"Hanako, is everything alright? What happened just now?" The blonde girl Hanako addressed as Lilly, questions in a very concerned tone.

Her exotic appearance is… unmistakable. Foreigner? No, that can't be it, not entirely anyway. If it wasn't for those distinct baby blues and that height of hers, I'd be unable to tell the difference between foreign or not.

"I-it's fine,"

I doubt that, considering the speed at which I was practically trampled with. Keegan thinks to himself as he observes the interaction between the two.

"everything is okay. I just… just panicked a little."

"Why? Did something happen to you?"

"N… no. I'm just… not used to people being in… in the library." Hanako answers, seemingly sidestepping with a half-truth. This is made evident to Keegan from Lilly's unconvinced facial expression, he decides to take this chance to make his presence known to her.

"I'm guessing the library here isn't a crowded place?"

"N-not u-usually…"

"Oh, my apologies, I didn't realise that there was someone else still here. I can't say I recognize the voice; I'm Lilly Satou." She introduces herself and finishes with a graceful bow.

Talk about etiquette. If there was someone I'd describe as my antithesis in that aspect, it'd probably be her. I wonder how developed her sense of hearing and memory is, being able to distinguish the fact I'm an unrecognisable voice.

"Don't worry about it. I just transferred here yesterday. I'm Keegan Shiro." He bows in return before realising the futility of the action. He witnesses the small makings of a smile on Hanako's face as he returns to his usual slouched stance. Glad you find this amusing...

Lilly takes a moment to process something in her mind. The signs of recognition form on her partially-foreign features. "Ah, so you're Keegan. If you don't mind my asking, where are you from?"

...it's the first time I've been asked this, and I'm caught off-guard. To be honest, I thought someone would've asked sooner given my darker complexion. Do I give off an unapproachable aura?

She's obviously not asking because of my appearance… so… my accent?!

"So much for accent reduction. Those damn classes were a waste," He mutters. "...oh! To answer your question, I'm from Canada. Arrived in Japan…. what.. two-ish months ago? Mhm, flew into Tokyo, stayed there until I was able to come up to Yamaku."

She gives a deep nod with a warming smile. "If it's any consultation, it's nearly indistinguishable. But how're you finding it here?"

Ahah. That gives me some insight into her level of hearing. Very impressive, to say the least. On another note, how am I finding it here?

Being in Japan has been quite revitalising, to say the least. On my first night in the country; I practically spent most of what little free time that was allowed to me wandering the streets of the capital. It, quite honestly, felt natural just being here.

There were the occasional uncomfortable glances here and there, being me - it's something I've grown accustomed to. But nothing that would stop me from enjoying myself in a new city, a new country, and I guess, the promise of a new life….

He brings a hand to his chin. "Hmm. Hard to say. Most of my time here was spent monitored in hospitals and embassies. But if I had to? I'd say, so far, not too shabby. I thought I'd be slammed with more stages of culture shock by now but apparently not. This school on the other hand…,"

… then I arrived here. If I didn't meet Komachi as I got off the bus, I'd be in a much more depressed state about my situation. She, unintentionally it seems, turned my attention towards more productive things.

"It's taking some getting used to. If I didn't run into another new transfer, I'd probably be struggling, at the very least." Keegan hastily wraps up the summary of his feelings of the past couple of days to the two seemingly different girls.

"Indeed, this school would be a lot for one to take in, much less a new country. I'm glad to hear you're adjusting. I take it you've met Hisao, then?" Lilly inquires, earning a knowing look from her shy friend at the mention of the name.

So they've met Hisao already? First; Shizune and Misha, Second; Suzu and her crew, now these two? That dude gets around.

"I have, he wasn't the one I was referring to, though. He seems to have his shit together. But rather, a lost-looking first year. She was… having issues. Her struggles kinda mirrored that of my own, so I decided to help her out."

Lilly's brows slightly arch inwardly, before resetting to normal. I guess she disapproves of vulgarity. Given her formal demeanour, I'm not surprised. "Ah. I do believe he's dealing with his own sense of struggles,"

Or I could be way off the mark there.

"I'm impressed you took it upon yourself to assist another on your arrival, I always heard Canadians were naturally courteous and helpful."

He lets a chuckle full of mirth escape. "You're too kind, I wouldn't go that far. Not for me, anyhow. I pretty much chose to ign-"

The telltale signs of an incoming call interrupt him as Keegan pulls out his phone, half-expecting it to be from Bethany but was pleasantly surprised to find it to be someone else.

Caller: The Best Kouhai Ever!

"Hmm. Speak of the devil. Give me a moment." He politely excuses himself.

"Of course," Lilly responds in kind.

Keegan hits the 'answer' key as he steps away from the pair and brings the device to his ear. "Yo."

"Senpai. I need your help." Komachi speaks in a hushed tone, her normally prevalent voice overshadowed by a noisy background.

"What's up and why are you whispering?" He responds with piqued interest.

"The twins, that's what. They're trying to drag me on a gōkon!" She explains quickly with an increase in volume.

"On a what?" He asks, abundantly confused, being unable to translate the last word in her sentence.

"Gōkon? Don't you… oh right, you're socially inept,"

I also don't know the word, ya little shit.

"Think of it as a group date."

"Oi, I'm perfectly knowledgeable about reading social situations, I can even socialise with those on the highest rungs of the social ladder without making them look at me with utter disgust. I just choose not to. I don't understand what you need from me, though?"

"...Kami grant me strength, you're ridiculous. Well, I sort of...need a plan..." She quietly trails off.

"A plan? Well, I have mastered the secret technique of running away from my problems. But why?"

"Huh-whaddya mean why?! Because I said so!" She loudly replies.

"That kind of reasoning never made sense to me." He quips as he adjusts the bandage covering his eye.

"Don't be a jerk! Come on, you owe me!"

She's serious about this? I probably should be, too. This girl needs to get out and interact with others as much as possible. That's how people make friends. I think. That seems hypocritical coming from me but I also really need to find the library.

"Calling in that chit already? As much as I would like to repay that favour immediately, I'll have to refuse. For your sake, of course."

"Wha-"

Quickly cutting her off before the incoming verbal assault, he attempts to explain himself. "Bap bap bap, before you freak out on me, listen to my reasoning. Not only is this the perfect opportunity to make new friends and get to know those twins but also an opportunity to find that special someone. Besides what'll people think if I'm the only person you hang around-"

A very long and exaggerated sigh comes in on the other end. "Ugh. Why are you being difficult?"

"Since when is looking out for my kouhai considered 'being difficult'?" He asks in a playful tone, getting another sigh from the younger girl.

"It's considered that when your senpai is being a colossal douchenozzle."

He takes a second to process before failing to suppress a dopey snicker. "Heh. Sorry, Komi-chan, you're on your own for this one. I'll make it up to you, eventually."

"Stupid! Nincompoop! Keegan!" She hastily sputters out in an impressively quiet fury before ending the call.

Did... did she just use my name as an insult? Keegan ponders her curious choice of verbal abuse before returning his phone to his pocket, turning back to face the pair who's preoccupied with their conversation.

"Say, can you ladies point me towards the library?"

To his mild surprise, Lilly is the one to speak up. "Of course, it'll be more towards the centre of this floor. I'm told it's a rather oddly-placed door."

Oddly-placed?

"Is that so? Thanks. Satou, it's been a pleasure to meet you. Hanako, I'll see you in class. I gotta go."

"R-right. S-s-see you." Hanako replies first, looking strangely despondent.

"Likewise Keegan, and please, Lilly is fine. No need to be so formal." Lilly replies after raising a curious brow towards Hanako.

I keep hearing that. But still, the irony of unnecessary formalities is not lost on me. "If you say so. Later on." Keegan bids the girls farewell, giving Hanako a small wave as he departs.

o—o

Making his way through the empty hallway, Keegan observes some classrooms hosting various clubs as he subconsciously tries to keep an eye out for Suzu's literature club but to no avail.

Approaching what he assumes is the centre of the floor, Keegan scans the hallway; noting a lonely-looking door placed square in the middle of the adjacent wall. Oh. That's what whoever meant when they said oddly-placed.

Upon entering the room, on his left Keegan spots Hisao speaking to a very nervous-looking librarian at her desk. She looks like she's about to have a breakdown at any moment. Keegan quietly notes as he glances around the large room, but mostly at the library proper. Very grandiose for a library. Then again, I've never found myself visiting libraries often in the first place. The smell of old books reminds me of the records room back at the Orphanage. Those assholes rarely cleaned out that place.

"-A lot of free time earlier this year, so I just kind of... started reading books to fill that time. I couldn't do much else." Hisao's voice causes Keegan to tune into the conversation.

"I see." Is the only reply the librarian gives him, absent-mindedly shuffling papers as she does.

There's an awkward silence afterwards that fills the air. In an attempt to alleviate it, Keegan clears his throat, getting the attention of the two.

"Hello."

The librarian looks at him with pure shock, the colour almost completely draining from her face. "Oh no. I'm sorry for not noticing you before! Did you need to check out a book? Or return one? We're closing soon, I'm sorry! I'm sorry!"

That's a shame, I should've come sooner. "Uhhh.. no worries. I'm a new student. Name's Shiro. I'm just here to learn your operating hours." Keegan notices the slight twitch of Hisao's mouth as he tries to hold a smirk back.

The paleness of shock leaves her face, if only slightly.

"Shiro. Right. Shiro. Shiro." She squeezes her eyes shut as she repeats his name, attempting to commit it to memory.

"Are.. are you good?" Keegan asks dubiously.

"Yes! Yes. I'm sorry. I have a hard time with names. Umm.. the library normally opens around 9 a.m and closes around 6:30 p.m."

"Ah, right on. Thank you…?"

"Yuuko." Hisao fills in the blank.

"Oh, right! That's me! Sorry! I'm Yuuko."

Keegan speaks in hopes of letting her calm down. "All good, I'll be heading out then."

"I should, as well. See you, Yuuko." Hisao says as he gathers his small stack of books from the librarian's desk.

"Goodbye, Shisao & Hiro!" Yuuko waves happily, a look of satisfaction and relief dominates her usual nervous one.

Keegan opens his mouth to correct her but Hisao nods fervently with a courteous smile — hastily turning away and moving towards the exit, forcing Keegan to exit the library.

"Just let her have it."

"But-"

"I think any more stimulation might send her over the edge." Hisao rationalises.

Keegan shrugs. "If you say so. An avid reader, huh? Seeing you with books in-hand is starting to become a norm."

"Huh? Ah, yeah, you could say that." Hisao replies with haste.

Not a topic to broach, eh? I won't press. There is something else on my mind though… Keegan deduces as he opts to switch subjects. "That reminds me, you were asking for my help this morning. Still need it?"

The look of recognition replaces Hiaso's previous uncomfortable one. "Right! It's actually about the student council."

Oh. This whole situation might have just gotten much easier.

"I need help getting them to leave me alone."

Shit.

o—o

Now outside in the fading sunlight and alone, Keegan roams towards a side exit to the school grounds. He racks his brain as he approaches the edge of the campus. Great. I could've used that opportunity to convince Hisao or at least discuss why he doesn't want to join but no, "problem-solver Keegan" just had to flat-out accept his request. You idiot. How exactly am I supposed to go about this now? One of my prime solutions is off-the-board now.

Do I join the council? That's the worst-case scenario so I think not.

I could just ask Komachi. No. That's definitely not an option.

Sway the student body's opinion of the council? How the hell would I do that?

Misha isn't that bad. Or at all really, when I truly think about it. Shizune on the other hand… rough around the edges, sure, but nothing to indicate that she's an inherently bad person. Today showed me that.

I suppose everyone just needs to be shown that. The question is how. There's not much a guy who got here a day ago can do.

"Isn't that the third-year transfer who freaked out on Misha?"

"Yeah, I think so."

"Jeez, I wonder what his problem is."

The hushed voices of a couple of passing students brought Keegan back to reality. He had to suppress a chuckle upon hearing them. Pfft. Freaked out? It was hardly…

At that moment, an idea dawned on him.

Of course. Why didn't I think of it from the get-go. All I'd have to do is get the majority to sympathise with them. Once they do, I'd have to work on unifying so they would actually join the council or at least start to show interest. And nothing unites like having a common enemy.

In this case — me.

Clear of the grounds and proceeding into the hills behind the school; Keegan produces his cigarette pack from his pocket with an elaborate scheme hatching in his mind.

A/N: Greetings whoever sees this, I'm not dead! And neither is this story. It's been a couple of years since the last update (life is a pain in the butt) however I'm back now and I plan on completing this fic in its entirety. I'm planning on going back through my previous chapters and doing some rewriting, as I've already given it a once-over and seen where it could use some polishing (scene breaks, Komachi-Kun UGH etc. etc.). Anywho. I'm back, baby.

DodemGM: It's a damn shame it took me so long to get back to it. Worldbuilding is something I heavily enjoy, which includes getting as much of the cast as I can to be involved(within reason and without butchering them completely OOC). And I agree, I always felt Hisao needed a solid homie in his corner (I'm looking at you, Kenji). Honestly, your review was an inspiration that helped drive me back. I'm beyond grateful if you see this, friend.

sad lofi for haunted souls - the bootleg boy