Is this what she meant? (Part 1)

Hunter's room was silent,

the soft hum of the ceiling fan lulling him

into a deep sleep.

The moonlight filtered through the blinds,

casting faint patterns across his bed.

His breath slowed, and before long,

his subconscious took over,

pulling him into a vivid dream.

He stood in the empty corridors of the

school Yukio had shown him earlier.

The halls stretched endlessly,

shadows creeping along the walls l

ike living things. Despite the eerie silence,

Hunter felt calm. At least, at first.

"Hunter."

The voice, soft yet magnetic, made him turn.

There she was—Yukio, leaning casually against a locker,

her green eyes glowing faintly in the dim light.

Her hoodie was gone, replaced by a

fitted top that clung to her curves.

Her thighs were on full display,

those same thighs he'd stolen glances at earlier.

(Damn she's bad…) his dream-self thought,

his gaze betraying his desires as it

lingered a moment too long on her figure.

She tilted her head, a teasing smirk playing on her lips.

"You're staring again," she said,

her voice a mix of amusement and something darker.

"I'm not—" Hunter started,

but his words caught in his throat as she stepped closer.

Her scent—light and sweet—wrapped around him,

making it impossible to think straight.

Yukio's fingers grazed his arm,

her touch sending shivers down his spine.

"You know, you could've asked me to stay,"

she murmured, her voice low and intimate.

Her hand trailed up to his chest,

her proximity making his heart race.

Hunter's mind screamed at him to say something,

anything, but he couldn't form the words.

He was too caught up in her presence,

in the way her lips seemed to curve just for him.

But then the air shifted.

The soft glow of Yukio's eyes turned sharp,

almost menacing. Her playful smirk

morphed into something sinister.

"You're not ready for this school,

are you?" she asked,

her tone laced with mockery.

The walls around them darkened,

the lockers groaning as if alive.

The faint whispers of unseen voices filled the air,

growing louder with every passing second.

"Yukio?" Hunter called out,

his voice trembling as her figure began to blur,

her features twisting into something unrecognizable.

The shadows around her deepened,

her once vibrant green eyes now glowing an ominous red.

Her laughter echoed in his ears,

chilling and unrelenting.

"It's scarier than it looks, remember?"

Hunter stumbled back, his pulse pounding in his ears.

He tried to move, but his feet felt rooted to the ground.

The whispers grew into screams,

the walls seeming to close in on him.

"Hunter!" The distorted voice called again,

sounding both like Yukio and something far more terrifying. Hunter shot up in bed, gasping for air,

his eyes darting around the room until they

locked onto two figures hovering over him.

His mom and dad stood by his bed,

their faces illuminated by the dim morning light.

"OH SHIT!" Hunter exclaimed,

his heart pounding as he scrambled backward,

nearly falling off the bed.

"Whoa, easy there!" Roger said,

holding up his hands in mock surrender,

his face a mix of surprise and amusement.

"Didn't mean to give you a heart attack, kid."

Stephany covered her mouth,

her shoulders shaking with

laughter she couldn't quite contain.

"Sorry, sweetie.

We didn't mean to startle you.

Are you okay?"

Hunter groaned, rubbing his eyes.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine.

Just didn't expect to wake up to you two looming

over me like a horror movie."

He shot his dad a glare.

"And you! Why were you so close to my face?"

Roger smirked, scratching the back of his neck.

"I was checking if you were awake.

Guess you are now."

"Clearly," Hunter muttered,

rolling his eyes.

"Well, it's time to get up,"

Stephany said gently, brushing a stray

lock of hair from his forehead.

Her voice carried that familiar warmth that

could only come from a mom.

"Your first day at school starts soon,

and we wanted to see you before we left for work."

Hunter blinked groggily before his gaze

shifted to his desk, where a sharp-looking suit

and tie were neatly laid out. He frowned.

"What's that?"

"That," Stephany began, her tone turning chipper,

"is what you're wearing today."

Hunter's jaw dropped. "No way.

I'm not walking into a new school dressed like James Bond.

I'll look ridiculous!"

Roger chuckled, crossing his arms.

"C'mon, you'll look suave. First impressions matter,

kid. Plus, I'm sure they have a uniform policy."

Stephany nodded,

her smile radiant and entirely too persuasive.

"This will make you look presentable, Hunter.

It's all about showing up and making a good impression."

"You can't use that smile against me,"

Hunter groaned, pointing at her.

"Her smile is very convincing," Roger teased,

laughing as he patted Hunter's shoulder.

Hunter sighed in defeat, throwing his hands up.

"Fine. I'll wear it, but only because you both

teamed up on me. It's not fair."

Stephany leaned in to plant a quick kiss on his forehead.

"You're the best, sweetie.

Now, get dressed quickly. I made breakfast downstairs.

You don't want to miss it."

Hunter perked up instantly.

"Free food? Say less!"

Roger and Stephany both laughed,

their joy filling the room. "We'll be downstairs,"

Roger said, patting his son on the back.

"Don't take forever."

As they left, Hunter stared at the suit and tie,

shaking his head. "A suit to school.

I hope Yukio doesn't think I'm trying too hard."

He grabbed the suit,

tossing it over his shoulder as he sprinted to the bathroom.

Under the hot stream of the shower,

Hunter let his mind wander. Thoughts of Yukio crept in,

her teasing smile and confident demeanor replaying in his head.

(Focus, Hunter. Don't get distracted.)

He lathered up quickly,

applying deodorant and cologne after drying off.

Standing in front of the mirror,

he grinned as he brushed his teeth.

"Gotta look and smell good. Can't be caught slipping."

He scrubbed a little too hard,

wincing as his gums bled.

"Ugh, I hate gingivitis," he muttered,

spitting out the toothpaste and rinsing his mouth.

Once dressed in the suit and tie,

he adjusted the collar,

glancing at himself in the mirror.

"Alright. Let's do this."

Heading downstairs,

the smell of pancakes and bacon hit him

like a warm hug. His parents sat at the table,

sipping coffee and chatting quietly.

"Look who's ready for the day,"

Roger said with a grin,

gesturing for Hunter to sit.

"eat up," Stephany chimed,

sliding a plate of food in front of him.

As the family sat around the breakfast table,

Hunter noticed the sheer volume of fruit on display.

Pineapples dominated the counter like an exotic shrine,

flanked by bananas, apples, strawberries,

and an assortment of citrus fruits.

"Mom," Hunter began, raising an eyebrow as he stabbed at his pancakes,

"what's with the pineapples? You've been obsessed with them.

You've been eating them every day for two weeks. What's going on?"

Stephany froze for a split second,

her fork hovering over her plate.

She cleared her throat, a nervous smile twitching at her lips.

"Uh… well, Hunter, I've started a new diet,"

she explained, her tone just a bit too cheerful.

"It's all about incorporating fruits like pineapple,

soy, bananas, strawberries, cranberries, and citrus into my meals."

Hunter tilted his head, clearly not convinced.

"Why, though? Is there, like, a health reason or something?

You're not usually this into fruit."

Stephany opened her mouth,

clearly searching for a plausible excuse,

but before she could speak,

Roger swooped in like a hawk.

"It's to keep her body ready for—"

"ROGER!" Stephany shrieked,

her face instantly turning beet red.

She whipped her napkin at him,

but Roger dodged it,

laughing uncontrollably.

"Ready for what?" Hunter asked,

his fork frozen mid-air as he stared at his parents.

His face was a mix of genuine curiosity and growing concern.

"Forget that!" Stephany blurted out,

her voice high-pitched as she waved her hands in

a futile attempt to erase the last few seconds from existence.

Roger grinned mischievously,

clearly enjoying the chaos.

"Don't worry about it, Hunter.

Just know your mom's diet is...

let's call it 'specialized.'"

"Specialized for what?"

Hunter pressed, now thoroughly alarmed.

"For… for better energy!"

Stephany interjected quickly,

her tone desperate.

"It's great for digestion,

skin health, and, um… stamina!"

Hunter squinted at her,

his suspicion growing.

"Skin health? Stamina?

What, are you training for a

marathon or something?"

"Yes! Exactly!" Stephany exclaimed,

latching onto the excuse with

the enthusiasm of a drowning

woman grabbing a life raft.

Roger, unable to resist,

leaned back in his chair

and muttered just loud enough

for Stephany to hear,

"Well, at least we know he's a virgin."

"ROGER!" Stephany shouted again,

throwing a strawberry at his head.

Hunter chuckled, putting his head in his hands.

"You know what? Forget I asked.

Forget everything. These pancakes have bananas in them, right?

I've never eaten anything like this before."

"That's right!" Stephany said, latching onto the

change in subject like a lifeline.

"Bananas and Honey are great for your energy too.

Eat up, sweetie!"

Roger smirked, clearly amused,

as Hunter took a cautious bite of his pancake.

"Stephany made everything here from scratch.

You need to find you a woman who can cook like

Your mom here", Roger responded putting a smile

on Stephany's face.

Stephany shot Roger a warning glare as he opened his

mouth to make another joke. He simply winked at her,

leaning back with a smug grin. She sighed,

silently vowing to get back at him later.

Hunter couldn't help but smile.

"Thanks, guys. This is actually amazing."

As they ate together,

the room filled with the comforting sounds of

laughter and conversation.

Despite his nerves about the day ahead,

Hunter felt grounded by the love and support of

his parents. For now, that was enough. A mix of curiosity and nervous

excitement bubbled up inside him.

At least there was one familiar

face he hoped to see, Yukio.

After breakfast, everyone begin

to prepare themselves for

the day ahead.

The house was alive with a sense of hurried purpose

as the three of them prepared to

head out to their respective destinations.

Hunter sat in silence at the breakfast table,

his fork idly pushing the remnants

of his pancake around the plate.

A strange mix of curiosity and

nervous excitement churned

in his stomach as he thought about

the day ahead. He'd meet new people,

start at a new school,

and—hopefully—see Yukio again.

At least one familiar face would

make all of this slightly less daunting.

But the excitement was fleeting,

quickly giving way to an underlying tension.

The weight of the move, the unfamiliarity of the town,

and the expectations hanging over him loomed large.

After breakfast,

the house buzzed with activity as everyone hurried

to prepare for their day.

Shoes scuffed against the floors,

cabinet doors opened and closed,

and the muffled voices of his

parents filtered through the hallway.

It was the sound of purpose—of moving

forward—yet it only made Hunter feel more out of place.

He was tying the final knot on

his tie when Roger called out.

"Hunter, come here for a second.

We need to talk."

Hunter frowned but obeyed,

meeting his dad by the front door.

Stephany lingered just outside,

adjusting her purse strap and

giving Roger a pointed look as

if urging him to keep it brief.

She tugged at a corner of his shirt and mouthed,

"Don't drag it out," before stepping outside.

Roger sighed, turning back to his son.

"Listen, son, there's something you need to

know about what your future here is going to look like."

Hunter's heart sank, a

prickling unease crawling up his spine.

"What do you mean?"

"Me and your mom won't be coming

back for a few days at a time,"

Roger said matter-of-factly.

"Huh? What are you talking about?"

Hunter's voice was sharper than he intended,

his hands balling into fists at his sides.

Roger shifted his weight,

the humor in his usual tone absent.

"Our jobs are two hours away.

We figured out a closer place to stay during

the week so we don't have to commute every day.

That means you'll be living here

by yourself for most of the week."

Hunter blinked, his mind racing to catch up with

the bombshell his dad had just dropped.

"Wait. You're serious?

You're leaving me here? Alone?"

Roger held up a hand to calm him.

"Look, we were considering bringing you along,

but this felt like a good opportunity to teach

you some independence.

You'll have the house to yourself,

and I think you can handle it.

Hell, you'll probably enjoy it once

you get the hang of it."

"This is—" Hunter struggled for words,

his thoughts a chaotic swirl.

"This is a lot to take in all at once.

First, we move to this new place,

and now you're telling me I'll be on my own?

I don't even know this town.

I don't know these people!"

"You'll figure it out," Roger said firmly,

his tone leaving little room for argument.

"You're a genius Hunter.

You've cooked for yourself before,

so you'll pick that back up.

Just keep the place clean,

and you'll be fine."

Hunter looked down at the floor,

his mind drowning in the implications.

New school. New neighborhood.

And now this? It felt like the

ground beneath him was crumbling.

Roger gave him a knowing smile,

trying to lighten the mood.

"And hey, you've got free will now.

Invite anyone over you want—just don't

get anyone pregnant or catch any STDs.

I've heard they're high around here,

so… you know, use protection."

"Dad!" Hunter snapped,

his face flushing.

"Seriously though,

don't get arrested,"

Roger added, grinning.

"Dad, this isn't funny,"

Hunter said, his voice cracking under

the weight of his emotions.

"You and Mom are throwing so much at me all at once,

with no warning! I'm in a new place,

with new surroundings,

and now without my parents?"

Roger's grin softened,

his voice dropping to something more sincere.

"Hunter, I get it. I do.

It's a big change, and it's scary.

But you're not a kid anymore.

You're sixteen. This is your chance to grow,

to figure out who you are without us hovering over you."

Hunter looked up, his eyes narrowing.

"I don't like the idea of being by myself."

"You'll be fine,"

Roger said, patting him on the shoulder.

"We'll visit as often as we can,

and you've got a phone.

You're not cut off from the world.

Think of this as a mini-vacation for yourself.

You've got freedom now."

Hunter's jaw tightened,

his thoughts spinning in every direction.

Independence sounded great in theory,

but the loneliness that came with

it was something else entirely.

Roger gave his shoulder one last

squeeze before stepping back.

"You've got this, son.

Now, go knock 'em dead at school.

And hey, maybe that girl from

the skateboard will be there.

What's her name? Yukio, right?"

Hunter's cheeks burned as

his dad's teasing grin returned.

"I—I don't know what you're talking about,"

he stammered, brushing past him toward the door.

Roger laughed, calling after him.

"Sure, you don't!"

As Hunter stepped outside,

the cool morning air brushed against his skin.

His mom stood waiting by the car,

her smile warm but tinged with concern.

"You okay, sweetheart?"

she asked softly.

Hunter hesitated, then nodded.

"Yeah… I'll figure it out."

"That's my boy," Stephany said,

"You'll do great."

With a deep breath,

Hunter squared his shoulders and

stepped toward the day ahead,

the weight of his parents'

words sitting heavy on his heart. Hunter lingered at the front door as

his parents got into their car.

Stephany waved at him through the passenger window,

her usual warmth in her expression.

Roger honked the horn playfully,

giving a two-finger salute before backing out of the driveway.

"Don't burn the house down while we're gone!"

Roger called,

his voice muffled by the car window.

Hunter waved back,

watching as the car disappeared down the street.

The moment felt surreal.

The weight of their absence settled

in as the silence of the empty house enveloped him.

He turned back inside,

shutting the door behind him.

The house already felt bigger, emptier,

like it wasn't quite his yet.

(This is weird. I don't like this at all,)

he thought, heading toward the living room.

Not wanting to stew in his thoughts,

Hunter grabbed the remote and flopped onto the couch.

He flicked through channels until he landed on

an anime he hadn't seen in a while.

The colorful characters and over-the-top

action distracted him, if only temporarily.

He laughed at a particularly ridiculous scene,

the tension from earlier easing slightly.

The sound of the TV filled the empty house,

giving it a semblance of life.

For a while, it was just him, the anime,

and a fleeting sense of normalcy.

But when Hunter finally glanced at his phone,

his heart sank.

The clock showed he had just

10 minutes to get to school.

"Shit!" he shouted, bolting off the couch.

He scrambled to grab his bag,

barely checking if he had everything.

His mind raced, calculating how

fast he'd need to pedal to make it in time.

Rushing out the door,

Hunter yanked his bike from the side of the

house and hopped on. The cool morning air

slapped his face as he took off,

his legs pumping furiously.

The thought of being late on his first

day pushed him harder,

his breath coming in quick gasps.

As he sped down the street,

a faint nagging thought tugged at the

back of his mind. (Did I… lock the door?

Turn off the lights?) His stomach twisted,

but he didn't have time to turn back.

"I'll check it later!" he muttered,

focusing on the road ahead.

The school loomed in the distance,

its modern architecture growing larger with every

push of his pedals. Hunter gritted his teeth,

determined to make it before the bell rang,

even if it meant arriving a sweaty mess.

(What a great first impression this is gonna make,)

he thought sarcastically,

his legs burning as he pushed

himself to the limit. Hunter pedaled as fast as he could,

his breath coming in sharp bursts as

the school came into view. The sleek,

modern gates were already halfway closed.

His heart sank at the sight, panic setting in

as he realized how close he was cutting it.

"Wait! WAIT! DON'T CLOSE THE GATE YET!"

he shouted, his voice cracking under the strain.

Two students on either side of the gate looked up,

their eyes widening at the sight of him

barreling toward them on his bike.

They hesitated for a moment,

exchanging glances, but the gate

continued to close steadily.

Hunter's mind raced.

(I can't be late on the first day. No way!)

With a desperate burst of energy,

he threw his book bag through the narrowing

gap in the gate.

The bag landed with a thud on the other side,

startling a few students who

had stopped to watch the commotion.

His bike wobbled dangerously as he swerved

to align himself with the gate.

(This is it—no room for mistakes, If I fuck up I die.)

The opening was barely wide enough

for him to squeeze through.

Hunter leaned forward,

his body low as he dashed through the gap,

the wheels of his bike narrowly missing the closing bars.

He felt the brush of metal against his back wheel,

almost making him fall forward.

The sound of the gate locking behind him sent a

jolt of relief through his chest.

But that relief was short-lived as he looked up

and realized just how many students had stopped to watch the spectacle.

A murmur of whispers rippled through the crowd,

heads turning, eyes fixed on him.

Hunter feeling, embarrassed picked up his book bag,

brushing off imaginary dirt to avoid meeting anyone's gaze.

He slung it over his shoulder and took a deep breath,

trying to steady his nerves.

That's when he noticed his surroundings.

The students around him were dressed casually—hoodies,

graphic tees, ripped jeans, leggings.

One girl even walked by in pajama pants.

There wasn't a suit or tie in sight.

His stomach twisted uncomfortably.

He glanced down at his own attire:

the crisp, perfectly ironed suit and tie his mom insisted he wear.

The polished shoes.

"Hey, nice suit,"

one boy called out with a teasing grin,

earning a few chuckles from the crowd.

"I'm surprised he didn't bring a suite case"

Another student replied.

Hunter forced a smile,

his lips twitching awkwardly.

"Haha, I wanted to look presentable" he muttered,

his voice barely above a whisper.

(Just keep walking. Don't trip.

Don't draw more attention to yourself.)

He adjusted his backpack and headed toward the main building,

his steps hurried but not

so fast as to seem like he was running away. Hunter, feeling overdressed and out of place,

decided to loosen his tie in an

attempt to make himself more comfortable.

(That didn't do shit. Man, I hate that I wore this.)

The weight of his outfit clung

to him like a bad decision he couldn't shake.

As he approached the school entrance,

something peculiar caught his eye.

Every student stopped to greet the instructor standing

near the doors. She was tall and stern-faced,

clipboard in hand, exuding an aura of authority.

But despite her intimidating presence,

Hunter couldn't help but notice her striking

features—long black hair that flowed over her shoulders,

piercing brown eyes, and a figure that,

though petite, was undeniably curvaceous.

(She's… stunning. But she looks mean as hell.

And damn, she's got some nice ass, nice round tits.

Hunter. Focus. Your a man of god.)

The greetings from the students were formal yet oddly robotic,

as though they were following an unspoken script.

(Guess I'll do the same.)

Stepping forward, Hunter cleared his throat and

tried to sound as natural as possible.

"Good morning! How was your morning?"

The instructor looked up, her stern

demeanor momentarily breaking as her

expression softened into a warm smile.

"Oh my, thank you! My morning was wonderful.

Thank you so much for asking!"

Hunter blinked, caught off guard by her sudden cheerfulness.

But what threw him off even more were the

reactions of the surrounding students.

Every head turned in unison to stare at him,

their wide-eyed disbelief practically burning into his skin.

(What the hell? Why is everyone looking at me like that?)

"What did I do?" Hunter asked,

his voice tinged with unease as he glanced from face to face.

Their stares didn't waver,

only intensifying his discomfort.

"Did I do something to offend you all?"

he finally yelled, his frustration spilling over.

"Sir, calm down," a deep,

authoritative voice cut through the tension.

Hunter turned to see a male instructor approaching,

his sharp features carved into a disapproving scowl.

The man's broad shoulders and confident stride

radiated an energy that made Hunter

instinctively take a step back.

"What did I do?" Hunter repeated,

his voice quieter now, his confusion mounting.

The instructor didn't answer right away.

Instead, he grabbed Hunter firmly by the arm,

his grip like steel. Without another word,

he began dragging him away from the entrance.

"Wait, where are you taking me?" Hunter protested,

struggling to keep up with the man's brisk pace.

"Silence," the instructor commanded,

his tone cold and final.

As Hunter was led away, the whispers from the crowd grew louder.

He caught snippets of their murmurs—confusion,

concern, even amusement.

Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed a girl

standing a bit apart from the others.

Her gaze was fixed on him,

her expression a mixture of curiosity and something else… unease.

(Does she know me?)

Her stare lingered, her lips slightly parted as

though she wanted to say something but couldn't.

There was a flicker of recognition in her eyes,

one that sent an unsettling chill down Hunter's spine.

The girl's gaze didn't break until he

disappeared around the corner,

her expression haunting him as he was

pulled further into the depths of the building.

The bustling noise of the entrance faded away,

replaced by an eerie silence. The hallway grew darker,

the air heavier. Hunter's heart raced as he swallowed hard,

his earlier bravado crumbling.

(This school… might actually be scary)

Meanwhile, Mr. and Mrs. Thompson embarked

on a clandestine journey to their secret rendezvous.

A hidden abode A nice 5 star hotel.

"Are you ready?" Mr. Thompson's husky voice whispered

in Mrs. Thompson's ear, sending shivers down her spine.

She had been waiting for this moment for two long days.

As his gaze roamed over her body,

caressing her inner thighs, she could feel the heat rising within her.

Leaning in closer,

she eagerly waited to receive Mr. Thompson's visit.

The warmth of her desire radiated from her skin,

drawing him in with unwavering determination.

As their lips finally met, a soft moan escaped from

Mrs. Thompson, igniting a fiery passion within

Mr. Thompson that surged through his veins and into

his throbbing penis.

Mrs. Thompson begged for Roger's touch in a sultry voice,

her body writhing with anticipation.

With a determined stride,

Roger sprang out of the car

and scooped her up in his strong arms.

They raced towards their destination,

their hearts racing just as quickly. Once inside,

Roger threw her down on the bed.

It was time for some steamy action to take place.

Roger was going to dive into his wife's body

with no swim wear what so ever. Back to Hunter,

the young transfer student found himself

seated across from the administrator,

the tension in the air almost palpable.

The room was plain yet imposing,

with certificates and plaques hanging on the walls

as if silently judging him alongside the man behind the desk.

"So," the administrator began,

steepling his fingers, "you're new here, so I'll

give you the benefit of the doubt this time.

But let me make something very clear, keep your distance

from Ms. Aiyosai. Do not interact with her in a formal or

informal way. You will find yourself in trouble if you do."

Hunter frowned, leaning back slightly in his chair.

"All I said was, 'How was your day?' There's no way I broke any rules."

"That's irrelevant," the administrator snapped,

his voice growing sharper.

"I'm warning you—stay away from Ms. Aiyosai. That's final."

"Fine," Hunter muttered, crossing his arms.

(Damn, who pissed in his cereal)

"Now, get out of my office!" the administrator barked,

pointing toward the door.

Hunter stood up, pushing his chair back with an exaggerated slowness.

"Okay, Mr. Crack."

The administrator's face turned red.

"IT'S KRAKEN!" he roared.

Hunter smirked, walking toward the door.

He turned just before leaving,

a mischievous glint in his eye.

"Right, right. Sorry about that, Mr. Crack…Ken."

"GET OUT!" Mr. Kraken bellowed,

slamming his fist on the desk as Hunter exited,

his stifled laughter echoing down the hall.

As the door shut behind him, Hunter's chuckles finally broke free.

Meanwhile, inside the office, Mr. Kraken seethed, muttering,

"That boy's going to drive me insane…" Hunter wandered through the dimly lit empty hallway,

his confusion mounting with each step.

The eerie silence and lack of any clear signage

didn't help his growing frustration.

(Why is this place so damn confusing)?

he thought, glancing around in vain for any kind of clue.

Hunter walked around the hall way, and ended up walking Mr.

Krakens Office 3 times.

Hunter stood frozen in place,

staring at the walls of the

unfamiliar structure before him.

(What the hell is this building?)

It finally dawned on him that Mr. Kraken's

office wasn't even in the main school building.

His shoulders slumped in defeat.

(Great. I've been walking in circles for nothing like an idiot.)

Just as he was about to turn back,

a loud voice cut through the quiet.

"What are you still doing here?!"

Hunter whipped his head around to see

Mr. Kraken standing at his office window,

his stern face scrunched in irritation.

The older man didn't wait for a response.

With a huff, he stood and marched toward the office door.

Hunter panicked, his heart rate spiking.

He looked toward the schoolyard,

only to find it eerily deserted.

The once lively area had become unnervingly quiet,

the kind of stillness that made the hair on the back of his neck stand up.

(Oh, hell no. Not staying for this.)

Hunter bolted toward the main school doors,

his feet pounding against the pavement as the sound of

Mr. Kraken's angry shouts grew louder behind him.

"Get back here!"

Hunter risked a glance back and saw

the towering figure of Mr. Kraken chasing after him.

His scowl was even scarier in motion.

(Why is he built like a linebacker?!)

Hunter thought, pushing his legs to move faster.

Ahead, the heavy school doors were slowly beginning to close.

Hunter's pulse quickened.

(Your fucking with me!)

Without thinking, he yanked his book bag

from his shoulder and hurled it through the narrowing gap.

The bag skidded across the floor inside,

barely making it in time.

Hunter wasn't about to be outdone by his own belongings.

"Wait for me!" he shouted,

launching himself forward.

In a desperate move,

he summersaulted through the shrinking space,

landing awkwardly but safely inside just as

the doors slammed shut behind him with a mechanical hiss.

Hunter crouched like a super hero,

catching his breath. A slow grin spread across his face.

(Man, that's my second time pulling that off. I'M HIM.)

Grabbing his bag, he stood and dusted himself off,

glancing back at the now-closed door.

On the other side, Mr. Kraken was staring through the glass,

his expression a mix of disbelief and barely contained rage.

The doors had automatically locked behind Hunter,

leaving the furious man stranded outside.

Hunter shrugged and adjusted his bag,

walking further into the school without looking back.

(Lesson one: never let them catch you.

Lesson two: always make a clean getaway

and dress spiffy while doing it.)

determined to figure out where he was supposed to be,

began to ask around for directions, But he noticed,

something odd.

"Excuse me? ... Hello? ... Sumimasen? ... Yo!

What the fuck?!" Hunter's voice rose with each attempt to get someone's attention,

his annoyance bubbling to the surface.

But it was as if he didn't exist.

Every student walked past him, their gazes fixed elsewhere,

completely ignoring his presence.

Hunter clenched his fists, his patience wearing thin.

(Seriously? Not one person is going to help me?)

Finally, his frustration boiled over.

Spotting a girl nearby, he reached out and placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Excuse me, or Sumimasen, do you speak English?"

The girl whirled around,

her eyes wide with shock. "Don't grab me!"

she snapped, stepping back defensively.

Hunter threw his hands up in exasperation.

"Chill the fuck out! I just want directions to my class damn it!"

The girl stared at him, her initial shock melting into a glare.

Hunter could feel the tension in the air but refused to back down.

He was lost, annoyed, and completely done with being ignored. As the two opposing students looked at each other, Hunter looked from his

peripheral vision, he notices sitting on a bench nearby

the same girl that was staring him down

when he got in trouble the first time. He noticed her writing something Her calm, calculating gaze barely flicked in his direction,

but it carried enough weight to make his stomach churn.

The pen in her hand moved swiftly across the pages of her notebook,

her expression cold and unreadable.

(What's her deal?) he wondered,

an uneasy tension bubbling in his chest.

He couldn't hold back.

"What… are you taking notes on me or something?"

The girl's pen stopped mid-stroke.

Slowly, she lifted her head,

her gaze locking onto him with precision that felt almost predatory.

"Precisely. What's it to ya?"

Her tone was sharp but steady,

and Hunter could feel a chill run down his spine.

"What the hell?

Tch, Why?"

"I'm just doing my job,"

she replied, closing her notebook with a snap.

"Don't take it personally."

"Your job is to stalk me?"

Hunter retorted,

irritation seeping into his voice.

"No," she said,

standing with a composed grace that only

added to her air of superiority.

"My job is to observe troublemakers.

If you have an issue with that,

you can take it up with my father."

"Troublemaker?"

Hunter's voice rose.

"I didn't even do anything!"

She began to approach Hunter,

her movements fluid and controlled.

Though shorter than Hunter,

she exuded a confidence that

made her presence dominate the space between them.

"Interesting." she countered,

tilting her head slightly,

her calm tone cutting deeper than any shout could.

"Let's review, This is your first day.

You arrived an hour late, causing a commotion at the gates.

Then, barely an hour and a half into your first day,

you disrupted the flow of the hallway by grabbing

a girl in front of hundreds of students—causing

embarrassment to her and unnecessary distraction to everyone else.

And that's not even considering your demeanor."

Hunter froze,

his frustration giving way to a gnawing discomfort.

"An hour late? No way…"

"I'm not sure what universe your from but,

It's 8:36, School starts at 7:00 am Sharp,"

she said, gesturing dismissively toward his watch.

"I assure you, it's been precisely an

hour and a half since the day began.

And already, you've left quite an impression."

Her words landed like a series of blows,

each one chipping away at Hunter's resolve.

The way she framed it made it all sound so

much worse than it had felt in the moment.

"I didn't mean to cause any problems!"

he protested, his voice tinged with desperation.

"I was just trying to get to class!"

"Instead you made a female classmate

feel embarrassed Hunter Thompson,"

She responded coldly.

shocking the Hunter making him almost

fall to his knees on how she knew his name.

Hunter froze, his eyes narrowing.

"Wait... How do you.."

Before he could finish, a male supervisor appeared,

his presence cutting through the tension like

a whistle at a construction site.

"Okay, everyone, break it up!" the man said firmly,

waving his hands to disperse the commotion. His gaze landed on Hunter.

"You must be Hunter, right?"

"Uh, yeah, that's me," Hunter replied,

still glancing back at the mysterious girl,

who turned away and began to walk further than the eye could see.

"Let's get you sorted," the supervisor said,

his tone softening. "I can tell you're a bit lost."

"Thank you," Hunter replied,

grateful for the interruption,

though his mind raced with questions about

the girl and her cryptic actions. As they walked away, Hunter couldn't shake the feeling that

he had just stumbled into something much

bigger—and far stranger—than he ever could have anticipated.

The administrator's brisk pace broke through

his thoughts, prompting Hunter to catch up.

"May I have your name?" Hunter asked,

his curiosity getting the better of him.

"I'm Professor Clint," the man replied with a proud grin.

"It's just Mr. Clint. Don't call him professor,"

a sharp but playful voice interjected.

A female administrator suddenly appeared beside them,

cutting smoothly into their conversation.

"Where did you even come from?"

Mr. Clint stammered,

the pride from moments earlier vanishing as his face reddened.

"Oh, relax," the woman said with a smirk.

"He just likes to sound cool because he graduated a day before me.

I'm Ms. Akano, by the way. And, FYI,

I'm totally a better teacher than this baboon over here."

"Hey now!" Mr. Clint shot back,

gritting his teeth and clearly struggling

to keep his cool. "Get back in your corner!"

Ms. Akano only laughed.

"What's wrong? Embarrassed?

You're making yourself look bad in front of the new student."

Hunter watched their banter unfold,

an amused grin creeping onto his face.

"Are you two... dating or something?" he asked,

his tone casual but his curiosity piqued.

Both administrators froze,

their cheeks instantly turning pink.

"NO!" they yelled in unison,

their voices echoing down the hallway.

"Not yet?" Mr. Clint added with a sly smirk,

glancing sideways at Ms. Akano.

"What do you mean not yet?!"

Ms. Akano shot back, her face glowing brighter

than a ripe tomato on a sunny Sunday afternoon.

"That's for me to know and for you not to find out,"

Mr. Clint teased, clearly enjoying her flustered state.

Hunter sighed, raising a hand. "So...

can I actually get guided to my class now?"

Both administrators straightened up,

seemingly remembering why they were there in the first place.

"Oh, yes! Let's GO!" Mr. Clint shouted with an

enthusiasm so intense it felt like it shattered the

very fabric of reality—or at

least the imaginary manga panels framing the scene.

Hunter followed, wondering if every interaction

at this school was going to feel like a sitcom with a twist. As Hunter and Mr. Clint made their way down the hallway towards his class,

the atmosphere was surprisingly lighthearted.

But just before they turned the corner,

Mr. Clint slowed his pace and glanced back at

Ms. Akano. With a mischievous grin,

he reached out and slapped and grabbed her ass.

Ms. Akano yelped, spinning around as her cheeks lit up brighter

than my LED light strips in my bedroom.

Mr. Clint didn't even pause.

He immediately power-walked forward,

guiding Hunter along as if nothing had happened,

though his smirk betrayed him.

Hunter blinked, unsure whether to laugh or pretend he didn't see anything.

(Uh… is that normal for this school?) he thought,

glancing over his shoulder at Ms. Akano, who stood frozen in place.

She muttered something under her breath,

her voice so soft it was practically a whisper.

"Why'd you, leave so fast? I... didn't mind, you know…"

Her words were lost to everyone around—except for me,

of course. After all, I'm the one writing this story.

Hunter, blissfully unaware of the implications,

simply followed Mr. Clint down the hall to locate his class,

"So, Hunter, do you know the name of your

teacher or have a schedule printed?"

Mr. Clint asked as they walked through the seemingly endless hallways.

"At the moment, neither," Hunter replied, shrugging.

"Alright then, straight to the office we go,"

Mr. Clint said, picking up his pace.

The two entered an office not too far from where they were,

where Mr. Clint immediately set about finding Hunter a schedule.

"Okay, Hunter, your last name is Thompson right?"

"Yeah, that's right," Hunter replied.

"Got it. Just give me a second to get this printed,"

Mr. Clint said, settling in at his computer and typing quickly.

Hunter watched for a moment before his curiosity got the better of him.

"Are you an educator here?"

"Yes and no," Mr. Clint said, his tone casual.

"I mainly work here in the office,

but I'm also a backup teacher in case one of the regulars doesn't show up.

That goes for Ms. Akano too.

There are only eight of us qualified for that kind of flexibility."

"Wow, this school really is unique,"

Hunter remarked. He glanced around the office and then added,

"I've also noticed this place is more diverse than I expected."

Mr. Clint chuckled, a knowing smile on his face.

"It didn't use to be like that.

Things changed when they lowered the tuition fees.

Everyone's been trying to get in since,

but only a select few make the cut.

This school's not just about money—it's about potential.

Don't lose your opportunity here Hunter."

Hunter nodded, taking in the advice.

"Oh, and one more thing," Mr. Clint added,

his tone dropping slightly.

"Stay clear of the Student Council… and Ms. Aiyosai."

(There's that name again), Hunter thought to himself,

the warning sending a chill down his spine.

With a quick buzz of the printer,

Mr. Clint handed Hunter his schedule.

"Here you go. Now let's get you to class so you're not too late."

The two headed out, navigating the vast hallways of the school.

Hunter couldn't help but notice how large the

building was, it seemed to stretch endlessly in every direction.

But what struck him most was the eerie silence.

The hallways were empty, almost too quiet,

and the faint echo of their footsteps only

added to the unsettling atmosphere.

Finally, they reached the wing where Hunter's classroom was located.

Just as they approached, a crackle from

Mr. Clint's walkie-talkie interrupted them.

"Mr. Clint, report to the front office immediately,"

came a voice on the other end.

Mr. Clint sighed and looked back at Hunter.

"Alright, your classroom is 339, straight ahead.

See that vending machine? The door's adjacent to it."

"Got it," Hunter said, giving a quick nod.

"Good luck kid," Mr. Clint said before

walking briskly back the way they came.

Hunter turned to face the classroom door,

took a deep breath, and slid it open.

The door creaked loudly, drawing every eye in the room to him.

The teacher at the front of the class paused mid-sentence,

his gaze narrowing as his expression darkened.

"Who are you? How dare you interrupt my class

son?" the professor barked, frustration evident in his voice.

Hunter held up his hands defensively.

"I'm the new transfer student… Hunter Thompson."

The tension in the room hung thick as every student turned their

attention back to the professor, waiting for his response.

(Great first impression Hunter), he thought to himself,

bracing for what was to come. "Son, do you not own an alarm clock?"

the professor asked, his voice sharp enough to cut glass.

"Do you have any idea how late you are?"

Hunter shifted awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck.

"I just didn't know where to go, and I didn't have a—"

The professor raised a hand, cutting him off mid-sentence.

"This is sad. Class, let Hunter here be an example to you all.

Do not be like him, full of excuses and unprepared for life."

Hunter's face burned as the professor continued,

his voice dripping with exasperation.

"Hunter, meet me after class.

You're wasting valuable learning time,

and we don't have time for that. No introductions for you, just

take a seat anywhere. Take notes, stay quiet,

and learn from your mistakes."

Murmurs rippled through the class as Hunter

"That's the boy who got in trouble at the gat"

One student murmured.

"He's kinda cute"

A female student murmured

Didn't he get scolded by Ms. Aiyosai earlier

Another female student whispered.

scanned the room, his eyes darting over

rows of unfamiliar faces. Then, in the center of the room,

he saw her.

It was Yukio.

She met his gaze and smiled warmly,

a gesture so genuine it immediately put him at ease.

Hunter felt drawn to her,

his nerves settling as he spotted the empty seat next to her.

(Oh great heavens), Hunter thought,

his spirit jumped out of body, and started breakdancing on the floor.

He quickly made his way

toward the seat adjacent to her.

Yukio's smile grew as he sat down,

clearly happy to see him.

"Hunter, that's someone else's seat," Yukio responded,

her voice tickling his ears,

Hunter Chuckles, "Is that other person here?"

Hunter asked nonchalantly,

sliding into the chair without hesitation.

"Nope, not today," Yukio replied with a wink.

"Then I see no problem," Hunter said,

leaning back slightly.

Yukio giggled softly and scooted her desk closer to his,

her excitement at being near her newfound friend was evident.

Hunter couldn't help but grin as he settled in,

feeling for the first time that maybe this class

wouldn't be so bad after all.

(Holy FUCK, She's happy to see me!?)