fic: Mount School - chapter one
Title: Mount School
Pairing: Akame, and some others.
Author:mouter
Beta: nikattun
Genre: angst, drama
Rating: none
Summary: Mount School is a place, where teenagers with difficulties and with horrible past can live in peace and get help from specialists to be able back to the society.
He was lying on the bench, looking at the sky. He was always been looking, observing as if something could ever change at the distant sky, but it never happened. In some point, they were the same - him and the sky - not being able to change, or be altered in a bit. The sunset was painfully beautiful - sky was shining in every shades of pink, violet and orange - but somehow, he wasn’t able to perceive such beauty. Ironic. Indeed, he was not watching, just looking. He didn’t see the essence, all because his thoughts were floating far away to the place and time he cherished the most, his hometown.
A reserved smile appeared on his face, when he saw his mother in it. Never would he forget her in his precious memories, which concerns more about his loving mother. He loved his mother very well, and he yearns for her. After the time his mother died couple of years ago, his father found himself a new love. New love… he admitted to himself that he cursed the day when his father and his step mother met each other. It was the last breath of his freedom. The last day of his world, as he tells it. And now he had nothing. Nothing, but bad memories. His life had ended that day, and now he was there, without somewhere else to go. He just didn’t know how to start again - to step to his new life, new future.
“Kazuya? What are you doing here,” asked the silent, tender voice that came to him from the deep darkness. The brown-haired man looked at the other unconsciously, then sat on the bench and gave him a sarcastic smile.
“It’s none of your business,” he mumbled coldly. He wishes his stalker to go away, but dreams were always dreams. Nothing more. Then, the other smiled widely and sat next to him.
“Of course it’s not,” the other said slowly, putting the younger on in his embrace, “if you want talk, just do it. I’m here for you, and I’ll be here for you anytime you want.” He whispered to his ear, but the younger man didn’t share his enthusiasm and pushed him away.
“Don’t touch me,” he muttered with anger, “just stay away, okay?” He then begged and went away. Ever since, Kazuya had never been sociable; he preferred loneliness and serenity. He liked being alone, but it was unfortunate that, in this place, it was rather impossible.
Kazuya is already in his teens, 16 years old to be exact, with some bad episodes in his life. Two months ago, he was a rebel, who had been dosing himself on drugs, alcohol and even tried to cut his veins with the use of a razor blade. He hadn’t had any future; he rather lived on his own with no responsibility at all, with no plans for the future. Kazuya had been living in his constant present, like tomorrow doesn’t exist, even in his consciousness. Two months ago, he was nothing but broken kid. Because of his addiction of drugs, he probably wouldn’t able to live, or to exist today, but something had happened. Something…which changed his life once again, which gave him hopes that there’s something to live for. And thanks to that, he started to help himself.
His father wasn’t such a fool, like he used to think. The father knew that Kazuya had problems and he thought that this was a time to stop, to turn to the right way. He was the one, who took the teenager to this point, with hope that the people here could help him. But that wasn’t some mental institution and it wasn’t even a hospital, but a school for youth with such dark backgrounds. It was the only way to help him, as his father believed, and Kazuya knew he didn’t have any other choice. That was his only hope, but for him, in was the opposite. He viewed that his father wanted to get rid of him, as soon as possible.
The school wasn’t normal, something that has an eerie atmosphere surrounding it. It was located twenty fives miles away from the nearest town, so kids studying there hadn’t even thought of running away. The school was deliberately located near the mountains and forests were everywhere. Teenagers and teachers, who had been living there, had peaceful days and such. Teenagers here of all ages had usual subjects as compared to others school, but it is exceptional that they have a lot of various activities done in the campus. At times there were trips, which last a few days, and several sessions with prominent psychologists and some group therapies.
And all these were a problem for Kazuya who hated the group therapies and whatnot. Talking with all these people - these depressed, pressured people - about his fears and weaknesses was too much for him to handle. He had never been talking about himself with anybody, or at least even attempted, and now… he was still in the same rebellious point in his life, just like back in a couple of months ago, because he couldn’t open himself to the world in front of him, waiting for him to go out of his shell. Stuck in the same point without courage to do one little step for his new future, he stopped and thought, I’m a looser, and he realized he knew it all along.
***
”Where are we going,” Jin asked with questioning eyes to his mother, who was carefully driving, “and why did you pack my clothes? Are we going on a vacation, or something?”
“No, Jin. We’re not going on a trip. You’re going to school,” the woman responded calm and silent, “you must slow things down, and better take care of your life from now on.”
“Right, and you know what is good for me waaaay better than I know. Of course, that’s it,” he wasn’t surprised that his mother was doing something like this, she always try to scold him, he thought. She tried a few times before, but he always run away. In the back of his head, he knew that despite her efforts, he would never listen, “I hate you.”
“I know,” she wasn’t shrug, because she was used to this kind of words from her own son. Jin was a difficult child, and probably it was her fault. She married an incredibly rich man, but he left her three years after. They got their divorce, and now, rich as she is, she was the only one who raised Jin and sustained his needs. No doubt, Jin had everything he wanted and he could do everything a guy could possibly do in his own life, and his mother admitted that mistake of hers. She did not laid even a single finger on her son, and now she’s continuously paying the high price of not being a responsible example to him. She ought to educate his son first, and she tried a lot times to help him become a good person, but all her efforts had gone to waste. Plenty of times she lost hope, that something can helped him, until she saw an article about an exceptional school and thought that this could be her last chance of leading her son on the right track. She wanted her son, her little Jin, back so badly. And considering this, she could not wish for more.
“I hate you! I hate you,” Jin yelled so madly that his voice surrounded the car. He wanted ruin her poker face and wanted to give her pain. By this, he was such a fool with anger in his veins so hard to contain. Anger, irony and sarcasm were his tools on capturing his victim in pain, and he loved it. He couldn’t tell why, but something urges him to give worst pain to people, and later on be proud of it. He had felt power in him, which he subconsciously couldn’t control, and he liked it so much. He liked being powerful, and that was something precious for him. He didn’t have any other pleasures and friends. In fact, he was rather lonely and he didn’t care about it, because he was the superior of the fraternity he belonged to. They respected him, not because he was their hero, but rather they were scared of his power, and he didn’t care. Actually, he loved that feeling. They’re stupid, and I can do everything.
But now he could do nothing but wait, just because he wasn’t matured yet to handle his own life. His mother was controlled the way his life goes and he couldn’t do anything. He hated it. He hated her control. He felt like a dog, being pulled to everything his master wanted, being tied in this mother’s thread like a puppet. He was in protest and they would talk about it, yet be back to the same point every time.
***
”Don’t touch me!” Pi parodied Kazuya, and looked at him with a teasing smile on his lips. The younger one smiled back to him, and sat next to him. “So, Mr. Don’t-touch-me, are there any changes?”
“Not at all,” the younger one let out a short sigh, “how about you?”
“Same old, same old. I’m stuck in it,” answered the other and turned back to eat. Pi wasn’t Kazuya’s good friend. They met the first day Kazuya came, and were also living with three other persons in the room. They loathed the idea. For them, It was too much for five to sleep in one stuffy room. Of course it was a big room, but when everybody stays there, it was such a commotion, and they just couldn’t stand it. Pi thought that Kazuya is quite familiar to him. Well, just like him, Kazuya hated group therapies, and he prefer being alone. Sharing similarities, each quickly founded their company, despite the place having lots of rules which they have to obey. It was hard for them, but they have to take note and stuck it in their heads.
First of all, violence is banned. Every form of violence would be subjected to equivalent sanctions and punishments. Secondly, every student should have to gain friends, be friendly in return and shouldn’t omit such lonely atmosphere inside the school premises. There was no loneliness so students like Pi or Kazuya, which like and desire being alone, would surely have hard times coping. The third rule states that there should be no alcohol, drugs, cigarettes and other stimulants among students. It is emphasized and both Pi and Kazuya raised their brows as they read the emphasized fourth rule: no sex inside the school premises. “Does that mean we can outside,” asked Pi. Kazuya nudged him, “shut up!” And the last, but not least… all of the students must try to beat their weaknesses in their stay at school.
It is also included that for every broken rule, there would be a punishment and every student, who for one time was punished, must not possess any violations again. The two stopped and guessed, so what if we committed something stupid again?
The two always sit side to side with each other, just like that day. Enjoying their company, silence and privacy, but they never thought about friendship, because they knew so well that a friend is someone who knew a lot about a person. And normally, friendship was connected with talking, chatting, spending time with each other laughing, sharing significant experiences in their lives…but when you ask them, they would turn away go back to their thick, silent atmosphere which envelops them and eventually detach them from the outer world.
“Ueda-san is trying his best again,” mumbled Kazuya, breaking the calm silence surrounding the two, individually. “Well, he never stops, right,” they laughed silently. They had wonderful teachers, but they refuse to see that because for them, teachers were just annoying, always trying to put a façade that they wanted to help.
“Oh yeah, he is really annoying,” confirmed Pi with a little smile on his lips, “and you’re his victim. Just tell him some fairytales and sure he’ll be happy. And you too, because he’d think that you really mean it and eventually stop bugging you. Then, bye bye loser!” He then smiled to his colleague, “just listen to your senior, okay?”
Kazuya smiled back and nodded, wondering if he should try the other’s advice, or not. He was a perfect actor, or maybe he was perfect liar? Anyway, time would come he could forever get rid of him. And that was a nice plan, but what about when returns to normal life? Did he really lose his aim? He should be there; wanting to go back home, but that was indeed a lie now. He’d rather stay here, here where nobody could hurt or even touch him, and he liked this. Absolutely perfect, he thought.
***
Jin raised his eyebrow, when he saw the place. He had to live here for a year, or even more so. It was a nice place, surrounded by trees and forests freshly greeting him. But for him it was just a hole, the worst hole ever existed that would bring him to his living hell.
“Are you kidding me?” he asked his mother with shock, “are you playing a joke again on me? No, I’m definitely NOT gonna stayed here!”
“I’m not kidding, Jin. I hope you understand my feelings. I wanted you to grow up properly even though I can’t look over for you, and I know this school would be the right place.”
“You can’t look over for me?” Her words were hurting him, stabbing his chest painfully. He didn’t understand her intention, and his mind was too preoccupied to even think at the moment he was in pain. Yet he’s not able to understand what his mother wants for him. She hated her son back then, for God sake, and what she had done to him, as she found him repulsive. Now, she’s hated by her son and even pushed her hand away when she tried to hug him.
“Jin… I didn’t mean this,” she tried to explain, but he pushed her away from him, with anger instilled his eyes.
“Fine! I’ll stay there, but don’t touch me again like you know me. Just get out of my sight! I don’t want to see you!” And now, he only saw a teary-eyed woman in front of him, looking him, crying, as she walked away.
Annoyed, he gathered his things and sarcastically went inside.
***
Junno jumped on Tomohisa’s back with his stupid smile, making Kazuya rolled his eyes. He didn’t like that boy, because as for him, he wasn’t even funny even he tries many times. As for Junno, he applied at the school at his own will. He wasn’t difficult kid. He had wonderful family and he liked his life, he also was a brave volunteer, a teacher’s pet. They hated him, because he volunteered to do patrol and catch students violating the rules. He was so nosy.
“Hey guys, did you hear the news,” Junno asked excitedly. In reaction, Pi sighed and rolled his eyes, too. Of course, this goody two shoes dude always come to them and fit in, especially when he had news or gossips, like they’re care any crap about it, what people think about them.
“Of course not, but probably you tell it us” answered Kazuya with resignation. For, it is only one of those lines that would make the comedian-wannabe disappear, eventually. A machine gun, when he started speaking he should throw everything he came up with and get over with it.
“We have another student, and guess what?”
“He’ll be living with us?” asked Tomo. Junno pouted a bit. Pi laughed, “then I think I’ve guessed it right! Bulls eye!”
“You’re mean. I really don’t know why I am still talking to you,” mumbled Junno and childishly went away. Kazuya once again rolled his eyes flashed a tiny grin.
“Then we should get back,” he stopped and Pi nodded slowly. There was no other choice. They must be back to their room, to “welcome” the new student and would add up to their burden. Oh great.
***
”You’re Akanishi Jin, right?” the man greeted him with a big welcoming smile on his face, “I’m Koyama Keiichiro, the new teacher, the same time, director of Mount School.” Jin smiled back, trying to be polite, to his new boss. He knew that good impression was useful in life. Time will come that it would be easier run away from this hell just because of their trust in him. And yes, he thought that this school will be the hell in his own life.
“As you know, there are rules, which must be obeyed. No violence in this place, any drugs, cigarettes, and alcohol are prohibited. Definitely, no sex, and obtaining of other stimulants. And lastly, no running away got that?”
“Yes, sir,” Akanishi rolled his eyes. He couldn’t stop himself from doing that. Mr. Koyama looked really funny, because he was slim and had funny face. For Jin, Koyama doesn’t seem to have the makings of a boss. He doesn’t look powerful or strong enough to handle me, he thought with sarcasm.
“You will be assigned to Mr. Ueda’s group,” he gave Jin his schedule of subjects and activities. “Come on, I’ll show you the place. You will be living here for the next months, and I tell you, it’s nice,” he smiled to him once again and took him for a tour around the place. Jin shrugged, sighed deeply and, without a choice, he followed Mr. Koyama.
During the tour, he saw classrooms, which were small with some benches. There was also a fireplace with a piano, a great place where students could rest, read books or do their homework. As Koyama pointed out the rooms at the same time introducing them one by one, he saw canteen and a spacious green field for baseball, basketball and volleyball, on the other far side. There was a gym as well where they can play indoors. But most importantly, there were few wooden buildings, where students sleep and board. Finally, Koyama took him to the first building and went inside.
“This is your new home,” smiled Koyama and him gave keys to the room. “Welcome home,” he pushed Jin to the doors, which were opened and suddenly went away. Jin looked turned around to look for Koyama for a moment, and realized he left him so he went in and check the room.
There were six beds and three wardrobes, nothing more, nothing less. He clicked his tongue to himself in disgust. He wasn’t used to this kind of conditions - others put their gaze on him, some didn’t. He didn’t know what to do, or how to behave, and was feeling stupid. Thinking that he’d freeze at the threshold, he managed to move his feet and sat on the free bed. He sighed heavily as he turned his back on his roommates.
***
Kazuya ogled at the new student for a while. He wasn’t interesting, he thought. Just another boy with some complex or any other problems, which he didn’t want to speak of. The student sat on the free bed, which was surprising for Kazuya, because he used to fight for a bed when he first came in. There were instances that students fight for the sake of getting a bed, and he enjoyed witnessing those fights. The atmosphere was heavy and awkward, until that goody-two-shoes came with a wide smile painted on his mouth.
“Hi, I’m Junnosuke Taguchi,” Junno introduced himself and sat on the new bed where Jin ws seated, “how are you?”
“Shut up,” muttered the new student who was looking at the Junno, angrily, “just leave me alone, okay,” he ordered, but Taguchi didn’t mind and just smiled even more, instead.
“It’s your first day here. It’s normal that you don’t feel well here,” Junno looked at the others, begging, to help him talk to the new roommate but Kazuya ignored him because he didn’t want to appear friendly, same goes for Pi.
“I said: Leave. Me. Alone,” repeated the new one with a huge anger in voice, and Kazuya signaled Junno to go away. He’s got guts. He didn’t like this arrogant guy since then.
“Hey, I just wanted to know something about you. Just your name, I promise, nothing more,” Junno persisted.
In a flash, he grabbed Junno’s collar and pushed him to the wall, “I said: LEAVE ME ALONE! Do you know what that means?! Go away! Get out of my sight!” The other gulped and nodded quickly, but the Jin didn’t let him go. “Don’t ever do that again, or I swear I’m gonna kill you,” he threatened darkly, and even Kazuya believed him. But then the same time, he saw Pi drop the book he was reading and was now looking at the new student furiously.
“Let him go,” he snapped, “let him go. Don’t be such a brat,” Tomohisa’s voice was cold and low. At that moment, Kazuya witnessed a different Pi, and he didn’t know that he could be such a scary person to mess with.
“Do you have any idea who are you talking to,” the new one yelled at Pi furiously, still holding Junno in a trap.
“I don’t care who you are, or rather who you were. Now you’re a student like me, like us. We have the same right to be here, talk and bond with each other. There’s a rule, don’t you know? No violence! Koyama didn’t tell you that? I don’t think so,” said slowly, at the same time, calmly.
“Yeah, right. And everyone obeyed it, right?” He was laughing now, and let go of Junno’s shirt. Jin approached Pi and snapped at him, “don’t make me laugh, dude.” He glared at him, probably because he wanted Pi scared in his ass, but instead there was not reaction.
“I’m not kidding, DUDE. You don’t want to know what happens to dudes who don’t comply with the rules. Don’t even think about it. Or maybe you want to? Let me see, I advice you do this behavior again tomorrow, in front of many people, and see if you’ll still have your tomorrow waiting for you,” Tomohisa was still as calm as he tried to frighten the new one, which made Jin frustrated and pissed. He then pushed Pi on the bed, but Tomohisa just burst out, laughing, “You appear to be scary, but in truth, you’re weak.”
“Don’t you dare calling me weak,” yelled the new student and punched Pi in the stomach. Despite being troublesome, Kazuya sighed and took Jin away from Pi, he pushed him at the wall and looked straight in his eyes.
“Don’t you dare touch my friend,” he breathed angrily like a mad man. He, himself, was surprised when he said it; he didn’t expect that he would have such courage. Indeed, it was always Pi, who rescue him. It wasn’t the other way around, and now…he could do the same for the older one. And that made him smile to his innermost thoughts.
“Listen, you’re just like us here. We all have problems life and we must help each other to live and forget every bad memory that has passed, so we can all work nicely and everything would be okay, got it?” raised his eyebrow and let the new one go.
“Freaks,” Jin snapped as he left the room.
Kazuya then turned to Pi and said, “Don’t ever do that again. I was scared like hell!”
“But you did it,” Pi smiled to him and stroked his hair. “My little turtle did it and now, you’re my hero,” he laughed lightheartedly.
“And you’re weird,” Kazuya punched Pi’s arm lightly went on his bed, reading the book. He smiled to himself when he realized that he was proud of himself, of what he did earlier. And somehow, something came into his mind - the new one was quite interesting, I guess.
***
Jin sat on one of the few bench, gazing at the stars. He hated this place, just because he wasn’t “the boss” anymore. He feel helpless because he didn’t have any sense of power left in him here. Of course, he could make the others follow him, be his subordinates but…there were two freaks - two freaks who doesn’t seem to be afraid of him, or even flinch in everything is does, and he loathed the idea. He wanted to control everything. By that, he promised himself to control not only part of it, but instead, he would take on the whole school, even if it’s just a matter of time. Those two freaks would become his soldiers but before that, he must find some hooks on them first and surely everything will fall into pieces.
Watch out for your weaknesses, guys. I’m coming to get ya.
Pairing: Akame, and some others.
Author:mouter
Beta: nikattun
Genre: angst, drama
Rating: none
Summary: Mount School is a place, where teenagers with difficulties and with horrible past can live in peace and get help from specialists to be able back to the society.
He was lying on the bench, looking at the sky. He was always been looking, observing as if something could ever change at the distant sky, but it never happened. In some point, they were the same - him and the sky - not being able to change, or be altered in a bit. The sunset was painfully beautiful - sky was shining in every shades of pink, violet and orange - but somehow, he wasn’t able to perceive such beauty. Ironic. Indeed, he was not watching, just looking. He didn’t see the essence, all because his thoughts were floating far away to the place and time he cherished the most, his hometown.
A reserved smile appeared on his face, when he saw his mother in it. Never would he forget her in his precious memories, which concerns more about his loving mother. He loved his mother very well, and he yearns for her. After the time his mother died couple of years ago, his father found himself a new love. New love… he admitted to himself that he cursed the day when his father and his step mother met each other. It was the last breath of his freedom. The last day of his world, as he tells it. And now he had nothing. Nothing, but bad memories. His life had ended that day, and now he was there, without somewhere else to go. He just didn’t know how to start again - to step to his new life, new future.
“Kazuya? What are you doing here,” asked the silent, tender voice that came to him from the deep darkness. The brown-haired man looked at the other unconsciously, then sat on the bench and gave him a sarcastic smile.
“It’s none of your business,” he mumbled coldly. He wishes his stalker to go away, but dreams were always dreams. Nothing more. Then, the other smiled widely and sat next to him.
“Of course it’s not,” the other said slowly, putting the younger on in his embrace, “if you want talk, just do it. I’m here for you, and I’ll be here for you anytime you want.” He whispered to his ear, but the younger man didn’t share his enthusiasm and pushed him away.
“Don’t touch me,” he muttered with anger, “just stay away, okay?” He then begged and went away. Ever since, Kazuya had never been sociable; he preferred loneliness and serenity. He liked being alone, but it was unfortunate that, in this place, it was rather impossible.
Kazuya is already in his teens, 16 years old to be exact, with some bad episodes in his life. Two months ago, he was a rebel, who had been dosing himself on drugs, alcohol and even tried to cut his veins with the use of a razor blade. He hadn’t had any future; he rather lived on his own with no responsibility at all, with no plans for the future. Kazuya had been living in his constant present, like tomorrow doesn’t exist, even in his consciousness. Two months ago, he was nothing but broken kid. Because of his addiction of drugs, he probably wouldn’t able to live, or to exist today, but something had happened. Something…which changed his life once again, which gave him hopes that there’s something to live for. And thanks to that, he started to help himself.
His father wasn’t such a fool, like he used to think. The father knew that Kazuya had problems and he thought that this was a time to stop, to turn to the right way. He was the one, who took the teenager to this point, with hope that the people here could help him. But that wasn’t some mental institution and it wasn’t even a hospital, but a school for youth with such dark backgrounds. It was the only way to help him, as his father believed, and Kazuya knew he didn’t have any other choice. That was his only hope, but for him, in was the opposite. He viewed that his father wanted to get rid of him, as soon as possible.
The school wasn’t normal, something that has an eerie atmosphere surrounding it. It was located twenty fives miles away from the nearest town, so kids studying there hadn’t even thought of running away. The school was deliberately located near the mountains and forests were everywhere. Teenagers and teachers, who had been living there, had peaceful days and such. Teenagers here of all ages had usual subjects as compared to others school, but it is exceptional that they have a lot of various activities done in the campus. At times there were trips, which last a few days, and several sessions with prominent psychologists and some group therapies.
And all these were a problem for Kazuya who hated the group therapies and whatnot. Talking with all these people - these depressed, pressured people - about his fears and weaknesses was too much for him to handle. He had never been talking about himself with anybody, or at least even attempted, and now… he was still in the same rebellious point in his life, just like back in a couple of months ago, because he couldn’t open himself to the world in front of him, waiting for him to go out of his shell. Stuck in the same point without courage to do one little step for his new future, he stopped and thought, I’m a looser, and he realized he knew it all along.
***
”Where are we going,” Jin asked with questioning eyes to his mother, who was carefully driving, “and why did you pack my clothes? Are we going on a vacation, or something?”
“No, Jin. We’re not going on a trip. You’re going to school,” the woman responded calm and silent, “you must slow things down, and better take care of your life from now on.”
“Right, and you know what is good for me waaaay better than I know. Of course, that’s it,” he wasn’t surprised that his mother was doing something like this, she always try to scold him, he thought. She tried a few times before, but he always run away. In the back of his head, he knew that despite her efforts, he would never listen, “I hate you.”
“I know,” she wasn’t shrug, because she was used to this kind of words from her own son. Jin was a difficult child, and probably it was her fault. She married an incredibly rich man, but he left her three years after. They got their divorce, and now, rich as she is, she was the only one who raised Jin and sustained his needs. No doubt, Jin had everything he wanted and he could do everything a guy could possibly do in his own life, and his mother admitted that mistake of hers. She did not laid even a single finger on her son, and now she’s continuously paying the high price of not being a responsible example to him. She ought to educate his son first, and she tried a lot times to help him become a good person, but all her efforts had gone to waste. Plenty of times she lost hope, that something can helped him, until she saw an article about an exceptional school and thought that this could be her last chance of leading her son on the right track. She wanted her son, her little Jin, back so badly. And considering this, she could not wish for more.
“I hate you! I hate you,” Jin yelled so madly that his voice surrounded the car. He wanted ruin her poker face and wanted to give her pain. By this, he was such a fool with anger in his veins so hard to contain. Anger, irony and sarcasm were his tools on capturing his victim in pain, and he loved it. He couldn’t tell why, but something urges him to give worst pain to people, and later on be proud of it. He had felt power in him, which he subconsciously couldn’t control, and he liked it so much. He liked being powerful, and that was something precious for him. He didn’t have any other pleasures and friends. In fact, he was rather lonely and he didn’t care about it, because he was the superior of the fraternity he belonged to. They respected him, not because he was their hero, but rather they were scared of his power, and he didn’t care. Actually, he loved that feeling. They’re stupid, and I can do everything.
But now he could do nothing but wait, just because he wasn’t matured yet to handle his own life. His mother was controlled the way his life goes and he couldn’t do anything. He hated it. He hated her control. He felt like a dog, being pulled to everything his master wanted, being tied in this mother’s thread like a puppet. He was in protest and they would talk about it, yet be back to the same point every time.
***
”Don’t touch me!” Pi parodied Kazuya, and looked at him with a teasing smile on his lips. The younger one smiled back to him, and sat next to him. “So, Mr. Don’t-touch-me, are there any changes?”
“Not at all,” the younger one let out a short sigh, “how about you?”
“Same old, same old. I’m stuck in it,” answered the other and turned back to eat. Pi wasn’t Kazuya’s good friend. They met the first day Kazuya came, and were also living with three other persons in the room. They loathed the idea. For them, It was too much for five to sleep in one stuffy room. Of course it was a big room, but when everybody stays there, it was such a commotion, and they just couldn’t stand it. Pi thought that Kazuya is quite familiar to him. Well, just like him, Kazuya hated group therapies, and he prefer being alone. Sharing similarities, each quickly founded their company, despite the place having lots of rules which they have to obey. It was hard for them, but they have to take note and stuck it in their heads.
First of all, violence is banned. Every form of violence would be subjected to equivalent sanctions and punishments. Secondly, every student should have to gain friends, be friendly in return and shouldn’t omit such lonely atmosphere inside the school premises. There was no loneliness so students like Pi or Kazuya, which like and desire being alone, would surely have hard times coping. The third rule states that there should be no alcohol, drugs, cigarettes and other stimulants among students. It is emphasized and both Pi and Kazuya raised their brows as they read the emphasized fourth rule: no sex inside the school premises. “Does that mean we can outside,” asked Pi. Kazuya nudged him, “shut up!” And the last, but not least… all of the students must try to beat their weaknesses in their stay at school.
It is also included that for every broken rule, there would be a punishment and every student, who for one time was punished, must not possess any violations again. The two stopped and guessed, so what if we committed something stupid again?
The two always sit side to side with each other, just like that day. Enjoying their company, silence and privacy, but they never thought about friendship, because they knew so well that a friend is someone who knew a lot about a person. And normally, friendship was connected with talking, chatting, spending time with each other laughing, sharing significant experiences in their lives…but when you ask them, they would turn away go back to their thick, silent atmosphere which envelops them and eventually detach them from the outer world.
“Ueda-san is trying his best again,” mumbled Kazuya, breaking the calm silence surrounding the two, individually. “Well, he never stops, right,” they laughed silently. They had wonderful teachers, but they refuse to see that because for them, teachers were just annoying, always trying to put a façade that they wanted to help.
“Oh yeah, he is really annoying,” confirmed Pi with a little smile on his lips, “and you’re his victim. Just tell him some fairytales and sure he’ll be happy. And you too, because he’d think that you really mean it and eventually stop bugging you. Then, bye bye loser!” He then smiled to his colleague, “just listen to your senior, okay?”
Kazuya smiled back and nodded, wondering if he should try the other’s advice, or not. He was a perfect actor, or maybe he was perfect liar? Anyway, time would come he could forever get rid of him. And that was a nice plan, but what about when returns to normal life? Did he really lose his aim? He should be there; wanting to go back home, but that was indeed a lie now. He’d rather stay here, here where nobody could hurt or even touch him, and he liked this. Absolutely perfect, he thought.
***
Jin raised his eyebrow, when he saw the place. He had to live here for a year, or even more so. It was a nice place, surrounded by trees and forests freshly greeting him. But for him it was just a hole, the worst hole ever existed that would bring him to his living hell.
“Are you kidding me?” he asked his mother with shock, “are you playing a joke again on me? No, I’m definitely NOT gonna stayed here!”
“I’m not kidding, Jin. I hope you understand my feelings. I wanted you to grow up properly even though I can’t look over for you, and I know this school would be the right place.”
“You can’t look over for me?” Her words were hurting him, stabbing his chest painfully. He didn’t understand her intention, and his mind was too preoccupied to even think at the moment he was in pain. Yet he’s not able to understand what his mother wants for him. She hated her son back then, for God sake, and what she had done to him, as she found him repulsive. Now, she’s hated by her son and even pushed her hand away when she tried to hug him.
“Jin… I didn’t mean this,” she tried to explain, but he pushed her away from him, with anger instilled his eyes.
“Fine! I’ll stay there, but don’t touch me again like you know me. Just get out of my sight! I don’t want to see you!” And now, he only saw a teary-eyed woman in front of him, looking him, crying, as she walked away.
Annoyed, he gathered his things and sarcastically went inside.
***
Junno jumped on Tomohisa’s back with his stupid smile, making Kazuya rolled his eyes. He didn’t like that boy, because as for him, he wasn’t even funny even he tries many times. As for Junno, he applied at the school at his own will. He wasn’t difficult kid. He had wonderful family and he liked his life, he also was a brave volunteer, a teacher’s pet. They hated him, because he volunteered to do patrol and catch students violating the rules. He was so nosy.
“Hey guys, did you hear the news,” Junno asked excitedly. In reaction, Pi sighed and rolled his eyes, too. Of course, this goody two shoes dude always come to them and fit in, especially when he had news or gossips, like they’re care any crap about it, what people think about them.
“Of course not, but probably you tell it us” answered Kazuya with resignation. For, it is only one of those lines that would make the comedian-wannabe disappear, eventually. A machine gun, when he started speaking he should throw everything he came up with and get over with it.
“We have another student, and guess what?”
“He’ll be living with us?” asked Tomo. Junno pouted a bit. Pi laughed, “then I think I’ve guessed it right! Bulls eye!”
“You’re mean. I really don’t know why I am still talking to you,” mumbled Junno and childishly went away. Kazuya once again rolled his eyes flashed a tiny grin.
“Then we should get back,” he stopped and Pi nodded slowly. There was no other choice. They must be back to their room, to “welcome” the new student and would add up to their burden. Oh great.
***
”You’re Akanishi Jin, right?” the man greeted him with a big welcoming smile on his face, “I’m Koyama Keiichiro, the new teacher, the same time, director of Mount School.” Jin smiled back, trying to be polite, to his new boss. He knew that good impression was useful in life. Time will come that it would be easier run away from this hell just because of their trust in him. And yes, he thought that this school will be the hell in his own life.
“As you know, there are rules, which must be obeyed. No violence in this place, any drugs, cigarettes, and alcohol are prohibited. Definitely, no sex, and obtaining of other stimulants. And lastly, no running away got that?”
“Yes, sir,” Akanishi rolled his eyes. He couldn’t stop himself from doing that. Mr. Koyama looked really funny, because he was slim and had funny face. For Jin, Koyama doesn’t seem to have the makings of a boss. He doesn’t look powerful or strong enough to handle me, he thought with sarcasm.
“You will be assigned to Mr. Ueda’s group,” he gave Jin his schedule of subjects and activities. “Come on, I’ll show you the place. You will be living here for the next months, and I tell you, it’s nice,” he smiled to him once again and took him for a tour around the place. Jin shrugged, sighed deeply and, without a choice, he followed Mr. Koyama.
During the tour, he saw classrooms, which were small with some benches. There was also a fireplace with a piano, a great place where students could rest, read books or do their homework. As Koyama pointed out the rooms at the same time introducing them one by one, he saw canteen and a spacious green field for baseball, basketball and volleyball, on the other far side. There was a gym as well where they can play indoors. But most importantly, there were few wooden buildings, where students sleep and board. Finally, Koyama took him to the first building and went inside.
“This is your new home,” smiled Koyama and him gave keys to the room. “Welcome home,” he pushed Jin to the doors, which were opened and suddenly went away. Jin looked turned around to look for Koyama for a moment, and realized he left him so he went in and check the room.
There were six beds and three wardrobes, nothing more, nothing less. He clicked his tongue to himself in disgust. He wasn’t used to this kind of conditions - others put their gaze on him, some didn’t. He didn’t know what to do, or how to behave, and was feeling stupid. Thinking that he’d freeze at the threshold, he managed to move his feet and sat on the free bed. He sighed heavily as he turned his back on his roommates.
***
Kazuya ogled at the new student for a while. He wasn’t interesting, he thought. Just another boy with some complex or any other problems, which he didn’t want to speak of. The student sat on the free bed, which was surprising for Kazuya, because he used to fight for a bed when he first came in. There were instances that students fight for the sake of getting a bed, and he enjoyed witnessing those fights. The atmosphere was heavy and awkward, until that goody-two-shoes came with a wide smile painted on his mouth.
“Hi, I’m Junnosuke Taguchi,” Junno introduced himself and sat on the new bed where Jin ws seated, “how are you?”
“Shut up,” muttered the new student who was looking at the Junno, angrily, “just leave me alone, okay,” he ordered, but Taguchi didn’t mind and just smiled even more, instead.
“It’s your first day here. It’s normal that you don’t feel well here,” Junno looked at the others, begging, to help him talk to the new roommate but Kazuya ignored him because he didn’t want to appear friendly, same goes for Pi.
“I said: Leave. Me. Alone,” repeated the new one with a huge anger in voice, and Kazuya signaled Junno to go away. He’s got guts. He didn’t like this arrogant guy since then.
“Hey, I just wanted to know something about you. Just your name, I promise, nothing more,” Junno persisted.
In a flash, he grabbed Junno’s collar and pushed him to the wall, “I said: LEAVE ME ALONE! Do you know what that means?! Go away! Get out of my sight!” The other gulped and nodded quickly, but the Jin didn’t let him go. “Don’t ever do that again, or I swear I’m gonna kill you,” he threatened darkly, and even Kazuya believed him. But then the same time, he saw Pi drop the book he was reading and was now looking at the new student furiously.
“Let him go,” he snapped, “let him go. Don’t be such a brat,” Tomohisa’s voice was cold and low. At that moment, Kazuya witnessed a different Pi, and he didn’t know that he could be such a scary person to mess with.
“Do you have any idea who are you talking to,” the new one yelled at Pi furiously, still holding Junno in a trap.
“I don’t care who you are, or rather who you were. Now you’re a student like me, like us. We have the same right to be here, talk and bond with each other. There’s a rule, don’t you know? No violence! Koyama didn’t tell you that? I don’t think so,” said slowly, at the same time, calmly.
“Yeah, right. And everyone obeyed it, right?” He was laughing now, and let go of Junno’s shirt. Jin approached Pi and snapped at him, “don’t make me laugh, dude.” He glared at him, probably because he wanted Pi scared in his ass, but instead there was not reaction.
“I’m not kidding, DUDE. You don’t want to know what happens to dudes who don’t comply with the rules. Don’t even think about it. Or maybe you want to? Let me see, I advice you do this behavior again tomorrow, in front of many people, and see if you’ll still have your tomorrow waiting for you,” Tomohisa was still as calm as he tried to frighten the new one, which made Jin frustrated and pissed. He then pushed Pi on the bed, but Tomohisa just burst out, laughing, “You appear to be scary, but in truth, you’re weak.”
“Don’t you dare calling me weak,” yelled the new student and punched Pi in the stomach. Despite being troublesome, Kazuya sighed and took Jin away from Pi, he pushed him at the wall and looked straight in his eyes.
“Don’t you dare touch my friend,” he breathed angrily like a mad man. He, himself, was surprised when he said it; he didn’t expect that he would have such courage. Indeed, it was always Pi, who rescue him. It wasn’t the other way around, and now…he could do the same for the older one. And that made him smile to his innermost thoughts.
“Listen, you’re just like us here. We all have problems life and we must help each other to live and forget every bad memory that has passed, so we can all work nicely and everything would be okay, got it?” raised his eyebrow and let the new one go.
“Freaks,” Jin snapped as he left the room.
Kazuya then turned to Pi and said, “Don’t ever do that again. I was scared like hell!”
“But you did it,” Pi smiled to him and stroked his hair. “My little turtle did it and now, you’re my hero,” he laughed lightheartedly.
“And you’re weird,” Kazuya punched Pi’s arm lightly went on his bed, reading the book. He smiled to himself when he realized that he was proud of himself, of what he did earlier. And somehow, something came into his mind - the new one was quite interesting, I guess.
***
Jin sat on one of the few bench, gazing at the stars. He hated this place, just because he wasn’t “the boss” anymore. He feel helpless because he didn’t have any sense of power left in him here. Of course, he could make the others follow him, be his subordinates but…there were two freaks - two freaks who doesn’t seem to be afraid of him, or even flinch in everything is does, and he loathed the idea. He wanted to control everything. By that, he promised himself to control not only part of it, but instead, he would take on the whole school, even if it’s just a matter of time. Those two freaks would become his soldiers but before that, he must find some hooks on them first and surely everything will fall into pieces.
Watch out for your weaknesses, guys. I’m coming to get ya.