____****[Part four] ****____

As soon as the address begun, almost all the students gasped in admiration.

“OMG! it's Hasegawa Takemichi!”

“Huh? Really?
That's him?”

“Ah-h-h!!!! It is!, it is!
Gosh he's so-o-o-o cute!!!
I love you Senior Hasegawa!!!”

One of the girls jumped, and waved madly at the screen.

“Er..you do know he can't hear you right?”

“Yeah but still...”

Nara gave an open ear to the whist murmurs buzzing around. And they weren't wrong. That guy was gorgeous!

“Hasegawa Takemichi. Student council speaker...”

A warm voice, gracefully toned with an almost immaculate symphony, spoke. It sounded...

So,...Familiar,
So,...Calming,
So,...Close by!

Bedazzled by his divine tone, Nara looked to her side. Goodness gracious he...She was stunned to palsy upon seeing a beautiful pink haired angel, blessed with misty blue eyes. The boy stood few feet apart from her, they weren't in close enough range to talk to each other, but they were close enough to at least send waves. Except, he wasn't looking her way. His focus was tapped to the screen. Listening intently to the speech she was supposed to be paying attention to.

*Waving*...

...Hello??? Earth to Nara?

Whether she listened or not, the speech went on either way.

{SCREEN DISPLAY}

Welcoming speech: By the school's head of council.
Represented by Hasegawa Takemichi.
(Student council speaker)

“Welcome, all of you, to this assembly. I know some of you are just starting a freshman year with us, others are old acquaintances and colleagues. However, whether or not you are 'new or old' all are welcomed into our prestiged school nation, 'SKY CROSS'!”

Nara tried to stay focused, but the jitters in her belly just wouldn't go away.

What was this feeling?

Why did she want him to look back at her? Even if it was just for a brief moment. Just a simple glimpse, an accidental glance maybe? At this point, It felt like an intense need. Like Ariel's siren song wind prancing gracefully around him. "Good lord! what's with this school and pretty boys?" She wondered in despairity.

-How many pretty boys have you even seen?

"No Nara, focus!" She thought, smacked her cheeks, then shook her head sideways, trying to dart her sights away from him.

“Do you think you can escape faith?

Are you ready to indulge in a rollercoaster ride of hope?

If so, then, join in. As we explore the deepend ocean, flowing into deeper tides that one can only but dive into, in attempts to discover new secrets. Walk a path different from the one you'd intend for yourself. Submit yourself into your new norm, because once you've done it? There's no going back!

Imagine yourself beginning to read a new book. The mysteries can only be unraveled till you turn to the next page.”

Unable to maintain the right mental standing, Nara groaned. "Okay. Maybe just another look!" And unfortunately, her stupid intrusive thoughts had her pinned! So naturally, she decided to look at him again.

-Naturally huh? I see. So is this  what they call; 'Giving into temptation'?

Once she did, her skin went snow cold. She saw him comb back his hair with his fingers as if on cue. "Was he waiting for me to turn back?" She wondered, looking intensely at him. "Oh-h-h Dammit Nar-a-a-a!!! Take your peering eyes off of him! It's rude to stare!"

-Oh So you know?

“Here! is were dreams are made into reality.

Live life under your own rules.

And remember! There is more to everything that meets the eye.”

“Nara!”
                    “Huh?”

She turned her face away immediately, only to be waved at by Jacinth.

“Sorry I ran off. I was distracted for a moment and when I turned to look, I couldn't find you.”

“Uh? Oh no, no, it's okay.”

-She didn't give a shit about you.

“So um, wh-who's that?!” Nara asked, pointing at the screen display. Her focus obviously wasn't on the speech, but she's gotta look serious about it somehow. And obviously Jacinth can't know every student in school. Or...Can she?

“Senior Hasagawa? Well... He's the speaker for the student body council. The guy is ranked 7th on the 'Top 10' most important students in the entire school. Some call him the 'silver scholar'. Second only to the school president himself! He was even featured on sky magazine! n’even if he's ranked seventh? many believe he's most likely to be appointed school president someday.”

“Wow.”

Nara gasped calmly. It may not have seemed that way, but her interest had definitely been piqued.

-Who knew they had a magazine line too? So what? they like vouge or...?

Seriously, Imagine one of em getting their hands on a copy. It'd be like...

*Clears throat for an Exaggerated Epic Narrative Voice!*...

...Ah. Sky magazine is granting you a scoop on what's trendy on  SkyCross cAmPus GroUnDs.

Take a look at our new teacher.

      “Mr Cavandiah”

Some say his teaching style is 'Super, EDUNAL!'

-Whatever that means.

“He's got a sorta..‘suave’ and pompous personality, whenever he's in the classroom.”-Comment by a random student.

Oh! And don't forget to check the pages for what's in season.

Custom uniforms are in HIGH DEMAND RIGHT NOW!!!!

AH-H-H-H-H!!! I THINK I'M GOING CRAZY FROM ALL THE EXCITEMENT!

“Class rooms aren't safe anymore, from the plague of ‘Epic fashion choices!’ displayed by the school's, undisputable, yet, impeccable students and their..‘PerSoNal StYle!’”- Comment by a social junkie!

Honestly I can't tell if the person is happy about it or against it!

*Ends Epic narrative voice*...

...Ah, now that that's outta my system. Let's proceed.

Meanwhile, as Nara's focus had been stolen away. The boy she'd been eyeing gave a sidelong glance at her. "Finally. I thought she'd never stop staring." –He grunts.

÷÷÷÷÷÷

Everything Jacinth was telling her went into one ear only to skydive out of the other. There were words of explanations, followed by a lot of Mhhmm's. Her lips may have been moving, but Nara couldn't hear diddly squat! Or rather, she didn't try to.

“She's not listening.” Said Mizuki, speaking over Jacinth's shoulder.

Startled, Jacinth turned.

“What Da?”

“Sorry.”
She bowed.

“I'm Hanegaki Mizuki. Nara's best friend. And this is Ayame and Chisa-kun.” The two waved nicely at her, carrying large smiles across their faces as soon as they were introduced. “I couldn't help but notice you seemed...acquainted with her?” Mizuki raised a single brow, as if trying to prove a point.

“Uh? Oh Right. We...we only met today though.” Jacinth responded, shrugging casually. Subconsciously reminding herself that she really hadn't been close to Nara. At least, not in the sense of being 'Best Friends'. To her, that title was only, and could only be awarded to one person.

-And it certainly wasn't 'Her'.

“Well, whatever it is your telling her, I can assure you that she is not listening.” Mizuki said, rolling her eyes tactfully while shaking her head. Somewhat amused that her friend still hadn't shed away that old skin. It was really becoming a bad habit.

Seriously, how does one lose all sense of reality whenever they see a good looking person? She could recall a time when Nara, got hit by a car cause she kept daydreaming about a cute guy she saw at a convenient store.

That kind of thing was..absurd. Okay, maybe not that absurd. It wasn't as if she hadn't been struck that way before to, she just didn't overthink it. Not the way Nara did. At some point it became scary, the way Nara would get overly excited cause said guy probably smiled back at her. Now, Mizuki could only imagine what this new guy looked like. At times she worried for her, and was afraid there'd be repeat of something awful.

-Yeah. Bad relationships.

"He'd better have the face of an angel!" She thought. Nara may be able to lie to herself, but not well enough to her. Something seemed off about her demeanor, really off. Although, there was every possibility she might have just felt guilty about not calling. They were still gonna have a talk about that!

Jacinth turned to Nara. Her eyes shone wide, speaking of unspoken questions. They glimmered in reaction to the sudden notion that she'd been 'wasting her time'.

“She's not even on this mental plane anymore!”

“Yup!”
Chisa-kun added.

“We know that face. You see  that?!” he pointed at Nara. “Is the face of someone who's been..LOvE StRuCk!” Chisa-kun stated, then jumped his eye brows in a silly manner while he wickedly grinned. The look on Nara's reddened face seemed to prove his claim. And with that? he was satisfied.

-Nothing beats teasing your friends. Especially when you know their every flaw. Which just goes to show how FLAWED this book is!

Sorry, I felt it'd been a while since I did some smack talking to the author. Back to the story, I know...

"Geez, I was only staring at the guy, that doesn't mean I'm love stru...For goodness sakes he's just cute!" Nara's mind rattled, she'd begun to feel somewhat embarrassed now. Which was exactly what Chisa-kun had been striving for. Her friends knew her too well it would seem.

"It's a terrible thing when people know everything about you. Well, maybe they don't actually know everything." She thought, and at the same time skimmed through pages of ideas within her mind, on how to escape the current establishment, before it, inevitably, blows up in her face!

-As usual.

But before she could defend herself, Ayame threw herself into the converse. Skipping past Nara in mere seconds. “So tell us. Which one of these... unsuspecting souls have you fallen head over heels for?” The question was laced with a hint of mockery. But Nara had expected it. Her major problem was why they thought she had 'Fallen' for said; 'Unsuspecting soul' Was it a crime to admire someone for their unparalleled beauty? Or in this case, handsomeness?

-Well for one, you were sent to that school to learn. Not to admire. What's the next phase of action Nara? Tell them, or...?

“Okay you caught me.”

-Tell em it is. Good to know you're becoming so mature now. Guess three years of junior high knowledge really did give you some *coughs* 'Wisdom' if we can call that, whatever, this is.

Jacinth raised both brows in surprise. Her lips folded in, unable to keep her gaze on a single point, and her smile looked devious, but humoured. Goddess she wanted to laugh.

Nara closed her eyes, tensed her shoulder then sighed. “I was just...ya know, remenicing about the super hot guard I met at the gate!” She spewd it all out in one short breath!
Leaving everyone quiet for a moment, before realization came staring face to face with them. That's when mouths began to drop in shock. It was too late for Jacinth, cause she was ready to blow. All it took was Nara's needle like reveal to finish the job, and so, she laughed.

“Oh my gawd, don't tell me! No you talkin'bout L.B? Da-m-m-m-m-n girl!”

Nara avoided her excited gaze. Rubbing the back of her smooth hair as innocently as she possibly could.“Y-y-e-ah?”

Ayame stared blankly for a moment, then chuckled. “I honestly don't remember who's who in this school, but if it's the guy I'm thinking of. Then...I actually agree with you. He's really Hot!”

-Great! Another Alpha male fanatic.

Nara felt her shoulders drop.

Phew, she escaped that one.

-She didn't escape, the readers!

While everyone else was laughing at her hormones taking effect, Mizuki frowned, then shook her head in disappointed. As if to say; “Really Nara? Really?”

-My thoughts exactly.

“Lol, L.B's sorta...know what? you'll get to know later. Bu-u-u-t! Since we're all here now, how'bout we get to know each other? I'm Jacinth Braylin.”

“It's nice to meet you Jacinth!”
Chisa-kun mustered a genuine, yet tired smile. He was beginning to get bored of he place.

“Likewise, and oh-my-goodness I LOVE your hair!” Ayame exclaimed, resting her plumpy palms on her puffed cheeks.

Jacinth chuckled, flattered by her compliment.

“Thanks Babe! your hair's really beautiful too.”

“What?
This mess?”

“Wha-a? Nah girl, it looks good! I love how wild it is. It's giving, fierce! R-a-r-r-r.” She growled, clawing the air like a big cat. Ayame blushed, suprised about how Jacinth reacted. Usually most people, other than her friends ofcourse, made fun of her for it. It was just so hard to maintain. Most times she wondered why her parents had passed on such a trait. If only it had been reseccive.

“Y'all can call me Jayci. A'was born and raised in Atlanta Georgia. Whoo! N'a've been attending this school since...what? first year of junior high? Oh! with my 'best friend', Ha-neul! We met here. Speaking, of, which...” Jacinth stopped her introduction, then begun searching for wheels in the midst of the crowd. The group had been so distracted they didn't notice how packed the place had become. It was three times three the size of what it was before. To find Ha-neul in it would prove, –difficult.

“Um..can y'all excuse me for a sec?” She spoke quickly, and departed without waiting for their response. Her wild eyes scrutinized random faces, some she knew, and some she didn't, –neither did she want to. She roamed about worriedly, hoping to pin pointing Ha-neul's location in the bee-buzzing swarm of high on air students.

“I wish you luck on your new chapter. Let's hope you can finish the story.”

The reps speech finally came to it's end, receiving a thundering applaud from the attentive listeners as a reward. He bowed his head respectfully and the viewing ended. Nara felt bad, since she'd been distracted form most of it.

Damn that boy and his looks!

Funny, she couldn't find him in that spot anymore.

-It's obviously for the best.

Afterwards, the messages board put up an image. It was format of multiple names arranged in consecutive rows and columns. Each row had ten columns. There were 20 rows in total, and on a single row ten names were inserted. This made up a group of Five and Five. Consisting of males and females. The school was calculative and did not populate it's space with an  unequal scale of gender. So, if the entire school had an approximate populous of a thousand students. Five hundred were boys and vice versa.

-Every man for one woman. Or..how does the saying go again?

Jacinth came back with Ha-neul zooming by her side. Her smile was like that of a relieved mother who just found her lost child.

“I'm ba...wait, wait, wait, wha? How can we finna be so lucky!?” She asked excitedly, hopping on the spot she'd been standing. Everyone expect Ha-neul was washed over by a wave of confusion.

“What are you talking about? How are we lucky?” Mizuki asked.

Jacinth slowed her heavy breathing using her hands to sway down the excitement.

“Mmm, okay!
So you see that?”

They motioned their eyes to the screen. “That's showing us where we've all been drafted to. So for those who came to school early, y'all stayed at the newbie lounge right?”

Mizuki, Ayame and Chisa-kun looked at each other in unison as if responding to her claim.

“Mhmm”

“Well...”

She clapsed her palms together and begun moving around from her spot. “Once it's been made known to the school that all expected students are on the grounds. Then...we're allocated to our dorms. Or, in this case, 'dorm house'. So, for those who don't know, this school is..pfft, like literally massive right? So, we are put into the dorm house by random name arrangements, n'currently?...”

Her voice suddenly rose in pitch from hype. She clenched her fists in joy.

“We all happen
to be in the same
DORM HOUSE!!!!!”

-Oh no! How convenient! Stupidly convenient if you ask me. But, what do I know? Honestly this feels way too much like badly used plot armor to me.

“Hontō?
[Really?]
(本当に?)”

Nara looked closely at the screen. Searching through rows till she found it. Or much rather, them.

“Hey, hey, it's true!”

She hopped happily. Grabbing Mizuki's hands in the process.
“We're on row ten!” Mizuki smiled at her, just enjoying the look of joy on Nara's face.

“Wait a second! I don't get it. Are boy's and girls going to be living in the same dorm, house?”

“Oh! Er..I guess?”

“Now hold up just a ONE MINUTE! You're telling me, that I get to stay in a dorm with girls???” Chisa-kun asked fiercely. Walked up to Jacinth, placed his hands on her shoulders, then peered deeply into her eyes. As if aiming to read her soul. Anxiety hit her immediately!

“I-I..mean t-technically...?”

-This is should be good.

“Sh-h-h-h-h, no need to talk anymore. I've already gotten my answer.” –He let go.

“It was in your eyes.”
He whispered.

-Pffft. I see.

“Uh-huh, ri-i-i-i-ght.”

“They can't do that!”
Ayame exclaimed.

“There needs to be privacy! I can't stay in the same room as boys! I-I..” She scrunched her brows in disapproval. Her weary mind couldn't begin to fathom what that would even be like.

“Can you all just calm down? I'd suggest we leave now. Cause I'm beginning to get cluster phobic over here. Once we're out, you'll have ALL the time you need to deliberate on the president's morality.” Ha-neul remarked, then grabbed Jacinth's wrist as he zoomed along.
+

+++

One by one, they all went into the elevator. Heading back down to the reception area. Awhile they were walking out, Mùchén and Nara brush past each other and In that moment? –There was a pause.

-Ofcourse there was. Ooh! Ooh! And then they kissed!?

A kind off tranquil shift in the universe. An effervescent energy that felt obscure at the same time. A link, some sort of spiritual pull attracting a missing piece.

The two had their focus set on another direction. Yet, after they'd passed by each other, a lightning bolt of pain panged at Mùchén's chest like an electric charge. His heart skipped a beat.

-Ah, and then, they kissed. No? Okay.

As a noob to that sort of nociception, Mùchén put a hand on his chest -feeling it.

-Me as Mùchén: ”Dang my pecks are usually so strong! I wonder why they feel so soft now.“

He made a fist, clawing up a good amount of his shirt.

*Humphs*...

...I'm watching you author-sama!

“Nà shì shénme?
[What was that?]
(那是什么?)”

-It's the sound of your heart stopping. It goes bang, bang, into the room! You know you want it Bang, bang...ooh ooh ooh ooooh! Lol, I'm being unprofessional. Sorry peeps. Anyway...

Now that she was outside. Nara sensed a strange feeling. There was some sort of mistuqe omen about the entire day, one that she didn't trust. She knew moments like this would inevitably bring forth a sort of change that more often than not? Has, alot to do with her.

“Nara? You coming?”

“Eh? Oh yeah!...wait up!”
She ran up to them.

++++++++++++++++
|∆,,,(Outside),,,∆|
~~ \!+!++!+!+!+!/~~

Since the dorm house wasn't too far off. The group decide to stroll. That way, the newbies would get a little tour, even if the whole school was tremendously massive.

They'd at least get to see a minor part of it. Soon, after a short while,  and a couple turns. They finally burst out onto a new street. The lane they'd taken had led towards a cooler, more suburban like area. One, almost all of them were surprised to see.

Decorative organic tree leaves, rustled frantically. It seemed like the winds were really picking up. Nara's asiris pleated skirt was almost blown open because of it. Luckily she wasn't the only victim.

Orderly aligned light poles, stood tall. Their shine would highlight the night street, increasing it's beauty in the process, and Nara was looking forward to seeing it.

She began to thoroughly survey the environment. The nature of it all was just breath taking! She'd been overly engrossed in the act of observation to even notice that the others were already paces ahead of her, and continued without stopping. It didn't disturb her in anyway, so she lagged behind without worry, watching the groups back's while taking in excited breaths of bedazzlement.

Mizuki walked alongside Jacinth. Her big boned arms were constantly swinging up in the air. Nara could bet she was probably narrating something funny. Given the big smile on Mizuki's face. She personally, was never able to humour Mizuki like that. Not that she could recall.

Even so, whether or not she did, the two were really hitting it of, and to her? It was a good sign. The chit chat going on amongst them, except her ofcourse, would most likely give rise to some good inside jokes. Nara would unfortunately be that 'one' person who just wouldn't be able get it.

Although, It was actually a decent sight to see. Her enrollment into the school brought forth a long over due reunion with old friends, and caused her to make new ones. That was only if they actually considered her as a friend.

It was obvious Ha-neul didn't have such an intention, But what about Jacinth? Not everyone you meet on the first day will end up being your closet companion. They may actually end up being your biggest rival. That was a little lesson she'd learnt from her first day in middle school.

Guess, coming here wasn't so bad.

-We'll see about that.

Meanwhile, still in the KOTEI, the pink haired boy, Nara had supposedly been ‘love struck’, by. Wondered around the reception area like a creeper. Since everyone else had gone, he pretty much looked like an odd spec in the empty reception. His walking movements were rigid, and hinted towards confusion.

“Hi”
He voiced, calmly addressing the smallish girl in blue, idling sitting behind the desk counter.

Agitated, Astrid responded irreverently. “Ugh! What is it now!? Aren't you supposed too..?” Gazing up in annoyance, her vexed pail eyes landed on the boy. First off, her mouth dropped, then? her small, but puffy cheeks reddened. Even with the area being perfectly ventilated, she couldn't seem to stop perspirating. A major quarter of her small body grew numb, reacting to the fact her tone was ‘less than polite’, Now that she'd seen what the boy looked like.

Unable to regain focus, Astrid continued gawking at him.

"He..he's so handsome! LIKE A REAL LIFE FANTASY PRINCE FROM STRAIGHT OUTTA THE MANGA!

Those crystal-like, refined blue eyes...his hot pink hair!

Ah, not to mention the captivating spur of radiant masculinity gracefully emitting off of him.

Fuck!

This is just like; 'The Charming President Falls For The Shy Pauper' issue one of the HEARTs OTAKu SERIEs:
The handsome young prince from another day and era, finds himself lost in a strange new land, of a fire bursting sky. Which happened to be the city of Osaka. After being adviced to check in with a local customs agent during the summer matsuri, he Finds himself walking up to Suzumia, a lonely receptionist girl, who tirelessly worked multiple minial paying jobs in order to secure her future, while providing for her larger than average family of eight! As the  heroin, and main love interest.

Their first encounter, would, unbeknownst to them, strike ingnition to a heart blazing romance neither would have ever dreamed of experiencing!!!

The poetic words of the heart! Artistically laced within flawless, realistic illustration, and just enough Nose-Bleed Causing-Scenes, to set my nerves on a hearth, evenly marinate and roasted it, then have it fed back to me as spicy,  and utterly unmatched Drama!

Their conquest on the journey of love, was soul touching to obsessed shojō fanatics everywhere! The lite novel/ Manga became a best seller. Not just in Japan, but in the west as well.

Ah-h-h! Thank you Usagi-san! (Sailor moon).

-Eh? What has Usagi-san got to do with any of this???

Otaku gods! Ruri-sama (The manga creator). This is my moment. All I have to do is play my cards right. Just like Suzumia did! And soon? His charming gaze will be one of admiration. For me!”

Astrid's mouth drolling fantasy was interrupted by the boys symphonic voice. “Hey um..I just wanna check out which dorm house I was allocated to.” He paused to scratch his head, then whispered the rest of his statement in embarrassment “I sorta..wasn't paying attention when it came up on screen.”

-Eh?? If that's the case why didn't you check your phone??

In her head, his words were in sync with the inner heat causing love quotes from the main character, which she'd come to know by heart.

-Oh my gosh.

Snippet for the Manga.

-Don't know why the author is doing this but...Hmm, guess I've gotta.

Lero; ‘Excuse me young miss. Would you mind rendering some assistance to me?’

-She works for customs. The people literally asked you to met her! Why are you asking if you can...

*Sighs*...

...Whatever

‘I'm afraid I'm...lost. Just like your distant eyes.’

-The fuck?

Suzumia; ‘My,...what?’

Lero; ‘You're eyes. They speak of loneliness. There seems to be a celebration going on outside, but, I find no happiness in the place of the lights and laughter. Not at this time. And it would seem, neither do you.

Suzumia; ‘Mmm, you would be right about that.’

*Quiet*

Lero; ‘Then! Would you mind? Eloping with me to a more subtle environment? I believe we both need to be relieved of the burdens saddled on us. So--

*Tad-dum*

Suzumia; ‘So-o-o, what?’

Lero; ‘Will you accompany me on my quest to find...Home?’

*In anguish*...

...Kill me now!!!!

-Anyway, Author-sama asked me to tell y'all that, the manga was actually an hilariously dumb, and terribly cheesey shojō, which the Manga-ka wrote in order to make a quick buck. Many unfortunate readers who bought the manga disliked it and gave it a bad review. Still, you'd better believe there were people out there with little to no knowledge of what good Romance is, n'what the biggest piece of dog shit looks like!

*Coughs*...

...I'm NOT mentioning names. ͡⁠ᵔ⁠ - ͡⁠ᵔ⁠ 

In her immensely delusional mind, a radiant, magnificent angelic light, shone brightly around the boy, as if glorifying him for his looks.

“Yes!”
She blurted out in a daze.

“What?”

Snapping back to her sense, Astrid shook her head as if it would help reset her brain.

-Nothing can save her at this point.

“Huh? I'm sorry what were you talking about?”

“My dorm house?”

“Oh, right!”
She mumbled nervously.

Feeling restless butterflies, fluttering round in her belly.  Astrid begun giving him sweet looks. Only, all of them came off as creepy, ruining the intention behind it.

“Well?”

“Eh? Oh, oh, oh, sorry!” Scrambling to check her computer screen. Astrid Squinted her eyes while trying to find the row. She then asked;

“Um, your name?”

“Right! I'm
Yokirishi Manato.”

÷÷÷÷÷÷÷

Aseop: Okay people, we're finally done with this. I don't have time to chit chat, or even complain right now.  Cause I need to go smash my head through a car window to forget my sorrow s.

Anyway, see you when I...

Author: Aseop was too tired to complete the sentences.
Keep your butts in the boat  people. Our novels about to get turbulent!

See yo...."!-;"-'*;er(?:'("+(?_';!:'';-;,er++!;error.

*Technically difficulty*