A/n: This chapter is crappy, but I hope it's not too crappy. I hope you all enjoy the prologue! This story won't be officially released until March/April, but I thought this would be a good way to introduce the story in advance. I may even upload one or two more chapters before waiting until Royal comes out. Love you all!!!
~✨Celestial✨~
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|| 4/8 Friday ||
|| Daytime ||

"Where the hell is he?!" A blonde boy bellowed, stomping through the hallway angrily with clenched fists. The students lingering along the sides of the hallway eyed him with confusion, fear, and condemnation. Many students heard his yelling from the classrooms and poked their heads out of the sliding doors to see what all the commotion was about. Murmurs filled the hallway as the furious blonde searched around for his target.

"What's his issue now?"

"Who's he looking for?"

"Has he finally lost it?"

Ignoring their confusion, the blonde continued to lumber down the hallway with gritted teeth. He murmured curses under his breath as he scanned around for the catalyst of his outrage. A handful of frightened students ran in search of a teacher who could stop him, but they didn't even reach the stairs before witnessing the blonde being yanked by the back of his blazer into an empty classroom. The sliding door slammed shut, leaving the students even more confused.

"Hey!" The blonde yelled, freeing himself from the person's grasp. He turned around, directing his glare at them but it soon vanished when he saw who it was. "What're you doing?! You're supposed to be heading to the nurse's office!"

"I was until I heard you stomping down the hallway and shouting at the top of your lungs!" The inky-haired girl retorts. She crossed her arms, glaring disapprovingly at him. "What do you plan on accomplishing, Ryuji?"

"That bastard is gonna pay for using you as his personal punching bag!" Ryuji proclaimed. "Why're you stopping me?!"

"Kamoshida already broke one of your legs. Do you want him to break your other one?" She rebuttals, calming herself down and using a more gentle tone in hopes to ease Ryuji of his anger. "I don't want you getting hurt again. Seeing you in the hospital once was already too much for me. Just...forget about it..."

Ryuji's chocolate gaze lingered in the blossoming bruised on her left cheek. "Mikky..."

Mikono smiled up at him. "I'll be fine. We should head back to class. Break is almost over."

Almost as if it were a miracle, the blonde's rage was quelled. "Fine, but you're still going to the nurse's office..." He grumbled defeatedly.

The cerulean-eyed girl nodded with a reassuring smile before leaving the empty classroom alongside her friend.

<—————<<<<<

At the end of the day, Mikono packed her belongings into her bag with a heavy sigh. She heard her text tone, promptly pulling it out of her bag. There was a short message from Ryuji.

Ryuji: Meet me out front

Mikono texted back a simple "okay" before sliding her phone back into her bag. She zipped it up and slung in over her left shoulder, finally ready to leave. Before she could step away from her desk, Ms. Kawakami stopped her. "Tsutsui-san, could I speak with you?"

The young girl was confused and wondered if she did something wrong. She walked up to her teacher and titled her head with a puzzled expression. "Of course, Kawakami-sensei. What is it?"

"I would like you to come in on Sunday for a short while. We're expecting a transfer student and I would like you to be there. Principal Kobayakawa also wants you there. He'll be joining our class and I want you to introduce yourself to him. You'll also be the one to give him a tour around the school on Monday."

Mikono could tell how much Ms. Kawakami wasn't looking forward to this by her monotonous tone. Being the curious and kind person she was, the girl nodded. "All right. I didn't have anything planned, anyway."

"Thank you," the teacher sighed in relief, closing her eyes in the process. "You're free to go."

With that, Mikono left her classroom in a hurry. She gripped the straps of her bag tightly as she walked down the stairs in a hurry, hoping Kamoshida wouldn't spot her. Fortunately, she was able to walk out the front door of Shujin Academy without the P.E. coach detecting her. Looking down the steps, she saw Ryuji tapping his foot against the concrete as he waited for her. She rushed down the stairs and smacked him on the back.

Grimacing in pain, Ryuji eyed his friend. "Damn, that hurt. What was that for?"

"Nothing," Mikono shrugged with a smirk plastered on her face. "Just felt like hitting you."

"You could knock someone flat on their ass if you punched them... I wouldn't be surprised if you wrestled a bear and won."

"Are you saying I'm rough?" She arches a brow and purses her lips at his comment.

"Just saying you're tough," Ryuji said. "That's all."

"You can thank my dad for that," she snickered, walking beside him. "He taught me everything I know."

"What—did your dad wrestle some gorillas in South America or somethin'?"

"Gorillas don't live in South America," Mikono retorts with a snort of laughter. "They're native to Africa. You can find them in—"

Ryuji promptly interrupted her before she could ramble on. "Yeah, yeah. I get it. You're smart and I'm not. You're a walking encyclopedia..."

She smiled in amusement before having to go their separate ways. She hopped onto the subway and rode it all the way to Shibuya. Once reaching her destination, she exited the train and headed to her parents' museum.

When Mikono walked through the front doors of "Museum of Ancient History," she was greeted by her mother. As usual, Ichika asked her a multitude of questions about her day. Before long, the subject changes to the large bruise on her cheek and she fibbed to her mother, saying she tripped going up the stairs at school and landed on her face.

Ichika, believing her daughter was a klutz due to coming home with bruises before, gobbled up the lie before allowing her to search for Isaac.

Mikono found her father in his office located on the second floor of the museum. She greeted him as she walked in and sat in one of the chairs across from his desk. "Hey, dad. How was your day?"

Isaac looked up from his paper work with a sigh before laying his pen down. "While I love children, they do prove to be more troublesome in large groups."

The inky-haired girl chortled. "Another field trip, huh?"

"Yes," Isaac sighed heavily, reclining back in his cushy, leather desk chair. "It took me, your mother, and a security guard to keep them from touching the exhibits. Fortunately, that was the last field trip until the end of the month."

"That means you'll be able to relax a little," Mikono stated.

Suddenly, a low moaning resounded from her father's stomach. She raised a brow, crossing her arms over her chest. "Dad..."

"Okay, I forgot to eat lunch," he confesses, embarrassed because of his loud stomach. "But that gives us the perfect excuse to go out tonight. Your mother's been slaving over the stove for the past two weeks and deserves a break. Why don't you go get her while I lock up everything?"

Mikono nodded excitedly. "I'll go get her!" She grabbed her bag and dashed out of Isaac's office.

<—————<<<<<

With their bellies full, Mikono and her parents head home for the night. She told them how Ms. Kawakami asked for her to come to school on Sunday and her parents gladly gave her the day off from her usual afternoon shift at the museum.

After her shower, Mikono sat on her bed reading a history book she checked out from school the previous day. She flipped the page, admiring the map where the mighty Assyrian Empire once was located. As her eyes drank in the image, her phone buzzed beside her thigh. Picking it up, a message from Ryuji lit up the screen.

Ryuji: Any plans for Sunday besides working?

Mikono texted back with what Ms. Kawakami asked of her after classes were over for the day.

Mikono: Kawakami-sensei asked me to come in Sunday. I'll be helping the new transfer student.

Ryuji: Transfer student?

Mikono: I don't have any details about him yet. I don't even know his name. But I'll text you once I'm done. Maybe we can get together and do something afterward? My parents gave me the day off.

Ryuji: I'll meet you at the museum once your done with that.

Mikono: I'll see you then, Ryuji. Good night!

Ryuji: Make sure you take care of that bruise. Night, Mikky.

With a grin, Mikono set her phone on her nightstand and closed her book. "He sure does worry a lot for someone who doesn't mind causing trouble for others." She places the book by her phone and turns off her lamp. A gentle sigh escaped her lips as she climbed under the covers and closed her eyes, welcoming a peaceful slumber.

<—————<<<<<

|| 4/10 Sunday ||
|| Daytime ||

As per request of Principal Kobayakawa, Mikono stood outside by the entrance to Shujin Academy and waited for the transfer student and his guardian. She was in her casual attire since her school uniform was being washed and had the day off from work.

(A/n: Also imagine she's wearing black stockings and beige flats that match her dress.)

Adjusting her hat, she heard a small 'ting' from the bell attached to the bow. "Maybe this was too much..."

"Do me a favor and behave yourself, all right?" Mikono heard a deep voice to her right. Turning her head, she saw an older man with hunched shoulders addressing a boy with messy sable locks. "Don't get me wrong—I don't care what happens to you. Just don't cause me any trouble."

'Well that's a little harsh...' Mikono whispered in her head. When the older man sealed his lips, she noticed the boy with him was staring at her with a seemingly shocked expression. She was bewildered as to why he was looking at her in such a manner, but she pushed the thought aside and bowed when both males stood in front of her. "It's a pleasure to meet you both." She raised her head and offered them a smile. "I'm Mikono Tsutsui. Principal Kobayakawa asked me to greet you both."

"Tsutsui, huh?" The older man pondered. "Why does that sound familiar... Anyway, we're grateful for your help, Tsutsui-san."

"I'll take you to the principal's office," she said before spinning on her heels and walking up the stairwell to the entrance of the school with the two strangers in tow. The azure-eyed girl kept her pace evenly as she guided the transfer student and his guardian through the halls of Shujin Academy. It wasn't a long walk to the principal's office, which made escorting them easy.

Arriving at their destination, Mikono opened the door and stepped into Principal Kobayakawa's office. "Here we are, gentlemen."

When everyone was inside the room, the man sitting behind the desk greeted the older man while Mikono closed the door. "Welcome, Sakura-san."

Mikono tuned out the principal when he explained the form Sakura was signing and stood by Ms. Kawakami with her hands clasped together in front of her. When she realized Principal Kobayakawa was finished with his explanation, she listened to the warning he gave the transfer student. "To reiterate, just so we're clear, you will immediately be expelled if you cause any problems. Honestly, I hesitated on accepting someone like you, but there were some circumstances on our side... You might have done a variety of things in hiding in your hometown, but you will behave yourself here. If you are thrown out from our school, there will be no place for you to go. Keep that in mind."

'This place is a prison...' Mikono muttered inside her head.

Principal Kobayakawa then gestured to Ms. Kawakami and the female student. "This is the teacher in charge of your class and one of your fellow classmates."

Ms. Kawakami did nothing to hide her irritation as she introduced herself and the girl beside her. "I'm Sadayo Kawakami and you've already met your classmate, Mikono Tsutsui. Here's your student I.D." She slid the I.D. across the principal's desk and the transfer student picked it up. "Be sure to read the school rules. Any violations will send you straight to the guidance office. And, if by chance you cause any problems, I won't be able to protect you at all. That is your promise, yes, Principal Kobayakawa?" The teacher glanced down at the large man.

The principal nodded and met her wide-eyed gaze. "He is responsible for all his actions."

"But really though, why me...?" She grumbled loud enough for everyone to hear. "There should've been better candidates."

Principal Kobayakawa sighed with closed eyes. "It was a sudden transfer, and your class was the only one that had an opening. Another reason I chose you was because of Tsutsui-san. With a model student like her nearby, her influence will rub-off on him."

Mikono sighed with a frown. "Kobayakawa-sensei, everyone can hear you."

"Oh, uh," he cleared his throat and met the transfer student's obsidian gaze. "Tsutsui-san will be giving you a tour of the school Monday morning. I expect you to respect her and show up.

Sakura sighed, unable to stand the conversation any longer. "If you're done explaining things, mind if we get going? I got a store to get back to."

Principal Kobayakawa then warned the older man. "Sakura-san, please keep a close eye on him. Don't let him cause any trouble outside..."

The store owner rubbed the back of his neck. "Well, I'll be sure to have a serious talk about the situation he's in."

"Come to the faculty office when you arrive at school tomorrow. Tsutsui-san will be waiting for you there," Ms. Kawakami told the boy.

"I'll escort you to the entrance," Mikono said.

<—————<<<<<

Back at the entrance of Shujin Academy, Mikono sighed and slumped her shoulders forward. Turning, she faced the obsidian-eyed boy with a regretful frown. "I want to apologize for their behavior. They both mean well, but they have a terrible way with words."

"I'll say," Sakura groaned. "They're treating him like some kinda nuisance, but you've nothing to apologize for, Tsutsui-san."

"I know I'm supposed to give you a tour of the school tomorrow, but..." She fiddled with the hem of her dress and bit her bottom lip. She was aware of the boy's crime, but she wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt and try to become someone he could possibly rely on during his time at Shujin Academy. There was something in her head telling her to trust him and there was a chance she could make another friend. "Would you allow me to show you around Aoyama and Shibuya if you've no other plans for the rest of the day?"

Sakura looked at the boy unsurely before making a decision. "I don't see any harm in it. Just make sure you keep your hands to yourself, kid. You wouldn't want to be charged a second time on your first day of probation and screw all this up so soon."

"I'll be careful," the boy spoke for the first time, shocking Mikono. This was her first time hearing his voice and couldn't help but smile.

"Then get going. I'll see ya back at the café when you're done." Sakura waved farewell before leaving the school and the students behind.

Mikono watched the older man leave before addressing the new student. "Kawakami-sensei told me about your criminal record, but she never mentioned your name."

The boy wondered why she was offering him kindness even after knowing the real reason he was attending Shujin Academy, but was more than grateful to meet someone as kindhearted as her in the short amount of time he's been in Tokyo. A faint smile found its way onto his face as he introduced himself to Mikono. "I'm Akira Kurusu. It's nice to meet you, Tsutsui-san."

Mikono's smile widened. "Well then, Kurusu-san, how about some lunch? It'll be my treat."

Akira shook his head with a shocked expression. "I couldn't possibly let you buy me lunch."

"I can and I will!" She declared exuberantly. "Now, let's get going. I hope ramen will be all right."

The boy's smile returned. "Thank you, Tsutsui-san."

"Don't thank me yet. If you're not tired and sweaty by the end of the tour, then you can thank me. Give me a moment while I contact someone." Mikono texted Ryuji an apology and a small explanation before turning her full attention back to Akira. "Ready to go?"

He nodded. "Yeah."

<——————<<<<<

Evening rolled around and the two teens were full of ramen as they made their way to the Shibuya Station. Mikono dragged Akira across most of Aoyama and Shibuya before taking him to a small ramen restaurant where they learned a lot about each other. When they heard the news about the subway accident, they decided to use a taxi instead. They gave their information to the driver before wandering off into their own world.

"By the way, you said you live in Yongen-Jaya, right?" Mikono asked. Akira nodded and the girl continued. "Well, the quickest way to Shujin Academy would be by train. Take the train from Yongen-Jaya to Shibuya, then change to the Ginza Line. Instead of meeting me in the faculty office, I'll meet you by the small boutique located by the entrance to the train station. How does that sound?"

"Sounds like a plan," Akira replied, holding out his phone to her. "Could I get your number?"

Mikono smiled and took his phone as he entered his info into hers. She noticed the strange app with an eye on the screen, but she ignored it and entered her information into his contacts. "If you get lost in the morning, call me. Shibuya Station is a labyrinth if you're not used to the layout." They handed their phones back to one another as the car was coming to a stop.

The taxi driver pulled up to the corner of Mikono's street and she hopped out, paying the fee for her and Akira. The boy was speechless since she had already bought him dinner. Now, she had paid his taxi fair in full and he still had ways to go until reaching Leblanc. She thanked him but stopped herself before she closed the door. Leaning down, she peered into the car. "It was nice meeting you, Kurusu-san. I'll see you in the morning."

Akira nodded, still shocked at how she figured out the exact amount his taxi fair would cost. "You too, Tsutsui-san. Thank you for dinner."

"You're welcome," she giggled. "Good night." She closed the door before running down the street and around the corner.

The obsidian-eyed boy watched her from the backseat until she vanished from sight. A warm smile crept onto his face, but it faltered when he heard the taxi driver mumble, "Damn rich people..."

He eyed the driver, but he averted his gaze when he saw him glance into the rear view mirror. Lowering his head, he stared down at his phone and read through Mikono's contact information. His smile returned as his head was filled with his time with the girl. Even though his circumstances weren't the best, he was glad to have meet someone like her since arriving in Tokyo only yesterday. Someone who knew his circumstances was kind enough to give him a tour, pay for dinner, and pay his taxi fair without complaint. He couldn't wait to see her again.