Chapter 3 – A Meeting Somewhat Regrettable

After that little…incident (that's what I'm calling it), I stepped inside the school and suddenly stopped in my tracks as I looked around the current area.

"W…Woah. Th-This is a Japanese high school? I-It's…r-really big."

I was nervous as all hell. I wasn't expecting a school of all things to be this freaking huge. My old school back home is probably ¼ of this school's size. Why is it so huge?!

"Crap, crap, crap. What to do? What to do? What to do?" I continued to panic as I observed more of this place that I now my school.

But then that's when…

"Uh…excuse me."

"Gah! I-I'm sorry!" I shouted as I was surprised by a girl with brownish hair and red glasses.

"You don't have to apologize." The girl said. "You're Miharu Neroni, correct?"

"Uh…y-yes. D-Do I know you?"

"Oh, my apologies. My name is Nodoka Manabe. A representative of the student council. I'm here to help you settle in."

"The student council? They already know about me?"

"Yes. We keep records of the students here. It's one of our many jobs."

"I see…"

It sounds like the student council here does a lot more work than back home…

"Well…I appreciate the help."

"You're welcome, Miharu-san."

"Miharu-san?" Now remembering that Mikuru calls me that made me confused that I was hearing this nickname here.

"The "-san" part is what's known as an honorific. It's a way to show respect."

"I see…"

So, that's why Mikuru calls me that…

"Well…once again. I appreciate the help, uh…Nodoka-san? Did I say it right?"

"Yeah, that's it. You'll get the hang of it."

"Thank Goodness…" I said with an exhausted sigh. "Hey, by the way. Can you really speak English?"

"Yes, I can. Very well, actually. Why, were you worried about not finding anyone that does?"

"Yeah. Kinda had that feeling since I'm from a different country."

"I understand. Well, you'll be glad to know that most of the students and teachers here speak English. So, you don't have to worry about a language barrier."

"I see. Thank you, uh…Nodoka-san." I said with a bow.


Nodoka gave me a quick rundown of everything here (and basically Japanese schools as a whole). It was kinda weird. First, I had to change out of the shoes I was wearing and wear these slip-ons that are really flat on my feet. They're so uncomfortable.

But then Nodoka said that it's a common thing for everyone wearing them for the first time. And that I'll get used to it.

Used to THIS?! Are you crazy?!

Next, she explained the size. She said that Japanese schools have grades 10, 11, and 12 all in the same building. With five classes for each of them. So the size is quite necessary.

Geez. This many students? That's impressive.

But then as we were walking around, I started to notice something. Every person that we passed by in the hallway was a girl. I didn't see a single boy from the entrance to where we are now. And I didn't get it at all.

"Uh…hey, Nodoka-san. Why are there so many girls here?" I asked.

"Huh? You mean you don't know?"

"Wait. Know what?"

"Miharu-san…this is an all-girls school."

"Wh-What?! F-For real?!" I shouted once I let the world play in my mind some more.

"D-Did you seriously not know that?" Nodoka asked me while gaining a sweatdrop.

"No! I didn't! Much like everything else about this place! Is that seriously a thing?!"

"It is. In this country, we have three types of schools. All-girls, all-boys, and then co-ed. Which I'm pretty sure you're used to, right?"

"Yeah, I am. Geez, an all-girls school. Never would've thought Mom would go to a school like this."

"Your mom?"

"Ah. N-Nothing. I was just talking to myself."

"I see…"

*INSERT CLASSIC JAPANESE SCHOOL BELL CHIME HERE*

"Well, that's the bell. We should get to class." Nodoka said.

"Um…where is my class?"

"It's fine. We share the same class. Being Class 2-2."

"Class 2-2? Why does it sound like it's based on a Mario level?"

"You're overthinking it, Miharu-san…" Nodoka said with a sweatdrop.


Yui's POV

"Ugh…my head. That transfer student did a number on me." Along the way to class, Ricchan had came to from the punch she got from the transfer student earlier. We went and got an ice pack from the nurse and she was currently using it on the bump she had gained.

"It serves you right, Ritsu. You were up all over her." Mio-chan said.

"Yeah, but I didn't think she would uppercut punch me like that. I think she may be as strong as you, Mio."

"D-Don't compare us to something like that!"

"Anyway…so, how do we convince that girl to join?"

"You're still going through with it?" Mio-chan looked exasperated.

"She is our only option, Mio."

"Ricchan's right, Mio-chan. Everyone else is already in a club. Mugi-chan added.

"Yeah, but…"

"Guys, look! It's her!" I said as I pointed to the door.

I wasn't kidding, either. It really was her. She came in with Nodoka-chan and the two of them were talking to each other. Does she know her already?

"Is she…is she in our class?!" Mio-chan asked.

"Wow. What luck, right? Now we can try again." Mugi-chan said.

"Alright. Let me go…"

"Sit, you! You'll only make it worse." Mio-chan said as she grabbed Ricchan by the collar.

"Here she comes." I said. "Morning, Nodoka-chan."

"Morning, everyone." Nodoka-chan greeted us.

"Nodoka-chan! You know the transfer student?"

"Huh? How do you already know about her?"

"Ritsu had a little incident with her earlier." Mio-chan said.

"Man, she packs a punch." Ricchan added.

"I see. Well, yes. I know her a little. I was getting her settled in before class. Why are you asking, Yui?"

"Well…"

"Alright, everyone. Let's settle down." And right at that moment, Sawa-chan had came in and told everyone to sit down.

"Aw, phooey." I whined.

"Sorry, Yui. You'll just have to wait until lunch comes."

"Okay, Nodoka-chan."

"Cheer up, Yui-chan." Mugi-chan said. "At least now we'll get to know who she is."

"Yeah…Yeah you're right, Mugi-chan! This is perfect!"

"I still don't see it…" Mio-chan said.


S-So this is a Japanese classroom, huh? I feel kinda…left out. I look nothing like them at all. And the fact that Nodoka told me that this is an all-girls school makes this feeling even worse.

Sometimes it's hard to believe that I'm half Japanese.

"Psst. Miharu-san."

"H-Huh?"

"You gotta go up and introduce yourself." Nodoka whispered to me.

"O-Oh, really? I gotta do that myself? *sigh* Alright."

It was at that moment where my nerves rose up even more.

Standing up in front and introducing myself to the entire class? This is seriously the norm here? Back home, the teacher just did that for you and it was over in 10 seconds. Why does Japan gotta make it hard?!

*sigh* W-Well, here goes…

"Um…h-hello. I-I, uh…M-My name is…M-Miharu. Miharu Neroni."

"Nice to meet you, Neroni-san." The entire class said.

Neroni-san?

"Where did you move from, Neroni-san?" The teacher asked me.

"Oh, um…I actually moved to Japan from a small town that's near Paris."

"Paris? So, you can speak French, Neroni-san?" One girl asked.

"Yes, I can. It's my native language."

"Ooh! Can you speak some French for us, Neroni-san?" Another girl asked.

"Huh? Well, I don't know…"

"Come on, please?"

"I want to hear some."

"It's the language of love, after all."

They must REALLY want to hear some…

"Well…I-I guess maybe a sentence or two." I then went silent as I gave thought on what to say. Something simple should be good enough.

"*clears throat* Bonjour. Ravi de vous rencontrer. J'espère que vous me traitez tous bien."

To no one's surprise, nobody had a clue on what I had just said.

*sigh* Figures.

"I basically just said: "Good morning. Nice to meet you. I hope that you all treat me well."."

"Oh. Cool."

They've really never heard French before in their lives…

"Alright, I think that's enough. You may sit down now, Neroni-san." The teacher said to me.

"O-Oh. Th-Thank you." I quickly went back to my seat so that my nerves can calm down a little. That's when I felt a light tap on my shoulder.

"Hey. You did great, Miharu-san." Nodoka said.

"Yeah. I guess." I replied. Shrugging off the whole thing.


*Lunchtime*

Lunchtime came by and…I had nothing to eat. I completely forgot to ask Yoriko about it and so I didn't bring anything with me. Nor do I have any money to buy something.

Then again…I don't even know what kind of money this country uses.

And so. With nothing to eat and nothing to do, I decided to just walk around this place. Hoping to forget my hunger and ease my nerves at the same time.

But I didn't really get far, though. Mainly because…

"Hey! Miharu-chan!"

What?

I turned around to see a group of four girls heading towards me. One girl had short brown hair, one girl had somewhat darker blonde short hair with a yellow headband on it, a girl with long black hair, and a girl with long blonde hair. Her eyebrows were rather thick, too. Odd.

"Hey, hey. We wanna talk to you for a second." The dark blonde-haired girl said.

"Uh…do I know you?"

"Well, kinda. We met this morning, remember?"

"Huh?" I was completely lost for a second. But as I thought about it, I did remember this girl…by her voice.

"Aw, geez. You're that creepy dog girl from this morning." I said in an annoyed tone.

"Y-Yeah, pretty much. I'm Ritsu Taiknaka."

"I'm Yui Hirasawa."

"My name's Mio Akiyama."

"And I'm Tsumugi Kotobuki. But I regularly go by Mugi."

"I see…" I said.

"Look, Miharu. I just wanna apologize for being so pushy back then. I didn't mean to push your boundaries that much." Ritsu said.

"Although, it is something she normally does." Mio added.

"Hey…"

"Really now?" I asked. "Well…I'm sorry for delivering that uppercut on you. Although, you kinda deserved it."

"Okay, I get it. You don't have to rub it in." Ritsu said with an exasperated tone.

"What was all that about, anyway? Some kind of carnival camp?"

"Wh-What? No! What made you think that?!"

"The animal costumes."

"Right…" The four girls gained a sweatdrop.

"We were actually trying to recruit new members for our Light Music Club." Yui said.

"Light Music Club?" I thought about it. "Oh, yeah. I remember. Look, guys. I meant what I said. I'm not interested."

"Huh? Why not?"

"I just…I have personal reasons."

"Really? Like what?"

"I just said they were personal." I said while being a little agitated.

"Can you not play an instrument, Miharu-chan? Cause if that's it then you don't have to worry about that. We can totally teach you!"

You just don't quit, do you?

"It's not that, it's…what I mean is, I can play an instrument."

"Really? What kind?" Mugi asked.

"A saxophone. But I haven't done so in a while."

"Ooh. A saxophone. That's amazing."

"We can totally do a trial run of that!" Yui cheered. "Right, Ricchan?"

"Yeah! Let's do it! Come on, Miharu!"

"Wh-What part of "I don't want to join" do you guys NOT understand?!" I was beyond annoyed and just flat out pissed off.

"Guys, let's just stop already. She's already made up her mind." Mio said. "Sorry for upsetting you, Neroni-san."

"*sigh* It's fine…probably. I'll just go walk around and at least try to…"

*growl*

Crap! I forgot that I was hungry…

That's when I heard a bunch of giggling coming from Mugi. She then had walked up to me and held both of my hands to hers.

"Miharu-chan. If you want, you can come to our clubroom and have some sweets that I've brought with me." She said with a smile.

"M…Maybe one or two wouldn't hurt…" I felt like I had surrendered to their will because of my current hunger.

I pity myself.

"Nice going, Mugi-chan!" Yui whispered to her. To which, Mugi replied with more giggling.

Yep. I definitely got screwed.


Azusa's POV

""We did it! We did it! We finally got one!" What the heck does that mean?" I asked after reading the text I had gotten from Yui-senpai to Ui and Jun.

"She makes it sound like they caught something." Jun said. "Wait, you think they did some kidnapping?"

"Knock it off, Jun-chan!" Ui yelled at her. "Aren't you guys recruiting new members or something?" She then asked me.

"Well, yeah. The others were outside passing out flyers in those animal costumes again. Though, I took no part in it. I still had some dignity left inside me."

"They would've definitely put you in the cat costume, though." Jun said.

"Sh-Shut up, Jun!"

*INSERT CLASSIC JAPANESE SCHOOL BELL CHIME HERE*

"So, could it be the fact that they found someone to join?" Ui asked.

"Possibly. But I'm not going now. I'll just wait after school."

"Fair enough."

"If that's true, then I feel sorry for the person that they found." Jun said.

"Don't we all…" I said with a sweatdrop.

So then after school came by and I was on my way to the clubroom. While having thoughts about who exactly is this person that Yui-senpai claims that they've recruited.

I just hope that she's actually reliable. Not to say that the others aren't, but…well, okay. Yui-senpai and Ritsu-senpai aren't really reliable. Like at all. Mio-senpai's probably the most out of the four, but her sudden shyness kinda mixes it up at times. And then Mugi-senpai…she's somewhere in the middle.

Great. Now I just worried myself even more.

I reached the clubroom and opened the door to see the four older girls sitting at the table around a fifth girl. It looked like they were holding a conversation.

"Ugh. I said to myself that I wasn't going to come back here, but I ended up coming back here. How did this happen?" This was said by a girl with mildly long brown hair. Slumped down in her chair like she has total shame in herself.

"*giggle* It's no use, Miharu-chan. Nobody can resist Mugi-chan's delicious sweets." Yui-senpai said with a smile.

"*sigh*I should've learned that before eating them during lunch. Now I feel like an idiot."

I see now. So, she was tricked into coming here. Mugi-chan's sweets can do that to you.

"I'm here." I said. Gaining their attention.

"Hey, Azu-nyan! Guess what?! We got a new member!"

"I never said that." The girl said.

"Too late for that, Miharu." Ritsu-senpai said. "Once you eat Mugi's sweets, there's no turning back. Club rules."

"Since when was THAT a rule?!"

It was never a rule…

"Guys, is she really a new member?" I asked.

"Well, I'm pretty sure she isn't." Mio-senpai said. "This is Miharu Neroni. She just joined our class."

"Really? A transfer student this late into the year?"

"It happens, apparently."

"I see. Well, then…My name is Azusa Nakano. It's nice to meet you, Miharu-senpai."

"Uh…what?" Miharu-senpai looked at me with a confused look on her face.

""Senpai" is what younger students call their upperclassmen here." Mio-senpai explained.

"Oh. I see now."

"Miharu-chan's a foreigner, Azusa-chan. From France, to be exact." Mugi-senpai explained.

"A foreigner from France? So you're fluent in French, Miharu-senpai?"

"Yes, I am. It's actually my first language. So, it kinda sucks on my end to come to a place that doesn't have French-speaking people."

"Yeah, I can see that." Ritsu-senpai said. "Not having someone to talk the same gibberish as you can really suck."

"Gibberish?"

"Ritsu!" Mio-senpai yelled at her.

"What? It was gibberish. Nobody here can speak or understand French, right?"

"W-Well…no."

"Me neither." Yui-senpai said.

"I don't know any other languages, myself." Mugi-senpai added.

"I can speak it."

"Wait…WHAT?!" The four older girls yelled in shock.

"I can speak French. Pretty well, too."

"Are you serious?!" Ritsu-senpai asked.

"Why didn't you mention that, Azu-nyan?" Yui-senpai asked.

"Well, this is Japan. The chances of finding a French-speaking person here are very low."

"She has a point…" Mio-senpai said.

"Hey, I got an idea." Mugi-senpai said. "Since Azusa-chan can speak French, maybe she can convince Miharu-chan to join."

"*sigh* Again with this? I've already made my decision." Miharu-senpai said while being rather annoyed.

"Come on, Miharu-chan. Give it a chance. You won't regret it. Not one bit!" Yui-senpai whined.

"I already regret eating Mugi's cake. So, I'm pretty sure my answer won't change. But I really want to see if she can really speak French. So, I'll give it a shot."

"Yay! We're so close!"

"Don't count your blessings, Yui."

I pulled up a chair and sat across from Miharu-senpai while the others circled around us. I guess they want to listen on to the conversation. Not sure why, though.

Since they won't understand either one of us.


So, can this girl really speak French? She doesn't look like she can, to be completely honest. But…if by chance that she can…I can at least have someone close to my age that I can relate to in this country.

I'll just test her a little…

"*clears throat* Alors, euh...tu peux vraiment parler français? Ou essayiez-vous simplement de les faire taire?"

(So, uh...can you really speak French? Or were you just trying to shut them up?)

"Honnêtement, un peu des deux. Mais je peux vous assurer que je peux parler et comprendre le français."

(Honestly, a little of both. But I can assure you that can I speak and understand French.)

"Sensationnel. Je vois..."

(Wow. I see…)

"No way…I think Azusa's really speaking French!" Ritsu said.

"Wow. Azu-nyan's so amazing." Yui said.

"Donc, vous pouvez vraiment parler français. Honnêtement, je croyais que je ne trouverais jamais de francophone ici au Japon. Donc, je suis content d'avoir eu tort."

(So, you really can speak French. Honestly, I believed that I would never find a French-speaking person here in Japan. So, I'm glad that I was wrong.)

"Je peux comprendre cela. Il doit être difficile de déménager de votre pays d'origine vers un endroit dont vous ne connaissez absolument rien. Je suppose que votre principale préoccupation était la barrière de la langue?"

(I can understand that. It must be tough moving from your home country to a place you know absolutely nothing about. I assume that your main worry was the language barrier?)

"Oui ça l'était. Alors, euh...Azusa, était-ce? Comment connaissez-vous si bien le français?"

(Yeah, it was. So, um...Azusa, was it? How do you know French so well?)

"Mon collège avait un cours de français. Je ne sais pas pourquoi je l'ai pris. Je suppose que cela semblait juste amusant, à l'époque."

(My middle school had a French course. Not sure why I took it. I guess it just seemed fun, at the time.)

"Oh. Très intéressant."

(Oh. Very Interesting.)

"Uh…hey, guys. This is interesting and all…but can we go back to English, now?" Ritsu asked.

"Yeah, I'm completely lost." Yui added.

"Alright, fine. I'm done testing it out." I said.

"Still, though. It's rather impressive that you can speak French, Azusa." Mio said to her.

"I learned it in middle school. It was just for fun, I guess."

"I see."

"Well, that's over and done with." I said as I got up from the chair and grabbed my bag. "I'm going home."

"What? But what about the club?" Ritsu asked.

"*sigh* Look, guys. I don't know how many times I have to say this. I'm NOT joining your club! Yes, I can play an instrument. But I have no interest in making music. At least…not anymore."

"Not anymore?" They all asked.

"Tch. N-Never mind that. Just leave me alone."

I then walked out of the room and away from these persistent girls. Whether or not I regret meeting those girls…

Well…3 of them were okay.

Well, okay. 2 ½. There's something about Mugi that creeps me out.

Author's Note: After being lured in because of her hunger, Miharu has stepped inside the Light Music Clubroom. Though even after filling her empty stomach and meeting Azusa (who can apparently speak French), she still refuses to join. And even mistakenly blurts out a possible reason.

So all three chapters have returned. And a fourth will be coming later today. I'm definitely going to be working on this. It's something that I've been wanting to do for a long time.

Thanks for reading. Later.