Chapter Text
Ann Takamaki let out a small sigh, finally safe from the rain, as she leaned against some brick wall under a small shade. She slowly removed her hood from her head, freeing her curly blonde locks, and slightly shaking her head for good measure. She was waiting for Mr. Kamoshida to give her a ride to school, because, “A pretty little princess like you shouldn’t have to walk in the rain.” Ann shuddered in disgust thinking about the older man’s words. Honestly, she’d rather use an umbrella. But, once Kamoshida had an idea about anything in his nasty old head, whether it be about volleyball, or Ann, or something else, it’s wise you agree. He was a stubborn man, refusing to budge on anything. Ann might not have been the best in school, but even she had common sense. So naturally, Ann is now standing outside overcomplicating her commute to school by standing under this multicolored, semicircular, rainproof fabric part of the roof that’s sticking out. Kind of like the ones she’d see on little shops in Italy and such.
There was someone else leaning on the same wall as her. They were also wearing a Shujin Academy uniform. It was a guy, just a bit taller than her, with chopped jet black hair just tickling the top of his neck and big black glasses that made him look a little silly. He was staring at his cellphone in a surprised manner. Still, this was her classmate—maybe even her senior—so the right thing to do is greet the guy.
The mysterious male student seemed to take notice of her as well, his piercing, dark chestnut eyes looking her up and down. She could now see he had some sort of weird little glove on his right hand; it was black and fuzzy, with small hints of yellow and white. It looked more like an oven mitten, than a glove. She was about to speak up, with her greeting (and maybe a question about the oven mitten) when another voice beat her to it.
“Greetings, Milady!”
The mitten suddenly jumped out at her, startling her. The position allowed her to take it in more clearly, and in doing so it was clear it wasn’t a mitten, but a puppet! A (poorly made) puppet modeled after the likeness of a black cat, with a yellow ribbon tied around it. The male student was controlling the puppet’s “paws” with his hands, moving it in a way that was exaggerated, but still fluid and dynamic.The student also emitted a childish boy voice, something that would come out of an elementary schooler’s mouth, which, judging by his age, was probably not his real voice— and all while not moving his mouth! Ann must admit, that was pretty cool. Before she had the chance to speak, he, or well, it “spoke” again.
“You look very beautiful this fine, fine morning!”
Is he trying to hit on me?
Is he trying to hit on me through a puppet?
“Ah! Where are my manners! My name is Morgana! And you are…?”
As the puppet declared his name, the Morgana-wielding student made the cat strike as much of a pose as he could with just two paws to work with. Then, Morgana extended a paw as if to initiate a handshake. Sadly, Ann had no way to avoid conversing anymore.
“Ann Takamaki, Second year student at Shujin Academy.” She awkwardly stammered, trying to remain polite. “I take it, you go there too?” This time directing her speech at the Morgana-wielder, who shifted his weight uncomfortably under her gaze. He shyly looked away and brought Morgana closer to Ann
“Silly Takamaki-san! I’m a cat, I can’t go to school!”
Okay, annoying…
“But if you’re wonderin’ about the big guy over here, this here is Amamiya Ren. He’s an ugly new transfer student and a second year in the same trashy school as you!”
Self-deprecating guys are not her type… She’s not even the slightest bit intrigued anymore. She just wants this weirdo to leave her be. Still, Ann put on her happy face and spoke again.
“That’s good to know! Nice to meet you, Amamiya-kun.” Ann extended her right hand for a handshake, directing it towards Ren, ignoring Morgana’s paw. Ren seemed like he didn’t anticipate this action, raising his eyebrows in surprise before pocketing his cellphone and slowly extending his hand out. It slightly shook. Just when their hands were about to connect, a honk startled the three, causing Morgana to jump and emit a short scream. It came from King Kamoshida’s silver chariot, pulled by stallions of the earth; also known as his grey 2013 Toyota Camry. He rolled down the window, greeting the two students and beckoned for Ann to enter the vehicle.
A familiar feeling crept up on Ann. A lump formed in her throat, preventing her from speaking. She swallowed around it, the oppressive pressure in her chest making itself known. It felt like someone had dumped a thousand rocks on top of her.
I have to be strong, for Shiho.
She raised her hoodie and scampered to the passenger’s seat of Kamoshida’s car, trying to shield herself from the pouring rain the best she could.
Honestly, She’d prefer being with the weirdo.
“Do you need a lift too?” Mr. Kamoshida suddenly called out, catching Ren off guard. Morgana was planning to give Ann a friendly send off, something like, ‘Have a good day, Lady Ann!’ But now, he couldn’t find it in him to even speak as Morgana. The two guys stared awkwardly at each other as the teacher waited for a response. Ren had the words set up, all he had to do was say ‘No thank you, I’m fine.’ But he couldn’t find it in him to take that leap into the deep end and use his voice. Instead he just stared back at Kamoshida wishing it could just be over quicker. Ann looked down, avoiding eye contact with Ren as the man muttered something under his breath and rolled the window up. Ren wondered when he would drive off. It seems like he had something to say to Takamaki before they departed.
Ren Amamiya ran his stray hand through his hair, again leaning back onto the wall and repocketing Morgana. He didn’t expect Takamaki to try and shake his hand and not Morgana’s paw. He didn’t prepare himself to have to talk either, so he’s glad he didn’t need to. It’s been a hassle for him to speak to certain people since the incident.
Since his parents were sued blind; since he was put in handcuffs and thrown into a jail cell; since he became a “delinquent”, a shame to his family. Ren’s hands started to shake again as he recalled all the hurt he experienced in his hometown. He burrowed a hand into his pocket, feeling for the fuzz of his stuffed friend; only to be met by the fuzz of his pant pockets.
Ren jumped off the brick wall, maybe getting a bit of his hair wet by the still pouring rain. His heartbeat quickened a bit as he hurriedly sifted through his pockets again, Morgana was nowhere to be found. Ren practically threw his bag onto the floor, falling to his knees and rummaging through his bag. There were textbooks and notebooks, but no sign of Morgana. His breath and his movements sped up and became more frantic in fear of losing his only friend. He dumped the contents of the bag out, uncaring that they were being sullied by the rain. He searched through the books and vigorously shook his bag, Maybe Morgana was stuck at the bottom. He wasn’t. Ren Amamiya furiously examined his surroundings, Where could he have gone?
In his haste, he didn’t notice the man finally driving off. Until, another voice spoke.
“Damn it! Screw that pervy teacher!” Ren glanced up from his position on his hands and knees, trying to find where that voice came from. He locked eyes with another student wearing the Shujin uniform, this time a boy with close cut artificial blonde hair unlike Ann’s natural color and dark brown eyes. Was he a delinquent? Ren stood up from the floor and wiped the thighs of his pants, preparing for a confrontation if necessary.
“Pervert… Teacher?” He repeated to himself, slightly confused by what the other meant.
Ren’s cellphone buzzed in his pocket. Still open to that weird app, unbeknownst to him.