The Past Comes Back to Haunt You..

The sun brightly shines through Toshiko's window as he wakes up in the barren attic. "..I'll decorate this place when I get a break." He whispers to himself. He goes downstairs, only to be greeted by the emptiness of the house. He feels the monotony of his school life sinking in as he arrives for homeroom. 

"Alright, welcome back! A certain few of you have been busy so I'll just introduce myself again. I'm Sato Ayaka and I'm your homeroom teacher! I have a few important announcements, so let's not waste time! Next week, we'll be going on the Hakuryu Academy training camp in Hanayama Forest! This camp is usually in preparation for the sports festival against Dragoncrest, so make sure that you're fully prepared!" She explains. Toshiko's ears perk up. "Hm? Neat. A normal afternoon in Matsukawa then." He thinks.

 "Continuing on, we have a small speech from our Student Council President!" Ayaka and the entire class claps. Haruka walks up to the front and clears her throat. "Hello everyone! I have a quick but important announcement to share. Dragoncrest is putting more money into their school, so Hakuryu is doing the same. We plan to take action against Dragoncrest before they can strike at us first. I'll require your support within the coming weeks." She exclaims. 

The class cheer in support, but Toshiko looks at her with plain disinterest. She looks back at him and smiles happily. "I'm looking forward to working with you all!" She bows and quickly leaves. This response only gives Toshiko more questions. "Does she hate me?? Or does she like me?? What is happening today." He sighs. In math class, he stares at the numbers intensely. He then draws a large fish. Chemistry class begins, with Toshiko mixing two colors together. 

"WAIT NO, THAT'S-" Toshiko's teacher shouts. Flames rise up and hit the ceiling as Toshiko looks on confused. "...To be fair, those were some pretty cool colors." He replies. "You're lucky we believe in second chances.." His teacher responds. Later on, Toshiko, Kazuki, Hiroshi and Emi all sit around a lunch table. The group stare at the empty lunch tray, distrusting of each other. Haruka walks up to the group, confused. 

"What.. are you doing?" She ponders. "Today was Pizza day. And someone stole the last slice for themselves..." Hiroshi explains. Toshiko shoots up and slams his hands down. "I call for a TRIAL! We're starting RIGHT NOW!" the others look on, determined. They push chairs and tables to make a circle, sitting across from each other as Haruka oversees the trial. "Do I seriously have to do this.." She whispers. "YES. Play your role!" Kazuki shouts. "Fine... Trial is now is session!"

Toshiko eyes up his friends, before nodding. "Okay... The pizza was stolen about 20 minutes ago.. Where were you all?" He ponders. "I was busy with some assignments, I just got here! Why am I even apart of this.." Emi shouts. "I was walkin' around the school! Plus, I'm Lactose Intolerant! I can't even eat cheese, not like I'd need to!" Kazuki exclaims. "I was here, but that doesn't mean I'm guilty! I was in the back building my deck!" Hiroshi exclaims. 

"Deck? Okay well, we have to play later but that's besides the point! I have a piece of evidence that allows me to destroy one of your arguments!" Toshiko reveals. Haruka looks confused. "How do you even have something like that?" She questions. Toshiko simply smirks before snapping his fingers. He grabs shows them a trash can. "See, inside this trash can is.. a clump of cheese." The group is shocked by the revelation. "Which one of you would scrape the cheese out? That means it's YOU, KAZUKI!" Toshiko yells. "W-what?! That's just a coincidence! I-I'm just not a fan!"

"Kazuki, you literally love milk. You eat Ice Cream like every few days." Hiroshi responds. "...oh." Kazuki retorts. "Well, that settles it I guess.. Jeez, it wasn't that serious.." Emi says. "Seriously? That was so stupid." Haruka remarks. Toshiko looks at her and smiles a bit. "Well, you got a bit into your role didn't you? You had fun, even if it was for a little bit! That's my entire goal!" Haruka leans back, blushing a little before turning her head. "W-whatever, don't ask me to do anything for you again!" Toshiko shrugs. "I definitely will keep doing that, welcome to the club!" Toshiko exclaims. "I'm not apart of your group!" Haruka yells before storming off.

 "Jeez, what's her problem.." Toshiko whispers to Emi. "...Anyway, what do you have next? My next class is cancelled so I'm curious.." Emi ponders. "Oh, perfect! I can show you!" Toshiko exclaims. "Hiroshi, Kazuki, you wanna come with? Unless you got class or somethin'."

"Eh, why not? C'mon Hiroshi!" Kazuki exclaims. "It should be fine... hopefully.." Hiroshi whispers. "I'll let you skip class this once." Emi retorts. "Oh, we know you treat your boyfriend differently! Pretty obvious." Kazuki remarks. Emi goes completely red. "B-boyfriend?! I'm not- I would NEVER! Me and him?! He WISHES!" She shouts. "Hm? Emi-tan, you got a fever or something? Let me check really quick, Kota and Hana always got sick.." Toshiko says before getting up close and placing his hand on her forehead. 

Emi freezes up, before slowing falling on her back. "Huh. Guess she's fine. Meet you there!" He exclaims, taking his leave. Kazuki smugly leans over her. "You'd never date him, right? C'mon man, you can lie to him cause he's dense! I'm not stupid!" Kazuki exclaims. "Besides when you actually have to do work.." Hiroshi whispers. "We aren't talking about me right now!" Kazuki retorts. "Listen, you'd better not say a WORD! I'm watching you." Emi exclaims before going after Toshiko.

 "...I bet 10 bucks she confesses before graduation." Kazuki says. "Oh, absolutely no way. I bet 20 bucks Toshiko does it after." Hiroshi adds. The two shake on their mutual deal before chasing after them. The doors to the physical education room swing open as they look at the large room filled with workout equipment and people. Natural light seeps in from the roof as the walls are painted pure white. Emi and the others catch up to Toshiko, mesmerized. 

"I've never seen this place.. they went all out.." Emi says. "Good! The walls are my favorite way to work out!" Toshiko exclaims. "The walls?" Hiroshi ponders. Toshiko gets into a running stance and runs up the walls a little before jumping off and rolling, sticking the landing. He wipes his forehead with the back of his hand. "Whew! All this rich people stuff is really making me weaker.." Kazuki looks interested. "Weaker? You mean you got even more strength in you?" Toshiko looks at him, earnestly. 

"Oh, yeah! Back where I'm from we had some real troublemakers in the forests! So you know, I'm pretty average!" A ball flies at Toshiko's head before he knocks it up with his elbow and kicks it down with enough force to shatter the wooden floor. "Average... Right." Emi retorts. "HAHAHAHAHA! That's some strength right there! You really are something special!" Kazuki laughs. Toshiko turns his head to the side and comes face to face with a boy who has a long black and red hair that shines a fiery crimson. The boy's piercing eyes strikes Toshiko's. "What's your deal?" Toshiko asks. "Pfft, wouldn't you like to know? Some call me Takeru Hayashi, a Student Council Member! Well, actually that's what everyone calls me. Anyway, Haruka-san's been acting strange and I believe it's your doing." He shouts. 

"Sorry, not my fault! Maybe it's because she's actually having FUN or something? Just a hunch." Toshiko jokes. "A jokester, are we? Then it looks like I challenge you to-!" Takeru yells, before the bell rings and interrupts him. "Tch, damn it. You and me. Tomorrow. Same time. Don't be late, bastard." He continues. Emi looks at Toshiko with worried eyes. "He's gonna hurt you! I don't think you should come tomorrow!" Emi says.

 "Nah. I gotta do this. If it's a fight he wants, it's a fight he'll get." Toshiko retorts. Kazuki nods. "There comes a time in every man's life where he must fight for his honor! That is to say, I don't think he could run even if he wanted... But we'll be here to support you!" Hiroshi fist pumps the air. "Yeah, no matter what! That's how we roll!" Emi sighs, giving up on convincing him. "Fine then... But if you get hurt, I'll kill you!" Toshiko chuckles a bit. "Don't worry about me! I'm fully prepared and ready for this!"

Chapter 6 - The End.