Chapter 5 – Math is boring

Kagome's scream was silenced as Akira slapped his hand over her mouth. Eyes large and frightened, Akira looked around them. Seeing no one he pulled her arm and led her to the end of the hallway, straight into his room.

They were both silent as they stared at each other.

"I thought you already knew." Akira started.

Shaking her head softly Kagome turned from her cousin, falling into a heap on his bed. Her Aunt's words ran through her head and she groaned.

'Compromised.'

"How many students attend Fujimori, Akira?" she asked.

Her cousin stuttered, not expecting the question.

"Ahh, I'd say perhaps five to eight hundred."

Kagome narrowed her eyes and sweat broke out on her forehead as she imagined trying to keep her identity a secret from so many people.

'But I've kept other secrets before. Bigger ones than whether I am a boy or girl.' Kagome's stomach churned as she realised she had no other choice. 'I haven't been accepted to any schools but Fujimori, I'll have to prove to my Aunt and Uncle that I can do it.'

Kagome winced as she imagined having no female company for the next year – or however long she stayed.

"So, I guess it's not that big of a deal for me to wear gakuran…" she pondered aloud.

"Kagome?" Akira began, "Would you prefer not to attend Fujimori? I can speak to my father if you wish to transfer."

Kagome looked at her cousin with shock, noticing his downcast eyes and drooping face. "No! Fujimori is fine! Plus, I get to attend with my favourite cousin!" Her grin brightened the room.

Akira glanced up through his hair, noticing for the first time how truly beautiful his cousin was when she was happy.

"I'm glad." He smiled as he glanced at his wristwatch, "We should get ready for class now, Kagome. Third period starts in ten minutes."

With renewed energy Kagome jumped from the bed, grabbed her cousin by the shoulders and exclaimed, "I'll do my best to be a boy!"

Quite shocked, Akira could only nod in reply. They collected their school books including Kagome's class schedule and dumping Kagome's giant yellow bag on the spare bed they made their way slowly to the school.

The short walk was passed in pensive silence. Kagome listened to the birds chirping in the trees and sighed happily as she relaxed, mentally preparing herself for her first class of the day.

As the two cousins walked through the school gate, they heard the school bell ring – signalling the start of third period. Kagome worriedly narrowed her eyes and turned to her cousin.

"We won't get into trouble for being tardy, will we?" She asked, eyes pleading for him to respond in the negative.

Akira smiled and tilted his head to the side, "The teachers will understand Kagome. You shouldn't worry about anything as a new student."

Kagome inwardly relaxed and glanced at the class schedule she'd been holding with her books since they left the dorm rooms. She groaned loudly in frustration as she noticed her first class of the day would be Mathematics.

"Why math?" she moaned to herself.

Akira smiled to himself as he heard his cousin.

'Still the same as when we were younger.'

It was moments later that they both stood in front of the classroom door. Through the door they could hear the teacher berating a student. Kagome nervously fiddled with her class schedule, scrunching the paper in her hands then smoothing it out again.

Akira knocked on the door and Kagome heard the teacher go silent.

Sliding open the classroom door, they stepped slowly through. Everything seemed to stop as Akira and Kagome became the centre of attention.

"Sakamoto-sama," the teacher beckoned them with his right hand, "This is the new student you've brought?"

Her cousin nodded and introduced, "This is Higurashi Kagome, Maekawa-sensei."

Kagome observed her new teacher through her lashes as she bowed. The teacher looked to be in his mid-forties, with thinning black hair and glasses. He looked like any other math teacher she'd ever seen.

"Nice to meet you Maekawa-sensei." Kagome greeted.

"Yes, you too. Sakamoto-sama, to your seat please." Akira left her side. "Class! This is our new student. Higurashi, introduce yourself to the class." Her sensei walked back to his desk.

Nervously glancing around the room, Kagome bowed towards her new classmates. "My name is Higurashi Kagome and I hope you treat me well." She stated.

'Short and sweet.' She thought.

Awkwardly standing in front of her classmates Kagome waited for further instruction from her teacher.

"Find an empty seat Higurashi." He turned to the chalk board and started writing a new equation.

Kagome walked quickly to the back of the classroom where she sat between two classmates. She placed her books on the table and paid attention to what the teacher was writing.

Sighing softly, Kagome rested her head in her hands as she thought hard about her math problem.

"Hey… hey Kagome-kun!" came a deep whisper from her right.

Kagome lifted her head and looked at the boy calling her name.

"Do you need help with your work? I can show you what we are up to after class if you want."

Kagome's eye widened as she looked upon her classmate. She stared into his steel blue eyes and blushed. He was handsome, extraordinarily handsome, even though he looked quite feminine.

"Thank you. I admit I'm not very good at math." Kagome replied.

The boy smiled and extended his hand, "I'm Tooru Kouno."

"Nice to meet you Tooru-kun."

As Kagome turned back to her work, she pondered the boy she hoped would be her new friend. He was a genuinely kind person and seemed friendly enough. Hopefully she'd make many more friends at Fujimori High. If the boys here were already pretty, then she wouldn't stand out too much.

'Well it's not like I'm all that beautiful. Maybe I should cut my hair…' Kagome's thoughts were cut off by the school bell. Class had ended.

Kagome looked down at her book. She groaned as she realised she'd only written half an equation and had just doodled squiggly lines over the rest of the page.

'This class is going to be a challenge.'

She stood slowly and made her way to Akira, who was waiting patiently at the door with Tooru-kun.

"Hey Kagome-kun," Tooru started, "I didn't know you were Sakamoto-sama's cousin!"

Kagome nodded her head. What was she supposed to say to that? A warm arm suddenly fell around her shoulder. She had to make an effort not to let her fighter instincts take over. Kagome breathed slowly through her nose and turned to face her 'assailant'.

Beside her stood a tall boy with beautiful long, golden hair. Kagome almost kicked herself.

'How in the heck can so many boys at this school be so pretty?'

…

Word Count: 1147

Sorry for the delay. My life is currently on the road to recovery and I've been inspired to continue writing. Special thanks to ShikiKira who inspired me to finish this chapter. Okay, so it's a bit short, I just needed to get it out so that I can start on the good stuff. You can expect to see Arisada in the next chapter.

Does anyone have any suggestions for special scenes they would like to see in the future?