"Good Morning Everyone. This is your Principal Speaking. As you know, today marks the day of our inter-club contest. Believe me, we have established a promising number of clubs that are participating. In no certain order, we have:
The Science Club run by Professor Phos,
The Orchestral Club conducted by Mr Metro
The Drama Club led by Madame Playwright
The Movie Club filmed with Mr Reel
The Choir club harmonised by Mr Tone
And the Special Tutorship Club guided by Mr Shiota
The contest will happen right after Recess, so be sure to make your way to the Gym and not your classroom. Your MC for this contest will be your usual Student Council and speaker Cheerilee!
And that is all from your Principal. May your studies ever flourish!
"Good Morning Class." Nagisa greeted his twelve students sitting prudently in their seats (or Thunderlane who's sitting prudently on his desk). "I had a feeling you'd show up together for the day of our competition."
"After all we've been through under you, arriving early for important events is now a natural response within us," Roseluck responded,
"Whatever the case, I'm glad that you're all here." Nagisa continued, "I've never been hearing a lot of the presentation ever since it's initial start, so can anyone explain the entire order?"
"It would be my pleasure." Flash answered, taking the role, "as you know, we'll be doing a special presentation based on Neighponese lore and history. Our first half starts off with introducing Neighpon from their geographical location, then we move examples of modern culture in Neighpon. Our next half changes the atmosphere into Neighpon's history, then finally our battle to finish it all off. Fleetfoot and Noteworthy worked together to form a slide-like presentation for our pictures to present."
"May I have a treat after all this?" Fleetfoot asked, "I'm so tired..."
"Well..." Nagisa and Yada looked at each other, "whether we win or lose, we have a sweet gift from us to you, and it isn't just food."
"Neighponese food is a Goddess-send," Soarin noted, "seriously, I never liked fish until I tasted the way it was prepared in Neighpon."
"Except for Sushi though." Roseluck objected, "those things have a slimy aftertaste."
"Anyway," Yada replied, "Justice is busy moving our baggage out of the hotel and into a better place. He'll join us before the contest begins."
"Moving into the dorms?" Pinkie asked,
"Exactly." Yada winked, "Fluttershy?"
"Got it." Fluttershy turned to the class while Yada made her way to open a window "I have a few things I'd like to introduce to you. First..." She pulled out a cat cage that enclosed a rabbit. "This is my pet Rabbit Angel. Despite the name, he's a guy." She opened the cage, "come on Angel, say hi to everyone!" Angel strolled out as if he owned the place, gave dirty looks to all the bipedal creatures around him, sneered and marched back into the cage,
"Well, he's certainly got some attitude." Cloudchaser guffed, "but what's he going to do?"
"Are you familiar with Animal Messengers?" Flash asked, "that's what Angel is going to do."
"How sharp of you Flash!" Fluttershy complimented, "never thought you'd see Angel and think animal messengers."
"Animals are smart beings, and messengers are an important history in the Army,"
"That sounds cool and all but, a Rabbit? Why a Rabbit as an animal messenger?" Flitter asked,
"We could throw in that rabbits hold a cultural symbol for New Years in Neighpon, and not just because it's an allusion to a certain show in pop culture."
"That's not answering the question Fluttershy." Nagisa reminded, "she means, 'why a rabbit for an animal messenger'?"
"If you REALLY want to get into the details..." Fluttershy took a deep breath, "If we were in times of war, a Rabbit would be a less likely target than a pigeon or falcon carrying a message, not to mention that a rabbit uses speed as well as the ability to traverse underground. On the other hand..."
"It is a common target for hunters as well as predators." Nagisa finished, "and travel time between destinations is achieved faster in the air than the ground." At that sound, Angel stomped out of the cage and shook a fist at the azure-eyed teacher,
"On the other hand," Nagisa coughed, "Yada told me about your 'pets' Fluttershy."
"Speaking of pets, this is the first time some of you have seen Angel right?"
"Eeyup." Big Mac nodded,
"Well yesterday, I've been given another pet from the same person who gave Angel to me, please stand back everyone," Fluttershy instructed as she wore the thick glove from yesterday and held it out the window. A few seconds later, a Peregrine Falcon landed neatly onto Fluttershy's gloved hand, taking everyone by surprise (except for Yada).
"Wh-Woah!" Noteworthy jumped at the stout appearance of Hana as Fluttershy brought her in the Class. "Your other pet is a Falcon?"
"Yes," Fluttershy calmly nodded, "her name is Hana, and she's born in Neighpon. She'll be the second animal messenger for the group."
"So what do you need them to do?" Thunderlane sarcastically asked and laughed, "deliver the speeches to you?" Fluttershy stared back with an 'are you kidding me?' Face, stopping his laughter the moment he looked back,
"As I said, Animal Messengers." Fluttershy repeated, "they're going to be handy for the allusion to historical Neighponese times."
"Fair enough," Thunderlane shrugged,
"And another thing," Fluttershy mentioned, "Mr Shiota?"
"Yes?"
"Yada and I talked about the presentation and I think... What if our club supervisor joined us in the presentation? I mean, we are all in this together!"
"Are you sure? I've only briefly read the script and I haven't done any form of rehearsal for it."
"Not to worry," Yada smiled, "it's something that you have been doing since Junior High!"
"I'm not sure what I get--Oh..." Nagisa's eyes widened, "No... Oh no!!!"
"Oh yes!" Fluttershy and Yada nodded and spoke in unison, as the businesswoman held up a set of Neighponese Clothes, and a Sky-blue patterned paper parasol.
"No!" Nagisa stepped back in fear, "getting called a female is bad enough already! I'm NOT going to cross the dressing border again!"
"Pretty please?" Fluttershy asked, "I mean, there is such a thing as male geishas back in Neighpon!"
"Then get someone else to do it! Preferably someone who actually looks like a guy!"
"Nagisa, we all know that you still have your effeminate looks from the gossip of other students. What more than to fulfil their hopes and dreams?" Yada persisted,
"Let me repeat myself. I do not want to cross the dressing border!" Nagisa refused,
"Fluttershy, Ms Yada." Flash protested, "I think you're beginning to upset Mr Shiota. Perhaps we can save it for a less embarrassing time?"
"Oh no," Thunderlane placed a shoulder on the young soldier boy, "I'm with them dressing him up, but you and the rest of the class need convincing."
"Then leave it to me, I'd like all of you to take a gander at this school photo of Mr Shiota, Coach Justice and me when we were still in Junior High School." Yada answered as she pulled out a photograph and passed it to the students, "now Nagisa, do you promise to guide your students and make them learn?"
"I'm not sure how this is learning." Nagisa countered,
"Ah, whatever. Just wondering if you would refuse your students." Yada moaned as she watched the photograph being passed through the class with laughs, giggles, wows, oohs, hmms, and all sorts of sounds effects. This continued throughout the students till the photo was passed back to Yada.
"Well?" Yada asked, "do you think our Tutor should join the party?" The students glanced at each other with questioning looks, nodded in agreement, then turned to face Nagisa with sharp red glares of evil and devious smiles on their faces.
"I think their faces says it all." Coach chuckled as Nagisa's face of confidence crumbled.
"Yada, there's a difference between following the pleas of students, and being forced to!" Nagisa objected,
"Everyone," Flash addressed, "it seems our beloved teacher won't take yes for an answer. What say we convince him?"
"With pleasure!" The students spoke in unison and slowly began advancing.
"NOOOO!!!!" Nagisa yelled as a wave of students tackled him to the ground and rendered him immobilised. Shaking his head to and fro and gasping for air, he had no choice but to concede. "Okay! Okay! I'll do it!!! Just get off me! I still have Neighponese classes to prepare for morning!!!"
"Yes!" Yada and Fluttershy celebrated with a high five while the students that piled on removed themselves from their Tutor. Leaving him crumpled and mangled on the floor.
"I can't believe I'm doing this again, after Fifteen Years since Junior High..." Nagisa moaned, "and how the heck did you get the same picture as I did?"
"You're not the only one who graduated from Kunugigaoka Nagisa," Yada chuckled, "Korosensei involved everybody in E Class, not just you!"
"A-Anyway, before we break out for class," Nagisa continued as he got up and dusted himself, "as preparing one's selves, another good thing is to know thy enemy. Let's see what the other clubs we're up against has in store, and listen to what the crowd would think. How is this going to be judged again?"
"The Principal and Vice-Principal will be the judges." Fleetfoot answered, "be wary though, they are incredibly strict in their judging as from the CHS Musical Showcase, although it kind-of became a battle-of-the-bands thing from what I've heard."
"Okay then, you're free to do the scouting mission if you want, but everything helps. Remember, this uhh... Is also a part of learning assassination. Everyone dismissed, get ready for your first periods and we'll see you back here at the start of recess."
"Sure thing!"
"Bye!"
"Catch you in the costume sir!"
The students offered their farewells before walking out of the class, giggling and sniggering with the excitement and anticipation to see their cross-dressing teacher.
"I'm going to die again..." Nagisa slumped his head on his desk in defeat.
"In that case," Yada huffed, trying to keep calm and not laugh, "I've got my periods of class to deal with too. See you then!"
Right after they left the class, the Special Tutorship Club began their task of scouting out and finding information before the first bell could roll in.
"Hey, you guys!" A boy approached a duo of girls in the school's main hall, "are you guys excited for the concert?"
"Of course!" One of the girls replied back, "It means we get to skip History and Religious Studies, the worst classes in school!"
"Are you kidding me? Maths and English are the worst of all, and boy am I so happy to skip them!"
"Well then," the guy chuckled, "is there any subject you don't want to skip?"
"Art," Went the first girl,
"Music," answered the second, "what about you?"
"Me? I actually don't want to skip our new Neighponese class." The guy chuckled,
"I knew it," the first girl chuckled, "that language was where all that Weeb stuff you watch come from!"
"Hey!" The guy clutched his heart in an act, "that's a low blow!"
"Oh yeah, wasn't he and his club participating in the contest? That tutor club?"
"Mm-hmm," the guy nodded, "except, I'm not sure what he and the club are going to do. Probably something boring."
"Well." The first girl shrugged, "I wouldn't expect anything else but a tutoring club to do something entertaining!" As the three friends continued talking, a Spiky Blue Haired male student overheard, taking in everything he can.
Meanwhile, in the almost empty Canteen, two boys that were short for their age were rambling...
"Hey, what do you think about the contest?" A chubby one with dirty brown hair spoke,
"Psh, just another dumb waste of time, like everything in School is! Only thing hype-worthy is the Movie Club. Everything else sucks!" The lanky yellow one with turquoise-like hair retorted,
"Care to explain?"
"Science, Music and Drama are all bloody boring and outdated. And that tutoring club run by the foreigner? Fucking waste of time!" The profane and crude words of the lanky boy reached the ears of a grey-coloured boy, who gripped his hands together in full anger until another boy held him by the shoulder in restraint.
"Leave him be Thunderlane." The boy warned, "prove him wrong when the show starts."
But despite the scouting of information mostly coming from eavesdropping, some students were friendly to share information about each other's club. It was still a friendly competition after all.
"So Fluttershy, Pinkie." Rarity asked as they hung out in an empty classroom, "what exactly are you doing for your club?"
"Well," Pinkie replied, "it's a super-duper presentation about Neighpon! At least, the most basic info on culture and history completely criticism-free! It's going to include technology, pictures, costumes and clothes, even a show of a fight with Neighponese weapons!"
"That sounds cool in itself already!" Rainbow mentioned,
"And you Rarity, are you and the Wondertones going to sing something as the representatives of the choir club?"
"Yes, an arranged acapella made by yours truly." Rarity answered, "though, it would feel a bit awkward for Big Mac since he'll be shown twice in the presentation for different clubs."
"Big Mac's the type of guy to take both." Applejack replied, "he's great with singin', but he's also a fan of showin' the flair of the Orient."
"Have you guys ever learned about different countries in Primary School?" Fluttershy asked,
"Not at all." Sunset shook her head, "I've only heard of the geographical locations of the countries, never what's inside."
"Although," Rainbow chuckled, "most of us do know that a majority of video games as well as the known 'Anime' originated from Neighpon. Also a little bit of some language from videos thrown around on the internet."
"Hey Applejack," Fluttershy changed topics, "don't mind if I ask a personal question but... Big Mac told me that one of your late family members was Neighponese, Fuji Apple. I'm quite interested, how did he meet the Apples?"
"Him?" Applejack asked, "well Sugarcube, ah know from Granny and other members of the Apple Family, was that when he came to Equestria as a lone migrant, he was as scared as a possum facing a buffalo stampede. He was unfamiliar with how Equestria does things compared to how he did back in his home. Apparently, some things 'round here are considered taboo over there within reason. To think our family was strict, everybody over there takes discipline and honour as a whole nation, and they don't take too kindly to Westerners because of our 'free-spirits'."
"That's one of the major reasons on why the internet seems to mock or criticise Neighpon for." Twilight pointed out,
"But mah family and ah couldn't give a cow's mess on what we Equestrians think about Neighpon and vice versa. Our family fostered him out of kindness and sympathy, and it surely wasn't wasted. He became comfier around Equestria and especially around us. He helped out a lot, learned to be brave and honest, his time with us got him showing us his Cutie Mark to prove what he's all about. He's an honourable man through and through, that he was like one of us."
"He sounds like a very sweet and noble man." Rarity complimented,
"Oh, it doesn't end there." Applejack laughed, "he fell in love with one of the family, and boy it sure brought as much chaos as three hoedowns would make on the same night. Not because he wants to ask us for her hand in marriage, but rather under the name of the Apples."
"Hoooly... Are you kidding me?" Rainbow gasped,
"No ah ain't sugarcube." Applejack shook her head, "everyone was concerned about Fuji's pride, but Granny Smith at that time defended that his humble love for our lucky gal IS his pride. Then again, she's always been watching over him for so long and so often, that he's like a son to her. So we accepted his honourable and humble request, and he became part of our family by law, but more importantly the Apple way. He was good in making drinks from various apples, alcoholic or not, and even spread the name around Neighpon too, for his love to his own home country. As of today, there are a few farms and orchids located in three regions of Neighpon under our name, Umanashi, Umagata and Shirohima though not exactly run by Apple Family. Aside from the business, what's important for both him and the family is that it's a strong connection for the Neighponese to understand Equestria and that we're not what they think we are. At least SOME of us..."
"Wow, it's very touching..." Fluttershy smiled, the more she learns about her friends, the closer she felt to them.
"Personally, however?" Applejack asked, "he's a good man. As he learned and lived with the culture of Equestria, he became confident to share his own culture, as well as other things. The ways of how the Neighponese farm and how they protect their harvest, different ways of making cider, juice and more, even taught us how to use those fancy Chopsticks that Rarity always uses. Still prefer the knife, fork and spoon though."
"Ha ha ha, it seems you guys never had a problem with him." Sunset laughed,
"He also introduced us some basic arts of self-defence, and as you know Big Mac's big on that. Rest of us not so much, but it's definitely something that can contribute to how ah fight."
"Is there anything else?" Pinkie leaned forward, eager to hear more.
"The best thing. Ah always love his apple fritters. He never sold his own handmade ones for business, only for the Apple Family. Ah only learned more about him after his passin'. A shame really, ah would have loved to walk with him when ah got older or even visit his hometown abroad, but he'll be watching us from afar and above, alongside ma and pa."
"So your parents have passed away?" Sunset noted, "you have my greatest condolences."
"Same here..." Fluttershy sighed, "just hearing how strong a family you have is really nostalgic. Despite death, you and Flash still carry your hopes and memories of your family."
"Fluttershy, sweetie, are you alright?" Applejack turned to face the shy girl, "ever since you joined the club, things haven't been the same for you. Course, ah'd imagine being shaken and shattered after brushing with death more than a few times now, but you seem rather... Driven."
"Well, The Special Tutorship Club isn't called Special for nothing." Fluttershy answered, "and ever since then, a certain figure from my past... Showed up today. I'm driven by that to learn more and keep in touch with those important to me."
"Ah see then..." Applejack sighed,
"Hmm..." Pinkie took turns looking at her two friends back and forth with a blank confusion.
Recess rolled in, and the start of the contest draws ever closer. As scheduled, the students of the Special Tutorship Club made their way back their Neighponese Classroom to share their details and hear further wisdom from their three Neighponese teachers.
"So everyone," Nagisa asked, "what were the initial thoughts of our audience?'
"A majority of the students are leaning towards the Science Club, Choir club, as well as the Movie Club. It's the biggest attention grabber. Only a very few were interested in the rest." Flash reported, "that's our generation for you."
"I see." Nagisa noted, "I hope no one is demoralised by that?"
"Not at all." Thunderlane spoke as he and the others shook their head, "We can always generate hype during the concert. Stick it right in their faces."
"Then good, I was just about to give you a pep talk about how information can relate to learning assassination." Nagisa finished,
"Now this is what I wanted to hear!" Soarin chuckled,
"Ms Yada? Care to do the honours?" Nagisa gestured,
"Certainly." Yada nodded, "my mentor, Ms Jelavić, was a notorious assassin that was able to carry out her targets with her bewitching charms. Breasts, Voice, language, connections, anything to allure the men. Of course, she never dealt with a group of students at the time, but she definitely showed us how dangerous she was as an assassin. The point is, she also had various skills aside from the whole killing and charismatic seduction. She learnt other things that helped us through various missions like the time when we had to climb to the top of a hotel to get an antidote to save our poisoned classmates, but we'll save that for another time."
"Now MY mentor said this: The wider the skill set, the easier the job." Kimura continued, "When it comes to versatility, she can adapt to most things. An example could be a stand-in for a pianist or a singer, all to-"
"Attract attention." Fleetfoot interrupted, "Perhaps attract a certain target to get into the assassin's range or a distraction for another team to take the shot."
"Exactly," Nagisa nodded, "the type of attention that you need to grab is just as important. As assassins, we make sure to control the entire situation and all the elements at play. We make sure nothing slips by us, and nothing can catch us off-guard."
"Now," Kimura asked, "may you remind us why we joined this contest?"
"Because we're a club," Fleetfoot answered, "and if we want to have more friends and club members, then we should make a spectacle! Of course..." She gulped, "we've got to make sure that they don't mind the assassin part of our tutors."
"Then that's the main objective." Kimura answered, "with the club contest being a talent show, you want to make sure that you imprint something that will stick in their minds for a long time."
"Well," Flash pulled out his Neightendo Toggle which he brought along for the play, "Video games are still considered a niche in Equestria, but it does have a very solid community."
"Don't worry about what others think." Nagisa continued, "people will always want to see something interesting coming from YOU."
"You know, it is funny that we only rehearsed a few things but not everything in motion, given the time we had," Roseluck mentioned,
"We had to compensate." Noteworthy replied, holding up a sheet of functions and controls for what seems to be a giant assortment of stage equipment, "you can say that we've been studying hard so as to not mess up."
"I'll admit. From a critic's point of view, our entire presentation will be half-baked given that our preparation and planning was completely crude." Nagisa replied, "but as humans, let's just give it our best when we step onto the stage."
"Yes sir!" The class answered in unison,
"But before we jump in, what say we have a little roll call on the teams? Care to do the honours Fluttershy?"
"Yes sir," Fluttershy nodded as she walked forward and turned to the class,
"Our Ninja, you ready?"
"Ready to put on a show," Thunderlane answered, putting his hands in a ninja pose and bowing,
"Our traditional dressers?"
"OK!" Flitter, Cloudchaser and Redheart signalled, raising their clothes in the air,
"Our Modern Dressers?"
"Yes, Madam!" Soarin, Pinkie and Roseluck saluted, each holding various items that are commonly seen in Neighpon.
"Our Fighters?"
"We are battle-ready." Flash swung his naginata to a ready stance,
"Eeyup." Big Mac Sheathed his wooden katana through a makeshift scabbard with the use of one of the belt holes on his pants.
"And stage cast!"
"We're ready!" Cried Fleetfoot and Noteworthy,
"Angel? Hana?" Fluttershy called as she opened the window, the long-reaching cry of Hana echoed from above. Angel saluted with his right paw while brandishing an anti-sensei knife with the other.
"Hey!" Kimura jumped at the sight of the knife-wielding bunny, "where did you get that?" He reached for the knife, "give it back!"
"Ms Yada, Coach Justice?"
"Yes madam!" Yada nodded,
"Y-Yes!" Kimura saluted, after prying the knife from Angel's paws.
"And Mr Shiota?"
"Right here Fluttershy," Nagisa bowed, "let's give this all that we've got!"
"Of course, the same goes to you!" She innocently smiled as the class giggled,
"What's with the--Oh... That's right." Nagisa sighed as he looked down at his body.
*THE CONTEST BEGINS ON THE NEXT CHAPTER...*