Monday morning came around. The second week of school has officially started for Senji. Whispers were spreading regarding a student who hadn't shown up for school today, nor the last few days of the week prior. This was beginning to instill uncertainty and even fear amongst the student body. Senji entered the lunch room to see his friends all gathered around the table with a new magazine from the looks of it. He approached them. Kaito locked eyes with him, a comforting smirk on his face.

"Hey what's up Sen-"

"Haaaaaaay' there Kaito!" A shrill feminine voice shouted from across the entire room.

"Ah fuck me..."

Senji was confused. He turned to where the voice came from. Jogging over to the group was a perky, bright blue-eyed girl with auburn brown hair lined with red streaks, and starry glittered black eyeliner. Her skirt was hiked up and she wore a low-cut undershirt revealing the slightest cleavage. Kaito put a palm against his face, while Aoi and Daiki just snickered. The girl approached Kaito, bouncing in place. She clearly had a lot of energy. More energy then anyone else Senji has seen in the entire school. He was also certain she was subtly violating the dress code.

"I tried calling you all weekend and not once did you answer me Kaito! Why did you ignore my calls hmm?" The girl pouted.

"I was busy okay? Also didn't feel like talking over the phone." Kaito replied coldly. He gestured for Senji to go over to him. Senji did just that. The girl immediately turned her attention to him. She bent over, glaring Senji down from head to toe. She stood up straight and smiled.

"You must be the new guy I've heard about. The rumors were true... You are cute. But you don't compare to Kaito whatsoever." The girl said, shaking her head.

Kaito, who was sitting on top of the table, placed a hand on Senji's shoulder.

"Senji this is... Emiko. Pretty sure I mentioned her to you after we met. She's the annoying one who constantly pesters me." Kaito sighed.

Emiko just snickered, leaning over and resting her hands on Kaito's knees. She stared into his eyes.

"He's just in denial. Even if he's your friend, don't listen to him when it comes to me got it? He totally thinks I'm hot but just won't seem to admit it. Oh Kaito why must you always play so hard to get? All I ask is you take me on a date."

Kaito groaned. Senji could see the pain in his facial expression. He didn't know how to feel about this rather bizarre relationship they seemed to have. Daiki grabbed the magazine and stood up with Aoi, slowly departing from the table.

"We're gonna get to class! See you later Kaito!" Aoi shouted as him and Daiki left.

Kaito clenched his fists, feeling trapped under the weight of Emiko's hands pinning his legs down. He just didn't have the heart to tell her off harshly.

"Emiko would you please just... Let me go? Me and Senji here need to get to class early. Gotta talk to the teacher about today's assignment. Right pal?"

Senji could tell he was lying through his teeth but nodded. Emiko sighed, backing away and putting her hands behind her back.

"Oh fiiiiine! Nice to meet you new guy! I'll see you in third period Kaito! Byeee!" Emiko said before twirling herself around and leaving.

Senji couldn't help but feel awkward watching her leave. Kaito breathed a sigh of relief. He took a seat just next to Kaito, glancing up at him. He was rubbing his temples clearly trying to calm himself down from an outburst.

"She's uh... Quite the unique girl. Why did something feel off about her uniform?" Senji noted.

"If it wasn't obvious enough, she's obsessed with me. I swear she just wants to drag me into a dark room and... Well, fool around if you catch my drift. She assumes that showing off more skin means I'll fall prey to her advances. Won't... Ever... Happen. Even I'm not desperate enough to lose my virginity to a psycho. If it wasn't for my mental training keeping me from blowing a gasket... I'd tell her to fuck off and never bother me again. I just can't though..."

"Huh? Why not? If she bothers you so much then why not just cut her off?"

"Because... Most of the girls here hate her. She only has like, one real friend. Girl named Nanami. They only have one class together and Nanami runs the art club so she's a busy girl and they hardly see each other both inside and outside of school. Other then her, I'm the only other person willing to tolerate her. She's a senior though so I'm kinda' just putting up with her until she graduates. If she even graduates." Kaito snickered.

"What a strange relationship you two seem to have."

"Indeed. I may look like a punk but I'm not a total asshole. Anyway enough chattering let's go. Bell's about to ring."

Senji and Kaito stood up to leave the lunchroom right on cue as the bell rang away.

Japanese class was the one other class Senji didn't share with Kaito or Daiki. Aoi and Kanako however were in the same class. As he walked in, the tall and lanky teacher with the short, messy light brown hair and mustache was wiping his glasses off near his desk in the corner of the room. Senji approached him. He put his glasses back on to adjust them, noticing Senji step forward.

Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.

"Mister Uwagi. I had a question." Senji said.

"Ah Senji. What is it young man?" Uwagi replied.

"I noticed your way of teaching is very similar to that of my old Japanese teacher. And well... The lessons we've been going over is stuff I've already learned prior to transferring schools. I was wondering. Is there going to be a test coming soon?"

Uwagi raised a furrowed brow. He smirked as he took a sip of his coffee.

"Is that so? As a matter of fact there is a test on Friday. I did notice you acing every assignment I'd given on your first week. I assure you, this is the last week for this lesson. Next week we'll be moving on to a new lesson. Fancy Tokyo schools must be ahead of us in their lesson planners." He chuckles. Senji also chuckled a bit.

"I see. Thanks. All I wanted to know."

"You should have no troubles with the test then judging by your performance so far. Just bear with it okay? I say, it must be awkward having to go to a new school midway through the year."

"Hit the nail on the head sir. I'm going to head to my seat now."

"Very well."

Senji spotted Aoi and Kanako chatting at a desk with an open book on it. It appeared to be the history of the Japanese language book Uwagi had multiple copies of in the classroom. He didn't feel like bothering them so he just took his seat. Once the last student had entered Uwagi closed the door. He took the big stick sitting atop his desk and slapped the chalkboard, gathering everyone's attention. A smirk across his face. Senji found him a rather amusing man. With all eyes on him he began to speak;

"You ever wonder how past generations feel about the slang this current, younger generation had acquired over time? Slang is quite the fascinating thing is it not? Believe it or not, my generation had our own slang. However as time moves on and generations change, so too does the slang and the older forms of slang go out of style. Terms come and go. Imagine what slang will develop within the next few years. Five years. Ten years! I hear how you girls talk and bicker before class... And it bothers me sometimes. Anyway..."

Deciding to get some fresh air, Senji stepped outside into the courtyard connecting the main building with the gymnasium. He leaned against the railing separating the walkway from the grass. He enjoyed the very brief quiet time he had before the doors opened up and approaching him was a group of four girls. He noticed them getting closer and began to feel tense, knowing who they were as on multiple occasions he would catch glimpses of them chatting and looking or even pointing at him in the hallways. The blonde one with more makeup on then the other three combined got the closest.

"Senji, correct?" She asked sticking a finger out and pressing it against Senji's chest.

"Y-yeah?" He stammered. The girl smirked.

"Thought so. May as well be nice and introduce myself. Name's Yunaka. Four-eyes there is Mika. Goth one is Izumi. And towering over all of us is Akemi. Been awhile since we got a new student. Last one was... Well to be frank a fucking bitch. See you've made yourself some friends already. The geeks Aoi and Kanako. Daiki the idiot. That hot punk Kaito but he seems cool. And... Ayame? The quiet antisocial girl who literally talks to nobody?"

Yunaka managed to have knowledge on everybody Senji has met and socialized with. This girl clearly knew details on different people. It scared Senji a little. He simply nodded.

"Uh-huh. Do you, have a problem with who my friends are?"

"You seem cool. You're also pretty cute you know that? You should forget that weirdo Ayame honestly. I'll gladly be your friend Senji. Trust me, she will bore you to tears I guarantee it. Spice up your social circle a little huh? You may not know this since you seem to associate with outcasts but... I'm considered the most popular girl in school. Ask anybody. They all know me. Not that I care if they label me like that. I enjoy attention. I enjoy socializing and I want to get to know you in particular..."

Yunaka ran a hand up Senji's chest then tugged on the collar of his shirt, pulling him right up next to your face. He could feel his heart pounding with anxiety.

"W-well I, uh..."

"Listen here. There's going to be a rad party coming up next weekend. Saturday. At my place. Parents will be out of town so I get the house to myself. Everybody will be there. Mostly. I lied. Everybody I think is worth coming will be there. Wanna break the new kid mold and give yourself a little boost of confidence? Come to my party. I'll even personally escort you myself."

Akemi reached over and tapped Yunaka's shoulder. She turned her head to the side.

"But wasn't Daisuke your date Yunaka?" Akemi asked.

"Fuck him. He said he's going to meet up with his soccer buddies and go as a group. Said he would 'meet me there' apparently. Whatever. I think this guy will do nicely as my partner to the party. Hehe." Yunaka released her grip and lightly pushed Senji back against the railing. "So you in or what? You're new to this town. May as well have some fun and expand your horizons or whatever the saying goes."

Senji had to think about this for a moment. He didn't like how she described his friends with Ayame in particular and it bothered him. He thought, maybe just to prove her wrong he would accept the party invitation but take Ayame instead of her. Yunaka wouldn't like that idea though. He decided on a response there and then;

"I-I'll go. But I want to at least choose who I bring with me. I'll just meet up with you there. I swear on it. A-at least let me ask Kaito about it."

Yunaka put her hands on her hips, an annoyed expression on her face. She let out an audible sigh.

"Ugh fiiiine. I guess it's okay if he wants to go. But if he declines you better tell me and let me escort you got it?" She hissed.

"I promise."

Yunaka turned around, using a hand to flip her hair over her shoulders as if to show off. Senji did admittedly think her hair looked nice and unique with it's color.

"Let's go ladies. I'll see you around cutie." Yunaka glanced at him with a wink before leaving the courtyard with her entourage.

Senji simply watched as the group left. He was unsure how to feel at this time so he decided to remain quiet and take in the fresh air. He was certain Kaito would disagree to going to this party. So he thought about asking Ayame instead. It could be fun at the expense of angering Yunaka but would take the risk regardless. If Ayame would accept that is.

"A... Party? And you... Wish to bring me with you?" Ayame asked.

Senji decided to ask her in the hallway after the final bell rang. She tapped a finger on her chin, glancing at him with her head tilted to the right. He thought she was thinking of an answer and could not be more nervous about her response.

"Y-yes that's right." Senji stammered feeling his legs shaking. Ayame then cupped her hands together, nodding. Senji's eyes widened.

"Very well. I accept your invitation. I will see you tomorrow, Senji."

Ayame's words had a tinge of joy to them despite not smiling. She turned around then proceeded to leave towards the direction of the rear doors. Senji had now secured a date to the party next weekend. After Kaito had obviously declined, he was dreading this particular moment. He could put his mind at ease now. It was time to head on home.