Chapter 61: Beginning of the Second Year

"BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!"

"Ugh..."

The alarm rang as Kappei is seen in his dorm waking up and stifling a yawn as he checked his phone and turned it off. Looking at the time, he went to the bathroom to freshen up.

Our summer vacation is over and now, we begin our second year in Advanced WNA High. We will expect more challenges ahead and new freshmen joining this school

Minutes later, Kappei is suited up as Gumchi woke up. "Mornee! Mornee!"

"Hey Gumchi." Kappei greeted him as the little guys landed on his face gently hugging him. He then got carefully went inside his school bag as Kappei took it and they headed down for breakfast.

At the dining hall, Kappei queued in line and he's served some scrambled eggs with sliced onions, corned beef with diced potatoes and chopped onions and baked beans. He also helped himself to some Milo as he looked around and saw his peers seated as Cruz waved to him. He joined them as they ate and bonded.

"A year had passed since we're enrolled." Archie began as he ate some baked beans.

"Right on mate! We've got work to do as ninjas and high school students!" said Davis as he ate some corned beef.

"A week before the new school year began, the freshmen have arrived and settled in the dorms." Jeong revealed as he drank some milk from a milk carton.

"And have you guys noticed? Our bathrooms got renovated to have bathtubs replace the shower areas." Archie brought up. "Nevertheless, we can still take showers in the bathtub."

"And that applies to every dorm room for both genders." Davis added with a grin.

"You're not thinking of peeping into Vega?" Jeong asked.

"No mate. Why would I do that?" He replied shaking his head in denial.

"Because several times back in our first year, you often read dirty magazines under your desk." Jeong revealed and the other boys snickered.

"Well at least I didn't fail an exam." Davis replied as Gumchi popped out. "Good timing, I was able to snag this." Archie passed the little gum alien an extra breakfast as he devoured it in seconds. "Yummee! Yummee!" Cruz then gave him a carton of chocolate milk as he chugged it down and burped out a loud one.

Everyone in the dining hall stopped what they're doing and looked around. Fortunately after the loud burp, Kappei swiftly hid Gumchi back in his school bag as he giggled from inside. "Better we leave early and meet up with our friends." Archie suggested as the boys finished their breakfast, returned their trays and left the dining hall.

Outside, Kappei and Jeong who also brought his school bag with him early waited for the others and soon enough, they showed up with their school bags. "Let's go mates!" Davis cheered and they walked together.

In school...

The 5 boys arrived and saw a crowd gathering around at the schoolgrounds. "What is going on?" Archie wondered.

"Beats me." said Cruz when they noticed a girl being surrounded by the crowd. She has long, wavy red hair, a cute face and a sexy body as many male students from freshman, sophomore and senior years all crowded around her in excitement.

"Whoa...who is that smoking hot chick?" Davis asked as Jeong opened up his archive and browsed through. "According to the data, her name is Ivy and she's a freshman enrolled in this school. Awakened Power: Chlorokinesis."

"Chloro-what nerd mate?" Davis asked.

"Chlorokinesis. The power to control plant life." Jeong explained when, "Hey guys!"

From behind, Emma, Vega and Maeve showed up as, "Kappei!"

"Hey Emma!" They hugged each other and kissed as the rest smiled at this. "What about me?" Vega asked Davis and he grabbed her for a makeout session. On the other hand, Maeve went to Archie and pecked him on the cheek. "Well now that everyone's here, let's head to class." said Cruz.

So they walked together but somehow, Kappei caught a glimpse of Kuryu and his group of friends all glaring at him with hatred from a distance. "Seems like he can't let go of the loss that I gave him at the Summer Sports Olympics..."

The group then entered the school and in an instant, "There he is! The one with the ancient ranked power!" Crowds of students gathered before Kappei cheering and congratulating him. He signed his signature on some of their belongings and had selfies with them while his peers waited.

Once done, "Damn, you're like on the top spots in the popularity chart." said Vega.

"Matter of fact, he rose to be in the top 10 in the popularity rankings for the boys." said Jeong.

"What about the girls?" She asked and he activated his holographic archive and checked through. "Ah! For the girls' case, Emma is in the top 5!"

"Oh my gosh! You're in the popularity charts!" Maeve cheered as she and Vega hugged Emma and the girls laughed together. After that, "I wonder, we're going to a new classroom right?" Archie asked.

"Yup! In the 4th level for we are now officially, Class 2-A." said Jeong and they made their way to it.

In the new classroom...

The 8 students arrived and ran into some of their peers consisting of Harry, Bull, Yamikage, Kurt, Hank, Slick, Mikelus, Marcel, Colette, Anais, Miyumi and Midori. "Hey guys!" Anais greeted.

"Good to see you!" Slick called out as they settled down. Most likely all will sit at the same spot as last year. "Hey Kappei, is Gumchi here?" Colette asked.

"Here's your answer." From his school bag, "Hi! Hi!" Gumchi popped out with the girls squealing over his cuteness followed by a shower of snacks and treats for the little guy.

"Kappei, Emma and Gumchi, I got you crepes." Colette handed them the papers containing them and Gumchi has 5 in one. "Crepee! Crepee!" He munched on them all and, "Thankee! Thankee!" He then clung onto Colette's face as she giggled from it. "You're such a cutie you know?"

"He really is!" From the door, Chantelle stepped in followed by the rest of the class. "Nice! Everyone's here and early!" said Bull as the whole class exchanged greetings with one another even catching up.

"Hey everyone! How's your summer vacation?" Emma asked and already, she's at the front with Kappei as the whole class settled down on their seats.

"Awesome!" Shane cheered.

"Gamed a lot and went to attend a sci-fi convention." said Jeong.

"Harry and I watched One Punch Man and other anime in our free time!" said Bull

"Played football with Kurt and Cruz." said Hank.

"Ninja Teen Spy Season 3 was wrapped up and yeah! We got outstanding ratings and reviews!" Nichelle cheered.

"One thing, there's a rumour online that you've been seeing some guy from Advanced WNA High in Oedo. Is it true?" Miyumi asked.

"Well...I got in contact with him and let's just say that...I owe him for what he did for me. Yes, we kept in touch." She replied as Kappei and Emma nodded at each other recalling that day.

"Wow...so you got yourself a boyfriend outside of this school!" Vega exclaimed.

"Something like that...but details are confidential for my case." She replied when the door opened and Sensei Tatsu stepped in. "Good morning Class 2-A."

Everyone greeted their teacher as Kappei and Emma returned to their seats. He walked to his desk, faced the class and began today's lesson.

"So to start off, welcome back and you've all survived your first year so far. This year will be tougher than last year and to start off, credit deposits for second-years will now be increased to 10,000."

"Nice. I wonder why I have so much of it in my phone." Avitus told Cruz and he nodded at him.

"Up next, expect important events to unfold for this semester. Like the upcoming School Festival." Sensei Tatsu continued on as everyone cheered. "This will be an extraordinary one because the school celebrates it's 10th anniversary since it's establishment."

"Awesome! What do we do during the festival?" Joey asked.

"You guys can have fun on that day. No lessons and training. Also, if you want to contribute to the festival, you can submit your idea to the student council. Ideas can be running a game booth or a food and beverage booth or anything you wish." Sensei Tatsu told the class as many discussed it with each other. "After that on December, we have the Winter Talent Show. Anyone interested to showcase their performances can sign up for the competition starting on 1st November. Tryouts will be in 2 weeks after registration and the competition will commence on the first week of December."

"Any prizes?" Anais asked.

"First place, 10,000 credits and mall vouchers worth 500 USK dollars. Second place, 7500 credits and mall vouchers worth 300 dollars and third place, 5000 credits and mall vouchers worth 100 USK dollars."

"A chance for the Volt Clusters to gain fame!" Declan cheered as he and Kolton hi-5 each other. "You guys formed a rock band?" Maeve asked.

"Damn right! Me and Kolton are the guitarists, Slick is the drummer and Vega is our bassist!" Declan revealed. "Additionally, I'm the leader of the band."

"Wait, when did you join the band Vega?" Davis asked.

"After the Summer Sports Olympics." She replied. "During my summer break, I had a few band practices with them. Did I also forget to mention that I often listen to rock music in my free time?"

"Now that is something we rarely see her do." Miyumi whispered to Midori.

"Now, if nothing else, I was planning to start the class with the math subject but instead, how about we talk about how we spent our summer?" Sensei Tatsu suggested and this was enough for the class to cheer out loud.

For 45 minutes, everyone talked about their summer which is the continuation from Kappei and Emma's discussion. Like Ting Ting doing her pop idol activity, Midori helping out in a rescue shelter for cats and Avitus spending time with his uncle and aunt by taking care of them.

Lunch hour...

"Ah...after going through geography and English classes, we finally get to fill our empty bellies." said Archie as the gang of 8 reached the cafeteria. After ordering their lunches, they went to the same table they sat on from their first year.

Kappei and Davis had philly cheesesteak sandwiches with fries and coleslaw, Jeong had a Korean BBQ set meal, Cruz and Archie had sliced roast beef with salad and mashed potatoes, Emma had a grilled cheese and chicken club sandwich and finally, Vega and Maeve each have a Hawaiian pizza slice with curly fries. Gumchi on the hand has mashed potatoes with gravy with a side luncheon meat fries.

The gang then dig in as, "Mmmm...cafeteria food really nourishes me." said Archie as he ate his roast beef.

"Did you know that it still opens during our summer break and they serve breakfast, lunch and dinner?" Jeong asked surprising some of them.

"You sure 'bout this mate?" Davis asked.

"While many would return to their hometowns or home countries, others still remain here and they often spend their summer around California. It's optional to eat either in the dining halls in our dorms or at the cafeteria. Even so, ordering takeaway is allowed." Jeong explained.

"So you ordered takeaway sometimes whenever you game?" Kappei asked and he nodded.

"I too do the same after football practice with Kurt and Hank. We would order pizza or fired chicken and chow down together with soda after practice." said Cruz. "Sure, no CCA activities during summer but we can still use the school facilities to our liking."

"Interesting!" said Emma when all of a sudden, "YOU STUPID FRESHMAN! DON'T YOU HAVE EYES TO LOOK OR WHAT?!"

Down there, Kuryu and his peers are harassing a freshman who appeared to have accidentally spilled his lunch on his letterman jacket. "Sorry...it was an accident."

"ACCIDENT MY FRICKIN HEAD! I JUST HAD THIS WASHED AND YOU HAVE THE NERVE TO RUIN IT!" Kuryu sure is hot-headed and his fist is clenched for an attack. "I...uh...I don't want any trouble..." The freshman told him.

"You just asked for it." Kuryu snarled and delivered a jab but something grabbed his arm before his fist can touch the freshman's face.

"Look at you, you never learn." They looked to their right to see Kappei with his hand grabbing onto the arm.

"You again...I will never forgive you for that humiliating defeat!" Kuryu snarled at him.

"You are still the dishonourable ninja you and your lackeys are." Kappei replied sternly.

"Say that again and I'll iron your face with my Iron Spheres!" Sid created one on his hand as Kappei glared at them. Everyone else watched the confrontation as up there, Davis just ate a banana and had a crafty idea. He looked around and saw one of his batchmates from Class 2-F passing by with his lunch so when no one's looking, he tossed the banana peel down and the student stepped on it. "FWIP!"

That was a good slip and his lunch flew up and, "SPLAT!"

Curry and rice landed directly on Kuryu's head with some of the curry staining his peer's clothing. "WHAT THE FRICK?! WHO DID THIS?!" One of them yelled and then, he grabbed a burger from a student's lunch and threw at a random student for no reason and because of that, "FOOD FIGHT!" Someone yelled.

Those 2 words are enough to send the entire school into a frenzy as food and drinks flew all over the cafeteria with lots of spilling and splattering. The gang hid under the tables as Kappei swiftly joined them. "Davis, you are so stupid in starting this but I love you for causing this chaos!" Vega exclaimed.

"What can I say? I wanna get back at that 3rd year dumbass blondie for beating me brutally during the tournament!" said Davis as they laughed together.

"Hey...has anyone seen Gumchi?" Maeve asked and it cuts to their table as Gumchi is eating up their lunches in the midst of the chaos as he giggled and savoured everything and yet, he wasn't targeted. As the food fight spiraled out of control, "Can we skip to the ninja training?" Emma asked. Okay, let's skip to it then.

Ninja training...

Class 2-A arrived at the dojo and changed into their ninja outfits. Good thing they made it out from the food fight. A minute later, Sensei Tatsu entered and the training begins. "You've learnt the basics so far, expect more intense training in which you'll learn new martial arts and enhance your swordsmanship. We'll even shoot shurikens and kunais for this school year."

"I like that. I've always wanted to a pro in shuriken shooting." Bull whispered to Shane and they fist bump each other.

"Alright, fighting positions everyone! Let's see if you all still remember the karate moves and the chinese kung fu moves." Sensei Tatsu ordered as the 30 ninja students formed up and for the next 2 hours, everyone got active in the training and even sparred a bit with each other.

During the sparring, everyone helped each other out working on their forms and attack patterns to understand how it works properly. Sensei Tatsu would even walk around and give assistance when he feels like it.

After training...

At last, school day is over as everyone left the dojo. At the main hall, Kappei and Emma stopped to look at the Hall of Fame. "These people graduated from this school and they have achieved a lot in their school journey. This is why the Hall of Fame has their pictures and their other details." Emma explained.

"Their awakened powers are incredible!" Kappei added and he observed a lot of it. Empowered Strength, Elasticity, Cryokinesis, Gravikinesis, Pyrotechnic Discharge, High-Powered Speed Force, Gas Manipulation, Disintegration, Telekinesis, Pyrokinesis, Radiation Manipulation, Optic Blast, Seismic Slammer, Blustering Wind, Power Replication, Sonic Barrier, Plasma Blaster, Psionic Force, Waterspout, Thunderstorm, Empowered Flight, Aerokinesis, Atomic Manipulation, Shockwave, Mind Control, Extreme Agility, Quicksand, Sonokinesis, Ice Water, X-Ray Vision, Electrokinesis and many more.

"Now that's a lot of awakened powers." Emma described when a student approached them. "Excuse me, are you Kappei?"

"Uh...yes! What do you want with me?" He asked.

"The Student Council President sent me to look for you. He would like to meet you in person." He answered him. "Your girlfriend can tag along also."

"I see...very well." Kappei replied and he beckoned the couple to follow him.

They soon arrived as he knocked on the door and, "Enter!" A voice called out from inside and he opened the door allowing them in. Now for the first time, they're in the Student Council room where there's a rectangular table that can seat up to 12 people and the president is seated on a chair facing away as, "So...you came at last."

He spun to the front seeing them as they approached him. "Have a seat." He added as they sat down. Now the president is a third-year male student with fair skin, spiky white hair, wears a white sweater shirt with black pants, grey socks and white shoes and finally, red headphones hanging around his neck.

"I am most honoured to meet you. My name is Optic and I never got the chance to commend you for your actions last year." He began.

"How intriguing." said Emma.

"I know right? In my freshman year, Coral won the role of becoming the student council president while I became the vice president. I never trusted her in the first place and it was proven when she initiated her final curtain call but surprisingly, your class thwarted her and exposed her true identity. Consider it an impressive feat." Optic stated.

"And let me guess, after she's gone, you got the presidential role right?" Kappei asked.

"Precisely. I owe you guys for your actions against her and this is why I've arranged this meeting." Optic then got serious. "Now just to let you know, I have seen your performance in the Summer Sports Olympics. Make no mistake, Kuryu is a lost soul looking down on ninjas with awakened powers he deems weak and following his own ninja beliefs blindly to the point that one, the entire Class 3-A follows him and supports his beliefs for they all have powerful awakened powers ranging from unique to legendary only and two, he brings nothing but dishonour on himself which just so happens to be during the event for the first time. He can also be a very unforgiving person since your ranking triggers him. And when it comes to mistakes whether it's big, small, simple and serious, he blows a fuse so easily in his head."

"I can agree with your words and I also believe that he is lost and needs to guided on the right path. He may regard me as his enemy but I do not. I only want to expose him so that he can see the error of his ways and reshape himself. It'll be a long way though and I won't fall under pressure from him and his class." Kappei stated to him.

"Well spoken." said Emma as Optic nodded with an impressive smile as he shifted his focus to her. "You're the Ninja Dancer are you? I can see why you bring smiles to many. I even subscribed to your nintube channel."

"Wow! Thank you!" She replied with a smile as, "By the way, what's your awakened power?" Kappei asked and suddenly, he created a power claw on his right arm and hand!

"It appears to be materializing and then, it becomes a real weapon!" said Emma.

"Correction, it's digitalizing. As you have witnessed, the Digital Materialization allows me to create various things through digital technology and make it a reality in this realm." Optic explained as he removed the power claw. "And it's legendary ranked."

"I bet you made many advanced weapons." said Kappei.

"I have plenty in my dorm room. I even tinkered with them to study on technology. I dream of one day, starting a tech business or something." Optic replied as he looked at the time. "If nothing else, you can go now and if ever Kuryu tries to stir up trouble on you, let me know and I'll deal with him since I, the SCP have the authority to do so."

"I can still handle him but still, I'll consider your aid when needed." Kappei replied.

"Very well. Take care and let's exchange contact number. We can also hang out if we got the time." Optic suggested and the exchange took place between the 3 students. After the couple left, Optic took out his laptop and started gaming on it.

That night...

Kappei can be seen using his computer and now, there's a vidcom gathering and seconds later, Van, Dan, Tyler, Keith, Alec, Damien, Billy, Cluv and Heart appeared on screen individually.

"What's up guys!"

"Hey there!"

"Yo how you all doing?"

Kappei was elated to see them as the boys talked about the first day, cracked jokes for fun and talk about their plans even giving advice to each other.

It then cuts to Emma's dorm room and she's seen chatting with Lucy, May, Naomi, Hongfa, Elena and Dia. "I'm so glad we can chat with each other even when we're in different high schools." She began.

"So true. Now what can we talk about?" Hongfa asked.

"Hey Emma, Kappei's birthday is soon right? Have you planned something special for him?" Naomi asked.

"Oh my gosh! I almost forgot! Thanks for the reminder!" She replied.

"If you need a hand, we can tip you some ideas." said Elena.

"Yeah! You can bake him a birthday cake and get your class to throw him a party." Dia suggested.

"And when it's night time, I suggest you give him some sex appeal!" Lucy added with a laugh.

"Oh yes I agreed! Do something sexy and he'll love you even more!" May supported Lucy's idea.

"What? No! I don't want to go extreme and do something like that!" Emma replied shaking her head.

"Look at you, you want to do it right? You're even blushing!" Elena pointed out and this caused her to grab her pillow and scream under it as the girls laughed at her.

"But it's up to you on the gift you want to give him." said Hongfa. "Don't forget. You still have that gum I gave you right?"

"Um...yes I still have it." Emma replied as the girls continued chatting until it's bedtime.

As Emma went to bed, she remain in deep thought about Kappei's birthday but that ended up tiring her as she fell asleep. Likewise, Kappei and Gumchi are already in bed. At least everyone enjoyed their first day as sophomores and it's all good.

The second year begins with new freshmen, school semester events, new classes to begin soon and early conflicts! How will it go for Kappei and his class?

Sit tight and expect more chapters to come by! One at a time and I'm so hyped to work on them! Yeah!