Test results are acceptable. Shoko and Chihiro visit the BB's class. Chihiro's upset when she saw Hyoga in Shibuya in his limited wardrobe. Hyoga says he was overwhelmed with choices and picked out of habit. Chihiro will be friends if they meet tomorrow at the park with the new clothes they got from her store. If not, she will return them. Therefore, no friendship. Then, during PE free period, Dr. Haruki visits the boys and tells them teachers reported their behavior. The BBs explain their presence triggers unwanted feelings due to the resemblance of a group they know. Dr. Haruki gives advice. Hyoga meets in Shun's room on Friday nights.
The weather for today is sunny and cloudy.
[May 18, Friday - week 3]
Haruka starts homeroom with an announcement. He announces the results of the midterm exams will be posted in the hallway, and students are encouraged to check during their lunch break.
"Is it Friday already? I can't tell," Seiya says.
"It is. Today's the results, so we should check to see how well we did. I'm curious to know what my score is," Shiryu says.
"For some reason, I don't want to check but I have to."
Once lunch break sets in, students eagerly arrive in the hallway to check their midterm results posted on the bulletin board.
"Our class has 24 students, and they're split into groups of four. That is six for each group," Hyoga observes.
"Okay, so where's my name?" Seiya searches for his name on the list. His dismay is apparent upon finding it. "Average? What does that mean?"
"Based on exam results, our class is split into four groups Hyoga said. There's top, tier, average, and bottom grade," Shiryu explains. "As for you, Seiya, you are on the average grade list. It's exactly what it says. You passed, but you didn't fail either. You just got a grade."
"So that's what it is..." Seiya says with arms crossed.
"I got tier grade, so it's above average," Shun says, smiling.
"Good for you, Shun." Seiya praises with a thumbs up.
"I'm in the top grade," Shiryu says.
"So am I," Hyoga adds. "Come to think about it, those tests were easy."
"If they were easy, then how come I'm on the average list," Seiya says.
"You did study, have you?" Hyoga points.
"Whoops..." Seiya sweatdrops.
"Even after our study group...?"
"Oh dear..." Shun and the others let out a sweat. "To be fair, there were some tricky questions. I'll keep them in mind for the next exam."
"Whatever! I'm glad they're over." Seiya shrugs.
"Seiya, you need to take your studies seriously. Saori-san will take note if you don't," Shiryu warns.
"Fine, fine! We're stuck anyway."
"I wonder what score my brother got."
"There's his name on a different note." Hyoga points to a sheet of pinned paper posted next to their class list with Ikki's name on it.
"Ikki got top grade," Shiryu says.
"Wow! That's unexpected. I thought he wouldn't care to study."
"Actually, my brother read books before going to the Kido mansion."
"Ahh!" Seiya utters, amazed.
"Saori-san will definitely talk about the results when she comes."
"Yeah, that will be true. Let's head back and eat lunch," Hyoga says.
After returning to their classroom, Shoko drops by for a visit.
"Hi there!" Shoko greets.
"Shoko-san, what brings you here?" Seiya asks.
"Nothing in particular. We simply want to visit."
"We?"
Chihiro steps forward from Shoko's behind.
"Who are you again?" Seiya asks.
"Don't tell me you forgot?" Chihiro huffs, upset.
"She's Chihiro-san, a member of my club," Shun says.
"Shun-san certainly knows. To be fair, we didn't have our uniforms at the time. So this is our first meeting with the rest of you in school. By the way, I hope you're enjoying my charity act."
"Actually, we do. The loungewear is really useful," Shiryu says.
"That's good to know," Chihiro says.
"You act as if you have a concern," Seiya says, skeptical.
"I DO have a concern because one of you was at Shibuya this past Sunday doing some shopping."
"What? I went nowhere on that day."
"Same here," Shun adds.
"And so do I," Shiryu adds.
Hyoga remains quiet, however.
"What about you? You didn't go anywhere, right?" Shun asks.
"How come you're quiet all of a sudden?" Seiya asks.
"Is that true? You went outside?" Shiryu asks.
"I thought you were at the lounge," Seiya says.
"I was at my room."
"Come to think about it, I've heard the front door open and close, so one of us went out. But my brother was in his room the whole time."
"Okay fine! It was me!" Hyoga snaps.
"You went to Shibuya? What for?" Seiya demands.
"Exactly what Chihiro-san says: to shop."
"I knew it! It just so happens you were wearing that super limited wardrobe. The same from when you first came to my store."
"What?" Seiya's eyes widen in a comedic fashion.
"I couldn't help it! I was overwhelmed with the amount to choose so I ended up picking out of sheer habit."
"So what's wrong with that?"
"Then you don't mind I take them back unless..."
"Unless what..."
"Unless you show up at the park tomorrow with the clothes I gave you. Do that, and we'll be friends. I'm gonna bet none of you have gone out."
"Who gave you permission to choose for us?" Seiya barks.
"Okay, have fun with those sweaty clothes of yours unless you accept my proposal. In fact, you're not going to have a choice but to comply."
The lunch period ends as the bell rings. Shoko and Chihiro return to their classroom after the latter alerts the BBs to their impending meeting.
"With that said, see you tomorrow." Chihiro turns her back and walks out.
"Um, good luck," Shoko says, fidgeting, and does the same.
"Dammit!" Seiya grunts, fisting in frustration.
As students scramble to their seats, Dr. Haruki enters the classroom.
"Good afternoon, class. Don't be alarmed. I'm only here for one reason. The rest of you should attend your scheduled PE class. Your new teacher is waiting."
Students murmur skeptically, but Dr. Haruki reassures them that the new PE teacher is someone brought by the director himself. Once students leave the classroom, Dr. Haruki approaches the boys.
"Hello, boys. I'm here because your new teachers reported strange behavior coming from you. You're not in trouble but this does raise a concern. Therefore, I need an explanation."
"I'm not sure you'll understand if we explain," Shiryu says.
"There's also the fact you were sent to the director's office, let go early, and Miss Kido's sudden arrival. I suspect it has to do with the behavior."
Dr. Haruki picks an empty chair nearby and sits. The BBs gather at the window where Hyoga sits, and they, too, grab empty chairs to sit. However, the boys are hesitant to talk.
"Boys, I won't be able to provide advice nor give my opinion if you don't explain. There's no one but us here, so you shouldn't refrain."
"We can't hide anything from you, huh? Fine, we'll explain," Seiya says. "Ugh! Just thinking about them makes me choke. I can't do it."
"I feel the same as him," Hyoga adds.
"I wish I could explain but the words won't come out," Shun says.
Shiryu volunteers to explain, though he, too, is hesitant.
"There was this group of men we admired and thought of them as father figures since we're orphans and they're the closest to us as family. We couldn't help but overreact since we're still grieving over them."
"That makes sense and from what you said seems it was recent. You have my sympathies, but for the sake of school, you need to get your act straight. The last thing to happen is to see them as parental substitutes."
"Then what's your suggestion?" Seiya asks.
"Simple! See them as teachers, nothing more. However, if you want to pursue a friendship with them, please do. But respect and back off if they refuse. Now, some may want to pursue friendship with you. If that is the case, treat them as nothing but individuals."
"That's easier said than done," Hyoga comments.
"Well, yeah. But you don't have other options, do you?"
"Fine, will do. We're stuck here anyway," Seiya says.
"Of course, my office is always open if you ever need someone to talk. I'll always give my undivided attention. But seriously though. I know you're celebrities but I believe you're more than that. Still, you don't need to explain. We still have a long way to go, so I'll learn over time."
"Thank you for your kind offer," Shun says.
"By the way, it's not just the new teachers who reported strange behavior. Your homeroom teacher and the director have also reported. And I even have observed odd behavior coming from you. I suppose our presence triggers your memories of them if I'm not mistaken."
"Well, yeah," Seiya says.
"That's what I thought, but if you follow my advice, surely your relationship will improve the more you spend with the teachers."
"Thank you, Dr. Haruki. You've been very helpful," Shiryu says.
"You're welcome. Given that you are unable attend PE, you might want to use your free period. I suggest studying or doing homework." Dr. Haruki stands up. "I'll be taking my leave. See you later."
Back at the dorm, Hyoga knocks on Shun's room after dinner.
"Yes?" Shun asks from behind the closed door.
"It's me."
Shun opens the door. "Hyoga, what brings you here?"
"Are you available right now?"
"Of course I am! Please come inside."
Hyoga enters Shun's room and observes the latter's space, which is simple enough without decorations.
"Please sit anywhere you like. Although I wish I had decorations to make it more welcoming," Shun says as he escorts his friend inside.
"Speaking of decorations, Shiryu already has his with Chinese stuff."
"Is that so? I'm still figuring out how to decorate this room."
"I'm sure you'll decorate your way, Shun."
"What about you? Will you decorate?"
"To be frank, I'm not sure. I don't even know how or where to begin. I never concerned myself because survival was a priority at all times."
"I get you. I wish I could've decorated but it was difficult."
Hyoga sits cross-legged on the floor while Shun sits on his bed.
"This was a rough week, huh?" Hyoga sighs.
"It was hard for all of us. We're still grieving."
"But we must remember Dr. Haruki's words since we're stuck here."
"Befriending the new teachers... How's that going to work?"
"We'll just have to let them take the initiative. That is, wait for them to approach us. I get it's passive, but I'd rather have that than a forced, awkward approach that would lead to nowhere."
"We're already doing that with the girls."
"Yeah, they approached us, and we reacted. We didn't put any work."
"This is no different from reacting to the enemies that approached us."
"We only reacted because we had to protect Athena and save the world. But this time, it's not about saving the world. It's keeping our sanity intact for three long years while the reconstruction is going on."
"I think we'll be fine if we get along with the girls and the new teachers. We'd just need to continue with school and be normal students."
"True but we also need to get along ourselves too. It won't do good to get along with everyone at school if we can't be nice to each other."
"That's right! You should make amends with Seiya."
"I must! I never meant to lash out at him. He owes me an apology too."
"If it makes you feel better, we can meet more often to talk."
"Actually, it does. I already meet with Seiya on Saturday nights and with Shiryu on Thursday nights. So then we'll meet here on Friday nights."
"That's fine by me. I'm looking forward to next week."
"Thank you." Hyoga nods.
To be continued...
