Three Tired Idiots Go Back To School

Stumbling through the door, Juzo hobbled over to the living room and flopped over on the couch.

"Finally, home."

However, his vulnerable position on the couch was compromised as a large mass came crashing down on his back.

"This is my house. Get off my couch."

Nikko sat comfortably on top of Juzo, who was struggling to breathe. Nikko sighed, then got up. Released from the entrapment, Juzo rolled off the couch, slamming into the floor.

"Thank you."

"Why did you come here exactly?"

Juzo shrugged.

"No clue."

"Whatever. It's not like we have much time left in the summer anyways."

"Oh, yeah, tomorrow's the last day of break. I still need to get all my stuff ready for school."

Juzo got up from the floor and slumped down into a chair.

"I guess the break was pretty good. Do you think everyone enjoyed the trip?"

"Of course. Anytime you can go on a trip with your friends is always a memorable experience."

"Yeah? I hope so. Though it was a shame that Shinobu and Toshiharu were the only ones who got into a summer relationship."

"Not really. None of them have formally asked the other yet."

"Doesn't change the fact that we didn't find anybody."

Nikko didn't want to hear Juzo saying that.

"We? You had Shinobu into you from the moment she met you, and you turned her down and let Toshiharu slide into the picture. Meanwhile, me and Reina have had nothing happen except bad things."

"Oh yeah, forgot that happened. The summer's felt really long."

"I guess. But know it's just a grind 'til graduation. Can't wait."

Juzo pulled out his phone to check the time.

"Oh damn, it's pretty late. I'm going to go now, guess I'll see you at school."

Juzo got his stuff and walked out the door.

"See ya."

Nikko waved back from his spot on the couch. After Juzo closed the door behind him, Nikko fell over to the side, laying across the couch.

"When can I catch a damn break?"

"Nikko, your friends are here!"

Letting out an annoyed groan, Nikko rolled off his bed and onto his feet. He leaned over to grab his uniform off the ground and quickly threw it on. A brief pit stop in the bathroom followed, and soon he was downstairs, where he was met by two idiots waiting for him.

"You're lucky Rinako gave us away. I was gonna dump a water bottle on you."

Juzo was giving Nikko his usual stupid expression, obviously excited to walk to school with his friends again.

"Yeah, and I would've given you a nice knife-shaped hole in your leg."

"Keep it down, it's too early for arguing."

Reina sat on the couch, leaning back with her eyes closed.

"Someone's happy to wake up early."

"Just hurry up."

After quickly shoving down some food and packing his bag, Nikko was ready to go.

"Come on, don't wanna be late."

The others filed up behind him as he led them out the door. The three of them trekked dismally to the school, ultimately ending up slumped over in their desks, waiting for the hell to begin. However, this class started differently, with the teacher making an announcement.

"Welcome back, everybody. I hope you all had a relaxing summer, because the next few months are going to be filled with a lot of challenges. But before that, I have a new student to introduce to you. Usually, transfers don't happen this late in school, but some uncontrollable circumstances have led to us taking in our new student. Alright, come on in."

A girl walked into the classroom. She went to the front of the class and bowed.

"Hello everyone, I'm Tomoka Yamada. I look forward to getting to know all of you."

Nikko, who'd been leaned over on his desk, finally raised his head. The girl's appearance immediately grabbed his attention. She had long, silky, brown hair going down her back, and lively hazel eyes. She wasn't too tall or too short, and had a fit physique.

"Okay, there's an open seat next to Iwayama near the back. Go ahead and take it."

Tomoka calmly walked down the aisle towards her seat beside Reina. Seeing an opportunity, Nikko made eye contact with Reina. He attempted to send a signal to her to try and befriend Tomoka, but Reina couldn't understand his flailing hand gestures. Regardless, Reina did start up a conversation with Tomoka.

"Hello, I'm Reina Iwayama. It's good to meet you."

Tomoka seemed surprised that someone was talking to her.

"Oh, hi. My name is Tomoka Yamada. I hope we can be friends."

Tomoka turned her attention away from Reina, but she wasn't going to give up that easily.

"Hey, it's your first day today. Would you like me to show you around the school at lunch?"

"Oh, no, it's fine. I'll figure it out myself. I wouldn't want to waste your time."

"I don't have anything better to do, so it's no trouble at all. Please, would you let me?"

"If you insist, I guess I'll take up your offer."

"Fantastic! I'll get a couple of my friends to help out."

However, Nikko and Juzo couldn't be informed of the plan until lunch started. Juzo didn't have much enthusiasm.

"Wait, what are we doing?"

Reina pointed at Tomoka, who was waiting at her desk.

"We're going to show her around the school. It is her first day, after all, and I want to be nice to her."

"And you think bringing me and Nikko along will be a good idea?"

Nikko gave his opinion.

"Of course it's a good idea! Or at least, bringing me along is a good idea. I have such an inviting personality. You, on the other hand, have this, how should I put this… attitude."

"Attitude? What does that even mean?"

Reina slapped Juzo on the arm.

"Just stop. Both of you are coming along, so come on. Yamada's waiting."

The three friends walked over to Tomoka for introductions.

"Okay, Yamada, these two are my friends. The long-haired, athletically built one is Juzo Kawahara, and the tall messy-haired one is Nikko Murano. Guys, this is Tomoka Yamada, our new classmate."

Juzo gave a short wave.

"Yo."

Tomoka returned the wave with a smile. Nikko stuck his hand out to shake, and Tomoka complied, though reluctantly.

"Good to meet you, Tomoka. I hope we can be friends."

Tomoka looked him square in the face with a serious stare.

"Don't call me Tomoka."

That took Nikko by surprise, and he took a step back.

"Oh. I'm sorry, Yamada."

Feeling the awkwardness between the two, Reina changed the subject.

"Well, let's get going. We only have so much time."

The group embarked on a tour led by Reina to show off the school to Tomoka. It didn't proceed as planned, as Nikko wouldn't stop trying to talk with Tomoka.

"So, Tomoka, where'd you come from?"

"Hiroshima. And don't call me Tomoka."

"Sorry. Why'd you move here?"

"Why's that any of your business?"

"Just wondering."

Reina was becoming annoyed with Nikko's chatter.

"Nikko, I'm trying to help out Yamada right now. Can you just be quiet for a bit?"

"Fine."

"Okay, Yamada, over here is…"

As Reina showed off the cafeteria, Nikko pulled up alongside Juzo.

"Tomoka's pretty stand-offish, don't ya think?"

"I think you're just annoying her."

"Me, annoying? Nonsense. But I gotta admit, she's very interesting. I'm gonna keep trying."

"Please don't."

"Too late."

Nikko ran off towards Reina and Tomoka while Juzo watched from a distance. He witnessed Nikko try and force himself in between the two girls to seperate them, only for Reina to pull him away by his ear and scold him.

"What do you think you're doing!? Yamada's with us right now so she can learn about the school, not for you to bombard her with personal questions. Just shut up and stay away right now, got it?"

"You're not my mom."

Reina aggressively twisted his ear.

"Ow! Stop it!"

"Got it?"

"Yes, just let go!"

Reina released her grip from his ear and returned to Tomoka.

"Sorry about that. Let's continue."

As the tour continued, Nikko stayed near the back, rubbing his bright red ear. Juzo had a brilliant thought.

I gotta bring some snacks to this show next time.