Okay, so part 2/4 of the first chapter is here. There isn't any real action here, but you will be introduced to a few inportant characters here (no, not the sexy teacher; I doubt she'll make any more appearance in the future).
While we're on topic, I shall also attach a few note as a translator (well I'm writing it...).
Translator's Note#1: In an American education system, high school grades consist of year 9 through 12, each being Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, and Senior. In Japanese high schools, however, the grades consist of students of year 10 through 12. To comply with this, I chose to call the grade 10 students as the Freshmen, as opposed to what they would be the Sophomores in the USA. So in this translation, at least, grade 10 (the first year of high school) will be called Freshman. Grades 11 and 12 will remain as Junior and Senior.
More notes will come on the bottom of the post.======================================================================
------The ring of the bell.
3:15 PM. The students have just heard the gospel that told the end of the day. The entire class became lively even before the teacher left, and some of the kids started packing up already. Luckily for them, Katagiri is a flexible person who doesn't mind a few guys going AWOL, as long as they're informed of any important news during homeroom.
And now homeroom is over, it's time for us to go home. Let's see, I might stop by somewhere before I go home ------ before I could make any plans, four familiar faces stormed into my vision through the door.
"Shinobu, we're gonna have some fun on the way home!"
"Geez, slow down, girl."
I don't know how in the world they were able to ditch homeroom so fast, but Kaoru and the gang from the B class came ambushing me. Except, they didn't scare anyone from my class, because they do this often now that everyone knows who the regular visitors are.
"Whatever, I guess. Were you making any plans?"
"Mm, let me see," Kaoru answers. "I really don't, but how about stopping by Handies?"
"Seconded-."
"And thirded."
Kanna and Akira respond to the suggestion without a delay.
"So we're going to Naka-Meguro...... Yeah, I'm on it. How's Orie?"
"Oh, she just e-mailed me now," said Kanna, with her eyes on the cell phone. "She says she wants to go to Handies, too."
"OK, that's good," Kaoru wrapped up. "Let's get Orie and be on our way."
"Sure, I've got work today, so let's hurry up and eat the goodies."
Today's Thursday, and Thursday means part-time job. If I'm going to get something to eat on my way there, I'd better do it quick.
"Hey, you're not being a good friend here, Shinobu. You don't go out with us too often, so whenever you do, you should go mess around with us until past curfew."
"Look, my job is not a child's play, so it ain't gonna work that way. And I know exactly what happens when I let you guys mess around past curfew."
I said, shaking off Akira's hug. I've never not have had to make an apology whenever these children stays in the same cafeteria for longer than two hours. This one time, Akira tried to host a Shogi tournament inside a restaurant. There must have been a miracle that missed my attention, because without it there's no way any of us managed to not get ourselves banned.
"Having a good time babysitting four kids, Fujisawa-kun?"
"I'm having fun watching you guys, but I'll never be on your spot. Not going to make my life any shorter."
Coming behind me were two sarcastic voices. I could tell it was Sanjo and Isaka even if I were blindfolded. No one else would mess with me about my special friends.
"Your words are noble, but you actions aren't so noble," Sanjo continued, her tone apparently enjoying this. "Like that yakisoba incident earlier today. I thought you were going to stop them, but instead you gave them spare gas cylinders. Do you really qualify as a guardian, Fujisawa-kun?"
"You know very well even I can't stop them. All I can do now is preventing the trouble from growing any bigger."
If I didn't have those gas cylinders ready, I should expect an open fire inside a classroom...... And I'm just a big brother, not a guardian for crying out loud. I can't look after those guys 24/7. Even without so, they're causing more and more troubles lately.
"...... Is it just me," Kaoru interrupted. "Or are you guys insulting me? Don't you think that's very impolite?"
"Yes, to both questions, it's not just you. Now let's get our asses off to 1-A and pick up Orie, shall we? Talk to you later, Isaka, Sanjo."
"Heeey! Aren't you supposed to be on our side and say no?!"
Now that, ma'am, is a no.
I dragged the three, still whining and making faces to Sanjo, out to the hallway, when suddenly someone grabbed my arm.
"Fujisawa-kun, you have just been captured by me~."
A plain, but strangely aphrodisiac voice pulled me away from 1-A, my destination. That doesn't mean to say that I was seduced by the attractive voice. I was physically being pulled by the arm, in a strong force comparable to gravitational pull.
That someone can't be any other but Miss Kajiwara.
"Hey sensei," I protested. "What's with this 'I captured you~' crap? I have a place to go, so I don't like how you randomly abduct a student like this. Please, let me be."
"I'm terribly sorry, but that's a no-no~. Mr. Saionji has asked me to take you to his office, Fujisawa-kun~. If I let you escape, then I'll be in a big trouble~. Oh, I'm afraid to imagine what indecent punishment await me~."
"I also don't like how you make inappropriate comments like that."
......Though seriously, I didn't see this coming. Saionji wants to talk to me? I don't recollect making any kinds of trouble lately. Well, it's Kaoru and the gang who's causing more than enough troubles, but why is it that
I'm getting busted? ......Or is he one of the many who see me as their guardian angel?
Oh, yeah, Kaoru. I have no clue what's going on, but it looks like there's no way out of this situation. I should talk to them first.
"Sorry guys, but you gotta go without me. I'll catch up on you later if I don't get in trouble."
"What if you do get in trouble?"
"Before anything, I'll kick your asses."
I left the scene - well, I was forced to leave the scene - thinking: It should be legal to dissolve my frustration in a rather violent mean, I'm sick and tired of babysitting.
"Shall we hurry~? Or else, I will be meeting yet another stranger later tonight~. Oh, his hand will crawl all over my body, his organ will penetrate deep inside me, his honey of pleasure will be poured on me, but no matter how much I cry in pain and fear, no one will come help me------"
"Will you PLEASE cut that crap out, for crying out loud!!!"
What a disgusting character she is, despite just popping out of nowhere. I won't go into detail about what she just said. A few male students around me gave me a stare - a stare that could kill.
Eventually we had arrived at our new destination. The principal's office, that is. Apparently this is not my first time in here, but I'm sure no student on Earth likes the sound of the word "principal's office". It was unlike of me to be a bit nervous.
Miss Kajiwara showed me the way, and I knock on the door.
"Pardon me."
"Yes. Come in."
The door opened and Saionji, expecting my arrival, motioned me to come inside. This Saionji guy is our principal. Normally when you see a principal, you would think of a blockheaded geezer who can only do his job by the textbook, but Saionji is a relatively friendly guy, and he remembers the names of every student he has seen, thanks to the tiny school campus. In addition, unlike indulgent Katagiri, he can be stern when necessary, gaining himself popularity among students. We just call him "Saionji", without the "Mr.", a special expression of our respect for him.
"I shall go now~. Have a nice and pleasurable time~."
Miss Kajiwara left the scene with a bewitching grin, and I shooed her away from behind. She sure likes leaving unusual comments. Granted she's beautiful and has big breasts, the guys' wildest living fantasy at school, but I would refrain from ever talking to someone whose entire body is made of sex appeal.
"I have been expecting you Fujisawa-kun. Here, take a seat."
I sit on the couch as told by Saionji. On the other couch against a table was a stranger, probably a guest. He was a young man, aged about late 20's to early 30's, and donned a formal suit, but his casual haircut wiped away the stiff image. I bowed my head, and he bowed back with a grin.
"So, as you may already know, this here is Shinobu Fujisawa. Fujisawa-kun, this is Mr. Takadera from Tanibana High School, supervisor of the soccer club."
Saionji spoke as he sat on the couch on my side. Indeed his facial features associated with a muscular body, and his posture looked like that of an athlete. Being relatively young as a high school teacher, he seems to be a friendly type.
But reflectively, I hated the man right away. The grin on his face lacked confidence an athlete would have; instead it was the expression of flattery, like as if he was spying on me or something. It was getting on my nerves. He was comparable to a flesh-eating hyena or a scavenging rat. Granted I may be just paranoid for all these assumptions, but I rely on a person's first impression to decide whether or not I like him. It depends on how long I've known one, but it's really hard to change the image once it's been adopted in my mind. As a matter of fact, this judging has never failed me. It's nothing to brag about, but this was one of the survival skills I learned amidst severe reality.
Takadera asked for a hand shake, acting like we were buddies, but I spoke to Saionji without looking at his direction.
"So, what did you want me for? Does Mr. Takadera or whatever have any business with me?"
"Now now, Fujisawa-kun......"
Before Saionji could reprove my attitude, Takadera laughed bitterly and scratched his head to lessen the tension.
"My, that was a rough greeting...... That's right, I asked Mr. Saionji to call you because I have some business with you."
"So he does. Now, since we have him as our guest today, I will be most grateful if Fujisawa-kun would have a little chat with Mr. Takadera? It's fine if you don't want to, but I'd rather you risk yourself for a minute and listen to his stories."
"My my, Mr. Saionji, I won't do anything that will be risky. Yeah, so now we've got an agreement, nice to meet you, Fujisawa-kun."
Takadera laughed. It irritated me how he called my name without much consideration. I didn't want to have a word with this bastard, but I sensed a dim hesitation in Saionji's words, which suggested that he too doesn't have a good impression toward this visitor. That also means I have no right to decline the request.
"......Go on."
I said concisely, to which Takadera, with a serious glare into my eyes while maintaining his grin, jumped straight to the point.
"I don't like going here and there when I talk, so I will be quick about this...... Are you interested in coming to Tanibana High?"
"......What do you mean?"
Facing an unexpected proposal I frowned, but Takadera went on without blinking.
"Yes, I understand I brought it up too abruptly, so I'm not asking you to decide on the answer right now. But trust me, this offer will not let you down.
Like Mr. Saionji said earlier, I'm the supervisor of the soccer club at Tanibana High. I'm not trying to spread the word of publicity, but you may have heard that our school has a reputation as a veteran in the high school soccer league. We're a regular at the national championship, and we've won more than ten trophies. We're also home to many of the professional players; talk of Tanibana, think of soccer. And I, as the supervisor of the glorious soccer team, am willing to dedicate my life to recruit and train the most talented players."
"Hold on a second."
I interrupted, disgusted with the lengthy boastful talk. I expected a scolding from some trouble I got in; why is it that I'm here being lectured about this soccer team I've only heard of? And besides.
"Are you trying to recruit me for Tanibana's soccer club? I hate to say this, but you've got the completely wrong guy. I'm aware I can play just as well as an average player, but I'm not in a soccer club, and frankly I'm not that interested in soccer."
I shot out impolitely and tried to leave, but Takadera held me back.
"Well, there's no surprise you would think that way. Right now you are, to be blunt, desperately inadequate to play in a national tournament. That is, unless you join us and receive proper training. You'll never know how things will turn about two years from now, hmm?
Back to my story, Tanibana is now facing a big opportunity we'll probably never be in again. Our Seniors are at their best, perhaps even highest of the level in the history of Tanibana; they're currently the in the second year as the defending champions of the nationals. And the Juniors experienced victory with the Seniors last year. There can be no better member we have this year to aim for the third consecutive victory. That's why missing this opportunity is absolutely not an option.
One of the weakness in my team right now is Freshman hopefuls. Surely the Seniors and the Juniors are the main players of the national tournaments, but it never hurts to keep a few versatile Freshmen as a backup. Of course, I'm looking not only into just the championship this year, but also into their future career. Moreover, because only for a mere three years you can keep your members in a high school soccer club, a fresh blood in the stream is just as important as the teamwork between the long-time partners. I want to avoid relying on the same roster, as eventually they will graduate, and the newer Seniors will lack appetite for new strategies."
"So you've been making rounds between schools. I'm impressed."
"That is correct. You're a quick thinker. A hopeful candidate, even without satisfactory experience in soccer."
------What the hell is this guy? Why tell a bratty kid like me a compliment when you're a high school teacher, even if I was from another school? National soccer championship or whatever wasn't my problem, but I couldn't tell if a loser with this flattery behavior could be a supervisor of such a marvelous soccer team. In any case, I have no intention to obey him whatsoever.
"Slow down, please. I haven't gotten to the point yet......Our school has a soccer club, and there're many guys outside the club who enjoy playing soccer. Why me, out of all the people?"
Akira must be a fan of soccer, too. Of course, that doesn't mean I'm going to recommend Akira to go with him.
"Yes, that's a good question. Granted I will find hundreds of better players to recruit if I'm just looking into the upcoming championship. But remember, I also have to maintain the team after we've accomplished triple successive victories. This isn't just about looking for a good soccer player.
To state my point, I'm avoiding recruits from the soccer clubs of other high schools. That is because doing so is a bit too risky if you know what I mean. Apparently Tanibana isn't the only school whose goal is to participate in the national tournament. It is nothing but a pain to persuade a team member who is working hard to play in the nationals. If you'd put yourself in the shoes of the member, transferring to a different school means parting with your good friends whom your practiced with together, and adopting to a whole new environment; that will force a greater mental stress than you would imagine. It isn't as hard to imagine that no students will agree to transfer given the circumstances, is it? Of course, every now and then there would be few students who will accept the offer, thinking Tanibana is the perfect place to play in the nationals. But our team has no place for those who are overly hungry for fame. Perhaps such determination to trade his old school for a ticket to the nationals may be worth admiring, but I just cannot trust a player like that. Wouldn't it be a mistake to expect someone to betray his old school to work as a team at the new club? Anyways, you should now understand that recruiting a player who's already in the team at his school is a serious disadvantage to our team members, and the team itself.
Now, why I don't look for the soccer fans...... again, my main point is, I just can't find any hopeful players, that's why. It's great those kids like soccer, but if that's the only dedication they have for soccer, they can just have fun kicking balls around among friends. What Tanibana needs is a gifted soccer player who brings victory. And yet many of such players end up drifting away, not finding soccer as their future career. That is a wasteful loss. They must be trained and consulted in the rightful hands.
------Fujisawa-kun. You are, among all the candidates I can find now, the best man that fulfills every requirement. Now that I've seen you in person, I am convinced ------ I want to discover your hidden talent."
Ha, talk like I were a fossil or something. He must be overexcited from all the speech. I have nothing against hot-blooded characters, but I hated the way he verbalized random junk from on top of his head to talk me out of it. That may actually work on someone who's easily convinced, but give me a break. I'd rather marry that Neanderthal Shiratori than make this bastard my new boss...... actually, I'd hate it either ways. If Shiratori breaks into the scene yelling, "FUJISAWA-KUN!! MARRY ME WILL YA DAMMIT!!", I swear I'm gonna beat down everyone in the room and bail out the window...... Um, that'll never ever happen, calm down Shinobu.
"-----I see. You're trying to tell me that I'm a newbie and I can't possibly be traitorous, so I'll be your perfect pawn."
"Hahaha...... My, just like I've heard, you really are a difficult one, Fujisawa-kun. You need not be so modest."
------Bullshit.
I was about to audibly swear. I'm not being modest, I'm being
sarcastic, to you. And I thought you didn't like going here and there when you're talking.
"Well, I can only assume that's what you're saying so far. Saying I'm not a member of the soccer team, nor a fan of soccer, doesn't explain why you chose me."
"......"
------? Just for a split second, I saw an agitation in Takadera's eyes. It might have been an expression of negativity toward me, but it was too weak to call it hostility. Rather, it was more accurate to say that he was slightly panicking because my response was unexpected. But that was, literally, only a split second; instantly he went back to his usual grin.
"......Aah, that's right. I guess there's no option --- or any reason, for that matter --- to keep that a secret. To tell the truth, my boys saw you."
"Your boys?"
"Yeah. According to my team members, you are very agile, and your kicks are powerful. See, I admire that kick of yours."
......Something isn't right about this. I have no clue when anyone saw me, but why would a coach of a champion school come all the way to recruit me, just because one of his guys saw how powerful I kick? Agility may count, but it seems unlikely that a powerful kick has any correlation with the talent in soccer. If I were a coach, I'd only use a guy like that as my kamikaze forward player.
------However, there's one thing I just remembered.
A few days ago, those six roughnecks had me surrounded to start a fight, and they said they were from Tanibana High. Talk of Tanibana around here, think not of soccer, but of hoodlums. That wasn't exactly the first time those guys from Tanibana came around messing with me. Ever since I was a Senior at junior high, they kept an eye on me and occasionally picked up a fight.
By Takadera's boys, does he really mean someone from that six kids I beat up the other day?
Even if that's the case, is finding out about how powerful I can kick from getting in a fight a good enough reason to recruit me to his soccer team? Moreover, if your team members get his nuts ruined by a kid from another school, wouldn't you be
hostile toward him? Why would you try to get someone who'd beat up your students to be on your side? Things just didn't add up.
......In whatever case. This definitely doesn't sound like an offer I should accept.
"So, how do you like it? I'm determined now that I see you with my eyes. Your muscle silhouette, your walking posture, your eyes, all of them make my instinct tell me one thing. I want you, at Tanibana."
Ewwww!! What, he "wants me"? Am I hearing a wedding proposal or what?! No, this is not good, it's plain dangerous in a lot of ways. I must first calm down and act logically.
"I don't know. I can only say, I can't give an answer at this point."
"It shouldn't be a bad opportunity for you...... Well, I wasn't expecting to hear your answer today, so I guess I'll sit patiently about this one. All right, let's talk about this in more details the next time we meet. I must go now."
Takadera then stood up, said a word of thanks to Saionji, and left the principal's office. Just before he was gone, he smiled at me. In the eyes on his smile was the same agitation I saw earlier. Maybe he's learned he shouldn't be playing games with me. He looked like an easygoing man on the outside, but his attitude was sentient and careful. He probably already knows that I sensed something that's not right about the offer. Whatever it is, I shouldn't be playing games with him either.
"......Okay, so I'm going home too. Good bye."
"Aha, just a minute, Fujisawa-kun."
After a short pause so I won't run into Takadera I tried to leave, but Saionji drew me back. What, is there anything more he wants with me?
"Since you're here with me today, I'd thought I would talk to you about Mizuchi-san a bit."
Argh, here it comes! So this meeting was also a scoldin' time...... For your information, Mizuchi is Kaoru's family name, nicknamed "Water Hammer"
(*2) after her radical actions, as in "the girl who inflicts impact comparable to raging water current". In other words, Saionji and the school board is aware of Kaoru's chaotic doings. In addition they're also aware of the connection between Kaoru, the gang, and me.
"......I wanted to talk to you about the incident during lunchtime. You're a smart one, you know exactly what I mean."
"......Yes, sir."
"I have been debriefed from the other teachers, and I am well aware that you're not responsible for starting the fire, Fujisawa-kun. However, I believe it was your duty, as a role model, to prevent a dangerous event like that from happening."
A role model. That sounds like something I'd never be, but Saionji is right and I have no place to retaliate.
"I also understand that it would be difficult to stop Mizuchi-san from going...... ehh, berserk. I don't expect you to guarantee there will be absolutely no problem regarding Mizuchi-san's actions. Even so, I cannot help feeling doubtful against you, Fujisawa-kun, for you were also among the yakisoba hotplate party, which is not what I would approve. You should know very well how dangerous it is to start a fire inside a classroom."
"......I'm sorry."
The part where he said he can't approve Kaoru's action stirred a weak rebellious thought in me, but he wasn't saying anything outrageous so I stayed shut. But still, I'm now sick of getting busted for all the mess Kaoru made. Honestly, I wanted to be left alone. Had they broken the school rules or not, I couldn't stand words that criticized their actions, for I am on their side, always.
"......Well, now that it is over, and there has been no critical damage inflicted, I will not assess any penalties.
However, I can't cover this up any further. I have tried my best to prevent Fujisawa-kun from getting expelled, but there are teachers who insist that proper actions be taken on Mizuchi-san. I want you to remember that I will not be able to help you if more undesirable incidents happen.
So Fujisawa-kun. I will ask you this one small favor as a teacher, rather than as the representative of the school. You're a Freshman, and I really want you to do your best as a learner than as Mizuchi-san's watchman. But I am also sure that Fujisawa-kun is one of the only people who can dissuade her wrongdoings. Therefore I ask you, to tell Mizuchi-san to refrain from more conspicuous deeds, just a little bit so the other teachers would be persuaded that she does not need any punishments."
I almost let out a strange gasp. Exactly what I need, I'm officially admitted by the principal as Kaoru and the kids' guardian angel. Good grief. After all, I only learned that people just see me as the babysitter for Kaoru and the children.
------But, yeah, what Saionji just said wasn't all bad. I surely don't believe Saionji is seriously worried about our future, but there's no doubt that he has a very accurate understanding of our relationship. And I was going to do the babysitting anyways, had he asked me to do it or not.
"......You're trying to say that summoning the other four guys here will mess things up, right? Hah, I was doomed to do this anyways, so I'll remember to keep an eye on them as much as possible."
"I appreciate your cooperation. I'm sorry for all the trouble I'm involving you in...... Yes, you surely resemble......"
......? Saionji's word use caught my attention. 'Resemble'? What's he mean by that? I was driven to ask him, but I didn't because it can't be very important.
"My life is filled with troubles. One more can't hurt."
"Well well...... By the way, Fujisawa-kun. About what Mr. Takadera said¡"
Saionji, who had been smiling gracefully, suddenly dropped the tone of his voice. It is unusual for him to act like this. I wonder if he has something important to say.
"What did you think? Will you accept his offer?"
"Yeah, well...... okay, I'm kind of interested......"
I gave a tolerable response, but Saionji gave me a serious look.
"No no, I have no need for euphemisms. We are the only ones in the room, so I would rather you share with me your most honest thoughts."
"......All right. Frankly, I just can't buy such a suspicious story. Right at this point, the chance of me saying yes to him is very slim."
I told him exactly how I felt, and Saionji's stare softened back to his usual smile.
"I see. I'm glad to see you are being honest...... To tell the truth, I too felt accepting this offer would be a little too dangerous."
"Heh, I didn't know principals can be straight forward like that."
That is a bit unlooked for.
"Of course, it depends on what we're on. This time, there were just too many things that doesn't add up. I cannot afford to carelessly accept such offer and put you in an unpleasant circumstance. Having understand that, I shall not let that happen."
"......Well, I guess you're right. But what I didn't like about this the most is Takadera......Mr. Takadera, himself. He looked like he wasn't trying to recruit me, but rather he was looking for something else...... It was not a good stare."
"I felt just the same. There is something deeply suspicious about that teacher Mr. Takadera."
......I'm surprised. A principal can be so explicitly critical to a guest.
"Then, is he a phony? Like, is he looking for something else?"
"It would be rather hasty to decide on it at this point...... But I'm glad Fujisawa-kun was feeling the way I do. I expect Mr. Takadera to come visit us again soon, but please take cautions when talking him him. Of course, if Fujisawa-kun wishes to take the offer, then there is no place for me to stop you."
"You're kidding. There's no way I will take orders from a teacher like him."
"Is that so," replied Saionji. He had been standing before me, crossing his hands behind his back, and eventually turned away from me to rest on his chair by the desk.
"I'm sorry to have you take your time for us. You may leave now, before it will become dark outside."
"Yes, sir."
I picked up my bag I laid on the couch, bowed to Saionji and walked to the door.
"Fujisawa-kun."
Saionji's voice travelled past behind me when my hand was on the door knob.
"It is up to you what your life will be. You're the chooser and walker of your paths...... I have no right to criticize whether you accept or refuse Mr. Takadera's offer, as long as you've chosen it. But please, whichever it may be, please take your time to think about this before you make your decision.
If find yourself at loss, you shall seek help to someone Fujisawa-kun trusts the most. Having said that, I see that your relationship with Mizuchi-san and others will be a very beneficial one for you...... Please take good care of your friends."
I nodded without turning back, and left the principal's office.
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Translator's note #2: Kaoru's family name, Mizuchi, is written as in kanji. The first letter is "mizu", meaning "water", and the second is "uchi", meaning "to strike or hit". Combined together, I assumed it to mean "water hitting", hence the nickname "Water Hammer".