"It's not like I did this for you or anything! Stupid!"
Just what kind of hackneyed and...
Just what kind of hackneyed and...
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- Location
- secret base
- Pronouns
- She/Her
"It's not like I did this for you or anything! Stupid!"
Just what kind of hackneyed and completely unimaginative line this girl is trying to pull off? – I wonder in amazement, looking at the slowly disappearing back of my classmate. True, at this day and age, since this concept was abused and made fun of so much, using it unironically might be somewhat fresh and new.
That said, the target of this aggressive move was far too dense to understand what was really said. A plain-looking boy of my age blinked his now saucer-like eyes in amazement and muttered something under his breath. Give me a break – I've read from his lips. Man, what a moron.
Still, after deciding to wander around the campus for a bit, I found some interesting scene right behind the main building. At first glance, it looked like a love confession, so I decided to hide my presence as to not make things awkward.
Of course, the truth was completely different. There, meeting discreetly, a friend of mine and a classmate considered by the whole school body to be the perfect example of an "aloof, foul-mouthed beauty" were having quite a conversation. It was both amusing and disappointing, I should admit.
Are you a harem-manga protagonist? Is this some kind of a dating simulator game to you? – I wanted to shout, but managed to remain my composure. Things were pretty clear to me. A friend of mine some way of another got one of the most popular girls in school to fall in love with him. How nice…
Welcome to the Background Character Simulator.
If you think about it a bit, nearly every anime, manga or visual novel that involves romance and school life has a character that either serves as a source of potential encounters between the main character and his capturable targets, while also being a keeper of all important information, or act as an opposite to the protagonist himself. The unlikable pervert that nobody loves. You probably know the type.
So, instead of trying to woo some heroines, let's try to make someone fall in love with someone else instead. Well, not exactly, but your main role will basically be the support-type character of sorts. Coincidentally, should you manage to not only help an idiot-couple to understand each other, but also experience your school life fully, some nice rewards will be waiting you in the future. And, without further ado, here we go…
Setting.
Settings are important. They define how the world you'll be living in will work. Based on those rules, new opportunities will be presented to you. That said, they must involve school life one way or another.
[] Vanilla. The Sakurazaka Private Academy is an institution where previously heiress to noble families were taught arts, sciences and etiquette. Nowadays, even though the school was turned from all-girls into co-ed, the gender ratio is screwed in favor of fairer gender. As one of the fortunate few to become accepted into this school, I work hard to maintain respectable grades.
[] Pilot. The world has changed. After a new source of energy was found, humanity has advanced at a rapid pace. However, once we evolved past the boundaries of our planet and tried to settle the stars, what we found out there was an unknown adversary. Now, humans fight those alien monstrosities via special humanoid battle-suits. At Valhalla Academy, where heroes are made, youths from all over the globe are trained to pilot those miracles of modern engineering.
[] Mage. It takes a rare gift to be capable of opening your eyes and see the world as it really is. All legends are true. The world is unlike what normal people think it is. Students of the Nameless Academy learn to harness the power of the world itself to serve their needs. I am one of them.
[] Inheritor. There are two types of special people. Those who inherit the name of people from the past together with the things that made them remarkable and those who themselves are inheritors to those noble names. Here, at this place, Inheritors gather together to advance their skills through constant battle of wills.
[] Parallel. Worlds separate from each other, yet existing together. After nine different alternative realities were destroyed and their inhabitants forced to flee to ours, the Nine Gear Academy finally opened its doors. A place where magic and mechanical suits are commonalities. The boiling pot for all oddballs of the multiverse.
Just what kind of hackneyed and completely unimaginative line this girl is trying to pull off? – I wonder in amazement, looking at the slowly disappearing back of my classmate. True, at this day and age, since this concept was abused and made fun of so much, using it unironically might be somewhat fresh and new.
That said, the target of this aggressive move was far too dense to understand what was really said. A plain-looking boy of my age blinked his now saucer-like eyes in amazement and muttered something under his breath. Give me a break – I've read from his lips. Man, what a moron.
Still, after deciding to wander around the campus for a bit, I found some interesting scene right behind the main building. At first glance, it looked like a love confession, so I decided to hide my presence as to not make things awkward.
Of course, the truth was completely different. There, meeting discreetly, a friend of mine and a classmate considered by the whole school body to be the perfect example of an "aloof, foul-mouthed beauty" were having quite a conversation. It was both amusing and disappointing, I should admit.
Are you a harem-manga protagonist? Is this some kind of a dating simulator game to you? – I wanted to shout, but managed to remain my composure. Things were pretty clear to me. A friend of mine some way of another got one of the most popular girls in school to fall in love with him. How nice…
Welcome to the Background Character Simulator.
If you think about it a bit, nearly every anime, manga or visual novel that involves romance and school life has a character that either serves as a source of potential encounters between the main character and his capturable targets, while also being a keeper of all important information, or act as an opposite to the protagonist himself. The unlikable pervert that nobody loves. You probably know the type.
So, instead of trying to woo some heroines, let's try to make someone fall in love with someone else instead. Well, not exactly, but your main role will basically be the support-type character of sorts. Coincidentally, should you manage to not only help an idiot-couple to understand each other, but also experience your school life fully, some nice rewards will be waiting you in the future. And, without further ado, here we go…
Setting.
Settings are important. They define how the world you'll be living in will work. Based on those rules, new opportunities will be presented to you. That said, they must involve school life one way or another.
[] Vanilla. The Sakurazaka Private Academy is an institution where previously heiress to noble families were taught arts, sciences and etiquette. Nowadays, even though the school was turned from all-girls into co-ed, the gender ratio is screwed in favor of fairer gender. As one of the fortunate few to become accepted into this school, I work hard to maintain respectable grades.
[] Pilot. The world has changed. After a new source of energy was found, humanity has advanced at a rapid pace. However, once we evolved past the boundaries of our planet and tried to settle the stars, what we found out there was an unknown adversary. Now, humans fight those alien monstrosities via special humanoid battle-suits. At Valhalla Academy, where heroes are made, youths from all over the globe are trained to pilot those miracles of modern engineering.
[] Mage. It takes a rare gift to be capable of opening your eyes and see the world as it really is. All legends are true. The world is unlike what normal people think it is. Students of the Nameless Academy learn to harness the power of the world itself to serve their needs. I am one of them.
[] Inheritor. There are two types of special people. Those who inherit the name of people from the past together with the things that made them remarkable and those who themselves are inheritors to those noble names. Here, at this place, Inheritors gather together to advance their skills through constant battle of wills.
[] Parallel. Worlds separate from each other, yet existing together. After nine different alternative realities were destroyed and their inhabitants forced to flee to ours, the Nine Gear Academy finally opened its doors. A place where magic and mechanical suits are commonalities. The boiling pot for all oddballs of the multiverse.
- Location
- secret base
- Pronouns
- She/Her
[X]Inheritor.
It would be nice to be born with a talent.
This desire to be unique, to be better than anyone else at something, to have a clear aim and purpose. It is something, I think, any human being possess at some capacity. After all, the only thing we actually want is for there to be a distinction between good and bad, black and white, talent and mediocrity…
The Umarekawari High School isn't such a well-known place as to attract any attention from the mass-media. Just an ordinary school located somewhere in the countryside. In fact, the road to the closest town takes almost an hour by train. Naturally, students mostly live in dorms here.
That said, the most unique thing about this place would be that there are many students from foreign countries. And it's not like the school itself pays that much attention to this part. It is merely something that is, a twist of fate. The truth is...
Say, do you believe in "reincarnation"? That is to say, the belief that your soul previously occupied a different body in the past, that "you from now" was someone completely different, the "you from back then." What a bunch of nonsense, right? A crazy theory like that holds no merit whatsoever.
Nonetheless, wouldn't such a thing really be a blessing? Just knowing that once you were talented in something, genuinely exceptional, if only in such a contrived manner… It would feel nice, wouldn't it? Even if it wasn't "you from now," but rather "you" in general that achieved something great.
In Umarekawari, no-good people like that gather all the time. Not someone that exceptional, but someone who either has the "soul" of someone exceptional or the "blood" of someone exceptional. Inheritors of the Eternal Drive. This name, I reckon, is quite embarrassing to say out loud, so student prefer to refer to themselves merely as "Inheritors" or sometimes "Drives."
Type.
[] The Inheritor Type. It was said that I was born with the "soul" of the Great One, a person from the past that accomplished something notable. As such, while mostly myself, I have those sub-conscious urges. Whether I'm aware of this or not, I feel a strong need to follow the footsteps of my previous incarnation. A reincarnation of a great swordsman would, in that case, try some swordsmanship. That said, a desire doesn't translate into actual skill, so a possibility of never accomplishing in your chosen area of expertise always persists.
[] The Drive Type. The "blood" of the Great One means that, as someone who once had a person of great historical importance in their bloodline, I have almost unnatural affinity to certain things. Almost as if my body acts on its own, I gather the upper hand every time I try something connected to my ancestor's accomplishments. Sometimes, it feels is as if I'm not a person of my own, but merely a second attempt at something.
It would be nice to be born with a talent.
This desire to be unique, to be better than anyone else at something, to have a clear aim and purpose. It is something, I think, any human being possess at some capacity. After all, the only thing we actually want is for there to be a distinction between good and bad, black and white, talent and mediocrity…
The Umarekawari High School isn't such a well-known place as to attract any attention from the mass-media. Just an ordinary school located somewhere in the countryside. In fact, the road to the closest town takes almost an hour by train. Naturally, students mostly live in dorms here.
That said, the most unique thing about this place would be that there are many students from foreign countries. And it's not like the school itself pays that much attention to this part. It is merely something that is, a twist of fate. The truth is...
Say, do you believe in "reincarnation"? That is to say, the belief that your soul previously occupied a different body in the past, that "you from now" was someone completely different, the "you from back then." What a bunch of nonsense, right? A crazy theory like that holds no merit whatsoever.
Nonetheless, wouldn't such a thing really be a blessing? Just knowing that once you were talented in something, genuinely exceptional, if only in such a contrived manner… It would feel nice, wouldn't it? Even if it wasn't "you from now," but rather "you" in general that achieved something great.
In Umarekawari, no-good people like that gather all the time. Not someone that exceptional, but someone who either has the "soul" of someone exceptional or the "blood" of someone exceptional. Inheritors of the Eternal Drive. This name, I reckon, is quite embarrassing to say out loud, so student prefer to refer to themselves merely as "Inheritors" or sometimes "Drives."
Type.
[] The Inheritor Type. It was said that I was born with the "soul" of the Great One, a person from the past that accomplished something notable. As such, while mostly myself, I have those sub-conscious urges. Whether I'm aware of this or not, I feel a strong need to follow the footsteps of my previous incarnation. A reincarnation of a great swordsman would, in that case, try some swordsmanship. That said, a desire doesn't translate into actual skill, so a possibility of never accomplishing in your chosen area of expertise always persists.
[] The Drive Type. The "blood" of the Great One means that, as someone who once had a person of great historical importance in their bloodline, I have almost unnatural affinity to certain things. Almost as if my body acts on its own, I gather the upper hand every time I try something connected to my ancestor's accomplishments. Sometimes, it feels is as if I'm not a person of my own, but merely a second attempt at something.
- Location
- secret base
- Pronouns
- She/Her
[X] The Drive Type.
A great talent without a purpose.
Just like a machine, meaninglessly following any command given, not bothering with such things like reason or common sense, passing through our lives without a real desire to live as a person.
The thing we "inherited" wasn't a desire to achieve a greatness, but rather an in-born "drive" to strive towards it. In our case, what we do is the sole thing that matters, whether we want it or not.
Otherwise, thinking about doing something you could possibly fail at, not using your unique talent to the fullest, would surely be a sin. It can be said that the only reason we could ever want to do something great is because that's the most natural thing for us to do.
I am sure that not only me, but every single one of us feels this way…
That what we desire holds no value.
That we should do what our bodies, our "blood" tells us to do.
That our presence is merely an aftershock of someone else.
And I'm sure that no one else would tell this outright, but sometimes I can feel this great presence trying to overwrite my own…
Personality.
[] The Smart One. Am I a bit of a bookworm? Nonsense! It is merely that I appreciate the beauty of written words, the pleasure of immense knowledge inside my brain and the ability to share my beautiful findings with those around me. I may be a bit straight-laced, but the school is, first and foremost, a place to study, no? Therefore, the weird one here isn't me, but rather those who irresponsibly indulge into the bottomless source of depravity people call youth! That means you too, dammit!
[You're studious, determined, intelligent, cold-minded. You're bad with communication, romance, untidiness. Also, you most likely own a pair of eyeglasses.]
[] The Popular One. It's only natural that I catch everyone's attention every time I grace everyone with my presence. I do not wish to brag, but I was gifted with charming looks ever since I was but a mere child. Maybe I sound a tiny bit arrogant, but do not be fooled: beautiful people should know and admit they're beautiful. That said, I wish to help my dearest friend with his romantic endeavors, too! Now, if only I knew how… [You're fabulous, good-looking, charismatic, elegant. You're bad with guiding people indirectly, unfabulousness, cheering others. Also, you probably emanate sparkles.]
[] The Perverted One. Man, this guy sure has it nice! I mean, he's got the attention of the prettiest chicks in the school. I wish somebody like that happened to me, too. Oh, well, at least I can help him somehow… And admire some of those beauties that flock around him along the way. I am a normal, hormonal teenager, after all. That must be normal, right? Right?! [You're slightly perverted, surprisingly informed and have friends in the right places. You're bad with real girls, pain and keeping your attention. Also, you can take a hit like a real pro.]
[] The Fierce One. What is a real man?! That's right! Muscles! Stuff like love and whatnot doesn't matter as long you have the spirit of manliness inside your body! Like me! Train more! Play more! Move more! And then train some more! I don't sweat small stuff, but if my friend needs my help, I'll lend him more than a hand – an entire arm or even my whole body! Because a man got to do what a man go to do! [You're hot-blooded, strong and kind. You're bad with studying, being discreet and giving up. Also, you might be ripped.]
[] The Normal One. Exceptional things about me? Well, there are none. Sounds kind of depressing, but I don't really think so. I mean, when you have so many oddballs running around all the time, doesn't my averageness make me exceptional as well? Maybe I'm not as intense, but it's not like I want to leave that kind of impression in the first place! Just want to support my friend, is all. [You're normal. In all areas.]
A great talent without a purpose.
Just like a machine, meaninglessly following any command given, not bothering with such things like reason or common sense, passing through our lives without a real desire to live as a person.
The thing we "inherited" wasn't a desire to achieve a greatness, but rather an in-born "drive" to strive towards it. In our case, what we do is the sole thing that matters, whether we want it or not.
Otherwise, thinking about doing something you could possibly fail at, not using your unique talent to the fullest, would surely be a sin. It can be said that the only reason we could ever want to do something great is because that's the most natural thing for us to do.
I am sure that not only me, but every single one of us feels this way…
That what we desire holds no value.
That we should do what our bodies, our "blood" tells us to do.
That our presence is merely an aftershock of someone else.
And I'm sure that no one else would tell this outright, but sometimes I can feel this great presence trying to overwrite my own…
Personality.
[] The Smart One. Am I a bit of a bookworm? Nonsense! It is merely that I appreciate the beauty of written words, the pleasure of immense knowledge inside my brain and the ability to share my beautiful findings with those around me. I may be a bit straight-laced, but the school is, first and foremost, a place to study, no? Therefore, the weird one here isn't me, but rather those who irresponsibly indulge into the bottomless source of depravity people call youth! That means you too, dammit!
[You're studious, determined, intelligent, cold-minded. You're bad with communication, romance, untidiness. Also, you most likely own a pair of eyeglasses.]
[] The Popular One. It's only natural that I catch everyone's attention every time I grace everyone with my presence. I do not wish to brag, but I was gifted with charming looks ever since I was but a mere child. Maybe I sound a tiny bit arrogant, but do not be fooled: beautiful people should know and admit they're beautiful. That said, I wish to help my dearest friend with his romantic endeavors, too! Now, if only I knew how… [You're fabulous, good-looking, charismatic, elegant. You're bad with guiding people indirectly, unfabulousness, cheering others. Also, you probably emanate sparkles.]
[] The Perverted One. Man, this guy sure has it nice! I mean, he's got the attention of the prettiest chicks in the school. I wish somebody like that happened to me, too. Oh, well, at least I can help him somehow… And admire some of those beauties that flock around him along the way. I am a normal, hormonal teenager, after all. That must be normal, right? Right?! [You're slightly perverted, surprisingly informed and have friends in the right places. You're bad with real girls, pain and keeping your attention. Also, you can take a hit like a real pro.]
[] The Fierce One. What is a real man?! That's right! Muscles! Stuff like love and whatnot doesn't matter as long you have the spirit of manliness inside your body! Like me! Train more! Play more! Move more! And then train some more! I don't sweat small stuff, but if my friend needs my help, I'll lend him more than a hand – an entire arm or even my whole body! Because a man got to do what a man go to do! [You're hot-blooded, strong and kind. You're bad with studying, being discreet and giving up. Also, you might be ripped.]
[] The Normal One. Exceptional things about me? Well, there are none. Sounds kind of depressing, but I don't really think so. I mean, when you have so many oddballs running around all the time, doesn't my averageness make me exceptional as well? Maybe I'm not as intense, but it's not like I want to leave that kind of impression in the first place! Just want to support my friend, is all. [You're normal. In all areas.]
- Location
- secret base
- Pronouns
- She/Her
As the cherry trees were in full bloom, and petals were dancing in the air, I started my morning jog. The weather was most splendid, but the sun still wasn't up in the sky, leaving everything enshrouded in the darkness.
The time was precisely five o'clock in the morning. A perfect time for a person on the path of true manliness to perfect his mind and body. Too early, you say? Poppycock! No time is too early for a real man. Besides, too much sleep will make your brain rot for sure…
So, my destination today was a quiet town nearby. Normally, people would take a train to reach there or drive a car, but there's no challenge in that, right? For your information, this road usually takes an hour and a half by car. Of course, being a real man, it only takes me one hour on foot!
How, you might ask. By running, of course! At first, I even shouted my self-made anthem to manliness, but my fellow students politely asked me to stop shouting my lungs out first thing in the morning and told me that there would be considerable "repercussions" should I refuse.
To this day, I wonder what did they mean by that. Also, since kindness to your fellow man is undoubtedly a part of my personal code, I would've obliged anyway. Honestly, those guys are too cranky for their own good. Man, some of them even joked about wanting to cut my head. Such jesters they are!
I still sing my anthem, though. In my heart, that is. This story from the past made me remember how I made my first friend here, too. What an interesting guy he is! I mean, he is so small and weak, but at that time, he stood up for me with a look of determination in his eyes.
"If that's what this person loves to do, I believe we have no right to pressure them into stopping doing things they love! I guess…"
His speaking skills still suck, though. Nevertheless, what made me declare him my first friend was this unwavering belief into what is right and wrong! Although, everything else of his sure waves a lot… But the very essence of a real man are guts of steel! And that fella has them aplenty! Even if they're hidden somewhere nearly all the time.
Oh… Since I was lost in thoughts, I missed my turn and started running forward like an idiot. Well, felling of the tall grass against my legs is nice, too. I should probably be running back, then. Let's check the time, though! It's… almost six! Not good! If I don't speed up, I'll miss my daily muscle training!
As I said before, the essence of a real man are guts, and around those guts muscles of steel must grow, too! Just like that: pure steel inside and outside! Well then, charging forward!
Fifteen minutes later and here I am! The school campus! Since it doubles as a boarding school, where students have no need to leave, so they can train all the time they want. Of course, this also doubles as a safety measure of sorts. Students without a pass with the disciplinary committee's seal of approval on them can't leave the premises of the school. Sounds kinda harsh, but the rules are the rules are the rules. At least, that's what someone told me not so long ago.
Now, it's time for some muscle training. There, at the special gym, I meet my usual training buddies. Half of them still look half asleep, though. Or full asleep, in some cases. Just some subconscious thingamajig that makes their bodies act on their own. Not for me, though! This manly heart is hundred percent me!
Finally, it's time to make a healthy and nutritious breakfast. There's a canteen for students, but personally, I dislike the food there. It's better to make your own like a true man. Thankfully, all rooms in the dormitory have a small kitchenette for those purposes. Opening the door with my key, I hear my first friend's loud snores coming from his room.
I wonder if I should make a breakfast for two and wake him up or just leave him be. The former would help him start his day in a spectacularly manly fashion, but a true man should also take his friend's feelings into account. What if he wants to rest more today? So many questions…
[] Wake him up.
[] Let him rest.
The time was precisely five o'clock in the morning. A perfect time for a person on the path of true manliness to perfect his mind and body. Too early, you say? Poppycock! No time is too early for a real man. Besides, too much sleep will make your brain rot for sure…
So, my destination today was a quiet town nearby. Normally, people would take a train to reach there or drive a car, but there's no challenge in that, right? For your information, this road usually takes an hour and a half by car. Of course, being a real man, it only takes me one hour on foot!
How, you might ask. By running, of course! At first, I even shouted my self-made anthem to manliness, but my fellow students politely asked me to stop shouting my lungs out first thing in the morning and told me that there would be considerable "repercussions" should I refuse.
To this day, I wonder what did they mean by that. Also, since kindness to your fellow man is undoubtedly a part of my personal code, I would've obliged anyway. Honestly, those guys are too cranky for their own good. Man, some of them even joked about wanting to cut my head. Such jesters they are!
I still sing my anthem, though. In my heart, that is. This story from the past made me remember how I made my first friend here, too. What an interesting guy he is! I mean, he is so small and weak, but at that time, he stood up for me with a look of determination in his eyes.
"If that's what this person loves to do, I believe we have no right to pressure them into stopping doing things they love! I guess…"
His speaking skills still suck, though. Nevertheless, what made me declare him my first friend was this unwavering belief into what is right and wrong! Although, everything else of his sure waves a lot… But the very essence of a real man are guts of steel! And that fella has them aplenty! Even if they're hidden somewhere nearly all the time.
Oh… Since I was lost in thoughts, I missed my turn and started running forward like an idiot. Well, felling of the tall grass against my legs is nice, too. I should probably be running back, then. Let's check the time, though! It's… almost six! Not good! If I don't speed up, I'll miss my daily muscle training!
As I said before, the essence of a real man are guts, and around those guts muscles of steel must grow, too! Just like that: pure steel inside and outside! Well then, charging forward!
Fifteen minutes later and here I am! The school campus! Since it doubles as a boarding school, where students have no need to leave, so they can train all the time they want. Of course, this also doubles as a safety measure of sorts. Students without a pass with the disciplinary committee's seal of approval on them can't leave the premises of the school. Sounds kinda harsh, but the rules are the rules are the rules. At least, that's what someone told me not so long ago.
Now, it's time for some muscle training. There, at the special gym, I meet my usual training buddies. Half of them still look half asleep, though. Or full asleep, in some cases. Just some subconscious thingamajig that makes their bodies act on their own. Not for me, though! This manly heart is hundred percent me!
Finally, it's time to make a healthy and nutritious breakfast. There's a canteen for students, but personally, I dislike the food there. It's better to make your own like a true man. Thankfully, all rooms in the dormitory have a small kitchenette for those purposes. Opening the door with my key, I hear my first friend's loud snores coming from his room.
I wonder if I should make a breakfast for two and wake him up or just leave him be. The former would help him start his day in a spectacularly manly fashion, but a true man should also take his friend's feelings into account. What if he wants to rest more today? So many questions…
[] Wake him up.
[] Let him rest.
Last edited:
- Location
- secret base
- Pronouns
- She/Her
I opened his door without a knock, which under any other circumstances would've been extremely rude of me, but there was really no point in partaking in such an action now: my friend's ability to shut down all his senses was well-known not only by me…
"Rise and shine, lazy bones! It's time for your manly breakfast!" I shouted, pulling his covers in one smooth motion, polished by months of practice.
"Ugh, so noisy" – came a cute, high-pitched voice that belonged to someone else. Of course, my friend had this a lot of features some people might consider girly to him, but he definitely was male. At least, this is what I always thought…
"Ah, it's the Muscle-Brain!" the girl from behind the covers shouted and pointed her delicate finger at me. This time, she looked like an angry cat. Fortunately, I like cats a lot!
"Just a few more minutes," my friend muttered, still in the daze, his eyes only half-opened. He tried to sit down on his bed, only to find his right hand restrained by something – or, to be more precise, someone. Clutching his hand was the girl who has given me the nickname of "Muscle-Brain." Quite fitting for I possess both, muscles and brain!
"Eh?!" my friend said, looking at the girl clutching his arm. If they weren't wearing pajamas, this whole situation would've looked quite indecent, but I knew better. After all, this wasn't the first time something like that happened.
"Geez," my friend said, "I told you to stop doing that, Nana!"
Nana Hazuki is an underclassman and a friend. During an incident that happened not so long ago, she turned from a stoic and cold-hearted girl into someone full of affection and energy. As a self-appointed follower of the manly path, I approve such a change, especially since the catalyst was no one other than my friend. That said, she became quite clingy, too.
With her silky gray hair and a cute face, she would've been popular, if her way of talking wasn't so rude. Also, puberty still didn't touch her body, it seems. Not that there are no guys who are into that. It's just that this way you might go to prison.
"But! The night was so cold and I felt so lonely… so I decided to sneak into your bed, senpai!" this cheeky girl said with a smile. Compared to her from a year ago, it's like she's a completely different person. Also, there's this way she looks at him from time to time. I'm not sure if she noticed it herself.
"I'm off to make breakfast. Nana, you want some?" I said.
The girl just nodded, while my friend said something outrageous.
"Hey, what about me, then?"
"For you," I said with a smile, "a breakfast goes without a question."
///
The Umarekawari student uniforms were pretty plain, consisting of a white shirt, a red necktie and a black jacket coupled with formal pants. That is to say, there were no strict rules about modifications. For me, since the jacket was too tight, I decided to go without one, ditching the necktie as well.
On our way to the classroom, we found a familiar face. In my friend's case, more than simply familiar. The every-trustworthy childhood friend of his and the class representative, Alice Kozuki. Adjusting her red-rimmed glasses with one push, she looked at us, her glare still intact.
"Haru," she said, making my friend flinch. "I see you're not late this time."
And then, her gaze fell on me and her countenance softened a great deal. This time, I really understood why so many students admired her. She apparently had some history with my friend, Haru Mitsurugi, though I didn't know the details. It would be rude of me to impose like that, after all. A man must know his boundaries, too.
"You have my gratitude," she said with a smile, bowing slightly, making me feel self-conscious. A real man shouldn't blush though, even when praised by a beautiful girl. And Alice Kozuki sure was a beautiful girl.
Now, the class is starting I should better…
[] Pay attention.
[] Take a nap.
[] What's happening outside the window?
"Rise and shine, lazy bones! It's time for your manly breakfast!" I shouted, pulling his covers in one smooth motion, polished by months of practice.
"Ugh, so noisy" – came a cute, high-pitched voice that belonged to someone else. Of course, my friend had this a lot of features some people might consider girly to him, but he definitely was male. At least, this is what I always thought…
"Ah, it's the Muscle-Brain!" the girl from behind the covers shouted and pointed her delicate finger at me. This time, she looked like an angry cat. Fortunately, I like cats a lot!
"Just a few more minutes," my friend muttered, still in the daze, his eyes only half-opened. He tried to sit down on his bed, only to find his right hand restrained by something – or, to be more precise, someone. Clutching his hand was the girl who has given me the nickname of "Muscle-Brain." Quite fitting for I possess both, muscles and brain!
"Eh?!" my friend said, looking at the girl clutching his arm. If they weren't wearing pajamas, this whole situation would've looked quite indecent, but I knew better. After all, this wasn't the first time something like that happened.
"Geez," my friend said, "I told you to stop doing that, Nana!"
Nana Hazuki is an underclassman and a friend. During an incident that happened not so long ago, she turned from a stoic and cold-hearted girl into someone full of affection and energy. As a self-appointed follower of the manly path, I approve such a change, especially since the catalyst was no one other than my friend. That said, she became quite clingy, too.
With her silky gray hair and a cute face, she would've been popular, if her way of talking wasn't so rude. Also, puberty still didn't touch her body, it seems. Not that there are no guys who are into that. It's just that this way you might go to prison.
"But! The night was so cold and I felt so lonely… so I decided to sneak into your bed, senpai!" this cheeky girl said with a smile. Compared to her from a year ago, it's like she's a completely different person. Also, there's this way she looks at him from time to time. I'm not sure if she noticed it herself.
"I'm off to make breakfast. Nana, you want some?" I said.
The girl just nodded, while my friend said something outrageous.
"Hey, what about me, then?"
"For you," I said with a smile, "a breakfast goes without a question."
///
The Umarekawari student uniforms were pretty plain, consisting of a white shirt, a red necktie and a black jacket coupled with formal pants. That is to say, there were no strict rules about modifications. For me, since the jacket was too tight, I decided to go without one, ditching the necktie as well.
On our way to the classroom, we found a familiar face. In my friend's case, more than simply familiar. The every-trustworthy childhood friend of his and the class representative, Alice Kozuki. Adjusting her red-rimmed glasses with one push, she looked at us, her glare still intact.
"Haru," she said, making my friend flinch. "I see you're not late this time."
And then, her gaze fell on me and her countenance softened a great deal. This time, I really understood why so many students admired her. She apparently had some history with my friend, Haru Mitsurugi, though I didn't know the details. It would be rude of me to impose like that, after all. A man must know his boundaries, too.
"You have my gratitude," she said with a smile, bowing slightly, making me feel self-conscious. A real man shouldn't blush though, even when praised by a beautiful girl. And Alice Kozuki sure was a beautiful girl.
Now, the class is starting I should better…
[] Pay attention.
[] Take a nap.
[] What's happening outside the window?
- Location
- secret base
- Pronouns
- She/Her
"So sleepy."
From the seat right behind mine came a weak voice of my friend. As always, instead of paying a soupcon of attention towards our teacher, he fell asleep. The tiger cannot change its stripes, after all. In my case, I decided to put my mind to this lesson: smarts and spirit – a true man needs both.
I followed the teacher's explanation, trying to mute the classroom chatter. Our history teacher, a balding man in his forties, was infamous for the sheer boredom his lectures emanated. Even from my seat, I saw that a few more students fell victims to his lifeless, monotone explanation.
My eyelids felt so heavy… But a true man should not only accept any challenge on his path, but welcome it as a dear friend. "Not a step back!" I told myself and kept scribbling some notes, absolutely certain that a certain someone would find them more than enlightening. Such was the burden of true friendship.
"Ah!"
Just before the lesson came to its end, I heard how something heavy crashed behind me, followed by a loud cry that belonged to the person sitting behind me. There, sitting on the floor, completely stunned, was Haru. Did he have a nightmare?
As everyone's gaze fell on him, attracted by the commotion that broke the melancholic atmosphere that reigned over the classroom, my friend scratched his cheek in embarrassment, his face turning a bit red. The class' reaction ranged from malicious snicker quickly silenced by me to the disappointed sigh from the boy's childhood friend.
Using this awkward pause, our teacher declared the lesson to be over and sneaking out of the classroom before anyone could as much as say his name. Before someone could try anything funny, I coughed loudly and stood up from my seat.
"Had quite a dream, didn't you?" I said as I offered him my hand and, once he took it, pulled up. Not so surprisingly, with his slender build, Haru was light as a feather. No matter how much I tried to strengthen the spirit of manliness inside him, he still refused to train together with me.
"Sort of," he said with a wry smile.
[] "Better pay attention now."
[] "What was this dream about?"
[] "You can keep sleeping. I got you covered."
[] Write-in.
From the seat right behind mine came a weak voice of my friend. As always, instead of paying a soupcon of attention towards our teacher, he fell asleep. The tiger cannot change its stripes, after all. In my case, I decided to put my mind to this lesson: smarts and spirit – a true man needs both.
I followed the teacher's explanation, trying to mute the classroom chatter. Our history teacher, a balding man in his forties, was infamous for the sheer boredom his lectures emanated. Even from my seat, I saw that a few more students fell victims to his lifeless, monotone explanation.
My eyelids felt so heavy… But a true man should not only accept any challenge on his path, but welcome it as a dear friend. "Not a step back!" I told myself and kept scribbling some notes, absolutely certain that a certain someone would find them more than enlightening. Such was the burden of true friendship.
"Ah!"
Just before the lesson came to its end, I heard how something heavy crashed behind me, followed by a loud cry that belonged to the person sitting behind me. There, sitting on the floor, completely stunned, was Haru. Did he have a nightmare?
As everyone's gaze fell on him, attracted by the commotion that broke the melancholic atmosphere that reigned over the classroom, my friend scratched his cheek in embarrassment, his face turning a bit red. The class' reaction ranged from malicious snicker quickly silenced by me to the disappointed sigh from the boy's childhood friend.
Using this awkward pause, our teacher declared the lesson to be over and sneaking out of the classroom before anyone could as much as say his name. Before someone could try anything funny, I coughed loudly and stood up from my seat.
"Had quite a dream, didn't you?" I said as I offered him my hand and, once he took it, pulled up. Not so surprisingly, with his slender build, Haru was light as a feather. No matter how much I tried to strengthen the spirit of manliness inside him, he still refused to train together with me.
"Sort of," he said with a wry smile.
[] "Better pay attention now."
[] "What was this dream about?"
[] "You can keep sleeping. I got you covered."
[] Write-in.
- Location
- secret base
- Pronouns
- She/Her
"What was this dream about?"
After hearing my question, his eyes went wide. A moment of hesitation on his part passed, and he made a thorn expression. It was obvious that whatever he saw wasn't that nice, so I almost gave up. Surprisingly, he answered honestly.
"Just the same thing as always. Nothing special, really."
And by "the same as ever" – a typical remark of his – he meant that kind of a dream. Typically, our kind often experiences strange, life-like visions of the past before our "talents" properly manifest. Naturally, once our minds mature enough to process this information almost instantly, those dreams end.
"It is special, though," I noted. "A year has passed since your enrollment, but you still haven't shown what your talent is. Heck, nobody is sure what type you are in the first place," I added and brushed a hand through my hair. "Scared the hell out of me the first night we became roommates."
"Maybe…"
His voice normally wasn't that loud, but right now it was almost a whisper. If I didn't strain my ears at the time, I'd have missed it altogether. What I heard was, however, a bit troubling.
"Maybe I shouldn't be here, then. I mean, the only reason I'm here is because of my dreams. Otherwise, I'm not special like you and Alice. Compared to you, I am…"
Before he could end his whining, I pressed my finger against this idiot's forehead. Honestly, the nerve of this guy…
"If you don't feel that special, how about making yourself special. Neither me nor your lady friend would've been worth our salt, if we didn't apply ourselves in any meaningful way. Sure, having a handy-dandy "talent" might give you an edge, but the only thing that matters is your guts!"
Looking at me as if I was some kind of a savior, Haru smiled gently and chuckled a bit.
"If you say so," he said.
As for me, I actually hated this kind of thinking. Just because I have pre-determined set of statistics that made me better at something doesn't mean I should do this my whole life. A real man doesn't follow the path he chose because it's convenient, but because it is righteous and pure.
"Also," I muttered, mostly to myself. "Having a "talent" isn't as great as you think."
The door of the classroom was opened with a loud boom as our next teacher came. With her every step filled with lightness of an accomplished martial artist and bubbly energy of a kindergartener, a lady that seemed to be in her early twenties made quite an entrance. Carrying a sword about as long as her, she had a huge smile on her face.
"I, Maki Yayoi, will be your substitute teacher since your teacher caught the flu. Now then, because I know nothing about math, we'll be having PE instead!" she cheerfully replied.
The fact that we didn't have math today was another matter altogether. That said… I liked her disposition quite a lot. Truly, this boundless energy she possessed made me absolutely ecstatic. Moreover, a PE lesson of all things! A man's romance at its finest!
A few moments later, after the initial shock died down and everyone had some time to change their clothes, we made our way to the gym. That said, calling that place a gym was putting it way too lightly. Since the principal was some kind of a fat cat, the whole place looked more like what a professional sports team would use.
"Now then!" she shouted with the same smile as before. "Instead of boring stuff like warm-ups and whatnot, how about we cut the chase and start right with the sparring. I'm sure all of you have an itch to stretch their muscles, don't you? I must warn you, though…"
Her grin then turned positively feral.
"… I don't pull any punches!"
[] Volunteer.
[] Sit this one out.
[] Write-In.
After hearing my question, his eyes went wide. A moment of hesitation on his part passed, and he made a thorn expression. It was obvious that whatever he saw wasn't that nice, so I almost gave up. Surprisingly, he answered honestly.
"Just the same thing as always. Nothing special, really."
And by "the same as ever" – a typical remark of his – he meant that kind of a dream. Typically, our kind often experiences strange, life-like visions of the past before our "talents" properly manifest. Naturally, once our minds mature enough to process this information almost instantly, those dreams end.
"It is special, though," I noted. "A year has passed since your enrollment, but you still haven't shown what your talent is. Heck, nobody is sure what type you are in the first place," I added and brushed a hand through my hair. "Scared the hell out of me the first night we became roommates."
"Maybe…"
His voice normally wasn't that loud, but right now it was almost a whisper. If I didn't strain my ears at the time, I'd have missed it altogether. What I heard was, however, a bit troubling.
"Maybe I shouldn't be here, then. I mean, the only reason I'm here is because of my dreams. Otherwise, I'm not special like you and Alice. Compared to you, I am…"
Before he could end his whining, I pressed my finger against this idiot's forehead. Honestly, the nerve of this guy…
"If you don't feel that special, how about making yourself special. Neither me nor your lady friend would've been worth our salt, if we didn't apply ourselves in any meaningful way. Sure, having a handy-dandy "talent" might give you an edge, but the only thing that matters is your guts!"
Looking at me as if I was some kind of a savior, Haru smiled gently and chuckled a bit.
"If you say so," he said.
As for me, I actually hated this kind of thinking. Just because I have pre-determined set of statistics that made me better at something doesn't mean I should do this my whole life. A real man doesn't follow the path he chose because it's convenient, but because it is righteous and pure.
"Also," I muttered, mostly to myself. "Having a "talent" isn't as great as you think."
The door of the classroom was opened with a loud boom as our next teacher came. With her every step filled with lightness of an accomplished martial artist and bubbly energy of a kindergartener, a lady that seemed to be in her early twenties made quite an entrance. Carrying a sword about as long as her, she had a huge smile on her face.
"I, Maki Yayoi, will be your substitute teacher since your teacher caught the flu. Now then, because I know nothing about math, we'll be having PE instead!" she cheerfully replied.
The fact that we didn't have math today was another matter altogether. That said… I liked her disposition quite a lot. Truly, this boundless energy she possessed made me absolutely ecstatic. Moreover, a PE lesson of all things! A man's romance at its finest!
A few moments later, after the initial shock died down and everyone had some time to change their clothes, we made our way to the gym. That said, calling that place a gym was putting it way too lightly. Since the principal was some kind of a fat cat, the whole place looked more like what a professional sports team would use.
"Now then!" she shouted with the same smile as before. "Instead of boring stuff like warm-ups and whatnot, how about we cut the chase and start right with the sparring. I'm sure all of you have an itch to stretch their muscles, don't you? I must warn you, though…"
Her grin then turned positively feral.
"… I don't pull any punches!"
[] Volunteer.
[] Sit this one out.
[] Write-In.
- Location
- secret base
- Pronouns
- She/Her
"Good," I said as I stepped forward. "Neither do I."
Flexing my stiff shoulder with a grin on my face, I took a really good look at the teacher. By raw stats alone, my advantage was self-evident: my arms and legs were noticeably longer than hers, even ignoring my musculature. Compared to me, her built was, while quite toned as well, slenderer and more agile.
While I was sizing her up, I felt the cold go down my spine. The moment our eyes connected, I understood where this strange feeling came from. Just like me, this woman was preparing for battle. For a moment, her expression shifted from a grin to an epitome of disappointment and then turned completely neutral.
"Sensei," I said. "Before we start, how about letting students do some warm-up, while we spar?" My eyes naturally fell on the short boy in the crowd, who was looking at me with a strange mixture of concern, panic and admiration in his eyes. Discreetly, I flashed him a thumbs-up.
"A bleeding heart, aren't you?" she said, gently stroking the scabbard of her sword. "Well, I don't mind. That is to say, whether you decided to do some push-ups or run some laps or even beat the crap out of each other is of no concern to me. Just be ready to get a good pounding from me later."
A good pounding, huh? What kind of a teacher tells something like that to her students? Besides, not everyone here was a combatant. "Talents" have different shape and forms, after all. Nonetheless, I bowed in gratitude and prepared to fight her.
- Even if my opponent is but a slender, energetic lady like this one, a true man should always do his best.
Having such a conviction in my mind, I inhaled sharply and tried to hit her. The first one to strike wins!
"Nice, nice!"
What? In an instant, I wasn't standing on my two feet anymore. Dazed, absolutely lost, I found myself sprawled on the ground. The substitute teacher was holding my outstretched arm with a lively smile on her face, her sword kept in the other arm.
"Even though you've such a heavy body, you're surprisingly fast. Your sensei approves!" she said. "But this is not nearly enough."
Letting go of my arm, Yayoi-sensei made a few steps away from me, leaving enough space for me to catch my breath. Apparently, this sense of disorientation I felt was her throwing me like a ragdoll. Before I could understand what was happening, and even before my body registered the sensation of being touched, I was already on the ground.
This teacher…
"What the hell?! I blinked and the big guy was already flying! Is this chick a wizard or something?"
"Hey, isn't he, like, one of the strongest fighters in our class?"
"Apparently, he isn't that tough. Getting his ass whipped like that. What a joke."
This teacher…
"So manly!" I shouted, on the verge of tears. There were no proper words to express the admiration I felt. This strength, this technique! Compared to her, I felt like a worm… No, even worse than a worm. Truly, this woman was a perfect example of what the path of manliness entails.
As a sheathed sword violently connected with my stomach, making me grunt in pain, I saw how Yayoi-sensei started smiling. Not in a nice way, though. Clearly, not in a very nice way. Hell, the cold I felt back then wouldn't hold a candle to this sensation, the horrible feeling of dread and despair that threatened to swallow my whole being.
"Hey, kiddo," said the teacher. "Did you just call me manly? Is that so? Do I really look like a gorilla-woman that remains unmarried, even though she is in her thirties now? Is this the kind of aura I have? Moreover, do you want to die that badly, kiddo?"
"That is wrong!" I said. "The way I see it; true manliness isn't affected by your gender! The true path of manliness is, without a double, a single-minded conviction to do what is right! And to do what is right, you must have guts of steel! You, sensei, clearly have them! Therefore, I admire you, sensei! Because you are that manly!"
Silence. Everyone around me remained silent. No birds could be heard. Just the general absence of any sounds. And then…
"I don't quite understand, but I'll consider it a compliment," she said, scratching her head. "You seem like a good boy, all things considered. So, wanna try again? If you manage to hit me once before this lesson ends, I'll give you a reward. Just one hit would do."
A reward, huh? Well, in my case, I had no interest in such things and mostly wanted to test my strength against hers, but I could see some students in the crowd perk up at this. As for me…
"Rather than this, I'd like to make you unsheathe that sword of yours, sensei!" I said and tried to hit her again. This time, instead of sending my flying, she hit my shoulder with her scabbard before I started my attack. Yes, she was that fast.
I tried to do this a few times, but every time I was met with a failure. Trying any faints was useless. Trying to shrug off the damage and keep pushing was useless, too. When her attack connected with my shoulder, it suddenly felt numb for a few seconds. The difference between our speeds was that high. Moreover, through the battle, I felt as if she was holding back immensely. That said, her hits strung a lot.
"Hey," she said. "How about you all try to fight me together? The rules are the same, naturally. Land one hit and you'll get your reward. Or," she looked at me with an excited glint in her eyes. "Do you still wish to fight me one-on-one? Whether you'll keep fighting me by yourself, choose to accept help from your classmates or send someone else to spar with me is your choice, kiddo."
[] Keep fighting alone.
[] Gather your classmates.
[] Send someone else.
- [] Haru Mitsurugi.
- [] Alice Kozuki.
- [] Write-in. (Just write a short profile on your character and include their name, type and whose inheritor they are).
[] Write-In.
P.S. Since I need a name for your character, add one here.
[] Write-In.
Flexing my stiff shoulder with a grin on my face, I took a really good look at the teacher. By raw stats alone, my advantage was self-evident: my arms and legs were noticeably longer than hers, even ignoring my musculature. Compared to me, her built was, while quite toned as well, slenderer and more agile.
While I was sizing her up, I felt the cold go down my spine. The moment our eyes connected, I understood where this strange feeling came from. Just like me, this woman was preparing for battle. For a moment, her expression shifted from a grin to an epitome of disappointment and then turned completely neutral.
"Sensei," I said. "Before we start, how about letting students do some warm-up, while we spar?" My eyes naturally fell on the short boy in the crowd, who was looking at me with a strange mixture of concern, panic and admiration in his eyes. Discreetly, I flashed him a thumbs-up.
"A bleeding heart, aren't you?" she said, gently stroking the scabbard of her sword. "Well, I don't mind. That is to say, whether you decided to do some push-ups or run some laps or even beat the crap out of each other is of no concern to me. Just be ready to get a good pounding from me later."
A good pounding, huh? What kind of a teacher tells something like that to her students? Besides, not everyone here was a combatant. "Talents" have different shape and forms, after all. Nonetheless, I bowed in gratitude and prepared to fight her.
- Even if my opponent is but a slender, energetic lady like this one, a true man should always do his best.
Having such a conviction in my mind, I inhaled sharply and tried to hit her. The first one to strike wins!
"Nice, nice!"
What? In an instant, I wasn't standing on my two feet anymore. Dazed, absolutely lost, I found myself sprawled on the ground. The substitute teacher was holding my outstretched arm with a lively smile on her face, her sword kept in the other arm.
"Even though you've such a heavy body, you're surprisingly fast. Your sensei approves!" she said. "But this is not nearly enough."
Letting go of my arm, Yayoi-sensei made a few steps away from me, leaving enough space for me to catch my breath. Apparently, this sense of disorientation I felt was her throwing me like a ragdoll. Before I could understand what was happening, and even before my body registered the sensation of being touched, I was already on the ground.
This teacher…
"What the hell?! I blinked and the big guy was already flying! Is this chick a wizard or something?"
"Hey, isn't he, like, one of the strongest fighters in our class?"
"Apparently, he isn't that tough. Getting his ass whipped like that. What a joke."
This teacher…
"So manly!" I shouted, on the verge of tears. There were no proper words to express the admiration I felt. This strength, this technique! Compared to her, I felt like a worm… No, even worse than a worm. Truly, this woman was a perfect example of what the path of manliness entails.
As a sheathed sword violently connected with my stomach, making me grunt in pain, I saw how Yayoi-sensei started smiling. Not in a nice way, though. Clearly, not in a very nice way. Hell, the cold I felt back then wouldn't hold a candle to this sensation, the horrible feeling of dread and despair that threatened to swallow my whole being.
"Hey, kiddo," said the teacher. "Did you just call me manly? Is that so? Do I really look like a gorilla-woman that remains unmarried, even though she is in her thirties now? Is this the kind of aura I have? Moreover, do you want to die that badly, kiddo?"
"That is wrong!" I said. "The way I see it; true manliness isn't affected by your gender! The true path of manliness is, without a double, a single-minded conviction to do what is right! And to do what is right, you must have guts of steel! You, sensei, clearly have them! Therefore, I admire you, sensei! Because you are that manly!"
Silence. Everyone around me remained silent. No birds could be heard. Just the general absence of any sounds. And then…
"I don't quite understand, but I'll consider it a compliment," she said, scratching her head. "You seem like a good boy, all things considered. So, wanna try again? If you manage to hit me once before this lesson ends, I'll give you a reward. Just one hit would do."
A reward, huh? Well, in my case, I had no interest in such things and mostly wanted to test my strength against hers, but I could see some students in the crowd perk up at this. As for me…
"Rather than this, I'd like to make you unsheathe that sword of yours, sensei!" I said and tried to hit her again. This time, instead of sending my flying, she hit my shoulder with her scabbard before I started my attack. Yes, she was that fast.
I tried to do this a few times, but every time I was met with a failure. Trying any faints was useless. Trying to shrug off the damage and keep pushing was useless, too. When her attack connected with my shoulder, it suddenly felt numb for a few seconds. The difference between our speeds was that high. Moreover, through the battle, I felt as if she was holding back immensely. That said, her hits strung a lot.
"Hey," she said. "How about you all try to fight me together? The rules are the same, naturally. Land one hit and you'll get your reward. Or," she looked at me with an excited glint in her eyes. "Do you still wish to fight me one-on-one? Whether you'll keep fighting me by yourself, choose to accept help from your classmates or send someone else to spar with me is your choice, kiddo."
[] Keep fighting alone.
[] Gather your classmates.
[] Send someone else.
- [] Haru Mitsurugi.
- [] Alice Kozuki.
- [] Write-in. (Just write a short profile on your character and include their name, type and whose inheritor they are).
[] Write-In.
P.S. Since I need a name for your character, add one here.
[] Write-In.
- Location
- secret base
- Pronouns
- She/Her
"I do want someone to watch my back," I said and turned around, searching for my friend among the crowd. When I found him, and our eyes met, we understood each other without a word spoken. Perhaps, he got what I was thinking a little too well, as he started to frantically shake his head from side to side. Such was the real power of our manly friendship.
"Haru, I need your help here. Let's show our teacher what the cooperation between true man can do!" I showed him my most refreshing smile and even flashed him a thumbs-up. Sadly, my friend didn't share my enthusiasm.
"I have a really bad feeling about this," he said, but nonetheless stepped forward. I could see his legs shake in fear, but despite this, he still refused to back down. That was the part of him I admired so much.
"Oh," the teacher said, eyeing the boy the same way as before. "Just you and your friend, then. Aren't you being greedy here? Less chances that someone else would land a hit this way, right? Not that I care. Two or twenty, this doesn't matter."
"That said," she frowned a bit. "Isn't your friend too weak? Faster than you, maybe. Not that it would make much of a difference. My guess: you two have worked together before. Am I right?"
I said nothing. Just thought about all the time we spent together. Naturally, since we didn't have many friends, Haru and me were rather close, but…
"Nope!" I smiled at her. "Not even once!" I put my arm on my friend's shoulder. "This guy doesn't fight much. So far, this is the first time he ever sparred with anyone. Yet! With our manly friendship and the spirit of camaraderie, our victory is assured!"
Ah, her left eye twitched! Then, her sword hit me again. In the throat, this time. Again, it hurt like hell. Looking at my teacher's refreshing smile and the aura of complete darkness her body emanated, I mentally patted my own back. My taunting worked even better than I expected.
"Unbelievable. You think that a pair of meager students – on of whom has no experience whatsoever – can take down me, your teacher. How 'bout I got you boys down off your high horse? Your teacher will show you lots and lots of love now!"
If someone told you that you'll have to infiltrate a school filled with bloodthirsty kids with spirits of the world's most famous murderers and other undesirable elements showed up their assess just a week ago, you'd have called bullshit. Now, not so much.
The gig was supposed to be easy: get inside, sneak some drugs into an old geezer's drink and run away. Just like you was told, easy. What your employers forgot to mention, however, is the fact that everyone here is crazy. And not plain crazy, either. More like "stab and wear your intestines like a scarf because I can" kind of crazy.
Still, a job is a job. Besides, the lady that you now work for has rather forcible methods of employment. Failure isn't an option here. Well, it is, but the cost is too much for you to pay. Bottom line - she'll make you wish you were dead, or so she told.
Thus, you've put your big girl pants and this gaudy school uniform on, showed them your best doe-eyes and got enrolled under a fake name without a hitch. Now, all you need is to finish the job and settle somewhere nice. A super-thief you may be, everything has its limits.
"That must hurt," you mutter under your breath, watching an unlucky pair of students get thrashed around by their "teacher." The big one keeps shouting something about manliness, while his wimpy-looking friend tries to at least scratch the woman. Not that they are particularly successful, though.
Finally, they fall on the ground and don't get up. Just lay there without moving, too tired to move a single muscles. You look at them from behind the backs of your classmates and try not to sneer. This is what happens when you try to bit more than you can chew. In your line of work, this kind of thinking ends up with you being dead and penniless. You're not sure which one is worse.
"That's a wrap! Sorry, boys, but I declare this spar finished. It's time for your classmates to try, too," the sword-woman says. Her grin makes your stomach churn. No human should be this happy about the thought of violence. Even more disturbing, people around you look equally eager.
Then, all hell breaks loose. In the cacophony of cries, as students around you rush into battle, you…
[] Join them.
[] Sneak out.
[] Remain standing.
[] Write-in.
"Haru, I need your help here. Let's show our teacher what the cooperation between true man can do!" I showed him my most refreshing smile and even flashed him a thumbs-up. Sadly, my friend didn't share my enthusiasm.
"I have a really bad feeling about this," he said, but nonetheless stepped forward. I could see his legs shake in fear, but despite this, he still refused to back down. That was the part of him I admired so much.
"Oh," the teacher said, eyeing the boy the same way as before. "Just you and your friend, then. Aren't you being greedy here? Less chances that someone else would land a hit this way, right? Not that I care. Two or twenty, this doesn't matter."
"That said," she frowned a bit. "Isn't your friend too weak? Faster than you, maybe. Not that it would make much of a difference. My guess: you two have worked together before. Am I right?"
I said nothing. Just thought about all the time we spent together. Naturally, since we didn't have many friends, Haru and me were rather close, but…
"Nope!" I smiled at her. "Not even once!" I put my arm on my friend's shoulder. "This guy doesn't fight much. So far, this is the first time he ever sparred with anyone. Yet! With our manly friendship and the spirit of camaraderie, our victory is assured!"
Ah, her left eye twitched! Then, her sword hit me again. In the throat, this time. Again, it hurt like hell. Looking at my teacher's refreshing smile and the aura of complete darkness her body emanated, I mentally patted my own back. My taunting worked even better than I expected.
"Unbelievable. You think that a pair of meager students – on of whom has no experience whatsoever – can take down me, your teacher. How 'bout I got you boys down off your high horse? Your teacher will show you lots and lots of love now!"
Segment α – Complete.
Line 1.
Line 1.
If someone told you that you'll have to infiltrate a school filled with bloodthirsty kids with spirits of the world's most famous murderers and other undesirable elements showed up their assess just a week ago, you'd have called bullshit. Now, not so much.
The gig was supposed to be easy: get inside, sneak some drugs into an old geezer's drink and run away. Just like you was told, easy. What your employers forgot to mention, however, is the fact that everyone here is crazy. And not plain crazy, either. More like "stab and wear your intestines like a scarf because I can" kind of crazy.
Still, a job is a job. Besides, the lady that you now work for has rather forcible methods of employment. Failure isn't an option here. Well, it is, but the cost is too much for you to pay. Bottom line - she'll make you wish you were dead, or so she told.
Thus, you've put your big girl pants and this gaudy school uniform on, showed them your best doe-eyes and got enrolled under a fake name without a hitch. Now, all you need is to finish the job and settle somewhere nice. A super-thief you may be, everything has its limits.
"That must hurt," you mutter under your breath, watching an unlucky pair of students get thrashed around by their "teacher." The big one keeps shouting something about manliness, while his wimpy-looking friend tries to at least scratch the woman. Not that they are particularly successful, though.
Finally, they fall on the ground and don't get up. Just lay there without moving, too tired to move a single muscles. You look at them from behind the backs of your classmates and try not to sneer. This is what happens when you try to bit more than you can chew. In your line of work, this kind of thinking ends up with you being dead and penniless. You're not sure which one is worse.
"That's a wrap! Sorry, boys, but I declare this spar finished. It's time for your classmates to try, too," the sword-woman says. Her grin makes your stomach churn. No human should be this happy about the thought of violence. Even more disturbing, people around you look equally eager.
Then, all hell breaks loose. In the cacophony of cries, as students around you rush into battle, you…
[] Join them.
[] Sneak out.
[] Remain standing.
[] Write-in.
10
- Location
- secret base
- Pronouns
- She/Her
[X] Join them.
It seems that you have no choice. It's far too early to have your cover blown to smithereens. For now, you pretend to be your average student – as average as someone trying to stab your teacher can be. Before leaping at her as some kind of a madwoman, you pull out a tiny knife out of your pocket first. Around here, not carrying one is unusual.
Just like that, students around you prepare their weapons as well: swords, bows, guns, spears, mallets, et cetera. Through their collective history, humans have developed quite a number of way to kill each other, and now, standing next to a bunch of killer-in-making, you become aware of this face even more.
Normally, the knife you carry isn't used for stabbing, but for "negotiations" of sorts. Doesn't mean you don't know how to wield one. It's merely that, compared to almost everyone here, you suck. There's no way to put it lightly. You're a thief first, an assassin second, a person third and a fighter fourth. That's how much of a low priority fighting is in your daily life.
Yet, ignoring this particular shortcoming, you jump into battle. As bodies of your classmates fly through the air, easily swept by this psycho of a teacher, who still uses her sword like a club, you close your eyes shut and make a stabbing motion. And then, your instincts kick in. Not "badass warrior princess" instincts, but the "pain-hating" kind.
It feels less like your body moves on its own, and more like someone forces you to twist your limbs in a right way to let the sword pass right next to your head without giving you a concussion. Small blessings. This, however, gave you an opening you so desperately needed.
You strike from the blind zone and, just before your teacher tries to dodge, manage to land… not a blow, but scratch her jacket a bit. That said, a win is a win, no matter how underhanded the methods were. Before you could try a small dance of victory, that super-woman strikes her sword against the ground, sending everyone around her flying.
Gracefully, you land on your legs in a practiced motion and then fall on your butt. A cover must be kept, and all that stuff. Must pretend to be a cute and innocent schoolgirl, is all. So, when the ultimate warrior-teacher looks at you intently, you pretend to be awed and slightly afraid. Just let her think this was a fluke.
"Nice!" she shouts ecstatically. "It's been so long since I had such a nice warm-up."
"You," she points her finger at me. "That was nice. You saw an opportunity and seized it! Keep up the good work! As for your present…" Browsing through her pockets, she finds it after a few minutes, and throws this mysterious thing at me. It's small and spherical. I look at my palm and see… a candy?
"I heard you kids like those. Enjoy!"
Am I a six-grader or something? What kind of a teacher gives her students candies? The crazy kind, that's who. Naturally, the voices of your distressed classmates resonate through the training hall, but get quickly silenced by a single glance. Instead of arguing about the oppression of this system, they decided to mob me. As the class representative, a girl with glasses, offers me a hand to stand up, I gladly take it.
Behind her, I see the sweet pair from before, laughing at each other's misfortune as if they didn't get beating just a second ago. I may be a bit pessimistic, but failures aren't something I accept freely. If that muscle-head choose to get us all involved straight from the beginning, he wouldn't have been thrashed so thoroughly. This Iskander seems to be nothing but trouble.
Well, now that this bullet was dodged, you should…
[] Take a look around the campus this evening.
[] Lay low and wait this day out altogether.
[] Get into the principal's office and finish the mission.
[] Write-in.
It seems that you have no choice. It's far too early to have your cover blown to smithereens. For now, you pretend to be your average student – as average as someone trying to stab your teacher can be. Before leaping at her as some kind of a madwoman, you pull out a tiny knife out of your pocket first. Around here, not carrying one is unusual.
Just like that, students around you prepare their weapons as well: swords, bows, guns, spears, mallets, et cetera. Through their collective history, humans have developed quite a number of way to kill each other, and now, standing next to a bunch of killer-in-making, you become aware of this face even more.
Normally, the knife you carry isn't used for stabbing, but for "negotiations" of sorts. Doesn't mean you don't know how to wield one. It's merely that, compared to almost everyone here, you suck. There's no way to put it lightly. You're a thief first, an assassin second, a person third and a fighter fourth. That's how much of a low priority fighting is in your daily life.
Yet, ignoring this particular shortcoming, you jump into battle. As bodies of your classmates fly through the air, easily swept by this psycho of a teacher, who still uses her sword like a club, you close your eyes shut and make a stabbing motion. And then, your instincts kick in. Not "badass warrior princess" instincts, but the "pain-hating" kind.
It feels less like your body moves on its own, and more like someone forces you to twist your limbs in a right way to let the sword pass right next to your head without giving you a concussion. Small blessings. This, however, gave you an opening you so desperately needed.
You strike from the blind zone and, just before your teacher tries to dodge, manage to land… not a blow, but scratch her jacket a bit. That said, a win is a win, no matter how underhanded the methods were. Before you could try a small dance of victory, that super-woman strikes her sword against the ground, sending everyone around her flying.
Gracefully, you land on your legs in a practiced motion and then fall on your butt. A cover must be kept, and all that stuff. Must pretend to be a cute and innocent schoolgirl, is all. So, when the ultimate warrior-teacher looks at you intently, you pretend to be awed and slightly afraid. Just let her think this was a fluke.
"Nice!" she shouts ecstatically. "It's been so long since I had such a nice warm-up."
"You," she points her finger at me. "That was nice. You saw an opportunity and seized it! Keep up the good work! As for your present…" Browsing through her pockets, she finds it after a few minutes, and throws this mysterious thing at me. It's small and spherical. I look at my palm and see… a candy?
"I heard you kids like those. Enjoy!"
Am I a six-grader or something? What kind of a teacher gives her students candies? The crazy kind, that's who. Naturally, the voices of your distressed classmates resonate through the training hall, but get quickly silenced by a single glance. Instead of arguing about the oppression of this system, they decided to mob me. As the class representative, a girl with glasses, offers me a hand to stand up, I gladly take it.
Behind her, I see the sweet pair from before, laughing at each other's misfortune as if they didn't get beating just a second ago. I may be a bit pessimistic, but failures aren't something I accept freely. If that muscle-head choose to get us all involved straight from the beginning, he wouldn't have been thrashed so thoroughly. This Iskander seems to be nothing but trouble.
Well, now that this bullet was dodged, you should…
[] Take a look around the campus this evening.
[] Lay low and wait this day out altogether.
[] Get into the principal's office and finish the mission.
[] Write-in.