Snippet #2015875

"Miss Kitano, please understand that this matter is more important than you think."
Yumi's homeroom teacher called her aside to the faculty office just when she was about to head off. She was the same one Yumi had the previous year, when she was a freshman. This was her second year as a freshman. Not that Yumi particularly cared. After all, everything they'll teach her this year was just a repetition of the last.
"I understand." Yumi sighed. "I'll have to leave the school if I fail this year, right? Fine, whatever."
"I spoke with your parents and--"
"So you did. That has nothing to do with me now, and the year's barely started. I'll take my leave now."
She turned and left the faculty office before the personal lecture could proceed. Yumi had more pressing concerns at the moment.

...so to speak. Yumi had been having pressing concerns for the past three months. It's the sword, she thought as she paced through the school hallways. She glanced at the sheathed sword slung over her shoulder. There was no question about it: ever since her dojo presented her with the sword, she started to see...things. Some of them even noticed her back. They're not used to being seen. It's the sword. Yumi became somewhat restless after that. Yet, for some reason she herself couldn't quite articulate, she will not part with the sword.

By chance she overheard her classmates talk about the two girls from another homeroom. Yumi's classmates would not approach her directly; they were usually either intimidated or embarrassed to be seen with her. Apparently, the two girls in their gossip were in the middle of creating a paranormal research society.
"Isn't that ridiculous?" said one of her classmates. The other laughed in agreement.
Yumi had to admit, she thought the idea of a paranormal research society absurd as well. But with my situation, "normal" isn't exactly what I aim for.

She had gone to the faculty office with the original intention of asking about this new club. Yumi obtained their meeting time and place, in addition to a gratuitous talk about grades and attendance and all that nonsense.

Yumi stopped close enough one of the classroom doors. This is it. They might be able to help. There was boy waiting at the door. One of the upperclassman, if Yumi remembered correctly. Not sure what his name is, though. Yumi walked up to the boy, who noticed her as she stepped closer.

"Hey, you're not going to go in?"