Yuko

September 3rd, 2007. 4:21 p.m. Cloudy. We had been flown back to the campus and crammed into the auditorium like a bunch of cattle. The class is somewhat… smaller than I had anticipated. The auditorium is only about half way full. Is enrollment down? Is there some tension or danger I should know about? Not like it would matter… The school could be nuked and my parents still wouldn’t pull me out.

A woman steps up onto the stage and clears her throat. Her fashion is admirable. Monochrome color palette. Sleek glasses, hair in a neat bun, black turtleneck sweater, pristine legs, and that skirt my mom has… she looks ready to fire everyone in this room at any given moment and kick them on the way out the door. She even has a cup of coffee so hot it could probably burn through the floor. I like her. If it wasn’t for the stained lab coat she carried over her shoulder, I’d say it's a banger of an outfit.

“Strength. Conviction.” her tired voice booms through the auditorium. “If any of you do not possess these two qualities, get out now. For the rest of you, I welcome you to our fine academy. Though you may not look or act like it now, within time you will all be protectors of Earth and human society as we know it. Use your Techs to protect and serve your fellow man yada yada yada. I’m hungry and don’t want to be here either. I have a mountain of paperwork I need to catch up on so let’s make this quick, shall we?” she takes a hearty swig from her cup. “All of you have been put into teams of four. Before you bitch and moan, this wasn’t based on your Techs, personality exams we had you take, or even what your interests are. It’s pure chance.”

My hand shoots up into the air. “Ma’am?”

“Yes, you. Party girl.”

I clench my fist. “Why would you pair us up randomly? That doesn’t make sense.”

“I concur.” Cowboy man adds. “It could also prove harmful to team synergy. Also, can I please not have a team?”

“It does make sense.” She takes another sip. “You’re adults. Act like it. Play nice. If you can’t do that, go back to kindergarten and learn to be decent human beings.” She turns to the cowboy. “And you, one more interruption and I’m calling your parents.”

“I’m just saying.” Cowboy continues. “I did graduate top of my class and excelled in several local crime-busting operations. A team would just slow me down.”

“Everyone here is a 4.0 superstar. Go back to your little pond if you want to get your dick sucked so bad.”

The entire auditorium erupts into laughter

Color drains from Cowboy’s face as he sits down and shuts up. I decide to do the same.

Headmaster raises her hand and the entire audience shuts up at once. I wasn’t even done laughing… but I can’t laugh. It feels like there’s a hand around my throat. “If anyone else has any grievances, I don’t care. Cry to your parents. I’m continuing. The teams will be announced in no particular order. Once you know your teammates, convene with them anywhere you like to discuss a team name. After you do that, send a representative up here to fill out the team registration form.” the headmaster chugs down the rest of her mug and slides it across her podium. “Team #1: Yuko Kaneko,”

Well… at least that will help this go by faster…

“William Lloyd Cruz.”

The cowboy perks up and lazily turns his head towards me. “Howdy… partner.” He looks about as enthusiastic as I do. Well… at least he looks competent. If I’m being honest, he’s kind of a looker too. He just needs to grow a beard and lose the cowboy boots and I’d be down.

“A.D.” the headmaster peered into her notes. “Do you have a last name, A.D.?”

“I have several.” The nerd in the karate gi smiles.

“Sorry for asking.”

“Heeeey! Yuko! Nice to see you again! Wanna spar with me later?” A.D. walks towards me by doing leg lunges.

Oh no… he’s coming this way… Very slowly…

“I’m good… thank you though.”

“Why not?” he seems genuinely baffled. “Your thighs look so soft and weak. They need to be powered up!”

He’s talking at least six decibels too loudly.

“You’re not even going to apologize for throwing me?”

“I was not aware you were upset.” A.D. looks like he grew a brain cell for a second. “Sorry… I was not aware you were not down with grapplers.”

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

“English or Japanese please. I don’t speak whatever you’re saying.”

“And rounding off Team #1 is Vivian Manalastas.”

She turns towards me and looks at me with that smile. That stupid, stupid smile. God… just kill me now.

“Heeeey Yuko-chan!” Vivian slides over and rests her arm on my shoulder. “Pretty lucky that we’re paired up, huh?”

“Oh goodness…” William covers his eyes with his hat.

“Yeahahaha.” Vivian grins. “There’s no escape from being my teammate, Billy. Sooner or later, everyone gets to put up with me.”

“Vivian!” A.D. taps her on the shoulder as he continues to do leg lunges. “It is a pleasure to meet you. Will you lunge with me?”

“Hell yeah I’ll lunge with you!”

The two idiots began lunging together as the rest of the auditorium focused their gaze on us.

“This is going to be a long semester…” I sigh.

“Tell me about it…” William sighs with me.

“Team #2.” the headmaster pulls out another cup of coffee from under the podium. Joshua Dominguez, Angela Cobb, Janelle Faustino, and Sejong Park. Get together. I can’t see Mr. Park, so figure that one out on your own.”

An empty chair morphs into a boy who looks like he belongs in a K-pop band. That’s… that’s a new one.

“So.” Vivian lunges with way too much enthusiasm. “What are we doing for our team name?”

“Fighting dreamers!” Shouts A.D.

A smile escapes William’s lips. “Heh… I see what you did there. I would not be averse to that.”

“Seriously? No!” I protest. “No anime names.”

“Well I don’t see you suggesting anything.” William folds his arms.

“Give me a second… Um… how about the A Team?”

“Oh, anime isn’t allowed, but 80s references are okay?” Vivian asks.

“You guys put me on the spot! Give me a minute to think of a good one…”

“The Top Tiers!” A.D. suggests.

“Not bad…” William scratched his hair-free chin. “Though… It needs some class. Some… I dunno… jazz. The Banditos.”

“Nah. Too edgy.” A.D. shakes his head.

“The Scourge.” William smiles.

“Waaaaaay too edgy.” A.D. crosses his arms.

“How about… the Professionals?” I suggest.

“Now that I can get behind.” William nods.

“That isn’t cool at all.” A.D. shakes his head.

“Everything you suggested has been super lame!”

“And everything you suggest is boring.” A.D. shrugs.

“Okay, then how about the Sailor Senshi?”

“Oh, so now anime’s okay?” William scoffs.

“You watch anime?” A.D. squints at me.

“... No. I just know the reference.”

“Hang on… doesn’t… something seem a little off to you two?” I listen in and focus.

“What do you mean?” William looks around him. “Wait. Where did Vivian go?”

“Yeah… I thought it was a bit quiet… where did that little booger go?” I turn over to the stage and see Vivian filling out and submitting the team registration form.

She turns towards us and shoots us a thumbs-up.

“Oh god no…” I feel my heart sink into my stomach.

The headmaster chugs down another cup of coffee. Jesus Christ, someone get this woman a toke or something. She reads and signs the registration form. “Very well, from now on. Vivian Manalastas, A.D., Yuko Kaneko, and William Lloyd Cruz… The four of you shall be known as The Lovers. Have fun.”

Vivian returns to the group with that dumb grin on her face and her hands behind her head. “Whaddaya guys think? Pretty cool, huh?”

“That isn’t cool at all…” A.D. shakes his head.

“No!” I turn to the headmaster. “Shouldn’t everyone have to sign the paper?”

“If you were listening,” the headmaster taps her ear. “You would know that I said ‘send a representative up here to fill out the team registration form.’ Either everyone agrees to the name or someone has to step up and be a power player. Don’t blame others for your lack of strength or conviction.”

If I wanted to be verbally abused, I would’ve stayed home. I don’t deserve this.

William turns towards the headmaster and raises his hand. “Can I be the team leader at least?”

“Take that up with your teammates.” Headmaster pours herself another cup of coffee. “I don’t care.”

Joshua walks over to the podium, hands the headmaster the paper, and shakes her hand. I actually saw the bitch smile for once. The hell?

“From this day forward, the team consisting of Joshua Dominguez, Angela Cobb, Janelle Faustino, and Sejong Park shall be known as Familia.”

The ceremony ended up lasting for another thirty minutes. I already feel a migraine coming on… why now… uugh…

“Now that that’s all good and over with, everyone meet by the flagpoles at 5:30. We’re having dinner tonight at Vinny’s. It’s fancy so be sure to look prim and proper. Or don’t and embarrass yourself. I don’t care.”

Pasta is likely the only solace I will have tonight.