Morning is cool and dry, just as I remembered it to be. The sound of traffic, people and trains outside penetrated the thick layer of concrete walls and announced that I should be somewhere else instead of inside my apartment and surrounded by a group of high school males. For some reason, they listened to Suu and followed in. Three of them is sitting on the couch, the other two are leaning against the walls further away from the kitchen.

The room is filled with the scent of freshly brewed coffee and toast. I took a sip of the black liquid and watched dust particles dance in the light rays flooding in through the kitchen windows. An awkward silence reverberated in the room, bouncing off each of their faces. Suu had made himself at home again, wearing that damn frilly apron and taking some butter out of the fridge. I need to dispose of that evil garment as soon as possible. Sorry mum, but it must go back to the underworld where it belongs.

I took a bite off the toast, without any butter, need to cut back on some calories thanks to last night's dinner. The sound of the crunch and me chewing is amplified as everyone stared at me. I put the piece of bread in my mouth and applied slight pressure with my teeth to keep it in place, and fumbled through my cupboard for clean cups. Girls in anime make this look easy, but in reality, it takes so much effort to balance the piece of bread and not to let it slowly soften in my mouth. Suu saw what I was doing, helped me took out 6 cups from the cabinet on the top of the fridge, a place I can never reach. I checked the cups seeing if they are clean, satisfied with the sparkling white surfaces, poured 6 cups of warm black coffee.

"If you guys would be so kind to grab a cup of coffee each instead of watching me eat in silence that would be lovely." I took the bread out of my mouth and offered in English. "Also are you guys ok with been late?"

Suu picked out a cup of coffee, and sat down on the kitchen table, in the same chair he did last night and in the same apron then instructed, "You guys better do what she says, it's rude if you all going to just sit there and watch a girl eat." And took a sip of coffee.

Now that I am not focused on eating, or dying of hunger, I had a better look at the guests in my living room. The party members are all wearing the same blazer as me, only a little sharp on the edges and straighter lines around the shoulders, making them appear more masculine. There are all wearing the same trousers as well, a checker pattern of different hues of brown. The white business shirt and brown check patterned tie they all wear are matching too. Why do I get a cute ribbon rather than a tie? Not that I am complaining or anything. I swallowed the last piece of bread and watched the drama unfold before my eyes while cupping my cup of coffee that needs more caffeine.

The male members got off the couch and the walls they are so comfortable leaning against and came to the kitchen bench, each, in turn, took a cup. Some whispered thanks, some didn't. Why are boys so shy in this country? I wondered and turned to Suu. Ok, not all boys.

"Suu, you not going to introduce any of your friends?" I asked, slightly annoyed.

"Oh, I honestly didn't think they'll risk being late and follow me in. Some of them have really shaky attendance record as it is." He answered as he got up from the table and drained the last of his coffee. "That one there is Shion." he pointed to one of the members on the couch sipping his coffee. Shion looked up at the mentioning of his named and waved. He is of average build and height, his platinum blonde hair and blue eyes informed me he is not Japanese, but his name suggested otherwise.

"His half Japanese half Austrian." Suu added, "Hobbies involves Gaming, game making and computers in general, as for three sizes...I don't know, never measured."

"Why would I want to know someone's three sizes?" I asked

"But isn't this how anime introduces all their characters? You know, one of those boring character introduction episodes."

"Yes, but I don't think the genre you watch is applicable to this situation."

Suu looked down into his coffee cup blankly, as if having a deep meditation session in search of the meaning of life for at least ten seconds, and then looked straight into my eyes. "You absolutely right, I apologise. I did watch too much mindless service anime lately." He adjusted that damned frilly apron around his shoulders.

"Had he always been like this?" I asked Shion

Hearing my question, Shion smiled as if he was reminded of an amusing past recollection and answered, "yes". Feeling a little more comfortable and friendly he added, "Although I think you already know the answer."

"I had a slimmer of hope that my memory was wrong this whole time."

"Me too."

I think I'll get along with him just fine.

"Ok, let us continue, I rather not miss the entire day," Suu cuts in, "Everyone, this is Kelly, she attended the same middle school as I did. She is now transferring into the same high school as us, by the way, her three size is..."

I kicked Suu in the shin hard, very hard. The slippers I am wearing seems to soften the attack and Suu merely winced a little. I was hoping he would drop to the ground and start rolling on the floor. I smirked at the image in my head and quickly wiped it away. Too evil, not my character, I conclud.

"we might have to do the introduction on our way to school" I observed. Now that breakfast is out of the way and I am feeling better, it is time to get this first day of school over and done with.

"Good idea." Suu agreed and started collecting cups from the party.

"Leave them in the sink, I'll clean them when I get back."

"Ok~. by the way, are you going to change into the skirt or you just going to rock up to class in those jeans?" Suu asked.

"Yes. Why?"

"If you are not going to change, we might make it before the second period." Suu puts the last of the cups into the sink and added. "By the way, I won't come over tonight."

"why?"

"I have a galge I want to finish. I was saving it for tonight because it is getting to the good part."

"I see."

I headed to the door and put my leather loafers on, these are cute and conformable, reminded me of those middle school days before one of the boys blurted out "Always been meaning to ask, what is your relationship with her?"

I turned around and found the source of the voice belonging to one of the boys who was leaning against the wall.

"Just a childhood friend." I answered.

"Pretty much." Suu agreed as a matter of fact. "Matt are you ok? You look shocked."

Matt apparently is the person who asked the question in the first place. He has dark skin and light hair that looks really soft. His Handsome face with sharp edged glasses and slim but tall body will probably make some of the girls I know squeal.

His intelligent eyes is betraying his doubt for Suu.

"I thought you two are a lot closer." Matt answered

"I told you many times, I am taken." Suu corrected him as he slips on his shoes and headed out of the door with me. He also took the leather school bag that I left on one of the chairs with him and hand it over to me. "My waifu will be sad if you keep saying things like this."

"Thank you." I took the bag from Suu and turned to the group still in the apartment. "You guys should come too." And stepped out into the hallway. The boys followed us out one by one, Suu checked the room just in case someone forgot anything then tossed me the keys so I can lock up.

"Are you sure you two are not going out?" Shion asked me, "Maybe you just trying to forget about it too." He finished with a smirk, trying to make a joke.

"I am sure." I answered as my eyes adjusting to the view from the 26th floor. "If you keep asking, I think Suu will kick you in the shin too, he takes the character he loves very seriously."

"That he does." Shion agreed.

We walked down the hallway, me leading the way in front, Suu is at the back chatting with the other boys, most likely last night's anime, and hurried us towards the elevator lobby subconsciously. The elevator should fit all of us. I thought as I pressed the down button. Both elevators are at the bottom floor, which means I have plenty of time to execute my next mission during their ascent.

I loosened my grip on the handle of my bag and let it enter freefall, slipped through the gap between Shion and Matt, then side stepped the other boys. My small frames and tight Jeans made the manoeuvre effortless. I reached out to Suu with my right hand as I put my body in a counter clockwise rotation. My hand felt the frilly fabric of the apron that Suu was STILL wearing and tightened my grip. Suu, out of reflex, jumped away from me. I felt the thin ribbons around his back stretching, then the sewing snapped at the seams and broke away. My body is now facing away from Suu, with my left hand, I reached to the burnable trash chute leading to the bin below and in the same motion completed my turn and flanked the now broken apron down the chute. I slammed the shutter. My long hair swan around a few moments later and rested on my right shoulder.

I walked back towards the elevator and picked up my bag laying on the floor. Suu stared at the shutter sadly. And then looked at me, his face seems to be asking why.

"It served its purpose Suu, there is no longer a need for it." I tried to hide my victory smile and failed, "It is no longer needed in this anime and the director killed it off." Explaining the situation in a sense that he will understand, hopefully.

The three boys who were talking to Suu finally understood the situation and put their hands on his shoulders sarcastically.

"It's ok Suu, it's gone to a better place." Said the tall dark haired one with glasses, he looks like the standard Japanese high school student from those animes, except with a better haircut.

"Yeah, its sacrifice was needed." The slightly shorter Blond added. His English had a slight British accent.

"I didn't realise you were wearing it this entire time, it suited you that much." Said the one with long brown hair up to his shoulders. "May it rest in pieces."

"You guys are Horrible." Suu complained and joined me as the elevator arrived. "you had me this time," he said to me, "reminded me of those days at the aikido club."

"Me too, I thought me not exercising for two years will give me a hard time."

The elevator stopped, we all stepped into it. Suu was the last one, he looked at the burnable trash chute one last time as the doors closed and blocked his view. No, I am not evil, I assured myself.

...............

The author's content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

I looked at my phone, it says 9 am. We are all well and truly late for school by this point. There will be a lot of other things to worry about too once I get there. I looked down at my jeans and decided I need to think of an acceptable excuse to avoid wearing that skirt. Everyone else seems to understand the situation we are in and no one hurried. We are already late anyway, might as well take our time. We moved down a few busy streets, Suu and Shion walked in front, with Suu's height and Shion's bright hair colour it is easy not to lose my way. The streets haven't changed much since I was last here. However, there are a few more levels of bridges and connections. I could tell from memory we are headed in the opposite direction of the train station, unless they constructed another one.

The cars slowly crawled pass us by on the main road while we marched down the footpath looking like a party in a role-playing game. Just as I tried to imagine each or party member's classes, I felt someone matched my footsteps to either side of me.

"Nice to meet you," The dark haired Japanese boy greeted me pleasantly, "My name is Daiichi."

"Nice to meet you too," I answered with a smile then added in Japanese "よろしくお願いします" with a slight bow.

" Yoroshiku onegaishimasu." He bowed back with trained mannerism, this one is the samurai of our party, I imagined in my head, and turns to my other side, "And you are?" I asked the person on my left, switching back to English. His soft blonde hair bouncing up and down as he walked.

"My name is Tomo, it's a pleasure to you." He extended his right hand, the British accent sounded pleasing. As I shook his hand and realised even though he had cute green eyes and look a little younger than me he is as tall as Suu and smelled pleasantly of lemon. This is the mage, I decided, with maxed charisma stats. "That one back there with headphones is Chihiro."

Chihiro looked towards my direction when he saw the motion of Tomo's Gesture and waved in my general direction. This one is the dark knight, I thought, as I waved back with a smile. Suu is the Cleric as always. I'll assign Shion as the archer and Matt as the tank if a monster appears, I chuckled to myself.

"Suu, you have a fine party." I called to him.

"I know." He answered. I am not sure whether he understood what I meant or not but couldn't care less as we marched on. Matt joined the conversation, we exchanged some small talk about ourselves politely until Suu announced we arrived at our destination.

My new school is an eight-story building, sandwiched between two high-rise office buildings. The width of the building should be the same as the length of a soccer field by my estimation. Which means I can expect a sports ground behind the building. The surface of the outside walls are covered by blue tainted glasses that reflected the clouds floating in the sky. Through those glasses, I can make out faint outlines of classes rooms that had already started their lessons. The entrance looks very like the office buildings on either side, they even have the security barricades up. The plaque on the column just outside of the entrance had the words "Shinjuku International high school." embedded in it. I give the exterior of the building another quick look from top to bottom and walked through the entrance.

"Suu, how do I get past these barricades?" I asked.

Instead of answering me, he took out his phone and walked passed me. He placed the smart phone's metallic side against the signal pad. The Barricade stayed opened until he passed through.

"Japanese technology," I observed. "While we still using log books and paper notes back in Australia." I pulled out my own smartphone and touch the pad and walked forward. Only to found that I walked right into the glass panels with a loud thud. The awkward sound reverberated through the empty hallway as I rubbed my nose and forehead. That did hurt.

"You need to register your phone first." Shion explained.

"Tell me earlier."

"It's common knowledge."

"Not in a country where we ride Kangaroos to school, have internet slower than North Korea, weather reports are incorrect by double digits and the trains are never on time." I barked

"Really?"

"Yes.... Apart from the kangaroos. And don't get me started on the education system."

While I was explaining the depressing technological state of Australia, Suu fetched one of the personnel from the security office and explained the situation. Moments later, I am in the security office filling paper works while Suu sits next to me, explaining relevant procedures and information. The process that will take up to an hour back home in Australia was completed in ten minutes. I found the party waiting outside of the office for us. Suu took a little longer in the room before he followed me as he folded a piece of paper and slide it down his trouser pocket.

"It seems that you are in the same class as me, Matt and Shion in 3A." He announced. "By the way, Tomo, Chihiro and Daiichi are in class 3B next door."

"Tomo is in our year level? He told me he was 16." I looked around at Tomo, confused.

"Yes. Classes in England starts earlier than Japan, so ever since I started transferring across the globe in primary school I would usually get put into classes that are one year level higher." Tomo explained. "Most people in third years are older than you too Kelly."

"I feel like it's not fair, but if you are having fun I am not going to complain." I did some simple calculation in my head.

Tomo gave me a grin and turned towards the shoe lockers. We all followed him. Unsurprisingly the shoe lockers for class 3A and 3B are next to each other. I quickly and happily found that there is a shoe locker with my name on it and found my indoor shoes in it.

"You guys head to class first, I'll take Kelly to the uniform shop." Suu explained, "The teachers going to send her there anyway if she rocks up to class like this."

Daiichi about to say that he was going to come with us, but got dragged off by Matt and Chihiro gently. "Daiichi, your attendance can't suffer any more damage." They reminded him.

Tomo and Shion waved at us before turning to follow them.

"The offices, Principles room and staff rooms are all located on the bottom floor." Suu started explaining as he walked me down the hallway. It seems the building is larger than it looks from the outside. School are generally built long and thin, with long hallway and classrooms on one side and windows on the other. But this one is designed like an office building. The floor layout is square; the outer layer is lined with classrooms. There is a central hallway that wraps around the core section of the building in a full circuit and connects the classrooms. On the inner side of the hall-way, there is another layer of classrooms. But in the centre core section, I caught glimpse of open spaces that I assumed to be some sort of garden with stairs at the edges leading to the upper floors.

"Bathrooms are in the north and south side of the building while more stairs are located on the east and west side." Suu continued explaining, "There is a lift on the north-east side, but unless you are old or physically disabled you can't access it."

"Sounds fair." I commented

"Each year level takes two floors, they all have their own science labs, art rooms and home economics room. On the top floor are the club rooms; storage rooms and PC rooms are on the top level too." Suu pointed upwards with one finger as he explained. "The rooftop is accessible in this school, they have really high fences up so it safe."

"The whole conservation of space I believe."

"We are in Shinjuku after all, by the way, Cafeteria is on the ground floor."

The conversation ended as Suu knocked on one of the doors, I looked up and saw the sign saying uniform shop. People transfers in and out of international schools rather often and needed this service “in house”. I looked around and realised the hallways and the rooms are decorated with wooden panels about one and a half metres high, rather than having long fluorescent lights the ceiling is spotted with bright LED downlights to cover the lack of natural lighting.

"Come in." A soft feminine voice called out from the other side.

The door opened without resistance as it slides to the right. The room is musty and darker than the hallway. I realised the room is lined with racks, wardrobes and cardboards. Some of the LED downlights are blocked by boxes which I assume contains articles of clothing.

"Sachii-san, we are here to get a pair of school trousers."

Sachii-san, dressed in a long grey woollen skirt, a light pink shirt and a fashionable yet comfortable white woollen shawl got up and observed Suu. She took off the cloth measuring tape that she was hanging around her neck and brushed her black hair behind her shoulders. She appeared to be in her early twenties, her large lovely eyes studied us both.

"For you?" She asked Suu.

"For her." He pointed to my direction.

Sachii-san turned towards me and measured me with her eyes from top to bottom then back up again. Then addressed me. "Kelly I assume? Judging by the measurements Suu sent me and the paperwork along with it. I thought I sent you the skirt already."

"Yes, ma'am." I answered, "But I don't think the skirt really is necessary." Did she just figure out my sizes just by looking at me? Also, that explains why Suu knows my size. I forcefully brushed aside the events from an hour ago from my memory and focused on making up excuses like a child who broke the cookie jar.

"You sure? Because I am pretty confident with my skills when it comes to designing cloth."

"No, no, I just can't wear skirts." I explained.

"And why is that?" Sachii-san asked, "There must be a good reason."

She leaned closer to me while standing in the same position. An amused smile on her face and curiosity filled her eyes.

"I uh.... Religious reasons. My legal guardians in Japan will not want me to wear something so immodest." I fumbled my sentence.

"immodest." Sachii-san savoured the word as she repeated after me. "those skirts are socially acceptable in Japan, and Australia I believe."

"They are immodest." I insisted.

"That's a shame, I thought the skirt will look really cute on you." She sighed and looked at me up and down again. "Do you want a longer skirt?"

"If possible, can I have one of those trousers Suu is wearing?"

"Now now young lady, I don't think that's a good idea. Male trousers have different designs and certainly will not look cute on you."

Sachii-San lips formed into a little pout, displeased at my suggestion. She reminded me of an older sister who came shopping with you and always wants you to try every cute thing in the shop.

"Does it have to look good on me?"

"That's what I get paid for." She off handily tossed me the harsh reality. "Also it will hurt my pride." She gave us a friendly smile.

I looked at Suu, slightly troubled. He was silent this entire time. A slightly amused grin appeared on the corner of his lips when I glared at him.

"I am still upset about that apron." Suu answered my glare.

"Seriously?"

"No."

"Help me out, I'll treat you to some Hokkaido cheesecake later."

"You making it?"

"Yes."

Suu subconsciously bit his lower lips, trying to formulate a plan. It seemed I have successfully bribed him. His sweet tooth will get him in trouble one day. Not that it never happened before.

"Sachii-San, if I remember correctly, you are very good at alterations." Suu started his attack with a slightly amused tone.

"Yes, what of it." The school uniform specialist replied cautiously, keeping up the friendly smile while looking for weak points she can counter. She never considered my excuses to be reasonable after all.

"what if you make a pair of trousers for Kelly by altering a boy's trousers. I believe you have done it for other girls before."

"That I have, and I have authorities to approve such garments. But Suu, I think the skirts will be more suitable for Kelly, she will look adorable. Also, it is not easy to do something such as altering a pair of trousers right now, although it is possible"

"I believe it can be done by tomorrow morning?" Suu isn't backing down; it seems he really do want that cake desperately.

"Yes.... But Suu, I don't think Kelly's Guardian will be happy about this." Sachii-San complained, "And neither will I, because I want to see every girl as cute as they can be." Her true intentions showing.

"Can we bribe you?" Suu suggested blatantly

With what? Money? I readied my objections, I'll kick him in the shin for even suggesting that.

"With cheesecakes," Suu explained.

"oh." I tossed the objections and complaints I prepared out of an imaginary window.

"Tempting." She replied after contemplating the offer, "but I just want girls to wear cute things."

"Are you suggesting that trousers can't be cute on girls?" Suu changed his direction of attack.

"Well, if you put it that way." Her defences loosened.

"You can make it as cute as you want. Knowing Sachii-San's skills, it's going to be a masterpiece." Suu seized the opportunity and showered her with flattery.

"It is tempting, I never did it before." The uniform specialist looked at me and imagined what it would look like if I wore one of her masterpieces.

"Please, Sachii-oneechan." Suu delivered the final blow.

"Alright," She gave in, "But only because Kelly is cute." The slight pout came back as she feels manipulated. "There will be paperwork though."

"More paperwork?"

"Who's fault does you think it is?" Suu looked at me.

"Mine," I admitted.

"Can you get the guardians signature?" Sachii-oneechan asked.

"I can sort that out today." Suu answered without hesitation

I questioned Suu's confidence, then realised I am living in a country where scanners, printers and electronic signature systems are not luxury goods.

"Alright Kelly, if anything happens you know who to blame." Sachii-oneechan turned to me, "Let me get some more measurement from you."

As she was finishing the sentence, she got off her chair and kneeled beside me. Tape in hand, she measured my waist, hips, thighs and the height of my lower body. Suu made no comment, his face showed no judgement, which made the process embarrassment free. What I am worried about is last night's dinner giving Sachii-oneechan "false" numbers.

After she is done, Sachii-oneechan unlocked one of her drawers with a key inside her ID card holder, then pulled out a notebook to record the data she just obtained. That is a very dangerous book. I thought. If fallen into the wrong hands it will be a disaster. To my relief, she once again sealed the book back inside the drawer, locked it, and slides the key back into the ID card holder.

"Now let me find that form for you." She fumbled on her desk, and found what she was looking for underneath a pile of paper. Then handed it to Suu while she turned her attention to me. "And you Kelly, I'll write you a note stating that you are excused for those horrid jeans you are wearing. I'll bill the trousers along with your school invoices"

"Thank you so much," I almost hugged her, "I will make you a cheesecake too."

"looking forward to it. come back tomorrow morning, I'll have the trousers ready for you. And Suu, don't forget to email me the signed form." She instructed.

"It will not be necessary." Suu said as he handed the paper back to Sachii-San

"What is the meaning of this?" Sachii-San asked.

I took my liberty and looked over her shoulder's and discovered the form is printed, signed and dated. The name and the signature says "Kanade Suu".

Suu unfolded the piece of paper he got from the security office. It turned out to be a photocopy of my student details. In the bottom-right hand section of the page, right after the "Legal guardian" line, the name "Kanade Suu" was printed on it.

"Kelly's mum wrote me down as her Legal Guardian." Kanade Suu said with his usual nonchalant manner.