October 2019
I sat, watching the others play cards. From left to right were my friends: Tsugane Nakadachi, Meshino Sueo, and the finally Denshin Hako. Nakadachi held his hand with triumph and then slapped down a king. Nex (aka Sueo) stared at the card and passed. Hako matched Nakadachi’s card and then threw down a pair of aces. I laughed and then Nex sighed. Nakadachi looked at Hako and then his hand.
ND: Alight, you win, Hako.
H: Yes.
ND: But Nex still lost though. C’mon, do the punishment.
NX: You guys are bastards! You know that?
ND: Oh yeah but this doesn’t mean you can get out of doing the push-ups.
NX: I know, damn it!
H: Wait! Let me get my phone out! I need to film this.
NX: What?
H: For the Internet. It’ll be so funny.
NX: Screw you, Hako!
H: C’mon, Nex, let’s see you do those 5o pushups you owe us.
I watched Nex reluctantly rise from his chair and then get on the ground. Hako raised his phone up and then started filming. Nex struggled to do one and then as he rose from the second one, Nakadachi burst into laughter. Hako also started to laugh and then dropped his phone on the ground. I suppressed my own laughter and then watched Nex rise from the floor.
ND: It’s just so… hilarious. I’m sorry, I’ll try to be serious now. Pffft, I can’t do it! I’m sorry but I just can’t.
Nakadachi continued to laugh and then Hako picked up his phone from the ground. Nex glared at both of them and went back to his seat.
R: Food, Nex?
Nex also glared at me but nodded. I tossed him a granola bar from my pocket and then watched Nakadachi calm himself down. Hako resumed his normal expression and checked his phone for messages. Yep, this was a typical night at the Mantan High School dormitories. Friends just hanging out and having fun at the expense of others. I stretched and then stared up at the ceiling. It was almost ten and I stood up to leave.
R: Well, I’m heading back now. I’ll see you guys later.
ND: So soon, dude? Alright, I’ll see you tomorrow then.
R: Yep. Nex and Hako, you guys leaving soon?
NX: Yeah. I still need to do homework.
ND: Screw the homework. You don’t need to do it.
NX: Well that’s easy for you to say because you’re the “King of Bullshit”.
H: Or you don’t have to do it all.
NX: Well, I can’t be like you two. I need to do it or my grade will drop.
R: Do it, Nex. I’ll help you in the morning if you need it.
NX: Okay. Shit, all this homework to do.
I left Nakadachi’s room and saw Seiji walking towards the room. Kanshou Seiji. The most prolific athlete that Mantan High ever had and held one of the top test scores in addition to his athletic accolades. He smiled and greeted me.
SJ: Hey Ryuu. Having fun?
R: I guess. We have homework due tomorrow. It’s only been a few days since the exams and we already have this much.
SJ: Yeah. But it’s not too bad.
R: You have a lot of games, too, right? It must be hard.
SJ: Nah, its fine. I’ll see you in class tomorrow.
R: Yeah.
I returned to my own room and saw the lights still on. Inside, I saw my roommate, Minshou Itsuki, playing video games. He looked up when I walked in and then nodded.
R: Did your homework yet?
I: A little. It should be fine.
R: If you say so.
I: I’ll do it later. Like at night.
R: It’s already night.
I: Fine. I’ll do it now.
R: You don’t have to.
I: No, I feel guilty now.
Itsuki saved his progress and then went to his desk. I lay down on the bed and then stared up at the lights. I turned to the left and tried to sleep. I saw Itsuki staring at his homework and then closed my eyes. For awhile, I heard the shuffling of pages and the scribble of Itsuki’s pencil on paper. I feel asleep sometime after.
The next day in class, I sat down at my seat during break when there was a huge noise outside. I head people chatting and I saw Seiji run into the room. He looked t me and then waved his hands.
SJ: Hey, Ryuu, exam scores are out!
R: Oh, that fast? I guess I should see the results.
SJ: It’s a big surprise.
R: Yeah. Alright, sounds like everyone is excited.
SJ: There’s been a big overthrow! The top ten is all shuffled now!
R: That’s a surprise. There are rarely any changes up there.
SJ: Well, you’ll see, it’s amazing.
I walked to the board with my hands in my pocket and then tried to look over the shoulders of the taller people. The crowd finally broke and I looked at the test board. From the right to left, it listed the number one and then descended from there. I looked at the number one and then laughed.
R: Yoshimura Setsuhi. Our number one now, huh? That’s no big surprise.
SJ: I think it’s a really big surprise. People are talking about it like crazy.
R: Let’s see, #2 is me. Okay, well, that was weird. I thought I’d be lower.
I saw Nakadachi and Nex walk up and peer at the board. Nex pointed at the top of the board and then turned to me.
NX: Dude, he fell!
ND: Wait, what?
NX: Yoshimura is 1, Ryuu is 2, Seiji is 3, Mikoto is 4. You’ve dropped down to 5 now.
ND: What? Damn, I need to actually try now.
NX: Let’s see. I’m 55 and Itsuki is… 50. Wow, right in the middle, pretty good.
R: Not too bad.
Std 1: Man, Yoshimura is so scary. I don’t even know how she got that #1 spot.
Std 2: I know. Man I wish someone like us was up there.
Std 3: What do you mean? Tatsumaki and Tsugane are up there. They’re pretty normal.
Std 4: Man, they’re away ahead of us. It’s a maybe. Tatsumaki looks kind of… weird. I don’t know if I would be friends with him.
NX: Man, look at all the recognition, Ryuu.
R: It’s okay. But Yoshimura, huh?
NX: Doesn’t she talk to you?
R: No. I try to talk to her but she doesn’t respond. It’s alright. But to essentially throw the entire board off balance on her second exam, it’s amazing.
Tg: Hey, break’s almost over. Get back to class.
I saw Taiga, my homeroom teacher, yell out in the hallway and I walked back to class. In addition to being the homeroom teacher for 2-1, he also coached several of the sports team Seiji was on. He waved for me to enter class and I nodded. As I returned to my seat, I saw Setsuhi reading a book in the left corner of the room. The window was open near her desk and a gentle breeze stared to blow in. I saw her look up at me. Her cold, piercing eyes stared at me and then she returned to the book in her hand. I leaned back on my chair a little and then wondered about Setsuhi’s stare. It seemed more violent than usual. As Taiga entered the classroom, I took out my notebook and started preparing for class. There would time to worry about it later.
Hako’s Viewpoint:
After lunch, I walked back to class and was stopped by a hallway monitor. He looked at me and then handed a school pass. I looked at it and then stared at the hallway monitor in confusion.
HM: I don’t know anything. Just told to give it to you.
H: Okay. Thanks.
Still confused, I stared down at the pass. It was a request from the student council but I didn’t know what they wanted with me. I had no association with them. I looked at the time on the pass and then checked my phone. It was an after school appointment so I decided to worry about it later.
I finally finished class for the day and then walked to the student council room. I stared at the door and then knocked. There was five seconds of silence and then the door slid open. An energetic girl with a wide smile greeted me and I saw another one with a stern expression on her face inside, sitting behind a mahogany desk.
?: Welcome to the student council. I’m Souhou Aiko. But I’d appreciate if you call me Aiko. My twin sister, Rin, is the serious one looking one sitting there. I’m gonna tell you a secret, she’s really mean.
RN: What are you confusing him for? Come in, Denshin Hako. I’ve been expecting you.
I stared at the twins and then walked in. Aiko pulled out a chair for me and then also poured a cup of tea for me as well. I looked around the student council room and then watched Rin prepare paperwork. Aiko stared at me with bubbliness and then started to talk.
AK: Hako, we’re here to recruit you today.
RN: Call him Denshin. It’s rude and too early for first names.
AK: Ah but it’s no fun if we call each other by last names. It’s too stiff and informal.
RN: Whatever you say, Aiko. But Denshin, like my sister said, we’re here to recruit you.
AK: Please join!
I looked at the twins and then considered the possibilities. Either I was being duped very hard or they were serious.
H: Sorry but could you ask me that again?
RN: We need you to join the student council, Denshin. This isn’t a request but a demand. Join or you will be subjected to severe punishment.
H: And what would that be?
RN: I know that you would not care for detention or suspension. So instead I’ll take away the classes you like. Your art expertise is impressive and I’ve spoke to the teachers about you. You can no longer have art in your life, Denshin. Nor can you use your computer.
H: My computer?
RN: I will place a restriction on your Internet for you and your roommate, Meshino. Meshino will suffer with you.
H: Threatening my roommate too? I don’t especially care but can you pull it off?
RN: I can. So make your decision, Denshin.
H: It seems like I have no choice but to join then.
RN: Good. I have the papers ready for you.
Rin slid a pile of papers over to me and I looked at the thickness. There were eleven pieces of paper in total and the words printed in the smallest font possible. I took off my glasses and rubbed my eyes, trying to read all of the fine print. I decided to ignore all the words and then took the pen that Aiko offered me. I signed on all of the lines and then returned it to Souhou Rin.
RN: I appreciate it. Now, Denshin, I will prepare an informational session for you about what you’ll do as a student council member.
H: Alright. Can I leave now?
RN: Yes. Come back in the morning.
H: How early are you thinking?
RN: 6:45.
H: Damn, that’s early.
RN: You signed the contract so you’re bound to the student council now.
H: Fine. I’ll be here by that time, then.
I walked out of the student council room, scared for my life. Rin’s glare sent shivers down my spine and I returned back to my dorm room. When I arrived back, it was 5:00 PM and Nex looked up from a sandwich he was eating.
NX: Hey, where have you been?
H: The student council room.
NX: What for?
H: I guess I’m a student council member now.
NX: Whoa, say that again.
H: I’m a student council member.
NX: But…
H: Man, I don’t even know myself. I was threatened by the president.
NX: The president? Uh, it was… Souhou?
H: Yeah. Souhou Rin. Her sister’s the vice president. They’re twins.
NX: Oh yeah. I guess they are.
H: Hey, Nex, wake me up at 6:00. I’ll get on the computer now.
NX: 6:00? That’s hella early.
H: Yeah. I have to be there by 6:45 AM.
NX: Damn. That sucks. I’ll try but you’re better off using your alarm.
H: Fine. Call me if you need anything.
NX: Got it.
I put on my headphones and started up my laptop. As the loading screen came on, I sighed and then started to type my password. It would be a long day tomorrow and I immersed myself in the computer until then.
Nex’s Viewpoint:
I heard the banging of the door early in the morning and then groggily rose up. Shuffling to the door in a confused and sleepy state, I looked through the peephole and saw no one. Ignoring the noise I heard before, I dropped back into my bed and closed my eyes. Five seconds later, I heard banging and then yelling outside the door. Yanking the door open, I looked around outside. I saw the head of the student council president and then stepped back in surprise. Her short height caused me to miss her when I looked through the peephole earlier.
NX: How can I help you?
RN: Wake Denshin up! He’s coming with me now.
I leaned against the frame of the door, still tired and irritated by the sudden wake up call. Looking at my wrist and finding it bare, I reached for the phone near the door and turned the screen on to check the time. It flashed 6:00 AM and I dropped to the floor in frustration.
RN: Please call your roommate out right now.
NX: I would if it wasn’t early. I thought it was 6:45?
RN: He has to be adaptable. Now call him out here.
NX: Fine. Wait.
I went over to Hako’s bed and shook him. He groaned in disagreement and as I shook his body again, his right hand flew up and slapped me. Fed up with Hako’s antics, I pulled the entire blanket off of him and then yelled.
NX: Get the damn hell out of bed!
Hako muttered some inaudible words and then his eyes slowly opened. He reached for his glasses on the table and I shoved it into his hands. Putting them on, he stared up at me with surprise.
H: Time already?
NX: No but Souhou-senpai’s here. Get changed and leave. Damn, I usually wake up at 6:30, this is ridiculous. Now I can’t go back to sleep.
H: Sorry but you can do that homework now, right?
NX: Guess you’re right. I’ll find Ryuu later in the lunchroom. He should be there.
RN: What’s going on in there? I’ve been waiting for five minutes! Get out already!
NX: See ya, Hako! Now go!
I pushed Hako out of the door as he threw on his suit and then dropped back into my bed. I sighed again and then started to change as well. I hoped that Ryuu would be there early enough to help me. Walking out of the room after taking a quick shower and brushing my hair, I headed towards the lunchroom. Inside, I saw Ryuu staring at the wall and as I approached, he turned his head up.
R: Morning, Nex.
NX: Yo. You’ve been here long?
R: Maybe ten minutes. I just finished reading for the homework I didn’t do.
NX: Good. Can you help me?
R: What is it?
NX: Math.
R: Let me see.
He took the piece of paper I handed him and then looked over it. He nodded and then taking a pen out of his right pocket, wrote on the sheet.
R: That should help.
I nodded and then followed the directions he wrote down. As I started to write, Ryuu sat there and looked up at the clock once in awhile. Few people come to the lunchroom this early in the morning so only the buzzing of the lights and the occasional cough filled the room. As the clock struck 7:30, I saw Nakadachi throw down his backpack on the table and stare at me.
ND: Sup.
NX: Hey.
Ryuu nodded his head and then stated flipping through the book he took out. Nakadachi took out the pile of homework assigned and started to fill it out. When the time reached 7:50, Nakadachi tapped all his papers together and then went to get breakfast.
NX: That bastard, how does he do it so fast?
R: Because he knows what he’s doing even if it doesn’t seem like it. You made a mistake on #9, it should be 4 not 5.
NX: Really?
I looked down and then re-did the calculations by hand. Nakadachi carry a piece of toast in his right hand glanced down at my paper.
ND: it’s 4. You got it wrong.
NX: I know, damn it. You’re right.
R: You probably just missed a sign somewhere.
ND: Or you’re just a dumbass.
I stared at Nakadachi with a glare and he shrugged his shoulders three times in an animated way. Eating his toast, he looked over at Ryuu and then looked at his binder.
R: You’re thinking of 210A? That was due yesterday, no that’s today.
ND: Alright. We don’t have math until later. I’ll do it during first period. The teacher wouldn’t mind.
NX: Lucky you, Nakadachi. Wish I could do that.
ND: Nah, I’m hella behind. I just need to finish this and I’ll be caught up.
R: You’ll finish it in time. Don’t worry.
ND: I’m not worried about it. It’s just annoying to do.
R: I’m going to go. See you later, Nakadachi.
ND: Yeah. See ya, dude.
I looked up at the clock and waited for the bastard to finish eating his breakfast. As the bell rang, Nakadachi and I walked to the second floor. I passed by Yoshimura Setsuhi and she didn’t even look at anyone. Her cold, piercing stare caused people to avoid looking or even try getting close to her. Nakadachi looked at her back and then turned to me.
ND: Our new #1, huh?
NX: She would be.
ND: Not really… let’s say… friendly.
NX: You could say the same for Ryuu.
ND: Maybe but at least people talk to Ryuu. I don’t think she has any friends. It’s kind of sad.
NX: You think so?
ND: Definitely.
NX: Guess you could try talking to her.
ND: That’s a good idea. I’ll try.
NX: Man, people will be placing so many bets if you did that.
ND: I’ll do it later then.
NX: Good luck, man.
Nakadachi and I walked into an upbeat classroom. We took our seats, conveniently next to each other, and then waited for our homeroom teacher to arrive. As we waited, I saw Hako running to his classroom and then the bell finally rang. Our teacher walked in with a briefcase and then wrote on the board.
HT: Pass homework up and we’ll begin homeroom. There are a few announcements so listen up.
I took out the homework and then as I passed it to the front, I saw the teacher looking at Nakadachi. Nakadachi flipped through layers of material in his binder and finally pulled out the homework.
HT: I’d appreciate if you were more organized, Tsugane.
ND: It’s organized. I just have a lot of stuff.
HT: Well you do your homework so I can’t complain. Meshino, take better care of your friend and maybe he’ll straighten up.
The class laughed and I sighed for the third time. Nakadachi smiled and then started taking out papers from his binder. He laid them on the desk and then tapped them all together. As our homeroom teacher started the announcements, Nakadachi started on homework from math class. Just another normal day with Nakadachi in class.
Hako’s Viewpoint:
Feeling exhausted, I dropped my head down on the desk and then fell asleep. I was forced to walk to the student council room early in the morning and then arrived at the room at 6:30 AM. From there, Aiko poured a hot cup of tea for me which woke me up. But Rin’s long, dragged out explanation caused me to feel drowsy. When the explanation finally ended, I had a stronger idea of what my role in the student council was.
HT: Denshin, wake up!
I arose with my eyes staring around. The homeroom teacher lightly tapped me with her book and I nodded as she lectured me. I yawned and then took out a notebook, pretending to be attentive. As soon as she turned her back, my head dropped down again and I returned to the world of dreams. I heard the dim ring of the bell and then pushed myself up.
H: Uh, what time is it?
M: It’s third period, Denshin. You’ve slept for two periods now.
H: Thanks, Oogane.
Oogane turned around and then returned to writing down notes. Oogane Mikoto, one of the richest and most influential students at the school because of her family. Besides the Souhou Crop which the twin’s parents ran, the Oogane Company was the second biggest and wealthiest around. Despite her status, Oogane was very pleasant mannered and treated her classmates with the utmost courtesy and kindness. She was the nicest person around. I stretched and then put on my glasses. It was literature, no, history now. The teacher looked at me and then wrote on the board. She turned to face the class and the proposed a question directed at me.
T: Do you need to go to the nurse’s office, Denshin? You seem sleepy.
H: No. I’ll be fine.
T: Really? What’s the capital of the island?
H: We have none. The authority of the island does not rest in one central location but spit.
T: Looks like you’re not completely out of it. Anyways, turn to page 52 and we’ll review…
As the teacher started lecturing, I pulled out the documents that Rin handed over to me. They were briefing reports on the school and she intended for me to create a computer network used to track all the data and make is easier for the student council to use. Looking at the information, it would take a few days before I could start working on the internal structure. It would be a lot of coding and other clean –up before I could get started. I head the tap of a cane and I looked over in the front. Kenshin was tapping her cane as usual to enhance her experience in the classroom. Blind when she arrived at Mantan High, she showed special promise and was allowed to participate in classes with everyone else. She was every smart and held an exam score in the top ten. She studied as hard as anyone else who had their eyesight. The tapping became a normal day occurrence after nearly half a year of school in the same class. When the lunch bell rang, I picked up the textbook and then shoved it into my bag. Once again, I would have to go to the student council room and see Souhou-senpai. Aiko was not too bad because of her fun personality but Rin was a different story. Like Nex, I sighed and then walked to the student council room.
Lantern Dragon Works 