(Stop and smell the concreate roses.)
When free period came to an end, both Neku and Beat made their way to their next class, physical education. (P.E. Otherwise known as the institute of dodgeball and sweat drenched clothing.)
"Hell yeah! This is my time!" Beat yelled.
"Not mine." Neku replied. "I could do without exhausting manual labor and a sense of degradation. If I wanted that, I'd work at a Sunshine Burger joint."
"Man, I like P.E. It's the only time I can hit someone with a ball and not get in trouble." (Yeah, because that's not alarming to a gaggle of therapists.)
"Beat, do you regularly-"
"Nah man! I just can't throw a straight ball." (And that just brings up more questions.) "Come on, I'll race ya to class."
"Save it for gym you maniac."
When the boys stepped into the locker room, Neku gave a low grumble at the familiar faces that stood at the lockers changing. Hokori Yama was on one end with a smaller group around him. (Just avoid eye contact Neku.) On the other end was Joshua, already in his gym clothes and talking into his phone with a perplexed expression.
"Didn't I say to keep those areas closed off? Keep them closed with a level four lock if you have to, just keep them closed off." (Never off the clock are you?) Neku stepped up to his locker and opened it as Joshua shut his phone. "Good to see you showed up."
"I didn't expect to see you at any class that involves movement above a jog." Neku returned. "What's the catch with this class?"
"No catch, just a simple class that involves exerting your energy." (…I know there's a double meaning in there somewhere. I just need to find it!) Neku just glared at Joshua as the cogs in his brain worked at double speed. Joshua just smiled, "Don't strain yourself." The sound of a locker slamming shut had the boys turn to see Hokori looking over at them with a cocky smirk. Neku just rolled his eyes before grabbing his gym clothes and proceeding to change into them.
"You may have beaten me on a child's field but you cannot beat me in a field I have been trained for." Hokori said.
"You were trained to be yelled at for a task?" Neku asked and he could hear the boy clench his teeth in frustration.
"As the successor of the Yama corporation, it my duty to be the pinnacle of fitness and intelligence." (and apparently it also includes a giant stick in your-)
"Class is about to begin." Joshua cut in. "I think we should all be moving towards the gym." Hokori seemed to think about this before striding toward the exit to the locker room. Neku put on his gym shirt and shut his locker before following them out with Joshua and Beat.
As they stepped into the gym, Neku took notice of the gaggle of girl standing in a group and chattering. A head of black hair turned to look at them and Neku realized it was Shiki looking at them. The three boys waved back as she made her way over to meet them.
"Hey guys."
"What's up?" Beat replied. "The teachers show up yet?"
"No, it's been pretty empty since the girls got here. We haven't seen anyone."
"I'm sure they're just running a bit behind." Joshua said making Neku turn an eye to the boy.
"And why do you think that?"
"Intuition." (Liar.) The pair of footsteps echoing had everyone go quiet. The footsteps seemed out of sync, with one moving at a quick pace; one after another in the span of a few milliseconds. The second footsteps seemed to move at their own pace, almost a full second between each second.
"Get moving! We have places to be!"
"Calm down, we still have time." (That bickering…oh no.) Out of the nearby doorway came a short pink haired girl standing next to a taller orange haired man.
"We have a job to do! You should be more proactive Koki!"
"And you should be calmer. We're dealing with children Uzuki. If they sense stress then they could very well turn on you."
"And if they don't take you seriously then they might as well be running the class."
"Fair point." Neku turned to Joshua who seemed to be enjoying the back and forth of the reaper pair in front of the class.
"Ugh, whatever. Alright kids, we're your teachers for this year. My name is Uzuki Yashiro. I shall except no name other than Miss Uzuki." She motioned to Kariya.
"Koki Kariya. Kariya works just fine for me." Everyone started chattering up at the news of their teachers. "Before you get into it. Yes, we're young."
"But we're still older than any of you brats." Uzuki added with a wicked grin. "Now, what 'sport' should we start with?"
"How about number 3?"
"Oh, a hunt. I like it!" (Hunt? Are they using the Reaper Sports?) "Alright, break up into groups of four. The hunt will start once every group is set up." Neku looked over at his friend, coming to the quick realization that he had his group already.
"Yo, we're gonna smoke everyone!" Beat cheered.
"How are we supposed to 'hunt'?" Shiki asked.
"Well, every hunt has hunters and prey." Joshua informed them. "The only question is, which are we?" Neku turned his attention to their instructors and noticed a set of devious grins being thrown at him.
"I think I know which one we are."
The game was set up. Two groups were set up as the hunters, leaving the last three groups to be the hunted. Neku and his group were left on the side of the hunted, while Hokori's group was a hunting group. Kariya stood nearby the hunted group sucking on his lollipop all the while.
"…Ever heard of a coincidence?" Neku asked him. "Because I'm guessing this isn't one."
"I could sense the animosity in that boy from the cafeteria during your little scuffle." Kariya replied. "Seems like it needs an outlet."
"So I'm the scapegoat?" Kariya shrugged.
"Don't have to be. As long as you know how to play the game." (What does that mean?) Uzuki blew the whistle loud enough to make everybody shut up instantly. Neku looked over and saw the hunting party holding dodgeballs. (Seriously. Can I get a break from this craziness?)
"Alright!" Uzuki yelled with a smile. "The back field and gym are the playing ground." Kariya opened the doors to the soccer field in the distance. "The prey better start running if they don't want to be taken out!" The other prey groups immediately scrambled for the soccer field as Neku and his group stayed where they were. (She wasn't finished you idiots.) Uzuki turned to Neku's group. "Or not." She gave a wicked smile, "Happy hunting." (…Or maybe she was.)
"Usual bet Uzuki?"
"You're on Koki."
Neku and company made a quick dash for the door way, managing to avoid the flurry of balls coming at them. Shiki kept her head down as she dashed behind Neku, Joshua moved quickly as any ball seemed to miss him by a few inches. The only people who actively dodged were Neku and Beat, with Beat jumping and ducking around balls as Neku weaved through each one thrown at him. Once they finally crossed the threshold of the door, they rushed towards the soccer field.
"What's the plan?" Beat asked.
"Use the netting as a shield." Neku answered, pointing to the soccer nets still set up at each end.
"Not a bad start." Joshua commented. Neku and Beat grabbed each side of the goal net and set it to face the open doorway as the hunting party came towards the field, Hokori leading them.
"We're going to be pegged, aren't we?" Shiki asked.
"What? No way! I don't go down running!" Beat said.
"Then we need a plan." Joshua said. "Unless you plan on losing Neku."
"Like I care about some stupid P.E. game." Neku shot back. He looked back at the oncoming hunters and felt an aura of animosity coming off Hokori. (Although I'm guessing more than a few of those balls are going to hit me exclusively.) "…I might have an idea though." Neku looked around the whole field, noticing the other prey groups scrambling around the open field like chickens. (Alright, we have some bait. Now we just need to set a trap.)
"So what's the plan Neku?" Shiki asked.
"We need to utilize the net."
"I think I know how we can do that." Joshua said grabbing the net from one side and motioning for Beat to assist him. "Think you two can keep them busy?" Neku turned to Shiki who nodded.
The pair rushed towards the hunters and stopped just a few meters from them. Hokori was the first to throw a ball, aiming directly for Neku. Unfortunately for him, Neku anticipated this and swiftly dodged to his right as Shiki ducked at a ball heading her way, sending it flying over her. Every thrown ball seemed to just miss them and once each of them had thrown their ball they seemed confused on what to do next. Neku eyed the thrown balls that were behind them and tapped Shiki, directing her attention to the projectiles. They moved back and picked two of them up before throwing them back at the hunters. They hit two who were not paying attention.
"Oh, that's gotta sting." Kariya said, moving towards them. "You two are out."
"What!?" They said. "How does that count."
"The only thing that designates you as hunters is your ability to overpower your prey. Nothing says prey can't take it and use it against the hunters." (So that's what you meant.)
"It also means we have to be smart with it." Neku turned to see who was talking and found Hokori standing in the middle of every thrown ball. Neku quickly grabbed Shiki by the arm and pulled her over as Hokori started throwing balls at them. Neku and Shiki made their way towards the back of the field, noticing the rest of the hunted group setting up the far net. (Hope Joshua has everything ready.) Once they got close enough, Joshua beckoned them over to the other side of the net.
"Neku, stand right at there." He pointed to the goal stand of the net.
"…I'll get hit if I stand there."
"But you're the perfect bait." With Hokori at the head of the group Neku couldn't argue with that logic. (This won't go well.) Neku readied himself as the group of remaining hunters gathered on him.
"Say goodnight loser!" Hokori yelled. Neku made a quick roll out as they threw their balls into the net.
"Close it." Joshua commanded and the hunted group tipped over the net to leave an opening to grab the balls on their side. The group of prey each grabbed a ball before throwing it at the hunters and leaving only Hokori standing. Joshua picked up the last ball, "Smile." With that line, Joshua threw the dodgeball. Hokori dodged sending the ball back. Only for it to be caught by Neku who slammed it into Hokori's back.
"That's game." Kariya said stepping up with Uzuki. She grumbled as Kariya turned to her, "And I believe that's a bowl of ramen for me."
"Yeah, yeah. Ugh, how annoying." Uzuki shot back. She turned to the class, "Class is over now. Everyone will be graded based on how well they did today."
"This was actually for a grade?" Shiki asked.
"Of course. I'm not going to waste time on an intro course to get ready. You're either ready or you're not. That's life." (Very motivational Pinky.) The rest of the class moved back to the locker rooms as Neku and his group approached the pair of teachers. "What do you want, here to gloat?"
"No. I just want to know what you two are doing here." As soon as Neku said that Uzuki gave a big grin.
"We're on a special mission from the composer himself. Looking for disturbances in energy." She giggled to herself, "It's missions like this that will send me flying up the corporate ladder!" Neku and Beat looked at Kariya.
"Even if I wanted to, I can't entirely turn down a mission from the head honcho unless I want to be fired."
"You make it sound like you wanted this mission." Neku said.
"Yeah, I thought you were all about laying back?" Beat asked.
"No, I'm interested in the field. As long as I don't leave the field, I'm good." (Sounds like Kariya.) He gave a glance towards Uzuki, "Besides, betting on you kids just got me a bowl of ramen. So, I'd say it's worth it."
"Don't get cocky Koki. The day isn't over yet." They botch chuckled as they walked away from the group.
"…I don't remember their chemistry being that good last time I saw them." Shiki said.
"Yo, it got better during the third week." Beat brought up.
"And odds are it can only get better with their new job." Joshua added and Neku shivered.
"Gross. Don't jinx it." Neku turned to Joshua, "Just how many people that we know are here?"
"Only a handful of them. Some are being punished, and others are working for me."
"They didn't seem to know that it was you."
"Of course not. Why would they?" (Shifty jerk.)
Neku was slightly glad to walk into a classroom and not find one of his former enemies staring him down with a nasty look. (Thank god. I don't think I could handle another weirdo. Especially for my art class.) The walls were covered in artwork that had varying levels of quality to them. Some seemed detailed, every line chosen carefully to make something interesting. Others were clearly rush jobs, with splotches of paint leftover and lines that seemed to go nowhere. The floors were mostly clean, with leftover supply splotches of glue or paper on some smaller spots. But Neku didn't care to much about that. All he needed was a quiet space to work on his designs. Looking around, he found most of the chairs and desks empty, with only about seven or eight people in the room besides him.
"Neku!" Neku turned around to see Eri and Shiki rushing into the room as the bell rang to signify the start of the period. Eri just giggled to herself, "It's good to see we have a class together that isn't homeroom." Shiki gave a smaller giggle.
"Somehow, I knew you would choose this class." Neku just smirked in response before taking a seat as Eri and Shiki took the two seats in front of him. All of them pulled out their respective tools, Neku's sketchbook, Eri's loose design papers, and Shiki's sewing set and cloth scraps. Neku looked up at the front, finding it odd to not have the teacher be here at the start of class. He looked at the others who were in his class and found a resounding lax nature with most of them.
"Where's our teacher?" Neku asked and Shiki shrugged.
"I was wondering that too but I guess we don't have one." (Great, an unsupervised class. I wonder which one of these slackers will start the first fire?) Neku peered back over and saw a small group of delinquents with one of them flicking a 100-yen lighter on and off. (Probably that one.) Neku turned back to his sketchbook and decided the best course of action was not to get involved with them.
"Hey Neku?" He looked up at Eri who held her papers out to him, "Which of these are the best?" Neku scanned the various clothing designes, finding most of them to be very appealing. (Shiki wasn't wrong. Her design work on clothing is something else. I can't choose which of these are better, they're all very eye catching.) "Neku?"
"Huh? Oh…I'd focus on the jean patterns here and add something to the hoodie up top." (I say that but I honestly have no clue what to change.) She looked over the two Neku chose out quizzically before her brain seemed to click as a big smile came on her face.
"I've got it! Thanks Neku!"
"No problem." (Even though I have no clue what you're thanking me for.) Neku's gaze drifted over to Shiki who seemed to hastily sew something in front of her. She kept her arms close to conceal what she was working on and looked up every so often to keep an eye on the people around her. (What is she working on that's got her so panicked…wait, I think I know.) Neku leaned over Shiki's shoulder to see the unmistakable little piggy on Shiki's desk, the seem that connected his torso and his right arm was untangled, letting the stuffing inside be shown. "What happened to him?" As Neku asked that, Shiki jumped slightly before turning to see Neku. She let out a little sigh of relief.
"Don't do that! You almost made me jump right out of my seat."
"Sorry, but I'm not the one closed up like box turtle with a stuffed animal." Shiki sighed before moving her hand to pierce the open end of Mr. Mew's arm with her needle and thread.
"I don't know why but when I got up this morning his arm was torn open. It made me a little uneasy but I didn't have the time to fix him before coming to school." She swiftly stitched up the hole as she talked, making a perfect new seem connection before biting into the string to break it from the needle and tying the end tightly to secure the patch. (She's sweat shop fast. That's impressive.)
"Well, I guess that little piggy has been through a lot." Shiki puffed her cheeks at this comment.
"He's a CAT."
"I know." Neku replied. They both gave out a short laugh before hearing someone snicker from across the room as they looked at the two partners. Neku quickly sat back down as Shiki stuffed Mr. Mew into her pack and went back to sewing some of her cloth patches together. (Damn it. Now I feel weird.)
When the bell finally rang Neku leaned back in his chair, stretching out his spine and arms as far as they would go. (I gotta find a sitting position that won't give me scoliosis after an hour.) Closing his sketchbook, Neku put it into his pack and pulled out his school schedule to find what his last class would be. (Seems I've got chemistry for my last class.)
"What do you have next?" Eri asked pulling Neku from his list.
"Chemistry."
"Really?" Shiki asked. "That's what we have too." They showed him their schedule and found they all had the same class and classroom." (weird coincidence.)
"Then we can head there together." Neku offered. The girls nodded and all of them picked up their bags before heading to their final class.
When they made it to the biology lab, Neku found only four other people in the room. Joshua, Beat, Rhyme, and a familiar short brown-haired girl sitting in the back corner of the room. Neku, Eri and Shiki all looked around the room for any other students before Joshua spoke up.
"Don't bother looking. We're the whole class."
"Really!?" Shiki and Eri asked in unison. (And suddenly it stops being a coincidence.)
"Then I suppose we should get started." A deep voice let out and Neku just turned to glare at the familiar form of Megumi Kitaniji standing at the front of the classroom. "Welcome to my course on chemistry children. I do hope you can survive to the end of my lessons." (Way to be creepy dude.)
Neku and the girls took their seat with the others. All waiting for Kitaniji's next words. The man looked over the class, sizing them up before his eyes landed on both Neku and Joshua before chuckling.
"Of course. That would explain much."
"Oh teacher." Joshua piped up. "Don't you suppose you should be teaching us."
"Yes…after all, it is my mission." Kitaniji reached into his desk drawer and pulled out a stack of sheets, "I am your instructor, Megumi Kitaniji. I shall be addressed as Mr. Kitaniji throughout our time together. We shall begin with a simple evaluation test to determine your individual skill level." Kitaniji made quick work of handing out each sheet before returning to his seat at the front of the room. He kept his eye on Joshua and Neku as they flipped over the sheet to work on the test.
"What the-" Neku was completely baffled by the complex mathematical formulas on the paper in front of him. His eyes ran over every edge of the paper, trying to find a place to start but finding it too much for him to even try to grasp at. (I doubt I'm stupid. So what the hell is with this difficulty spike?)
"U-Um…Mr. Kitaniji?" A quiet voice piped up, making everyone turn to look at the small girl at the end of the room, "Isn't this a bit too complex for a second year student?"
"Really? I figured it was just me." Beat said.
"No, I have no clue where to start either." Rhyme added.
"None of us do." Neku said turning to the instructor. "Care to enlighten us?"
"Evaluation is more than just your ability to deal with what's in front of you. It's being able to perceive an impossible task and respond to it." (So you were just playing with us.)
"You should work harder to cover up your jokes." Joshua cut in. "After all, you know what we can do already don't you?" Kitaniji stayed silent for a moment before standing up and recovering all of the tests.
"Do you always have to push peoples' buttons?" Neku asked.
"You can't tell me you don't like seeing someone's breaking point." (Sure, but I don't yearn for it like a dog for a bone.) Rhyme stood up from her seat and moved over to the girl who Neku realized was the girl he ran into in the hall.
"Thanks for noticing that. I don't think anyone else would have caught that."
"N-No problem." Nina said avoiding eye contact. Rhyme gave her a bright smile.
"I'm Rhyme by the way. What's your name?"
"…Nina Giman." Beat rose from his seat and rushed over to the girl.
"Yo, how did you know something was up with Shade's papers?" He got very close making the girl cower slightly before Rhyme pulled him back.
"Beat, personal space. She's terrified."
"Oh, sorry man." Beat apologized. Nina nodded before calming herself. Eventually the rest of the group wandered over and Nina perked up slightly at the sight of Neku who simply nodded and smiled.
"A-Actually, I saw something similar to those problems at one of my college courses."
"College? Yo, ain't you like fifteen?" Beat asked.
"…I'm actually thirteen." This had everyone surprised.
"Thirteen!? That's still middle school age!" Shiki said in shock.
"Wow, I only got boosted a year." Rhyme said with a giggle. "You're on another level."
"We seem to be in the presence of a child prodigy, aren't we?" Joshua commented. Nina was flustered by the compliments and praise she was given, visibly turning red at every comment. (That girl is slowly turning into a cherry.)
"So, what are you doing in this school?" Neku asked, hoping to take some of the heat off her.
"W-Well, even with my grades in mathematics and science, I still need to take the high school basics to get into a good school…and I asked for it." (She asked to take lower classes?) "I…don't have many friends…I figured I might be able to make some here and improve my social skills a bit." (Ah, she's a shut in trying to break down her own door.)
"Well, you just made six." She looked surprised at Neku's statement, "After keeping us from dealing with Kitaniji's ridiculous test I'd say we're friends."
"Of course we're friends!" Eri added pulling out her phone. "Here, I'll even give you my number."
"O-Okay." Nina fumbled as she pulled out her light purple flip phone and exchanged numbers with Eri. Joshua looked at Neku with a condescending smile.
"What?" Neku asked.
"Nothing." Joshua replied. "I just thought you were trying to avoid dealing with your classmates." (Bit me Joshua. I can't ignore someone trying to expand their world. Especially when she's being much more proactive then I was.)
As the day wound down, the group stood outside the school ready to head home for the day. Shiki and Eri gabbed on about various things as Beat and Rhyme were absorbed in a conversation about what to eat once they got home. Neku and Joshua stayed mostly silent with Nina tagging along and sometimes adding to Shiki and Eri's gossip.
"Isn't this ideal?" Joshua asked Neku. "The group of perfect friends ending another day of school together. How precious."
"It's better than being alone." Neku replied sharply. "I can remember most of my junior year being walks on my own as people badmouthed me for being an outcast. The only way to keep them from getting to me was to shut them out."
"An interesting choice indeed. But it didn't seem to be a permanent solution did it?"
"What are you getting at?" Neku asked bluntly, tired of his dancing around whatever point he was trying to make.
"Just that it might have been the right call or the wrong call. Isn't that fascinating to think about? What would you say? Was shutting people out right or wrong?"
"…Thinking about it now, it definitely wasn't right to do."
"Maybe…" (I can ever get a straight answer from you, can I?) The ringing of a phone alarm had everyone go quiet as Eri pulled out her phone and gasped.
"Shiki! There's a sale over at 104!"
"What on?"
"It's that new Heavenly Sheep line they announced last week!" Shiki gasped in shock.
"Oh my god!" Shiki turned to the rest of the group as Eri tried to pull her arm, "Sorry guys but we can't miss this. See you tomorrow!" Everyone gave a short wave as Eri pulled her away and they took off into a sprint.
"What's so cool about a sale on clothes?" Beat asked.
"Shibuya is a battle ground when it comes to fashion." Rhyme said.
"And you either find victory or defeat." Joshua finished. "For this battle, I'd say Sheep Heavenly came out on top." (Especially if they've got those two going nuts over it.)
"Aight, we're gonna head out." Beat said. "Gotta get started on dinner."
"You can cook?" Neku asked.
"Naw, but I told my folks I'd try being more protractive-"
"Proactive." Rhyme corrected.
"Yeah, that. So now I'm giving cooking a shot. Can't be too hard right?" Neku just looked at Beat skeptically and Rhyme sighed.
"I'll keep takeout on speed dial just in case."
"Come on sis! I'm sure I can pull this off." (Points for optimism I guess.) Beat and Rhyme waved goodbye and Joshua was the next to move.
"Well, I've got to get back before mother and father worry about their precious boy." (Yeah, I'm sure 'mother and father' are very worried about you.) That left Neku and Nina standing there alone. (I guess I should get moving. Maybe I can take another look for that album before heading home.)
"H-Hey Neku?" Neku turned to look down at Nina. "Who were you chasing when you found me?" (I'd forgotten about that. Damn, I should have brought it up to Joshua.)
"I'm not entirely sure…mind letting me know if you see anyone suspicious again?" Nina nodded. "Thanks, I've gotta head out. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Yeah…and thanks for being my first friends…it means a lot." Neku just smiled at her before walking away. (I know how much it means better than anyone.)