Emotionless

3 - Space Cadet

Once I realized I'd spaced out while observing all of the students outside, I hastily made my way towards my assigned classroom, stepping through the doorway just as the bell rang. The teacher, who was sitting at his desk, glanced up as I approached. He took a double-take as he saw me before composing himself and smiling politely as he stood.

"Hello, sir! Can I help you?" He maneuvered around the desk as if he was ready to direct me to a different classroom.

"Yes sir," my voice was quiet and rough and I had to stop to clear my throat before continuing, "I'm a new student here at Ouran, I transferred here due to a scholarship." I stared at the teacher, expecting him to understand where I was going with this information. His smile faltered for a second before the light bulb hit him and he nodded, welcoming me to the class. He took my schedule papers, giving them a once-over before telling me I could sit wherever I'd like.

The teacher's actions almost made me roll my eyes. How ignorant does one have to be to undermine those who are not fortunate enough to attend this school without a scholarship? Is it really that absurd that someone who does not have the same amount of money as most of the students do could still attend this academy? Is it that insane to fathom the idea of working hard to earn their place here rather than nonchalantly throwing money at it?

I'd spaced out during my observations of this school from my first impressions, but once I snapped out of it I made my way to the back of the classroom, sitting as close to the window as I could. There was enough attention drawn to me already as the "new kid," I didn't need to risk receiving any more of it. I had to distance myself no matter what so that no unnecessary problems interrupt my mission here. 

Out of habit, my back stayed stark straight as I stared out of the window next to me, my eyes drawn to the soft movement of the trees slightly swaying from the wind. It seemed peaceful outside, so empty where you could be surrounded by trees and sunlight without so many people causing problems and becoming annoyances. 

After a few minutes, however, my eyes were drawn in the direction of a cluster of bushing lying just before the wooded area which rests to the side of the school. I dropped my hand from its place under my chin and trained my eyes on the spot. I know it wasn't a mistake. Without a doubt, there was movement in that spot caused by someone or thing that disappeared into the forest. 

But, before I could consider it any further, a hand waved in front of my face and forced me out of my thoughts. My instant reaction was for my hand to fly up in response, catching the person's wrist as my head snapped towards their direction. The perplexed looks on the boy's face perfectly matched the one on his brothers' and I immediately let go, realizing what I'd done. 

"Oh...sorry, did you say something? I kind of spaced out."

~Hikaru Hitachiin

Kaoru and I came in and sat down in our normal seats in class, making sure to greet and charm every young lady we passed by in the process. We sat down and turned to Haruhi, smiling loudly and saying good morning in sync, as always. You could practically see the tick mark form on her forehead as she responded, "Hello to you too," clearly already annoyed with our actions so early in the morning. My brother and I snickered before we three friends continued talking while we waited for the teacher to start class. 

"Hey...who's that?"

"Ooh...I don't know but he's kinda cute, huh?"

"No fair! I saw him first, so I call dibs!"

A nearby conversation piqued my interest and I looked up, my eyes landing on a guy with thin brown hair just barely reaching his shoulders. He wasn't in uniform so he had to either be a commoner or just plain lazy. But what caught my eye the most was the look in his. I caught a flash of sadness- it passed by so quickly I almost told myself I was mistaken but I know what I saw was really there. 

I tapped Haruhi and Kaoru on the shoulders, trying to get them to look at the newcomer without realizing they'd looked up at the same time I had.

"Who's that?"

Haruhi's head tilted to the side slightly, and she grabbed her chin. "I have no idea, I've never seen him around here before. A transfer student, maybe?"

Kaoru let the confusion on his face get replaced with a teasing smile as he made eye contact with me and we spoke in sync, "Well he's not wearing an Ouran uniform so he's probably poor, just like you Haruhi!"

Just as we hoped, Harhuhi's eyebrow twitched and you could hear the slight anger in her voice as she said, "for the last time you guys I am middle class!"

I snickered once again before turning my attention back to the new guy as he made his way down the rows of students and stopped just behind me, where he could sit right by the window a the back of the classroom. I turned around to say hello, but he was already staring out of the window with a far-away look back on his face as his eyes grew distant. Again, I swore I saw a twinge of sadness run through them before it was gone again without a trace.

I raised an eyebrow and looked at Kaoru, who just shrugged and stood up to come over to us. I stood as well and we both turned to the new guy. "Hi, there! You must be a new student right? It's nice to meet you, what's your name?" We greeted the guy the same as we would anyone else, but there was no answer. He didn't even glance our way. 

We sweatdropped, looking at each other and shrugging again. Oookay, so he's rude. Or maybe...

"Hello? Can you even hear us, kid?" I rose my hand, reaching to wave it in front of his face and hopefully snap him out of whatever strange kind of trance he was in. 

Suddenly, the kid's fingers snapped around my wrist and his head spun to look at me. For a moment, his eyes shone with a fierceness I would never be able to properly describe in words. But of course, just as with the sadness from before, it was gone in an instant and replaced with a mask. 

"Oh...sorry, did you say something? I kind of spaced out." 

I could barely make out the soft words his somewhat raspy voice let out while he released the tight grip around my hand. I rubbed it while making eye contact with Kaoru. We didn't want to make assumptions, but something just was not right with the new guy. He looked away and apologized for grabbing my wrist, but I shrugged it off anyway.

"Nah, it's no big deal. I guess we shouldn't have snuck up on you like that when you were so deep in thought," I laughed it off before continuing, "my brother and I just wanted to introduce ourselves since you're new here. This here is Kaoru Hitachiin, and I am Hikaru Hitachiin. Welcome to Ouran!" Kaoru mostly let me talk, just joining me for the welcome. 

Haruhi, who'd been watching silently from her desk, finally stood and walked over to stand in-between us. "Hi there, I'm sorry about these two idiots. I'm their friend, Haruhi Fujioka. It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr...?" All three of us looked to him expectantly, wanting to learn the new kid's name.

~"The new kid"

Mr? Isn't it rude to assume based on looks? Or...do I really look that much like the opposite sex naturally...

I guess it doesn't matter in any case, especially since everyone else I've spoken to here so far has also assumed I was male. At least they're in agreement. 

"Yes, it's a pleasure to meet you as well. If you must call me something, then I go by Okami. I do think you should get back to your seats though, it looks like the teacher is about to start the lecture, and I wouldn't want to be responsible for you getting in trouble for talking to me during class." I looked back to the teacher as he was beginning to write the day's lesson plans on the board. 

The three teens that bothered to greet me shared a look before nodding, saying a quick thank you, and sitting back in their respective seats. 

And with that, my mission had truly begun. 

Hikaru Hitachiin, Kaoru Hitachiin, and Haruhi Fujioka. You will be very valuable.