[New AGU] Chapter 2: Welcome to AGU
Chapter 2: Welcome to AGU
Featuring: Jin, Junno, Yuuta Daigo
As soon as Tackey parked the car, the cousins dispersed. Tackey was already thinking about the tryouts for the soccer team, wishing that there would be someone who could at least take his place as Captain after he leaves. He hasn't spoken much about it, but the drafting process for the Samurais were going faster than he thought. He might not even finish the year -- so he had to think fast.
Nana was met by her boyfriend Junnosuke Eguchi at the parking lot. They went to school laughing hand in hand with Junno giving a salute to the Captain before they went towards Nana's building. Chiaki had run off as fast as she could cursing at her ringing phone and at herself for being late.
Akira had sped towards the gym where the freshmen orientation was to be held. He was student body president and he knew that he needed to be there 10 minutes ago. The busybody smiled as he entered the gym, followed by his cousin Aya who was also a freshman that year. He gave his cousin a comforting pat and told her to sit down but Aya was not convinced.
She was already nervous as it is, coming to College will her talented and beautiful sisters and cousins who earned more than laurels in the prestigious university.Tackey was a prestigious Soccer Captain and her cousin Akira was the student body president.
Her eldest sister, who was an incoming Sophomore in the University's Fashion Marketing was well known because of her killer beauty. Nana Namikaze currently held the title for the Muse of the Year and was still pursued by many guys even if she has her steady boyfriend of almost 5 years - Junnosuke Eguchi. Nana -nee also modelled for some magazines to give them more spending money and compared to her, Aya felt plain, especially since she got her body from her dad, who was a bit on the chubby side.
Nana had always said that she had a lovely figure. Voluptuous, she said but she never believed it. She was fat, unlike her slender sister and her hair --- was more like an abomination. She sighed, if onlly she was a bit prettier. Then again, Chiaki had always said that she also had the prettiest smile.
... Chiaki. The genius.
That's another older sister she had to catch up to. If Nana was the beauty, Chiaki was the brains. Chii-chan, as the sisters lovingly called her was now a Junior in college and is almost entering her medical proper. She skipped several grades and was constantly advancing in her medical studies so she overtook even the eldest who didn't seem to mind. She and her boyfriend, Yuuta Sakurai were chosen last year to participate in the National Science quiz bee which they won easily. Chiaki was the smartest of the four- while Aya was struggling to keep her grades up to par just to get to Aoyama.
And even Massu-nii had done something great too. He remembered something about the swimteam that Daddy Tackey had said this morning -- plus, Kairi was the captain of the HS Girls soccer team. And what was she? A freshman... an awkward jittery freshman....
Don't get her wrong, she was happy to be with all of her family. Daddy Tackey was proud when she got her acceptance letter and bought her all her things for the new school year. --even a new cellphone which he said would be essential in the coming years. She was grateful, but at the same time scared. What if she was the only one who didn't achieve anything in school? What if she flunked out?
Her worries made her shake as she watched her usually bratty cousin take centerstage. Akira Namikaze looked great in the spotlight. It seemed that when he is in president mode, he looked more regal - unlike the absentminded doofus she knew at home. She then realized that she had big shoes to fill -- even more now that she was starting out. She needed to find her niche-- somehow, she needed to place a mark in AGU with her name on it. She just had to find it-- and she has four years to do it.
She was doing that mental peptalk when someone approached her.
"This seat taken?"
"Huh?" Aya looked up to a cool looking guy with a bedhead, shades and a smirk. To Aya, he looked like trouble but she shook her head just the same.
"Thanks," he said and removed his shades as he sat down. "Aki's speech was almost the same as last year." The guy chuckled. "Well,he probably borrowed some more words of wisdom from Capt.Tackey though..."
"You were here last year?" Aya blinked.
"Yup," the guy nodded. "I botched my Soccer Scholarship so I just paid tuition this year. They said they'll give me another chance if I keep my grades up this year."
Aya cocked an eyebrow. "Soccer huh?"
This must be Jin. She heard about him a lot from Daddy Tackey -- some genius soccer player who flunked all his classes and was suspended from the team. Daddy must have used his magic to get him back in AGU.
"The name's Jinpei Akanishi."
"Aya Namikaze," she said.
"You're not related to Nana Namikaze aren't you?" The guy asked suddenly.
"Sister, actually." she admitted with a sigh. She knew this would happen anyway. She would be bombarded with questions about her brilliant sisters and most likely her hunk of cousins.
"Hmmm... so you're aya....I see the resemblance. Captain said all his cousins were beauties and he was right," Jin grinned. "So.... tell me, what potion did Junnosuke use to get your sister?"
"You know Junno-nii too?"
"I know all of the Lightnings," Jin nodded. "Aki too."
A teacher shushed them so they watched the orientation in silence. Aya couldn't help but steal glances at the boy next to her. He was good looking enough, and he was oozing in confidence. Plus he seemed smart from the way they were talking but, why did he flunk all the classes?
Before she knew it orientation was over and they were called to go to their respective homerooms to meet their block classmates who will be with them for the first year. she noticed that Jin was following her.
She continued walking to her class when she realized the guy followed her inside and plopped right next to her.
"Excuse me.... are you following me?" Aya asked now really curious.
"Oh, didn't the captain tell you?" the guy smirked.
"Tell me what?" Aya demanded.
Just then an incredible scream filled the hall outside and Tackey's head popped in their classroom.
"Baby Aya," he called his cousin.
Aya raised an eyebrow. He never calls her baby unless...
"I need a BIIIIG favor," Tackey said as she approached. "I see you met our Jinpei already."
"..." aya didnt answer but nodded.
"Can you kindly make sure he doesnt fail any class at all this year?" Tackey begged. "We kinda need him."
"You mean...." Aya now narrowed her eyes at Tackey.
"PLEAAAASE!!! I swear I'll double your allowance, just this year...." The eldest cousin was now practically on his knees. "He's kind of what we need to win our 6th championship ... without him the lightnings..... Please aya...."
Aya shook her head. At least she knew what she would be doing to make a mark in AGU.
"It's you and me, Aya," Jinpei smirked. I'll be in your care. Yo-ro-shi-ku!"
"Takihiro Namikaze, you owe me big time." She said as Tackey rejoiced. "Fine, I'll do it. But he better follow my rules."
"Alright, Jin, you heard the woman. She'd be your Mom for this year. Do EVERYTHING she says, or you're off the team," Tackey grinned. "And Aya if you do this, you'll be a legend."
"Of course captain! I'll follow whatever Mama says!" Jin saluted. "I'll be sitting down now, mama!"
"Mama?!" Aya's eyes widened as she whirled around at her new charge. She sighed and shook her head. This will be a very long semester for her.
------
Meanwhile, at the Medical Arts building...
Chiaki ran towards the 5th floor not minding the stairs that she had to climb. She juggled her books and bento in one hand to answer the incessantly ringing phone. "Going up the stairs now." Was all she said before she launched into full speed, making everyone avoid her in her haste.
She got into the room just before the professor did and made a beeline for the third row center chairs where her boyfriend had saved a place for her.
"Mou! You got me worried!" The sweet and girly voice of Yuuta Sakurai complained as she sat down in her mess. "And look at you, Chii! You look like you went through..."
"Hell?" Chiaki supplied. "Sorry." She apologized too. "I kinda overslept."
"I knew that could be it," Yuuta smiled. "Did you get to eat breakfast?"
Chiaki nodded. "Aya and Massu-nii managed to save me some from Aki-nii, and they gave us lunch," she raised up a rather mangled pair of boxes.
But yuuta just chuckled and did not complain. Chii was lovable this way. They had known each other since High School and had been a couple since Freshman year. He knew the quirks of this adorable genius and her unconventional family.
"At leat you got hear before Sensei did," he whispered to her as the lecture started. "I don't know what I would do without you, Chii. "
"You'd be fine, Yuuta," Chii answered who now was back in her composed stance a small smile decorating her lips at her sweet beau.
"But still, I missed you Chii," the other doctor-to-be complained. "I...will miss you."
He was glad that Chii was already concentrating on her books and barely heard the last part.
----
On the other side of campus, Nana Namikaze looked up to Junnosuke Eguchi laughing at the joke he just told. He had his arm slung casually around her shoulders and she had snuggled there in place.It had been this way for at least 5 years. THey had fallen in love in the summer of their freshman year in high school and had been crazy for each other since. She remembered all taht Junno had done for her to recieve their family's approval and finally, after some months, they had accepted their relationship. She couldn't see herself with anyone else. She felt that she belonged to Junno and they were perfect for each other.
But the eyes around the campus could not disagree more. To them, the beauty queen and the jester of a goalie was just the weirdest couple in the campus. To the criticizing eyes of the crowd, she deserved better. She deserved at least a prince, or even better the King of Aoyama Gakuin University , Daisuke Hoshizuna who they knew was interested with Nana.
"Good morning, Nana-chan! Junnosuke!," the heir said from his post near the stairs of the Liberal Arts building where the girl will have her first class. He nodded politely at the goalie who raised an eyebrow at the lofty greeting to his girlfriend. "I heard you will need a model for your Men's Tailoring class for this semester. If you still do not have a model," he smiled brilliantly at her. "I would like to volunteer." He bowed lowly to her.
That was a first. The king, lowering his head to a mere commoner like her.
"Uh... No! Please raise your head!" Nana panicked. "I mean, I already have Jun-cchi here as my model and... uhh... I think Aki-nii said he would be my second model so.."
"Akira won't be able to do it," the King said confidently. "I particularly remember that he is arranging a new event with Meiji International University this semester and that would take up his precious time."
"T-taito will do it," Nana just wanted him to go away. So she volunteered her closest friend from the fashion department knowing he'll agree as well.
"Mr. Hashitaro ?" Daigo cocked an eyebrow. "Good choice, but doesn't he have projects as well?"
Nana looked up to Junno whose face had become unreadable at the moment. She knew that he was controlling his temper at the flamboyant king who was pushing his buttons the wrong way. His usually smiling eyes were now blank, his mouth that had always been curved to a refreshing smile had drawn a line and he was holding her hand unusually tight.
"Jun-cchi...." she whispered trying to coax him out of that state. It scared her.
"Don't be so scary, Junno!," Daigo patted him on the shoulder. "Don't worry. I am not here to steal your girlfriend.... yet. I am merely offering myself as help to her. But apparently, she refuses. Well, Nana. here's my card, just in case you change your mind."
"I won't," Nana said firmly. "If Tai-chan won't do it. I'll get Ryo-nii to do it."
"Kidonishi Ryo?" the king echoed following her gaze to a thin guy across the quadrangle. "He would do anything for you... I guess... " he said thoughtfully as he trailed off. "Ah well, have a good day Nana-chan!"
He waved and left the couple staring at him as he sauntered away.
As soon as he left, Junno relaxed. "Nyan-chan," he looked at the girl. "I'm okay."
"You scared me, Junnchi..." she frowned and stepped closer to Junno who hugged her automatically.
"I just don't want to lose you to anyone," he said burying his face in her hair. "I love you, Nyan-chan."
"I love you too, Jun-cchi," she replied as they shared a quick kiss.
"AHEM," a loud cough came from behind them. Junno freezed as they quickly let go. They didn't have to turn around to know who it was.
"T-tackey-nii, I ...I can..." Nana turned around slowly but relaxed when she saw the older man smiling mischievously at them.
"Next time, " Tackey started to scold them. "Junno, you better tell off that pompous bastard." he said hitting junno over the head with his playbook and then shooing them off to class. "You're late, Nana. you better go up. Junno, you too."
"Yes sir!" they both scampered up to class giggling.
"They really are perfect for each other," the Captain of the Socccer team mused as he shook his head fondly at them.
----
That evening, light and laughter flooded the kitchen of the Namikaze duplex. Junnosuke Eguchi was leading the conversation retelling their encounter with Daddy Tackey that morning - complete with actions and voice changes. Tackey was the first one who howled in laughter.
"You should have seen your faces," he said with a chuckle.
"You shouldn't have scared us," Nana scowled but then smiled after. "Then again, I have that issue with a second model. Aki, can't you make time?"
Aki shook his head between bites. "No can do, Nana." he said. "The king was right. Too busy with the Intercollegiate events this semester. Why don't you ask Mokmok or something?"
"No," Nana sighed. " Tai-chan got him already. I was going to ask Ren but I heard Coach Gussan won't allow him."
"Then why don't you just accept the King, Nyan-chan?" It was Junno who suggested it earning everyone's attention.
"Juncchi?!" Nana was wide-eyed with surprise. "What the?"
"It's just modeling," Junno smiled and held her hand. "Don't worry. I think he only wanted to help. I over reacted this morning-- sorry."
"But still --," Nana could not accept it.
"I could do it," another voice piped.
"Not you, Bakanishi," Tackey shook his head. "you're using all your spare time with Aya in the conservatory. You're getting those grades up by midterms."
"Yes captain," Jinpei meekly said.
"I can ask Ryo..." Nana thought out loud.
"Ryo asked for a double shift," Massu frowned. "I'd do it but we have training for the interhigh."
"That leaves you no choice, Nyan-chan," Junno said.
"How about me?" Yuuta volunteered which made Chiaki's eyebrows shoot up.
"But---"
She was about to complain again when Kairi burst into the door panting. "Tackey-niiii!!!!!!!!!!!!" she launched herself at the eldest cousin.
"Whoa! Hello too baby girl!" Tackey was shocked at the younger captain's attack..
"I --- found him..."
"Him?"
"A model?" Nana asked hopefully.
"No! A new protege for the Lightnings!" Kairi grinned.
That got the attention of most of the men in the room. "Where?"
"Boy's Soccer team, the Bolts.... The transferee student just tried out. He was almost as good --no better than Jinpei san in dribbles and he got past Takumi thrice," she said breathlessly. "You have to see it. They have practice tomorrow morning."
Tackey looked at his youngest cousin and smiled. "If captain Kairi says he's good then he's worth looking at."
"I wanna see!" Junno grinned. He was the goalie of the Lightnings and wanted to see if the team had a future beyond the Tackey.
"Mama,Can I come too?" Jinpei asked meekly from his post making all eyes turn to him this time.
"Mama?!"
Aya could not help but bury her hands in her face.
But Jinpei grinned. "Yup, she's going to be my Mama for the rest of the year."
Apologetic looks one by one was bestowed on Aya and the sisters stood to hug her sister in comfort.
"Why is Mama crying?" Jinpei blinked.
"Shut up Jinpei," Massu rolled his eyes and proceeded to pat Aya's head leaving the soccer genius confused.