3 Book One: Chapter 1: Entering Haru Higashiyama: Your "Average" Teenage Girl...

I ran downstairs, and I almost fell to the ground. Haru, stop poking around slowly, or you'll miss your bus. Dad replied. I won't miss the bus, I promise. I replied. Well, the bus is right there. Dad replied. As my dad pointed at the bus, I panicked and ran outside, nearly barefoot, with a bagel in my mouth. Gabriel, stop doing that to her. Mom replied. Hey, we have spoiled her all her life. She needs to face reality. Dad replied. No, Gabriel, you have spoiled her. Mom replied.

When I got on the bus, I sat with my best friend, Ichiko. Hey Ichiko. I replied. Hey, Miss Lateness, I see you finally caught the bus. Ichiko replied. Hey, I was up all night doing homework. I replied. You are number one in our class. Ichiko replied. Yes, it is stressful. I replied. The bus stopped. and I saw Aoi Kamiya get on the bus. Aoi is one of my best friends, too. Aoi, how are you? I asked. I'm fine, and good morning, Ichiko and Haru. Aoi replied. Good morning to you too. Ichiko replied. Aoi, you really know how to make someone smile in the morning. Ichiko replied. You know you really do. I replied. Two girls from the rival school came on the bus.

I saw the two girls. I know why, but I had a feeling I knew them. The girl who goes to Fujimoto High School was wearing sailor uniforms. Her olive-green eyes and orange hair reminded me of the sunset. The other girl had a sailor uniform on as well. She goes to Hira Academy, where the smart and elite students attend. She had straight, jet black hair and glasses, as well as beautiful amber eyes. Oh, it's nice to see you girls riding the bus. Jun replied. Jun, it would be fine if you would stop hitting on the girls. Natsumi replied. Yeah, she's right, you do hit on girls. Yoshi replied. Stop bullying me; Haru, help me. Jun replied. I can't save you this time. I replied. You're so mean. Jun replied. Can we at least board the bus? Natsumi asked. When the girls boarded the bus, the people on the bus started whispering. Hey, don't look at her. Doesn't her hair remind you of flames? Don't gossip. I replied.

Then the girl who goes to Hira Academy tripped and fell down in the aisle. Look, the nerd fell down. Yuu replied. Grow up, Yuu. I replied. Are you alright? I'll lend you a hand. I replied. Thank you so much. Yoshi replied. Your glasses fell off. I replied.

Thank you again. Yoshi replied. I looked into her eyes without taking her glasses off. Her eyes changed from amber to ocean blue. Haru? Ichiko asked. Yeah, I am fine. I replied. Soon as the bus stopped at their high schools, I became a little suspicious about those two. I saw Aoi looking at them as if he were familiar with them.

When we arrived at school, I was still thinking about those girls. Hey Haru? Ichiko asked. Are you okay, Haru? Aoi asked. I'm fine; you don't have to worry about me. I replied. The name of our school is "Uesugi Kenshin High School.".

You could say, "I'm a normal high school student." I thought. Hurry before your late Haru. Ichiko replied. I feel a pop quiz in the midst. I replied. Then let's get to class. Ichiko replied. What will happen today? Megumi called me to come to her dojo after school. I thought. Higashiyama, tell me what happened in the year 1868. Mrs. Mori asked. Yes, Mrs. Mori? I asked. If you get this question right, there will be no pop quiz today. Mrs. Mori replied. Hey, you better get this right, Higashiyama. Teru replied. Shut up. I replied. That is simple: the time was the Meiji Restoration, and our capital was changed from Edo to Toyko. I replied. Very good. Mrs. Mori replied. After school, I was greeted by the people she usually sees on her way to Megumi's dojo. Soon as she arrived at the dojo, she ran into those two girls again. What are you doing here? I asked. We retrieved a mysterious text to come here. Natsumi replied. I see you retrieved the text message to come here. Megumi replied. I want you to introduce yourselves to each other. Megumi replied. My name is Yoshino Mori. You can call me Yoshi. Yoshi replied. My name is Sakura Natsumi Asahi. I would rather that you call me Natsumi. Natsumi replied. My name is Haru Higashiyama. It is nice to meet you. I replied. Now let me explain why you three are here today. Megumi replied.

Quick History Lesson

*Uesugi Kenshin was a powerful feudal lord that ruled over the Echigo Province during the Sengoku Period. He was claimed to be the avatar of the Shinto God of War, Bishamonten. Some believe he was a woman.