Our Story
By Kitara Lira
Chapter Three: The First Day
April came around quicker than Takishi or I had expected. One moment we were fixing bikes in the shop, and then next he was urging me into the nearest stationary store and filling my cart with "musts" for school. I would have sufficed with a simple notepad and set of cheap pens, however he had insisted I get a leather case for each of my subjects, several notepads (to which I could put inside the leather cases) and the finest set of pens money could buy. There were also many other things, but to me they held no importance and I never used them.
A week before classes started, it was brought to my attention that I did not have the proper attire for attending school. In the mail I had received a notice stating I should come by during set business hours to be sized for my uniform and that appointments were required. Takishi booked the appointment before I even finished reading the letter. I'm not sure who was more excited - myself or him. Of course, being measured and retrieving your uniform were two completely different processes. All uniforms were hand made, tailored by one of Japan's finest shops.
The uniforms themselves were anything but ordinary. The school insignia was embroidered into the left breast pocket, a striking gold on the pure white of the jackets. In a way they reminded me of a soldier in his military jacket as a gold tassel hung from the left shoulder to below the school emblem. Each jacket had cuff clips that were custom made for the individual. Made of a gold and silver mixture the cuffs were inscribed with the family name and any particular family crests that one might happen to have. As well the family crest could be embroidered onto the bottom right corner of the front of the jacket if the individual so desired. A silk tie accompanied the piece, and a pair of long white pants to match the jacket. Everything was so fresh; so crisp; so perfect. To say that this wasn't a rich school would be a lie. I knew already just by having my uniform custom designed that it would be a difficult two years to achieve my credentials. Not so much for the high degree of knowledge at the school, but from the high strung society that was common in such a setting.
-
I tried not to let it bother me – the fact that I would be attending school with all these students who were spoiled rich kids. These were kids that had never known the pains of hunger; had never felt the nipping chills of winter; had never tasted reality. We were in two completely different worlds, with two completely different goals. Were as they had tea and biscuits, I had chips and water. They drove the latest models of cars; I drove a run down old motorcycle. They had parents; I had none. None of the other students at this school could understand the things I had gone through. None of them could have felt the sting of reality. At least that's what I thought… until I met knew you.
-
"Stop squirming already, you're making me nervous and I'm not even going in!" A man in his late thirties reprimanded the young individual before him, "Take a few deep breaths and just imagine you're at the shop about to greet a customer." The man was no taller than five foot five with jet black hair that was tied back in a pony. It wasn't overly long, but long enough to be kept tied back. His face was cleanly shaven, and his chestnut eyes sparkled with an excitement. It was the day he had been waiting for; it was the first day of April. Taking another skim over the other's appearance, he leaned forth, adjusting the tie for the third time, "Ready squirt?"
"Squirt?" The younger individual chuckled, swatting at the pair of worn hands that fiddled with the uniforms tie. Standing a good few inches above the other, the hoarse voice continued, "Who is the shorter of us? Neh?" Offering a playful jab at the other's shoulder, the figure chuckled softly; time had done wonders. Hovering just below six feet, with a lean build, long deep navy blue tresses that were tied back but hung down at least to mid-back, and a pair of brilliant green eyes; the school's blazing white uniform making the youth look absolutely stunning and chivalrous.
"Pah, not in height, in mind!" The man echoed with his own jolly mirth, withdrawing his hands and nervously tucking them within his blazer pockets, "You sure you have everything? Did you remember to bring those cases, the pens, the…"
"Mou, Takishi we already went through this, you packed my bag remember? In fact you packed it fifteen times!" Emerald orbs rolled in an exaggerated manner. It was just like him to be so worked up over something so trivial. If things had been her way she would have gone to the first day of classes with nothing but a pen and pad of paper.
"One can never be too cautious!" Interjected Takishi, withdrawing his hands from his pocket to cross his arms about his chest and pouting, "Plus… I don't want you to stick out. If you stick out in this school in a manner that screams 'I'm not the same class as you' some of those snooty rich bastards will…"
Before he could become any more riled about the subject, the young woman gently set her hand atop his shoulder, offering him her best lop sided grin (something reserved only for him), "Don't worry Tak I'll be alright. After working with you and the boys at the garage for all these years I've learned a few things here and there. If any of them try to rough me up I'll give them hell, you can count on that." Those emerald eyes glimmered with determination; sincerity; truth.
Exhaling all the air he had subconsciously held in, Takishi sigh, "I suppose you're right…" He paused for a moment before offering the young woman a pleading look, "But did you really have to choose the male uniform? It isn't too late we can still…"
"No, I'm not going to change this." Stated the woman with solidity, "I'm not the type who wears skirts so some peeping tom can get a free show if he walks close enough and plus this," She said motioning down to the long white pant leggings that held a gold stripe down the side, "Are much more practical. I'm sorry Tak, but I'm not changing it."
Another heavy sigh was released and shoulders rose up then fell, "Can't say I didn't try…" Catching a sideways glimpse at his wrist watch, the middle aged man smiled, "Well it's about time you go and attend your first day of school. Knock 'em dead tiger."
Locks of blue bobbed up and down in agreement, "Mmm, just for you…. Pops," And with that she offered a simple wave before turning and jogging off in the direction of the school gates.
Though the last part had been just a murmur, it made him proud. He did not have a family of his own, but he felt like he had found a family at the shop with all his employees being like his children. This one though – the youngest of them all – had been his pride and joy; to hear those rare moments when she would call him by such a name, Takishi truly cherished them for he knew just how hard it must be for her to even whisper such a name. After all if his father had left him and his mother, Takishi wasn't so sure he'd ever want another father. One disappointment was often enough.
-
"Class," An elderly man with spectacles hanging about his nose tapped the top of his lecture podium with his instructing rod to get the student body's attention, "I would like to introduce to you a new student to our class, Kuga-san." The old man motioned for the figure just outside the classroom door to step in. It was rare for this school to accept new students and so all the individuals of class room 2E were anxious to see just who was so special to be a part of their class that had not had a new student in almost seven years.
Before entering the room, the young woman drew in a few steady breaths, "Now or never…" Murmured the gentle, yet coarse voice, and into the room she stepped. Being the center of attention was something she truly hated, so this introduction needed to be over with as soon as possible. Not raising her eyes to take in the state of the class, the navy haired woman bowed formally, "Kuga Natsuki, please take good care of me." As she raised her emerald orbs, Natsuki found something she most certainly had not been expecting; adoring looks. Not only from a few of the males within her class but also from a few of the females as well. This was going to be a long two years.
-
Author Note: This is the first point of view change in the story, I hope you can adjust to it. The piece will be going between this and the first view and perhaps at later points I may bring in a third view.
Thank you to everyone who has reviewed, I appreciate the positive words and I hope that I can end this story with just as much interested as it has started.