This guy is nuts…

When Eiji exited his room in the morning, Masato was already at the entrance area, waiting for him.

– Come on, hurry up! – he was getting impatient.

– Wait a bit, we’re going to be early if we go now. – Eiji rubbed his eyes in his fatigue, he had another sleepless night.

– Yeah, maybe if we run, I like to walk at a normal pace, unlike you. – Masato leaned to the wall. – Also, what’s up, couldn’t sleep at night?

– Yeah, I just couldn’t fall asleep, it was also a bit warm… – Eiji walked to the entrance area and put on his shoes. – Ready to go?

– What do you mean it was warm yesterday?! – Masato shook his head in confusion. – It was like 4 degrees outside! I was freezing!

– Whatever. Let’s go. – Eiji picked up his bag and his jacket.

– You’re always like this, we never turn on the heat just for you to say it’s still warm! – Masato followed after Eiji as they both left the house.

𐲂𐲀𐲢𐲀𐲙𐲦𐲀

They arrived at the school, a few people were standing outside talking.

When they noticed Eiji they started whispering while looking at him.

– It’s him, he’s the guy that beat up Furuya-kun yesterday.

– He said it was for a club, but I don’t really believe it, maybe it’s about that girl in their class, Araki-san.

– Maybe if I join the club I could learn to fight like that too…

Eiji’s ears flickered and he stopped.

– What’s up, Eiji? – Masato also stopped beside him.

– Why do they think it’s about a girl? Can’t two guys just fight? – Eiji sighed.

Masato burst out laughing.

– So that was your problem? – Masato grinned.

– Yeah, what was it supposed to be? – Eiji scratched the back of his head.

– You know what? I’ll help you out with this one, because you’re my friend. – Masato sighed.

– What? – Eiji raised his eyebrows.

– Just watch and learn. – Masato winked then turned towards everyone.

– I don’t like where this is heading… – Eiji sighed.

But he knew he couldn’t stop Masato.

– Good morning, everyone! – Masato talked loudly.

The students in front of the school all looked at him.

– What’s up with this guy?

– He seems to be going to our school based on his uniform, but I didn’t see him at all…

Masato took a big breath and rubbed his hands together.

– Damn it’s cold today, right? – he still talked loudly.

People gave him weird looks.

– But that’s not what I want to talk about today. – Masato shook his head. — My name is Ishida Masato from class 1-B, and I’m the vice-president of the Baranta club! You might have seen my dear friend and club president here, Takemura Eiji, yesterday, exercising with one of our newcomers. Good for you! – Masato showed a like with his hand. – He’s our proud national wrestling champion and… he’s left.

While Masato was talking in front of everyone, Eiji stealthily slipped away and was just entering the school.

– Whatever, what I really wanted to say was that Eiji didn’t have any ulterior motives in yesterday's exercise and that we welcome everyone interested into the club! And with that, I’ll excuse myself. – Masato bowed in front of everyone and walked into the school building.

– National champion? Like I’d believe that.

– Someone like that goes to our school?

– Maybe checking out that club could be worth it…

Eiji was standing by the lockers, leaning onto a nearby wall.

– And that’s the end of our club, nobody’s going to join. – he sighed.

– What are you talking about? Some people actually seemed interested! – Masato took off his outside shoes.

– Whatever, not like I actually had high hopes for this, we don’t even have the paperwork done… – Eiji left the locker area and walked through the hallways.

– Come on, it will be fine. – Masato caught up to Eiji as they walked to class.

They quickly arrived at the classroom and entered.

– We can make it work, just relax a bit, Eiji. – Masato walked with his hands in his pockets.

– If we both relax, who will take things seriously? – Eiji’s eyebrows furrowed.

– No need to take things so seriously, just go with the flow. Also, where do I sit? – Masato was looking around in the classroom.

Few people were talking, not noticing the two of them, the rumors haven’t reached inside the classroom yet.

– You sit in the sixth row, towards the middle. – Eiji walked to the seat.

– And where do you sit? – Masato put his stuff on his desk.

– Here, by the window. – he put his things on his desk and sat down. 

Eiji’s desk was in the fourth row, and the leftmost column, by the window.

– So far! Couldn’t we ask our homeroom teacher to put us closer to each other? – Masato sat down at the desk by Eiji’s. – I wouldn’t mind sitting here.

– I would. Just remember our years back home, we didn’t pay attention to almost zero classes, you want to do that here too? – Eiji leaned back. – And also, if someone were to move, I would go to the back, this is way too close to the front.

– You’re just saying you wouldn’t want me sitting here because you’re sitting by a girl! I’m sure that she’s a cute one, too! With my luck, I’m sure to be surrounded by dudes… – Masato sighed.

– Didn’t you just say you wanted to sit by me? – Eiji said jokingly.

– Yes but, if I had a really cute girl sit in the seat next to me, I just might be okay with the seating. – Masato grinned.

– Ishida-kun, could you let me sit down, please? – the voice of a girl could suddenly be heard from Masato’s right.

– Yes… of course. – Masato stood up from Yuuka’s seat and sat down on Eiji’s desk.

– Good morning, Takemura-kun! – Yuuka said as she sat down.

– Good morning… uhh… Araki-san. – Eiji greeted Yuuka in a neutral tone. – Bazdmeg, I almost forgot her name! – he thought.

– Wait, but how did you know my name? – Masato scratched his head.

– Everyone who was outside heard it. – Shiori, who was behind Yuuka, said in a dry tone. – Also, good morning, Takemura-kun.

– Yeah, good morning to you too. – Eiji was tapping on his seat.

– So, what are your names? – Masato leaned back.

– I’m Araki Yuuka, nice to meet you. – Araki had a polite smile on her face.

– And you? – Masato looked at Shiori.

– Satou Shiori, but why didn’t we see you at school until now? – Shiori squinted her eyes.

– I was sick, otherwise I wouldn’t want to miss my first day of high school here. – Masato would continue but the bell rang. – Well, I’ll just sit down at my desk, we can talk next break.

Masato stood up and walked to his desk, but when he sat down he was surprised to see Shiori sitting down at the desk beside him.

He was looking at her until she suddenly talked.

– Is something wrong?

– Nothing, I just thought I was in a dream. – Masato leaned back on his chair.

– Why? – Shiori tilted her head in confusion.

– Because there’s no way I’m so lucky as to sit by a girl this cute! – Masato grinned.

Shiori looked away, with a faint red color on her cheeks. But before she could say anything, the homeroom teacher entered.

Everyone stood up and bowed.

– Good morning everyone, you might have noticed a new student in our class, could you stand up please? – the teacher looked at Masato.

– Hey everyone, I’m Ishida Masato, nice to meet you. I couldn’t come to school the last two days because I was sick, but I’m happy to be here now. – Masato introduced himself.

– Now that that’s done… – the teacher would continue, but is cut off by Masato.

– Teacher, can I ask one thing first?

– Of course, what is it? – the teacher had a kind expression on his face.

– Could we keep the seating order like this for the whole year? – Masato was grinning.

The teacher looked around Masato and saw Shiori sitting by him, then he grinned too. He was in his twenties, he understood Masato’s intention.

– Well, we don’t usually change the seating for the year, so it will probably stay the same. – the teacher said in a kind tone. – But from now on, please don’t interrupt me.

A few students snickered.

– Figures… – Shiori sighed softly, adjusting her notebook.

Masato bowed dramatically.

– Thank you, teacher. – He sat down, beaming. – And thank you too, God, for giving me this opportunity. I’ll go to church every Sunday, I swear! – he thought, hands clasped in prayer.

Eiji, seeing this, shook his head.

– This guy is nuts…