Chapter 1: Not So Gifted ctd.
SCENE: KYUUTEN ACADEMY, CLASSROOM
HANA and NEEHARU burst into a classroom lined with four columns of desks. The eyes of twenty students are fixed on the two latecomers. However, the only gaze that HANA and NEEHARU notice is that of the teacher, MADAME SHIRLEY, a rather tall, burly middle-aged woman. Her raven black hair is tied back into a tight bun and her brown eyes show sharply over her red, rectangular spectacles. A black formal top and black skirt try to reign in her large bosoms and powerful thighs but with little success. A crimson scarf, black stockings, and black shoes add the finishing touch.
Upon noticing the glare from her teacher, HANA, visibly tense, immediately drops to a bow.
HANA: Madame Shirley, please forgive us for our tardiness.
While bowing, HANA shoots NEEHARU a quick glance. Understanding her tacit message with a bit of a jolt, NEEHARU bows, as well.
NEEHARU (insincere): Yes, we are very sorry!
MADAME SHIRLEY slaps the ruler loudly against the palm of her hand and glances at the clock before returning her gaze to NEEHARU AND HANA.
SHIRLEY: Five minutes late! I must say I’m disappointed. I would not have expected you of all people to be late, Hana!
She turns away, showing her back slightly and rests the ruler on her shoulder as though it is some mighty weapon.
SHIRLEY: Anyways, I’ll let it slide this time. Don’t let it happen again!
HANA: Th-thank you Madame Shirley!
HANA straightens from her half bow and scurries off to her seat. NEEHARU starts following nonchalantly behind her with his hands crossed behind his head to one of the seats in the back but then a ruler comes flying down and stops inches away from his face, blocking his path. He looks up to find MADAME SHIRLEY staring angrily at him.
SHIRLEY (menacing): I don’t recall excusing you...
NEEHARU smiles awkwardly to appear innocent.
NEEHARU (tense): I uh...
MADAME SHIRLEY examines her attendance sheet.
SHIRLEY: Neeharu Bareta. So you’re the new transfer student...
She brings her face uncomfortably close to NEEHARU’s, fixing her intimidating gaze onto him. NEEHARU leans back slightly with a terrified expression in order create more space between them.
SHIRLEY: You seem like the troublemaker type, so I’ll have you sit right...there!
MADAME SHIRLEY points to a desk positioned right in front of the teacher’s desk at the very front of the classroom.
NEEHARU (thinking): Jeez, of all the seats that are open...
As NEEHARU goes to take his seat, MADAME SHIRLEY appears suddenly behind him in such close proximity that he can feel her breath against his neck.
SHIRLEY: I’ve got my eyes on you so don’t even think about trying anything.
NEEHARU: Eeeeh!
NEEHARU takes his seat visibly stricken.
NEEHARU (thinking): What a creepy lady.
MADAME SHIRLEY smacks the ruler against the blackboard securing the attention of all the students. She points to large letters written in white chalk that read “HISTORY REVIEW”.
SHIRLEY: Your knowledge on the history of the Gifted people will be tested next week. So I suggest you all listen up if you want to do well!
She walks away from the blackboard towards the front of the classroom, clenching the ruler in the palm of her hand as though she is ready to whack someone with it any moment.
SHIRLEY: Who can tell me the home planet from which our ancestors migrated?
Only one hand rises slowly, and it belongs to none other than HANA.
SHIRLEY: Yes, Hana.
HANA: Our ancestors migrated from the planet Zelmar approximately 100 years ago.
SHIRLEY: Okay. And what were the circumstances that led to our ancestors migrating?
HANA is the sole volunteer once more, and MADAME SHIRLEY calls on her to answer.
HANA: Our ancestors were trying to escape the war between the rulers of Zelmar, who were known as the “Bloody Kings”.
SHIRLEY: Good. How did our ancestors adapt to society when they arrived on Earth?
HANA raises her hand again.
SHIRLEY: Someone other than Hana!
Everyone’s attention is diverted to the front of the classroom, where NEEHARU sits asleep and snoring loudly. Fuming, MADAME SHIRLEY approaches NEEHARU and whacks NEEHARU on the head repeatedly with her ruler.
NEEHARU: Ow! Ow! Ow! Ow!
NEEHARU wakes with a jolt, yelping in pain. He has his hands on his head.
NEEHARU: What the hell was that for!
SHIRLEY: I told you I had my eye on you! I better not catch you dozing off again!
NEEHARU: This class is boooring! I already know all this stuff.
SHIRLEY: Don’t get cocky boy! If you’re so smart, then answer my question.
NEEHARU stares at MADAME SHIRLEY with a blank expression. To this, MADAME SHIRLEY knocks him comically on the head with her ruler again.
SHIRLEY: Of course you don’t know what the question is! Tell me how our ancestors became accustomed to life on Earth!
NEEHARU gives MADAME SHIRLEY an inquisitive look.
NEEHARU: Because they were raised like regular humans. Your question doesn’t make much sense. They didn’t have to get used to living on Earth ‘cause most of them were infants and toddlers when they came here, so they grew up living a normal life for the most part. Only reason we know anything about what happened on Zelmar is because our ancestors’ parents made sure to include a letter or a note in the capsules about what was going on at the time and why they were sending their kids away. But our ancestors themselves don’t remember much about what was going on at the time because most of them were too young.
A moment of stunned silence fills the room. MADAME SHIRLEY simply clears her throat and pushes her spectacles closer to the ridge of her nose.
SHIRLEY (calmly): Fantastic answer.
MADAME SHIRLEY continues her review of Zelmarian history.
Meanwhile, a brown-haired boy of the same age sitting diagonally behind NEEHARU, whose metallic eyes had been oozing boredom and disinterest up until now, takes sudden interest in NEEHARU and peers at him through the long strands of his hair. Unbeknownst to this, NEEHARU is simply content that he was able to answer MADAME SHIRLEY’S question so well, being so easily flattered by the compliment he received for his answer.
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SCENE: KYUUTEN ACADEMY, CAFETERIA
Lunchtime at KYUUTEN ACAMEDY is best described as one crowded ruckus. Students fill every nook and cranny and pile into long lines at the various food stalls, chatting, joking, and mingling all the while. Here, divisional barriers are nonexistent as the popular silver-badged students in the Combat Division can be found mixing with the lesser known blue-badged folks from the Academics Division.
After waiting through a line to acquire a meal that was not worth the excruciatingly long wait, NEEHARU wanders aimlessly, scouring for a place to sit. He decides to check outside where the crowds are much thinner, but still lively. He is able to locate a few tables where he could sit. At one of the tables sits the brown-haired boy seemingly in deep contemplation, his stone-colored eyes almost as cold as his expression.
NEEHARU (thinking): Eeh! Too dark!
NEEHARU then notices the burning red of a girl’s long, silken hair, a fierce yet elegant combination. Her silver badge sits proudly atop her blouse, as some poor, terrified fellow from the Academics Division, polishes her shoes. She looks around angrily for her next victim.
NEEHARU (thinking): Eeh! Too scary!
NEEHARU finally finds someone who looks relatively normal. The reserved boy quietly eating his food has short, black unruly hair and a physique like that of a boxer, as well as the coveted silver badge. NEEHARU approaches him.
NEEHARU: Hey, do you mind if I sit here?
The boy does not answer or even react to NEEHARU’S presence, causing NEEHARU to feel a bit awkward. NEEHARU is about to ask again when the boy starts to speak without looking at NEEHARU.
RET: You can sit wherever you want. You don’t have to ask for my permission.
NEEHARU (thinking): Thanks, Captain Obvious!
NEEHARU takes his seat and the two eat in silence, when suddenly HANA appears, sitting next to NEEHARU across from the boy.
HANA: Hi.
NEEHARU: Oh, hey.
HANA: Neeru, right?
NEEHARU: It’s uh Neeharu-
Though NEEHARU tries to correct HANA, she ignores him and continues with the conversation in a comical sort of way.
HANA: You answered that question in class really well.
She refers to the boy sitting across from her.
HANA: Do you know Ret?
Based on NEEHARU’S reluctance, HANA decides to introduce them.
HANA: Ret, this is Neeru.
NEEHARU: P-please, it’s Neeha-
NEEHARU is again comically cut off and ignored.
HANA (innocently): He’s a new transfer student. I found him in a trashcan.
NEEHARU (thinking): What the hell’s wrong with this girl!?
HANA (to NEEHARU): We’re good family friends. I’ve known Ret since we were really young. He used to eat his own boogers.
RET seemed used to HANA’s embarrassing comments and was completely unfazed by it. He finally fixed his sight upon NEEHARU, particularly his badge and stopped eating.
RET: So let me guess. Another goof-off fantasizing about becoming the “Gifted One”?
HANA: Ret!
She turns to NEEHARU, who is visibly upset, to deescalate the situation, but this time she is the one who is ignored.
NEEHARU (irritated): What did you say?
RET: I could tell you’re one of those as soon as I saw you. It’s the same story. Dreams of becoming the “Gifted One” since childhood, joins the Combatant Division, and shows off that silver badge like it’s some sort of status symbol. But they all come crashing back down to reality soon enough.
NEEHARU (angry): Buddy, I don’t know what you think you know about me but let me make this clear to you. I will become the “Gifted One”. And not you or anybody can stop me from doing that.
RET lets out a caustic chuckle.
RET: I’m curious to see whether you’ll still be this confident after getting crushed.
NEEHARU gets up from his seat with a furious expression.
NEEHARU: Bastard! You can put down others’ aspirations and hardwork all you want, but someone who doesn’t have any themselves or doesn’t appreciate the value of this badge, is unfit to wear it!
RET’s eyes widen and he stands up from his seat enraged, as well.
RET: I know the value of this badge more than anyone else here so you better shut the hell up before I knock you out!
NEEHARU: Go ahead and try!
At this point, RET AND NEEHARU are at each other’s throats, staring each other down. HANA intervenes grabbing RET by the shoulder and bringing him out of his furor.
HANA: Ret, please calm down. Please, Ret. Your mom, she-
RET pulls his shoulder away from HANA with a jolt.
RET (annoyed): Be quiet!
HANA’s expression makes RET immediately regret his reaction. He turns around to leave.
RET: Waste of my time. He’ll learn soon enough.
HANA tries to make peace with NEEHARU as well but he walks away, upset and frustrated as well.
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SCENE: KYUUTEN ACADEMY, GYM
All combative training takes place at the KYUUTEN ACADEMY GYM, an enormous rectangular platform walled off on all sides. Banners of the students from previous years’ accomplishments at various local, regional, and national fighting tournaments line almost two of the walls completely. It is no wonder KYUUTEN ACADEMY’s Combative Division is so highly regarded the world over.
NEEHARU and the rest of the students wait for their trainer to arrive. Some chat, others stretch and warm up, and a few wait idly, NEEHARU one among them. He scans the motley group of students, and notices that JAMES is in his squad, Squad C (there are five squads for every grade level). Feeling a bit riled from his previous encounter with RET, NEEHARU decides to let his frustration loose and confronts JAMES, who is laughing and chatting with two others.
NEEHARU: Oi!
JAMES doesn’t respond.
NEEHARU: Oi! I’m talking to you!
JAMES continues to ignore NEEHARU until one of his friends informs him that NEEHARU is trying to get his attention. JAMES turns to find NEEHARU glaring at him.
NEEHARU: Remember me?
JAMES: Uh…oh yeah, from this morning!
He then starts explaining and laughing about the incident with his friends, but NEEHARU is not amused.
NEEHARU: You and your lackeys done?
They stop laughing and JAMES raises an eyebrow.
JAMES: You might want to change the way you talk to me. Last time somebody addressed me like that, they ended up in the hospital.
NEEHARU: Well then, let’s see it. Let’s see how tough you really are.
JAMES (scoffs): Is a piece of *censored* like you really trying to challenge me to a fight?
NEEHARU doesn’t respond but simply locks eyes with JAMES.
JAMES: Fine.
All of the students are shocked to see JAMES and NEEHARU walking towards the center of the gym. Comments like “Is that the new kid?” and “Is he really trying to pick a fight with James” run through the crowd. They both take their positions several meters apart. Once the crowd goes silent, NEEHARU bows slightly, as he had seen this customary formality in professional matches on TV, but JAMES does not return the gesture.
Neither make their move first. JAMES simply stands in place with the most disinterested expression.
JAMES: Fine, I guess I’ll come to you.
JAMES makes a dash, similar to what he had done in the morning but this time NEEHARU was ready for it, neatly rolling out of the way. JAMES comes at him again and throws a punch. NEEHARU dodges and returns one. Unfortunately, it does barely anything to JAMES who tries to throw another punch but misses narrowly due to NEEHARU leaping away at the last second.
JAMES: I’m getting bored. Use your ability already.
NEEHARU doesn’t react in any way, for the problem was that he has no ability, at least to his knowledge. A transparent layer starts to envelop JAMES’ fists, as he starts to make his way towards NEEHARU.
NEEHARU lets loose a flurry of punches but none of them leave a mark and just before he could escape JAMES grabs him by the collar of his shirt and lifts him up. JAMES then pulls his arm back and digs his fist into NEEHARU’s stomach. NEEHARU convulses from the impact, his eyes popping from their sockets and blood shooting from his mouth. He drops to the ground and immediately keels over, clutching his stomach, while his body twitches from the pain. NEEHARU remembers his exchange with RET from earlier and tears start to form in his eyes due to the humiliation.
HANA watches worried, while RET, who is standing next to her, closes his eyes and exhales disappointedly. The brown-haired boy watches with a stoic expression, and the red-haired girl thinks to herself: “He had guts challenging James but nothing to back it up.”
JAMES picks up NEEHARU by the neck of his collar to meet him face-to-face. NEEHARU is fast losing consciousness and could barely keep his eyes open.
JAMES: Did you really think you could defeat me, James the Mighty!? Usually, I would stop here but I’m not satisfied.
All the students become tense. JAMES’ bloodlust is palpable.
JAMES (menacing): You deserve to be punished for wasting my time.
JAMES pulls his arm back to throw another punch at NEEHARU, but RET intercepts it, clasping JAMES’s fist in the palm of his hand. JAMES drops NEEHARU, and glares at RET menacingly, who is not in the least bit intimidated.
JAMES: So you want to have a go at me too?
Before the situation could worsen, however, a loud voice boomed “STOP”, causing RET and even JAMES to immediately back down. NEEHARU could make out the distinct silhouette of a physically built older man. “Someone go call the nurses!” is all NEEHARU could make out before losing consciousness.