This chapter is dedicated to DaydreamingMagicalWorlds.
I'm going to borrow a little bit of Riko Aida for Victoire Weasley.
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I sigh in relief as I heard the bell ring, signalling lunch break. I closed my History book and stood up, planning to go to the toilet first before I go up to the roof to eat my lunch.
"Teddy!" I turned around to see Hinata, his smile wild as he clutched his lunch box to his chest. He waved me over. "Lunch break!"
"I'm coming, you impatient brat," I murmured, as I fish out my lunch box from my bag.
"Oi, I heard that!" he shouted. "I may be shorter, but I'm older!"
Kageyama appeared behind him and smacked his head from behind. "Dumbass, he's two months older than you."
"Kageyama! You JERK!"
I ignored my two new friends. I may be in a different classroom from them. Still, I took a liking to their weird dynamic and unusual arguments. It doesn't matter if it's about volleyball or their unique competitions, their arguments are always entertaining.
So, yeah, I'm now officially a first year at Karasuno. Yu actually made sense, and Harry agreed. Three days after I met Yu, Harry escorted me to the school, and I was assigned to Class 5. I got several once-over from my classmates, and the teachers tried to get me in trouble because of my hair. However, Harry assured everyone (while he tries to hold his amusement) that my hair isn't dyed.
The Vice-Principal was actually appalled about my blue hair at first but looked the other way when he tripped (on air) after he closed his office door to interview us. Harry and I tried to contain our laughter when the Vice Principal's wig went flying.
Yu, or Nishinoya Yu, fetched me from my classroom after my first day of classes and practically dragged me towards the volleyball club. I didn't bring any change of clothes that first day and I was too polite to accept a spare shirt and shorts from a blond guy named Tsukishima. I stayed by the sidelines and watched as the team members practice their spikes and diving. While I watch them, I'm listing down things I need to buy, from a water bottle to volleyball trainers.
Harry surprised me when I got home that day with a full gear. He got me several jerseys and jackets I can wear while I train, trainers, socks and towels. He even completed the list with arm and knee pads, ankle braces, a sports bottle and three volleyball balls. Last but not least, a sports bag to house everything in. Lastly, Harry escorted me towards the empty guest house and surprised me with a weight room, an extra bedroom upstairs and even called magical contractors to transform part of the back yard garden into a decent-sized pool. Winky took pleasure in cleaning everything that night and packing it for me, along with a humongous lunch box, the next day.
Tanaka-sempai got a kick out of my embarrassment when I showed Hinata the contents of my sports bag the next day. However, Kageyama was fanboying on the brands of each of the items. I couldn't care less. I'm happy at the fact that I have Harry's support to officially join a sports club. He was concern about my metamorphmangus abilities going out of control during a game. Meditation and a glamour bracelet actually sealed the deal. I will stay on my current appearance (blue hair, green eyes like Harry's and freckles I unconsciously imitated from the Weasleys until I remove the bracelet.
I was so conscious when I showed my volleyball skills to the team, especially the coach, which turns out to be the retired coach's grandson who taught me to play volleyball. I didn't participate in an official game because I cannot hold my strength—especially days before and during the full moon. Harry said I was like a kid who drank several cups of coffee on a sugar high. I can't sit still, adrenaline pumping through my veins and... er, would sometimes bite off everyone's head for no particular reason. I'm not a hothead, and I do not have a temper, but everything goes up to the surface as the full moon comes closer.
I even finished the Heartbreak Hill half the time when the third years brought the whole team there. I stopped at the top of the hill without breaking a sweat while the second years arrived five minutes later, panting their hearts out. Then, during the practice match with Nekoma, I jumped too high and couldn't receive the ball with my arms. I punched it instead. I hit the ball with my fist too hard towards the Nekoma side that when the libero tried to save it, he couldn't. It was not because he was too slow but because the ball slowly descended towards the court as the ball loses air. Everyone's jaws hit the floor after that.
I followed Kageyama and Hinata to the rooftop with my huge lunch box. I tried to tell Winky that I can't finish everything she packs for me, but the little elf was so stubborn and told me to share it with my classmates. My packed lunch is actually good for four. Four people, that is, if they also like second helpings. This is actually another reason I took a liking to Hinata and Kageyama. Or, maybe it's the other way around. I hate coming home to show Winky that I brought back leftovers. At least with these two, they won't leave any leftovers.
"What did Wanda packed for you?" Hinata eagerly let go of his bento as he excitedly waited for me to sit down to unpack my lunch. "The egg sandwich from yesterday was delicious!" He moaned in longing.
Even in the Muggle World, calling someone Winky is a bit weird. It's a good thing that Winky isn't offended when I told her that I call her Wanda in school. She actually liked the name and almost burst into tears when I told her that Hinata appreciated her cooking. I think that's also the reason why my packed lunch is always full to the brim.
I opened my lunch box, and without looking, I presented it to Hinata, who ooh'ed and aww'ed at the sight. Kageyama, however, choked on his milk yoghurt when he saw the contents.
"Is that Ruby Roman!" His eyes were the size of golf balls as he points at the box incredulously.
"Waah~" Hinata gawked, his eyes gleaming with excitement.
I peeked into the box as I snatched Hinata's club sandwich. "Harry was sent a bunch of them last night from the office," I explained as I ignored Kageyama's outraged remark of, ("A bunch of them?!") "I tried one last night, but I didn't like it. The small ones are the best." I shrugged. "Reuben sandwich, potato salad and cucumber and carrot sticks for the side. These," I said as I snatched the vegetables and two portions of the sandwich from the box before shoving it towards the two, "are mine. Help yourselves."
It didn't take long before Hinata and Kageyama started arguing between themselves. Winky packed two whole french baguettes, cut into four each, and stuffed with, by the looks of it, a quarter pound of meat each and oozy cheese.
I do need to eat meat. Compared to a regular guy, I can pack double the amount. When its closer to the full moon, I crave for a little blood on my steak. It's usually before and on full moon when Harry and I would eat steak. He can enjoy his medium-rare filet mignon with a glass of red while I enjoyed my blue T-bone with a bottle of butterbeer.
I rescued a piece of pickle from the box before Hinata and Kageyama's grabby hands. I watched them argue who has the better part and debates who gets to finish the grapes.
After forty-five minutes, I packed away the empty lunch box and secured it with the cloth. Before we left the rooftop, though, I heard the beep of my phone from my pocket. I followed Hinata and Kageyama down the stairs with one eye as I read the text Harry sent me.
Fleur and Victoire came to visit. I told them that you're attending school at Karasuno and Victoire is interested. I'll bring them to your class.
Huh. That's unusual. Victoire and I may not have grown up together, but we met several times. We would meet during the holidays, summer and the occasional birthdays, most often at the Burrow. She is a bit of a loner and a book worm. She's Aunt Hermione's favorite among the kids. No wonder, same minds think alike.
I wouldn't call her a genius. The better word would be mature. Harry thinks its because of what happened to Aunt Fleur. She was pregnant with twins, but they died a few days after they were born. Uncle Bill wasn't around the time of her brothers' death, which left her to tend to her mother before help arrives.
By the way, I forgot to mention that the reason why Uncle Bill and Aunt Fleur didn't follow us to Miyagi is because Harry had asked Aunt Fleur to manage the office for him. Harry owns a sporting goods store in Tokyo. Then Uncle Bill decided to resign as a Curse Breaker to work in the Muggle World instead. What type of job would someone leave being a Curse Breaker? I honestly do not know. However, Harry let it go as Uncle Bill seems to be content with it.
If Victoire is going to attend school, that could only mean either of the two things. Either she's bored, or it could be the same reason she doesn't want to go to Harry's store with Aunt Fleur.
I jogged to keep up with Hinata and Kageyama while I typed my reply with one hand. I'll meet you guys at the gate at 3:15pm. I'll tell the team I'll be late.
We almost went past my classroom when I poked Hinata's shoulder. "Hey, would you mind telling the coach and Sawamura-taichou that I'll be late for practice? Just for fifteen to thirty minutes. I need to meet my Godfather and my cousin at the school gates after school."
"You're cousin?" He tilted his head in wonder, making me think of how dogs tilt their head. "Is he going to Karasuno too?"
"She," I corrected. "My Godfather said she is interested. Either she is bored or just want to see my school. Victoire isn't the type to socialise."
"Vi- Vee- Veectuah?"
I chuckled. "Veek-tu-ah," I enunciated. "Her mother is French. It means Victory. Shōri."
His eyes gleam with delight. "Does she know how to play volleyball?" He asked excitedly. Everything is about volleyball about him, it seems. "If she's part of the team, it's a sure victory for us!" He gave me a thumbs up but Kageyama, who walked back to where we are, heard our conversation and whacked Hinata behind the head again.
"Dumbass, his cousin is a girl," he said as a matter of factly. "She will need to join the girls team instead."
"No," I chose to answer Hinata's question, "I don't think she would like to join the club." She might complain about the sweat on her hair instead. "But I can introduce her to you guys when she arrives."
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I met them by the gates after class and accompanied them towards the Vice Principal's office. Along the way, she garnered looks of admiration as we walked but ignored them favouring my and Harry's company.
"Settling okay, Teddy?" Harry ruffled my hair.
I blushed beet red as I answered, "Er, yes. I have practice today, though. I can give Tori a tour later."
Harry smiled in approval. "Alright, but I think this would be quick." Harry glanced at the Vice Principal, looking in awe of the blonde girl at the window outside the Vice Principal's office, taking in the view. "I don't think your Vice Principal will say anything about Tori's admittance."
I glanced up, wide-eyed. "So she's really attending Karasuno?" I asked. "But she's only fourteen!"
Harry chuckled. "She won't have it any other way," he said as a matter of factly. "I don't know if I have had told you this, but Tori actually attended middle school while you're homeschooled. And before you say anything, you know why." He looked at me pointedly.
That shut me up. It was difficult for me to control my metamorphmangus in the first year when we moved to Miyagi. Even if I have been training and mediating since before my eleventh birthday. My emotions were running high, and I'm always in one of my moods. So Harry hired teachers to teach me. Teach us actually, as Harry said that he's not really a good Occlumens and meditation is one of the critical components of mastering such skill. It was a bit unnerving to be in the same "class" as my Godfather, let alone another adult.
"Fleur said that she skipped grades, you know how Tori is Hermione's favourite among the kids, so she taught her more than the others," he sank his hands in his pockets and straightened up. "The muggles labelled her as a genius. If it wasn't for you, she'd be attending uni."
"Me? Wait, uni?" I exclaimed.
"The fact that you're in high school," he elaborated. "You know how a loner she is." I nodded. "She would visit Bill at work and spend the whole day with him and his trainees. She never interacted with kids her age. Fleur actually agreed, she look exuberant at the idea so I couldn't say no."
I glanced up at him questioningly.
"Oh, I didn't tell you?" I shook my head. "Sorry," he scratched the back of his head, sheepishly. "When Bill resigned as a Curse Breaker, I hired him as an employee for the company. I only sent him to the building, and HR interviewed him. I didn't actually tell Bill or the HR to place him in a particular team, but I only heard that he's a sports trainer now for one of the teams representing us. He makes sure that they are in tip-top shape before participating in a tournament."
"Oh," I remarked weakly.
Tori tore her gaze from the view and turned around, seeing the Vice Principal for the first time. She bowed at him, "Honma ookini atte kurete jibun de."
Oh, right. I forgot to mention. I did say that I was homeschooled. At some point, Victoire was too. However, she took a liking to Kansai-Ben during our lessons because our teacher was from Osaka.
The Vice Principal looks like he's about to cry, his wig shaking in place. Then Tori gave him the killer moved and smiled at him. It's the first time I've seen a full-grown adult bawl like a baby.
I glance at Harry disbelievingly. He only laughed. "See?"
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I dunno why but the idea of someone looking angelic but with a Kansai dialect is the same as a foreigner speaking Japanese. It's just so unique, I thought I'd give Victoire a Kansai dialect.
Honma ookini atte kurete jibun de – I tried my best to look for the exact Kansai translation of "Thank you very much for meeting me." I'm confident of the "Honma ookini" as most sites I've visited have that phrase, but I cannot find anything for the "for meeting me" part. So I have no choice but to use google translate. "for meeting me" was directly translated as "watashi ni atte kurete." As far as I know, watashi is a neutral Japanese. Then I remember a Detective Conan episode where the characters described "Jibun" as "you" as Tokyodite and "me" as kansai-ben. So I just replaced the "for me" as "Jibun." Ahhh, no more! This is the only time I will be doing this for Victoire. I'll be imitating how Detective Conan do the English sub for Hattori Heiji with his "ya" and "de."
