A/N: I hope you're not bored so far...

THUNDEROUS FIRE

Chapter 2: The Secretary

~Normal POV~

Takato walked slowly up the boardwalk to the school. He kept his gaze downward and observed his peers' reaction carefully. He hadn't expected to face his friends so soon. His eyes darted back and forth and he was filled with anticipation. Takato was fully aware that his classmates were oblivious to his arrival on school grounds. The school had many students and Takato didn't exactly standout in T-shirts and jeans. Besides he was trying his best to remain anonymous.

Second day back and Mom is making me attend school. No vacation at all! Although the prospect of seeing the guys again would be great.

Takato entered through the main gate and headed straight to the main office for registration. Over the last 24 hours, Takato had many things to think over. The reactions of people were mostly non-existent or strange. He had exited the Timex building and had been driven home by Yamaki. At first his parents didn't even recognize him! Ruki's reaction had been somewhat emotional? Nah! I'm thinking too much into that. Jenrya had been quite composed although he had a pained sort of look in his eyes. I'll ask him later. Just this morning his mother had thought him to be completely someone else and for good reasons.

Takato walked up to the secretary and addressed her with standard greetings. I wonder if they still have me on file. Let's see...

"Good morning, Mrs. Seung. How are you on this lovely morning? However, I must conclude that a flower such as yourself shouldn't have to work on a day like this." Takato charmed the elderly Chinese-Japanese woman of 61.

"My, what a nice young man. Now I know what you said is not true. You're a wily one." she replied sweetly.

"Cross my heart and hope to die. You are lovely!" he answered and made the gesture over his heart.

"No need to flatter me for I am old. Flatter one of the young girls, my boy. Back to business, however, how can I help you?" Mrs. Seung dismissed the compliments. She looked Takato straight in the eye to show that the game stops here.

"Modest, I see. Well, I need to register." Takato told the secretary.

"I don't see what I can do for you now. You need a parent/guardian to sign the form plus the transcript from last year. I'm sorry dear." she answered.

Takato immediately replied, "Ma'am, I haven't set foot in any other school for the last two years." Takato emphasized the last three words.

"You haven't been to any other school in the last two years? Where have you been? Wait, does this mean you're a returnee since you've attended schools in the district before?" she asked in disbelief.

"You could say that I am a returnee." he answered with an air of apprehension. He instinctively knew what the next question would be.

"In that case, I can pull up the transcript from the district's network. What's your name?" she questioned as she pulled up to the computer.

Takato hesitated and scanned the office. At the moment, only Mrs. Seung and he were in the room. Maybe this won't be so bad...

"I am Matsuki Takato." he said slowly.

The room fell deathly silent and the blood from the elderly woman drained pearly pale...

A/N: Don't bother to tell me that Takato's out-of-character or anyone else. It's intentional (just read the title). I wanted to write like a 4000-word chapter, but I figured that's too long for you guys to wait or read at once. I divided the chapters instead.