"May I go last, sensei?" the martial artist asked, scratching his head. "I'm not prepared to introduce myself yet."
Hinako was getting irritated with such a large bunch of students, so she merely said, "Fine," and pointed to another bunch of newcomers, sitting a row behind the still-fuming Akane.
The object of the teacher's attention wasn't listening at first. He was an average-looking guy, with a poofy head of ebon hair, dressed in his former school's black 'recruit' uniform. He was busy talking to the girl with the long raven tresses seated on his right. She, however, seemed not to be paying any attention to him, instead looking disinterestedly out the window where the tiger-striped-bikini-clad 'Lum' girl, the unconscious red-headed girl and the lecherous guy had disappeared.
Hinako called again, and this time the boy jerked up and laughed shamefacedly before stammering out an answer.
"Nya-hahaha. I'm Kyousuke Kasuga, from Koryou Gakuen. I... er, I have no powers, I don't know martial arts, and this... well, this is the eighth time I've transferred schools."
"Eighth?" Hinako-sensei asked in disbelief. "Are you the reason why Koryou Gakuen suffered so much damage?"
"Wha-what? No, nonono. They told us a leaking gas tank in the junior high laboratory blew up and set off a chain reaction which caused the school to be closed for repairs." The boy secretly grimaced. Why that particular gas tank had blown up in the first place was a topic best left unexplored.
"You, miss, it's your turn," said Hinako-sensei.
The girl beside Kyousuke looked forward. "I am Madoka Ayukawa," she said formally, flicking away an imaginary piece of dirt from her white sailor uniform.
"Welcome. Next."
The guy seated next to Kyousuke Kasuga answered. He had freckled cheeks and curly red-brown hair, and an ingratiating smile. "Seiji Komatsu. Pleased to meet you."
"Next."
"Kazuya Hatta. Also from Koryou Gakuen." He was chubby, had straight black hair in a bowl cut, and wore eyeglasses.
Komatsu leaned to Hatta and said, "Check it out, check it out! Look at all the babes around us."
"Yeah. I feel like a kid in a candy store," Hatta agreed.
"I've got dibs on that girl in the bikini," said Komatsu.
"Suit yourself. I'll pay attention to that girl with the spatula. And to that girl with the mallet. And that girl over there. And that girl. And that. And that. And that..."
"Hey, don't hog the whole female population!" They started pinching each other's cheeks and pulling their faces out of shape, calling each other names as they did so.
Just then three young girls passed by outside the rear classroom door, which was open to provide more ventilation. One of them, with short blond hair, cornflower-blue eyes, and a sweet, sugary smile, waved and blew a kiss in Kyousuke's direction.
"Ya--ho! Darling!"
The two girls with her also called. "Onii-chan!"
Kyousuke waved back halfheartedly. "Hi, Hikaru. Hi, Manami. Hi, Kurumi." He sighed. "Geez, why'd they have to get transferred here too?" I could've been alone with Ayukawa...
"That's so unkind of you, Kasuga-kun," came a voice, and Kyousuke turned to see Madoka frowning at him. Even when she was glowering, she still looked so beautiful...
"Ayukawa... ahehe... sorry."
"It's okay."
The girl in front of Kyousuke turned back to them and smiled. Somehow, Kyousuke noted, her mallet had disappeared. "Hi, I'm Akane Tendou."
Whoa. She's cute. "Hi. I'm Kyousuke Kasuga."
"So I heard. Welcome to Furinkan High."
"Thanks."
"If you ever need any help adjusting to this place, feel free to ask for my help."
"Sure."
The girl with the purple shirt, chest bindings, black leggings, and the freakin' huge spatula lying on the floor in front of her also introduced herself. "I'm Ukyou Kuonji," she said. "If Akane here can't help you, come see me."
Oh, wow. This one has nice long hair like Ayukawa. And her voice sure sounds a lot like her. And her looks ain't so bad either. Kyousuke smiled at her.
"That'll be the day, Ukyou," sniffed Akane.
"Did you say something, tomboy?" The two girls glared at each other, and Kyousuke could almost see the electricity sparking from their eyes.
"Tomboy? Who's the one Ranma thought was a guy for years?"
"Well, he doesn't think I'm one now, does he?" Ukyou said, smiling savagely, thrusting her chest out to accentuate her curves.
"What's your problem, Ukyou? I'm just trying to be friendly to this new guy."
"I'm trying to save him from becoming friendly with you and getting whacked on the head for his pains, just like you did to poor Ran-chan earlier."
"That's none of your business," Akane shot back angrily.
"I don't think so."
"Uh, ladies, please... Hinako-sensei's looking at you..."
With that warning the two girls subsided and went back to listening to their teacher. Kyousuke turned to say something to Madoka, but she had her back to him and was talking to a guy who was sitting just behind her. His white, high-collared suit had a pearly sheen to it; his slick black hair shone in the light. When he smiled at Madoka, his teeth gleamed.
"Shuutarou Mendou. So you're the heir of the Mendou family," she was saying.
Mendou? Kyousuke thought, his memory tickled. Isn't that the mega-rich family that practically owns most of Japan?
"That's correct. And I see that you have also been dropped into the middle of this insane place."
Ayukawa nodded, and her eyes sparkled with amusement as she said, "It would seem so."
"I believe we should get together sometime, to compare notes on how to survive here." Mendou smiled and shifted on his cushion.
"With all your money, that should be easy."
"True. But it never hurts to listen to another's opinion."
Kyousuke couldn't believe his eyes. Madoka actually smiled at Mendou. "I feel the same way."
As they conversed, Kyousuke seethed at the way Ayukawa seemed to enjoy talking to this handsome stranger. She hasn't smiled at me in days, he thought. What's this guy got that I haven't? Except for the money... the good looks... the charming manners...
He cleared his throat, feeling awkwardly small, and Madoka looked at him briefly.
"I see you've made a couple of friends," she said, her blue-green eyes flashing. "I hope you enjoy their company."
"But I was just..." Too late. She was already back talking with that Mendou character. Kyousuke turned away dispiritedly, and thus missed the smirk that played for a moment across the other boy's face.
I wonder why she's upset now, Kyousuke wondered as he set about listening to Hinako-sensei. Then a spark of hope came to life in him, as a thought entered his mind. Could it be that she's jealous, and that she's paying attention to him to spite me? Ayukawa, jealous? A small smile grew on his face, then died away. One could never tell, with Madoka's capricious personality. Maybe she did like the guy. Kyousuke could see how hard it was not to, if he were a girl too.
All of a sudden...
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(Posted Thu, 27 Jan 2005 00:21)
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