16 year-old David Martinez stands in front of the grand gates of Richard Night Memorial Collegiate Highschool. It's his first day here, and he transferred to this school at such an awkward time: mid-semester in the fall.

Another prestigious-looking school. Only difference was that it was a public school instead of private but does that really make a difference at this point? Looking over the tall, open steel gates, the school's building was mainly just grey and dull-looking. If anything, it was ominous looking, which didn't help his nervousness.

A buff looking teacher stands in front of the school gate, occasionally shouting at some students for not adhering to the dress code. He stood out compared to the other students, as he was huge, maybe three times their height, looming over them like a threat. He got a bad vibe from that teacher.

Other than that, he's hoping that he might actually fit in here. Maybe he can live a relatively normal life, make some friends and not be judged because of his financial standing. Maybe even get a girlfriend here.

He notices that his foot has been non-stop tapping since he got here 30 minutes ago. A bad habit he has when he's thinking too much. His original plan was to just drop out...

"You need to work hard, and get good grades. Good grades will get you a better life, so that you won't have to work so hard like me, mijo."

He shakes his head, taking another deep breath. Here goes nothing.

Walking into the building, he looks around at the other students. None of them have that filthy rich aura around them; they're just normal students. No stuffy uniforms, suitcases or designer brand bags. For once, he didn't stand out like a sore thumb.

Lockers line the halls of the school, with some students checking their appearances using a magnetic mirror. Some posters were plastered on the wall about club meetings, and events. It's notable that they've been there for some time, as pen markings and tears show on the posters. It was a breath of fresh air because it was a type of environment which David never got accustomed to, despite looking like a typical punk.

Weirdly enough, the interior of the building wasn't as prestigious looking compared to the outside, let alone Arasaka Academy.

'Alright, confidence, just fake it until you make it.' He fixes his posture, and heads to his first class - Functions. If he can just make it through the afternoon until lunch, everything will be okay.

'Okay...Looks like confidence can only do so much. Where is the classroom?' He checks his course schedule again, noticing that it's the 4th time that he's passed that same metallic water fountain.

He decides to go back to the main entrance and try again. If all else fails, maybe that buff-looking teacher could help. Though, that'd be the last resort, since the teacher is very intimidating. Just as he was about to head out, a large slam echoed in the halls.

A tall, tan muscular figure entered the room. He was wearing shades, a red t-shirt and a black varsity jacket which looked too tight on him. The sleeves of the jacket were torn off, further emphasizing the muscles on his arm.

Similarly, a buff looking blonde guy was following behind him. Like the other boy's outfit, he was wearing a black t-shirt and a blue jacket. Wait...Looking closer, it's actually a girl. Her muscular figure and boyish looking hair threw him off at first, but her facial features are more round and feminine looking. Her eyes were soft, and a sky blue colour.

David briefly makes eye contact with the ripped male, before averting his eyes. Seems like all the students were moving to the sides for both of the athletic students. They had an aura of leadership, but felt intimidating. David assumes that they are the popular jock types.

"Maine! Our king!" One of the students said, waving towards the tanned male.

"Hey man" Maine greets back with a nod.

"Oh! There's Dorio! Isn't she so cool?" a group of students chimed in, giggling as they walked past.

There sure are a lot of strong muscly people at this school. First the teacher at the front, and then these two kids. They're intimating, but in a good way. Otherwise, most of the students look relatively normal.

David continues walking, going up to the second floor. Hmm, nope wrong floor, the letters here are different. Going back down to the first floor, he does another full circle. According to this door's sign, his Functions class should be to the left of this door.

"Leave me alone!" A cold, feminine voice yells out.

David turns his head towards where the distressing voice was. He catches a glimpse of the girl, who has pastel rainbow coloured short hair. She's pretty looking, and is wearing a navy blue school uniform, like the ones you see in those school animes. It really suits her with those clear thick framed glasses.

"C'mon babe, dressed like that? You're just seeking attention" the guy leans towards her.

His foot is tapping again, and he feels livid at that comment. The amount of times he had to defend his mom from similar statements. It's sickening. Just as he was about to step in, he was interrupted by a loud:

"HEY! Isn't it a bit early in the morning to harass people?"

It was the same jock-type students who he saw before. The rude student quickly backs off, leaving the scene. He doesn't blame him. He'd be scared of them too. Seems like trash bullies exist at this school too, but at least there were people who were willing to step in and help.

"Are you okay–huh, where did she go?" The blonde girl scratches her head, perplexed. The other girl was nowhere to be found.

David couldn't help but stare at the scene and he didn't even notice that the pastel haired girl slipped away.

"Can I help you bud?" Maine takes off his sunglasses, looking back at David.

"Uh, no, wait, actually yes..." He mumbles.

"Are you new? I've never seen your face around here. Are you lost?" Dorio chimes in.

"Yeah, I'm new here, this layout is confusing. Do you know where this classroom is?" David shows her his schedule.

"Oh, yeah, it's just in that corner there. Good luck, newbie."

"Thank you, it's David-"

"No one asked." Maine interrupts, grabbing Dorio by the arm and leaving.

David shrugs it off, and finally makes it to the correct classroom. It was in the corner, and he recognized that he passed that classroom a few times trying to look for it.

As he enters the classroom, he finds that it's average looking. It has the standard chalkboard at the front with white chalk all over it, and brown school desks in three aisles. He sits down at the mid-row window seat.

The large stretch of window faced the school's courtyard. It wasn't anything too impressive, just some grass and a couple of trees. In the horizon, you could make out the tall city buildings.

The classroom got more lively as more students trickle in, taking his focus away from the window. He observes the other students around him, noting that they're already in established friend groups. At the very least, no one is coming over to pick on him.

During the lesson, David couldn't help but zone out. There was just so much going on in life. Also, math first thing in the morning should be illegal. But at least, this was a fresh start. Away from those posh rich kids who thought they were above him. Away from the pressure of getting beat up because he was a street rat.

"Who wants to come up to solve this equation?" the teacher asks.

He raises his hand to use the bathroom, unknowingly right after the question.

"You. New kid, what's your name?"

"It's David, and can I use the washroom?"

The teacher grits her teeth in an annoyed expression. The new student looks like a punk who didn't care about studying. He's probably looking for an excuse to skip class and beat up a poor kid.

"Fine. After you solve this equation."

He goes up to the board and reads the question in his head. Oh, he knows how to do this equation. Guess private school curriculums are a bit ahead compared to public ones. He writes down the correct answer, impressing some of the students.

"Very well, you can go" The teacher says flatly. After looking over his work, she explains the process to the rest of the class.

As David walks to the washroom, a petite student with turquoise twin tails suddenly crashes right into the wall in front of him. Well, that was unexpected! Were fights and bullies just as common, if not, MORE common at this school?

"A-are you okay?" David asks, feeling startled. She was this close to crashing into him, if he even took a step farther, that wall would've been him.

"OI YOU MOTHERFUCKER, You're going to PAY for that!" She yells out, showing off both of her middle fingers to the attacker. She ignores David, too enraged at the tall, lanky figure on the other side.

"Break it up, both of you!!" As one of the security officers restrains the mohawk haired boy.

David quickly averts his eyes, running away from the scene. Yup, none of his business, don't get involved, he'll just use the washroom on the other floor. Just as he makes it to the other floor to use the washroom, he groans at the familiar scene.

"Heh, you got lucky last time, doll face. Now, give me your homework or I'll beat the crap out of you."

It was the same pastel haired girl he saw this morning. He was just going to ignore them too, but they were blocking the entrance to the washroom. He really had to go now and didn't want to go back to whatever fight was happening downstairs.

"Yo, she told you to leave her alone. You're making her uncomfortable." David says, hoping the student would just leave like before.

"Tsk...Playing hero, huh? You're fucking bold. But you should really know your place...street scum!"

David's foot starts tapping, his breathing getting ragged.
'Street rat, fresh off the street'
'Scum, smelly, dirty'
'If I were you, I wouldn't show my face in class'

"Ohhhh, sorrryyyy, that got to you? Heh. I bet your mom wished she aborted you-"

David snaps in a rage, pinning the other student down, throwing out multiple punches.

"S-stop... I... Was just... joking, it was just a... joke bro!" The rude student said as he was groaning in pain.

The commotion was loud enough for a few teachers in that hall to stop their classes.

"STOP IT, STOP FIGHTING" shouts out one of the teachers, pulling David away from the now unconscious and beaten up student.

Another teacher follows to pick up the unconscious body, and calls for the school's security. As this was happening, disrupted students from the classrooms were pointing at the scene, and taking pictures of the commotion with their phone. Multiple students were whispering and looking at each other in disbelief. Some seemed excited, but disappointed that the fight stopped so soon.

"We're very disappointed in you, young man" the teacher scolds.

Once the school security officers arrived, the teachers went back to their class to resume the lessons. The officers didn't feel the need to restrain David, as he was now calm. At least seemed calm, because deep down, he was just telling himself to hold it in for a bit longer. They escort him to the office, with the unconscious student.