Chapter 3: Baku’s Decision

(Setting: Crystal Kingdom: High University- Mr. Everstein's Algebra Class)

(Scene: Baku enters the Algebra Classroom)

[Baku]: Well that was a good waste of time... *Sigh*... Algebra…

*Baku enters the Algebra classroom trying not to draw attention to himself.

*He quietly closed the door and attempts to go around the circumference of the neat and meticulous room. Sneaking by the perfectly aligned desk where other students were seated facing the large white board that smelled of marker of the generic red, green and blue color. Baku continues to quietly search for an empty seat, but not before--

[Mr. Everstein]: Oh! Baku! How wonderful of you to join us! Do you have your homework that was due 3 months ago?

*The balding teacher with glasses in a flannel shirt and suspenders blurts out.

[Baku]: *Sigh* ... No... And don't wait for it, Mr. Everstein.

*Baku tries to find an empty desk, he spots his friend Millia. However, Badass Julio is sitting right behind her, he started to slightly touch her hair and making a menacing look at Baku. Millia looked frozen with discomfort, absolutely appalled by his actions.

*Baku halts in his tracks, drops his backpack onto the floor and stares directly at Badass Julio with true anger in his eyes.

[Mr. Everstein]: Baku, please hurry and find a seat so I may continue the lecture.

[Baku]: *Angrily* Tell that Dumbass, to get his disgusting fingers away from Millia…

[Mr. Everstein]: *Ignoring* Baku, you're already late and the class is ending shortly. Please find a seat so I can finish this lesson.

*Baku’s blood is boiling to such a degree of intensity, that his heart is pounding out of his body ready to burst out at Julio Avarez wanting to tear him from limb to limb. The only thing holding him back is his conscious thought, “Do not freak out in front of Millia, that is the last thing she wants to have happen right now.” Baku takes a very deep breath, and visualizes his mother’s face and forces himself to sit in the back with a geek named Leonidas Quark.

[Leonidas Quark]: *Psst* Hey Baku, how would you like to come to my Math and Science Club after school?

[Baku]: *Irritated* Leo, you've literally asked me that same question fifteen-hundred times. I'm never going to your stupid club...

[Leonidas Quark]: Your loss, Baku! Today we're gonna mess around with electrical and magnetic pulses!

*The bell rings and Mr. Everstein releases the class.

(Setting: Crystal Kingdom: High University- Main Hall)

(Scene: Baku catches Millia outside the classroom)

[Baku]: Millia!

[Millia]: Hm? Yes, Baku?

[Baku]: Are you okay? That bastard didn’t do anything wrong to you, did he?

[Millia Grendar]: *Smiles softly* *Chuckles lightly* I'm fine, Baku. In fact, I felt a lot better when you came into the classroom! He sat behind me at the begin of the lecture, but he didn't start bothering me until the end. *Smiling* And that's when you showed up!

[Baku]: *Sigh* That's good, I was worried that-- *UUAAGH* ...

*Baku is shoved violently to the side slamming against a locker by Badass Julio, and almost burst past his boiling point.

[Baku]: *Angrily Shouts* YOU DIRTY MOTHERFUCK-!!!

*Millia desperately grabs Baku by the arm.

[Millia Grendar]: Baku, please calm down! It's not worth it...

[Baku]: ……….. Fine…

[Millia Grendar]: So how did your meeting with Mrs. Alina go? Are you in any trouble?

[Baku]: Nah, it was a waste of my time… If it weren’t for that stupid meeting, I could’ve kept you safe from that jackass...

*Baku overhears Badass Julio harassing Leonidas Quark. He shoves a bundle of papers and what looks like blueprints to the scrawny, pimple covered geek wearing glasses and suspenders.

[Badass Julio]: Pay attention, Leo! I want you to take these papers and make what’s described on them a reality before the end of February! It’s important that it comes out exactly as described! No faults or exemptions to anything!

[Leonidas Quark]: Y-y-you got it Mr. Julio, sir! I’ll make sure these are at 100% ensured capability for you!

*Julio and his goons leave, Baku and Millia approach Leonidas Quark.

[Baku]: Leo, why do you let Julio bully you into doing his freakin homework!?

[Leonidas Quark]: Oh hi, Baku! It's no problem to me, I just like helping people who are having trouble with their projects! There’s just something personally fulfilling about it!

[Baku]: I think you're completely missing the whole point…

*The bell rings.

[Leonidas Quark]: Oh, there's the bell! I better get going, or I'm gonna be late for Electrical Engineering class!

*Leo scurries off to his class.

[Millia Grendar]: Well, I guess we should follow his lead and go to our next classes.

[Baku]: I suppose so…

[Millia Grendar]: I'll see you later then... Try to have a good day, Baku!

[Baku]: See ya, Millia! Today is totally going to turn around now because my next class is one of my favorites!

(Setting: Crystal Kingdom: High University- Ms. Cardell's Art Class)

(Scene: Baku enters the Art classroom, it is an all white room with canvas’ and painting utensils stacked messily on shelves)

*Baku enters the Art classroom. It was one of the only places in the school where he felt true zen. It smelt of both wet and dry paint, freshly open markers and scented crayons made the classroom feel like a child’s coloring book full of pictures and drawings of all sorts of imaginative places, characters and things.

*The desk were organized messily so that they could be moved about the classroom allowing its students to group together or sit alone and work in peace. The canvas’ however, were in a circle. Each with a subject in front of it for study. Occupying four of the canvas’ were the Royal Princess Savannah Cree and three of her closest friends.

[Baku]: *Inhales deeply* *Thinking to himself* There she is…

*Baku observes Princess Savannah Cree sitting in front of a canvas gracefully working on a painting.

[Baku]: *Thinking to himself* The princess is so gorgeous, I want to sit next to her, but she's surrounded by all of her friends... I guess I'll have to compensate and admire my love from afar…

*Baku finds a desk across the classroom straight from the princess' canvas and begins to draw fantasy characters and monsters. The art teacher, Ms. Cardell was a kindhearted woman with pale skin and long brown hair. She wore an ornate robe with long sleeves that had buttons along it in case an artistic vision urged her to create.

[Ms. Cardell]: Ah, Baku! Long time no see! How have you been, young one? I'm so glad to see you! So, what will you be drawing today?

[Baku]: *Smiles glowingly* Good morning, Ms. Cardell! It’s nice to see you again, too! So, I'm thinking about this guy in a fantasy world that I want to make a video game or anime for. I know what he's gonna look like, but I don't know what his name will be yet, or what exactly he’s gonna do…

[Ms. Cardell]: *Smiles* Keep working on it, Baku! I truly do believe in your skill!

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

[Baku]: *Loudly* Haha, thanks!

*Baku looks up and catches Savannah momentarily glance at him, and he freezes as his heart skips a beat. Ms. Cardell then approaches the princess and her group of friends as they work on their paintings, she observes each students piece, they explain what the projects mean to them.

[Ms. Cardell]: Good morning, Lady Yamabushi! I see you're making progress with your realism project... So, how are your… *confused* b-bunnies?

[Ayurielli Yamabushi]: *Angrily* *Grrr* I don't understand why I these damn bunnies never seem real enough! I've been working on this freakin' piece for 3 months! At this rate, I'll never be as perfect as Princess Savannah!

[Halenday Medellon]: *Embarrassed* Sweetheart, please calm down... You're never going to finish your painting if you keep hating it less than a quarterway through, and please stop comparing yourself to Lady Savannah, it's unhealthy…

[Ayurielli Yamabushi]: *Angrily shouts* I DON'T CARE!

*Ayurielli Yamabushi, one of the most respected students in the High University. She is the youngest of five daughters and five sons from the main branch Yamabushi clan, a royal family who served as ancient protectors of the Crystal Kingdom since it was erected 350 years ago. Lady Yamabushi’s strict discipline in her training and loyalty to the Princess is matched by no other.

*She had long sleek black hair and wore an adorable pink bow. Hoisted to her side was a sheathed wooden katana, as she was trained in the art of kendo and was also licensed to carry a weapon, wooden and metal. Her ice cold glare could petrify even the most veteran samurai...

[Ms. Cardell]: *Nervously* Well, just remember that practice makes perfect, Lady Yamabushi, hehehe... Anywho... How are you this morning, Master Medellon? Still working on your self-portrait, I see. It sure is coming along great!

[Halenday Medellon]: Oh, I'm doing absolutely wonderful today, madame, and yes, this morning I'm in the process of making sure my hair and eyes stay true to the original, of course. I intend to have this portrait truly speak out about my self beauty and inner genius.

*Halenday says this as he waves his smooth pink hair flamboyantly. Master Medellon was talented in more than just painting self portraits. Among his peers, he was at the top of his Advanced Molecular Chemistry class and also deemed a mathematical genius at the age of just 12. Teachers and students alike admired him. Girls loved him, and other male intellectuals aspired to be like him.

*He was an only child and also known for being nice to everyone whether you were a royal or not. His family were leaders in the science and astral-engineering department of the Crystal Kingdom, as they headed and funded many of the projects that got the country to where it is in terms of innovations and scientific breakthroughs in recent years...

[Ms. Cardell]: *Smiles* I can't wait to see the final product, and I'll be sure to have your painting featured in the High University's Art Gallery in time for the winter showing!

[Halenday Medellon]: That sounds very swell, thank you so much, Ms. Cardell!

*Ms. Cardell next approaches Lady Akamiko.

[Ms. Cardell]: Good morning, Lady Akamiko! Wow, your anatomy skills have improved immensely in the short amount of time it took you to complete your last project! Just how do you do it?

[Mitsune Akamiko]: Why thank you very much, Ms. Cardell! This fashion design actually came to me in a dream last night and I immediately decided it must be created by no one other than myself! The form in which I give each of my creations can only be done by understanding and perfecting the beauty of the human form!

*Many of the male students would debate endlessly on which of the two were more beautiful, Mitsune Akamiko or the Princess herself and a great many of them, including Barrtio, would lean toward Lady Akamiko. It was for good reason as well. She was creatively talented and awarded for her intellectual prowess as she had perfect grades in all of her core classes every year since 6th grade.

*Her shining elegance and pure confidence was the perfect contrast to the Princess’ rather dark and mysterious persona. She was extremely wealthy and is amongst one of the only people in the Crystal Kingdom, to own a car-like vehicle with an engine that ran entirely on electrical crystal prowess.

[Ms. Cardell]: I simply cannot wait to watch your vision become a reality, Lady Akamiko! You truly are indeed a prodigy!

*Ms. Cardell finally approaches Princess Savannah's canvas.

[Ms. Cardell]: Good morning to you, Princess Cree! I see your realism painting is nearing its final stretch! Oh, how far you’ve come!

[Princess Savannah]: Yes, I know it took me a long time, but I am a true believer that patience grants the most reward. So I reciprocated that into my painting of this beautifully shaded, and perfectly lighted: flower vase and bowl of fruit--

[Mitsune Akamiko]: *Yawns loudly* Booooring!

[Princess Savannah]: *Embarrassed* Wh-what!? Sh-shut up, Mitsune!

[Mitsune Akamiko]: *Mockingly* You dumb slut, no one cares about pots and pans!

[Princess Savannah]: What are you talking about!? I just said my painting is of a flower vase and a bowl of fruit!

[Mitsune Akamiko]: That's why I said, "Boorriinngg!!"

[Princess Savannah]: At least my dress doesn't look like an alien belongs in it!

[Mitsune Akamiko]: *Laughingly* It's probably because you'd barely fit in it, you cow titty ugly slut!

[Princess Savannah]: *Embarrassed* Oh my Goddess, I hate you!

[Ms. Cardell]: *Nervously* Hehe... Now, now ladies, let's respect each other’s artwork and bodies!

[Baku]: *Thinking to himself* Savannah is so hot when she gets all flustered like that…

*The bell rings and the class is dismissed.

[Baku]: And there goes one of my favorite classes of the day... *Sigh* Oh well.

(Setting: Crystal Kingdom: High University- Courtyard)

(Scene: Baku meets his friends in the high school's courtyard)

*Baku meets his friends in the High University's courtyard during breaktime and chat about how their days are going so far.

*The courtyard has a large circular fountain with a statue of the earliest headmaster holding the crystal where the water spout out of it in the palm of his hand. There were also large hedge bushes, where students liked to sneak behind and smoke cigarettes without getting caught, or make out with their boyfriends and girlfriends.

[Finn]: *Uuuggghhh* This place suuuccckkksss!!! I'm ready to go home nooooow!

[Barrtio]: Hey, Baku! Wanna try to sneak out with us?

[Finn]: Yeah! We could still catch Stardust Queen???

[Baku]: As much as I would like to, I still gotta keep my promise to my mom, guys.

[Millia Grendar]: *Smiles* That's so cute, Baku!

[Barrtio and Finn]: *Jokingly make a sick face* Bleegh…

[Barrtio]: So wait, Baku. What happened with you and Mrs. Alina?

[Finn]: Seriously, we thought you were in some real trouble.

[Baku]: *Psshh* That meeting was stupid, all she did was threaten me with summer school if I don't get my class credits before Mid-Term Exams, or whatever. But personally, I don't care about any of it... Also be on the lookout, she said she wants to speak with you guys too, and probably with your parents.

[Barrtio]: Aw crap, good lookin’ out, Baku. I can’t run the risk of getting grounded again. Last time, my pops made me work with his union buddies, and working under the city stunk more than Finn’s farts!

[Finn]: Yeah, that does stink… *Nonchalantly* Anyways, I'm sure we'll be fine. This isn’t the first time we’ve weaseled our ways out of these situations, and it won’t be our last!

[Millia Grendar]: Umm, wait, you guys... I'm sure you two idiots don't care, but Baku, you do realize that you could be held back a year or even be moved into a program separate of ours, if you don't get those credits, right?

[Baku]: What are you talking about, Milly? You know I don’t care about any of that.

[Millia Grendar]: I'm telling you that if your grades continue to go down the drain, you run the risk of being moved to Dumbass Badass school, and these two morons very well may be going with you.

[Baku]: Uhhh... Dumbass Badass school?... Well, I'll just drop out of if they ever try to send me there. I told that woman that nothing this school does can change my mind about how I think about it. So the problems already solved before it started, see?

[Millia Grendar]: Okay, well, consider that this alternative school systems program is intensely stricter and the students there make Julio and his goons look like Leonidas and his geek squad. Also, skipping like you guys do every day isn't an option because the school will literally send people to find you and bring you to classes. The people who run it are under no means lax like the staff here. I think they’re like drill instructors from the kingdoms military or something.

[Barrtio]: Wait, how do you know all of this?

[Finn]: Yeah, I thought the Dumbass Badass program was a myth this whole time.

[Millia Grendar]: Guys, my daddy is the head of the education system. He pretty much designed it for guys worse than Julio. The only reason why I don't have to worry about it is because I don't skip my classes nearly as much as you guys, and my grades are actually passing. I’m lucky he doesn’t demand perfect grades from me in all honesty.

[Barrtio]: ... Uhh, excuse us Millia, gentlemen huddle up, please.

*The boys huddle up to each other. Millia watches them in confusion.

[Barrtio]: Okay guys, we seriously gotta reconsider our thoughts on skipping as often as we do versus getting sent to Dumbass Badass school!

[Finn]: *Nervously* Y-yeah, if we get sent there, we'll be torn to shreds by those monsters!

[Barrtio]: Alright, let's compare our grades to gauge our chances of passing this semester.

*The boys pull out papers that show all of their current grades.

[Baku]: *Nervously* I'm failing every class except Art and Astronomy…

[Barrtio]: Seems like Finn and I are just barely passing with C's and D's in every class.

[Finn]: *Phew* Looks like we're still safe.

[Baku]: Wait a freakin minute, how the hell are your grades better than mine if we all skip school the same amount?

[Barrtio]: Oh, it's because Finn and I have connections that give us answers to our homework.

[Finn]: Yeah, we just fail test.

[Baku]: *Frantically* What the... why the hell don't I get a connect!?

[Barrtio and Finn]: Because you never asked?

[Baku]: *Freaked out* AHH CRAP! You mean to tell me I'm gonna be sent to Dumbass Badass school all by myself!?

[Millia Grendar]: Baku, calm down! All you have to do is start taking after school study courses and tutoring classes to get your grades back up.

[Baku]: Alright! I'm totally gonna turn my grades around, pass my classes, avoid being moved to a different school and save my high school career!

[Millia Grendar]: *Cheering* Yeah, Baku! You can do it!

[Baku]: And I'll get to keep lusting the Princess' totally rockin' body!

[Millia Grendar]: W-wait, is that really your final goal? I think you missed the point, but I'm glad to see you’re willing to change…

*The bell rings and the crew goes to their next class of the day, World History.