Chapter 7: Hanging Out

Saturday morning has arrived and it begins in the girl's dorm. In one room, Emma was sound asleep when her alarm rang through her smartphone. Turning it off and waking up, "Ah…no school today at least." She thought as she got out of bed and went to the bathroom. A minute later, she emerged wearing a yukata and carrying a small basket containing her toiletries and her towel. She checked to ensure she has what she needs and once done, she left her room.

In the girl's dorm on the third level is the onsen room for bathing which is the same as the one at the boy's dorm. Sure, they have showers in their own bathrooms but going for a dip in the onsen is the best way to relax and start off the weekend.

In there, Emma shed off her yukata and wrapped her towel around her body. After folding her yukata and placing it in her basket, she went to the bath, took off her towel and immersed herself in. "Mmmm…that feel so relaxing…" She thought as she washed herself. There are several other girls also there bathing and enjoying the heat.

Half an hour later, Emma now dressed in her signature attire is seen at the Dining Hall eating her breakfast which is a small stack of 3 pancakes with butter and maple syrup and a glass of apple juice all by herself. "I wonder what I can do for today? Maybe I can go outside and explore the city? If possible, I need to find some gifts to send to the orphanage if possible..."

Just then, her smartphone got a text message as she opened it and texting took place.

Kap: Got any plans today?

Ninja Dancer: Nothing much...

Kap: Okay...wanna hang out? A stroll in the park would be relaxing.

Ninja Dancer: Sure. What time do we meet?

Kap: 10:30am okay for you?

Ninja Dancer: Alright. See you at the park.

Kap: Yeah! See you then!

Texting ends here as Emma beamed in excitement. "This is incredible! I could really use this stroll to relax my mind from the schoolwork and it's my first time hanging out with Kappei which we rarely do together back then!"

She then finished her breakfast and went back to her dorm to get ready.

10:30am...

Outside a park, Emma waited a bit until she caught sight of Kappei skating to her on his skateboard. "When was the last time we skated on those?" She asked.

"WNA Academy. Matsuri boards were the ninja gum weapons used during training and I see you also skated here." He replied. "Shall we get going?"

"A stroll in the park is a peaceful way for us to enjoy the scenery while strolling. It was a nice choice you made." Emma replied and they went in.

The park has a nice touch of nature around it as Kappei and Emma strolled on the pathway. They passed by some people who are doing tai chi and a few minutes later, passed by some kids who are flying kites and playing badminton. 2 minutes later, they watched several kids play around a playground and another 2 minutes later, they stopped to admire some flowers and butterflies fluttering around.

2 of them then fluttered towards them leaving them startled. "Not the face! Not the face!" Kappei panicked at first waving his hands around but the butterfly was able to gently land on the palm of his right hand. "Feels ticklish." He thought while shivering a bit and the other one landed gently on Emma's left hand on the palm. "Beautiful..." She admired in awe.

The 2 of them watched as the 2 butterflies made contact with each other through the feelers. After that, both butterflies fluttered off together and they're seen around a sunflower.

"What just happened?" Emma asked.

"Beats me..." Kappei replied as they continued their stroll.

10 minutes later, they took a rest sitting on a park bench. "Say Emma?"

"What is it Kappei?"

"I was wondering...how are you doing? Like, how is your family doing?"

That made her silent as she looked away for several seconds. Noticing this, "You feeling alright?" Kappei asked.

"W-Well...can you um...keep this between us?" Emma asked and he nodded. So with that, "I don't have a family."

He was thunderstruck by this reveal. "As far as I remember, I was put in the orphanage when I was still an infant. Around a year old I think. I was also the first and there, I was raised by the caretakers. 3 of them and over the years, others joined in and I spent the years being the big sister for the little ones. I even started learning those dance moves on TV when I watch with them. It's where I aspire to use my dancing to bring smiles to people and become famous one day."

Kappei felt a bit emotional from the whole story as he looked down feeling sad. "I'm sorry...for asking you this."

"It's fine. No one in the academy knew of this when I first joined. Only now, you were the first to ask about my personal life." Emma assured to him.

"It also makes me remember it." He added.

"Remember what?"

"My mother and father. I never knew anything about them. All I know is that my grampa raised me up and trained me in the ways of the shinobi at a young age. When I was seven, I asked about my parents and all he can tell me was that when I'm old enough, I'll learn about them."

"Wow...for some reason we're on the same page. We have no idea or clue about our parentage." Emma realized as they stared at each other through the eyes. And then, a rumbling sound was heard and, "Your stomach is it?" Emma asked and chuckled.

"It's telling me lunch hour has arrived." Kappei replied.

"There's a Ninja Diner nearby. Let's go there for lunch." Emma suggested with Kappei smiling in agreement. So with that, they strolled their way out of the park. It was during that when Emma's hand twitched a bit urging itself to hold Kappei's hand but dares not to.

At Ninja Diner...

The 2 teens are seated as they checked the menu with a waitress waiting by their table. "I'll take the salmon set meal with a side of coleslaw." Kappei ordered.

"And I'll take the grilled halibut set meal with a side of coleslaw just like his." Emma ordered.

The waitress noted it down and asked, "Any drinks?"

"Just a glass of water." They replied in unison and, "Also, I'd like to add a plate of onion rings." Kappei added another order as she noted down. "Thank you. Your orders will arrive in 15 minutes." She then left to submit them.

During the wait, "Do you often go back to the orphanage to check out the children?" Kappei asked and their water is served to them.

"Back at the academy every month, I send gifts to the children. Snacks, toys, games and books for them to get entertained." Emma replied. "I will still try to do so here even while attending high school though I haven't started yet."

"That's really selfless of you." He complimented.

"Th-Thanks..." She replied shyly.

"You know, if you need a hand in this, look for me and I'll offer my hand to you." Kappei offered.

"Sure." Emma replied as she sipped her water with a thought on her head. "Your kindness and selflessness have touched my heart Kappei. I'm so glad that you have a pure heart of a ninja to offer your assistance to me..."

"Oh look. Our lunch has arrived!" Kappei noticed and indeed, lunch is served as Kappei started to chow in his salmon. "Whoa...lemon sauce is rich in quality."

"And so is the cream of mushroom." said Emma because the lunch sets they've ordered includes their drinks, side dishes and a bowl of soup.

Kappei then took an onion ring, dipped it in his soup and munched it. "Mmmm...tasty."

"Let me try." Emma did the same thing. "Mmmm...it really is." They shared a laugh as they shared the onion rings while eating their lunch sets heartily. They even sampled each other's fish variety making their lunch time more enjoyable.

Around 1pm, Kappei paid for the meals as they left the diner. "What's next on our hanging out?" Emma asked with a smile.

"I wish I knew...you got anything?" He asked shrugging his shoulders.

"Matter of fact, I do. This morning during breakfast, my hearing picked up some talks about a place called, Malishido Megamall. A popular hotspot for all the students that hang out on the weekends, vacations and holidays. It's located a few blocks from our current location since it's in the city and our high school is at downtown." Emma revealed and with that, "Then what are waiting for? Let's check it out! Race ya!" Kappei declared.

"If I win, you're treating me to ice cream!" Emma declared.

"And if I win, you're doing the treating!" Kappei responded back and with that, they got their skateboards ready and raced off to the mall laughing together.

At the Malishido Megamall...(Malishido is based on Malibu with the word, bushido combined into it)

"I don't believe it...this mall is amazing!" Emma looked around in amazement and likewise, Kappei.

"There are so many shops, restaurants, entertainment areas and many more...no wonder it's a hotspot for all the students." Kappei exclaimed.

"Through my extreme hearing, many talked about it and anything they do in an awesome place like this!" Emma added as the teens began exploring the mall.

(BGM: Steal the Show from Lauv)

They first checked out some clothing stores and in one of them, Emma tried on a few outfits and Kappei gave her thumbs up showing how good she is in them. He also tried on some outfits with Emma giving him the thumbs up showing how cool he looks.

Next, the gift shops as they examined many collectibles from the old school to the modern age with Kappei playing with a nunchuk and Emma admiring some music box which plays classical music. And then, Kappei appeared behind her wearing some Scream Mask scaring her a bit until he removed it. She laughed upon seeing him and lightly punched him on the body as he laughed also.

Third, the jewelry shops and during the window shopping, Kappei had a certain thought in his head when examining some rings while Emma examined the necklaces and bangles. He looked at Emma and the rings back and forth but shrugged it off for now. They also checked out an optics store and tried on some sunglasses even posing for a welfie. Though they didn't purchase the sunglasses.

Fourth, they checked out some music store as Emma had Kappei listen to some pop music via the headphones and he couldn't help but jam a bit. They also passed by a spa and a bookstore with Emma glancing at some books a bit.

Fifth, they checked out the many eating places in which Kappei can feel lots of cravings filling his mind and lastly, they checked out the entertainment areas as they watched many people bowl on the lanes and pocket billiard balls into the pockets at a bowling and billiards centre, game on the arcade machines in the arcade and skate around some area in a roller skating rink. They even found a karaoke and a cinema. A lot of creature comforts one can say.

"Oh right Kappei. You lost to me in that skateboard race. You know what that means right?"

"I know Emma. And good thing I saw the ice cream parlour on the second level."

And it cuts to them sharing a banana split as they chat with each other while enjoying their creamy treat.

(End BGM)

After a few hours of sightseeing and window shopping in the mall which also involves ice cream, "Look! A post office! You can send the gifts to the kids at the orphanage!" Kappei pointed out as he took out his school ID and phone. Opening the high school app, he went to check his balance. "I have 3500 credits left."

"I have 4000." said Emma as they nodded at each other. A montage shows them shopping for the gifts as they're seen in the bookstore and gift shop from just now, the toy store and at the supermarket which are new areas they came across currently.

20 minutes later, "We got what we need, let's head to the post office to arrange for the delivery." Emma told Kappei as they took the purchased goods and headed to the post office. When they arrived, Emma went to settle the delivery procedure while Kappei help hand the goods to the workers. They placed them in 2 separate packages and stamped them for delivery as Emma finished settling the procedure. "All that's left is to make the payment." She thought as the admin revealed the payment to be 1000 credits. "We'll pay together. You pay half of it, I pay for the other half." Kappei told her and even the admin spoke that's allowed. Smiling about it, Emma nodded and they did their separate payments.

"Thank you. We'll have your packages delivered to the receiver in no time. See you again." The admin thanked them as they left.

With the packages secured for delivery, Kappei and Emma left the mall and made their way back to the dorms on their skateboards. When they arrived, "Now that we're back, I better get my homework done." Emma brought up.

"Oh now that you mentioned it, I haven't even started on mine!" Kappei remembered. "And I still struggle on the Math and Geography since these are our homework for the weekend."

"I can help you with that. You lent your hand to me just now so it's my turn to do the same." Emma assured to him with a helping offer.

"Alright. After dinner, drop by at my dorm room and we can study together. At least we're allowed to visit each other's dorms." Kappei suggested.

"That can be arranged." She replied and they split up for their dorm rooms.

So that night...

Kappei is preparing his materials for studying as he set his notes and notebook. "Good thing I tidied up and-" The knocking of the door can be heard as he went to answer it. Opening the door, "Ready for the homework assignments?" Emma asked.

"Yes. Make yourself at home." Kappei let her in as she looked around. "Nice room." She exclaimed when Gumchi appeared behind them. "Hi! Hi!"

"Gumchi?" She looked behind and, "OMG! Gumchi! You're here as well!"

The little yellow gum cheered and jumped onto Emma hugging her. "Even after the WNA academy, I still have the responsibility to look after my little buddy." Kappei told her as Gumchi got off and sat on his bed.

"Well then, shall we begin?" Emma asked.

"Homework time." Kappei replied as they sat by the table with Emma taking out her school materials. Gumchi watched from the bed as the 2 friends studied together on the Geography and Math homework. He can clearly see how they helped each other with Emma doing most of the helping since Kappei kinda sucks in his studies but whatever, he can already see something in those 2 and his eyes lit up in admiration.

An hour later, "Whew! All done." Kappei exclaimed with relief. "Won't have to worry about my submission."

"I mean, when you were harassed by those bullies back then, you never did your homework." Emma brought up.

"Oh don't remind me. I already dealt with those fools." Kappei replied as he went to his mini-fridge and took out a bar of chocolate. He unwrapped the paper, took out the whole bar and broke it in half. "Here."

"Thank you." The 2 crunched on the chocolate as Emma looked at the time. "It's 9pm. Anything else before I head back to my dorm?"

"Hmmm...we could catch a movie. I know a website where we can watch all movies for free." Kappei switched on his PC and started surfing the internet. He found the website and opened it.

"No way...all kinds of movies from the past to now!" Emma exclaimed.

"I'll tell you something. Jeong created this website himself." Kappei revealed and he opened a list. "Pick one at your choosing."

Emma checked the movie list. "Let's watch Step Up. It looks interesting in my perspective."

"Alright." Kappei clicked on the link and the 2 had a movie night in the dorm room. Oh, that includes Gumchi who jumped it and sat in front of them with his eyes glued to the monitor as the movie begins.

Some time later...

"Damn...that's a lot of breakdancing." Kappei described the movie. "It feels so cool to see those moves in action, I feel like learning a thing or 2 about it."

"That's great! I can teach you if you want to!" Emma exclaimed with her eyes lighting up in excitement.

"You will? Yes I'd love to learn from you!" Kappei cheered as they squealed in excitement when, "Oh look at the time, I better head back to my dorm." Emma told him as she started packing up. Once done, Kappei opened the door and before leaving, "Thanks for today. It was pretty fun and I think we should do this more often."

"Who knows? We can arrange again when there's the time." Kappei replied.

"Agreed." Emma then left for her dorm as Gumchi cheered. "Lovel-ee! Lovel-ee!"

"What? Gumchi you must have drank too much soda for the past week!" Kappei exclaimed as he laughed and picked him up for a hug. Once done, he freshen up, changed to his nightwear and turned in for the night and likewise, Gumchi.

It's been a very long time since Kappei and Emma had their time together outside school. They rarely got the time back at the WNA Academy but now, this moment they had together will be the beginning of something new between them...

But no, NO! It's too early for that! You know what they say, save the best for the last. And this is why the plot for the First Year Arc is being planned carefully.

And yes in the anime, I have a feeling that none of the students in the WNA Academy including the other 7 main characters knew of Emma's past and her life in the orphanage. So here in this story, Kappei is the first to know and also, the anime never talked or mention about his parents. So yes, those 2 indeed are on the same page over their parentage and this story is gonna have a big twist about it in the future and I get more hyped to write and plan in excitement and thrill!