First day of school

Cai Kang had woken up to a knock on the door and saw it is Saeko.

"It is time to wake up now. You should get ready for school." She said in a singy songy tone and left the area.

Cai Kang yawned and looked to see she had left the school uniform and school supplies at his doorstep. After washing up, and trying on the uniform, he struggled with the tie before giving up. The necktie struggle is apparent to the others as he comes down for breakfast. Saeko notices it and helps tie it for him.

"Thanks" he said.

He then notices hostility in the air. Kazuha is looking at Noriko and Toya with a deep stare. He could tell she was unhappy with them. Even her eyes are glowing. The twins were silent, which is unusual for them. Cai Kang could tell that they are scared.

"Did something happen between you guys?" He asked, hoping to break the tension.

"Thank you for the meal." Noriko said frantically out of her seat. "Let's go, Toya."

Toya quickly left the seat, grabbed his bag, and ran to the door with his sister.

Kazuha got up from her seat and put her dishes away before leaving to go to school.

Cai Kang sat at one of the empty seats and ate his meal that Saeko prepared for him.

"What's going on?" Cai Kang asked while eating.

"No clue," Ren said. "But her eyes are glowing which means she's really mad."

"They glow when she's mad?"

"Oh, she gets mad but they don't always glow. When they glow, that means she's very angry so Nori-nee and Toya-ni try not to let that happen. I haven't seen them glow since they stole something of hers."

"How often did you see that?"

Ren shrugged. "Not that much, honestly."

Cai Kang finished his food quickly and got his bag. When he walked out the door, he was surprised to see Kazuha on her phone, waiting for him. Her eyes are no longer glowing.

"Were you waiting for me?"

Kazuha put her phone back in her bag. She doesn't look angry anymore.

"Of course, I did. The twins left before they could help you find the school. I will take you there. We're in the same year anyway."

Cai Kang started following Kazuha. He could tell that she's a bit troubled.

"I should warn you that we should probably not be seen together."

Cai Kang froze for a bit before asking, "What's wrong?"

Kazuha sighed. "Let's just say that Noriko and Toya did something and your first day will end up chaotic."

She phrased that carefully. He thought. "What's gonna happen?"

"How are you with gang fights?"

"Why are you asking me about gang fights?" He asked.

"How skilled are you in fighting?" She firmly asked.

"I am one of best martial artists of my generation." Cai Kang said trying not to brag.

"Then you won't have a problem with it." She nodded.

"Now, what did they do?" He asked her reluctantly.

"They spread a rumor that we're dating." She said.

"They what?!" He yelled. "I'm only engaged to your clan, not dating you." He said.

"I know but I have a bit of a reputation in school so they have trouble accepting such a rumor and now the school clubs know you are coming. I've managed to stop the rumors from spreading further but I can't do anything else." She said. "I should also mention that Noriko and Toya even got all the sports clubs to gather to beat you up so that whoever beats you would persuade me to join their club."

"That's it? That's easy. None of them are fighters. I can easily beat them in their own sport." He arrogantly said.

"That's not what I mean. And what's worse is that they are already making bets if all of them can beat you."

"You mean that they are all gonna gang up on me?"

"That, and my school is known for its various sports programs so they are not your typical non-mystic students." She said.

"Hmph, we'll see about that." He said in confidence.

Kazuha sighed a bit. He can't tell if it is because her high school life is disturbed or if it is something else. The two of them walked in silence until they got to the school gates and Cai Kang was shocked to see the many young boys and girls wearing and carrying sports gear. They all look like they are out for blood.

Cai Kang is not overwhelmed in strength than in numbers. He is more afraid how much strength he can hold back enough to not harm them.

"Are any of them Xian or Xia?" He asked Kazuha curiously.

"If you're asking if any of them are Sen or Kyo then yes. Some of them are." She said in response.

"Oh, shit." He said in realization. "And you want me to fight them?" He asked.

"I got it covered. Just follow me." She said.

He followed right behind her.

"How about we forget about this bet and go back to class? Pretend that everything is uneventful." She said to the crowd with a serious look and tone.

All of them immediately lose their bloodlust and started walking away. Cai Kang knew that wasn't the case. When Kazuha started speaking, it resonates with her chi and sends the sound waves farther so that even a large crowd can hear her even if she speaks softly. Also, her voice affects those who can hear her but it doesn't affect him. He can't tell if it is because he is a Xian like her or because he is not her target.

I wonder if it is a spell. He thought.  "Hey, how did you do that trick?" Cai Kang questioned.

"Trick?" She turned back.

"Yeah, you just used your chi, didn't you? On those guys?" he said.

"Wait, you can-" Kazuha suddenly stopped talking by the sound of something approaching her. She grabbed it from behind and looked to see an arrow with a note. Recognizing this move, Kazuha frowned and dropped the arrow without a second thought. Curious, Cai Kang picked up the arrow and opened the note attached to it. It was a badly written soliloquy. He then dropped the note after reading it, unimpressed. This isn't gonna impressed anyone.

"To protect that boring-looking boy, you must really care about him," he said. A young man who shot the arrow approached the two. He was a tall, decent-looking young man with a charming smile. He has thick chocolate brown locks that match his eyes. He would've been a heartthrob if it wasn't for his badly written poem of himself, that bokken tied around his belt, and how pretentious he sounds.

Irritated, she looked at her opponent. "Karasuma-sempai, Good morning. Did you steal equipment from the archery club again?" She said and gave him an annoyed stare.

"It is not stealing if I return it." He replied coolly.

"Ughh, let's just get this over with." She said irritably and made a fighting stance against him.

"My name is Karasuma Takashi. I am a student in class 3-C. Captain of the Kendo club. Undefeated champion in the prefecture but those I've gone up against in the country know me as the Thunderous Raven of Mikurigaoka high.'' He said.

"No, it wasn't. People call you the Crowing Raven." One of the students mocks him from the window. Cai Kang looked to see that every window of the school building was full of students watching them.

Smirking at the bystander's response, he replied with pride in his tone, "I assure you that Thunderous Raven is truly the name people call me." He bragged.

"You know that they call him thunder because he's all talk and no bite. You hear a loud rumble but you don't really feel anything." Toya said from the window. The crowd starts to laugh.

Scoffing, he looked up where Toya was. "If it wasn't for you being Kazuha-san's brother then you would be beaten by me." He said.

"Says the guy who gets his ass beaten by my sister every morning. You just won't quit. And honestly, Stop saying things in past tense. It's not gonna get through anyone." Toya says with a bored expression.

"Do you really want to fight the prefecture's High school Kendo champion?" Karasuma threatened. His expression and threat aren't getting through to anyone.

Toya scoffed in response. "I'm not scared of you. I can go out and kick your ass right now." Toya boldly claimed.

"You-" he grabbed his bokken and pointed it towards Toya and seeing that he got ridiculed in front of a crowd, he then points it towards Cai Kang. "Tell me your name so I can properly challenge you!" He yelled.

Cai Kang used the arrow he was playing with and flicked it back to him. Karasuma dodged the arrow, which was aimed at him with lightning speed. The students were surprised to see that the arrow was a few inches deep in the wall.

"Huh, good reflexes." Cai Kang commented. "But still, You are better at running your mouth than that sword."

Red with anger, he proceeded to attack. "Die, you lowlife!"

Triggered, Cai Kang dodged his attack and kicked the breath out of him. Karasuma was left heaving.

"Lowlife? If anyone's the lowlife here, it's the freak who brags about himself on paper and delivers it with an arrow like some cupid. Besides, I'm staying at the Shiratori residence as a guest." he said.

Shocked, he quickly got up. "What? Under the same roof as her?" he panted and tried to strike him again but he dodged it.

“If you think attacking me the same way would work the first time, it sure as hell wouldn’t work the second time. I am the heir to the Cai school of martial arts.” He then tossed his bag at Kazuha. “My name is Cai Kang and I accept your challenge for the sake of getting to my first day in class on time.” He said. Everyone at the building is watching the fight.

“So you’re hounding Kazuha?” He yelled.

“No one’s hounding anyone.” Both said in unison. “Didn’t you listen? He’s only staying with us. Our dads are friends.” Kazuha said.

“Enough!” then he tried to strike him down but he hit the wall instead.

He broke through a concrete wall with a wooden sword. Kazuha thought. Although knowing what he is capable of, it still astonishes her a bit to see his capability. Even Cai Kang is a bit amazed at his strength but so what? He can do that with his bare fists.

“Okay, I thought you were just plain weird but you’re also a dumbass. Now let me make this perfectly clear,” he said in close proximity to him.

“I literally just met Kazuha two days ago. We're not dating!” He yelled.

He’s skilled. Karasuma thought.

Then the storm clouds gathered and it was already starting to rain. The clouds covered the sky. Both are starting to notice Cai Kang’s transformation and they started running inside, quickly knocking Karasuma out before he realizes what’s going on. Hiding under the roof, Kazuha was surprised to see Cai Kang change into a girl.

“You turn into a girl. I thought it only happens at night.” Kazuha said in surprise.

“It only happens at times like this. Rainy days are one of them. When Yang energy is strong enough, it transforms me into a guy. But it was already really cloudy from the start so I had no choice.” Cai Kang then transforms back into a guy in almost an instant.

“You transform your energy. You are quite the powerful Kyo. Is this what the Yin-Yang transition do to you?” she said in amazement.

“Yeah, it took a while for me to learn it. But there is another solution.” He got something out of his bag and showed it to her.

It was a flask. It is the kind where alcohol is stored. Despite how it looks, the texture shows that it is not made of metal. It is carved intricately like jade. “Enchanted water from the sacred waters of my tribe. It will turn me into a guy without the sun but it lasts only for an hour. This flask brings the Black lake water from China into this when opened so I don’t have to worry about a shortage. It may be water but it tastes disgusting.” He said before putting it away. “I keep it on me in case I am unable to do the Yin-Yang transition.”

“I know how you feel but the teachers can be searching you and notice the flask. They’ll confiscate it assuming there is alcohol.”

“They can’t prove it, and even if they did find it, they wouldn’t be able to open it. The flask is designed to be opened only by me. Personally, I could care less about hiding my true nature but I have to follow the rules so I can’t afford to be careless.” He said.

Both of them quickly head inside. 

Meanwhile, Karasuma looked into the mirror and saw a bruise from the punch that both Kazuha and Cai Kang inflicted on his face. “Why those little-”

“So you didn’t notice?” Noriko interrupted, leaning on the door to visit him before classes started. He shook his head then after noticing her do the ‘give me money’ sign, he gave her some money.

“Tell me everything you know about that guy,” he asked straightforwardly.

"What makes you think I know?"

"You and your brother are the ones who spread the rumor and brought up the idea that all sports members were to ambush him."

Noriko confidently smiled, “I’ll tell you at lunch.” She said looking at the cash before leaving the classroom upon exiting it, she saw her brother, waiting for her.

“You sure that it’s a good idea?” Toya said to her. 

“Trust me. We fix her problem and earn profit from it. It’s a win-win.” Noriko said.

*

Cai Kang was bored out of his mind. He is introduced to the class and sits at his seat, watching the lesson take place. He wasn’t one to study. He was mostly homeschooled but attended school before however he dropped out of school once in elementary school and again in middle school thus his grades were mediocre to pretty low. After class ended, he was suddenly surrounded by students.

“Hey, you are Cai Kang?” 

“How do you spell your name?” 

“Where in China did you come from?” 

“How much Kung fu did you learn?” 

"Are you really Shiratori-san's boyfriend?"

The students keep bombarding him with questions. It isn’t just his classmates but students from other classes group together just to see him. Everyone was anticipating getting to know him; The boy who beat up one of their school’s greatest kendo players. It was a bit overwhelming but surprisingly, he doesn’t mind the attention. In fact, he is enjoying it. He's used to training in solitude with his father and doesn’t usually have time to socialize so he is quite excited.

Kazuha then appeared next to Cai Kang's seat." As much as I don't want to interrupt, Cai Kang needs a tour around the school."

Despite the disappointed looks of the other students, they are interested in what they saw, thinking too much of what happens next.

Cai Kang was walking with Kazuha as his guide, showing him places around the school. Since she knew Cai Kang first, their teacher told her to help him with directions. It’s good that they’re alone because he’s got a lot of questions to ask her.

“-and this is the school laboratory.” She finished.

“I’ll bite. What the hell was all that about anyway with all those guys and how long did you have to deal with this?” He said. Kazuha turned to face Cai Kang.

“How much do you know?” She curiously asked.

“What I heard is that during your first year, you were a delinquent fighter and you fought everyone who wants to fight you.” He said. 

She was inexpressive. 

“Why?” He questioned.

“What do you think? Dominance.” She said seriously, not breaking character. “This is no ordinary school, Cai Kang. Mikurigaoka is quite famous for its sports programs. I came here because it is a good experience for me. All the kids are all here to make a name for themselves. However, it is also known that the students are also competing with each other and not in a healthy way.” She stated.

He knew what she meant. He was raised in a competitive environment.

There are times when it goes far like belittling people or even downright bullying them. He was trained at a young age excelled in martial arts and outclassed everyone he has come across. This type of environment is ideal for martial arts.

“At first, I intend to help make a stand against discrimination and bullying. Things started getting out of hand so I used the guys to experiment on improving my martial arts. I didn’t expect things to get out of hand though. They would try to ambush me every morning.” She sighed.

“Those guys are bullies? Isn’t it annoying?” He asked.

“Former bullies.” Kazuha corrected. “At first it was, but then I got used to it. After that, they don’t bother anyone else anymore.” she shrugged.

“Didn't the teachers do anything about the fighting?”

She shrugged. “Not really. I haven’t actually hurt anyone and no one had any proof on me so I never had issues except Karasuma Sempai. Besides it is a school tradition to be the best at your sport. But because I made it seem easy, they all thought that ganging up on me would work. They continuously damage their pride over and over again.” She said.

“That’s all? Why did they do this knowing they would lose?” He asked.

“I may be a threat for now but do I look like a typical girl?” She said while presenting herself, giving Cai Kang a pretty good look at her. He didn’t notice it before but she is lovely. She is not as beautiful as her younger sister but appearance doesn't factor in Kazuha overall. She is smart and excellent at martial arts and has a mysterious image. If she had smiled more, she would look prettier. 

“Fair point,” he said.

“I’m not stupid. I know what they think of me but if they all start ganging up on me just because they think I am a girl then that would be a problem for me.” 

He shrugged and noticed her point. The guys aren’t just approaching her to get their pride back but they also want to see and approach her as someone of the opposite sex. 

“I also heard that Karasuma is also pretty skilled despite his… um… personality?” Cai Kang doubtfully said.

According to what Cai Kang heard about him, he is a narcissist as in he suffers from it partially due to his rich family history, upbringing, and wealth. But despite his gloating and flowery speech, he is the prefecture’s best high school kendo player and lived up to the name “Thunder” or “the Crowing Raven” though it was mostly due to his mouth rather than his skill and is one of the few people the students cannot easily go up against. He never learns anything as a result.

“Even though he is like this, he wins competition after competition in Kendo among the high schoolers in the prefecture. He was top dog until I enrolled here.” She said dejectedly. “I can deal with the horde every morning. But Karasuma sempai is an exception.”

“He’s a xia.” He realized. “He broke a concrete wall with a wooden sword. No ordinary person can do that. He’s untrained but he has potential. Isn’t it your dad’s job to try to recruit him?”

“Usually yes, but Japan is different. If the person is someone who captures too much attention then we couldn’t. Not to mention, his already big ego would grow even larger. I don’t want to risk that.” Kazuha groaned. 

Cai Kang nodded in agreement. A normal human being a Xian, or Kyo is one thing but a complete narcissist is an absolute red flag. “What was that trick you used on the guys anyway? They all just let us pass.”

Kazuha's eyes brighten up upon hearing it. “You noticed that?” she said in astonishment.

“Yeah, my hold over chi isn’t perfect but I can sense you using it. Was that a spell?” He said.

“It isn’t exactly a spell exactly but a technique I created…” She said.

“You created your own technique?!” he interrupted in utter shock. Young martial art practitioners are uncommon but one that created a new technique of that scale on their own is rare.

“Yeah, it was thanks to my true potential." She then pointed to her hearing aids. “I used to fight them myself but then I used this technique to manipulate the mind using my voice. That is the partial nature of my ability. I’ve been training it for some time now but for some reason, it doesn’t work on Sempai.”

“Are you kidding me? That technique doesn’t work on him so you fought that guy every morning?” he said.

“Yeah and I always win,” she said.

“Looks like he lets up a lot. Maybe it’s because of all those beatings that he is such an idiot in the first place.” He said.

“Well I have two reasons why it didn’t work. One, he has strong but untamed chi which not only fuel his attacks but also protects him, hence he can break a concrete wall with a wooden sword. Two, his mind is so narrow that it is unable to listen to my suggestion and implement it like a normal person.” she said.

“Definitely number two.” he said holding out his fingers.

Then someone threw a book at Cai Kang but he easily dodged it and it turned out to be Karasuma. “Never,” He growled angrily and out of breath. It looks like he has been looking for him for some time now.

“What in the hell?” He said.

“I will never accept your engagement to Shiratori Kazuha!” 

“What?!” He yelled loud enough for the whole school to hear, taking them all by surprise. The commotion caused the students to flock in surprise saying all sorts of things but Kazuha and Cai Kang were more stunned. That idiot yelled loud enough for the whole damn school to hear. Cai Kang doesn't know how he can do that but now he can only turn to Kazuha. She isn't showing it but he could tell she is fuming. All that hard work to quell the rumors is now down the drain.

“It was-” Cai Kang was interrupted. Seeing the rage on his face, he decided to run off to the window.

The entire school ran outside to the baseball field where they landed. Kazuha just stood there for a moment before understanding the situation. “Those two-” she fumed and headed to where her siblings were.

While landing, Cai Kang noticed something came out of Karasuma’s pocket and grabbed it. Once he landed, he looked at what he grabbed. To his surprise, these are pictures of Kazuha. But it is difficult to explain the contents of the pictures. He suddenly remembers the deal that the twins told him about.

"I want you to beat someone for us."

"You want me to beat someone up? That's pretty vague." 

Toya then showed him a picture of a boy wearing a japanese hakama.

"Who's this?" Cai Kang asked.

"This guy has been going after our sister for quite some time. He is also our biggest cash cow. All we need you to do is to beat him up when he challenges you."

Cai Kang looked at the picture and stares at them in confusion.

"I don't get it. You want me to beat the guy who gives you money?"

Noriko shook her head. "Not exactly. We just want you to beat him enough to piss him off. He's not gonna give up so easily."

"Also, we are gonna spread the word that you will be transferring to the school. All you have to do is to just not deny it nor accept the rumor of your relationship with my sister, enough to drive him crazy and publically humiliate him." Toya said.

"You do all of that and we can remove a third of your debt." 

"Wait, relationship? I just got here. What kind of relationship are you talking about?"

The twins giggled. "You'll see. Once you hear it, you'll know."

Cai Kang is pissed. That's the rumor they were talking about. However, he doesn't have a choice. If he wants to keep his end of the deal then he has to neither deny or accept the rumor.

Karasuma landed on his face but quickly went back up almost effortlessly. He attempted to strike and the air pressure broke a stone statue into pieces. Then Cai Kang turned to face Karasuma who was open, hitting each vital spot until Karasuma collapsed.

“How did you do that?” The students were whispering among themselves. A student then flipped his body over. “Wow, each kick hit a vital spot,” he said. 

The students are whispering among themselves.

“Not much of a challenge really.” Cai Kang said. He then approached him and got on his knees to reach his level.

“If you do this again to Kazuha, I will make sure that you will not see tomorrow.” Karasuma then fell unconscious. Cai Kang then left the area, leaving an impact on the students who were impressed by his show of martial arts and intimidation. He did it. He beat him up, humiliated him, and threatened him. Honestly, he would feel bad but he doesn't. While he was heading back to class, he heard a sound.

“This is your doing.” Kazuha said cornering her siblings. "I knew it. Yesterday, you spread the rumor about me having a boyfriend thing."

"Well, that part is easy-" Toya said.

"And" the wall behind the twins cracked. "you lied to Karasuma, spreading the rumor that we're engaged."

Kazuha then stopped and seemed to notice someone eavesdropping. She snapped her fingers which resonated and threw Cai Kang's hearing off for a bit. Reading the mood, he left the area quickly. The fight wasn’t difficult. He put on a show where he beat him easily but didn’t expect him to be strong enough to get hurt. After he got to class, he noticed it was empty and sat down at his desk. He looked to see if he had any injuries. He has a few bruises on his torso. It doesn’t hurt badly however he would feel it later. The door opened. 

“You okay?” He looked to see Kazuha. The twins are nowhere in sight though. “Sorry, about that. Noriko and Toya are always like this. I don’t want anyone to eavesdrop.”

“What are you saying?” Cai Kang said incredulously.

She nodded. “They were the ones who told Karasuma about the engagement between our families although they intentionally left a few things out. They were basically paid for the info, and deliberately got him mad to spread the rumor.”

“Are you mad?” He questioned.

“I was but as much as I hate to say this, I can see why they did it. They think by spreading this false news that it would get the guys to stay away and stop bothering me every morning. At the same time, they can earn a profit from it. After all, you beat Karasuma sempai with very little effort, proving that you might be stronger than me.”

“Might be stronger?” He muttered then he suddenly got interested and faced her. He sat back on his seat.  “I have a question.” He then pointed at his ear to point out hers. “Your ears-, how does your potential work?” He asked.

She took them off. “I have enhanced hearing.” She said and put them back on. “This is my true potential. I don't have to wear these anymore but without them, I can't concentrate on my studies so I wear these to prevent any distractions and harm.” She then put them back in her ears.

“That is your true potential? Did it evolve?” He asked to confirm. 

She nodded. “It evolved and I can redirect sound waves in my surroundings. Of course, I was quite young since I had unlocked it so I had a number of abilities that came with it.” She said. “Do you have one?”

He shook his head. “I don’t have one or rather, I am trying to unlock it.” Cai Kang said silently.

Kazuha pat him on the back. “Don’t push yourself. Unlocking a hidden potential isn’t all that great as you’d expect.” She said.

He stopped to think of something else. "By the way, we talked about me getting engaged to your clan? Are there chances that it would be you or Noriko?" He asked.

Kazuha thought for a moment. "The agreement is that you would marry one of us but dad says that you will marry a girl from the clan. Since I am its undisputed heir, I am exempted from actually being your fiancee. You don't know this but there are candidates who I would eventually choose as my husband. Konomi is already engaged while Noriko plans on breaking off the family line. You would most likely marry other Hinagi members from the branch families."

"How many are there?"

"We have a few members that stray a bit from the larger families but there are four big ones in total. The Shiratori are the main family, then the Shizuka, Hinatsuki, and Kagami families."

Then the two heard the bell ring and they both went back to their seats.

After everyone got in the classroom, the teacher looked over where Cai Kang was and sighed.

"Cai Kang, you have already caused problems on the first day. However, due to the many witnesses seeing that it was Karasuma Takashi who attacked first, you will only receive a warning. If this were to happen again then you would be sent to the office. For now, you will be standing in the hall for the rest of the class."

Cai Kang had to stand in the hall for the commotion he caused on his first day until class ended. Karasuma is mildly injured and not long after that, Kazuha threatened him.

Cai Kang then waited at the school gate for Kazuha. He heard that Kazuha stood up for him so that he wouldn't get in any more trouble. The least he can do is wait for her and thank her. In the distance, he saw Kazuha. Upon seeing him, she was a bit surprised and ran up to him.

"Were you waiting for me this whole time?" She asked.

"Yeah, I just want to thank you for standing up to me." He said.

"It's no problem. There are many people from the Inverse who have done much worse on their first day." She said.

On the way back home, they discussed their martial arts talents and skills. It turns out that Kazuha is good at the art of persuasion so if she wants to, she can wipe everyone's memory clean off. The reason she hasn't done it before is because the twins managed to persuade her not to. Cai Kang chuckled to himself. Things are gonna be fun.

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