Few weeks my ass.
Mishima sent the paperwork in the ensuing days. I angrily filled it out and signed my name on the dotted lines, feeling like I was signing my soul away to a corporate devil. Kaa-chan watched over me in case I got in my right mind and thought about bailing. She reminded me that I had no choice and that attending this school would get us out of the red. That was enough reason to swallow my pride and complete the necessary work. Mishima sent a response several days later.
I'm an official student of Mishima Polytechnical as of two days from then, and now I'm being transported there as we speak. Kaa-chan came with me to say goodbye since we won't see each other until I leave for the year, if we're even allowed off the premises. For all I know, I'll stay there until graduation. I barely had time to say goodbye to my contemporaries at my dojo. I wanted to stay with them until I was a tenth-grader, but this circumstance forced my hand.
"Hiro? How are you feeling?" Kaa-chan brought out of my thoughts.
"Not good, Kaa-san. I'm being transported to a school I didn't even want to enroll in because of an entitled old man harboring an indescribable obsession for martial arts prodigies. I'll be the odd one out, surrounded by people I don't know."
"To be fair, Hiro, you had no friends at your old school. Not much is changing."
"But it's a place I know. I'm going to be treated like an outcast here."
"I know, but what other choice do we have? At least we won't have to worry about finances, and you'll still get a solid education."
"Yes, Kaa-san. Just as long that smarmy Mishima upholds his end of the deal."
"Don't worry about that. I'll ensure Mishima does because I'll pull you out immediately if he doesn't. Just make sure he doesn't have a reason to do so."
"Kaa-san, flunking out of spite is the last thing on my mind."
It wasn't the last thing, but it was low on my priorities. Mishima might rig the system to pass me, depending on his adamance about keeping me around. This whole situation is super surreal. The car transporting us finally halted.
"This is it. Out you two go."
"Wait, you're not taking my mother back?"
"Don't worry about it, Hiro. Let's go," Kaa-chan said as she exited the car.
I followed suit as the car pulled off. It was almost noon, so classes had begun, and I was already in my uniform. A boys' uniform comprises green tartan pants, a white shirt, and a navy sweater. I looked stupid with it on.
"You look great, Hiro. Green and Navy are your colors," Kaa-chan said with chuckles laced in between.
"Thanks, Kaa-san."
"This is it then. I don't need to introduce you to the staff, right?"
"No, I can handle it from here. I'll try to keep in touch."
"Knowing who owns this school, I won't hold my breath. Take care, Hiro. Try not to get into too much trouble."
"I'll try, Kaa-san."
I hug my mother before separating to walk inside the building with my bag of school supplies. (And my gloves) Taking a deep breath, I enter the building. The front entrance looked more corporate than school-like, with a sky-blue interior and the Mishima Zaibatsu symbol strewn everywhere.
"Excuse me, are you a student here?" A feminine voice brought me back to earth. "Classes have already begun, so you must attend your first block class."
"Sorry, but I'm a new student, and it's my first day. My name is Minazuki Hirose."
"Oh, welcome to Mishima Polytechnical, Minazuki-kun. Just a minute, I'll pull up your itinerary. Mishima-sama was ecstatic to have you enroll here, but he had never worked this fast to enroll a student. It normally takes weeks, but yours only took a few days."
"Yeah, my mother and I wondered why he exerted this much for me?"
"No one knows what goes in Mishima-sama's head, Minazuki-kun. But it must mean he has high expectations of you." The receptionist stood up. "Let me lead you to your first class of the day. Follow me." She grabbed a pocket radio and started in the direction of the stairs.
"You'll be the second new student this week, Minazuki-kun."
"Second? Someone else recently transferred here, too?"
"Yes, yesterday," she answered. "Mishima-sama looked at your records and noticed you were shifting towards architecture as a higher educational direction outside of your pursuits in martial arts."
Did he get that from my transcripts? I did want to pursue architecture but haven't even started applying for universities or programs yet since I'm in the middle of my second year. I have one more year left after this one.
"That's... frighteningly accurate."
"Mishima Polytechnical has a university subdivision, but most students opt to attend university elsewhere once they graduate. Lunch is after this class, followed by your meeting with the guidance counselor to give you your schedule while attending here." She stopped in front of a door. "Here is your first class. The seminar has just begun, but the instructor should be expecting you. You may go in, and I hope your first day goes wonderfully."
"Thank you, and sorry for moving you away from the desk."
"You're very kind, but I needed the exercise. Take care, Minazuki-kun."
She walked away. I take an audible gulp before opening the classroom door. The last thing I wanted was to have attention drawn to me even though I was new. Yeah, that didn't happen. The second the teacher saw me, he immediately shifted the direction of his seminar to me.
"Well, ladies and gentlemen of Mishima Polytechnical, we have yet another new arrival. Come, young man. Don't be shy. Walk next to me and introduce yourself."
"Do I have to?" I ask, already knowing the answer. That retort got a couple of chuckles from the other students.
"Yes, you do. Quickly now."
I sigh before doing as he says, dropping my bag before bowing to the class.
"Good morning. My name is Minazuki Hirose; it's a pleasure to meet you all." I greet the class.
They mostly returned the greeting. Some grumbled, and I don't blame them. If that other new student also had an architecture focus, this is the second time they have dealt with this in a week.
"Very good. You may sit next to Ms. Mei-Yin."
Ms. Mei-Yin waved her hand. I picked up my bag and went to the empty seat in question. As I did so, I heard some gossip.
"Wow, first Shuwamei and now this guy. Mishima is getting new students left and right."
"At least he's Japanese. Shuwamei is from South Korea; she's a gaijin."
"Aizawa is probably going to bully him, too."
I sit down next to the South Korean girl.
"You a new kid too?" She asked me.
"Uh-huh, it's my first day."
"Really? It's my second." She extended her hand as I shook it. "Shuwa Mei-Yin, but everyone calls me Shuwamei."
Her grip was firm, and she noticed mine was as well. "You got a strong hand."
"So do you. Minazuki, but you already know that."
"That I do. We'll talk later; Mr. Kusimoto doesn't like it when people talk during his lectures."
"Got it."
The lecture went on and on, but it eventually ended.
"Mr. Kusimoto's lectures always seem endless," Shuwamei remarked as everyone gathered their things. "So, did Mishima-san personally enroll you?"
I packed up my bag. "Yeah. He found me after I beat up his entourage of bodyguards."
"Why were you attacking his bodyguards?"
"Long story short, one was extorting a kid, and I didn't like that."
"So you attacked him?"
"What was I supposed to do, Shwuamei? Leave him alone?"
"I mean, you can report him to the authorities."
I give her a screwy look. "My way was faster and more efficient. By the time the cops found the boy, the suit would have gone to his PR meeting with Mishima, and the kid wouldn't have gotten his money back."
"So you resort to vigilantism?"
"You're placing all of the faults on me, Shuwamei?"
"I'm not saying that, Minazuki. But don't you think Mishima wouldn't have enrolled you if you hadn't intervened?"
"Sure, but a kid and his mom would starve for days. At least with me being here, my family can remain financially stable," I answered. "Was it shortsighted? Sure. But I wouldn't say I like it when innocent people are wronged for no reason. It genuinely angers me. The guard I roughed up deserved it, and I will remain firm in that opinion. I'll see you around, Shuwamei."
"Sure, Minazuki."
I walk away toward the lunchroom. I can't believe she questioned my decision to help that kid out. Sure, it eventually ended up with me being enrolled in Mishima's school, but doing the right thing and defending a little boy who stood up for himself regardless of what consequence you may suffer is minor. But that quick discussion did bring up an interesting point. Not everyone in my position would have done that. Some would have thought it through, but I guess there would have been some who would have left the kid to his devices. But why? I understand that not everyone lives a high life, but letting that dictate your decisions can't be healthy.
I'm thinking too hard about this. I helped that kid because it was the right thing to do. End of discussion. Anyway, I make it to the cafeteria and immediately get in line to get the day's lunch.
"New student?" The Lunch Lady inquired.
"You could tell?"
"I remember faces well, boyo. And you're one I don't recognize. First day?"
I nodded and noticed in my peripheral vision that another student noticed my conversation.
"I thought so. But you don't look conflicted or scared."
"Why would I be?"
"You'll see soon, kid. Welcome to Mishima Polytechnical," she said.
I went to sit and ate my lunch alone in silence before someone sat beside me. Looking to my side, I saw a man my age.
"So, another freshie has been enrolled in the school," he said as he attempted to invade my personal space.
"So it would seem," I answered bluntly while eating my lunch.
"Gotta name, freshie?"
"Minazuki."
"Well, Minazuki. I'm Aizawa."
"Nice to meet you."
"Wish I can say the same. But I gotta problem."
"And what might that be, Aizawa?" I inquire sarcastically.
"You see, you're the second new student in a week. So I must inform you of the second-year pecking order among us."
I get up and move to another empty table. The other second years, started talking while sitting back down and continued eating.
"Oh no, Aizawa isn't going to like that."
"The new kid is either brave or stupid."
Aizawa was back on me like nothing had happened. "Oh no, Minazuki-chan. I'm hurt that you're ignoring me. I'm trying to help you out here."
"Just Minazuki, thank you. And this feels more like passive-bullying to me."
Aizawa looked genuinely insulted. He broke the physical by placing his palm on my shoulder, but I brushed it off.
"Listen, if you don't want to get on my bad side, I suggest you pay attention."
He placed his hand on my shoulder again. I was getting annoyed but made eye contact to appease him.
"Eye contact, we're getting somewhere. Now look, I have a problem with you newbies not respecting the students who have been here as first years."
"Like you?"
"Exactly. Now, you can be forgiven for ignoring me. All you have to do is give me all the money on your person," he said with a cheeky smile.
I brushed his shoulder off (again) and went to another table. I went to finish my lunch, but Aizawa grabbed it and threw it on the floor. I then stood up as he tried to invade my personal space so I could stand my ground.
"I'm broke, Aizawa. If you want some money, get a job." I say matter-of-factly, knowing a fight is about to happen.
"That won't stand."
"Sounds like a personal problem. Bully someone else."
He grabbed me by the shirt, but I pointed out the camera.
"No can do, freshie. It would be best if you were taught a lesson. And I'm ready, willing, and-"
I cut Aizawa off with a headbutt that left him stunned. I retrieved my gloves from my bag but felt two hands furiously grab the back of my shirt and chuck me on the table back first. My vision is upside down, and I notice Aizawa walking up to me so he can throw me again.
He's a Judoka.
When in reach, I sit up quickly and spin to face him. When I see him kick his hip, he's stunned enough that I can get off the table. I quickly jab his cheek and kick his ankle so his leg leaves the floor. I then punch him in the stomach, sending him crashing to the ground. I try to follow up with a punch to his face to disable him. He rolled out of the way, but I stopped my punch before my fist hit the floor. My hand feels numb since I'm not fighting with my gloves on. My hands are conditioned, but I wouldn't say I like fighting bare-fisted. That's asking for early arthritis.
"Damn it, not only are you a damn freshie, but you can defend yourself too. You and that South Korean broad are both Martial Artists!"
Shuwamei is a Martial Artist! Her hand felt too firm for her not to be. Wait, that doesn't sound very pleasant out of context. Disregard what I just said, yeah?
"For a man obsessed with beating up new students, you don't do your homework. Not a smart fellow, aren't you?"
He gets up and rushes me. He trips me forward and tries to throw me on the back of my neck. I grab his arm and instinctively throw him with me while redirecting our momentum so I don't land on my neck. We both recover and stare at each other while standing back up. I noticed other students had their phones out to record the encounter. Aizawa rushed me again, but I predicted this and front-kicked him stiffly in the stomach, stunning him. I close the distance and quickly land three punches on his torso.
I kick him in the ear and land two more punches on his torso before kicking him in the knee. Despite this, he grabbed me by my shirt again and, through the pain, performed an 'osoto gari,' slamming me on the back and hitting my head on the ground. Through adrenaline and reaction speed, I kick his shin out. He lands face-first next to me, and I mount him. I immediately punched him in the face the moment I turned him over with so much force that his eyes swelled up. I followed up with another punch, and I punched him in the rib, and he winced on impact. And to finish the fight, I knee him hard in the groin, causing him to yelp as he slid a couple of inches.
The crowd of Second Years all let out a collective "oooh" at what transpired.
"Eeeep!" He got out while clutching his little men.
Not too long after I stood up, Mr. Kusimoto ran in. "Enough! Aizawa, Minazuki! The both of you are heading to the counselor's office now!"
"Yes, sir." I acquiesce before grabbing my bag.
I noticed Mr. Kusimoto lift Aizawa from the core lifting in my eye. "This way, Minazuki."
Minutes later, Aizawa and I were sitting before Mishima Polytechnic's counselor, Kyoko. I was supposed to be collected by her after lunch so she could give me my schedule. At least I'm making a memorable first impression. Not a good one, but it's better than nothing.
"Before I voice my thoughts," she started, looking at us both. "Is there anything you two have to say? Aizawa, you know very well that fighting during school hours, even during lunch, is prohibited. And this is the second time you've picked a fight during lunch this week. First, Mei-Yin-kun and now Minazuki here."
"But Counselor Kyoko," he started while holding the ice pack to prevent his eye from swelling more. A passerby would look at him and think that it was me who started the fight. "Not only is Minazuki another transfer student, Mishima-san personally enrolled him here! That's stupid!"
His disdain was followed by a pained strain due to his damaged rib. That's why he had it out for me specifically. Aizawa could've picked better reasons to fight me. I doubt it'd make him feel better if I told him I had no choice.
"That's no excuse to attack another student on his first day, Aizawa!" she exclaimed. "And you, Minazuki! What do you have to say for yourself?"
"I didn't know that fighting was allowed during school hours; no one told me—not Mr. Kushimoto, not Shuwamei, not even the receptionist at the front desk." I defended myself. "If I had known beforehand, I would've been more diplomatic about the situation. But counselor, if you expect me not to defend myself, I'd rather be punished," I responded.
Counselor Kyoko sighed as she stood up. "I see. Luckily for you, Minazuki, the cameras picked up on everything. You ignored Aizawa and tried to avoid a physical confrontation while acting in self-defense. Your explanation checks out as a result. So you are absolved of a would-be punishment."
"Are you serious?"
"What!? Ow." Aizawa angrily reacted.
"Yes, Minazuki. Though, I would like a word before you go. But first..." She gave Aizawa a death stare. "You knew fighting during school hours is prohibited, and you started one anyway. And if you won, the punishment would've been lighter, but since Minazuki-kun beat you, the punishment will be more severe."
Thank God I disabled him when I did; I couldn't take another throw of his against that marble flooring. My head is still ringing from those.
"Seven Days OSS and a Final Warning. You're out if you start another fight during school hours and lose. I'll make sure the faculty gives you the required work. Dismissed." She laid down the law.
Before standing up, Aizawa stared me down with his good eye. "This isn't over, freshie."
That was all he said before he (painfully) got up and left. When he was out of the office, Counselor Kyoko sighed again.
"Does he do this often, Counselor?"
"More often than you think. But onto you, how are you feeling after that?"
"My back is sore, and I have a headache after getting slammed on the table and floor. Otherwise, I'm fine."
"I'm deeply sorry that your first day ended like this, Minazuki-kun. But from looking at the footage, I'd say you did a good job of defending yourself. Aizawa was not expecting you to be a Martial Artist. Let me guess, Kyokushin?"
I nod. She clapped in delight. "Wonderful, I still got it! Though that knee to the groin wasn't part of your instruction."
"And I wouldn't have done it if it was a sanctioned duel between me and another Kyokushin practitioner."
"Very smart," she complimented. "As I said earlier, you're absolved of the would-be punishment since you didn't know the rules, but now you know. Fights occur after classes are over for the day or on days off. The punishment will be harsh but lightened if you emerge the victor. Still, please don't fight during school hours."
"Yes, Counselor."
"Great. What about what we discussed before Aizawa ruined your first day? I was supposed to come and collect you after lunch so I can give you this." She pulled out some keys. "These are your room keys. Mishima-san had movers bring your things from your Tokyo home to your dormitory room as customary for every student there."
"I couldn't have commuted?"
"Your apartment was just outside the required range. I'm sorry you'd rather stay with your mother, but it's out of my hands now."
"Fair enough," I say defeatedly.
"I understand," she said sincerely. "Now, follow me. Classes are over because it is a half-day today, so I will show you where your dorms are."
Following her outside the school building, we walked a few minutes to the dormitory. "And here we are. Your door is on the third floor."
We walked inside the building. After following her to my dorm room, she said, "Here we are, 320. These are yours." Counselor Kyoko handed me the keys to my dorm room. "I need to return to the office, but you can walk around the buildings and get acquainted with the area."
"I will. Thanks, Counselor."
"Of course. Until next time, Minazuki-kun," she said goodbye before leaving.
"Minazuki." Shuwamei called for me.
"Shuwamei? You live on this floor?"
"Yup. I'm your neighbor. The third floor is where the midyear transfer students go, and we're the only two transfer students in the second year. There should be a couple more, but they aren't here," she explained.
"Oh, we should enjoy the quiet while it lasts."
"That's what I said to the others yesterday," she responded as we walked down the stairs. "That fight against Aizawa in the lunchroom was quite the show."
"So it was. I saw all the other second years recording it. Does he do that to all the new students?"
"Just those the same year as him. One of the other tenants on the third is a first year, and he didn't bother her."
"He attacked you yesterday?"
"Yeah. I fended him off; Counselor Kyoko scolded him for the same reasons today. He even does it to new second years who aren't martial artists."
"So what do they do?"
"They either give him their money or get thrown like you did. Except they don't give him a black eye and a messed up rib."
"That's horrible."
"It is. While I got you with me, let me show you some things that Counselor Kyoko showed me yesterday."
"Okay, where are we headed?"
Shuwamei beckoned me to follow her. "Back in the school building."
We left the dormitory and noticed a couple of guys.
"Oh, no," Shuwamei said, annoyed.
"Who are they?"
"Members of Aizawa's circle of stooges."
"You're going to pay for what you did to Aizawa-aniki! Come here so we can beat you up!"
Well, at least they're blunt.
"Come on, guys. Classes just ended. Can't this wait until Sunday when we have time?"
They responded by cracking their knuckles.
"Guess not..."
I open my bag and pull out my Sparring Gloves.
"You just keep your gloves on your person?" Shuwamei asked, comedically flabbergasted.
"You're asking this question to a guy who beat up a suit while on his way to school because he stole a kid's money. You never know when you gotta cave someone's face in." I respond honestly while putting my gloves on. "You cannot fight them; I'm the one who beat up their boss today."
Shuwamei responds by putting her handbag on the ground. She then took her blue wristband and tied her hair with it. "Let's make this quick."
Why am I surprised that the South Korean uses Tae Kwon Do? One of the brutes ran at her, and Shuwamei quickly kicked him in the face twice. She then did a spinning backkick, knocking the guy down. The other guy rushed me, but I landed a reverse straight punch as he tried to grab me.
"Not very impressive, are they?"
"Nope. But the better thing for us was that I wasn't in the mood to get into a fight today. Watching yours against Aizawa was enough for the week. Come on, let me show you what I want to show you before I forget."
The first thing she showed me was a massive courtyard with a giant gold statue of Mishima in the middle.
"Alright, Shuwamei. Why'd you bring me out here?"
"This is where official fights take place. If you ever challenge someone to a fight and they accept or vice versa, you come here and duke it out. It's easier to clean the area than in a classroom or the lunchroom."
"It's spacious, too; difficult to involve the environment unless the weather has a say."
"Exactly. Remember, every official fight occurs here, so you don't get lost."
We went back inside the school building. Shuwamei then brought me to a board on the first floor. I see names and numbers with records.
"What's this?"
"This is the student fighter rankings. Every student with a martial arts background like ours ends up on this board. It shows the Win-Loss Record along with their year. There are four leaderboards, one for each year and one for all Three Years."
"Is there a reason why besides the fuck it factor?"
"Not that I know of besides keeping the fighters' skills sharp. Fights get updated either every month or after every fight. So the second year and the overall should be changed by tomorrow since you arrived and beat Aizawa. He isn't happy, considering he just ate his second consecutive loss."
"Where are you in the Leaderboard?" I ask her.
"I'm #20 on the second year leaderboard and #45 on the overall Leaderboard."
"Not bad, considering it's your second day here."
"It's only good because many students here have never beaten Aizawa in all three years. He's barely in the top ten, and that was after I beat him. He might get bumped down near where I'm at. Wins, Losses, and Draws aren't the only things that matter. Who you beat matters, too. So you might get placed where I'm at on the strength of you beating Aizawa more convincingly than me."
"Good to know. Thanks, Shuwamei."
"You're welcome. Since we're both new, it might be smart for us to have each other's backs at least."
"I agree, especially if Aizawa is as stubborn as he sounds," I say before looking at number one, Kazama Jin.
"You know him?"
"No, but my Kaa-san used to teach at the Kazama Traditional Arts School in Osaka. But that was before she had me."
"That's interesting. Well, that's all I wanted to show you. I've got to do my homework. I'll see you later, Minazuki."
"You too, Shu. See you tomorrow."
She left me alone as I looked at the name again. "Here's hoping I meet you to learn how Kaa-san used to fight."
Afterward, I left to go back to my dorm.
Meanwhile, in Counselor Kyoko's Office:
"Yes, Mishima-san. He is just as prodigious as you said. He beat Aizawa with minimal difficulty."
"On his first day? Aizawa is no pushover. His fight record is imposing. Was it sanctioned?"
"No, Mishima-san. He attacked him during lunch, and Minazuki defended himself."
"Ah, it was an on-the-spot confrontation. And Minazuki still won? I knew I saw greatness in him. Keep a close eye on him; Minazuki will go far."
"Yes, Mishima-san. Shall we send someone else to test him?"
"Not yet. Let him get used to the school first. Then we'll send her after him."
"Very well. I will guide him properly per your wishes, Mishima-san."
"Thank you, Okita-san. I look forward to hearing about his progress. Until next time."
"Until next time, Mishima-san."
