo walked forward till he centered himself in the front, then introduced himself, "Mornin'. I'm Larlo Deloniy, you can call me Laz or whatever nicknames if you want. Newly enrolled 2nd year that moved from America on Legacy Acceptance."

He turned around to face the chalkboard, picked up the piece, and wrote his name in Kana, Hiranga, and English.

He heard murmurs of surprise from all the students in the classroom.

"Is he The New Kid? He didn't even stop while writing. And he speaks Japanese like a native, but can he do Kanji?" A black-haired girl asked.

"Yeah, the one that owns that bike up front." Her next-desk friend answered.

"A YZF-R1?! Lucky bastard, that's my dream bike." A male student in the back whined slightly.

Mr. Chuwari, "Settle down class. Mr. Deloniy, please take your seat, its over there in the middle."

The chairs were arranged in a 5x6 grid, as the room was more long than wide.

He grabbed his backpack and walked over to the only open seat; smack dab in the center of the class. And the girls.

He sat down, hung his backpack, and put his phone on vibrate.

Mr. Chuwari, "Alright class, please state your names. We'll go side to side starting with the one closest to the wall."

The student closest to the wall, a short black-haired girl, introduced herself, "Yashima Inohima."

She sat down and the girl to her left, a taller than average auburn, "Koriyama Furaki."

He didn't want to have a headache at the end of this period, so he just slightly powered down his brain enough to stay aware of his surroundings.

His trance broke as textbooks were being distributed to everyone. Issei and his buddies glared enviously at him. The girls all stared back at the Trio, waiting for the class to end so they could talk to the New Kid.

"Next class, we will start our lesson. So for now please pack your textbooks and get to know each other." The teacher said.

The sound of rustling overpowered the room before most of the girls sat up and gathered around the new student; asking what state he was from, if they could eat together, hang out sometime, or if they could get a ride home.

He answered the less personal questions first, like why his eyes were different colors.

To that he answered that he had heterochromia; no big deal, excluding that he was born with damaged optical nerves in his right.

Another female student asked him why his hair was silver-ish.

He explained that for whatever reason, his hair would change color based on his stress level and sunlight exposure, ranging from albino white to pitch black.

He didn't know the specifics, as it was all medical jargon, but that's how the dermatologist explained it.

….

When class ended along the Q&A, he felt his phone vibrate. He checked it and saw that his dad had texted him.

Dad: Rmbr that card I gave u b4 we left? That's your CC. U r getting 1500/week every Sunday morning. I'll send Condeli over to drop off something.

Thanks

Dad: Don't go blowing it all on porn the first day. Mom and I can't visit till next month-ish.

Since when have I been irresponsible? And since when do I use porn? Don't worry, I'll keep the house clean and keep guests to friends only.

How is little red doing?

Dad: He's doing good. Work is calling rn. I'll call back in a bit :)

The period end bell rang and everyone stood up. He put his phone away, grabbed his backpack, and got up to walk to his next class, World History. He slid himself through the halls and down the stairs, where he felt a tugging hand on his shoulder.

He slowed to a halt and saw that it was Saji, the blonde guy in the Student Council.

He appeared in a good mood, an excited smile plastered on his mug. Larlo silently breathed through his nose, noticing the "clean" smell that surrounded Saji.

'I know that smell. Could he be a ...'

"Hey Lars, long time no talk." He nicely spoke.

"Saji, right? Student Council Co-VP?" Larlo falsely asked.

"Finally, someone remembered. So, liking Kuoh so far?" Saji continued.

Larlo began to walk down the stairs, Saji in tow, "Seems good. I ran into Akeno and Koneko this morning, ORC members."

"I heard that Koneko threw another table at Issei. He's friendly and harmless, but is the biggest perv here." Saji remembered.

"Anyways, I'm headed to the east end for World History. Where're you headed?" Larlo asked.

"Guess I'm tagging along because I'm in that class too!" He excitedly answered.

"Huh, coincidence I suppose." Larlo flatly said as he walked down the hall, "So, got anyone in mind? All the other guys except those 3 seem to be interested in a chick."

"I only have eyes for Souna, the Student Council President. She's beautiful, smart, strong, independent, and kindhearted at times." Saji dreamily responded.

"Alright ese (Spanish slang), ease up now. And in exchange for your output and by the honor of The Guy Code, I'll tell you who. No one." Larlo answered.

"Nokuna?" Saji mistakenly asked.

"No. One." Larlo enunciated, "Well, not yet at least."

"Why not?! All the girls here are super cute and smart, and there's a bunch of foreigners too!" Saji continued.

"See, that's what leads to early divorce. You all are so shallow. You people alike choose your interests by looks alone. What ever happened to having a bond of trust and not lust? Sin fells the mightiest warriors, no matter how resilient they may be. Just look at David." Larlo calmly explained.

"You're Christian? I never was too religious. If God was real, then why does he allow things like genocide, reality TV, mass rape, brussels sprouts, and child soldiers to happen? Angels do jack shit, but Demons on the other hand are interesting. They are supposed to be the incarnate of all the evil humankind conjures, yet are somehow less corrupt than humans themselves. If sloth is a sin, then Angels and God are full of it, but Demons are always up to something." Saji explained.

Larlo was interested in his classmate's theological perspective. He was technically right; Angels do nothing while Demons are active. But God does have a plan for everyone and everything, regardless of alignment; Human, Demon, Angel, animals, or monsters. He can't always intervene, as he can't do all the work.

"God is in his Heaven; All's right with the world." Larlo quoted.

"You get that from Evangelion or something?" Saji asked.

"Partially yes, partially no. I can see where you're coming from. If God was real, then he's a very slothful one that cares not for the triflings of his creations. If he can't be where sin is, then it would be easier for him to stay in Heaven." Larlo speculated.

"Anyways, class's right here." Saji responded while pointing his finger 2 doors down.

"Guess that's our cue." Larlo replied.

Saji opened the door, seeing that only 3 girls and 2 boys were inside. Saji clearly recognized the 3 girls and one of the boys. Larlo was smacked in the face with that stale smell again; the same one hanging on Koneko, Akeno, and some of the halls. He remained physically unfazed by the foul stench, but mentally imagined that he was dry heaving. He was practically a porcupine; all his hairs reacting from the 6th sense.

"Hey Momo, Yura, Reya. Kiba?! Didn't expect you would be in here. How's ORC doing?"

Momo responded, "Saji, remember that we have that meeting later this month. And is this the New Kid?"

Yura stayed silent, preoccupied with her phone.

Reya thought aloud, "Wonder when the Pres is gonna give a little more funding to the Kendo Club. They're always wacking the hell out of those pervs, yet never report them to the principal. Their Captain even offered a pack of Cola."

Kiba, breaking off his conversation with the other male student, "Oh, so you're the New Kid. Nice to meet you. I'm Yuuto Kiba, member of the Occult Research Club."

Kiba looked at him in the eyes with a hint of shrewdness and friendliness, a sign that he sought mutual respect. He then relaxed his face and eyes.

Larlo looked at him back with a neutral face, taking a moment to read The Blonde Prince's facial details.

He's seen that all too many times in his life; the look of one who had seen or caused more than enough death.

The stare into the emptiness; The 1000-yard stare and the tense face with a sharp penetrating gaze. The faded, sunken, or emotionless eyes that bordered on a scowl.

He'd see the looks on the faces of US Marines when he tagged along to Okinawa with his dad. Most of the Marines there were the kids of World War 2 or Korea/'Nam Vets, and each had served watching their Brothers-In-Arms die beside them.

And he knew the feeling all too well; after all, he had it too. The jaded sense of emptiness, desensitization.

He saw Kiba lower his left hand to his right side with his hand curled, then suddenly retract. Ordinarily, people would think that he was just stretching his hand.

To him, it looked like he was doing a carry check; an unconscious reflexive habit a weapon carrier did to assure that their armament of choice was still on their person.

He could see the scars and calluses on his hands

He smirked before speaking, "So you're the Blondey Baby of Kuoh. Name's Larlo Deloniy, newly enrolled 2nd year."

"Good to make your acquaintance. Saji, please do remember to attend your club meeting this time. Remember last time?"

Saji froze in place, beginning to nervously smile and sweat.

"You don't want to clean the floors again, do you?" Kiba continued.

The 3 girls devilishly laughed at Kiba's vague threat as Larlo stood confused.

The silence broke as students poured into the room and took seats, leaving the front rightmost seat. Larlo stood next to the door, counting and studying faces.

'25 total; 22 girls, 3 boys; 9:38.'

The teacher finally walked in; female, slight above average height, greying hair, a little on the scrawny side, wearing a plain blue polo shirt and grey pants.

"Welcome class, I'm Fyuban-Sensei. Excited to see familiar and unfamiliar faces. I'm sure by now you know who the new student is. You may take your seat."

Larlo took the only open seat of th square; the seat in front of Kiba, and in line with the 3 Student Council girls with Saji right next to him.

The teacher spoke again, "Spend the class getting to know each other. We will begin our lesson next time with a small little presentation I like to give to new classes; one about the more obscure historical events. Be sure to have journals ready."

The room filled with idle chatter as they decided how to spend the hour before 3rd period.

Saji decided to break the awkward silence between his potentially new friend, "So, got any stories? You're from America, right? Which State? And what percentage actually carries guns and drives trucks?"

Larlo inhaled deeply, before explaining, "Texas. But not everyone uses guns or trucks, I'd say about 38. One story I can remember of the top of my head is that last year, I shot a burglar in the middle of the night. He quickly died…"

He quietly muttered, "fortunately for him."

Saji wore a look of genuine surprise. He learned the truth to 2 American stereotypes, and that the kid right next to him had killed someone while so young. It almost scared him, but he understood that he did what he had to do in the face of the unknown; he didn't know if that guy was there to steal or kill.

Saji sheepishly spoke, "Well, one story I have is from this summer, when my family and I went fishing in Kagoshima. We didn't catch anything, and I fell through the pier planks when we were packing up."

Kiba and Larlo cringed at the sound of misfortune to their fellow man.

Larlo, remembering something, "Oh, before I forget, what do you guys have next class?"

Kiba answered, "Biology."

"Language." Saji

"Damn, 2 classes back-to-back." Larlo added.

"U-um, Larlo. Do you think that you can give me a ride home? There's been a group of university students that's been harassing people on my route here." Momo requested sheepishly.

Larlo deeply thought about letting someone else on his bike, then decided to be a gentleman and help the woman out.

"Momo, right?" He checked.

"Y-yes." She softly said.

"Since it looks likeno one else has offered to help you home, guess I'll give a hand." He declared.

"Th-thank you!" She joyously smiled.

*BZZZT BZZZT BZZZT BZZZT BZZZT BZZZT*

Larlo felt his phone vibrate on his hip clip; someone was calling him.

He drove his hands to his phone and checked who was calling him.

DAD IS CALLING

"Sorry guys, gotta take this." He apologized.

He stood up and walked outside the classroom, signaling the teacher that he had to take a call.

He closed the door behind him and swiped answer.

"Hello?"

"Just checking up. Wanted to hear my boy on his first day in a Japanese school. So anyways, how've you been doin'? Picked up any girls yet? Is the house clean?"

"Doin' good. Rode here on the bike, chilled for a bit, got to class, and no. I haven't picked up a girl, but I am driving one to her house; sounds like a uni gang extorting."

"Sucks to be them, hehehe. So in other news, have you been keeping her in check? I know, being in Japan by yourself is stressful, and I'm worried that you'll slip and let her loo-"

"Nothing's cropped up. Well, nothing since then."

"That night wasn't your fault. It was those goddamn jihadis. Just know that I'm here to help you clean and clear things up as best as I can if you let them loose."

"Thanks dad. So, you had work stuff till next month?"

"You know the deal. Classified. But all I can say is that Boeing is having extra Senior discounts this year."

"Shimata. Bet you got some stories from your Wet Days. Well, class is almost over. I'll do my best to keep her in check. Oorah."

"Oorah."

DAD hung up

'I can't make promises. Not yet, well… not again. Not after A...'

The period bell rang and here could hear the scraping of chair legs and tile from behind the closed door.

Students poured from every door, and Saji squeezed through the crowd to find him.

Saji, looking backwards, "Later Kiba."

Larlo and Saji walked through the halls; shoving stationary students and weaving through crowds.

After struggling to pass an intersecting hallway, they reached their designation just in time; at 10:49.

As they found their seats; again, next to each other; they found themselves in the middle seats of the wall side column of the fully occupie grid.

Larlo took a small look at the heads of the room, checking if anyone he's met or been told about is in the room.

Excluding Saji, there was only one person in the room that he's heard of: Tomoe Meguri, Student Council Secretary. The sound of the class start bell partially broke his concentration.

Saji hung his bag on the table and took a peek around, noticing a cheery girl right behind him.

He jumped a bit as he recognized the girl behind him as Tomoe.

Loudly whispering, "Hey Saji. Didn't know you had this class. Is that the New Kid, the one with silver-ish hair."

'Once is a happenstance; Twice is a coincidence; Thrice is enemy action. Is someone looking into what happened? Are they tracking me? What's their angle in all this?'

As the classroom silence faded with the chatter of the students, time floated away like the clouds.

Before anyone realized, the end bell rang without the teacher ever stepping foot in the class.

The clack and squeak of footsteps filled the room as students stood up and walked to their next classes.

"Hey, Saji. What's your 3rd?" Larlo asked.

"Sociology in the upper north." Saji replied.

"Damn it. PE, and I don't have a change of clothes." Larlo said.

"Huh, must suck to have PE next." Saji giddily hinted.

"Yup. Li'l ol' me'll be at the mercy of all the guys and girls in a large open room. It's gonna suck." Larlo joked.

"Well, you have fun, Deloniy. I'm off to PE too." Kiba deflatedly said.

"Guess I'm off now. See you guys later." Larlo said as he walked to the gym with Kiba following him.

"Later." Saji waved.

6 minutes later

Larlo reached his destination after struggling to shimmy past the congestion of students.

He made it inside and saw the gym was nothing special; indoors with AC, highly varnished wood floor, and changing rooms for the guys and girls.

'About 150 x 100 feet (30.5 x 45.7 m).' He guestimated with a glance.

Bleachers were propped opposite to the main entrance, causing the seateds' vision to be flush with the door.

'12, 20, 35, 46, 50. 35 girls, 15 guys. Guess that they got material for later.' Larlo counted.

As he approached the bottom row, he saw someone with messy brown hair wave at him, trying to grab his attention from the 4th row.

"HEY, LAZ!" The student loudly said.

When he was within clear sight of the attention-grabbing student, he saw that it was Issei, the window gazer from earlier.

'His favorite class, isn't it.' He realized.

He could feel the hungry stares of the girls split between him and Kiba, like someone greedily deciding between 2 plates of food.

He sat on the bottom row and placed his backpack down. Kiba walked 3 levels before placing his bag down.

From his slightly slouched seating, Larlo could hear but of the female gossip.

"What'dya think about the New Kid?" one asked her friend.

"What's with the grey hair?" Another asked.

"OI, LARS!" A voice called from behind.

He turned his head slightly and peaked over his shoulder, only to be met with the obvious person. It was Issei.

Issei and his glasses friend, Motohama, squeezed past the crowds of girls surrounding Kiba as they descended the bleachers.

"So, you guys wanna hear something juicy?" Motohama lustfully asked.

In a hushed tone, Issei added, "He has the most divine blessing, Size Scouter, which can determine the proportions of any girl he looks at by the end of this sentence!"

"Ok." Larlo blandly responded.

"You plebian non-beliver, doubter of my capabilities!" He plants his left foot on the next bleacher up and points a few meters away at a girl with dyed pink hair. Issei follows his friend's pointing like a cat and a red dot.

"That girl is 85-59-81 cm (33-23-32 in.). And the auburn over there is-"

"Oh, looks like you guys are tryna' indoctrinate a new person to your little corner cult." A feminine voice interrupted with a snarky tone.

With his head down, Larlo exhaled his annoyance as someone else had joined the conversation forced upon him.

"Ughhh. Kiryū's here." Issei disgustedly realized.

Larlo turned his head around to see who decided to join the list of people that would bother him later; only to be met by a brunette with golden brown eyes.

"What do you want, Ero-Lenses?" Motohama disgustedly asked.

"Mind telling me who the hell you are before I accidentally break your nose?" Larlo queued for her to explain.

"Ah, so you are the New Kid. Nice to meet you, name's Kiryū Aika. I'm the one true Size Scouter around here. Don't listen to those whiny bitches and hair. Don't let them influence your sweet little virgin mind with dark and dirty thoughts of porn or proportions." She introduced herself.

"Yeah, like you're the apex of purity of mind." Motohama sarcastically retorted.

"Al….right. I'm just gonna go do something real quick." Larlo excused himself.

"Don't shave your pencil or anything." Aika devilishly responded.

Larlo walked 1 row up before taking off his uniform dress shirt and blazer, revealing the white t-shirt that covered most of the scars on his body.

He breathed in deeply and coned his hands around his mouth.

*Ahem* "ANYONE HERE WANNA GRAB A SHINAI AND SPAR?!" Larlo screamed in offer.

The gym went silent as people looked around to find the booming authoritative voice.

All eyes fell back onto him as student looked back and forth between each other, not sure if they want to pick up a shinai.

A small advancing line of students formed behind a single brown haired girl; a line of possible contenders.

"Looks like I'm up against the New Kid. What was his name? Arlo or something?" She accepted.

Motohama, from behind, "Katase Koyimura, 78.5-65-79 cm." (34-22-36 in.)

"Shut it Porn-Eyes." Aika snapped.

"Well you're no Angel yourself, Imposter of Sight." Issei shot back.

"Well, what can I say? I'm just a lonely ol' Fallen Angel, I suppose." Aika feigning her agreement.

Katase and her small posse of sparing partners stood a few feet across from a still standing Larlo.

"So, you up for a sparring match, New Kid? Got any time in Kendo?" She asked.

"I've dabbled in Kendo before. So, are you okay with no Kendogu?" Larlo answered.

"The New Kid's new to the school and Kendo?! What a day. But yeah, glad to see someone can take a bit of pain." She accepted.

"You could say that I'm a newbie of sorts… So where're the shinai?" He added.

"Madame." A timid boy approached Katase from behind. She turned around and grabbed a twin pair of bamboo shinai.

The boy scrambled through the seats and took his own as the fight of the first Trimester started: Larlo the Mysterious New Kid vs The Captain of the Female (and only) Kendo Team, Katase Korimura.

They walked down the bleachers and to the center of the gym floor, where they bowed to begin the match.

Thank you for reading, editing is always a PITA, for school and hobby writing

Chapters come out when they come out, so expect unusual posting times