Kenji
After the intense training earlier, the day rolled on, slipping into the steady rhythm of normal classes at St. Freya.
The chatter of students and the rustling of notes filled the air, creating a mix of liveliness and focus.
For Kenji, it was still all new. His first lecture of the day zipped by in a blur of explanations and rapid-fire note-taking. Himeko's sharp gaze swept over the room like a hawk's, keeping everyone in line.
Kenji tried to keep up, but every other term felt foreign. He caught himself glancing around the room, noticing how everyone else seemed to handle it with ease.
Mei's notebook was neat, every line precise. Bronya's tablet gleamed with perfectly organized diagrams. And then there was Kiana, who—of course—was doodling on the corner of her page, only half-listening.
'At least someone's not stressed out of their mind,' he thought, shaking his head slightly before diving back into his notes.
When the lunch bell finally rang, Kenji's stomach growled like it was trying to echo the bell's sound.
He followed Kiana, Mei, and Bronya to the cafeteria, the sight of the buffet layout making his eyes widen.
There was everything from steaming trays of noodles to platters of fresh fruit, and before he knew it, his tray was piled high with food. He noticed the others staring at him as they sat down.
Kiana tilted her head, her face blank. "Uh, Kenji? Are you feeding an entire family or just yourself?"
Mei raised an eyebrow, concern flashing across her face. "You definitely didn't eat this much back then. Is this... normal for you?" she asked carefully.
Kenji blinked at them, glancing at his plate. "What? This is normal! I just didn't have enough money to buy this much," he said defensively, his words muffled by a mouth full of food.
"Hey, you two eat just as much," he added, pointing a fork at them.
Kiana didn't even flinch. She deadpaned at him. "Sure, keep telling yourself that," she said, stabbing a piece of chicken off her plate.
Mei shrugged it aside and also focused on her food. Bronya was quiet, though her eyes briefly flicked to Kenji's towering plate before she went back to her tablet.
Despite the teasing, the atmosphere was light and easy. The laughter and casual banter made Kenji feel like he was settling in.
The afternoon classes dragged on, a mix of lectures and hands-on exercises. Kenji found himself juggling between trying to keep up and sneaking glances at Mei's notes whenever he got lost.
She noticed, of course, and would quietly slide her notebook closer, her soft smile reassuring him that she didn't mind.
Bronya occasionally chimed in with quick, precise answers to his questions, her monotone voice somehow making even the most complex ideas seem straightforward.
Looks like she is starting to warm up to him, kind of.
When the clock finally hit 2 PM, signaling the end of the day's classes, the entire room seemed to let out a collective sigh of relief.
As the students packed their bags, Kiana stretched dramatically, groaning as if she'd just run a marathon.
"I survived another day!" she declared loudly, earning a few chuckles from nearby students.
Kenji shook his head, laughing under his breath as he packed up his things. "Barely," he muttered, earning a playful glare from Kiana.
As they walked out of the classroom, Mei turned to Kenji, her voice thoughtful. "Kenji, where are you staying, actually? We used to stay at Himeko's place before getting our dorms, but I don't think there are any new dorms for you."
Kenji opened his mouth, but before he could get a word out, a firm hand clapped down on his shoulder. He turned around, startled, to see Himeko standing behind him with her usual grin.
"I was just about to talk to you about that. Perfect timing, huh?" she said, her tone light as she let go of his shoulder.
Kenji blinked. "Uh, yeah. What's this about?"
Himeko's grin didn't falter. "We're heading to Theresa's office to sort it out. And you three are coming along too," she added, nodding toward Kiana, Mei, and Bronya.
The trio exchanged puzzled looks but didn't argue. "Alright," Mei said.
Kiana, meanwhile, looked like she was holding back a barrage of questions, her curiosity clearly piqued.
/ — /
As they followed Himeko through the academy's winding hallways, Kenji's curiosity only grew.
"So, any guesses?" Kenji asked, glancing at Kiana.
Kiana shrugged, folding her hands behind her head. "Maybe they're giving you some fancy dorm. Or maybe they're sticking you in a storage room." She grinned mischievously.
"Kiana," Mei said, her voice lightly scolding. But the small smile on her face said that she was also amused at the idea of him being put in a storage room.
When they reached Theresa's office, Himeko knocked once before pushing the door open.
The group stepped into Theresa's office, a cozy yet cluttered room that perfectly matched the principal's cheerful personality.
Books, reports, and the occasional odd trinket were scattered across her desk, giving the space a welcoming, albeit chaotic, vibe.
The sunlight streaming through the tall windows added a warm glow to the room. Theresa herself sat behind the desk, her legs swinging slightly as she glanced up at them with a bright smile.
"Hi, Aunt Terri!" Kiana greeted enthusiastically, waving as she bounded into the room. Her tone was casual, bordering on teasing, and her grin was as wide as ever.
"Kiana, how many times do I have to tell you not to call me that here?" Theresa replied, her voice carrying a hint of exasperation.
"But it's so fitting!" Kiana shot back, plopping into a chair without waiting for an invitation. She leaned back with her arms crossed, looking entirely at ease.
Theresa shook her head, motioning for the others to sit. "Alright, everyone, take a seat. Himeko, as usual, you'll be standing."
Himeko chuckled lightly, crossing her arms and leaning casually against the desk. Kenji hesitated for a moment, glancing around the room before taking a seat next to Mei and Bronya.
Theresa's expression shifted slightly, her cheerful demeanor giving way to a more serious tone as she folded her hands on the desk.
"So," she began, "finding accommodations for Kenji has proven… more difficult than I'd anticipated. And, well, the storage room might actually be more comfortable than what we've come up with so far."
There was a beat of silence before Kiana burst into laughter. "Called it!" she declared, leaning back in her chair with a self-satisfied grin.
Her triumph was short-lived as Himeko's hand came down on the back of her head with a resounding smack. "Show some respect." Himeko scolded.
Theresa cleared her throat, drawing their attention back to her. "Now, the reason I brought you three girls here is that I have a request. Since Kiana and Mei are already close with Kenji, I'd like to ask if you three would be willing to let him stay in your dorm room for the time being. An extra room will be built in, rest assured, but after weighing the options, this seemed like the best solution. What do you say?"
The trio exchanged startled glances, caught off guard by the request. Kenji, equally surprised, felt a wave of awkwardness wash over him.
'Live with three girls? Is this seriously happening? I'm gonna die.' It wasn't just strange. It felt like an obvious ploy to keep a closer eye on him. He glanced at the others, who seemed just as unsure.
"Alright," Kiana said suddenly, jumping to her feet. "Group huddle!" She grabbed Mei and Bronya by the arms, dragging them to a corner of the room. The three whispered among themselves, their backs turned to the others.
"Okay, so here's my take," Kiana started, her voice low but firm. "I don't mind Kenji staying with us. I've known him long enough to know he's not a creep. But what about you two?"
Mei's lips curled into a soft smile, her whisper laced with amusement. "Kiana, if there's anyone we should worry about being a creep, it's you."
Kiana's face turned red as she waved her hand dismissively. "Oh, shut it! Just make up your mind already!"
Mei chuckled, her expression thoughtful. "I'm okay with it. Kenji's a good friend, and I don't see a problem with him staying with us. Though until his room is ready, he's going to have to sleep on the couch." She turned to Bronya. "But what about you? If you're uncomfortable, we won't force it."
Bronya's eyes widened slightly at the question before returning to their usual calm. She paused, considering Mei's words carefully. "Bronya finds the arrangement acceptable. If Kiana and Mei trust Kenji, Bronya will trust him as well," she said simply, her tone flat but decisive. But Mei swore she could hear something else in her flat tone, but she brushed it aside for now.
Kiana clapped her hands together, her grin returning. "Great! Decision made!"
The trio returned to their seats, their verdict clear. Kenji glanced between them, feeling a twinge of guilt. "Look, you don't have to let me stay if you're not comfortable—"
"Oh, shut it," Kiana interrupted, waving him off. "You can stay, old man."
Kenji blinked, startled by her bluntness. Mei turned to Theresa, her voice steady. "We wouldn't mind having Kenji live with us, Principal."
Kenji exhaled. "Thanks, you three. Really."
Kiana and Mei smiled warmly, while Bronya gave a small nod, her expression as neutral as ever.
Theresa clapped her hands together, looking visibly relieved. "Then it's decided! You have no idea how much paperwork you just saved me. Anyway, that's all I needed to say. Unless you have any questions, you're free to go."
The four exchanged glances. Seeing no one had anything to add, they stood and filed out of the office, followed by Himeko who gave Theresa a wave.
/ — /
The group, along with Himeko, arrived at the dorms to find an unexpected sight: a pile of luggage neatly stacked in front of the door.
Kenji stopped in his tracks, staring at the bags with a puzzled expression.
"How did you get my stuff here so fast?" he asked, turning toward Himeko, his brow furrowed in disbelief.
Himeko simply shrugged. "I have my ways," she said, offering no further explanation.
Kenji sighed, realizing that getting a straight answer out of her was a futile effort. 'Typical Himeko.' he thought, shaking his head before stepping forward to grab a couple of suitcases.
He barely managed to lift them when Mei appeared by his side, gently taking one of the bags from his hand.
"Mei, I can handle this," Kenji protested, glancing at her.
Mei raised an eyebrow, giving him a firm look. "No, you are not bringing all these things inside by yourself," she said. Her voice left no room for argument. Then, turning to Kiana and Bronya, she added, "Come on, you two, help us out."
Kiana let out an exaggerated groan, her shoulders slumping dramatically. "Fine, fine," she said, picking up a bag and tossing it over her shoulder. "But if he's got bricks in here, I'm dumping them back outside."
Bronya bent down and grabbed a suitcase without a word. Her small frame belied her strength, and she lifted it with ease.
Kenji opened his mouth to argue, but decided against it. 'There's no winning here,' he thought, resigning himself to letting them help.
Together, the group carried the luggage inside. All of them, that is, except Himeko, who leaned casually against the doorframe.
Once the last bag was brought in, Kenji set it down and straightened up, taking a moment to look around the living room. The space was cozy, with a sofa and a coffee table arranged neatly in the center.
A small kitchen area was visible through the doorway, and soft, natural light filtered through the windows, giving the room a warm, welcoming feel. It was simple, but it had character.
"Pretty neat place,
Himeko finally stepped inside and addressed the group. "Alright, so here's the deal," she began, her tone shifting to something more official. "The extra room will be built here soon, along with another bathroom. Expect it to take about two or three days. In the meantime, Kenji, you're stuck on the couch."
Kenji nodded. "Works for me."
Himeko's gaze turned sharp as she stepped closer, locking eyes with Kenji. Her expression was serious, though the corner of her mouth twitched in the faintest hint of a smirk. "And finally," she said, her tone firm, "don't try anything funny, young man."
Kenji blinked, taken aback by the sudden intensity. He raised his hands defensively, nodding quickly. "Yes, ma'am,"
Satisfied, Himeko straightened up. "Good," she said, clapping her hands once. "Alright, I'm out of here. Try not to burn the place down. I'm looking at you, Kiana!"
She turned toward the door, waving casually as she stepped out. The door clicked shut behind her, leaving Kenji, Kiana, Mei, and Bronya standing in the living room, the space suddenly feeling quieter without Himeko's larger-than-life presence.
Kiana flopped onto the couch with a dramatic sigh, stretching her arms over her head. "Well, this is gonna be interesting," she said, glancing at Kenji with a mischievous grin. "You better not snore."
"I don't snore," Kenji shot back, narrowing his eyes at her.
"Yeah, sure," Kiana replied, rolling her eyes.
Mei laughed softly, stepping over to begin unpacking one of Kenji's bags. "Let's focus on getting everything organized first," she said. "It'll feel more like home once everything's in place."
Kenji smiled, shaking his head slightly. "Alright, alright. Let's get to it."