Chapter 188:

Today was 'the big day', as his grandmother had called it, but for Ace, it was just another day. He woke up at an unholy time - like he always did, and went through his newly modified workout. It had gotten to the point where he wore the weight straps every time he was inside the house - this included when working out. It caused his muscles to always be sore, but the benefits greatly outweighed the costs, pun, most certainly intended. With his fast recovery, there was no chance to overwork the body, and so he was perfectly healthy. Therefore, the weights only came off when he left the house, or had a shower, and every day, taking them off felt great. His body felt lighter, faster, nimbler, and just all-around superior.

As he dressed up in his uniform, hair recently dried from the shower, he picked up a black tactical backpack, which had already been prepared the day before. Ichugama offered to drive him, being the first day and all, but Ace just chose to skate there, it was early, and he could always get public transport regardless. It was a pleasant ride, it was still quite early, and the air was fresh. Ace skated, weaving through the hustle and bustle of countless people going to work. On the way, he spotted multiple cars with people his age inside. Some even saw him, but were probably not paying enough attention to realise he was wearing a uniform as well.

As he got closer to the school, he saw that cars were beginning to stop, and students were getting out, and making their way to the school gates, whilst meeting up with friends. Ace had already been informed as to where he should go, so instead of going straight to the classroom, he went to the reception, where a kind-looking man looked at him, smiled, and asked him to follow him in English.

On the way there, however, there was something that caught his eyes, there were poems around the walls, inscribed in kanji, however, the poems had a very similar feel to some he had seen before. "Excuse me?", Ace asked in Japanese, ���Do you mind telling me who wrote these poems?"

"Of course not, it was Miss Agame, if I remember correctly, she is a senior.", he said, and Ace smiled, thanking him for his help.

He asked for Ace to sit down, and then handed him his schedule, which he quickly memorised with a cursory glance and then folded it, and stored it in his pocket, he would have to get rid of it when he could. The man noticed this and smiled, before continuing to explain, he asked if a map of the school was necessary, but Ace had already been given one in his last meeting, which he had memorised, and so it was not needed. Then, after a short explanation of some of the school's regulations, he asked Ace to wait until his teacher came.

It was only a short wait, before an old man came, he had a cane, and appeared to lean into it, but Ace could tell that it was all fake, the old man could walk perfectly. In fact, it was the state of the cane that gave it away, usually, it would have drag marks, and would bump with the side of the user's foot, however, this one was perfectly flat. Ace made no comment, and just stood up, greeting his teacher respectfully.

"Good. Now come, we must get to class.", he then said no more, and mock-hobbled to the classroom.

They entered the large classroom, and instantly, all students were quiet, and got back to their seats. The silence only lasted a matter of seconds, however, as soon, they spotted Ace, and the murmurs began. Ace heard all of them, but there was nothing surprising, nothing he had not heard before. He just stood with his back straight, but in a relaxed, open manner. He made eye contact with his classmates, and while they were analyzing him, he was analysing them.

The teacher smiled at his students, and said, "As you can see, we have a new student, so I do hope you show him the way, and help him with anything he needs.", he said, before sitting down, and asking Ace to sit wherever there was an empty seat. He then rested his head back, and closed his eyes.

Ace looked back at his chittering classmates, and walked forward, asking, "Where should I sit?"

Immediately, shouts from around the room sounded out, and Ace just waited, 'And right about… Now.'

Right as that final thought passed through his head, a boy stood up, "Come on guys, let's be calm, look there are multiple empty seats around, the room, so what if we do this, for the next week, you sit in one seat each day, and then you can choose one. Does that seem fair to everyone?"

They all agreed with grumbles, and then the boy turned around, brushing his long, brown hair out of his face, "I'm Botan, the classroom president.", he said this in English, and Ace smiled, not intending to tell them he could speak Japanese, at least not for the moment. He knew they would soon know, since they had classes in Japanese, but for now, letting them talk to each other in Japanese, so as to gauge their first impressions of him would be useful.

"I'm Ace, pleased to meet you.", he paused momentarily, "Is there a particular place where I should sit?"

The boy looked at him from his feet to his eyes, and answered with a question of his own, "Do you do sports?"

This was a question he had expected, after all, by looking at his body and posture, he could tell that Botan practised sports as well. "Yeah.", Ace nodded, "I swim sometimes, but nothing too crazy."

"Ah… I see.", he then turned around slightly, "Ok, you should sit next to me for today, I'll show you the way around the school, and answer any questions you may have.", he said, before showing him to the two empty seats that were on the front row.

Ace heard the grumbles, and so did Boten most likely, but they ignored them, and they sat down. As soon as they did, however, it became free season, and people quickly crowded around Ace, asking him a multitude of questions.

"Ok guys, calm down, if you have a question, wait for him to answer one, and then ask.", A girl said, and they all seemed to listen to her suggestion, "Ok.", one boy began, "How long have you been living in Japan?"

"Uhhh, about a week, give or take.", "Ah cool, well if you need anything or have any questions about the city, just ask, I am sure that I can help you.", he said, and Ace smiled at him in thanks, and he heard more than a few sighs of contentment.

"Have you ever tried modelling?", a girl asked, but before Ace could get to it, a girl shrieked, "Of course he has, do you not know who he is?"

'Well, that was quick.', Ace thought, as he turned to look at the triumphant girl.

"He's famous!", she bellowed, and everyone looked quizzically at each other, until a boy shouted as well, "Yes! I knew I recognised him! He's a streamer, a famous one! Look!", he said, showing his phone at the class, "He has millions of followers!"

At this, the class went into a commotion, and Ace just leaned back on his chair, and waited for them to ask questions, it most certainly did not take long, "Why are you here?", "Do you have a girlfriend?" , "Will you stay long?", and many more.