Chapter 1
On a cold street in Japan, sirens blared, loud and clear, cutting through the stillness of the city.
"地面に伏せろ！(Jimen ni fusero!)"
(Get down on the ground!).
The officers yelled at the the two men.
"武器を捨てろ！(Buki o sutero!)"
(Drop your weapons!).
Again they said then the men dropped down the pocket knife. They were hand cuffed and taken for judgement, the paramedics attended to the two children that we're hurt and half way to lose consciousness.
"みゆき、大丈夫ですか？何があったんですか？
(Miyuki! Daijōbu desu ka? Nani ga atta n desu ka?)"
(Miyuki! Miyuki! Are you okay? What happened?).
Mrs kawamura runs to her daughter hugging her tight, still processing what's happening.
» » » » » » »Present Day » » » » » » »
The alarm rang and Miyuki turns it off when she finally woke up.
"What a bad dream that was, nah it wasn't a dream, it's a memory, a bad memory" she soliloquies rubbing her sleepy eyes.
A knock on the door, it was mum.
"Miyuki, are you ready for your first day?" She smiles broadly holding Miyuki's uniform.
Minutes later, Miyuki got dressed in her new school uniform. She stands neatly in her school uniform, personalized in quiet, subtle ways. Her white blouse is tucked crisply into a pleated navy-blue skirt that brushes just above her knees. Over the blouse, she wears a sleeveless sweater vest—light gray, soft-textured, and snug, giving her a slightly studious look. On top of that, she has on a dark navy school blazer, buttoned halfway. Pinned neatly to the blazer’s left chest pocket is her laminated student ID card, swinging gently as she walks. Her black hair is tied back into a tidy ponytail with a simple blue ribbon, and she wears plain white long socks and polished black shoes.
"How do I look?" She sways around in her new uniform.
"Your uniform really suits you. You look so neat and grown-up—it’s very impressive.” Mrs kawamura replies. "Now go make me proud" she added.
"Always" Miyuki assures.
After a long drive down town they arrived at Sterling Prep Newyork city one of the most elite school in the country.
In class the students chatted amongst themselves. The teacher enters the along with Miyuki.
"Okay everyone settle down" Mrs Smith yelled waiting for the class to maintain their silence. "Before we dive into the topic of the day, we have a new student in our midst, please tell us a little about yourself miss".
All eyes were locked on Miyuki even as she avoided eye contact.
"My name is Miyuki Kawamura and I was once a student of Washington High school, I just hope we all become friends" she gives a slight smile.
The lesson began—the eyes didn't stop staring, they all stared, but she didn't care cause it was normal to do so—she a new student after all.
"Hey" a student draws her attention.
"Hi" Miyuki replies.
"I'm Belle, if you need anything I'm always happy to help" .
"Thanks, I'll keep that noted".
Later on the bell rang, it was launch time.
"So Miyuki right?" A girl with glasses as she holds her books to her chest.
"Yeah".
"Hmmm it's nice to finally have another Asian in the school" she giggles.
Miyuki's thought: Another Asian?
"Yeah guess you'll end the theory that they're all rascals" Belle added and the two girls chuckled.
The classroom, usually a hive of activity during lunch, was a little more relaxed today. Scattered groups chatted, some ate their packed lunches, and others doodled in notebooks. The general hum of conversation was suddenly, violently, interrupted when the door at the front of the room burst open with a resounding bang, rattling the wall.
Five figures, the infamous 'Bruz Boys,' spilled into the doorway. The class silent—but still murmurs. They spread out almost instinctively, their intimidating gazes sweeping across the startled students, taking their launch once they got to their table or found one way or the other to mess around but still clearly searching for their target. A palpable tension filled the air, as everyone knew there was no teacher present to intervene.
Almost immediately, a ripple went through the students near the back, and eyes shifted towards a corner desk. Nigel, who had been hunched over a comic book, slowly straightened up. He didn't try to hide, but his movements were stiff, his face pale. This wasn't a surprise to the other students; they'd seen this act play out before, the Bruz Boys always finding their mark. A few students subtly edged their chairs further away, while others just stared, frozen in place by the familiar dread.
"Hey!" One of the Bruz Boys, a tall guy with a sneer fixed on his face, stepped forward, his eyes locking onto Nigel. "You ran yesterday, remember?" he taunted, his voice dropping slightly but still carrying clearly through the hushed room. "No one runs from the Bruz Boys when they're being called."
Nigel's shoulders slumped. He began to shiver almost imperceptibly, his gaze fixed on the floor. "I'm sorry," he mumbled, his voice barely a whisper. "It won't happen again."
Another one of the Bruz Boys, equally sneering, finished Nigel's sentence with a harsh laugh. "Oh, yes, of course it won't happen again." Immediately, two of the Bruz Boys, without needing any explicit command, moved in. They grabbed Nigel roughly by his arms, hauling him up. The others formed a loose, intimidating semicircle, blocking any view or path, as they dragged him out of the classroom. The door swung shut behind them with a soft click that seemed deafening in the sudden silence.
Miyuki sat frozen, her mind reeling. She hadn't understood any of it. The sudden aggression, the terrified silence of the other students, Nigel's meek apology, and then his abrupt removal—it was all a bewildering, terrifying blur. She didn't move, couldn't even process what she was supposed to do.
Around her, the tension slowly began to dissipate, replaced by a collective, hushed sigh. A few students exchanged glances, relief evident in their eyes. "Phew," someone whispered, barely audible. "Thank God that's over." It was a common, awful sentiment; a twisted relief that the target wasn't them, not this time. Miyuki watched them, still confused, a knot forming in her stomach. What kind of place was this, where something like this was "over"?
"Mmmmm, Miyuki what do you think, welcome to Sterling high where the bruz boys rule" Belle brings out her launch.
"Bunch of cute boys with bad attitude" Percy added adjusting her glasses feeling almost infinite disgust.
Miyuki's thought: Oh now I know what they mean by 'another Asian' these bruz boys dude, they're two Asian boys. Guess this school has a low secured policy on bulling or the senpai (seniors) are of real value or maybe I should ask them?
"Uh...." Miyuki tries to speak but her tiny voice plus the fact that the two girls weren't listening, as they were so deep into their conversation they didn't realise she was saying something.
"How would you put mustard on your bread toast?!" Belle yelled.
"Yeah it's legit" Percy implied.
"More like leg shit, eww, get that thing away from me" Belle grimaced as Percy passionately bites her toast.
Miyuki's thought: Maybe I'll ask them later.
Miyuki brings out her launch also, as she opened it the aroma rained heavily down the nose of those nearby, not leaving Belle and Percy as an exception. Miyuki eagerly opened her bento box. Inside sat two perfect onigiri: one with salted salmon, the other with creamy tuna mayonnaise. A warm, savory aroma, a mix of rice and roasted nori, immediately wafted from her desk.
"What's that amazing smell, Miyuki?" asked Percy, sniffing. "It's like... really good rice!"
Miyuki smiled, taking a bite of her salmon onigiri. The comforting scent spread further.
"Wow! That smells incredible," chimed Belle leaning closer. "That tuna mayo one smells just as good! Can I just... have a tiny sniff closer?"
Miyuki laughed, breaking off a small piece of the tuna mayo onigiri for Belle. A satisfied sigh escaped Belle's lips, confirming Miyuki's homemade onigiri was the definite lunch winner.
"Want some?" Miyuki asks Percy.
"Yessss.... please!" Percy takes a bite of the loyal onigiri.
Miyuki's thought: If they like my haha's (mother) cooking that much guess I'll be bringing extra.
"Mmmm, Miyuki I forgot to tell you some safety tips that would help protect you from the bruz boys" Percy munched.
"Yeah they are like bugs attracted to new students like they're some light bulb in the dark" Belle added.
"Never walk alone, especially after school that's always their time to strike" Percy kept on eating.
"They move around..." Belle kept on explaining but seem like Miyuki wasn't listening.
Miyuki's thought: She talks much, actually both do but at least Percy listens and Belle cares, hope they make good friends...
"Miyuki!" Percy yells.
"Huh?" She snaps back to reality.
"Jeez you got kids at home?" Percy teased.
"Anyways, enough about bruz boys tell us about yourself Yuki" Belle had already formed a nickname for Miyuki. Sweet.
Miyuki shivered for a second this now involves her, she's the topic, she doesn't like this. Trying not to disappoint them she speaks up.
"Well I'm..." Clears her throat.
"You need to do more than just clearing your throat for us to hear you" Belle teases.
"I-I don't know what to say" Miyuki squirms.
"Okay then we'll ask the questions" Percy suggested. "what's your favorite food?"
"Tonkostu ramen" she answered without hesitation.
"もう食べましたか？おいしいですよ！
(Mou tabemashita ka? Oishii desu yo!)" (Have you tasted it? It is delicious).
"What?" The girls chorused, that when Miyuki realises she got carried away by her favourite delicacy and began to speak Japanese.
"Ahh, ごめんなさい (Gomen nasai), I-I mean sorry" Miyuki face palms herself.
"Oh-kay..." Percy takes off her glasses and wipes it.
"Whoa, you really do like your traditions" Belle smiled at her.
"Even as we moved to the U.S, haha, I mean my mum still makes sure I don't forget these things" she gives a slight cute smile.
"How about a boyfriend?" Percy asks suddenly.
"Percy?!" Belle gently hits her.
"What?"
"That's too soon to ask".
"So, someone as pretty as she is wouldn't have a boyfriend?" Percy implied.
Miyuki was quite, she didn't react to anything they were saying.
"You're talking like she isn't even here" Belle said. "What if she doesn't want to tell us" she added.
"Then let's find out, Miyuki who's your boyfriend?" Percy asks.
Without starring at them, she answered; "I don't have any, never did, and don't plan to".
Silence drops like a bomb shell and blew the whole place. Until the girls couldn't bare it anymore.
"What?!" They both chorused, then began to speak simultaneously.
"What do you mean you don't have a boyfriend, is that even possible, I mean look at you—" Percy blabbed.
"Why you don't believe in love? Your parents don't believe in young love? You have siblings that don't believe in love?... just tell me Miyuki!" Belle also blabbed.
Miyuki's thought: They do talk a lot... (she giggles) but they're funny.
"What's so funny?" They chorused. Miyuki chuckles. "You!...the reason is, I'm not interested in any relationship" she shrugs while Belle and Percy both falls dramatically on the floor.
The bell rang and classes continued so as the girls madness. After school, Percy and Belle helped Miyuki with her books and other things.
"I'm sorry you guys but I have to go my mum just called, she waiting I gotta go, see y'all tomorrow" Percy waves them bye.
"See yah!" They replied.
"Thanks Belle for helping me" Miyuki holds her books to her chest.
"It's fine, like I said, need anything in here to help, but still I should be going, what about you?"
"Don't worry about me" Miyuki assured.
"Okay see yah, remember be careful, bruz boys attacks" Belle leaves the empty classroom.
Miyuki's thought: That's right, I should hurry up and go to my bike.
She zips her bag and was about to leave the classroom, as she pokes her head out she saw the bruz boys heading her way.
Miyuki's thought: Shimatta! (Shit!) Why didn't you just let me leave, what do I do... what do I do?!
She quickly bends down and hides under the teacher's desk—luckily it was a good hiding spot.
"Please, please, I don't have it here with me" the student they grabbed to the class pleaded.
"I've given you more than enough time already, and I'm loosing my patience Eddy" Mike one of the bruz boys threatened.
"I promise I won't let you down again just please one more chance" Eddy begged desperately.
After much hesitation, Mike asked the two boys to let him go.
"Not everyone enjoys a second chance Eddy...use it well" Mike smirks at him then poor Eddy ran out of the classroom like he'd seen a ghost.
The bruz boys burst into laughter as he left.
"See his little leg trying to carry him" Jayden another member of the bruz boys mocked.
"So what do you guys plan on doing to him if fails us?" Kelvin taps his index finger against the bridge of his glasses, nudging them higher on his nose with a practiced, almost unconscious gesture.
"I'll take his sister for the night" Mike blabbed.
"Hey!" They all chorused.
"If you take his sister I take his mom" Jayden implies while they all laughed.
"Guess we'll just give him the usual treatment" Hoshiro suggested.
Then another boy enters, the classroom chatter died down the moment he walked in. Black hair fell across his forehead, almost meeting the top edge of his sleek black mask that hid everything below his eyes. A single silver earring usually dangled, glinting as he moved. He wore his usual dark, layered clothes—something subtly edgy and cool—making him instantly stand out.
"Look who it is" Mike altered.
"Awwn men sorry guys I was late, I was dealing with some stuffs" he shakes their hands as he spoke.
"Toshiru, by stuffs you mean people" Hoshiro teased.
"Nah, all the same" he raised his eye brows as they all laughed.
Miyuki's thought: These guys are the bruz boys I didn't notice them that much when they entered the classroom earlier during launch... Toshiru senpai and Hoshiro senpai are the two Asian boys Belle and Percy were talking about... This place is beginning to become uncomfortable.
"...and that's exactly what's gonna happen to Eddy tomorrow if he fucks up" Mike explains.
"I like the smell of that " Hoshiro added.
"Or you're just freaking hungry" Toshiru teased.
"You better..." Hoshiro was about to give another teasing reply as usual but his belly then grumbles. "You're lucky" he squints at Toshiru.
"Yeah I'm also kinda hungry" the boys echoed.
Then they began to leave the classroom. Quickly Miyuki rushed out of her hiding spot, dusting out the spider webs that caught up in her hair.
"Ugh! All thanks to those guys I now have a new hair..." Just then someone entered the classroom, it was a bruz boy.
"Guys I think I forgot my jacket some...where" Toshiru entered the classroom and sees Miyuki on the floor adjusting her hair.
Miyuki on the other hand didn't have enough time to hide; she didn't expect anyone to walk through the door. She blinked, then blinked again. Toshiru sighs then pokes his head out of the door and yells to his friends;
"Y'all get going I'll meet you there" he retrieves back to his position.
Miyuki, frightened by his words, at this point she doesn't know what to do, if he decides to attack her. All she does was stand still, her fist held tight over her chest like that of a person clutching something.
"Haven't seen you around, you're a new student?" He asks slowly walking towards her with gentle steps.
"Uh..um...I'm..uh...mmhmm" she slightly nods also taking steps backwards.
Miyuki tried hard to hide the fact that she was scared but it couldn't work and even at this she can't really tell his facial expressions when she can't see his face—actually no one or not everyone has.
"New student huh, weren't you told the rulers of the school?" that definitely wasn't a question that needed answering, everyone at sterling highschool knew. He continued to walk towards her even as she steps back, not until she reached the wall.
Miyuki's hands touching the wall just triggered more fear—if she were to scream who would answer? To run off, to where? She knew no where in the school and unluckily may even bump into the other members of the bruz boys.
Toshiru placed his palm on the wall closing in the distance between them. His height intimidating, his expression unreadable.
Miyuki closed her eyes and prayed for the worst not to happen. She bent her head, her eyes tightly sealed, burying herself in the wall to keep her distance.
Toshiru raised his delicate hand over her head.
"Where in the world did you go, the jungle?" He kept on removing dirt from her hair.
Miyuki's thought: Oh thank goodness that's better, I thought something else would have happened, I almost experienced a real live performance k-drama... Mmm, he's still too close, what do I do?!
"So what's your name?" He gently tucked stray strands of hair behind her ear, his fingers brushing softly against her skin. His gaze lingered on her for a moment too long.
Miyuki froze for a second, she didn't know why? Maybe it's the idea of her talking to him or the fact that his voice was just so soothing.
"M-Miyuki" she didn't want to keep him waiting. He then raised his eye brows in a way that says 'nice name'.
"Well then Miyuki-chan, your hair is all better—" he was cut off by the ringing of his phone—he picks the call.
"Yo, bro, what's the matter with you man, 'y'all get going, I'll meet you there' and now where are you?" Hoshiro yelled like a nagging wife.
"I'm on my way" he then adjusted not leaning towards Miyuki and then she got her chance.
"Don't bother coming here, seems like you've gotten something to eat cause we're already heading out, and this time meet us on time!" Hoshiro nagged.
"Okay mum" he teased. Toshiru has the habit of maintaining his calm voice no matter the instances.
"He's obviously flirting with a girl again" Kelvin said from the call background.
"I heard that!" Toshiru snaps.
"He definitely is." Jayden added.
"Hey!" Toshiru yells then they cut the call. He was about to leave then remembered he was busy someone before the call but that 'someone' was long gone from the moment he left his leaning position, she swerved then sneaked out of the classroom. Toshiru sighs then smiles and leaves to meet up with his gang.
Later that day, it was dinner time at the kawamura's residence. Miyuki, Mrs Kawamura and Himari, Miyuki's little cousin. With their chopsticks placed on their bowl.
"いただきます(Itadakimasu)" they said before they began to eat.
"So Miyuki dear how was your first day?" Mrs kawamura asked.
"Fine" Miyuki kept on slurping her udoh.
"Don't think you'll just go to bed thinking I'll let you go just by telling me school was just 'fine' you know?" Mrs kawamura threatened but with a smile on her face.
Miyuki's thought: Why does she like to use this innocent threatening face...(she blinks hard trying to avoid her mother's gaze but it seemed to be calling her).
"C'mon Miyuki-neesan say something, I wanna hear" Himari chirpily added.
"Okay fine...I made friends—" she but Mrs kawamura cuts in.
"Friends?!" Mrs kawamura was stunned to the chest as she exclaimed. "Hmmm, guess Sterling Prep was the right school for you, for the fact that you made friends on your first day and wasn't bullied... that's an achievement Yuki" Mrs kawamura picks a broccoli salad with her chopsticks and ate.
Miyuki's thought: Did I just watch haha talk about my weakness in a teasing way? This woman is full of surprises.
After dinner, Miyuki helped her mother with the dishes then went to bed. Tossing and turning, she couldn't get any sleep not knowing why. Was it her encounter with the bruz boys?
Miyuki's thought: C'mon Miyuki don't troubles yourself Sterling high isn't gonna be like other schools, be confident.
"まさか! (Masaka!)" (Confident my foot)
She said aloud. A few minutes later she fell asleep.
