April 8th

The next day, I couldn't help but listen in on a conservation on the way to class. Some people don't even try to be discreet about the content of their chatter. The two girls made a point to shout out every syllable that came out of their mouths.

"Did you hear the rumour?"

A rumour? This could be interesting.

"Oh, um... something about a bathroom?"

The first girl grew embarrassed and flailed her arms comically.

"No! Not that one! I mean the story about that student! Now only did she stop coming to school. She does nothing but sit and stare at the walls all day. If her mother tries to talk to her, she only mutters to herself, 'It's coming, it's coming!'."

"Huh. How about that."

"You don't believe me?"

It was that apathy syndrome I'd heard about. It's all over the goddamn place these days. The first bell rang. In composition, Ms. Toriumi went on about her favourite authors. I have to admit, I wasn't really paying attention.

"Open your textbooks and we'll take a look at the first novel by Zenzou Kasai," Ms. Toriumi said. "Ugh, why him? I'd rather teach Utsubo Kubota. He became famous as a singer but he's also produced fine literature. I wonder why it's not in the textbook. Well, I'll just bring Kubota's book next time."

But I was paying more attention than Junpei, apparently.

"Hey, Junpei! Were you listening? Who did I say was my favourite author?" Ms. Toriumi asked.

"Huh? Um..." Junpei said before whispering to me. "Psst! Who does she like?"

I decided to help him out, if only because he said I was "Da Man".

I guess I'm too nice sometimes.

"Utsubo Kubota." I said.

"That's right!" Ms. Toriumi said. "So you were listening to me after all!"

It's not like I got credit for answering the question, since it wasn't mine to answer.

Junpei laughed, "Well, you know how I like to pay attention! Man, you saved my bacon, John!"

I heard my classmates whispering.

"John gave him the answer. He must pay attention in class!"

But it was the cool thing to do, right? I'd rather not sabotage my chances of fitting in on my second day.

Not being a douche made me become slightly more popular. After classes ended, there was nothing else to do for today so I decided to go back to the dorms. The strip mall was lively in the evening. At the dorm, I found Yukari and an unfamiliar man chatting in the living room.

"Oh, he's back." Yukari said.

"So, this is our new guest," the sophisticated gentleman said. "Good evening. My name is Shuji Ikutsuki. I'm the Chairman of the board for your school."

Mr. Ikutsuki, he's... well, he's...

"'Ikutsuki.' Hard to say, isn't it? That's why I don't like introducing myself. Even I get tongue-tied sometimes."

Kinda like that. Mostly harmless, I think.

"Please, have a seat." he said. "I apologise about the confusion regarding your accommodations. However, it may take a while longer before you receive the proper room assignment. Is there anything you'd like to ask?"

"Why are you here?" I asked.

He's the Chairman after all, you'd think he'd be busy or something.

"To welcome you, of course. Well, to be honest, I do have other business here. Speaking of which, where's Mitsuru, Yukari?"

"She's upstairs." Yukari explained.

"As diligent as always." Shuji commented. "Although, it doesn't hurt to come down and say hello. Is there anything else?"

"Who else lives here?" I asked.

It's a pretty big dorm but I'd only met Yukari and Mitsuru.

"There are only four students in this dorm, you, Yukari here, Mitsuru and Akihiko Sanada. I hope you all get along." Shuji said. "Any other questions?"

"The other night I saw-"

"You saw something strange? Like what?" Shuji asked. "You were probably just tired. I wouldn't worry about it."

Something didn't seem right.

"Do you have another question?" Shuji asked.

"No, I'm good." I said, intent on heading off to bed.

"Then I hope you have a successful school year. Now if you'll excuse me... You must be tired from all that excitement. You should go to bed early. As they say, 'The early bird catches the bookworm!' Please forgive the pun." Shuji chuckled.

This is the man who runs my school.

"You'll get used to his lame jokes." Yukari stated.

Somehow I doubted that. I returned to my room and slept.