“This can’t be real…” In front of Haruko was Seika High school; a boy’s High School.
“I must been admitted into the wrong school; this is a boy’s school!” Haruko took a few steps back from the school gate. “Being transferred into a high school in Japan is worse enough, but this is ridiculous. What to do… I’m alone here with out neither a relative nor a friend.” Haruko thought as she ran away. She ran to the nearest telephone booth & called back home. Within seconds, someone picked up.
“Hello?! Mum, is that you?” Haruko panicked.
“Haruko? You arrived in Tokyo already?”
“No time for questions mum. Something’s wrong with my school admission here, why am I being admitted into a boy’s school?”
“B-boy’s school? Haruko dear, that’s not possible. The principal of Seika High is an old friend of ours. He told us he was the principal of Sekai high & it’s a mixed school.”
“& when was that?”
“Erm… When you were 5.”
“I’m 15 now Mum! There must have been changes in 10 years.”
“Calm down. I’ll make a call to the principal & see what we can do. You go back to Sekai High now. I’ll see to it.”
“B-but… Hello? Mum? Hello? She hung up on me…” Haruko heaved a sigh & made her way back to Seika High. When Haruko arrived at the school gate, she froze in her footsteps.
“Seriously, mum… You expected your own daughter to go in a boy’s school with her appearance?” Haruko thought, “Oh well, there won’t be solution till I go in right?”
Haruko walked in the school & made her way to the office to see the principal. On the way there, boys in the hallway looked at her with curious & surprised eyes. From each corner to another, she could hear the boys were talking about her.
“What’s a girl doing here?” “Who knows, but she’s cute.”
Haruko ignored the glares & sayings, continuing her way to the office. “… This is embarrassing…” Haruko looked at the floor while walking to her destination.
“Hey,” Haruko looked up to find 3 guys. The one in the middle with his tie missing & his first 3 buttons unbuttoned, ear piercings on his left ear, he had black, shabby hair, brown eyes. The other two guys, one on the right & the other on the left had their attire dressed up the same as the one in the middle. The one the left had brown blonde hair while the one on the right, long black hair tied in a ponytail.
“Hey girl, what are you doing here? Are you lost? This is a boy’s school.” The guy in the middle said as he grimed & reached his hand out to Haruko’s shoulder. Suddenly, someone pushed his hand away from Haruko.
A handsome looking guy with yellow shabby hair, green eyes, with his first two buttons unbuttoned together with the red school tie.
“Back off, the three of you.” He said as he pulled Haruko to him. Haruko was shocked. The guy smiled & said, “Don’t pick on her just because she’s cute.”
The three boys took a few steps back & bowed slightly, “We’re sorry, Usui-san.” Then they ran away as if they’ve seen a ghost.
“I’m sorry. We rarely have girls coming in our school so…”
“It’s okay.” Haruko stepped back a step away from him. “May I know where is the principal’s office? I need to see the principal. It’s urgent.” Haruko looked at him then looked away, too shy to look. The guy noticed Haruko blushed & smiled.
He nodded, “Follow me. I’ll bring you there, in case any other guys wanna harm you.” “Thank you then.”
Within minutes, they arrived in the office. They walked in & stood at the counter.
“Sensei,” The guy spoke, “this girl here wants to see the principal. She said it’s urgent.”
“Good morning,” Haruko bowed. “I’m Yamazaki Haruko. I’m here to see the principal, Mr. Saito. I believed my mum, Suzuki Akane has called earlier.”
“Yamazaki Haruko…” The guy thought.
“Ah, yes. The principal is expecting you. Please come in.” the teacher said. “Thank you Usui-kun, you can go now.” “Thank you for bringing me here.” Haruko smiled.
Haruko then was brought into the Principal’s office. She was surprised to see the principal being only in his forties when she heard from her mum that Mr. Saito was an old friend.
“Ah, Haruko. Come, take a seat. I’m Mr. Hoshi, the principal of Seika High.”
“H-hoshi? My mum told me our old friend, Mr. Saito was the principal. Was there a change?”
“Oh, Mr. Saito is my father-in-law. He retired 5 years ago.” I knew it…
“Anyways, back to the subject, your mum has called me a few minutes ago. There seems to be a problem with you being admitted here in a boy’s school… Seika was originally a mixed school but the number of girls that was in this school slowly decreased. Due to that, it was confirmed Seika was to be a boy’s school. So you can’t possibly come in.”
“That’s why I’m here, to see how to solve the problem. My mum have already called to find the solution hasn’t she?” Haruko was starting to get worried.
“Calm down, Haruko. Yes, your mum has already discussed it through the phone with me just now. & because now all school admission is already closed, they won’t accept anymore until next year…”
“Next year?! Then am I supposed to skip school for the whole year here in Tokyo?”
“Of course not. Your mum & I have already agreed on an idea but you won’t like it. But it’s the only way since you’re stuck here in Tokyo until you graduate from High School. So for this one-”
“For this one year I’m supposed to disguise myself as a male & study in this school, right?” Haruko grew tense.
“Yes.”
“…Is this really-”
“Yes, this IS the only way.”
“Argh, guess I don’t have a choice.” She heaved a sigh. “But did my mum tell you about where I’ll live?”
“Don’t worry; everything has been prepared for you. You be living with my family since you are an old friend of ours. Even though it’s been a long time since you came back to Japan…” Mr Hoshi gave her a serious look.
“My mum told me I came to Tokyo before, but to me I don’t have a memory of it.” Haruko said as she looked out of the window.
“I thought so…” Mr. Hoshi heaved a sigh as he leaned back to his seat.
“So, when do I start school?” Haruko stood out from her seat.
“Tomorrow. For the rest of the day today, you’ll need to get a haircut & buy some boyish clothes to look like a boy. My maid will guide you in Tokyo in where to buy it.” Mr. Hoshi then handed her a mobile phone. “Here, take it as a welcome gift. My number is already in it so give me a call once you’re done. The school uniform will be waiting for you at your new home.”
“New home, huh?...” Haruko took the mobile phone & walked out of the school.
