5 Unwelcome School

As I entered the classroom, I observed the interior with keen interest. The room was adorned with familiar traditional Japanese elements, like wooden desks and chairs neatly arranged in rows, sliding doors along the walls, and large tatami mats covering the floor. The atmosphere carried a sense of tranquility and order, reminiscent of the disciplined nature of my previous life's culture.

While taking a seat on one of the wooden chairs, I couldn't help but notice the curious gazes and condescending glares from the other children in the room. Some were gossiping among themselves, their hushed tones adding to the sense of unease that hung in the air.

I quietly watched over everyone in the room, trying to blend into the background and avoid drawing unnecessary attention to myself. However, my attempts were short-lived as a noble boy with an air of arrogance approached me.

"Hey, you! What's your name, pipsqueak?" he demanded, his tone laced with superiority.

Feeling bothered by his attitude, I decided to ignore him, hoping he would take the hint and leave me alone.

Unfortunately, my silence seemed to provoke him, and he shouted, "Don't you ignore me! I ask for your name!"

Just as I braced myself for the relentless harassment, a girl with long black hair intervened, her presence commanding attention.

"That's enough, lay off her. Can't you see she doesn't want your attention?" she scolded the arrogant boy, her voice firm and unwavering.

However, the boy scoffed, crossing his arms defiantly. "And who the heck are you to tell me what to do?"

"I'm the daughter of the Gojouno clan head," the girl shot back, her tone sharp with authority. "If you refuse to back off, I will have no problem reporting your rude behavior to the principal of this school."

Clicking his tongue in frustration, the arrogant child begrudgingly backed away, shooting me one last glare before retreating to his seat.

After that unwelcome interaction was over, the girl with long black hair turned around and gave me a regarded stare. "Are you alright?"

I nodded, feeling rather relieved that the confrontation had been defused. "Thank you for the intervention."

"No problem, just inform me if that troublemaker tries to bother you again," the girl asserted reassuringly. "My name is Gojouno Kaguya, by the way."

"I am Kamisato Ayaka," I introduced myself to her, smiling appreciatively. "Delighted to make your acquaintance."

As the school day unfolded, Kaguya and I became immediate friends. She guided me through the sophistication of this academy, introducing me to those classmates who were proven to be more welcoming.

However, the challenges of being a student in this environment became more apparent. The teachers here held biased expectations, thinking that we, as members of various prestigious clans, are compelled to excel effortlessly. Not only that but I saw several students glaring at me as if they were up to no good.

Nevertheless, Kaguya remained a reliable companion, offering support and advice on moving through the complex social dynamics within this school.

Together, we faced problems and complications in such an unwelcoming academythat often misunderstood the burdens we carried on our shoulders. 

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As the sun began its descent, signaling the end of the school day, a sense of relief washed over me. The classroom gradually emptied as students gathered their belongings and filed out, leaving behind a quiet and somewhat deserted atmosphere.

While I was collecting my books and preparing to leave, Kaguya approached me with a warm smile. "Ayaka, would you like to walk at the front gate together?"

"Of course, that would be lovely," I accepted her request, slipping my bag through my arms.

However, as we were about to leave, we encountered a group of children blocking our path. Among them was the arrogant boy from earlier, accompanied by a few others who exuded an air of entitlement.

"Urgh, you again? What do you want from us this time?" Kaguya asked, her tone tinged with annoyance as she confronted the group.

The arrogant child stepped forward, his expression dripping with disdain. "We just wanted to remind you that this school is meant for the most elite of clans, and you two don't exactly fit the bill," he sneered, his companions nodding in agreement.

"Yeah, he's right!"

"Get lost!"

"This school isn't for the likes of you!"

I felt a surge of aggravation rising within me at their rudeness, but Kaguya stayed composed, her stance unwavering. 

"What are you clowns all yapping about? Everyone has a place in this school, regardless of background or status. So, it's not for you to decide," she asserted, her voice steady despite the tension in the air.

The arrogant child scoffed, his impudence seemingly undaunted.

"Hmph, we'll see about that," he muttered, his gaze flashing with malevolence as he and his group dispersed, leaving us alone by the classroom door.

Once the unwelcome conversation ended, Kaguya and I took a sigh of relief. She turned to me and said, "Well, glad that's over. Let's get moving."

"Kaguya, what did he mean by those remarks? And who is he, anyway?" I inquired, pondering the arrogant boy's intentions and his identity.

Sighing wearily, she looked at me and shrugged her shoulder, "I don't know much about that person, though some students called him Kunikuzushi."

Hearing this, I began to ponder who that boy was, and what is his real problem with us. The uncertainty hung in the air as we exited the building.

However, when we finally reached the front gate, a tall, ominous figure precluded our path. It was evident that the person was a violet-haired woman wearing a conical Asian hat, a purple Japanese robe with light armor, and a black blindfold covering her right eye.

Meanwhile, her left eye regarded us with a steely intensity, signaling that yet another fated encounter was about to begin.

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A sense of intimidation washed over me as the mysterious woman stared at us, her presence commanding respect and attention. The atmosphere around her seemed to crackle with an unseen energy, adding to the aura of enigma that enveloped her.

Kaguya and I exchanged uncertain glances, silently acknowledging the seriousness of the situation. It was as if we had confronted someone far beyond our comprehension, a powerful being holding many secrets and mysteries we could scarcely imagine.

However, before I could mull over the situation, the woman began to speak. "Are your names Kamisato Ayaka and Gojouno Kaguya, correct?"

Her voice held an otherworldly quality, resonating with authority and a hint of curiosity that sent shivers down my spine. We nodded in response, our voices caught in our throats as we wondered what her business was with us.

"I see," the woman paused, her single visible eye piercing through us with an intensity that seemed to strip away our defenses. "I heard from Kunikuzushi that you two were mistreating him. Is that right?"

"!!"

Kaguya and I were taken aback upon hearing the accusation. It was entirely wrong, a twisted version of events that sought to paint us in a bad light. However, speaking up in the presence of this ominous figure felt rather daunting.

"Ayaka, is everything alright here?"

Before we could summon the courage to speak, a familiar, comforting voice cut through the tension. I turned to see my older brother, Ayato, approaching us with a curious expression.

"Big brother!" I exclaimed, relief flooding through me at his timely arrival. His mere presence offered a sense of reassurance in the face of this frightening interrogation.

Upon reaching where we stood, my brother confronted the woman, his demeanor firm yet respectful. "Nice to see you here, goddess Raiden. Delighted to make your acquaintance." 

The woman's eyebrow raised in surprise at Ayato's composed greeting. "Oh, who might you be, and how did you know my name?"

"My name is Kamisato Ayato. I've once heard about you from Lady Miko and Captain Sara," my brother responded smoothly, his composure unwavering. "They said you're the Goddess of thunder, lighting, and storm."

"I see, that makes a lot of sense," Raiden acknowledged, her tone became more temperate, though still carrying an air of authority. 

Ayato then raised an eyebrow, curious about our situation. "May I ask what happened here?"

Kaguya and I gained the courage to explain everything, that Raiden had misconstrued events and we had been unfairly accused. Ayato listened attentively, his expression changing from concern to perseverance.

Upon hearing our account, Raiden's behavior softened, and she nodded thoughtfully. "I see. Thank you for clarifying the situation. It seems that Kunikuzushi has lied to me."

"What are going to do with him?" I asked, apprehensive about the consequence of the boy's misdemeanor.

Raiden sighed, "I shall give him proper punishment for asserting such falsehoods and ensure he learns from his mistake."

After responding to my question, she turned on her heel and began to walk away, leaving us to contemplate the events that had unfolded.

Kaguya and I exchanged a heavy sigh of relief, grateful for my brother's intervention and the resolution of the misunderstanding. 

"Well, now that scary encounter is over, I'll see you later, Ayaka. My service is here," Kaguya said as a horse carriage approached the front gate.

I nodded at her, and waved each other goodbye, watching her enter the vehicle and leave.

Ayato, upon seeing our interaction, chuckled lightly. "It seems you two have undergone quite the experience today. Come on, let's go home and discuss everything in detail."

"Yes, brother," I complied with his request, following Ayato toward a carriage that was waiting for us.

We boarded the vehicle and began our journey home. Today was rather an eventful day, and the mysteries surrounding our meeting with the goddess Raiden lingered in the air, awaiting further revelations.