~Kei-kuns Suspicions!
" eh!?" Keikos heart stopped for a beat.
" youre as good as dead!" Anji shoved Keikos schedule in her face. "You have Katsuhiko-sensei for your fourth period! You wont make it through lunch!" Anji ruffled his hair in frustration. "How could I have forgotten?!!"
"Whats wrong with Katsuhiko?" Keiko blinked ignorantly.
"I had him for literature last year. Hes the toughest teacher." Anji explained. "His life goal must be to humiliate innocent students. Whenever someone acts up, he makes them strip down to their underwear and sit in class that way for the rest of period."
Keiko grew pale, and stiffened up. "Youre lying."
"Could I make up something like that?" Anji replied.
Keiko took the schedule in her hands, and looked at it. "I guess Ill be careful then."
"Thats the understatement of the year " Anji said dryly.
Keiko ignored her brothers comment, and turned to the cabinets, shutting them. "Well, Im off to shower."
Anjis eyes widened, and he scrambled up. "Sh-shower?!"
"Yeah. I cant shower at night, everyone else will be there." Keiko pulled out a neatly folded uniform from her brothers bag. "Then Im going to take a look around."
"Alright. Dont be long. We have orientation tomorrow." Anji called.
With a bottle of shampoo and a bar of soap and a towel, Keiko called back, "You can count on me!"
Keiko eyed both ends of the hallway. Just as she expected, it was desolate and quiet. Amazing how quickly it empties out. She walked across the hallway to the showers. She quickly snuck into one of the showers, and began to take off her clothes. She set Anjis folded uniform on the bench outside the shower stall, and hung her towel just outside the curtain.
She tossed her dirty clothes a few inches away from her uniform, her shoes underneath the bench.
She let out a sigh of relief as she undid the gauze around her breasts. "Man, I wasnt sure how much longer I wouldve lasted " she hung the gauze over her towel, and undid her ponytail.
Slipping off her glasses, she put her face under the showerhead, and let the warm water melt off the grimy feeling shed been enduring all day.
She barely got the chance to enjoy herself when she heard someone running in, his breaths and raspy. Her eyes shot open when she heard him run past her shower stall. She spun around, her wet hair slapping on her bare back.
The pair of footsteps was soon followed by a group of rapid footsteps.
"You cant run forever, Otaru!" a voice called.
"Youll have to face up to us sometime!" another voice, this one a bit deeper, called out after the previous. "Why not just give up now?"
"Cmon guys, hes not comin out. Lets stop wasting our time."
The comment was followed by laughter.
"That coward."
"Hell never grow up."
The group passed by her shower stall again, and she held her breath, hoping they wouldnt check to see if this Otaru guy was hiding in her shower stall. They passed by her without stopping, insulting the guy they were after. She listened closely, until she no longer heard their footsteps on the tile floor. She peeped her head out from behind the curtain, and stuck it back in, turning off the shower. She grabbed her towel, and wrapped it around her. She didnt bother too much with drying off. She wrung out her hair and threw her towel on the bench. Not bothering with underwear, she grabbed her brothers button-up polo she was wearing earlier, and slipped it over. She hopped into her jeans and jumped out of the shower, her back facing the walkway as she buttoned up her jeans and zipped them. Hopping on one foot, she slipped on a wet spot, and fell flat on her back.
" oww " she began to push herself up, wincing, when two feet stepped on her stomach. She began coughing and sat up.
The boy stopped, and spun around.
Keiko shot up, and grabbed Anjis uniform, holding it tightly to her chest to keep her gender hidden. She also slipped on her glasses. She focused on the young man who just squashed her stomach. He had thick brown hair in the pageboy cut, and large round green eyes. Her thoughts began to race as the young man stared at her in silence. She tried to think of something to do to "prove her masculinity". A-ha! She punched him in the shoulder. "Watch where youre goin, pal!"
"Ow!" the young mans voice was high and youthful. He grabbed his shoulder, and winced. "It was an accident!"
Keiko "hmph"-ed and rose her eyebrows. "It was probably an accident that got you in trouble with those other fellas, eh, Otaru-chan?" she grinned the gave him a patronizing stare.
Otaru blushed a bit, and backed away. "Y-you heard?"
Keiko nodded. "Take it from an upper-classman, Otaru-chan " she patted the young mans shoulder, "Just because youre not a Freshman anymore doesnt mean you shouldnt be watching your back for nasty Juniors and Seniors! Theyre all over!"
"Odd, I survived my Sophomore year without that information " the young man said innocently. "And my Junior year was a breeze."
Keiko paused, and her smile faded. She backed away in a blur, and extended her index finger. "Y-y-you mean youre a a !"
Otaru bowed formally. "Chinen Otaru. 2nd Honors Senior Class. Nice to meet you."
Keiko just stood there in shock.
"I should be going. Maybe Ill see you in some classes " he turned and ran out of the showers.
Keiko stood there in complete shock. A bead of water fell on her glasses, and she wiped them off with her shirt.
"Oh!"
Keiko fumbled her glasses back onto her face as Otaru stuck his head back in for a moment, an endearing smile on his face. "Sorry about your stomach Sem-pai!" he put stress on the final two syllables. At that, he pulled his head back, "Mata ne!" he chirped, and was gone.
Keiko pulled off the towel on the hanger, and draped it over her shoulders. She gathered up her things, and with a furrowed brow, hurried out of the showers into her room. Boys are strange!
She slammed the door behind her and looked around, waiting for Anji to reply: "Dont slam the doors," but nothing came. She found the room empty. She quickly shed the clothes she was wearing and fully dressed herself in clean garments and her brothers spare uniform. Once she tied her hair back, she knelt next to the suitcase in the closet. In a very stealth-like manner, she opened the suitcase just a crack to slip out a bag. She scurried over to her bed, and with blissful tears in her eyes, she unzipped her bag and dumped out its contents on her bed. "Oh, my lovelies!" she squealed, on the verge of tears.
On the comforter was concealer, powder, blush, mascara, lipstick, and her most precious treasures
"MY CONTACTS!" she cried out, and happily grasped them. She nuzzled them lovingly. "Dont worry! You wont be long-neglected! Somehow, Ill find a way!"
She was interrupted when her brother walked in. Frantically, she scooped up her makeup and buried it under her mattress. She sat on her bed casually, staring at the ceiling.
"Back already?" Anji sounded very surprised to see his sister back.
"I didnt feel like looking around, Im tired " she replied, and noticed her contacts were still out. She quickly snatched them and shoved them under her pillow.
"I cant blame you. That bus ride was a booger." Anji replied. "You can go to dinner alone, cant you? Im exhausted, and I have tennis practice starting tomorrow."
"On the first day?!" Keiko gawked.
"Yup."
"Geez." Keiko stood up, "Yeah, Ill manage by myself."
"Okay. Have fun." Anji said, "But not too much."
"Yeah, right." Keiko replied.
The cafeteria was a zoo. Keiko expected that much.
She tried to find a solitary seat in the corner of the mess hall to eat at. Keeping a firm grip on her tray, she bee-lined to an empty table underneath the stairwell. She wasnt in any mood to socialize. She wanted to eat in silence.
She sat down, and undid her utensils, which were wrapped in a napkin.
"Good evening, Sempai!" a familiarly chipper voice came from across the table.
Keiko froze, and lifted her eyes from her tray to see Otaru taking a seat across from her.
"Good evening." Keiko lowered her eyes back to her tray, and began to shovel her food into her mouth. She decided to get in and out of there as soon as possible.
"Slow down, please." Otaru politely said, and rose an index finger. "First off, youll get sick, and second off, I wanted to talk to you."
Keiko chugged down a glass of milk. "Really, I dont have time right now."
"Oh? Well, then " Otaru sat back, "When would be a good time?"
Keiko lifted her fork again, her eyes stuck on Otaru. Hes not gonna let me get out of this her eyebrows furrowed at his youthful smile.
"I guess now is as good a time as any " Keiko put a spoonful of corn in her mouth.
"Youre new here?" Otaru chirped.
"Yeah. Why?"
"I could tell! Assuming I was a Sophomore was a true act of ignorance!" Otaru said with laughter in his voice.
Keiko felt a bit offended. "Well, look at you " she stood, to try and find a new seat.
Otaru stood as well. "Look at what? You cant exactly call me short."
Keiko looked at him. True, he was a good deal taller than her. He also fit his uniform quite well. She reached over with both arms, and pinched his cheeks, pulling on them.
"Youre got such a baby-face " Keiko said, pulling his cheeks every which way.
Otaru pulled away gently, rubbing his cheeks. "Keep your hands to yourself!"
"And you sound so young " Keiko sat back down, and continued eating. Taking a bite of her roll, she added, " and kinda whiny."
"Well, you scream like a girl." Otaru sat back down, his arms folded.
Keikos bite of roll caught in her throat, and she began coughing.
Otaru leaned in towards the table. "Are you okay?"
Keiko nodded, grabbing her milk and washing down the roll.
Otaru sat back. "So, are you in any advanced classes?"
Keiko nodded, "Literature and History."
"Really? Well, then maybe well be sharing a class or two." Otaru smiled. "Not many Juniors here are real keen on studying, so dont be surprised if youre the youngest there."
"Now who was just speaking against assuming things?"
"Youre not a Junior?"
Keikos brow furrowed, and she lowered her eyes shamefully. "Well, I am, but "
"Im good at those sort of things." Otaru chirped, "So, will I see you at orientation tomorrow, Sempai?"
Keiko seemed to have a rain cloud hovering over her. "Yeah " she picked at her green beans.
"Great! Ill be watching for you!" Otaru stood up, and pushed his chair in. "Sleep well, Sempai!"
Keiko didnt lift her eyes from her tray until Otaru was gone. She put some green beans in her mouth, then realizing that she lost her appetite.
On entering her room, she faced Anji standing in the entrance, his arms folded and a glare plastered on his face.
Keiko nervously smiled, somewhat anticipating what was coming.
"Excuse me!" she chimed as she tried to get past her brother.
He blocked her, and held up her lipstick.
"Just what is this?"
Keiko closed the door behind her, and then reached for her lipstick. "Give it back."
Anji rose his arm, and Keiko jumped for it. "Answer me."
"Just in case!" Keiko said between jumps.
"In case what?! You get cast as a cross-dresser in a drama class?!" Anji backed away.
Keiko climbed onto her brothers back, and reached over his shoulders to try and get it. "Give it back! I wont bring it out! Promise!!"
"Im not sure I can trust you!" Anji grunted as he tried to pull Keikos arms from around his neck.
"Oh, PUH-LEEEEAAASSSEEE, Anjiiiiii!!!!" Keiko bawled. "All this change is HAAARRRDD!!!"
"Get off of me, Kei!"
"Its hard, Anjiiiiii!"
The dorm head opened the door and stuck his head in, "Time for lights out!" His eyes widened as he saw the spectacle Anji and Keiko were making.
Anji turned around, Keikos legs wrapped around his waist still, her arms squeezing his neck. They both went silent, and blinked, their faces blank.
The dorm head rubbed his forehead and closed the door. "You learn something new every day "
Keiko snatched her lipstick, and let go of her brother.
"Give it back!" Anji screamed, chasing her around the room.
"Its mine!" Keiko shouted back, jumping on top of her bed.
"KEEP IT DOWN!" a voice on the other side of the wall hollered, and pounded on the wall.
The siblings went still, and then glared at eachother.
"I better not see a trace of eye-shadow " Anji hissed.
"Yeah, I know " Keiko sighed.
The next morning was a real hassle. First off, Anji and Keiko couldnt find one of the safety pins for her gauze, so they had to make do with one. The usual routine of Anji being slapped by his sister when he tugged the gauze too tight should be assumed without mention, and Keiko was having the worst time fitting into her brothers shoes. She had to wear three layers of socks to fit into them, and she still was stumbling a bit.
"This isnt working " Anji frantically tapped his foot as he watched Keiko try to walk in his shoes. He pushed up his left sleeve to glance at his watch, and he slapped a palm on his forehead. "Holy smokes! Were gonna be late!" he ran out of the room with his briefcase. "Cmon!"
"ACK!!!" Keiko tripped over her shoes, and fell face flat on the floor. Pushing herself up, she adjusted her glasses, "Anji, wait for me!" When she didnt see Anji return, she burst into sobs, "Anji, dont leave me! Heeeeelp!"
Anji ran back into the room, "Now, now, now! Its okay, Kei! Its okay! Shh-shh-shh!" he quieted her down.
Keiko sniffed, and pathetically whimpered, "I thought you were gonna leave me "
Anji rolled his eyes, and smiled. "No, I wouldnt leave you cmon. Get up !" he pulled her up by her hands, and patted her on the back. "Now you gotta start your first day as a guy!" he led her out of the room.
"What about yesterday?" she quietly muttered.
"What about it?" Anji replied as he closed the door.
"Nevermind."
Keiko was nose deep in a tiny Unicorn Academy brochure. It won her vote for the lamest scholarly document she had ever read, but it was proving to be a helpful tool to keep Otaru from seeing her.
Anji noticed Keiko slouching low in her chair, brooding in a curled up ball. "Lemme guess a hedgehog?"
"See this?" Keiko kept her face hidden behind the brochure. "This is me ignoring you."
Anji clapped his hands together. "Bravo!"
"Please, hold the applause." Keiko lowered her brochure just enough to show her glasses. "Im hiding from an obnoxious Senior who cant leave me alone."
"Who?! Which one?!" Anjis eyes widened, and then he held his chin, his brow furrowed. "Damn, they move fast "
Keiko lifted her paper again. She didnt consider the possibility that Otaru might be gay. He did have some of the qualities extremely polite, outgoing, he didnt seem to be the athletic type, either and to top it off, he seemed to take some pride in his appearance a lot of pride, actually. And his voice was kinda soft okay, so its not soft, but its whiny! Thats gotta count for something.
"I found you!"
"Hmm?" Anji leaned over to look at the person who just sat down next to Keiko.
Keiko cringed, her brochure crumpling under her grip. She slowly lowered her brochure, to see (who else?) Otaru smiling fondly.
"Sempai." He said.
Keiko whined deep in her throat, and buried her face back in the brochure.
" Sempai?" Anji repeated. "Otaru-kun, Keis a Junior."
"I know Amuro-kun." Otaru chirped. "Youve met, then? Hes new here."
"Yeah, weve known eachother for years." Anji gave Keiko a hearty slap on the back. "Hes been studying abroad in Spain, and came back home this year."
Keikos heart skipped, and her head shot up, her eyes wide, and a bead of sweat appearing on her head. (But with her thick glasses, her eyes were hardly noticeable.)
"Spain, huh?" Otaru looked at Keiko with a look of admiration, "Fascinating! I thought there was something about you!"
"Otaru-kun! Otaru-kun!!" a student called from the distance.
"Yes! Coming!" Otaru called back, and he looked back to Keiko, "Ill let you go, I guess. Matsumodo wants to speak with me, I think." He stood, and bowed formally. "Ill see you after orientation."
At that, he turned and left.
Once he was out of earshot, Keiko slapped her brother with her brochure. "Idiot! Studied abroad in Spain?!!"
Anji smiled, cowering beneath his sister, "Why not?!" he laughed.
"Idiot! Stupid! Jerk!" Keiko hissed with every slap. "I wanted him to STOP bothering me!"
Anji blinked, and gave Keiko a blank stare. "Why?"
"Cant you tell?!" Keiko crossed her legs and folded her arms. "Hes arrogant!"
Anji nudged Keikos leg with his knee. "Ahem."
"Oh!" Keiko uncrossed her legs in a hurry, blushing.
"Actually, Otaru-kun is an extreme introvert." Anji continued. "This is the first time Ive ever actually spoken to him."
Keikos mouth gaped. "No way!"
Anji nodded. "Ask anyone. Hes well known " he paused, and folded his arms. "But mostly for coming into classes with injuries."
Keiko straightened up a bit. "What?"
"Hes so quiet, lots of guys beat him up, because he doesnt fight back."
Keiko remembered her first encounter with Otaru. He hid from all those guys.
"Why doesnt he fight back?" Keiko asked.
"Beats me. Its just not like him." Anji leaned back in his chair. "Its starting."
If hes so shy why was he so open to me? Keiko held her chin, and stared at her lap. She envisioned Otarus friendly smile. Its so hard to imagine that such an outward guy doesnt talk to anyone
Keikos eyes searched the auditorium for Otaru all during the speeches made by the older teachers.
Amazing how I cant find him when I want to Keiko craned her neck over the seat in front of her. Hes got to be somewhere !
"And now, to introduce you to your new headmaster," an elderly man standing at the microphone adjusted his glasses. Keiko observed that this old mans throat looked like it was about to burst out of his collar. "Headmaster Obari, would you please step up?"
Keiko looked away again to look for Otaru. I wonder if Anji knew about the new headmaster
"Ah--!" Anji gawked, and leaned forward on his seat.
Keiko turned her head back to the front to see the cause of Anjis sudden reaction (along with the reaction of many other students). Her jaw dropped, and she leaned forward. Her face grew red, and hearts seemed to form in her eyes.
A beautiful young man of about thirty-six cleared his throat. His jet-black hair was neatly combed back, and his fair skin seemed to have a soft glow.
He adjusted his tie, and brushed his hands across his jacket. He bent over, and spoke into the microphone. "Good morning."
Keiko swooned. His voice is like honey! Ah~! How well he has mastered the art of the microphone! Truly a man among men!!!
"Im in love " Keiko sighed.
"Snap out of it!" Anji slapped her with a brochure.
Keiko winced, and rubbed her head. She sat back up, and focused on the handsome headmaster.
"My grandfather told me I would be taking a heavy load on my shoulders when I took over The Unicorn Academy this year." Obari was soft, but confident. Keiko hung onto every word. "But I am prepared for whatever you throw are me. I know what you are capable of!" Obaris voice suddenly grew aggressive. ""I will not settle for anything short of championship! The Phoenix School wont know what hit them!"
"Obari-sensei was BANZAI!" a chestnut-tressed boy shot up from his seat. "We will defeat them this year!"
Mumbling rose from the crowd.
"Thats Kanzaki Jiro. The council president." Anji murmured to Keiko.
"Oh!" Keiko shot to attention, and tried to get a look at Jiros face. Her view was blocked when a student sitting next to Jiro stood, and clapped.
Students began to rise and join in the applause, and soon, to Keiko and Anjis fascination, the entire auditorium was thundering with clapping hands. They rose with the rest of the students and clapped, so as not to draw attention to themselves.
"A charismatic speaker." Keiko leaned in towards her brother.
"They love him. Why shouldnt they?" Anji replied. "He wants us to be the best. Reasonable goal."
"Hmm " Keiko replied, and watched Obari shake hands with authoritative figures on the stage. "Perhaps."
As students filed out of the auditorium, Otaru ran up to Keiko. "We have first period together!"
Keiko turned around, finding herself nose to nose with Otaru. She blushed a bit, feeling quite uncomfortable to be so close to a boy. "H-how do you know?"
"History, right?" Otaru held up his schedule. "You said you were in Advanced History."
Keiko held up her schedule, and compared it with Otarus. With a sigh, she admitted "Youre right."
"Tomahazu-sensei is extremely picky about timeliness. We should head straight over there." Otaru took Keikos elbow, which she instinctively drew back.
Otaru paused. "Im sorry."
Keiko blushed furiously, realizing she mightve just given a bit of herself away. "Uh um I " Keiko laughed. "Sorry I I am still suffering from culture shock, thats all." Her face began to cool off. Nice save
"I see." Otaru began walking. "I totally forgot." Otaru turned to Keiko, who sped up to catch up with him. "Do you speak any?"
"Huh?" Keiko asked.
"Spanish."
Keiko sweatdropped. "M-me?! Well, I, uh "
"You bet!" Anji barged into the conversation.
Both Otaru and Keiko jumped.
"Anji!!" Keiko shrieked at the top of her lungs.
"He would make all the Senoritas swoon when he spoke of amor " Anji melodramatically clasped his hands together. "Ah, !Senorita! !Mi amor!"
Otaru nervously smiled as Keiko aggressively took his arm and shoved past Anji. "Ignore him."
"Know him for awhile?" Otaru asked.
"All my life, sadly." Keiko sighed.
"Ah." Otaru walked into a classroom.
Keiko followed behind him, and sat at a desk a few seats from the back. Otaru sat next to her.
Keiko got out her pens and journals, preparing for class.
"That was amazing!"
"Jiro-sempai, youve started something!"
Keiko looked up to see a blonde boy tagging behind the chestnut-haired boy that stood first at orientation.
"What can I say? I like this guy." The chestnut-haired boy (obviously Jiro) shrugged, and took the seat in front of Otaru. He glanced over his shoulder to see Otaru, and with a smirk, turned in his seat to face him. "Mornin Otaru." His voice sounded most mocking.
Otaru was writing in his assignment pad. For a brief moment he looked up, his pencil pausing. He got quick eye contact with Jiro, and looked back to his writing. His pencil began moving again, and he replied in a tone most opposite of the one he used with Keiko a moment ago. "Good morning, Jiro."
"Some party earlier, huh?" Jiro rose his eyebrows haughtily.
"Indeed."
Jiro looked over to Keiko. She jumped, not realizing she was staring. Sensing her fright, Jiro smiled again.
"Youre new." Jiros eyes were piercing and sharp, as was his mouth. His tone was nothing short of abrasive and powerful. He had a demanding air about him.
Keikos throat was dry. "Yeah."
"By the looks of things, I can guess you already know who I am." Jiro seemed extremely amused.
Keiko swallowed, not about the be pushed around by some big name. She was a man now, she had to act like one.
She leaned back, and folded her arms. "Kanzaki Jiro. So?" She lowered her voice considerably.
Jiro was suddenly taken aback by the change of face. He laughed. "Youve got spunk!"
"Spunk?" Keiko repeated. "I wouldnt call it spunk."
Jiros laughing ceased, a perplexed expression on his face.
Keiko could see she was on a roll. "Just a question, Jiro-kun why is it the boys school is called "The Unicorn Academy? I dunno about you, but Ive always associated unicorns and ponies and stuff with girls."
Jiros face began to turn sour as Otaru muffled his laughter. Jiro spun to face Otaru again, and angrily snatched Otarus assignment pad from under him. Otaru lifted his hands without resistance, and showed no signs of disapproval. Jiro scanned the notebook page, and turned back to Otaru. After mockingly hitting Otaru on the forehead with it, Jiro dropped it back on his desk. "Practice some self-control."
"Yes." Otaru quietly replied.
Keiko couldnt believe what she just saw! Just a moment ago, Otaru was outward and jocular! Now he was letting himself be pushed around like a sack of potatoes! She opened her mouth to protest when the teacher walked in. They all stood. "Good morning, sensei!" all the boys boomed.
"You may sit." The teacher walked to his desk.
They all obeyed. Keiko stole a final glance at Jiro before fastening her eyes on the teacher.
The class went by like a breeze. That was something Keiko remembered hearing about TUA-the teachers never tolerated disruptions. And each professor had his own creative way of dealing with delinquents
Keiko shuddered a bit. Makes me glad to have been a girl her thoughts drifted to Headmaster Obari. Surely such a handsome man had to be dangerous! He had such a tempting, forbidden appeal to him!
"Hmm?" Tomahazu-senseis attention was drawn to Keiko. "Fujishige-kun? Are you feeling ill?"
The class turned to Keiko, whose face was as red as a beet.
"Eh?" Keiko asked cluelessly, with a stupefied look on her face.
"Maybe you should go to the clinic " Tomahazu-sensei said.
Keiko was still snapping out of it when Otaru volunteered to escort her.
"Im feeling fine!"
"Thats nice, but lets use the excuse to get out of class."
Keiko was practically being dragged down the hallway by Otaru. She would admit to feeling a little light-headed, but it was probably because her gauze was too tight! (Or so she scornfully thought.)
They walked into the empty clinic, where a young nurse greeted them.
"Already?! What seems to be the problem?" the adorable graduate stood from his desk.
Keikos face once again changed to a brighter hue, and she began to grow dizzy at the sight of the handsome medic.
"He said he felt fine, but he looks feverish to me..." Otaru expressed with a deep concern.
"Theres one every year " the nurse sighed, "Really, if he says hes okay, then I dont see why you should interrupt your classes, so let me write you a pass to go back to class "
As the nurse walked back to his desk, Keiko collapsed.
The two young men jumped, and looked at Keiko, sprawled on the floor unconscious.
"Sempai!"
"Oh, this is something."
"Sempai? Are you hungry at all?"
Keiko moaned a bit as she opened her eyes. Otarus beaming face was over her.
"Turkey and lettuce alright?" Otaru held a sandwich over her.
Keiko blinked groggily. She couldnt seem to focus "My glasses!" she squeaked, and squeezed her eyes shut, covering her face with her hands to hide.
"Oh, sure " Otaru reached over to a small table next to the infirmary bed Keiko laid on. "Here you go."
Keiko took off one hand, and she put them on.
"What happened?" Keiko sat up, and looked around. She was in a small room with a curtain and a single seat next to her bed.
"You passed out. Lack of blood flow, I think." Otaru smiled. "Your timing is priceless, I must say." He offered the sandwich again.
Keiko took it, and unwrapped it. "Already lunchtime?"
"Way past. Were in last period right now."
Keiko took a bite, and blinked. "What?!"
"You were out like a light!" Otaru laughed.
Keiko looked back to her sandwich. "Hey."
"Hmm?" Otaru stopped laughing, but still had a bright smile on his face.
"Why do you let those guys pick on you so much?" Keiko kept her voice low.
Otarus smile faded, and he sat back. His voice grew a bit more serious. "You mean, why dont I fight back?"
"I guess." Keiko swallowed.
"Because its disruptive, I guess. Fighting is a rotten way to get attention." Otaru folded his arms.
"But theyll never leave you alone unless you stand up to them!" Keiko replied.
Otaru remained silent for a moment, and then shrugged. "I dont want to be seen as the type of person who would stoop so low as to hit back. Theyll grow tired of me, and go away eventually."
"So youd rather be known as a wishy-washy wimpy boy?" Keiko replied, and suddenly regretted it.
Otaru stiffened a bit, and looked at Keiko. "I suppose you wouldnt understand. I dont want to be like them, so I wont throw a punch, you see?"
Keiko nodded, and stammered. "I-I didnt mean what I said."
"No, its okay, dont worry about it." Otaru relaxed again. "People who grow accustomed to talking a lot take it for granted, and begin to use their gift sloppily."
Keiko felt a twinge of anger at that comment. With a pouty tone, she scowled and said "Maybe its your big mouth that got you in a fix."
"Couldnt be, I never spoke to them." Otaru replied.
"Maybe thats why."
Otaru smiled. "Cant you just settle with the thought that they might just be bullies?"
"Nope!" Keiko piped, and held up an index finger. "Its my job to find out why things are! Its what I do!"
Otaru sighed in defeat. "Youll be disappointed when you cant find the answers to everything."
"Thats life!" Keiko smiled, and leaned forward vigorously. "Its not meant to be that men know the answers to everything, but its fun to try!"
Otaru smiled wider. "Ive never met a boy like you before, Sempai."
Keiko nervously smiled, and straightened up. With a laugh, she replied, "Is that so?"
"Really!" Otaru unfolded his arms, and stood, "I have a feeling well get along well, dont you?"
Keiko watched Otaru walk to the doorway, and sweatdropped. "I dunno its kinda early to tell!"
"Say, why not come with me to the tennis practice after school?" Otaru took his briefcase. "Its usually a very busy place, and Im sure Amuro-kunll be there."
Keikos heart sank. She was planning to look around the music hall when she got back to her dorm. But she looked at Otarus sincere smile, and felt obligated to accept the invite. There would probably be people practicing anyway, so it wouldnt be a good time to investigate.
"Sure, why not?" Keiko rose her eyebrows in a sincere expression. She stood slowly, and looked to her side. Her briefcase fell over by her feet.
"Oh, I got your briefcase." Otaru said.
Keiko bent down, and picked it up. "Thanks."
"We should head straight over to the courts." Otaru let Keiko exit first. "That way we can enjoy some time without hearing ridiculous squealing from the girls."
"Girls? At a practice?" Keiko was surprised.
"Well, naturally!" Otaru laughed and Keiko naivete. "Where do you think they meet them, in the locker room?!"
Keiko gave Otaru a cynical glare, and folded her arms. "I just think that its a bit crazy to go to every practice daily, thats all."
"Well, thats girls for you." Otaru walked out the door, into the hallway.
"Not all girls are like that." Keiko found herself getting on the defensive.
"I didnt say that." Otaru held his briefcase behind his shoulder. "To be honest, I couldnt know less about females. Ive never held a decent conversation with one."
Keikos face once again turned a bit red. Why am I such a horrible liar?! she thought. "Im kinda close to Amuro-kuns sister." She began. Her entire family likes sports, except her. Shes not like that. She couldnt care less for the athletic type."
"Oh. You would know?" Otaru teased.
Keiko blushed. "Weve never dating anyone. We just have a lot in common."
Otaru smiled amusedly, and gave Keiko a slug on the shoulder. "Youre blushing!"
Keiko swung her briefcase at him. "Im not!"
"Sempais got a cruuu-uuush!"
"Sempai does nooo-ooot!" Keiko growled, chasing after the laughing Otaru down the hallway. "Shes not even cute!" she froze in her tracks, just realizing she insulted herself. "I mean--!"
Otaru smiled, and slowed down. "Its okay, Ill lay off. You can tell me more about her during practice, if you like."
"Id rather not." Keiko replied bashfully.
Keiko didnt see Anji on the courts when she and Otaru arrived. They both sat on an edge of a bench, each on one side of the aisle between them.
Keiko heard the eccentric giggling of girls sitting behind her, and she noticed an agitated glare plastered on Otarus face.
"Theyre hormones with lipstick." Otaru flatly stated.
"Yeah, tell me about it." Keiko glared over her shoulder, and her eyes bulged at the sight of two girls, one redheaded with freckles, and one with wavy black hair gabbing. She spun back around, and held her collar, which all of a sudden felt too tight.
"Sempai?" Otaru noticed Keikos horrified face.
"Is there a water fountain anywhere?" Keiko quietly whispered.
"Theres a soda machine in the gym." Otaru stood, "Ill go get you one." He went down the stairs, and jogged into the gym.
I cant believe it! Aika and Naoki are both here ! Keikos heart raced. This is too bogus! Both of my friends are here! Keiko held her chin. Aika I can kinda understand she is one of our star athletes but sweet little Naoki--?! Aika mustve dragged her along for company.
"Hes just the cutest, sweetest thing!" she heard Naoki squeal.
Keiko was completely thrown off by that! She tried to hold in any reaction she that would normally have, so she wouldnt draw attention to herself.
"Hes such an awesome player! You should see how he moves! Hes like a shark!" Aika gushed in reply.
Keiko couldnt help but smirk. Like a shark?
"And his smile is so perfect!"
"His backhand is unbelievable!!!"
Aika and I mustve been switched at birth. Keiko thought. This idea went through her head a number of times before. They did share the same birthday, after all. And her parents LOVED Aika. Her father would always have a basketball match with Aika whenever she came over. (And Aika would always win. This thrilled Keikos father.)
Daddy would always try to drag Keiko into the game, but she refused no matter what, and watched them from the sidelines.
So who is this "stud-muffin" theyre not telling me about? Keiko wondered. And why didnt they tell me?!!! She thought, getting watery-eyed.
Her thoughts were drastically cut off when her brother came out onto the court in tennis uniform, carrying on his shoulder his tennis racket. Anji!
The two girls went ballistic. They screamed and squealed and cheered at the top of their lungs. "WELCOME BACK, ANJI-CHAN!!! WE LOVE YOU! YOURE THE GREATEST!!!"
This time Keiko literally fell off of her bench. ANJI?!
Anji looked up to the benches, at the two girls who were screaming out his name. He smiled, and waved at them, to which they shrieked with delight.
Keiko shot up and spun around. "ARE YOU TWO NUTS?! ANJIS GROSS!!!"
" Keiko-chan?" Naoki quietly peeped.
"Keiko-chan?!" Aika stood, "What are you doing here?!"
Keiko just realized she blew her cover, and she stepped back in defense. Unfortunately, the back of her knee hit the back of the bench below her, and she fell back over it.
"Keiko-chan!" the girls both exclaimed.
" oww!" Keiko moaned pathetically, and sat up, her legs dangling over the bench.
The younger Aika grabbed one of Keikos arms, and pulled her up. "Whatre you doing in one of Anjis uniforms?!"
"I go to school here!" Keiko adjusted her glasses. "And how do you know this isnt my uniform?!"
"Simple!" Naoki rested a finger on the side seam of the jacket. "This side got caught in the door at home, and I sewed it up for him. I didnt have any black thread so I had to use gray. See?"
Keiko sweatdropped. "Youre obsessed."
"Excuse me! Sir!" a mature-sounding voice came from behind Keiko.
Keiko turned around, "Hmm?"
A brunette with thick shoulder-length hair stood, holding a pen and notepad. On her head school uniform vest was a yellow pin that read "Press".
"Im surveying students on their first impression of the new headmaster of Unicorn Academy. How does he compare to your former headmaster?" the girl was tall and slender, very un-Japanese-like qualities. Staci.
"Uh this is my first year here " Keiko lowered her voice. "I dont know anything about the former headmaster."
Keiko noticed that Staci was looking just over her shoulders. Keiko turned around. Aika and Naoki were using sherade-like movements to try to tell Staci Keikos true identity. They suddenly froze.
"What are you doing?" Keiko calmly asked.
"N-nothing, Keiko-chan!" Naoki smiled, and then covered her mouth, realizing her sudden error.
"Keiko-chan?!" Staci gasped.
Keiko nervously clenched her teeth, and turned around. Putting up both hands palms out, she whispered, "Keep it down, okay?"
"You snuck into TUA?!" Stacis voice remained loud.
Keiko wrapped her arms around Staci, and she put a hand over her mouth. "Call me Kei, and dont let anyone know! Its a secret!" she took her hand off of Stacis mouth, who was now giggling madly.
"My, Kei-chan! Your arms are sooo strong!" Staci teased, and all three Phoenix Academy students giggled.
Keiko let go of Staci, and sighed. "Please, dont even start!"
"Thisll be the best!" Staci scribbled on her notepad.
"What?! What are you writing?!" Keiko tried to catch a glimpse of Stacis notepad.
Staci kept writing. "A big scoop! Worthless do-nothing student sneaks into rival school! Itll be the talk of the Academy!"
Keiko grimaced. Worthless ?! DO-NOTHING ?! A blood vein began to swell on her forehead. "Have you been hanging around Rina in my absence?!"
Staci blinked, "You dont know? Rina-san took over Mais position as Editor for the paper."
"Toseki Mai?!" Keiko gasped, "As if she didnt hate Rina enough! First Student Council President, and now Editor?!"
"Yup. I speak with her on an everyday basis now." Staci noticed Keiko trying to steal a look at her notepad, and she held it against her chest. "Uh-uh! For my eyes only."
"Sempai? Is there trouble?" Otaru began walking up the stairs with a soda in each hand.
"Uh no--! Uh " Keiko nervously tried to give an explanation. "Theyre just, uh fans of Amuro, thats all--!"
Both Aika and Naoki got starry-eyed. "Anji-chaaaan !"
Staci sighed, and folded her arms. "Those two are, anyway." She looked at Otaru, and jumped right in his face, pen and paper ready. She flashed him a stunning smile, and batted her large green eyes. "What was your first impression of Headmaster Obari?"
Otaru looked taken aback by the foreign girls impulsive behavior. "What about him?" he quietly asked.
"Any complaints? Anything you liked?" Staci got closer to Otaru, as thought to force an answer out of him.
Otaru was beginning to nervously blush. "He he seemed to be set on begin the best ch-championship, I think!"
Staci nodded, and jotted the comments down. "Name?"
"Ch-Ch-Chinen Otaru " Otaru stammered.
"Okay, you got your story, now leave him alone." Keiko pulled Staci away from Otaru.
"Oh, Kei! Be gentle!" Staci moaned wistfully. "You can hurt a fragile girl if you cant control your strength!"
Aika and Naoki both giggled like mad.
Otaru glared at the two younger girls. "You were the two hyenas sitting behind us."
The girls giggled harder.
Keiko sighed, adjusting her glasses. "Im going back to my dorm." She started heading down the stairs. "See you tomorrow, Otaru."
"Sempai ?" Otaru murmured, watching Keiko leave.
Keiko undid her jacket, and threw herself on her bed. With a huge sigh, she looked at her bedside table, where a photograph of her family was set.
"Be sure to participate in every class!" Mom told her.
"And even if you dont solve the mystery, were proud of you." Daddy added.
"I will solve the mystery!" Keiko told them. She repeated those words are she lay on her bed. She sat up, and rubbed her eyes, trying to unwind. "But how can I without any leads?!"
She heard a knock on the door, and she stopped whining. She walked over to the door, and let down her hair. "Honestly, Anji, dont tell me youve already lost your key!" she opened the door, and got eye-contact with Otaru. "Otaru!"
Otaru held up a can of soda. "You forgot your drink."
Keiko blinked. She took the soda, and stared at Otaru.
"Nice hair." Otaru pointed. "You look like a samurai."
Keiko gasped, and pulled her hair back with a hand. "I-I was about to shower "
"Oh! No problem! I was about to leave!" Otaru smiled. "See you tomorrow, Sempai!"
"Yeah." Keiko said as Otaru turned around to leave. She closed the door, and looked at the soda can. Just to give me this?? she frowned. "Doesnt he have any other friends?!" she leaned against the door, and sighed. "I guess I dont have a choice. Im stuck with him." She smiled, and opened the soda. She slid down the door and sat on the floor, drinking her soda. "Couldve been worse " she pictured his smiling face. "I guess."
End Chapter Two