Charming Tails

Chapter 1 - A Faithful Meeting

*Thack thack thack*

The sounds of bamboo wood clashing together echoes inside an old, authentic dojo. The sounds of cloth rubbing on the shiny floor can also be heard. 

A young man wielding a Shinai (bamboo sword) stands in firm poise in the center of multiple practice dummies. With his hands gripped tightly on the sword's handle, he maintains his posture and strikes the dummies with precision. 

*Thack thack thack*

After 1 strike to each dummy, his sword breaks and he stops.

"I guess that's enough practice for today Kodoku-kun." a man with a husky voice says.

"Ahaha. Sorry Kaburo-sensei. I guess I was being too harsh on the dummies." the young man replies.

He takes off his Men (mask) and wipes his forehead. His brown, shaggy hair dripped small sweat drops at the tips. He had fair skin and a handsome face. Meanwhile, an old man walks into the dojo and looks at him.

"You look just like your father."

The boy looks at the mirror in the far side of the dojo and sees his reflection.

"I guess I do... Well, I'll be off now. I still need to do my report." he walks toward the door.

"Rouji.." the old man pats his shoulder. 

"Yes?" 

"..Nothing. Soon enough, you'll find out why your father had to do this." he looks down.

A brief silence between the two occured and the young man went out of the dojo.

*   *   *

He walks down the pavement in his uniform. The heat of the sun was moderate. A quiet noon was considerate enough to compensate with its heat. 

Nothing ever did matter back then. Even so, I don't know what I really wanted. The only thing that matters now, is what I have.

The black-attired uniform he wore stood out from the bright surroundings that he was walking on. Carrying his bag on his shoulder, he reaches inside his pocket in search for his phone.

Ah.. a message from my classmate.. let me read.

"Rouji, where the heck are you? Have you forgotten of our report again? We still lack discussion."

Oh shit. We were supposed to meet up at the study park at 12:30! It's already 12:40! 

He hastens his walking pace and after a short distance, he runs rapidly in desperation of catching up.

Arriving at the foot of the front gates, he looks up at the marvelous sight of his school. Watono University, named after the city, was a huge private school that schools over 5,000 students ranging from primary school to college. 

He then enters the gates and heads directly to the study park where he reaches after a few minutes.

"Ah. There you are. 15 minutes late again." a fine voice of a girl speaks.

"Hehehe, sorry Rumiha. I got a bit caught up on the way." he stood in front of the table where the girl sits.

Tachibana Rumiha, such a beauty. I'm so lucky to be paired up with her always with our reports. 

A lovely, beautiful girl with long, silky, black hair sat on the smooth surface of the stone table. Same as the boy's uniform, the difference between their uniforms are the girls wearing a black skirt with red stripes and knee socks.