Chapter LXI: A Maple in the Sakura
A leaf falls down to the ground, and the sky is covered by the unwavering wave of clouds above. Akiko goes into their classroom, but gets disoriented since they are not Class 2-A anymore, they are already in Class 3-A. While locating their classroom, she bumps into their English teacher.
"Chisai, you're early for your first day" (English teacher)
"No I'm Ali, Muhammad Ali, just kidding ma'am lol" (Akiko)
The teacher then laughs at her joke.
"Lol, you're looking for your homeroom, I take it?"
"Yes ma'am", says Akiko as she nods to her.
"Just go turn right from this corridor and you'll find the signage of Class 3-A SHS above it"
"Alright, thank you ma'am", Akiko says and bows her head to her.
"I could accompany you to go there"
Akiko nods shyly to her, and so they go off to the classroom. While walking,
"Ma'am, have you watched the latest episode of Avenge of the Titan?"
"Nahh, I was finishing the live action of Ocean Odyssey, however I will watch the latest episode of it"
"Oh that, I think I spend 2 years watching all its episode in Anime"
"That's true, I only finished it at episode 300, that's why I watched the live-action instead"
After a while, they then get to the classroom. Akiko goes inside and the English teacher tells her to wait for the others. After complying to her instructions, the English teacher goes back to the faculty. Shortly after, the classroom door opens, and it's Kota. He then says,
"Hey, you're early for first day. You hyped? Lol"
"I'm hyped to be with you broo"
They then hug one another. Many has already happened then. As they let go, memories come rushing into her mind which makes Akiko laugh.
"Hey, what are you laughing about?" (Kota)
"Do you remember what happened during our Recognition Program?" (Akiko)
"Oh that, yeah. Couldn't get over with that lmao" (Kota)
During their recognition program, the whole auditorium was filled with gratitude, honor, proudness, joy, delight, and valor as the students of the Senior Highschool get awarded. When the program was about to end,
"Before we all depart and closing of school year 2022-2023, we then proceed with the singing of the school's anthem to be conducted by the Class Adviser of Class 2-A, Ms. Maika Ezura"
"So that's the name of their adviser", one of the parents says.
"Huh? For the whole time, you don't know her name? You should show up at meetings more often", Kota's mother says to the parent.
As Ms. Ezura was lifting her hands horizontally, the anthem starts but something is odd.
"Bruh, isn't this the anthem from that Demon School anime?" (Asahi)
"I think it is lmao" (Enmei)
"Hey, I'm still watching that" (Kota)
"My bad" (Enmei)
They then switch back to the real anthem of their school. The boys at the sound system were scolded due to the that as the principal facepalms. The flashback then ends.
"That's very unforgettable, still got that glued in my head" (Kota)
"Bro, I still can't forget the time you gave me that cake" (Akiko)
"Oh that, yeah ofc, a token of my gratitude and love" (Kota)
"Kinda reminds me of Stire lol" (Akiko)
Way back in August, Kota passes by a cakeshop and sees a purple cupcake within that shop. He looks delighted and stops at the shop, and buys the cupcake. Following on their hangout, he gives her the cake.
"Aww Kota, you shouldn't have" (Akiko)
"What can I say, it's your favorite cake" (Kota)
"That is cute my ai, love you so much *chu-chu*" (Akiko)
They both snap back as the flashback ends.
"How about that time when we went to that resort in Nagasaki?" (Akiko)
"You mean during that one junior's birthday?", says Hanako as she just got inside the classroom.
"Hi bestie", Akiko and Hanako hug one another.
During the summer, a junior who is the nephew of their English teacher hands out invitations for his birthday. Most of the class went to the said event. Splish-splashing everywhere as they got into a resort in Nagasaki. They all got changed for their swimwear. Asahi and Enmei jumps into the pool and chases one another in a game of tag as well as for the English teacher's nephew. Kota on the other hand, going to the jacuzzi.
"Ahh, nice relaxation that is upon me, I haven't experienced this but oh well"
After seating there for just a while, closing his eyes for the sensation,
"Hey, can I join in?"
He opens his eyes and turns out it was Akiko. He complies and she gets in also. The flashback then ends again.
In the classroom, many have already went inside. As the clock strikes, the English teacher arrives.
"Good morning ma'am", they all greet her.
"Ma'am, who is our adviser for this school year?" (The Class Rep)
"Yeah, I'm going to elaborate on that, and it may be a shock. So settle down class, as I bring the bad news, and the good news"
The class is in dead air as they hear that announcement.
"First off, Ms. Maika Ezura, your adviser last school year, has left the school together with other teachers from the faculty. Sadly to say, all of them left me in the faculty, all Senior Highschool teachers. That's why, I, Ms. Fuyutsuki Soumei, will be your class adviser for the school year 2023-2024. However, I will also be your English teacher again. If you have complains about your subject teachers, feel free to approach me. If you guys have an unsolvable problem, problems about personal, relationships, or decisions, I am here to listen and advise. I am your adviser, as I take responsibility as your adviser, I'm here to guide, and advise you of all things as y'all are my students. Not to be being formal but it's just sad to say, the teachers that y'all were with, no longer here"
The class is shocked with this announcement. Ms. Soumei suddenly gets a phone call and goes outside the classroom. The class huddles to speak about Ms. Ezura.
"Why did they all left?" (Tengen)
"Even the Literature Club Adviser?" (Kota)
"Yeah, they all transferred to another school. However, the school system became indifferent since the pandemic" (Class Rep)
"I've heard that some of the teachers have low salary" (Toshiro)
"Hmm, something isn't right here, what if we'll check?" (Satou)
"Maybe, but—" (Toshiro)
Ms. Soumei then opens the door, and begins the orientation.
"Ugh, not this again!" (Gin)
"Oh well, we have to do it again" (Asahi)
"It's ok guys, I'll be Arima and you'll be Izuku, lmao" (Kota)
"Nah, I already know you all, right? It's not like there's going to be a new student—" (Ms. Soumei)
The door opens and a blonde girl who has the most fairest skin in the whole school; who is accompanied by the principal and an old lady in a formal attire. The two then have a word with Ms. Soumei. After that, she announces to the whole class,
"Ok everybody, we have a new student. He's an exchange student from North America"
"That's the most fairest skin I've ever seen" (Toshiro)
"I think I'm in loved with Snow White here" (Katsu, Toshiro's friend)
Toshiro then smacks him after saying this.
"Eyy, America wazzup my nig-" (Gin)
"NO!" (The Gang)
"It's North America dufus! It's maybe the US or Mexico!" (Kota)
"Settle down now, that's not the behavior we want to welcome our new comrade. She is actually from Canada, the Land of the Maple Leaf. Young lady, would you introduce yourself in front of the class" (Ms. Soumei)
"Well certainly ma'am" (The blonde girl)
She gets up in front of the class.
"Heyyow, Konichiwa!"
Some of the class tries to muffle their giggles as they heard her accent.
"SHHHSS!!" (Ms. Soumei)
The whole class then stops.
"Hello everybody, my name is Eloise Murasaki, 17 years old, and I'm from Toronto, Canada. Nice to meet you all, I hope we all get along", she says with fluency. The class then are shocked of that.
The principal is also shocked saying,
"What a wonderful accent you have"
"She is part-Japanese though, her father is Japanese", says the old lady in formal attire and adds,
"Btw,students, I'm Cosette Margaux Beaulieu, the principal of the school where Eloise came from"
The class gets relieved of hearing that since they thought she's going to be a new teacher at school. The new student then goes to sit in her seat.
At lunch, the squad gathers up at the cafeteria,
"Hey guys, have y'all watched the new Avenge of the Titan episode?" (Akiko)
"Nah, I was busy during summer vacation" (Enmei)
"Same" (Asahi)
"Oh c'mon! Et Tu Kota?" (Akiko)
"Seriously? I always have time for anime" (Kota)
From afar, Eloise tries to approach them. However the bell rings and they all go for their afternoon session again.