[center][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/220404/3d8f0badc25b644d0f5abaeab7c64d90.png[/img]

[b][color=B7CEEC]MENTIONS:[/color][/b] [color=D1D0CE][color=B7CEEC]Munehisa[/color] [[@Solace]], [color=B7CEEC]Nagi[/color] [[@Psyker Landshark]], [color=B7CEEC]Masashi[/color] [[@Zombehs]], [color=B7CEEC]Akira[/color] [[@DJAtomika]], [color=B7CEEC]Hoshiko[/color] [[@Fabricant451]][/color][/center]
[color=D1D0CE][b]"Don't worry about it, Nakano. They were actually pretty okay for the most part."[/b] Yuri shrugged nonchalantly as she scribbled down their incoming orders. At Munehisa's greeting, she gave the male a small smile. [b]"Awww, hey Nara. Being a sweetie like always, huh?"[/b]

[color=B7CEEC][i]Yuck.[/i][/color] Asumi grimaced at the exchange. It was very much like Munehisa to flirt with Yuri-- in fact, he [i]always[/i] did-- but it was even worse when Yuri kept him at arm's length. Whatever, nothing she could do about it for the time being. She instead chose to listen to everyone give Yuri their orders, only snapping out of her daze when Nagi commented on her appetite and figure. She scoffed at her playfully before she took on an over-exaggerated, offended expression. [color=B7CEEC][b]"[i]Excuse you[/i], but I work out [i]every[/i] day [i]before and after[/i] school. The walk home's actually a pretty long one!"[/b][/color] She held the snobby look on her face for a few more moments before she broke out into a series of childish giggles that were promptly smothered by one of her hands. 

When Hoshiko spoke for the first time since they entered Obi's, Asumi turned towards the first-year with interest. Others might have been daunted by her storm of words and questions, but she was able to keep up with her well enough. Her eyes widened with surprise as a light blush dusted her cheeks. [color=B7CEEC][b]"Wait, wait, [i]wait[/i], four boys? [i]Really?[/i]"[/b][/color] she asked in a high-pitched voice. Time to ask the important questions. She leaned forward, her voice a whisper. [color=B7CEEC][b]"Are any of them cute?"[/b][/color]

[b]"The better question is if they're interested in a poly-amorous relationship,"[/b] Yuri corrected as she noted down Hoshiko's order with a flurry of her pen. [b]"God knows Asumi needs a whole [i]harem[/i] of men with all of the energy she has..."[/b]

[color=B7CEEC][b]"Hey! Not true!"[/b][/color]

Yuri waved her off with a leisurely swaying motion of her right hand. [b]"Anyways, I'll be back with your orders soon."[/b]

Her blush having returned in full force, she rested her chin in her hand as she glanced outside. The rain had finally begun to let up; the walk home shouldn't be too bad by the time they finished eating their food. Already, she imagined being all warm and fuzzy inside, filled up with ramen to the brim. The proper way to go home and study! As she took in the smell of spice-filled broth, her look drifted across the table to Munehisa. She raised a brow at his antics before pouting at him upon realizing what he was doing. [color=B7CEEC][b]"Jeez, Nara, [i]again[/i]? Hasn't she turned you down like, three times already?"[/b][/color]

Even if his incessant mutterings over Yuri could get annoying, Asumi couldn't help but feel a little sorry for him. Yuri just didn't seem all too interested in her friend, no matter how smitten he was over her. Honestly, it was getting a little too painful to watch. Maybe she could set him up with one of her girlfriends. She leaned back in her seat, rubbing her chin as she sent a sidelong glance towards Nagi. [color=B7CEEC][i]Hmmm...[/i][/color]

Before she could pursue the matter, a light tapping sound came from the window. Turning to see what it was, she was surprised to see that the crow with the purple-pinkish leg-band had perched itself on the window sill. The bird stared inside with unblinking red eyes and cocked its head up at her. A low, raspy croak came from its beak, earning a smile from her. 

[color=B7CEEC][b]"Awww... hey little guy~"[/b][/color] Asumi cooed as she reached forward to rub her finger on the glass. [color=B7CEEC][b]"Didja get to eat any of that birdseed?"[/b][/color]

The crow gazed at her, silent. After a moment, it reared its head back and began to rap on the window once again, harder this time. [color=B7CEEC][i]Poor thing's probably still hungry.[/i][/color] Asumi thought with a frown. [color=B7CEEC][i]I hope its owner finds it soon.[/i][/color]

Their ramen and drinks arrived not long after. Asumi set off on a quest to devour her food, feasting on the triple order of chashu and heaping pile of noodles. The crow's desperate tapping increased in the presence of food all of the while, which only made her feel worse for the bird. Yuri, on the other hand, did not appreciate the creature's persistence, and had gone outside to shoo it away with the bristly part of a broom. Asumi had been quick to berate her, but Yuri told her that the crow was a frequent troublemaker and was far too smart for its own good-- she even explained that it often raided their trashcans in pursuit of food. It was best to scare it away, she said.  

Just as Asumi thought, the rain had ceased by the time they finished their meals. The sky was now clear, and a lovely, aromatic breeze swept through the streets. At the end of their feast, Asumi decided that she should foot the bill. It was a decent chunk of her allowance, but she was sure that her parents wouldn't mind. She was making new friends, so there was no way that they'd complain about it. Soon enough, everyone made to leave, and Asumi bid them farewell before she set off towards home. Hopefully she'd be able to complete her chores before she settled down to study.

[hr]
[h3][b][i][color=B7CEEC]April 24th, 2025.[/color][/i][/b][/h3]
[b][i][color=B7CEEC]Classroom 2-B[/color][/i][/b] 

[center][b][color=B7CEEC]MENTIONS:[/color][/b] [color=D1D0CE][color=B7CEEC]Munehisa[/color] [[@Solace]], [color=B7CEEC]Nagi[/color] [[@Psyker Landshark]], [color=B7CEEC]Masashi[/color] [[@Zombehs]], [color=B7CEEC]Akira[/color] [[@DJAtomika]], [color=B7CEEC]Hoshiko[/color] [[@Fabricant451]][/color], [color=B7CEEC]Hakuro[/color] [[@FalloutJack]], [color=B7CEEC]Kenzan[/color] [[@PrankFox]][/center]

Asumi's day at school went peacefully... for the most part. 

Almost everything went as planned; she arrived at school early, ate lunch with Nagi, and answered her teachers' questions correctly. Things changed in the latter part of the day, however. It all happened in history class. Miss Okamoto lectured the class in her usual way, ranting and complaining the whole while. She topped off the class with an brief announcement about a test a few days from then, which was honestly a little ridiculous. They had hardly learned anything; how could they be tested if they didn't know the subject? Asumi frowned, already semi-stressed out as she went to put her books away in preparation for the next subject. However, Miss Okamoto's announcements of terror did not end there. 

[b]"Before we move on, may I please have your attention again? Just for a moment."[/b] The teacher's voice was sweet-- too sweet, even. 

Asumi was almost too scared to look at her, but when she did, she wished she hadn't. Miss Okamoto stood at her desk, a wicked, strained grin having spread over her lips. Fear crawled through her veins as she watched Miss Okamoto lift a piece of paper for the class to look at. Her heart dropped into her stomach upon realizing what exactly it was that she was looking at. [color=B7CEEC][i]Is that really...?![/i][/color]

[b]"I found this drawing on the floor of the classroom the other day. I think it's a drawing of me,"[/b] Miss Okamoto snared, her face darkening to match her tone of voice. [b]"Honestly, I'm rather insulted. Does anyone know who created this... this [i]thing?[/i]"[/b]

The classroom was dead quiet. Asumi swallowed as she fought the urge to glance over her shoulder at Munehisa. 

[b]"No one?"[/b] Miss Okamoto's eyes became slits. She set one of her hands on her hips, holding the paper up by one of its edges as she stepped out from behind the desk. Slowly but surely, she made her way around the classroom, worming her path around each of the students' desks with deadly grace. [b]"Really? No one at all?"[/b]

Asumi chewed on the inside of her lip. Oh God, she was sweating. Thankfully, the history teacher had returned back to her desk after her parade, and too far to sense her sheer discomfort. 

A long sigh left the teacher's lips. [b]"Well, if we aren't doing this the [i]easy[/i] way, then I suppose we'll have to do it the [i]hard[/i] way..."[/b] Miss Okamoto's smile returned to her face, though it was practically demonic at this point, almost as if she was relishing the fact that she was in control of the whole classroom. Her venomous leer did not falter once as she placed the drawing back on the desk. [b]"Since no one wants to fess up, I'll have to bring this up to the principal. I'm sure I can convince him to come up with an appropiate punishment for the class. Hmm... expulsion, maybe?"[/b]

Asumi bristled in her seat. [color=B7CEEC][b][i]EXPULSION?![/i][/b][/color]

[b]"I'm giving you lot a week,"[/b] Miss Okamoto hissed. [b]"If no one confesses by then, this is going straight to the principal's office and the [i]entirety of Class 2-B[/i] will be removed from Fujihama High."[/b]

Asumi couldn't believe it. It wasn't even a week into the new semester and already she was being faced with a test [i]and[/i] getting kicked out of school?!

The school day might have ended an hour later, but that granted her no respite. As the class chattered among their separate cliques, her mind wracked for solutions. There was no way she could solve the situation with Miss Okamoto-- not yet, anyway. Munehisa was her friend. There was no way she was going to rat him out to her. She only hoped that someone else did, or he manned up and turned himself in. As he should-- if she was expelled from high school because of [i]Munehisa[/i] of all people, she would likely murder him. That left the other issue: the history test a few days from then. She could fix that, at least.

Her eyes drifted across the class in search of something– anything– that could help her out. That was when her gaze fell on one of her classmates, Chen Akio. He was doing what he did best, reading a textbook. Not just any textbook– a history textbook!

[color=B7CEEC][b]“Hey!”[/b][/color] Asumi called out and got up from her seat before she walked over to his desk. Even though she was right in front of him, she gave him a small wave and a tender smile. [color=B7CEEC][b]“You’re Chen, right?”[/b][/color]

Chen visibly recoiled at the sound of his name. Someone was talking to him? Why would anyone want to talk to him? Was he about to get mugged? He looked up from his history textbook to the girl who had called his name. She looked harmless enough. Wasn't her name… Asumi something? Maybe she was looking for something?

[b][Color=ed1c24]"Uh, yeah, that's me."[/Color][/b] Chen closed his textbook and began to put it into his bag. [b][Color=ed1c24]"Do you uh… need some help with something?"[/Color][/b]

Asumi perked up when the boy affirmed that it was actually who she thought he was. Okay, perfect, step one was done. [color=B7CEEC][b]“Well…”[/b][/color] she began, swaying her hips side to side bashfully as she dipped her head at him. She glanced up at him pleadingly, trying to pull off the best puppy-eyes she could.

[color=B7CEEC][b]“I don’t really get what Miss Okamoto teaches most of the time. I’m so lost in the class, I’m starting to worry about my grades dropping  because of her! So, I was wondering, would you be willing to tutor me and some friends? We could go to your place or something, and I can bring along some snacks to get us through the study session!”[/b][/color]

As if that wasn’t enough to convince the studious boy, she leaned forward and gave him a sugary smile. [color=B7CEEC][b]“Please, please, please help us?”[/b][/color] she asked. [color=B7CEEC][b]“I’ll do anything!”[/b][/color]

Chen leaned back from the girl as she leaned in, the grip on his textbook growing tighter. She seemed… a little [i]too[/i] enthusiastic about all this. Was this some sort of scam? Then again, she was right about Miss Akamoto. They had to have been some of the worst "lectures" he'd ever had the misfortune of sitting through. Maybe she was just really, really desperate. Well, helping others is a good way to make new friends right?

[b][Color=ed1c24]"Well, uh… Yeah, sure, I don't see why not. We can study at my place. Mom is supposed to be out on a girl's night out and dad has today off--"[/Color][/b]

Wait. Shit. His dad was home. That might complicate things. His dad probably wasn't opposed to the idea, and probably even liked the idea of him studying. There was just one ever so slight problem. [b][Color=ed1c24]"Uh, so if you're coming over, I'm just going to warn you now, my dad might not let you leave without staying for dinner. Not literally, of course, but you get the idea. Where he's from, food is kind of important."[/Color][/b]

Chen realized he had a death grip on his textbook this whole time. He let go of the book and zipped up his bag, before turning back to the girl. [b][Color=ed1c24]"I guess I need to call dad at let him know I'm having people over."[/Color][/b] He pulled out his phone. [b][Color=ed1c24]"Any idea how many of you there'll be?"[/Color][/b]

No way! He was actually going to help them and give them food! It was a miracle! Asumi grinned as she bounced excitedly on her toes.  [color=B7CEEC][b]“Thank you so much! And no worries about the dinner thing! I’m sure everyone’ll love to stay and try out your dad’s cooking!”[/b][/color]

That left one last question. How many were going with her? Well, grades were important, so she might as well invite everyone. “Maybe like…” She thought for a moment as she pulled out her own phone. [color=B7CEEC][b]“Five or six, including me. Mind if I give you my number so you could text me your address?”[/b][/color]

Well someone was certainly excited. Maybe this whole Okamoto thing was worse than he thought. On rare occasions he was ever called on in class the questions were easy enough to answer, but that might have just been because he had read the textbook so much. Chen grabbed his notebook and began scribbling down his number on a corner before tearing it off and handing it to Asumi. [b][Color=ed1c24]"Alright, there you go. If you need anything else, I'm going to head over to Wantanabe's first to check out some stuff. Send me a text when you're on your way incase I need to cut my trip short."[/Color][/b] Chen looked down at the phone in his other hand. Time to make a call.

[hr]

It wasn't long after her conversation with Chen that Asumi gathered her friends-- Hoshiko included, for some reason --and they set off together. Asumi thought it was the least she could do; she didn't only care about her grades, but theirs as well. Nagi agreed to meet them at Chen's place, promising to drag Munehisa with her. She kept their pace slow and leisurely to provide their savior with enough time to go to Watanabe's and back. The spring breeze was very lovely that day, backed by clear skies and a warm sun. Their first stop was a small, not-very-well-known corner shop that sold all types of snacks and candies. Asumi bought a ton for herself and for her friends and shoved them all into her schoolbag. The sweet, bitter, sour, and salty snacks rested comfortably in her bag as they set off in the direction of Chen's house. Oh right, she almost forgot! She pulled out her phone and sent a text message to Chen.

[quote][color=B7CEEC][b]Hey! On our way! Bringing a lot of snacks too! :)[/b][/color][/quote] 
Asumi tried to relish the spring breeze as they walked down a small street that people hardly used, though it was to no avail. Her mind was bitter, and she was practically frantic as she led them down the path. It wasn't wide, but luckily it wasn't extremely narrow. Some trash cans lined the small side street, though they were kept in place for the most part. Once they made it down the street, they'd be near Chen's neighborhood. [color=B7CEEC][b]"I swear, that whole thing with Miss Okamoto was such B.S!"[/b][/color] she whined. [color=B7CEEC][b]"Can she actually expel a [i]whole[/i] class?! Is that even allowed?"[/b][/color] Knowing their luck, it probably was. 

[color=B7CEEC][b]"This can't happen. If it does, it'll ruin my reputation! There's not going to be a single university who wants a student who was [i]expelled[/i] from school..."[/b][/color] Asumi said, continuing her tirade as she glanced over her shoulder at them. [color=B7CEEC][b]"We gotta do something, and qu-- [i]AH![/i]"[/b][/color]

Her foot snagged against a stray garbage bag, sending her tumbling onto a pile of other bags. Groaning in complaint, she struggled to pull herself to her feet, her face burning a bright red. Of course. [color=B7CEEC][b]"Damn it,[/b][/color] she whimpered, [color=B7CEEC][b]"people really have to mind where they throw their... trash..?"[/b][/color]

There was no mistaking that smell. She had smelled it before, when she accompanied her parents to the hospital when they weren't able to find anyone to take care of her. It wasn't even a smell, to be fair-- it was more like a stench, one of decay and blood. Panic ran through her as she stared down at the trash bags, her eyes growing wide upon further inspection. A older man with grayish-black hair was sprawled on his back beneath the pile of trash, his eyes wide open and staring up towards the sky. His sightless gaze was covered by a glossy film, and a ragged gash spread from one side of his neck to the other. Old blood had pooled beneath his head. Asumi stared, her face becoming paler by the minute. Then, her throat released the most guttural screech that it could manage, her scream rippling up and down the pathway and bouncing off the stone walls. 

When she her lungs were emptied of air, she let out a series of dry gasps as she rolled off the pile of bags. A rush of adrenaline pulled her back onto her feet. [color=B7CEEC][b]"B-b-bo-"[/b][/color] she stammered, shivering all the while as she backed up against the wall. Her eyes were wide, her lips hanging open as she tried to form words. [color=B7CEEC][b]"Th-that's a- a-... [i]that's a dead body--!!![/i]"[/b][/color][/color]