An Introduction to RIKKAI UNIVERSITY

Rikkai University aims to provide a holistic education for its students with its emphasis on academic and sports excellence. Most start their academic career at Rikkaidai Fuzoku Chuu, and then advance to Rikkaidai Fuzoku High School or Rikkaidai Fuzoku Technical High. Transfer students with outstanding results and achievements are also accepted each year.

The three levels, namely middle school, high school and university, are located on the same grounds. Students hold school festivals and sports events together.

Hate or Love?

Chapter One

“ ,

Niou Masaharu has been assigned to be your partner for the upcoming English project.

Do remember that the project is due in 2 months.” [1]

stared hard at her computer screen. Niou?! Niou Masaharu?! She slapped her forehead and sighed.

She stared some more at the screen, hoping the name would magically change to someone better, like Yanagi Renji, for instance. But, sadly, it did not work.

She had heard of Niou before in middle school, when he was the trickster of the tennis courts. She heard a little more of him in high school when her best friend, , started dating Yagyuu Hiroshi. And from all that she had heard (and interpreted), he was not a good guy. Lazy, playful and flirtatious - these were the three words that summed up ’s impression of him. Sure, he was good-looking, but that wasn’t enough reason for to change her mind about him.

~

“Niou,” called out as she caught sight of the silver-haired boy leaving the lecture theater the very next day.

”Ah, if it isn’t my partner,” Niou said laughingly. “It’s strange how we never got acquainted despite the fact that my old doubles partner is dating your best friend and we’ve been in the same school since we were thirteen.[2]”

looked around for an empty table, choosing to ignore the comment; she really didn’t feel like being friendly. “Are you free at the moment? I would like to discuss the project,” she commented sharply, earning an amused look from Niou.

She obviously doesn’t like me very much. Niou didn’t understand where all the ‘hatred’ came from, but he smirked inwardly and decided to play along.

“Sure, I’ve nothing on,” Niou said as they came to a free table. Niou switched on his laptop.

“So, do you’ve anything in mind, ?” Niou said in a sweet, innocent tone, which surprised slightly.

He actually bothers, and he’s unusually polite.

An observant Niou was pleased. I got her!

thought for a few seconds, and then shared some of her ideas with Niou. The boy nodded at some of her comments, but couldn’t tell whether it was out of plain acknowledgment or genuine agreement.

After brief moments of discussion, shifted Niou’s laptop in front of her and started typing away. “I’ll go down to get a drink, okay?” Niou said as he got up from his seat. nodded, and then continued with the project.

~

As soon as was out of his sight, Niou whipped out his mobile and called Yukimura.

“Hey, Seiichi? Wanna get a drink at the cafeteria?”

 

“Sure, why not, I’ll see you there in fifteen minutes,” came the reply.

~

“Okay! Eight pages done!” heaved a sigh of relief. She took a glance at the clock; she had been on this for three hours!

She frowned, noticing something amiss. So Niou wasn’t back; she was taken in by his pretense! What was that about?! Acting all concerned and nice and responsible just now.

took out her phone, hoping to give Niou a good talking to only to realize that she did not have his number. Second nature led her to call .

~

“Hi , is Yagyuu with you? Because I need his friend’s number.”

“-chan~ Hello! Which friend’s number did you want?”

 

”Niou Masaharu,” said coldly.

“Did something happen, -chan?” said, sensing anger in ’s voice.

“No no, nothing wrong,” didn’t want the other girl to worry.

“Okay, if anything is, tell me alright! Ah, back to the topic, Hiroshi-kun says it’ll be easier for you if I text-ed you Niou-kun’s number, so I’ll just do that alright?”

“Thanks , I’ll see Yagyuu and you for lunch sometime, ya?” and hung up.

Within seconds, received the text message from .

Ganbare!

It made her smile.

Yagyuu also included a message for her, “-san, if Masaharu gives you any trouble, please feel free to come to me.” giggled, cheered by the couple’s concern.

~

Niou looked at the caller ID on his phone - it was a number he had never seen before. He shrugged it off and took a sip of his coffee.

“You’re not going to pick that up, Masaharu?”

“No, don’t know who that is. Don’t want to pick up.”

“Masaharu, it may be an important call,” Yukimura said, frowning. Niou had always been so nonchalant about things.

Yukimura looked at the round clock in the cafeteria. “I should be leaving for my meeting with Genichirou and Renji. Genichirou says he has some important news for us.[3]” Yukimura had a sparkle in his eyes; obviously anticipating some great news from Sanada.

Niou waved a hand, and took yet another sip of coffee.

~

“Damn you, Niou!!” exclaimed in her head, frustrated by the series of events. He was slacking on the job, and now he was ignoring her phone call. This was worse than she had thought.

“-chan~!” a crisp voice calmed her down.

“,” she said, reaching out to hold the other girl’s hand.

“Hiroshi-kun and I came to check up on you!”

gave Yagyuu a nod and a smile.

“I see Masaharu-kun is not back yet,” Yagyuu commented, looking around the area.

“Spot on,” sighed loudly. “I got some work done though, so it’s okay.”

Yagyuu took out his mobile and dialed Niou’s number. “Masaharu-kun, your partner is waiting for you, and your laptop is here.”

“I appreciate that,” lowered her head slightly, bowing.

“He should be coming soon, he may be a slacker, but he never fails to get work done.”

”Well, he isn’t doing work if I’m the only one who’s doing it, right?” said, slightly irritated.

“Masaharu-kun is not a bad guy. Trust me, -san, I’ve known him for years,” Yagyuu assured her.

“Fine,” gave a light smile. “Now, be off to your dinner date you two!”

~

”Did you see that evil look on -chan’s face when she said she had some work done? It’s scary! I… don’t think it’s just the project…” commented.

“Ah, aren’t you thinking too much, -san?”

”No, I can’t be wrong; I’ve known for years.” teased, imitating what Yagyuu had said about Niou previously.

~

“Oie, ~” Niou called out in a cheerful voice.

“I’m glad you’re all happy and glee from all the rest you had,” commented sarcastically. “And so if you don’t mind, I’ll be going back now.” The girl stood up and walked towards the stairs.

“!” Niou called in a serious tone.

had seen this coming. She turned to meet the gaze of the trickster.

“Did you do anything to my laptop?”[4]

“Hm… let’s see.” She looked thoughtful. “I did work on it of course, and then saved our, no, my work into my thumb drive. Just in case something happens,” she added.

She smirked at his confused expression.

“You’re not the only know who knows how to play games, Niou,” she said and disappeared down the stairs.

Niou sat rooted on the bench for a moment, but quickly regained his composure. He could always go to Renji for help with computer problems.

“ huh,” Niou rested his left cheek on his palm. “What an interesting girl.”