5| As They Learn to Interact

The crisp sound of shoes clapping along with the ground echoes within the long hallway. Ranging from corridors to bypassing each classroom, Tsunami finally arrived at a room titled 'Teacher's Faculty.' The inside isn't quite organized, a bit messy here and there exhibiting the busy environment for the middle sized Namimori Elementary School. Tsunami politely tiptoed her way to the inside searching for her current sensei. He sat by the far end of the corner carefully grading each test marks set for the last exam. With a light cough, he raises his taciturn eyes to observe the young doll whom he never saw but heard of.

The middle-aged man squinted his eyes questioning, tone a bit irritated. "Are you the famous Sawada Tsunami reporting back to school?"

Tsunami gestured her head with a slight motion before resting her innocent orbs past the adult male and into the window where she felt a chilling sensation tickling her sheepishly. However, despite her senses and hyper intuition telling her that someone is there, she could only furrow her brows in a conflicted look. It wasn't until the light knocking sound from the teacher did she refocused her attention.

"Not talking much, eh? The class is starting soon, you can first follow me to the classroom." After taking one last look at the paper in front of him, the male scratched his head promptly in frustration. He took hold of the red pen and drew some numbers before circling the name. Tsunami watched as his pen slide across the paper marking a twelve and arriving at the several characters circled 'Yamamoto Takeshi.'

"It seems like today will be a busy day." Sighing, he begrudgingly grabbed his clipboard and scribbled something down. Tsunami watched with disinterest and her concentration reluctantly found more important matters to deal with; such as the flickering instincts that warn her of a pair of bloodlust eyes. The knocking arrived once more and the adult male who carried an annoyed expression tucked his hands into his pockets, sides clipping the clipboard. Without much of a sound nor signal, he left the young one still absorbed into her gut feelings and only after a minute of silence had she ran after him. Tsunami sighed at the inhospitable teacher. What a nice way to welcome her back.

Her leaving figure brought many complexities to the young male standing not far from the window. He was merely passing by the scene and somehow caught a whiff of her presence. As he decided to leave, he spotted those amber glowing at his direction. It can be unheard of for him to hide from those pair of translucency but he did and even he was surprised. About a year has passed since he last saw her. While her features stayed the same, something seems to have changed. A bit was those perceptive eyes and another was her demeanor. However, herbivores are just weaklings. Like how he would always see her getting bitten to death but never had she barked back. Pathetic. At the moment when his raven eyes closed, a yellow bird gracefully landed on top of his shoulder. Recollecting his thought, he left clutching tighter to his hidden tonfa. She should not have returned, he hated her for always making him busy.

As the hallways were long, keeping up with the adult male who is twice her size proved to be quite hard. For he who nonchalantly strolled, she had to scamper with her thin short legs. Tsunami eventually became too attentive to chasing after the tall figure that when he stopped, she crashed into his broad back. The impact should've caused her to stumble backward but she stables herself by piloting her left foot. The next second, she stood before her classroom door returning back to her usual temperament. The young Tsunami who will begin her first day at school should not embarrass herself, this was what she had promised as the start of redeeming what the past Tsunami had lost.

The sliding of the door briefed open revealing children of the same ages inside. Peeking out were the few naughty ones but majority hushed at the arrival of their sensei. As he got into position, all students stood in accordance to custom and greeted.

"Rise. Bow. Good morning, Kenshin sensei."

Kenshin sensei returned with a lazy nod before making his introduction. "Today, we have a student who is returning back to Namimori Elementary School. Some might have seen her, others might not. She had an accident prior and had to stay in the hospital to be treated. Let's welcome her together."

A moment of silence continues to recede and Tsunami who was waiting for the signal finally took a single step forward. The passing breeze brushed the soft curls and her entrance brought a glimmer of surprise. The only sound remained with the tapping of her soles to the ground and the moment she spun forward presenting her full appearance, tiny whispers grew heated.

An innocent yet not foolish smile. Friendly but not too intimate aura. Voice must be presented with the sweetest incantation and spoken crystal clear. "A pleasure to meet everyone, I am Sawada Tsunami. Due to an accident, I have not only lost my memories but was also temporarily locked inside the hospital. I hope everyone can forgive me if I have any shortcoming." The short introduction left the crowd spellbound. And as one would think the performance was over, the flowy fabrics kneeled as Tsunami curtsied. Everything was orchestrated elegantly unfitting for the infamous dame-Tsuna. Those who knew her were surprised, those who don't scoff at the rumors.

Unconsciously, a young girl escaped with a whimper not soft but loud for those to hear. "Like a hime-sama."

A year can change so many things. However, this change proved to be more shocking. In the present peaceful Namimori, only few would contain blonde hair and amongst those in Namimori Elementary School, it is only her. Enrolled at the age of five, she spent three years claiming the fate of a dame. Her hair color has always been blinding like sunshine yet not much had seen her facial features clearly. Today they had seen her, bright sunset with doll lips and framing the perfection were those radiant locks. She didn't cower in fear but emitted a look of confidence.

Shouts and applauds exploded. In fact quite loud that the neighboring class came to look. Tsunami frowned, this was not the result that she wanted. Everything should have been done with serenity. Her introduction would be done with mannerism and her response should be mere claps. This was how it was like when she used to go to school. Her speech should be clear to not allow others to undermine her. It should've also not been overdone to make herself stand out...

It would've have gone according to plan if she was still in a wealthy school. A school full of nobles who were taught at young to embrace etiquettes and manners. However, her habit took control and she failed to rethink logically that she is no longer a wealthy miss from a highly extinguished family. Now, she is just Sawada Tsunami- an ordinary girl living in Namimori.

Tsunami's heart clenched in sourness, not from her sudden change in finance but rather how she messed up her first day. Stay lowkey and blend in, she had constantly reminded herself this over and over again. She learned her lesson for shining too bright and paid a big deal in exchange for her naivety.

Kenshin directed her to the only available seat located in the further corner. The crowd continued to stare at the young girl who descended from the stage and slowly made her way to the audience. Every moment their eyes locking onto their target. At the last step to her desk, she spotted a thin leg extending to the other side. Tsunami peeked at the owner which belonged to a stoic female. She had twin pigtails and face enchanting with a smile. However, what warned Tsunami were the faint black aura reminding her of the pinkette that she encountered. Tsunami's lip tugged upwards. They belonged to the same disgusting species.

Since the leg had been offered, she should return it with twice the gratitude. Tsunami sidestepped over to the empty space and after repositioning, she sneakily used one leg to crush the anterior talofibular ligament. Her graceful fall at the sudden 'tripping' only supplied her with more impact to injure the ankle resulting in a crisp crackle that only she and the girl can hear.

A tearful scream emitted and the sudden attention was blasted to the red-rimmed 'victim.' She painfully clutched her leg swollen red and purple. Her eyes no longer smiling but grudgingly glared daggers at Tsunami. Tsunami wiped her expression and returned with a flustered concern.

"I practiced my speech so much yesterday so that I don't embarrass myself, now I had done it. Are you alright? I didn't injure you with my fall, right? I didn't know that your leg would be sticking outwards. It is my fault for walking without looking."

Kenshin sensei furrowed his brows and spat out one sentence. "Take her to the nurse." He pointed at a nearby girl and turned away as though nothing happened. Tsunami stare as the girl walked away limping away with tears shedding so pitifully.

Tiny words of gossip suddenly evoked laughter and no sooner had the rumor became proven. Sawada Tsunami is a dame and it is a fact.

Tsunami's expression returned to its serene calmness and she quietly sighed. Others may not have heard it but her neighbor did. He lifted his gaze from the window that he had been looking at all this time and his pair of cold hazel met the amber glow. Unlike others, he wasn't too enchanted by her appearance. He silently observed her for a while before throwing one of those constant plastic smiles.

"Nice to meet you, I'm Yamamoto Takeshi. Your seat neighbor!"

His name brought a slight condescending smirk to those thin lips and his smile brimming so foolishly made her return with another sigh. Tsunami didn't bother interacting with the friendly shake from the young boy and instead shifted her focus to the front. This left Yamamoto in an awkward position. His smile stiffened greatly before replacing it with the original cold disposition. Their initial meeting wasn't that pleasant. He turned to throw her one of the basic courtesy before heading back to stare at the baseball field. Only then, had his mood been soothed.

School hurriedly turned boring as Tsunami sat staring at the chalkboard and teacher. With each introduction to a topic, she painfully held back her yawn at the simple materials. She turned to stare at her fellow classmates most of which were paying attention and a few daydreaming. Curious, she peeked at her side. Tsunami saw Yamamoto's side profile that highlighted his tall nose and sleek tan skin. Every time he looks at the teacher, he would seriously switch to his notebook and scribble something down. Tsunami surprised by his behavior inched closer to see his notes...but what she found were doodles of animals. Even without asking, she would have guessed that he portrayed each teacher as an animal. For doing something so serious, he sure could fool anyone with his behavior.

"Why are you not paying attention?" Tsunami's softly spoken voice startled him for a moment. He turned around eyed the blonde and smiled ever so brightly. However, no matter how brightly he smiled, his eyes were void of what his lips showed. An answer was what Tsunami wanted, so he chose to ignore her. The next second, the pencil was lifted back up and he began drawing even more diligently.

Seeing as to how her neighbor is willing to hold such a grudge against her, Tsunami decided to leave him be. Class went by even more slowly and the clock ticking lingered on. When the last bell rang, Tsunami found herself suddenly engulfed by various classmates. But be it, boys or girls, they were all here for her dear neighbor. Donning a carefree smile, Yamamoto Takeshi enchanted his classmates. Tsunami felt almost incomprehensible. So her neighbor is quite popular. She wouldn't be surprised if he one day were to walk down the streets and humans of all ages would collapse at the mere sight of his 'blinding' smile. Since there was no business for her, why don't she excuse herself? And so she did.

Her exit left some questioning and while her appearance struck a chord with everyone, her famed reputation left almost no one to approach her. Tsunami had transferred in the middle of the school year, by that time groups had already been formed and friends were already made. As dazzling as her entrance, her exist was quite silent.

Passing by the school garden, Tsunami finally found herself free. She didn't know what but the atmosphere of the classroom made her stiff and her brows were constantly tying up. Even if her physical appearance somewhat blends in, her mentality is far from those who surround her. Looking at the bright sky that paints a feeling of purity, she calmly walked away. However, life is just so unexpected and some people are always itching for trouble.

On her third step, Tsunami was blocked by two girls. Their eyes were lackluster and dull. Tsunami wanted to see how they treated the original, so she followed in obedience. They passed the garden and into a more narrow alleyway where it was isolated from students. Only then had one of the girls mocked Tsunami with her squeaky voice.

"I'm glad that you are back because I missed playing with you."

Tsunami stare with a blank face. Then all of a sudden the dull eyes turned unexpectedly sharp with hatred.

"I heard what you did to her. But who would believe a dame like you can break someone's ankle, It's a joke."

Cocking her head to the side, Tsunami spoke with sheer mockery. "Do you realize you are only seven years old. Your time should be spent more wisely on education."

The two girls applaud with a jeer. "Yes, I am seven but what does that have to do with me hating you? And focus on education? That's quite funny coming from a dame."

"Indeed, quite funny coming from a fool who couldn't take care of herself well. Should I thank you for playing with me all these years?"

The two girls burned red with ire and their senses by no means were telling them to retreat with humiliation. As one of the girls grabbed Tsunami, the other began to lift her crumbled up fist. At that moment, a silent sound stilted their actions throwing their irritated heart into a frenzied mess.

"Wow." The owner was a boy older than them by two years. He stood deep-rooted with a pair of aggressive eyes. Hands gripping onto his tonfa, he nonchalantly strolled his way through. "For disrupting Namimori peace, I'll bite you to death."

His words were weird sounding but his facial features proved him to be serious. Hibari Kyoya, the person who no one should offend. His reputation spelled loudly throughout Namimori. It was even rumored that his family is part of the top Chinese mafia. He threw a spiteful look at the three girls in front and as he approaches, they had long fled from fear.

The raven boy scowled at the amber glow that looked at him oddly. Sawada Tsunami, the weakest herbivore that he met yet he couldn't bring himself to allow her to be harmed. As the light of the sky dimmed, the yellow bird that flew down from somewhere chose to land onto Tsunami's blonde nest. He gave a more precise observation at the two in front and inwardly his heart tremored. Sawada Tsunami is the human copy of the yellow bird. He hated how she bore looks so similar because gradually his heart would soften. This herbivore is truly so annoying.

"Your return is not welcomed. Leave or I will bite you to death." Hibari's voice contained a rough irritation. He swore that this herbivore has a knack for growing weeds by her side because she is constantly attracting trouble. The young girl blinked for a while and finally curtsied with gratitude. Before leaving, she swore by her name that she will repay him back for the debt she owes. Her soft-spoken words made him frown. Gradually even the tiniest bit of fondness disappeared.

The once teary-eyed and sympathy-evoking orbs no longer exist. As if Hibari had just lost his favorite pet toy, he threw one last glance and walked away disinterested, no longer concerned. Flashing through his mind were those firm amber full of clarity and not only had her eyes spoke out in defense but she reminded him of a cassowary. He despises cassowary, they are not small and cute but big and ugly. Hibari's lips steadily pursed.


So they have finally shown some interaction with Tsunami...was it too cold? Well, I am freezing here. No pun intended, haha... But do note that one is a baseball freak and another is an arrogant prideful male, they most likely won't even show many feelings with another being much less a female. I wanted to show Yamamoto with a bit of mischevious side and Hibari starting with his soft spot. Hibari is quite the mean one, he treated Tsunami as a pet toy and showed no respect to the weak. Perfectly fitting to his cold prideful personality. As for Yamamoto, he will probably be the easiest to write since he is the dark passionate teenager.

Thank you to all those who favorited and followed. Above all, Xirons20, I can see your support! To silent readers, I am also guilty of being one. All forms of support are appreciated.

I'm slowly paving the path for the small original arc I will be making next prior to the start of the canon series.