The Girl of Sakura High

In the lively town of Matsuyama, a ringing bell echoes through the air as the school summer of Sakura High, which lasted for three entire months, had just ended. Students crowded the halls, each one clutching their textbooks and bags as they moved along, careful not to trip on the white-tiled floor.

Among these students is Amaya, a new transfer from another school, Hosu High, located in the bustling city of Kinosaki. She was as pale as the others, maybe more, with her crimson lips standing out along with the rest of her makeup, lightly applied yet masterfully done. Her brown, baby-like eyes looked left and right, trying her best to search for any maps on the wall as her feet shuffled to find a way out of the crowded halls.

Her hair trailed behind her, black and long, luscious as some would put it, and lightly curled. Her dress was just like the others, her skirt decorated with a blue checker pattern, and her white polo, steamed and shining as the autumn sun shined upon it, giving her a look of an angel, balanced by her red ribbon that she wore on her collar.

"Excuse me, where is classroom 104?" she asked loudly as the crowd finally began to clear. 

"Around that corner, dear..." answered an old, sweet lady who held a broom, her yellow uniform covering her purple and red dress as she pointed behind her. "Go right from the nurse's office and you'll arrive there-"

"Thank you, madam!" she exclaimed, swiftly giving her a bow as she ran towards where she wanted to go. 

"Don't run, my dear!" the old lady yelled, shaking her head and continuing her way to the women's bathroom.

Two minutes, she thought as she made her way through as fast as she could. Two minutes to run. And run she did, making her way past the nurse's office, just as the old lady had told her and storming into the door of classroom 104, which banged open as it hit the wall. Just before she could enter, the bell had rung again, its sound spreading throughout the school.

"Late, Ms. Tanaka..." the male professor, Mr. Yuto Nakamura, a forty year old man with a balding head and a clean-shaven face who wore a gray suit with an oxford blue tie, told her. "Please, enter..." he insisted, gesturing his hand towards an empty seat in the third row as he smiled, "...don't let this happen again, miss. Tardiness isn't tolerated in Sakura High... this is a prestigious school, hm?"

"Yes, sir." she replied, nodding her head lightly and rushing to the chair, twenty-nine more eyes organized into five rows and six columns looking at her as she did. They're judging me... she thought, ashamed, I can feel they're judging me. 

From the beginning, she knew she wouldn't fit in her new school. If she was the smartest back at Hosu High, she would be the most foolish teenage girl here. Her pink bag stood out along with the other few students who brought colorful bags to school. The others either brought grey or black, with some of the other pretty girls having small, white bags, branded with only the fanciest.

The boys in her class were all decent, tall and perhaps smart, maybe even handsome if she squinted her eyes. Soon enough, Mr. Yuto introduced himself to the class with a booming yet charming voice that seemed to both sound like a roar and a merry introduction.

"Hello, class!" he began. "Welcome to your first year of senior high school in Sakura High! I am your advisor, Mr. Yuto Nakamura, and I am glad to have you all back to the campus. Now, let's begin the introductions starting from..." he stopped, searching the class, "...the front row right-most column! Begin!" he commanded, pointing to the girl that was half-asleep, waking her from her sweet daydream.

Amaya couldn't believe the sight all that much. After all, Sakura High scholars are supposed to be disciplined, not sleeping at the start of the year. This one did.

Her hair was short, and her face was round and plump. Her lips were pink and glimmered lightly, sparkling even. Her skin was a tad bit less pale than Amaya's, but certainly white enough to shine in the sun. She wore the same uniform as every other girl, only having a bowtie of pink rather than Amaya's ribbon of red.

"H-hello, everyone!" she greeted as she stood up swiftly, her textbook almost falling off of her desk as she scrambled to catch them, which she did. "M-my name is Mei Sakurajima! I'm from Tsumago Street, and I love crocheting and the arts! I hope to have a good year with you all!" she finished quickly with a laugh paired with an open smile.

Amaya had to admit, she was relieved to have found someone like her. At least I won't be the only girl like that in class, she told herself, maybe Sakura High isn't so bad.

The rest introduced just the same, with a few notable mentions Amaya had noted in her head. There was Sota Sakurajima, the brother of Mei, who stood high and was around fourteen. His eyes were brown, just like Mei's, and his body was fit.

Unlike the other boys, he was thin but muscular with forearms sculpted and his arms having veins run through them. His hair was messy, but at the same time neat. His jaw was sharp, and his lips were short and soft. Like the others, he wore the same cobalt blue uniform partnered with a red tie with the white undershirt. He was quite the amusing person, just like his sister. Perhaps it runs in the family, Amaya thought.

Akari Yamaguchi was another one of them. She was a pretty girl to Amaya's eyes, but compared to the others... she didn't come close. Akari was a decent person and acted just like how a maiden would.

Her eyes are... different, she noted. True to her word, Akari's eyes were green and blue, and paired with her straight brunette hair made for a spectacle... at least for Amaya.

She must be the lion, Amaya thought, the person that roars in the face of defiance.

The last person she noted was a boy named Akira Matsumoto. He was the tallest of the class, standing at a towering six feet. Out of everyone else, he was the quiet kid, always keeping to himself and doing whatever he wanted to do when nobody was looking.

His eyes were, oddly enough, blue like diamonds. His face was daunting, which she noted, and his crimson lips were natural, but seemed artificial in her mind. After all, who could achieve such a perfect look? Even Amaya couldn't contest to that.

He was as masculine as can be, and his body said the same thing. The boy looked like a greek sculpture of a legend, ripped and filled with beauty... this boy looked just the same as those, but with skin and flesh instead of marble... even glowing as it seemed to her.

One thing was already obvious to Amaya by the time she set eyes on him- he wasn't from here either.

Unlike the others who whispered and talked among one another, Akira was silent, just like Amaya was when she first sat down. Soon enough, when it was his turn, he said the same thing as she would. Akira came from a school in the city of Tokyo called Yuki High, which was hours away from the town of Matsuyama.

Soon enough, it was her time to introduce herself. 

"H-hello, everyone!" she said aloud. "M-my name is Amaya Tanaka, a transfer student from Hosu High in the town of Kinosaki," she said softly. "My hobbies are sketching and writing... I-I hope I will have an amazing year with you all!" Hopefully one where I don't have anyone to worry about, she added in her head. 

Transfers are never taken well, she reminded herself. Hopefully this time will be different than the others. Sakura High was a prestigious school after all... surely everyone here would have at least a dash of kindness.

Fifty minutes of introductions and lectures go by and the bell finally rings once more. "See you guys tomorrow!" Mr. Yuto Nakamura greeted, waving his hand with a slightly wrinkled smile forming on his face partnered with his thin curled lips.

Amaya packed her notebook into her backpack, littered with stickers her sister, Hana, had decorated on it. The break period would only last for twenty minutes and she hadn't eaten a single meal since she hurried to arrive from her house.

She had to eat... but where? She didn't know where the cafeteria was; she was the new kid, and the new kid had the burden to adjust... but not for long, though.

"Well, if it isn't the transfer," a voice said mockingly, insolent was her tone and bold was her stance. Amaya only had to look at the shadow to know who it was. Akari, she remembered. "If you're looking to find to fit in here, don't even try-"

"Akari, you're being too harsh to her!" another voice said, high-pitched and cute in nature, sounding like a babbling chipmunk. "Give her a good welcome at least... she isn't gonna last for long in this school if you treat her that way."

"She's gonna have to get used to it, Mei..." another voice replied, surprisingly boyish, even childish as it entered Amaya's ears. The voice doesn't fit him, she noted in her head. Sota Sakurajima's fit body was manly, but his voice... quite the opposite.

"I-I'm sorry..." Amaya squeaked, trying desperately to suppress her feeling of unease. "I really don't know what to do here besides... well, studying." she told them with a chuckle, clutching her stomach that started to fold into a knot.

"Don't sweat it," another voice said. "Every transfer has had that feeling before... you're not alone, really... I got lucky myself." he remarked. Akira Matsumoto leaned against a chair, his right arm resting on the backrest and his left hand nestled in his pocket. His voice was deep, and oddly- rough and sharp. "These three have been my friends since elementary..." he told her, pointing at Mei, Sota, and Akari. "Until we separated in Junior High-"

"But we're together again!" Mei exclaimed happily, her high-pitched voice echoing across the room with her arms in the air in celebration. "When I heard Akira was in our class as well I almost couldn't bare the temptation of hugging him!"

"To keep it short, we're the outcasts of the batch," Akari began, her arms folded and her stare sharp. "All of us have... unique things that keep us apart from the others-"

"And that's why we're rejects," Sota said, a noticeable heavy sigh exiting his mouth. "Sakura High's more hellish than whatever school you came from," he told her, a smug expression plastered on his face. "The students here don't give a shit about what you are; as long as you're different you'll always be an outcast-"

"And it already seems our transfer's sealed that fate," Akari admitted, her eyes now fixated on me. Why do they care? Amaya asked herself. Why would they care about me? 

"I-I really really don't understand..." Amaya told them. True to her words, she really didn't. Nine times out of ten, she was alone and had to fend for herself in the class. That was her life... and it was meant to be that way.

"We're asking you to join us," Akira explained, standing up with his arms crossed. "Outcast to outcast... we just want to protect you from getting yourself killed whenever you step into this campus-"

"Killed is a big word," Sota commented. "She'd get nervous if you used that-"

"It's just an expression, Sota..." Akari snapped, giving him a piercing gaze partnered with a raised brow. "Pay attention to Mr. Hinata's literature and grammar and maybe you'll be able to learn what a hyperbole means and say anything not dumb-"

"Hey!" Mei intercepted, standing between them.

"Yeah, hey! Watch it!" Sota agreed. His childish voice paired with his boyish demeanor made for a perfect match. 

"Look, are you willing to join us or what?" Akira asked, his almost hypnotizing gaze focused on Amaya. What do I answer? She asked in her mind. What do I say?

She had no answer for a moment. Her temples began to sweat as her growing sense of anxiety grew within. Would she pick to join the group or would she live her life of the lone wolf again? I could join the popular group... she considered, imagining the thought. I could live a better school life that way... I think.

Then she remembered the words of Akari. If you're looking to fit in here, don't even try, she recalled her words. If that were true... she had no other choice but to accept, but she didn't want to risk an entire three years of being an outcast... would she?

"Like it or not, Amaya... we're the best option you have," Mei whispered, her tone concerned and persuasive. "Nobody else will accept you... we've tried before." she admitted. One by one, each of them agreed. 

"Transfers have it worse..." Akari told her. "Nobody is more hated on than a person that doesn't belong... so I think it's better you belong with us."

"True that," Akira admitted. "The only people who'll accept you at this point is your fellow rejects."

"Don't worry, we don't bite." Akari said in a mocking tone with a wide smile on her face. Ironic for a fierce lion, Amaya said in her head. She was a lion with fangs and claws... but she refuses to use them against me. 

Amaya took a moment to think about it. New friends, she thought. That's new. She didn't like the thought of new, though. "I-I mean... well... if you insist, then..."

"It's settled!" Sota declared, clapping his hands in rejoice. "Welcome to the outcasts of Sakura High, Amaya..." he exclaimed, extending out his hand. "We hope to have a great year with you!"

"Oh..." Amaya began. "I'm not used to welcomes... if at all, really-"

"A new friend for a new year!" Mei celebrated loudly. "I can't imagine what a great year this will be-"

"If Kiyomi won't target our group like last year... that bitch is more than a pain." Akari added with a scoff, shaking her head in disapproval of the name. Kiyomi... Amaya said in her head. Kiyomi... she echoed once more. Who's Kiyomi?

"We're outcasts, remember?" Akira reminded her, his voice rippling across the air suddenly as if a tidal wave had formed. Quiet but daunting when he spoke... that was the true Akira she was about to know. "Nobody hates anything more than outcasts... it's the entire reason we're taking Amaya in."

"Hey, hey, hey..." Sota intervened, shaking his hands to stop the conversation. "Look, we've got like eight minutes until the next class starts and I think our new friend's been starving the entire time. . . we should probably... go?"

The entire time, Amaya hadn't realized she's been clutching her stomach. Not only was she starving but she was also starving... crazy starving.

"I'll get her food..." Akira volunteered, raising his hand. "Amaya will stay here or else she wants to embarrass herself outside with the others." he said as he began to make his way outside the door, counting coins on his hand that he had gotten from his wallet. 

Sweet... Amaya noted. But I don't need someone to baby me.

As quick as she could, she stood up to interrupt. "N-no need..." she insisted. Their eyes switch to her, puzzled gazes fixated on her. "I can find my way to the cafeteria just the same-"

"Sit down." Akari ordered with a laugh, pressing on her shoulders and making her collapse on the chair. "We've told you already... Sakura High is more hellish than whatever school you came from."

She's right, her mind told her. She's not my mother... she objected. She hated being told by strangers what to do. . . and she hated being looked down upon even more. Sure, they only meant to keep her safe, but she hated how they did it.

Eight minutes later. . .

RING went the bells of the hallway as the break session was over, and Mr. Hinata's class finally begun. He was older than Mr. Yuto Nakamura, likely around his fifties. Unlike Mr. Yuto's clothing, Mr. Hinata's was more casual.

Even though he was older, he wore a Ralph Lauren polo shirt, striped with blue and white, and he was livelier than their homeroom advisor... contrary to Amaya's expectations. It would be in this class she would finally get to know about the mysterious girl, Kiyomi.

Kiyomi Kimura was the popular girl. Amaya hated those kind of people as they would always be the type to let their ego out on the weak... and that included her. She wore bright pink lipstick, glimmering lightly when you saw them. Her hair was long and brown, flying and creating a sight when she let it, and her eyes were hazel in color.

Her feet were crossed, resting on her desk as she sat on her chair. On her hand was nothing but a lollipop, bearing the color of blood as she suckled on it slowly.

She was surrounded by plenty of boys, both decent and undoubtedly handsome. It was obvious to Amaya why they were there. To win her heart. Around her were also her friends, Aina and Aika Kobayashi, who were twins. If it weren't for their distinct hair, Amaya never could've distinguished them both.

The twins were pale, and their lips the color carmine. Their lashes were bold, and their stares and smug faces set them apart from the rest. If Amaya thought Akari's puffed up expression was obvious, Aina and Aika's were like a rose in a field of grass.

Kiyomi... she echoed in her head. Why do they hate you so much?

The girl was prideful, sure... but nothing else seemed odd. Amaya had to admit that she was beautiful, probably the most in the class. If one thing was for sure, she was all a boy could dream of; charming, beautiful, and- or at least she hoped -kind... but this would be another time she overestimated the state of Sakura High.

Unlike the other professors, Mr. Hinata was one that few listened to. As he ran on about the lectures about literature and grammar with a sprinkle of introduction, most of the students either drew, talked with one another, or just slumped over and slept. Mr. Hinata didn't mind.

I'm the only one listening... she noted, quite dumbfounded at the thought. The scholars of Sakura High were not as disciplined as she had thought.

A quick glance to the right side of the room and you would see Sota, his hand supporting his head as he nearly fell asleep trying to listen. Look in front of him and you'd see Mei, doodling on her notebook and occasionally forming little paper swans.

To the left side of the room was Akari, who already looked annoyed at the fact that a group of simping boys and swooning girls babbled on behind her. In front of Amaya, however... was Akira. 

The boy took down notes just as she did, which Amaya hadn't noticed. What she also hadn't been aware of was the bruise on the side of his lip, blue with the slight spots of blood red. . . That wasn't there before, Amaya noted, her face puzzled. What happened to him?

The young lady was deep in thought, contemplating what happened to Akira. Perhaps he tripped, she assumed. Or maybe he got into a. . . fight? No. . . she thought, disregarding the thought.

A touch on her shoulder almost sent her jumping from her chair, but all she gave out was a gasp. Who. . . was. . . that?

Slowly, she turned her head to look, and saw her. A beautiful girl, with bright pink lips that sparkled, partnered with long brown hair. Only one name came to mind: Kiyomi. 

"Hello, transfer! What was your name again?"