209 Chapter one, 2016, rainy days: 1 (2/2)
Ryu's dad was forty, which made him ten years Urufu's junior, which in turn made no sense at all since Ryu and Urufu both were freshmen at Himekaizen. Transitions between worlds and bodies did funny things to the concept of age.
”Urufu, leave him be!” came Noriko's voice, but Ryu could hear how his sister hid her laughter among her admonishing words.
Waiting for Urufu to answer Ryu listened to the subdued noise of his shoes tapping against wet tarmac. Splashing more likely. A short spell of rain had just passed them by and puddles of water glittered in the lamplights.
From time to time headlights dazzled them and when the sound of engines vanished behind them Ryu had to blink away the sudden sensation of blindness.
Almost a block they walked before he understood that Urufu had declined to respond.
”I think they're done for,” Noriko said to banish the awkward silence. ”Himekaizen just went public with the decision to admit ten freshmen classes, and I think Irishima High will announce that they're admitting an extra class soon enough.”
'When did you hear that?'
”I know,” Urufu said. ”I spoke to the old goat an hour ago. They'll suspend Christina for a week while they decide how to handle her previous part time work.”
”What?” Kuri suspended?
”You haven't heard?”
”Heard what?”
”Apparently Christina worked part time as a hostess during spring term,” Urufu said. ”They're kinda pissed off at school right now.”
No, he hadn't heard. But if this was true then anyone on a vengeance trip was certain to lay their hands on a bucketful of ammunition.
”How bad is it?” Ryu asked.
”Anyone but Christina or me and we'd be talking automatic expulsion,” Urufu said. ”They want us arrivals attending Himekaizen for some reason, so that won't happen.”
'Because you're some kind of special kids? And just shove it Ryu! They are special. I need to accept that.' Ryu shook his head in disgust of his own envy.
”What's the fallout?”
”They'll tack on an extra week of suspension I guess. She'll get drowned in make-up classes and her agency will get one hell of a firmer grip on her career.”
”And why is that so bad?” Ryu wondered.
”Idiot bro! Urufu, I'm so sorry!” Noriko suddenly shot in.
”Can't be helped,” Urufu said. ”With a bit of luck they won't force us to break up immediately.”
”Whoa! Break up?”
”Yeah. They'll want to purify her reputation, make a decent girl out of her and all that shit. Just because you suffer from an epic case of Madonna whore complex in Japan.” Urufu went silent and stared at his shoes. ”Fucking third world backwater excuse for a country!”