Key:
Italics=Thoughts
Bold=Sound Effects
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Beep...Beep...Beep...Be-SMACK
"Hng..." Rolling over onto my stomach, I slowly lift my head "6:15..." I read, staring at the blurry numbers on my clock.
Sighing quietly to myself, I slowly get up while rubbing my eyes. My back pops with a satisfying sound as I get up to start my morning routine, consisting of me waking my brother up. Instead of knocking on my brother's door, I make my way inside, knowing that he wouldn't wake up anyway.
"Onii-chan. Time to get up." I call out quietly, staring at my brother's sleeping form in his bed. Petting Karupin briefly, who's lying on the foot of the bed, I then sit on the side of Ryoma's bed.
Ryoma mumbles in his sleep, burying his face against his pillow. Unable to stop myself from smiling at his antics, I lie down on top of him.
"Onii-chan! I know you're awake, we have school today." I exclaim, poking his cheek repeatedly.
It takes a while, but Ryoma finally cracks one eye open and stares at me with a grin on his face. "Ryo~" He calls out playfully before pulling me down so I'm lying next to him. "Just come back to bed with me." The lazy ass whispers, pretending to sleep again with his face buried against my neck.
"Onii-chan!" I huff, puffing my cheeks while struggling to escape. "It's our first day of school! I don't want to be late!"
Sighing dramatically, Ryoma opens his eyes and smiles at me childishly. "I'll get up if you give me a good morning kiss~" With that, he closes his eyes and pretends to sleep once more.
Embarrassed at my brother's teasing, I give him a peck on his cheek, before pouting at him. "There, now can we get ready?" I ask.
"Of course we can." He responds, eyes wide open and a goofy smile on his face. Getting up, he reaches down and ruffles my hair to my annoyance before grabbing his uniform.
Thoroughly exasperated by my brother's antics so early in the morning, I head back to my own room. As I change into my own uniform, I frown at my reflection in the mirror.
'I know that I wanted to go to the best school in the country...But I can't stand the fact that I have to wear this ugly uniform.'
Once I'm ready, I grab my backpack and head downstairs. Nanako is already in the kitchen making breakfast for Ryoma and I when I enter.
"Good morning, Ryota. Breakfast is ready." She says with a kind smile.
"Good morning! Ryoma should be down any minute now." I explain, before eating my meal.
After a couple of minutes, Ryoma comes downstairs in his own uniform and sits down next to me.
"Good morning, Ryoma." Nanako calls out happily.
"Morning." He mumbles, the lack of sleep catching up to him.
"Ryoma," I admonish, "speak clearly instead of just mumbling random words."
"Well maybe I would have talked clearly if someone hadn't woken me up so early." Ryota says, sticking his tongue out at me.
Before we can start bickering with one another, Nanjiro walks in. Nanako, still her happy self, greets him on her way out of the room. "Good morning, Uncle. I'm taking my leave now for class." she explains and leaves right after.
"How are my boys this morning?" The Monk calls out, ruffling our hair while walking to his own seat.
Scowling, Ryoma reaches up and fixes his hair. "Baka, Oyaji! Go bother someone else!"
Nanjiro clutches at his chest, feigning hurt. "How could you say that to your loving father?!" Ryoma just sticks his tongue out at him.
I can't help but laugh at their actions before giving Nanjiroh a smile. "Good morning, Oyaji~"
Smiling adoringly at me, he claps his hands together. "Good morning, my dear Ryota! Are you ready for your first day of school?"
"Yup!" I answer, ignoring my brother's grumbling about loud mouthed dads. Glancing at the clock, I stand up and grab my bag. "But I should get going now if I want to catch the train to Tokyo."
Ryoma stands up as well. "I'll walk you to the train station." he says, grabbing both his backpack and tennis bag.
As we leave out the door, we both hear our dad calling out for us. "Have a good day! Make sure you get a lot of numbers!" Causing Ryoma to shake his head while I chuckle quietly.
On our way to the train station, Ryoma takes this time to lecture me.
"Make sure you call me at lunch, and don't let any rich snobs bully you while you're there. Also, make sure you come straight home when school ends. Then make sure you don't-"
"Onii-chan!" I interrupt, making him stop before giving him a reassuring smile. "I'll be fine. You worry too much."
"I'm just looking out for you. You're going to a school away from me, how can I not?" He says
"I know you worry about me, but you don't see Ryoga worrying like you!" I exclaim.
Pouting playfully, Ryoma shakes his head. "That's because he's too busy threatening guys who get close to you."
It was sadly true. Between the two eldest Echizen brothers, Ryoga is much worse than Ryoma. After I came out to the two of them about being gay, the pair made a pact to protect their "innocent brother from wolves". But that was kind of hard to do when Nanjiroh continues to encourage me to go after boys all the time.
Sighing, I shake my head in exasperation. "I'm just glad he's in America right now, or else he would have walked into the school and scared everyone away from me."
We're finally at the train station with minutes to spare. I give Ryoma a reassuring smile once I see his worried expression. "Thanks for walking me, Onii-chan. I'll see you when I get home."
Smiling himself, Ryoma pulls me in and kisses my cheek. "Take care, Ryota. Make sure you call me." And with that, I board the train.
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After riding the train for half an hour, I walk the rest of the way to school. Looking around, I see multiple limos dropping students off in front of the school.
'So many rich people...Thank goodness Onii-chan's not here.'
Walking onto campus, I can't help but notice the stares and whispers directed at me.
"Do you see that guy..."
"He's so cute! Do you think..."
"Wonder what year he's in..."
"Never seen him before..."
"How will Atobe-sama react..."
Unsure of their attention, I choose to ignore it for now as I make way inside the building and towards the front desk. I give the middle aged secretary behind the desk a cheerful smile.
"Good morning! How are you?" I ask.
She seemed shocked, probably because no one's ever asked her that. I wouldn't doubt it, what with the type of people at this school. "It's going great so far. How can I help you, sweetie?"
"That's great. I actually need to get my class schedule. I'm Ryota Echizen, I just transferred." I introduce, giving her a smile
"Let me just get that for you." After searching the database, she then prints out a copy and hands it to me. "Here you go. Do you need any help finding your classes?"
"No thank you. I think I'll be able to find them. Have a nice day!" Leaving with a wave of my hand, I head down the hallway while looking at my class schedule.
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PERIOD 1- STUDY HALL
PERIOD 2- CHEMISTRY
PERIOD 3- ENGLISH
PERIOD 4- GYM
PERIOD 5- LUNCH
PERIOD 6- PHOTOGRAPHY
PERIOD 7- CALCULUS
PERIOD 8- WORLD HISTORY HONORS
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After making a series of turns, I begin to get confused.
'I could have sworn that I was going in the right direction.' Glancing around, I spot a group of girls talking.
"Excuse me?" I call out, gaining their attention. "I'm sorry to bother you, but could you help me find my class?" I ask, giving them a sheepish smile.
Unanimously, all three girls hastily agree with blush adorning their faces. After they lead me to the right room, I turn and give them a big smile.
"Thanks for the help." I say.
Oddly enough, their responses were having them wave goodbye with blushing faces.
'Weird' I think to myself, just before turning and knocking on the door.
Footsteps are heard on the other side and the door soon opens to reveal a tall man, presumably the teacher, who gives me a smile.
"Hello, you must be Ryota." After giving him a nod, he then continues. "Let me just inform the class and then I'll have you come in."
Nodding in response, I wait outside while the teacher goes to instruct the class, his voice carrying through the door.
"Alright class, I have some exciting news. We have a transfer student who will be in our class from now on. He just came here from America, so be on your best behavior. Come on in."
Taking a deep breath, I walk into the room, completely aware of everyone's gaze on me. Uncertain of what to do, I give them an unsteady smile.
"Hello, my name is Ryota Echizen. I recently moved here from America where I lived with my older brother for a bit. Please take care of me." I finish with a formal bow.
Little did I know what kind of reaction I would get.