PART 1:
A little boy and a little girl are playing together in a family celebration.
"Hey Taka-kun, why is it that your hand is full of bandage?", asked by the little girl.
"Oh this?", the little boy raised both of his hands to show it to the girl. "I am training with otto-san everyday but today was an exception because today is the anniversary of my okka-san's death.", he added.
"So that's why we were invited. Did you know that my father and your father were in the same class when they were in school? They even graduated with a top score in their school before, my father is 2nd and yours was first, that's what my father said to me. ^_^", the girl said to the boy with a cheerful expression.
"Really? Now that you mention it, otto-san said that one of the guest is his colleague from the army and has the same rank as him. They're very close friends, huh?", the boy said to the girl with an expression of someone who discovered something good. A happy expression.
"To be honest you're the first friend that I have Taka-kun! You know, our families are noble. We don't get to go out of our houses to play with other children. So this is the first time I got to play with someone my age.", the little girl smiled happily but with tears on her eyes.
"Really? That's good for you. I don't really remember playing with anyone our age before so you might be the first friend I have.", the little boy smiled back.
"Hey what do you say, let's enter the academy together? We could become classmates and play together just like what our fathers did hehe ^_^", the little girl said.
"That's a good idea. Okay then I will tell otto-san later ^_^", the boy replied.
"It's a promise then, Taka-kun!", said by the little girl while reaching her pinky finger towards the boy.
"It's a promise *****-chan", the boy said.
"Uyyy *****-chan! It's time to go home.", a man in his 30's called the little girl. "See you again Taka-kun", the man said to the little boy while smiling.
"Taka-kun! See you again soon okay? Don't forget the promise!", the little girl waved while smiling towards the little boy. The boy noticed tears on the little girl's eyes while waving at him. Tears of joy.
TINININING!! TINININING!! TINININING!!
"What a noisy alarm clock", Takashi said while rubbing his eyes.
"That dream again, huh?", Takashi said after standing up. "I can't remember her face and name.", he mumbled.
"Ohayoooooo Taka-sama!!", Aoi opened the door and greeted his master with a cheerful expression. "Breakfast and bath are ready!!!.", she added while smashing a frying pan.
[Note: Ohayo is the japanese version of good morning]
"Shut up already.", Takashi's reply with an annoyed expression.
August 3, 561 E.R
Friday
Class 1 - C Lunch break
Takashi is sitting on his seat. Reaching his lunch box inside his school bag while looking outside the window. "It's been two days since the opening ceremony.", is what in his mind.
"Hey Hiragi-san.", he heard a voice from the right direction. It was Takegawa Kotaro, the one who nominated Takashi to become the class rep.
"Oh, it's you. What is it?", Takashi asked.
"Let's eat lunch together.", Kotaro replied with a friendly smile.
"Eh?", Takashi's reaction.
"How about we go to the academy's cafeteria?", Kotaro offered while maintaining his smile.
"Well, it won't hurt to socialize a little bit. I might get some information in the process", is what in Takashi's thought. "Sure.", he answered.
The two then walked outside their classroom and went to the cafeteria. Upon arriving in the cafeteria they noticed a crowd of students across the cafeteria. When they approached the crowd they heard two people arguing. The voices they've heard are from a male and a female student.
"You should be ashamed. She refused to come with you. Stop bothering her.", the female student said with a calm voice while defending someone. Takashi noticed that he knows two out of the three individuals involve. The female defending is no other than Taira Rikka and the student who's being defended was Hatake Shizune, one of Class 1 - C's student.
"Hey isn't that Shizune-san from our class?", Kotaro asked Takashi.
"Yes.", Takashi answered.
"What are you gonna do about that? Are you going to report what I did to your father? Just so you know I am from a noble family. Go ahead report it like what cowards do!", shouted by the male student.
Suddenly a voice came from the crowd said, "How about you settle this in a duel?". The voice was just nearby Takashi and it was no other than Kotaro.
"Hoy dude, what do you think you're doing?", Takashi asked in whisper.
"Well don't worry. Let's gather information about other class' students..", Kotaro answered while using a kind smile.
"Now that's an interesting suggestion. I Lucio from the house Bright, challenge you Rikka from the house Taira into a duel. If you lose you will submit to me and be my girlfriend.", said by the male student involve.
With a little worried expression on her face Rikka answered, "I accept! But if you lose you will apologize publicly for harassing this student.", while glaring at Lucio Bright. Rikka knew that apologizing publicly will make Lucio's family name lost face for a while.
"Ahaaa! This looks interesting", Takashi heard a female voice from behind. It was his family maid, Aoi. "We will witness the might of the Taira family's sword technique.", she added.
"...", Takashi looked at the source of the voice for a while and after confirming who it came from he turned his sight back into Rikka.
"Hoy Taka-sama! don't just ignore me!", Aoi said with an angry expression.
Lucio is hesitant but then agreed "Okay then, the duel will be held where the traitor's son had lost his first duel. The gymnasium. 5pm!", Lucio said then left with his student retainers following him.
Shizune looked at Rikka with a worried expression.
"S-s-s-sorry to get you involved Rikka-san.", Shizune said with teary eyes.
"No, you don't need to apologize. They are in the wrong. What's frustrating is that they don't want to admit it.", Rikka said with a calm face and left.
Takashi, Aoi and Kotaro approached Shizune. "You better join us to be in the safe side.", Kotaro offered.
"oh, K-kotaro-kun, Aoi-san a-and Takashi-kun.", is what she first said after seeing the group. She had this worried expression that she wants to run away but then "I-i-is it okay?", she asked.
"Of course it is!", Aoi answered with a cheerful expression.
"You really are a shy girl, huh?", Takashi said while facing the cafeteria's direction. "Let's go, I'm hungry.", while walking away. The group then followed him.
When they arrived in the cafeteria, the group immediately occupied a vacant table. Takashi, Aoi and Kotaro then turned their eyes into Shizune's direction. Shizune is in silent mode. Aoi then opened her mouth, "So, what was that all about? Did they really harassed you?", with a serious look.
"Eh?", Shizune's expression with a surprise and worried look. "Yes." she added.
"So? What did they do?", Takashi asked.
"...", Shizune went silent and very worried while trembling.
"No answer, huh? Okay then I'll get it from that senpai of ours.", Aoi calmly said and stand up. Takashi noticed a trace of bloodlust in her eyes.
"Stop right there.", Takashi said while grabbing Aoi's arm, pulling her back to her seat. "Calm down.", he added
"S-s-sorry", Shizune apologizes to them.
Takashi looked at her and sighed.
"Shizune, don't you want to change? I mean your weakness is as clear as the day, you know?", Takashi said.
"If you keep on acting like that, always scared of people then you won't be able to survive this academy, you know? The strong will always prey on the weak. If you don't want to lose face just like me in my first duel then you should act bolder in the face of adversity. If you can't do that then go home.", he added.
While listening to Takashi, Shizune with a look of shock then turning like she's repenting. Repenting her weakness. Her shyness. Causing people trouble defending her.
Shizune stood up, and run away. She stopped for a while and faced the group and said "Thank you.", she said and continued to run away.
"You should act bolder in the face of adversity, huh? Now that's funny coming from someone who lost his first duel without even trying to strike his opponent.", Aoi said.
"SHUT IT!", Takashi shouted in an annoyed expression and stood up. "I'll be right back. Toilet", he added.
Upon reaching the males toilet he saw Rikka going out from the female toilet. Rikka noticed him and glared.
"Eh? what is it miss prodigy?", he asked with a puzzled look in his face.
She glared more intense when she heard what he said. "There's that again. Stop calling me names Hiragi.", she said.
Takashi then sighed.
"So? Are you sure you can win against that senpai of our?", he asked with a serious look. "I mean he has the experience advantage. Will you be okay? Or--" he added and was interrupted with Rikka's sudden reply.
"What is this? Are you worried about me?", Rikka asked with an annoyed expression. "I don't need someone who only blocks attack in his first duel to worry about me. Instead you should be worried about passing this school year with that strength of yours.", she added. Rikka turned her back and walked away.
"...", in silent Takashi looked at her while leaving.
"Now that I look at her closely she looks familiar.", he mumbled. "Well, no use thinking about it. I need to use the toilet.", he mumbled again while entering the males toilet.
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