Start of a New School Year, 01/02

[Riosamu Arano]

"I'm good," the girl replied happily, smiling back at him when he smiled at her. "I've still got about eight minutes before I need to start heading to class, and there's nothing really to do. Akira and I were going to look around the school for a sign of the new principal. I'm also wondering where Natsuichi is..." Arano said this, glancing back at Akira and Takashi.

[Akira Yasushi]

"Okay, Takashi. I'll see you later, then!" Yasushi said to Takashi as she and Arano started walking off. The blonde watched curiously as the black haired girl started talking to a boy she didn't know. Curious, she strolled up to the pair and put her hand on Arano's shoulder. "Who's this? Is he a friend of your's?" Yasushi asked as she examined the boy in front of her. At first glance, he didn't seem like the type to cause trouble.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Akira Yasushi, a fifth year prefect," the girl said, holding out a hand to the boy for a handshake.

[Inoue Takashi]

A minute right after the girls left him, a second year boy ran up to Takashi. He was out of breath, but he managed to speak out. "A-a fight...at Block A..."

Takashi was immediately on the alert. It wasn't far to Block A. Just a few strides, and he could hear the commotion. Students were blocking the excitement, expressions of excitement and fear on their faces. Upon the announcement of his arrival, the crowd parted a little to give way. Takashi got to the scene with ease.

What he saw was unbelievable. Nothing more shocking than other fights in history of the Wesmin Academy. A boy, a third year, was beating up a first year---and blood was involved. His expression was vicious, merciless, mad. Prefects surrounded them, in no power to stop the fight. Even if one tried, all he would get was a punch in the face.

"Stop it this instance!" Takashi shouted with much authority, walking forward. The boy turned to look at him, and Takashi saw a beast in his eyes. Without anymore hesitation, the boy began to throw a fist towards Takashi. A few girls shrieked, and---

Takashi blocked it.

With one swift move, the boy was over his shoulder and on the ground. The boy winced, and he did not struggle. Takashi let go, adjusting his glasses. His eyes looked over the boy coldly. "Deny my order and you'll get it."

Behind him, hushes spread around. Everyone stared at Takashi, fear and admiration in their eyes. 'That's Inoue Takashi?!' 'H-he stopped the bully!' 'No wonder, he's a black belt in almost everything!' 'He's so cool!' 'I heard he's being to Mexico City and survived through a kidnap...' 'You're kidding, right?!' 'For all we know, he isn't a person to mess with...'

[Yoshinari Natsuichi]

It took a second longer for the news to reach Natsuichi. By the time he got around to Block A, Takashi had finished the job.

"Oh crap," Natsuichi muttered, scratching his head. "I was hoping that I could at least do something about it. What happened anyway?" he asked a nearby prefect.

"The bully just came to the boy and started beating him up out of no reason," the prefect answered. "You'd have to ask him himself for the real reason, though he doesn't look like the type who would say."

[Principal Kamiri]

At that moment, almost invisible as he stood far behind the crowd, a man observed the scene. Kamiri Rei's expression showed no emotion. Light reflected off his glasses, making it hard to see his eyes.

Finally, without a word, he turned and walked to his office.

[Inoue Takashi]

As the crowd began to depart as the excitement was over, Takashi observed around him. That was when he saw him. His eyes narrowed.

Found you, Mr. Rei Kamiri.

"Yoshinari!" he shouted, though it did not look like he had seen his friend in the crowd earlier. His eyes were not looking straight at Natsuichi either, but his voice spoke his name loud and clear.

[Yoshinari Natsuichi]

Natsuichi turned to Takashi, surprised. He wasn't exactly expecting his name to be called. He was about to leave and get to class, since the first bell had just rung. "What do you want?"

[Inoue Takashi]

"Write a report on the case to the principal," Takashi ordered without hesitation. "If he has any queries or comments, tell him to find me. Oh." He jerked his head down at the bully. "And clean this mess up while you're at it. I'll write you a slip later. I'm going to class now."

With that, he left for his class.

[Yoshinari Natsuichi]

"Write a report on the case to the principal," Takashi ordered without hesitation. "If he has any queries or comments, tell him to find me. Oh." He jerked his head down at the bully. "And clean this mess up while you're at it. I'll write you a slip later. I'm going to class now."

With that, he left for his class.

Natsuichi threw Takashi's a glare. He's always throwing the dirty work to me... he thought grumpily as he went over to the crouching bully. He kicked him a little. "Hey, get up now. You'll have to see the principal for that."

"No," came the bully's reply. His voice was calm.

"Don't make me write a suspension slip," Natsuichi threatened. "I have the power to do that."

"You don't anymore." Natsuichi was surprised by the answer. The bully got up, snickering at him. "Kamiri said that only he has the power to suspend a student, not the prefects."

And that was it. The bully walked off on his own, leaving Natsuichi speechless.

[Inoue Takashi]

Only half of the day was gone, and something else happened. Something worse.

A girl had fallen off the roof and died.

Not that Takashi knew yet. The time it had happened, he was too busy concentrating on the chemistry question in the lab.