Ryuu’s Viewpoint:
At lunchtime, I took out my lunch and Seiji helped me push the tables together for our usual lunch meetings. Nakadachi and then Itsuki arrived. Nex came in last, carrying a school lunch. Taiga nodded to Seiji as he lfet and then shut the door behind him.
R: Where’s Hako?
NX: He usually doesn’t come anyways. But I think he was student council work.
R: Oh really? That’s good for him, getting involved. The Souhou twins are ruthless when it comes to orders but Rin is really the one who pushes the hardest. Aiko is okay.
NX: Have you met them before?
R: Oh yeah. Itsuki and I met them the first day we arrived at the school. We were first years and didn’t know the island or school that well but the Souhou twins met us and helped out.
ND: I never knew.
NX: Wait, how come I didn’t get that kind of help?
R: You had Oogane help you though, right?
NX: Well, I guess. She’s pretty nice.
R: She is a very nice person but maybe Seiji here would know more about that.
SJ: Leave me out of this. I have to go out to the field and practice soon.
R: Alright, if the most popular boy in our second year won’t tell me, then I guess his long time and best friend, Tsugane Nakadachi, will.
ND: I’m not saying anything until I get paid.
R: Done. My lunch for a week.
ND: Starting to sound tempting but still missing something.
NX: Alright. I’ll put in five pushups. I’ll dot them properly and you can even film me!
ND: Alright. Starting to sound good.
SJ: Damn it, guys, I’ll just tell you.
All: Yeah!
SJ: Mikoto is a good person. She’s the manager of several sports teams which I happen to be on. While she’s nice on the outside, she can be pretty mean at practice. She pushes everyone and makes them work past their potential.
R: Really? Is there more to it?
SJ: I think I have to go now.
R: Ah, the fun was about to start right, Nex?
NX: C’mon, Seiji.
SJ: No, I have to go now. I’ll see you all later.
Seiji picked up his sports bag and then threw it over his left shoulder. Walking to the front of the classroom, he opened the door and then waved good bye to us. As the door shut behind him, I smiled and then resumed eating my lunch.
ND: So, I saw Yoshimura this morning. Man, she’s really scary.
R: Setsuhi, huh?
ND: Wait, you know her on first name basis?
R: Well, I’ve called her that several times but she doesn’t react. It’s hard to know if she hates it or wants to kill me. However, those two actions are probably linked together.
ND: That’s your own fault.
NX: It’s amazing she’s number one. I mean ever since our first year, it’s either been Seiji, you, or Ryuu.
ND: Correction. I have been the best.
NX: Shut up. Anyways, you still want to do it?
R: What’s this?
I: I’m interested too. It sounds fun.
NX: Well, Nakadachi and I were talking about Yoshimura earlier this morning. Nakadachi was thinking about talking to her.
R: Oh, is that it?
NX: What do you mean? Seems to me that takes balls.
R: It’s not that hard. It’s just that she never responds back.
ND: I’ll still do it.
R: I don’t know where she is during lunch. Hey, Moto, do you know where Yoshimura Is during lunch?
Std A: Nah. Man, I would think she feasts on the blood of the weak and spirited the way she is. “Ice Queen” is the new name for her now. Scares the shit out of me when I see her in the hallway and in class.
Std B: I’ve heard that Yoshimura likes to go up to the rooftop. It’s chilly so you’ll have to be careful. Tatsumaki, go for it!
R: What? No, I’m not doing something like that. This idiot wants to try talking to the “Ice Queen”.
Std A: Man, oh man, I would piss my pants before I’d even look her in the face. So, good luck, I’m sure you’ll need it.
Packing up the remaining lunch left on the desk, I shoved it underneath my desk and then ran to catch up to the others. Nakadachi walked with a firm step towards the uppermost floor, confidence on his face. Nex, Itsuki, and I followed behind him, eager to watch how things would progress. When we reached the last door before the rooftop, Nakadachi gave me a thumbs up and then yanked the door open. The autumn wind blew past us and our hair rustled in the breeze. Near the fence, I saw a girl sitting alone and reading a book. Even as the wind blew, she held her book with one hand and continued to read. Nakadachi looked over at me and then we all gathered in a circle.
ND: She’s doesn’t seem so scary when she’s reading like that.
R: I don’t know. She does that in the classroom and I still feel scared sometimes.
ND: I’ll prove you wrong, Ryuu.
R: Go for it.
Nakadachi walked up to Setsuhi and then started to talk. Without even glancing up, she continued to read without taking notice of Nakadachi. Nakadachi moved his arms around but because of the wind, we couldn’t hear any of his words. He walked back and forth but Setsuhi still refused to acknowledge his presence. I looked up and saw a section of the fence starting to swing sporadically. I ran towards the two and shouted.
R: Get away! The fence is going to collapse.
Nakadachi saw the fence starting to fall and then tumbled away, uninjured. Setsuhi finally looked up and stared at me. Deciding to risk it, I knocked Setsuhi away from the falling fence with a light tackle and then watched as the fence tumbled down with a loud clang. I released Setsuhi and she glared at me.
S2: Tell your friend to be quiet. I have no need of your heroism.
She, however, looked back at the fence and then at me. Without saying anything else, she walked downstairs and left the four of us speechless.
R: Nakadachi, you good?
ND: I’m fine. Damn, what was that?
R: I don’t know. But this fence looks tampered with. Better report it to the school.
I heard footsteps and then saw Hako come up. He wore a yellow armband, designated only to those in the student council, and then looked at us.
H: The hell?
R: Hey, Hako. Good timing, the fence fell down so I’d hope you could tell the Souhou twins.
H: I can see that but what happened?
R: Report it as an accident but I don’t think it is.
H: Any evidence?
R: The edges at the bottom of the fence are split and have signs of cutting.
H: Fair enough. Guess you should all go back down in case anything else happens.
R: Thanks, Hako. I’ll see you later.
H: Yeah.
We all returned to the classroom and looked at each other. Setsuhi sat in her usual seat, in the back corner and only glanced up once when we walked in. She looked at me and then returned to her book.
NX: That was scary.
ND: Yeah. Thanks, Ryuu.
R: You were lucky I saw it in time. This is weird. I can’t help but think that something’s off about this entire thing.
ND: You think so?
I: I’d agree with Ryuu. Something’s weird.
ND: Well, lunch is almost over, can’t really do anything else but keep talking about it.
NX: What were you thinking, Ryuu?
R: I don’t know. Maybe I’m just being too self-conscious.
ND: Maybe, dude, maybe. Nex and I’ll see you later. We’re going to class now.
R: Alright, see you guys.
I: You think it was something related to “them”?
R: Maybe. The uprisings in China are happening more and more in secret. It just might be “them”. We might need to talk to Old Stone.
I: I’ll try talking to him later. Can’t say for sure. You know how he is.
R: Thanks, Itsuki. I’ll see you back in the room later.
The fence incident continued to stick in my head but I chose to think about it later. For now, I had other things to worry about.
Old Stone’s Viewpoint:
After finishing teaching class, I headed back to the staff room. Before I returned, I took a detour and stepped outside, looking up at the trees in the courtyard. I lit a cigarette and then started puffing on it, watching students scramble in the hallways and others leave. They stared at me in surprise and then walked away quickly, trying to distance themselves. I looked down at my rumpled suit and cleared some of the creases but gave up. I ended my quick smoke break in five minutes and then stuck the cigarette back into my metal case. As I walked back indoors, I saw Ryuu standing near the gate looking up at the rooftop. Following his gaze upwards, I looked up and saw a chunk of the fence missing. When I looked back down, Ryuu vanished and I saw Itsuki walking towards me.
I: I’ve been looking for you.
OS: What for, kid?
I: About stuff.
OS: It involve that fence up there?
I: It could.
OS: Alright. We’ll talk in the staff office.
I: Is it safe?
OS: Sure. No one likes to come by my desk anyway. Taiga is the only one who’s nice.
I: What’d you do to make everyone angry at you?
OS: Nothing. I guess it’s my smoking habit.
I: Maybe.
We walked into the staff room and there was only one teacher at work behind his desk. I offered him a greeting but he looked away. I shrugged my shoulders and then poured a cup of tea from my thermos.
OS: So, what’s going on?
I: Ryuu thinks someone cut the fence.
OS: For what?
I: To kill him or at least injure him.
OS: interesting theory but do you have any evidence?
I: No. But that Yoshimura…
OS: Stop there. New Liberation has already told you to live normal high school lives in the foreground.
I: know but if Ryuu’s safety is-
OS: I know how you feel about anything bad. But I think it’ll be fine. Yoshimura looks cold but I’m sure she’ll thaw.
I: Do we have a meeting this month?
OS: No. It should be fine. Just live your lives. Be the one thing you can when you’re still young or you’ll end up like me.
I: Is that so bad, Old Stone?
OS: It is. Now go home already. Your grades are lower than they should be. That was a terrible essay you turned in.
I: you know that’s not one of my strong points, Old Stone.
OS: Well, fix it or you’ll take remedial classes with me. Sound fun?
I: Hell no! I’ll ask Ryuu for help.
OS: As long as your writing doesn’t suck.
I watched Itsuki leave the staff room and I continued to sip the tea I poured. The other teacher looked at me with pity and I glared back at him. Pouring more tea from the thermos, I watched the steam waft up. If those kids could perform like I thought they could, maybe what I did twenty five years ago would be fixed. But I realized that kind of thinking was foolish. I stretched and then took out a pile of papers to grade.
Itsuki’s Viewpoint:
Returning to the room, I saw no one and assumed Ryuu went to his “part-time” job. Placing my pack down, I felt lazy and turned the TV on. Booting up the computer, I started to prepare for catching up on anime when there was a knock on the door. I opened the door to see Shitagou.
I: Hey, Shitagou, what’s going on? Need help?
SG: No, I just came to visit. Seiji isn’t here so I thought I’d stop by.
I: Go ahead. I’ll make some tea.
Shitagou sat down and I placed the leaves into the kettle. As I watched the water boil, I looked over at Shitagou. Kenshin Shitagou. One of my and Ryuu’s friends from our days in China. She was intelligent and skilled in combat. Two years ago, an accident took away her eyesight and now she was blind. Her vision was reduced down to almost complete darkness although she could still see dim shapes. However, she learned how to “see” again with her echolocation skills and other techniques.
SG: Where’s Ryuu?
I: You noticed already?
SG: Of course. He would be the first to greet me if I came in. He’s not that bad mannered.
I: You’re right. He’s off at work.
SG: At the mall?
I: Yes. The place on the third floor.
SG: I’ve never been there so I wouldn’t know.
I: It’s hard even with your cane, right? I mean, you don’t know the layout of the place.
SG: I could but I’d rather stay around here. It’s hard to know what would happen if I ventured off somewhere else.
I: I would trust your judgment on that.
SG: Have you seen Konomu?
I: Konomu? Ryuu would see her more than I do.
SG: Ah, you’re right. Sorry. I should do homework right now.
I: Do you want me to help you get it?
SG: No. I’ll be fine. Actually, could you get my pencil from the third pouch on the bottom right?
I: Of course.
I poured the tea into the cup and then handed Shitagou her pencil. She started writing without pausing and I walked to the window, looking outside. The leaves were starting to fall and the weather turning colder. I closed the window and then sat back down again.
SG: The tea is good.
I: From Ryuu’s personal collection.
SG: Of course. When I was roommates with him, he would make this type of tea.
I: Yeah. I’ve known for so long that I’ve gotten used to it by now. His tea is always good.
SG: Yeah, you guys have been friends since…
I: Fourth grade.
SG: That’s a long time. Don’t mind me. I’ll just finish my homework and then leave.
I: No, it’s fine. I was planning to watch anime anyways. I have someone to talk to now.
I watched Shitagou continue writing and I decided to pull out my own homework. As I stated to read the assigned sections, I heard the tick of the clock and continued on. In the span of two hours, I finished the reading assignment and the rest of the other homework I had. When the clock struck five, I put away all my books and papers, ready for a break. Shitagou had her head on the table and I watched her sleep. Deciding to not wake her up I quickly up away the cups and moved the kettle back to its original location. When I returned to the table, I watched Shitagou continue to sleep, her hair draped across the table. I looked up at the clock and then there was the sound of a door knock. Shitagou rose up, her eyes still closed.
I: Good morning.
SG: Oh, how long was I asleep?
I: I don’t know. I only noticed when I finished my homework.
SG: Someone’s at the door.
I nodded but I heard the lock turn and Ryuu walked in. He had a small bandage on the right side of his face and his right hand’s fingers were bandaged up. Shitagou looked in the direction of Ryuu and greeted him.
SG: Ryuu?
R: Oh, Shitagou, you’re here. How are you?
SG: Not as bad as you. Your breathing is pretty rugged. Were you in a fight?
R: Of course you would know. Your senses have always been top notch.
SG: I was right, then?
R: Partly. I did get into a little fight. It’s nothing.
SG: Well, I won’t say anything but be careful. Konomu would probably yell at you.
R: You’re right. It’s true.
SG: Itsuki, look after him. I’ll leave now.
R: See you, Shitagou. Itsuki, have you started preparations yet?
I: Almost. You can go in and finish the rest of it.
I accompanied Shitagou back to her room and then returned. I heard the noise of the television and I saw Ryuu mixing eggs together in a bowl. He was watching the nightly news and looked at the headlines concerning China.
I: Concerned about Shangsi?
R: A little.
I: Remember what Old Stone said.
R: It doesn’t change the fact that it’s still as bad as ever.
I: I know. But we have to wait.
I went to the fridge and started heating up the leftovers from yesterday. Ryuu finished mixing the eggs and then poured it over the noodles in the frying pan. He took out a spatula and stated tossing them up in the pan. I took the soup out of the microwave and placed in onto the dining table. Ryuu finished the noodles and then with smoke still steaming up, placed them on the table as well.
R: Alright. Let’s eat.
I: Sounds good.
As we grabbed the bowls and the chopsticks, I heard a knock. I placed the sausage from yesterday onto the table and then went to open the door. I saw a girl outside with a bag in her hand.
I: Konomu, welcome. Here to join us today?
K: Yeah. I brought seafood.
I: Oh really? Sounds good. Bring it over to the table.
Konomu took a seat and then placed the dish she cooked on the table. It was a beautiful dish consisting of shrimp seasoned with garlic. Hisoyaka Konomu. Like Shitagou, Ryuu and I knew her from China. However, Ryuu knew Konomu better than I did because she had been Ryuu’s classmate for the entire duration of middle school in China. Ryuu walked in from the bathroom and then saw Konomu.
R: Hey, Konomu. Going to join us today?
K: Of course. How long have you known me now?
R: True. That looks nice. Did you make it?
K: Yes. I learned from my cousin.
R: Your cousin? The one with the…
K: Yes, that one. Damn it, Ryuu, why are you so mean?
R: I wasn’t trying to be. It just happened that she beat me up that one day.
K: Okay. I admit that wasn’t your fault. But still…
I: Could we eat now? I think everyone’s hungry.
R: Good idea. The spices are over there if you need them.
K: Thanks. I need some of the oyster sauce.
As we ate, Konomu asked about the situation in China. She nodded and then continued to stare up at the TV which was broadcasting international news. All of us were concerned with the situation in China but now that we were out on the islands, it was hard for us to respond. Still, we watched the news in hopes that there would be a change.
K: I’m surprised the student council hasn’t shut you down yet.
R: They won’t.
I: You mean for cooking, no, they won’t do it.
K: How can you be so sure?
R: I have an agreement with the Souhou twins. Besides, it’s not like Itsuki and I have ever burned down the building because of our cooking.
I: We’re careful. Don’t worry.
R: It’s why Itsuki and I requested this room because of its ventilation.
K: Oh, I see. Hey, Ryuu, be sure to talk to Old Stone every so often. He gets lonely, you know?
R: Are you kidding me?
K: A little bit but you should talk to him more.
R: Alright, fine, Konomu.
K: It’s about time I do my homework. I’ll come back tomorrow to pick up my dish.
R: Alright. See you, Konomu.
K: See you in class tomorrow, Itsuki. You could bring the dish if you want in class.
I: Got it.
Konomu left and I stated to pick up the dishes. Ryuu went to his desk and started his homework. He gritted his teeth as he wrote with his injured hand but continued on. I finished washing the dishes and then sat down, watching Ryuu continue his struggle.
I: Are you okay?
R: I’ll be fine. I just got into a little scrape I should have avoided.
I: Be careful. I’ll be over here if you need anything.
R: Thanks.
Finally finished with everything I needed to, I stated up the episode of the anime I originally planned to watch when I first returned home. As I put my headphones on and moved the mouse, I saw Ryuu drop his pencil and pick it back up. He shook his head at me and then went back to writing. I shrugged my shoulders and then watched the anime. It was a normal day for me, eating dinner with Ryuu and other occasional guests. The only exception was that I had actually finished my homework. Guess I would need to thank Shitagou sometime in the future.
Lantern Dragon Works 