Matters of the Heart

Chapter 1 – A New Semester

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Cobblestone roads filled with students of all kinds, leading to triplet schools. The bells tolled three times, and the streets were clear. A new semester at the International Middle school had began, excitement hanging in the air.

-.-

“A new semester huh?” A blonde woman stated, using her middle finger to push up her oval glasses. “As you can read, I am your teacher, Jocie Parr. Call me Jocie. Nothing more, nothing less.” She continued. Orange eyes scanned the class in front of her, gleaming slightly. The sad thing was, no one was paying any attention. Jocie’s eyebrows twitched as the sound of cross walk music filled the room.

Stupid Kids…

“Okay then… We have a new student this time around. Straight from the land of Osaka.”

As she finished the sentence, the classroom door opened, and a girl with long orchid and blue hair stepped in. Her feet were silent as she made her way to the front of the class. Only a few students looked up, including Rue Takaya, with rose colored eyes and raven hair. His cold stare landed on the girl’s figure, but lasted for only a second before she bowed.

“I’m Ren Hiyakama. Nice meeting ya’ll [1]!”

Her accent was different, a lot different from what the other students were used to hearing, and a few of them gaped in awe. Not only did she look different, she spoke differently too. The silence in the classroom was broken by Jocie, who stood up. She gazed upon the classroom, and stuck out her finger, pointing to a girl with short blue hair and the same green eyes as Ren.

“Ai Irigashi! You and your sister are the reps, so you’re this one’s partner. Make sure she learns her way around. Oh, and Ai… She’s moving into your room.”

The students who attended the International School Districts all live in dorms, which were right down the street. Usually, two people would live in a room, but for the past 4 years, Ai Irigashi had her own room. She didn’t quite like the sound of receiving a roommate, yet she couldn’t go against the school, no matter how much power she had. Ai slid out her chair and stood up, along with a girl extremely identical to herself. Her twin sister, Satsuki.

“Nee-San… You hear that? This hick’s my partner and your neighbor-“

“Girls... Just do it. Be kind.”

Ai looked at her teacher, and the twin girls saluted.

“Roger that, sensei.” They said simultaneously, before returning to their seats. How they hated that teacher.

Ren blinked a few times, trying to take in all she could of the class. She traced the classroom, studying each and every student. Her eyes landed back on Jocie and she smiled.

“Sensei? Where is my seat?”

Jocie clicked her tongue before scanning the class. Most of her students were either sleeping or staring off into space. A few kids were fanning themselves with their math work book, since it was unbearably hot that day. Squinting, her eyes fell upon the only free desk. Marking Ren’s name down on her seating chart, she spoke.

“The desk between Rue and Kimiko.”

Ren looked to were Jocie pointed, and watched a girl with long brown hair and matching eyes, stand up. Her desk was behind Kimiko, and in front of Rue. Ren hadn’t noticed the empty desk and felt her checks burn lightly. She quietly made her way to the back of the classroom, and took her seat. Wanting to make friends on her first day, Ren smiled at Kimiko, who had turned around to introduce herself properly.

“Hi there… I'm Kimiko Ashihara, 13 years old, Japanese. Nice to meetcha.” Ren’s own smile was rewarded with a smile from her new classmate.

“Nice to meet ya! I hope we can become friends!”

Kimiko nodded, knowing it wouldn’t be hard to get along with this girl. She was known to get along with everyone and she didn’t have any enemies. Her eyebrows furrowed when Ren turned around in her desk, to face Rue.

“You’re Rue-San right? I’m Ren! I hope we-“

She was tapped on the shoulder and turned to face a stern-looking Kimiko. Kimiko shook her head disapprovingly.

“Ren-San… He doesn’t take to people easily… Or at all I should say.” Her voice was a whisper, and she was obviously avoiding eye contact. She received a frown and Ren turned back to the blank boy. Rue hadn’t even tried to look at Ren, instead he just stared off out the windows. The clouds were more interesting than a new student. Ren gave a defeated sigh, but still smiled at him.

“Hmmm… Really? Well, Rue-San… It was good to meet ya.”

Rue blinked, tearing his eyes away from the sky. Too late, Ren had already turned around in her chair, and was looking through her bag. The raven-head cocked an eyebrow. Why did he do that suddenly? There was nothing special about this girl… Was there?

Curious, Rue peered over Ren’s shoulder, watching as she pulled out her supplies. He cringed almost immediately.

Pink…

Everything this girl took out of her bag… Was pink. How much pink can one person own? He didn’t dare think about what her room looked like. With a roll of the eyes, Rue’s attention was back out the window.

-.-

“Ren-San, you’re living with me now. Here’s your key.”

Ren was handed a sliver key with the symbol IMD embossed on it. She and the Irigashi twins were standing in front of her new home, the dorm she would be sharing with Ai. Ren grinned and looked up at the two girls. She raised an eyebrow, scanning their features, looking for a way to tell them apart. She noticed things easily and right away.

Ai’s hair was just a bit longer that Satsuki’s, and her left ear had two piercings. While her eyes were bright green, Satsuki’s were nearly navy blue, and had a calmer look in them. Ai seemed more restless. Ren sighed.

“This is the first time I’ve ever come close to a pair of twins. Incredible!”

Her squeaked caused Satsuki to step back and plucked her own key from her pocket. Ai twitched when she heard her sister’s door open.

She wouldn’t…

“Well... Have fun Nee-san!”

She would!

With a slam, Ai was stranded in the hallway, with a person who didn’t even understand some of the language in Tokyo. This was just exhausting.

“Shall we go in?”

Ai cocked her head, and sighed, pulling out her own, highly decorated, key chain.

-.-

Ren was in awe. She could have sworn that their kitchen was bigger than the apartment she had been living in until now. This place looked like it was for rich kids, and she knew that almost anyone could get into this school. Noticing that the shelves were completely stocked with food, Ren wondered if Ai had a job, or if she was sent money. She herself will have to get a job. Like lighting, Ren was over at the refrigerator, her hand on the handle.

“Don’t eat or drink anything with red tape on it.”

Ren’s face fell when she opened the door. Sure, the thing was completely full, but each and everything had red tape on it. Ai was very prepared. Closing the door, she gave up, and saw Ai disappear into the bedroom.

Ren’s jaw dropped. It was like an invisible wall had split the room completely in half. You could tell where Ai’s part started, and where Ren’s did. Each side of the room had identical accessories and furniture, and 5 or 6 boxes were stacked against Ren’s side of the room. Her stuff had already been brought over.

Loud J-Rock exploded from Ai’s dresser, and Ren’s eyes nearly bulged at the sight. Every thing had either skulls or roses on it, and a black background. Ai’s bed sheets, pillows, carpet and accessories were all black. Ren stared at her new friend in shock. She seemed to be deep in thought as well. Ai sweated.

“What are you doing?”

Ren blinked, and raised her hand roughly.

“I GOT IT!”

Ai blinked, somewhat scared.

“Got… What?”

Ren grinned, crossed her fingers, and rubbed them together.

“GOTH GOTH, LOLI LOLI!”[2]

She repeated this a few times, before a pillow hit her straight in the face. Ai was annoyed.

“What the hell are you going on about!? I'm not a gothic Lolita! It’s called punk rock. Not that you have any fashion sense anyway.”

It took a while, but Ren finally noticed the fabric scattered around Ai’s side of the room.

“Are you a fashion designer or something?”

Ai looked at her, as she pulled on a needle in thread. Was this girl stupid?

“I make my own clothes, so I guess so… Why? What do you do?”

She sounded annoyed, but she skillfully pulled the needle through the fabric a few more times, before glancing up at Ren. This time, the girl was holding up an old notebook labeled ‘Recipes’.

“I cook.” Ren said happily, a cute grin plastered on her face. “Actually… I plan to open a restaurant when I finish high school.” She explained, holding up a design for a café. Ai’s jaw dropped. This could be it! This could be the chance she had been waiting for!

“Do you have a uniform designer?!”

Ren blinked. She never thought about the uniforms before, but she really only thought about the food. She shook her head, and a wide smile painted Ai’s face.

“I’ll do it! For free even! Let me join in! I’ll help you!”

Taken aback, Ren nodded slowly. She nearly jumped when Ai hugged her, tight.

“From now on, you’re my best friend!”

And that’s how Ren and Ai became best friends in 20 minutes.

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END CHAPTER 1