Side Story 1: The Day I Began to Move Forward

Part 1: Going Through the Motions

Ugh…. getting out of bed acting like this is another typical morning is just bothersome. Waking up this morning, I found myself feeling mentally spent and exhausted following yesterday's events. When those guards appeared, they called me 'Princess' and referred to Kamoshida as the king. We're dating but we're not close in the slightest nowadays. How anyone would think he's kingly is beyond me...at least nowadays. Before, Kamoshida used to be a nice man - he'd seemed like he had his head on straight and being with him was different from the other scummy guys I used to date but something changed. The huge incident where Ryuji and Kamoshida had a fight turned everything upside down and I hate to think this way but I always used to blame Ryuji - I guess that's what led to me distancing myself from him. Ever since Ryuji hit Kamoshida, it was like Kamoshida became as scummy as those other guys, maybe even scummier. He'd hardly ever listen to me, only gazing at my looks and on some days, things were violent. I still want to believe there's good in Kamoshida though. Either way, those shadows dragged me like I was a wild animal and knocked out Ryuji and the transfer. As they dragged me, I shoved one of them to the ground. That was pretty silly of me to do in the end since more guards shown up and pointed their spears at me totally ruining my clothes. How it was nothing short of a miracle that no one asked questions on my way back. They took me to this cheesy looking love den calling it my chambers and demanded me to strip down - my clothes were apparently not to the King's taste…like I'd ever just do that in front of others just because they say so.

Seeing as I didn't follow such a crass instruction, they dragged me taking me towards a room called the 'Play Room'. I tried to scream out for Ryuji and the transfer student but I'd been gagged with this filthy rag and the guards continued to point their spears at me. Once I got there, the guards tied me up to this wheel and started to spin me around - I struggled and did everything I could to get out but it was useless. It wasn't until the monster cat- I mean, Morgana, Ryuji, my naked doppelganger and the transfer came in that I'd come back to life. The transfer had the confidence to throw a smoke bomb and cause a ruckus. When he appeared from the smoke, unscathed, he'd gotten me loose very quickly and hoisted me on his back without my permission! He was his jokey, not-giving-a-crap self but at the same time, his head was the most straight out of everyone. Pretty much being our de-facto leader for that time, he'd come up with such complex and intricate plans and I could see it on his face…he had others in reserve - he was sort of reliable….Why does that make me happy?! He's too crass and too bold! Yeah, that's right! …Deep breaths now. Either way, he'd told us to split up and despite how mean I was, he still chose to go with me. I couldn't even be bothered to listen to him when he told me to hide until I saw what he fought - those weird guards that changed into fairies, horses and pumpkins. I was seriously petrified and I just wanted to get out of that mad place. Thankfully, we were able to get out and go to the real world once more. After leaving the guys, I went straight home and changed off before falling asleep and now I really feel awful. I want to talk with someone…anyone…

Shaking the thoughts from my head, I went to have a shower - as much as I had time for a bath, I was in no mood to soak. Once I was done, I made sure that I applied foundation to the more visible scars on my body and got changed into my uniform. Heading downstairs, I turned on the TV and went into the kitchen…I only had the TV on for background noise. I gave both Mom and Dad a ring but there was no response. Opting to leave a voicemail instead, I poured some cereal into a bowl and added the milk to it not wasting any time on the bowl. I rang up my manager to confirm that I would be heading in for our next shoot today. At my agency, S**oru J*pan, we were promoting hot places in Shibuya right now to visit and try: while it was close enough to school, I didn't want to carry my model outfit and have the cancer that was my boyfriend make me do lewd things. I would be able to head straight home from Shibuya, change off and then head to the shoot.

"Hi Jeanne."

"Good morning Ann. You're sounding refreshed today."

"Yeah, I managed to get a good rest last night. I was just calling to confirm that I would be modelling for the next shoot in Shibuya." Jeanne became my manager not too long ago: when she started there, she was pretty nervous to see me and some of the other models but ever since then, it's been pretty much positive all around - I don't have any complaints about how she handles her role.

"One moment. I'm just going to confirm this on the schedule."

"Okay."

"..." The sounds from the phone are like clicking or something…she might be typing.

"..."

"Right. I've just checked the schedule and confirmed with the director that you'll be on today's shoot."

"Thank you." Thank goodness…I don't have to see Kamoshida after school now.

"Make sure that you get to Shibuya ready to go at 5pm sharp."

"Okay!"

"Alright Ann. Please enjoy your day today."

"I will! Bye."

Hanging up the phone, I took a look at the time. 7:40?! Oh no, I'd better get moving - my attendance has been brought into question a few times and I don't want Kawakami chewing me out at lunch. Hastily checking my bag, I made sure that all of the books and equipment I needed was present. I also made sure I had enough money in my wallet just in case I felt like getting something after school - I put on my shoes and left the house, ensuring the door was locked. Normally, I'd stop at the local convenience store to get some treats but that could wait until I was done for the day. I'd intended to get a train directly from Minami-asagaya Station to Aoyama-Itchome but there were issues with the service today so I opted to get on the train to Shibuya and then transfer over to the Ginza Line. During the train ride, I took a look at one of our agency's previous shoots in Shibuya…there was an unfamiliar brunette on the cover whose hair went down to her shoulders. She'd also had lovely maroon eyes and a cute smile to boot. Her physique was pretty good as well - all of the poses she did made no careless moves, were not overdone and rivalled some of our veteran models. Hot competition, huh. Still, it's not like it bothers me too much. As I got off the train, I made my way promptly to the Ginza Line Gate and I happened to see the transfer just standing there. I don't like him in the slightest but even so, he saved my life and kept Ryuji in one piece too - I'd better set him straight. As I walked up to him, he turned to look at me with a soft expression.

"Morning. You feeling alright?"

"...Thanks for yesterday. You pulled through for us." I could barely get out a whisper. Is he choosing to ignore how shitty I was?

"No worries. Any time, Ann."

"..." I couldn't say anything more to him seeing how kind he was being to me.

"I'll be happy to lend an ear if you want to talk about anything."

"..."

We both got on the train and seeing as no seats were available this morning, we opted to stand. Neither of us really wanted to converse so we stayed on in silence. The journey wasn't long at all as we got there in no time. Ryuji saw us as we walked by and stopped us both right outside the school gate.

"Yo." Seems Ryuji didn't have any issues getting back last night.

"Morning Ryuji." I said.

"Morning." He cut straight to the issue at hand.

"I don't know about you guys but we need to talk about yesterday. We can meet up on the rooftop after school." I wouldn't be joining them today but I didn't feel too bad about not having to see them.

"Sorry Ryuji, but I've got work not too long after school. I need to get back home early and change off."

"That's fine Ann. Dude, you gonna come?"

"Yeah, will do."

"Cool. See ya later guys."

""Later Ryuji."" Responding at the same time, I watched as Ryuji went inside first. I followed along with Ren shortly after and we ran into Shiho. I haven't seen Shiho look so glad to be at school in a long time. We were walking along to the second floor when we did.

"Morning Ann! Oh, hi Ren!" So the transfer had something to do with her pleasant mood? He'd better not hurt her.

"Hey Shiho. How are you?" I sensed no malice in Shiho's words but what she said next…

"I'm alright thanks. I wasn't expecting to see the two of you together. When you called, Ann, I thought you and Ren were never going to see eye to eye. I guess I was wrong about that."

"Wa- HEY! I don't! Not with this guy! He's too smug for his own good…" I said reflexively. And wouldn't you know, the transfer couldn't be bothered to take me seriously.

"And she's too serious for her own good."

"Muuu….to hell with it!" How he deserves a good slap here and now…but it'll hurt me more than him? Shit! How could I keep my cool if he was just going to dick around after everything?! I stormed in the wrong direction to the classroom.

"Stupid transfer…why the hell are you even here, you no good criminal?" Continuing to mutter, Shiho ran up to me giggling at my enraged state.

"Ann, I didn't think you'd really be bothered so much by his comments."

"I'm NOT!"

"Storming off says otherwise." She had a teasing grin on her face and unfortunately, she was pretty much right on the money.

"Urgh…How do you put up with him?"

"Erm…I just ignore the jokes and carry on." It was that simple? No, it couldn't be.

"He's remarkably unfunny and he clearly knows that."

"Maybe there's a reason to it." Shiho suddenly had a serious expression on her face as she said it - why was she overthinking things?

"Like what? The need for attention?"

"No. It's something else which I can't put my finger on right now."

"You're looking too much into it, Shiho. He's not worth any more of your time."

"Ann, I decide what I do with my time, thank you very much. And I think YOU'RE overthinking things."

"...Maybe."

"Anyway, you feeling better now?"

"Yeah. Thanks Shiho."

I'd watched her go into her classroom, 2-B, as she opened the door. Her left leg seems to be better than the last time I saw it - you're putting in so much time for volleyball, you don't need me to encourage you at all. As I made my way back to my classroom, there was gossip about the transfer and the topics that were brought up were wide and wild.

"Did you see how he bullied the gloomy looking girl?" They're not referring to Shiho, are they?

"Yeah, he basically dragged her away from others to do something nefarious." Now that ended up being a lie…but still, he must have gotten into her head or something.

"It's not just her that he forced to do his bidding - there's also that honour student Yoshizawa."

"Oh? What did the no good criminal do?"

"He had the nerve to try and sweet talk her - I just hope she can resist his temptations before falling victim to him." Isn't that just too ridiculous?

There were a few guys who wanted to speak with me, possibly to ask me out or something but I had no time for it. Entering my class, sure enough, the transfer was up to no good. He'd been at the back of the class with two of the most gossipy girls - they called him out on his absolutely awful attempt at snooping in their conversation and after cracking his senseless jokes, they're happy to speak with him?! If Shiho was to see how easily he talks girls up, she'd be hurt. Opening up my phone, I sent him a private message to drive home how he looks to me.

You: "Playboy."

Ren: "Hmm?"

You: "Ren, you talk with girls really easily. I'm not being funny when I say you come off like a playboy. I don't particularly care but others might get the wrong idea…it's just a warning is all."

Ren: "I don't play around with girls' hearts. Those kind of scummy guys are the worst."

You: "Look who's talking. Quite a couple of guys happen to be jealous of you - there are some who want to beat you up."

Ren: "Let them try. I'm a lot more capable than I look."

You: "How brazen. Just…be careful is all."

Ren: "Thanks for the concern."

You: "Are you mocking me?"

Ren: "No. But take it how you will."

You: "Urgh…just what do all these other girls see in you?"

Ren: "And that means?"

You: ".…..Forget it. I'm done talking to you for now."

Ren: "Alright. Later."

Kawakami came in and homeroom period started - from that point on, the first half of my day was going smoothly until Ushimaru-sensei's lesson. He was a very diligent teacher who cared the strongest for the school rules as well as the students but wouldn't take any nonsense from anyone.

"Takamaki-san! Seeing as you're not bothering to listen, I assume you understand the question in full. During the Second World War, who was given the title 'The Tiger of Malaya'?"

"..." Blushing at being called out suddenly, I regretted not taking the lesson seriously as I struggled to come up with the answer. The transfer pulled another wonder out of his bag full of tricks as he whispered the answer to me. I spoke up with confidence on the transfer's guess:

"Tomoyuki Yamashita." Ushimaru-sensei seemed pleased to hear the correct answer. His face took on a less interrogating manner and went back to his serious demeanour.

"It seems you've been keeping up with lessons after all. Yamashita happened to be the commander of the Imperial Japanese Army - leading forces and having successful campaigns led for him to receive the title." I was planning on praising the transfer but it seemed he had no care in the world. After that hiccup, I can't be caught off guard like that again to have to rely on the transfer of all people. When lunchtime came around, everyone went off to do their own thing - it seemed the transfer was going to use his time in the library…not like it bothered me in particular! Anyway, I was going to see how Shiho was doing but unfortunately, Kamoshida had other plans.

"Ann, come to the P.E. office with me." He didn't seem to like my reluctance to going so he'd taken on a forceful tone - it was going to be worse for me if I didn't go now and he'd take it out on me later…how I hate my situation.

"Get moving." We made our way to the P.E. office and as we did, there were now whispers concerning what the two of us got up to in that office. Some of the guys who tried to chat me up earlier were now extremely scared to even look at me. Eventually entering the office, he sat down and I shut the door - it was only the two of us and when that sunk in, all that took my body over was fear. I wasn't in any good mood as I barked at him:

"What?"

"Don't what me. We have things we need to discuss."

"Go on then."

"Firstly, I've got to apologise to you." HUH? Really? I wasn't expecting that.

"About what?"

"That fat bastard went over my head and agreed to let that no good criminal into this school all for the stinking reputation! Is it not fucking enough that the honours students who hold such promise attend here as well as me?! I'm a damned gold medallist from the Olympics and yet still, it's not enough for that damn glutton!" He threw the bits from his desk on the floor having a pathetic temper tantrum. I'd better pick them up or he'll turn that anger on me…I don't want to get hurt today. Picking up and sorting the documents that were strewn all over the floor, he'd pointed to where they needed to go on his desk as he continued:

"As soon as I found out, he said that the deed was done and that it was out of his hands. If I had a problem, I'd have to take it up with his boss or leave. Like I can just do that when my reputation's in pieces of shit! I don't understand that man at all - there were far better students who could have done wonders for my- I mean, for this school so why'd he even do it?"

"Well, it can't be helped."

"Baby, I tried to move the transfer over to a different class but then that head of year made some nonsense up about how there were no other classes available leaving him stuck with Kawakami. Speaking of which, she's always too damn tired whenever I see her - if you can't be bothered to show up with energy, then don't bother at all! The irony is amusing though - a no good teacher being lumped with a no good student. Right?"

"Not my place to say." I didn't exactly feel comfortable badmouthing Kawakami so I'd kept my answers neutral.

"Which brings me to my next subject. The transfer."

"What about him?"

"He forced Suzui that you care so much for to do his bidding. Several students saw him basically heckle her just because she ran into him - the girl was nervous to go and meet with him." Shiho told me he never tried to do anything uncalled for - all he did was listen to her vent her frustrations and he'd given her some precious advice. He didn't make fun of her effort when seeing her injury and the cause of it. For whatever reason, she was fully comfortable with him. Something bothers me about her story though... Not letting my thoughts show, I let Kamoshida continue prattling on about everything he hated with a passion. If you put this much passion into coaching, you might not have ended up nothing more than some washed up pervert.

"Fucking hell, my day's been pretty shitty? How was yours?"

"Well-" Pipipipi. His phone rang and it seemed I wouldn't even get to tell him my day (not that I wanted to) - the wave of relief I felt when he left the room was wondrous. As he stepped out and barked to whoever was on the phone, I took a look at the documents on his desk seeing who'd happened to get onto the volleyball team at Shujin - each boy and girl who tried out had their basic details on here. The verdict of their try-out was put on here as well as comments for strengths demonstrated as well as improvements. He was smart enough to realise making derogatory comments was not possible but when I took a look at Shiho's verdict…something snapped. There was nothing listed in her strengths section whilst the improvements section was filled to the brim with useless comments such as 'Acknowledge the advice given by coaches who have more heart than her.' I couldn't afford to mess with a teacher's work but I continued to read the files until one of Kamoshida's deputies came in. I'd already made sure I was in a position which would hide my action in case that happens but I'd also put the paper back.

"What are you doing in here?!"

"Kamoshida asked to see me and brought me in."

"I see. He's currently occupied for the rest of his lunch so you'd better leave now."

"Okay. Thanks." Giving me a questioning glare as I got up, I finally left the P.E. office and chose to settle for a strawberry roll and strawberries and cream Frappucino from the co-op shop - a sugary treat was enough to do wonders for me. Despite hitting the reset button, I still couldn't stomach seeing Shiho knowing that the coaches didn't believe in her and having to hide that fact. As I stayed in the classroom to eat lunch today, it was from that point on where the time just passed - lessons went by and I made notes as they did. Before I knew it, the day was over and I'd finally be able to get some air.