Welcome to Gaia! ::

Gwen sighed and shook her head. Looked like she had to explain everything once more. She motioned for Saya to check if anyone else was listening. Once the classmate signaled the coast was clear, Gwen explained.

"My family... Is rich and they want me to be in their image. Only doing 'noble activities' and be with like-minded people. So... They will send me back to France if I don't cut all ties to Daisuke. As much as the school would praise me for joining the track like senpai suggested, my family would kill me. Anything that will make their doll dirty or bruised is forbidden."

Gwen groaned in despair and leaned against the wall with her arms crosses as if defending off a cold draft.

"I.. Don't know what to do.."


<><><>


Kairi slipped the envelope in her bag before pulling out a book and began reading as they walked inside and to their grade's floor, ignoring the whispers from fellow classmates. Once at her locker, the girl swapped shoes. She paused for a moment when Saito asked his question.

"Well.. Apologize for one thing. If it's something bridge burning, I'd try offering a gift. Favorite food, something to help with a hobby, or something I know they would like."

She turned to look at him, still holding her book and bag.

"Why?"


<><><>


Makoto sat in the back of the second year class, half paying mind with an earbud in his left ear. Nothing out of the ordinary for the typical boy uniform save for the magenta fingernails that he always got teased for, but Makoto never cared for their opinions.

After making sure that it was just the two first-year girls in the bathroom, Gwen filled Saya in on the full matter that was plaguing both her and Daisuke. According to her, Gwen was from a very wealthy family and that, of course, meant that certain behaviors and attitudes were to expected of the young girl. Her title and lineage dictated that she only engaged with others who shared in her social standing, as well as participate in activities that were fitting of the incredibly wealthy. Stepping outside of those rigid guidelines for any reason wouldn't be tolerated, and that was more than enough to have the young blonde sent away to France if news ever got back to her parents that she was being anything lower than a Bonnett.

Saya was at a loss for words as she could clearly see how much of an effect this was having on her classmate. She didn't know the specifics, but Gwen being around Daisuke was treated like a huge affront to her family and as such, she was instructed to no longer be in contact with him. The young boy obviously didn't know any of this and was forced to watch his close friend shut him out without any explanation as to why. The whole situation didn't sit right with Saya, making Gwen force her friend out of her life because of some superficial title and privilege. She also noted how Gwen referred to herself as their "doll". It was something that she easily saw herself getting angry over, but she figured that this wasn't the time nor place for that.

"I see..." she said quietly once Gwen finished her explanation. Both girls remained pretty quiet as neither one really knew what to do. Gwen mentioned that the older girl that was there earlier had suggested that she join the track team in order to remain close to Daisuke, but Gwen's parents didn't want her engaging in sports whatsoever. Saya thought on this a bit until something struck her.

"You need a space where you can talk to Daisuke and let him know about all of this without your parents finding out, right?" she asked. "And the track team wouldn't work because of your family's...'distaste' for sports."
--------------------------

Saito thought about Kairi's answer to his question, mulling over some of the things that the brother's liked until she inquired him about his question.

"I...was a jackass to the both of them yesterday for no reason," he explained while looking away, somewhat ashamed of what happened. "They were just being themselves and I sorta snapped at them. I feel bad about it, so I wanted to apologize and make amends."

--------------------------

Yusei was seated at his desk as he and his friends continued on with their "evaluations" of the girls at Gakko High.

"Look, all I'm saying is Yoshino-chan clearly went up in size this year," Toru said with his headphones hanging around his neck. "Like, the summer sun must've been good for her boobs cause those things are massive!"

"Please," Shuuhei replied. "Boobs are nice, but you obviously didn't notice how toned Takamaki-chan's legs have gotten. And you know what they say about toned legs~ There's a usually a firm a** waiting in the wings."

"Don't be an idiot, Shuuhei. Boobs are way better than a**."

"And I say to hell with the chest, give me a** any day."

The two boys argued further before turning to Yusei to be the tie-breaker.

"Well, what do you think, Yusei?" Toru asked. "Boobs or a**?"

"Ah well...I don't think you can really put one over the other," Yusei answered with a nervous laugh before both of friends groaned.

"You're just saying that cause Mizuki-senpai's got em' both," Toru teased before fully sitting in his seat. "Speaking of which, how's that plan coming along to woo her? You do know that she's a third-year now, right?"

"I-I'm working on it!" Yusei protested. "I had to take those extra summer classes last year so I couldn't really do anything."

"Yeah well, I suggest you make your move soon before her eyes fall on somewhere better looking," Toru said. "Who knows? She could fall for Kurosaki-senpai."

All three boys shuddered at the thought of the older student. When it came to the majority of female students in their year, the upperclassmen boys were all they ever thought about. Saito and stoic traits were normal show-stealers as the girls of their grade would constantly talk about how good looking he was. Because of this, Saito had unintentionally made most of the 2nd-year boys his enemies.

"Hey, but I did hear that she was around some new guy yesterday," Shuuhei chimed in. "Don't really know his story, but they were awfully close."

"See, Yusei? It's already starting, so you better get your a** in gear already."

"Guys, relax," Yusei said. "I'll excel both in class and kendo and get on Mizuki-senpai's level in no time. Once she notices me, everything will fall into place."

He then smirked at his two friends before leaning back in his chair a bit.

"Now how about we talk about you two getting girlfriends, eh?"

The two boys groaned while Yusei laughed before changing the topic altogether.

Seeing Gwen nod her head, Saya could tell that she was on the right track of thought for this particular situation.

"If that's the case...why don't I help you find one?" she suggested. "A secret meeting place where you and Daisuke-kun can talk without getting caught. Naturally, it'll be off school grounds so you won't have eyes on you. We can look for spots together and your family will be none the wiser since they don't know me. We can try looking after school or anytime you're free."

"In the meantime, I'll relay any messages you want to give to Daisuke and vice versa. Sounds like a good idea, right?" the blonde asked with a wide grin.
--------------------------
Saito looked at Kairi before looking up towards the ceiling in thought.

"Hmmm......I.....was just gonna buy them some doughnuts and call it a day," he said honestly.
--------------------------
Yusei, Toru, and Shuuhei continued conversing amongst themselves until the 2nd-Year Homeroom Teacher, Mr. Tonegawa, entered the classroom. At the sight of the teacher, of the other two boys quickly took their seats as Yusei straightened himself up for the impending lesson. As class was getting started, he glanced over a few desks to his left and saw Makoto, looking just as anti-social as he's always been.

Huh. I guess Kurosaki-senpai fever reached the boys as well, he thought to himself. That guy probably figured if he acted like Kurosaki-senpai, then the girls would just flock to him. So stupid.

The thought of others trying to impersonate someone else because of their perceived coolness rubbed Yusei the wrong way. He was the type who believed that anyone could be considered popular or cool as long as they stayed true to themselves. While that was a noble outlook to have, the battlefield that was the Teenage Social Scene at Gakko was a slippery slope indeed. Like in any other high school, you could be trending topic one minute and completely forgotten about the next. Only those with a unique enough talent and spirit were immortalized and talked about all the time.

Saito and his cool demeanor, Aya and the number victories her track team brings to the school, Saiyori and her mastery of perfection, these were only a few of Gakko's most popular and fawned. The list went on and on, and while their presence grew, so did the attempts of mimicking them for the sake of one's own social standing.

Yusei sighed and eventually opened his notebook to take notes on the morning lecture. He figured that he was being a bit too harsh with Makoto. The boy hadn't spoken to him before, and while trying to copy the resident school brooder was still a valid reason, Makoto could've been honestly going through a rough time. The blue-haired student glanced over and noticed the magenta on his nails. It was a wild color choice, one that Yusei appreciated. After a few moments, he tuned into Mr. Tonegawa's lecture and focused on the material ahead of him.

Seriana stood in the courtyard responding to passing greetings from her classmates until she heard Aya ask how she was.
“I’m good Aya, and you seem chipper as always. I’m just a little worried about Mom. I know I shouldn’t be since I’ll only be gone a few extra hours a week but she’s still so frail. I just know she’d’ve been upset if I hadn’t joined theatre to take care of her. At least she’s walking again and I made her promise to call me if she needs help.”
Their conversation continued for a little while but ended up where most of their public conversations ended, their yuri act. It was almost second nature at this point even though it was an act. Seriana didn’t really have romantic feelings for anyone in fact, not that she didn’t want to but that she was content with where she was. She was pulled out of her train of thought when the girls noticed something unusual, all eyes were not on them. Some boys were staring, hoping for what they wouldn’t get to see, but there were two groups of students looking at two distinct conversations. She first noticed her brother and Saiyori, she smirked.
”Well now when did you get so confident?”, she wondered.
The second conversation was between... Kairi and Saito!? That was just as surprising. Saito was a quiet loner, even more so than Soren.
”They are both book worms, good for her. I thought she had a thing for Soren though...”
Her train of thought was cut short with the ringing of the bell. She and Aya made their way to class, chit chatting about clubs and family along the way.

——-

Soren looked at his watch as the bell rang, surprised with how long he had kept Saiyori. Apologizing once more he turned to leave when he saw Kairi walking into school.
”Damn, I meant to talk to her and apologize for not getting to yesterday. I’ll have to find her at lunch.”
Luckily he didn’t have to deal with any guys asking him about Saiyori since everyone was focused on getting to class.

The morning passed fairly quickly for the siblings and before long the lunch bell rang. Seriana stood and stretched before grabbing her lunch and linking her arms with Kairi and Aya.
“C’mon slowpokes we need a good spot under the trees! The sun looks brutal today, we don’t want Kairi looking like a lobster.” Her mood had brightened a bit in anticipation for theatre that evening, they’d be going over the chosen play and would all be assigned parts! Seriana hoped she could get one of the main roles since the lead role would obviously go to Hina. The trio eventually found a spot and began to eat. Just when Seri was going to ask Kairi about Saito she saw her brother coming twoards them. She sprung up and ran to hug him.
“Soren! What brings you to our neighborhood? Looking to spend time with Aya perhaps?”
She smirked at her friends knowing that Aya wouldn’t care to be drawn in to joking with her brother but also seeing if it got a rise out of Kairi.

——-

As the noon bell rang Soren rubbed his eyes, mathematics was easily his least favorite class and the most boring. One of his classmates nudged his arm.
“Welcome back to the land of the living.”
Soren chuckled and replied sarcastically.
“I was so enthralled by all the numerical garbage that we’ll never need to use!”
Stretching his neck he grabbed his bag and made his way outside. Scanning the area for his sister, more listening for her than looking, he noticed a couple of big upperclassmen walking up to a very small underclassman. He knew that kind of walk, once upon a time he’d been on the receiving end of it, yet the kid didn’t even seem to notice. In fact he didn’t seem to notice anything really. Soren closed his eyes and lightly frosted the bottom of one of the bullies shoes causing him to slip and fall. A few groups of students started to laugh and the bully, his face red with embarrassment stormed off. Soren smiled, the kid was safe for now at least.
He eventually found Seriana and her friends. Before he could even greet them his sister jumped up and rushed him. He rolled his eyes when she mentioned Aya. He had to admit she was attractive but he had never thought of her in that way. She was one of Seriana’s best friends, dating her could end up ruining that. Plus right now dating anyone was a bad idea. The men he owes don’t need more targets. Setting that thought aside he smiled at the girls.
“Of course, and Kairi too. I need to make sure my sister isn’t forcing them to put up with her.”
Seriana stuck her tongue out at him.
“Of course not. They love me.”
“So I’ve heard.”
Soren chuckled as he took a piece of paper from his pocket and looked to Kairi.
“I won’t take up too much of you girls precious boy ogling time but wanted to apologize for not getting to say hi yesterday, I don’t have a lot of time to hang around after school with work and all but I’m glad to see you feeling better. But I just got a new number so shoot me a text if we can’t talk.”
He handed her the paper with the number and a note. He wondered if she’d remember.

(OC: Not trying to rush anyone, more making up for my slight ghosting.)

Jacob may have remained calm on the outside, but on the inside he was doing a Tiger Woods fist pump. He and Isamu are going on at 'date'. But he knew he'd have to let Aya know he would not be at practice. I was going to go one of two ways, either A she was going to cuss him out for skipping or B embarrass the living hell out him. He took a mental sign before sending her the txt.

The noon bell soon rang and he stretched his hands over his head. Class was still class, but he had to get use to the teachers changing rooms and not the students. It was a bit of a culture shock to him. He then stood, grabbed his bento box and turned to his classmate that sat in front of him.

Jacob: So....lunch on the roof again? *smiles*

>>>>>>>>>>>>>

As the lunch bell rang, the still heartbroken boy, stood up and started to walk by himself to the lunch room. Even after his friend's return she hasn't even looked his way. This day was terrible? He began to ask himself, could it get any worse?

>>>>>>>>>>>>>

The bell rang and Aya put away her books to get ready for lunch. While she was mostly paying attention in class, part of her was trying to find a way to help her poor little kouhai. Before she could ponder more about it, Seriana came up to her, linking arms to head to get their usual spot under the tree.


Aya: Seriana dear, I don't think we have to rush.

Aya said as more a joke. It seemed like that spot that sat at under the tree was almost reserved for them. She never quiet understood, but nobody sat there but them. She's overheard some boys call it the 'Goddess Tree' or something crazy like that. Before her, she remembered it was Saiyori's favorite tree to sit under. As they ate lunch they were approached by Seriana's brother Soren. It was then she noticed Seriana pull her into a joke where see decided to play along too. She put her hand over her chest, while looking surprised.

Aya: Oh my....Is it true Soren dear?

Upon hearing his quick response and seeing Seriana's plan fail, it caused her to chuckle a bit. It was times like these she enjoyed with her close friends. Close friends huh..... This made her think of the pickle Gwen was in.
How could see help her. She knew her proposal wasn't the best, but it was a gusty one, one that she would do. But she knew not every one could do that, or have that luxury. Aya looked up and saw her friends asking if everything is ok?

Aya: Huh? Oh yea...sorry. It's just...one of my kouhai's friend is in a bit of a predicament. One that I thought might help by her joining the track team....but it seems that's out the question. I want to help them but it seems to be out of my hands....

Her friends could tell Aya was troubled by them. She truly cared about her underclassmen and peers alike. She hated seeing anyone dealing with unfair hardships and was known for trying to get them out of those situations. Over the years she's managed to work out some crazy situation which is why some dubbed her a 'Goddess', even though she hates that.

Aya: If only there were a way for her to join with out.....

It was at this moment she was so embarrassed at herself she actually facepalmed. I'm an idiot. She just remembered a way for the girl to be apart of the track club and never sweat at all. After all every club can always use a team manager.

The morning routine took place once more.
Getting up, she showered, she dressed, she cooked something light for breakfast, she made herself a bento lunch, then she walked to school.
Saiyori figured it was a new day, she could let the events of last night pass, and everything would be fine. She can get to school, enjoy class, talk to her fellow classmates, maybe get a chance to look at a club or two, and THEN think about work. Let her time during the day be her escape from the annoyances and aggravations in the evening.She had been so preoccupied with thinking about her annoyances from last night that she was actually caught off guard upon hearing her name called out at the school gates.

It was Soren.

A slight grin curled the corner of her lips upon seeing the guy. He was right now the embodiment of what she wished could be her life. Just a typical school kid waiting for somebody at the school gates before class started. It was so cliche, so normal, so everything she wished she could actually enjoy. She went to open her mouth to offer her hellos when he continued speaking. She found that he had approached to apologize for yesterday.Without her realizing it, her smile only seemed to widen slightly and her eyes softened abit. Once he finished his apology She spoke up.

"Nothing really to apologize for. I may have over reacted, I'm not used to someone coming and 'saving' me."

She felt her cell phone vibrate in her pocket. It was only a moment of broken facade, but Soren got to see for just a split second as her smile faded and the softness in her eyes hardened. She however recovered just as quickly. a brighter smile on her face.

" One thing you are right about. I can generally take care of myself. One has to when living on their own, right?"

She offered him a knowing smile.

The bell signalling students to get to class rung. It also signaled the end of their conversation as Soren then quickly apologized again and then turned to leave for class.

Saiyori however stayed right where she was at the gates. Her eyes watching as students raced by, making their way hurriedly into the building. A slow sigh escaped her lips as she turned and pulled her phone from her pocket.

Her eyes narrowed slightly upon taking note of the number who called.

It didn't look like she would be attending class today..

A sorrowed look crossed her face as she made a few quick flicks across her phone screen and then held her phone up to her hear, walking away from the school.

Lunch came, and it appeared so did Saiyori.

It had been obvious she wasn't in the morning classes. Her desk in class obviously empty. However there she was, walking across the courtyard in her uniform. It appeared she was just arriving and not looking particularly energetic. If you were to look at her at a glance, it wouldn't be noticable. However if you watched her, one could tell she was favoring her left leg and the amount of energy it seemed to take her to move seemed to be more then usual. She looked physically drained.

A couple of girls from class approached her as they spotted her. Asking where she had been. Her response came with great effort.

"I seem to have come down with something and could not make it this morning. I felt alittle better and thought I'd get notes for today's classes from the teachers. Maybe for tomorrows as well. I don't know if I'll be feeling better by tomorrow or not."

She smiled weakly. Doing her best to put on her best face for them.

One girl let out a gasp. " Are you crazy? You could of just texted me! I would of swung my your place and dropped you off some notes!."

Saiyori only chuckled and nodded her head.

" Yea, I suppose you are right. That does make more since.. Anyway. excuse me."

Saiyori dismissed herself with a wave and continued through the courtyard and disappeared into the school.

She reached her shoe locker and leaned against the cold metal a moment, as if for support. She felt like her body was burning up. And her left leg. It hurt so such. She was so stupid! How could she let herself get hit with a glancing blow like that!? She mentally chastised her stupidity and opened her locker and changed into her school indoor shoes.

She then made her way down the hall towards the teachers' office. Every once in a while one could see her reach out to steady herself against the wall. Luckily it was lunchtime and most all students were busy trying to scarf down food then to notice someone walking around inside the school halls.