Totally (Not) Spies

The next morning Yumoko begrudgingly put on her new school uniform. She hated it compared to her previous one back when she officially was still a Monta. This one was just too revealing for her, the skirt was too short and the white sailor top seemed too childish for her.

Still, she sucked it up and swallowed the bitter pill as she left the house alongside Jurie.

“It’s nice to have someone with me on the way to school.” Said Jurie as they walked along the sidewalk. “It’s going to be a lot less lonely for the both of us now, right?”

“Yes, that’s correct.” She replied, gritting her teeth. Yumoko always enjoyed the solitude of her walk back at her old school. No one ever paid her any mind and that was the way she liked it. Even if that wasn’t the case, having to spend her mornings with this Capa girl already began to get under her skin as her companion simply wouldn’t stop talking.

“You know, you’ve been working for a week now.” She said. “But I hardly know a thing about you.”

“I can’t say there’s anything special about me.” As much as she wanted to response coldly, she knew she couldn’t due to her facade. “I spend much of my time working for your family. But during free moments, you can generally find me reading some books.”

“Oooh, you read romance manga?” Jurie asked, stating it in such a manner as if it were an easy assumption to make.

“No, not really.” Yumoko took a deep breath as she gave her reply. From the way this conversation was going, she could tell she was in for a long school year ahead. “I mainly read up on history.” Jurie raised an eyebrow to that answer. It seemed strange to her that a girl like her would want to attend Capa, but it wasn’t like there were any rules on what type of stuff one could enjoy. At least legally speaking.

When they arrived at the school grounds, Yumoko couldn’t help but feel a strange tension in the air. While she knew she’d be anxious by being surrounded by so many enemies, this atmosphere seemed to be coming from the other students as well.

“Is there an important exam today?” She asked as the pair entered the school.

“No, they’re only like this because of you.” Her answer came as a surprise. She knew they wouldn’t be so welcoming if they knew the truth about her. However at this point, she knew her cover couldn’t possibly been blown yet. “Everyone’s always like this whenever there’s a new transfer student. You know, you could be a Monta spy.”

“That’s… An interesting reaction.” Internally she was shaking in worry. Could she have bitten off than she could chew already?

“People are always overreacting like that.” Jurie laughed it off as if it were no big deal. “But I trust you, so you’ll be fine here.” Yumoko was glad to have an ally. Even if that trust was misplaced with her.

Classes began and the new student went through the usual spiel of how introductions for transfer students went. She was unsurprisingly placed in the same homeroom as Jurie. Which was useful for her so she could keep an eye on her target during most of the day. Though she was unable to secure a spot next to the girl.

“So, you’re Jurie’s new maid, huh?” She had the misfortune of sitting in the desk right next to one of Jurie’s more annoying friends in the form of Sumiwa. “Come on, you got any juicy details about living there?”

“I’d rather not engage with gossiping about my boss.” As much as she wanted to tell the girl to shove it, Yumoko had to play nice in order to find herself in the best possible position. She had heard from Jurie that this was one of the members of the student council. So she knew getting into a good spot with someone like her could open opportunities in the future.

“Tsk, lame.” She hoped this would be the end of their interactions, but Sumiwa had other plans in mind. “You know, you don’t have to be all stiff like a Monta here.” She continued on speaking during their break. “Sure everyone’s got the whole, you might be a spy thing-”

“I am most certainly not that.” She quickly interrupted as if to avoid having such a stigma attached to her. Though it did little to reduce any suspicion of her true identity.

“Yeah, only sus peope say things like that.” Was the response she got. “But Jurie trusts you, so I trust you too.” Yumoko found it strange how much these students elevated her employer. For whatever reason, they viewed her as the pinnacle of humanity. Of course as a Monta, she viewed the president as even lower than the worst member of her previous school.

“Sorry, it’s just that when people are viewing you like the enemy. You get a little self-conscious about it.”

“You know what would solve that? How about you hang out with us for a little bit?” She suggested allowing the girl into the student council club room. This was the opportunity she had been waiting for. “Niiya’s great, but maybe you shouldn’t talk to Tenmaro all that much.”

“I appreciate the offer. I’d love to join you.” She accepted without hesitation.

“Great, and you really got to stop speaking so formally. I don’t know what rules you got at work, but we’re pretty loose around here.”

“Right, I’m sure you are…” She replied. As if she’d let her guard down around these people.

Yumoko wasn’t the only one having her first day in a new school. Azutoyo also was seeing for the first time how the future of his school life would treat him.

“Weird, no one seems to be reacting to my presence.” He said as he and Ryuo walked down the hallway towards their homeroom class. While he was glad no one was eyeing him with silent ire, it also seemed no one was welcoming either.

“Why would they?” Ryuo responded. “You’re just a new student. It’s not like anyone makes a big deal about transfer students.”

“Really? But don’t new people change up the whole ecosystem? What about the transfer student themselves? How are they supposed to feel invited?”

“Look, everyone here is already perfectly content with the friends they’ve made already. It’s not like we’re trying to be all ho-hum about changing things up.” He answered. “That said, your name is attached to mine, so I’m sure you’ll make some friends easily anyway.”

“Boy, isn’t that great.” Azutoyo muttered to himself. To have to take advantage of such nepotism disgusted him. That said, it was also useful to his ultimate goal. So he would have to bite the bullet for now.

After he went through the usual process for transfer students. Azutoyo found himself in the back of the classroom where he felt most comfortable. Though he couldn’t kick back and put his feet on the desk as he knew there was no way such actions would be allowed in this school.

“So, you’re Ryuo’s new servant.” Despite sitting behind most students to avoid detection and ignore the teacher. He did have the misfortune of sitting next Meguru. “You know, I would’ve thought you’d be more… Uptight.”

“I’m still young, you know.” He eyed him in disdain, though avoided showing his true feelings. This boy he sat with was one he knew he could easily bully if he wanted to. Such losers were at the bottom of the food chain to him. “Shouldn’t I try to make myself more comfortable when I’m not working?”

“I suppose, but if you’re going to be attached to Ryuo. You should probably avoid doing anything that might harm his reputation.” While he couldn’t care less about that. Azutoyo did understand he couldn’t do anything to rock the boat.

“Don’t worry, I’ll avoid trouble.” Was the response he gave. “Though if you don’t mind me asking, why do you care?”

“Has Ryuo never mentioned me?” Meguru frowned as he laid his face right onto his desk. “It’s me, Meguru Ubuki.” He said, as if that name should mean anything to the other boy. “I’m the school’s treasurer? His friend?” He continued to speak as if any of this should be important. Though in this situation, it was vital information for Azutoyo.

“Ah, I see.” He wasn’t surprised to see a nerd have a role like his. “It’s nice to meet someone close to Ryuo. I’m sure we can have a very fruitful relationship.” Azutoyo faked a smile, knowing he might be one step closer to his ultimate goal.