Tale 4: School

“That damn goddess…” Rai muttered, feeling pissed before he took a deep breath and walked inside the gymnasium where today’s ceremony is going to be held.

Time for the opening ceremony.

…

“For the representative for the first years – “ the host of today’s ceremony said and motioned a beautiful girl.

“She’s so pretty…” Rai heard his fellow students said.

Rai felt his cheeks went red. Yes… she is really pretty… he thought as he watched the girl’s chestnut hair dance with the wind as she walks.

She stopped on the podium. “A fresh start for all of us, everyone.” She spoke on the microphone.

Rai’s eyes went wide in surprise. Her voice is also beautiful… he thought and gulped. He lowered his head and grinned. I will sweep her off of her feet – he thought before he froze when he saw his golden-brown hair fell on his shoulder. – is what I have planned, but – he gritted his teeth and balled his fists in anger. Damn it… I am inside of a girl’s body for now… curses! He thought, pissed.

“Are you alright, miss?” a voice spoke beside Rai.

Rai gasped in surprise and turned, only for his eyes to widen when he came face to face with a handsome guy. His hair is black and his eyes are red. The guy smiled.

Rai forced a smile. “Y – yes…” he answered. I know what this guy’s doing. He thought and inwardly rolled her eyes.

“I see.” He said and stood straight up. “Glad to hear that.” He said and walked away, smiling and looking around the gym.

He’s trying to make a move on me… Rai thought as the smile on his face faded. … since he is also a playboy… like me. He thought and took a deep breath then clapped his hands together with the other students after the speech of the first year representative has just ended. “Hm?” he muttered when he saw her walking towards him. Rai was surprised when she stopped in front of him. “Yes?” he said, puzzled.

“Err…” she said and looked at the vacant seat beside him. “Excuse me – “ she said and sat on the seat.

Rai’s eyes went wide in surprise. She smells nice… he thought when he caught a whiff of her cologne. He smiled. The type of cologne I like in girls. He thought and secretly grinned. I would have already made a move on her, if only I – he thought as his smile faded and he grimaced when he remembered again that he is in a body of a girl.

Rai heaved a sigh, then they all waited until the opening ceremony ends.

…

“Hi, there!” Rai heard a student wearing a bandana called. “Do you want to join our club - ?” she asked, smiling brightly.

Rai forced a smile. “N – no… thanks – “ he said and walked faster. Right. He thought. After the opening ceremony, different clubs here in the school are recruiting them first years. And they ambushed us the moment we went out of the gym. He thought and sighed as he looked around the campus. “Ah – “ he muttered and held his head when a gust of wind blew.

The cherry blossom petals rained down on them all as Rai’s long hair flutter with the petals, too.

“You…” a voice spoke from behind Rai.

Rai turned to them slowly. He felt his whole world moved slowly when their gazes locked. Rai saw a red-haired guy slightly taller than him. He is looking at him intently.

“Have we – “ the guy said, looking in Rai’s eyes.

“Yes?” Rai answered.

The wind blew again, bringing with it the cherry blossom petals now dancing around them.

“And… cut - !” Rai heard somebody said. “That was a great shot!” the voice said.

Rai and the other guy turned. Rai secretly grimaced when he saw a horde of students watching them. Right. Rai thought. As if such a romantic scene like that exist in real life. He thought and bitterly smiled.  

“Uhm – “ Rai called to the guy.

He raised his hands, smiling. “I apologize for that.” He told Rai. “I was asked by the drama club to do this scene with a first year student. It is for their year-end project – “ he explained.

“Yeah! Thank you very much, senior!” the student holding a video camera said and waved at Rai, smiling brightly. He then left, together with the other drama club students.

Rai secretly grimaced.

“But, you know – “ the red-haired guy said.

Rai turned to him.

“ – if I will be doing this with a beautiful lady like you, I would gladly oblige no matter how many times we enact the scene.” He told Rai and smiled.

A bead of sweat trickled down Rai’s face and he forced a smile. “T – thanks…” he said and took a step back. This guy… he thought, his smile creaking. He’s a playboy, too. He thought and secretly sighed. “Ah!” he exclaimed when he bumped to somebody behind him. “S – sorry – “ he said and turned.

“Oh, my.” The person behind him said. A guy with dark hair and gray eyes said, smiling at Rai. “What a lucky day to bump with my lady luck.” He said and winked at Rai.

Rai’s smile is now breaking. “A – ahahaha…” he forced a laugh. “I – I will be taking my leave - !” he said and immediately left. “They are creepy – “ he muttered, referring to the two guys he just met. “ – playboys – wah!” he exclaimed when somebody bumped into him and he fell.

“Waaah! I’m really sorry!” the person said. “Are you okay, senior?” he asked, worried. He gave Rai his hand.

‘senior’? Rai thought and looked up. He saw a kid, probably in his middle school, looking at him with his eyes full of worry.

Rai forced a smile. “Y – yeah…” he answered and grabbed his hand.

He pulled me up. “I am really sorry.” he apologized and bowed. “I was looking for my elder brother to congratulate him for his opening ceremony – “ he explained.

Rai’s lip twitched. Does that really need congratulating? He thought and looked at him. “No… I’m really fine.” he told him and nodded. “Well, then. I hope you’ll find your brother – “ he told him and smiled.

His eyes went wide and his cheeks went red. “Y – yes! Thank you very much - !” he said and bowed.

Rai nodded and left. “Now, then… where should I head to now – ?” he muttered, walking around the school. “Hm?” he said when he saw a kid, the same age as the one he bumped into earlier, walking towards his way. Rai forced a smile when he reached him and nodded. Rai’s brows raised when he saw his cheeks flushed.

“G – good morning…” he greeted and bowed, looking awkward. “… s – senior – “ he said and bowed again, then immediately left.

“Huh?” Rai muttered as he watched him leave. “What’s with hi – “ he said and stopped when he saw somebody looking at him.

It was a girl. Her black hair dancing with the wind as her pale blue eyes stared at her as if piercing his soul. Rai saw her smiled and bowed, then left.

“Who was that…?” Rai muttered, aghast. “She is such a beauty… is she a senior here or what - ?” he muttered and continued to walk. “But… I felt like I have seen her before… but – “ he sighed. “ – I don’t know where…” he said and stopped when he felt his stomach growled. He grimaced and looked at his watch.

It is already three quarters after eleven in the morning.

Rai’s face went serious. “If this will just be night… a quarter more minute and I will go back – ah.” He muttered when he bumped to somebody again. What’s with this day? He thought and rubbed his forehead. Why do I keep bumping to people - ? he thought and sighed. “Sorry.” He apologized. “I wasn’t looking – “ he said and looked up, only to feel his world stopped when he saw his face. Huh…? he thought as he stared at him. He looks familiar… he thought.

“Hey! Wanna play volleyball?” they heard a student asked from a distance. “You are very welcome to join our club – “ the student said.

“Free drinks to those who’ll join Home Economics Club - !” another student said.

But, Rai ignored them. Where have I seen him…? He thought, still looking at him. “Where – “ he said.

“I’ve finally found you.” He suddenly said.

… huh? Rai thought, feeling surprised. The guy looked at him, then smiled. Rai felt his heart leapt and beat fast as he looked at the guy’s smile.

“What are you - ?” Rai finally asked. What’s with me? He thought, feeling his heart beating faster every second he look into his eyes.

He took a step towards Rai. Rai looked up at him. Red-haired… he thought when he saw his hair. And – he looked in his eyes again. Eyes the color of the forest… ah. He thought when he finally remembered.

“You…” Rai said as his face went serious. Yes… I remember him now. He thought. His eyes looked determined. “You’re – “ he said.

Rai held his breath when their gazes locked, just like the time when he first met him.