I walked into the student office, looking around me for any clue as to who I was supposed to talk to. Ah…there, sitting at the desk. That was most likely the person I was instructed to see….the principal of my new school.

“E-excuse me? Um, I’m a new student, and I need to pick up my schedule?”

The pretty and young-looking women at the desk turned around to face me, a “Welcome to the School” smile on her face. “Welcome to the school -” - ooohh, surprising words - “- Akasuna-san. At least, that’s who I think you are…”

“Yes m-ma’am.”

“Aha, I thought so, but, you never know - you could be some RANDOM person that just WANDERS into the school.”

She’s weird. “Yeah, it’s good to check, you never k-know what creepy people could show up.”

She smiled warmly. I suppressed a twitch.

She handed me my schedule, saying “I’m going to have a student who has a similar schedule to you show you around the building and tell you about whats to be expected at this school and in your classes, okay?” I just nodded my head. “He’s a really good kid, and he’s pretty popular, in the sense that he’s got a lot of friends, so he’ll be really nice to you, okay?” I nodded again.

She turned to the mike sitting on her desk and, pushing down a button, began to speak into it. “Deidara? Could Iwa Deidara come to the office?” Her words echoed around the room and the building in a crackly, distorted voice.

“S-So what should I expect from Iwa-san?” Meek. Be meek, I told myself - but I couldn’t hide my curiosity about the first person who I was going to meet at this school.

She turned back to me, her face suddenly serious. “Well, expect to be surprised. He’s not like other people…he has an interesting outlook on the world. I don’t know about anyone else, but the minute I met him, his personality sucked me in…I can’t describe it. But it’s very hard not to like him.” I was surprised that someone like her was able to get worked up like this. This kid must really be something. “Oh, and I should probably tell you -” I tuned back into what she was saying. “-he’s got a bit of a speech quirk, please don’t tease him about it…I personally think it’s adorable, but…well, just be nice.” She grimaced.

Before I could ask her about it - I didn’t get it at all - the door to the office slammed open, revealing a pretty girl with long blonde hair that was falling in her face, nearly concealing her wide blue eyes that were, at the moment, half-lidded to fit the rest of her face’s bored expression. She started to speak, and the words that came out of her mouth nearly tramatized me -

“Deidara here. You needed me for something?” Her voice sounded tired. Wait…Deidara? Wasn’t that who she called to the office? Shit. He’s a boy. Well, his face was pretty, but he would look more like a boy if it weren’t for his hair and the way he dressed. Those jeans --- blue-washed and tight, his jacket was zipped up, so that’s why I didn’t immediately notice his lack of chest….

“Yes,” the office secretary replied. “You are to show the new student, Akasuna Sasori, to his classes.”

“Why me, un?”

Wait. ‘Un?’ What is THAT?! Oh…that’s probably the ‘speech quirk’. That…that is weird.

“Because! You are a good student. Plus you and Sasori have similar schedules. So be nice to him and tell him what he needs to know about the school, okay?”

She must treat everyone like five - year - olds.

“Yes, un.” I heard her…him sigh.
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“…And this is your homeroom, un.” He finished, pointing at the door. “We have basically the same schedule, so if you have any other questions, you can just find me and ask, un, I’ll help if I can.”

“Thank you, I-Iwa-san.” Yeah, cause I’ll definitely seek out YOU out of my own free will.

I turned to the boy, looking him up and down. His stance, and the aura radiating off of him showed  that he was trying to hard to be nice - why? He could just as easily have shown me around then blown me off. Maybe the office lady was being serious when she talked about him…no, I can’t trust her, or…“him”. Wait - he’s looking at me…No! Staring! Get this guy away from me! No, you can’t speak out like that, it’ll give you away…speak gently.

“Hey, um, Iwa-san?”

His head snapped toward me. “Un?”

“You’re staring at me.”

I saw him start to blush.  “Whatever, un. I was just spacing, don’t think anything weird about it, un.”

“Okay, Iwa-san.” Yeah, sure, whatever you say. “Uh, ahh…?” He’s seriously walking away from me! He didn’t even show me half the school! Oh, he’s turning back.

“Do you need something, un?”

I looked down at my feet, to hide the sarcastic smile on my face. “I’m s-sorry to trouble you, I - “

“Just get on with it, un.” He’s got some nerve- just show him an innocent face, he’ll break.

“Ah…what I meant was; it’s okay, un. Just say what you need to. It’s not a big deal, un, I’ve got time.”

I bowed slightly. A triumphant smile stretched across my face, I hope he didn‘t see it. “But, what I was going to ask was, um, could you show me where to go for lunch?”

“Right, un!” He smacked his head into his hand. “I forgot! Well -” he twisted to look at the clock on the wall nearby, his hair falling over his shoulder, dusting along his face. It looked - “ - the bell’s about to ring for my lunch period - you have it this period too, right, un?”

I stopped what had ever been about to enter my thoughts from ever crossing my mind, focusing on what he had said. “This is sixth period?” He nodded. “Then yeah, I do.”

“Okay then, un, just follow me.” He turned and headed down the hallway, and I followed him. Suddenly, the smell of paint and clay and paper assaulted my nose, and I turned to the door to my right. It could only be the classroom for one subject - I ran my hands over the door, I wanted to go in NOW. Iwa’s a sucky tour guide if he didn’t even show me this room.

“Iwa-san, is this the art room?” I asked him softly.

“Yeah, un. You like art?”

“Y-Yes. Very much. I don’t have it until the last period.”

“Me too, un. Art is…” He stopped there - why?  “We can enjoy it together, un!” He’s a little hyper. But the way he’s focusing  on me, making eye contact…I felt a blush color my face.

“Y-Yeah…” I trailed off, going into a trace as I looked back at the door.

“Come on!” I felt a hand encircle my wrist, why is he grabbing me?! “I’m hungry, un!” He wants me to go with him. I guess I will.