InTheMachine
 Tuesday, April 1st— 61°, Partly Cloudy 
 Kamata Academy  

Light pink cherry blossom petals softly drift in a light breeze at the front entrance of  Kamata Academy . The large tree in front of the central three story building is in full bloom, and several parents and students are taking pictures from the gate or surrounding walkway.

Around 7:45am, students are ushered into the main gym by several teachers, where several hundred chairs have been set up before a stage at the North end of the building. About 40 chairs have been placed on the stage, along with a central podium with a microphone.

The entrance ceremony takes just over two hours, with speeches by the principal,  Mr. Shinohara , a stern-looking older man in a sharp gray suit, the student council president,  Himura Tatsuya , a dark haired third year with red highlights, and the top student from last year,  Sekiguchi Chikage , a third year girl with glasses.  After the speeches, a small orchestra made up of 2nd and 3rd years takes the stage and plays several classical songs. They finish with the national anthem, which everyone assembled is required to sing to, though, looking around, there are a few students that just mouth the words.

Once the ceremony is concluded, the first year students are directed to the classrooms on the first floor. When you enter class 1-B, most desks are open, allowing you to sit where you’d like. Cubbies in the back of the classroom to store bags, books, and bentos are already neatly labeled with students' names in alphabetical order and have text and workbooks within. Out of the windows on the left of the classroom, you can see a  lush green inner courtyard  with a central fountain and tables and benches to eat at.

As more students filter in, a few stand out as they find seats.

Two girls look to find desks together.  The one with long lighter brown hair that is pulled up into a ponytail and bright red-brown eyes  talks animatedly at the other,  a girl with short black hair clipped to the side with a star shaped barrette  that occasionally answers her in a soft voice. The two of them both have matching small charms on their bags of stars and crescent moons.

Another  girl with two long braids and light brown eyes  is trying to hold a desk open next to her, and keeps glancing worriedly at the door. She’s even put her bag on the other desk, hoping no one takes it.

A  guy with messy deep blue hair and gold eyes  leans back in his seat, talking to a  thin, dark haired boy  to his left that has one earphone in. The other sits in a case on top of his desk. The blue-haired guy has his blazer open, and his tie is a little loose. He’s leaning far enough back that the front two feet of his chair are no longer touching the floor.

Another  dark haired girl with long hair  is seated in the back of the room, texting intensely on her phone. She frowns at the screen after she finishes typing, waiting for a response.

 OOC: Where do you sit? Do you try to speak to anyone? 
mmdeforrest
 
 Originally Posted by InTheMachine 
  Tuesday, April 1st 
 Kamata Academy  

Light pink cherry blossom petals softly drift in a light breeze at the front entrance of  Kamata Academy . The large tree in front of the central three story building is in full bloom, and several parents and students are taking pictures from the gate or surrounding walkway.

Around 7:45am, students are ushered into the main gym by several teachers, where several hundred chairs have been set up before a stage at the North end of the building. About 40 chairs have been placed on the stage, along with a central podium with a microphone.

The entrance ceremony takes just over two hours, with speeches by the principal,  Mr. Shinohara , a stern-looking older man in a sharp gray suit, the student council president,  Himura Tatsuya , a dark haired third year with red highlights, and the top student from last year,  Sekiguchi Chikage , a third year girl with glasses.  After the speeches, a small orchestra made up of 2nd and 3rd years takes the stage and plays several classical songs. They finish with the national anthem, which everyone assembled is required to sing to, though, looking around, there are a few students that just mouth the words.

Once the ceremony is concluded, the first year students are directed to the classrooms on the first floor. When you enter class 1-B, most desks are open, allowing you to sit where you’d like. Cubbies in the back of the classroom to store bags, books, and bentos are already neatly labeled with students' names in alphabetical order and have text and workbooks within. Out of the windows on the left of the classroom, you can see a  lush green inner courtyard  with a central fountain and tables and benches to eat at.

As more students filter in, a few stand out as they find seats.

Two girls look to find desks together.  The one with long lighter brown hair that is pulled up into a ponytail and bright red-brown eyes  talks animatedly at the other, a  girl with short black hair clipped to the side  with a star shaped barrette that occasionally answers her in a soft voice. The two of them both have matching small charms on their bags of stars and crescent moons.

Another  girl with two long braids and light brown eyes  is trying to hold a desk open next to her, and keeps glancing worriedly at the door. She’s even put her bag on the other desk, hoping no one takes it.

A  guy with messy deep blue hair and gold eyes  leans back in his seat, talking to a  thin, dark haired boy  to his left that has one earphone in. The other sits in a case on top of his desk. The blue-haired guy has his blazer open, and his tie is a little loose. He’s leaning far enough back that the front two feet of his chair are no longer touching the floor.

Another  dark haired girl with long hair  is seated in the back of the room, texting intensely on her phone. She frowns at the screen after she finishes typing, waiting for a response.

 OOC: Where do you sit? Do you try to speak to anyone?  
 

Tsuku could still feel the coolness on his hands when he quietly entered his new classroom. The small act of ritual purification following the induction ceremony had been unnecessary. There had been nothing that even hinted at   kegare   but the nod to   misogi   felt appropriate to the start of the year — just as a farmer might ritually bathe out of respect to the kami before planting.

A part of Tsuku wanted to immediately speak with his classmates. He would be spending the entirety of the year with them and knew so few people in the immediate area. But he knew he would not feel settled without completing his task.

That he chose to sit next to the girl in the back of the room after placing his bag and bento box in his cubby was not primarily driven by her being pretty. The other girls in the class were pretty, too. But the pair with matching trinkets were animated and might speak to him. The girl with the braids was waiting for someone and he didn't wish to unsettle her further.

The dark haired girl with light brown eyes, however, was focused enough on her phone that his presence wouldn't be a burden. At least that’s what he told himself as he seat next to her and set his pencil box and the spare program from the morning on the desk.

He opened his pencil box and took out his father's elk  folding bone . It had belonged to his grandfather before and his father before that. Theirs was an old family, Tsuku reflected as he began to quickly but deliberately fold and crease the paper.

Now it had come down to him.

The accident was no longer fresh so while he felt the sadness touch his eyes for a moment, the tears did not threaten to come.

How many cranes had he made since then? How many were arranged beneath the   kamidana   in his apartment?

He closed his eyes and took a centering breath.

 417 left to go after this one .

He glanced at the pretty girl out of the corner of his eye as he completed another fold, hoping he had not disturbed her while wondering if he had at all drawn her attention.
Zelphas
Uehara Hanzou reminded himself that he was choosing against his past on purpose. Still, he couldn't help but feel like he had tripped and fell face-first into flippin' opposite-world, where everything was reversed. He kept expecting to blink and see all the colors invert, or something.

The first reversal was the worst one. His father dropped him off at the ceremony, because his mom wasn't there. Hanzou liked the guy well enough, he guessed, but he'd give anything for that to be right-side up, at least.

Before, he would've ducked his mom as quick as he could and blown off the ceremony to find his friends. Now, he tried to talk with his father and do the "good kid stuff" before heading in promptly to find his place. He would've found someone to joke with about the utterly boring, uptight speeches and fallen asleep to the music. This time, he tried to figure out what all the talkers were trying to say, and... well, at least he woke up before the anthem. As for that: he actually tried to sing it this time, though he forgot half the words and was definitely off-key a few times.

Now, Hanzou stood a little too long at the entrance to Class 1-B, trying to ignore the way the tie pinched his neck, the blazer bound his arms. His scalp itched, feeling too cold with the light fuzz of black hair as its only covering. The bandage covering the hole of his nose ring itched, too, and his ears burned from the fact that his piercings there were visible to everyone. He clenched his fists tight against all the sensations and forced himself to take a deep, deep breath, walking over to a cubby to place his things away as neatly as he could manage it. Then he started looking for where he should sit.

His feet wanted him to go over to Blue Hair and Headphones. They were already flouting the dress code at least a little, looked relaxed, were near the back of the room. If not them, the back row near Phone Girl and Paper Guy was always enticing. He rejected both spots. That was the old him, and he needed to keep his grades up if he wanted to stay here. If he wanted to not disappoint his mom again.

Star Girl 1 and Star Girl 2 were where he looked next, but he looked away just as quickly. That was  too  different. He wouldn't know where to start, with people like them. He'd only come across as gloomy, or creepy, or a brute, and then it'd all be over on the first day. No, that's no good.

Hanzou's eyes fell on Braids Girl, and he almost discounted anywhere near her, too. Then he paused, and thought about it for a moment. She looked like she wanted to keep that seat free, but might be too anxious to do anything about it... Making up his mind, Hanzou sauntered over in that direction and took a seat--in front of the seat Braids Girl was trying to reserve for someone else. He threw on arm over the seat back and leaned back in it slightly, turning his back to Braids Girl--though he made sure he could see her out of the corner of his eye. He fastened his eyes on the door instead of looking at her directly, though. If someone came in and Braids Girl called them over, then it's all good; if someone from the door or the cubbies tried to grab the seat, he could glare at them here without saying anything and trust that his look would spook them. As long as it didn't spook Braids Girl, too...

Hanzou realized that he was scratching at his nose bandage and forced his hand down, where it started tapping nervously on his desk. This was a dumb plan--now  that  was just like him--but it was something, and it was a start. And he was seated closer to the front than he'd usually pick. That was a start too.
InTheMachine
 April 1st 
 Classroom 1-B 
 Ishii 
The girl that Ishii sat next to sighs when she doesn’t get an immediate reply. She places her phone on her desk and glances over to see what Ishii is up to and her eyes widen a little seeing that he’s using a tool to help him fold his origami.

“You’re serious about that, huh?” she says, propping her chin up on her hand. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone use something like that. How many animals do you know how to make?”

 Uehara 
The girl with braids watches carefully as Uehara sits. Her eyes dart to the door again before she tries to get his attention. “Hey… ummm… excuse me… did you see a guy with annoyingly orange hair at the opening ceremony?”

 
 Spoiler: Knowledge+Notice— TN Height 3  
Uehara is certain he does not remember seeing any “annoyingly orange-haired dudes” at the ceremony.
 
Roguewolf
Dazai made his way into the ceremony having his usual grin on his face. The uniform was a bit too bright for his tastes, but at least this place would be a new start. He hoped so anyway. This year would be the stepping stone for his long-term goals.

 First stop, student council. Remember, you're going for Prime Minister, Dazai!  His grin widened as he thought about it all. He even heard his mom's encouragement as they moved him into the apartments the previous week. He would need to call and tell her how the first day went later, but for now, to be a good student, he needed to find someone who looked like they needed a friend.

He was surprised at the classroom and glanced around at the other faces gathered. The two girls at the front seemed to be in their own world, and probably wouldn't notice him sitting around there. Not to mention the two guys already flouting the dress code. To each their own though. He at least had the tie his mom gave him for good luck, and his belts hidden under the blazer. So he couldn't say too much.

He was standing there a bit too long making a decision, and finally noticed the stare from the guy with the shaved head. The girl behind him seemed to be waiting for someone too, Probably best to not take the seat being saved. He decided to make his way to the back and put away his things nice and neat before settling on a seat. Then another thought crossed his mind.

 What if it starts again?  Reminders of being bullied by his previous classmates flooded his mind. He shook his head to regain composure and settled on the seat just to the side of the guy with the shaved head.

He smiled at the pair talking and settled his things on the desk. Today was going to be a good day.
Zelphas
Braids Girl was talking to him. Hanzou wasn't sure whether to be cheered that he possibly didn't look quite as thuggish as he expected, or disappointed that his bad plan was even less likely to work than he thought. Another student sat near him, one with a red tie and a big grin, and the alternating feelings intensified.

All of this was so much easier when he didn't care, when he just did what came naturally to him. But then, he saw where that road went: a hospital bed, and a too-thin, too cold hand, and a shadow around a too-fragile neck...

Wait, Braids Girl was talking to him! She asked a question! "What?" Hanzou blurted out, tearing his mind out of the past and back into the present moment. He tiwsted around in his seat to look at her directly, her words finally making it through to his mind as he did so. "Sorry, you asked, um... annoyingly orange hair..." He was so focused on paying attention and doing the right thing, that the entire awards ceremony was a blur. Good grief, he couldn't even remember what anyone said during those long speeches. That seemed like it was wrong... "No, I don't think I saw anyone like that," he said finally to Braids Girl.

It took another long moment for it to click in his brain as to  why  she would be asking that question. "Oh, but, um,  I don't pay much attention--no, I was trying to, but--well, he might've been there, and I just didn't... notice... so..." He trailed off lamely, then turned sharply back around in his seat, hoping his ears weren't red with embarrassment. At least only Braids Girl and Red Tie were close enough to hear that string of nonsense. Hopefully.

 
 Spoiler: OOC Dice 
 Knowledge + Notice - TN Height 3 :  4#1d10   3   1   2   5 
 
mmdeforrest
 
 Originally Posted by InTheMachine 
  April 1st 
 Classroom 1-B 
 Ishii 
The girl that Ishii sat next to sighs when she doesn’t get an immediate reply. She places her phone on her desk and glances over to see what Ishii is up to and her eyes widen a little seeing that he’s using a tool to help him fold his origami.

“You’re serious about that, huh?” she says, propping her chin up on her hand. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone use something like that. How many animals do you know how to make?” 
 

Tsuku looked up, a mildly puzzled expression on his face as he completed the Crane. “I don’t know,” he replied. “I’ve never counted.”

416 to go.

His hands began to move again, creasing, scoring, and neatly tearing out another square from the portion of the program that he had not used as he spoke before beginning to rapidly create another, smaller crane.

“It feels like I have been practicing origami my entire life. It’s something of a family tradition. This folding bone was received as a gift by one of my ancestors. It and its kami have been with my family since, guiding our hands as we create.

“It seemed appropriate to make a crane from a spare program as a way to draw good fortune on our school for the year.”

He smiled shyly. “I’ve been making many cranes of late — senbazuru — so I can now make them quickly.”

He placed the smaller crane (the 585th) on his hand and offered it to her.

“I wish good fortune to you as well. My name is Ishii Tsuku, if I may be so bold to introduce myself to my classmate. May I know your name?”
big teej
 Bright Eyes and New Beginnings: 
 Arrival... 
Kyoji slows his pace, watching the families take pictures at the big sakura tree.  He comes to a stop and asks  his mother  and  Tsuki  "Did you take a picture on your first day?  Should we take one?"

Kyoji's First Day Nerves are reigned in when he considers  his Father  and  Yohachi .  His face falls a little.  "Maybe we shouldn't... it wouldn't be a family picture."

He turns and looks at his sister, who rolls her eyes but can't suppress a grin.  "We sure did, but don't you think it'd be kinda dorky to take one?"

 Opening Ceremony... 

Kyoji spends more time scanning the crowd, trying to get a feel for his fellow students and the atmosphere at the school than he does paying attention to the speakers.  He also tries to gauge and match the gusto and enthusiasm of the pocket of students immediately around him during the Anthem.

Kyoji drags his feet leaving the gym, trying to spot his sister in the cloud for one last goodbye before heading on to his class.


 Class is not in Session... 

Kyoji stands in the doorway to Class 1-B for a moment, looking over the double handful of his peers who'd gotten here first.  He glances over his shoulder, down the hallway still bustling with other kids, seeing others already striking up conversations and taking the first steps towards new friendships and a broader social circle.

He ignores the knot that twists in his stomach and fixes an easy smile on his face and walks, a little stiffly, to the back of the room to put his things away.

Remembering that Tsuki had also been in 1-B when she'd arrived at Kamata brings a brief, more genuine, smile to his face.
 I wonder if this is the same cubbie she used.   Something about the idea of following in his older sibling's footsteps made him feel more at ease, like he was embracing some universal tradition, or a natural, organic path.

Turning back to the room, Kyoji weighs his options of snagging a seat.  He rejects window-side and the opposite wall out of hand.
 Those two girls having matching charms.  Nonstarter.. 

He considers the Kid folding paper and chatting with another girl on the back row.
 I wouldn't have anything to say about that... I can barely make a jumping frog. 

He glances over at the buzz-headed kid who looks a little uncomfortable in his own skin as the girl with the braids speaks to him, and the cheery guy next to them.
 Late to the party... 

His eyes fall on Mister Casual and the music lover and some phantom impulse moves his feet towards them.  He takes a seat next to the music lover.  He props one arm up on his desk and rests his head in his hand, glancing between the two of them.

"Some ceremony, huh?"  He asks in a carefully neutral tone.

 
 Spoiler: OOC/Mechanics/Whatnot 

Ugh...  being friendly is  haaaard...  😩
 
PK-Leon
 Tuesday, April 1st 
 Kamata Academy Gate 

 Light pink cherry blossom petals softly drift in a light breeze at the front entrance of Kamata Academy. The large tree in front of the central three story building is in full bloom, and several parents and students are taking pictures from the gate or surrounding walkway. 

Minami Kazuhiro slowly makes his way down the last stretch of the road toward school grounds, finally bringing his leisurely stroll to a stop upon reaching the front gates of Kamata Academy. He idles for a moment enjoying the sensation of the Spring breeze as it danced across his skin and played with several loose strands of purple hair.

The first-year draws in a deep breath and allows himself to take in the full view of the school proper along with the faces and voices belonging to the myriad of students and their families that currently filled the grounds. Their smiles, laughter, and even tears were full of hope for whatever the year ahead of them might bring. Kazuhiro's body was filled with a familiar warmth as the memories of his parents sending him off on his first day of primary school came flooding back to him. He did his best to enjoy the fleeting moment of happiness in spite of the absence of his own family.

The newly enrolled student reminded himself that he was only afforded the opportunity to attend Kamata because of his father's tireless efforts. With this in mind he withdrew his cellphone from his pocket and readied the front-facing camera to take a selfie at the academy gate, using the sakura tree in the courtyard to frame the picture and making no effort to straighten his disheveled hair. He took a few moments to capture several pictures of the scene unfolding around him so that he could look back on the moment and remember where he had started the year. Even if the canvas of Kazuhiro's life was missing something now he wanted to believe that it was possible to fill in the empty space with something entirely new.

He smiled softly even as he sent the picture of himself to a father who he was certain would never reply in turn. The sense of hope that springtime instilled must've been contagious.

 Class 1-B 

 Once the ceremony is concluded, the first year students are directed to the classrooms on the first floor. When you enter class 1-B, most desks are open, allowing you to sit where you’d like. Cubbies in the back of the classroom to store bags, books, and bentos are already neatly labeled with students' names in alphabetical order and have text and workbooks within. Out of the windows on the left of the classroom, you can see a lush green inner courtyard with a central fountain and tables and benches to eat at. 

The first-year shuffles through the school halls, slightly deviating from the outlined path in an attempt to give himself more time to recover from the daze inflicted upon him by the entrance ceremony. Even if most things changed, some never did.

Kazuhiro could already hear the voices of his classmates as he approached the room that would serve as the backdrop for the majority of Class 1-B's shared experiences during their first year at Kamata. He pokes his head into the room upon reaching the door, noting the faces and demeanor of the first-years assembled within in addition to the cubbies located in back of the room. Opting for the path of least resistance Kazuhiro takes the longer route through the hall and enters the classroom through the rear door. He deposits his belongings into the cubby labeled with his name with the exception of a blank notebook and pencil case before standing back up to survey the room once more.

The number of available seats was quickly dwindling given the size of the class and academy, which made it easy for Kazuhiro to decide where he wanted to spend the rest of the year sitting, working, and daydreaming. He moved to take one of the remaining window seats toward the middle of the room and deposited himself into the desk without a second thought. The stillness of the courtyard just beyond the window quickly drew him in, away from the budding interactions between his classmates. Kazuhiro opened his notebook to the first page, pulled out a freshly sharpened pencil from it's case, and began drawing absentmindedly.
InTheMachine
 Tuesday, April 1st 
 Classroom 1-B 
 Ishii 
 A folding bone?  the girl mouths with a slightly confused look. But as his hands move and the crane takes shape, she seems impressed.

“You’re really good,” she says with a smile. “My name’s Yoshikawa Misaki. Nice to meet you, Ishii-kun.”

As Ishii offers the crane to her, she takes it, carefully placing it on her palm to look at it. “Wait,” she says suddenly. “If this is for a  senbazuru , don’t you need it?”

She looks torn for a moment before she puts the crane down on her desk and pulls a notebook out of her bag, and tears a piece of paper out of it. She makes the page into a square and then folds her own paper crane. It’s uneven, and has a few small tears and extra creases where she had to go back and refold it when she forgot the exact steps.

Yoshikawa blushes as she offers it to Ishii, not able to meet his eyes. “It’s ugly, but at least you won’t be short one.”

 Uehara and Atsuta 
The girl lets out a giggle that she hides behind her hand at Uehara’s backpedaling, before she turns to Atsuta. “What about you? Did you see an orange-haired guy at the ceremony?”

 OOC: Same roll for Atsuta as Uehara last time  
 Ishiwari 
“It was traditional,” the thin boy says, pulling out his right earphone and putting it in its case. “Kind of expected for the school’s 75th anniversary. I just wish the orchestra had gotten to play more. I wanted to hear something a little more technical than what they performed today.”

The blue haired guy leans forward so that he can look around his friend to Ishiwari. “I’m just glad that we get a half day after having to sit through something that boring. I’m Shiraishi Akito, he’s Taira Shoichi,” he continues before he trails off, looking at the newest student to enter.

A  tall guy with spiky black hair that falls into one eye  is surveying the room from the door. He smirks as he notices the three boys in the back of the room.

“Great,” Shiraishi mutters sullenly. “Just who I wanted to see.”

Taira stiffens as the tall guy makes his way through the classroom down the aisle that his desk is on. He puts his hand over his headphones case and doesn’t meet the new student’s gaze as he stops at his desk on his way to the cubbies.

“Taira-chan, I didn’t expect to see you here,” he says with mock friendliness, leaning on the chair in front of Taira’s desk. His gaze moves over to Shiraishi. “And I definitely didn’t expect to see you, Akito. Your grades were always too terrible for a school as good as this one. Did Taira-chan give you some…  private lessons  and ask his father to bribe the principal to let you in?”

Shiraishi bristles, but reconsiders his retort after Taira gives him the slightest shake of his head.

“We’re not looking for trouble, Ryuzaki-san,” Taira says quietly.

Ryuzaki smiles widely. “No trouble, Taira-chan. This was just a friendly hello. I’m looking forward to working with you guys this year.” His eyes move over to Ishiwari, and he sees a flicker of recognition there before the taller boy continues to the back of the room to put his things away. He finds a seat at the windows, just in front of Minami and to the left of Atsuta and starts to chat with a girl in the front row.

“I hate that guy,” Shiraishi mumbles.
Roguewolf
 
 Originally Posted by InTheMachine 
  Tuesday, April 1st 
 Classroom 1-B 
 Uehara and Atsuta 
The girl lets out a giggle that she hides behind her hand at Uehara’s backpedaling, before she turns to Atsuta. “What about you? Did you see an orange-haired guy at the ceremony?”

 OOC: Same roll for Atsuta as Uehara last time   
 

Dazai offers a grin at the guy with the shaved head. "If it helps, there were some that kept talking to the point I couldn't hear near me so I missed a bit. Atsuta Dazai, nice to meetcha both!" He beams at the pair.

 
 Spoiler: Dazai may have seen something 
 Knowledge + Notice :  5#1d10   5   7   5   1   2 
 


Dazai thinks for a moment on the question and nods. "I don't remember seeing a guy with orange hair. Sorry about that, but it seems like he'd stick out about as much as I do at least." His eyes dropped a moment being unable to help much more. That would change too. But his grin returned quickly.

"I could probably run out and try to find him real quick if you want. Guessin' that's his seat?"

Dazai nods at the guy with spiky hair as he takes the seat to his left and smiles before turning back to the pair he had been talking to.
mmdeforrest
 
 Originally Posted by InTheMachine 
  Tuesday, April 1st 
 Classroom 1-B 
 Ishii 
 A folding bone?  the girl mouths with a slightly confused look. But as his hands move and the crane takes shape, she seems impressed.

“You’re really good,” she says with a smile. “My name’s Yoshikawa Misaki. Nice to meet you, Ishii-kun.”

As Ishii offers the crane to her, she takes it, carefully placing it on her palm to look at it. “Wait,” she says suddenly. “If this is for a  senbazuru , don’t you need it?”

She looks torn for a moment before she puts the crane down on her desk and pulls a notebook out of her bag, and tears a piece of paper out of it. She makes the page into a square and then folds her own paper crane. It’s uneven, and has a few small tears and extra creases where she had to go back and refold it when she forgot the exact steps.

Yoshikawa blushes as she offers it to Ishii, not able to meet his eyes. “It’s ugly, but at least you won’t be short one.” 
 

“Nothing offered with kindness and generosity is ugly,” he replied with a smile, taking the crane and admiring it, “especially when it promises to bring good fortune and comes from the first person I’ve met here.”

“Thank you, Yoshikawa-Chan,” he added, flattered at the less formal register she had taken with him and feeling his own blush warm his cheeks. “It will have a place of honor among the rest of the flock.”

His hand, which held the folding bone, drifted toward the small piece of paper remaining from the program. The new school and life it contained felt less isolating when she spoke to him. “Do you do much origami? Or have a favorite animal or other form to make or see?”
Zelphas
Red tie is Atsuta Dazai. Red Tie Dazai. It rhymes three times.* Huh.

Uehara resists the urge to slap the side of his head and shake free the nervous thoughts running through it, turning back to the person talking after a moment. "Ue-Uehara," he stutters. He wasn't changing his last name, wasn't planning on it. Why'd he stutter now? "Uehara Hanzou. Um... likewise." He shrinks slightly under the brightness of Red Tie Dazai, turning slowly back around in his seat. But then he realizes that the Star Girls were right in front of him. How did he miss that? He freezes, a bit awkwardly, hoping (for the first time in his life) that the teacher would walk in and start the class already.

 
 Spoiler: * 
"Red Tie" in Japanese is (written out phonetically--and poorly) "Akai NekuTai". Thus, Akai Nekutai Dazai. This was not on purpose.
 
big teej
 First Impressions: 

"I'm Ishiwari Kyoji."  The spiky haired youth says, introducing himself to Taira and Shiraishi.  "I hope we'll all be able to get along this year."  He continues with a big, friendly smile.

The wiry teen follow's Taira and Shiraishi's gaze towards another spiky haired teen.

He picks up on the pair's trepidation, but keeps his expression neutral as the other boy walks over and 'introduces' himself.


"Hey, Ryuzaki, it's the first day of school man.  There's no need for that."  Kyoji states in a not as cheerful tone.
InTheMachine
 Tuesday, April 1st 
 Classroom 1-B 
 Ishii 
Yoshikawa’s blush deepens at Ishii’s words. She quickly pulls her hand back. “I learned how to make cranes in junior high,” she replies. “My friends taught me a couple other ones too. Like a frog and a cute little cat face. But I haven’t made any, until this one, in a couple years.”

“My favorite animal is a tiger though. I never learned how to make one of those.”

 Uehara and Atsuta  
Braids girl gives Atsuta a grateful smile. “Thanks for the offer, but I wouldn’t want you to get counted late too. He’ll get here. Eventually.”

She gives the back of Uehara’s head another grin hidden behind her hand. “I’m Morishige Ayame. Glad you guys sat here. I think we’re gonna have a great year.”

 Ishiwari 
Ryuzaki pauses on the way to his chosen seat as Ishiwari calls him out. “Ya know, you’re right. It’s only the first day,” he replies with a languid smile before he continues over to the windows.

 Class 
The last few students trickle through and find seats before a  woman in her late twenties with her hair pulled back into a tight bun  walks in.

She adjusts her glasses as she makes her way to the desk and sets her bag on top. “Hello!” she says as she starts to pull out a leather bound document pouch from her bag. “I’m Miss Nakano, your home room teacher.”

 Ryuzaki stands and begins the greeting  for Miss Nakano. The class stands at his formal command and bows to her.

“You can be seated,” the teacher says as she pulls out several pens and starts to pull out papers. She sits at her desk and she looks over the class and looks back at one of the sheets.

“I’ll start with attendance,” she continues.

Morishige looks nervously at the door again as Miss Nakano completes her attendance and only one name, Nishimura Haru, came up absent.

The teacher starts to set aside the attendance sheet when a  boy with bright orange hair  slides open the front door. His shoulders are heaving, his blazer is open, and his tie is loose around his neck. “I’m… I… made it,” he manages to get out in between deep breaths.

“Nishimura-san?” Miss Nakano asks with a raised eyebrow.

“Nishimura Haru,” the boy says as he enters the classroom and slides the door shut behind him. “Sorry I’m late.” His bright blue eyes stay fixed on his shoes as he bows deeply.

Miss Nakano sighs, but goes back to her attendance sheet. “Find a seat please, Nishimura-san. I’ll mark you down as ‘here’ today, but don’t be late again.”

“Yes ma’am!” the boy says as he finally looks at the other students. He finds Morishige glaring at him, and withers a little under her gaze as he sits at the desk next to her, putting his bag under his chair.

Miss Nakano then starts class, going through the plan for the day of having each teacher meet them and go over their syllabus, and that they would be dismissed after lunch today. She also lets them know that many of the 2nd and 3rd years will be out trying to recruit for their clubs once lunch is over.

After a few more announcements, she takes questions, then has Ryuzaki close the class before she leaves.

Once Miss Nakano closes the door, Morishige turns to Nishimura.

He shrinks away. “I overslept and missed the train,” he mutters quietly.

 
 Spoiler: Minami Knowledge + Notice TN Height 3 
As he gazes out of the window during the first portion of class, a flicker of movement catches Minami’s eye. The water in the fountain is moving oddly, almost like something is splashing in it. The courtyard is empty except for a squirrel and a few birds. Nothing is near the fountain.

 
 Spoiler: Knowledge + Notice TN Height 6 
As he looks harder, his eyes bring  a girl  into focus that’s sitting on the edge of the fountain, dipping her bare feet in. She’s around his age, with dark hair that’s pulled up into bun with an elaborate ornament. The girl is wearing a white kimono decorated with a blue and white flowers and a matching deep blue obi.

She glances up as she tucks a piece of hair behind her ear and looks directly at Minami, smiling before he blinks and she flickers out of existence.

The water is still.
 

 
mmdeforrest
 
 Originally Posted by InTheMachine 
  Tuesday, April 1st 
 Classroom 1-B 
 Ishii 
Yoshikawa’s blush deepens at Ishii’s words. She quickly pulls her hand back. “I learned how to make cranes in junior high,” she replies. “My friends taught me a couple other ones too. Like a frog and a cute little cat face. But I haven’t made any, until this one, in a couple years.”

“My favorite animal is a tiger though. I never learned how to make one of those.” 
 

Ishii frowned as he looked at the small rectangle of paper he had left. “I can make a tiger,” he said slowly, “but not with only this much paper. I have some paper at my apartment I could use to make a tiger. I could make one for you or, if you would prefer, bring some sheets of it in tomorrow and show you how to make a tiger.”


 
 Originally Posted by InTheMachine 
  Class 
The last few students trickle through and find seats before a  woman in her late twenties with her hair pulled back into a tight bun  walks in.

She adjusts her glasses as she makes her way to the desk and sets her bag on top. “Hello!” she says as she starts to pull out a leather bound document pouch from her bag. “I’m Miss Nakano, your home room teacher.”

 Ryuzaki stands and begins the greeting  for Miss Nakano. The class stands at his formal command and bows to her.

“You can be seated,” the teacher says as she pulls out several pens and starts to pull out papers. She sits at her desk and she looks over the class and looks back at one of the sheets.

“I’ll start with attendance,” she continues. 
 

Ishii was startled by the other boy’s initiative — as well as the initiative of the boy be had just beaten out to have the class stand and greet their homeroom teacher. He did not begrudge him the role — it was a role he was uninterested in. That kind competition was not his family’s way. Theirs was the path of quieter service and advancement through recognition of their loyalty and their talents.

It had not led to any meteoric rises in their status but their inexorable slow and steady climb had been a successful formula for the family’s success.

Now, he was the Oniy One left to sustain that rise.

He would not dishonor his family’s memory by failing to do as they had done.
big teej
 Class 1-B: 

Ishiwari follows Ryuzaki with his eyes for a few steps before glancing back at Taira and Shiraishi again with a questioning look and  a shrug.

He rotates in his seat to face the teacher and sit properly when he notices her come in.


 Originally Posted by  Miss Nakano 
The teacher starts to set aside the attendance sheet when a  boy with bright orange hair  slides open the front door. His shoulders are heaving, his blazer is open, and his tie is loose around his neck. “I’m… I… made it,” he manages to get out in between deep breaths.

“Nishimura-san?” Miss Nakano asks with a raised eyebrow.

“Nishimura Haru,” the boy says as he enters the classroom and slides the door shut behind him. “Sorry I’m late.” His bright blue eyes stay fixed on his shoes as he bows deeply.

Miss Nakano sighs, but goes back to her attendance sheet. “Find a seat please, Nishimura-san. I’ll mark you down as ‘here’ today, but don’t be late again.” 

Ishiwari looks askance at the late arrival.   On the first day, dude?   He tries to master his expression and not look overly judgemental.  Lack of discipline aside, there's no reason not to try and get to know the guy, rather than discarding him out of hand.



 Originally Posted by  Miss Nakano 
Miss Nakano then starts class, going through the plan for the day of having each teacher meet them and go over their syllabus, and that they would be dismissed after lunch today. She also lets them know that many of the 2nd and 3rd years will be out trying to recruit for their clubs once lunch is over. 

Ishiwari is attentive and manages not to waste too much time thinking about what he'll do with his half-a-day.

The student noticeably perks up when club recruiting is mentioned.  After Miss Nakano leaves he stretches in his seat and looks over at Taira and Shiraishi  "Do either of you plan on going out for anything?"
Roguewolf
 
 Originally Posted by InTheMachine 
  Tuesday, April 1st 
 Classroom 1-B 
 Uehara and Atsuta  
Braids girl gives Atsuta a grateful smile. “Thanks for the offer, but I wouldn’t want you to get counted late too. He’ll get here. Eventually.”

She gives the back of Uehara’s head another grin hidden behind her hand. “I’m Morishige Ayame. Glad you guys sat here. I think we’re gonna have a great year.” 
 

Dazai grins widely. "Certainly feels like it starting up!"


 
 Originally Posted by InTheMachine 
  Class 
The last few students trickle through and find seats before a  woman in her late twenties with her hair pulled back into a tight bun  walks in.

She adjusts her glasses as she makes her way to the desk and sets her bag on top. “Hello!” she says as she starts to pull out a leather bound document pouch from her bag. “I’m Miss Nakano, your home room teacher.”

 Ryuzaki stands and begins the greeting  for Miss Nakano. The class stands at his formal command and bows to her. 
 

At the same time Ryuzaki stands, Dazai stands as well, then looks at him as he does. An eyebrow raised for a moment but he smiles and motioned his hand in an, "after you" fashion. If anything, he knew that a good leader had to let others take a chance as well. And he knew that class rep was appointed by the teacher anyway. This would probably give him some points in that regard.


 
 Originally Posted by InTheMachine 
 “You can be seated,” the teacher says as she pulls out several pens and starts to pull out papers. She sits at her desk and she looks over the class and looks back at one of the sheets.

“I’ll start with attendance,” she continues.

Morishige looks nervously at the door again as Miss Nakano completes her attendance and only one name, Nishimura Haru, came up absent.

The teacher starts to set aside the attendance sheet when a  boy with bright orange hair  slides open the front door. His shoulders are heaving, his blazer is open, and his tie is loose around his neck. “I’m… I… made it,” he manages to get out in between deep breaths.

“Nishimura-san?” Miss Nakano asks with a raised eyebrow.

“Nishimura Haru,” the boy says as he enters the classroom and slides the door shut behind him. “Sorry I’m late.” His bright blue eyes stay fixed on his shoes as he bows deeply.

Miss Nakano sighs, but goes back to her attendance sheet. “Find a seat please, Nishimura-san. I’ll mark you down as ‘here’ today, but don’t be late again.”

“Yes ma’am!” the boy says as he finally looks at the other students. He finds Morishige glaring at him, and withers a little under her gaze as he sits at the desk next to her, putting his bag under his chair.

Miss Nakano then starts class, going through the plan for the day of having each teacher meet them and go over their syllabus, and that they would be dismissed after lunch today. She also lets them know that many of the 2nd and 3rd years will be out trying to recruit for their clubs once lunch is over.

After a few more announcements, she takes questions, then has Ryuzaki close the class before she leaves.

Once Miss Nakano closes the door, Morishige turns to Nishimura.

He shrinks away. “I overslept and missed the train,” he mutters quietly. 
 

Dazai pays attention to all the instructions during the day, though is a bit bummed that Ryuzaki is called to close class. His demeanor doesn't change though. It was only the first day, and he still had a chance! He perks up a good bit at the mention of clubs, and immediately knows what he would like. Hopefully, there was a kendo club.

Following class, he turns to Ryuzaki. "I hope to get to work with you a great deal this year, Ryuzaki-san. Is there a club that you're interested in particularly?"

Following his response, Dazai turns to the others, and notices Nishimura shrinking away. "It does happen though. I'm sure Morishige-san was just worried about you." He grins. "We didn't have a lot of clubs at my last school, so I'm excited to see the options! Anything you guys are looking for?"
PK-Leon
 Class 

The sharp movements of Minami's pencil come to a stop seconds after Miss Nakano speaks up. The first year falls in line behind Ryuzaki and joins the rest of the class in greeting their homeroom teacher before resuming work on his sketch, sitting slightly quicker than the speed at which he stood. He imagined that there wouldn't be many opportunities to draw undisturbed in class over the course of the year.


 Morishige looks nervously at the door again as Miss Nakano completes her attendance and only one name, Nishimura Haru, came up absent.

The teacher starts to set aside the attendance sheet when a boy with bright orange hair slides open the front door. His shoulders are heaving, his blazer is open, and his tie is loose around his neck. “I’m… I… made it,” he manages to get out in between deep breaths.

“Nishimura-san?” Miss Nakano asks with a raised eyebrow.

“Nishimura Haru,” the boy says as he enters the classroom and slides the door shut behind him. “Sorry I’m late.” His bright blue eyes stay fixed on his shoes as he bows deeply.

Miss Nakano sighs, but goes back to her attendance sheet. “Find a seat please, Nishimura-san. I’ll mark you down as ‘here’ today, but don’t be late again.”

“Yes ma’am!” the boy says as he finally looks at the other students. He finds Morishige glaring at him, and withers a little under her gaze as he sits at the desk next to her, putting his bag under his chair. 

Minami glances up from his work to get a better look at the boy who'd figured out a way to escape the cover page of a weekly jump magazine. He was pleasantly surprised at Miss Nakano's leniency regarding his attendance considering he'd even missed this morning's entrance ceremony.  She seems nice enough... 

 As he gazes out of the window during the first portion of class, a flicker of movement catches Minami’s eye. The water in the fountain is moving oddly, almost like something is splashing in it. The courtyard is empty except for a squirrel and a few birds. Nothing is near the fountain.

As he looks harder, his eyes bring a girl into focus that’s sitting on the edge of the fountain, dipping her bare feet in. She’s around his age, with dark hair that’s pulled up into bun with an elaborate ornament. The girl is wearing a white kimono decorated with a blue and white flowers and a matching deep blue obi.

She glances up as she tucks a piece of hair behind her ear and looks directly at Minami, smiling before he blinks and she flickers out of existence.

The water is still. 

The unnatural movement of the water within the fountain breaks Minami's focus. He pauses, resting his pencil atop his work and begins to study the water's surface, watching closely as drops of water fly about as if moved by some unseen force. Minami leans toward the window in his seat, straining his eyes in an effort to glean anything from fountain's surroundings.

Minami's eyes eventually reach their limit and he's forced to blink, revealing the form of a young woman resting along the waters edge. He stares at the dark haired girl in disbelief, attempting to make some sense of how she appeared and from where. The aspiring artist willed his hand to find the pencil in front of him and begin sketching but he found himself entranced by the woman's ethereal beauty, unable to break away for even a moment. A tuck of the hair coupled with a warm smile. The spring flower had disappeared right before his eyes just as quickly as she materialized. Minami's eyes dart around the fountain and surrounding courtyard as he attempts to locate the girl once more but to no avail.

Was he  dreaming ? He had to be... right? That's what he told himself in the moment at least. Even if Minami couldn't be certain as to whether the woman by the water was real or not, his newfound inspiration was undeniable. Finally able to grasp the pencil that rested on his notebook Minami resumes his previous work, making several edits to the space surrounding the waterfront in his picture. A garden lost to time, long forgotten by man. The translucent spirit of a woman caressing the petals of flower in bloom by the edge of a pond. She smiles softly.

 
 Spoiler: Noticing A Flower In Bloom 
Knowledge + Notice (Courtyard) =  7, 7, 7, 10, 10 

Height 10

I accidentally shorted myself a die but I ended up not needing it with the way my roll turned out
 

 After Class 

 Miss Nakano then starts class, going through the plan for the day of having each teacher meet them and go over their syllabus, and that they would be dismissed after lunch today. She also lets them know that many of the 2nd and 3rd years will be out trying to recruit for their clubs once lunch is over.

After a few more announcements, she takes questions, then has Ryuzaki close the class before she leaves. 

Minami deposits his pencil into it's case and closes his notebook as he waits for Ryuzaki to finish speaking with Dazai.

"Ryuzaki-san, I realize we're both first years here but would you happen to know if there are any student privileges at Kamata that are exclusive to upperclassmen?", he asks.
Zelphas
 
 Originally Posted by InTheMachine 
  Tuesday, April 1st 
 Classroom 1-B 
 Uehara and Atsuta  
Braids girl gives Atsuta a grateful smile. “Thanks for the offer, but I wouldn’t want you to get counted late too. He’ll get here. Eventually.”

She gives the back of Uehara’s head another grin hidden behind her hand. “I’m Morishige Ayame. Glad you guys sat here. I think we’re gonna have a great year.” 
 

Hanzou nods jerkily, not turning or trusting himself to say much. Is this... how people interact who normally go to class every day? He thought he'd gotten used to it in the past month or so at his old school, but he'd been so busy trying to catch up... Oh well. Things seem to be going all right for the moment.


 
 Originally Posted by InTheMachine 
  Class 
The last few students trickle through and find seats before a  woman in her late twenties with her hair pulled back into a tight bun  walks in.

She adjusts her glasses as she makes her way to the desk and sets her bag on top. “Hello!” she says as she starts to pull out a leather bound document pouch from her bag. “I’m Miss Nakano, your home room teacher.”

 Ryuzaki stands and begins the greeting  for Miss Nakano. The class stands at his formal command and bows to her. 
 


 
 Originally Posted by Roguewolf 
 At the same time Ryuzaki stands, Dazai stands as well, then looks at him as he does. An eyebrow raised for a moment but he smiles and motioned his hand in an, "after you" fashion. If anything, he knew that a good leader had to let others take a chance as well. And he knew that class rep was appointed by the teacher anyway. This would probably give him some points in that regard. 
 

Hanzou notes the power struggle almost automatically, his hands clenching instinctively in preparation. He has no interest in joining, but if the fight boils over to him... He looks around and shakes his head at himself a second later, forcing his hands to relax. No one's going to fight each other here, not in the middle of this classroom. Besides Red Tie gave over to Pointy Hair immediately, so any conflict was made moot.

Idly, Hanzou wonders if that was a good idea. He doesn't know Pointy Hair, but he seems like a guy who is used to being the one in charge and at the center of attention. If Red Tie Dazai wanted to challenge him, it might've been better to make the challenge stick... but what does Hanzou know? This is a classroom, not his gang on the streets. He shakes his head again and bows, returning quietly to his seat.


 
 Originally Posted by InTheMachine 
 Once Miss Nakano closes the door, Morishige turns to Nishimura.

He shrinks away. “I overslept and missed the train,” he mutters quietly. 
 

Hanzou winces in sympathy for Orange Boy. That excuse sounds like it could've come from his own mouth less than a year ago, and the glare that Braids Girl was giving him...  Don't mess this up, dude,  Hanzou thinks quietly towards his shrinking classmate, momentarily swamped by his own grief.  You don't know how much someone caring like that is worth. 

Pushing aside his gloomy thoughts, Hanzou makes the decision to try and be sociable and turns to Red Tie Dazai, standing from his seat. "I'm not sure; I was always in the Go-Home Club before this," he begins, pausing to stretch. He's been unconsciously hunching down all day, so reaching to his full height is a welcome relief, if just for a moment. "I should probably see if there's something I can do," he finishes doubtfully, collapsing back into his hunched stance once more.
InTheMachine
 April 1st 
 Classroom 1-B 
 Ishii 
“You’d show me?” Yoshikawa asks just before Miss Nakano enters the room. “I’d like that. I’ll get here a little early so we have time before homeroom starts.”

 Ishiwari 
Taira blinks, startled by Ishiwari’s voice, before he turns toward him and seems to realize what he asked. “O-oh yeah. I’m going to try out for the orchestra.”

Shiraishi leans forward and glances over at his friend with evident concern. “You okay, Sho?”

Taira nods, waving Shiraishi’s concern away. “I’m fine,” he replies quietly.

“I’m going for one of the sports teams probably,” Shiraishi says to Ishiwari after a long look at Taira. “Not sure which one yet, unless something else catches my interest. What about you?”

 Atsuta and Uehara 
Morishige glares harder at Nishimura after Atsuta says ‘things happen’. “I rang your doorbell like four times, Haru! How did that not wake you up?”

“I dunno! Mom got me up early to eat with everyone before they took Momo to her opening ceremony and I went back upstairs to get ready and I just… fell asleep in the middle of getting dressed. My shirt was half on and everything, and now it’s all wrinkled. I just threw my tie on and it won’t even get any tighter than this,” he says, gesturing at the loose loop that hangs down to the middle of his chest. “Mom’s gonna give me so many chores…”

Morishige holds out her hand in front of her. “Give it here,” she orders.

After a second, Nishimura removes his tie and hands it to her. “You’re a lifesaver, Mori-tan! I promise I’ll be at the station ten minutes early tomorrow. No, twenty!”

She doesn’t respond to him while she works to undo the knot he’s made, instead looking over at Atsuta. “I want to join the cooking club. At least, I hope they have something like that here. My brother said they had one at his school when he went. What about you, Atsuta-san?”

Nishimura nods along with Uehara. “I never did any club stuff either. My parents always wanted me around to help with my sister. But now that she’s in school, I might join something. I don’t know what yet though.”

“I think some sports teams are gonna try to recruit you,” Morishige says after Uehara stretches. “You’re like… super tall.”

Ryuzaki looks over at his name, giving Atsuta a slight nod. “Likewise. I’m joining track. I need to work on my cardio.”

 Minami 
Ryuzaki turns in his seat to look at Minimi. “My brother graduated from here a couple years ago, so I do know a little bit. There’s three class trips per year separated by grade. 1st years go to Kyoto in summer, 2nd years go to Sapporo in winter, and 3rd years go to America on a big trip in the spring semester. When my brother was here they went to Washington DC, but the year before they went to California somewhere.”

“As for actual privileges, I know a 1st years can’t start a club or be the head of a club. 2nd and 3rd years will get priority if you want to reserve a room or something. They’ll get better spots for booths at the cultural festival too. And if you’re on a sports team that has to travel for a game, the coach will probably choose an older student over a 1st year to go.”

 Class 
Five minutes later,  a stern looking man  dressed in black slacks and a gray dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows enters the room. He’s tall and well built for a teacher, and looks to be in his late thirties to early forties. He sets his dark brown leather bag on the desk and immediately turns and begins to write on the blackboard.

“I’m Mr. Fujimori,” he says as he writes. “I’m your World History teacher, and I also coach the kendo team.”

 ”Greeting/Closing- Yoshikawa Misaki
Blackboard cleanup- Atsuta Dazai”  

Is revealed on the board when he turns back to the class. He waits for a moment before looking around the room. “Yoshikawa-san?”

“Oh,” Yoshikawa says with a deep blush as she stands and has the class repeat the ritual greeting that Ryuzaki led earlier.

“Thank you,” Mr. Fujimori says once everyone is seated again.

He begins to write out on the blackboard the major units they would be going over, as well as test dates as he speaks about each of them before heading back to this desk and pulling out a stack of stapled papers. “This is a syllabus for the class. When I call you, please come collect it.”

As they look through the packet, Atsuta, Ishii, Uehara, Ishiwari, and Minami find that there is an extra sheet attached at the back. At first, the sheet appears to be blank, but as they look harder, words appear on the paper.

Their name is on the top, followed by—  Meeting at 3pm in Study Room 2. This invitation is to you only. 
mmdeforrest
 
 Originally Posted by InTheMachine 
  April 1st 
 Classroom 1-B 
 Ishii 
“You’d show me?” Yoshikawa asks just before Miss Nakano enters the room. “I’d like that. I’ll get here a little early so we have time before homeroom starts.” 
 

“It’d be my pleasure,, Yoshikawa-Chan,” he assured her, happy that it appeared he had made a friend. “I’ll bring paper so you can choose to make an orange or a white tiger — or both, if you would like.”


 
 Originally Posted by InTheMachine 
  Class 
Five minutes later,  a stern looking man  dressed in black slacks and a gray dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows enters the room. He’s tall and well built for a teacher, and looks to be in his late thirties to early forties. He sets his dark brown leather bag on the desk and immediately turns and begins to write on the blackboard.

“I’m Mr. Fujimori,” he says as he writes. “I’m your World History teacher, and I also coach the kendo team.”

 ”Greeting/Closing- Yoshikawa Misaki
Blackboard cleanup- Atsuta Dazai”  

Is revealed on the board when he turns back to the class. He waits for a moment before looking around the room. “Yoshikawa-san?”

“Oh,” Yoshikawa says with a deep blush as she stands and has the class repeat the ritual greeting that Ryuzaki led earlier.

“Thank you,” Mr. Fujimori says once everyone is seated again.

He begins to write out on the blackboard the major units they would be going over, as well as test dates as he speaks about each of them before heading back to this desk and pulling out a stack of stapled papers. “This is a syllabus for the class. When I call you, please come collect it.”

As they look through the packet, Atsuta, Ishii, Uehara, Ishiwari, and Minami find that there is an extra sheet attached at the back. At first, the sheet appears to be blank, but as they look harder, words appear on the paper.

Their name is on the top, followed by—  Meeting at 3pm in Study Room 2. This invitation is to you only.  
 

Kami or Oni? The writing that was but was not there on the extra page gave no hint as to which it might be.

Kami could be capricious. Oni would be destructive.

No. That was unfair. Demons were universally destructive. The Oni had their own purposes and their own agendas — which usually did not give much consideration for their human neighbors. His Oni, like it or not, protected him and provided for him — even thought that attention had come at a great cost.

A cost he would pay anything to redeem.

Would that cost impact his friend? Yoshikawa-Chan was innocent of any wrongdoing that he knew of but then so had his brother, who was taken in one gulp at the passing of his parents — a passing the Oni had had a hand in.

No.

Yes.

Not here.

Not now.

But soon — at three — he may have to face the Oni or the Kami.

Yoshikawa-Chan had blushed following his reassuring smile at her greeting of Fujimori-sensei. She had done well, he thought — even if she appeared to be nervous.

Would that modest shyness make her more likely to avoid the Oni? It might help her.

A reassuring thought.

She had his crane. That, too, might help. Good fortune was something his family had lacked that day.

He would have to make an additional offering tonight to beseech the Kami to watch over her should she attract the Oni One’s attention.

As to what he might face at three, he could not guess. But he would face it with the honor his ancestors would expect.
Roguewolf
 
 Originally Posted by InTheMachine 
  April 1st 
 Classroom 1-B 
 Atsuta and Uehara 
Morishige glares harder at Nishimura after Atsuta says ‘things happen’. “I rang your doorbell like four times, Haru! How did that not wake you up?”

“I dunno! Mom got me up early to eat with everyone before they took Momo to her opening ceremony and I went back upstairs to get ready and I just… fell asleep in the middle of getting dressed. My shirt was half on and everything, and now it’s all wrinkled. I just threw my tie on and it won’t even get any tighter than this,” he says, gesturing at the loose loop that hangs down to the middle of his chest. “Mom’s gonna give me so many chores…”

Morishige holds out her hand in front of her. “Give it here,” she orders.

After a second, Nishimura removes his tie and hands it to her. “You’re a lifesaver, Mori-tan! I promise I’ll be at the station ten minutes early tomorrow. No, twenty!”

She doesn’t respond to him while she works to undo the knot he’s made, instead looking over at Atsuta. “I want to join the cooking club. At least, I hope they have something like that here. My brother said they had one at his school when he went. What about you, Atsuta-san?”

Nishimura nods along with Uehara. “I never did any club stuff either. My parents always wanted me around to help with my sister. But now that she’s in school, I might join something. I don’t know what yet though.”

“I think some sports teams are gonna try to recruit you,” Morishige says after Uehara stretches. “You’re like… super tall.”

Ryuzaki looks over at his name, giving Atsuta a slight nod. “Likewise. I’m joining track. I need to work on my cardio.” 
 

Dazai shakes his head as Nishimura responds. Yeah, that wasn't a "things happen" problem. "Multiple alarms. And put your phone on something you gotta walk to, find that it helps for those mornings when waking up is difficult." He smiles and turns back to Morishige.

"I wouldn't doubt they would. Seems like it would be odd to not have one at all." He thinks for a moment. "Cooking club wouldn't be bad, I do want to try and get a spot on the Student Council though. Outside of that, about the only thing I've been decent at was kendo. I may try to join them!" He grins widely.

"The exercise would be awesome too. And I definitely need it."

As Ryuzaki responds, his grin widens. "I feel that. About the same for me, just never been good at running. I'm sure you will do amazing to go to all the meets as well, Ryuzaki-san."


 
 Originally Posted by InTheMachine 
  Class 
Five minutes later,  a stern looking man  dressed in black slacks and a gray dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows enters the room. He’s tall and well built for a teacher, and looks to be in his late thirties to early forties. He sets his dark brown leather bag on the desk and immediately turns and begins to write on the blackboard.

“I’m Mr. Fujimori,” he says as he writes. “I’m your World History teacher, and I also coach the kendo team.”

 ”Greeting/Closing- Yoshikawa Misaki
Blackboard cleanup- Atsuta Dazai”  

Is revealed on the board when he turns back to the class. He waits for a moment before looking around the room. “Yoshikawa-san?”

“Oh,” Yoshikawa says with a deep blush as she stands and has the class repeat the ritual greeting that Ryuzaki led earlier.

“Thank you,” Mr. Fujimori says once everyone is seated again.

He begins to write out on the blackboard the major units they would be going over, as well as test dates as he speaks about each of them before heading back to this desk and pulling out a stack of stapled papers. “This is a syllabus for the class. When I call you, please come collect it.”

As they look through the packet, Atsuta, Ishii, Uehara, Ishiwari, and Minami find that there is an extra sheet attached at the back. At first, the sheet appears to be blank, but as they look harder, words appear on the paper.

Their name is on the top, followed by—  Meeting at 3pm in Study Room 2. This invitation is to you only.  
 

Dazai follows suit in the greeting, still with his smile on his face. And almost beams seeing that he was given a duty. Granted, it was just black board clean up, but still that was something he could do to move up in teacher's eyes. Also seeing that this was the Kendo coach, it made things better.

 Stick out in class in a good way, I will be assured to be counted on.  He thought to himself.

Though shuffling through the papers as Mr. Fujimori spoke, he noticed the final sheet had a different message. It didn't seem like Ryuzaki to his side had an extra either.

Oddly, he thought he heard the same roar for a moment that he had this morning. This could be a prank by an upperclassman, but it could also just be something from the Kami. He had the hope that they would look out for those that needed it.

And he would need all the luck he could get for his goals. Nothing would stand in his way, not even if this were just hazing from another student or a teacher.

3pm, he would be there. This would be a shining message for him.
big teej
 Already?!: 

 
 Originally Posted by InTheMachine 
  April 1st 
 Ishiwari 
Taira blinks, startled by Ishiwari’s voice, before he turns toward him and seems to realize what he asked. “O-oh yeah. I’m going to try out for the orchestra.”

Shiraishi leans forward and glances over at his friend with evident concern. “You okay, Sho?”

Taira nods, waving Shiraishi’s concern away. “I’m fine,” he replies quietly.

“I’m going for one of the sports teams probably,” Shiraishi says to Ishiwari after a long look at Taira. “Not sure which one yet, unless something else catches my interest. What about you?” 
 

Ishiwari only allows his gaze to linger on the Taira for a second before switching his eyes and easy smile to Shiraishi.  "I've been doing Muay Thai on my own for years, and I don't think Kamata has a club for it, so definitely Judo."


 
 Originally Posted by InTheMachine 
  April 1st 
 Classroom 1-B 
 Class 
Five minutes later,  a stern looking man  dressed in black slacks and a gray dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows enters the room. He’s tall and well built for a teacher, and looks to be in his late thirties to early forties. He sets his dark brown leather bag on the desk and immediately turns and begins to write on the blackboard.

“I’m Mr. Fujimori,” he says as he writes. “I’m your World History teacher, and I also coach the kendo team.”

 ”Greeting/Closing- Yoshikawa Misaki
Blackboard cleanup- Atsuta Dazai”  

Is revealed on the board when he turns back to the class. He waits for a moment before looking around the room. “Yoshikawa-san?”

“Oh,” Yoshikawa says with a deep blush as she stands and has the class repeat the ritual greeting that Ryuzaki led earlier.

“Thank you,” Mr. Fujimori says once everyone is seated again.

He begins to write out on the blackboard the major units they would be going over, as well as test dates as he speaks about each of them before heading back to this desk and pulling out a stack of stapled papers. “This is a syllabus for the class. When I call you, please come collect it.”

As they look through the packet, Atsuta, Ishii, Uehara, Ishiwari, and Minami find that there is an extra sheet attached at the back. At first, the sheet appears to be blank, but as they look harder, words appear on the paper.

Their name is on the top, followed by—  Meeting at 3pm in Study Room 2. This invitation is to you only.  
 

Kyoji reflexively glances at the clock after the words appear on the paper.  He frowns, makes a few notes on the syllabus to make sure he didn't miss any major assignments, and refocuses his attention on the teacher.

 Great...  I'm being called to stay after on the first day?  I didn't even have time to do anything... did I? 

Kyoji can't quite keep a look of chagrin from his face as he replays the day in his mind and what possible reason the Kendo---

The youth's head tilts back in realization.   Some magic marker and a secret meeting is a hell of a way to try and get someone on the team... I wonder why me? 
PK-Leon
 Learning the Ropes 

 
 Originally Posted by Ryuzaki 
 Ryuzaki turns in his seat to look at Minami. “My brother graduated from here a couple years ago, so I do know a little bit. There’s three class trips per year separated by grade. 1st years go to Kyoto in summer, 2nd years go to Sapporo in winter, and 3rd years go to America on a big trip in the spring semester. When my brother was here they went to Washington DC, but the year before they went to California somewhere.” 
 

Minami finds himself surprised as Ryuzaki provides him with an actual answer. "Ah, so Ryuzaki-san is the youngest in his family? Your older brother must be even taller than he is." Minami jokes as he jerks a thumb in Uehara's direction. "America huh? I didn't realize the school's pockets ran that deep."

He began to wonder what a trip overseas would be like, the kinds of things he'd be able to see and people he'd meet, but manages to rein in his thoughts as Ryuzaki continues.


 
 Originally Posted by Ryuzaki 
 “As for actual privileges, I know a 1st years can’t start a club or be the head of a club. 2nd and 3rd years will get priority if you want to reserve a room or something. They’ll get better spots for booths at the cultural festival too. And if you’re on a sports team that has to travel for a game, the coach will probably choose an older student over a 1st year to go.” 
 

"Thank you for sharing Ryuzaki-san. I know a lot more now than I did only a few moments ago." He inclines his head slightly toward the taller student.

Ryuzaki's explanation was informative but it wasn't quite what he was looking for, not in the moment at least.

"So... are upperclassman also given the freedom to walk the school grounds instead of attending homeroom on a day like this?" Minami asks as he looks up from his desk.

 History 

 Five minutes later, a stern looking man dressed in black slacks and a gray dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows enters the room. He’s tall and well built for a teacher, and looks to be in his late thirties to early forties. He sets his dark brown leather bag on the desk and immediately turns and begins to write on the blackboard.

“I’m Mr. Fujimori,” he says as he writes. “I’m your World History teacher, and I also coach the kendo team.”

. . .

He begins to write out on the blackboard the major units they would be going over, as well as test dates as he speaks about each of them before heading back to this desk and pulling out a stack of stapled papers. “This is a syllabus for the class. When I call you, please come collect it.”

As they look through the packet, Atsuta, Ishii, Uehara, Ishiwari, and Minami find that there is an extra sheet attached at the back. At first, the sheet appears to be blank, but as they look harder, words appear on the paper.

Their name is on the top, followed by— Meeting at 3pm in Study Room 2. This invitation is to you only. 

Minami quietly flips through the packet as their history teacher begins to walk the class through the outline for the year, keeping his hands preoccupied with it's pages instead of a pencil. He tilts his head in confusion upon reaching the final page.  Fujimori-sensei must've stapled a blank piece of paper to this by accident. 

He stares at the blank canvas for a few seconds. The empty space within the page called out to Minami, tempting him with new possibilities, he only needed a pencil to realize them. A single line appears at the top of the page just as Minami reaches for his pencil case.

 That... wasn't there before was it? 

The first year blinks in disbelief, turning the page over in his hands once or twice before taking a quick glance around the room to see if anyone else was caught off guard like he was. Minami looks back at the paper and rereads the line. An invitation to meet in the study room this afternoon addressed specifically to him. He wasn't exactly sure how to feel about the message. A subsequent examination of the paper revealed that it was neither the product of a daydream or a trick of the light. Whether or not that was a good thing remained to be determined, but either way his curiosity had been piqued.

What was waiting for him in the study room?
Zelphas
 
 Originally Posted by InTheMachine 
  April 1st 
 Classroom 1-B 
 Atsuta and Uehara 
Morishige glares harder at Nishimura after Atsuta says ‘things happen’. “I rang your doorbell like four times, Haru! How did that not wake you up?”

“I dunno! Mom got me up early to eat with everyone before they took Momo to her opening ceremony and I went back upstairs to get ready and I just… fell asleep in the middle of getting dressed. My shirt was half on and everything, and now it’s all wrinkled. I just threw my tie on and it won’t even get any tighter than this,” he says, gesturing at the loose loop that hangs down to the middle of his chest. “Mom’s gonna give me so many chores…”

Morishige holds out her hand in front of her. “Give it here,” she orders.

After a second, Nishimura removes his tie and hands it to her. “You’re a lifesaver, Mori-tan! I promise I’ll be at the station ten minutes early tomorrow. No, twenty!”

She doesn’t respond to him while she works to undo the knot he’s made, instead looking over at Atsuta. “I want to join the cooking club. At least, I hope they have something like that here. My brother said they had one at his school when he went. What about you, Atsuta-san?”

Nishimura nods along with Uehara. “I never did any club stuff either. My parents always wanted me around to help with my sister. But now that she’s in school, I might join something. I don’t know what yet though.”

“I think some sports teams are gonna try to recruit you,” Morishige says after Uehara stretches. “You’re like… super tall.”

Ryuzaki looks over at his name, giving Atsuta a slight nod. “Likewise. I’m joining track. I need to work on my cardio.” 
 

Hanzou almost talks when Orange Hair gives his excuse... almost. He still doesn't know enough about what's going on; it might be a one time thing. He doesn't know the guy yet, in any case. And besides, what would he say?  "Dude, you gotta be more responsible, because your Mom might not be there tomorrow and these are the stupid things that'll get at ya every minute afterwards?"  If someone told the him of a year ago that, he'd think they were insane. So he closed his mouth.

Braids Girl's comment got a slightly thoughtful look from Hanzou. "I never played before," he said, "but that might..." he left it there; he was still trying to fit the person of a father into his life, one that wanted to be a father but didn't know how, just like he didn't know how to be a father's son. Ueno Yuuki worked at the stadium, so maybe sports would be a thing to talk about...?


 
 Originally Posted by InTheMachine 
  Class 
Five minutes later,  a stern looking man  dressed in black slacks and a gray dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows enters the room. He’s tall and well built for a teacher, and looks to be in his late thirties to early forties. He sets his dark brown leather bag on the desk and immediately turns and begins to write on the blackboard.

“I’m Mr. Fujimori,” he says as he writes. “I’m your World History teacher, and I also coach the kendo team.”

 ”Greeting/Closing- Yoshikawa Misaki
Blackboard cleanup- Atsuta Dazai”  

Is revealed on the board when he turns back to the class. He waits for a moment before looking around the room. “Yoshikawa-san?”

“Oh,” Yoshikawa says with a deep blush as she stands and has the class repeat the ritual greeting that Ryuzaki led earlier.

“Thank you,” Mr. Fujimori says once everyone is seated again.

He begins to write out on the blackboard the major units they would be going over, as well as test dates as he speaks about each of them before heading back to this desk and pulling out a stack of stapled papers. “This is a syllabus for the class. When I call you, please come collect it.”

As they look through the packet, Atsuta, Ishii, Uehara, Ishiwari, and Minami find that there is an extra sheet attached at the back. At first, the sheet appears to be blank, but as they look harder, words appear on the paper.

Their name is on the top, followed by—  Meeting at 3pm in Study Room 2. This invitation is to you only.  
 

Hanzou picks up the syllabus, feeling its heft in his fingers. Good quality paper, thick; this would burn for a bit, and might even flash up in a cool way if you threw the papers in right. Then he blinks, coming back to himself. That's not his life any longer. Those aren't people he's around anymore.

He settles in to actually read the paper in front of him, and... hold on, after the rules and stuff, there's actually a whole chart thing telling you what to expect each day? There's even assignments and stuff--or at least, the idea of when they're due! Class stuff seems way less confusing with something like this. Hanzou looks around, self-conscious at his enthusiasm for syllabi, and hunches down a little further, flipping to the last page. He frowns; blank, odd. Was this extra note paper, or something? Or--

Hanzou goes very still as the words fade in in front of him, his eyes wide. He glances up at Sensei Kendo, half-expecting the guy to be staring back at him, anticipating the... what is this? It's weird, that's what it is. appearing words on blank paper's always pretty ominous. Or is this always how syllabi work?

More uneasy than he thinks is warranted--it's just words on paper, he shouldn't be getting the shivers--Hanzo decides to follow the note, despite his misgivings. He's choosing against himself today. Everything in him says to avoid the creepy note place, so that means the right thing to do is to go to the creepy note place. Right?
InTheMachine
 April 1st 
 Classroom 1-B 
 Minami 

 
 Originally Posted by Minami 
 Minami finds himself surprised as Ryuzaki provides him with an actual answer. "Ah, so Ryuzaki-san is the youngest in his family? Your older brother must be even taller than he is." Minami jokes as he jerks a thumb in Uehara's direction. 
 

Ryuzaki chuckles at Minimi’s joke before he replies. “I have a younger sister too. She just turned thirteen.”


 
 Originally Posted by Minami 
 "So... are upperclassman also given the freedom to walk the school grounds instead of attending homeroom on a day like this?" Minami asks as he looks up from his desk. 
 

“I don’t think so,” Ryuzaki says with a shake of his head. “Not unless they were running an errand for the teacher or something.”

 Class 
It isn’t too much longer after syllabi are handed out that Mr. Fijimori packs up and leaves at the bell.

After he closes the door, there’s about thirty seconds of silence before several of the girls in the back start to whisper among themselves.

 
 Spoiler: Girl Talk 
“Woooow, I didn’t think we’d get a teacher that looked like  that .”

“He’s kinda scary…”

“Yeah, but that just makes him hotter. And those  forearms …”

“How old do you think he is? Is he married?”

“I didn’t see a ring.”
 


The rest of the day continues like the first short class as each teacher comes in to introduce themselves, go over expectations, and their syllabus. No one finds any extra pages stapled in their packets. Even Coach Kurata and Coach Tagawa stop by for a quick introduction and to remind students to bring their gym uniforms tomorrow.

Lunch concludes at 2:45pm, and the  PA activates  with an announcement letting students know that they are free to leave today, but the school grounds will still be open until 6pm.

Leaving the classroom, students can see that Miss Nakano was right— there are many students out in the halls with posters, both handmade and printed. They seem to have rushed to get to their club rooms to be able to pitch their clubs to passerby.

The study rooms are located on the second floor near the library. This hallway is much quieter since the Teacher’s Room is located near the end.

 Study Room 2  is a small classroom that has lecture style seating in a ‘U’ shape. The lights are already on when you arrive, and the only thing out of place in the room is an empty  clear acrylic box  sitting on one of the front tables near the whiteboard.

 
 Spoiler: If you approach the box 
As you approach the box, a sense of dread floods your body. Your gut twists, and something deep in the back of your mind tells you not to get any closer.
 
big teej
 Class Ain't In Session: 

Ishiwari puts the super spy stuff out of his mind, and focuses on his classmates and the teachers for the rest of their time.  He makes another note for his gym gear tomorrow during Coach Kurata's little spiel.

He maintains the fascade of a diligent student until the last teacher steps clear of the room.  Then he drops his head with an explosive sigh.

 "I really don't mind school.  Or studying.  But sitting through this-this   pointless crap.   We're gonna spend the rest of the year studying this stuff."  

Kyoji laces his fingers and cracks his knuckles against his chest before inverting them and stretching his arms and legs, hunching over his desk.  He glances at Taira and Shiraishi.  "Well, maybe I'll see you around for club stuff, look for me at the Judo table."  He says with a toothy smile.  "Otherwise, I'll see you tomorrow, Ja ne."

The wiry youth pushes himself up from his desk and weaves his way through his classmates to collect his things before heading to Study Room 2.

 The Plot Thickens... 

Kyoji checks over his shoulders to make sure he's not blocking anyone, and takes a second to look around the room.
 "I think I like this better than how our normal rooms are set up." 

He eyes the empty box dubiously, scanning the room again.   "That looks like one of those boxes you keep, like, spiders or something in... That's a sick idea of a joke." 

With a frown, and carefully watching his feet, he makes his way to the second tier of seating and sits on the 'left shoulder' of the semi-circle.  He puts his bag down and checks beneath the table and the seat for any creepy crawlies before sitting down and settling in to wait.  He pulls his phone out and checks for any messages.
mmdeforrest
 
 Originally Posted by big teej 
  Class Ain't In Session: 
 The Plot Thickens... 

Kyoji checks over his shoulders to make sure he's not blocking anyone, and takes a second to look around the room.
 "I think I like this better than how our normal rooms are set up." 

He eyes the empty box dubiously, scanning the room again.   "That looks like one of those boxes you keep, like, spiders or something in... That's a sick idea of a joke." 

With a frown, and carefully watching his feet, he makes his way to the second tier of seating and sits on the 'left shoulder' of the semi-circle.  He puts his bag down and checks beneath the table and the seat for any creepy crawlies before sitting down and settling in to wait.  He pulls his phone out and checks for any messages. 
 

Ishii follows Kyoji into the classroom, greeting him with a respectful nod before setting his things down near the front of the room. To be summoned here was to command a certain attentiveness. He did not claim a place of pride, leaving a seat open between his seat and the head of the room, but he did choose a seat in the inner circle.

The first boy had selected a lower ranking seat in the outer ring. Why, he wondered. Was he showing respectful humility or was he acknowledging something else? His family might not reach back into the samurai class but Japanese society, he thought, had appropriately moved beyond such things even as it attempted to hold such things in reverence.

As he approached the front of the room, the box began to viscerally repel him.

He was no   kannushi  . His own practice was personal — although   Miko   Hana had taught him some brief chants that helped insulate one from the darker Kami — the ones who sought to harm rather than help.

He whispered the chant to himself as he took a step toward the box but halted as the feelings intensified.

He stepped back and looked up at his classmate.

“I recognize you from class. My name is Ishii Tsuku,” he offered with a bow. “Were you, too, were invited here?”
Roguewolf
Dazai paid close attention through the rest of the classes, and as he got up to go to the Study Room, he said his goodbyes to the others he had just met.

He nodded to the other two as he followed them into the classroom. This would have been preferable to the regular classrooms, but it had to be used for something else. The box though was interesting, and he wondered if something was supposed to be in it, given that it looked closed.

He followed along with the chanting kid to go up front, believing it to be a better position should the teacher come back, but felt a pang in his stomach as he approached.

He saw the other kid try again and instead back up, he pushed on and heard a growl in the back of his mind. As though it was warning him of danger. He backed up a bit with an eyebrow raised and turned to the others.

"Guessing you both got the same blank sheet? Nice to meet you both since we didn't have a chance in class. Atsuta Dazai, pleased to meet you!" He grins widely at the two of them and bows.
PK-Leon
 April 1st 
 Classroom 1-B 

 
 Originally Posted by Ryuzaki 
 “I don’t think so,” Ryuzaki says with a shake of his head. “Not unless they were running an errand for the teacher or something.” 
 

Minami quietly nods his head in understanding, casting another glance out into the courtyard.  If she wasn't a student then who was she? 
 After Class 

 The rest of the day continues like the first short class as each teacher comes in to introduce themselves, go over expectations, and their syllabus. No one finds any extra pages stapled in their packets. Even Coach Kurata and Coach Tagawa stop by for a quick introduction and to remind students to bring their gym uniforms tomorrow.

Lunch concludes at 2:45pm, and the PA activates with an announcement letting students know that they are free to leave today, but the school grounds will still be open until 6pm.

Leaving the classroom, students can see that Miss Nakano was right— there are many students out in the halls with posters, both handmade and printed. They seem to have rushed to get to their club rooms to be able to pitch their clubs to passerby. 

Minami phones it in for the remainder of the school day as his teachers deliver repeat performances regarding their respective classes and syllabi. The announcement over the PA snaps the daydreamer back to reality and he begins packing up his belongings as class is dismissed.

The first year pauses before depositing the last of the stapled packets into his bag. He stares at the back of the blank sheet, considering what to do with the rest of his afternoon.


 The study rooms are located on the second floor near the library. This hallway is much quieter since the Teacher’s Room is located near the end.

Study Room 2 is a small classroom that has lecture style seating in a ‘U’ shape. The lights are already on when you arrive, and the only thing out of place in the room is an empty clear acrylic box sitting on one of the front tables near the whiteboard. 

He could've easily gone home and enjoyed what remained of his last school day without any responsibilities, and yet Minami found himself only several steps away from the entrance of the study room. He was uncertain about his decision but there was no way to know who or what waited on the other side without committing to it.

Minami peeks into the classroom from around the door and is surprised to find several of his classmates inside seated in the vacant desks. He listens as the three begin to converse with one another in an attempt to decipher the purpose of the invitation.
Zelphas
 Class 

Hanzou listens with half an ear to the whispering that goes on after Mr. Fujimori leaves. Was the guy that good looking? Maybe it's a stern, older thing girls like. He shrugs to himself; this is too much against himself, trying to figure out what girls think.

The rest of the classes go by about the same as the first, though there are no new surprise last pages to the syllabus. Hanzou finds it harder and harder to keep his seat, his mind drifting, unused to the practice of staying still and focusing on people talking in front of him. He's way too close to the front, so he barely starts drumming his pencil and bouncing his feet when the teacher glares at him and he has to stop. Reading a syllabus once is interesting, but trying to read one a second time almost puts him to sleep. The lunch bell is a blessing to his ears, and he practically bolts for the door, his long legs serving him well there.

Part of him--a large part of him--wants to grab lunch and bail on the rest of the day. He's done good enough, baby steps. But he's trying for a full change, not little pieces. And besides, there was that note at the back of the first syllabus...

 Study Room 2 

Hanzou is the last one to arriv,e his steps reluctant, heavy from a day of doing the opposite of what they want. He passes Window Guy (Minami) peeking in with a confused look and a mumbled "Excuse me," noting the other three as he heads towards the front. Red Tie Dazai's here too, is that a relief or--

His gut twists, and dread fills him. For a second, he's back in the hospital room, on the day when even his mom couldn't pretend anymore.

Then he's back in the study room, staring at an empty, clear acrylic box.

Hanzou stares at the box like it's waiting to pounce on him, his pulse pounding in his ears. He's oblivious to the others in the room, right then. He knows there's nothing to be afraid of, it's just a box, and he takes a hesitant step forward--but there it is, the dread and the awful twist, and he stares. "There's something in that box," he mutters, not even sure of himself, but certain that there was something  wrong  with the box no matter what.
InTheMachine
 April 1st 
 Study Room 2 
As Ishiwari checks his phone, he sees he has one text from his older sister.

 
 Spoiler: Text from Tsuki 
Should I wait for you to walk home, o brother of mine? Or would that be too embarrassing? ( ͒•·̫|
 


As the five of them get settled, a sixth student joins them. Uehara recognizes her as Star Girl 2,  Kazama Sasara , that had been sitting at the front of the class with her much more animated friend. She soundlessly takes a seat at the back of the room after a quick, frightened glance at the box.

About a minute after Kazama takes her seat,  another student  enters, followed by Mr. Fujimori. The student is tall for a high schooler, though not quite at the height of Uehara, with crimson hair that has black lowlights. His   uwubaki  , with navy toes and a white stripe, mark him as a third year. His blazer is undone, his tie is loose, and he’s undone the top button of his dress shirt revealing a silver necklace. Several piercings that adorn both of his ears catch the harsh classroom light as his intense hazel eyes sweep the room, silently counting and sizing up each student present before he makes his way to the front.

Mr. Fujimori takes a seat in the very back of the classroom by the door. “Thank you all for coming,” he says as he sets his leather bag on the desk in front of him. “I know you all have questions, and I’m sure you’ll have more after we talk today. I’m happy to answer them after a short presentation.” He gestures to the front of the room. “This is Himura Ren. If you choose to stay after this, he’ll be in charge of, what we’ll call on paper, this club.”

The third year dips his head slightly to greet everyone. “Like Fujimori-sensei said, I’m Himura Ren— everyone here can call me by my given name.”

He glances up at Mr. Fujimori, betraying a hint of nervousness as he places his hand on the box before he takes a steadying breath. “I know you all felt like something was off about this box. You  know  it’s not empty. And you’re right. That’s why you guys are here.”

“You’ve all felt like we aren’t alone in this world,” Ren says, looking around at each student as he speaks. “Maybe someone you know went missing under mysterious circumstances, or someone suddenly got sick and died when they were perfectly healthy before and a doctor couldn’t explain it. Maybe someone’s personality did a complete 180, or you saw someone make an odd decision that seemed out of the blue and ended up hurting them or other people. Maybe…” his eyes drop and his voice quiets, “you watched your friend get pushed into traffic when you were the only ones waiting at the intersection.”

He pauses for a brief second before looking back up. “Or, maybe you’ve even seen a glimpse of the monsters that I’m talking about.”

As he nods to the teacher, Mr. Fujimori flips the lights off, plunging the room into almost complete darkness. Only a small red exit sign over the door in the back stays illuminated.

From inside the box, four bulbous, ping pong ball sized eyes with black horizontal pupils appear. They glow with an inner light as they blink, one at a time, and shift around the classroom, observing those present. Fluorescent light slowly starts to fill the box as boldly colored stripes and dots appear. They flash yellow-purple-green-orange as the shape of a large frog slowly unfolds itself from the acrylic bottom.

“People have called them different things for ages. Ghosts,  yokai , supernatural entities— as a catch all, we call them Shadows,” Ren says as he slowly starts to slide open the top of the box. “They’re from a world that mirrors ours, and they love to eat people and their negative emotions. Most of them, anyway. They’re invisible to people, but those that’ve been affected by them can sometimes see a glimpse. This one in particular is where the legend of  Ōgama  come from.”

The frog clambers out from the box, it’s markings pulsing between mauve and a sickly green, and pauses with its front feet folded over the side for a long moment before it turns and hops out onto the front wall and then to the ceiling. It yawns, revealing sharp conical teeth and barbed tongue before settling into a comfortable position to watch the room. The glow calms into a soft golden yellow.

Ren does a half turn to keep an eye on the frog. “This one isn’t big enough to eat people yet, but if it’s able to keep growing, it will. They like to use the light they produce to lure people into the water before grabbing them with their tongue and drowning them.”

“We’re not defenseless though,” he continues. Reality shimmers in front of him into a vague humanoid shape that stands about eight feet tall. Within a few blinks of staring at the shimmer,  a black knight  with a shock of white hair escaping a horned helm and outstretched iron wings suddenly comes into focus.

The frog hisses and croaks, flashing red-blue-black as it pounces at the knight, but meets its untimely demise at the tip of the knight’s lance as he moves to defend himself and Ren, and the frog explodes into shards of darkness.

Mr. Fujimori flips on the lights again as the knight fades back out of reality.

“That was Caelus, and he’s what we call a Persona,” the third year continues. “A guardian spirit of sorts. All of you theoretically have the power to call one, which is why we asked you to meet here. There are way bigger monsters out there, stuff that I can’t deal with on my own.”

Ren looks around at the room again before dipping his head. “I know that everything I just showed you was a lot to take in, especially on the first day of school, but I’m asking for your help. Learn to call and use your Persona and help me destroy the Shadows that are threatening Chofu and Tokyo. Fujimori-sensei and I are happy to answer any current questions you have.”

“And you are, of course, free to leave if you choose to do so,” Mr. Fujimori adds as he stands and makes his way to the teacher’s podium. “Thank you for hearing us out.”
big teej
 And So It Begins... 
 Pregame: 

Ishiwari grins at his sister's message and quickly types out a response as other students start to file into the room.

 
 Spoiler: Text to Onee-san 

 I'd like that, but I don't want to hold you up, I'm looking into clubs and stuff.  If you're ready to head home you don't have to wait for me.  Thanks though ^_^ 
 


 
 Originally Posted by mmdeforrest 
 “I recognize you from class. My name is Ishii Tsuku,” he offered with a bow. “Were you, too, were invited here?” 
 

"With the super-spy ink on the syllabus?  Hai ."  Kyoji says with a smile.

Kyoji nods respectively as each additional student shows up, growing more and more confused about the meeting.

 "These guys really don't look like the Kendo type... just what the heck is going on here?" 

The youth's confusion climbs to new heights at Fujimori-sensei's cryptic announcement, and the appearance of Himura.   "He'd fight right in with Tsuki's Crowd." 

Ishiwari crosses his arms and sinks back into his chair as Himura begins his pitch, talking about  Strange Things  in this world.

He tries to ignore the dark train tracks his mind seems to be sliding down... a roller coaster of horror, into a dark place he'd convinced himself he'd forgotten... a place he pretended to have convinced himself he'd forgotten.

Kyoji's breath rattles in his chest as he fights down the panic.

his breath catches as he watches the frog- thing  appear in the box and crawl free.  An icy fist settles around his heart.

All those years ago... the  thing  he'd seen... the giant, scabby monster that had devoured his school mate...

Kyoji shivered, reliving the sensation of the thing's knobby, tendril like tongue writhing against his face.  How small and empty and hopeless he'd felt as the thing pronounced his death sentence.   "This fruit has not yet ripened."   It had said.   "How I look forward to the harvest."   

It'd cast him aside and evaporated...


Ishiwari sat, unblinking, unbelieving, as he watched Himura's black knight appear and obliterate the tiny demon.

Something deep within the 2nd child of the Ishiwari family awoke at a certain realization.

The things could be fought.
They could be  killed. 

Kyoji jumped up, knocking his chair over on its back.  He pointed at the box.  "I'm in.  When do we get started?!"

" How  do we get started?"
mmdeforrest
 
 Originally Posted by InTheMachine 
  April 1st 
 Study Room 2 
He pauses for a brief second before looking back up. “Or, maybe you’ve even seen a glimpse of the monsters that I’m talking about.”

As he nods to the teacher, Mr. Fujimori flips the lights off, plunging the room into almost complete darkness. Only a small red exit sign over the door in the back stays illuminated.

From inside the box, four bulbous, ping pong ball sized eyes with black horizontal pupils appear. They glow with an inner light as they blink, one at a time, and shift around the classroom, observing those present. Fluorescent light slowly starts to fill the box as boldly colored stripes and dots appear. They flash yellow-purple-green-orange as the shape of a large frog slowly unfolds itself from the acrylic bottom.

“People have called them different things for ages. Ghosts,  yokai , supernatural entities— as a catch all, we call them Shadows,” Ren says as he slowly starts to slide open the top of the box. “They’re from a world that mirrors ours, and they love to eat people and their negative emotions. Most of them, anyway. They’re invisible to people, but those that’ve been affected by them can sometimes see a glimpse. This one in particular is where the legend of  Ōgama  come from.” 
 

Evidence — hard evidence — was clambering out of its container.

He believed in the Kami. He believed they might manifest, as they did when they became   akitsumikami  .

But  Yokai ?

Even though he had encountered the Oni, a part of him had shuddered back, offering the possibility that its existence was a delusion — some psychological defense mechanism against the loss of his parents and brother.

But that shadow that had swallowed his bother in one gulp. The thing that forced his parents into that accident.

They were real.


 
 Originally Posted by InTheMachine 
 The frog clambers out from the box, it’s markings pulsing between mauve and a sickly green, and pauses with its front feet folded over the side for a long moment before it turns and hops out onto the front wall and then to the ceiling. It yawns, revealing sharp conical teeth and barbed tongue before settling into a comfortable position to watch the room. The glow calms into a soft golden yellow.

Ren does a half turn to keep an eye on the frog. “This one isn’t big enough to eat people yet, but if it’s able to keep growing, it will. They like to use the light they produce to lure people into the water before grabbing them with their tongue and drowning them.”

“We’re not defenseless though,” he continues. Reality shimmers in front of him into a vague humanoid shape that stands about eight feet tall. Within a few blinks of staring at the shimmer,  a black knight  with a shock of white hair escaping a horned helm and outstretched iron wings suddenly comes into focus.

The frog hisses and croaks, flashing red-blue-black as it pounces at the knight, but meets its untimely demise at the tip of the knight’s lance as he moves to defend himself and Ren, and the frog explodes into shards of darkness.

Mr. Fujimori flips on the lights again as the knight fades back out of reality.

“That was Caelus, and he’s what we call a Persona,” the third year continues. “A guardian spirit of sorts. All of you theoretically have the power to call one, which is why we asked you to meet here. There are way bigger monsters out there, stuff that I can’t deal with on my own.”

Ren looks around at the room again before dipping his head. “I know that everything I just showed you was a lot to take in, especially on the first day of school, but I’m asking for your help. Learn to call and use your Persona and help me destroy the Shadows that are threatening Chofu and Tokyo. Fujimori-sensei and I are happy to answer any current questions you have.”

“And you are, of course, free to leave if you choose to do so,” Mr. Fujimori adds as he stands and makes his way to the teacher’s podium. “Thank you for hearing us out.” 
 

Tsuku stood more unsteadily than he wished and bowed his head in shame before bowing deeply to Ren-sama and Fujimori-sensai.

“I have seen such a Shadow once,” he confessed. The loss of Face hurt but humility was the first step on any path to Mastery. “Another still watches over me.”

He would need more than Mastery to face the Shadows within him and without.

“To my shame, I could not stop the Shadow. I did not know how.”

He would need to walk the Path before him — the Path the Kami were presenting.

“I would like to learn.”

To make certain others did not have to be set upon his path.

“If you would have me.”
Roguewolf
Dazai looks confused as the girl walks into the room. This was already odd with most of their class being there. And at this point he was sure this wasn’t a kendo pitch.

Though he was a bit more confused on that when the coach walked in with another student.


 
 Originally Posted by InTheMachine 
  April 1st 
 Study Room 2 
“You’ve all felt like we aren’t alone in this world,” Ren says, looking around at each student as he speaks. “Maybe someone you know went missing under mysterious circumstances, or someone suddenly got sick and died when they were perfectly healthy before and a doctor couldn’t explain it. Maybe someone’s personality did a complete 180, or you saw someone make an odd decision that seemed out of the blue and ended up hurting them or other people. Maybe…” his eyes drop and his voice quiets, “you watched your friend get pushed into traffic when you were the only ones waiting at the intersection.”  
 

Dazai’s eyes widen as Ren starts listing off these things. His mind goes back to his dad.

The sudden change. The divorce. The fact that now he wondered if his dad was truly possessed.

The black ooze was the key point there in everything being explained. He almost jumped at the sight of the frog, but there was nothing he would be able to do.

Another roar in the back of his mind kept him planted where he was.


 
 Originally Posted by InTheMachine 
 Ren looks around at the room again before dipping his head. “I know that everything I just showed you was a lot to take in, especially on the first day of school, but I’m asking for your help. Learn to call and use your Persona and help me destroy the Shadows that are threatening Chofu and Tokyo. Fujimori-sensei and I are happy to answer any current questions you have.”

“And you are, of course, free to leave if you choose to do so,” Mr. Fujimori adds as he stands and makes his way to the teacher’s podium. “Thank you for hearing us out.” 
 

Dazai looks over at the other two that had stood up. He himself stands, back straight and proud. As the liger in his dreams would have him. He bows once as well to Ren-senpai and Fujimori-sensei.

“I haven’t seen a Shadow, but I have seen someone possessed by one. Personality did a 180, and now he’s in a facility for the rest of his life under observation.” His eyes dropped a bit at the end of his statement.

“I want to learn. Is there a way to eradicate all of them? How is a Persona even formed?”

This time a pleased roar rang out in the back of his mind. His pride coming back, and his smile returning as he finished up.
Zelphas
Hanzou remains standing in the back of the room, watching with narrowed eyes as Ren and Mr. Fujimori begin... a sales pitch. He's been cutting school for years, plenty of sleazy adults saw him and his buddies as easy marks. He knows the windup; sure, the part about someone getting sick and dying without the doctors knowing why hits close to home--a black shadow, his mother withering, her smile withering--but it's still a sale, plain and simple.

He's debating whether this is a school-sanctioned "clean up the bad kids" thing or some kind of freaky cult wen the lights go out and a freakin'  frog demon  manifests in the box on the table. Hanzou's shoulders hit the back wall as he shies away from the thing, his eyes wide and watching it closely. Then Sales-Ren apparently manifests a  knight  from somewhere and skewers it, the lights flash on, and they're back in reality. And everyone's ready to sign up.

Hanzou can feel his blood pumping at the ideas Sales-Ren and Sensei Kendo are suggesting. A chance to fight something, to go exploring into mysteries, to have an excuse to ditch the school stuff and do something fun instead... it's exactly what the old him would've wanted. But at the same time, the old him would've walked out the minute Sales-Ren started his pitch, no matter how much trouble he might've gotten into with Sensei Kendo. How can he choose against himself if the old him would've been both for and against this whole thing?

"...Is this gonna mess up schoolwork?" He asks finally, deciding on a question he never would've asked before. "I can't really afford slacking any--on my studies. Look, I know that sounds super lame after S-Ren-senpai there just manifested Lancelot and killed Hypnotoad, but we're still students, y'know? It's probably still important..."
InTheMachine
 April 1st 
 Study Room 2 
At Ishiwari’s exclamation, Ren jerks up from his bow and then grins as he looks at the younger student. As the others chime in, his smile softens. “I was really worried that everybody was gonna walk out,” he says, mostly to himself before addressing people’s questions. “I don’t know of a way to completely eradicate them. We’ll only be after the ones causing problems anyway. Once you guys awaken your Personas, you’ll be able to see that there’s actually a ton of Shadows around— not all of them feed on people. Though it does seem like the bigger they get, the more tempted they are to eat humans.”

Mr. Fujimori turns his attention to Uehara, giving the student a faint smile. “I wouldn’t be much of a teacher if I didn’t agree with you. Thankfully, Shadows mostly emerge at night. You’ll have time to do your schoolwork before then. I can also offer supplemental lessons if you need them on the weekends as long as I don’t need to travel for a kendo tournament.”

“I can ask one of my classmates if I can borrow some of her notes from first year,” Ren adds. “They should really help out if you need to study for tests.”

“To awaken your Persona,” Mr. Fujimori says to the room as he opens his bag,  “you’ll need to drink a tea made from this.” He pulls out a ziplocked bag that has six  beige paper envelopes  that are filled with dark tea leaves. “There are other ways to do it, but this is by far the safest. Just steep the leaves for about five minutes in a small mug. Be sure you’re home though. You’ll fall asleep fairly quickly. You’ll awaken with your alarm tomorrow, and hopefully be able to manifest your Persona.”

In the back row, Kazama raises her hand, waiting until Mr. Fujimori calls on her to ask in a soft, barely audible voice, “Do you also have a…  Persona  spirit, Fujimori-sensei? If we do drink the tea, will we be able to call them whenever we want, like Himura-senpai did?”

“I do,” Mr. Fujimori replies. Similar to when Ren’s black knight had appeared, the air shimmers in the chair behind the teacher’s desk to Mr. Fujimori’s right, and reveals  a tall man  seated there, dressed in a gray-purple suit and coat, with tapered leathery wings. Gloved hands with golden claws rest on a black cane in front of him. The being has no face, only curling gilded horns, but you can somehow tell that he’s observing those assembled with interest as he leans back and crosses one ankle over his knee.

“Once you awaken them, they will be a constant companion,” Mr. Fujimori says as his Persona fades away. “It’s easier to summon them when a Shadow is present, but with practice you’ll be able to call them into the physical world if you need them even without the trigger of Shadow nearby.”
big teej
 Study Session: 

"So every shadow is a problem  eventually? "  Ishiwari asks earnestly.

The youth turns towards his teacher as he pulls out the specially prepared tea, and manifests his own shadow-killing-monster-thing.

He leers at the teabags suspiciously.  "Does it taste gross?"

He averts his eyes and crosses his arms.  "I mean... I'll do it anyway, I just wouldn't want a nasty surprise."

Ishiwari's gaze floats back over to where Fujimori-sensei's Persona had manifested before.  "Where do they go, when we can't see them, I mean?"
InTheMachine
 April 1st 
 Study Room 2 

 
 Originally Posted by Ishiwari 
 "So every shadow is a problem  eventually ?" Ishiwari asks earnestly. 
 

Ren shakes his head to Ishiwari’s question. “Not all of them… but maybe the overwhelming majority.”


 
 Originally Posted by Ishiwari 
 He leers at the teabags suspiciously. "Does it taste gross?" 
 

“Not really,” Mr. Fujimori replies.
“Absolutely,” Ren blurts out at the same time.

The teacher chuckles. “Maybe I’ve forgotten just how bad it is.”

“I would hold your nose and drink it in one go,” Ren says, giving Mr. Fujimori a quick roll of his eyes and a shake of his head. “Though it might be tolerable with a ton of sugar or something. It was gross.”


 
 Originally Posted by Ishiwari 
 Ishiwari's gaze floats back over to where Fujimori-sensei's Persona had manifested before. "Where do they go, when we can't see them, I mean?" 
 

“My Persona enjoys observing the world himself,” Mr. Fujimori says. “Most people can’t see them, so he’ll do exactly what you saw just now. But for those of you that have larger Personas, that isn’t always an option. They are a part of you, and manifest from your consciousness. When they’re not in the real world, they seem to rest… inside your head, for lack of a better way to explain. They see through your eyes. Feel what you feel. And they may or may not have a lot to say about it.”

He looks over to Ren. “Caelus isn’t one for commentary, is he?”

“Not really,” Ren answers with a shrug. “Not unless he thinks it’s really important.”
Roguewolf
Dazai looks over at his classmate on the concern of schoolwork, and at Mr Fujimori's comment about extra lessons, he puts a hand on Hanzou's shoulder. "I'll help ya out too. Sometimes it works well to study in a group so you're welcome over at my apartment anytime it's needed!" He grins widely. "Honestly, it wouldn't be a bad idea for us to get better acquainted with each other for that.

He tilts his head in thought at the way shadows behave and at the tea bags.

"So, we pretty much just go after the ones causing trouble then?" He asked and then looked at the ground for a second. "Guess that also means we're on guard duty here as well when there's an away meet for athletic clubs too."

His eyes light up a bit at Sensei's Persona. "He's cool! Is there a way that we know how they'll look?" He was wondering what form his might take. It would be a shame to have something in mind that was awesome, and then end up with..... well a caterpillar or something.

"It's a lot to take in."
mmdeforrest
Tsuku followed in the wake of the others, quietly taking the tea with a bow. If yokai could be experienced more clearly through the consumption of this tea, perhaps it would make the guidance of the Kami clearer.

He was no stranger to such otherworldly beings though found them difficult to clearly perceive or understand. He lived under the watchful eye of one, after all. But the Oni was not malicious towards him. It made its demands but plac d him under its protection.

It took but it gave. Its motivations were inscrutable.

But if this tea revealed the yokai and their ways, it might reveal the ways of the Oni, too. And that would help him as he helped others.

“Will it be difficult to wake?” He asked. “I have made a promise to arrive early for school tomorrow.”
Zelphas
Hanzou tries to put this all in the proper context: otherworldly powers, cool missions, extra help with homework--okay, that one isn't all that exciting, but still--this could all be pretty cool. Despite his efforts, some part of him points out that a teacher just brought him to a secret meeting, showed him something that looks like it came out of a drug trip, and is now offering him the drugs that will let him see it for himself. The sheer absurdity of the situation, seen in that light, is currently hitting him like a train.

With a titanic effort, Hanzou pushes away what he's half-convinced is his voice of reason, which is currently trying to convince him that Sensei Kendo and Sales-Ren pumped the hallucinogens into this room before everyone entered to set up the light show earlier and Fancy McHornFace from a moment ago. "...Thanks," he says finally, unable to keep the skepticism out of his voice as he grabs the packet of  drugs  tea. He makes a face at the mention of its taste, but isn't too surprised; tea's too bitter for him in general, mostly. Maybe he can drown the thing in honey, first. He waits for answers from the other people, too discombobulated to come up with his own at the moment.
PK-Leon
 Study Room 2 

 
 Originally Posted by Uehara 
 Hanzou is the last one to arrive his steps reluctant, heavy from a day of doing the opposite of what they want. He passes Window Guy (Minami) peeking in with a confused look and a mumbled "Excuse me," noting the other three as he heads towards the front. 
 

Minami jerks his head around in surprise as Uehara stalks past him into the quiet that blanketed the room. "S-Sorry..." is all the first year is able to manage as he attempts to regain his composure.

He takes a deep breath and a few moments to study the faces and disposition of his classmates before finally willing his legs to cross the threshold of the study room to join them. While their respective reasons for assembling here remained a mystery to him it was readily apparent that they all felt the same unease emanating from the acrylic box that rested on the table in the front of the room. It's presence elicited a sense of morbid curiosity, driving Minami to find a seat in the middle row of desks within the U formation closest to the door. While he desired to know the reason  why  he was invited to this gathering of complete strangers, he reasoned it would be best to leave himself an avenue for escape should he find himself caught up in something he wanted no involvement in.


 Mr. Fujimori takes a seat in the very back of the classroom by the door. “Thank you all for coming,” he says as he sets his leather bag on the desk in front of him. “I know you all have questions, and I’m sure you’ll have more after we talk today. I’m happy to answer them after a short presentation.” He gestures to the front of the room. “This is Himura Ren. If you choose to stay after this, he’ll be in charge of, what we’ll call on paper, this club.”

. . .

“People have called them different things for ages. Ghosts, yokai, supernatural entities— as a catch all, we call them Shadows,” Ren says as he slowly starts to slide open the top of the box. “They’re from a world that mirrors ours, and they love to eat people and their negative emotions. Most of them, anyway. They’re invisible to people, but those that’ve been affected by them can sometimes see a glimpse. This one in particular is where the legend of Ōgama come from.”

. . .

Ren does a half turn to keep an eye on the frog. “This one isn’t big enough to eat people yet, but if it’s able to keep growing, it will. They like to use the light they produce to lure people into the water before grabbing them with their tongue and drowning them.”

“We’re not defenseless though,” he continues. Reality shimmers in front of him into a vague humanoid shape that stands about eight feet tall. Within a few blinks of staring at the shimmer, a black knight with a shock of white hair escaping a horned helm and outstretched iron wings suddenly comes into focus.

The frog hisses and croaks, flashing red-blue-black as it pounces at the knight, but meets its untimely demise at the tip of the knight’s lance as he moves to defend himself and Ren, and the frog explodes into shards of darkness.

Mr. Fujimori flips on the lights again as the knight fades back out of reality.

“That was Caelus, and he’s what we call a Persona,” the third year continues. “A guardian spirit of sorts. All of you theoretically have the power to call one, which is why we asked you to meet here. There are way bigger monsters out there, stuff that I can’t deal with on my own.”

Ren looks around at the room again before dipping his head. “I know that everything I just showed you was a lot to take in, especially on the first day of school, but I’m asking for your help. Learn to call and use your Persona and help me destroy the Shadows that are threatening Chofu and Tokyo. Fujimori-sensei and I are happy to answer any current questions you have.”

“And you are, of course, free to leave if you choose to do so,” Mr. Fujimori adds as he stands and makes his way to the teacher’s podium. “Thank you for hearing us out.” 

Minami watches the supernatural display unfold before his eyes in disbelief. Memories of 'that day' replay in the theater of his mind in quick succession. Bleeding walls, impossibly large eyes opening across the canvases that lined his family's shop, several spindly limbs emerging from the assembled artwork attempting to break free from their two dimensional prisons, and his mother's scream piercing the through the night air.

Minami wanted to believe that he was dreaming, that he had fallen asleep at his window seat and Fujimori-Sensei would soon be standing over him as he woke up from his desk. But some part of him new that everything he had seen was real, that this couldn't be simply be written off as the product of a daydream.

He listens in silence as the other students speak in turn, affirming Hiruma's assertions and responding with several with several questions of their own. Though after some time gathering his thoughts he finds himself inclined to speak up and ask what others had not.

Minami raises a hand out of habit but starts before being called on. "Fujimori-Sensei, Hiruma-Senpai, if you're open to fielding any questions then may I ask to what end are you working towards? By fighting 'Shadows' I mean. And why  us ?" The first year asks looking across the faces gathered around the room. "How did you know that we were like you?"
InTheMachine
 April 1st 
 Study Room 2 

 
 Originally Posted by Ishii 
 “Will it be difficult to wake?” He asked. “I have made a promise to arrive early for school tomorrow.” 
 

As Ishii collects his tea, Mr. Fujimori shakes his head at the question. “As long as you have an alarm set you should wake up on time,” he assures his student. “As long as you’re normally good about getting out of bed.”


 
 Originally Posted by Atsuta 
 "So, we pretty much just go after the ones causing trouble then?" 
 

“Yeah,” Ren agrees. “ We ,” he continues, putting emphasis on the word, “will go hunting together. I wouldn’t try to go out on your own at first. Shadows are deceptive, and some are more cunning than you would expect. Fighting them alone when you’re new is asking to get hurt.”


 
 Originally Posted by Atsuta 
 "He's cool! Is there a way that we know how they'll look?" 
 

“Unfortunately not,” Mr. Fujimori answers. “But rest assured that no matter what form they take, they will protect you.”


 
 Originally Posted by Minami 
 Minami raises a hand out of habit but starts before being called on. "Fujimori-Sensei, Himura-Senpai, if you're open to fielding any questions then may I ask to what end are you working towards? By fighting 'Shadows' I mean. And why  us ?" The first year asks looking across the faces gathered around the room. "How did you know that we were like you?" 
 

Ren’s expression darkens for a fraction of a second as Minami addresses him, but he quickly smooths it out. “What are we working towards?” he says as he looks up at the first year. “I guess it’s not like we’re trying to complete some ultimate goal. There are almost 100,000 people that go missing and 1000 murders in Japan every year. A lot of those cases are solved, but what about the ones that aren’t?  Those  cases were Shadows. There are also suicides and accidents that aren’t really accidents. If we have the power to prevent that, why wouldn’t we? I don’t want people to go through what I did,” the third year finishes in a quieter voice.

“To answer your other question,” Mr. Fujimori says, “I was present at the school when all of you took your entrance exam and for your interviews. My Persona has a talent for picking out those with potential. It’s not guaranteed that you’ll be able to manifest one— he’s been wrong before— but the chance is high. I pulled a few strings and got all of you placed in the same class just to make it a little easier on all of you as well.”

“I’m just glad are this many of you,” Ren admits. “When I was a first year, there were three third years that I joined. Nobody had potential last year, so I was by myself.”
PK-Leon
 April 1st 
 Study Room 2 

 
 Originally Posted by Ren 
 Ren’s expression darkens for a fraction of a second as Minami addresses him, but he quickly smooths it out. “What are we working towards?” he says as he looks up at the first year. “I guess it’s not like we’re trying to complete some ultimate goal. There are almost 100,000 people that go missing and 1000 murders in Japan every year. A lot of those cases are solved, but what about the ones that aren’t? Those cases were Shadows. There are also suicides and accidents that aren’t really accidents. If we have the power to prevent that, why wouldn’t we? I don’t want people to go through what I did,” the third year finishes in a quieter voice. 
 

Minami feels his soul sink under the weight of his memories. Numerous visits to a nearly featureless hospital room, devoid of any sound save for the faint strokes of a paintbrush across the surface of a canvas.

"I-" He starts, sifting through his thoughts and feelings for the right words. "I don't either... So if this is the only way I'm able to make a real difference then I have no problem joining you, but only if you can promise me that we'll be making a collective effort to learn everything we can about Shadows and how to rid our world of them." Minami asks his senior and teacher with newfound resolve.


 “To answer your other question,” Mr. Fujimori says, “I was present at the school when all of you took your entrance exam and for your interviews. My Persona has a talent for picking out those with potential. It’s not guaranteed that you’ll be able to manifest one— he’s been wrong before— but the chance is high. I pulled a few strings and got all of you placed in the same class just to make it a little easier on all of you as well.”

“I’m just glad are this many of you,” Ren admits. “When I was a first year, there were three third years that I joined. Nobody had potential last year, so I was by myself.” 

Minami nods thoughtfully, upon hearing Fujimori's explanation. "So what happened to the students that came before for us? I mean, they obviously graduated eventually but... that also means they would've had to continue fighting on their own right? And in that vein, wouldn't that mean there are others like us outside of Kamata?"
big teej
 Study Room 2: 

 Originally Posted by  Himura Ren 
"Absolutely," Ren blurts out at the same time. 

"Somehow.  I knew it."  Kyoji says with a resigned sigh.  He takes his bag of tea from Fujimori-sensei and carefully slides it in his bag.  "Oh well.  It's a small price to pay.  We just make it normally right?"


 Originally Posted by  Fujimori-Sensei 
"Most people can't see them, so he'll do exactly what you saw just now.  But for those of you that have larger Personas, that isn't always an option."   

Ishiwari tilts his head, "How big do they get?  How  small  do they get?"
Internally, the youth cringed, power was power, but weight class existed for a reason, and it'd kinda be uncool to get something like... a tiny bat ninja or something.


 Originally Posted by  Atsuta Dazai 
"So, we pretty much just go after the ones causing trouble then?"  He asked and then looked at the ground for a second.  "Guess that also means we're on guard duty here as well when there's an away meet for athletics clubs too."  

Dazai's observation and question makes Ishiwari start and look back at Ren-Senpai,  "Hey, what are we supposed to do if a shadow goes crazy in the middle of class or something?  Won't it be a problem if like half of 1-B jumps up and runs out at the same time?"
mmdeforrest
Tsuku looked up at his silent classmate. Unlike the boys, she had remained silent during the exchange.

"Will it be all of us? We have not provided you with an opportunity to respond."

He bowed respectfully. "Forgive us for not permitting you an opportunity to respond to the call to service by the  Kami  and our sensei.”
InTheMachine
 April 1st 
 Study Room 2 

 
 Originally Posted by Minami 
 Minami nods thoughtfully, upon hearing Fujimori's explanation. "So what happened to the students that came before for us? I mean, they obviously graduated eventually but... that also means they would've had to continue fighting on their own right? And in that vein, wouldn't that mean there are others like us outside of Kamata?" 
 

“There are small collectives of Persona users in many other major cities in Japan,” Mr. Fujimori replies. “I’ve kept in contact with graduates and some continued to fight Shadows in their free time, but many retire.”


 
 Originally Posted by Ishiwari 
 Ishiwari tilts his head, "How big do they get? How small do they get?" 
 

“Huge,” Ren answers.  “One of my senpais had a Persona that was like two stories tall.”

“Most of them that I’ve seen have been close to person size or slightly larger,” Mr. Fujimori follows up. “The smallest I’ve seen was only as tall as my knee.”


 
 Originally Posted by Ishiwari 
 Dazai's observation and question makes Ishiwari start and look back at Ren-Senpai, "Hey, what are we supposed to do if a shadow goes crazy in the middle of class or something? Won't it be a problem if like half of 1-B jumps up and runs out at the same time?" 
 

Ren shakes his head. “Nothing big enough that would need more than one person to respond would attack during the day. And I say ‘attack’ loosely. Shadows don’t… rampage like a  kaiju  or something. Not unprovoked. They seem to prefer staying quiet and unnoticed.”


 
 Originally Posted by Ishii 
 Tsuku looked up at his silent classmate. Unlike the boys, she had remained silent during the exchange.

"Will it be all of us? We have not provided you with an opportunity to respond."

He bowed respectfully. "Forgive us for not permitting you an opportunity to respond to the call to service by the  Kami  and our sensei.” 
 

Kazama flinches as Ishii addresses her. She fidgets, searching her feelings and looking for words for a long moment. “I… I don’t know if I want to,” she says in a small voice.

Mr. Fujimori nods in understanding, giving her a soft reassuring smile. “I know that everything that we said and have discussed is frightening. Neither Ren nor I will think less of you if you decline our offer. I wasn’t lying when I said you were free to walk away if you want to.”

She blinks once and looks down at her hands on the desk. “Can I take some tea and think about it tonight?”

“Of course,” Mr. Fujimori says. “If you have concerns, I’m happy to talk to you one on one after this meeting.”
Roguewolf
Dazai takes in all the information as they all continue, and picks up a bag of the tea.

It was all so much to take in and his smile never left his face, even as their classmate expressed her concern and aversion to the idea. "Personal safety and certainty should come first. And even having a friend who knows and can cover for us if something goes wild during the day helps too." He grins at Kazama.

He turns to Ren-senpai. "Senpai, because of the athletics clubs, I suppose my question is how often should we expect you out of town as well?" He tilts his head as well. "Also, does that mean if they are seen and approached, they'll consider that provocation?"
InTheMachine
 April 1st 
 Study Room 2 

 
 Originally Posted by Atsuta 
 He turns to Ren-senpai. "Senpai, because of the athletics clubs, I suppose my question is how often should we expect you out of town as well?" He tilts his head as well. "Also, does that mean if they are seen and approached, they'll consider that provocation?" 
 

“I’m not in any clubs,” Ren says, with a shake of his head. “Well, not except this ‘club’, technically. As for Shadows… it depends.”

Mr. Fujimori checks his watch, which prompts Ren to cut his answer short. “We can talk more about their behavior next time. If everyone here is good, we can meet tomorrow after school. You guys still need to check out the other clubs, right?”

The third year and teacher bow to the first year students before Mr. Fujimori takes his leave, bringing his bag and the acrylic box with him. Ren waits by the door to exchange LINE IDs with everyone, letting them know that he’ll add them to a group chat and post the time and place for the next meeting.

When everyone moves out into the hallways, they’re a little less crowded than when school had initially let out, but club interest meetings are still happening. Most have just started a second meeting for those that had gone to another club first.
big teej
 Club Membership Get! 

Kyoji bows to his upperclassman, sensei, and now club mates.  After exchanging contact info with everyone, he sketches out a perfunctory bow.  " Ja .  Everyone.  I'm gonna go track down the Judo Club."

Ishiwari sidles through his fellow stragglers in the hall, taking a peek at the various clubs Kamata has on offer as he makes his way to the big Judo Practice Hall to find out when practice and meets are and to sign up.

 I hope it doesn't conflict with my training with Hida-Sensei too much. 
PK-Leon
 Extracurricular Activity 

 Mr. Fujimori checks his watch, which prompts Ren to cut his answer short. “We can talk more about their behavior next time. If everyone here is good, we can meet tomorrow after school. You guys still need to check out the other clubs, right?” 

Minami nods at his sensei's words, satisfied with what he's heard for now. The first year gets up from his seat and picks up a bag of tea before the group is formally dismissed. The morning had already been full of revelations, Minami could only wonder what the night had in store him.


 The third year and teacher bow to the first year students before Mr. Fujimori takes his leave, bringing his bag and the acrylic box with him. Ren waits by the door to exchange LINE IDs with everyone, letting them know that he’ll add them to a group chat and post the time and place for the next meeting.

When everyone moves out into the hallways, they’re a little less crowded than when school had initially let out, but club interest meetings are still happening. Most have just started a second meeting for those that had gone to another club first. 

After exchanging IDs and goodbyes Minami departs from the first "leadership development" interest meeting and begins to wander the halls of Kamata with no particular purpose or destination. His mind however works in sharp contrast in an attempt to process what had transpired within the classroom only minutes prior. It was almost like waking up from a dream but deep down some part of him that he was previously unaware of had forced him acknowledge that this was all very real.
Zelphas
Hanzou kind of numbly listens to the rest of the discussion, trying to figure out where he can store the  dr  tea in his bag. He wanders out of the room with a mumbled jumble of noise that's supposed to sound... affirmative, or reassuring, or something, he's not really sure.

This is beyond him. Too much thinking right now.

And so that's how he finds himself in the gym, next to the basketball court. A non-thinky sport game sounds perfect right now--he can let his mind whirl itself out while his body moves and exercises. It's probably better than sneaking into some restricted area in town, anyhow. He reminds himself that he doesn't do that anymore.

Shaking his head, Hanzou goes looking for something to throw or someone to tell him what drills to do.
Roguewolf
 
 Originally Posted by InTheMachine 
  April 1st 
 Study Room 2 

“I’m not in any clubs,” Ren says, with a shake of his head. “Well, not except this ‘club’, technically. As for Shadows… it depends.”

Mr. Fujimori checks his watch, which prompts Ren to cut his answer short. “We can talk more about their behavior next time. If everyone here is good, we can meet tomorrow after school. You guys still need to check out the other clubs, right?”

The third year and teacher bow to the first year students before Mr. Fujimori takes his leave, bringing his bag and the acrylic box with him. Ren waits by the door to exchange LINE IDs with everyone, letting them know that he’ll add them to a group chat and post the time and place for the next meeting.

When everyone moves out into the hallways, they’re a little less crowded than when school had initially let out, but club interest meetings are still happening. Most have just started a second meeting for those that had gone to another club first. 
 

Dazai nods as Ren-senpai answers. "I see. My apologies, I wanted to know if we needed to plan around it or anything."

As it's shown to cut the conversation short, Dazai's smile returns and he nods, bowing to their sensei and senpai. "I look forward to seeing the kendo club soon, Fujimori-sensei!"

As he exchanged the contact info, he made sure to place notes in his phone about who mentioned what. It was good practice to know where to find anyone else in their club should they be needed on short notice. He made sure the tea bag was in a secure part of his bag.

"It was wonderful meeting you all, and looking forward to working with you!" He bows to the others before taking his leave and b-lining for the kendo area.
mmdeforrest
Tsuku did not feel he fully returned to himself or to reality before he found himself standing in front of the art club's table. He had a vague recollection of quickly putting his name down on the list at the kendo club while the students manning that table spoke to others.

The Way of the Sword was one of the traditions of his family, but it was not the one that stirred his soul.

He did not expect to find a club dedicated to the art of calligraphy or origami. But the brushwork of ink painting was close enough to calligraphy to help his technique.

Given what he had learned — that yokai remained an active threat to the 21st Century — that they had not fully retreated to some place of shadow as the modern world replaced their blight with blights of its own — that he was one of the Chosen who were destined to fight them — to be a secret samurai and defend mankind on behalf of the Kami.

Yes, given what he had learned, he would need the peace his brushes extended to him. The katana might be more practical, but the flow of the ink across the rice paper would draw him to the peace he needed and could project to others.

He looked expectently to the student providing information. "Please. What can you tell me of the art club? I tend to work in inks with calligraphy but sometimes will draw landscapes as well."
InTheMachine
 April 1st 
 Art Club 
Ishii recognizes  the girl  sitting at the table in front of the art club as the top student that gave a shaky speech just this morning. Her blue eyes dart up to Ishii’s face before she gives him a tentative smile and adjusts her glasses. “There… isn’t much to tell. I want this club to be a quiet place where people can do art. Whatever kind of art you want. We have all kinds of mediums. Sometimes the teachers ask us to paint murals or help with other school projects, and we’re expected to help out with the culture festival, but otherwise, we just…  create  here. If you want critiques, we usually come together once every two weeks or so and do several pieces that members submit.”

 Judo Hall 
Ishiwari easily finds the  judo hall , which is straight across from kendo. He can hear something is going on in the kendo hall, and as he passes the door, he can see that quite a crowd has gathered there before he enters the practice area for judo. There are only about ten people milling about here, mostly over by the sign up table where two students,  one in a white  gi   and the other  in a blue  gi  , are speaking to potential recruits.  A teacher  in his mid thirties sits at the table, answering questions.

 Kendo Hall 
As Astuta arrives at the kendo hall, he sees that it’s actually full of about a hundred students all gathered around one of the marked areas of the hall, where two students in full   bōgu   stand. The taller and broader of the two students wears a white ribbon on the back of their armor, while shorter of the two wears a red ribbon. He spots Mr. Fujimori on one side of the arena with a red flag in one hand and a white one in the other, along with two other older students acting as referees with the same two flags on the other side of the court. Astuta is able to find a good spot to watch next to  a guy with dark hair and deep green eyes . A glance down at his  uwabaki  reveals that he’s also a first year.

“They’ve really been talking up this match,” the guy says to Astuta. “I heard that the captain of the team is apparently taking on a challenger? Did you hear that too?”

Minami’s feet happen to bring him by the kendo hall, just as the  two armored students crouch  for a moment before Mr. Fujimori calls for them to begin.

The start of the match is explosive. Both students spring forward with loud yells as their  shinai  clash. Red Ribbon backs off first, but White advances with several strikes that Red manages to fend off.

As he watches, Minami notices Ren enter the hall through a door opposite from him and then lean against the wall in the back to watch the match. Some of the older students notice his presence and shuffle away, giving the third year a wide berth.

Red Ribbon’s sword flashes out as their opponent overextends, catching White on the wrist. Mr. Fujimori throws up his red flag in conjunction with one of the other referees.

The two competitors separate, resetting on either side of the court until Mr. Fujimori calls out for them to begin again.

White Ribbon darts forward with a yell, hammering Red with fast, punishing blows. One of the student ref’s white flag pops up several times, but Red continues to defend and then pushes forward, locking up the two of them before White pulls back and then strikes at their opponent’s abdomen with a quick cut.

Red Ribbon barely manages to avoid the blow with a deft step to the side before definitively smacking the top of White’s helmet in a counterattack.

All three referees red flags go up.

Red Ribbon bows to  their opponent , who is obviously seething as he rips off his helmet. His amber eyes narrow as he glances over at Mr. Fujimori before stiffly returning Red Ribbon’s bow.

“Good match,” Red says in a light, feminine voice as they pull off their helmet, revealing  a girl with golden eyes and pale pink hair  pulled back into a ponytail.

The gray haired student sneers, but holds his tongue as he turns and walks away.

“They’ve winner of this match is Tachibana Hikari,” Mr. Fujimori announces as he hands his flags off to one of the student refs before he follows after the challenger.

The crowd starts to disperse, with some going to the sign up sheet at a table at the end of the kendo hall and others heading back out into the school, talking among themselves.

 Basketball 
Uehara spots a  navy haired boy  shooting hoops that he recognizes from his class. He’s tossed his blazer onto one of the nearby benches and has his shirt untucked. He seems to be practicing free throws.

Near center court a table is set up with several guys in tracksuits manning it, along with  a man in his mid twenties  talking to a  very tall (taller than Uehara) student , and  another guy with pale violet eyes .
Zelphas
 Basketball 

In another life, roughly six months ago, Hanzou would've shucked off his own blazer plus the tie that went with it, and snuck up behind Blue Hair, swiping the ball from him the instant the other kid set up to take another shot. He'd laugh at Blue Hair's indignation and try to goad him into a game, and only give up if the other guy refused to play along or a grown-up came over to stop him. His feet almost carry him over there by themselves, and his hands are loosening his tie before he can catch them... but even with the craziness of the past half hour or so, Hanzou is still committed to choosing against himself.

And so he reluctantly heads over to the table set up at center court, trying to decide whether to re-set his tie or give it up as a lost cause. He makes it to the table and stalls, for a second, unsure what to do. "So... basketball. Never played it in school--not on a team--but I know the rules, I think... do I sign up, or...?" Man, trying to speak politely is terrible; his mouth keeps tripping over the words.
InTheMachine
 April 1st 
 Main Gym- Basketball 
As Uehara approaches the table, one of the team members,  a guy with deep blue-black hair and light gray eyes , greets him warmly despite his appearance.

As Uehara finishes speaking, one of the guys that was talking with who the first year can assume is the coach, turns, his violet eyes narrowing.

Having finished their conversation, the coach walks away toward the back of the gym, heading for the double doors. “Be back in ten, guys,” he calls back to his team.

The athlete at the table gives Uehara a grin as he turns a clipboard with a signup sheet around so that the first year can put his name down, and offers him a pen. “We have practice three times a week right now, but that will ramp up over the next month and into the summer. Summer Koshien is in August, so we need to be ready for the prelims at the end of July. Tryouts for the team will be midway through May.”

“Itsuki,” the tall guy with messy dark hair warns in a low voice as the violet eyed one stalks up to Uehara.

The guys at the table go quiet as the other student, Itsuki, sizes up the former delinquent, looking at his buzzed hair and the holes in his ears. “You  think  you know the rules? There’s  no way  you’re getting on this team. If you haven’t played before, if basketball isn’t—”

“Enough,” the dark haired one says sharply as he comes up behind his teammate. “Three laps. The long way. I’ll talk to you after.”

Itsuki glares at the taller student, but relents and stalks away in the direction the coach had gone.

“Sorry about him,” the tall student says. He gives Uehara an easy smile. “Anzai-kun can be a little too serious about the game, I think. It doesn’t matter to me if you’ve played before or not. Everyone has a chance to learn before tryouts next month. I’m Hasegawa Yuuto, captain of the team.”

“And I promise pretty much everyone else here is less of an ass than Anzai-kun,” Hasegawa says with a look at the guys at the table, who instantly nod and agree.

The one that had offered Uehara the clipboard gives him an apologetic grin. “I hope he didn’t change your mind about signing up. I wouldn’t blame you if you didn’t though.”
Roguewolf
 
 Originally Posted by InTheMachine 
  April 1st 
 Kendo Hall 
As Astuta arrives at the kendo hall, he sees that it’s actually full of about a hundred students all gathered around one of the marked areas of the hall, where two students in full   bōgu   stand. The taller and broader of the two students wears a white ribbon on the back of their armor, while shorter of the two wears a red ribbon. He spots Mr. Fujimori on one side of the arena with a red flag in one hand and a white one in the other, along with two other older students acting as referees with the same two flags on the other side of the court. Astuta is able to find a good spot to watch next to  a guy with dark hair and deep green eyes . A glance down at his  uwabaki  reveals that he’s also a first year.

“They’ve really been talking up this match,” the guy says to Astuta. “I heard that the captain of the team is apparently taking on a challenger? Did you hear that too?”

Minami’s feet happen to bring him by the kendo hall, just as the  two armored students crouch  for a moment before Mr. Fujimori calls for them to begin.

The start of the match is explosive. Both students spring forward with loud yells as their  shinai  clash. Red Ribbon backs off first, but White advances with several strikes that Red manages to fend off.

As he watches, Minami notices Ren enter the hall through a door opposite from him and then lean against the wall in the back to watch the match. Some of the older students notice his presence and shuffle away, giving the third year a wide berth.

Red Ribbon’s sword flashes out as their opponent overextends, catching White on the wrist. Mr. Fujimori throws up his red flag in conjunction with one of the other referees.

The two competitors separate, resetting on either side of the court until Mr. Fujimori calls out for them to begin again.

White Ribbon darts forward with a yell, hammering Red with fast, punishing blows. One of the student ref’s white flag pops up several times, but Red continues to defend and then pushes forward, locking up the two of them before White pulls back and then strikes at their opponent’s abdomen with a quick cut.

Red Ribbon barely manages to avoid the blow with a deft step to the side before definitively smacking the top of White’s helmet in a counterattack.

All three referees red flags go up.

Red Ribbon bows to  their opponent , who is obviously seething as he rips off his helmet. His amber eyes narrow as he glances over at Mr. Fujimori before stiffly returning Red Ribbon’s bow.

“Good match,” Red says in a light, feminine voice as they pull off their helmet, revealing  a girl with golden eyes and pale pink hair  pulled back into a ponytail.

The gray haired student sneers, but holds his tongue as he turns and walks away.

“They’ve winner of this match is Tachibana Hikari,” Mr. Fujimori announces as he hands his flags off to one of the student refs before he follows after the challenger.

The crowd starts to disperse, with some going to the sign up sheet at a table at the end of the kendo hall and others heading back out into the school, talking among themselves. 
 

Atsuta grins widely seeing the prospect of a match and as the student talks to him, he shakes his head. "Can't say that I heard it, but it definitely explains the crowd. Atsuta Dazai, nice to meetcha. Planning on joining kendo too?"

He watches and his grin widens seeing the force of Red Ribbon's strikes. The fluidity of the motion and their quick calculations. It was like watching a dance rather than a match. Granted, White Ribbon was not nearly as fluid.

He shakes his head as White Ribbon walks away. It was disrespectful, and unfortunately something that would be wide-spread in the world. He would fix that one day. He walked up to the sign up sheet before doing anything else, and keeping the conversation going if his new classmate joined him as well. He looked up at the students watching over sign ups.
big teej
 Judo Hall:   Get Rotated, Peasant! 

Kyoji pauses to spare a glance into the Kendo hall.  "Huh,  I wonder what's going on over there?"

The youth shrugs it off and heads into the hall and beelines to the sign-up table with the  gi 'd students and the teacher he assumed was the coach.

He sketches out a slight bow to the teacher and introduces himself.

"I'm really interested in joining the Judo club.  I've been training Muay Thai for a few years now, and I'd really like to expand my knowledge and abilities.  I was also wondering how many people are in the club, how often the team travels, and when do we meet?"

Kyoji is all smiles, blithely ignoring any concerns of conflicting schedules between training with Hida-Sensei, killing shadows with the others, and learning how to rotate and fold clothes while people are still in them.
mmdeforrest
 
 Originally Posted by InTheMachine 
  April 1st 
 Art Club 
Ishii recognizes  the girl  sitting at the table in front of the art club as the top student that gave a shaky speech just this morning. Her blue eyes dart up to Ishii’s face before she gives him a tentative smile and adjusts her glasses. “There… isn’t much to tell. I want this club to be a quiet place where people can do art. Whatever kind of art you want. We have all kinds of mediums. Sometimes the teachers ask us to paint murals or help with other school projects, and we’re expected to help out with the culture festival, but otherwise, we just…  create  here. If you want critiques, we usually come together once every two weeks or so and do several pieces that members submit. 
 

"That sounds quite pleasant," he replied with a shy smile. "I'm used to working on my own. It will be pleasant to have a community to work with and receive support and feedback from.

"Thank you for your address this morning. As a first year, any good direction helps with the transition here. And seeing someone with an interest in art at the head of the third year is inspiring.

"I will see you at the first meeting,” he added, thinking about his other 'club', "unless something unexpected crops up."
InTheMachine
 April 1st 
 Kendo Hall 
“I’m Kibe Masahiro,” he says with a slight incline of his head after Atsuta asks. “Class 1-C. Yeah, I’m interested. I always thought it looked kinda cool.”


 
 Originally Posted by Atsuta 
 He walked up to the sign up sheet before doing anything else, and keeping the conversation going if his new classmate joined him as well. He looked up at the students watching over sign ups. 
 

“The captain’s a  girl ?!” Kibe says in wonder as Red Ribbon pulls off her helmet. He shakes his head a little before he follows his fellow first year over to the swamped sign up table that’s manned by three students.

 
 Spoiler: Atsuta Knowledge + Notice TN Height 3 
As he makes his way through the crowd of students on his way to the sign up table, Atsuta notices Ren leaning against the wall near to one of the exits. He seems to catch someone’s eye and then makes a  quick, odd gesture,  tapping just above his left wrist with a closed fist several times as he smiles faintly.

 
 Spoiler: Atsuta Knowledge + Notice TN Height 5 
Atsuta manages to pinpoint the recipient of Ren’s gaze and gesture as captain Tachibana. She smiles back and offers him a hasty  return sign , placing her right hand vertically on the back of her left, then raising her right one, accompanied with a slight bow, keeping her movements small and as discrete as she can.
 

 


As they approach,  the guy  sitting at the far left of the table waves them forward after he finishes with the last student.

“Hey guys,” he says as he offers Atsuta a pen. He seems tired, but still fairly energetic in his pitch. “Right now we’re having everybody sign up for an initial interest meeting. The captain and a few other guys are gonna meet with everyone and go over the basics of kendo, show them a some moves, and let you guy try out swinging  bokken  and  shinai . We’ll meet here at 5 on Thursday. Any questions?”

 Judo Hall 
The guy in the blue  gi  immediately perks up when Ishiwari says he practices Muay Thai, but allows the coach to speak first.

The coach bows back to Ishiwari. “It’ll be nice to get someone with extra experience in combat sports. As long as you promise not to actually punch anyone,” he says with a teasing smile. “I’m Coach Okamoto. We have ten members currently, including Miyazawa-kun and Ijiri-kun,” he continues, gesturing the guy in the blue  gi  and then the white  gi . “First years will meet twice a week to start. The first team meeting is Thursday at 4:30. As for travel, that depends on you guys. Our first meet with another school will be at the end of June. If you guys do well, we’ll get to travel more from there.”

 Art Club 
“It takes some getting used to, but I’ve really begun to like having others around when I’m working on something. It’s nice to be able to bounce ideas off of people that get it, you know?” The girl replies.


 
 Originally Posted by Ishii 
 "Thank you for your address this morning. As a first year, any good direction helps with the transition here. And seeing someone with an interest in art at the head of the third year is inspiring.” 
 

Her cheeks flush slightly and she breaks eye contact. “Not just third year,” she quietly corrects him. “I’ve been top student since my first year here. But… I’m glad you liked it. I was really nervous, even though I made a speech last year too.”


 
 Originally Posted by Ishii 
 "I will see you at the first meeting,” he added, thinking about his other 'club', "unless something unexpected crops up." 
 

“Our normal official meeting time is on Wednesdays at 5:30. Sorry it’s a little late, but one of our members is also on the student council and he asked us to push our meeting time back so he could join. But this week, we’re meeting Thursday, still at 5:30.”

She opens her notebook and asks for Ishii’s name and class and writes it down before she inclines her head to him. “I’m Sekiguchi Chikage. Nice to meet you, Ishii-san. I’ll see you Thursday.”
mmdeforrest
 
 Originally Posted by InTheMachine 
  April 1st 
 Art Club 
“It takes some getting used to, but I’ve really begun to like having others around when I’m working on something. It’s nice to be able to bounce ideas off of people that get it, you know?” The girl replies. 
 

Ishii nods in agreement. "Since moving here, I haven't gotten any feedback on my work — which is probably true for almost every first year student. I'm looking forward to that changing.”


 
 Originally Posted by InTheMachine 
 Her cheeks flush slightly and she breaks eye contact. “Not just third year,” she quietly corrects him. “I’ve been top student since my first year here. But… I’m glad you liked it. I was really nervous, even though I made a speech last year too.” 
 

Impressed at the correction, Ishii bows. "An even more impressive accomplishment. I would welcome any recommendations you might have on how to improve as a student as well as as an artist, should something occur to you.”


 
 Originally Posted by InTheMachine 
 “Our normal official meeting time is on Wednesdays at 5:30. Sorry it’s a little late, but one of our members is also on the student council and he asked us to push our meeting time back so he could join. But this week, we’re meeting Thursday, still at 5:30.”

She opens her notebook and asks for Ishii’s name and class and writes it down before she inclines her head to him. “I’m Sekiguchi Chikage. Nice to meet you, Ishii-san. I’ll see you Thursday.” 
 

"Until Thursday, then, Sekiguchi-san.
big teej
 Judo Hall: 

Kyoji bows again.  "Got it.  No punching, but elbows are okay."  He says with a smile.  He pulls out his phone and sets a note, an alarm, and a calendar notification for Thursday at 4:30.

"That's great, I look forward to meeting everyone.  Does anyone else do something besides Judo?"
Roguewolf
 
 Originally Posted by InTheMachine 
  April 1st 
 Kendo Hall 
“I’m Kibe Masahiro,” he says with a slight incline of his head after Atsuta asks. “Class 1-C. Yeah, I’m interested. I always thought it looked kinda cool.”


“The captain’s a  girl ?!” Kibe says in wonder as Red Ribbon pulls off her helmet. He shakes his head a little before he follows his fellow first year over to the swamped sign up table that’s manned by three students.

 
 Spoiler: Atsuta Knowledge + Notice TN Height 3 
As he makes his way through the crowd of students on his way to the sign up table, Atsuta notices Ren leaning against the wall near to one of the exits. He seems to catch someone’s eye and then makes a  quick, odd gesture,  tapping just above his left wrist with a closed fist several times as he smiles faintly.

 
 Spoiler: Atsuta Knowledge + Notice TN Height 5 
Atsuta manages to pinpoint the recipient of Ren’s gaze and gesture as captain Tachibana. She smiles back and offers him a hasty  return sign , placing her right hand vertically on the back of her left, then raising her right one, accompanied with a slight bow, keeping her movements small and as discrete as she can.
 

 
 
 

Atsuta grins widely as he inclines his head as well. "Way more open to talking than anyone else in my class. I'm in 1-B." He returns to watching the match as well. "Same here honestly. The idea of needing to be precise and controlled in movement has always been appealing."

He raises an eyebrow at the Red Ribbon's movements again and grins. "Seems like the captain has a lot to teach us too."

He chuckles a bit as Masahiro is surprised. "Wasn't expecting that either."

 
 Spoiler: Wait, is that Ren-Senpai..... and the captain? 

 Notice :  5#1d10   6   10   3   8   10 
 


Atsuta glances over at Ren-senpai. His movements looked like he was congratulating the captain, and her response made him a bit curious. Good friends, or something else entirely? It may be something that comes up another time, though he would need to keep it in mind.

And best not to draw attention to senpai for right now.


 
 Originally Posted by InTheMachine 
 As they approach,  the guy  sitting at the far left of the table waves them forward after he finishes with the last student.

“Hey guys,” he says as he offers Atsuta a pen. He seems tired, but still fairly energetic in his pitch. “Right now we’re having everybody sign up for an initial interest meeting. The captain and a few other guys are gonna meet with everyone and go over the basics of kendo, show them a some moves, and let you guy try out swinging  bokken  and  shinai . We’ll meet here at 5 on Thursday. Any questions?” 
 

Atsuta smiles as he takes the pen with a slight bow of his head, signing his name and then handing it to Masahiro-san. "So more so to see who wants to sit in? And Thursday at 5. Is there anything specific we need to bring with us?"
Zelphas
 
 Originally Posted by InTheMachine 
  April 1st 
 Main Gym- Basketball 
As Uehara approaches the table, one of the team members,  a guy with deep blue-black hair and light gray eyes , greets him warmly despite his appearance.

As Uehara finishes speaking, one of the guys that was talking with who the first year can assume is the coach, turns, his violet eyes narrowing.

Having finished their conversation, the coach walks away toward the back of the gym, heading for the double doors. “Be back in ten, guys,” he calls back to his team.

The athlete at the table gives Uehara a grin as he turns a clipboard with a signup sheet around so that the first year can put his name down, and offers him a pen. “We have practice three times a week right now, but that will ramp up over the next month and into the summer. Summer Koshien is in August, so we need to be ready for the prelims at the end of July. Tryouts for the team will be midway through May.”

“Itsuki,” the tall guy with messy dark hair warns in a low voice as the violet eyed one stalks up to Uehara.

The guys at the table go quiet as the other student, Itsuki, sizes up the former delinquent, looking at his buzzed hair and the holes in his ears. “You  think  you know the rules? There’s  no way  you’re getting on this team. If you haven’t played before, if basketball isn’t—”

“Enough,” the dark haired one says sharply as he comes up behind his teammate. “Three laps. The long way. I’ll talk to you after.”

Itsuki glares at the taller student, but relents and stalks away in the direction the coach had gone.

“Sorry about him,” the tall student says. He gives Uehara an easy smile. “Anzai-kun can be a little too serious about the game, I think. It doesn’t matter to me if you’ve played before or not. Everyone has a chance to learn before tryouts next month. I’m Hasegawa Yuuto, captain of the team.”

“And I promise pretty much everyone else here is less of an ass than Anzai-kun,” Hasegawa says with a look at the guys at the table, who instantly nod and agree.

The one that had offered Uehara the clipboard gives him an apologetic grin. “I hope he didn’t change your mind about signing up. I wouldn’t blame you if you didn’t though.” 
 

"Ah, tryouts aren't right away!" Hanzou replies, finding himself oddly relieved  by that fact. "Okay, okay; maybe I can get into the swing--"

The burst of anger from violet eyes quiets Hanzou. He spins to face the sudden threat, realizing too late that his face has relaxed into a lazy, half-mocking smile and his posture has slouched a bit more. It was his method of avoiding conflict, before; if he could get enough people around him laughing, then the angry guy looks like an idiot, especially if he decides to start swinging. It worked better than you'd think... but he isn't that person anymore. He's choosing against that person, or still trying to.

Letting the grin slip off his face as the Captain set Angry-Zai off on laps, Hanzou tried to fix his posture a little bit, glancing down at the sign-up sheet. The old him would've signed up in a moment; Angry-Zai is  way  too easy to annoy, and he could never leave a person like that alone.

...Well, he'll choose against himself by signing up and  not  annoying Angry-Zai! That's how this works... right? Hanzou looks over his signature for a moment, fighting off a headache. His brain feels overcooked from all he's tried to use it in the past few hours alone.

"I'm Uehara Hanzou. I'll be in your care," he says, remembering some formalities at last. He then stops, slightly lost. He's signed up; does he just... leave? But the coach said he'd be back soon...