Chapter Text
A short time had passed since Ryoji had arrived at the school, and much to Kotone’s surprise, she found herself enjoying the boy's laid-back presence.
There was the clacking of footsteps as Kotone made her way down the massive flight of concrete stairs towards the train tram.
“Kyoto, huh?” Junpei commented from beside her, “That’s so cliché…”
“huh? You're not a fan?” Ryoji questioned from Kotone’s other side as the trio arrived at the base of the stairs “I’d say it is a beautiful city to make some good memories in while we are still young”
Junpei made an exasperated sound as the three arrived with the rest of the gathered students
“is that really what you think?” Junpei asked as they came to a stop near Yukari, Fuuka, Aigis, and Mitsuru “When you say stuff like that, it makes you sound like an old geezer. kinda like someone else we know. Isn't that right, Kotone?”
Kotone saw Junpei glance at her with a smirk, right as she opened her mouth to answer, a voice suddenly rang out from behind the three, making them jump
“I take it you aren’t referring to me, Mr. Iori?”
Kotone glanced to the side and was met with the amusing sight of Junpei’s eyes wide open as a look of terror as appeared on his now pale face.
the trio all turned around to see the origin of the voice. and there, standing only a few feet behind them, was Alexander, his murky black eyes fixed on Junpei while Ren stood by his side, stifling his laughter.
Before Kotone could speak Yukari’s voice came from behind her
“Ren, Alexander what are you both doing here?”
“scaring Junpei apparently” Kotone remarked as she took notice of how the two of them were both carrying bags
“we are-“ Ren began to say before Ms. Toriumi’s voice called out
“ah there you are” There was the clicking of heels as the teacher made her way over to the group with the rest of the students following
Once she had arrived next to the pair Ms. Toriumi turned to face the class
“ok everyone, pay attention!” She yelled, silencing the whispering students. “A few days ago, we had some of our chaperones fall sick. Not wanting the trip to be cancelled or postponed, Mr Kirijo has asked two of his associates to step in. and take there place”
‘step in?” Kotone questioned mentally as excitement began to build ‘does that mean?”
“Please give a proper warm welcome to Mr Amamiya and Mr……” Miss Toriumi glanced at the masked man “Sorry I wasn’t told your family name?.”
“Valdor…… “ Alexander answered simply
“and Mr. Valdor” Ms. Toriumi said as she turned her attention back to the class, allowing the students to call out greetings
All around her, Kotone began to hear whispers from students, some girls talking about Ren, others whispering about why teachers hadn't been brought, but most were about the mask.
“now”, Ms Toriumi continued “, both of these men have given up their time to be here. Mr Amamiya is all the way from Tokyo, and if I'm not mistaken, Mr Valdor is from Europe.”
A myriad of gasps and new whispers broke out among the students
“so all of you best behave for them. Now we have a couple of minutes before the train arrives would you two like to introduce yourselves?” Ms Toriumi asked as she looked at the pair
Ren stepped forward and smiled at the group before speaking in a calm voice, “You don’t need to be formal with me, guys; please call me Ren. I'm sure we will all get along fine.”
Ren stepped back allowing Alexander to step forward. Naturally, there was no smile as he spoke in his usual collected and stern voice, “I request you all address me as Alexander. Behave yourselves, and this will be an excellent learning experience; misbehave, and you, like many others, will waste the opportunity to learn.”
There was complete silence over the group as Alexander stepped back to take his place by Ren, with even Ms Toriumi rendered silent.
After a minute of quiet, Ms Toriumi snapped back to reality. “Alright then. Let head to the platform”
As the students all began to walk, Kotone smiled at Ren
‘with him here, this will be amazing.’
-Take your time-
Kotone looked around in awe as she walked towards the inn,
‘its massive. And so pretty she thought as she felt a tap on her shoulder
Quickly turning around Kotone was met with the sight of a smiling Ryoji
“taking in the sight?” the boy asked as he looked between Kotone and the building behind her
“Yeah”, Kotone said with an excited nod. “Shall we head in?”
Ryoji nodded in agreement before taking a place beside her as they walked towards the entrance.
“so what do you think of Ren and Alexander?” Kotone asked after a few seconds of silence
Ryoji hummed in thought before glancing at her “Ren is nice, I talked to him on the train. He seems like a laid-back sort of person.”
“and Alexander?” Kotone asked with a raised brow “I noticed you kept looking at him on the train.”
“I don’t know”, Ryoji murmured “There is something about him that feels familiar. But I don’t know what…..he just reminds me of something….old.”
“old?” Kotone echoed curiously
“yeah,” Ryoji said with a nod, “in the nicest way possible, I mean. Like I said, I don’t know why. Maybe it’s the mask.”
Kotone shrugged her shoulders “who would know.”
Ryoji nodded as the pair made their way inside
-Take your time-
As the two made their way into the entrance hall of the inn they took in the wonderful sight
Traditional lamps lit the space casting warm light over the tatami floors.
Around the room, Kotone was able to pick out the other members of SEES either grouped together or with other students from their respective years, while in the far corner, she saw Ren and Alexander speaking to Ms. Toriumi, with the taller of the pair being handed a piece of paper of some kind.
‘wonder what that is for?’ Kotone mused
“hey Kotone”, Ryoji said, joling her back to reality “Why is there an umbrella inside?”
Kotone turned around to see the taller boy pointing towards a large crimson and gold decorative umbrella on the side of the entrance space
“it's for the aesthetic of the place” Kotone explained with a smile, causing Ryoji’s eyes to widen in surprise
“oh I see” Ryoji muttered as he looked back at the umbrella “so that’s the style here in Kyoto? Do you think there are any geishas? It would be really interesting to see a traditional performance, wouldn’t it?
Kotone stifled a giggle while nodding in response
“ARG!”
The pair suddenly whipped around to see Junpei being smacked over the head by Yukari
‘probably said something inappropriate again,’ Kotone thought'
“We should probably go make sure he doesn’t die” Kotone commented
“yeah,”, Ryoji said in agreement “, I wouldn’t want the chaperones more stressed than they already are……plus if I'm honest, Alexander already scares me when he isn't angry. I don’t want to see him mad.”
Kotone stifled another giggle as they walked towards the bickering pair
All while thinking, ‘Even if it's chaotic, this will be a good time to relax.’