Snippet #2400704

The beginning of the school year. It always signaled more challenges. Some do not make it, some just get by, while others excel. The challenges were double for eight teenagers, each with some sort of burden. This is where the story begins.

Akira had his backpack and lunch ready for the day. School was one of few things he looked forward to, these days, as it stimulates his brain and stuff like that. Plus, he could make new friends in this town he was in. At homeroom, he noticed a seemingly hyperactive brown-haired woman and had to laugh to himself. She’s just full of energy, huh? There is no doubt in my mind that she will find someone to date. I just need to focus on my studying, for now. Can’t open a restaurant without an education. He decided to sit next to this brunette. Who knows? Maybe they could be friends. He did not intend to do anything romantic. Little did he know, he would after he meets a certain girl, at a later time.

----

Jonathan hid most of his rage, leaving merely the eyes, which continued to have this angry persona. He wanted revenge to the point where he was dedicated to it. The boy realized he had to focus on school during the day. Hopefully, he would not wind up grumpy. Glancing over at the list of classes, he found the one he was supposed to go to, which also listed another name which has the same surname as him. Nobuo Takeda, huh? Well, it's a common last name, so I doubt that could be my older brother, wherever he is. At the room, he sat next to a window he could glance through.

-----

"No, it's not a toy. That is a military-grade Beretta M9, commonly used in the United States Armed Forces in such wars as the War in Iraq. Be extra careful when handling it, and keep the safety on." Nobuo was caught carrying a pistol concealed within his uniform, which the adult speaking to him mistook for a fake. That same staff member gave him a suspicious glare, to which Nobuo only responded to with the blank military face which he was trained to maintain at all times when speaking to his superiors, while standing in the at-ease position.

“Just get to class! I’ll hold on to this until the end of the first quarter of the school year, to drive the point home!”

“Yes, ma’am!” Nobuo saluted before making an about face and heading to his homeroom. Inside, he saw an individual whom was particular angry at something. Well, considering he was only trained in military matters, he could not figure out anything. So, he sat in a desk at another corner. He was instructed by his captain beforehand not to reveal anything of his missions or alias. He was to keep his past to himself at all times, except in regards to his life before that of a soldier, plus whatever hobbies besides training.

--

Etsuko was a little worried about what could happen at school. She did want to make new friends, yet she felt that would be hard to do. Once she got to her homeroom, she saw a purple-haired girl hard at work knitting something. Well, looks like someone shares a hobby of mine. Maybe… just maybe… Grinning softly, she sat at a desk next to hers and brought out a hat she, herself, has been knitting prior to the school day. Etsuko just about finished her own hat when class began. It was the usual introductions and choosing a class representative. With all that out of the way, it was time to introduce new students. This made the half-Italian girl worry a little. What could she say?

Of course, she noticed a green-haired boy go first. He seemed a little shy. Somehow, seeing him made her feel better and she listened to whatever he had to say.

--
Back in homeroom with Akira, Nobuo, and Jonathan, Nobuo came up to the front, first. He stood in the at-ease position while he spoke. Normally, when introducing himself, he would mention his rank, but that was strictly classified information, and he was instructed by the captain not to reveal it. Instead, his introduction went along like this:

“My name is Nobuo Takeda. I transferred here from Okinawa, where I previously resided. Before that, I have been around quite a bit of the world. I spend my spare time exercising, reading, and sparring. That is all I have to say.”

The class gave him weird looks for his stance that he took, whispering amongst themselves that he has the look of a military nut. When the teacher opened it up for the students to ask questions, nobody seemed to have one for him. So, Nobuo was told to get back to his seat. Next up was Isamato.