BUZZ BUZZ
"Eh?"
Ai turned to her phone and saw she had a message.
"We won our game against Cuba. Hope you also win… In class that is. Message me after you finish school."
Ai's expression softened as she saw Ken's message, yet there was a hint of amusement. It was a typical straightforward message from him, something she'd grown to expect of him.
"Ah! What time is it?"
She quickly stood up and looked on her phone.
"7:30!? Crap."
Ai still had her towel wrapped around her hair and had not properly gotten ready, too sidetracked with her project. School would begin in 30 minutes.
After hurrying like a madwoman, she managed to get everything ready and head out the door in under 10 minutes. Since the school was only a 10 minute walk away, she should have enough time.
She was dressed in her white summer uniform with a red ribbon tied neatly around her collar. The skirt was a typical red and white pleaded skirt, tying together what was a typical looking uniform for Japanese High School girls.
Ai managed to get to school in time, placing her shoes in the locker near the front entrance. As she opened the locker, a letter fell out, causing her expression to darken.
'Not again…'
Just as she was about to pick it up from the floor and tear it into pieces, someone swooped in and collected it.
"Ah man, not again." The male voice spoke up, his tone sounding displeased.
Yet instead of being thankful, Ai's face darkened even further.
"I can't believe the nerve of some people. They should know that you're clearly not interested in guys who would do such things." He said, sounding earnest.
Ai raised her head and saw the person she least wanted to see at this moment.
Katsuya Adachi, one of the most popular teens in the first year of High School. His styled hair and almost flawless features made him look like one of those idols one would see on the TV.
He had begun his modeling career in middle school yet he had not let the fame get to his head. He was well mannered and a gentleman, or at least that's how he portrayed himself to everyone.
"Wow is that Katsuya and Ai together?"
"Are they a couple?"
Ai heard these words and felt like throwing a fit in anger. Thankfully she managed to calm herself down, looking up at the model-like face of the man next to her.
"Thanks Katsuya. I'll be going to class now since its already late."
She was abrupt, yet Ai made sure that her words were respectful. She didn't want the school to turn against her for treating their popular kid wrongly.
Katsuya merely flashed her a smile, "No problem, see ya round'."
He kept the smile on his face until she had disappeared around the corner, upon which a bored expression replaced it. Katsuya waved the letter in his hand, fanning his face.
'Still playing hard to get are we? We'll see how long that lasts.' He thought inwardly.
Then without any fanfare, he ripped open the letter and read its contents.
"Yuhei Uchida huh? Trying to steal my girl…" He muttered, a vicious expression flashing onto his features for a moment.
"Oi, go teach that guy a lesson." Katsuya said aloud, seemingly to no one in particular.
"Hehe, another toad wanting to eat swan meat." A creepy tone replied from the other side of the locker, grabbing the letter in Katsuya's hand.
After the figure left, Katsuya let out a small sigh which was drowned out by the ringing of the bell.
"Oops, I better get to class." He said, his face once again morphing into the charming one he usually wore around the school.
Meanwhile, Ai had already sat down in class and began to unpack her things. She was flanked by a girl with bangs, her large assets practically bursting out of her uniform.
"Aiiiii-chan~ how is your project going?" She asked with a smile.
Ai's face turned up in a smile after hearing the girls voice. This was Rie Aikawa, one of her new friends that she'd met since coming to the school.
She was a bit of an airhead, but Rie was sincere and seemed like a good friend.
"Haaahhh, I did some more work on it this morning but it still doesn't seem right." Ai replied truthfully.
"Oh? I'm sure its not that bad. I'll give you some pointers later if you want?" She asked, the care evident in her tone.
"Ahhh thank goodness. You're the best Rie."
In truth, despite being an airhead, Rie was a genius when it came to drawing. Her landscape drawings were impeccable, yet that wasn't even her strong suit. She was really into character design and portraits.
One look at her talent was enough to make anyone give up trying, yet she was super humble.
"Hehe~ I know. Oh, I almost forgot… Comiket is coming up soon, I could really use your help with my outfit." Rie added.
Ai's eyes lit up, this was totally her strong suit.
"Sure! Let's do some tonight."
In addition to being great at the arts, Rie loved to dress up as characters at Comic events. In short, she was a cosplayer.
With her abundant assets, she was a popular and coveted cosplayer. Even receiving money to attend events, all of which she spent on more materials to create other outfits.
As the two chatted, the bell went off and the teacher walked in a few moments later. This prompted the class representative to spring into action.
"Rise!"
"Bow."
This was a common thing in Japanese High Schools, showing the teacher respect at the beginning of class. Even in public schools this was drilled into the children at a young age.
"You may be seated." The teachers deep voice rang out, prompting everyone to follow his instructions.
"Alright, I'll now take the roll, answer if your name is called."