Author's Note:
Time moves on quickly, and before I knew it, it's already going into the Spring for the story of T3BFG. Just a few more arcs before things get really fired up for Amato and his Famiglia! Before then however, there's still a few issues and kinks that needs to be worked out first...
Chapter 73: The Advent Of Spring.
Everything's ready. I got my bag, my books. Fenris neatly tucked in his holster behind my black overshirt. Oh yeah, and as always, the Tear of the Fang hangs from my neck, the smokey white jewel glistening in the sun. With everything that's happened I nearly forgot about the other of the two jobs Amato Zanna has to do. Straightening my back and pushing on, my steps takes me away from the streets of the city and through the school gates just as a sea of students appeared.
"To study hard, be a good student and get into a good college, I guess." My train of thought turned into words as I made my way into class, feeling strangely motivated. The same tables, the same seat since coming back to school for the new year, and yet I can't help but feel like it's been more than just two weeks since taking leave for Japan. Personal matters, as Kiera and my appointed 'Guardians' put it.
"All right class, settle up, it's time for homeroom." And with that one line everyone fell into place, starting off the day with the usual catching up of current events before the teacher would start re-iterating the agenda for the day. The appointed teacher for this class is a snazzy guy who looks to be in his mid-forties, always coming in in a dress shirt with spread collars and pants held by these two braces that goes over the side of his shoulders.
Despite the white hair lingering from the side of his head above the ears, the outfit always looked a bit too old fashioned for the teach. Wait, what was his name again...?
"Hey did you hear? There's a new student transferring in today!" Just as I was gonna answer my own thoughts, the murmurs of the class caught my ear. "..Yeah, I saw her. Her hair was the most prettiest thing I've ever seen!" Another guy whispered. "Hair? Sorry but I was too focused on her rather voluptuous features to notice." No doubt they're excited, maybe a bit too much. I look around only to see a bunch of silly smiles slapped across every face.
Well, except for Sergio and Johann's. As usual, Sergio's the only guy who has a notepad out during Homeroom, and Johann's attention was solely driven around this butterfly fluttering at the other side of the class window.
The girls, however, were little more than annoyed, especially with the lack of attention from any of the boys in class. One in particular though, has had her eyes pinned on me since I got into class, her archaic stare almost too much for me to handle.
Not now, Gina! Not in class and especially not in front of all your 'fans' like this!
"Knock. Knock." All of a sudden, the morning chatter was silenced by a single, crystal clear knock on our classroom door. It was such an abrupt sound that everyone couldn't help but turn their eyes towards it.
"Click."
The door then opened up to a gust of wind blowing against subtle, light brown hair. Amber eyes amidst her almost snow white skin, Yoko scanned the class for a second before calmly making her way to the front. In her usual red hoodie down and snazzy denim skirt, she started off introducing herself to the teacher before turning to the board with a nod of approval. With clean strokes, she wrote out her name 'Hayashi Yoko' in both Japanese, English and Italian.
"Good morning everyone. My name is Hayashi Yoko. It's a pleasure to meet you all, and I hope you'll guide me along. I look forward to spending my time here in this class." Yoko gave out the words with a smile, before giving the class a bow, her movement so graceful it doesn't feel out of place in the classroom setting one bit.
"Well done, go ahead and take your seat wherever you like, I'll have your assigned position ready by tomorrow." Impressed, the teach gestured Yoko towards the class before getting back to Homeroom. Having the male half of the class mesmerized, I expected Yoko to take a corner to herself.
"Huh?!" Out of nowhere, voices in unison cried out together in surprise and disbelief.
Apparently I was wrong.
"Hey Amato, it's nice to see a familiar face in class." Excited, Yoko had taken her seat beside me. I didn't even noticed the owner of the seat was absent today!
"Hey, Yoko. I mean...yeah, I-I guess you got lucky!" With extra care I gave out the words with a smile as I turned towards Yoko. For some reason, things have been different ever since my birthday. Everything I do I can't help but think of Gina, wondering if my actions would please her or not! Never have I been so conscious of the things I do. Gotta find someway to get used to all this and get back to my usual self!
Catching sight of Sergio and Johann's gestures, Yoko quickly responded back with a silent wave back.
"With the four of us in the same class, I guess it'll be easier if anything happens." She exclaimed as she turned her smile back to me. For some reason, she seemed really happy, her now beaming smile a stark contrast from the calm, porcelain look she had when she entered class.
"Y-Yeah." Again, I replied, barely squeezing out the word.
"Amato, why are you stammering?" Slightly annoyed, Yoko tossed me the question, seemingly unaware of the scene around us. Is she just ignoring everyone else or did she just not notice?
"Guh! Um.. I-It's nothing. Nothing at all!" I blurted out as I took another peek at Gina. The fact is that the few seconds passed had already branded me as a mark amongst every other guy in class. Watching the new girl talk in such friendly terms with me and only me meant that I'm now on the receiving end of this seething jealousy that seems to be slowly swallowing me whole!
"Psst, why is the new girl so interested in Zanna?"
"Don't know, but they seem awfully friendly for people who've just met!"
"Dude, we gotta get her away from that brownie, lest she catches his stupid!"
Under the scrutiny of the guys, I couldn't help but bury my head and try to block out what they're whispering. I don't care about what they think, so there's no point getting angry over such petty insults. Sergio and Johann however, were getting restless. I could see my best friend clenching down his fists, while Johann looked more and more upset. Just as everything seemed to reach a boiling point however, the seat beside me were thrown back!
"Clack!"
"If you guys have something to say, why don't you guys just say it?!" Yoko screamed out in fury as her clam eyes shifted into a piercing glare. Obviously angry, her outburst surprised everyone, even the teacher. Even myself. Considering Yoko's usually quiet persona, I didn't expect her to lose herself to emotions. When the signs showed that she wasn't stopping, I ended up grabbing her left hand on instinct.
As her amber eyes turned to me, all that was needed was a single shake of my head to calm her down. Without words I told her it's not worth the effort, and with a single cough, she got right back on her seat. If anything, I appreciate what she tried to do, and it seems that one line did manage to shut the guys up. To curb the awkward silence, the teacher decided to drop the whole thing and carry on with the class, turning back to the board.
But, something tells me school's only gonna get a lot more complicated from here on out.
"And finally we have the cafeteria, and just in time for lunch." I declared as I pushed the two doors opened, changing the scene from a quiet hallway to a bustling canteen. Having been chosen to give the new girl a tour around the school, Yoko and I have been to every place in Venice High accessible to students. Every now and then when I see Yoko's eyes go wide I can't help but wonder if everything is as she expected.
I can't say I know how it feels when one transfers from one school to another. Or one country to another, in this case.
"So this is lunchtime in the schools in Italy, huh? Not much difference..." Yoko muttered out as we started lining up for food, getting our hands on the trays. She seems strangely affixed at the chaotic sea of students seated in rows of tables that stretched from one end of the hall to the other. Just as we checked out, the student in front of us, a guy from our class, took a side glance in our direction before turning his eyes away.
"Tch, the banshee and the brownie, better move before she starts screaming again..." He scurried off quick, but not before tossing at us another unnecessary remark.
"..."
His words left us silent as we went hunting for our seats.
"Sorry, Yoko." In the end, I couldn't help but start apologizing. "Because of me, now you're gonna be mistreated by those guys as well..." I gave out, my eyes falling to the food on my tray. The gravity of the situation started sinking into mind. Yoko had a chance to start over, a clean slate, but because of what happened we now have rumors like what the guy said just seconds ago spreading around.
"Eh, it's all right, Amato." Yoko replied, pushing closer to my side so that I could see her. With a smile she brushes off my worry and somehow made it seem trivial. "If that's their true colors I would prefer to have them insulting me all the time rather than put up with their lying, pretty faces." She continued as we walked on, despite some of the girls having started turning to Yoko with their admiring gaze. I think a few of them were impressed by Yoko's actions in the morning.
"More importantly, I don't understand how you're able to tolerate what they say with a smile! You say this is an every day occurrence for you?" Breaking out of her calm, Yoko's amber eyes started peering for answers.
"That's..well, not everything they say is a lie..I'm not very good with my studies, for one. What with all the work I have to do with the Famiglia.." I struggled with the explanation, making sure the word 'Famiglia' came out in a whisper.
"But that's no reason for them to call you stupid! You could just tell them the real reason why you're struggling with school so much! You don't even deny anything!" Flaring up, Yoko nearly crushed the tray of food in her hands as she took another step forward.
"I don't have to deny anything, I don't mind them! And I...I can't tell them the truth, or they might get implicated..." Somehow, the words popped out even before they came to mind.
"Y-You! Wha! After all that, you're still worried about-?! Tsk!" Apparently, my answer somehow shocked Yoko enough to lose her words and stop in her steps. "Sigh..." Then, as if given up trying to convince me, her cheeks flushed red as she looked to me with worry. In my defense I could only shrug my shoulders.
There's nothing wrong with how things are right now. As long as I don't get hurt, the class don't trouble me much. In fact, the less interaction I have with them, the better. This way they'll be safe, and would never get caught up in any trouble with the Mafia, or be used against me as ammunition.
"Hey, what are you guys doing standing around like that?!" And suddenly we were brought back to the hustle of the canteen by a familiar, third voice. Sergio sat in the corner of the cafeteria waving, calling us over to the empty seats around the table. Johann and Gina were right there beside him.
"Hey guys, how long were we standing there in the open?" I asked out as I took a seat besides Gina.
"Long enough to catch the eyes of nearly everyone in the canteen!" Sergio replied, taking a huge bite out of his mashed potatoes. Following alongside me, Yoko had gone quiet, slowly shuffling her way to the empty seat at my other side. Gina wasn't talking, her eyes all but driving needles towards Yoko. I wanted to call out to her, or maybe just to shift myself a bit closer but the nervousness froze my body before I could even move.
Besides that, Gina wasn't smiling like usual, and that's...never a good sign.
"Regina, a pleasure." With somewhat of a forced smile I watched as gave her regards to Gina.
"Likewise, Miss Hayashi." Suddenly, Gina's eyes sharpened into focus as they met with Yoko's. Somehow I don't think they're actually happy to see one another...
"Oh, you can just call me Yoko, let us do away with the formalities." Yoko suggested, although her eyes were still locked with Gina's.
"You're never gonna get what you want, you know? You lack...assertiveness." Out of nowhere Gina threw out her remark, seemingly driven towards Yoko. Sergio and Johann looked to me, and I didn't have anything for them. Just like them I find myself slightly confused at what's happening, and drowning the overwhelming presence of the two girls at the table.
"Restraint is the sign of true beauty, and perhaps one of the few things that separates us from gorillas, but I'm sure you knew that already. Am I wrong, Regina?" Sipping down on her black tea, Yoko was relentless with her own comeback. It almost made me choke on the meatloaf I was forcing down my throat! As if drawn and worried, my eyes couldn't help but look towards Gina. Somehow I didn't think she was gonna take that well-
"Oh? Like the restraint you showed this morning in class? I see! I have so much to learn." Gina was going all out, and she snidely gave out that reply thick with sarcasm. At her other side Sergio shook his head in resignation as if berating himself that he should have seen this coming. Johann however, got bored and started devouring the rest of his food(The portions were large, by the way, easily enough to feed three people) without a care in the world.
"Amato was clearly being bullied. You're just a coward that's too afraid to stand up for what's right!" Yoko ended off her declaration with a turn to the sides, almost as if she didn't want to even look at Gina. Gina's eyes flared at that comment. I think I saw sparks flying just a second ago. Uneasiness washes over me from where I sat, deterring me from reaching out and hindering every effort at trying to resolve this thing peacefully.
Somehow, I get the feeling they're quarreling because of me.
"Ladies please! Let's just try to get along, all right? Lunchtime is almost over!" I cried out as I got between them. I almost had to pry them apart due to how close they were from butting heads.
You hear stories of attractive a cat-fight can be for the guy watching. For me however, now it's looking to be the most horrifying thing ever. Before anything else happens, it's probably best to change topics. Right now might be the best time to bring up something I had on my mind for quite a while now.
"All right guys, let me ask you something: what do you all think of a getaway for spring break?"
The day went dark before I knew it. Sitting at the grand dining table, the subtle ring of cutlery could be heard as I mowed down on my dinner. A pretty standard choice steak, grilled to perfection and to be had under the light of the grand chandelier hanging above us. Dinner had always felt solemn, but apparently it was no longer the case, given how the number of people sitting at the table had grown. Dante and Vito quietly dined on their dishes, but Johann was scarfing down the meat as fast as he could, going for as large a piece with each bite. Kiera stood at my side, having already finished her share before dinner started.
Only one person remained silent and unmoving throughout the whole course. Yoko stared at the food with cautious eyes, zipping between Kiera, Vito and Dante with no reprieve.
"Is something of a problem, Lady Yoko? Does the food not adhere to your preferences?" As polite as ever, Kiera gently gave out the question without the need for a second glance.
"Don't!-" As if offended by Kiera's address of her, displeasure all but spilled out onto Yoko's face, much to my surprise. "Don't...call me by my given name. Just...call me Hayashi. And no, nothing's wrong with the food..." Yoko continued, before finally reaching for her utensils.
She said there wasn't anything wrong, but I could see how nervous she looked when taking her first bite. Discomfort and unease was what I picked up from her body language. It wasn't until she finally swallowed that tiny bite of steak before she got better.
Hm, maybe getting better was the wrong word for it. It looked more like she gave up in resignation.
"Yoko, if there's anything wrong, you know you can tell us, right? We're all living under the same roof now, if there's anything we can do to help each other, we will." Before long, the curiosity got the better of me, and I ended up speaking out. Something was bothering her, I know that much, but something else was also making her reluctant to say anything.
"It's impolite to speak during mealtime, Lord Amato. Have you forgotten all the table manners I've taught you in the past?" Before my question could amount to anything, though, Kiera spoke out from behind me. The harsh tone in her voice was enough to shut me right up. At least until dinner is done with.
Minutes later, everyone was resting at the table after having finished dessert. Kiera's watchful gaze was weakening, and when she collected the last of our plates, she gave a nod as the signal to speak freely.
"I assume your plans for the spring break was met with success?" Kiera herself started it off, tossing the question at me with a disinterested look on her face. Apparently she had planned some training for me over the break, to master my control of Kujaku. It took me three days of begging before she finally relented, and pushed it back the calendar.
What can I say, Kiera can be quite the taskmaster sometimes.
"Uh...yeah, I mean yes! Sergio, Gina, Johann and Yoko all agreed. We'll be meeting at the docks in the morning on the first day of spring break." I reported, eyes looking towards Johann who nodded in agreement as well as Yoko, who was listening with much intent. I think Kiera's still annoyed by the fact that I'm skipping training for leisure, judging from the skeptic eyes and frown. Still, she nevertheless agreed when I mentioned it was a plan to have us create stronger bonds as friends and even as Famiglia.
"Lady Hayashi, it's delightful to hear you're going as well. The trip will do you most benefit, I presume." Out of nowhere, Kiera gave out her address with a lighter tone, sounding relieved.
"I'm...I'm not going." Well that was kinda short-lived. Yoko just shot down everything with her reply. Thinking back, she didn't say anything back at school when I pitched the whole thing. In the end I took her silence as consent.
"Is there a particular reason for that, Lady Hayashi?" Kiera gave out, moving to my side of the table. By now, the weight of her gaze had grown way bigger than before. It didn't take long before it drove Yoko out of her seat, stumbling onto her feet.
"No reason, I just don't feel like going...I'll be retiring to my room!" She declared, as calmly as she could given the circumstances, before stomping out of the dining hall. Still, it didn't do much to mask the uncertainty in her words, tempered by a hint of fear.
Just...what is going on? I feel like I'm missing out on something...
Has there been another incident in the Zanna Mansion that I wasn't told of? What happened back in the dining hall left the air cold and awkward. Even Johann ended up worried, but neither of us could do a thing to break the silence. It has been hours since then. I seem to recall Yoko having issues with Dante and Vito weeks ago, during Carnevale. Was that it?
Questions after questions forced themselves into mind as my steps littered the corridors. When my eyes finally looked up, I had reached the room I wanted to go to, greeted by a beautifully craved plaque hanging by the door. It had 'Hayashi Yoko's Room' carved onto its prim surface in cursive, giving the door itself a presence that stood out before the countless others.
"Knock, knock."
"...Yoko, are you still up?" I called out to her in a hushed tone, not wanting to disturb the peace of the night. I was serious when I said I would anything to help if I can before.
"...Yeah. *Sniff*"
What was that? Was she...crying?!
Suddenly things felt as though it got a lot worse, and it only got me more restless. Reaching out for the doorknob, everything paused when I heard the loud click, the door refusing to budge, and realized it was locked.
"Yoko, what's wrong? Open up so we talk about it, face to face." I cried out, overcome with worry. By now I'm certain something had happened, or was happening. Staring at the plaque, I expected the door to swing open any second now...
"I wasn't crying! I-I'm fine. We can talk, but stay at the other side of the door, all right?" She replied in muffled voice, before I hear sound of something slumped against the bottom of the door. I don't think there's anything I can do or say to change her mind now. Resigning myself to her suggestion, I ended up slumping myself on my side, taking a seat on the tiled floor and slumping my back against the door.
Somehow, I got the feeling she's doing the same.
"I'm sorry about how I acted at dinner.." From the other side, I could hear Yoko calming down, but even as she spoke, anyone could have made out how tired she was. Exhausted even. Thinking it's probably better for her to put things out into the open, I stayed quiet, if only to listen with my every attention. "Things have been...difficult, ever since I moved here." With what sounded like a whisper, Yoko showed something that caught me by surprise.
Admitting weakness was the last thing I'd expect from Yoko. That got me even more worked up.
"Difficult? Has the Famiglia been causing trouble for you?" Somehow, Kiera's rather forceful methods came into mind, the question just sorta spilling out.
"No! At least I don't..it could just be all me...I.." The series of words that came from Yoko next had me confused. I think she's feeling the same way as well.
Has things really have been so difficult for Yoko in the past two weeks? I never noticed, not even once, not until today at dinner. She always seemed so laid back, so confident. It was as if everything in her life was in her control, following her own decisions and directions. Was it all nothing more than a facade?
The shadow of her past, that which gnawed at her soul. I saw them through her memories. I thought she had put it behind her when she moved here to Italy. Is it...coming back? It certainly feels like it.
"...You'll always be there for me, right Amato? That's what you promised..." The mewling words spoke out again, like she was yearning for a certain response.
"Yeah." I replied, almost on reflex, as if it was the only thing I could do.
"...Wait for me on that day. I promise I'll be there."
Wow, I didn't planned to end things on such a low note. Something seems to be troubling Yoko, stressing her to no end. As of right now, the core of the Zanna Famiglia is distraught, and lacking in cohesion. That has to change. Let's see how a spring break getaway is gonna do all of that! As usual, give me your thoughts in your review below, I'd love to hear what you all have to say, and keep your eyes out for the next update!