A Certain Destined Introduction
Chapter 1: First Impressions
The long-sleeved shirt was slightly itchy.
The red ribbon around her neck was just a bit tight.
The light-brown jacket was hot in the warm spring weather.
The blue checkered skirt was a bit too short for comfort.
Still...
"I am here!" Hands on her hips, the girl with reddish-brown hair styled in long twin pigtails made her presence known. Her name was Kuroko Shirai, and she was not trying to be deeply philosophical or arrogant with her rather obvious statement. Rather, she felt she needed to reaffirm her current situation: in front of her was Tokiwadai Middle School, the school's red brick walls and huge decorative windows seemingly towering over the anxious first-years.
The girls who were gathered in the school yard were looking in all directions and taking in the sight of the bronze school gates, the beautifully trimmed bushes and trees, the fountain in the middle of the courtyard, the beautifully layered bricks on the ground without even a speck of dirt, and the gray stone steps leading up to a pair of oak double doors, majestically inviting its students and visitors in.
Yes, it was the fact that she was standing here in front of this elite school, among the top 3 of Academy City's girls' schools, that made the announcement seem fitting to the girl known as Kuroko Shirai.
Tokiwadai did not choose its students based on status, but rather on skill and intelligence. It was, however, still an expensive school. As such, it was considered an elite school for the rich. The school was proud of its close cooperation with various research societies, and many graduates from Tokiwadai were able to get important jobs in their field of study, although succeeding in Tokiwadai required not only high grades, but also a good social sense. With so many high-class girls divided into different factions, taking things easy would spell disaster.
Kuroko stared down the building before her as if she had to prove herself to the inanimate structure. And I will! I'll show the world and any non-believers: Kuroko Shirai belongs in a place like this!
"Being accepted into our school is a tremendous honor," the principal's voice reverberated throughout the auditorium. The principal was a big man, with wavy shoulder-length hair and an unkempt beard that contrasted quite a bit from his expensive business suit. In front of him, all the students of Tokiwadai were sitting in comfortable chairs watching the traditional opening ceremony.
Polite applause filled the gym. Kuroko joined in robotically, focusing her attention on scanning the audience. Everywhere she looked, there were girls who looked like princesses who had never set foot in the outside world, more used to conferring with their maids and stewards than with those of their own age. Most likely, many of them came from some private rich girl elementary school, and had never seen anything else than their study books and walk-in closets in their life. Sheltered, pompous snobs. Her opinion of them was already quite biased, though if you asked the girl herself, Kuroko would most likely answer with a mere huff.
The principal continued. "Our facilities include a private pool and tennis court. Additionally, there are many services available to you outside of school. Your homeroom teachers will explain to you in detail about these, as well as our various rules. I'm sure you have already familiarized yourselves with many of them. And now, please welcome last year's student council president, Reiko Asanuma!"
This time the applause was much livelier, and some girls were even squealing in joy. Kuroko watched with a somber expression as an older girl entered the stage, marvelous black hair falling around her shoulders and chin held high in arrogant pride, like the star of a shampoo commercial.
The student council president, eh? That meant she was at the very top of the hierarchy, even above the most powerful factions in the school. The student council was more like a state power than a mere council here, at least as far as Kuroko could tell when investigating the school.
"As we enter this new year, we seniors must welcome our first-years like we ourselves were welcomed when we first entered this school," the girl began. Her voice was laced with a pleasant touch of gentleness, and her kind smile was quite enthralling as she gazed upon her fellow students. The effect was hardly surprising. Breathless gasps, pink cheeks and glittering eyes everywhere.
"Wah, I wouldn't mind being held in Asanuma-san's arms for an evening!" someone squealed.
The third-year, as if blind to the effects her presence had on the crowd, continued. "And, like tender buds, we must nurture them with our words and share of our wisdom so as to help them grow into the beautiful flowers they are destined to become..."
That could have lasted two hours less, Kuroko thought with a deep sigh.
After the ceremony ended and the second- and third-years left the hall, the first-years were divided into four different classes, with 15 to 20 students in each. Kuroko ended up in class A together with a couple of girls she'd barely greeted earlier.
One of the girls smiled shyly as she greeted her. "Kuroko Shirai-san, right?" She had brown, wavy hair that reached her ears, and seemed just a tiny less uncomfortable in the short skirt than her long-haired classmate.
"Yes, that's right," Kuroko confirmed.
"My name is Kinuho Wannai, and this is Maaya Awatsuki," she gestured to the girl beside her, who sported long, dark hair, which looked relatively dull in comparison to the student council president's, and a shy expression similar to that of her friend. "I hope we'll do well in each other's company," Wannai-san said with a smile.
"Pleased to meet you." Kuroko felt no enthusiasm whatsoever.
"That Reiko Asanuma was really amazing, wasn't she?" Awatsuki-san continued, clasping her hands in front of her chest. "So beautiful! I wonder if she'll run for student council president this year too?"
Kuroko didn't really care, but she couldn't imagine that pompous third-year doing anything else. She'd seemed quite comfortable up there in the spotlight.
They left the gymnasium with the rest of their class, and the two girls walked side-by-side with Kuroko down the hall.
"Ah, but to think we're finally middle schoolers," Wannai-san said, sounding almost worried. "I feel like I need to grow up really fast all of a sudden."
"I know, when I saw all those upperclassmen, I was really worried," Awatsuki-san said, sounding equally worried, but she was still smiling. "They all seemed so mature and dignified."
They passed a group of upperclassmen on their way down the hall, and Kuroko noticed the figure of a green Gekota mascot dangling from one of the school bags, and giggled silently to herself.
The day seemed to grow longer and longer as she sat in the classroom and listened to their teacher. He introduced himself as Takahiro Hiraga, but would soon be known as only Hiraga-sensei to the girls in his class.
Hiraga-sensei informed them that their luggage and personal belongings had already been transported to their designated dorm (Kuroko had specifically asked for the dorm outside the Garden of Learning, as she couldn't stand the thought of being stuck in that snobbish town all day long), and then they were each given the trademark Tokiwadai school bag; a small, black leather suitcase, accompanied by clear instructions that this was the only school bag regulated for use. Though it may look like any regular school bag, this one (according to their teacher) was designed by an award-winning artist, and was made from only the most exclusive materials available.
He also spent an entire hour going over different rules of the school: always wear your uniform, obey your dorm mistress, never bring disgrace upon your school (the list of what that entailed was as long as the constitution), and treat your teachers and fellow students with respect, among them.
At the end of the day, it seemed like this place was full of rules and restrictions, as well as a whole lot of fine ladies-to-be. Kuroko looked out the window to her left with her cheek resting on one hand, sighing to herself. How had she ended up here again?
Kazari Uiharu gave a deep sigh of relief. She'd officially survived her first day at Sakugawa Middle School.
She'd reached the school on time without getting lost, managed to introduce herself to the class without stumbling too much in her words, and had even talked a bit with some of the other girls in her class. After having dreaded this day for well over a week, she had to admit it had gone fairly well. Her spot in the classroom was okay, if not perfect; almost at the back, and one row away from the windows. The homeroom teacher seemed likeable, and the dark blue, long-sleeved sailor uniform was lovely. It made her feel truly like a middle school student. She felt lighter than she'd imagined while standing outside the main entrance, backpack on her shoulders, ready to head towards the iron gates and the street outside.
"I wonder what I'll have for dinner today..." she muttered, checking her cell phone.
That's when something intrusive invited itself under her skirt.
She realized why when a voice commented, "Ooh, blue and white stripes. How nostalgic!"
Face growing beet red, she let out a screech, pulling her skirt back down.
"Heya!" Stepping out in front of her was a smiling girl, a bit taller than herself and with long, black hair adorned by a single white flowery hair clip on the left side. From her shoulder dangled what looked like a blue gym bag.
No doubt this was the culprit of Kazari's current predicament.
"W-what are you doing all of a sudden?" Kazari shrieked, glaring at the girl furiously and embarrassed all at once. There were boys around them! She wished she could turn invisible.
"I figured the best way to introduce myself would be by breaking the ice," the girl said, rubbing her neck with a silly grin. "Besides, I wanted to check that you were wearing your underwear properly."
"Why do you need to check that?" Kazari screeched. "And even if you are worried, couldn't you just ask?"
"Yeah, but you know, girls like you tend to live in their own world, and forget important stuff like that," the girl said, totally ignoring the pursed lips and puffed cheeks in front of her. "Say," she continued, face sober as she looked at the flowery headband on top of Kazari's short, fluffy dark hair, "What's up with that? Do the flowers grow out of your head or something?"
Kazari instantly grabbed at her headband. "Of course not!"
"That'd be awesome, though," the longhaired girl grinned anew. Then she bowed slightly. "My name is Ruiko Saten! You probably noticed, but we're in the same class. Nice meeting you!"
Kazari hmph'ed, looking away stubbornly. She couldn't help feeling grumpy after being treated like that in front of so many people.
"Now, now, don't be like that," Saten-san grinned. "We girls need to keep together, you know? Flower power and all that!"
"That's not funny!" Kazari said, but she turned towards the girl all the same, cheeks puffed. Letting out a stubborn sigh, she eventually relented, and bowed as well. "Kazari Uiharu. It's nice meeting you." Kazari was the kind of girl that was too nice for her own good sometimes.
"Ah, you see? Breaking the ice sure is a good way to make friends!" The girl laughed and slapped her shoulder, and Kazari huffed again. "Now let's go celebrate our youth with some ice cream!"
Kuroko and the other girls in her dorm received a lengthy lecture from their rather scary-looking dorm mistress about the various rules of their new living quarters. The curfew time of 9 pm, pets forbidden, no use of powers within the dorm, and the no boys rule all seemed like things the dorm mistress expected them to take for granted.
She then informed them that if you broke any dorm rules, both you and your roommate would be deducted a point (making Kuroko wonder how many points they started out with, though she didn't dare ask), and for every three points deducted, they would both be put in detention. The idea of having a shared punishment system was ridiculous in Kuroko's eyes, but she couldn't exactly do anything about it. Hopefully, she and her roommate could get along well.
Her hope was soon demolished, however. Though the room was nice, with two huge beds, two bookshelves, two desks and one shared bathroom, her first impression of the room was her rather sour companion. Her roommate was a girl from her class. Although the Tokiwadai dorms did not intentionally group classmates, it was inevitable to happen sometimes. The girl had black, straight hair reaching almost to her shoulders, and a permanent frown on her face.
"Kuroko Shirai. Pleased to meet you," Kuroko said, bowing her head slightly.
The girl sniffed arrogantly. "So you're the one who's going to disturb my studying this year."
Kuroko stared at her. "Huh?" She could recognize a sour tone of voice when slapped in her face so obviously, but she didn't understand the reason quite yet.
"I'll have you know I always go to bed by 9 o'clock, and I expect you to follow my example. I'd like to use the bathroom first in the morning, and my bed is the one on the right. I don't like sleeping with the curtains closed, so you'll have to adjust."
Kuroko blinked, hardly believing her ears. Was she joking? But looking at that arrogant face, she realized this girl was being totally serious. Her heart fell. "Um... what was your name...?"
"You don't even remember the names of your own classmates?" The girl sighed overbearingly. "Really, this is going to be one long school year..."
Kuroko hmph'ed, but didn't have time to think of a comeback before the girl continued. "I am Nelly Sumone. Please keep that in mind."
"Geh..." Kuroko bit back the insult growing on her tongue. She'd have to survive sharing a room with this girl, after all. It was going to be a long year indeed.
"Ooh, so you went to Sakura Elementary in School District 2?" Saten-san said, eagerly stirring her drink with her straw.
"Yes..." Kazari said, red-cheeked and very aware of the fact that she was sitting at a public café with the weirdest person she'd ever met. When the other girl had asked, she hadn't managed to refuse, and was dragged here before she could anyway. At least she hadn't flipped her skirt again.
"That's a very nice school, isn't it?" Saten-san said, grinning from ear to ear. "A friend of my friend's friend went there, apparently."
"..." Kazari sipped her soda silently.
"I went to Kasoku Elementary," the longhaired girl continued, as if she hadn't even noticed the lack of an answer. "It was really boring!" Saying that with a smile somehow removed the need to feel sympathy. Then her voice turned solemn. "Still, it kind of sucks entering a new class with none of your old classmates."
Kazari set her glass down. "Why did you come to Sakugawa, Saten-san?"
Saten-san looked up at her in surprise, as if she hadn't expected her to say anything. Then she smiled again. "Ah, you know, everyone says this and that school is the best and so on, and I figured 'what the heck' and just tried for every one I could. Sakugawa was the first to accept me, so I didn't bother thinking so hard about it. How about you, Uiharu?"
Kazari gazed down into her soda, feeling her stomach knit. "I was going to come here with my best friend."
"Really?" Saten-san exclaimed. "Is she in our class? You should have invited her as well!" She looked around the café, as if she might be standing in a corner. Kazari's grip tightened around her glass.
"No, she... she ended up going to a school in District 9 instead."
Saten-san's gaze fell back to her, and she hmm'ed, for once sporting a solemn expression. Kazari glared at the glass in her hand, waiting for the question: "why?"
"That sucks," the other girl said. Kazari looked up in surprise. Saten-san was looking out the window, hands behind her head. "But, I mean, that's not much of a friend either way, if she chooses another district over her best friend."
She noticed Kazari's astonished gaze and looked back at her. "What?"
Kazari hurriedly looked down into her soda. "No, nothing..." But her chest felt better; lighter, somehow, and her lips turned upwards into a gentle smile.
Saten-san grinned again. "No worries. I'll be your friend from now on, 'kay?"
"Mhm." Kazari smiled.
"Really, that school is weird through and through!" Kuroko was sitting at her desk at Judgment's 177th branch, safely away from the danger of her roommate or anyone else hearing her complain. The temperature outside was moderate, and her jacket was hanging over the chair. At least she would take that off whenever she could. With the strict rules of always to be wearing their school uniforms, she'd have to get used to it. However, that was the least of her worries.
"You wouldn't think the other girls in the class are my age! They act like they are eighty!" she spat. "And my roommate – you would do well to find another like her in the whole of Japan, if not the whole world."
Mii Konori, the disgruntled girl's senior, looked up from her computer screen and smiled. "Are you sure you're not just nervous?"
Kuroko puffed her cheeks out stubbornly. "What a ridiculous idea."
"Still, I was sure you wouldn't have time to drop by today. Don't you have a lot of things to pack out and organize?"
"Things like that takes no time with my ability," she said confidently. She'd teleported her goods into place when Sumone-san was in the bathroom, not wanting a deduction point on her very first day for misusing her powers inside the dorm.
"Ah, I guess that's true..." Konori-senpai continued to smile. "Then, why did you choose to go to such a weird school? It's not too late to change, you know. Some schools are still accepting new applications."
"I will not! I have chosen this school because of its unrivaled study program. Every single graduate who continues on to similar high school programs is ensured a high-quality job."
"Aren't you quite wealthy already to afford attending there?" the older girl asked.
"Honestly, why do people only think about money?" Kuroko sighed deeply. "Unlike you, I do not think of the profit when doing my choices in life."
"Oh, that's harsh." Konori said, and chuckled. "Still, I've heard a lot of good things about that school. Apparently they have a really good student society, and their dorms are absolutely fantastic! I'm sure you'll have a great time there once you get to know your classmates a bit better." She gave a light-hearted sigh.
Kuroko glanced at her senior with a small smirk. "Did I just hear your equivalent of a squeal, Konori-senpai?"
Konori spluttered, pushing her glasses up her nose. "Of course not! Get to work, Shirai!"
Kuroko looked back at her computer screen, and sighed again. "Well, perhaps I ought to give it a chance before I judge it too harshly," she muttered. Though she doubted anything could make her think otherwise of the school and its pupils. Being indecisive or unsure of her own opinions was not the kind of person Kuroko Shirai was.