AN: So, guys how are you enjoying this story so far? I'm hoping you really do. Because I plan to update as much as I possibly can while I'm still on vacation. Which is still not that often, because I actually have a life outside FFnet. Hah! Didn't expect that did ya? Inspite of my unremarkable social life, that doesn't deter me from going out and experiencing summer. Yes, it is summer vacation here right now. Fucking 40 degrees hot outside, even.
Anyhow, I hope you boobies would have an amazing summer as well.
And here's the latest chapter. *drum rolls my belly*
CHAPTER 6
(Natsuki's POV)
You know those scenes in the movies or TV shows where a character faints and everything fades to black then the next scene would be them waking up in a hospital room, or in my case the school infirmary?
Yeah well, sad to say, that didn't happen to me.
I mean, I would have appreciated it a lot more if I actually gained consciousness in the school clinic, because this?
This is fucking embarrassing.
Apparently, I passed out for atleast 2 minutes. 3 minutes tops. I mean, who does that?! 2 minutes? 2 fucking minutes! Badasses don't pass out for 2 minutes, they don't even pass out in the first place! Specially not over the sight of their own blood.
Fuck.
Probably wondering how I knew the time?
Well, it's because I gained back my consciousness and I'm still in the same exact place where I fainted. God. I'm still seated in the damn desk chair, but wait...
I can feel somebody holding my shoulders and my head.
I fully open my half lidded eyes as best as I can.
I can notice a few persons hovering over me but not that clearly cause my vision is still a bit blurry.
"Oh wait! Oh my god, she's awake!" I hear a feminine voice exclaim.
"Hold on, Takeda! Steady her, I think she's gaining consciousness. " A boy's voice says, and I feel the hand supporting my head and shoulders, and yes it reminds me of a shampoo, steady me.
"Somebody, get me some drinking water!" It's her. Angel face.
What? I don't know her name, okay? So I dubbed her as angel face in my head. And it's not cheesy cause I bet you'd feel the same way when you actually see her.
Suddenly, I'm all aware of the fuss that is happening around me.
Aww, man. Could this get any more embarrassing?
I wish the ground would just swallow me whole and get me off the face of the earth. I bet if Nao was here, she'd be-
No. Don't even go there, Natsuki.
I regain control of my body and I adjust my sitting position. I look at my surroundings. There are atleast, five? Yeah. Five persons in this room.
"Are you alright?" A girl from my left softly asked. She has really short copper hair and wears a pair of thin eyeglasses. She's a bit short too. And from the looks of it, a bit shy,
"Y-yeah. I think so." I gravely answer. "Can I, uhm, have a tissue? Please?"
So, okay. I'm a bit afraid to look down at my hands. You see, I have this irrational fear of seeing blood.
Specially my own blood.
Hence, the passing out moment.
"Right! Hold on." The girl says before hurrying to her bag. "Here you go. And also, here's some hand sanitizer too, if you don't mind."
"Thanks." I say as I grab the sanitizer and pour some on my hands without looking down. As I'm rubbing my hands together, I notice two guys hovering in front of me. One was holding my bag. He has yellow hair, with his side hair shaved. And the other guy, the one that was steadying me earlier, has black spiky hair.
I turn to short girl with the glasses and mutter out a thanks as I hand back her sanitizer and grab the offered tissues, cleaning off my hands and my nose from the blood.
Damn, my nose still hurts like a bitch. I wince.
"Hey, can you drink this?" Angel face emerges from the middle of the two boys and crouches in front of me and hands me a bottle of water.
Oh lord, she's so close.
Don't faint okay, Natsuki. You can do this.
I can smell her vanilla and honey scented body.
"Uhh, y-yes. Thanks." Stop stuttering you fool! I shakily grab the bottle from her and, goodness gracious our skins met with the barest of touches.
I swear, I felt a ground or something, when our hands met.
I saw her flinch too.
She stands up from her position and walks to the front of the room as I get a drink from the bottle.
She faces me again, this time she's perched in front of her desk. "I'm immensely sorry for what happened." She sincerely says. "I'm afraid, my discipline coordinator is a bit...disconcerting," She sends a glare to blondie from before.
Haruka huffs from her position on the side. "It's not entirely my fault! Both of you were hovering on the doorway! Which is a place that should not be vacated for a long period of seconds."
Angel face glares at her harder. "And pushing is the right way to deal with that?" she retorts back hotly. "Apologize to her."
"What-"
"Haruka.." Angel face warns her.
"She was violating school rules! She deserved it!" Oh, hell no.
"I told you I did nothing wrong! I'm just a freaking transferee, for fuck's sake." I exclaim at blondie, holding my arms out, the water bottle on my left hand.
Everybody looked at me.
Well, take a picture everyone, it'll last.
Angel face clears her throat, "Haruka, she's a transferee! You should have known better! She probably came from Director Mashiro's office." she says exasperatedly while rubbing her injured forehead.
Actually, I came from the restrooms, but who cares? She's defending me!
Yeah, you go tell blondie off, baby. Wink wink.
"But, but-" Haruka tries to retaliate.
"Yukino! Deal with her." Goddess commands and I see shy girl with the specs nod and approach blondie who seems to be constipated with that look on her face. I would've laughed but Angel face starts talking to me.
"I apologize again, for everything that transpired. I hope this doesn't discourage your will at attending our academy." She smiles apologetically.
Well, with you here at the academy I doubt anyone will be discouraged.
"It's fine. I'm fine. I mean, I might need a nose surgery but other than that, everything's cool." I reply while shrugging. Yes, that's right, Kuga. Get your badassery back.
She smiles in amusement and says "Well, I'm sure Suzushiro-san here can settle payment for that surgical operation." She quickly throws a glare to Haruka who looks indignant. "Anyway, I'm Shizuru Fujino. Student Council President, and this is my council. Go introduce yourself, guys." She encourages her team.
"Yuuichi Tate. Coordinator of Activities." The blonde guy from before smiles at me and proceeds to hand me my bag. "Here you go." He seems cool.
"T-takeda Masashi." Dude with the spiky hair introduces shyly. Wait, is he blushing? Wtf? "Head of the Sports Committee." Ooookay. A bit on the creepy side this guy is.
Then shy girl from earlier faces me kindly. "Yukino Kikukawa, Student Council Secretary." She smiles demurely at me.
They all seem a bit nice. Well, except for blondie over there. Yeah, that's right. Listen to your hot president and go think about your bad actions. Serves you right.
"Natsuki Kuga." I say huskily while standing up, adjusting my bag to my shoulder.
I see Shizuru's eyes light up in recognition when she hears my name. "Oh." She says. "Natsuki Kuga." What, were they really expecting me? I mean, I'm just another one of the many has-been transferee students who transfers at the middle of the school year, right? Anyway,
Wow. Didn't know my name could sound so good.
"Uh, yeah. Nice to meet you, I guess." I say back after recovering from her voice saying my name.
She smiles at me. So pretty. But wait, no- don't blush Natsuki!
"Okay." She says while standing up from her position leaned back at her desk. Why does everything she do looks so damn sexy?! I can't even, "Well then, it seems everything is fine. Would you like me to have someone escort you to the infirmary? Or perhaps, to your next class?" Her accent is so hot too. Ugh, can't she get anymore perfect?
Oh wow, don't get sappy now Kuga.
"No thanks." Why can't you just be the one to escort me? "I'm pretty sure I can find my own way." I say back coldly. Yes, show her your inner Kuga.
She lightly raises one of her eyebrows. Sassy. "I see." Then, she smiles while accompanying me to the door. "I hope Kuga-san feels better." She faces me while we were at the doorway. "Feel free to come to me when you need anything." She smiles still.
I lightly fidget with the strap of my messenger bag under her scrutiny. "Uhm, yeah. Sure." I step back from the doorway. I am now paranoid about doorways, who knows what I'll break next? My nose still feels like it's been jackhammered. "See you, then." I say, looking at her gorgeous crimson eyes.
Then I turn and left.
LINEBREAK.
104... 104... Where the hell is room 3A-104? Oh! There. Right.
I take a stand in front of a polished door. Okay, so this is where my second subject is supposed to be held. And apparently, inside this room are the people that I'm gonna be stuck with for the rest of the year.
Great.
Oh well, I can deal. They just better stay away and mind their own business.
I let loose a breath and knock three times at the door. I hear voices from the other side get quiet. Okay, I'm a bit nervous, I admit. But just a bit.
The door opens and I am greeted with a girl with red orange hair. She's wearing a red top underneath a navy blazer. Probably the teacher.
"Ooh. Who do we have here?" She smirks at me.
Ooookay. I give her a weird look and I clear my throat. I silently hand her the paper that the director gave me.
She raises her brow while grabbing and reading the slip. She grins at me and quickly turns around to go back in front of the whole class, leaving me hovering over the doorway with my confused face on.
"Well!" She says loudly to the class. "Looks like you guys are having a new classmate today." Then she smiles cheekily at them, "Someone new you can fawn over and stare at during horrifyingly boring class discussions and during PE class, I guarantee."
Uhm, excuse me?!
I hear a few students chuckle at the teacher. "Come on in, Kuga-san." The woman smiles and waves me over.
I take a step forward inside the classroom, closing the door. I focus my sights on the redhead teacher but I'm vaguely aware of the silence that tookover the classroom. Once I was stood by the teacher's desk, I face the class.
They're all fucking staring. How nice.
Yup.
How about I go get you guys some popcorn and soda while your at it? Sheesh, quit with the stares already!
I glare at this one dude who seems to be looking below my neck. I would kick you in the face if it weren't for the teacher's presence. Yeah, like that ever stopped me before.
"Well, go on." the redheaded woman beside me says, "introduce yourself, kid."
I resisted rolling my eyes at the term 'kid'. Clearing my throat, I look at the glass pane window at the right side of the room. "I'm Natsuki Kuga. Seventeen years old."
There. That was an introduction, right? I mean, what else should I say? I look at the class and the first thing that caught my eye is flaming orange hair. It's Mai! Finally, someone I know and can at least tolerate. She grins at me encouragingly. Too encouragingly. Then I notice other faces who seems a bit dazed and some looking expectant. What? I turn to the teacher beside me.
She raises her brows at me. "Well, go on." She smirks lightly. "Tell us something more about yourself."
What? I blink. What else should they know about me? My address? My vital stats? Because not in a million decades.
Think Natsuki, think. "Uhm," I turn my gaze at nowhere. "I'm from the United States. Just arrived here yesterday."
I hear gasps and murmurs. Wow, it's like I came from outer space with how they're reacting.
"Oh, so that explains the hot accent." My teacher grins at me. What. "Okay class, I think Kuga-san has said enough to last you another gossip. Shall we continue?" Then she ushers me to get a seat. "I'm Midori Suguira-sensei, by the way." Then she throws me a cheerful wink. I don't even wanna react anymore.
I step down from the flatform and proceed to find myself a seat, avoiding human eye contact as much as possible. Then I notice someone waving me over, I almost ignored them completely but to my relief, it's Mai. I then take the desk behind her. She grins at me while I settle myself on the seat then she turns her head at the discussion in front after I gave her a nod with a tight lipped smile.
After getting settled at my desk, I relax and lean back on my chair. I remove my beanie and drop it at my desk then I turn my emerald gaze forward, trying to listen to the History discussion at the front.
Well, atleast the teacher's a bit entertaining.
LINEBREAK
The bell just rang signaling the time for recess. I fix my things, which are my notes and my pen and put them quickly at my bag. Just because I'm, like, a rebel doesn't mean I don't take my studies seriously. I have dreams you know.
As I'm arranging my things inside my bag and checking my phone, I hear some footsteps approaching me. I quickly look up from my phone to see Mai with two girls standing infront of my desk.
"Natsuki!" Mai greets enthusiastically. "I'd like you to meet Aoi and Chie-chan." She introduces them with a smile.
"Ey! Nice to meet ya." A girl, who looks boyish enough and has thin rimmed nice glasses grins at me while throwing me a two handed salute sloppily.
"Hi. I'm Aoi Senoh. A pleasure to meet you Kuga-san." the other girl with long flowing straight brown hair smiles kindly at me.
I stand up while pocketing my phone and slinging my messenger bag on my shoulder. "Hey." I tell them with a curt nod. "I'm Natsuki Kuga, but you already knew that so.." I shrug freely then give them a tight lipped smile. "Nice to meet you guys too."
Usually, I'm not this remotely close to being friendly but I don't know. Mai introduced them so I guess that's a a good thing. Not that me and Mai are already chummies with each other but they seem welcoming and nice and cool and stuff that I don't feel uncomfortable with them. Actually, I'm feeling a bit comfortable with them.
I mean, that's nice right? They said I should use this opportunity to like, restart my life again or something like that so why not make friends?
Mai suddenly claps her hands together at her chest and smiles with a cheer. "Now that's settled, how about we go and get some food. C'mon Natsuki!" She grabs my wrist and walks us out the room with Aoi and Chie following behind us.
.
.
.
"Where are we going?" I ask while we were walking down the hallway. Some are still staring and giving me looks along the way but whatever, they'll get over it soon, right?
"Getting food, duh." Mai answers me.
Right. Food.
"It seems Kuga-han has got the entire student body's attention, but oh well, I couldn't blame them." I hear Chie state from beside me. "Ow! What was that for Aoi?" Chie whines while nursing her head where Aoi apparently smacked her. I stop myself from sniggering but a smirk takes it place on my mouth instead.
Heh. Aren't they cute? Smacking each other and all. Public display of domestic violence. Lol.
"Stop making Kuga-han uncomfortable!" Aoi exclaims at Chie.
"Natsuki." I say while we were still walking with Mai leading the way. The two looks at me with confused faces. "Call me Natsuki."
I see Aoi smile from the corner of my eyes. Well, that felt nice.
Wow. I'm already getting soft.
"Can I call you bae instead?" Chie asks me with a smirk but soon winces as Aoi lands a smack across her shoulders. "What? That's what Americans usually use right? Bae." Chie grins.
I snort. "I'm not one of those." I say. "You do know I'm Japanese right? I just grew up in the US."
"Were here!" Mai suddenly axclaims as we stop walking.
"I, uh, thought we were going to the cafeteria?" I ask, looking around but I only see that we're at a quiet hallway with the occasional students lurking by, and we're in front of two large vending machines.
"We usually just get food from here because the cafeteria is always filled with other students." Aoi explains to me. "Unless you want to order food from the cafeteria, that's fine too. We can accompany you." She smiles while Chie and Mai get some snacks from the machine.
"No. This is fine." I say while grabbing my wallet from my backpocket. "Actually, this is great. I really don't like crowds."
"Thought so." The brunette grins and takes her snack and drink from Chie.
I got a bag of chips and a diet coke from the vendo after Mai got a sandwich and a bottle of water. We then proceeded to walk again, and this time we went outside of the building.
This school is really nice. I mean, I've noticed that before but this time I actually get to appreciate the view more. There are benches scattered around in an organized way. The walking grounds are made up of bricks that I'm pretty sure is considered an expensive kind of stone mineral or whatever. There are fountains and of course beautiful landscape plants such as different kinds of ornamemtal flowers and bermuda grass or some shit. I dont know what's it called okay? Do I look like a gardener to you? Let's just appreciate the view here.
Some students are talking about, eating, laughing and some studying on benches and stone tables. I turn to Mai "Where are we going again?"
"In the courtyard. We have our own secluded spot there." She answers. I nod at that. Nice.
After a few moments of walking, we reach this real beautiful place. It's not quite that filled with students. It has a giant fountain at the middle and it's like we're surrounded by a really pretty garden.
But I notice we were still walking and going off to the side part of this courtyard. Then I follow the three as they lift their legs off a low chain fence surrounding the yard to get over to the other side.
Oh, she really meant secluded as in...secluded.
We were walking at a grassy part of the school that, I believe is an area not really used for student pathway or a hangout place, but we're still on school grounds nonetheless. As we were approaching this really large tree, I see two persons sitting by it. Wait..
It's Nao.
And the kid who shoved me down the floor.
We approach them and I see Nao smirking at me and the other kid suddenly pounces on Mai. Woah. Talk about shoving someone down the floor.
This kid seriously has bulldozing issues.
"S'up mutt?" Nao turns to me as we all sit down on the grass. I roll my eyes at her while opening my snack.
"You two know each other?" Mai asks while feeding Mikoto. Chie and Aoi are also looking curiously at us.
"We're cousins." Me and Nao answer simultaneously.
"What?!" Mai exclaims.
"That's cool!" Chie says with a grin.
"Why don't you tell us these kind of things Nao?" Mai pointedly looks at the redhead.
Nao rolls her eyes. "You didn't ask."
"How can we even know these kind of stuff without you telling us?" Aoi says exasperatedly.
"Well, you know now." Nao retorts back with a cheeky smile.
Aoi just rolls her eyes. Then I see Chie trying to steal some of Nao's bread.
"Hey! Go get your own, Harada!"
"Aww, but I have no bread."
"That's why I said go get your own."
"But Nao, the vendo machine's too far, " Chie whines.
"And is that my fault?"
"Here Chie." Mai hands a piece of bread to the other girl.
"Thanks Mai!" Chie says before glomping down the whole piece of bread in one move.
Nao and Aoi simultaneously roll their eyes.
I eat my snack while watching the scene infront of me and enjoying the feel of the nature's breeze and the feel of the grass under me while leaning my back at the trunk of the tree. This is so relaxing...
"So how's Fuuka Academy so far, Nat?" Nao suddenly asks me out of nowhere. So much for relaxing.
I turn to see all the other pairs of eyes look at me expectantly.
"Fine." I deadpan. "Did you guys know this school is being ruled over by a ten-year-old in a wheelchair? Not that I'm against paraphlegics but, seriously? A kid?"
Aoi snorts and Chie laughs while Mai chuckles with Mikoto. I also see Nao smirk.
"What?" I ask them.
"Nothing." Mai says. "That's just how it is, I guess. You'll get used to it."
"What? Being dominated by a kid?" I ask her as I open the can of my diet coke. "I don't think so." She just chuckles back at me.
Taking a sip from my drink, I hear Aoi ask me. "Wait, if you're supposed to be our classmate, why aren't you at first period?"
Oh yeah. That.
"Well, you see. After I got my schedule I stopped by the restrooms." I explain while leaning more comfortably on the trunk. "Then as soon as I step out, this obnoxious blonde named Suzushiro started blaming me of delinquency and dragged me all the way to the Student Council room!"
The horror, guys. Really.
Nao suddenly laughs out loud at my face with an accompanying smack on my shoulder. Bitch do that again and I'mma smack you where the sun don't shine. "Suzushiro actually caught you!" She's still laughing hard. "I bet she even shoved you."
"She fucking did! Shoved the living hell out of me to the door."
I hear Mai amusely whisper "oh my god" with Chie and Aoi laughing at the background.
"I see your enjoying yourselves over my expanse. You're welcome." I grumble at them. Keep laughing people, wait til I get my revenge.
"Oh Natsuki. You'll live. Don't dwell on it. We've had our own fair share of Haruka's wrath." Chie says after her laughing fit.
Okay, honestly, that felt good to hear.
After wiping a tear at her eye, Nao turns to me. "Okay. Wait, wait. She brought you to their room. So, you met Fujino then?"
Did you mean angel on earth slash goddess slash Aphrodite incarnate Shizuru Fujino? Why yes. Yes I met her.
Fuck Natsuki! Stop it! Stop it or you're gonna blu-
"Oh my god, she's blushing!" Aoi squeals.
Well, fuck.
I try to cover my face with my navy hair. That's right, hide behind the hair. They won't notice. Totally.
Nao is currently on LOL mode again. I swear she's gonna end up choking to death someday.
"Aww. Don't worry Natsuki, that's just Kaichou's effect on everybody." Mai tries to placate me.
Well, yeah. Who could resist her? I bet even the blind could notice her.
"It's just day one and your lesbian is showing already! New record couz!" Nao cheers annoyingly.
I was about to retort back at the redhead but Chie suddenly speaks. "I knew it! My gaydar has never been wrong." She then turns smugly at Aoi. "I believe you owe me 100 yen, honey."
What. Is she serious? "D-did you just bet on my sexuality?!"
"There, there Nat-chan. There's nothing to be ashamed of. We're all gays here, no need to feel insecure." Chie says.
Nao spits out her drink. "I ain't gay, Harada!"
"Oh shut up Nao. We both know you have your gay moments."
"I do not! Ugh." Nao rolls her eyes. "Having lesbian friends sometimes sucks." I resist snickering at that
"Wait, I'm not gay too!" Mai pipes up.
"Yes you are." Chie calmly says while finishing her drink. "You and Mikoto are in a relationship. "
"Mai, what's a relationship? Are we in a relationship?" Mikoto turns to Mai with big innocent eyes.
Mai looks down at the girl. "Yes. We are in a friendly relationship Mikoto."
"Pfft. More like mother and daughter relationship. " Nao mutters and Mai glares daggers at her.
Yes Mai. Go glare at that bitch. Glare hard! Hard!
"Oh and just so ya know Natsuki," Chie speaks to me. "Aoi's my girlfriend. "
"Uh yeah. I figured." Duh. I could detect their gayness miles away.
"Cool!" She grins while Aoi smiles at me.
I was about to go bite on my snack when Mai turns onto me. "But Natsuki did you meet Reito?" She asks gleefully with a hint of a blush.
Now that she mentioned it, Reito wasn't in the council room. He IS the vice president right? Oh well, maybe he was out doing council duties and being all anal.
"No, I didn't see him earlier." I say back. "But if you're asking if I met him, yeah. He's my stepbrother."
There was a moment of silence before, "WHAT?!"
"Oh my god, really?"
"This is the gossip of the century! Where the hell is my phone?"
Guess who said what.
"Don't tell me you live with him?! Oh god, Natsuki." Mai crawls to me and squeezes my shoulders.
Damn, woman! Let go. "Well, yes. I mean where else would I live? Reito and our parents wouldn't let me live by myself. If that was the case then Nao would be hoarding men at her own place by now."
Nao shoots me a glare. Heh, payback biatch.
"Awe, why you two gotta live my dreams?" Mai exasperatedly sighs.
It's not all it's cracked up to be Mai, I'm tellin ya.
"Oh come on Mai! Stop with the fantasies already." Chie pulls Mai from me. "Reality hurts, I know. But we both know, if something were to happen, you won't stand a chance against Kaichou-san."
Wait.
Oh god, wait.
I just remembered.
It just came to me now. Fuck.
Reito...
Reito is Shizuru's boyfriend.
Shit.