Glamour!? A stray idol appears!

[velvetcrush]

Who: Kaori (Open)
Where: The school entrance -> school hallways -> outside the faculty office
What: Kaori has to start school sometime.
When: The first school day after Watchman shenanigans.



Kaori's barely flickering optimism plummeted as she made her way up the steps into the main school building. The school was a dump. Were all normal high schools this rundown? Her nose wrinkled slightly in distaste. It was nothing like the sleek, modern school run by her former agency back in Osaka. It may have been small but it wasn't anything like this. Ayase had said that classes were different in normal schools, too, a thought that made her nervously twist a curl around her finger. A school you had to attend all day every day was an alien enough concept to her but she'd adjust, right? Right.

Still, her footsteps slowed then stopped completely outside the main building. Oh, god, what if there were fans here? What if there were fans in her class? What if her teachers were fans? What if they asked questions? Maybe Kaori could have gotten away with wearing sunglasses or a hat for her first day. Ayase said she was already pushing it by adding lace to her boring school uniform and not doing something about her hair. Kaori had put her foot down on that point. She was not dyeing her hair back or getting it straightened.
Ever.

You're stalling, Kaori berated herself, eyeing the school like it was a stage and she was about to go on for her first solo.

However, acknowledging this fact didn't inspire her to just go into the building the way she'd hoped it would.

Comments

[grinandbear]

The day started like any other day, despite what had happened. Contrary to Iwata going on about how they'd thrown away a normal life Akito wasn't feeling the difference yet, save aches he wasn't used to feeling and greatly disliked.

Though, there was one oddity Akito saw as he approached the main entrance. Well. Bleached blond hair, non-regulatory lace (Akiyama could deal with that if he wanted to - Akito had little doubt he would), and a somewhat panicky look as she kept eyeing the door. Either someone had gone off and gotten brand new makeover or this was a new student. Either was worth a quick appraisal, just in case.

His usual smile snapped on, with a little 'concern' on his face. "Excuse me? Are you all right?"

[velvetcrush]

Rather than startle her, Kaori quickly regained her composure at being talked to. The look of panic melted into a pleasant, charming smile. Her eyes met Akito's with sudden, swift directness.

"I'm fine. Just new here," she responded in a cool, professional tone. "Could you show me the way to the faculty office?"

[grinandbear]

Ah. She was one of those types. Looking at her face, there was something about it that looked familiar, though.

He 'blinked' for a moment, but returned her smile with his own, even more 'friendly' now. "Oh, I see. Of course I will." He held the door open for her as he went, "Right this way."

[velvetcrush]

Kaori simply nodded in reply and sashayed into the building. She paused just inside the door and waited, almost like a princess would for an attendant. There was certainly a dignified air to her poise.

[grinandbear]

She was a lot like the sort of princess that'd either infuriate or infatuate most boys. Fortunately, Akito wasn't most.

He nodded and took a leading step. Seeming to remember something, he 'sheepishly' rubbed the back of his head. "Oh, right. I should say welcome to the school and nice to meet you. My name's-" (he remembers Iwata's warning about giving names in that moment), "-Akito Terumi, I'm a second year. I'm also on the student council so if you have any questions or need help, I'd be more than happy to help."

[velvetcrush]

Kaori's expression faltered as Akito introduced himself. Just when she'd been starting to relax, too, when he didn't recognize her immediately. She seemed to deflate somewhat. Why did he have to go and bring names into it? She'd hoped to avoid unnecessary introductions if she could.

Then an idea hit her.

Just because he told her his name didn't mean she had to tell him hers. People did that all the time in manga!

"Nice to meet you," she replied, feigning great interest in a spot on the floor.

[grinandbear]

Akito pretended not to notice the girl's obvious reaction (though alternatively, it could simply seem as though he wasn't pushing). Again, he wondered, with sharp eyes hidden behind his glasses. Why did she look familiar?

"I'm glad to hear," he replied. "Are you new to Hiyoku too?"

[velvetcrush]

"Yes, I am. I just moved here."

Akito might as well have been an attractive fencepost instead of a handsome, teenage boy for the amount of interest she displayed in him.

[grinandbear]

"I see." Akito nodded thoughtfully, seemingly paying no attention to her lack of interest. "I didn't think you looked like you were from around here, if I don't sound rude saying that." 'Sheepish' chuckle. "You're very distinct."

So very distinct. So if it wasn't from town he knew that face from then where....

[velvetcrush]

That actually got a genuine chuckle and smile out of her. She looked at him curiously out of the corner of her eye. Not like that, of course. She was over that and moving on.

"No offense taken, Terumi-san. I like looking distinct."

Nonchalantly, she tossed her hair back over her shoulder.

[grinandbear]

Akito flashed his usual smile at that. "It certainly isn't a bad thing. At least, not to me." He scratched the back of his head. "Others might argue otherwise." Namely Akiyama and maybe some teachers. Akito was looking forward to the former.

"But really, that's only a few people. We're a friendly school for the most part. I'm sure many would jump to help or interact with a mysterious transfer student," he said with a teasing note. "Especially if you're from a bigger city."

[velvetcrush]

"I can't imagine this is that distracting," she said, gesturing to her hair. "And if it is, well, it'd be in their best interests to learn some self-discipline. There's more important things in life than ogling a girl who likes being a little different from the rest."

She shrugged, clearly not particularly concerned with any opposition to her looks. Really, it was just hair and a bit of lace. Nothing worth blowing a gasket over. Still, it was rather reassuring to hear such words from a student council member.

She nodded in acknowledgement at Akito's description of the school and its student body. A friendly school, huh? That didn't sound half-bad but what Akito said about people jumping to help and interact with a mysterious transfer student made her frown slightly.

Maybe she was going about this the wrong way, Kaori mused to herself, absently touching her elbow. Maybe it was like ripping off a band-aid? Just yank it off, endure the sting, and go about her business as usual. She was acting awfully silly about this whole thing.

"I'm Kousaki Kaori, by the way," she blurted out in a rush, took a deep breath, then continued. "I'm a third year."

[grinandbear]

"Indeed," Akito said with a 'commiserating' look, though Akiyama wasn't the type to 'ogle' someone, however, as zoom in on anything that didn't fit rules and order.

The name drop clicked instantly for Akito. It had been a hot topic a few months ago in the rumor mill and online: 'Kaori-chan', group captain of popular group Glimmer, had suddenly left (or, according to rumors, it was more accurate to say she had gotten booted). Of course she'd look familiar then. However, Akito still looked 'surprised', taking an extra moment before saying, "As in, THAT Kousaki Kaori? From Glimmer?"

[velvetcrush]

Kaori hadn't realized she'd still been hoping Akito knew nothing about the idol scene until the boy went and smashed it to smithereens. For a second, tears shimmered in her (currently blue) eyes and the girl looked like she might start bawling right there on the spot. Then she pushed it aside, mustering up another pleasant, insincere smile.

"The one and only," she said with as much false cheer as she could muster. "Are you a fan?"

[grinandbear]

So overemotional. Akito looked 'concerned' again though, and quickly said, as though to cover up for an apparent misstep.

"Not in particular but, well, it's hard not to catch some of the music or hear about things." He swallowed. "I'm sorry, did I say something wrong? I was just surprised."

[velvetcrush]

"No," she said flatly. "It's just... well, I'm new here. I was hoping to just have a normal life here. As much as I can, anyway. It hasn't been long, I know, but..." She sighed.

"Uh, nevermind. Where's the faculty office again?"

[grinandbear]

"I see..." Akito looked away, a bit 'guiltily'. "We're almost there. It's right around that corner."

After a moment, Akito feigned thought, as though debating whether to say anything, but then said, "Part of the reason I was so surprised was because there's actually another idol attending here. She's a first year, Ami Tanigawa. For what it's worth, I think she's been able to have as normal a school life as much as an active idol can. I imagine you'll be able to find some normality here too."

[velvetcrush]

Of course, she knew who Tanigawa Ami was, she had been in the idol business since she was thirteen and even if she hadn't, she was really famous. A lot more famous than the ex-captain of a ten member girl band. Sure, Glimmer was popular and she stood out but she wasn't a solo act like Tanigawa Ami was or her own mother had been.

Well, if someone like her could have a normal school life, certainly Kaori could, too. Unless there were fans of her parents here somewhere. Fans of her mother were unlikely. She'd only released a few songs and all of them sucked. Her father, on the other hand, was all over the place and still active in the business to boot. But still, Tanigawa Ami...

"I could use this," she murmured to herself, a genuinely pleased smile curving her lips. Then she cleared her throat.

"So, um, Terumi-san, do you have any hobbies? Interests? Any deep dark secrets you want to share?" Her tone was flippant but she actually seemed vaguely interested in his answers.

[grinandbear]

So could Akito, perhaps. It was something worth filing away for now.

"Me? Hmmm, a little of all the above?" Akito laughed. "I like things like film or performance based media, games, and experimenting. As for deep dark secrets..." Akito smiled. "Well. Like one person said, 'mystery's important because the truth's almost always dull'. Not to mention," he looked a bit 'sheepish', "any secrets I have would be boring."

[velvetcrush]

"Mystery's overrated. There's a lot of interesting things you can see right in front of you," she replied with characteristic bluntness. It wasn't until after she'd already said it that she realized she was being kind of rude.

"I like experiments, too," she added quickly, almost as if she were attempting to reconcile already. "Science and philosophy, mostly. Personally, I think the truth's far more interesting than any fiction could be."

Hair flip.

[grinandbear]

"Oh, I agree," Akito replied. "It's always better to keep an open mind about, well, everything. You miss out on too much otherwise. And without truth, there's little point showing much interest in mystery unless you're fond of mystery for the sake of mystery.

"I see. I'm more into the social type but as I said, it's always better to think openly."

[velvetcrush]

"Social experiments, huh? Sounds fun," she remarked, darting around the corner. Kaori marched up to the faculty office door, knocking loudly, continuing to chatter at Akito over her shoulder. "A little flexibility and imagination can go a long way."

[grinandbear]

"Oh, they are. There's a lot you can come up with and do with that much and the right person or persons," Akito replied, deciding at the last moment not to add a 'teasing' not to it. He wasn't unaware of how their conversation might sound to anyone else.

"Will you be alright from here?

[velvetcrush]

On the other hand, Kaori seemed utterly oblivious to any accidental suggestiveness. She simply called back.

"I'll be fine. Thanks again, Terumi-san."

[grinandbear]

"I see. Well, remember what I said. If you need anymore help, don't be afraid to ask." He turned to leave and then, as though remembering at the last moment, added with a 'warm' smile, "I hope you enjoy your time here, Kousaki-san."

[velvetcrush]

"Thanks," she repeated, sounded a little distracted as she knocked on the door again.