04/11 Unknown: Foggy

Fog. I never liked fog.

Mainly because of how annoying it is to navigate through it. During our road trip dad and I got lost in Washington State because of fog and dense forest. There's a reason I prefer the city over the country. As least in the city no three things are alike. I can find my way in due time. In this instance though I'm a bit SOL to put it lightly. I can barely see where to go and my path that I'm traveling on is poorly tiled, if I can call whenever I'm stepping on tile. I've almost tripped once or twice already to the point that I could almost taste the floor.

I don't like dreaming.

There's a reason that I'm a bit of an insomniac. The last dream I had was on the way to Yasogami. I saw a weird man with bloodshot eyes and a long nose as well as an extremely beautiful and mature platinum blonde woman with gold eyes. If there is such a thing as love in first sight, then I was hit hard with it. Hammer fisted with it even because she was gorgeous. The only reason I humored the long nosed man was because of her. That's only one out of many dreams I've had that made no sense to me and came way out of left field. They tried to get me to sign something, but I woke up before I was forced to sell soul again.

This one is ranked in the top five that's for sure for weird dreams.

I approached a set amount of entryway spiral doors that opened for me when I got close enough. I made sure to keep my sword close to me just encase someone or something came at me. I've had to be careful not to get taken by surprise by any vampires or werewolves like in my last dream. My dreams are always vivid to the point that it feels almost real. Some real Inception level craziness. This is another one but last I check dreams are deprived from previous experiences and I've never been here before. Or at least I think so. Dreams come and go.

"Well well…"

I drew my sword and gripped the tsuka with both hands in a middle stance. I scanned the area but this proved to be useless. I can barely see anything five feet in front of me right now. I can't track were that voice originated or what this thing was. This voice isn't human, I've played enough games and watched enough movies to know this.

"Fascinating."

I felt a presence around me. It was large and overbearing. I ready but in place and remained calm and cool as best as I could. I could feel it behind me one moment and to my right another. It's circling me, whatever this is. It hasn't attacked me even though it obviously has the upper hand and maybe for a reason. You die in a dream the dream stops. That's true which I know from experience. It's examining me not attacking me with this in mine possibly. This is a message then. With this realization I broke my stance and reached down for the sheath of my sword. I returned my sword back and remained still and at ease. I'm at this things mercy and it knows this.

"Will you not struggle against me?" It asked me sounding almost surprised.

I didn't give a response. I just wanted this dream to be over and wake up on my couch for my first day as school. I know with a dream like this I'll be well rested so might as well ride it through. I though this until I felt it get to close behind me. I swung back and my sword pass through something. It wasn't solid, but I felt some resistance as it pass through the fog. I can't touch it just yet.

"I see. You can't see through the fog yet."

I faced towards the voice. I could hear it now in one general location behind me. I could barely make out the silhouette, but the shape is remotely human. It's human and happens to be floating a foot or maybe more off the ground. I clenched my sword and held it ready on instinct to combat this threat.

"The truth won't come easy for you to find. Will you struggle to it's end?"

The truth? What is this thing talking about? What manner of truth am I going to struggle to find? Maybe I should be worried. Before I got to Inaba every vibe, every instinct, was screaming at me to run. Telling me not to come here, but I didn't have a reason to decline. Maybe I should've if I'm having ominous dreams like this.

"But I won't get caught. I won't be stopped easily."

Suddenly the mist around me grew denser. The figure completely disappeared from my sight. The good was so dense that I could barely see my hands in front of me.

"We will meet again."

The presence faded away until I felt utterly alone in the fog. I broke my stance and sighed, "Last time I eat store bought curry before bed."

I rubbed my head and groaned as I began to wake up from my crazy dream. I rolled off my couch until I rolled on top of the floor on my back. I yawned and placed my hands behind my head. Every morning I do a few training exercises with follow on stretching to help wake up the body for the days' activities. Some pushups and a few sit ups along with a couple squats and I'm good to get up for real in the morning.

That dream sure was weird, but it was just a dream. Just like the one in the room with the weird guy with the long nose and his beautiful attendant. I swear I need to stop eating weird Japanese store bought foods before bed. This is getting ridiculous. I already have so much on my plate that bad dreams don't need to be one of them. I'm already dealing with those reporters I struggled to stay hidden from just so not to get ambushed out of nowhere. I'm the child of a Lover and all this other crap that rumor and hearsay is what caused me to have to leave my lifestyle for this. While this isn't bad. I've certainly had worse when I was younger, and my mother and father barely had any money to begin with. I'm not stupid or arrogant like some modern day "prince" for I came from hardship before my family had their big break until after my eleventh birthday. After that it was smooth sailing until now. Smooth only until I actually grew up. To think it's been five years already since then.

I rolled my shoulders and jumped a few times on the balls of my feet before calming down my muscles enough to move about freely. All that crazy "Truth" talk and that shadow figure and its ominous presence was just a crazy dream and means nothing. I just have to do as my dad told me and live a normal high school life and try not to charm any girls while I'm here. I'm my father's son so it will be a bit difficult not to talk and accidentally entice the wrong girl to approach me. We can't resist the special ones after all. But I don't wish to end up like dad; juggling eight different relationships with eight different women. I've always stopped at three just to protect myself from the backlash that follows when all that dirty laundry comes to light. I love my dad and respect him but he's not the best guy to learn restraint from. While I have my mother's complexion and her likeness my personality comes from my dad. Like him, I'm a coward and I'm not afraid to admit this. Because we're cowards it's why we get into the situations like that.

I'll be living in this town for a year until it all blows over. I wonder if everything is going to say simple for me during. I've a feeling it will and usually my feelings are right.

"Do you seek the truth…?"

I felt my head hurt again and gripped my hair as the pain spread from the bottom of my brain to the top. Holy hell this hurts. Stupid headaches. It feels as if something is trying to burst out of my skull like from Aliens or something. Just from my head and not my chest. Maybe I should be happy that's the case because if a xenomorph comes out of my head that death is instant. I don't like pain. I'm a glass cannon or so my dad and trainer always told me. I can dish out a hit and I'm light on my feet, but I can't take one well. I hate pain in all shapes and forms of it. I'd rather be the one inflicting the pain not receiving it and sadly not many people appreciate this side of me. Devilish some might call me when I really get in the mood.

I heard a knock at my door just as the pain began to subside. "Breakfast is ready," I heard a meek and frail voice from behind the door call out. Who is…? Oh, right. My uncle has a daughter and I have a cousin. Nanako I believe her name is. Before I could respond I heard her light footsteps making their way down the stairs back towards the kitchen. I sighed and rolled my shoulders once more. If she's saying that breakfast is ready, then she must be the one to have made it. I know that uncle of mine wouldn't have. With everything going on during scandal season he has his work cut out for him and no time. Something tells me that the breakfast this little girl made isn't exactly gourmet either. I suppose I'm going to have to cook for this family then unless I have find a maid service to do it for us. I doubt my uncle would appreciate some strange woman coming into his house to cook, clean, and do that dishes. It might end like a cheesy chick flick with her and my uncle having good chemistry and then making things complicated by getting together. That's the last thing I need to deal with, but still I should ask him later about it.

With this thought in mind I walked over to my blazer and picked it up before making my way down the stairs to the kitchen. I noticed Nanako setting two plates on the table with toast on top. The breakfast is very simple and not at all what I'm used to. If I wasn't eating game my dad and I caught I was eating some nice food cooked by Hitomi, mother's cook. Something is better than nothing on this…

What is today?

I checked my watch and noticed that it said it was still yesterday for Monday the 11th. That time is oddly stuck at 10:24 p.m. of last night. That is strange. I pulled out the dial and reset my analog clock to get the seconds hand going again. Then I changed the time according to the clock above me and the date for today being the 12th and Tuesday. A rainy day but the looks of it. Might as well adjust my settings while I have the chance.

04/12 Rainy

I pulled my blazer on and buttoned it up to the top then fixed the collar of my white undershirt. I made sure to shine my numeral first before making my way down the stairs as well. I have to look presentable if I'm going to stand before a bunch of country boys and girls.

Nanako placed one last plate on the table with eggs cooked sunny side up and fried sausage on top with the eggs. Now if she'd just cooked some rice and a bit of fish then we'd be in business. I smiled a bit at my joke which Nanako noticed.

"Good morning," she greeted and looked at the chair closest to the couch and living room. I sat down just as two pieces of toast popped out of the toaster. Nanako sat across from me with a Seta family stoic mask on her face that runs in the family as well it seems. We stay neutral and hard to figure out until given a reason not to be. It's how we get by most of the time.

"Let's eat," she said finally when we sat in silence for a good minute. I didn't know what to say to a kid or how to say it. I'd like to say that this looks good, if a bit simple, but I don't wish to hurt her feelings with an empty compliment like that. If my uncle kicks me out I'd be on the good side of screwed unless I can find another place to stay while I live here. Nanako looked at me with a poised face as if waiting from me to take the first bite which only served to make me a bit hesitant. A little girl half my age was making me nervous? What is wrong with me? I asked myself this but still I didn't eat first. I don't wish to lose this battle so instead I stuck with another tactic.

Attention Diversion.

"Do you do the…cooking?" I asked to which my little cousin nodded without hesitation once again showing me up.

"I can toast bread," she paused and looked down to her plate. "And cook sunny-side up eggs in the morning. Daddy doesn't cook, so I buy dinner."

That's a bit irresponsible. I know this is Japan and all but having a child walk around and buying the meals for dinner is careless. For the love of god, she could have been kidnapped or something during one of her outings for food.

"Well, you don't have to worry much for that anymore. I'll cook," I declared and Nanako tilted her head to the right a bit in confusion. I could read what was going through her mind without difficulty. What man in this day and age can cook? If her dad can't cook who's to say that I'm not in the same boat as my uncle? Well, I'm a Seta and a Narukami and if my family pride themselves on anything it's our cuisine.

"I'll show you how to cook. What do you want for dinner tonight?"

Nanako thought on it silently before answering, "Hamburger." That's very vague and broad spectrum. It could mean a literal hamburger with bread, lettuce, and all that. It could mean a meal but with the meat portion being hamburger meat. It could even mean a steak grounded down, rolled into a ball, dipped in batter, and then fried hard. I'm not sure but I suppose that's the challenge. I just have to figure it out.

"Show me were the market is and I'll see what I can do. After school," I added.

"I can buy..." I shook my head at the girl.

"We are going to the market together for now on and today we are cooking hamburger like you wanted. Doesn't that sound nice?"

Nanako stared at me before letting a sweet smile bless her lips that made me return it. She nodded then gave me a light, "okay." I'm happy she agreed to this instead of fighting it. That would've made this a bit problematic. I'm actually shocked a bit this worked. I half expected her to be at least somewhat resistant to the change, but she's a kid. I never liked them or bothered with them. Their dirty, messy, brats at times, and so annoying. Because of this they're predictable. Nanako though seems surprisingly reserved for her age. Maybe because my aunt is gone and uncle is out most of the time. That could be it.

"You're starting school today?" I nodded in response to her question. "My school's on the way," she remarked with a smile. "Let's go together." She said eagerly. She really wants to get away from the house it seems. She's even restless, and I can't really blame her. Girls her age need attention and she's not getting it from my uncle that much is clear. Maybe she's starting to look towards me for attention now. I did offer to cook for her and walk with her to the market when she goes. Escorting her to school isn't out of my way if it's really on the way.

"Okay," I agreed, and her smile grew. I looked down to the food on my plate and once more looked back up. Nanako was still looking at me intently. I guess my ploy didn't work. Bummer.

I ate quietly and found the food to be very plain and missing a lot of condiments. The eggs need salt and pepper or at least cheese. The sausage is a bit burnt and most of the juices remain which isn't good. The toast is fine if a bit plain and really needs of some butter or jelly. Either one will do. I have gripes and complaints, but food is food, and I finished it in minutes. I helped Nanako do the dishes and she showed me where everything goes from the plates to the cups. We cleaned off the table and any of skillets she used during. I found it a bit relaxing to listen to the pitter patter of the rain as it fell down from above on top the house and the ground outside.

I never liked being in the rain, but I do like listening to it.

After we dried up the dishes and put them away I walked upstairs to grab my bag. I planned to carry my sword with me just encase but I happen to not have a baseball bat bag to contain it currently. I can't walk around in a town like this with a sword in hand. I don't wish cause a stir. I pulled my bag over my shoulder on my back and grabbed an umbrella I noticed in the corner of my room. I made my way downstairs and waited at the front door for my little cousin to get here. She arrived in little time with a bag on her back and umbrella in both hands.

"Ready?" She asked.

"Yeah," I reached for the door to leave but stopped. I just realized that I don't have a key to the house and I'm not about to leave the house unlocked.

"Here." The little angel to the rescue rose a silver key up towards me with eyes that told me she knew exactly why I was hesitant to leave just now. I reached down for the key but stopped halfway. This could be hers and I can't really take it. I might get home later than her and thus leave her outside in the rain until either men in the house get back home. Uncle had to leave last night if memory serves for a case being why I went to sleep the instant he left. He might not get back until later.

Before I pulled my hand back Nanako reached into her shirt and pulled a chain out with a golden key on it. "How are you doing that," I asked faintly amused. It's like she can read my mind. That or maybe she's much smarter than I first assumed and if that's the case then more than likely she knows more about what's going on and her current standing as well. When I was a kid I grew up fast being why I'm classified as "Mature for my age" or so I've heard from a lot of people. Mostly girls. I'd rather Nanako be a child and stay an innocent and ignorant as one for as long as she can, but it seems she's already at that phase. She read me pretty well and the smile on her lips says so. It grew when I took the silver key from her hands. "Thank you."

"You're welcome," she said.

I showed her out the door, I closed it, and locked it with my new key. I need to get a chain for this just like Nanako does for my key. With this I can go out at night and explore some. I won't have to worry about my Uncle stopping me since he won't be around to stop me. If I know that Mom of mine she told him about my rebellious streak and habit of sneaking out at night without plausible cause. I need to get a night job for sure while I'm here and maybe one for the weekend as well. This way I can make some good money and broaden my horizons a bit. I'm not used to country life in Japan. America with my dad but not Japan. This might be a good experience.

04/12 Rainy: Before School

Nanako was nice enough to escort me a small river way and pointed out the road I needed to follow to reach the school. I waved her goodbye before following the road in the rain. My day got a bit better when I watched this one idiot ride his bike straight into a pole and break his nuts on said bike. I'm sure he'll be fine so I past him up like the general masses that did the same. I'm usually not one to follow a trend or conform to the majority but this time around it's not my business to intervene. That didn't stop me from taking a picture and Facebook my friends in America and a few in Japan of my first morning. Am I cruel for doing that this, I wondered. Nah, it's funny.

I stopped at an incline and sighed. I could see the school from here but it's up a pretty good hill and it's raining. I have a high chance of tripping and crushing my gonads like the guy before but I'm not riding a bike like him and my shoes have good grip. I'm sure I'll fine.

"Afraid of tripping," I heard a girl's voice behind me. Or rather I hope it's a girl and there're no traps here like I saw in Tokyo. I still shiver at the memory of being hit on by one then finding out the truth. Some truths are better left unknown for ignorance is bliss. I turned around and took in the appearance of the girl that stopped to speak the obvious to me. She's normal, near secondary character status if this was an RPG but attractive in how she stood before me. Someone is confident in their stance in this coming conversation. She knows she's on the money and that smile hers says it all.

"Somewhat," I answered vaguely. I made sure to look around a bit before I actually started talking to this girl. Even the most nerdy and geeky of girls can have boyfriends that ninja out of nowhere when you start talking to their girl. Especially if that girl has a girlfriend. I noticed no one paying us any mind and walking by as if we didn't exist. She must not be popular which means she more than likely doesn't have a significant other. No bamboo blading today. Thank god because I don't have my sword with me or a baseball bat.

"The odds are really low so don't worry… You're new here aren't you?" This girl suddenly asked me radiating a strange charisma and enthusiasm. I'm unsure if it's totally real though. This thought of mine allowed me time to look the girl over quick while activating my account detective skills. Shoulder length black hair with a light blue clip on her bangs and gray eyes. From her expression I'd say she's playing with me somehow. Testing me maybe. She's a student that much is apparent by her wearing the standard school uniform of Yasogami High School.

"Yes," I rose my hand up to shake hers and without hesitation she took mine and shook it. "I'll be careful, thank you." I leaned forward to place a kiss on the top of her hand before letting it go. I winked at her before I walked past the girl. The look of shock on her face was well worth coming off as a prick with apathy syndrome; short, vague, and to the point is how I was brought up and my short interactions are proof of this. But then suddenly turning from apathetic ass to charming playboy. Switching from one mask to the next is as simple as breathing for me. That girl was trying to use me for something, I could feel it, and so I decided to win right then and there instead of playing her game.

When I reached the summit of the hill I looked around a bit and found the school to be normal. No gang signs or graffiti to be seen anywhere but that doesn't mean they don't exist here. I've had my run in with school gangs before and one even blackmailed me once. Messing with a Narukami though proved to be their undoing in school when they got expelled. Physically they tried to get pay back and out of that conflict my Bamboo Blade skill came to life. Seta's take everything we can once you become our enemy. We like total victory over another.

With the first two girls I've met so far, one of which is my senior and the other my peer, I'm off to a decent start. Looking around now, there aren't that many really pretty girls here, and I'm honestly thankful for this. I don't wish to get too involved with them and if they are too pretty I'm going to be in trouble in due time. I noticed a couple girls looking my way and whispering to themselves most likely about me. I'm sure a transfer student is big news here in a town like this and it shows. I noticed people already talking about me. In a town like this all the students know each other and I'm the odd man out that no one knows. I won't mind keeping it that way. Makes leaving this school in a year's time much easier.

I need to get to the faculty office though and have to ask someone directions. Walking around aimlessly makes anyone look like an idiot. I saw a girl, pretty and a bit snobby, at her locker and approached her. "Excuse me," I said and the girl twisted around to get a look at me. The princess sort with long light brown hair and pretty but slightly puckered lips.

"Who are you and why are you talking to me?" She spat at me like being in her presence was a crime.

"Sorry to bother you," I dismissed her right off the bat and walked away to ask someone else. I don't need to deal with this right now. Instead of that I went with some normal looking guys talking one another.

"Excuse me," I said to them and got their attention. "Where's the faculty office?" The guy pointed outwards and told me without fuss or jokes. I said thank you and walked away. It's just that easy and some people like to make it difficult. I'll never understand why.

I went to the faculty office and before I knew it a funny looking man with large teeth was escorting me to the second floor to my home room. I could tell right off the bat this man was going to be an annoying pain in the ass the moment he called me trash to my face. We walked into the classroom and my eyes wondered around until they stopped on two figures in the room. Two girls to be exact. Two of these are not like the others. One is in red unlike the black everyone else is wearing and one with a bob cut is wearing a green track top. Why do these two have different schemes than the rest of us? One is roughly cute and the other a ghostly beauty that's for sure. Both of which spell trouble if they like to stick out like this. No one seemed to question it either. I noticed on guy in the back with headphones on over his collar. Now I know that's not in the dress code.

I let the moron that escorted me to his room talk about me like I was a low life form until he called me a loser. "Who are you calling a loser bucky?" I said almost on impulse. I felt my stomach burn from a bit of annoyance and my fist clench as well. This guy was annoying that's for sure.

"You piece of…" The man rose his hand as if he was about to hit me but I stepped up in front of him and took his hand in mine before bring it down in a mocking shake.

"My name is Yū Narukami, not loser. Pleased to meet you," I said with a fake and sweet smile on my lips. My teacher to be was officially speechless. Still even after I shook his hand once more then let it go.

"T-that's it! You're on my shit list! Effective immediately!"

I fought the urge to snort at the man but left it alone for now. I've been on the "shit list" of a bunch of my old teachers. My charm is too much for them to handle. That and the fact that I feel above them at times. I bet this guy is a forty year old virgin. I get that vibe from him being why he's harping on my youth and my status as a city boy on top of that. I'm more ahead of the game than his old man that's for sure. I doubt he has kids either. With the way he acts I'd be surprised if any woman could feel anything other than disgust or exasperation him.

"Hey ya teach! Can the new kid sit here?" The girl in that green track suit top rose her hand and waved it around like she just didn't care.

"Huh? Yeah. You hear that puke, there's your seat!" What was this guy's name again? Morooka I believe is his family name. Kinshiro Morooka is his name. God even his name is unappealing. As for that bit about getting with any of the girls here as well, that's my business whether or not I do.

I smiled again and walked towards the empty chair next to the green girl with the bowl hair. Up close she's really cute. Not pretty but cute. I wouldn't mind being a good friend to her just because of what vibe I'm getting from her. Her smile and apologetic expression said it all.

"Hey, you okay?" She asked quietly.

"Depends, is assault legal here," I asked dryly.

The girl chuckled and not a girly one. She chuckled and covered her mouth with her hand. "If it was do you think he'd be here?" The girl joked along with me earning a smile from me. This sort of girl I can always get along with. She's easy going and can take a joke in stride which is good. Her heart is on her sleeve and the devil my shoulder is telling me to mess with her.

"He's the worst huh? Its bad luck for you to get stuck in his class huh?" I couldn't have said it better myself. Last time my home room teach was a woman and at least nice to look at. This time around this man's appearance, smell, and voice is all just a bother. "We'll just have to hang in there for a year, right?" I nodded and listened in to the muttering and whispering around me.

"Sucks to be that guy, ending up in Kind Moron's class on this first day and morning here…"

They call him King Moron? That's sort of clever.

"Yeah, he won't think twice about suspending you if you get on his bad side."

Seeing that I'm on both his shit list and his bad side I guess I'm for sure being suspended today. How to explain to this my uncle… I won't, simple as that. Same girl that spoke before continued whilst King Moron was writing something one his chalk board. For the love of the 21st century we are past the days of chalk boards. In America I faintly saw a chalk board outside of a chemistry room and this isn't a chemistry classroom.

Before I could respond to the girl our teacher told us to shut up and that he has a couple hours of bitching to do. Not really what he said, but he implied it. It's when he started talking about our phones and "my-places" that I tuned him out and started the old tradition of passing notes to the girl to my right that saved my hide there.

I learned her name is Chie Satonaka and she's really cool. I already like her and her sense of humor.

04/12 Foggy: After School

After a couple hours Mr. Morooka told us that lectures begin tomorrow and that we're being released after sorting through the books we have to study with and what not. When the man began to leave is when I heard a loud screech from over the school intercom that can only mean that it was turning on.

"Attention," we heard over the intercom. "Attention all teachers. Please report to the Faculty Office immediately. All students must return to their classrooms and to stay put until further notice." With that the person over the intercom cut off and everything went silent.

"You heard that," Mr. Morooka shouted to all of us. "Don't any of yous go anywhere until you hear otherwise." With that the teacher left out the door to gather with the rest of his fellows. I sighed and leaned back in my chair while wiping my hand through my grey hair. This year is going to be a bit annoying that's for sure.

I opened up my bag to pull out my PFP to play a game. If I'm going to sit here for an unknown time I might as well get some gaming in seeing that I don't have my laptop… Wait, I didn't bring my PFP now that I think of it. I left it at home per my mom's requests but I wouldn't bend when it came to my PlayStation or my laptop. I brought that with me to school even and I can continue my game since I have the time. Or I can just show off my city technology to the country kids in class with me. Just as I was about to pulled it out until heard it.

Police sirens. Those sound pretty close too.

It's so foggy outside right now. I believed I heard one student in the room with us that must really like his spreading rumors. Apparently it gets foggy every time it stops raining.

I really don't like fog. It's so empty and lifeless and made me feel claustrophobic when I'm in the middle of it. I don't like the feeling of being closed in being why I'm relieved I didn't get a seat in the back with the walls closed to me or by the window. I hate the window seats in anything with windows.

"H-Hey Yukiko-san," I heard in the midst of putting my books away from that one rumor lover from before. He was talking to the girl that also didn't care for dress code and wore red instead of black like everyone else. Her name is Yukiko? That's a nice name. "Is it true that announcer's staying at your family's inn?" I drew my eyes towards the guy and thought on his words. On the way to Inaba I looked up famous landmarks and POI's and I remember an Inn coming up. The name escapes me but I know that it has a hot spring or something like that.

"I can't discuss such things," the girl named Yukiko muttered distantly. Her tone was so cold that it made even me shiver a bit.

The rumor lover shivered and nodded. "R-right. I guess you're right." With that the student walked away back to his friend who wore a smirk on his face like he knew what was going to happen. Something tells me that this Yukiko girl doesn't have many friends because of her distant personality despite the fact she's pretty. I grew curious and she's also pretty. This isn't good.

"Excuse me," I called out to her and just remained staring at her book reading as if she didn't hear me. "Excuse me," I tried again to no answer. I cleared my throat and said, "Excuse me, Yukiko." This time I got a response. She must had thought I wasn't talking to her being why didn't respond. Yukiko turned her head around and looked at me with her eyes meeting mine. She looked right into my eyes which was a surprise because sometimes the frail looking girls hesitate to look you in the eyes but this one has no problem. Her expression is quite neutral as well.

Looking at her now this Yukiko has dark brown eyes, soft but a bit steely as if she's holding me to the same regard as the rumor lover from before. Maybe she's used to boys asking her stupid questions she doesn't like answering. They probably made a game out of this as well is my guess. She has long straight black hair that is kept neat with her red hairband. It looked silky smooth and lustrous in the faint lime light of the fluorescents above. Looking closely now she wears her Yasogami High School uniform but with a red sweater on top. I can see black top underneath the red. I drew my eyes a bit downward. I noticed her wearing black opaque pantyhose. Something I've noticed only her doing since coming her but I'm sure this isn't the case.

I rose my hand up to her and said, "Good afternoon. My name is… well you heard my name already yes?"

Yukiko blinked and looked down at my hand before taking it in her. Her hand felt so small in mine and was really soft. "Yukiko Amagi," she introduced herself straight which made me smile as we shook silently.

"I'm sorry if I overheard but you're working at the Inn here right?" I questioned.

Yukiko's eyes lost a bit of its shimmer and turned a bit dull. Not a topic she seemed to like talking about. "My family owns Amagi inn." It's on a land mark and a historical spot being why Inaba was in the tourist guide so she must be quite well known and rich if this is the case. Thinking on it my mother did mention something about the inn and the owners having a daughter. This must be her.

"Have you heard of me?" I asked.

"No, I don't believe so," she said distantly and this only made me smile.

"My name before Narukami was Seta." This time I got a reaction. Her eyes widened at the mention of my old family name. My dad's family name.

"Wait, did our parents…?" She asked and I nodded. I thought I recognized her name and this is the reason.

"Our parents probably tried to arrange a marriage between us but your family had some test or something," I reminisced.

Yukiko nodded, "Yes, my mother and father made all guys that want to marry me take arrangement tests to see if they're worthy." To be honest with Yukiko's looks I'm not surprised. I'd be making sure any guy that tried would crash and burn if he couldn't get my approval.

"You're the Seta I heard about? You're not what I expected," she said now a bit curious of me.

"What do you mean?" I inquired.

Yukiko's eyes rose up to my hair before falling back down to my eyes. "Is that grey hair natural? Are you picked on because of it? How do you have grey eyes as well? I thought that only happened during a case of intense trauma for your eyes and hair to change to such."

I blinked at the sudden and pretty personal questions and sighed. "My grey hair is natural now. It wasn't always this color same with my eyes but you are right about the trauma. I did suffer a bit to get my hair and eyes to lose their original pigmentation." It was an instance I'd rather forget as well.

"I see, I'm sorry." She said this, but I'm not sure what she was apologizing to me for.

"I can ask the same to you. What makes you uncomfortable about the inn? What does the following scandal mean for you and your family? That and how many of these possible marriage candidates crashed and burned before your family?" To see this rebound against her I felt I've taken the higher hand now. I don't think she's going to answer me but that's fine. I don't need her to and can find out in due time. I've a year to figure it out, and I'm not going anywhere any time soon. I know my mother would dance the marry gold if the Amagi Clan and the Seta Clan made vows with each other. Sadly I'm sure I'd be stuck here if I did go through with it. I'm not sure if I want to be stuck here.

"I love the inn," she admitted to me. "I love it but…" She paused and looked away from me. I feel that there's tension before her and the inn. If that's the case I wonder if she'll follow through with taking it over. I know when my dad is finished with his business same with mom I'll have to make a choice on my 18th and 21st birthday if I make the cut. I can feel the pressure family puts on you and I feel hers is heavy like mine.

"The publicity is a bit of a bother. I'd like it all just to end. My usual marriage candidates don't get past the second test." That doesn't bode well. Now I'm really curious, this sounds like a challenge, she really pretty, and I fell my mom's puppet strings forcing me forward. For once I feel like being a Seta is really working against me. Being a Narukami is my only saving grace.

"Heheh," I heard a chuckle from my right. "You two are getting along surprisingly, heheheh." The girl in green from before fell down on top of her desk with a playful smile on her lips. "Usually Yukiko is either shy or distant with boys but you got her to talk to you and even shake your hand. That's an accomplishment you know that?" Chie beamed at me.

"Chie, please don't start this." Yukiko groaned and Chie just grinned at her friend's discomfort.

Chie put out her hand and introduced herself with a smile. "I am Chie Satonaka, I sit next to you." I took her hand and found it to be a little larger than Yukiko's and rougher as well. Chie modified her Yasogami High uniform with that light green, high collared track jacket adorned with several decorative pins (one of which happened to have a smiley face) and underneath her mini skirt she wears short black compression shorts. Spats I believe they are called. Like I took note of before her has light brown bowl-shaped hair and brown eyes though light much like her hair compared to the dark brown of her friend.

"You saved me from Mr. Morooka as well," I noted and Chie nodded.

"That's right. I'm glad you remember." How could I not? It happened not four hours ago after all. We passed a couple notes as well. Is she used to people forgetting her? With her personality I feel she imposes on a lot of people without even meaning to. "You seem like a cool dude if Yukiko hasn't rejected you yet. Wanna walk and talk with us on the way home?"

Walk back home with a cute energetic girl and her pretty nearly introvert friend? How can I say no? "Sure," I nodded and picked up my bag. "I'm sure you both know that already but my name is Yū Narukami." I took to my feet with my hand on the desk with a typical smile on my lips that I used on everyone that I meet.

"Sorry… Chie can be a bit sudden in her outgoingness. It's nice to meet you as well Seta-san," Yukiko responded in kind.

"Ah, Yukiko don't make me come off as a wild girl. It doesn't speak well of my upbringing," Chie whined though playfully. If the shoe fits walk it off though. "And anyway I just wanted to ask some stuff, and why did she call you Seta?"

I shook my head to her. "Don't worry about it. It's a bit of a nickname more than anything now a days," or until I reach 18 when I can change it back to Souji Seta like I was for most of my life.

"Huh?" Chie looked perplexed. "Well, whatever. You said you're name is Yū so I guess that's more simple than Seta huh?" I just stared at her and nodded without verbally responding back.

A bleak-looking student, the guy with headphones around his neck, walked up towards us suddenly looking so innocent right now. No he looks like he just committed a crime against humanity and is moments from facing the music.

"Uh, umm," the guy seemed unsure on how to start his confession on his wrongdoings. "Miss Satonaka…?" He said oozing fear and anxiety.

That's a dead giveaway. I placed my hand in my pocket and leaned on a random desk to watch this unfold. I think I saw this guy before but I don't remember when.

"T-this was a really… I mean is a really awesome movie and… Like…" He stammered.

Oh, see where this is going and its going south for the winter.

"The movements and stuff was amazing to see and.. I'm really sorry!" He screamed.

There it is.

The bleak guy bowed with a DVD case in hand. "It was an accident! Please just have mercy on this poor soul until I can pay you back with my neck paycheck!" Chie quickly took the DVD case from him and was about to open it. "See ya! Thanks!" The guy turned to run away but Chie was much faster than him.

"Stop right there! What did you do!" She jumped up and over the desk in near Assassin's Creed style in front of him on the ball of her foot. She spun around and landed a crushing kick right into his body below the belts. I cringed and I'm sure every guy in the classroom did as well. I would've paled and felt a bit sorry for him if not for how cool that looked in almost near video game or anime fashion. The guy fell down with one arm across a desk and a hand at his gonads. I thought I recognized this guy from before. He broke his package when he was riding that bike of his in the rain from before. Man, that had to suck for him to be stuck in the rain with a sore pelvis.

Chie quickly opened the case to the DVD and looked distraught. "Yosuke," she growled as the guy cried from his leaned over position over the desk. "Is this my copy of Trail of the Dragon?" She sounded so calm that it only served to make her sound a lot more menacing.

"Y-yes," Yosuke whimpered.

"And… is this a large crack in the middle of MY disk!" I looked over her shoulder and saw the crack that started at the edge straight through the middle and nearly hit the other side. I winced and stepped back less I suffer the same fate as him.

"It's not the only thing that's cracked," Yosuke whined before falling down to the floor on his face, wallowing in pain. "I'm sorry Chie, please don't hurt me anymore."

"A-are you okay," Yukiko asked but Chie stomped the compassion that Yukiko tried to show in the split of a second.

"Quiet you," she said to her friend before stuffing the movie into her back. "And as for you," she stomped up to Yosuke. "You can take your apology and shove it up your ass!" With that Chie marched past the door and down the hall. Yukiko spared Yosuke one last glance before following her furious friend down the hall in hope of calming her down so no other man suffers what this guy did. Best I leave him alone after all, it's not like he doesn't deserve it. That's a good movie and if you borrow another person's effects and break it you suffer the consequences that follow. I left him behind and found the two girls in the front of the school with Chie ranting and Yukiko talking her down.

"That freaking idiot! I should have known! I should have known the Prince would have broken it but I gave his dumbass the benefit of the doubt. That'll teach me," Chie ranted fiercely.

I smiled and shook my head as I approach the shoe lockers and grabbed my shoes and umbrella. "It's a shame. I like Trial of the Dragon," I admitted as I pulled my shoes on.

"You do?" Chie turned towards me.

"Of course. I like kung fu movies though I prefer movies about ronin and shinobi and the like." I come from a clan after all. Yukiko knows this seeing that our families once collaborated with one another before. That mother of mine is more conniving than I first thought. She sent me here for much more than just to hide me.

"Oh, like a ninja movie. Those are cool too. I always wondered how they climbed up walls and walked on water and stuff." I couldn't really tell her how other than with the use rope, claws, and spikes. I tried ninja warrior training before and I didn't last long that's for sure. First week and I was done.

"Yes they are." I stood up and waved for them to take the lead.

"What else do you like? Do you prefer meat or greens?" Chie asked.

Strange question but not a bad one. "Meat. Normally I stay away from leafy green foods."

Chie smirked. "You and I are gonna get along just fine. Just don't break my DVD if you borrow one," she warned.

"Noted."

I continued outside to the front gate where I saw this one strange looking student in a formal uniform and dull face. He stepped up towards us with the girls in his sights. "H-Hey Yuuki," he greeted like a creep and I would know. I've seen this many times before. This would be marked as 15 maybe. "Y-Yow wanna go hang out somewhere?"

"Ah, w-who are you? I don't know you?" Yukiko bluntly questioned the creep, and I can't blame her. He could have at least introduced himself first and go easy with the forwardness. I'm seeing this plane crashing and burning in the middle of the Bermuda Triangle never to be seen again. I heard a couple guys behind me talking about something called the Amagi challenge being one I feel like going for just to get a leg up.

"W-Well are you coming or not?" the creepy kid said impatiently.

"N-No, I'm not going with you?" The guy didn't seem to like this and ran away in a tantrum. He didn't need to call Yukiko a bitch as well. That was just uncalled for.

I shook my head and sighed.

"My, what did he want?" Yukiko asked genuinely confused.

Chie rolled her eyes. "He was asking you out on a date Yukiko."

The Amagi looked shocked by this. "Really? Are you sure?"

Chie snort faintly amused. "You really have no clue ever Yukiko." Yukiko pouted a bit and looked away from her friend. "Then again the guy was a creep. He just called you Yuki and all that too. I just about kicked him." I would've liked to see that again. Before was sort of funny and cool.

"Man, Yukiko. Turned down another lovelorn fool, huh?" Yosuke from before walked up towards us with his back right next to him. I was right to assume that he was the guy from before. Today is not his day that's for sure. "You're cruel… you got me the same way last year," the guy chuckled.

"Really, I don't remember." I covered my lips so not to show my smile. Basically she just said that he's not memorable in any way or even worth remembering if she flat out rejected him.

"Really, so you want to hang out later then?" He asked hopefully.

"I'd rather not," she rejected him straight, and I snort with my shoulder shivering.

"Man, that's what I get for getting my hopes up," he sighed. "Anyway, you two better not pick on the transfer student too much." I wish these two virgin girls the best of luck to pick on me. That's not easy to do being why it's usually older woman that are the ones that keep me on my toes. Age is but a number until you hit like 31. Then I have to back off because you pretty much were in middle school before I was born. That gets to me.

Chie snarled "We're just curious, is all!" at Yosuke and the guy cycled away with a grin on his lips away before she could karate spin kick him off his bike into the pavement. I would've loved to see that too.

"That's what they all say Chie-chan!" Yosuke yelled as he rode down the street. Chie stomped the ground and clenched her first. It's sort of funny how they tend to bring the bitch out of each other.

"I'm sorry for dragging you into this," Yukiko said my way apologizing for this entire segment out of one of those life shows are something. In a moment I'm going to hear sitcom laughter after I say something witty and stupid for the sake of sounding witty and stupid.

"It's fine," I said and shrugged my shoulders. "From what I've seen this is about what I expected. You keep interesting company."

Yukiko smiled. "I suppose."

"I am right here ya know," Chie grumbled to the two of us. "Let's go, we're causing a scene." Chie charged down the hill and Yukiko and I followed.

I watched Chie leave and couldn't help but let my eyes fall down south. My mom grilled into me to appreciate all women in all shapes and form and discover their best quality. My dad told me what qualities to look for and to compare. Chie is more fit athletically and has a nice butt. The chest regions between her and Yukiko are close but I'd say Yukiko is in the lead. Yukiko has paler skin but with less blemishes compared to the tanned and teenaged blemishes Chie has. I'd say Yukiko has the money to buy the creams needed to keep her skin free of faults.

"Should we tell her it was her yelling that caused the attention or leave her be?" I asked Yukiko and she shook her head.

"I just let her have her way. It's easier that way," she whispered back.

On the way to my house Chie kept talking and asking me questions and the like. I answered them but I was vague for couple. Mostly when involving my family did I use short answers. I told her I'm here because of my parent's work, which is true. All the work my parents put in to get us above the general masses as well as the scheme forced them to send off their only son away to keep me safe.

"Hey," Chie elbowed my arm with a sly smile and narrowed eyes like a fox. "You think Yukiko is cute right?"

Yukiko looked like she wanted to speak out against me answering this but just persisted to look at me. "I think she's beautiful," I answered earnestly which earned me a flush from the Amagi.

"Oh, I knew…"

"But," I stopped Chie right then and there. What goes around comes around. "You're really cute Chie and pretty cool. I like you," Her eyes widened and her cheeks flushed as well causing the bastard in my to laugh.

She rose her hand and rubbed the back of her head and chuckled. "Heh, I didn't expect you to be that forward." She and I both thought the same but after standing up to that teacher I felt I had enough courage to give her my honest to god opinion. If I'm going to show myself as delinquent against the adults I might as well be blunt and to the point with my peers as well.

"Got to say I didn't see you turn this around on me coming, but I'm not cute."

"Says you," I quickly said and took her aback once more.

"If I'm cute then I would have had a boyfriend by now." Chie covered her mouth with her hands with an even redder face.

I smiled and pat her on the shoulder. "Give it time."

Chie pouted at me and shrugged off my hand. "Well, Yukiko never had a boyfriend either." Yukiko winced when she was brought into the fold once more. "She's popular with the boys in school and the girls but she's never had a boyfriend," Chie said merrily but flowing with vanity and envy

Interesting.

"Y-You shouldn't believe that, okay? It's not true that I'm popular or that I've never had a boyfriend!" I feel that both of those are lies but said nothing against it. "Wait, n-no, what I mean to say is that I don't need a boyfriend…" The hole got deep and Chie's smirk got wider at her friends misfortune. "Geez… Chie!" Chie laughed and pat her friend on the back.

"Sorry, I'm sorry. Come on though this is a good chance to gale to someone from the big city. You haven't said a thing even though you know his nickname."

"Ah, well… I don't have much say…. Chie?"

"What's that?" Chie pointed outward and we saw a sanctioned off area with police cording off the area. Despite the moister in the air I know the scent of a dead body anywhere. With all the talking I can't believe I hadn't noticed it. We approached the area with Chie as lead and I crossed my arms. "A dead body," Chie repeated what a couple women were gossiping about.

Just as I was about to tell the two of them that we should leave I spotted my uncle and he spotted me. Great.

"What are you doing here?" he questioned when he walked up to us. The two girls took to my back when they realized it was me being questioned.

"Passing by mostly," I answered nonchalantly.

My uncle thought on my answer then sighed. "Of course, they released you guys and the house is on the way. I thought we told the principle to keep you guys in until further notice."

"Hey Narukami… You know this guy?" I nodded to Chie's question and my uncle answered for me.

"I'm Detective Dojima, his guardian and…" He looked at the two girls then back to me and rose an eyebrow. I didn't know what to tell him. I'm with two attractive girls on my first day, and I wasn't even trying. "I hope you get along with him," he continued. 'But not too much,' I saw him say to me through his eyes. Don't need to follow my dad's trend, and I've to wait for my mom and dad to get back together in a couple years before I can really let go.

"You three really ought to stop wandering around and head home." I nodded and walked past him.

"Oh, uncle." I walked back up to him. "I want to cook dinner for Nanako but I need some money. At least 4000 will do." My uncle looked into my eyes and I gazed back at his. He sighed and reached into his back pocket and pulled out a 5000 yen paperback and handed it to me. "Thanks."

He waved me off but not before some guy ran past us and started puking over the side of the guard rail of the road. "Damn it Adachi! Stop acting like a greenhorn? You want to be sent back to central office!?"

"S-sorry." Adachi coughed as is spat over the side once more before running back through the barrier into the crime scene behind my uncle.

I pocketed the paperback and kept my hand in my front pocket as I watched them moving a body bag with a man examining it. A coroner is my guess. I've seen a dead body before and it's always the same feeling despite the manner in which the deceased died.

"Heya Yukiko, maybe we should go to Junes later huh?" Yukiko nodded in agreement and they both faced towards me.

"It's nice to meetcha Narukami. We'll see you tomorrow." With that they both left me and I watched them walk away. Chie has a bigger butt than Yukiko, just an observation.

I walked away from the crime scene as well to get home. Nanako is required if I really want to figure out where to buy food and groceries. I don't want to leave her alone either in all this with a killer on the loose. Hate to have to get involved with whoever has the time to kill a person then hang them on an antenna for whatever reason. Why not just dispose of the body? It's not hard to do.

Recap on my day so far. I have three students I know by name but only two by full name. Chie Satonaka and Yukiko Amagi. These two are interesting and I've met their kind before. Usually with their personalities conflicting each other a friend ship wouldn't really work out. I don't think it really does either. Chie does all the talking, takes the lead in every conversation, and picks are Yukiko emotionally to the point that she regresses into her own little box. Yukiko doesn't speak out for herself that much other than when it comes to rejecting boys, but with all the marriage candidates she's been forced to deal with I shouldn't surprised.

I happened to have been one of those candidates a couple years back and didn't make the cut as far as mom was concerned. I feel now I'm ahead compared to the rest of them that took the Amagi Challenge. For a girl like Yukiko I just need two months, maybe three at the most, to capture her heart. I rubbed my head. I need this stop playing those interactive romance games and visual novels. Their having an effect on my thought process.

I can say the same for Chie. With how she imposes herself on her friend I'd say there's a love, hate, envy, and vanity issue between them. One wishes to be like the other and it not too hard to see, especially from Chie. She picks at the beautiful, smart, popular, and rich Yukiko that has boys and girls alike swoon over her. She's not used to being noticed or called out on her antics like I have today. She didn't expect it and it had an impact on her that's for sure. I'm going to see more of them both and from what I see wouldn't and having them as friends. I've had girlfriends without romantic feelings involved but wouldn't subject them to that. Chie as well as Yukiko would be good friends.

Then I have the one guy. All I have is his given name being Yosuke. He has had nothing in the ways of luck and I don't wish to be exposed to that. I prefer having my package intact and my numbers where they're at. I feel if I hang out with him I'm going to lose something or take something from him. Maybe his man card and that can be messy. I'll admit that seeing him fail has brightened up my day on more than one occasion so I guess I'll have to see.

I really am a bastard some days and I love it. While I prefer not to be in the middle of a conflict I don't mind instigating it though or bearing witness. Either way it's fun for me and in a small town like think have nothing but quiet to work with. Making a little noise isn't that hard.

I took note of the one girl that acted like a snobby princess in front of me and made it sound as if I didn't deserve to breathe the air around her. I took the hint and walked away so now I'm on her mind as the "one who walked away" and not then other way around. I did it coldly as well so whether or not this backfires I'll just have to see. I bet she'll pass me over as a jerk and leave me be, I hope.

The girl before who I actually turned the game around one. The one with the short black hair and sweet smile was really nice in my opinion and would be fun to play with. Her masks against my own.

I tossed these thoughts away for now as I reached home and saw that the lights are on. Nanako is home. I knocked on the door before walking in. Nanako stood up to see who I was. "Welcome home," she said and I smiled at her. I placed my bag down and waved at her to get her attention.

"Where to go get some groceries Nanako?" My cousin looked back at the television and then at the phone. "Uncle knows and he's busy."

"Okay." Nanako walked up to the front door but stopped at the counter to get something. It was a 1000 yen bill I guess for her to buy food with. I walked out the door and she followed after putting on her shoes.

"Let's go get some hamburger," I said as I held the door open for her. Nanako smiled at this.

04/12: Evening

The market here is just as I expected from a town like this and had just about everything I wanted. Regardless the meal that I cooked alongside my helper Nanako was a complete success with how simple it was. A hamburger steak, rice with a sunny side up egg on top, and carrots for our eyesight was really simple to make and only had us using two pots and a pan. It didn't take long for me to clean the dishes before we could ear. I have to admit that Nanako and I make a good team. She set the table while I washed up the pots and what not.

"The tables ready." She announced.

Good thing to because I just finished. I wiped down my hands with a paper towel and walked to the table. Nanako has stars in her eyes right now. Must not have had a home cooked meal in a while to be this excited. Too bad uncle can't be here to see this. It might put a smile on his face as well. Nanako cut on the television and waited for me to join her at the table. I sighed tirelessly as I left the kitchen and sat down at the table. "Let's eat?"

"Let's eat!" She agreed excitedly.

I reached for my fork but stopped. We forgot something crucial. I stood up and surprised Nanako just as she was about to put a piece of hamburger in her mouth. I walked to the fridge and grabbed a bottle of lemon tea and grabbed two cups on my way back to the table. I sat the cups down and poured her drink first.

"Thank you." I nodded to my cousin and did the same for my cup. We ate our food silently until the news came up about the body found today near the school. The deceased was that one announcer, Ms. Mayumi Yamano, who worked the television station. Ironic that she was hung on an antenna. She's pretty so it's a bit of a shame she was killed in such a way. Nanako barely paid the television no mind until the Inaba Police department was brought up.

"T-that's where dad works," she cried. That doesn't surprise me. He was there at the scene after all.

"It'll be okay," I said and Nanako nodded though she was still a bit worried.

"I know… It's his job." I stopped eating for a moment and looked up to her. I know that look. I know that look and that tone anywhere. I know that tone because I used it when I brought up my dad and mom when either of them forgot I existed for a time. Work took them over until our big break and only then did I have any fun but by then I wasn't much of a kid anymore. I was 13 after all.

"It's Junes!" In a sudden rebound she came back with a bright smile and lively spirit. I watched as she sang the tone and I had to follow along with her sadly. She sang to herself as appeared to have forgotten about her dad and the case. Looks can be deceiving though, and I know the signs of buried stress.

I picked up the dishes when she was finished and stopped her when she tried to help me. I just smiled and told her to relax and that I can take care of this. I need a moment to my thoughts after all before I shower and go to bed. I silently put the dishes away. I took my shower and went upstairs. To my surprise I saw a bed in my room with a set of sheets, a pillow, and comforter. I noticed a note as well. I picked it up and looked it over.

"Hey nephew, I found you a bed so you don't have to crash on the couch." I read off the note and crumpled it up. "Thanks uncle."

I set up my bed and fell on top with my feet still on the floor. It's soft. Soft and comfortable. This will do. I need to thank that uncle of mine when I get the chance. I closed my eyes and waited for sleep to take me. It took a moment. I had to put my music in before I felt the release and my mind go blank. It was just as a good song was about to come on as well. Bummer.