ACT IV, Scene I: Classroom 10-A
The next morning was the start of the new school year, but unfortunately, it was not looking good. Already, storm clouds were moving into the area. Yamato, usually not one to believe in premonitions, had a strange feeling, as he handed his little brother an umbrella. Both bid each other farewell till the afternoon and went their separate ways.
Takeru was in his first year of junior high while Yamato hurried to the high school buildings for his first year. He looked up at the skies, fearing that it would suddenly burst into shower soon. Just as he dreaded it, the rain poured. "Just my luck," he grumbled, pulling out his own umbrella. It was only a short distance to his classroom, but he'd rather be safe.
He made it underneath the eaves of the building and shook his umbrella of excess water before closing it. He entered the building and walked straight to his assigned locker. After smoothing out his dark blue uniform, he tucked his umbrella away and grabbed the books he needed. He noted a few of his fellow students nearby and gave a curt nod in acknowledgement.
He guessed it was still early, or students enjoyed arriving on time or late. Chuckling to himself, he went to his classroom, which he had no problem in finding.
Classroom 10-A.
First- and second-year students were located on the first floor, while the seniors were on the second, along with teachers. He heard there was also a private area on the top floor where the high school student council dominated, not even teachers were allowed up there. He thought it was strange but didn't think much about it.
His classroom was large, accommodating at least 50 students. He decided not to count the neatly arranged desks to make sure. A few students were already there. A group of girls off in the back, chattering about their own topics. A young man was on the front row, reading a book. He assumed that they could pick their own seats, so he went over to the farthest column by the windows and claimed his seat on the third row.
Setting his belongings down, he looked up at the front to the clock. It was fifteen till eight, so the day should start soon. He sat in his chair, clasping his hands together, and gazed out the window in deep thought.
The academy really was something. Compared to his old school, this place had the aura of a glorious, majestic kingdom. The campus was built centuries ago on a huge forest plot. Part of the forest still remained till this day, encompassing the campus with its borders. Their was even the castle, part of the original layout, that stood at the forest edge, where the chancellor of the academy resided.
'Almost right out of a fairy tale,' he grinned at the thought.
His smile disappeared when he caught a glimpse of pink out of the corner of his eye. He focused on the doorway and saw the girl and boy at the cafe from the previous day. Curiosity radiated from his eyes, as he stared at the girl. She was wearing the girls' school uniform, but instead of the standard dark blue, it was pink. He wondered why she was allowed to have it a different color. The school officials were very strict in the academy's policies, including dress code.
He knew there was something different, maybe even special, about her. Since his desk was on the other side of the room, he couldn't hear what the young man was telling her. His face was so stern as if he could never express any other emotion besides anger and seriousness.
Yamato watched the girl nod, and her companion took her hand and kissed it. Her expression remained blank at the gentleman-like gesture, and after he left, she turned towards the classroom and entered. When she spotted Yamato, he quickly fumbled with a book, opening it to make it look like he was busy. She walked in his direction, which made him very nervous.
His thoughts were all over the place, from fear of a final confrontation with her to what the relationship between her and the young man was. He seemed a little young for her, or maybe they were siblings. 'No, that couldn't be,' he shook that thought away, 'They don't look anything alike. That Ken kid was too intimate with her...'
He was relieved when she silently took the empty seat next to him. When her things were put away, she sat still, facing staight ahead with her hands placed neatly on the desktop. She was poised and ready for class to begin. 'This isn't too bad,' he mentally smiled, 'I think I can handle this year.'
Feeling a bit more courageous, he placed the unread book down and leaned over to her and smiled, "Hi again." She looked at him. "Remember me? From yesterday?" He finally got a response when she nodded. "Great, I wasn't sure if you did. And I really didn't expect to see you again, even thought I was hoping..." His voice faded away into nervous laughter when he realized he said a bit too much.
"Yamato-san, ne?" she asked softly.
"That's right!" he smiled. "'Yamato' is fine. No need to be formal when we're classmates."
"Ya... ma... to," she said his name slowly, testing out the feel of each syllable. He was completely speechless. It was like every little thing she said or did was so adorable. She was so innocent and cute, almost like a little doll. She nodded, "Yamato."
Both had been so immersed in the world between them, that neither noticed the arms circling around her shoulders till it was too late. "How's my beautiful Mii-chan!" sang the young man, hugging her from behind. His bushy, brown head was resting on hers as he seemed to huggle her in his arms.
Yamato felt a spark of jealousy in himself and wanted to protest against such intimacy in classrooms, but the girl grabbed the man's arm tightly and flung him over her shoulders to the floor with ease. The sudden action made Yamato flinched and also drawing the attention from their classmates. He never imagined the girl possessed such strength.
"Yagami-san, Ken-sama said no touching," she told the grinning guy on the floor.
"Eheheh, well it was worth it," he chuckled and quickly bounced to his feet again. He leaned close to Mimi's face, holding her chin, and his grin grew wider, "You'll be mine soon." As if in protest, she pulled herself away from his touch and resumed sitting at her desk. His smile never lost its place, and when Taichi noticed the blonde student watching, he gave a short wave and took the seat behind the girl.
'Well, this will be an interesting school year,' he sighed.
ACT IV, Scene II: Classroom 7-A
Takeru strolled into his classrom, so casually, like he had been at the academy ever since it opened (centuries ago). His hair was slightly wet from the rain, but it didn't bothered him. He was in a good mood with his first day of school to have anything ruin the start. It was even better when he recognized someone he knew.
She was sitting right on the first row, preocuppied with the textbook she was reading. She looked serious and very cute at that. The junior high students wore the same style as the high school ones, but the color schemes were different. While the boys were in a bluish-gray color, the girls wore a white top with dark blue trimmings and the same blue-gray on the skirt with two dark blue lines at the edge.
"Hey, Hikari!" he greeted her, making his way to her desk.
She looked up at him while the rest of the classroom fell into a deep hush. All eyes were on them, and Takeru noticed the strangeness in the girl's manner. She did not smile at him, and her eyes were not friendly like they were the other day. They had talked and laughed like old friends, but now, she looked at him like a total stranger.
"Who are you?" she questioned coldly.
"What?" he fell back a few steps in shock, "It's me, Takeru. We met yesterday afternoon, remember? Outside the green--"
He was cut short from her slap. She stood up against him, as if to challenge, "When I ask you as question, answer just that. No more, no less. Got it!" Confused and hurt, he only nodded. "You're probably new here, so I'll let it slide this once. Don't go around addressing me casually. You will call me 'Yagami-san' like everyone else. Understood?"
"Ha-hai, Yagami-san," he said quietly.
"Good. You may go now," she waved him away and returned to her earlier preocuppation.
Takeru had no other choice but to find a desk and hide himself in his thoughts. He saw the snickering and whispering among the students and felt even worse. He grabbed a desk in the back of the room and shrank away. 'So much for a good day,' he sighed sadly. His very first friend turned out to be some mean psycho. 'Hikari was so nice yesterday... Is she even the same one?' She didn't deny that she was Hikari, but what made her so different today?
'No, I won't give up on her,' he decided, 'She's my first friend here, and I want to know what's wrong.'
"Are you all right?"
Takeru blinked and finally noticed a student occupying the desk next to his own, "Ah, I'm ok. Thanks." He observed the young man's features, which had some Chinese qualities to them. He looked younger with his short stature.
"Please do not worry about Yagami-san. She is like that to everyone, but it is best to stay away from her." His words were genuine with care, and Takeru was grateful. "My name is Hida Iori." He did half a bow from his seat.
Flustered with such a semi-formal greeting, the blonde returned it and introduced himself, "I'm Takaishi Takeru. A pleasure to make your acquaitance."
Iori nodded and smiled faintly, "Let us do our best while we are here."
Takeru agreed, 'Maybe it didn't turn out too bad.'
ACT IV, Scene III: The Lord and the Lady
A bell rang across the campus of Gennai Academy, signaling the start of the school day and a new year for the students. All classes were introduced to their homeroom teacher, and then because it was the first day, a welcoming speech and introduction to the main faulty heads was required. On the main field, students from first grade to university level were lined up as they listened to the chancellor and several other respected officials.
Somewhere up high, with a perfect view of the campus, two people were not present at the large gathering. The tall man watched the picturesque display with a calm composure. "Quite a show this year," he mused.
The other occupant of the room was seated at a conference table, in the dimmly lit room, taking no interest in it whatsoever. "Perhaps," she said dully. "A lot of new faces have been accepted into the academy. I have the reports on them right here. Will you care to read them?"
"Later."
A period of silence ensued, that did not bothered neither. It seemed natural to them. Even their feelings for each other was mutual and professional. Neither hated each other, yet there was no amicable feelings.
"How is the princess?" he inquired.
"Pleasant," she sneered. Leaning back in her chair, she gazed up at the ceiling. "There was an encounter yesterday with a new student. Ichijoji almost made a scene."
"Interesting. Who was the student?"
"Ishida Yamato."
"I see."
"They're in the same class. 10-A."
"Oh, how delightful." He turned around to her, grinning mysteriously, "Isn't Yagami in that class too?" The girl made an audible sound of displeasurement. He laughed and returned his gaze upon the campus gathering below, "This truly will be a delightful year."
END of ACT IV.