CHAPTER 1: THE ONE YOU SWORE TO PROTECT
''.... That's what's so great about life, the ability to back each other up and help others become what they dream to become. So I swear, with every part of my soul, I will find you and protect you all over again... The End.''
- Michiaki: Aaaaaand I am finally done!
Michiaki was working on his upcoming school project. He had to create his own 20 Page book.
He skeptically looked at his paper one last time.
- Michiaki: Why does this last section sound so familiar....?
- Very loud boy: MICHI! We will be late for school! Come downstairs!
The loud boy screaming from downstairs is Michiaki's brother, Raiden. Michi is his nickname his brother made up for him.
-Michiaki: Gosh, why do you have to be so lousy? It's really early for you to be that energetic!
- Raiden: CAN'T HEAR YOU FROM OVER HERE! COME DOWNSTAIRS!
- Michiaki: Fine, let me get my stuff ready at least!
Michiaki and Raiden are an unstoppable duo. They are always together and are practically inseparable. They always hang out together, had the same friends together, and were even on the same football team.
- Raiden: Finally, what took you so long?
- Michiaki: I was finishing up the project we had to prepare for English class.
- Raiden: You have to be joking me... This project is due next week!
- Michiaki: Well, when you will be struggling to finish it last minute, I won't be helping you.
- Raiden: Fine smartass, I don't need your help anyway!
Annoyed by his brother's comments Raiden looks to unlock the door.
- Michiaki: Your shoes are not tie-
Interrupting him mid-sentence, Raiden steps on his shoelaces and falls to the ground head first.
- Raiden: Ouch! Why didn't you say so earlier?!
- Michiaki: Be more careful next time! It's not my fault you are always forgetting to tie them.
A woman is heard talking to them through the kitchen window. The woman, in particular, is Ichika Ito, Michiaki, and Raiden's Mother.
- Ichika: Raiden, you forgot your lunch again! Here you go!
- Michiaki: Well you know him! He always loses track of time and forgets to do simple things, like tie his shoes or-
- Raiden: Shut up, will you? You know what? Come here!
Raiden playfully gives a punch to Michiaki and while they are both laughing the school bus finally arrives!
- Ichika: Both of you have a great day!
- Michiaki and Raiden: Bye mom!
Both Michiaki and Raiden enter the bus and are greeted by an awkward silence. They are usually both greeted by a swarm of high-fives but today something is off. What is also strange is that tomorrow is election day and Michiaki is running for school council president. Michiaki always treats people nicely is loved by everyone. No wonder why they want to vote for him. It is weird why no one is talking near him. Michiaki finally seats down next to a boy wearing a blue hat and a plain black t-shirt.
- Michiaki: Hello Aki! Is everything alright?
Akihito Nakamura is Michiaki's best friend. They always share secrets with each other and is the person Michiaki trusts the most. Aki is a nickname which unsurprisingly, Raiden gave him.
- Akihito: Hello Michi! Truth to be told, I am concerned about something and I am afraid that it will affect your performance in the elections.
- Michiaki: What is it then?
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Akihito quickly inserts his hand on his left pocket and gets hold of his cellphone. He then opens an article on the web.
- Akihito: Take a look at that!
Akihito shows Michiaki an article in the school's online newspaper with the title: '' Ichimakase High School's student council president candidate, Michiaki Ito, is a prime suspect of a prank that was pulled of on behalf of the school's principal''
- Michiaki: What is this? When did this happen?
- Akihito: Last night's security footage allegedly caught you inside the school building sabotaging the principal microphone to make weird sounds on today's announcements.
- Michiaki: You do realize that this is not true right? I mean, why would I ever do such a thing to ruin my reputation?
- Akihito: I trust you, but the entire bus seems to disagree with me.
- Michiaki: I need to speak to the principal about that but who would try to impersonate me?
- Akihito: I don't know that much, but I have some leads.
- Michiaki: What do you have then?
- Akihito: I-
Akihito was interrupted by a loud greeting coming from the bus' entrance.
- Michiaki: Hello Hikari! Another hyper-energetic person at 7 that makes me want to stay in bed!
- Hikari: Come on Michi! Don't be so negative! Moreover, tomorrow is election day and we need to hand out flyers and put up posters!
Hikari is another friend of Michiaki and is the group's most creative and reserved person. She is always calm and peaceful, exactly the opposite of what she is today.
- Akihito: Are you ill, Hikari? It's totally not you to act like that for election day!
- Hikari: I know, but if Michiaki gets elected, we get to assemble the student council!
- Michiaki: Whatever makes you happy Hikari. Anyways, have you seen Miyuki around?
Miyuki is a really strange person. She seems emotionless to other people except for the group and is always alone reading books. She is the mind of the group and is always analytical.
- Hikari: No, unfortunately, I haven't seen you here today at all. But she should be arriving any time now!
- Michiaki: Well I certainly hope so! The bus will start any time now!
- Hikari: By the way, didn't Raiden come with you today, Michi?
- Michiaki: He did come but where is this dude?
Hikari turns her head to the right and finds Raiden balancing a football on his index finger surrounded by a group of girls. In other words, typical Raiden behavior. While Michiaki goes to approach his slacking brother, a girl taps his shoulder. He turns around.
- Michiaki: Well, look who it is! I was afraid you would miss the bus!
- Miyuki: I am sorry I made you worry, I was finishing up the posters for today.
- Michiaki: Oh yea, let me see them.
Michiaki takes a look at the posters and pats Miyuki on the head. The three of them laugh for a bit and discuss more the upcoming elections. After a while, Raiden decides to join them, and they all chat together.
- Bus Speakers: Hello Ichikamase High School Students! This is your driver speaking we are about to head off. Please take a seat and fasten your seatbelts!
And thus, the bus headed off.