Scribbling down a couple of marks into his pad, Senjin gave the page one last onceover before he proceeded to bang his head into the window pane. The lines were all wonky, as he'd expected from a three month hiatus in drawing. From what he could tell, his drawn human seemed to resemble a tree trunk with all the joints sticking out of the wrong places.

"Unproportionate!" the boy grumbled to himself as he furrowed his eyebrows. What he would give for all the time he'd wasted during summer back. He figured he'd just have to relearn the basics and sharpen up once more. After all, it was only the second day of school. 'Stressing myself out so early will do me no good', Senjin thought to himself as he walked up to the cafeteria lady with the fancy hairnet.

"Can I get one cheese bun and a caramel custard please? Oh, and water as well." Senjin blinked as she held her hand out to him. "Wait, so you're saying this stuff isn't free?" she shook her head.

"Alright. That's totally fine! I'll make my own instead..." the disgruntled brunette headed back to his seat next to the window at the far end of the cafeteria, laying his head down on his sketchbook. The hunger made his stomach throb hard, but he tried his best to ignore it. Senjin had brought his own lunch yesterday, and he had no idea some cafeterias worked like Shimebukuro's. At his middle school, they would give the food to the children for free- so long as they paid their tuition, the kids ate to their hearts' content.

"I-I can feel my heart beat in my stomach..." he murmured into his sleeve.

"Yeah... Yes, I know. Okay, okay! I love you all too, bye!" Kyo hung up her phone and leaned back on the bench she was sitting on. It's been barely past 24 hours since she got to the school and her family is already calling non-stop. That was the 5th call since yesterday. Kyo sighed and forced herself off the bench. "Alright! Let's go grab something to eat," she made her way to the cafeteria. Along the way, a few students exchanged smiles and greetings.

Upon reaching the cafeteria, Kyo dug into her uniform skirt pocket and pulled out her wallet. She had enough to get a few things, although she wouldn't use it all in one day. Inside, she got into line behind a young brunette boy.

"Can I get one cheese bun and a caramel custard please? Oh, and water as well."

Kyo watched as he obliviously ordered food with no intentions of paying. She watched him leave displeased and return to his seat on the far side of the cafeteria. I sorta feel bad for him. Kyo walked up for her turn and hesitated for a moment before letting out a slight sigh.

"Everything he ordered and a curry bread as well please," she smiled and dropped coins into the lunch lady's hand. After receiving her items, Kyo proceeded toward where the boy was sitting. She set down the food in front of him and grabbed her curry bread. "Geez, who comes to a cafeteria like this without money?" She asked, taking a seat across from him.

@Tokki

Gideon hefted his backpack over his shoulder, the heavy pack failing to even slightly angle his shoulders with its weight. Rather than a school backpack, it appeared more like a sports backpack, ratty and worn. Anyone that saw it would quickly understand that its sentimental value is equivalent to a family home. Generally, in his free time, Gideon would practice without fail, but his unstoppable work ethic towards his sport had one shortcoming: Where most people needed around 3 meals a day, Gideon would eat continuously throughout the day and still go to bed with a grumbling stomach.

Thus, Gideon trudged his way to the cafeteria with a sullen expression. Other students greeted each-other brightly as it was already the second day of enrollment at Shimebukuro High, but not a single word was issued to Gideon, and his lips never parted until he had arrived before the cafeteria lady. There was line but Gideon paid it no mind, simply walking past everyone without hearing an objection. Setting his hands on the counter, he glanced over the possible options before settling on a pork bun(s).

"7 pork buns."

Gideon stated stiffly, his humorless eyes leaving little room for a response beyond giving him what he requested. He didn't bother to notice the astonished faces of the staff , but rather nonchalantly gathered the 7 pork buns walked to a booth table, taking up the entire seat of one side with his legs as he lounged while eating in silence.

Before entering the front gate, Maiko placed her thumb on the screen of her phone and tapped, fidgeting on it for a few minutes to find the right song that went according to her current fresh mood on her second day of school. She recalled her first academy-how dull and lifeless it seemed to her and compared it to how the hollow but fresh breeze blew past her along with the alluring scent of the blossoms. Inhaling, she shed a small smile and made her way across the park in where she encountered the girl with her hair by the length of her ears and dyed in light neon green.

Noticing that they have exchanged glances, a turn in her stomach signaled her that she wasn't in the mood to encounter anybody just as yet, especially when it's still early in the morning, and so chose to indulge herself back into her music and continue to make her way, though she was suddenly being led on by the green-haired girl who got up and made a fast pace towards the school building before she could.

"It's gonna be sunny in a few minutes, so staying in the field isn't much of a good idea."
She thought, looking outside of the window of the school hallway. While thinking of a place to be in that's quite and empty, she looked at her side only to realize that she was standing next to the Teen's lounge room.
She took a peer inside to fortunately find it empty. "Perfect." She mumbled and welcomed herself in.

Taking a table and helping herself to a seat, she took out a rough notebook from her bag and started to draw whatever came inside her head that mostly associated with the music she was currently listening to. A soft song with the piano as it's main instrument.
She started to sketch a head of a young dame with a flower stuck to the side of her head.

....And she flinched.....

She thought of everybody. Are they here already...?
She pushed down her headphones and could hear small echoes coming from the slight end.
And shrugged the thought off after a few minutes and chomped on her apple.

"Geez, who comes to a cafeteria like this without money?"

At this point, Senjin had thought his hunger was taking a toll on him, to the point where his thoughts were formulated involuntarily to mock him.

The famished boy began to raise his head slightly. "Apparently, I do-" his eyes widened as they locked with the girl's amaranthine pair. Senjin sat up straight, then took a step out of the booth and performed a 90-degree bow in an effort to introduce himself. "Hey, my name's Senjin. You can call me Senji though, really just a one letter difference so I guess that doesn't really matter-" The boy was flustered as he looked at her, then back to the tray... he noticed she'd brought the exact food items he had given up on ordered not too long ago.

"Thank you so so much! I didn't know today was our national save-a-life day!" he beamed at her. "May I know your name?"

Simultaneously, he'd noticed a tall, brooding boy heading their way from his peripheral vision. He took up an entire section of the booth right across the two, leaving only the opposite end free. He seemed to be carrying a tray of... 7 pork buns...?

"Oh hell no! I'm sorry, hold that thought please." Senjin grabbed a paper cup from the nearest dispenser and poured some of his newfound water into the flimsy container, filling it to the brim. Senjin had almost toppled in a hurry to get it to the opposite booth.

"Here. Since you're planning on eating all of that, drink so it'll go down smooth and you won't choke!" Senjin placed the cup down in front of the intimidating boy, shaking a little in the process. The way he looked at his meal seemed dangerous. At that point, he'd felt bad for the pork buns. Without a moment's hesitation, Senjin raced back to his own booth with the girl and told her:

"My bad. Your good deed sort-of influenced me, I guess. So what is your name?" Senjin smiled at her, whilst slicing into his cheese bun.

@Illusion @OldManWong

Kyo was startled when the boy suddenly stood up out of nowhere, mid-sentence, to bow and introduce himself.

"Thank you so so much! I didn't know today was our national save-a-life day! May I know your name?"

But before she could even answer, he proceeded to give some of his water to a rather intimidating individual who sat at a booth near them. Whoa, is that guy a student here? How can anyone even eat 7 pork buns all at once?! But nevertheless, Kyo definitely thought the both of them were strange. Senjin returned to their booth just as hyper as before and continued where they left off.

"My bad. Your good deed sort-of influenced me, I guess. So what is your name?"

Kyo blinked a few times with a bit of confusion written on her face. She figured with his somewhat polite introduction, she should do the same.

"Nice to meet you Senjin--or er, Senji" Kyo stood up and bowed slightly. "My name is Kyoko Moriyama. You could just call me Kyo, I guess." She was now unsure of having made his acquaintance. Well, not that it mattered now. Kyo glanced over again at the guy eating 7 pork buns and scratched the back of her head. He's eating all alone, I feel kinda bad. Should I call him over to our table? After thinking for a couple of seconds, Kyo spoke up.

"Ah, hey, why don't you join us over here?" She started sounding unsure but it was too late. Hopefully Senji doesn't mind. Kyo glanced over at him and gave a nervous smile.

@Tokki @OldManWong

Gideon ate sulkily although, by the time Senjin delivered a cup of water to his table, Gideon had already finished one of the pork buns in a famished manner. When the cup of water was placed in front of him, Gideon stared at it somewhat perplexed. His backpack wasn't heavy from books, it was heavy from water bottles. He was in no shortage of water bottles and disliked the fact that someone had thought he needed an aid. His face exhibited faint traces of being vexed, but honestly, he was somewhat grateful, however aggressively he took his act of kindness.

Ungracefully downing the cup of water Gideon suddenly heard the girl sitting across from the Samaritan call out, "Ah, hey, why don't you join us over here?" Gideon looked up from his pork buns one more, as if asking "Me?" Before making eye contact with her. He paused for a moment, looking for an answer before sweeping up his pork buns and standing with a curt "Yes."

With a single long stride, he roughly pulled the nearest chair and sat down with an audible 'fwump'. His glaring eyes attempting to soften but maintaining their digging stare nonetheless. Looking towards Senjin first, he asks in a heavy English accent, "What is your name, Samaritan?"

@Illusion@Tokki

Maiko didn't take heed of her fellow students who happen to enter the lounge and take a table to themselves.

Nibbling on the last bite of her apple, she eyed the trash bin placed just at the slight end of the room. She hovered the apple above her head to get ready to throw as she eyed her target properly.... and whush.
The apple perfectly landed inside the bin.

As the sun started to slowly rise and shine and pass through the huge glass pane beside her of the lounge room, she looked down at the view of the school grounds and up to the sky.
She couldn't help but feel a sense of relief and relaxation. She thought about not getting to feel something like this in a very long time-always stuck in a box where you know nothing exciting or interesting will happen, but here it was.

She felt as if she needed to treasure this moment, and so closed her eyes and sunk into her music.

THUD

She felt the side her table hit and move and looked down to make eye contact with a boy with orange hair and seemed to be gobbling on something with the chewing movement of his mouth.
His lips started to move as to communicate with her. Before Maiko could lower the volume of her music to hear him, he finished his line and stood up.

He looked embarrassed, but she was able to make out more of his figure.
He was taller than she thought.

Maiko plainly stared at him and wondered if he wanted to say anything more, then his eyes landed on her headphones.
"Whoa, those are some nice-looking headphones, where'd ya get 'em?" He excitedly exclaimed as he took a seat next to her. Her eyes widened at his sudden gestures, but was astonished at how he had the guts to start a conversation like this, despite how he started to turn red and scratched the back of his head, peering back at a table just across them to where the green-haired girl she had encountered at the park was sitting, munching on her food while giving grimly smiles at him.

Letting out a small quiet chuckle, she decided to pay him her attention and pushed her headphones down at the back of her neck.
"I..don't know actually. I got these from my brother."
And also started to fluster a little from the very first conversation she was making in her new school.

Senjin grinned at Kyoko as she finished introducing herself. That smile quickly fell as she decided to invite the boy he had just delivered the water to, to their booth. It wasn't that he didn't like him, but more of the fact that the stiffness and precision of his movements slightly concerned Senjin. It scared him.

He looked down at the table as he waited for the brooding boy to make his way to the table. In no time at all, as he turned himself to face the glare the other boy seemed to be shooting straight at Senjin, he spoke with a familiar foreign accent.

"What is your name, Samaritan?"

Senji froze in his seat. His demeanor had reminded him very strongly of Drogo from Game of Thrones.

"M-my name's Senji... short for Senjin Sayama," he reached an arm out in the taller boy's direction for a handshake, "Nice to meet you! And Samaritan? Miss Moriyama sitting across me spared her change to order food for me. She saved me!" Senji shot a look at Kyoko once, and then back to his side, towards the stone-faced dude, seemingly as a call for help.

An idea flashed in his mind for a moment, quickly pulling out his phone and letting it rest on the table. He tapped three times on the screen until he'd reached his music file. Hoping to all the gods that listened, he hoped he wouldn't mess this up. This was his guilty pleasure.

"What's your name?" Senjin asked. "...and do you like kpop?" he almost visibly cringed by the way he said it, but nonetheless, he continued to play the video. Senjin braced himself while sinking his teeth into one half of his cheese bun.

The Song!

@Illusion @OldManWong

Kyoko was a bit surprised that the intimidating guy agreed so quickly. He immediately pulled a chair to their booth and joined them. She watched as he conversed with Senji, who looked somewhat scared. Kyo noticed him glance at her with an expression that was asking for help. Huh? What should I say? I invited him over here after all... She thought to herself and scratched the back of her head.

"Oh, haha, it was no big deal. I just had some spare change on me," she attempted to take the attention off of Senjin to help. "I'm Kyoko Moriyama, nice to meet you." She laughed nervously and began eating her curry bread. Suddenly Senji pulled out his phone and put on a kpop song. Gah! What is he doing? Is he trying to get this guy to kill us? Kyo braced herself for whatever reaction may be coming up.

At that exact moment, the bell rang. Kyoko released an inaudible sigh of relief and finished up the last bit of her curry bread. "Ah, well, would you look at the time! Music calls! See you two later," she decided to escape while she still had the chance. Sorry Senji, best of luck! Apologizing in her head, Kyo gathered her things and left Senjin and the intimidating guy alone in the cafeteria.

She travelled through the school halls in search of the Music classroom. Upon finding it, she entered and took an empty seat in the back.

@Tokki @OldManWong

Gideon chuckled inwardly as he read the pure nervousness on both of their faces. It was not like he was unused to this sort of interaction, simply put, the Japanese were generally even smaller, so Gideon looked even more abnormal. With a helpless expression, Gideon noted both Senjin and Kyoko's names in assurance as to not rudely forget their names the next time they met.

Gideon watched Senjin take out his phone with quick, agitated motions and began playing fairly upbeat music. Gideon himself could barely contain his laughter when he glanced at Kyoko's horrified expression. Gideon looked between the two as the bell rang, watching the girl's face soften in relief as she quickly stood and hastily left for her music elective. It was no mystery to him what caused both of the student's actions and reactions, but all he could garner to offer forward was a nonchalant shrug and slight shake of the head. Standing up as well, he turned to Senjin, who somehow was unable to take advantage of the situation to escape.

"My name is Gideon, I suppose Health calls for me as well. The music's not bad if that's what you were asking about."

The last sentence was added on as an afterthought as to not leave without comment on Senjin's question. Hefting his heavy pack, Gideon finished off a couple more of the pork buns before grabbing the remaining four and eating while he began to walk away with slow strides.

Almost as if the gods had heard his qualms, the bell rung, indicating his perfect escape. He meant to call out after Kyoko had left to her Music classes, but she was gone too fast. The two shared a momentary glance before she got up, which sparked an interest in Senjin. Kyoko.

"My name is Gideon, I suppose Health calls for me as well. The music's not bad if that's what you were asking about."

"Gideon's a pretty cool name..." Senji thought to himself. The music continued to play awkwardly between the two a short moment after she left. It didn't do much to numb the feeling of dread, but to his relief, the other boy had gotten up to leave, sweeping the remaining pork buns into his arms and walked away at a notable pace. The sweat that dripped down his back at that moment seemed to cool over a bit, allowing the small brunette boy some breathing space.

The sweaty boy hadn't realized that his caramel custard was not even close to finished, however. He appreciated Kyoko's kind gesture, so he would surely not let this one go to waste. After packing up his paraphernalia, he grabbed a plastic spoon from a nearby dispenser and began to snack on the dessert as he left the cafeteria. The halls were crowded with students, pushing and squeezing their way through to get to their upcoming classes. It was odd, he didn't know why they were in such a hurry; teachers usually came later than the students anyway. Must be because of the hype everyone experiences during their first week.

Senji shrugged it off, diligently scooping up small dollops of custard, getting closer and closer to his classroom. He turned a sharp corner and was greeted by a metal sign that read:



Abruptly, he stopped in his tracks right outside the door leading to the room as a sudden epiphany occurred to him.

"He... Gideon mentioned being in Health class... yoinks." suctioning the spoon to latch onto his tongue, he slowly opened the door to the classroom. Thankfully, he was the first one to arrive, despite Gideon leaving earlier. He carefully took a seat next to the windows in the third row from the front. Senji secured his seat and then watched the other students as they gradually poured into the classroom after him. The custard was barely half-done, which worried Senji. Back in middle school, they never cared about him eating during class. The brunette decided to take the risk so as to not let Kyoko's money go to waste, quietly slipping the custard underneath his desk as the teacher stepped into class.

Simultaneously, he awaited the brooding presence of tall, dark and exceptionally good-looking.

After giving her reply, the boy looked stunned at the moment and opened his mouth as to say something, but was cut off by the sound of the bell.

Maiko carefully gathered her headphones and her phone together and stuffed it inside her bag, topping it up with the rough notebook she drew on and excused herself from the table. Heading to the door, she heard a voice bolt out directing at her.
"I guess, uhm, I guess I'll catch you another time, then?!" The boy shouted out.
The long black haired girl turned around at him with her eyes slightly open wide again. She spent a few moments staring at him with shock. How could he be so embarrassingly loud in a time and place like this? But nevertheless, she found his confidence oddly funny and interesting.
She gave him a smile and a nod before leaving the lounge.

Along the way, she encountered her schoolmates and teachers rushing to their assigned classrooms.
"Might as well be a little late then." She said to herself and shrugged.
Left to right, door to door, she carefully read the signs hovering above the classroom doors and walked slowly as to not miss a class for her to be sure enough that she's going the right way, and to her luck, she found it at last.

She opened the door and closed it as she entered. She'd always prefer the seats next to the window where she can let her imaginations fly freely inside her head, though this was music class so she knew she'd have to pay close attention to the teachings, and so decided to take her seat at the very front. Heading to her place, she discovered that she wasn't the first one to arrive. A red head sitting beyond the back of the classroom caught her attention.
But only gave her a glance and proceeded to settle herself at her desk.

Silence danced around the classroom and a teacher had yet to enter.
She suddenly thought about the boy she met in the lounge and wondered what class he was in. Is he in the same class with the green haired girl?
Possibly.
From what she had observed, both of them seemed to have a close friendship.
And there a sudden thought occurred to her and made her flinch.

"I don't know his name."

Kyoko rested her chin on the palm of her hand, waiting for more students to enter the classroom. She ended up arriving quite early so there was no one else in the room. The next one to enter was a young girl with long black hair. Kyoko met eyes with her for about a second before she proceeded to sit all the way across the room. Slowly more and more individuals began filling up the seats in the classroom. A girl with bright green hair also seemed to catch attention.

Eventually the teacher for Music class also entered, Ms. Okuri. This being the second day, introductions had already passed and it seems she was ready to move the class on. Kyoko gave a small applaud after she finished playing the violin and listened patiently as she began speaking.

"... The goal by the end of this semester is to perform for your parents and guardians for the closing ceremony after this entire school year..."

Kyo slightly dozed off after hearing that bit, imagining her family in the audience listening to her play an instrument. She giggled while picturing her members taking up an entire row, and embarrassing her with loud cheering.

"Everyone will have two of the same instruments so if you could all stand in a single file line at the center of the room, leave your textbooks on the desk."

Kyoko nonchalantly stood up and made her way into the line. It appeared that the students in front of her were whispering to each other. Are they playing telephone..? Kyo smiled and reminisced on how she used to play it with her younger brothers back in the good ol' days. As Ms. Okuri moved on to explaining details, Kyo had already set her eyes on the cello. She's never really played an instrument before so this class should be a good experience for her.

One by one, students entered the classroom and the volume inside the class gradually increased with all the talking.
She shook off her train of thoughts and sat up straight, knowing that class would be starting soon.
And last but not least, the room hushed into a silence as the teacher welcomed herself as Ms. Okuri.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Before class would commence, Ms. Okuri demonstrated herself by playing the violin. Upon listening to the serene melodies the violin made, she couldn't help herself but smile at her astounding talent, but did not participate in the applaud.

Maiko carefully listened to her teacher's words, but had her jaw slightly drop when came across her statements of having to perform in front of an audience. Her expression went relaxed again after realizing that it wouldn't be a bother at all if she made a mistake on stage. She's certainly not doubting that her parents won't attend to see her, and her brother could be occupied with other businesses.
She exhaled from her nose and shrugged. Well, it's called an 'audience' for crying out loud.
"There's gonna be plenty of people who will be watching after all." She exclaimed to herself.

Whispering and hissing sounds filled the class which seemed to bother the teacher as well, and stopped when a student behind her gently patted her shoulder, insisting for her attention.
"Um, sorry for this. That girl over there," Pointing at someone behind her using her thumb. Says she'd like to pair up with you. She saw you at The Lounge with her friend. Ichiko? Ichigo? Um, Ichiro? Something like that." And quickly ended her sentence when the teacher turned around to face them.

Maiko raised her eyebrow when hearing the set of names and questioning herself who she was referring to. When the teacher turned to her front, she quietly and carefully bent to her side with her head turned around.
And her eyes grew wide to see the green haired girl happily waving at her direction.

"Oh. It's her." She thought to herself and responded to her with a small smile.
When sitting back up straight, her eyebrow raised once again but she continued to grin at how impressive it was of the people she had met so far to have the confidence to start a bond.
And speaking of which, the names flashed in her head. 'Ichiko, Ichigo, Ichiro.'- possibly referring to the boy.
"So that's his name..... but which one?"

The teacher took the attention of the class and pointed at the instruments laid back on the wall behind her. There were two of each."Everyone will have two of the same instruments so if you could all stand in a single file line at the center of the room, leave your textbooks on the desk."

Despite her seating arrangement to be in front of the class, a few students immediately raced to the front and so she had to walk and stand behind them. While they were picking their instruments, Maiko didn't need to analyzed her decisions on this and had her target long acquired on the bass guitar, her dream instrument.

@Aline

Gideon ate while he walked through the halls of the school with a sullen expression. The entire school bustled with activity as the bells rang, yet Gideon's large frame came into contact with nobody as it seemed the river of students flowed around him. Enthralled in thought, he stared at the floor a short distance in front of him; initially, he had truly intended to go to his health class, but an odd sensation overwhelmed him, it wasn't a specific feeling that Gideon could put his finger on, but it distracted him to the point that he didn't even think about school amidst the halls. Out of spontaneous need to know, Gideon took out his expensive phone and dialed the hospital, one of the only favorited contacts on his list.

"Hello, hospital administrative officer speaking!" A disembodied voice said with a tone of respect. The only people who could directly contact an administrative official was someone with decently high stature with the hospital.
"Yes, this is Gideon Serenade, I was calling about the status of my sister..." His voice leads off, despite his straightforward tone, he could barely withhold signs of his overbearing hopes.
"Ah! Mr. Serenade, your timing is impeccable! We intended to contact you right away on the matter! Your sister has been reported to have awoken a mere 2 minu--" The voice is brimming with excitement for Gideon, but it is cutoff as Gideon hangs up, already dialing his coach and temporary legal guardian. While his phone dialed, Gideon sprinted towards the front of the school, a 177 lb blur tearing through the hallways at 20 mph was a force to be reckoned with. The students that saw him coming jumped out of the way and those that did not, did very little to slow him, where Gideon passed, havoc followed.

"I heard from the hospital. Congratulations!" A happy but gruff voice spoke from the speakers of Gideon's phone.
"Yes. I would like to see her. Now." Despite his running, Gideon's voice was stable and calm, as if he were sitting.
"Aren't you at school right now? No. Wait until you're done with school, then you can see your sister." The voice was incredulous.
"Not an option, I want to see her now." Gideon began to sound like a needy child, his face forming a frowning pout.
"You're still such a child Gideon, stay at the school or I won't sign you up for the Japanese regionals." The voice chuckled while it spoke good-naturedly.
"Fine." Gideon hung up, taking a few calming breaths before looking around. He barely spared a second glance to the havoc he had caused and began to stride away before any teachers even had the chance to reprimand him. Continuing to search through the now empty halls Gideon could only admit in defeat that he was lost. He was slightly familiar with the school, thus after some time, Gideon was able to regain his bearings and head to the health room.

Opening the door loudly amidst the class that had already progressed well beyond the start, Gideon searched for an open seat, realizing the only one was a seat right in-front of the teacher of the class. Walking across the class to the open seat, Gideon set down his backpack and sat lazily in his chair. Without a word, Gideon began eating the pork buns. Due to the fact that he was down to his last one, he was going to try and make it last.