School Children and Random Encounters Pt. I

[Nobushige]

Nobuyori yawned as a new day began in Osaka. Despite rapid advances in Japanese civilization since the sengoku period parts of Osaka still looked as though they were highly outdated and appeared to be more like slums than an actual city. If he had been back home, that is to say east of Kyoto, Nobu would never be visiting such an area given that he was a future clan head. Strangely enough this wasn't the case in Osaka.

Unlike his usually school uniform Nobuyori's street clothes consisted mainly of black pants, a light blue t-shirt, and his Azai clan robe around himself to keep him at least somewhat warm on this chilly morning. As he walked through the city of Osaka Nobu looked for a very specific group of houses. Finally finding a set of fairly old looking houses he knocked on one of the doors to hear a lot of movement before a bunch of what looked like school children came out. These children had encountered Nobu multiple times while the young man was walking around Osaka, and constantly asked him questions about coming from a samurai family. Due to this Nobu had taken it upon himself to drop by from time to time and help the children with their public school studies.

A particularly chubby youth with short black haired named Isamu handed Nobu a chocolate bar. Looking at the kids whom he had promised to go around the city with two weeks earlier Nobu asked
"Are you kids sure your parents are fine with you coming?"
Upon the question the three children all nodded as Isamu's mother poked her head out from one of the houses and waved to Nobuyori. Aside from Isamu one of the girls, Ise, was a thin girl with dimples and fake blond hair like Nobu had. The last child, Kota, had spiked red hair and looked to be the strongest of the three youths.

With his, what must have looked like ducklings, behind him Nobu then set off towards downtown Osaka. As he looked back he could see the massive walls surrounding Bugei Academy even from here. It was indeed a looming presence within the city of Osaka. Though even more looming was the tall figure of Osaka Castle not far from the academy walls, clearly keeping watch over the entire city.

[alida]

Suishoku strolled around town in casual jeans, sneakers, and a plain mint green t-shirt with iris flowers printed on the front and back she tossed on before leaving the dorm room. She didn't notice her dorm mate around by the time she got up but didn't think too much of it. "Probably training somewhere. Wonder why she doesn't go out into the town...," the girl sighed and folded her arms. Extra classes and even the clubs don't start for awhile longer as well but who is in a rush to start working on those things. Looking up at those large reflector mirrors on the building corners for delivery trucks, the girl noted the bubbled curve of the school still behind her. Could she really get a desk job even with possessing a spirit item? That is her goal after all since the government roped her into enrolling yet no one really hears much about the graduated senior classmen once they're deployed into the work force. Maybe a cameo appearance at the school for demos but they're mostly on the clock, not that socliaizing is anyone's strengths.

"Funny how my voice could make me the embodiment of sarcasmn yet why do I get the feeling I've been a solica butterfly in a way," Suishoku hung her head and scratched the back of it in dismay, careful to avoid knocking loose her usual clover leave and flower hair decoration. They say clovers are suppose to give you good luck and the flower is suppose to mean either you're thinking of someone or you want someone to think of you. It's been awhile since she looked into those books about flower meanings. Suishoku didn't take them all too seriously but they were fun to look into while working on ikebana projects.

Slumping her shoulders and dropping her hands behind her back, the girl resolved to just forgetting about that matter. What's important now is having a day off from school and relaxing, especially when she did remember how frustaited she was around those two guys on campus. Continuing on her way, she resumed with her original intention of shopping. With the Ceremony club unavailable, using her projects to decorate the dorm room isn't readily available. Previous works were sent away to her folks to have them clutter her old room or whereever her mom chooses to put them. "What should I put around the room though? Something....not loud." Keeping her hands behind her back, she wandered onward with that single thought in mind as her head moved side to side from each store display window she passed by.

[xkxixaxbx]

"Finally, I'm out of that school's walls!" Exclaimed Akarui. Wanting to take a fresh air after being stuck in the academy, it was something that she could finally do. The amount of the heavy feeling that the students gave off was something that plugged her. As to say, the air always feels as though it's suffocating. Of course, who in their right mind would say that out loud or think that. On the other hand, it was the truth as well. Since, she usually is watching events unfold. Or more like an observer to be exact in terms. There weren’t always such many people on agreement but the students also don’t have must hostility towards each other. But when they do, gracious, it’s like a bullfight.

While walking around town, she’s gone again to shop for the time being. Especially, to get some food, sweets, and other necessities that the school offered, in which she wasn’t a fan of, went out of her own way to get. Although, despite being in a dorm room and also having a roommate, it’s no wonder how she fits all her stuff in there. On the other hand, you might say it’s because that she’s organized with her stuff. Which is also a good thing to say since, she also has her books that she reads and rereads. And with the limited space in a dorm, go figure, a bedroom is like an office almost.

Next thing she knows is that, without paying much further attention to her scenery again, she nearly tripped. Let’s just say that to be on the safe side, when she’s lost in thought, her mind of focus is not really there. ”T-that was close,” said Akarui fixing her balance. Walking by pass the stores, she was looking through the window for what seems appropriate to buy. ”It’s been awhile but I’ll get some sushi on the way back too then,” thought Akarui.

[Nobushige]

As the three children walked around with Nobuyori the boy thought of what he could take the children to do. It was still too early for him to give foreign language lessons, and as much as he was sure the boys wanted more martial arts training he had no intention of dragging Ise into such a thing. Nobu found it so strange that all three of them wanted to be enrolled in the academy. While they probably saw it as a way to get out of Osaka's slums Nobu viewed the academy more as a pain than anything else.

It did not take the group long walking before they happened into one of Osaka's many shopping areas. It was the closest shopping district to the academy and Nobu honestly hoped he didn't run into any of his classmates. It would be awkward explaining why someone who normally seemed as stuck up and fancy as himself was with a group of children from Osaka's slums. Though, they where good kids, and Nobu wanted to make sure the three of them could meet theirs goals and enter the academy. The children and the elderly, that is who he was primarily nice to. Well, those two groups and one strange girls that had hurt herself in front of him.

Speaking of such a girl as her, Nobu paused for a moment as he saw someone on the other end of the shopping area. Blinking he squinted his eyes a few times and looked forward to see what looked exactly like the girl from the roof. Looking around he saw a few people go into a local sushi bar and turned to the three kids.
"How about Sushi?" he asked them. Naturally he would be the one paying due to the kid's lack of money. All three quickly nodded their heads since they did not often get such a meal and the group ducked into the sushi restaurant. Taking a deep breath Nobu said
"Good, I don't think she saw me." he said
"Who didn't see you?" asked Isamu with a serious face.
"WHOEVER IT IS WE'LL GET THEM!" shouted Ise.
Nobu couldn't help but laugh at the children's attempts to be nice. He looked at them and said
"Nobody. Just someone from school. Who wants salmon?" he asked them.

[alida]

Keeping her eyes shifting and locking on the next store window, her slow and casual paced steps had her attention move from an array of plates to something not originally on her shopping list. "Am I?" She removed one hand behind her back and pressed it against her stomach, wondering on how well it's holding up. In front of her stood a sushi restaurant with just the name and a few plastic replicas of the dishes presented nearly and in tasteful fashion. Looking from the egg and shrimp to the tuna and drilled eel, Suishoku took now to think back and recount what food she has had eaten in the past 24 hours. Even the simple rice inside a fried egg pouch looked nice to snack on.

She probably stood before the store for a good five minutes before eventually turning away. Sushi can get expensive the more plates are put away if not for the whole tray. "I'll just get taiyaki or something. Still have a few more to look at," Suishoku smiled some, passing by a wind chime store and moving on around the corner. A wind chime would be a nice addition. Will have to come back to that store again later.

[Deleted]

And here was Cassandra sitting royally in a section of the sushi restaurant a good distance apart from the others as she had so chosen to be for the sole reason of her own attitude, Cassandra was a high born lady who would one day be ruling over others so when you were raised to think that it tended to give you quite the attitude. The reason why she had visited the sushi restaurant was because she wanted to try it out at least once; as she had been born and spent most of her life in England the only fish she had really eaten was battered and fried with a side of chips not this raw uncooked creation that was before her and these chop stick things did not help the situation either; Cassandra was finding it very difficult to eat with them yet didn't feel it would be proper to ask for a knife and fork or some other culinary tool.

Looking around she noticed a older gentlemen with three children who judging by his facial features seemed to be one of the locals yet the reason why he was with three children by himself was what caught her interest, perhaps it was his job to look after them? Like a child minder for a day? Maybe yes maybe no but quite frankly she found it hard to believe that the parents would trust this man alone with their children but anyway it was not really her place or problem to even get involved with at the start so she went back to struggling with the usage of these accursed chopsticks.

[xkxixaxbx]

As Akarui reached the doorway of the sushi restaurant she entered in with her order already good to go. Upon looking at the different types of sushi that was available, it was in her wish to buy them all. However, that was impossible as because she didn’t have enough to do so. ”Excuse me sir, I would like to have…” saying her order to the chef, she looked around. It wasn’t too lively but it wasn’t too busy either. This is the kind of place that one would find it very favorable despite the rush hour.

As Akarui was handed a plate of sushi along with soy sauce on the side, she contently started to eat. Using the chopsticks, she carefully tried to make sure that no drips of soy sauce would befall upon the counter. Even though, she would have preferred to use her hand since it would be easier to grip on. Chowing down elegantly like a lady in a formal dinner, she looked around again the restaurant. And to her surprised, she couldn’t believe her eyes. There was Bugei Academy students! Of course, not dressed in their school uniforms – as though they’re in hiding. So was this bad luck or some sort of inevitable meet? Who cares, as long as she can tell, they wouldn’t recognize her anyway. After all, she’s made sure to stay out of most of people’s interest.

Although, one can never be too sure of what can happen. Well no matter for now. Since she’s all in her regular attire. No one will suspect her as well. ”Ah sir, can I take some out to go later?” Asked Akarui. In return the sushi chef nodded yes in return and she was glad to hear that. Thinking on her next things to do she ate away.

[Nobushige]

Nbuyori examined the type of sushi available as Kota and Ise looked with him. Though, as he turned around to ask Isamu the boy was clearly gone. Nobu blinked a few times and looked at Ise but she simply shrugged and looked back at him confused Of course Kota hadn't even noticed given that his eyes had been deadlocked on the sushi menu.

As the waiter at the counter asked what the trio wanted Nobu looked around quickly then looked back at the sushi chef. "I'll take three dragon rolls. The two children can order whatever they feel like." with those words the eyes of Kota and Ise lit up. With the two of them now berating the chef with their order Nobu walked around the restaurant in an attempt to find Isamu. When he finally did find Isamu the boy was starring at a rather dignified woman as she ate. Nobu walked up and looked at him, asking
"Isamu, why are you staring at her food? that is horribly rude!" said Nobu.
"but..it looked so good, and I just wanted to ask her what she ordered. Also, she is really pretty!" said the boy. Nobu looked right at Cassandra and then back at Isamu
"You should bow politely and apolagize to the woman." he said.

With that Isamu gave Cassandra a light bow.
"Go join the others and get food." said Nobu to the boy before Isamu ran off.
Looking at Cassandra Nobuyori said
"I hope he wasn't bothering you."

[alida]

The groan of the stomach was starting to be difficult to suppress the more Suishoku tried to put the sushi bar out of her mind. The girl settled on trying for the wind chime after all after getting a small bag of bite sized sweet bean taiyaki. Carrying her shopping bag of goodies, she figured to have enough left over to have some of the cheaper priced sushi rolls back at the bar with it's distracting display. So far, she couldn't complain as the day didn't go bad and who doesn't like a wind chime by the dorm window? Meiyuki-san seemed like the kind of person to go for old fashioned style things so a wooden wind-chime was the best bet for her wallet. "But I guess this does put a small dent in shopping luxuries," Suishoku sighed at herself with a small laugh with her free hand reaching for the sushi bar's door.

Sliding open the door, the student walked in and went to take a seat just near the entrance and left her bag in the empty chair next to her. Taking a brief look around, she did note the two children a few tables away who looks like they were going to order the whole menu in a way or double of everything. Suishoku wasn't sure any more when she thought she heard the kids say fatty tuna at least three times. Pressing a finger to her temple, she wondered what sort of person would let them order like that. Could they honestly have enough money? They appear to be dressed the part but who could say as long as they can pay for their food. Picking up the menu and checking the prices, she couldn't help to look up and catch a third child run up to rejoin them. She'd hate to see the bill they racked up. Quietly, she lowered her eyes and researched her menu once more. Maybe that waiter is going to be held up longer. Should be another one on staff. Ah, there's one. Waving at a second waiter, Suishoku set her menu down and placed in her order of some unagi sushi for the day and a choice of tea. Once her tea arrived, she sighed and closed her eyes to relax and sip her tea while listening to the very audible excited children during her wait.

[Deleted]

For a few moments Cassandra continued her battle with the chop sticks fighting to try and eat the raw fish based dish but her efforts had proved fruitless so far and her temper was starting to rise while her patience was running out. It was at this moment though she noticed a small boy standing nearby looking at the dish she was eating which so happened to be a plate of Ebi Nigari she picked out as she had always enjoyed prawns and rice. Putting down the plate and her chopsticks she turned to face the boy and smiled kindly at him not wanting to scare him or upset him of course after that she returned to trying to eat, it would be socially questionable if she made any further conversation with him.

It was at that moment though the man she had seen before walked over, of course he did! She remembered why the child seemed so familiar; he was one of group of children that she had seen beforehand entering the sushi bar. Setting the food back down she shifted around in her chair to face Nobuyori with a polite yet slightly frustrated smile. “I am not offended this time but please do not let it happen again and oh Little one? I ordered the Ebi Nigari” deciding to be friendly as part of an overall scheme, Cassandra informed the little boy who was apparently named Isamu who gave a light bow in apology then ran off to join his two other friends.

“He wasn’t but in return I would like you as you something, keep your voice down though. Could you… assist me with the usage of these chopsticks? I am not a local.” she detested asking for help but for the purpose of keeping her reputation up and not letting down her family’s expectations Cassandra decided to ask him for assistance, better to ask for help and slightly disappoint your family then really mess up something and disappoint them to a far greater extent by oh I don’t know, dropping food down your front? Her family was rather strict in terms of behaviour after all.

[xkxixaxbx]

”Hmmm,” sounded Akarui as she also averted her eyes to the even happening over where the children was. To each their own, the kids where just adorable. However, from closer observations, it seems the children and man were definitely different in status. Although, Akarui didn’t have care about status. It was something her family, on the inside fought for and still do, that she got tired of and escaped to the school for that very particular reason. On the other hand, she wondered at times if she even made the right decisions of coming to the Bugei Academy school in the first place.

“Sir, I’ll take seconds…” said Akarui as she raised her hand to signal the sushi chef. Even though the first plate should have been enough to suffice her, it didn’t even make her feel like she ate anything to fill in her hunger. But it was her own fault, to be exact…besides it’s been awhile since she got to eat food like this as she did back home. Thus, it may be due to being homesick, would be the right term to explain her appetite. Even though, she could’ve just gone out and ate something else similar back home to fill up her stomache. But it was a no can do for because, for sure, she loves her sushi.

It was bliss, now if only nothing happens and disrupts the peace she’s having now, it’d be worth it. Unless, something happens, like an unusual event was to happen in the matter of minutes, one thing for sure is that, it’d made her angry. After all, it wasn’t like she got to do this every day and relax from anything that was to be school related. In which gets dramatically tiring from time to time to deal with.

[Nobushige]

As the three children yelled and debated over what kind of sushi they would order Isamu could be heard yelling out that they should all order Ebi Nigari. At first Nobu wanted to tell the children to be quieter but the chef, in the middle of preparing everyone' sushis quickly raised his knife and glared the kids. All three of them almost instantly lowered their conversations to what they must have thought was a whisper but still sounded more like yelling than anything else.

As Nobu apologized to the young woman Isamu had pestered she gave him a strange request. Nobu hadn't often seen, nor talked, to foreigners before. Though it made sense that someone who looked more European may not know how to use a pair of chopsticks. Looking at her Nobu couldn't help but have a slight blush to him. She was in fact pretty for a foreigner. Looking at her Nobu replied
"Please wait one moment."

With that Nobu walked over to the three children. His pants leg catching under his left shoe caused him to stumble for a moment but he managed to quickly catch himself before going back to the children. All three of them had ordered the same sushi, mostly due to Isamu's bullying. Sighing Nobu grabbed a pair of chopsticks and walked back over to the foreigner. It wasn't as though the children would care due to their almost ritualistic sushi focus.

Focusing on the chopsticks and sitting next to the foreigner Nobu said
"Listen, put your fingers like this. Use one chopstick as a rest, and the other as a mover." and he clapped the chopsticks together.
"Put the resting chopstick against your sushi, and use the other to grab it." He showed the girl by putting his chopsticks close to her plate, he wasn't about to actually touch her sushi himself.

[alida]

Hearing the children's arguing voices suddenly die down, Suishoku opened her eyes and looked back at the group to check on them. Their heads and hands were kept low and close to themselves along with their voices. Guess someone threatened them but still strange of no sign of their parental figure at all. Raising a brow, she found it more strange but felt a bit bad that the kids came to enjoy their meal but doesn't look like they will after suddenly quieting down in fear. Just when she picked up her glass for another drink, a familar blonde caught her eye. Onmyouji-san? Her eyes blinked as his head bobbed down briefly during his bee line to the children's table to grab some chopsticks then fled off to the other side of the resturant. Curious of his seemingly random cameo appearance, she got up and quietly informed the waiter to leave her sushi where she originally sat so they wouldn't get the wrong idea she's changing spots. Reaching into her shopping bag, she took three of the small taiyaki snacks and walked over to the table to sit across the kids.

"Mind I sit here? I can't help to notice all that excitement die out. Not going to enjoy your meals," she asked in all curiousness of what actually happened but smiled at them. As she sat, she kept the snacks hidden from view under her arm relaxed across her lap."Did your parents let you have a good lunch out? That's really nice of them to let their kids be adults for the day. Are you good kids going to bring back your folks anything for having a day out to yourselves? I'm Suishoku. What are your names? If you are really good kids, you could get some free dessert.

[Deleted]

It was pretty obvious from Nobu’s facial expression that her request must have seemed strange to him but oh well, the need for her to learn how to use these blighted chopsticks far overweighed the fact that she should try and prevent herself from causing too much embarrassment. A slight smirk grew across her face as she noticed the light blush present in Nobu’s cheeks which meant either he thought she was pretty (which she knew already) or had a slight attraction to him, not a crush but perhaps he liiiiiked her which was a good thing, it would be nice to form some friendships among the locals around these parts.
She giggled slightly as she watched Nobu stumble over his own trouser leg as she began getting up to help the clumsy blond but seeing as how he had managed to prevent himself from falling over Cassandra decided to sit back down and wait for him to return patiently like he had asked before hand, his manners where well received though as Cassandra always liked it when people where polite. Having waited for the amount of time it took for Nobu to return, turned out he had gone to collect a pair of chopsticks for her lesson in the usage of them.

She smiled softly to herself and watched attentively as Nobu instructed her on the proper way to both hold and use a pair of chopsticks. After watching she took up her own set of chopsticks and portioned her fingers around them properly then finally managed to pick up a piece of her food and eat if finally! After a few moments of chewing she swallowed it then turned to face Nobu and smiled happily at him glad that she managed to actually be able to enjoy her food. “Thank you very much for the tutoring in this subject. Might I ask what your name is? Mine is Cassandra Richards Davion the fifth, pleased to meet you” she introduced herself and kept up the polite smile.

[xkxixaxbx]

”Do they know each other?! Nah, it just seems more like a unexpected meet of greeting,” thought Akarui as she glances once again. It just seems that the more time passes, the longer it took her to eat her second plate of sushi. And that was because she couldn’t help but wonder what was really going on. Thee Nobuyori had three kids with him and was giving them sushi? Huh, are they his kids? No, no…if they were then that’d be totally just wrong since…well, anything was a possible answer in this point of time. Shrugging her shoulders, Akarui went back to eat her 2nd plate of sushi once again.


Suddenly, Akarui heard noise coming from outside. Furtehrmore, it didn’t sound good. It was more like a rumble was going on out there. However, considering its Osaka, there’s no way people would dare to cause trouble. Well, actually that’s not the case since she had run into trouble before. Despite it being a low crime rate, there was always something that’s going on. Then again, that something ended it being the caused by the students of Bugei Academy or just some citizen. To have something of this sort being caused by a student though, meant something was definitely going on.


”What on earth?!” Said Akarui as she turned to look through the glass doors as she could’ve sworn she saw something zip pass by. ”Just what is going on here? And what was that?! Thought Akarui to herself as she felt like, something was definitely up for sure. Now she’s convinced herself that even though it was something she did thought of. Although, she would like to not be involve considering that the school’s always on high alert for students who causes trouble, in which could bring the academy’s name to shame.