<table class="bbc_table"><tbody><tr><td>(http://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/c/cc/Manami.png)</td><td><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 15pt;"><strong>Tsuchiura Manami</strong></span></div><hr/><br/>As all the students got off the tram, Manami sighed, stepping away and watching to make sure all the students were paired or grouped off. Most of the girls seemed eager to get to know the new students - some were certainly a bit shyer than the rest, stammering or jumpy when the boys asked questions or got too close, but it didn't look as if the boys were actively preying on any of the female students. Which, all told, was a bit of a relief - while Manami wasn't afraid to tell anyone to back off, she was simply glad that it was not something that needed to be said.<br/><br/>At least, not right now.<br/><br/>She got up on the stairs of the tram station and called to get everyone's attention. <strong>"<em>Mina-san</em>!"</strong><sup>1</sup> Manami rubbed her hands in her gloves, glad for her scarf and thick coat. It hadn't seemed too cold back up at the school, but it did feel like the wind might pick up a bit later in the afternoon. <br/><br/><strong>"I've already arranged for a group of us to have lunch at Isobune. As this isn't a school-sponsored trip, you are welcome to go elsewhere, but the manager was happy to open one of the private rooms for us so we can all eat together. I'll go inside and arrange everything, and let you know when we can go in,"</strong> she told the group with a friendly, genial smile. Some of the girls clapped in delight - Isobune was well known as a cozy and comfortable establishment, as well as the friendly staff. As the students eagerly began chattering, Manami flitted down the steps after spotting Katra in the crowd.<br/><br/>Shuffling through the group, the student council president blew back some stray hair and touched Katra's elbow when she neared. <strong>"I'm going inside to talk to Fujita-san. I'll let you know when we can go in - just make sure everybody gets a seat and isn't too shy about sitting next to someone they don't know,"</strong> she murmured.<br/><br/>She shivered as she opened the sliding door to Isobune and ducked under the dark blue cloth hanging in the door frame. The restaurant was pretty much empty, except for a couple of waitresses rushing in and out towards the larger room in the back - and was that Zaraki-kun, standing near the sushi bar?<br/><br/>One of the waitresses wiping down the tables looked up - she smiled, clearly delighted when she saw Manami standing in the doorway. <strong>"Manami-chan! <em>Ohisashiburi desu. Genki desu ka</em>?"</strong><sup>2</sup><br/><br/>Manami smiled back, bowing. <strong>"<em>Ohisashiburi desu</em>, Yukimura-san. <em>Gakkou wa chotto isogashin desu kedo, totemo tanoshin desu.</em>"</strong><sup>3</sup> She took off her coat and scarf, and hung them on the long coat rack near the front entrance. <strong>"Where's Fujita-san? And is the private room ready for us yet?"</strong><br/><br/>The waitress, Yukimura, smiled and waved towards the back hallway, which led to the private room. <strong>"He's getting it ready for you right now. You can go ahead and have everyone come in."</strong><br/><br/>It wasn't long before the front lobby of Isobune was filled with the sounds of the various waitresses saying <em>Iraishaimase!</em><sup>4</sup> and students shaking off their coats and replying with an energetic <em>Konnichiwa!</em> as they flooded in. Manami put a smile on her face as she indicated to students to follow Katra inside to the private room, ushering them in when they looked uncertain or dawdled too long removing their coat and taking a look around the small restaurant. When mostly everyone was inside, she walked up to Zaraki, who was looking a little irritated, still standing near the entrance.<br/><br/><strong>"Zaraki-san, you should go inside and get a seat too,"</strong> she murmured, smiling back at him when he turned his frowning face her way. <strong>"And Isobune's sushi is very good, so if you want to order something on the side along with the group platters, you should take a look at the menu first..."</strong></td></tr></tbody></table><br/><hr/><br/><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 8pt;"><sup>1</sup> <em>Mina-san!</em>: Everyone!<br/><br/><sup>2</sup> <em>Ohisashiburi desu. Genki desu ka?</em>: It's been a long time. How are you?<br/><br/><sup>3</sup> <em>Ohisashiburi desu</em>, Yukimura-san. <em>Gakkou wa chotto isogashin desu kedo, totemo tanoshin desu.</em>: It's been a long time, Ms. Yukimura. School is a little busy, but it's a lot of fun. [It should be noted that Manami is very friendly with the waitress. It's implied that she goes to Isobune a lot and knows the waitress on a more friendly/personal level than simply as employee and customer.]<br/><br/><sup>4</sup> <em>Iraishaimase!</em>: Welcome!</span>