### **OLD AND NEW FACES (2)**
Am sorry have we met before I asked, no I don't think so she replied,
Then
I heard about you from Yuki-sensei."
*That bitch*, I thought. "Mind telling me what she said?"
"You're the only one who hasn't joined a club yet."
"Okay, sure. Whatever."
"Enough of this, Aoi. Let's go," Mr council said.
They walked past me, but the vice president glanced back. "Hananoi-san, expect a call up from me by tomorrow about the club matter."
As they left, I gritted my teeth. *This woman isn't just my nemesis anymore—she's my* arch-*nemesis. Seriously? Whatever. I should check the rooftop.*
I headed straight there, drawn by the sound of music—a fine Massenet piece. *Huh, the music club? Didn't know they had this kind of talent.* I moved closer, curious to see who was playing, when suddenly—
**"HANANOI-SENPAI!!!"**
A girl sprinted up the stairs, panting.
"Uh… *Senpai*?" "Who are you?"
"It's me! Sakura—the girl you helped in the music club!"
*Oh, right.* "Ahh, Sakura-san! You doing okay?" (*Like I care.*)
"I'm great, thanks to you! Because of your advice, I got to perform even though I was a first-year. I'm really grateful!"
"I didn't do anything. It's not like I played for you," I said.
Then—she pulled out a book.
"What's that?"
"It's… *that* book."
"What book?"
"The one you gave me that day!"
Ahh! So what about it
"I've been carrying it around, hoping I'd see you again. I checked all the second-year classes—no one had your name. I even wondered if you were a third-year!" She clutched it tightly. "Thank you again."
"I don't need it. And for the record, I *am* a second-year. Why didn't you check the third-years if you were that desperate?"
"But—it's so detailed! It shows your passion for music, especially the violin!"
"Drop it."
"R-Really? Can I really keep it?" Her eyes sparkled—like she'd been hoping I'd say that all along.
"Sure."
She beamed, then added, "About the third-years… Most of them seem scary. There are only two classes, and they're always dead silent—like rustling leaves."
"Boring. Why only two? Shouldn't there be four?"
"Yeah, but students who don't meet intermediate standards get cut. Unless they *buy* their way through."
"Wait, *buy*? Is that legal? Even though if you didn't meet the standard you can still graduate normally right??
"The 'buying' part is just a loophole. If you don't meet the grade, you pay for extra classes until you scrape an A."
"Don't all schools offer extra classes?"
"Not here. Fall below the passing cumulative average, and you're *expelled*. The only way out is to pay."
"Damn. Boring."
"And about graduating… Why waste tuition if you can't cut it? Most stay out of shame. Transferring out of Noriko brands you a *failure*."
"That's why I'm doing my best to be good!
I smirked. "But why settle for just 'good'?"
"Not everyone can be the best. I know my limits."
"Realistic.
I like you Sakura san"
"Eh? *Like*?" She looked suprised
"Your mindset, I mean."
"T-Thanks!" She grinned.
"You're energetic! By the way, who was playing earlier?"
"Oh! That was my respected senpai—"
**"Sakura! Let's get food!"** A voice cut in.
"Senpai, it's *morning*!"
"Playing makes me hungry!"
Then the girl turned to me. "Who's this cool guy? Your boyfriend?"
"No! He's the senpai I told you about!"
"Which one?"
"My new *master*—Hana—"
"Seriously, skip the boring intro," I deadpanned.
The girl froze, staring at me. "...Do you always say that?"
"Yeah. Since I was a kid."
She stepped back. "Sakura, what did you say his name was?"
"Hananoi—"
**"Don't say the last name!"**
Her face paled. "This can't be real. Did you go to Royals Academy in England?"
*Huh?* "Yeah, sounds right."
"Then your full name is Hananoi Tojiko. Right?"
"Obviously. What about it?"
"*Stop saying that phrase!* You know it pisses me off!"
"Seriously? Then answer *my* question—who the hell are *you*?"
She glared. "It's me. Chisato. Your first love. and Your First *girlfriend*."
I stumbled back covering my mouth
**"…Chi?!"**