Cloud soul

4. A Bemusing Noon

Strolling down the hall with Ayaka and Yoimiya, noon is now at hand. The weather calm and cool, you take a look at the daily schedule that is listed on your paper. 

"Ah, today, since it's the first day, there's only one class, huh." You notice. "It's the introduction to the curriculum, is it?" Ayaka says, looking at her schedule. "Ah! I wonder if it differs from middle." Yoimiya thinks. "Hm, but anyways, what I am looking forward to the most is the woodblock printing class.. Who else enrolled in it.." Wondering, you say. 

"Speaking of which, the introduction class starts in 30 minutes. In the mean-time, shall I tell a story?" Yoimiya suggests. "Mhm, a story will prepare our minds for the coming class." Ayaka agrees. 

"I was testing my fireworks, when all of a sudden I spotted something suspiciously shaped like an oni off in Chinju forest up ahead on the path.." Yoimiya begins. "A new one!" You exclaim quietly, not to interrupt. 

Later, class time is approaching. "Already? I was just getting to the juicy part of this one!" Yoimiya says disappointed. "Let us continue this tale after class shall we?" Ayaka cheers her up.

You walk down the outer hallway, which is surrounded by beautiful flowers that are newly blossomed as of spring. Then, you realize you'll be finding out who is in your class! Sadly, Yoimiya is in a different classroom. Atleast you will be accompanied by Ayaka, as well as her brother, Ayato, who's elegance you have always idolized.

 You open the wooden sliding door, and are met by a quaint yet spacious classroom decorated with pottery. And at the left side of the classroom, which is parallel to the entrance, there are 3 windows side by side where the light sent through the trees is let in. After taking in your surroundings, you are met by shock.

Heizou. Xiao. Kunikuzushi. They are all in your class, not that this is too astonishing of course.. But something about it makes you jump back in surprise. Somehow though, it is a little more.

The sound of a calligraphy brush falling, as well as a bundle of paper.. And the sensation of tripping.. (Into someone's arms?!) You gasp. And then you hit the ground, (Geez! Am I that heavy that I fell like that..) Rubbing your eyes from the motion, they meet the eyes of autumn. 

"Were you hurt?" The embodiment of an autumn breeze, questions you with the cutest concerned expression you have ever seen. Falling out of your clumsy daze you try to shoot up, but it is of no avail, as once again you have indeed injured yourself. This time it is a sprain in your ankle. "It's my fault..! S-sorry!!" You say, wincing from the injury. 

He holds your injured ankle and examines it, "This isn't good." He says taking a closer look. 

"I'll take her." Unexpectedly, you hear the voice from chinju forest, xiao. "Ah?!" He lifts you up and takes you out of the classroom. Before you can refuse, you are already on your way to the infirmary. You've thought as Xiao as quiet and reserved, who knew he could also be so headstrong.

 Someone catches up to you and Xiao. "Kunikuzushi?" You say, limping with support from xiao. "Your unbelievably clumsy." Kunikuzushi comments. Xiao lets go of you, leaving you almost falling to the ground again. "Don't expect me to have sympathy for you, but I don't want the annoyance of the teacher when they see you aren't in class." Kunikuzushi explains. "We're wasting time, let's get to the infirmary." Xiao says. "Soo.. Are you guys going to help me or what?" You ask.

"Whatever." Kunikuzushi says, helping you, Xiao lending a hand as well.

As you are nearing the infirmary, located a bit to the west of your homeroom which the introduction will be held explaining the curriculum, you begin to take in just how clumsy you are, and what choices led you to the situation you are in right now. 

"Huh? Is the nurse not here?" you notice. Looking up, you see a cabinet where medical supplies are. Kunikuzushi and Xiao unhand you, leaving you crimping to the cot.

Xiao and Kunikuzushi stand with an expression showing their distaste in being here, arms crossed, in front of the doorway. "Ehehe.. Could one of you maybe get the first-aid kit from that cabinet..." You ask.

"Fine." Xiao accepts, opening the cabinet and taking the first-aid kit out. "Oh, you don't need to dress the wound for me.." You say. "I wasn't going to." Xiao responds, handing it to you.

"Oh...." Your face flushes in embarassment, Kunikuzushi and Xiao stand there now, faces resting again, in distaste. 

The door to the infirmary opens, revealing Heizou, as well as the one you bumped into, causing this to happen. (How is this happening...) disbelief resounds throughout you. (This is the most embarassing situation I have ever been in.)

"I couldn't let this matter go on without my awareness, and besides I couldn't leave it up to these two to help you. You could say it was my intuition." Heizou says, entering the room.

"Mhm.. Oh, it's you.. Again, I'm sorry for bumping into you." You say, shifting your view to the one next to Heizou.

"No need to apologize, I am more at fault as I had a better chance of dodging. You had your back turned to me." He explains. "I am Kaedehara Kazuha, nice to meet you." Kazuha says, furthering himself into the room. 

"Sorry our meeting had to be this way.." You apologize again, looking down at your newest addition to the many accidents you have had. "You weren't hurt, were you?" You ask.

"No worries, I was okay. But a wound like that shouldn't be left unbandaged long." He kneels and takes the first-aid kit you had in your hand. Opening it, he takes out a bandage. Wrapping your sprain nimbly, Kazuha seems to have experience. "You should also apply something cold to it." He says taking an ice pack from a cabinet. "Here, you should rest for a while before returning to class." Kazuha advises.

You look up and realize that Kunikuzushi has left. (Hmph, how mean.)

"Hmm, I think I have put the clues together on how that damage was inflicted to your ankle.." Heizou says, as you try to get comfortable on this rickety cot. 

"Perhaps, your ankles dislocate easily!" Heizou suggests in an almost teasing manner.

"Or, maybe I am simply the clumsiest person in Inazuma." 

"Now now, don't think about it too much. Before you realize it is healing, it will. It isn't as bad of a sprain as it appeared to be. Remember to put an ice pack on it once a day. A calm mind will contribute to the healing process." Kazuha says.

"Thank you.. But I don't want your day to be affected too much, you should go back to class with Heizou.. And, Xiao..?" You say.

"Hm?" Heizou looks around, "Looks like he's fled the situation."

"Sigh.. Nevermind that." You realize that Xiao has also returned to class. Heizou waves, and walks out of the infirmary. Kazuha puts the first-aid kit back into the cabinet, "When afternoon arrives, it should feel better." 

Now that they have all left, you want to scream from how embarassing that was. 

(Hmm, but besides how embarassing that was, I suppose my classroom is populated with plenty of nice students. Even Kunikuzushi... Maybe.)