After-School Boredom[OPEN]

[Mori Hansei]

Mori Hansei could honestly say that today was not a bad day. The only problem would be that if he said that - he would be lying, either to someone or to himself. And while lying to others was a way of life, lying to oneself was a very bad idea - generally a self-crippling thing, really. It wasn't that something happened this day, in fact nothing had happened and it was exactly for that very reason that Hansei had a bad day. It was boring - boring as hell.
If there was one thing that Hansei hated most of all, it was boredom. Day to day, dull and gray, always the same thing, bland and bleak. It was suffocating, heartwrenching and maddening to do absolutely nothing of interest. Sure there were a few activities that could break the routine, but they could help only so much. That was why Hansei decided to do something different today after school was over.

And so here he stood now, in one of the empty hallways of Bugei Academy, leaning on the window frame, his hands and legs crossed, and a small smile on his face. He guessed that he looked quite handsomely illuminated by the sunlight, but the poor people around him never paid any attention. Their loss, anyway.
Hansei turned his head to look out the window, glad for this small new respite from boredom. He was currently watching some of the students doing laps in the Swimming Pool. Naturally, he wasn't watching everyone - only the females worthy of his attention... and he had to admit there were a few that caught his interest.

However, he understood that this too wouldn't last much longer. As much as he liked to watch developed girls in school swimsuits, it was just that - watching. This was going to get boring, fast, and his mind was already contemplating on some others means of entertainment. Oh, how he hoped something would come his way today!

Uncrossing his arms, Hansei ran one hand through his hair, smoothing it out. He then shrugged out of his school jacket - there was no need to wear it anymore anyway, and it's not like he liked it, and slung it over his shoulder. It was kinda hot in that thing and he was standing right in the sun.

[alida]

Suishoku sat at her desk during the free hours, flipping through a booklet about business they just started into. The subject was never really her strong suite and neither was military tactics but it was both part of the lesson plan as second years among other things. One would think things would be easier once leaving the chore classes of first year to less class work in the future but this was too much for her brain to take in. Heaving a groan, she slumped forward and stretched out on her back on the tatami floor. Since it is a free day, not many people stuck around inside the stuffy old fashioned designed classrooms save for the few really hardcore students or ones that couldn't find a good place to study and thought the classroom setting would help out.

Forcing herself back upright, the girl took off her floral hair clip and snapped it back into place. That's it, time to call it quits. Shutting the book in a slap of rejection, she folded her legs headed out of the room before there was more disgruntled passes from her own disgruntled behavior. Putting her shoes back on, she carried the book at her side loosely while dragging her heels in slow drawn out paces.

On her way to the stairwell did her eyes notice an odd figure in the barren hallway. She couldn't tell much from his back other than he too was feeling hot under the collar to keep the uniform jacket on. Even she wore her uniform a bit loosely if it hadn't loosened up already from her restless stretching. Curious on what he could be looking at, Suishoku stopped once she was near the windows to cast a glance downward at the pool with some doing laps in their given uniform attire. Looking at his back once more then back at the pool that seemed to grab his attention, Suishoku shrugged and took a stab at what his head could be on about. "You wishing they allowed colorful exceptions, right?"

[Mori Hansei]

Hansei had to keep a smirk from coming on to his face as he heard quiet footsteps approaching from behind. Whoever it was, that person was either very slow, or deliberately walked in such a pace. Either deep in thought, or perhaps trying to sneak up on him? No, his mind answered quickly, if someone were trying to sneak - they would do so much quieter. His worries, dispelled, Hansei decided not to initiate conversation, unless the unknown person would pass him without paying any attention to their surroundings.

Much to his hapiness, the person behind him stopped and spoke to him. There was no one else in the hallway to speak to, so he could safely assume that the person was talking to him. Oh and it was a she, a female, a girl. Her voice sounded a bit rough, or more like she was talking under her breath. Perfect, or at least as good as he could get without having the company of a cherrful bimbo - he could tease someone like that to tears. And enjoy it, naturally.

Turning around with a single fluid motion, his arms still crossed, Hansei shot his best mysterious smile at the girl. She stood just a bit shorter than him and was, naturally, dressed in an Academy uniform for girls. Her steel blue eyes seemed to emit a tired but resolute look, and Hansei had to guess she wasn't that much of a "people person". Her uniform was taken care of though, so maybe that was just her facial expression that had sent the message, and Hansei knew that something like facial expressions were not to be trusted. he, himself, was the best example.
Back to the girl though, she had straight and thin brown hair that went a bit beyond her shoulder blades, some of it in a ponytail. Bascially a standard hair style right there, nothing out of the ordinary. A few hairclips too.

The verdict was simple - he really couldn't judge from appearance. Nor the tone of voice, or the facial expression. So he decided to play his usual thing and be as generic as possible, but maybe he could just be himself for a bit? No, no one would appreciate that, Hansei was sure. That was dangerous thinking and he really needed to stop that. So he procceeded to talk.

"Colorful exceptions?" he asked, repeating the girls own words, that smile still plastared on his face. "Maa, I don't think I know what you're talking about." he brought one arm out, waving it in a lazy, placating manner. "Perhaps if you could specify for little old me what it is that you mean?"

His voice was his regular one, the pleasant soothing tone. However there was a small note under it, one he slipped out on purpose. He issued a small challenge, if you will, dared her to say it straight out to his face. He wouldn't be mad though if she took it, far from it - he would be glad if she retaliated. Oh, he hoped this would be interesting. He certainly didn't act like a criminal caught in an act.

[alida]

The pleasant and oddly welcoming voice caused the girl to take a cautious glance to check if she was hearing things, a voice that possibly didn't match the face it came from. Aside from what she noted earlier of his willingness to bake in the sunlight that could turn his hair to a nice roasted chestnut, he surprisingly seemed normal and less strict compared to Onmouji-san in terms of appearance and hair style but that odd strand of hair in front of his face got her eyes to stay glued on it a few minutes of its purpose of being that way. Was it a stray? But it's a little naturally wavy and he did seemed more relaxed than stressed. Eventually her head tilted to the side then upward to gaze at his eyes and what she confirmed to be a style of hair purposely made to be like that. That is sure to stick out in memory very easily. Back to her echoed words and his own question, Suishoku took in a breath before turning to the swimmers down below. Giving out her answer would have been fine but 'little old me' seemed so strange for a guy to say. Typically doesn't some coy girl say that sort of line? Is he one of those....no, that is too strange of a thought to consider as the girl visibly frowned with her eyes lowering half shut in disturbance for even thinking about that. He's just odd or being subtle of being the flamboyant type and his roasted head is taking its sweet time to pop like the roasted chestnut it looked like.

"You're no where near little or the age to tote around a giant disk lollipop," she began in her disgruntled voice. With just the two of them in close proximity, she was thankful there wasn't a need to uncomfortably raise her voice. "But the swimsuits could use more color. Now we just need a synchro group and it'll be a weak copy of a koi fish pond. Better than staring at darker blue specks that nearly look the same once their rubber caps go on."

Moving her hands to hold her study book before her in a proper standing position, her eyelids remained in their half moon stare now that she too had to stand in the sunny side of the hallway with him. Even with the taller male before her blocking more of the direct rays, the aura of the light behind him and reflecting off his shirt just able made him glow in a way. Not wanting to squint at him, her attention kept focused upon his styled hair once more. "Was that shot in the dark a miss? It's not like you're going to be accursed of anything indecent unless you were carrying a camera on you."

[Mori Hansei]

Hansei decided not to hold back a snort of laughter when he heard the girl talking about him and lolipops. Now that was an picture of himself he had definitely never imagined before. It even felt kind of refreshing, to be humbled like that a by his own imagination. Well, not that it had damaged his ego or anything - he had discarded the thought as fast as it came, and instead concentrated at what the girl was saying next. He kept his smile as she went silent, observing him from half-liddled eyes. He quikcly noticed that she paid special attention to one particular aspect of him... it was either his face, or, which was more of a possibility, the lone strand of hair that he had left on his face. maybe he could tease her with it, or about it?
Most people would try to be polite and all, but he was not most people, now was he? Hansei's smirk got a little bit wider.

"Oya? Now that's a rather funny image." he spoke, referring to her first words, shaking his head a bit and adjusting the hold on his jacket, which was now in between his crossed arms, after he had turned around. "Though I have to say... I'd like a giant lolipop if I could get one now. Mmm, maybe I really should." he actually considered the thought now. He could get one in the city, after all.

Nodding to himself, as if coming to a conclusion, he turned his attention back to the swimming pool. A few seconds and his eyes were back on the girl.

"Seeing them colored up like that would be rather amusing, but you are wrong on account of one thing..." he narrowed his eyes as his smirk stretched wider. He also leaned forward a bit, brining his face closer to the girl's face, but not enough to cause discomfot... yet. "...I was admiring the girls in those wonderfully tight school swimsuits. Quite a sight, isn't it?"

He then procceded to shrug, his face showing an apathetic expression.

"Shikatanai, after all I'm a growing man, am I not? It would certainly be weird if I paid no attention to girls. Wouldn't it?" he smirked again, more mischievously than before, as he spoke. He decided to throw one last line. "I'm Mori Hansei, in case you're interested."

It wasn't really noticable, but he worded that last line like he did specifically so that it seemed like it had a double meaning. He wasn't really interested though, but he certainly wanted to get a reaction out of her, and possibly get a name. That would be splendid.

[alida]

His laughter got her to relax in thinking her comments somehow amused him. That's a safe thought to know some people have their odd sense of humor and his laugh wasn't at all a creepy ego trip sort of person. She didn't want to get too friendly with him but standing around and trying at random jabs was better than wandering around the campus for the time being. The student started to wonder what else her shots could hit around his willing persona. When he started what sounded like a compliment to the lollipop idea, Suishoku shrugged with her own thoughts coming forth in her usual sarcastic tone of voice. Hardly serious but not a hundred percent sugar blown flowers either. "Can't be too old yet 'oya'-san. I'm sure a grown boy can finish it all just fine."

Keeping her book held with both hands over her thighs, she looked at him with a few bats of her eyelashes when he strangely loomed forward. If his head were lower, her nose might have twitched on that look limp ahoege decoration. Now that would have been awkward. Once he backed away, her head merely tilted to one side to reflect her pondering thought. "Was? Oh, don't let me stop you then. Not sure about that man in black though..." her voice and eyes trailed off. Since the announcement of the Siao and the Castle Insepctor, it has left her bothered since just the man's creepy ninja presence. How could anyone in the crowd miss him? Or was he just standing there the whole time while everyone was watching the Siao enter? Must be the case or that would be a little scary. She clenched her molars while her thoughts were distracted on the castle inspector.

Luckily, her ears were open enough to catch just his last line of introductory. "Suishoku Yuubae. Not sure I'm interested. I'm sure other male students or the upper classmen girls would provide you pictures if you find the right person to help you with pinups or wallet sizes, Hansei-san. Though, you seem capable enough to work that out on your own if you can wear your hair decoration casually."

[Mori Hansei]

Hansei kept the lighter version of the smirk on his face, listening to the girl, Suishoku Yuubae, attentively. He seemed to get a somewhat initial grasp on her personality by now. The fact that she didn't seem fazed by what he had said all this time really helped. He could work with that just fine, but had to admit that meeting such a person in the academy was like a breath of fresh air in a room full of dust and gas. Most other students would be too bothered with him, or would have deemed him too strange for their tastes, opting to excuse themselves and leave politely as fast as they could.
Hansei didn't like or dislike both reactions. They were all pawns anyway, some of the useful, while others were mostly trash, but he was going far too deep into his own mindset here, and he didn't want to distract himself right now.
Instead he just rejoined the conversation.

"I'm sure the infamous 'man in black' has his hands full with things. His job is rather stressful and might I add, probably had him develop a sense of paranoia by now. I magine he's tracking the Saio's movements all the time, and probably in person too, lest something actually happen to her. Such a horrendous job." Hansei offered his own opinion, now showing for the first time that he wasn't just about fooling around. Actually, he hadn't meant to say that, but oh well. With a slow movement his raised one hand to his face, pushing up his glasses.

"It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance then, Suishoku-san, really." he made sure to bow a little bit, acknowledging her introduction. "Although, I fear I must apologize for taking your time with such meaningless banter, while you may have much more pressing concenrs to attend to." he made an apolgetic face. "But perhaps I could steal a little more of your time, if you would allow me. The sun is rather hot, and try as I might, I won't be able to last here much longer..." Hansei uncrossed his arms and once again threw his jacket over his shoulder. "... maybe we could move somewhere, if you are still doubting if you're interested in conversing with me." he smirked again, running a hand over his hair.

He wondered if his sudden change in speech patterns caught her interest. he also wondered why he decided to speak with her more, was he really that bored, or was he hungry for some normal human interaction? On the mysteries of oneself.

"Yare-yare, you wound me so, Suishoku-san." he placed a hand on his heart in mock hurt as he turned around, now standing half-facing her, ready to go if she agreed to. "My hairstyle is so very important to my image. Why would you call it a measely decoration?! Have you no heart to make me suffer so? Such cruel, harsh words indeed..." he still kept that expression of mock-hurt on his face, sagging his posture slightly.

[alida]

"I suppose so. I have questions for the Siao still but presenting paper work for that sure threw me off." Suishoku sighed to herself, loosening her hold on the book to grab onto her right forearm casually and for some security. Knowing the man could be paranoid may have helped her worried on his popping from nowhere to scold and scare the daylights out of anyone but he is still in the way of getting some questions answered. Feeling that she might be pressing her luck from just mentioning the man, her attention shifted to stare down the empty hallway. Checking to see if just talking about the man in black would have summoned him. Luckily his grim appearance didn't threaten this area of sunshine. Returning her steel eyes to Hansei-san, she too bowed in return after forgetting to do so during their talk.

"This time was merely for studying a little to get a better grasp of the textbook lessons. I'm in no real rush to anywhere or furthering myself in chapters," she corrected him on his apology. Studying about business couldn't be that hard for a chore to catch up on unless her performs tanked dangerously low. Putting that aside, she smirked and felt compelled to jab at him again. "Didn't know you were a winter type. Going to be reduced to a puddle soon? I'll be sure to collect you and toss you in the pool or have you feed the flowers." Feeling more in a casual mood of sarcastic punches to get into the feel of her default of a nonbeliever vocal cords it couldn't hurt to test the waters. If nothing else, she could always just walk away and toss the experience out as one those off days where the school was actually enjoyable and being a normal school in the rarest of occasions.

Copying his pose, she too stood in a half-facing position to follow in suit. Her metal clover leaves and flower clip shimmering against the unobstructed sunlight. His mock hurt was too easy to catch and play along with from his mellow dramatic word choice. "You'll live if that's your style preference. I'll be sure to avoid setting it back in place. Now then, where exactly do you want to continue this before your hair loses form? Don't tell me it's going to be the storage freezer in the cafeteria."