(Ryuuji)

Sunlight peeks through the window shades of a boy’s room, gradually illuminating the room. Birds chirp harmoniously along with the remaining crickets’ humming; an alarm let’s off a “bzzzzztttt” noise continuously getting louder in repetition. A boy, medium length dark brown hair reaching the bottom of his neck, and a slim build is seen shuffling through his bed. The daisies shake lightly in their vase as he slowly and groggily reaches for his alarm, taps it, and let’s his arm fall over with a light sound of snoring coming from his bed moments later.

A fit woman, radiant black hair stopping at the middle of her back, ocean blue eyes, stomps towards the boy’s room and she immediately yanks the door open.

“Ryuuji, you said that you wouldn’t slack off today! It’s your first day in the academy and you don’t want to look bad!” The woman exclaimed while stomping towards my bed.

Alarmed by the noise, I peak my eyes to the side noticing her getting closer and closer. Attempting to savor every last moment of rest, I turned to the opposite side of the bed and with the most innocent and sleepiest voice possible I started pleading.

“Five more minutes, Eri…”

“No way!”

Eri yelled while charging towards my bed. Before I could react in time I was tackled and instantly locked into a choke hold. With serious exertion of resistance, I noticed my efforts were useless.

“I’m not letting go until you agree to get ready.”

I really can’t break free…?!

I thought to myself before reluctantly giving in to her wishes, tapping her arm with my hand to signal my defeat.

“Fine fine…aren’t you a bit too old to mess around?”

Eri casually released her grip and stood with a high and mighty pose, holding her fist in the air…this annoyed me but I wouldn’t give her the satisfaction of knowing that. She turns back towards me and giggled.

“Come on, I’m only 28! This wouldn’t have happened if you had gotten up like you promised!”

I sighed at the harsh reality of the situation then smiled in acceptance.

“I still have time you know…you’re still as strong as ever.”

“Of course!”

She got up and started walking towards the door with smug written all over her. She looked back with a mischievous grin and I immediately had a bad feeling.

“Awwww Ryuu! I remember when you used to call me aunty all the time! You were so cute an-“

I cut her off, the embarrassment was overwhelming and I refused to have a trip down memory lane with either Senji or Minori potentially chiming in at any moment…the disadvantage of being the youngest. I quickly got out of bed and followed Eri to the door.

“Alright, I get it I’m getting ready.”

“Okay!”

I walked down the hallway, looking through each room and noticed my brother still dead asleep with only half of the blanket on him and his leg hanging off of the bed. I silently laughed at the sight of this and continued moving on towards the bathroom where I noticed my sister applying makeup and other beauty products. She had a similar build to Eri, had long black hair that reached all the way to her hips and light blue eyes, flawless skin, and a smile that could light up the whole room. She’s beautiful and for a sixteen year old; she could easily be mistaken for a grown woman…especially with makeup.

“Trying to show off on the first day, Minori?”

She jumped at my voice and immediately responded in a pouty voice.

“R-Ryuuji! Don’t sneak up on me like that!”

“Okay okay, sorry. I have to get ready; so would you mind waking Senji up for me later?”

“Sure.”

Minori gathered her makeup kit and walked out nodding her head and humming while walking to her room. I pulled out my phone and checked the time: 6:03.

Half an hour goes by and Ryuuji is seen standing at the front door adjusting his collar. He’s dressed in a black button down shirt, black jeans, and black shoes. Eri and Minori walk over and scan his appearance.

“You totally look emo.”

Thanks, Minori…

To be fair I did fit the description pretty well, not like I’d ever wear eye liner or paint my nails, but the all black appearance and hair nearly covering my eyes really gave that emo vibe…

Oh God…What will the others say?

 I’m pretty sure my thoughts were easily readable because at that very moment, Eri reassured me that I looked fine. I opened the door and headed out waving them off.

“I’m off!”

“Have fun!”

Eri and Minori waved me off and the door closed behind my back.

(Senji)

Minori creeps towards Senji’s room with an evil grin on her face, she clears her throat and stands in front of Senji’s bed.

“SENJI…! SENJI..! SENJI WAKE UP!”

She chanted continuously waking me from a strange nightmare. I wasn’t sure whether to be grateful or annoyed…she wouldn’t stop calling me.

“What is it…?”

She began to speak frantically which immediately worried me.

“Hurry up! We’re late and Ryuuji already left!”

Out of shock I immediately attempted to jump out of bed. The bed sheets caught on to my foot and instantly made me face plant onto the floor while Minori stood over me laughing hysterically. I rubbed my face and stood up in frustration.

“Ow ow ow ow…..”

She smiled and looked at me.

“Just kidding.”

Of course she’s just kidding… she seriously pisses me off sometimes.

“Listen Mi-“

She quickly interrupts me.

“But seriously, you need to wake up. We don’t have that much time to get ready.”

She has a point…

I thought to myself and checked the time (6:45) before walking out of my room.

“Yeah, okay.”

(Ryuuji)

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

The sun shines high in the sky; the light refracts off the nearby lake, painting the trees in a thousand colors as they sway gently with the wind. That same wind blows through Ryuuji’s hair, and follows to an unfamiliar head of rose-red hair. The girl turns around and runs past Ryuuji with an uneasy look on her face.

 “I can’t believe I forgot it…”

I watched as she ran—I wasn’t sure what she could have forgotten, but her nervousness made her even cuter. After a few more minutes I arrived at the grandiose academy gates. The building had to be at least eight stories high. While I stood unmoving in awe, I overheard students chatting amongst each other, and more than a few were glancing at me.

Did I dress funny? Is my hair messed up? Maybe I really DO look emo…

Despite my insecurities, I continued to walk towards the entrance, fixing my hair every step of the way. The students kept giggling and glancing. All I could do was follow the crowd until I got inside and realized that I had no idea where to go.

This schedule doesn’t make any sense...

.

Recomposing myself, I asked around in attempt to figure out my class schedule. In a pathetic attempt of getting the attention of the other students, I stood in the middle of the hallway with a foolish look on my face. Students were laughing from all angles and I could easily overhear the seniority belittlement all around.

“We’ve got fresh meat!”, “Haha look at that! He’s lost!”. “Poor guy, I remember when I was a first year…”

Well, I expected as much. It doesn’t seem like they’re willing to help….

The crowd of students quickly dwindled down as they entered their classrooms by the dozen. Some were across the hallway; others took the stairs to reach their destination, and me? Well let’s just say in my attempt to “explore” the academy, I was immediately scolded by a student for walking up the stairs. He was slightly taller than me, short black hair, athletic build and held a belligerent demeanor.

“Low class doesn’t have the privilege to go up these steps. Get to your classroom already.”

That’s what I’m trying to do you dick…

“Sorry about that! I’m new to the academy and kinda…got…lost…? “

Before I could finish my sentence he was already halfway up the stairs, ignoring my very existence. His gym bag appeared to have his name on the side.

“Sa…”

That was all I could make out before he was entirely out of sight. Wow, I thought, I’ve been here a grand total of fifteen minutes and I already feel like an outcast. Feeling lost, I slowly lowered myself down to the floor and put my head in my hands. The first school bell rang, signaling the beginning of a class I would never make it to in twenty minutes.

“RUUUUN!!!”

Terrified, I jumped up and frantically looked around to find the source of the voice. She sounded surprisingly close…so close that I thought I should’ve seen what I needed to be running from.

“Look at that! You seem better already. I’m Asami Minami! Are you new around here? I haven’t seen your face before.”

I turned around to a ball of energy in the shape of a girl with black hair reaching just past shoulder blades. Her calm smile and pure aura instantly put me at ease. The wind ran through her hair and cherry blossoms flew beautifully around her as if she was the star of the show. I stood there staring at her for an excessive period of time.

She’s gorgeous and within moments she cheered me up. I wonder if she has a boyfriend. I’ve never seen hazel eyes like hers before. Wait…what is she saying? I just realized I’ve been staring at her this entire time. If I were her I’d call the police…No no no FOCUS Ryuuji!

“Umm…hello?”

“O-Oh yeah! This is my first year. My name is Ryuuji Usheta, nice to meet you!”

I playfully laughed and rubbed my head to ease the awkward tension but before I could react, she had my schedule in her hands.

“Ryuuji Usheta? Nice to meet you! Hmmm…I know someone who has pretty much the same exact schedule as you. Classes don’t start for another 15 minutes so I can show you around before I take you to him if you want?”

I shook my head and smiled back at her

“I don’t want you to go out of your way. It’s fine I’ll wa-“

She cut me off. Judging by my previous hopeless and depressing expressions she was insistent on showing me around. She smiled and spoke with a calm and assuring voice.

“It’ll be no trouble at all! Besides, you’re going to need someone else to show you where your classes are if you get lost; I’ll be upstairs.”

“Well, as long as you don’t mind. Thank you!”

Asami began walking ahead of me…

“Now then, let’s give you the tour.”

And off we went. She led me all over the school, thoroughly explaining what each class was about and who taught them. I could hardly keep up with all of the information pouring out of her, but I couldn’t stop looking into her bright eyes. Needless to say I made sure to show none of these emotions. We eventually reached a staircase at the end of a hallway where she stopped and turned around.

“This is where everyone who is B class or above goes to train and learn about skills and information that are more advanced.”

She continued speed walking and made a light joke about a cafeteria that I didn’t pay attention to. I had stopped at the staircase, looking up to the higher floors and wondering what went on…

“So, how do you become B class or above in this academy?”

She turned around, suddenly very serious.

“That isn’t something you need to worry about right now. To put it simply, it varies. Each class has different requirements, and they get exponentially harder as you go. Since you’re just starting out, all you have to do is do well in your classes. Once you start getting ranked though, you’ll have to participate in tournaments and win. Eventually, you move on to field missions that you complete using cooperation, teamwork, and everything else you’ve learned at the academy. Those missions are only for those who understand the risk of death involved.”

Risk of death…?

Asami ignored me in an attempt to change the subject, and we ended up heading towards a classroom labeled 2-AC with a few students standing in front of it.

“I’m a B Class right now, so we actually won’t see each other too much in classes.”

She moved towards a guy with dirty blonde hair lazily carrying a backpack while checking his phone.

“Sadao, this is Ryuuji Usheta. I just met him today—he’s new around here. Would you mind showing him around while I’m away?”

He looked up with a gentle smile.

“Sure thing, Asami. I’m Sadao Tanake. Nice to meet you, Ryuuji Usheta. I feel like this is going to be fun.”

(Senji)

Birds and insects lightly chirp above Senji as he nears the front gates, their cries growing louder as they echo back and forth. He reaches the front gates, and with a relieved sigh sees a large crowd of students making conversation, talking with and over each other. As he approaches the entrance, Senji begins to pick up bits and pieces of conversation.

“Yeah, he’s really strong! I think he’s already mastered his Lightning technique…”

“He’s staying for another year huh? He may be the school’s prodigy, but I imagined he would have retired by now…”

“Are you kidding me girl? You HAVE to show me your Water technique! Nato was definitely checking you out…”

The scenery took my breath away. The arched ceilings reached to the sky, and every inch of the building was carefully planned, styled, and modernized. I wanted to peek into a room to see just how far the architect’s care had extended. The first door to the left of the entrance was slightly ajar, and as I rounded the corner I came into a giant training center. It had everything I could’ve ever dreamed of—from sparring mats to workout machines to pools to reclining massage couches. I stood with my mouth gaping as I watched students go back and forth in hand to hand combat with unearthly speed and precision, excited and mildly jealous at the same time.

I can’t believe I’m here! This place makes my training look like child’s play—I’ll definitely have to make a good first impression—

I felt a sharp pain in my head, and before I knew what had happened I was on the floor with a rose red-haired girl on top of me. Her hair was on end—she seemed to be in a frantic rush—and her bag was on the floor beside her, noticeably different from the other bags in the room. I began to apologize, but she quickly lifted her head and appeared angry.

“O-Oh I’m sorry about—“

She cut me off and shouldered past me.

“Move! If you came here to stand around like an idiot, then you should just go back home.”

I turned to respond but she was already gone around the corner.

“Jeez, what’s her problem? Talk about a great way to start a new year… now where’s my first class?”

A blond, long-haired guy walked towards me, laughing energetically.

“Look at you two love birds! Nami was all over you man, I’m jealous!”

I looked at him confused, then back to where the girl had disappeared to, then back at him and smiled.

So her name’s Nami, huh? “I think you have the wrong idea man. I’m Senji Usheta, and I don’t even know who that was…”

“Oh! I’m Hitono Yomuri, B Class. I’m a second year. Nice to meet you, Senji!”

He said it confidently, as if he had no doubts—or always got what he wanted. Pointing towards where the girl had ran, he said:

“That was Nami Tagawa back there. She’s an A Class.”

It took me a second before I realized exactly what he meant. Based on the ranking system and grades at the academy, I would fit somewhere around F-C…and if she’s an A Class…I’m already screwed?!

“WAIT A MINUTE! You mean I’m on bad terms with someone that strong?! ALREADY?!?”

Despite the obvious concern and fear on my face, Hitono patted my shoulder with a light smile.

“Don’t worry! She’s very serious about this academy and her Class, so she often comes off as rough and edgy. She’ll lighten up eventually! Probably. Definitely probably. Haha!”

His warning wasn’t very reassuring, especially when he started sweating and mumbling something along the lines of “shouldn’t tell him…” Ignoring that for better or worse, I decided to ask him about my schedule.

“If you say so— I guess I’ll apologize later. But could you tell me where these classes are?”

Hitono smiled, nodded, and began showing me around the campus before our first class. He led me around, easily explaining everything that went on in each different classroom before moving on to hang outs and lunch spots. Fifteen minutes later, he dropped me off at a room and told me it was were my first class met. He gave me his cell phone number, waved, and walked away up the staircase.

Senji enters a large room that looks like a medium-sized university classroom. A man that appeared to be in his late twenties stood in front of a giant whiteboard. He was wearing a suit and tie over his built frame, but had dressed down after entering the classroom. The bell rang and signaled the beginning of class; the students quickly took their seats.

“Good morning class! My name is Onehiro Shieski, and I will be teaching this course. Today you will finally begin to learn the basics of your abilities, and start working on ways to concentrate, develop, and enhance them. Shall we get started?”

The class simultaneously chanted “Yes, Sensei!” and class begun.