7 Chapter one, 2016, school start: 3 (2/2)
”The favour or a favour?” Urufu-kun threw a sidelong glance as if to make sure they weren't overheard.
”A favour. I don't know what you want yet,” Yukio answered after a few moments of thought. He threw a glance at the clock. They still had some time to finish their conversation before class.
Urufu-kun grinned back. Then his expression turned serious all of a sudden. ”I want to start a club.”
That was unexpected. Yukio looked at Urufu-kun as he fished for his smart phone in his blazer. A plain looking, foreign model. South Korean brand. So we're going to have one of those talks when he needs help translating.
Yukio aimed at shooting down the topic quickly. Urufu-kun was prone to exotic fantasies from time to time. ”Yeah, first years always start clubs and get them recognised. In manga, that is. How were you planning to do it in the real world?”
”Look, I'll just do it as in a manga. I'm a fifty year old CEO in my old teenage body, so I see no reason why I should adhere to any real world constraints.”
There was that of course. ”No one here believes that,” Yukio tried.
They exchanged glances. Both knew that wasn't entirely true.
”Be that as it may. I have an idea that should have a chance of not getting shot down immediately.”
Yukio let his eyes wander along the sakura trees framing the school yard. ”Explain.”
Urufu-kun stabbed a few sentences into the screen and showed the translation. ”Cultural exchange. A youth partnership club, secondary education. We'll need one in Sweden as well, but I believe I can arrange that.”
”Huh?”
”Two clubs, organised by students. One here, and one in Sweden. Both clubs exist to exchange knowledge and experience for the benefit of their members.
”OK?”
”In the other world, where I'm fifty, I went to a small, elite high school in my home city. They're fairly open minded, so that end shouldn't pose any problems. At least not if they're contacted by a Swedish student from here.”
”You're not Swedish,” Yukio objected, referring both to Urufu-kun's official status as well as his looks. This was turning into one of those strange three part conversations. Urufu-kun, himself and a digital gadget.
”Hence the favour,” came the reply. Urufu-kun hesitated for a moment, as if he was ashamed. ”I know this may be a bit too much to ask. But anyway.” He hesitated again. ”I understand that you're acquainted with Takeida Kyoko.”
Yukio stared at the sakura rather than facing his friend. ”I wish.” And he really did. The busty girl in 3:1 had caught his attention from the day he saw her.
”Come, come. You are… ah, at least interested in being so,” Urufu-kun suggested.
That was true, Yukio admitted to himself. ”And so?”
”I'm primarily interested in that Swedish girl, Christina.”
”You don't say,” Yukio laughed. ”That makes you unique, along with just about every other guy in this school.”
Urufu-kun smiled. He looked a bit guilty, which only proved he was one of the boys despite his real age. ”Ah, yes, that, of course.” At least he had the decency to blush slightly before he continued. ”But no, not in that way. At least not for the purpose of the club I'm talking about.” The last sentence could have served as a minor confession in itself, but then Urufu-kun probably shared a crush on her together with all the rest of them.
”Do you think she's all that beautiful?” Yukio asked. He couldn't really see how the skinny flagpole could compare to Takeida-san's generous forms. Ageruman-san was too showy and flamboyant and he much preferred the shyer smile of her friend.
”Yukio, if you're asking something you could at least listen to the answer.”
What? ”Oh, sorry man.” Thinking of Takeida-san wasn't exactly the best way to focus on the here and now.
”Yes, I think she's all that beautiful. No matter what you say, I'm still from Sweden. Christina's pretty much a walking definition of teenage beauty from where I come.”
Yukio shook his head. Definition of female beauty. He guessed it didn't change that much over the course of a few decades.
On the street the mass of students heading for Himekaizen Academy was thinning out. They had to hurry up soon, or they'd get late to class.
Urufu-kun sighed. ”I need her as a member. If she's the one contacting my old high school, the people over there will say: 'Yes, my lady. When do you want us to start?'”
That was, Yukio admitted, probably true. ”And attracting members here would be easier as well,” he said. ”At least male members,” he added.
”Girls as well. Gather a bunch of guys aiming for one girl, and you should be able to get a few girls who head for those who get shot down first.”
Yukio stared at his friend. That was harsh. He grabbed Urufu-kun's phone and tapped a few choice words into it. Yeah, that one covers it. He turned the display to his friend. ”You're a cold blooded bastard, you know that?”
”I know.” He didn't even make an attempt to deny it.
”So, you want me to talk with Takeida-san to get her best friend to join?”
”No, not really. I want you to talk to Takeida to arrange a meeting between Christina and myself.”
I guess it's all right for him to call a westerner by her first name. ”And Ageruman-san would agree to it exactly why?”
”Because you'll tell Takeida that I represent a connection to Sweden. Despite her looks Christina's still just a fifteen year old kid all alone in a foreign country. She's bound to be homesick.”
”Did I say you're a cold blooded bastard?”
”You did, and I am.”