As Ryuken walks along the street, he is greeted with a tight, side hug by GENJI.
GENJI: Yo, Ryuken! How's your luck with the ladies?
RYUKEN: Mmf... feeling blue early, huh, Genji?
GENJI: (sigh heavily) Ryuken, do you understand who we are in this world? Our purpose? Our goals for the future? Do you believe we can transcend this feeble life that fate has chosen us? Two highschool students walking together... hand in hand?! (Genji grabs Ryuken's hands, Ryuken knocks it back) We must break away and escape freely out of this prison that we build ourselves. No longer should we suffer being lonely with nothing but our minds and our hands. The true, pure life is out there. Can you see it? Do you see it, Ryuken?!
RYUKEN: ... you want to have a girlfr-
GENJI: We need to find GIRLFRIENDS! That is what we are lacking and that is what we shall chase for, to the ends of the earth. Hell, to the ends of the universe! I don't care if the girl of my wet dreams is a slime monster, as long as we destroy our bleak, single life out of the way. I believe... that is how we can achieve, true happiness.
RYUKEN: (sarcastically claps softly) So, when will you start?
GENJI: (shock) Oh... I get it now. All talk and no walk makes me a lowlife sponge. How good are my heartful words if there is no drive to move forward? I must step back and know my place in this godforsaken world. (sigh) I guess the only girl I could try would have to be none other than Sayuri-chan.
RYUKEN: Sa- Sayuri-chan? Would you really...
GENJI: She is our friend. And she is a girl. So, do you think it could work?
RYUKEN: I... don't think it would work with that logic-
A bespectacled girl walks into Ryuken and Genji.
SAYURI: Ryu-kun. Genji-kun. Good morning.
RYUKEN: Ah, Sayuri-chan. How are y-
GENJI: Yo! Sayuri-chan! Wanna be my girlfriend?
RYUKEN: (chokes) You- you...
SAYURI: Thank you for considering me again, but I have to decline.
GENJI: Darn it! Better luck next time.
RYUKEN: Wait?! "Again"? What does that mean?
SAYURI: This has been the fourth time he asked me.
GENJI: You know what they say? Fifth times the charm! Wanna be my girlfriend?
SAYURI: No, thank you.
GENJI: Darn it!
RYUKEN: (whispers) At least you're stupid enough to say it out loud...
SAYURI: Oh, Ryu-kun. Have you seen the latest episode yesterday?
RYUKEN: Oh, yeah, I did. But I kinda missed a couple of minutes in the middle because Makise was toying with the TV.
SAYURI: Don't worry. I can fill in the blanks.
RYUKEN: Thanks. But it did happen the way I expected it. I told you that Gorm Knight is not to be trusted.
SAYURI: I was thinking about what you said when it happened. I couldn't believe it. I really liked Gorm Knight. But I have a feeling that he probably was forced to do it.
RYUKEN: How so?
SAYURI: His face. He looks sad when he did it.
RYUKEN: Really? I didn't catch that.
GENJI: I don't know what's crazier, my stupid mouth, or your stupid show?
RYUKEN & SAYURI: ULTRA RIDER SENTAI IS NOT STUPID!
GENJI: (scared) Okay, okay... two otakus is scary enough.
RYUKEN: You know, if you gave it a chance, you might like it.
GENJI: That's why I won't watch it.
SAYURI: Oh, Genji. Your skin looks even more darker.
GENJI: Huh? You notice? I've been doing a good job of taking off my shirt when I'm playing on the field. Do you think I look sexy with these tans?
RYUKEN: You look like a sexy idiot.
GENJI: (shock) You think I'm sexy?
RYUKEN: No, that's- that's not what I mea-
GENJI: I just had an epiphany! I've been wasting my teenage life chasing girls to the point where I am blind to see other genders that are waiting for my call. I should have been more open to what's life has given me. To hell with girls. "Male" is the new "Female"! Ryuken, (grabs Ryuken's hand, kneels on one knee) would you be... my boyfriend?
The road is quiet. The wind blows a sweet serenade. The birds are chirping a lovely tune. Genji stares longingly into Ryuken's eyes, who is stunned, with no words to say. Sayuri witnesses this eventful moment, heart thumping, blushing excitedly. Ryuken stutters as he opens his mouth, slowly gaining the confidence he needed to say the fateful words.
RYUKEN: G- Genji...
GENJI: Yes, Ryuken.
RYUKEN: Thank you for considering me, but I have to decline.
GENJI: Darn it! Don't worry, me. Second time's the charm!
Genji pumps himself up with over-confidence, while Sayuri shies away from the two, still blushing. Ryuken, looking at both of them, scratches his head and lets out a heavy sigh.
RYUKEN: Let's just go to school.
...
Mizuno High.
The school is bustling with students as they walk in the halls and entering their classes. Many are seen greeting and chatting with each other.
As the three of them walk in the hallway, Genji stops by his class, 1-B, and greets his friends goodbye.
GENJI: What seems like a short moment is like an eternity. After we face the gruelling lessons that we must attend as students of this horrendous school, we will meet again and I will be standing on these cement-filled floors with open arms, waiting for the touch of heaven. Please... don't cry. Save your tears for when I die. As I have a feeling, that time may be soon.
RYUKEN: See you at lunch.
GENJI: Farewell... and I will always love... yooooooouuuuuuuu....
Ryuken and Sayuri walk away, embarrassed, as everyone watches Genji twirling around, hugging himself.
They both enter class 1-A where everyone else is either chatting with their friends or minding their own business. Sayuri sits at her desk at the front, while Ryuken moves to his in the middle.
The bell rings. The students move into their seats. MS. NAMIE comes into the class and drops her folders onto the table.
MS. NAMIE: Good morning, class.
No response. The air is silent. Everyone stares back at the last table by the window.
MS. NAMIE: Umm... Masato-kun?
Upon hearing his name being called, he grins, slicks his hair back, takes his foot off the table, and stands up, putting one foot on his chair.
MASATO: ALLLLLL RIIIIIIIIIIISSSSSSSSSEEEEEEE!
Every student in the class stands up, except for HIMIKO at the front, crossing her arms, looking pissed off.
MASATO: Oi, Himiko. Stand up.
She doesn't.
MASATO: Oi, are you deaf all of a sudden? I said all rise.
She looks back at him with a sharp, hateful stare. She angrily stands up, arms still crossed.
MASATO: (clears throat) Good morning, Teacher!
EVERYONE: Good morning, Teacher!
MS. NAMIE: Uh... thank you, Masato-kun.
MASATO: (grins) Sit down, NOW!
Every student in the class sat down.
MASATO: Oi, Himiko! Did I do it right?
HIMIKO: ...
MASATO: Himiko, are you there? Oi!
HIMIKO: (quietly furious)
MASATO: Himikoooooo...
HIMIKO: (steaming)
SAYURI: It's okay, Himiko-chan. You don't have to-
HIMIKO: YOU'RE GODDAMN RIGHT I WILL!
Himiko stands up and faces Masato behind the class.
HIMIKO: What do you mean "Sit down, now"? You're supposed to say "Thank you, Teacher" after she says thank you, and then tell everyone to sit down, PROPERLY!
MASATO: ...I didn't do that?
HIMIKO: Nothing you're doing is even right! And what was with the getup of you slicking your stinky hair and your dirty shoes all over the table? That's not yours, to begin with. It belongs to the school!
MASATO: (picks nose) Dude, just chill. I was just acting cool. (flicks booger off finger)
HIMIKO: Do you really think being the class representative is all about being cool?! You have no respect for the title!
MASATO: (looks out the window, ignoring her)
HIMIKO: I knew you weren't up for it. We ALL knew you weren't up for it. I can't fathom the fact of having a short nimwit as our class president.
Masato's eyes widen. His face changes from ignorant to angry in a matter of seconds. He stands up and points furiously at Himiko.
MASATO: Who you're calling short?!
HIMIKO: You, of course. Just because you look like a thug doesn't make you bigger than us. And I know you can't reach the table, so you stomp one leg on the chair instead.
MASATO: Th-that's not true! You're just a wannabe who "needs" the position because you looove it when everyone looks at you like a king, you attention whore!
HIMIKO: I want the position because I deserve the position! You want it for the reasons that you just said!
MS. NAMIE: Umm... please... calm down...
MASATO: You're nothing but a weak girl who just wants to feel strong for a change!
HIMIKO: You're just a poor failure who just wants everyone to feed your big ego!
MASATO: Monkey Face!
HIMIKO: Stink Breath!
As the yelling continues, the rest of the class stays silent, in fear of being a victim of the war ensuing before them. Ms. Namie struggles to calm them down, only failing to do so.
Ryuken watches the battle with the rest of the class. He looks back to his table, and says to himself:
"Just another day, huh?"
End of Chapter 1
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