Shoo

The administration from a quarter of a century ago introduced a new policy mandating physical training in high school. The origins of the new policy was a well kept secret. As a result of the policy, high schools across the country began recruiting masters of inner cultivation. Schools found a new way to compete, who had the greater masters among their staff.

Scholars Academy was among the elite schools of the country, one of the reasons being the teachers of inner cultivation. Old man Migu, as he was called respectfully, was actually the most powerful among them. He had a deep background, and was more terrifying when pushed to action than was calm otherwise. The words he spoke were few, but there was never an argument he didn't win, or at worst led to a draw.

For the first time, the fearful old man Migu was silenced. And by a couple of high schoolers.

"Alright, fine," he said in an old man's steady voice. "You two are my students. You can call me old man Migu."

The old man looked at the disappointed teachers and the stunned seniors. He waved them off with a smile, as if saying Vesper and Mia were his now. Dee had something to say before leaving.

"I thought for sure you'd accept my invitation."

"Why?" Vesper asked, looking truly confused.

"What do you mean why? Because I asked. I thought you would since you like me so much," Dee complained.

"Huh? Do I like you? You're beautiful. I felt happy looking. But do we know each other to have an impression of liking? Well, you do sound nice. So, yeah, sure, I like you. But what does that have to do with agreeing to join your school?"

Dee gave up trying to understand Vesper with the usual parameters. He was much too unique.

"Forget it," she said, sighing sadly. "I'll wait outside. After you're done, let's go for lunch. The three of us. No classes today."

"Your treat," Mia quickly called out.

"Yes, your treat," Vesper immediately agreed.

"Why?" Dee asked.

Mia and Vesper answered together, with very different answers.

"You're the senior," Mia said.

"I have no money," Vesper said.

What both were actually saying was that they loved treats, and free food. Dee didn't feel hesitant over treating her lovely juniors.

After everyone left, Vesper and Mia were alone with their teacher, old man Migu. Mia seemed to know why and Vesper didn't care, both of which fuelled Migu's curiosity.

"Let's introduce ourselves," Migu said, and went first. "I'm old man Migu. My school, and now yours as well, prescribes inner cultivation as a deep study of one's true self, not just on the outside but on the inside even more. The more popular vehicle for inner contemplation is meditation. But that's not the only vehicle. Essentially, each picks the action, the routine, he or she is most comfortable with, which requires no conscious effort, and while performing the action, the routine, look inward. That's a brief introduction. We'll begin formally tomorrow. The mornings will be physical training, as the academy calls it. We'll call it for what it is, cultivation. After lunch, you'll have the more formal high school classes. Science, math, languages and the rest. You'll meet your seniors and other first years, hopefully they accept my invitation kindly. Now, you."

Vesper and Mia looked at each other. Vesper nodded, and Mia spoke.

"I'm Mia. Read as much as was available about cultivation and inner energy. Theoretically at least, I can boast to be knowledgeable. Starting tomorrow we'll know how much talent I have. Sweet Vesper here will eclipse me, obviously. I hope I can stand abreast with the rest."

Migu was impressed. This was a steady girl, the kind he liked to teach. He looked into her and smiled in pleasant surprise. She had clearly practised the basics. Her foundations were laid strong. He was increasingly curious about her identity.

Vesper smiled at Mia and began.

"I'm Vesper. I don't really care much about inner cultivation or what not. I just want to be leisurely."

Mia beamed, as if it was exactly what she was expecting. She reached for Vesper's hand fondly.

Migu choked. His mental preparation wasn't enough. Vesper's words were more outrageous than expected. Migu shook his head lightly, and looked into Vesper. And was immediately terrified. Mia's inner energy was like a quarter of a drop while his was an immeasurably vast ocean. Vesper's was like an entire universe, compared to which his was an insignificant speck. He was terrified. The curiosity toward Vesper's identity died away like the flame of a candle in a storm.

Migu cleared his throat and expressed his agreement. He was able to keep his voice steady, which gave him immense pride.

"As long you acknowledge me as your teacher, you can do whatever you please."

Vesper was delighted. He decided Migu was a nice person.

"Old man Migu, let's be friends."

Migu stopped looking at Vesper as a high school student, so he was delighted to be friends. He was beaming as he shook Vesper's hand.

"Join us for lunch?"

"I'm not sure Dee will be very comfortable if I did," Migu answered.

"We're friends. She'll be fine," Vesper said with certainty.

"Maybe," Migu said slowly. "But let's not be too quick about it. You enjoy lunch for today. I'll join the next time. Also, I've got more invitations to send."

Vesper agreed reluctantly. The three walked out together, where Migu separated. He had two startling realisations. One, Vesper was terrifying and a mystery he shouldn't probe into. Two, Mia accepted everything with ease, like there was nothing of surprise. Just who was she to be so calm? He shuddered at the thought that Mia might be a terrifying monster too. Was it good fortune that the both of them were his students? Migu was amused, and content, as he joined his peers waiting for him.

Dee bowed respectfully to Migu, and stayed silent until the old man went away. Then, she turned to her two new friends with a full smile.

"Let's go?"

Vesper and Mia were dazzled. They nodded dumbly, looking so adorable that Dee burst out laughing.

"You're so cute. Alright, my treat. And a real treat too."

There were no classes in the afternoon, and the two had accepted old man Migu, so they were in no rush. Dee decided they could go out to a proper restaurant.

The school didn't disallow students from going out for lunch. The circumstances of many students were unique, requiring some leeway in the rules. As long as they returned in time, students could leave during breaks.

Dee took them to Earthen Bowl, a popular restaurant near the school. What she forgot was that today wasn't a regular day. The restaurant was crowded with students, seniors and juniors fawning on each other depending on their circumstances. There was no doubt that everyone present had reasons to be arrogant. But the vast majority had the awareness to refrain from acting up in the face of greater power. But, there were also those who were too dumb for their own good.

Dee saw that there were no free tables. Hardening her heart, she requested for a separate room. The first two floors of the restaurant comprised of open tables, which were mostly enough in number. The third floor housed twelve separate rooms. Food at the restaurant was tastier than most outside food, and also more expensive by almost two fold. In the separate rooms, food was even more expensive, by over another four fold. And so, it wasn't usual for students to request for a separate room.

The host, a handsome man in twenties, was leading the three up, when two boys blocked their way.

"Why don't you join us, senior," one of them asked Dee. "We have space."

"Yes, even for you," the other said to Mia.

The straight faces of the two boys couldn't be more lewd. They ignored Vesper. They were first years, and were clearly envious of Vesper.

— Is this a taunt? Are they trying to bully us?

Vesper looked down at the rude boys with amusement.

Dee wasn't impressed, and looked at the boys coldly. The boys were ignorant. Those who knew Dee would be trembling under the cold gaze. The seniors at other tables felt sad for the two boys, but held no sympathy.

Mia didn't even look at the two boys. She was only smiling at Vesper, waiting for what she knew was coming.

"Shoo," Vesper said finally.

The boys were enraged. Their faces were contorted in fury. But they couldn't keep from stepping away.

Mia gave a gleeful chuckle. Dee smiled almost affectionately. The host nodded appreciatively. They continued walking up without sparing a glance at the shamed boys.

The senior from the boys' table jumped to his feet.

"You," he screamed sharply.

Vesper gave a look of disdain. Mia remained deaf. Dee looked calmly. And they walked up.

The third year senior was filled with regret. But the past was unchangeable. The other seniors at the table, another third year and a couple of second years, wore the same regret. The remaining first years were clueless, but didn't take long to catch on from the looks they were getting from all around that something was terribly wrong. The two boys who gave in to their envy and their impulsiveness, and caused the whole situation, became public enemies. They had no idea the suffering that was hurtling toward them.

Upstairs, in a separate room, Dee ordered the specialties of the restaurant. The three of them only discussed the food that they enjoyed immensely. They looked like they had been friends all their lives.