Hanayama's Princess

Chapter 6 - The First day back

(Sophia's POV)

To say going back to school was awkward would be an understatement. Most people avoided me for my blood but now people scattered to the wind like I was some grenade planning to detonate at a single touch. While I was used to being avoided at all costs my little rescue had put Kaoru in hot water yet again. Not only was there physical proof of the shattered gate but someone had taken a video of the incident and put it online. The video was taken down after three days but having over five million views and thousands of shares some copies still floated around the web. If people weren't afraid of him before they defiantly were now.

All the desks around him had been pulled further apart, some blocking the isles but no one in the room seemed to mention it. Kaoru sat at his desk like always, leaning over a notebook with a confused expression.

Suddenly a large woman comes into the classroom, hair tied in high piggy-tails. The desks down the middle aisle were shoved even further apart as the woman who I now realized was a trans-man was thundering down the row like a rhinoceros through a field of flowers. Her eyes were focused on one thing, Kaoru. She straddles the empty seat, the owner was at the front of the classroom, wanting to avoid Hanayama as long as he could.

"Yo dude..." She sings sweetly, her voice still very deep despite her attempts to sound feminine "I've heard about you..." Hanayama slowly looks up "You're in the yakuza right?" I bet you're good at fighting huh?" she chuckles darkly "Well the way you treated that fence all but proved that."

Kaoru didn't care.

"Just looking at your hands. Yakuza these days are all about muscle. It's kinda pathetic that they've abandoned the old school ways." She taps her head "A lot of brawn but not a lot of brainpower huh?" when he doesn't answer she tries again "Oh, you're actually studying? That's quite a sight. Even Yakuza need good grades these days." When she fails a third time she narrows her eyes "You suck, poser."

"A true Yakuza would never adapt to school life. I'll crush you with all my might. I will crush you with all my might and kick you out of this school... watch yourself Kaoru, you're my target now..." She turns walking back and stops, eyeing me slowly. Kaoru's head rises, his eyes narrowing for the first time threateningly as she pushed two desks apart like paper and stands before me. Despite my fear, I force my eyes to stay on her. She leans down placing a soft peck on my cheek, her breath ghosts over my ear "Welcome back, Sophia..."

Though her words were kind I couldn't help but shiver. She clears the row before her and slams the door loudly. All eyes were on me once again and I blink, touching my cheek gently and look at the door. I glance back at Kaoru and he stares at me for a moment noticing I wasn't in danger and blinks, looking down at his work again.

"Err... where was I again..."

Despite the awkward tension I couldn't help but smile. He really was an odd one...

..

..

We sat in the cafeteria, listening to the chatter and bustle of the room. A various mix of smells hit my nose and I couldn't help but scrunch it in disgust.

"Tuna fish surprise," Kozue laughs "a new item they added to the menu."

I glance down at my tray, picking at the mix of fish, breading and noodles questioningly.

"Do I want to know what's in here?"

"Probably not." A third voice states. I jump, turning to find the woman from before standing behind me "Takebayashi Iwoa."

Before I could respond he -I mean she sits down beside me. Her tray was piled high with food, hot buns, hot dogs, noodle dishes and a large cup on juice. Kozue looks at me oddly, trying to figure out what the hell was going on. She had missed this morning's meeting and only knew some of the facts after we talked.