New School
(Okay, I can do this! I can do this!)
I encouraged myself while I was shaking in my shoes just by standing outside the prodigious iron gate. I inhaled and exhaled deeply 5 times before finally pushing the big gate and taking my first step to embrace yet another new future ahead of me.
My new school life had finally begun!
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Just as I was crossing the entrance border, a young girl buzzed past me like lightning.
"Whoa---?! H-Hey!"
I nearly lost my balance and was about to tumble backwards, but thankfully, I regained my balance to prevent making a fool of myself. Just when I breathed a sigh of relief, I got knocked over by another young boy.
"Ahhh!"
Now I fell right on my butt, getting a clear view from below.
"Owww... Just when I thought I made it. At least apologize before leaving!"
The last thing I saw was the maroon flowing hair of the girl as well as the smooth maroon hair of the boy.
(Twins...?)
After the unexpected meeting, I finally managed to make my way in the school building. There were only strangers in my line of sight. For some unknown reason, I had been pretty much changing schools ever since my mom remarried. I lost my dad when I was 4. This was like my 5th new school.
Shouldn't I be adjusted by now? Never! I can never be social around people considering I am an only child. Guess it's only natural... I can't help getting nervous no matter what, even though I have always been around new students like a million times. I have never made a best friend either because I never really got the chance to get to know my classmates in those short times spent...
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I was trying to search for the principal's office in order to get to my class, and also to introduce myself. It would be rude not to. After a few twists and turns, I somehow ended up in a spacious room with a huge stage at the center - it's warm gleam reflecting off the only summer hues in the dark place.
"Where AM I?"
I was totally lost. Fear crept over my body as I tried thinking straight.
(What should I do? W-Where should I go?!)
Just when all hope seemed lost, some distant footsteps could be heard.
"Huh? W-Who's there?!"
I tried hiding my tears by questioning cautiously. Someone's figure appeared from a corner followed by a loud voice.
"Whoa? What are you doing all the way here girl?"
It was a really cheerful guy who was looking straight at me with a lollipop in his mouth.
(Does he... like sweets...?)
"I, um..." I blushed and lowered my head as I spoke after brushing that random inner thought aside.
" ......I'm kind of lost."
The guy was right in front of me as soon as I confessed and looked up.
"Really? Students normally don't get lost around here, especially not in an auditorium."
Seeming as if he just realized, the guy commented again, "Oh, you must be new!"
I lightly nodded my head and somewhat explained everything, to which the guy decided to lead the way. He had dull red hair with mismatched eyes: red and yellow. The entire time, however, it was awkward. Not one of us spoke a word and even if the guy talked, my answers were all short. That was just the extent of our conversation only because I wasn't good at keeping them going.
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Finally, we ended up in front of a fancy looking door.
"Whoa...!"
My jaw almost dropped at the contrasting sight. Witnessing my stunned reaction, the guy chuckle in a low manner. After steadying my nerves, I took a deep breath and knocked on the door twice.
"Come in." A stern voice resonated from behind.
"Well, good luck! He can be scary at first, but trust me, the principal's pretty cool." The guy advised before strolling down the hallway, but for some reason, he stopped and turned to look at me.
"Oh, and the name's Raizo. Don't forget!" With that, he disappeared down the hall in a few seconds.
(Raizo huh... Thanks anyway.)
"How long do you plan on waiting outside?" The principal's voice snapped me back to my senses.
"U-Uh... Coming!"
In a fluster, I turned the doorknob. Once inside, I was greeted by a tall man signing some papers which seemed to be pretty important as he never once looked up at me.
(Wow, he is scary already!)
"Well, what brings you here?" He asked with little to no interest whatsoever.
"U-Um, I am actually the new student who joined this school, and it is my first day so..." My voice trailed off in the vast room.
The principal's pen stopped moving at the same time. He then looked up at me seriously.
"Ah, you must be Asuna."
"Y-Yes I am!"
The principal's lips then broke into a smile.
"Welcome to Yomiyama High. I assure you that you WILL love this academy."
"Sure..."
"I am Headmaster Haruto. Whenever you are in need or confused, just come to my office."
"Okay...!" I nodded quickly.
(Wow, he is much nicer now!)
"Well, your class is... Ah, Classroom 3-1. Hmmm... That's a nice class for you. I am sure you will get along with everyone just fine."
He then winked at me.
(What?! Did he just--?)
"Uh, thank you very much, headmaster, for welcoming me! If you don't mind, I-I will be going now."
He nodded once and gave me the directions to my classroom.
I left the room in a hurry.
"Phew, that was so nerve-wracking! But it went smoothly I guess... Now, where is my class?"
I looked around as I kept walking down the second-floor hallway until I spotted a familiar board.
"Ah, Class 3-1! Okay, here goes nothing..."
I checked to make sure I wasn't a mess before knocking on the door and opening it gingerly. As soon as I entered, the teacher and the students all looked at me.
"Oh, you must be the new girl." The teacher announced, smiling.
"Yes. I am Asuna, nice to meet you."
As soon as I greeted, everyone clapped and welcomed me. The room quickly settled to a warm atmosphere. I scanned the room with an embarrassed smile making sure to remember all the new faces, only to notice a familiar person who was also equally shocked as me.
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(Whoa! RAIZO is in the same class as me?! Talk about fate!)
The teacher told me to take a seat behind a timid girl with glasses and I did as I was told. As soon as I sat down, the teacher continued her lesson. It was history which I couldn't follow as I just came, but that was no excuse to slack off, so I tried to drill the information into my brain as much as possible.
*Ding dong ding dong*
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The chime of the bell rang, marking the end of class and the friendly chatter of students soon filled the air. As I was figuring out what to do, Raizo stood up and started walking my way.
"Hey! So, we are in the same class, huh?"
"Oh, yeah..."
Raizo took an empty chair in front and sat backwards to face me.
"Want one Asuna?"
Raizo held out a little candy in front of me. He also had a few in his pocket and another single one in the other hand.
"Wow, thanks!" I answered as I took the candy from him.
(OK, he LOVES sweets.)
"This one's my favorite." Raizo pointed at the one which he lent me.
"O-Oh, really? Then you can have it back!"
"*laughs* Nah, it's alright! Keep it~"
"I'm sorry..."
"Ahaha, why are you sorry? I gave it to you because I recommend it! Don't make such a big deal outta it."
Just as Raizo declared, his watch made a weird sound.
"Oh, well looks like I gotta go... See ya Asuna!"
"Uh, yeah...!"
He waved his hand one last time before exiting the classroom.
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I barely made any friends in my class, so I was pretty much all alone in the break. Just as I was walking around the campus, I saw two or three figures behind a corner of the building.
(Hmm? Wonder what that's all about?)
I knew it wasn't my business, but curiosity beat me to it. In an attempt to prevent myself from being spotted, I tip toed my way and hid behind the academy's wall.
"So, you actually talked to her?" A female voice spoke up. Judging by the voice, I figured she was a senior.
"Well, I couldn't just leave her! She was lost!"
My eyes widened at the familiar voice.
(R-Raizo?! What is he talking about?)
"...Haaa... This is going to get tough... And it is all thanks to you..." Another senior guy's voice joined the conversation.
"Sorry dude... Didn't mean to expose our identity. Though we're still safe..." Raizo spoke apologetically.
(What...? What's going on? I feel like--)
Just as I was about to hunch over, I accidentally stepped on a twig under my foot.
*crack*
(Ack! I'm busted!)
Their serious sounding conversation came to a halt as they all looked my way. I was still behind the wall, holding my breath and not moving a muscle. The footsteps rang through my ears like a siren as they came closer and closer.
"Who's there?" The senior girl was the first to raise a question.
(Ugh, no point in hiding now...)
I shyly came out of my hiding spot. Everyone's eyes widened like they just saw a ghost.
"Asuna?! What were you doing over there?!" Raizo was clearly surprised.
"Oh, um, well, you know... I just happened to pass by here! I-I will be going now!"
I quickly turned to leave but the senior guy ORDERED me to stop. He had shiny silver hair with golden eyes. The girl had purple hair along with a blend of purple with light blue eyes.
"...Forget you heard anything, okay? ...Only trespassers put their annoying nose in people's business." The silver head warned rather harshly.
"Yeah, stay out of it. Please." The girl added before dragging Raizo with them.
"Sorry... everything will be clear soon..." Raizo whispered as he crossed my way.
I was left dumbfounded - feeling quite embarrassed and ashamed for eavesdropping like that.
(They were really mad... So much for making friends...)
I tried hard to hold back the threatening tears as I clenched my hands and bit my lip. Thank God the bell rang, signalling that break was over. I reluctantly entered the classroom. I was not in a mood to do anything but to just go home and forget this ever happened. I could see Raizo also present like he should be from the corner of my eye.
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The lesson took longer than ever, perhaps due to the scolding I got from the teacher for daydreaming along with what happened in break. It was home time. I was about to pack my bag when Raizo came up to me with a guilty look.
"Uh, Asuna? Sorry about before."
"Yeah, it's okay..."
With that, I quickly swiped what little belongings were there into my bag and left. I didn't turn back even with Raizo calling out my name over and over.
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(I'm horrible! It wasn't his fault so why did I act like that?)
My mind was so messed up that I just wanted to sleep for the rest of the day. By the time I reached home, dad had already come back from work. It also wasn't long until I could hear some argument from the kitchen.
(Mom and dad arguing? That's new... But then again, not too surprised... I feel like I just can't trust dad. He seems like he's hiding a lot of stuff from me.)
I went to get a scoop of what they were discussing about. Yet another big mistake.
"Honey, I think now's the time to tell her the truth..."
"No Yukari. She's still not ready for that."
Dad's voice was so low that I could barely make out the sentence. I slightly poked my head in the kitchen. What I saw, I couldn't believe my eyes for even a second.
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(H-How? Whaaaatt??!)