A/N: I don't own KHR or any of its characters.
Freshly ironed uniform, packed lunch box from mom, and first-day jitters - is what most normal students would have on their first day at a new school.
What do I have?
Hidden knives wrapped around my upper thigh, a shitty low-tech pager, and restrained enthusiasm at the prospect of kicking your ass.
I quickly lock the front door of my dingy, second floor apartment. 'Apartment' - more like a closet that unnaturally fits a toilet and mattress in way too close proximity. I'm pretty sure glamorous is the opposite of any term used to describe my apartment. But it is cheap, don't judge!
I can certainly travel in style when it's on the Vecchio dime, but other than that I still have more important things to save for. And it has only been 2 years since I finally got out of the negatives and paid Kazumi and Guido back for what I monetarily owed them - including 20% interest. I'm no financial wizard, but even I know 20% is basically larceny. I'm not going to be stingy, if they want it, they can have it. Money is the easiest thing for me to pay back. If all my debt could be summarized by a bill, no matter how high, I would take that.
Besides I'm not picky about my living situation - when you're on the road as much as I am, you learn to appreciate even a simple bed - and I'm near the school so that's a plus! Just an 8 minute walk.
I walk alone amidst the crowds of students making their way to the school.
"Wahh who is that girl?"
"I've never seen her before, but she's wearing our uniform!"
"She's beautiful~ I hope she's in my class!"
Middle school students are something else. I haven't even crossed the entrance gate and it's already time to put on my character.
I gently tuck a tendril of my hair behind my ear as the wind blows and smile bashfully to myself.
Loud GASPS around me, as the masses blush.
Is this what it takes to impress a gaggle of middle schoolers? I'm not sure if I want to die or want them all to die instead. I wonder if I should've chosen a harder character-type to blend in than the cliche gentle, slightly-air headed, popular girl like -
Well, like the girl standing right in front of me. Short honey-brown hair, cheerful demeanor, cute and frequent giggles. "Tsuna-kun, Yamamoto-kun, Gokudera-kun" she suddenly cries out, waving to the three boys from yesterday.
"K-kyoko-chan! Good morning." Tsuna waves back with a blush on his face as he almost trips walking over to her. Aw, he likes her, though she seems blissfully unaware.
I slow my pace to put more distance between myself and their group. I'd rather not run into them twice in a row. Call it instinct (and common sense).
I turn to the right, taking a detour along a beautiful tree-lined street. A slightly chilled morning breeze, but perfectly sunny blue-skies. It's all too easy to fall into an aimless walk. I soon find myself at a park - I've been here before. I smile to myself. A long time ago. Somehow it's even more peaceful than I remember. Kyoya must be taking good care of it. Haha, with force of course.
I sit on the park bench and lean back, watching leaves drift to the ground in the wind.
My reverie is broken by LOUD squeals of a child "GAHAHAHAHAH LAMBO'S CANDY! GAHAHAHAH!" It's almost as annoying as a certain silver-haired pain-in-my-ass. Almost.
A child wearing cow pajamas flies through the air, quickly followed by a little girl with braided pig-tails on an almost perfectly egg-shaped head. "Lambo-san share!" she reprimands.
Lambo? Eh? My head quickly swivels to watch his retreating figure. Two horns, cow print, don't tell me this is the infant hitman of the Bovino family? Actually what the fuck is happening in Namimori these days?! I have accidentally run into more hitmen in Japan in TWO days than I would in a month in Italy.
The two kids proceed to chase each other all over the park jungle-gym. The aforementioned Lambo chomps down on both lollipops without any regard for the girl. "MINE GAHAHAHAHAH!" He's the worst lol.
"No fair Lamb-san!"
And to my shock, Lambo looks straight at me and yells "BUY LAMBO MORE CANDY!" and skips over to me. I quickly feign innocence, push myself off the bench, and walk briskly away, completely ignoring his existence.
"MISS MISS MISS MISS MISS, BUY LAMBO MORE CANDY!" Fuuuuuuuuuck what a little shit. Do NOT engage. DO NOT ENGAGE.
"MISS MISS MISS -
The little pig-tailed girl drop kicks him in the face. I adore her already.
"Lambo-san stop bothering strangers."
I hastily depart without drawing further attention.
The last thing I hear as I turn the corner is Lambo's high-pitched crying.
"Ah I wonder if class has already started…" noting that the crowds of students are long gone, instead replaced by the lingering one or two students literally sprinting toward the front gates. Wow, that is some dedication if I ever did see it. Last time I attended a public school was 6 years ago, and it definitely was not a big deal to be a bit late.
A line of students kneels at the school gates, hands held over their heads. Gangsters, wearing gakuran uniforms and swinging baseball bats, tower over them. I look around awkwardly - uhhhhhhhh middle school is weirddddddd. The internet did not explain it well, let me just say that.
I guess I just walk past them? I sure as hell ain't kneeling - oh they best think twice about trying to get me to kneel.
"Hey you! You're late! Tardiness goes against school rules."
I turn to the gangster with a very very familiar hairstyle and flash him a worried look, "Oh no! I'm so sorry, it's my first day and I got lost on my way here. Would you mind helping me to my classroom? You seem so reliable."
"O-oh if it's your first day just make sure it doesn't happen again! I can escort you to class."
"How can I ever thank you enough? What a relief." I send him a big smile.
"N-no don't worry about it, it's my duty." He blushes a deep red, nervous sweats on his forehead and armpits.
"Please let us go as well, we're sorry!" the kneeling students cry out, but the gangsters don't budge. Is this school controlled by a group of hooligans? Is that why I was brought here? This is way more confusing than I thought it would be, I have to admit. Like do the teachers know? They just chill with this situation? I mean, I don't mind - how could I, I'm literally a hitman. As long as they don't get in my way. But what's this all got to do with me?
He walks 2 paces in front of me, leading me to my class. A voice booms from in front of him, though his body blocks the person from my view - "What are you doing here? You're supposed to be patrolling the front gate."
That voice…
"A new transfer student was lost, I'm escorting her to her class."
"I'll finish up the rounds then." The reliable, familiar voice responds.
My eyes widen as Tetsu - the source of the voice - followed by Kyoya, appears in front of me.
I can't help but break out into the most genuine smile I've had in a long time.
They haven't changed at all. And that thought alone makes me happy for some reason. Though they both now easily tower over me now. Tetsu especially is insanely tall for a middle schooler - though let's be honest his hairstyle gives him about 3 more inches of height. Yup, I can tell now he'll probably never change his hairstyle for the rest of his life.
Kyoya radiates the same intense condescending authority as before - though I can sense he's even more dangerous now. Around his left arm is the disciplinary committee armband. That explains the gangsters and their power in the school. I have no doubt if Kyoya is here, he occupies the most powerful position in this school that a student can have.
"Thank you Tetsu-san. Hibari-san." The gangster in front of me bows deeply to the passing pair.
Tetsu looks at me and smiles as we pass - "Welcome to Namimori Middle School."
And it hits me.
No, not disappointment, if that's what you're thinking.
Just sadness FOR THEM - that they are this fucking dense. These mother fuckers.
"Thank you." I smile my goody-two-shoes perfect plastic smile.
Kyoya walks straight past me without even a glance. I TOLD HIM so many times, to watch his surroundings. But no! Still chugging along with his terribly low observational skills.
I would never believe that they could forget me. No. Never. I trust in the bonds we built… I would always trust in that. They SERIOUSLY just straight up don't recognize me? I knew at FIRST GLANCE who they were. I mean, they do look exactly the same - but no excuses!
Sure back in the day maybe I didn't brush my hair for a day, or years, whatever! And maybe I was always covered in dirt and dressed in Kyoya's old clothes! And MAYBE I did grow boobs and lose all my baby fat! BUT STILL - how different could one be? Outside of any sort of vain appearances, can't they SENSE it at all? It's meeeee hellloooooooo!
Honestly, if this is how it's going to be…
well, Kyoya, I'm going to annoy the shit out of you.
And I'm going to enjoy it, immensely.
That's my right since you're apparently this dumb.
Hmph.
"This is your class, make sure not to be late again."
"Hai! Thank you again."
I slide open the classroom door to a room full of surprised students.
"Ah you must be the new student!" the teacher ushers me in quickly. She's plump with a tight bun at the top of head. "I'm Mrs. Ito."
I bow deeply, "Sorry I'm late! I got a bit lost."
"Oh don't you worry about it, please come to the front and introduce yourself."
"I'm Hatsu Smith, but please just call me Hatsu! I recently moved here because of my dad's job. I enjoy walks in the park, pop music and making new friends!" Ha. Since I can't really pass as full Japanese based on my features, I went with Smith - a common last name in Europe and in America, so easy to spin to any narrative.
"Any questions for Hatsu-san?"
Hands shoot up from almost all the students and Mrs. Ito randomly calls on them.
"Are you single?!" The class breaks out in laughter at the enthusiastic boy.
"Yes." The class 'ooooh's in response, as if I've said the most mind-blowing factoid of all time.
"I can show you around school if you'd like?" Another boy shouts out.
I giggle (omg, I know, I'm a great actress). "That's so sweet, I would love a tour of the school."
"I can show you too!" "Me too!" "Hatsu-san I know where all the best spots are!" Others chime in.
"Okay settle down class. Ryohei-kun since she'll be your seat partner, why don't you show her around during lunch?"
He literally jumps out of his seat, punches at the air, and SHOUTS, "I'll show her around TO THE EXTREME!" That's a LOT of energy, definitely something that could get tiring real quick...
"Tsk. He's so lucky." The class grumbles.
I take my seat beside the enthusiastic Ryohei. "It's nice to meet you TO THE EXTREME!" Yes, confirmed, I am tired of it already.
"Haha, it's great to meet you too Ryohei-kun!"
"Do you like boxing?!"
"Ryohei-kun shut up! She doesn't want to join the boxing club." Another classmate pipes up. And for them I am very thankful.
The class bursts into friendly laughter, which even Ryohei joins in on. Seems like a low maintenance class. Perfect.
The rest of the day passes easily:
Ryohei's enthusiastic tour of the school, which honestly was really subpar. We lingered at the gym for the entirety of the tour as he showed me some of his new moves.
Friendly snacktime banter with the outgoing boys and girls of the class. Some of them even gave me their bread and juice and honestly if this is what popularity gets you I'm never giving it up hehe.
After school meetings with my teachers to get caught up on what I've missed, school policies, available clubs. The standard stuff.
By the time I'm done with it all it's already late in the afternoon.
I guess I'll wrap this up with one more scout of the entire premises. Especially considering Ryohei basically just made me watch his boxing practice for lunch. Finding all the entrances and exits of the property was a first step to any mission. Can't be too careful if I have to make a speedy exit or a sudden appearance.
I quietly walk the halls and stairwells, checking inside every room. Mostly classrooms, offices, gyms, storage closets - the usual.
What is highly UNUSUAL though is the rigging across various buildings.
Strange item #1: the heavy-duty (I'm talking enough voltage to destroy a city) electrical cables on the rooftop of one of the buildings, though not yet plugged in.
Strange item #2: surveillance cameras rigged (though turned off) onto the entire 3rd floor, yet not on the 1st or 2nd floors. In general, this school must have way more surveillance than any normal school - I'd seen mafia compounds with less cameras than this school!
Strange item #3: dynamite hidden in remote Building Block B and markings on the ceiling and floors as if preparing to blast those sections.
Cool.
Not suspicious at all.
Definitely not strange and grounds for alarm. Sarcasm.
And yet, what do I do? I haven't received any further instruction from my pager, so I can't really tell if this is all a part of some larger plan that I am unknowingly involved in OR is it something I should be preventing? I mean, seems troublesome. Seems very very troublesome... For now, I'll track the situation and any changes and await orders.
I plug in a small microchip to each camera for a brief 5 seconds, uploading a small bug to steal their (whoever it is) feed.
Besides that, nothing I can really do but carry on with normal life.
I stretch out as I finally head out the school gates.
I should have a few hours to help with the Vecchio mission now. A simple wire tap of a few important politicians. I'll do the first one tonight. Max productivity for me!
A/N: Quick update from me! Reviews help!
