Chapter 5: A Day at the Elite Academy

The sun rose over the prestigious Igarashi Academy, casting its golden rays upon the mesmerising campus. The serene morning was giving way to the noises of students moving around, preparing for yet another day of rigorous classes. If the students weren't so occupied with their preperations they may have noticed that their school princess had a completely different look on her face, instead of her usual cold demeanor that showed little emotion, a rare smile was placed on her lips. Kazumi and Hiroto made their way through the bustling hallways as those in their path moved to the side making way for her to pass. As the pair passed, Hiroto noticed the jealous glares of numerous male students, all of which were directed at him. While this may make many people shudder, Hiroto was used to this, after all it was a consequence of him near always being by Kazumi's side.

As the pair entered the Academy's vast main courtyard, the vibrant colors of a variety of blooming flowers greeted them, a stark contrast to the rigid, dull-coloured structure of the academy. Kazumi as an avid enjoyer of nature took a moment to appreciate the beauty of the scene before her, a reminder of the world's both within and outside of these walls that she and her hopefully soon to be allies were determined to reshape for the better.

"Well... I guess we should be going." Kazumi spoke, a tinge of sadness evident in her voice as she would've liked to spend more time observing such a beautiful arrangement of flowers.

"You're right Kazumi-sama, you wouldn't want to be late, would you?" Hiroto chimed in, his voice as gentle as ever, still maintaining a sense of formality with his master.

"No, I definitely wouldn't want to be late. Not just me, we can't have you being late either." Kazumi added, her voice as calm as ever. Unlike many servant master combinations, Kazumi cared for Hiroto and wished that her own selfish actions didn't negatively affect him.

Their first destination of their joint trip was a sizable classroom where a history lesson was about to begin. As the pair entered, the atmosphere noticably shifted. Most of the students turned their heads, their full attention naturally drawn over to Kazumi, one of the most highly respected and admired figures in Igarashi academy.

Kazumi didn't need to be observant to notice the full attention of her classmates, their gazes fixed on her, but remained composed, her head held high. She had always garnered a considerable amount of attention due to her many traits, be it her; intelligence, leadership, and compassionate nature. It was all a reason for her vast influence and the respect that she had earned among the majority of her peers.

In the very front row of the classroom, a familiar face caught Kazumi's eye. It was none other than Aya Nakamura, her loyal friend and confidante.

Aya Nakamura stands no taller than 5'5 with a petit and graceful figure, one complemented by her wavy blue hair and her captivating violet eyes. She comes from a humble background, her parents are both renowned artists who embrace a simple and artistic lifestyle. Their unconventional upbringing shaped Aya into a compassionate individual who values authenticity and emotional connection above all else. This being a rare outlook, not just rare amongst the elite but one that is hard to find anywhere.

Aya's eyes lit up as she spotted her best friend Kazumi, eager to catch up after having not seen her in over a week.

Making their way over to where Aya was seated, Kazumi and Hiroto greeted her with warm smiles. Aya's face beamed with excitement amd joy as she saw her two friends approach.

"Kazumi-chan, Hiroto-kun, it's so nice to see you both!" Aya exclaimed in an excited manner making it clear she really was happy to see her friends. "I always really enjoy seeing you both. How are you today?"

Kazumi warmly returned Aya's smile, appreciating the much needed light-heartedness of their conversation. "We're doing very well thank you, Aya. Just intrigued by the day ahead and the history lesson. How about yourself? How has your morning been?"

Aya giggled softly, adjusting her glasses to rest more comfortably upon her. "Oh, you know, just the usual. I woke up extremely late like normal, rushed to get everything ready, and just barely made it to class on time without a minute to spare. Enough about that, seeing the two of you has brightened my day."

Hiroto chimed in, his voice filled with warmth and friendliness. "Indeed Aya-san, your cheerful presence brings a positive energy to any situation. Though you really should try to wake up on time." It could be told that Hiroto meant what he said, Aya had earned his respect and for good reason.

"Aya-chan, please try to sleep earlier. You don't want to have to rush around every morning, and you definitely don't want to be sleep deprived." Kazumi added, while it may come across as if she was almost trying to lecture Aya, this was just her advice as a friend. She wanted nothing but the best for her friend and thus sought to advise her on how to improve her habits.

As the rather long history lesson began, Kazumi, Hiroto, and Aya settled into their adjacent seats, their minds shifting from their conversation to the subject at hand. The teacher, a widely renowned scholar, started the lecture, delving into the different intricacies of ancient civilizations and their impact on societal norms. This lesson highlighting the differences between the ancient civilizations of the west to that of the east.

Throughout the duration of the class, Kazumi remained fully attentive, occasionally sharing a light-hearted comment or engaging in a brief discussion on the topic at hand with her classmates who turned to her for help, this of course included the intrigued Aya. Time passed as the students exchanged ideas with one another.

As the history lesson came to an end, a sudden melodious bell filled the classroom, signaling the start of their lunch break. Kazumi, Hiroto, and Aya gathered their belongings and slowly made their way outside, moving through the corridors uninterrupted as the students made way for Kazumi's group to pass.

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"Wow Kazumi-chan, they all treat you like you're royalty, it must be nice." Aya had known things were this way, but it never failed to amaze her how the students treated her friend. She herself could be considered popular, but that couldn't hold a candle to the popularity of Kazumi. Aya wasn't generous, in fact she was almost oddly proud, proud that people valued her dear friend.

"It can be nice, but this was never a position that I asked for. Although if all of these people want to look up to me, then I suppose it's my responsibility to act in such a way that can be seen as a role model to others." This was her take on the situation, she viewed it as her responsibility to act in a respectable manner that inspired others to do the same.

Casually strolling through the corridors and immersed in interesting light-hearted conversation, the trio laughed together and shared different anecdotes about their morning classes and what they had recently witnessed. Any students who looked over could tell they had no way into their tight-knit group as they made their way to the large, mostly open area at the side of the school.

The area was adorned with numerous rows of majestic sakura trees, their delicate pink blossoms adding a touch of elegance and wonder to the surroundings. As the trio approached a luxurious table with three seats nestled beneath one of the trees, Kazumi, Hiroto, and Aya took a seat, settling in for their lunch break.

Kazumi slowly glanced around, appreciating the serene beauty of the well looked after environment surrounding Igarashi Academy. "Isn't it lovely here, surrounded by these beautiful sakura trees? It's a perfect spot for a peaceful lunch."

Aya quickly nodded her head in full agreement, a content smile rose on her face. "Absolutely! It's so nice sitting here surrounded by all the flowers. Way better than all the bland classrooms and hallways."

Hiroto chimed in, his voice filled with agreement and appreciation. "The shade that the sakura trees provides tends to be a cool respite from the harsh, warm sunlight. It's the perfect place for us to recharge ourselves for the rest of the day ahead of us."

As they all settled comfortably into their seats, the conversation continued to flow, filled with laughter.

Kazumi turned to face Aya, her eyes filled with genuine interest. "So, Aya-chan, how was your music class this morning? I know you've always been passionate about it." Kazumi was very interested in the differing forms of arts, be it in the form of on a canvas, through melodic expression or through actors on a stage. Part of this fascination of the arts came about as a result of the beauty and escapism that could be found within. For these reasons, the arts were a passionate topic of conversation for Kazumi and thus she was more than happy to be able to ask her friend about her experience.

Aya's face lit up, eager to share her experiences of the morning. "Oh, Kazumi-chan, it was wonderful! Our music teacher introduced us to a brilliant new piece by a very renowned composer. The melody really was enchanting, and I felt very connected to the music as we all played it together as a class."

Kazumi leaned forwards, her curiosity piqued by what had been said. "That sounds lovely, Aya-chan. Did you learn anything interesting about the composition or the composer's inspiration?" She added this as she was genuinely interested to hear Aya's thoughts.

Aya nodded her head eagerly, her eyes shining with evident enthusiasm. "Yes! As it turns out when this piece was composed, their country was in a state of civil unrest and the composer had taken on the job of writing music as a commission for the higher class to earn a living, but he was always looked down on by all those around him for selling out to the upper class despite how amazing his work truly was. Once I understood all this and heard the piece again I truly felt all the strife he must have gone through expressed throughout his music. Of course the performers mattered as well, the fact they were able to perfectly capture those feelings as they played was brilliant, it just goes to show how skilled they really were. Oh but I guess I'm rambling now sorry hehe~"

Hiroto listened intently, he smiled as his gaze shifted between Kazumi and Aya. This good mood being due him having not seen his master so relaxed in a while. "I must admit, Aya-san, I'm a bit envious of your captivating music class. It sounds like it was a truly immersive experience." Hiroto having been raised with the purpose of serving Kazumi had been taught from a young age to enjoy the arts. However instead of this being a forced enjoyment of the arts, he had come to find his own enjoyment, after all the expressiveness of the arts, to Hiroto at least was unrivaled by all else. He thus had great interest in the topic, although he himself would have interest in whatever topic his master found interesting.

Aya giggled softly, her excitement seemingly contagious. "Well, Hiroto-kun, you always seem to have your fair share of captivating classes too. I'm sure you've had some interesting encounters this morning."

Their conversation continued to flow, encompassing a wide range of musical based topics. They discussed their favorite pieces of music, shared stories of memorable performances they heard, and even hummed snippets of melodies together. The laughter and warmth that was emanated from their table echoed throughout the air, creating a sense of joy and belonging.

As they enjoyed their food and shared stories, the sakura petals gracefully danced around in the gentle breeze, creating nothing short of a picturesque scene. Kazumi couldn't help but feel a rare sense of harmony in that moment. The gentle rustling of the sakura leaves seemed to harmonize with the laughter and conversation between Kazumi, Hiroto, and Aya.

Kazumi's gaze wandered over to the elegant row of sakura trees that stood nearby, their branches swaying in unison. "You know-" she said, her voice filled with an evident sense of wonder. "These sakura trees remind me of the rhythm in an orchestra. Each tree is like a musician, playing their part to create a beautiful symphony of nature."

Hiroto smiled, his eyes sparkling with appreciation for Kazumi's metaphor. "You can have such a poetic way of looking at things sometimes Kazumi-sama, I personally think it was nice comparison. I can almost hear the delicate melodies that are carried by the wind through the movement of the sakura."

Aya nodded her head in agreement, her expression thoughtful. "It's true. Music has it's own way of bringing people together, just like these sakura trees always bring beauty to our surroundings. I'm truly grateful for the moments I can share music and laughter with friends like you."

"The performing arts, huh?" Kazumi said, her voice laced with contemplation. Her gaze shifted from the trees, focusing on a distant point as if lost in her thoughts. The gentle breeze tousled her hair, adding a touch of her ethereal beauty to the scene. She'd need to gather her own troupe for what she planned to do so she steeled her resolve and face Aya ready to ask her best friend for the largest favour she could.

"Aya-" She started, but then a tell well dressed figure appeared from behind. Before Kazumi could realize, Tatsuya Hagihira had approached the group. His presence was commanding, and his piercing gaze seemed to penetrate their thoughts. He interrupted their conversation with a deep, calm, resonant voice. "What an interesting conversation you're having here dear."

Kazumi and her friends turned their attention to Tatsuya, surprised by his unusual sudden appearance. Kazumi's eyes narrowed slightly, studying him intently as if looking for some ulterior motive for the visit. "Tatsuya-san, as enigmatic as ever I see. What brings you here?"

Tatsuya's lips curved into a faint smile, a small hint of mystery in his eyes. "I couldn't help but overhear your interesting discussion about the performing arts. It's a subject that fascinates me greatly."

Hiroto, despite having only negative feelings towards Tatsuya; extended a polite greeting. "Tatsuya-san, it's good to see you. We were just sharing our own thoughts and interpretations on artistic expression."

Aya, her curiosity piqued by the arrival of Tatsuya, added, "Do you have a particular interest in the performing arts, Tatsuya-san?"

Tatsuya's smile deepened becoming more noticable, revealing a glimpse of his intrigue. "Indeed, I do. There's something mystical about the way music, dance, and theater can touch the very depths of our souls, evoking emotions we didn't even know existed."

Aya, her eyes shining with passion, replied in full agreement. "I couldn't agree more, Tatsuya-san. All forms of art mean absolutely everything to me. They allow us to express our deepest and most sincere emotions, to transcend the ordinary and create something extraordinary."

Tatsuya nodded, his gaze shifting between Kazumi, Hiroto, and Aya. "It's rare to find individuals who can truly understand the true power of art and its ability to transform not only ourselves but also the world around us."

As the conversation continued, Kazumi sat silently not adding to the conversation, listening intently to their discussion. A slight smile formed on her lips, a spark of an idea beginning to take shape in her mind. She observed her friends and Tatsuya, their passion and commitment to the arts, and realized that their shared love for creative expression was truly powerful.

The End.

-By SquidC4.