The Unhinged Tora Kimura

A Chance of Happiness Chapter 5: The Unhinged Tora Kimura

Jin and Vernon exit Ryuji’s classroom with their homework. Jin looks over the sheet as Vernon stretches.

“Mmm, well that was a lot to take in. I think I’m already at my limit for the year.” Vernon sighed, finishing his stretch.

“This would’ve been much simpler had we just asked.” Jin turned to Vernon, showing him the homework.

“Maybe so but that was SO worth it. It’s been forever since I’ve seen Maddy so…” Vernon stopped as he looked over their homework. “If it’s so simple… you wouldn’t mind working on it together later on would ya?” Vernon gave a slight grin as he looked at Jin with pleading eyes.

“Sure.”

“Great! Now that it’s lunchtime, whaddya say we go grab something to eat at the cafeteria? That last class sure took a lot outta me.”

“I’m sure it did.” Jin scoffed, giving Vernon a sarcastic expression.

“Oh come on! At least helped a little bit with those problems. Even if they weren’t part of our actual assignment…”

Jin raised his eyebrow.

“Ok, well at least like he said, I was moral support. Moral support’s important y’know! And your moral support says he’s hungry.” Vernon crossed his arms like he was pouting. “Now, where’s the cafeteria? I’ve never been on an open campus before.”

“It’s supposed to be in the quad. Around the area where we passed through earlier to get to the gym.”

“To the quad then!” he yelled, raising his fist.

Jin and Vernon walk through the school to get to the quad. As they walk through the crowds of students they see many of them have already gathered in their groups, talking amongst themselves at their newfound lunch areas. Lines had already been formed to get to the food windows. The two looked at the several menu signs above the windows.

“That’s… a lot of options.” Jin looked at all the items on the menu, slightly overwhelmed.

“Oh it’s not that bad, look, they even organized them all. See?” Vernon pointed towards the menus. “This one has all your beef meals, there’s the chicken ones, soup, tofu, they even have…”

Vernon’s guidance quickly overwhelmed Jin as he became even more overwhelmed at the flood of new information. He looked around the crowds of people gathered all around the quad, when he noticed someone looking right at him. The same girl he had talked to earlier.

“What’s up? See something you like?” Vernon poked at Jin’s arm.

“No I…” Jin turned back to Vernon, then back to where he thought he saw the girl, who was already hidden by the crowd. “Nevermind…”

“Well then find something! I’m hungry!” Vernon demanded, placing his hands on his hips.

Jin and Vernon got their food and began to wander away from the cafeteria area swarmed with crowds of students.

“Where to? Seems like everyone’s already found their new lunch spots.”

“Isn’t there others that you wanna go eat with? Like some others from our old school?”

“Pssh, nah. I can see them anytime, besides, you haven’t told me what the dealio was about that look you had before class.”

“It wasn’t…”

“Sure it wasn’t. Now, you can tell me all about it once we find a place to eat. Sound good?” Vernon interrupted.

Jin and Vernon began walking away from the quad looking around the campus for a good spot to eat.

“This looks good enough.” Vernon sat down on the bench and gestured to Jin to sit next to him. “Spill it, what happen–”

“Hey! Jin! And is that little Vernon?!” A voice called from down the walkway, sending shivers down Vernon’s spine as he heard it.

The two turned to see a blonde woman quickly heading in their direction, waving her hand energetically.

“Oh? It is you guys!”

Jin raised his hand and began to wave as Vernon grabbed his sleeve.

“Code red! We’re compromised! We gotta go!” He whispered as he began to drag Jin away.

“And where do you think you’re going?” The woman caught Vernon, putting him in a headlock and dropping to the floor.

“Ack, ah! Jin! Help!” He tapped on the woman's arm that was around his neck while Jin watched, slightly amused. “Mercy! Please! Uncle! Uncle! Kimura-san! Please!” Vernon pleaded.

“Um, Tora-san.”

“Ah, Jin-kun, how are you?” she responded, keeping her hold on Vernon.

“Good… but… I think you’re suffocating Vernon.”

“Mhm!” Vernon gasped, continuing to tap on her arm.

“Alright pushover, clearly you haven’t gotten any stronger. You dropped out of the exercises earlier too.” Tora released her hold on him and helped him to his feet. “Didn’t you start going to Yuto’s dojo with Jin? You’d think that old dork woulda taught you something by now.”

“He said it wasn’t for him.” Jin chipped in.

“Wha? No, I didn’t say that. It’s just… his uncle is as crazy as yo– I mean as it gets!” Vernon steadied himself back on his feet, catching his breath. “Anyways, what brings you here Kimura-san?”

“Just heading to the teachers lounge to grab a few things. I guess you boys didn't end up in the same P.E. class?”

“Unfortunately no, we only managed to get a few classes together. He has it 6th.” Vernon sighed.

“A few? That still seems like a lot. Pretty lucky if you ask me.”

“That’s what I told him.” Jin chipped in again.

“Oh well, it’s probably for the best anyway.”

Vernon put his hands on his hips. “And what’s that supposed to mean?!”

“Well…” Tora looked Vernon up and down. “It might be a bit embarrassing seeing the two of you side by side.”

“Hey! That’s… that’s fair…”

“Oh well, I’ll be whipping that sorry body of yours into shape over the course of this semester!”

“Yay… can’t wait…”

“And I’ll turn that attitude of yours around too! You really gotta put some more pep in your step kiddo!” Tora placed her arm on Vernon’s shoulder with him flinching as she did. “Anyways, what are the two of you doin’ out here alone? Where’s the rest of your crew?”

“Oh… well… they're around. We’re just trying to find a place to sit down and eat. In silence preferably.” Vernon put his arm on Jin’s shoulder.

“Hm, well if that’s the case my classroom’s always open to the two of you. Feel free to eat there.”

“Really?”

“Absolutely! Just don’t spill anything or you’ll be running a mile tomorrow in front of the whole class.”

“Ha… ha… you’re kidding right?” Vernon replied, scratching his head.

“Nope! Steer clear of the equipment in there too. Jin can feel free to use them because he already knows how, but I don’t want you looking like a deformed pancake later if you try to squat too much.” Tora laughed.

“It wouldn’t be that bad…”

“Sure it wouldn’t, sport. Anyways, I gotta get going before lunch is over, I’ll see the two of you later! Remember not to let him near the equipment Jin!”

Tora quickly turned and sprinted off through the crowd of students in the distance.

“She’s unhinged…” Vernon sighed. “Did you wanna head to her classroom? Might be a nice new hangout place.”

“Sure.”

Jin and Vernon walked towards Tora’s classroom, which was just the fitness center near the back of the school. The two walked through the door to see the rows of brand new equipment lined up.

“I think I’m done for.” Vernon whimpered as he looked at all the equipment.

“It’s fine, she’ll teach you how to use them all properly.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of. My body isn’t meant for this kind of lifting. I’m fragile, y'know?”

Jin walked over to the equipment, examining a few machines. “Well I suggest you strap in. You know how serious she gets when training starts.”

“I don’t even wanna think about it.” Vernon takes a seat against the wall and takes out his food. “I just wanna think happy thoughts, and eat my lunch. And don’t think I’ve forgotten about that explanation you owe me! I think I deserve it after what I just had to endure.”

“I told you it was nothing.”

“Clearly it wasn’t nothing seeing as it’s clearly still bothering you. Now get over here. We can eat while you tell me what happened.”

Jin walked over to Vernon, taking a seat next to him and taking out his food.

“Where was this confident attitude when we were talking with her?”

“Do I look like I wanna run a mile in front of the whole class?! Plus, I don’t fear for my well being when I talk with you. With her I do.” Vernon clears his throat. “Now, lay it on me. Whatever happened can’t be THAT bad. It’s just the first day of school.”