⇲ 𝐊𝐀𝐌𝐈𝐆𝐎𝐄 𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘    〉 𝐉𝐀𝐏𝐀𝐍 !
XXXX.      ✿      CIRCA JUNE 2012.
𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐄 𝐌𝐘 𝐓𝐈𝐌𝐄
ESSOSA.
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

The soft chime of her alarm pulled Odette from a comfortable slumber, the early morning light barely peeking through the curtains. She let out a reluctant groan, rubbing her eyes as she glanced at the clock. 6:00 AM. Today was the day—the first day at Kami High.

Despite her usual excitement for change and new beginnings, she felt an underlying dread. Her cozy weekend, filled with new discoveries, a bit of chaos, and meeting interesting people like Momo and Seiko, had come to an end. Now, she had to face the reality of school.

There was a gentle knock on her bedroom door before it creaked open. Grandma Mo poked her head in, eyeing Odette's disheveled state with a soft smile. "Just checking in to make sure you're up, Odette. You don't want to be late on your first day."

Odette lifted her head, bonnet slightly askew, scarf halfway down, and her eyes half-open. She gave a sleepy nod, her t-shirt strap sliding off her shoulder. "Mhm, I'm up, Grandma," she mumbled, stifling a yawn.

Grandma Mo chuckled, shaking her head. "Good. I'll have breakfast ready by the time you're dressed. Make sure you look nice and refreshed, alright? You're representing the Monroè family." She gave Odette a knowing smile before closing the door gently.

Once her grandmother left, Odette stretched, finally getting herself up and out of bed. She reached for her phone, putting on her favorite playlist to help wake her up fully. She sent a quick text to her mom, letting her know she was up and ready to tackle the day, then gathered her uniform and toiletries, heading for the bathroom.

An Hour Later: 7:20 AM

After a warm shower and taking her time to style her hair, Odette looked at herself in the mirror, feeling satisfied with her appearance. She wore her Kami High uniform—her own classic red and white varsity jacket paired with a black mini skirt that added a flair to the usual school attire.

Her voluminous red hair cascaded down her shoulders in soft, loose waves, giving her a pop of color that complemented her outfit perfectly.

Her makeup was light but enhanced her features: bold, defined brows, a subtle cheek highlight, and her signature nude pink lip gloss with a brown liner that accentuated her full lips.

Her long, glossy acrylic nails with a pink ombré design adorned with small rhinestones added a glamorous touch.

With a final nod of approval, she grabbed her pink bookbag and her purse, making sure her essentials—phone, lip gloss, house keys, hairbrush, and some rubber bands—were all packed and ready. Feeling prepared, she headed downstairs.

The delicious aroma of her grandmother's cooking greeted her as she entered the kitchen. Grandma Mo was plating up a dish—Odette's favorite: a steaming bowl of congee topped with fresh herbs and a side of crispy dumplings. She looked up, smiling proudly when she saw Odette.

"Well, look at you," Grandma Mo said, her voice filled with warmth. "You look lovely. Now make sure you keep the boys at arm's length, hmm?"

Odette laughed, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. "Grandma, please," she said with a playful roll of her eyes, though she couldn't hide her amusement.

"Just saying, honey. You're a Monroè, and you need to carry yourself with confidence, but don't be too friendly with those boys. They can be... persistent," Grandma Mo said with a wink, "You never know. Make sure you stop by the family shrine after school if you have time. There's always work to be done."

Odette nodded, her mouth full but her head bobbing in agreement.

Odette dug in, savoring the familiar flavors. Between bites, she nodded at her grandmother's request, promising to stop by the family shrine after school if she had the time. The sound of a car horn echoed from the front yard, signaling that her ride had arrived.

"Have a great first day, Odette. Remember, you're not alone—if anything goes wrong, don't hesitate to call me or your parents," Grandma Mo reminded her, giving her a gentle pat on the shoulder.

Odette nodded, grabbing her headphones and slinging her bookbag over her shoulder. "I will, Grandma. See you later!" With that, she waved goodbye and headed out, slipping into the car as her grandmother waved from the front porch.

——

The drive to school was smooth, and soon they arrived at Kami High, a towering building surrounded by students buzzing with the typical Monday morning energy.

Odette took a deep breath, stepping out of the car and into the cool morning air. A soft breeze played with her hair, tousling the loose waves, and she adjusted her jacket, feeling the eyes of a few students as they glanced her way.

She scanned her surroundings, taking in the scene, when she noticed a familiar figure near the front steps—Momo Ayase. Odette's eyes lit up, but her expression quickly turned to curiosity as she realized Momo was in the middle of a rather intense conversation with a boy who looked like he'd rather be anywhere else.

He was around her height, sporting a buzz cut and an expression that seemed both annoyed and dismissive.

Odette watched as Momo's eyes narrowed, her face flushed with anger. She could barely hear bits of the conversation over the chatter around her, but it became clear that this wasn't a friendly chat.

"Are you serious?" Momo's voice rose, her fists clenched at her sides. "Run that by me again?"

The boy scoffed, crossing his arms. "I said, if you ain't gonna lend me no cash, I ain't taking you on no date."

Odette raised an eyebrow, folding her arms as she observed. The audacity, she thought, shaking her head slightly. She had to bite back a laugh when Momo's face turned a deeper shade of red, her hands clenching tighter on her school bag.

"But, if you finally put out I'll take you wherever." the boy added, his voice dripping with casual arrogance. "We could go to a love hotel after. Make it worth your money."

At that, Momo's patience snapped. She dropped her bag and raised her foot, aiming a swift kick in his direction, which he barely caught in the knick of time before she took his entire head off.

Odette felt her blood boil. The audacity of this guy... She watched as Momo's face flushed with anger. The next second, Momo dropped her bag and raised her foot, aiming a swift kick toward Jin's face. Jin barely dodged in time, his eyes widening in surprise.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" Jin barked, trying to grab her arm. Momo twisted away, shooting him a fierce glare.

"What's wrong with me? What's wrong with you, asking for money and trying to take me to some sleazy love hotel?" Momo shot back, her voice sharp.

Odette inched closer, ready to intervene if things escalated. Just as she was a few feet away, Jin managed to kick Momo's leg out from under her, sending her stumbling to the ground.

His face twisted with anger as he loomed over her, shouting, "I'm done with you! You're no girlfriend! You're broke, you won't put out, you're lame!" He spat his words as he turned to walk away, pants sagging in a ridiculous fashion, his walk resembling that of a crab.

Odette couldn't take it anymore. She reached into her bag, pulling out a water bottle and, with precise aim, hurled it at him. It hit the back of his head with a satisfying thud, water splashing across his shirt. "Bitch!" she called out, her voice calm but pointed.

The bottle smacked into the back of Jin's head with a satisfying thud, the water splashing down the back of his shirt.

The boy whipped around in confusion, his face red as he scanned the area to find the source of the water attack. Before he could spot her, Momo grabbed Odette's arm, yanking her away.

"Come on before he blows a lid!" Momo hissed, a small grin spreading across her face as they dashed into the school together, laughing.

Ten Minutes Later

They finally slowed down, both of them out of breath but still grinning from ear to ear. Momo looked at Odette, her eyes shining with amusement. "So... what possessed you to throw that water bottle at him?"

Odette scoffed, flipping her hair back with a smirk. "Did you hear what he was saying? A dude asking his girl for money, then demanding she goes to a love hotel with him? Absolutely the fuck not. He deserved it."

Momo laughed, nodding in agreement. "I can't argue with that. Thanks for having my back, though. I didn't expect anyone to step in like that."

Odette shrugged, her lips quirking up in a smile. "Well, consider it my welcome gift. That's just how I roll."

They continued down the hallway, Momo guiding Odette as they navigated the maze of classrooms and lockers.

As they walked, Momo pointed out a few key spots—the principal's office (to avoid), the cafeteria (which she claimed had questionable food), and the rooftop (a popular escape for students trying to skip out on class).

"Honestly, though," Momo said as they stopped near Odette's first class, "if you ever need anything, just find me. Kami High can be a little overwhelming at first, but once you get the hang of it, it's not too bad."

Odette gave her a grateful smile. "Thanks, Momo. I appreciate it."

They finally slowed down as they reached their classroom, still giggling as they caught their breath. Momo introduced Odette to two of her friends, Kei-san and Miko, who were seated by the window, applying makeup and chatting about the weekend.

"This is Odette," Momo said, gesturing proudly. "The girl who just saved me from my trash ex."

Kei raised an eyebrow, looking Odette up and down with a smirk. "Ooh, stylish and bold. I like her already."

Miko leaned in, giving Odette an approving nod. "Love the nails, by the way. Where'd you get them done?"

Odette grinned, wiggling her fingers to show off the rhinestone-adorned pink ombré. "Just a little place I found in town. Thanks, though. You're all looking pretty amazing yourselves."

Kei exchanged a glance with Miko, a teasing smile on her lips. "So, Momo, why were you dating that loser anyway?"

Momo's cheeks flushed, and she looked down, slightly embarrassed. "Well... he kinda looked like my favorite actor, Ken Takakura."

Odette and her new friends burst into laughter, Momo's reasoning sounding both ridiculous and endearing. "Girl, you can't date someone just because he looks like an actor," Kei teased. "That's setting yourself up for disappointment."

Momo sighed, shaking her head with a sheepish smile. "I know, I know. I just... I thought maybe he'd change. Guess I was wrong."

Odette put a comforting hand on Momo's shoulder. "Hey, we've all been there. But now you know your worth. Don't settle for less than you deserve."

Momo smiled, her eyes softening with appreciation. "Thanks, Odette. You're pretty cool, you know that?"

Odette shrugged, trying to play it off, but a hint of warmth spread through her chest. "Just doing what any friend would do."

As the bell rang, signaling the start of class, they all took their seats, exchanging glances and smirks as the teacher began the lesson. Odette felt a new sense of belonging in this strange, exciting place, surrounded by people who seemed to get her. The day had started with a bit of drama, but already, it was shaping up to be unforgettable.

——

As Odette and Momo made their way through the school hallways, their laughter and easy conversation filled the spaces between them, though Odette couldn't shake the hint of sadness lingering in Momo's eyes. Sensing her friend's unease, she nudged her softly with her elbow.

"Hey," Odette said, a playful grin tugging at her lips. "What's with the long face? You're acting like you lost a million yen."

Momo sighed, her shoulders slumping just slightly. "It's just... will I ever find someone else like Ken Takakura? I mean, he was my favorite actor. I thought dating someone who looked like him would be, I don't know... a dream come true."

Odette paused mid-step, her eyebrows lifting in surprise. Ken Takakura? The name sparked an immediate reaction within her, her mind flashing back to the awkward, cute boy she'd met just the day before. But Momo was clearly talking about an actor, not some schoolboy.

"Ken Takakura?" she echoed, hiding her confusion with a light laugh. "Small world, huh? I actually met a guy with that exact name recently. Kinda threw me off too."

Momo chuckled, shaking her head. "Not just any guy, Odette! This is the Ken Takakura, the actor. No offense, but I doubt any high school boy could pull that off."

Odette laughed along, keeping her thoughts to herself as they continued walking. Just as they passed a nearby classroom, Odette's attention was drawn to a commotion inside.

Laughter echoed from within, and she heard the unmistakable sound of something being thrown. Curiosity piqued, she glanced up from her phone and felt her heart sink.

There, at the center of the jeers, sat Kenny—Ken Takakura, the same awkward boy she'd met before, with his bowl-cut hair and thick, round glasses.

He was hunched over his desk, trying to ignore the group of boys around him, who were clearly taking pleasure in tormenting him. One of them laughed as he balled up a piece of paper, slipping a magnet inside before preparing to launch it at Ken.

Odette's eyes narrowed, her irritation simmering just beneath the surface. Momo blinked, surprised, as Odette was already striding into the classroom with purposeful steps, her expression set and unwavering.

Without a second thought, she slid into the chair beside Ken, her arms crossed as she shot a pointed, unwavering glare at each of the bullies in turn. Momo, catching on, sat on his other side, mirroring Odette's fierce expression.

The boys, mid-laughter, paused, their confidence wavering under the intensity of the girls' stares. If looks could kill, they would've been laid out flat on the classroom floor.

"Uh... we were just... leaving," one of the boys muttered, clearly unnerved as he nudged his friends to follow. They stumbled back, muttering excuses as they filed out of the classroom, their laughter replaced with a tense silence.

As soon as they were gone, Momo relaxed, a sigh escaping her. She turned to Ken, who was still gripping his book tightly, as if it were his only shield.

"What're you reading there?" Momo asked, her tone softer, a hint of curiosity in her voice.

Ken looked up, eyes wide with surprise. He stammered, his voice barely above a whisper. "Oh, um... it's just... a book on paranormal phenomena..."

Odette raised an eyebrow, impressed. "Paranormal, huh? I knew there was something interesting about you, Kenny."

Momo huffed as she watched them leave. "Is the world just full of scumbags?" she exclaimed, frustration evident in her voice. She stormed out, leaving Odette with Ken, who finally looked up, his expression a mix of gratitude and embarrassment.

"Kenny! You didn't tell me you were that much of an outcast," Odette teased lightly, trying to lift his spirits.

Ken fumbled for words, just as Momo called out for Odette to join her outside. Before leaving, Odette gave Ken a quick, reassuring side hug. "I'll catch up with you later, okay?" she said, leaving him with a blush spreading across his cheeks.

Mini Time Skip

Outside, Momo was pacing, her agitation palpable. "Gah! I hate this! What can I do to unleash this stress?"

"You could punch a wall," Odette suggested half-jokingly.

"No, my fists will get injured!" Momo countered, dismissing the idea immediately.

Just then, Ken approached them, his earlier shyness replaced by a burst of unexpected confidence. "Miss Ayase! I know what you're into."

Both girls stared at him, perplexed.

"Eh?" Momo responded, clearly annoyed.

Ken cleared his throat, undeterred. "For people like you, Miss Ayase, to come talk to a fellow person? There can be only one explanation!"

Odette, half-listening as she answered a call from her dad, chimed in without thinking, "Oh no, I'm actually his friend! We met a few days ago!"

Momo eyed Odette, puzzled by her quick defense of Ken. Ken, seizing the moment, thrust a magazine into Momo's hands. "This is what I'm talking about," he said eagerly, launching into a conversation about aliens and UAPs (Unidentified Aerial Phenomena).

Momo, her patience wearing thin, declared, "I don't believe in aliens." The discussion took a turn as Ken pressed on, forcing Momo to defend her belief in ghosts, citing her grandmother's role as a spirit medium.

This led to a spirited debate, culminating in a challenge: to prove whether UFOs or ghosts were real.

Odette returned from her phone call just in time to catch the tail end of their argument and the bet they had just made, dragging her into it as an unwitting alibi.

Momo explained the bet, and all Odette could do was sigh, wondering how a simple school day had turned into a challenge of supernatural proportions. As she stood there, watching Momo and Ken bicker like old friends, she couldn't help but think, 'What did I get myself into now?'

Mentally face-palming, Odette realized that her new school life at Kami High was going to be anything but ordinary. But despite the chaos, she felt a strange sense of excitement—this was just the beginning of many unexpected adventures.