Chapter 4: Orientation at Cherry Blossom Academy

"Hina-sama, Hina-sama, it is time to wake up; we will be late for our first day at school. We have to get there early for the student orientation," Eri spoke softly, gently shaking me awake.

"Five more minutes, here Eri, lay down with me," I sleepily mumbled.

"As tempting as that is, I can't. Ah, we will barely have time for breakfast. Here, grab my hands, Hina-sama," Eri replied.

"Okays..." I did as I was told, grabbing onto Eri's hands.

"Please forgive me for doing this without your permission, but we don't have time," Eri spoke in a rushed tone.

I could feel something happening, but I was too sleepy to comprehend what it was. Then, there was a tugging on my arm, and Eri urged me to eat breakfast.

"Here, Hina-sama, say ahh..." Eri spoke gently.

"Nyaaah..." I replied, doing as she instructed.

"Come on, Hina-sama, follow me; Sebas already has the limo ready. You can go back to sleep on the ride. Watch your step." Eri guided me with care.

"Okay, Eri's hand feels nice," I started purring.

As I slowly woke up, I realized I was fully dressed in my school uniform, sitting in a car that seemed to be a limousine, with my head resting on Eri's shoulder. "Good morning, Hina-sama, we have arrived at the school. You slept through the scenery of the cherry blossom trees, though."

"Good morning.... Wait, did you say we were at school? I don't remember getting dressed or eating breakfast," I replied in shock after my brain finally registered what happened.

"Don't worry, I made sure you properly ate, and we have the stuff we need today right here," Eri replied, showing me our book bags.

"But how did I get dressed?" I asked.

"I'm sorry for helping you get changed without permission, but I had to do my job as your servant as well; however, I promise I was quick and didn't stare at all," Eri said in an apologetic tone.

"It's okay; I'm sorry to put you through all that. I feel like I didn't sleep well last night, but I can't remember much about what happened after we got home from the forest. Do you know anything?" I asked, feeling puzzled.

"No... not at all. Come on, we need to hurry and get to the gymnasium," Eri replied in a stammering manner.

"Suspicious..." I thought before stepping out of the car after Eri.

"Have a wonderful day at school, Ojou-sama; I will be here to pick you two up when school ends," Grandpa Sebas stated.

"Thank you; you have a good day as well, Grandpa Sebas," I replied with a happy smile.

After Sebas left, Eri and I made our way to where the orientation was being held. Eri told me we didn't have to worry about checking the class board as we would be in the same class. My heightened senses started kicking in as I could sense people staring at me, and I could hear their hushed whispers.

"That girl has a fox tail and ears. They just twitched; are they real? They look so soft," a girl exclaimed to one of her friends.

"I will have you know, they are very real and very soft; Eri brushes them for me every day," I thought to myself.

"Hey, look at that girl; isn't she really cute? You should go and hit on her, man."

"Sorry, but I am not interested in your kind at all," I retorted internally.

"She walks with such grace, and doesn't she have a noble aura to her? I wonder if she is a foreign noble or princess from somewhere."

"Sorry, to disappoint you, but I was born right here in Japan, you know," I replied internally once again.

I started feeling incredibly overwhelmed by all the stares and whispers, and I guess it showed on my face because Eri grabbed my hand, pulling me in front of her, shielding me from anyone else.

"Thank you, Eri," I whispered, rubbing my cheek against her hand.

"No problem, Hina-sama; let me know when you are feeling overwhelmed, okay? I am here to shield you and be your emotional support."

As we talked to each other, we made it inside the gymnasium and got seated in our assigned seats. Eri and I were sitting in the first row, with me in the first chair and Eri in the second. When I was questioning the seating placement and why we were seated up front, a sense of foreboding started stirring inside me as I remembered I wasn't ever told my test scores for the entrance exam.

However, before I could discuss my worries with Eri, the orientation began. A woman with long red hair and auburn eyes, who I could remember visiting our house a lot as a child, appeared. She was a member of my family; however, she didn't have fox ears or a tail, as only the eldest daughter was born with our fox-spirit characteristics. However, I do remember her being mischievous and loving to play pranks. This woman is my Aunt...

"Good morning, to the new and returning students; I am the Principal of the Cherry Blossom Academy High School Division, Tachibana Aiko," as she spoke, she looked at me and Eri with a warm smile before it morphed into one of pride at the thought of pulling off an amazing prank.

"With that, I will end my speech and give the podium to the highest-scoring representative of the middle school students moving to the high school branch, Takahashi Eri, and the highest-scoring transfer student who made history in our 50 years of being established by receiving a perfect score on her entrance exam, Tachibana Hina." Aunt Aiko finished her introductions. When I turned to look at Eri, she had a look of both pride and exasperation before standing up and grabbing my hand, making me stand up as well.

As we made our way up to the stage, the room was quite noisy, causing her to tell everyone to be silent. After she shook Eri's hand and then mine, while whispering in my ear that she will be coming over today after school.

My tail, which was stiff as a board, started swaying happily when I heard that I would get to spend some time with her today after so long. However, I was still angry, so I gave her a teary-eyed look and an angry pout, knowing I had to act with manners at the moment so I don't bring shame on our family.

Eri then proceeded to start her speech, which she had fully prepared because she was given warning beforehand. However, I didn't hear much as I was panicking internally to make a speech on the spot.

After she finished, she gestured for me to start my speech, whispering, "You can do this, I believe in you, Hina-sama."

As she moved to stand behind me, I instinctually grabbed her hand, seeking comfort from her touch to calm my nerves.

Eri looked at Aunt Aiko for permission to stand beside me and hold my hand, to which she shook her head yes.

After receiving permission, I found my nerves calming down, and I took a deep breath. That was when memories from my childhood, of being taught how to act in meetings and public situations like this, flooded back. It felt as if a switch was turned on instinctively, and I started my speech:

"Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed teachers, and fellow students,

I want to begin by expressing my gratitude for the warm welcome I've received here at Cherry Blossom Academy. It's an honor to stand before you today as a new student, and I'm genuinely excited about the journey that lies ahead.

As some of you may have noticed, I have unique characteristics that set me apart. My fox ears and tail are a part of who I am, and I appreciate your curiosity. They are a reflection of my heritage, and I embrace them with pride.

I believe that our differences make us stronger as a community. We all come from diverse backgrounds, with unique talents and qualities that enrich our collective experience. Let's celebrate our individuality while fostering an environment of understanding and acceptance.

I look forward to getting to know each and every one of you and creating lasting memories together during our time here.

Thank you for your attention, and let's make this academic year at Cherry Blossom Academy an unforgettable one for us all."

After I finished, Eri and I bowed before making our way back to our seats, in a chorus of applause from both the students and the teachers.

Once we reached our seats, the switch immediately turned back off, and I slumped in my chair in embarrassment and laid my head on Eri's shoulder, not caring who was watching.

"That was amazing, Hina-sama; you can relax now," Eri spoke with both pride and gentleness in her voice while rubbing my ears, causing me to relax and purr in contentment.

After our speech, the ceremony finished without any more pranks, and we made our way to our classroom, that was what was supposed to happen anyway, so why,

"Why are Eri and I the only ones that were told to wait outside until we are called, then? Aunty Aiko when I see you again i am going to clomp you!" I screamed internally.