Cloud soul

3. Gale of Encounters

Directing your gaze to see who said that, someone with fluffy yet kempt dark hair and almost violet dark eyes is glaring back at you. 

"These nice seats shouldn't be left empty.." You say motioning to three chairs of the long tidy row.

 Yoimiya and Ayaka decide to sit a few chairs farther away, seeing his unapproachable aura. You sit next to him regardless of his annoyed expression.

 "Hmph. How brazen." He mutters. He inches away on his seat, almost like a flustered child might. 

Just as you were pondering something to say to disperse the slight awkward vibe,  footsteps begin to echo on the stage. Looking up, you see Ms. Miko, the vice principal of Narukami High. 

You sense a blithering buzz of aggravation to the left, to see that the irritated one next to you has an even starker bitter expression. You guess that Miko and him must have bad blood.

 "Aah, I can recognize some of you, others.. Hm, newcomers are there? Most of you may know me as the shrine lady, however today on the opening ceremony, I've come out of the shadows to remind everyone I am also the vice principal of Narukami High. This year, everyone will be beginning a new chapter. Take my favorable reception, and extend your world with forests and mountains of information, all splayed throughout Narukami Island. Yes, you will be venturing outside of Narukami High on trips."

 You can see everyone exclaim in happiness, school trips are always the highlights of the year. Looking behind you, distantly in the back Xiao is also here, however reluctant he seemed to attend the ceremony.

"Now now, classes are of highest importance.. Hehe, but enjoy the pastimes aswell!" Miko clears her throat, and takes out a scroll-like paper, presumably listing activites that students will partake in. "After this ceremony, each student will choose an afterschool activity. May be a sport, pastime, craft or similar. A paper with your information will be handed to you accompanied by a list of activites, each carefully sorted into categories. And, that should conclude! If ever in need of guidance, rest assured, you may always confide in yours truly, Ms. Miko!" Miko folds the paper back up, and strolls off stage.

  Yoimiya jumps up and clasps your hands, disturbing the one to your left who's face still shines a bitter shade of annoyance, and was dozing off in boredom. "Miri! Let's pick the same pastime, how about it!? Hm?!" Yoimiya beams in glee. "Sure! Something to do with crafting?" you agree. "Uhuh! Unless we find something better! C'mon, let's go!"

 You and Yoimiya followed by Ayaka run past the students. You catch sight of an especially flustered student, who has fluffy hair and ears. 

 Turning around the stage, you and other students are taking papers, which are being handed out by Miko herself. 

Slowing down your pace, you now have to wait in a relatively short line. You see the bashful puppy eared student behind Ayaka, who you can just tell is waiting to be teased. 

Heizou who is in front of you, takes the paper casually, noticing you he gives a smile before walking through the door leading to the exterior hallways.

 Now it is your turn to take the activities tab. "Miri Horie... Is it?" Miko says as she shuffles through the stack of the paper. "Mhm!" You nod. "There you are." Miko hands you the activities paper. "Pleasant goings, little one." Miko says. "Next, Ms. Naganohara!" Miko exclaims. You move out of line and walk down the large announcement hall, which you learned is also used for tests.

However before exiting, you spot the dark haired festered one who is now sitting in the back. You can tell he is in a mood, and is currently despising interaction, but you can't help but approach him again. You take a seat next to him in the now empty row of back seats except for him, "Still dreary?" you ask. "Hngh.. You again." He says looking up in a tired daze. 

"What is your name? I'm Miri." you try to exchange pleasantries. "I'd prefer not to tell." He says frankly. 

(Why does this pest keep bothering me, everyone else pretends i'm not there seeing my unwelcoming gaze.) Kunikuzushi employs in thought. 

He turns his head opposite of you. "Kunikuzushi." he says almost inaudibly. "Hm? What was that?" you honestly can't tell, as at the front of the announcement hall there is still a bit of chatter, finishing the hand outs. 

"Ugh, annoying aren't you." Kunikuzushi brushes your greeting off, and walks out. "Geez.." you mutter. 

You see that Yoimiya is having a conversation with Ayaka, so you decide to catch up with him and decide pastimes with Yoimiya later. 

Now next to him, you try to get him to say his name again, signaling with your expression. He ignores your botherment, and turns a corner trying to shake off your interest.

Clearing your throat, "Hmm.. Aren't these halls so nice with the gardens?" you try to start a conversation, knowing it will be of no avail. But suprisingly, "Indeed, gardens suited to burying your annoying head in." He says in response. "Aha.. Well," you try to gather up what he said his name was, as inaudible as it was. "Kuniku? See you later.." you say, turning back deciding to catch up with Yoimiya and Ayaka now. 

It takes a minute for him to realize, "HUH?" He turns his head back to face you in anger. "It's Kunikuzushi, ignorant fool." Kunikuzushi says. You look back, "Haha! Got you!" You tease.

You jog away in laughter, crediting your unexpected trick into getting him to tell you his name.

"Miri!! There you are, I was talking about the activites with Ayaka, look! They have woodblock printing!" Yoimiya shows you the neatly categorized paper, pointing to the pastime. 

"Ah! That sounds fun!" You say, you have always been interested in tradition. "Let's do it then! Ayaka's in too, right Ayaka?" Yoimiya says, turning to face Ayaka who is toying with a fan. "Indeed. This will be an opportunity to learn about traditional pastimes." Ayaka agrees. 

"It was so hard to choose at first.. There's ikebana, archery, origami, wood carving.. The list goes on!!" Yoimiya says. "Something about woodblock printing though, probably because I have seen amazing prints of fireworks!" Yoimiya deduces. "So what were you up to?" Yoimiya asks.

"Hm, you know, just introducing myself to a classmate!" You inform. "Sounds fun, how about after school to celebrate the first day we get some taiyaki? I know Ayaka likes taiyaki, as shy as she is to admit it!" Yoimiya says, teasing Ayaka. "I'm not shy to admit that.. It's just, as apart of proper etiquette, I don't get to eat a lot of sweets." Ayaka explains. 

"Then this evening, that shall change!" You declare to the two. "Let's get dango too!" You shout. "Alrighty!" Yoimiya says, pulling you and Ayaka all together into a mini huddle.