Book 15 Chapter 01 火の国より、冬 Trans-summary

From Chinese translations by Hinako

Draft: Version 1 - final
Notes: 古城 Kojou; 細川 Hosokawa
PS: do not distribute this without my permission

-Kumamoto city, the capital city of the Kumamoto prefecture in the island of Kyushu; its most famous landmark is Kumamoto castle built by Katou Kiyomasa; the famous Mount Aso overlooks the city
-first introduced to the character of Inaba Akemi, a senior student at Kojou High, who is still reeling from last night's concert; she's relating her experience at SEEVA's concert to Oma, who is getting a bit fed up of hearing Akemi's fangirling Shiba Eiji
-they come to the school gates where the students with yellow arm bands are checking the students' handbooks as they enter; Akemi is reprimanded for being loud
-inside the school's compounds, Akemi sees Kyouko and tells her about SEEVA's concert as well; Kyouko is used to Akemi's attitude of chasing after stars and tells her that maybe it's about time she stop and get a real boyfriend
-Kyouko also tells her of a new transfer student who will be joining Akemi's class; she had seen him during the weekend and is positively smitten by him due to the mature air about him and his sturdy built
-Akemi is interested as well but is dismayed that Kyouko is planning to get her hands on him; Kyouko has changed boyfriends six times already
-Akemi then runs off to tell others about the new transfer student; she bumps into Miike Tetsuya who is almost late for school; she taunts him a little then tells him that Kyouko has been attracted to a new transfer student who is apparently really handsome; she reminds Tetsuya not to do anything drastic like dealing out threats or getting violent
-Tetsuya is annoyed at Akemi and retorts that if the new student is as incredible as she says, he would like to get to know him

---

***

The rumor regarding the admission of a transfer student had reached the ears of the students from class 2B in the Hoom Room by morning.
It seemed like the rumor had already been made known to everyone via word of mouth before Akemi got a chance to publicize it. A new desk had been prepared near the back of the classroom, validating the authenticity of the news.

"I hear it's a male transfer student!"

"I wonder what he's like, I'm so excited!"

"I just saw him in the staff room!"

"Really~~~! What's he like? What's he like?"

Just for today, every single student was extremely alert in the early morning class, which would usually be suffused with a slumberous atmosphere and lethargy. The girls who were especially fond of gossip prattled on incessantly.
The bell rang among the unremitting noise inside the classroom, the teacher Kurokawa entered as though he had been waiting to do so. An unfamiliar male student followed behind Kurokawa, a clamor erupted.

"Wah!!" The schoolgirl seated in front of Akemi cried out, then she turned around unexpectedly. "Akemi, that's him, that's him. The transfer student!"

"Nnn... Mmm. I know."

Her face blushed as she replied, without realizing it her breathing grew uneven. Just a moment ago, Akemi had even deemed her friends beyond saving from their lascivious appearances, yet she was now straining her body forward for a closer look, this was the regrettable habit of a groupie.

Wow...

Akemi gulped unconsciously.

Just like what Kyouko said...

The transfer student wore a high-collared uniform. He was really tall. Not only that, his figure was so well-shaped that it made one stare in fascination. Kyouko's uncompromising manner during their earlier meeting was now excusable. Each and every one of his facial features were extremely elegant, in addition to that he had flowing black hair and somewhat tanned skin, he gave the initial impression of having a wild nature. But the most attractive aspect of him was his eyes.
Those glinting eyes that would occasionally look up from behind his fringe were extremely sharp, all of the schoolgirls under Akemi's charge were dazzled by them. Not only the schoolgirls, but the male students appeared threatened by those eyes as well. The students immediately quietened down, the classroom brimmed with an unusual calm.

"Right. Today I would like to introduce a transfer student. Quiet everyone."

Kurokawa announced to the students who were not being noisy at all. Then he picked up a piece of chalk and slowly wrote a name on the blackboard in large characters.

"Mmm--, the student standing over here will be joining our class from today onwards. He's a transfer student from the Kenritsu Jouhoku high school of Matsumoto in the Nagano Prefecture. Be sure to be friendly to him."

Urged by Kurokawa, the transfer student stepped forward. He had not smiled at all. Both of his hands were shoved into his pockets, his schoolbag was tucked under his arm. Perhaps he was not used to being with other people, he looked rather unfriendly, to the extent that he seemed a little angry. His external appearance suggested that he was the type of person who was unapproachable.
The transfer student uttered in a rough manner.

"I'm Ougi Takaya. Nice to meet you."

Ou...Ougi Takaya...

Akemi repeated his name over and over again as though she wanted to brand his name into her brain.

He...He looks a little scary...

"Ougi. Your seat is at the very back near the corridor. Since he has only just started, he may not be used to certain things. All of you should make him feel welcomed here."

Ah!

Akemi covered her mouth on the verge of letting out a squeal, Takaya's seat was diagonally behind her, towards the right.

His seat is so close to mine! What should I do?

"Class monitor,"

The teacher called out in this way, the student seated right in front stood up.

"Yes."

"Ougi. He's our class monitor - as well as the class' representative in the student committee - Shimada. If you're not sure about anything, you can ask him about it. There's no need to be shy. Shimada, you're also responsible for taking good care of Ougi."

"I understand."

The student known as Shimada bowed at the transfer student somewhat fearfully. Takaya merely nodded at him nonchalantly, then restored that impertinent look in his eyes once again, heading to his own seat.
The classroom was in absolute silence.
Everyone's eyes were fixed on Takaya as he walked over. He was not just any ordinary student, it seemed like they could all sense that.
Although attempting to strike up a conversation with him would probably prove to be difficult, they were still curious about him. Regardless of whether this was a good thing or not, this transfer student had instantly aroused the interest of those meeting him for the first time.
All of his movements right down to the way in which he sat down were rather overbearing. Perhaps the male students were overwhelmed by his presence, all of them had grown silent.

Wow... Wow... Wow...

Akemi was quivering intensely.

What should I do? I should be a little friendly. Friendly...

"N-Nice to meet you. Ougi-kun."

Takaya looked at Akemi, who was apparently doing her best to smile as she greeted him, in an uninterested manner. Then, in an unfriendly tone of voice, he said:

"Nice to meet you."

Upon his reply, Akemi's cheeks flushed as though they were about to release flares.

I've spoken with him!

Paying no attention to Akemi who was pressing against her cheeks, Takaya placed his thin schoolbag on the table, leaned back against his chair and looked around the classroom.
Despite their attempts to restrain themselves, the students still peered at him, their eyes full of curiosity.

"..."

Takaya seemed to have detected something in a certain line of sight. But he did not show it, he quietly lowered his gaze.
The one seated beside the window in the very last row had been staring at Takaya continuously.
It was Miike Tetsuya.

***

Math lesson on a Monday morning- how rotten.

Hearing the bell ring signaling the start of class, Koganezawa Kyouko from class 2D grabbed her textbooks looking frustrated. The first lesson was mathematics, the subject she was worse at. She had indulged in too much play during the weekend, not many of her school exercises were done.

A lesson by that old geezer, Kobayashi. He's so boring that it's sleep-inducing --

Considering her seat number, she felt a tinge of trepidation over the chance that she might be called out today, but she could always turn to the one beside her if crisis struck. Kyouko, cool as a cucumber, thought in this way.
Kyouko fingered her face, looking out the window absentmindedly at the ornamental clock beside the school gates.

I'll go to Akemi's class later on to meet the transfer student.

"Kyouko, Kyouko--!"

"?"

She was well-aware of the restless mood inside the classroom, as though something unusual had happened. A girl from the group of female students crowded at the front ran towards her.

"Kyouko! You should be happy now! Apparently, the math teacher Kobayashi is on sick leave today!"

"Really! So, is class canceled then?" Kyouko stood up, kicking back the chair. "Seriously? Wah, how lucky!"

"I heard that Kobayashi has been hospitalized. He probably won't be around for the entire semester!"

"That's great--!" Kyouko exclaimed powerfully, clenching her fists. "In that case, I no longer have to listen to that more-dead-than-alive voice of his. Just pass on peacefully, Kobayashi."

"If I knew about this earlier, I should've just come for the second session."

"You should be happy there's no class. Well then, I'm going out to have some fun."

Kyouko fetched her schoolbag and was about to leave when her friend called after her frantically.

"Wait a minute! Kyouko, where are you going!"

"There's going to be a huge sale in Braque at ten. I want to get in line as soon as possible."

Replying in this way, Kyouko paid no attention to the students, who were still chattering away noisily, and was close to stepping out of the classroom.

"What about P.E. in the second session?"

"Forget it, make up some excuse for me thanks."

"Kyouko, won't you get a warning if you skip classes this time?"

"It's not like I'm skipping classes. I just don't feel well."

"They'll immediately recognize that as an excuse!"

Kyouko uttered 'Bye bye' and forcefully opened the door. Just as she was about to step out, she crashed into the person standing there obstructing the doorway.

"Mmmpfhh!"

Startled, she looked up. A tall man stood there gazing at Kyouko.

"Eh.. Ehhhh?"

"Hey!" The bespectacled young man stared at Kyouko. "Lessons are about to start, where do you think you're running off to, young lady?"

"???"

For a brief moment, Kyouko could not comprehend the situation, she merely stood there blinking. She had never seen that youth before. His was fairly tall, he wore glasses and his hair was tied to the back in a small ponytail. He wore a beige coat, together with casual shirt and pants; his face - was rather smart-looking. So much that Kyouko felt quite enthralled.

The youth stepped onto the platform without any trace of hesitation, he deliberately slammed the class register and the small box of chalk in his hands onto the teacher's desk. Then he hollered.

"Hey! All of you, return to your seats!"

Everyone remained in their original positions appearing dumbfounded for a brief moment at this youth who had dashed in unexpectedly. Then they began to file back into their seats. Kyouko also returned to her desk in a state of confusion. Seeing that everyone was back in their places, the youth slammed his hands onto the top of the desk with a 'bang'.

"As all of you know, the math teacher Kobayashi-sensei will be taking a break for the whole of February due to an acute disease! But you still have to attend classes!"

Everyone was frightened by the youth's forcefulness, blinking outright. The youth laughed maliciously, then loudened his voice as he continued.

"I'm your substitute teacher, Chiaki Shuuhei! I'll be replacing Kobayashi-sensei from today onwards and be teaching your class math for one month! I'm very strict in my teaching, so all of you best be well-prepared!"

"Sub...Substitute teacher...?"

Kyouko's mouth was agape in stupefaction. Everyone else was staring ahead speechless.

"This..."

This sort of matter was unheard of!

Needless to say, in the very next moment, the hearts of all the students in the classroom cried out in this way.

***

The two new faces at Kenritsu Kojou high school immediately became the subject of discussion amongst the students during their leisure.
By lunch time, all of the schoolgirls on that floor had heard of this matter. This sort of information mongering could be regarded as the wildfire of gossip, the sort that left one open-mouthed.

"Kyouko!"

Inaba Akemi was standing with the group of welfare society members when she saw the figure of Koganezawa Kyouko. She darted to her side.

"Ah, Akemi."

"He's here, he's here!"

"The transfer student?"

"He's called Ougi Takaya. He's exactly like what you said, he's extremely popular! All the girls in our class have been seriously swept off their feet!"

Akemi swung her hands about in front of Kyouko, who was taller than her.

"Although he looks a little scary, Ougi-kun is really cute. He doesn't smile much but there's this really mature feel about him, all the guys in our class can't hold a candle to him. He's so charismatic!"

"Oh? I see."

Kyouko did not seem as responsive as this morning, dampening Akemi's spirits a little.

"What do you mean 'Oh? I see'? Is that all you've got to say? You didn't come to our class to see Ougi-kun, did you?"

"That transfer student, right? The one with that fierce expression in his eyes. As for me, I'm not interested in kids."

"What? What do you mean?"

"All of the male students in our cohort are kids. That's why I don't feel like associating with them. I'm not like you girls, all screechy because of that person."

Kyouko nipped on the straw of the aluminium packet drink, waving her hand indifferently.

"What the heck, Kyouko. Why is your attitude so different from this morning?"

"From today onwards, Koganezawa Kyouko has graduated from high school guys. A man, has to be mature. A woman won't see any progress by hanging around those rascals."

It was no exaggeration to consider Kyouko's manner as abrupt from the way she spoke, it made Akemi incline her head in puzzlement. Not long after, however, she had figured out the reason.

"Ah--, I get it. It's that new teacher, right? That substitute teacher who will be replacing Kobayashi-sensei."

"He's called Chiaki Shuuhei." Kyouko smiled, pressing her pink fingernail onto her pink lips. "Although he's young, he has the air of a mature man, not to mention that he's good-looking, attending his class is like heaven! I've been looking at him so much that I've become enchanted. The way he speaks is rough and his teaching is sloppy, but a truly brainy person won't show off his talent, right? He's a little cruel but he doesn't put on any acts, making one feel that he's reliable. This is what it means to want to be embraced by a man right! I really can't take it!"

Akemi observed Kyouko's endless gushing and lack of concern for the transfer student in a disappointed manner.

"I haven't seen him yet. Everyone's talking about him as well. But is he really that handsome? Seems like our class will be having a lesson with him on Thursday..."

"I've decided to capture Chiaki-sensei."

"Ah?" Akemi widened her eyes. "Capture? Don't tell me you're planning to get involved with a teacher this time? As if the guys in our cohort aren't enough..."

"What do you mean 'get involved', don't use such vulgar words."

"Seriously? But, he's a teacher you know?"

"What has that got to do with anything. A teacher isn't bad. The forbidden love between a high-school teacher and a schoolgirl! Mmmmm, how exhilarating~~~"

Akemi found it intolerable and looked up at the sky as she stood beside Kyouko who was lost in thought.

"Kyouko, your reputation isn't doing so well lately. People have been saying that you change boyfriends every month."

"Hmph. That's just some twisted rumor started by an unpopular girl. Akemi, why don't you run along now and pursue your 'handsome transfer student' like a little girl. Bye-bye."

Kyouko briskly walked out after she finished. From their long acquaintance, Akemi knew that she was not the kind of person to accept the kind advice of others.

"What a bother." Akemi sighed deeply.

***

"Here you go, transfer student."

A student said, placing a silver packet drink on Takaya's desk, then sat down in front of him. Takaya was in the process of filling in the school's enrollment form for the administrative office. He lifted his head. Seated in front of him was a slender-faced, slightly brown-haired male student. He was drinking from the same brand of packet drink. He said,

"That's for you. Just take it as a token of friendship."

"? ...You are?"

"I'm Endou. My desk's the third one in that row. I hear you're from Matsumoto right? I was in Nagano for junior high. Our meeting is some sort of fate I suppose."

The male student by the name of Endou leaned against the wall, bending one knee.

"Where are you staying now? In the city?"

"I ran into a minor problem," Takaya replied as he filled in the form. "The people who were supposed to move out haven't done so yet, so I'm putting up at a hotel for the time being."

"Hey, that's interesting. Staying with your parents?"

"Alone."

Takaya answered in an annoyed manner, regardless of whether Endou was aware of it, he nodded ambiguously.

"You're really amazing. Look, all the guys in our class. Every single one of them is bothered by you. You've a really compelling strength, everyone's so scared that they don't even dare come talk to you."

Endou smiled, indicating to Takaya. Once Takaya turned around, the students who had been peering at him hastily shifted their gaze. However, as though they could not suppress their curiosity, very soon they began to steal furtive glances again.

It doesn't matter...

Takaya was long used to this sort of scrutiny, he did not care, however--

There's something else it seems.

Someone was solemnly looking over in this direction. He was amongst the gang of students gathered beside the window. The one seated right in the center, listening to his friend's words as his gaze found its way to Takaya through the crowd.

Who is he...

This was something that had bothered Takaya since morning, one brash line of sight out of the multitude of stares.
That male student had a set of clearly defined eyes and nose. He was not very stout however he was definitely not one would consider beautiful; even so he had a magnetic presence.
Takaya was always tempering his ability to make discerning judgments of another's 'standing'. Could this male student be regarded as the leader of this class? He seemed popular, his companions appeared to be his subordinates.

"..."

Although their eyes met, the other did not cower. It was this unyielding impertinence that perturbed Takaya.

"What? What is it?"

Endou followed his line of sight and turned his head, the male student let fall his gaze as if nothing had happened, entering into conversation with that group of people. Endou finally understood.

"Ahh. Are you worried about that guy? Hmmm, I guess both of you are really the outstanding ones here."

"Huh?"

"The guy right in the center of that group gathered around the window, right? He's called Nezu. He's very popular in school."

"Popular? In what way?"

"Hmm--.. Should I say it's popularity or some other..."

Endou muttered something vague as though he was babbling. Apparently this could not be easily explained in a few words.

"Oh yeah, Ougi. If you're okay with it, I can show you around the campus. It would be really inconvenient if you don't know your way around right? Let's go."

***

From the windows in the corridor, the green trees of the nearby Kumamoto public park could be seen.
Approximately 20 years had passed since the completion of the school structure. The building was constructed in such a way that one three-storey block faced the north while another faced the south, not forgetting the covered walkway that linked them together in the center. It was quite similar to the symmetrical structure of Jouhoku high school. But every single classroom had air-conditioning, this made Takaya, who grew up in Matsumoto, feel this to be a strange place.

"This is the biology lab. Over here, the first-grade and third-grade classrooms are mainly on this side of the building."

"What about that? Looks like it's still under construction..."

"Hmm? Ah, that one."

Endou leaned out the window, looking at the structure covered with scaffolding, and replied.

"That's the gymnasium. It's now under reconstruction, real inconvenient I tell you. We have an office for our clubs, but most of our P.E. lessons are athletics, not to mention that the sports club used to utilize the gymnasium for their activities. It can't be used for the whole of next year, we won't have a gymnasium even when we finally graduate."

"Oh..."

"Then, over here..."

Takaya stopped in the corridor, looking at the speaker just above him. He seemed troubled by the music that was being broadcast.

"Is something wrong?"

"Do they always play such dull music at noon?"

The song, which sounded like Gregorian chanting, was sang by a man. A hymn-like tune. This piece of music had been playing continuously, causing Takaya to take particular notice of it.

"Hmm? Oh, that. It has always been like that."

"Always?"

"This flight of stairs leads to the rooftop."

Endou started up the steps. Takaya revealed a somewhat bewildered expression. He muttered as he followed behind him up the stairs.

"What a strange school."

"Is it really strange?"

"Is it not? Don't you feel anything weird after spending the entire day in this school?"

Mumbling 'Eh?', Endou turned around to face Takaya.

"Hey--. Ougi, don't tell me you have some sort of sixth sense?"

"--Sixth sense..."

"Hey, sure enough people who have this ability would be immediately aware of it. This school's pretty famous for that." Endou said as he climbed the stairs. "The name Kojou high school; this area was previously known as Kojoumachi. As you can see, there's the moat of Kumamoto castle right? In fact, the castle once stood in this very spot."

"Right here?"

"Yeah. When the one called Katou Kiyomasa came to Kumamoto, he was among one of the first to set foot in the castle that used to stand here. However the lord who stayed there did something evil and had thus committed seppuku, so Seisho-kou probably felt this place to be ominous. He wasn't interested in the old fortress so he rebuild a majestic and brand new Kumamoto castle. That's why this place is called 'Kojou' [old fortress]."

"Katou Kiyomasa..."

He was the historical persona that the civilians of Kumamoto were most familiar with. Compared with the lords of the Hosokawa clan who had governed this district for over 200 years during the Edo period, the name the locals would first recall was Katou Kiyomasa instead. He had heard that the people in this area informally acknowledged him as 'Seisho-kou'. The Hosokawa clan who had ruled Kumamoto for several generations had been a clan of nobles. The present head of the family was the Prime Minister of Japan several years ago.

"Since this school used to be the remains of a castle, ghosts would appear. The ghosts of the warriors of the ancient times."

Takaya deftly raised his eyebrows.

"Apparently, ghosts would appear everyday. There are rumors that some people have personally seen them. I myself have encountered those sort of things several times before despite not having any kind sixth sense. There are probably many of them."

"Do they appear that frequently?"

"The rumors themselves are mundane issues. When I first entered this school, I found it creepy too, annoying even. But after two years, I've grown used to it, I no longer fuss about every single tiny matter. Truth be told, this school sees plenty of student transfers, both in and out, though I'm not sure if it's because of this issue."

Opening the door to the rooftop, Endou stretched himself.

"Falling sick or having a nervous breakdown, students refusing to come to school or transferring to other schools, we get a few of these every year without fail. Today, I heard that the math teacher Kobayashi has been hospitalized. There are seriously a lot of such cases. Even if it's just a coincidence, it's still pretty freaky right, for it to have reached this extent?"

Endou walked to the side of the rooftop, he turned around to face Takaya as he leaned against the railing. He bit on the straw of the silver packet drink which was not entirely empty yet, and chuckled frankly.

"Within the last half year, three teachers have died. ...Even though those three were pretty old geezers."

"Died?" Takaya exposed an astonished expression. "...Has it always been like this from the start? The frequent appearances of the ghosts."

"I don't know. I've also heard of these rumors from my seniors who have graduated, but it seems like it's getting worse. So much that you can even get used to it. It's possible that there have been many occurrences."

Takaya's expression grew somber, he had been staring at the building on the opposite side.

"But everyone feels the same way, that's why we don't find it strange anymore. Furthermore, this school has one unusual feature."

Just when Takaya was about to ask what that feature was, the door that led to the stairs opened. Hearing voices, Takaya and Endou turned around. Five or six students walked out from there. Every single one of them had a yellow band on their right arm. They looked over.

"They've come, they've come." Endou lowered his voice and whispered. "This school's 'unusual' feature..."

"...What?"

The students walked towards them. All of them had an authoritative look on their faces.

That guy---...

It was the monitor of 2B, Shimada. It seemed like he was the one who had led the others here. After mumbling inaudibly to the student beside him, he retreated to the back. This eccentric situation made Takaya frown.

"So you're here."

A male student who wore rimless glasses approached from the back of the group, it seemed like he was the one with the highest rank. The school badge on his shirt collar indicated that he was one year their senior. The perfect order of his uniform was fit for a model student, no faults could be found in his dressing. The male student stepped forward and spoke to Takaya.

"You're the new transfer student from class 2B right."

Takaya squinted in a displeased manner. "Who are you people?"

"We went looking for you because we couldn't find you in the classroom. We want you to introduce yourself, that's why we specially came to say hello." The male student smiled, extending his hand outwards. "Once you become a student of this school, you must first greet us. Now, come with us. Transfer student."

---

Original fiction © Kuwabara Mizuna.