Several hours later, Masaya stood from his position, stretching in order to get the blood flowing back to his limbs and to rid himself of the soreness in them. Pressing a finger to the device in his ear, he said, "Chika-san, I'm heading back to my room. Nothing to report."

"Understood, Masaya-san," Chika, the Gardiane commander on duty, responded.

"Remember, if you see anything suspicious, call me right away. Don't worry about waking me."

"Understood."

Closing the connection, Masaya got to disassembling his rifle and putting it back in it's case. Once everything was in place, he closed its specialized briefcase, briefly remembering the pain in the ass bringing it into Japan has been, and placed it into his bag. He turned off his laptop and placed it in the bag as well. With everything ready, he headed downstairs and back to his dorm room to catch some sleep before classes.

The next day, Masaya was awoken by the sound of his phone's alarm. Blearily sitting up and turning it off, he smacked his lips a little before standing up and stretching. After getting feeling back into his limbs, he picked up his towel and headed for the bathroom.

Half an hour later, he exited the streaming bathroom with a towel around his hips, tussling his wet hair. He set out the uniform he'd wear for today, and was about to get changed when he heard a knock on his door.

"Masaya-san, are you awake?" Ruriko's soft voice filtered through the door.

"Yes, Ruriko-san, I am," Masaya responded. "Give me a few minutes to finish getting dressed."

Ruriko called out an affirmation as Masaya got changed into black slacks and a plain white t-shirt, the latter of which went under a long-sleeve white button-up shirt with a black tie. After putting on his shoes and wrapping his black long-coat over his shoulders, he headed out, being greeted by Ruriko's serene smile.

"Salutations, Masaya-san," Ruriko greeted him.

"Good morning," the brunet replied.

"Shall we he'd to the cafeteria for breakfast?"

"That sounds fine."

Together, the pair set off to the cafeteria. On the way, Ruriko kept stealing glances at her bodyguard, who was content with maintaining the silence between them. The mystery of Okonogi Masaya was one that had piqued her interest. He was a completely closed person, keeping himself distant from even the girl that had known him in his childhood. He mentioned 'circumstances' that had separated them (and him from everyone in general, it seemed), but he refused to talk about them. From his actions, mannerisms, and overall personality, however, she doubted they were good circumstances.

She could never be presumptuous enough to demand he tell her (and, if she were honest, he'd likely refuse anyways), but she couldn't deny that the curiosity was burning in her mind.

The entire way there was spent in this manner, which drew the attention of the girls that were already awake and milling about. They were stupefied at the fact that there waa a male in the school to begin with, but for him to be at Bijou Bleu's side without a care in the world? It was almost inconceivable!

Masaya, for his part, expertly ignored the looks sent his way. If there was anything that he was far too used to by now, it was those. If it wasn't his age, it was his methods that were questioned.

Typically, a teenager being able to put a bullet in someone's head and show no emotion about it was worrying.

Most people that had met him, if they had some amount of the pesky feeling they called humanity, would object at him being a mercenary. But the people who had hired him had seen potential instead. They had seen someone whose youth and skill would ensure he would last a while under their employ. Someone that could follow orders through to the end when given.

And that's exactly what he did.

As they arrived at the cafeteria a few minutes later, both students heard the speaker system come to life, asking all students to be at the gymnasium at nine o'clock sharp, an hour and a half's time from now.

"Why do you think the headmistress would need us at the gym?" Ruriko asked Masaya as they got their breakfast.

"My introducing to the student body," Masaya responded. "A proper one, at least. I think half the students have seen me."

"How do you know?"

"The chairwoman told me."

Ruriko made an 'ah' sound as they sat down. Their breakfast was a simple bacon-and-eggs-with-toast ordeal, as Masaya wasn't particularly picky and Ruriko liked the taste and simplicity of it.

Just as they were finishing up, with forty minutes left before they had to get to the gym, there was a quick movement by them, setting Masaya on edge due to habit. When he realized it was another student, though, he relaxed somewhat.

"Salutations!" the burgundy-haired student greeted them energetically, as if the fact that it was already eight in the morning was nothing to her. "I see we have a new face, and a male one to boot!"

"Oh, Tamie-san," Ruriko spoke with her usual smile. "Salutations."

Masaya merely gave her a nod in greeting.

"A man of few words, eh? I can dig that," Tamie said with a wink. "The name's Nogi Tamie, known by the title Sombre Scanner." She sat at their table and pulled a notepad and pen from her hat with a flourish. "So, hot stuff, how are you here in Vincennes without the Gardiane jumping on you and throwing you out?"

"The name's Okonogi Masaya, and you'll find out later."

"Oh? Is that why we were called to the gym?"

Masaya nodded.

"Well, putting that aside, how are you so chummy with Ruriko-san here?" Tamie continued with her questioning. "Not many people are happy about that."

Masaya shrugged. "Whatever they feel about me is none of my concern. Ruriko-san here and I were already acquainted shortly before I arrived, and she graciously offered to show me around. Additionally, we're in the same class."

"Oho, Ruriko-san, aren't you nice," Tamie said to the girl, who looked a tad flustered but understood Masaya's lie well enough to continue it.

"Oh, it was no trouble. He was very gentlemanly."

"Gentlemanly, huh? You already have glowing reviews, Masaya-san," Tamie teased.

Glancing at his watch, Masaya ignored her entirely and stood, startling the girls. "I think it's time we get going. The meeting will start in half an hour."

"Dang, did time fly that quickly?" Tamie asked sadly. "I wanted to ask you a few more questions!"

"I'm sure it can wait until later or tomorrow," Ruriko chided her lightly. "Masaya-san is correct; we should be on our way."

"Awww, fine," Tamie groaned, standing up alongside her.

As they were walking out of the cafeteria, they meet up with Chiho, who greeted them. "Hello Ruriko-san, Tamie-san, Masaya."

The three responded with varying degrees of interest (Masaya's being the lowest, predictably), and like a predator, Tamie latched onto one little fact.

"Oho, did you say 'Masaya'? Masaya-san, you never mentioned you were friendly with Chiho-san as well, or that you two were so close!"

While Chiho 'eep'ed in embarrassment, Masaya merely sighed. "Chiho-san and I knew each other long ago. I left Tsurugigaoka and didn't return until now, and I wasn't expecting to see her here in Vincennes of all places. I didn't mention it because you didn't ask."

As Tamie pouted at his answer, Chiho sighed. Together, the foursome continued the trip to the gym, with the girls hanging back and taking between themselves (which mainly consisted of Tamie grilling both Ruriko and Chiho about details on him). Tuning them out, Masaya was aware that, amongst the multitude of stares he was receiving, one felt particularly... focused.

Looking around surreptitiously, he spotted a few girls looking directly at him. And of those, there was only one he knew.

Lis Branche.

The pink-haired girl was staring at him inquisitively, likely wondering what he was doing here (like everyone else). Since that question would be answered soon, and as he now knew she went here, Masaya didn't bother calling out to her. He simply continued on his way, his companions still gossiping behind him.

As they approached the gymnasium, Masaya noted that the chairwoman was standing by the doors, greeting the students that were arriving. When she spotted them, she smiled as well, an action that slightly surprised Masaya. Rarely had he seen someone smile at him after knowing what he did unless they had ulterior motives, but he felt none of those feelings right now.

"Ah, Masaya-kun," she greeted him. "I see you have already made acquaintances."

"Indeed. Good morning, Madame Chairwoman."

"Salutations," the three girls greeted simultaneously.

After returning their salute, the chairwoman gazed at Masaya critically and asked, "Do they know?"

The girls were a little bewildered by the vague question, but Masaya only sighed. "Ruriko-san is aware, of course. It directly involves her. Chiho-san knows the basics."

"I see. Very well then. Ladies, head inside. Masaya-kun, come with me."

The foursome obeyed dutifully. The chairwoman led Masaya to a side room, connected to the actual gym by a pair of double doors.

"I will step out in a few minutes to explain to the girls the cover story we are going with. Is there anything you would like to add?" the chairwoman asked Masaya.

"Yes, actually," Masaya responded. "Many of the students have already seen Ruriko-san and I together, despite that this is my first day here. I would suggest finding a way to add her to the story."

The chairwoman was pensive for a few moments. After getting her thoughts in order, she responded, "Well, as much a cover story as it is, there is actually a small movement to make Vincennes co-educational. I am not sure if you've heard of it."

"No, I haven't. I can see where you are going with this, though. If we're to include Ruriko-san into it, however, we should ask first."

The chairwoman nodded and left, returning a moment later with the slightly confused girl in tow. "Ruriko," the chairwoman asked, "How do you feel about gender integration at Vincennes?"

The sudden broaching of the topic caught Ruriko off guard, but after thinking it over, she smiled. "I have never really thought about it, but after meeting Masaya-san, I could definitely support it."

Masaya raised an eyebrow. "But you've only known me for two days."

Ruriko merely shrugged.

"So if we were to alter Masaya-kun's story to include, say, you finding him and suggesting him to us for the idea of integration," the chairwoman asked, "you would not mind?"

"Oh, no, not at all. If it helps Masaya-san and the school, I support it wholeheartedly."

"I see," the chairwoman smiled. "Then please, remain here with us."

"Madame Chairwoman, one more thing," Masaya spoke up. "Who is the actual leader of the gender integration movement?"

"That would be my granddaughter, Rise."

Pushing down his now natural reaction at the name, Masaya continued. "Then I believe we should tell her as well. If the students begin questioning her about me and she can't answer, it would punch holes in my cover very quickly."

The chairwoman nodded in understanding and went back outside to fetch her granddaughter.

"Masaya-san," Ruriko spoke up, remembering something, "you told me that you were familiar with Rise-san, no?"

"Yes, but do not mention that," Masaya warned her. "I'll explain the circumstances to you later at your room or mine, alright? If she recognizes me, it'll likely be unnecessary, but if she doesn't, then it would be best to wait a bit."

"But why?"

Masaya was prevented from answering her confused query by the return of the chairwoman, with a pink-haired girl (who was much more confused than Ruriko had been) in tow.

"Grandmother, why did you bring me here?" Rise asked, glancing between Masaya and Ruriko somewhat warily.

"Ah, I believe Masaya-kun here should explain," the chairwoman responded, waving at the young man.

As Masaya and Rise locked eyes, Rise felt as though her soul itself had been dunked in ice. She had recognized him as the same young man they had allowed her to escape the clutches of the Gardiane two nights ago, as she had felt like such a coward for running that she had returned to the area and kept watch from afar, cell phone in hand and ready to call emergency services in case she came to a worst case scenario. She had been pleasantly surprised when she saw him merely move the Gardiane to an alley and keep watch until they woke up, and while she had been unable to hear what they had talked about, she was smart enough to not show herself, lest she end up being captured by the Gardiane again. But after a few moments, he had left abruptly, and by the time she had the chance to follow him, he was gone, as if he had melted into the shadows (and due to his dark clothing, she briefly wondered if that had actually been the case).

But suddenly, two days later, she finds him again, this time in Vincennes itself, wearing what could pass for a school uniform, and to top it off, he was surrounded by three of the most famous (and infamous) students in the school. The fact that Ruriko kept stealing glances at him during their walk was not lost on her, and neither was the fact that Tamie had been grilling both Ruriko and Chiho for answers, likely about him.

They had yet to speak properly, and already, his presence was confusing her to no end.

"I can see you have a lot of questions," Masaya spoke up, breaking Rise's train of thought. "I hope my short explanation will be enough to sate your curiosity for now." With a sigh, he stuck out his right hand. "I believe proper introductions are necessary, though. Hello, Rise-san, I am Okonogi Masaya."

"Salutations, Masaya-san. My full name is Rousenin Rise," the girl responded in kind, grasping and shaking his hand. She noted that he had a firm, yet not overtly powerful handshake.

"Any trivia I should know about you? Likes, dislikes, hobbies?"

"Well, my only hobby that I can think of is drinking tea in calm, outdoor areas. It helps me relax immensely. And you?"

To her surprise, the young man actually had an emotional reaction, though it was only an amused twitch of his mouth. It was gone as quickly as it came. "I'm similar, but instead of tea, I prefer to read." Rise nodded, and their hands separated. Masaya's expression, if possible, became more serious. "Very well. Listen up, Rise-san. I may have an uniform on, but the truth is, I am not a student. My actual role into this school is as an undercover mercenary." Rise's eyes widened. "Ruriko-san's father hired me through the private company I work for as a bodyguard for her, and for the school by proxy, as the criminal activity against his family and company has reached a breaking point. To prevent the people after him and his family from being immediately tipped off about my presence, I am using the cover story of being a temporary transfer student meant to test if the school can become co-educational. I was informed by your grandmother that you are the leader of the actual gender integration movement here, so I thought it best to inform you of this so that you are able to answer any questions later on."

Rise's face had been incredulous throughout the explanation, but after he stopped, a smile split her face. "So this means I still have a chance to succeed?"

"I cannot say. In the end, it's still just a cover story," Masaya shrugged.

"If it holds, however, it can still work," Rise said, determination in her voice.

"In this case, however, we are going to include Ruriko-san into it," Masaya continued his explanation, waving his hand towards the blonde, who waved with a little smile. "As I am under her father's employ, we've decided to say she and I met during her vacation and she believed me suitable for the role of temporary male student. For simplicity's sake, she contacted you about it and you agreed. We have already talked to her about it and she has agreed. The question is, how do you see this plan?"

"I can agree to it," Rise responded almost immediately. "Truth be told, I was unable to find a suitable candidate for the role, but if Ruriko-san is willing to support me on gender integration, and if it will help you in your work, then I will wholeheartedly agree."

Masaya nodded, turning to the girl's grandmother. "Well then, Madame Chairwoman, I believe we have kept the girls outside waiting long enough. It's time to get this show on the road."

An hour later, Masaya was headed to class with Ruriko and Chiho, the two girls talking between themselves.

The introduction had gone off with little problem. The story provided served to answer the largest of the students' questions (his presence), but what was most shocking to the Filles de la Vincennes was the fact that Ruriko supported gender integration enough to be the one to find a male candidate. This shock dampened the automatic scornful reaction the girls would've had at his presence. After explaining the cover story's details, which took longer than they had anticipated, the students were let go of so they could get to classes. As Masaya was set in class 2-C alongside Ruriko, the two had set off together and joined up with Chiho, who was in the same class, on the way out.

During the walk, Masaya was aware as usual of the stares being sent his way. The majority were scornful, and those that weren't were simply curious. He wondered, not for the first time, just what they taught the girls here about the opposite sex and the outside world, if anything, if this was the reaction they had to even a small sample of it.

It was no different once they arrived at the classroom. As soon as Masaya opened the door, there was a veritable explosion of whispers as the girls began to gossip amongst themselves, the topic of his presence being a largely negative one. Ignoring them for now, he looked at the homeroom teacher, who was gazing at him inquisitively before returning to the book in front of her.

"There is an open seat to Ruriko's left, Masaya," the teacher answered his unspoken query. "You may take that one if you wish."

"Understood," Masaya nodded, following after Ruriko as she and Chiho went to sit. As luck would have it, it was a window side seat, which allowed him a near unobstructed view outside, which was extremely useful for his work.

As class began, Masaya had to admit that this was a novel experience. The last time he had been in a proper school classroom, he had been a child taking Primary Course math and science alongside Chiho. After that, his classes had become more... hands-on, and the only thing that happened in a classroom was typically a lesson on the area of or around a target.

Sluggishly to Masaya, midday arrived, and the students were let out for lunch. As everyone began to move around him, Masaya kept his gaze on the window, scanning the fields outside for anything suspicious. Nothing looked particularly threatening, though.

"Masaya-san, come on, let's head to lunch," Ruriko called to him from the front of the classroom.

"Coming," he responded, standing and giving the outside field one last sweep with his eyes. Noticing nothing out of place, he headed for the door, where Ruriko and Chiho were waiting, and together, the trio headed out.

Much like the walk to the classroom, the two girls were talking between themselves as Masaya listened and kept watch. However, halfway to the cafeteria, Masaya became aware that his companions had suddenly gone quiet. Taking his eyes away from the window, he looked to find them staring at him.

"What?" he asked.

"Masaya-san, do you never try to talk?" Ruriko asked.

"It isn't that," Masaya shook his head. "I just prefer to listen. If there's no reason for me to say anything, I won't."

"But why not try and talk with us?" Chiho asked. "I mean, I get that you're a guard and, as much as I hate to say it, we hardly know each other anymore." Masaya nodded, concurring with her points. "But then, why not get to know us, at least? You can't tell me you plan to remain completely anonymous."

"If I were honest, that would actually make my job much easier," Masaya muttered. "But I suppose, my cover being what it is, I won't be able to just get away with being completely under the radar, will I?" Both girls shook their heads, making Masaya sigh. "Very well, I suppose we can talk, but after lunch, alright? And no, by the way, I'm still not planning to tell you my past. Just my present."

Neither girl could contain the pout of disappointment at that.

After they had gotten their lunches and sat down, they were once again joined by Tamie. This time, however, Rise also came along.

"Salutations," both girls greeted, with Tamie asking, "mind if we sit here?"

"Oh, no, not at all," Ruriko answered, with Masaya and Chiho shaking their heads.

After they'd sat, Masaya became aware that Tamie was staring at him with narrowed eyes, a familiar kind of stare. It was typically the second stare he got when meeting someone; the stare of a person trying to figure out another.

"Something on your mind, Tamie-san?" he said aloud, startling her and putting her under the spotlight.

"I, uh... Well... I don't get you, Masaya-san," Tamie admitted, the other girls pausing their eating to listen in.

"Not the first time I've heard that, but you'll have to be a bit more specific."

"Well, I mean that your personality is so closed... Do you not say anything about yourself, or at all, unless you're asked?"

"No," Masaya responded, sending a meaningful glance at Chiho and Ruriko, who kept their laughter in check, as Tamie's question nearly mirrored their earlier one. As Tamie leaned forward in anticipation, Masaya continued, "More than half the time, I don't answer those either."

Tamie flopped back into her seat with a groan as Rise, Chiho, and Ruriko giggled. "Oh, Masaya-san, you're making my inner reporter cry tears of despair here..."

"Well, it's going to have to suck it up, then," Masaya responded, finishing up his noodles.

The conversation continued as such until the end of their lunchtime, with the girls ribbing Masaya about his lack of expression and the young mercenary retorting in creative, yet somehow still stoic ways.

Once lunch was done, they headed back to the classrooms together, with Rise and Tamie saying their goodbyes at class 2-C's room, where a surprise was waiting for Masaya.

Even before he opened the door, Masaya was aware that the whispers inside the room were oddly active. Making sure that he was in a good enough position to protect his charge should the need arise, he slowly opened the door.

It was partially unnecessary, as the person of interest inside had her sights on him.

When the door opened fully, the first detail Masaya was aware of was that, near the teacher's podium, there was a gaggle of students, spearheaded by a young woman with hair of a deeper shade of yellow than Ruriko's, whose hair was more pale blonde. The blonde bombshell was the center of attention of the entire classroom, and her pose showed confidence, though it wasn't threatening. As soon as she had heard the door open, she had focused on the only male in the vicinity, her eyes zeroing in on his own and locking them there with a challenge.

One that Masaya had no chance of losing.

The two remained there, sizing the other up carefully. To Masaya, the woman seemed to be waiting for him to react, but in a way that made it seem like she expected him to bow down to her. Considering the adoring whispers and looks of worship some of the girls had been giving her before he had come in, which he had noticed when scanning the classroom quickly, he could tell that perhaps it wasn't unfounded.

To the blonde, the young man was a mystery. The way he had quickly looked into the room before they had locked eyes suggested to her he was making sure of something, though of what, she couldn't say. His pose was strong, meant to show a certain amount of passive hostility. And while he wasn't outright glaring, she could see that his eyes were cold.

Then, Masaya stepped inside, his eyes still locked onto her own, with Chiho and Ruriko warily following. He walked directly towards her, his pose never changing, and stopped in front of her. The two of them sized each other up some more, with the blonde having to look up slightly due to his larger build.

Then, suddenly, Masaya stuck out his hand at waist level, surprising the blonde. With a calm voice that oddly fit his empty eyes, he said, "I see that you're here mainly for me, so I guess I'll start introductions. My name's Okonogi Masaya, second year Final Course student, though I'm sure you know that. And you are?"

The young woman was a little slow to respond, but she eventually grasped his hand and shook it primly, noting (just as Rise had) that his hands were rough and his grip was firm but not crushing.

"Salutations, Masaya-kun, I am Myougi Marika, third year Final Course student. I am known as both La Toute Soeur and Grande Fleur."

"I see. Well met, Marika-san."

While Marika only raised an eyebrow at the lack of the standard -sama suffix Vincennes students used for older students, the rest of the students looked at him as if he had killed a puppy, or so he thought. One of the girls of Marika's group, a girl with short, purple hair, stepped forward, jabbing a finger towards his chest.

"Who do you think you-? Ah!"

Whatever her question was was cut halfway, as Masaya had grabbed her wrist before her finger managed to land on his chest with a speed that no one in the room could follow. The cry had escaped her lips when he jerked it away from himself and to the side, and while it wasn't overly painful, she could feel the strain her shoulder had at the position of her arm. The narrowed-eye gaze he had trained on her served to both shut her up and tell her that, if he wanted, he could dislocate her shoulder right then and there.

And then, he said just three words.

"Don't touch me."

And with that, he used his leverage to lightly push her away, back towards her clique. Her other hand immediately grabbed that arm, as if to make sure it wasn't broken, but she eventually relaxed, giving Masaya a wary glare.

"Am I to assume you are not accustomed to using a -sama suffix?" Marika asked, her eyebrow still raised.

"No," Masaya shrugged, "I just don't want to. No offense meant to you personally, but I'm not going to talk to someone as if they're above me unless I have a good reason, especially if they're near my age."

"Would being the student council president count?"

"No," Masaya responded in a deadpan tone, "because for all intents and purposes, that doesn't make you my superior anyways. A teacher, fine. A headmaster or headmistress, most likely. A fellow student..." Masaya shook his head. "Not a chance."

"I see," Marika responded, putting a hand to her chin and supporting that arm with the other. "If that is the case, what is your view on respect in general, Masaya-kun?"

"Simple. At first meeting, I'll have a certain amount of respect, but only enough to not be immediately rude. I'm not going to be bowing down to a person immediately, but I'm not going to ridicule him either. His actions henceforth will determine whether that respect increases or disappears."

Marika nodded thoughtfully. "That is an interesting view, Masaya-kun. But I cannot help but think that most people would think you insolent in that case."

For the first time since she (and most of the others) had met him, Masaya smirked. "You don't know the half of it."

Realizing that nothing more would be forthcoming, Marika nodded at him and stuck out her hand to shake again. "Very well, Masaya-kun, it was a pleasure to meet you. This meeting was quite enlightening."

"Likewise," Masaya responded, shaking her hand. "If you truly are the student council president as you said, then I hope that we can work together in the near future."

Marika nodded, a smile appearing on his face. When their hands separated, Marika motioned for her group to follow her, which they did like sheep went to a herder.

As they stepped outside, the purple-haired girl moved to walk next to Marika. "That boy is so rude," she griped, holding her right arm reflexively. "Are you not offended by how he addressed you, Onee-sama?"

"Not at all," Marika responded primly. "Perhaps, if he had not explained why, I may have been a bit irked, but the fact of the matter is, Masaya-kun has an entirely different mindset from ours. Considering his personality and mannerisms, I would venture a guess that he has not had a particularly easy life."

The girl looked at Marika, noticing that her Onee-sama had an odd smile on her face. It was the type one had when they were pleased, but at the same time, there was something... more in that smile.

Back in the classroom, the Maidens of Vincennes were staring at Masaya, stupefied at his actions. No one, so far as they could collectively remember, had ever acted in such a manner towards those of higher ranking, however slight. It was as if Masaya had been given a booklet on how to act when coming to Vincennes, which he then tossed behind him with a simple 'yeah, no, I'm not doing that'.

And to them, it was almost inconceivable.

Humming thoughtfully as he replayed the conversation between them in his head, Masaya went to his seat, belatedly being followed by Ruriko and Chiho. Once he was sat, he once again gazed out the window, making sure there was no change in the scenery outside. Everything was thankfully in order.

"That was a very bold move you made, Masaya-san," Ruriko finally spoke, taking her seat next to him.

"Bold move or not, I'm not changing myself to fit a mold," Masaya responded, his gaze still on the window. "I'm a male, anyways. The rules of Vincennes are much more lax on me since the ones who made them apparently hadn't expected there to ever be a male in this school, period."

...

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