While I’m chatting with Ritsuka, time flies by. Before I know it and our teacher has come in and begun homeroom. She briefly explains the schedule and tells us to move to the gymnasium.
The entrance ceremony held in the gymnasium goes smoothly and ends without any unexpected events. However, the incessant flashing of a camera is distracting. I wish Mom would calm down.
When we return to our classroom, homeroom begins. It seems for our first term we will remain seated in the order of our attendance numbers. After that, the teacher tells us about the class committee and explains the schedule.
The last thing I have to do is my self-introduction, something I don’t want to do at all. I never know what to say about myself. Usually, people talk about what club they were a part of in junior high or what club they want to join in high school. Even if I just stick to the standard topics, there’s always the possibility of being asked ‘Anything else?’ Such dreadful words. Well, at least I have a bit of time because I’m always the last person called to introduce themselves due to my last name. At times like these my high attendance number is a blessing.
While I’m lost in thought, the self-introductions move along quickly and in no time at all my turn is coming up. What am I supposed to say? That my sister’s a junior? No, that won’t work. It’s too safe.. Should I talk about my parents? How do I not embarrass myself? Does anyone else like sea urchin’s? What if I seem too conservative?
I hear the scraping sound of the chair in front of me. It seems it’s Ritsuka’s turn.
“I'm Yuube Ritsuka from Sakuragaoka Junior High School. Club activities…” (Ritsuka)
She went to Sakuragaoka? It’s a school located on a small mountain and known for its troublesome commute.
It’s a bit far away from here, so I wonder if she has to come to school by train.
“..that’s it. Best regards for the year.” (Ritsuka)
Ritsuka bows and sits down. I’m up next.
“Next is… Yoshina.” (Teacher)
“Ah! Yes.” (Tsukasa)
It’s my turn now and I wasted my time waffling around without deciding on what to say. I’m still not ready. ‘This is so embarrassing’ I think as I stand up to speak. Uh let's see. Let's start with something safe for the time being.
“I'm Yoshina Tsukasa from Kokonoe Junior High School outside of the prefecture. I was ill up until junior high and I had to stay with some relatives during my treatment. I returned because I was finally cured last year.” (Tsukasa)
Of course, it’s pure bullshit. The junior high school I attended was South Junior High School. I’ve never attended a school outside of this prefecture. Although, if I told the truth about where I attended, there’s good a chance I would be exposed.
Therefore, my parents had decided to make up the lie that ‘Tsukasa had been recuperating in a far away hospital.’ However, it’s impossible to prove it’s a lie and my academic record does show I graduated as ‘Yoshina Tsukasa from Kokonoe Junior High School.’ Publically the story is ‘I left my parents when I was very young to stay with my mother’s relatives for treatment at a hospital near them.’ Since I was cured in junior high, I elected to return home to attend high school and took the entrance exam. Oh, by the way, it seems mom’s relatives even provided a certificate of graduation from Kokonoe Junior High School for me. Additionally, they also provided the medical records from where I was treated for my illness. Truly, a most formidable vampire clan.
“As such, I don't have many friends. So, I hope to become friends with everyone.” (Tsukasa)
Smiling awkwardly, I look from one person to the next. Everyone is staring me because of my self-introduction at least that is what I try telling myself. Although, why are some of them making a scene? What I mean is, some of them are snorting at me and it doesn’t seem to be because of allergies. Their noses aren’t even running.
Hmm… Such a heavy atmosphere in the room. Didn’t I just tell you I had recently recovered from an illness? I wish they would quit staring holes in me, it hurts! Umm… That’s right, what else can I say? I haven’t decided on any club activities and I don’t have a subject in which I excel. I don’t want to say anything weird or pointless. Oh, yeah, I got it…
“Oh, yes, I’m Japanese, even though my hair and eye colors are different from everyone elses. So, please feel free to talk to me.” (Tsukasa)
Honestly, it would bother me to be avoided just because of my looks. Let’s appear to be a friendly person. Is there anything else I can say? Well, I suppose this much should be all right. I tell myself ‘let’s try to keep an open mind,’ while I hold my hand against my chest to try to calm my pounding heart.
“I can only speak Japanese. I don’t speak German or French, so even if I'm spoken to in a foreign language, I can't say much. I'm very weak in English. Please don't laugh at me for being unable to speak English despite my appearance (Tsukasa)
My whole body is very tense now that I’ve finished my introduction. What do you think? Did the mood in here change? I hope I didn’t sound as if I was boasting and I really hope I didn’t make a mistake.
“Uh, I’m just kidding. [Heh][Heh][Heh] I don't mind if you laugh. Anyway, it's true that I can't speak English, so please talk to me in Japanese.”
I need to finish this and then bow. This must be how a flustered entertainer feels.
“Umm, That's all.” (Tsukasa)
I quickly bow and sit down in my seat while my face grows warm. When I touch my palms to my cheeks, they feel nice and cool.
Huh?
I raise my face slowly to look around. I feel an uncomfortable silence has enveloped the classroom. My self-introduction was already over, but everyone was still staring at me. I look back down growing even more embarrassed, as I hear several people exclaim ‘Oh!’ ‘Oh!’ from around the classroom. Please hurry up and go to the next person.