Dealer’s Gamble (Chapter 1: Eye to Eye)
Endou Mamoru and Hinata Shoyo are starting their new life at Hyakkaou Private Academy, dismissing the rumors that surround them. Little did they know that this school was more than just the stories that come from former students.
“Speed up, Shoyo!”
“I’m trying! It’s not my fault this bike is old!”
Hinata Shoyo and his cousin Endou Mamoru didn’t believe the rumors that their family members said about the school. Because if they really wanted them to stay away from Hyakkaou, they would have forced them to enroll at a different school. Hinata was in his first year of high school while Endou was in his second year of junior high. Hyakkaou had two buildings accommodating both high school and junior high. And to top it all off, the tuition fee wasn’t that expensive. Heck, it was equal to their tuitions back in middle school.
They both arrived at the large school. The gates were wide open as students were entering inside. Endou got off the bike and Hinata hide the said vehicle in some bushes nearby. “The uniforms are kinda stuffy.” Endou commented as he was adjusting his necktie.
“We can take them off during break. It’s on the class schedule.” Hinata pulls out two pamphlets from his bag and handed one of them to Endou. They both checked their schedules and one particular subject made them raise an eyebrow.
Mind Matches + Vacancy (1:00 - 2:30 pm)
“Mind Matches?” Endou looks at Hinata curiously. “Was this mentioned in the student handbook?”
“Maybe we’ll find out during orientation.” Hinata reassured. “Come on, let’s go inside before we get in trouble on the first day.”
They both grabbed their bags and they entered in Hyakkaou Private Academy. Most of the students entering inside were older students, mainly those who were in their final years of studying in the academy. Their uniforms were different. Endou made a mental note to ask about that during orientation. One thing he knew though, was that this was different from his old junior high.
They entered inside the building. Hinata and Endou were met with a carpeted floor and a chandelier at the entrance. “Whoa…” Endou rubbed his eyes. “This school really is a mansion…”
“No doubt about it.” Hinata was in awe. “To think that the fees here are cheap, this is a miracle!”
“It’s not exactly a mansion, but you’ll get used to it after a year.” They turned to see a tall male who had pink-colored hair that was sticking up. He had white-colored goggles that lay on his head that somehow matched his dark skin tone. He was the only one who wasn’t wearing a blazer, and instead he was wearing a cream-colored wool vest over a black-colored shirt. “I’m Tsunami Jousuke! A graduating junior high student turning first year high next year.” He introduced with a grin.
“I’m Hinata Shoyo, and this is my cousin Endou Mamoru.” Hinata introduced as Endou nodded.
“I’ll be Mamoru’s tour guide. The high school students usually pile up over there.” Tsunami points over to the left side of the corridor, where the other students seem to be going. “We get sectioned first in our classes before orientation.”
“Even the old students?” Endou asked.
“The third years can choose whatever section they want since they’re graduating soon. Same goes for me.” Tsunami puts an arm around Endou. Endou was startled, but he brushed it off as a friendly gesture. “You’ll meet a guy named Azumane Asahi: He has a manbun and is pretty tall, so you’ll manage.”
Hinata didn’t feel like leaving Endou, but seeing as this was somewhat school policy he nodded. “I’ll meet you at orientation, Mamoru! Don’t cause any trouble!”
“Of course I won’t, Shoyo!” Endou called as his cousin follows the other students to the left corridor. “Well, that leaves you and me to the right.” Tsunami removes his arm around Endou and they both walk over to the other direction.
“Uh, how come the uniforms are different from the others?” Endou asked as he and Tsunami were walking past the other classrooms.
“It’s class tradition: Graduates always wear something different to establish their final year here.” Tsunami answered. “As you can see, I’m not wearing a blazer but instead a vest and a regular shirt.”
“What about the pins?”
“Oh.” Tsunami’s face fell. “You’ll find out eventually—What’s on your class schedule again?”
Endou raised an eyebrow at the lack of response, but he shrugged and took a look at his class schedule. He didn’t notice the front part of the piece of paper and decided to check.
Section 1-B: Electro
“I’m in 1-B, Electro.” Endou answered. The grin on the taller boy appears again, giving Endou a pat on the back. “You’re right next to mine! I’m in 1-C: Hydro.”
Endou and Tsunami were chatting along the way as they were headed towards the classroom, but he couldn’t help feel… worried. The pins on the third years weren’t really helping with his concerns, and Tsunami was the only one without a pin.
“Ano, Tsunami-san,” Endou stopped walking, and so did Tsunami.
“What is it, Endou?”
“Are the rumors true? You know, about the whole thing about the school?”
Tsunami blinked, then scratched the back of his neck. “Listen, Endou… half of it is true, and half of it are false accusations.” He started. “Former students called this ‘The School of Borders’. Which is true.”
Endou was mentally panicking now. If half of the rumors were true then who knows what will happen to him and Hinata. “Endou, you’re a good guy, I can see that in you: Just promise me one thing: Don’t get involved with the Mind Matches.” Tsunami advised. Endou remembered what was written on his class schedule, and from the sound of the older male’s voice, he was serious about it. Before he could ask again, the bell rang.
“Come on! Your class doesn’t start without everyone!” Endou was shocked by the sudden change in tone of Tsunami’s voice. It was worrying, but he had time to worry about it later.
They reach a classroom that had the sign, “1-B: Electro” written in blue ink. “I’ll head over to my class, see ya!”
“Bye… I guess?” Endou awkwardly waved at Tsunami, who already disappeared into the corner. The conversation they had went from light to uncomfortable, which Endou wasn’t used to. He shook his head. He’ll worry about this later.
Endou knocked three times before the door opened, revealing a girl who had dark-green hair. She had a small pin on her uniform blazer, which confused him. “Hi. You’re new?” He snapped out of his thoughts when he heard the girl talk. “Uh, yeah. I’m Endou Mamoru. I’m a new student here.”
“Kino Aki.” The girl introduced. “Get in. We’ll be introduced to our adviser before we head off to orientation.” She moves away so Endou could go inside.
Endou felt eyes all around him. He wasn’t kidding himself. Counting him and the girl, there were probably twenty-eight students. “Guys, stop staring. You’re making him uncomfortable.” Aki says to them with a scolding tone.
“Sorry sorry,” One of them starts with a chuckle. Endou recognized the voice: Kidou Yuuto. He was one of the richest people on earth (close to another friend that he and Hinata knew), and people recognized him as this brown-haired male with dreadlocks, blood red eyes and a matching crimson cape to show dominance. “He just looks like the type of guy to lose, you know what I mean?”
Endou didn’t get the insult. Lose? Lose to what, exactly? “I’m Endou Mamoru, and I hope we can get along.” He introduced, giving a small bow right after. There was a few seconds of silence before another student stood up from his seat. He had platinum blonde hair that was spiked up, black-colored eyes and had a smile that was somewhat genuine. “Gouenji Shuuya. It’s nice seeing you, Endou.”
Kidou was still chuckling to himself as Aki showed him his seat, which was right next to another girl. She had brown hair that reached her waist and matching brown eyes. Her elbow was propped up on the next as she was staring at Aki with… malicious intent. Aki ignored it and went back to her seat.
“Psst, Endou.” Endou looked up. He didn’t realize that Gouenji was sitting in front of him. “You wanna eat with us around lunch?”
Endou couldn’t help it: While Gouenji’s actions showed genuine intent… his eyes said otherwise.
“Remember, Mamoru. Eyes are the windows to the soul.”
The memories of his mother’s warnings went back to him. Endou didn’t get what his mother had meant about looking into someone’s eyes. While Endou didn’t see malicious intent like the girl next to her, Endou just saw… pleading. As if he wanted to escape from this very room.
“Sure.” Endou smiled at him, and Gouenji smiled back.
If this was anything, it’ll be easier to find advanced information about this school sooner.
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a/n: anyway! here it is, episode 1 of Dealer’s Gamble! I hope you’ll enjoy this!
taglist:
@kakiwrites, @ssoftlydreaming, @yee3boi, @trasshy-artist, @inazumafocus, @thekingofkeepers, @rintarhue
