Chapter 9: Class 78 rollcall - part 1
After meeting the cool and collected Kyoko Kirigiri, it seems that she is not on good terms with her dad, something to look into. But, she is a good person to befriend, gotta make some progress with all my classmates.
"Alright, better not keep my pals waiting." I remind myself as I enter the classroom 1-A.
I aimlessly turn my head left amd right until I spot my friends waving at me. Although most of the tables are occupied, I manage to take a seat in a respectable distance between from Makoto and Mukuro behind me; Chihiro seating at the opposite side on my left in the first row.
At least I can probably still signal my pals and communicate, so I am not complaining. I then begin surveying the room, looking at the other newcomers. I could see a red haired male from the corridor, he seems quite impatient as he just expresses his frustration just two tables on my left.
I turn around and a blonde haired student with glasses, glaring at everyone with a cold stare until he sets his sights on me and I immediately look away, acting naturally. Judging by the looks of it, he is a egotistic type and snobbish character but he must have the talent to match it.
"Could these be the few that I have to watch out for? I'm not sure if they are easy to approach.", as I ponder in my train of thoughts until someone just tap my shoulder.
That sudden touch just break my inner thoughts as I stutter involuntarily. A figure then giggle at my arkward response, leading me to blush a little in embarassment.
"(giggle) Well, that was funny, your face and flailing." The yet-to-be acquainted figure comments as I calmly regain my composure.
Upon closer look, I immediately jump out of my seat to think that I would actually meet 'her' in school too.
"Wait, is that you, Sayaka?" I ask in anticipation.
The blue haired girl just wink her eye in an idolized fashion and reply, "Mhmmm. I never thought I would see you here aside from the stage, Hanako." She cheerfully smiles at me, feeling jovious with the reunion.
It was actually a year back when I became a newly-fledged singer, performing on stage, sharing my songs to the world. I was on the pursuit of instilling passion and inspiration into my audience and fans, never has the thought of fame and fortune cross my mind.
Along my debut, I visited and attended other performances, staged by other astounding artists. The most ideal and sensational of all was the group of female idols led by Sayaka Maizono, the Ultimate Pop Sensation.
Her performance was one of the most incredible acts I have ever witnessed, I see her as an idol for me to pursue further. I met her backstage once after a show, giving my thanks for showing me an inspirational act.
In a short while, we became friends and she showed me a thing or two about singing techniques and expression; to improve myself. We quite enjoyed the time spent outside the stage floor.
We have even made a collaborative performance together as a group, although I was kind of a little scared not living up to the hype, but in the end of that day, it all turned out amazingly.
It brought me closer to finishing my journey...
"It's really delightful to be classmates with you." she expresses the exact words before I could say.
"Took the words out of my mouth. How'd you know?" I ask while rubbing my chin.
Again she smiles before saying, "I'm psychic, you know?"
Last time I remember, she possess no such ability, probably just a trick. But, I just want to see how this goes, not to ruin her fun.
"Really, Sayaka? You never told me about this." I exclaim in a awestrucking expression with my gaping mouth.
"That's because I don't, silly. Also, you pretend to fall for that." Sayaka somehow see through my fakeout, bursting into laughter.
"Oh, was it obvious? Haha!" I laugh along with her, seeing that it is hysterical.
I offer a handshake to welcome her to Hope's Peak Academy and she gladly shake back. We both take our seats and that red-haired fellow begin talking to her.
Turns out I just befriend another Ultimate, an old acquaintance. During the ice breaking, many others arrive without me noticing. In no time soon, class will start, marking the first class.
The teacher then stands up, announcing...
"Welcome guys to classroom 1-A, please be quiet and remain seated." He says with a yawn. After everyone sits at their respective seats, he continues. "Call me Hanabei. I'll br supervising your homeroom class." He is wearing a turtle neck, camo pants and a long green coat. He also wears glasses and there is a snack bar sticking in his mouth like a cigarette.
He strides over to the teacher's desk in the corner and flops down in his chair, putting his feet up on the desk like a boss. "This is the class period where you basically do whatever you wish. I'll nominate a representative from you lot to be in charge of deciding what your class will be doing for the period."
As expected, Taka immediately raises his hand. "I volunteer to be a representative, Mr Hanabei!"
"Fine, knock yourself out." He says waving him off. But, please exclude the mister prefix, I'm not that old than you think." He then proceeds to crack open a newspaper, seemingly drowning us out.
Grinning, Taka walks and stands behind a podium. "A very good morninh my fellow classmates! He shouts. "Since this is our first day together in class, I'd like each of us to introduce ourselves to one another properly!"
The boy with red hair and piercings voices out. "Why? We've basically met, right?"
"Although true, I truly feel it would be best for all of us to better understand and know each other well. We're going to be together for a long time you know-" Taka was cut off by the door slamming open.
"Whoops, that was a lot harder than I meant it to be!"
I turn to the door where a scruffy looking man from the hallway before is standing with a girl behind him dressing almost doll-like... more of a gothic figure at the least. She just brushes past him and enters the room.
"Lovely first impression." She sarcastically says with an overly sweet smile. "Why is it the first person I meet from class must be a dirty brute?"
"H-Hey! Excuse you." He yells. "I'm not dirty! I shower every day!" He then turns and smell himself. "I so do not stink..."
"Hold it right there!" Taka yells, pointing at them both. "You better have an excuse for being late for the first day of class!" He crosses his arms, waiting for an answer.
The girl plays with one of her twin curls, apparently deciding whether or not she should reply. "...I had a tournament to participate in." She finally replies, nonchalant.
The guy cluelessly scratches his chin. "I sorta forgot the move in day was yesterday..."
Taka looks about ready to burst. "Unacceptable!" He turns to Hanabei. "Are you not going to give these slackers detention!?"
He glances from his paper. "It's the first day. I'll let them off this time." He then continues to read, leaving a dumbstruck look on Taka's face.
The girl claps her hands together. "Wonderful! Now, that's settled. Mind if I find my seat then...?"
Taka however regain composure. "Not just yet!" He steps down from the podium and gestures for the girl to go up. "We were just about to begin introducing ourselves! How about making it up by going first?"
A few whispers of annoying comments cam be heard spreading throughout the air of our hyperactive monitor. However, I know that my friends and I respect Taka's actions to set an example but in this day and age, people change.
They stare at each otherfor several beats of silence before the girl sighs, knowing she has to go first before it gets more tensed. "If I must." She slowly her way up to the podium before she turns towards us and begin introducing herself.
"My name is Celestia Ludenberg, the Ultimate Gambler." She says with a small curtsey. "It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance."
Makoto quirks an eyebrow. "The Queen of Liars?"
"Oho, so my reputation precedes me." She puts her hand to her mouth. "Why yes, that is one of my many titles I've earned."
I have heard of many underground gambling taking place where many have made names for theirselves in their cunning skills of deception.
Still, I turn around to Makoto, asking about this 'Cunning Vixen'.
He nods. "I did some research on a couple of potential students who were attending; she was one of the ones I could actually find stuff on. Rumors says that she's cleaned out some of the best gamblers underground, raking in over a million dollars in a single game... Plus, not a single person knows her real name!" He whispers to me. "She's not the kind of person you want on your bad side."
I nod with serious look. "No need to tell me twice, looks like someone scary has made an entrance.
"Well?" Taka says, still having his arms crossed. "Anything else to add?"
"Oh, I'm supposed to say more?" She says, tilting her head innocently.
"Of course!" He exclaims. "Give us something else! Do you have any family? Hobbies? Interests?"
She puts her finger to her lips. "Well... I have a cat. His name is Grand Bois Chéri Ludenberg. I admire European culture." She turns to Taka with a huff. "That ends my intro, so may I be excused now?"
Seeing that is all that she offers to share, he gives her a curt nod. He then turns to the scruffy man. "You're up next!"
The man nods and saunters up to the podium. "What's up everyone, my name is Yasuhiro Hagakure! But just call me Hiro." He scratches his chin. "I have a mom, and I like playimg video games like any other."
"May I ask a question?" The tan girl asks, raising her hand. "What's your talent?"
Hiro slams his hands down on the podium, making everyone jump with a focused look. "An excellent question!" He stands up straight. "I am..." He takes a dramatic pause before pulling out a glass ball. "The Ultimate Clairivoyant!"
The room remains completely silent for a few moments before Mukuro raises an eyebrow." ...A fortune teller?"
"Bingo!" He exclaims, raising the crystal ball high in the air. "My predictions come true about thirty percent of the time! I can offer a free reading if you'd like!"
I follow with another question, "How do you forsee the future with your gift of prophecy. And why exactly thirty percent?"
"If you wish to know, my curious friend. Why not have a free try?" He attempts to encourage me to guve it a shot.
Mukuro immediately clears her throat and shakes her head. "Not necessary." The answer leaves him cressfallen, and steps down from the podium. I feel that is kind of harsh, maybe I should talk to him later.
Taka pats his back and nods. "A very nice introduction! Now, who's next!?"
The tan girl frantically waves her hands in the air. "Oh, oh, me! Pick me!" Taka nods at her and admires her enthusiasm as she steps up to the front. "Hi everyone! I have met some of you friendly pals this morning and I'm glad to meet the rest of the class. Name's Aoi Asahina, but everyone calls me Hina! I'm here with the title Ultimate Swimmer!" She flashes a peace sign. "I love donuts, and it's probably going to take me a while to remember your names! I also have a little brother named Yuta!"
Taka nods at her. "Excellent job, Hina, why don't you pick who goes next?"
She peers across the room with narrowed eyes, when suddenly the door slides open.
"Helloooo everyone!"
A very loud blonde struts in, hair done up in twin tails and an extremely doctored uniform. It's buttoned so that it shows ample amounts of cleavage with a skirt that barely reaches mid-thigh. She's wearing heavy makeup that emphasizes her piercing blue eyes. "So sorry that I'm late! It took my stylists so long to make this uniform remotely acceptable! But, I'm here now, Ultimate Fashionista Junko Enoshima is at your service!"
Taka looks at her, scandalized. "Acceptable!?" That is miles away from the definition of 'acceptable'! Does that even count as a skirt anymore!?"
Ignoring him, the blonde scans the room until her eyes fall on Mukuro. "Hey sis!" She grins and walks over, hugging Mukuro tightly between her top. "Figures that you will be here first."
Mukuro's reply is muffled by her sister's chest. "Hah? You're gonna have to speak louder!" She says, grinning down at her. Mukuro shoves her sister off, catching her breath.
"I said," She says with a glare, still attempting to catch her breath. "That I wasn't early, you're just incredibly late!"
Junk crosses her arms in a pout. "Correction... Fashionably late, sis!"
Looking at them both, it is touching to see siblings meeting and getting along, despite them being worlds apart. Just wish, I had more time with...
Before I could finish that, Junko suddenly turns her attention to Chihiro with a mad look. The Ultimate Programmer begin feeling distressed and worried over the sudden change in the Fashionista's face.
"Whatchu snorting about, pipsqueak?" She says, staring down at the timid girl.
Chihiro frantically shake her head. "But I,I didn't. There must be a-a mis-understanding."
Junko raises a perfectly groomed eyebrow at her. "I'm pretty damn sure I heard a snort." She grins maliciously at her. "So, are you saying I'm lying...?"
Completely unexpected, Junko just turn a complete one-eighty from just minutes ago. There's a crazy gleam in her eye that's just shock me, wondering whether the others feel the same way. Things look really heating up and could get out of hand, I need to step in.
Chihiro is trembling in fear while explaining her innocence, "I- But I-, I really didn't snort at you..." she says, clutching her skirt. I could also see Mukuro's torn expression, as if she is debating on whether to supress her sister's poor behaviour.
"So you are calling me a liar... I will have you know I dislike being called names." She punctuates her sentence with a sharp click of her nails on the programmer's desk. The whole room is observing them in a tensed silence. Suddenly, she smiles at her in an overly-saccharine way. "I really think you ought to apologize to mr. Get on your knees and beg for forgiveness, and maybe... just maybe I may let this slide."
The very demand from the Fashionista is shaking Chihiro to her core, she is on the verge of bursting into tears, unable to force any words out.
Not feeling any sympathy, Junko sneers. "Don't waste any of my time... you wretch. Are you stupid or deaf? Get on your knees..." She slams her foot on the ground and crosses her arms. "And beg! NOW!"
Chihiro is left rooted with fear, tears weiling in her eyes. As I couldn't take this any longer, I stand up from my seat and about to intervene.
However, I feel a hand on my shoulder, behind me, standing behind me is a tall figure in a black coat with the vibe of a backstage boss.
"Let me handle this first, will ya?" The tall figure whispers to me and I nod in agreement to step back, trusting this huge fella.
Just as Junko is about to let loose on the frightened Chihiro, the figure steps in.
"I really think you may want to leave that chick alone, bitch.".
