Chapter Two: This is How You Learn

Ruhi stayed at home for three days, efficiently ridding her jet lag before her mother pushed her off to school. Sakaki had promised her mother that he would pick up and drop off the girl, as Hyoutei was quite far from her home. Even by car, the school would be a good thirty minutes away.

Fortunately, Hyoutei allowed the students to pick the classes that they would participate in. However, the wide range of electives Hyoutei provided, including music, art, calligraphy, foreign languages, and computer science could only be taken starting their second year.

Regardless of this, due to Ruhi being a scholar – under a music and art scholarship no less – she was the sole exception. Also, because the curriculum she learned at America differed from the curriculum she would learn at Hyoutei, she was excused in the subjects she exceeded in, and was thus pushed to take more advanced classes.

Needless to say, her schedule was quite the opposite of what her classmates expected.

Her classes involved the need to change classrooms, due to the fluctuating levels of difficulty. Lateness would usually be an issue, but due to Hyoutei being a private, privileged school, there were long breaks in between class periods – usually spanning fifteen minutes or so.

Damn rich kids.

Anyway, the time allotted was enough for Ruhi to make trips to her locker and to find her classroom without losing her way. After Sakaki had informed her about some rules, Ruhi was off on her…

ADVENTUREEEEE!

…Right.

Her homeroom teacher had politely pointed the way to her first period class, but according to her schedule, she would be joining the 2nd years for her second period: Chemistry. While normally this wouldn't be an issue, Ruhi had only been in Japan for less than a week, had no familial beings to help her, and just like Ryoko, wasn't used to reading Japanese – hiragana or Kanji.

Needless to say, she got lost quite simply.

Having given up with the map in front of her, she stuck with wandering the halls until she could find the sign above the classroom door that read '2-3.'

Meanwhile, a tall young man exited the men's lavatories, rubbing his hands on his pants to wipe away the remaining water. Glancing up, Ryou Shishido stumbled back a few steps as he bumped against a figure. With a grunt, he rebalanced his balance before looking up.

"Oi, watch where you're go—" He stopped himself as he realized the perpetrator was a petite girl, quite a few inches shorter than him. Having stumbled back more upon impact, she took a bit more time to steady herself.

"Sorry," She mumbled in English, and something must have come to mind because her eyes blinked in realization. "Er, sorry."

"…Just watch where you're going next time." The taller of the two stated in an awkwardly gruff manner. He had immediately lost his temper the moment he realized who he was talking to: a girl.

She bowed quickly, but before he could walk away, she spoke once more, "Ah, sorry to bother, but could you point me to where Class 2-3 is? I'm a bit lost."

He blinked in confusion, before he stated, "Well for starters, you're on the wrong floor. Second year classes are on the floor below is." He nudged his head to his left, indirectly pointing to a staircase. "Head down those stairs and it should be down the hallway to your left."

The girl bowed again. "Then thank you for your help, senpai."

As she walked away, his gaze followed her curiously before he shook his head and cursed. "Shit, Ishiyama-sensei is gonna give me hell for being so late from the bathroom."

With that, he dashed off.

It was her second week of school – and with the realization that her twin sister wouldn't be with her. Yes, Ryoko Echizen had not gotten over it.

It was just too weird…! She had never been separated from her sister for so long, and to go an entire school year without her? It was just strange. Now, her sister and she had never traded spots or anything like that, and Ryoko didn't need her in such a sense, but she needed her. She needed Ruhi by her side.

And she'd never admit it – but it did hurt the slightest, tiniest bit, that Ruhi obviously knew that she was going to Hyoutei and didn't tell her… And her twin told her everything.

Ryoko sighed. Really, what in the world was happening now that they were in Japan?

Of course, little did she know, things would only be getting worse from here on out.

It was just another day at Seishun High. Ever since her impromptu meeting with the tennis regulars at the sushi restaurant, she had stumbled upon them a few more times.

Ryoko honestly had no intention to make friends with anyone. She particularly did not care to socialize, especially with people who played tennis (honestly of all sports, why tennis?!). But it seemed Fate had other plans: after several more mishaps, the girl was actively sought out by the older group of guys, who often times invited her to eat with them.

She had tried to refuse at first, but, well – let's just say that she honestly couldn't do anything when two eager, much taller ("Damn freaking giants – just let me GO already!") senpais grabbed her by the arms and eventually took her as hostage. Ahem.

Somehow, even rumors about her strength ("Man did you hear about that freshman chick who apparently knocked out the MMA prez in one hit?" "What? No way! What a monster.") couldn't deter the two idiots.

That is, until she sent them a rather poisonous glare – but one was too much of an idiot who just laughed it off until he was sucked into a brawl ("What'd you say, Viper, you wanna GO?!") and the other just hid behind his close friend, crocodile tears streaming down his face ("Nya! Oishi, Ochibi-chan has such a scary face on… T.T").

…But perhaps deep, deep down, like wayyy deep down…

They were kind of growing on her.

The slamming of a door startled her out of her thoughts, and she realized that class was long over and she was the only one in the room, sitting and staring straight at her desk.

"Nya~ Ochibi-chaaaan, what's taking you so long?" The cat-like redhead cheerfully called out in greeting, the calm brunette standing little ways behind him. "It seems we're the ones to come get you today, Echizen-chan," Fuji greeted with a small nod.

"Let's gooo~" Eiji whined, "I'm hungry! Ne, ne, what do you have for lunch today?"

Ryoko sighed as she got up from her seat, picking out her bento from her box as she did so, "None of your business, senpai-tachi." She started to head towards them, irked, "And why do I have to be picked up anyway?! I can get there just fine!"

"But you might run awaaaay~" Eiji beamed innocently, "And then I wouldn't get to have some of your yummy, yummy lunch!" He gave a peace sign as if there was nothing unusual with his statement. Ryoko stared. Fuji simply smiled.

Kami, she was going to go crazy. 'Oh, Ruhi, what am I going to do…'

In the High School division of the prestigious Hyoutei Academy, rumors suddenly exploded about a raven-haired beauty after lunch. There were several speculations about her, and people mostly ignored the fact that she was a scholarship student, instead choosing to focus on more interesting things.

Several students questioned her origins, where she came from and why she moved to Hyoutei; others spread lies, solely for their own benefit or entertainment. ("Hey did you know she was a former model? I heard her name from one of the managers of my mother's company.")

What utter bullshit.

Weeks have passed, and yet the rumors persist, as the girl in question remained particularly elusive. She wasn't exactly rude, oh no, but despite a large population curious about her, she miraculously and swiftly removed herself from the room with a small smile and head nod before anyone can say anything.

Of course, this couldn't go well with a certain ego maniac.

Floors above, a sign proudly hangs above a large, white door, gold-plated and with elegant typography printed: "Student Council Room." Behind the closed door was a rather eloquent room. Much larger than what could be assumed on the outside, it contained lavish couches, antique coffee tables, tall windows covered by fancy drapes, and of course, an exquisitely grand, mahogany desk at the head of the room.

Only a few had permission to enter the room, only a few had the privilege to use the room.

There, Keigo Atobe sat on his royal throne – as King (or rather Student Council President). "Ahn~? What is all of this commotion for some peasant girl? Quite a racket, na, Kabaji?"

"Usu."

The tall giant replied as calculating navy-near-onyx eyes glanced towards his figure. "Hmph. Suppose we'll figure out soon enough, ahn? What this peasant is all about? Saa…"

He smirked, gazing out of the tall windows that allowed him to view his empire. After all, one girl couldn't escape from so many eyes, especially his eyes, for long.

Little did he know that she had already caught the eye of different acquaintances of his. On the far, opposite wing of where he sat was the art wing. A young man, too tall for his own good, quickly locked the room behind him. He was thankful still that Sakaki-sensei allowed him to access the music rooms before tennis practice started. Even though his time on the piano wasn't quite enough to satisfy him, he couldn't exactly be late to practice.

As he started his trek to the court area, he slowed down habitually as he passed the last music room in the hall. Closing his eyes, he focused on the slight echo of the melody hidden within the room. He immersed himself fully in the music being played, recognizing it immediately: it was one of his favorites, Chopin's Nocturnes, Op. 15: No. 1 in F Major.

He smiled, and feeling rejuvenated, aroused himself from his stupor before hurrying over to the courts. It really wouldn't do well if he was late to practice.

"Oi, Ootori, you're cutting it close, nah?" Atobe arched a fine brow as he gazed at his underclassman. The second year bowed apologetically, "Ah, sorry Atobe-buchou! It won't happen again!" He dashed off to change clothes before practice could start.

"So he says, but it's happened a few times, hm?" The captain mused to himself. "Maa, as long as he's not late."

"Atobe."

"Hm?" He turned to face the caller, looking into the eyes of the former Kansai resident.

"Sasaki-taichou is asking for you."

At first it struck him as odd as the coach usually called for him on his own. With a nod, he made his way over to the man's office. Slight anticipation welled up within; after all, it was never a good thing if the coach called for a meeting. For the most part, Sakaki-taichou let him lead by his own standards – in other words, the older man had faith in him. And while Atobe was certainly not intimidated by him, well…

"Enter."

The third year opened the door, bowed, before entering the office, shutting the door behind him.

"Atobe. You don't need to sit – I'll make this quick."

Leave it to Sakaki to cut straight to the point.

"I make it a point to not involve myself unless absolutely necessary." He started, and Atobe could only agree.

"Yes."

"From now on, my afternoons will be taken up. That is, I will not be dropping by as much to see Hyoutei's progress."

This was strange, wasn't it?

"I trust—" Dark, brown eyes bore into his in an impressive stare. "—that you will not disappoint."

"Of course, taichou." Atobe bowed his head.

"Good. Hyoutei will rise to the top."

With a final bow, the captain was dismissed from the office.

Well, this was an odd turn of events. Atobe thoughtfully walked back to the courts. It wouldn't make too much of a difference; the coach rarely ever visited or looked over practices, again leaving it completely up to Atobe.

But still… This was a very strange things – to completely close up his afternoons.

Something was up.

A/N: This was supposed to be up two days ago but then I got distracted by PoT roms… In any case, my school year starts up in a few days so who knows when the next update will be… Reviews are appreciated.