The Three Companions: A tale of Kaimon

Chapter One: Welcome to High School (1)

Kaimon, Japan...The Past.

"Yuu...Yuu..."

Yuusuke Hino groaned, deep in slumber. He kept hearing his name over and over...But why? Wait...Why is he feeling wet all over- "Oh geez!!" He cried out, waking up in a shock in the middle of his room.

A room that's currently taking in water as with the rest of the houseboat he happens to live in with his father.

"What the hell happened?!" He cried out, looking at his soaked futon bed, as well as the floor already taking in an inch of water.

"Oh Yuu!" His father Enishi said, standing at the door to his room. "Sorry, looks like the plugs came loose last night again. Been trying to wake you up for ten minutes now"

"Ugh..." Yuu muttered as he stood up, soaking wet. "Thanks for that, I guess...I guess breakfast in the shack then?"

Not long after, the two now have breakfast in their small fishing shack, located in a small harbor in East Kaimon next to their parked decaying houseboat and fishing boat. Enishi Hino have long started a fishing business as a youth, his wife Nanako currently in a constant trip around the world, having raised his only son practically single-handedly. Despite all this, the family is still going strong.

But yeah, they again still live in a leaking houseboat and have meals in their small shack that smells of various fish odors located just by the harbor of East Kaimon.

"So, your mother mailed a postcard to us." Enishi said as he scratches at his unkempt beard, noticing Yuu looking at said postcard. "She's proud to know you're starting high school."

Yuu gave a sigh, trying to figure out just where his mother is from the postcard, a towel on his head as he dries himself off. His deep violet eyes narrowing as he couldn't tell if that building is important or just some weird tourist attraction before giving up, setting the postcard aside on the table. "Right, but still...Would be nice if she was home for once." Yuu replied as he finishes his bowl of rice. He wears the gakuran uniform of Kaimon High School, a black uniform with the jacket having a deep blue vertical stripe in the middle with two horizontal stripes on the cuffs. He sighs in relief, glad he didn't kept the uniform in the houseboat last night. It would have been an awkward tale to explain just why he came in with a wet uniform. "So Dad, you're probably going to be fixing the boat all day, huh?"

"Oh don't worry bout me." Enishi said with a chuckle. "I got some tricks left to keep the old boat afloat!"

Yuu could only frown at such a statement as he sets the towel on the table. "...No offense Dad, but can't you just get some help for once?" He asked before biting his lip. "...Like Mr. Onimada. He's a carpenter-"

"I would rather die than to beg for that bastard to fix my house." Enishi suddenly said with a scowl so sudden that Yuu couldn't help but be taken aback. "Yuu, I don't care if you're friends with his son...But as far as I'm concerned, Lent Onimada's a dead man to me." Yuu couldn't tell if his father is exaggerating or if indeed the bitterness behind those two men isn't going to die soon, biting his lip once more upon thinking about the possibility of the latter. "It's just like the old days, it's always has to be his way! Even down to picking out nude mags to steal even if they're terrible issues!" Yuu's nervousness then suddenly deflated into sheer bafflement after Enishi's very strange rant. Yeah, maybe his father is taking this way too far after all.

"...Oh-kay then, I guess I won't bring it up anymore." Yuu muttered embarrassingly, trying to ignore his father fuming of past transgressions. "You really need to tell me what he did to you to bring all that up..."

"Trust me, it's a long story between me and that jackass." Enishi muttered mostly to himself, though it seems his bad mood is pretty much going away to Yuu's short lived relief.

"Oh I'll bet it's a long one." Yuu replied sarcastically before standing up and picking up his school bag. "But looks like it's off to the first day of school, see ya Dad." He noticed Enishi slowly giving a sly grin. "Wait, what's so funny...Especially after that?"

"Heh, before you leave...almost forgot your lucky charm, son." Enishi said with a chuckle as he pulls out a small picture out of his pocket. "Be glad this wasn't water damaged in your room-" He never finish his sentence as Yuu, wide eyed in shock, snatches the photo from his hand. "Heh, I knew you still have a thing for her-"

"Dad, stop it." Yuu muttered as he pockets the picture in his school jacket. "I-It ain't like that." He said before giving a sad look. "I mean, I really should forget about her...After what I did, I don't think she'll ever be interested in a guy like me." Yuu couldn't help it as he said those words. It always seemed like he will never move on from that day. A day of splintered wood, splattered crimson, and unconscious bodies...So many of it. All by his hand, and she saw it. He shook his head immediately and heads to the door. "Still, thanks Dad..." As Yuu leaves the shack, Enishi gave a sigh. It was obvious for him to see what troubles Yuu.

"That boy should really let go of what happened a year ago..." The older man said in a tired tone. "You can't dismiss the blood we got stirring in our veins..." He eyes at the postcard. "Nanako, please head home soon."

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Elsewhere, in the streets of East Kaimon.

"Yeah, I get it." Hiro Onimada said with a roll of the eyes, growing more irritated as his childhood friend Miki Tozawa again remind him of one thing as they walk to school. That one thing being not to mess up their high school debut. "We're not that special anyway, so who gives a damn about debuts?"

Miki quickly gawk at Hiro's statement, glasses nearly slipping down her face. "Oh right, like nobody would recall the freaking Demon Wolf!" She cried out sarcastically as she rearranged her glasses, noticing Hiro's cringing reaction to that nickname.

"Come on, Miki." He moaned out. "Can we just forget about that? I said I was retired from that delinquent shit." He rolled his eyes. "Besides, being a ex-street fighter ain't nothing compared to being related to a Yakuza doctor-"

"Don't say that about my Dad!" Miki snapped back, quickly shutting Hiro up. However, a quick regretful look is made on her face as she shimmers down her mood. "Okay, fine Hiro. Just...Don't do anything that makes me look bad today and we're good."

Hiro shrugged half-heartedly as a response. "Whatever floats your boat, Tanuki Face."

Miki frowned at the mere mention of such an embarrassing nickname. "And stop calling me that too." The two then took a long look at each other for a lengthy period of time as they walked quietly together. "Huh, I thought you look more like a thug once you put that uniform on." She said rather bluntly and surprisingly with a tone of disappointment, to Hiro's confusion as he adjusted his Kaimon High gakuran jacket. "You look so...Normal."

"Where the hell is this coming from?" Hiro muttered as he stares at Miki wearing the seifuku uniform for female Kaimon High students, a white sailor shirt with the Kaimon colors of black and blue adorned on the collar, cuffs, and a black scarf. "And frankly, I thought you'd look sexy in yours but I guess not. "He then eyed at the short blue pleated skirt of hers, an eyebrow raised. "Maybe if you shorten the skirt some more-"

"That's sexual harassment, you dick." Miki said with a blunt expression. "Don't make me smack you."

Hiro is quickly taken aback with that response, looking away as he scratched his head. "Well, thanks for killing that fantasy, then." He said growling quietly. "Stick in the mud tanuki bitch..."

"Ugh, you're too much like Tao." Miki noted, rather frustrated at the mere mention of that name, as they continue their walk. "Why can't you be more like say, Hino? At least he's polite."

"Oh really?" Hiro said with an eyebrow raised. "Jeez, you really don't know Yuu as well as I do, especially what he did last-" He pauses, realizing that he may have been a little too deep with his best friend's personal secrets until catching himself, much to Miki's confusion. "N-Nevermind, you got a point. Just drop it, okay?"

"Uh, sure. If it bothers you that much." She replied confusingly as they quickly notice a small group of students across the street. Unlike them, this group of students wore blazers of red and light orange, showing that they're from another school. "Huh, never knew we'd get people here going to Tora Rokku at West Kaimon." She noted in puzzlement.

"Well duh." Hiro scoffed as they continue to watch. "Tora Rokku's known to take in students with exceptional athletic talent in this town, whatever that means." He then gave a whistle upon looking at the group. "Damn, Jimmy Kato is going there?"

"Wait, you know him?" Miki asked only to frown as Hiro gave a grin.

"Yeah, once broke a few of his teeth in one night when he talked trash bout me. "He answered followed by a chuckle, only to notice Miki's slightly shocked expression which made him quickly scowl at her. "...Back in my street fighting days. Shit, Miki, it wasn't recent. Relax a little."

"Ugh, let's leave before he notices you-Oh." Miki trailed off as she noticed one of the schoolgirls, walking in a rather noticeable distance away from the group, which caught her eye for some reason. "Hiro, go on without me. I'll meet you at the gate."

"Wha-Really?" Hiro said in confusion. "...You better not get those guys over here. Jimmy Kato ain't the only guy I beaten up-"

"Who cares about that?!" Miki said in annoyance as she quickly walks away. "Remember what we agreed on, no shenanigans!" Hiro watches as Miki follows the Tora Rokku students for reasons unknown to him.

"Huh, never thought she'll get off my back." Hiro said as he walks off, hands in his pockets. "Seriously, what the hell am I going to do to embarrass her other than have a few drinks with my pals?" He grumbles a bit. "Jin better get the good stuff."

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Yuu glanced at his wristwatch, having arrived on time. Well, not like his friends that he expected to meet had they arrive as well.

"Good grief, what's taking them so long?" Yuu muttered until he finally notices Hiro approaching his direction. "Hiro, over here!" He only frowns as his best friend finally reaches him. "What took you so long? Your shoes filled with cement or something?"

Hiro only gave a glare. "Someone's being a douche." He said rather bluntly. "And are you serious? It's like early in the morning. The opening ceremony ain't till another few hours."

"H-Hey!" Yuu cried out. He couldn't help but be defensive over such a thing to Hiro's annoyance. "N-Nothing wrong with showing up early! I-It's a good t-trait to have!"

Hiro rolled his eyes. "Well, not if it gives ya stuttering problems and lame ass comebacks." He said with a dismissive wave. "Besides, be a pest to Jin, if he even is showing up. You know how he really doesn't want to do this."

"Oh right." Yuu said as he smacks his palm. "Jin called me this morning. He said he's coming...But he wants you to promise something." He bit his lip, unsure how to explain further. "...Just don't laugh at him when you see him."

A sudden silence occurs as Yuu spoke those very words...The awkwardness growing so thick you may as well cut it with a knife like a cake.

"...The hell?" Hiro finally said in bafflement. "What did he do?"

Yuu simply looked away at Hiro. "...It's kind of complicated-" He never finished as Hiro in annoyance suddenly puts him into a full nelson hold. "Ack!! Let go! I'll talk!" He gave some deep pants after being released from his hold. "Alright, remember how Jin was trying to grow his hair out?"

Hiro raised his chin with a hand in pondering. "Oh yeah, wanted to grow a ponytail or something because of some film he watched." He then growled. "Told him he'd look like a jackass and he insults me soon after."

"Yeah, well...He had a nasty case of lice last night." Yuu said sheepishly as he continues on. "Since the stores were closed, his dad had to use the electric razor..." He noticed Hiro's eye practically lit up in surprise.

"Wait...So he's-"

Yuu nodded. "Yep, not much hair on his head right now." Again an awkward silence arose...Only for Hiro to suddenly snicker. "H-Hey! You better not laugh when he gets here, cause he'll kill me too!"

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"O-Okay okay!" Hiro said as his snickering shimmers down. "But no guarantees, Yuu."

"What guarantees?" A rather gruffed voice said, as Yuu and Hiro turn to see their third member of the trio Jin Tao arrive...Quite so very bald. "So what-" His voice immediately drowned out as Hiro suddenly bursted out in laughter. "Dammit!!" He glared at Yuu in anger. "I told you that asshole is gonna laugh!!" He growled as he notice that despite not laughing, Yuu is giving a rather forced expression with a few loose chuckles. "Fuck! I should have stayed home than let you dicks see me like this!"

"No no!" Yuu finally said with a nervous chuckle. "I mean it sucks you'll never get that samurai ponytail you always wanted but this isn't too bad, right Hiro-Oh come on!" He shouted, seeing Hiro holding his sides in laughter.

"Hahahaha!!! I'm sorry but-Oh god-Hahaha-This is too much!!" Hiro cried out between words and laughter. "This is like the greatest thing ever!"

"Can I just kill him?" Jin growled out, cracking his knuckles. "I'll make it look like an accident-"

"Nobody is killing anyone!!" Yuu shouted, nerves on the edge as his two closest friends since childhood are being their typical vitriolic selves. "Hiro, just apologize already!"

"Alright!" Hiro said as he struggles to compose himself, clearing his throat. "I'm sorry, Jin. It's totally not your fault you got a head as smooth as a baby-Gah!!" That was some really poor choice of words, as Jin is now in a murderous rage, grabbing at Hiro's collar.

"I'll freaking end you!!" Jin roared out as Yuu and Hiro try to get him to calm down.

"Calm down, already!!" Yuu cries out in frustration.

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As that was going on, a schoolgirl from Tora Rokku readies her first day of school.

"Let's see...Regular milk...Or strawberry milk?" Keiko Mitsurugi muttered to herself as she stared at the two containers in hand as she stood in front of the line of a small convenience store near the station. "Wait, I don't have time for this...But I'm so thirsty. I never thought I would ever find myself in this situation."

"Uh, just get both." The store clerk respond sheepishly. "Please, you're holding up the line-"

"Wait!" She shouted, shocking everyone. "I...Totally forgot I'm on a really tight budget..." She quietly said, fighting back tears.

The clerk gave a blunt stare. "Just leave already."

Keiko gave a regretful sigh as she heads out of the store, completely dejected. "That was a waste of time...I really should just head to the station now." However, she is unexpectedly greeted by an old friend upon exiting. "Eh? M-Miki?"

"Heh, I knew that was you!" Miki said with a grin, hands to her sides, much to Keiko's surprise which quickly turns to joy.

"Miki!" Keiko shouted as she hugs her friend tightly, easily making it hard for the other girl to breathe. "It is you!"

"Oh god, you're still strong!" Miki gasped out until Keiko released her hug. "Keiko, I didn't know you came back from Kyoto!"

"I know!" Keiko replied with a smile. "I'm so glad to see you!" The two then walk to the station as these two friends since elementary school began to make small talk. "You look great in that uniform by the way."

"Haha, Hiro doesn't see it that way." Miki said with a forced laugh. "But screw him, when did you come back? I'm surprised you got a Tora Rokku uniform already."

Keiko only gave a weak nervous chuckle. "Well, to tell you the truth, I was actually back in town about a month ago."

"What?!" Miki said, taken aback at the news. "Why didn't you tell me sooner? I was worried about you when you stopped writing to me months ago." She gave a pouty expression. "I didn't expect that to sting, you know."

Keiko couldn't help but feel a tinge of guilt. Miki did bring a good point after all. "You're right. I should've told you I was going back to Kaimon...It's just been a long year and I felt I still needed time to adjust after all that has happened since." Miki quickly reeled back a tad, realizing she just hit a sore point.

"Uh, no no!" She quickly countered waving off her initial worries. "I'm sorry, I know that was rough, bout what happened to your grandfather's sword school..."

The two can only recall the past upon that mention in a somber mood. The Mitsurugi sword school, once a foundation of swordsmanship in Kaimon, a pillar of the martial arts community in the entire town. Many sword styles were formed thanks to the basic teachings of this grand school, its earliest graduates having long started their own school of styles. Now, it no longer exist, disbanded in its final days, but not by decision.

But by a single hooded man who came and destroyed the last generation of students. Not in swordplay, but with his bare hands, hands that shockingly shattered hard wooden blades and fractured bones with near inhuman force behind each strike. Few witnesses mentioned being paralyzed in fear of such carnage in display before he ran away. No one knows why such an event happened. Some call it retribution of the students growing arrogance, yet some call it just an unfortunate stroke of bad luck. Hayao Mitsurugi, the elderly yet strong grandmaster, have since retired not long after, currently on a journey across the continent. His only granddaughter Keiko having moved to Kyoto with distant relatives.

But now, here she is, back home with her best friend waiting for her train.

"It's okay, Miki." Keiko finally said quietly, in an somber and regretful tone as she recall the last days of such a school. "To be honest, the school...Probably deserved to die like that, after what I've seen of the last generation of students...They grew arrogant beyond Grandpa's control, and it wasn't long for that rot to go away if it continued the way it did..."

"Wha? Don't say that!" Miki said in disbelief. "I know things were bad given the stories about those guys, but the school shouldn't disband like that! You love kendo!" She then puffed her cheeks in annoyance. "If anything, that asshole who destroyed it should have been caught!" She looked at Keiko with a stern face. "You were there, did you see his face?"

Keiko gave a pause before shaking her head. "N-No...I didn't. It was dark that time." She replied with a tinge of disappointment, only to return a weak smile. "But enough of that, Miki. How about we get together sometime soon, to catch up?"

"Oh please, already on my mind." Miki replied with a smile to return. "Just forget about the past and enjoy your first day of school, okay? God knows if I'll enjoy mine." She said as she heads off on her own. "Be safe!"

"I will, bye Miki!" Keiko shouted back while Miki waves good-bye before heading off. She soon gave a frustrated sigh as she finally focuses on something that bugged her mind since meeting with Miki. "It's not exactly reassuring to have guys like you hiding in plain sight." She said bluntly as she stares at the hooded teenager sitting at a bench close by. "Never thought you needed me right away while I'm going to school." She pouted. "I was trying to buy milk too..."

"Relax, Mitsurugi." The hooded teenager said sternly. "Just giving you orders, from Tallgeese himself. We got a group of guys getting too uppity for their own good and Tallgeese wants them to know we don't tolerate that crap." He then gives Keiko a stern eye to eye look. "He wants it done tonight, consider it your first real trial under us since it's close by your area."

Keiko raised an eyebrow in intrigue. "From Mitsuo, eh? Well, guess I'm free tonight, so why not?" She then gave a fangy grin. "But they're strong, right?" The punk found himself unnerved at her reaction but quickly composed himself.

"Well, we wouldn't ask you to do this now if they weren't." He answers while feeling a little surprised at her rather eccentric expression in response. "Good grief, don't make it sound like we're planning a picnic." He muttered to himself as he notices her pumping a fist in the air to boot. "Oh, and that friend of yours? She better keep to herself later today. Brody's stopping by Kaimon High today."

Keiko gave a pause. "What's going on over there to get that giant's attention?" She only noticed a sneering look from her informant the moment she asked.

"None of your concerns. If you're that curious, ask Vice Head Lingstein about that. He sent Brody there after all." He said with a grunt as he stood up, hands in his pockets. "Just do what you're told. You better be good as Tallgeese said you are, the Empire needs you more than you think.." He soon left in a rather brisk pace, leaving Keiko alone in the station.

"Guess he has a point." She said quietly before cracking out another grin. "They better be good fighters, or else tonight would be boring." She then stretch her arms out with a slight moan as she walks towards her train. "I really gotta stretch more often...And see if milk's cheap on the way here..."

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"You sure this is the good stuff? Hiro asks with an intrigue expression, eyeing the bottle of liquor Jin has in his hands as the three friends continued to walk to school.

"That really looks like the typical stuff my Dad drinks on occasion." Yuu added with a frown. He bit his lip upon further look. "That can't be it."

"Look pricks, my Dad never steered me wrong on his liquor choices." Jin said with a growl. "...Just because he's the town drunk doesn't mean he has crap taste!"

"So says the angry cue ball." Hiro said while ignoring Jin's glare. "Dude, not my fault your place got lice, so suck it up until you get some hair back." He couldn't help but snort a few snickers. "Totally gonna cherish this moment."

"You're just glad there's a witness here just in case I finally snap." Jin muttered annoyingly, to Yuu's dismay.

"Haha...Let's not call me a witness now." Yuu said with a nervous chuckle. "Besides, Jin's dad did say this should be good stuff."

Hiro now gave a worried look. "Then again, Jin's old man once did drank a cup of engine brewed alcohol from a broken tractor and said that was good too..." The three walk quietly, letting that fact sink in."

"Aw hell, that's a good point." Jin finally responds in perplexed horror as he puts the bottle back in his school bag. "I forgot about that too, and I share the same roof as him."

Yuu couldn't give much of a reaction, stunned at this revelation. "...I-It didn't taste horrible right?"

"Look, it doesn't matter!" Hiro finally shouted, eager to forget that one unpleasant memory. "We got the bottle, the shot glasses, nothing can go-" He suddenly stopped, the others now confused at his sudden act. "Oh no." He soon placed a palm over his face. "I forgot Miki mentioned this to me this morning, but...Murakami convinced the school to let him conduct bag checks on suspicious new students today after the ceremony."

Jin quickly grew a scowl at this sudden development. "Are you serious?! How the hell did that teacher's pet even do that?! He's in our grade too!"

Hiro only muttered between gritted teeth. "Cause he's apparently a model student and a total justice obsessed asshole."

Yuu only pondered for a moment. "...No offense, but it's okay if I keep my distance away from you guys today-"

"You're with us to the end!!" Hiro and Jin shouted in annoyance.

"Well well, you finally got the news, Onimada." A voice said in confidence, as the trio notice the guy who started this whole mess. Kiyomaro Murakami, also known as Kiyo, newly minted hall monitor and secretly reformed street fighter...The only one with a losing streak! He's kinda bitter about that! "That reaction gives it away." He followed up with a smug smirk. "I'm gonna love this."

Hiro rolled his eyes in disgust. "Murakami, just reforming into an authoritative dick won't wipe away a shitty losing streak-"

"What the-Totally uncalled for-I mean, I-I'm not bitter about that, you ass!" Kiyo cried out, being not surprisingly defensive about this old shame that only a handful of his peers know or even care about. "Tch, such a waste, going into fights that carries no honor in the rules."

"...Kiyo, they're freaking street fights." Jin said bluntly. "I used to go to your family sword dojo and you're good with a sword. So why the hell do you keep going in those fights with just your bare hands?"

"Jujitsu is a valid martial arts!" Kiyo protested with a finger pointed at Jin. "Sure, I'm...Barely yellow belt, but it's still something to use than to resort to weapons!"

Jin shrugged and sigh at the attempts to justify such unwillingness to go all out. "...Doesn't mean shit, seeing that you once lost twenty fights in one night!" He retorted to Kiyo's dismay.

"...Again,I'm going to love searching what crap you got in your bags later today!" Kiyo finally muttered out upon realization that yes, he will never live that down...Ever.

"Um...Just be clear, I'm not like those two. I'm totally normal!" Yuu spurted out, to Hiro and Jin's horror. "...I didn't mean that to be an insult!"

At that moment, Kiyo could only give a surprising look of disdain at Yuu. "No offense Hino, but to make that bold claim..." He then gave an icy glare. "You can't lie to me that easily, Sword Breaker." He said with surprising coldness. Yuu couldn't help but felt a sudden shock, following with immense guilt upon hearing that nickname, one that reveals his past actions. Actions he wish that never happened. However, that freezing glare soon softened, Kiyo himself showing signs of regret. "...My apologies, but I gotta go." Kiyo responded before walking away. "You three better not have anything after the ceremony."

"Damn, I-I didn't think he knew..." Yuu muttered, biting his lip as Kiyo left the three alone, eager to just go to school.

"Ah, don't let what Murakami said bring you down." Hiro said while scratching his head. "He's a hardass, but he's not a bad guy. He won't spill the beans bout what ya did...Hell, he probably hates Jin more than the both of us since he quit taking lessons from Murakami's old man's school."

"Yeah, stop bringing up my past history with that naive douche and focus on the now." Jin said annoyingly. "What the hell are we going to do with this bottle of liquor now that he's obviously has something against us?"

"I'm thinking bout it now." Hiro said as he ponders, hand on chin. He then noticed a familiar face walking close by. "Well, how bout that?" He said while grinning. "Got an excellent idea, it's foolproof!"

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"This is a stupid idea and only something a monkey can think of." Miki muttered as she hears Hiro out of his plan not long after running into him and the gang.

"Come on, Miki!" Hiro whined out, already bowing to her, much to Yuu and Jin's surprise. "You're like the one person Murakami wouldn't bother to check!"

"I told you I just want a normal first day in high school!" The bespectacled young woman growled adjusting her glasses. "Being a mule to carry your crap is not normal!"

"Tozawa, I know it's a bit too much, but it's really a small favor." Yuu said in a very polite tone. "We'll never ask you to do this again next time."

"If there ever is a time at all cause I refuse!" Miki snapped back to Yuu's dismay. "For a voice of reason to these two dumbasses, you're doing an awful job at it!" She looked away in disappointment. "I thought you'd be better than this too..."

"Y-You really thought of me that highly?" Yuu said in confusion, feeling uneasy to ruin Miki's rather positive perception of him. "...I don't know if I should be happy bout that." Jin then suddenly moved him aside, his taller frame overshadowing Miki quite easily.

"Miki, do it or else it's Indian burns all year round." Jin said, firmly with a scowl on his face, only meeting a similar expression from Miki in return.

"Oh, get bent, Jin!" She cried out. "You think violence is going to work, think-" She stopped and covered her mouth, unable to hold back as she gave a muffled laugh, finally noticing Jin's lack of hair on his head. "I-I'm sorry, but what happened to your hair?!" She soon broke down in cracking fits of laughter. "I know that's not fair to judge, but what's up with that?!"

"Agh! You too?!" Jin spat out in annoyance. "Unreal, I can expect these two jackasses, but you?!" He gritted his teeth upon noticing Hiro trying not to burst into laughter. "I hate this..."

"Well, considering your piss poor attitude towards me, call it karma!" Miki replied with a chuckle. "Serves you-Uh?" She paused as she noticed one thing she'd never expects from Jin Tao of all people. "A-Are you crying?!"

"I ain't crying, bitch!" Jin shouted while apparently fighting back tears. This even puts his friends in shock.

"You got to admit...That was kinda harsh." Yuu said to Miki, growing more baffled.

"Yeah...I know it was stupid, but he did want to grow his hair out..." Hiro mutters. "You seriously made him cry?"

Miki felt a tinge of guilt. Sure, she and Jin were always having something akin to a rivalry of some weird nature...But she never like it when it comes to this, making a young man cry of all things. She clenched her fist and growls. "Okay okay...I'll do it." She muttered, feeling regretful. "Look, I'm sorry and I shouldn't have went too far-"

Jin suddenly drops his depressing expression and hands Miki the bottle of liquor with ease to her shock. "Good, just keep it in the bag and shut those lips bout where you got it from." He said with bluntness before walking to school. "Let's get this over with! Later, mule!"

Miki stood stunned only to grit her teeth as she soon annoyingly puts the bottle deep into her bag. "He was faking it...Freaking asshole..."

"T-Thanks, Tozawa." Yuu finally said sheepishly. "Trust me, it's the only time we'll ever do this to ya!" He then runs off to follow Jin.

"Well then, you did save our asses, Tanuki Face!" Hiro said with a grin, patting Miki in the back to her displeasure as he slips the shot glasses into her bag to boot. "I definitely owe you one! Later!" He also rushes off to his friends. "Wait up!"

Miki only gave a frustrated sigh. "Idiots will be idiots I guess." She quickly growled as she slowly follows them. "I'm having bad vibes...This day better not suck."

Little did anyone would know, this first day of high school won't end in sunshine and rainbows. But it will end in blood, starting a rather interesting school year...