The Encounter

Shinsei High School is one of the most prestigious private high schools in the region, and entering here could assure you a recommendation to any university in the country, as well as job opportunities in the future. Shinsei High School had an agreement with the Japanese government to grant two full scholarships per year; that is, to support two young people who would be paid the total amount for the three years they stayed in the institution. Thanks to this agreement and the prestige of the school, more than 11,000 candidates applied each year, of which only 150 would remain.

Yoshida Jiro became this year one of the two lucky ones to obtain the full scholarship, and although it was not really a dream of his to have entered this high school, it was to get closer to his own dream that he would only obtain if he was studying here. However, Jiro never imagined what would await him from his first day as a student at Shinsei.

April 11th

- Oh... Have you seen that boy? He's very handsome - Some girls were whispering to each other as they watched Jiro cross the door of the high school, he had arrived a little early because he wanted to familiarize himself as quickly as possible with the facilities.

- It's true! Who could it be? I've never seen him before and he doesn't seem to be a newcomer - Although Jiro heard the muttering in the distance, he didn't think much about it and decided to explore the campus before it was time to go to the Welcoming Ceremony.

The student life at Shinsei was very lively, or so Jiro thought, there was a lot of movement inside the facilities even though it was the first day.

There was a tradition at Shinsei that the student with the highest score in the entrance exams would give a word of welcome and thanks to all the students, teachers and administrators at the school. However, this year things had changed a bit. The person with the highest score would be unable to attend the Welcoming Ceremony and a week ago Jiro who was the runner-up in the exams had been asked to give a speech; which to the school's surprise he also declined because even though he could attend the Ceremony he would not have a chance to prepare a proper speech and practice it properly without neglecting his responsibilities at home. So this year something unprecedented in the last 80 years of Shinsei High School tradition was happening, there would be no welcoming speech for the incoming students and this responsibility was transferred to the current Student President Sato Masako.

Once the Ceremony was over, all the students began to look for their names on the information boards to find out which room they would be in. Jiro after looking for his name finally realized that he would be in classroom 1-C so he decided to go there quickly. He was quite nervous as due to special circumstances it had been over a year since he had attended any school.

- Hey, hey, who's that guy? - More girls were whispering as Jiro walked down the hallways towards his classroom. - Is he walking into a first grade classroom, is he really our age? -

Jiro during junior high school was very good at sports in general; although, despite this he tried not to stand out too much as he became overwhelmed with many people around him, something he would have to get used to quickly from now on, for as soon as he set foot inside the classroom 3 girls rushed up to him.

- Welcome! - One of them exclaimed - My name is Sano Miku, what's yours? -

- Oh! You are very handsome, I'm glad to have such beautiful people in the classroom, we'll be a very popular class! - shouted the other one

- Hey, hey, do you have a girlfriend? You look very mature - finished exclaiming the last one.

- Eto... - Jiro was bombarded with one question after another that he couldn't finish answering any of them.

- Now, now. Leave Jiro Sempai alone please, the poor guy couldn't even sit in his place - Out of nowhere a girl slipped in between Jiro and the three girls who were accosting him with questions.

- Jiro, your place is over there at the end, it's your turn to sit behind me! Aren't you glad? - The girl completely ignored the atmosphere and took Jiro by the hand to lead him to the end of the room so he could put things in their place.

- Oh, Mio! I'll be in the same classroom as you? - Jiro let himself be carried away by the completely surprised girl.

-... Jiro?! ... Mio?! ... SEMPAI?! - The three girls stood dumbfounded at the doorway of the classroom wondering what kind of relationship they would have to speak to each other by name and with such familiarity. Many theories were made in their heads, but the one that gained the most strength inside their heads was that they were boyfriend and girlfriend and above all... What had that been about Sempai?

- Kota told me that you had managed to enter Shinsei, but I never imagined that we would be in the same room - Jiro began a casual conversation with the girl who came to his rescue.

- I was in the 140th place... I don't know if that's a great achievement, although I didn't know it either, Kota arrived earlier to see the lists of the classrooms, you know? He is very excited that we can go to school together again - Mio settled in the seat in front of Jiro, but turning towards him to be able to talk with him easier.

- He hasn't changed at all, he's still full of energy. I hope we can see each other later, I haven't been able to visit him at home lately - Jiro smiled while talking to Mio.

- Don't worry! He told me that today after the induction we can go for a meal together, is that okay with you Jiro-Sempai? -

- ehhhh, are you sure? If you're going out on a date I wouldn't want to go with you - Jiro exclaimed with a tone of displeasure of remembering a scene from the past. When Mio and Kota started dating in junior high school Jiro accompanied them on one occasion, it was one of his hardest evenings to see such a sugar-coated scene in front of him.

- No no no no no, I can see Kota any other day, let's all go out together today! Besides, Hanae-chan doesn't go out until the afternoon, right? You have time before she gets home. - Jiro knew very well that when Mio got something in her head he could never convince her, besides if Kota supported her they were hopeless.

Mio is the girlfriend of Kota, Jiro's best friend, the three of them went to the same junior high school only that Mio was a year younger than them. They started their relationship when Kota and Jiro were in their second year. Kota and Jiro are childhood friends, they have been together for many years, but because of special circumstances where Jiro had not been able to study for more than a year they had separated. So now, he would have to be in the same classroom as Mio.

- Okay... I give up, let's go eat later. Only I won't be able to stay long because today is also my first day at the new job - Jiro smiled warmly.

- Masaki-san, Masaki-san! Are you his girlfriend? Why do you call him Sempai? - The girls started their attack again, but this time directed at Mio that when she turned from her seat she found herself facing 4 different girls this time, Jiro couldn't help but feel uncomfortable that the girls were talking about him right in front of him, they were ignoring him completely.

Suddenly they heard the classroom door close and in front of them was a teacher.

- Everyone take your seats! - She quickly went to the center of the room and began to explain the general induction as each of the students took their seat. - Welcome everyone, I hope this is the beginning of three wonderful years for all of you, in your seats there are sheets with the layout of the school, with the general regulations, forbidden areas and also all the clubs we have in the school. -

While the teacher was explaining Jiro noticed something. There was an empty spot next to him. "I thought everyone entering high school was looking forward to coming to the welcoming ceremony" immersed in his thoughts because of that empty seat Jiro stopped paying attention to what the teacher was saying.

- This year your classroom is special, because the two people with the highest GPAs in the entrance exams are here. Can you introduce yourself, Yoshida? - Hearing his name Jiro came back from his world to find all their eyes on him and the teacher waiting for an answer.

He stood up immediately. - Sorry, I was a little distracted. My name is Jiro, I missed a year of school, I am currently 16 years old, thank you very much for receiving me - Jiro made a small bow - I would just like to ask a favor... I would like all of you to call me by my first name, Jiro, please don't use my last name. Thank you very much... - When he straightened his back again he smiled and everyone around him clapped lightly, they were thinking he was really great looking and they wanted him to be their friend because he would surely become popular among the girls.

As they sat down the teacher continued with her explanation. - Inoue is the person who got the first place in the entrance exams, unfortunately she could not attend classes today so you will meet her tomorrow. - Jiro then understood that Inoue would be sitting next to him starting tomorrow, "So I will be sitting next to the girl who beat me in the entrance exams... huh? What kind of person will she be?

- Okay, now there's something important I have to tell everyone. - The teacher continued with the explanation this time in a more serious tone. - Starting this year the school has decided that it is MANDATORY for all students to belong to an extracurricular club, it's important for their des... -

Jiro before he realized it stood up quickly and let out a shout - Heeeee! - Everyone was surprised to hear such a blunt claim.

- No way, is that really necessary? - Jiro had responsibilities outside of school so it would be almost impossible for him to have extra curricular classes.

- Jiro, please sit down. We'll talk about your situation when the induction is over - Jiro sat back down at his teacher's words and although he was still completely surprised by the sudden change in his situation, he was a little glad that the teacher was also fulfilling his selfish wish to be called by his name.

- I'm really sorry Jiro-Sempai... I didn't know anything about it either. - Mio turned a little with Jiro to apologize, her eyes curved and a little dejected as she seemed to understand perfectly the situation Jiro was in. While he wrapped his hands around his head trying to think of what to do.

At the end of the class Jiro stayed in the classroom to talk to his teacher while Mio left the building to meet Kota, she told Jiro that they would wait for him at the entrance of the school to have lunch together.

After almost half an hour later Jiro finally caught up with his friends crestfallen and with a lot of thoughts in his mind. Until he felt a strong tug on his neck.

- Ha! - Kota had hung on him and they both fell to the ground. - What the hell are you doing! - Jiro claimed while Kota laughed loudly lying on the ground.

- I haven't seen my best friend in a long time, how are you Jiro? - Kota stood up while holding out his hand to Jiro.

- Fine and much better if you weren't around - Jiro took his hand and got up with his help, both boys looked at each other with a look of trust. They had been friends since elementary school so they knew everything about each other.

- How is Hanae doing? - Kota asked Jiro as they both walked out of the school together with Mio who quickly grabbed Kota's hand and started walking together.

- She's fine, she entered junior high school a week ago so fortunately I didn't have to miss her entrance ceremony. -

- Oh, what a responsible brother. - Mio said it openly smiling at Jiro who just smiled and they kept walking to a nearby coffee shop where they each ordered their favorite drink, for Mio a cookie frappe, for Kota a Matcha tea and for Jiro an American coffee without any sweetener.

- Guys, I won't be able to stay long, I have my first day at my new job in the afternoon. - Jiro commented to his friends as he took a sip of his coffee.

- You won't be working with Mr. Bushido anymore? - asked Kota.

- He has helped me during all these years, but it would be a bit unfair to ask him for more support because from now on I will only be free for half of the day and he needs full support... - Jiro remained thoughtful. - However... with this new school rule... - Jiro was starting to get a little depressed again.

- I was also very surprised when I heard it from Mio, we second years haven't been asked for that requirement, only new entrants. -

- What did the teacher tell you Jiro-Sempai? -

- The rule is absolute, I really have to join a club... she told me that there are club options that don't need so much time and that I have a week to decide... But if I don't find a solution, I will probably have to look for another school or wait another year to study. - For Jiro quitting work was not an option, all the students within Shinsei Private High School came from families with enough status to be able to afford tuition, so for Jiro the only way he could have gotten into this school was to have obtained a scholarship which he achieved by being second place in the entrance exams. Also because of this it was understandable that the school decided this kind of rules, for them, most of their students don't need to work so they can spend more time getting ready in extra activities inside the school.

Mio didn't know what to say about it as she had just joined the school together with Jiro so she didn't understand yet how things worked, so Kota was the one who spoke up.

- I think I know a couple of clubs that could understand your situation, we can go visit them tomorrow, but let's do our best so you can continue studying with us. Is that okay with you best friend? -

Jiro smiled, took a sip of his coffee and said.

- That's fine with me. -

It was about 2pm when Jiro was arriving to his new job, today would be just an introductory day so he could leave by 5pm, before he entered he sent a message to Hanae to check if she was already at home. Hanae replied almost immediately with emojies, stickers and a picture of something that looked like an egg. "And now... What experiment are you doing sis? Please let it be edible..." Jiro thought, but then proceeded to send only a sticker to imply that he had read the message.

Jiro walked in and saw the manager of the hotel where she would be working and approached her.

- I'm Yoshida Jiro, I'm here for training. Nice to meet you! - Oh, Jiro-kun, right? - She was a young woman around 30 years old, wearing the hotel's uniform. Jiro was quickly surprised that a stranger called him by name.

- Surprised? Don't worry! Mr. Bushido has been very kind to us as a supplier, he was the one who recommended you, remember? He told us wonderful things about you and he also told me how you like to be addressed. Is it okay if I call you Jiro-kun? -

- Yes! Thank you very much for your attentions from now on - Jiro felt doubly grateful and very relieved, "Thank you very much Mr. Bushido" he thought inside as he geared up for a productive day.

Jiro also knew well that working in a service place was the best option as thanks to the area they were in, he would be able to earn more. Mr. Bushido produced a sake from the region and in addition to that he had a restaurant-bar. As such, Jiro knew everything from preparing drinks, serving tables, cleaning and many other things. He had been working since he was quite young and was fully accustomed to people.

- Please wait in the foyer while the start time is given Jiro, I'm waiting for all the people who will be working today to arrive so I can start giving directions. - The manager commented to Jiro as she returned to her workspace at the front desk of the hotel.

It was a hotel with 20 rooms, a restaurant, a gazebo on the rooftop and a large lobby full of different couches, so Jiro decided to sit in one of the couches that faced the hotel's reception and also the hotel's entrance. As he waited, he tried to think of possible solutions to his precarious situation at the high school. It was not only his life but also his little sister Hanae's, he definitely couldn't stop working, but if he left school his sister would be very sad because she would know that he would be leaving in order to continue working and taking care of her. Jiro had many responsibilities which he didn't discuss with anyone, the only ones who knew were Mio and Kota and even then they couldn't really help, just listen to him and keep him going.

While Jiro was immersed in his depressive thoughts he heard the front door, looked up and out of nowhere a girl came running. She looked foreign and really young, not very tall, long golden hair tied in a ponytail, wearing a baseball cap, a white blouse at the waist, shorts, long socks and sneakers. For a moment they exchanged glances as she ran past, but it was only for a couple of seconds because she continued running until she reached the reception desk. She left behind a fruity scent and for the first time during the day Jiro stopped thinking about his problems or about school, his mind went blank when he saw those blue eyes of the girl who would become in the future the author of tons of worries and also of many joys.

She left behind a fruity scent and for the first time during the day Jiro stopped thinking about his problems or about school, his mind went blank when he saw those blue eyes of the girl who would become in the future the author of tons of worrie...
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Chapter end