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The first day of school had arrived… Yuujin wasn't nervous at all. Misaki didn't seem anxious either, though she didn't appear entirely happy about going.
"Alright, find your classrooms and don't cause any trouble," Emi said as she walked away from them.
"Like I'd cause trouble," Misaki rolled her eyes, fiddling with her phone a bit.
"You do," Yuujin said sarcastically.
"Mind your own business, white clown," she said, putting her phone away and smiling teasingly at her brother.
"Sure thing, M3gan 2," Yuujin called back, walking away while hearing his sister grumble.
"M3GAN IS YOUR ---" she yelled, but Yuujin was too far to hear.
I should stick close to him to at least have someone nearby, but eventually, we'd end up in different classes anyway. Whatever, maybe there are more interesting people in this school than her, Yuujin thought, walking the corridors and feeling the eyes of other students on him.
He felt like he was doing something wrong, trying to act naturally, but his forehead kept sweating under the gaze of everyone around.
It's normal for people to look at new students, but Yuujin's anxiety made him think they were judging him.
Back to Misaki:
"Hey, new girl!" a duo of girls approached her, waving and smiling.
"Oh? Hi! I like your hair," Misaki pointed out.
"Ha, thanks! Yours is really pretty too. Do you usually wander around before class?" one girl asked, practically inviting her along.
"Cool! I used to do that during breaks, but this feels like a new experience. By the way, I'm Misaki, and you?" she accepted the invitation and asked a new question.
"I'm Rose, and this is Allie. It's going to be fun, we can get to know each other better," Rose said, moving closer to Misaki along with Allie.
The three explored the school before class began, while Yuujin faced his own dilemma:
"Great… now I really need to go to the bathroom!"
Yuujin was nervous, not wanting to ask anyone for directions, wanting to find it on his own. But the school wasn't small, and the layout was different from his old school.
He hesitated until he reached a staircase with students moving up and down. A boy with headphones passed by, and Yuujin decided to muster some courage to ask for help.
"Hey! Excuse me!" Yuujin approached the boy, who removed one headphone and turned to him.
"Uh… where's the… bathroom…" Yuujin stammered nervously. Not because of the boy himself, but because he felt uneasy talking to someone who clearly didn't want to stop.
"Go up these stairs, the men's bathroom is on the right," the boy replied.
"Th-thanks…" When Yuujin went to thank him, the boy put his headphone back on and walked away.
He looked younger than Yuujin and genuinely seemed uninterested in helping.
He didn't even want to hear my thank you… who does he think he is?
Yuujin followed the directions and finally found the bathroom, though his mind was racing.
"What should I say? Good morning? My name? I'm here to… ah, too many things…" Yuujin muttered aloud. When he zipped up and went to wash his hands, a boy stared at him, raising an eyebrow, wondering what he was talking about.
"Were you talking to yourself?" the boy asked.
"Uh… me? Of course not… Ah, I won't convince you, right?" Yuujin washed his hands, seeing the boy laugh.
"Nope, not gonna happen, hahaha," he laughed for a while before trying to be helpful. "So, what class are you in?"
"Second year of high school, why?" Yuujin asked, standing face-to-face with the boy.
"No way!? That means we're in the same class. Max, at your service!" Max said, trying to entertain Yuujin.
"Ah… Yuujin! I'm Yuujin," Yuujin said, blushing slightly after shouting his name.
"Wow! Yuujin, that's an interesting name. You don't seem from around here, or you'd be more social," Max joked about Yuujin's shyness.
"What does being from here or not have to do with anything?!" Yuujin protested, seeing Max laugh even harder.
"I just thought anyone born in a busy city like this would be used to seeing people rush around," Max explained, ignoring Yuujin's tension.
"Oh! Cool. I have a grandmother who lives in Osaka. Must be really nice there!" Max continued chatting, while Yuujin listened and replied. Eventually, they reached their classroom, and Yuujin sat next to Max.
"You'll like it here, the teachers are chill. This class is with Ms. Kerllon. She's easygoing," Max explained casually.
At the start of class, Yuujin was lost in thought while roll call happened.
"Yuujin," Ms. Kerllon called.
He was completely distracted.
I wonder if Misaki is doing okay, Yuujin thought.
"Yuujin," she called again, looking for someone who hadn't responded.
She must've made friends, she's always been like that, he continued, lost in his thoughts.
"Yuujin," she called a third time, as Yuujin felt Max nudge his arm.
"Dude, the teacher's called your name three times," Max whispered.
"Huh? PRESENT!" Yuujin shouted loudly, startled.
Most students laughed, while others whispered.
"He seems… weird," some said.
"I think he's cute," others commented.
Ms. Kerllon just smiled.
"Pay attention next time, Yuujin. Would you like to introduce yourself to the class?" she asked.
"I… I think I'd better not—" Yuujin started, but some students nudged him.
"He wants to!"
"Go on, introduce yourself!"
Some laughed, and Yuujin, stressed, stood to introduce himself.
"I… I'm Suzuki Yuujin. I'm from Osaka and… I'm 16. That's it," he said quickly.
"But you need more details," Ms. Kerllon said.
"Details?!" Yuujin protested, startled.
"Yes, how else will the class get to know you?" she smiled.
"Ah… they can get to know me during break, please, can we stop this?" Yuujin gestured to end it.
"All right, that's fine. Sit down, let's start class," she laughed again, turning to gather materials.
Yuujin felt relieved and sat down.
"Next time, be a little less blunt," Max joked.
"Sure," Yuujin muttered, frustrated but trying to focus on class.
Hours passed until break. When Yuujin stood, Max flicked the back of his neck.
"Ha, I can't believe you got startled," Max said, walking alongside him, smiling.
"You caught me off guard," Yuujin ran his hand through his hair. He then noticed a group of girls ahead.
"Yuujin! How are you?" one girl called.
"Ah… I'm… fine…" Yuujin stammered, wanting to leave quickly.
"I'm Yuri. My friends and I find you interesting, why don't you hang out with us for a bit?" she asked kindly.
Max stepped in.
"Give him some space, he's new. Besides, I talked to him first. Come on!" Max pulled Yuujin along, while the girls watched, smiling.
"Why didn't you let me explain?" Yuujin asked as he was pulled.
"Because you wouldn't enjoy hanging with them. They'd flirt with you!" Max said, leading him to a bench in the schoolyard.
"Why would they do that?" Yuujin asked.
"You're a tall, attractive guy. Typical target for girls like them for status posts like 'dating the new student.' I don't trust them. It happened to me too, but who can resist me? I make everyone question their own sexuality," Max bragged, running a hand through his hair.
"Your confidence is… something," Yuujin observed.
"I'm heading to my club. Music. Want to check it out?" Max asked.
"Sure… where is it? I'll wait a bit here," Yuujin said, taking a deep breath.
"It's that room over there. I'll wait for you," Max replied.
Yuujin spent a few moments alone, thinking, when Aoki appeared.
"Hey! You," Aoki said, standing in front of him.
"Me? Uh…" Yuujin looked up at him.
"You. You're new, right? Sorry for leaving like that before, I was in a rush," Aoki sat beside him, noticing Yuujin's slightly red cheeks.
"Wait! You can stay. It's just… shocking seeing you talk to me after ignoring my thanks the first time," Yuujin said, and Aoki sat back down.
"Ha, sorry. Did you manage to get to the bathroom, or did you need a diaper change?" Aoki joked, and Yuujin felt a familiar teasing tone, like his sister's.
"You… are a bit cheeky, huh?" Yuujin ran his hand through his hair again.
"Only when I'm in the mood. What's your deal, big guy?" Aoki replied, and Yuujin found him slightly irritating.
"Excuse me? What's your deal, blondie shorty!" Yuujin shot back.
"Decided to loosen up, polar bear?" Aoki laughed at Yuujin's expression.
"This polar bear will strangle you like a chicken if you call me that again!" Yuujin got irritated and stood.
"Relax, polar bear. I'm just trying to be friendly," Aoki stood too and followed Yuujin to the music club room.
"I told you not to call me that! You got some problem, cardboard skin!" Yuujin stopped and turned.
"My problems aren't your concern," Aoki teased again.
"I'm just not hitting you because everyone can see," Yuujin rolled his eyes.
"Haha, I like you. I'm Aoki, what's your name, hothead?" Aoki raised a hand to greet Yuujin.
"Such hypocrisy," Yuujin raised his hand back, still annoyed.
"Where were you headed?" Aoki asked as they lowered their hands.
"Mind your business," Yuujin replied.
"If I asked, I think it's mine," Aoki smirked, walking ahead.
"I was heading to the music room," Yuujin said. Aoki stopped to face him again.
"Really? Welcome to the club, let's go together," Aoki said, walking into the club, Yuujin following.
"Hey, everyone," Aoki pushed the door open.
"Hello, Aoki!" one of the members greeted.
"I brought a polar bear to our club," Aoki said, pulling Yuujin inside.
"Brought what?!" the same member panicked.
"He's just a tall guy, Tara," another member said, smacking her forehead at Tara's silly comment.
"Oh! So you already met?" Max approached and greeted both.
"I found him just sitting on the bench and decided to bring him along," Aoki said, pointing to Yuujin.
"What?!" Yuujin shouted.
"He doesn't know when to speak," Aoki laughed with Max.
"Ah… well—" Yuujin was interrupted by another member.
"Sorry to interrupt, but will he play with us?" the member asked.
"Play?!" Yuujin was confused.
"I don't know, I just adopted him and brought this street polar bear along," Aoki shrugged, hands in his hoodie pocket.
"I was not adopted! And I can't play instruments. I met Max and then this jerk. I'll just watch," Yuujin said, sitting nearby.
"All right, ready?" Aoki signaled, and they began to play a song (which unfortunately you can't hear, haha).
When they finished, they paused to rest.
"Great job, everyone!" Aoki praised, drinking water.
"Nice! That was impressive," Yuujin said.
"You should listen every day, you'll get addicted," Aoki bragged, sitting next to Yuujin, offering some tea left by Taylor.
Yuujin accepted it and spent the break with them. By the end, he didn't know if he had made friends or if they'd just chat with him today, but at least he met people.
At the end of class, when he and Misaki reunited to leave, they discussed the day.
"I met some girls, got along with the class. And you, stranger?" Misaki teased Yuujin.
"Uh… I met some people…" Yuujin said shyly.
"Haha, no way! My brother Yuujin made friends?! Miracles do happen," Misaki laughed.
They walked, talking about their day, when Aoki passed by, winking at Yuujin before leaving, making him flinch and raise an eyebrow.
"Looks like he liked you," Misaki teased.
"It was him and others I met," Yuujin ran his hand through his hair again.
"Ha! Then watch out, he's pretty cute," Misaki smiled.
"Are you suggesting something, Kiki?" Yuujin called her by a nickname just to annoy her, which worked, as she began cursing at him along the way.
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Music club members so far:
Aoki
Max
Taylor
Tara
To be continued...
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