Chapter 6: Welcoming Party

UNBALANCED SCHOOL LIFE

WELCOMING PARTY

CHAPTER 6 OF THE MANGA

(Story Note---The day after the Sunday shown in Chapter 5, that next day, Monday, during a break time in the afternoon at school, Midori tells Shinya the whole story of what happened on the first day of the new school year. This was the very day that Shinya collapsed and was rushed to the hospital that morning. This entire chapter is a flashback to what happened after Shinya was taken to the hospital. All of the student body, beginning this new school year, with the exception of five girls, were all born males, attending this all-boy's school.)

FLASHBACK---Outside the building wherein the Entrance Ceremony is about to begin that morning, Midori runs into Haru-chan, the diminutive adult teacher at the school. Haru-chan asks about Midori's parents ? Midori says that they decided to go with the ambulance that is taking Shinya to the hospital. Haru-chan says that it is sad as to what happened to Shinya, especially since it happened on the first day of the new school term. Midori agrees, saying that it is the worst timing ever, so unfortunate.

Inside the school building designated for the ceremony, a male student named Koiwai, asks Midori how he knows Haru-chan ? Haru-chan has been a longtime friend of Midori, going all the way back to Midori's childhood. Koiwai goes on to complain that he knew this was an all-boys school, but never imagined that it would be such a masculine-soaked rodeo. Another boy, with black hair long enough to be put into a ponytail, laments that there are no boobs in sight, not at all ! A third boy shouts out that he can count on one hand the number of girls in this pitiful, fun and romance-forsaken school. Midori tries to inject some fragile hope into the crowd, saying that compared to other all-boys schools, this one is not all that bad.

Just then, Tooru, the pale-red haired girl, walks into the room, and takes a position behind Midori. There, she places her hands upon Midori's shoulders, giving the impression of a degree of familiarity. It takes a few moments to react, but Midori quickly jerks away, uttering a profanity. Tooru quietly comments to herself, "Strong-willed, but cute and feminine! That's a definite plus for a boy !", apparently referring to Midori. Suddenly, Tooru hears her named called, and turning around, sees that Shiori has come into the room. Tooru is promptly scolded by Shiori for not minding her manners nor her social distancing with the boys. Shiori suggests moderation for Tooru, with the result that she returns to hugging Midori from behind. "What's wrong?", she blithely asks. Tooru then offers fake compassion to Shiori, really 'laying it on thick'! She tells Shiori that if she is strict with the boys, she will turn into a loner. Shiori counters, pointing out that loose conduct with the boys will lead one into situations that she, Shiori, cannot help out with.

The third girl in the school, the one with glasses, Suzumi, invites herself into the morass, telling the two other girls---

"Glad ta see ya girls watchin' each other's backs. We girls, da minority, hafta stick ta-gether, yaa see ! No infightin', ya all !"

Nobody's infighting, says Shiori. What she said, spits out Tooru. Midori, still imprisoned by Tooru, only thinks to himself that these girls are nothing but weird. The male Superintendent of the school comes into the room and now announces that it is time to head to the auditorium for the Opening Ceremonies.

Sometime during the ceremonies, the Superintendent takes the podium to give congratulations to everyone's admittance into this prestigious institution. He then introduces himself as the Superintendent, Yuuri Shimazaki. He announces that the school term officially has begun today (DUH!). Yuuri then says that because everyone has come from all over Japan to attend this academy, as such, many are strangers to one another. To rectify that, and in order to encourage ones to socialize, the Dorm Committee and the Student Council will host a Welcoming Party tonight. Gather in the school's courtyard next to the lake, by 6 PM this evening, and be prepared for a really good time ! Everyone is invited, so make sure that you come.

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That evening finds the full moon blazing across the lake's water, and the party already in full swing. There is plenty of delicious food, proper drinks, and desired social interaction, plus loads of fun to go around. Just about all of the student body has turned out for this gala. Midori has his iphone out, and is taking pictures to later show Shinya. For the second time today he runs into Haru-chan. She explains that she was not here for the beginning of the party, since she had to take care of a female student who collapsed due to stress, and was taken to the Infirmary. Nearby, a voice is asking if they are a bother to someone ? It is Shiori talking to Yuuri. Yuuri inquires as to why she feels that way ? Shiori says that the two of them knew each other quite some time ago, yet she is here this evening being overly familiar with him. Yuuri implores her not to say that. He goes on to confess that Shiori looks and acts so mature and grown up since he first met her in middle school. He then apologizes for thinking anything to the contrary. Midori takes note of Shiori's shy and embarrassed demure around Yuuri. However, another student calls to Yuuri, saying that he is needed elsewhere, since the grill crew needs more meat. Yuuri excuses himself and leaves, causing Shiori to fall into a solemn personal quandary. Shiori then notices that Midori is nearby, and probably has heard the entire exchange between Yuuri and herself. Thus it becomes so embarrassing for her to speculate on that.

As both Shiori and Midori stand close to one another, both red with embarrassment and uneasiness, another male student points up to the sky and loudly asks, what is that ? One by one, more and more of the students begin looking up into the sky, to see what is happening. Soon, most of the party guests are standing still, quietly watching the spectacle in the sky. It seems to look like a shooting star. If that is what it is, it is coming ever closer and closer, becoming brighter and brighter as it approaches. It is now bigger than the full moon. It is white hot like the sun, throwing off a tremendous amount of energy. What happened next seemed to happen in a split second. The white object came from above the horizon, and made a straight path right for the lake. In an instant, the beach area in front of the lake is engulfed in a blaze of white light, so bright that it is as if one were looking directly at the sun.

(FLASHBACK CONTINUES IN CHAPTER 7)

(End Chapter 6)

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(Click on Chapter 7: Strange Fog to be taken to the next chapter)