New Girl

Itou Hayato

Itou had to admit, there were many assignments he had been given in his career -in the last few years even- which were even more inane than filling out paperwork for a high school student. That didn't necessarily mean that he was perfectly accepting of it now, just that he had enough experience to be philosophical about it. Some of those assignments actually had saved his life a few times, a fact which should have embarrassed him more. But truthfully after the third time, he gave up on that. There just wasn't any point and the universe -singular, plural, what difference did it make- seemed so determined to keep right on that track that Itou really didn't have the heart or patience to stop it.

He figured that he was probably going to be discharged soon anyways. For one, it was ridiculous for the military to put anybody on two years of leave for any reason. Chihara and Chiyoko were arguing over his head for him to be put back on active duty, Itou knew, which was kind of them but ultimately would be useless. Truthfully, at this point, he would be fine with just a desk job even.

Who is this girl anyways? the officer thought, shuffling through the papers in his hands. They were forms for dorm reassignment and the second name printed on them read Yang Ji Hye. A Korean, then, Itou guessed, but other than that, he knew nothing else about her. Unusually, Megumi no Miya had been tight lipped about the situation. While he was glad to see that she did have the ability to withhold information, he wondered why she had bothered to for this particular matter and not in those of greater importance.

Entering the Admissions Office, he found it empty except for a single red headed girl who seemed to be talking to herself at the front desk. The man glanced at her for a moment but since it wasn't any of his business, he moved past her to put the papers on the absent staffer's keyboard. He really just wanted to be out as soon as possible.

Itou Hayato (and Pham Thi Anh Sang)

Listening to the ramblings of the student there, Itou mentally made a note to himself to stay away from her. He didn't work in the Admissions Office, so it wasn't his job to go out of his way to offer help. To be sure, in the military he had noticed a rather large number of people with the same tendencies. That was what they got for recruiting children younger than sixteen, the officer figured. It did tend to mess with their minds. Although, this girl here probably had no such excuse.

When she addressed him, however, that made him obligated to give a response. "Yes, I teach economics," Itou told her shortly. "Though, I have not been employed here for very long and most likely cannot help you in anything related to admissions." Which was completely correct on all levels. "However, I suppose I can find another member of the staff to assist you." Maybe that sakura haired counselor that the officer had seen in the hallways at times. He seemed like the sort who would be perfectly happy to help. "Excuse me, I have a class soon."

So, obligation fulfilled, the officer hurried off, really actually having a class scheduled to teach in the next few minutes. He didn't get more than a few steps, however before he heard screams and his perception picked up on a flash of movement from the hallway. Without a second thought, Itou grabbed the strange, strange girl by the upper arm and threw her behind the desk. He ducked in after her immediately after.

Itou waited for a few moments there before his expectations were fulfilled by a bright flash of light and a loud cracking sound, followed by a few more. "Wait," he said sharply, in case the girl got up before he could be sure that it was over with.

There was the sound of somebody running, somebody very small and then a childish voice. "Uh, uh. Is anybody here?" The question was somewhat heavily accented and female. And nervous.

Itou sighed in annoyance. Picking himself off of the ground, he found the rest of the Admissions Office in front of the desk to be severely disheveled. There were papers and furniture scattered all around, and this bright fog of light hanging over everything. The officer blinked at the scene before slowly backing away a little, a clear distance away from that light. It was painting the air different colors of the rainbow.

In the middle of it all was a little Asian girl with a bowl cut and puffy cheeks, looking immensely uncomfortable. Still, as Itou stared down at her in disapproval, the girl beamed up at him uncertainly. "Hi!" she said, voice like a squeak. "Um, um." She looked around her, peering at the lights and then the mess before adopting a look of innocence. "Oops?"

And suddenly, the situation was his concern.


The officer grimaced. "Come with me," he ordered. The child wilted visibly under his glare, meekly falling into line beside him in obedience. Somehow, he was just a little annoyed that the only person who seemed to listen to him these days was probably only about ten years old.

Itou led the way out of the Admissions Office. As for that other student who still remained there, well. She would just have to wait for some other member of the staff to handle her problem.