I wasn't the most popular person in high school. I grew up in America, in a northern state called Montana. Specifically western Montana, in the Rocky Mountains. Winters had a lot of snow and temperatures were often below freezing. Summers were sweltering and humid, the seasons being only relatively normal during Autumn and Spring. It was at home.
I am in Highschool. Currently, I am a Junior, and I am currently spending my second week as a transfer student at Fujimi Academy. I am still confused as to why I was chosen as a transfer student. I am not the best student to represent my class, The only qualifications I had were relatively hard-working, and knowing Japanese. And german. And English. Okay, maybe I had a couple more qualifications than I thought. Anyway, the first thing I did upon arriving was to join the Kendo club. I was trained in basic self-defense by my Mom and older brothers out of necessity due to Mom's occupation, and I did my best to stay fit.
I usually do Track and Field to keep myself busy, but I have always had an interest in learning Kendo, so I did that. It's fun, though I had a lot of mistakes in the beginning. That's to be expected. Ms. Busujima, as I call her due to not being completely comfortable with Japanese honorifics and suffixes, though she insists on me using Busujima-san, was a great help in teaching me. It helps she's attractive, though I wasn't looking for a relationship, having just recently broken off a 3-year relationship with my girlfriend.
Anyway, Japan is nice, it's such a beautiful country. When I came here a week ago, I was nervous. I hadn't practice speaking Japanese to another Japanese speaker, so I was afraid I was going to muck it up. Luckily, they were rather surprised I spoke so well, though I needed to correct some of my annunciations. No one really knew me at first, though I made a friend in Hirano Kohta, who said he has been to America before. Making friends with him was an interesting experience.
I was on my way to my first class of the day when I saw Hirano being pushed against a locker. He looked scared. Back in Montana, I never really witnessed hard bullying. It just never really happened around my school, at most it was derogatory comments. So, I was shocked to see it so blatant in the hallway, and no one seemed to be doing anything. So, I stepped forward.
"Hey! Get off him." I walked over to the bully and grabbed his shoulder, jerking him to face me before shoving him away from Hirano. He looked like the stereotypical punk, dyed hair in a mohawk of all things. Who has a mohawk nowadays? He got up in my face and pushed me back. I didn't budge. When I said I stayed in shape, I meant it. I was also fairly taller than the guy, by a couple of inches. He was only about 5'9", I was 6'1". I looked down at him, giving my best "No bullshit" face as my friends back in America called it. Many of them have called it intimidating before, so I figured it would work. He tried to punch me, but I leaned out of the way, laughing when it slammed into the locker and he had to rub his hand in pain. I then grabbed his shirt and pulled him forward and up, glaring at him.
"Leave him alone," I said, before tossing him to the floor. He got up, tried to look cool, gave a scoff, before walking away. I rolled my eyes before turning to Hirano and helping him up, grinning.
"You alright there, kiddo?" I was older than him by a year and had a habit of calling people younger than me kiddo, even if it wasn't by much. Hirano merely nodded, giving a shy smile. I checked the time.
"Hey, if they bother you again, tell me. I got to get to class, see you later. The name is Jason Grace by the way." I walked away, arriving in my class. It was a third-year class, one that I shared with Ms. Busujima. She was the only person I was acquainted with within the class, so I usually was quietly sitting in the back. The teacher was teaching English, so I just pulled out a book, not allowed to have my phone in class, which I usually use to read, and tuned out. The teacher didn't mind, knowing that I was being taught things I already knew. I couldn't get away with it in other classes.
I continued with my classes until lunch, where I was called to the principles office. I found myself, Hirano, the bully from earlier, the principal, and a teacher waiting for me. I took a seat.
"Do you know why you're here, Jason-kun?" The principal asked. I nodded, giving a light smile.
"I assume it has to do with the altercation that occurred this morning between myself, and these two young men?" the principal nodded. He gestured to the teacher beside him.
"Shido-sensei said you assaulted young Hamura-san this morning after he tried to stop you from bullying Hirano-san. Is this true?" The principal said. Shido began to sweat.
"Of course not, Hamura-san was the one doing the harassing to Hirano, I merely stepped in as I detest people who prey on people weaker than them for no reason." I was sharp in my words when I spoke about bully's but was still polite. Hirano nodded in agreement with me. The principal looked puzzled, before turning to Shido-sensei.
"Shido-sensei, you said Hamura was the one who stepped in."
"I assumed so, but clearly Hamura lied." The smug grin on Hamura's face was immediately wiped off his face.
"Wait, what? You said you would convince the principal-"
"We will be discussing your punishment in my room. Come." Shido-sensei grabbed Hamura's shoulder and steered him out of the room. He shot me a look as he left, though I couldn't quite discern what emotion he showed.
"I apologize, Jason-kun, and Hirano-kun. Please head to lunch. And thank you for sticking up for Hirano-kun, Jason-kun." I nodded, giving a polite bow before heading to the roof to eat. I usually ate elsewhere, but I decided today I wanted some privacy. Imagine my surprise when I met a large group of people all sitting and laughing together. I blinked, before walking a fair distance away and sitting on the opposite side of the roof, eating my lunch. It was rice and chicken.
"Oi, you're the transfer student, right?" I looked up, blank-faced. There was a young man, he had blonde hair that was spiked in the middle and had light-green eyes. He wore the school uniform unbuttoned with a green-checkered sweatshirt underneath. I gave a polite smile.
"That would be me. It's a pleasure to meet you…"
"Morita, no family name." I nod.
"Morita then. What can I do for you?" Morita grinned, leaning back with his arms folded behind his head.
"You probably haven't made any friends yet, so I was wondering if you wanted to come to eat with us. Get to know some people." I thought about it, before shaking my head lightly.
"Maybe some other time, thank you for the offer." Morita merely shrugged before walking off. I sighed before going back to eating calmly.
I met Ms. Busujima the next day when I went to sign up for the Kendo club. I recognized her from my class, she asked me basic questions like if I have any kendo experience, why I wanted to join, what I could offer to the team, that kind of stuff. Eventually, they allowed me to join. She took me off to the side, deciding to teach me the basics before helping someone else. My stance wasn't too far off and I held the bokken correctly the first time. She taught me some basics, then told me to practice them. She corrected my form for the first minute or so before leaving me to practice on my own.
The rest of the week continued like that, eating my lunch on top of the school by myself, Morita usually asking if I wished to join only for me to decline, then Kendo after school. I would go to my dorm room, eat, work out a little, play some video games then pass out. I even stepped in for Hirano a few more times. A few days after that, Hirano tracked me down at lunch and we would eat together. I learned some names, Morita decided to sit with us instead of his group for a day and gave me a list of all the attractive women in the school (which I threw away).
Hirano and I nerded out quite a lot, and no one seemed to pick on him whenever I was around. I also noticed I was getting looks as I walked through the hallways. I later asked Morita, the social butterfly, though not with the ladies, why I was getting looks.
"You seriously don't know? Dude, you got a reputation now from standing up for Hirano and getting Shido-sensei in trouble. Then there's the fact you don't talk to anyone but are friendly to those who talk to you and help people out regularly."
"I do? I mean, I am just being courteous and I also dislike bullies."
"You also don't seem to notice the fact that you're hot. They're calling you a prince."
"What? Why? I'm super awkward around people nor am I attractive."
"You're athletic, you're foreign, no one really knows you personally but you're still known as kind-hearted, and you are in the Kendo club. Of course, people would notice." I merely shook my head before walking off.
I don't remember what I did the day before everything went to hell. I think I was just doing my normal routine. I do remember where I was when it started. I was on the roof. Morita and his group were somewhere else this time, I decided to skip the first period that day because I had a rough night. I have really bad insomnia born from night terrors. Only one other guy was on the roof, Komuro Takashi, one of Morita's friends. He looked bummed out, something that wasn't normal on his face. Sure he was reserved, but not the depressive kind.
I don't know why, but I decided to approach him. Maybe the whole "kind prince" persona was kind of accurate, I just can't help helping people. So I walked over to him and leaned on the rail next to him.
"What's got you down, Komuro-san." At this point, I got used to using honorifics. Mainly due to Busujima-san always whacking me whenever I used "Ms. Busujima" on her. Komuro-san looked towards me, puzzled. "Sometimes it helps to talk about your problems to someone impartial. Think of me as a therapist of sorts." I gave a joking grin. Komuro-san cracks a small smile, so I call it a win.
"Just… the girl I'm in love with is dating my best friend." I winced. Yeah, I can relate buddy. I tell him so.
"Yeah, I relate to that too. It hurts, doesn't it."
"Yeah. We promised we would get married when we were younger."
"Childhood friends? Well, if you made that promise young, it's kind of hard to keep it. If it helps, it doesn't hurt nearly as bad forever. A part of you will always remember it, remember the pain, but you eventually move past it. It makes you stronger."
"Thanks… if Saya were here she'd probably just tell me to grow up."
"Not the most subtle person, is she?"
"Not at all." He laughs. I grin, glad I got his mind off it.
"Hey, what's that supposed to mean?" I heard a voice behind us. I turn around, and lo and behold it's the girl we were just talking about. One of the smartest people in her age group, Saya Takagi. She was glaring at Komura, arms on her hips.
"Don't worry about it, Saya." He smiles. Saya looks surprised before huffing and turning away. Apparently, she wasn't expecting him to be able to smile after what he told me. She turns to me.
"You're Jason Grace, the transfer student, right? The supposed 'prince?' You don't look like much." I grimace. Ouch.
"To be fair, I never asked for the nickname. I wasn't even aware of it until a few days ago."
"Guys, what's going on down at the gate?" We both turn and look at the gate. A man was banging against the gate. A few teachers walked forward, one of them appearing to try to talk to the man. The gym teacher stepped forward, and grabbed the man's shirt, slamming him against the gate, grinning. That was a bit extreme of a reaction, don't you think? Oh, oh shit.
"What the hell?" I asked as I witnessed the man bite the teacher, causing a spray of blood to fly into the air. Saya covered her mouth in horror. We all stood there, as the man slowly stood up and bit the Ping Pong club host teacher, ripping into her.
"They're… they're killing each other?" Saya mumbled. Komura pushed off the railing and started to run inside.
"Wait, where are you going?" I shouted, running after him, Saya trailing behind me. I caught up fairly easily. We arrived at a classroom, Komura ripping the door open and striding inside. He walked up to a girl and grabbed her arm.
"Come on, we need to leave." I shook my head and walked over.
"That's no way to grab a lady, Komura." I grabbed his shoulder before turning to the girl and the man who shot to his feet, Hisashi I think his name was.
"He is right though, we need to talk." The two looked towards eachother. The girl looked like she was about to protest, before Saya came in, breathing heavily.
"We need to talk, Rei, Hisashi. Please." Saya said. Rei, the girl's name, nodded, her protests dying in her mouth. The five of us stepped out.
"What the hell is going on?" Hisashi asked, putting a hand around Rei. Komuro spoke up.
" Walk with me. Some teachers are going crazy or something, they're killing each other. We need to find somewhere to go." The five of us were walking down the hallway. I poked my head in one of the classrooms, spotting Hirano. I gestured for him to come with us.
"Why are you grabbing the fatass?" I shot Saya a glare.
"Watch it. Besides, he knows his stuff." I stated. "Look out the window." I pointed out the window in a classroom we were passing, where the students were also staring transfixed. There was smoke coming from the city. It was like the entire city was burning. "This isn't a local event."
"What's going on anyway?" Hirano asked, his voice quivering. Before I could answer, the intercom came on.
"This announcement is for all students," his voice wavered, "an emergency is taking place inside the school right now. All students must follow your teachers' instructions and evacuate. I repeat, a violent incident is taking place right no-" there was a crackle on the intercom followed by a pause. Komuro mumbled.
"So they're finally realizing it."
"Uah! Get away from me! Get back! Ah! Auh! Help! Help! Aaah!" there was silence. Soon, the entire school was screaming and running into the hallways, pushing, and shoving. Luckily, their group was no longer in the building with classrooms.
"Come on, we need to leave," I said, leading them to the roof. Already, there were dozens of corpses and people ripping into flesh. One of them was coming towards us. Hisashi stepped forward.
"I got this." he was about to engage before I stopped him.
"Wait, look. His skin is grey and his eyes are dead. I-" I took a sharp exhale, "I don't think they're alive. He's a zombie."
"You're kidding, right?" I took off my bag that held my bokken.
"I'd rather be safe than sorry. We need to find you all weapons. Hirano, take Rei and Hisashi to the art supply room. They have nail guns and metal brooms. Meet back up with us in the teacher's lounge. They have a TV. You know what to do." Hirano told me about his special training. Hirano snapped to attention and nodded.
"Yes, sir!"
"Let's go, Rei." Hisashi chose to listen to me. The dead teacher was almost upon us, Hirano, Hisashi, and Rei running past him. The teacher turned to try and grab Rei, but I stepped forward and struck his shoulder with a hard diagonal hit, hearing the bones snap. I was glad Busujima taught me weak points. I then slammed the bokken into the temple, the teacher going down like a sack of rocks. I grimaced. I got blood on my bokken.
"Let's go." I was scarily calm. My mind was slipping back into the mindset I had formed three years ago. The one of a killer. A leader. A survivor. One that I formed when I killed a man.
"Okay," Komuro said, nodding. He shouldered his baseball bat, Takagi staying close to him. On the way to the lounge, we ran into my team captain, Busujima-san, who had the nurse with her, Marikawa-sensei. We made eye contact. I noticed the lack of blood on her bokken, but I saw the look in her eyes. She had already killed once today.
"Busujima-san, Marikawa-sensei. We are heading to the teacher's lounge. We are meeting up with 3 others. Will you join us?" Busujima looked at our group, before nodding.
"Lead on, Jason-san." our group soon arrived, the building luckily mostly empty of the dead.
"Takagi-san, have you noticed it too yet?" I whispered. Takagi nodded, the rest looking confused.
"Noticed what, Jason-san?" Busujima spoke. I shushed her, wincing internally.
"They're attracted to sound. Watch." Takagi slid off the shoe of a nearby dead student and threw it hard as she could down the hall, opposite of where we were heading. It slammed, hard, into a locker. Immediately, the 10 or so dead in the room started walking towards it. I nodded. We used the distraction to make it into the room. Somehow, Rei, Hisashi, and Hirano were all there already. Hirano nodded to me, holding a modified nail gun, it had a stock now. Rei and Hisashi were armed with metal poles that were twisted on the end to a point, making a make-shift spear.
"Let's barricade the door, wait until things calm down for now," Komuro said. Everyone agreed and got to work. I sighed and sat down. At a desk, my cold mentality slipping away now that it wasn't necessary. I shuddered.
"Okay. What the fuck?" I mumbled in English.