High School Waltz

Hikaru breathed in a mouthful of air before letting it seep out. This is finally it, she thought. High school. At first glance, the school itself seemed like any other in Japan. An average sized building with fading and peeling paint at the corners, and a myriad of either new or older students bobbing their way toward the entrance ceremony. She contentedly gazed at a little dandelion at her feet that seemed to welcome her into Yamaoka High school.

“Hikki, come on!” Mayumi, a thin, sharp looking girl called from ahead. Mayumi pat her ponytail as if to fix an invisible strand of loose hair. As if it could be anymore perfect. Hikaru thought cynically. Her hair, on the other hand, was too short to be tied - and even if it were long enough, she could never fully control her rebellious hair. Hikaru sighed and ran after her friend.

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“We welcome the first years with open arms.” the principal’s voice blared out to the 800 or so teenagers. “But we expect to put everything you have into everything you do.” The principal rambled on about succeeding in life, and determination…and at that point Hikaru’s attention began to drift away from the speaker at the podium.

She silently absorbed her surroundings. The students were all located in the gymnasium, sitting in seats laid out in (what she considered) geometric perfection. The stubby, greasy looking man who claimed to be their principal stood at the very front, surrounded by teachers and staff lined to his side. But suddenly a noise caught her attention- and apparently everyone else’s.

A number of boys, either second or third years from their height, paraded into the gym lead by a single young man. Hikaru would have noticed how handsome he looked, if not for the surprise at his sudden entrance. They began to shout obscenities, laugh, spit, and laugh some more. The boss didn’t seem actively doing anything at all, simply looking out to everyone as if daring them to object. Obviously, they weren’t here to listen to the principal’s speech. Hikaru noticed that the principal’s bald head began to glisten with perspiration. Why isn’t anyone putting a stop to this foolishness? Many of the first years looked eaqually confused. The second and third years appeared oblivious to the whole act, along with the teachers and staff.

Hikaru decided it best to ignore the tirade, and honestly, what freshman girl in the right mind would speak out against a number of upper-classmen? She didn’t want to attract too much attention at the beginning of the school year.

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At long last, the interminable speech found its end. First, every student found his or her way to the fateful papers that would distribute the students to a class for the rest of the year. Hikaru squished herself through the throng and found her name instantly, Hikaru Takeda – Year 1 Class B. She also noticed Mayumi was in the same class.
Instantly, relief overcame her. Without Mayumi, she would have felt very anxious about facing the new year alone. After she found Mayumi, they headed toward their homeroom class.

Written on the chalkboard was a seating chart, and Hikaru obediently made her way to the very back of the class. Fortunately, one girl that sat on her right-hand side, Kae Takaoka, smiled when Hikaru took her seat. There was another studious-looking boy, sitting in front of her. He didn’t even glance her way. Not the friendliest, but at least he’s harmless enough. The seat to her left, however, was empty. Kazuya Suzuki, she read from the board. Kazuya…Kazuya… why does that name seem so familiar?

“Please take your seats, everyone.” A perky female teacher, Ms. Kawamura chimed in as she entered the class. “Unfortunately for you all, we’re going to get started the first day of class.” The class groaned, and she smiled good-naturedly. She took roll, and only Kazuya Suzuki was officially late for class. We all stood up, bowed, and began our first lesson of the year.

Things progressed smoothly, that is, until Kazuya Suzuki waltzed into class. Hikaru recognized the face, as did all of the class. It was the same guy that lead the gang of boys to disturb the ceremony. Now in a closer radius, she was able to inspect him closer.

Crudely gelled black hair, piercing on one ear and lip, and sporting quite a few chains around his neck and pants. Even from afar one could tell he had light brown eyes, highly unusual for a Japanese. Bags drooped under his eyes, and accented his gangster look. Finally, and also most intimidating, was his tall and somewhat muscular frame. Hikaru would have thought that his looks were the epitome of what most girls wanted in a guy. But again, she was much too surprised- and faintly disturbed, by his unseemly entrance.

Kazuya automatically walked toward the single empty desk, and for a brief moment his eyes met Hikaru’s. Hikaru was about to mouth a hello, but before she could, he rather boredly turned away from her. Not even a hello? she grimaced. Hikaru particularly noticed her classmates shifting restless on their chairs, and Mrs. Kawamura resumed her lesson as if nothing happened.