After entering the room, Hana explained to Sayuri how they were set up. Either three or four persons were in a shared flat, while boys and girls were placed on different floors. Each flat had a small kitchen combined with a sitting area, a shower room and a toilet. Every roommate had their own fully equipped room to live in. Nothing too big or luxurious, but good enough for Sayuri, since her most important issue of having some privacy was covered. 

While Hana was babbling about the possibility of renting a whole room for oneself and how expensive and boring and philistine that is, Sayuri tried to identify her room. The one on the right was closed, the second one was a chaotic mess, so she assumed that would be Hana's and so the one on the left had to be hers, since her suitcases had seemed to find their way in, too. 

Instead of unpacking her luggage, she put down her bag and opened the window. The view was covered with many trees. Perfect for Sayuri! No one had a chance to look into her room and the chattering sound of birds made her feel at ease immediately. Maybe because it reminded her of her home? Sayuri opened her wardrobe. It was already filled with 3 sets from her school uniform, sports clothing and swimwear. She didn't want to know how much her parents must have spent to sign her into this. They surely could have applied her to a smaller school for freaks.

Hana: "Are you looking forward to the entrance ceremony?" Her sudden appearance behind Sayuri made her startle. What was the privacy thing again? But Hana didn't stop talking. "We're gonna be wearing our uniforms for the first time, we'll meet all the other new pupils, we're gonna get divided in our classes and … I am sooo excited!" 

Sayuri: "I am curious, yeah. But I really don't have a clue about nothing."

Hana: "It's alright, Sayu-chan! You have me, don't worry! I'll help you with everything!"

Sayuri: "Thank you. I really appreciate it." She turned around to Hana. "But we should change now. It's almost time!"

Hana: "Oh, you're right! I'm still wondering who our other roommate is, though …" Hana mumbled while hopping into her room.

Sayuri put on her uniform and looked at herself in the mirror from all angles. She thought it looked quite nice on her. Also it seemed to be made with high-quality material. Sayuri adjusted her ribbon and smoothed down the skirt. She really liked the vivid blue plaid pattern on these. Shortly after, someone knocked at the flat door.

When Sayuri came out of her room, Hana had already opened the door and Toki and two other guys were inside - all in their uniforms. Sayuri had never seen short pants for male school uniforms before. But, well, it was still warm outside, and girls were wearing skirts anyway, so why not.

Hana: "May I introduce you? Guys, this absolutely gorgeous girl and roommate is Sayu-chan!" She pointed towards her. "And this poser fair head is Ryo, you already know Toki, but I don't know this ginger myself. And I'd totally offer you some drinks, but I think we need to go now?!"

Ryo: "Naka-chan, where are your good manners? You should tell her my full name! I'm Ryota Yamamoto, nice to meet you! And may I know yours as well, sweetheart?" With his smile he could definitely do ads for toothpaste. Toki rolled with his eyes.

Sayuri: "Uhm, yeah Sayuri Kobayashi. But speaking of good manners… we shouldn't ignore that there's another person here." Her open hand pointed to the tall guy.

You could see that Ryota was slightly ashamed and Toki chuckled gleefully to himself. But with his hands in his pockets and a relaxed expression, the guy in question didn't seem to be angry about it.

Guy: "Haha, it's alright. I'm Hiroshi, just ignore me, I'm only their roommate. If they annoy me, I'll fire them up." He laughed.

Hana: "Niiiice! Does that mean you're a fire-elemental?"

Hiroshi: "Yep."

Toki: "Ok, great we embarrassed Ryo, but can we finally go?"

Ryota: "Oh, come on, you …!" He boxed Toki's arm and he giggled.

Somehow Sayuri thought this was kinda cute.

Finally the group made their way to the assembly hall. But Sayuri didn't pay much attention to what they were talking about. She looked around and tried to learn as much as she could. There were many other students walking around now. Some in uniform, some in casual clothes and some even showed their skills. This was what caught her attention the most. Someone let flowers grow on the ground, another one turned their hands in some kind of fluid and another two were throwing energy balls at each other. Sayuri felt like thrown into a Hollywood movie. Was this even real? Wasn't there still a chance, it was a dream? A prank? A hidden camera? A very belated April Fools? She shook her head. She needed to focus. Everything would be explained. She would pass this all.

The group took their seats and Sayuri looked around. Glancing at the faces of all those freshmen, she felt kinda relieved. Some of them definitely were more nervous than her. And they all looked like normal humans. This could not become so bad, could it? What would it even matter which school she would attend? She hadn't made a decision what to do after graduation anyway.

A woman with a strict hair bun appeared at the podium and the mumbling and chatting stopped. Now it was time to follow the main events again, as the woman introduced herself as school's headmistress, Itoe Osakabe.

Miss Osakabe: "Dear students, I welcome you to the 814th school year at our prestigious Northwind Residential School! You can be proud, to get the chance to become a part of it. It's the first year of an exciting journey at one of the renowned schools for supernatural tangs for you! An outstanding education, top teachers, a modern high-end equipped campus and hopefully a successful graduation awaits you!" She made a pause, and the students started applauding and cheering. Sayuri just went with them. "Tomorrow, you'll have an easy start at 10 am. You'll find your regular time table on your ID-Cards, as described in your manuals. Also, until tomorrow you can choose which extra classes you'd like to attend. Open classes can be found at the information boards in the entrance hall and canteen. Now, please all Shinteki, rise!"

Around one third of the students got up, including Hana. And before Sayuri had a chance to ask what this even meant, Hana already pulled her up.

Miss Osakabe: "Dear Shinteki, my humble self and Shuuji Takano will be your teachers on this journey. I'm looking forward to getting to know your tangs. Please take your seats again."

After that, she called all "Gaiteki". Ryota and Hiroshi seemed to belong to this group. Their teachers would be Ayano Toyami and Ryuuhei Tennouji. Last but not least, "Haigo" were called and this time, Toki stood up. He would be taught by Megumi Ootsuka and Kentaro Minawa. Sayuri really needed to know what all those terms ment, but she was afraid of asking during the speech. Was it a good thing or bad thing to be under the director? Who were the other teachers? Did they also have supernatural skills? For sure, or? 

When Sayuri's mind went back to the oration, it was about organizational things like wearing the uniforms, the canteen's opening hours, night curfew, what to do in case of illness and lots of other stuff. She hoped she would remember all this … 

After this speech, a voluntary round tour would take place. Sayuri was just about to sign up for it, but Hana stopped her. She said she was well-versed with the area and would guide Sayuri in any case. She should rather join the group to grab some food.

Sayuri: "But I don't have any money transferred to my ID-Card and I don't have my wallet with me, either." Fitting to her sentence, her tummy started to rumble, which made her feel slightly uncomfortable.

Hana: "No problem, I'll borrow you something." She smiled. "We're all hungry!"

Sayuri: "Sure? I don't wanna live off your money on the first day already …"

Hana: "Everything's alright, Sayu-chan! The world won't fall into a financial crisis in the next 24 hours!" She laughed.

Ryota: "If you don't wanna accept Hana's offer, I'll just invite you completely!"

Sayuri: "Uhm … thanks, but that is really not necessary. I think it's okay, if Hana lends me something for now."

Ryota: "All right, then …" He was kinda miffed.

Sayuri: "Uhm … I …" She didn't know what to say. Has she been rude?

Toki: "Are you ready now? I'm starving and gonna fetch something now!"

The others didn't hesitate long to follow him. The canteen was really big and comfortably furnitured. Sayuri thought it would have been more crowded. The group members grabbed some food each and sat down at a huge table.

Hana: "Hiro-kun, Sayu-chan, give me your numbers! I'm gonna make a WhatsApp-group for all of us!"

Sayuri cringed. She wasn't ready for all this social stuff. But Hiroshi handed his mobile phone to Hana immediately. 

Hiroshi: "Cool idea. Copy it from the display, I can't memorize it."

Sayuri just repeated what Hiroshi did. She knew her number, but didn't want to say it out loud for her own safety.

Toki: "And how're you gonna name the group? 「Those who have superpowers」?" He blinked at Sayuri, but she just looked away, slightly embarrassed. He surely meant this to be funny, but just because she phrased something weird earlier … 

Hana: "Not a bad idea, Tokkun! But … you know … SQUIRRELS!"

Everyone else just had question marks above their heads.

Hana: "Well, that's the first thing that came to my mind." She shrugged.

Ryota: "I'm sorry to say this, Naka-chan, but I'd rather stay with Toki's suggestion …"

Hana: "But … but squirrels are cute and clever! Just like us! Who the hell doesn't like squirrels?!"

Hiroshi: "I don't mind either way …"

Hana: "Sa-yu-chaaaan, say something!"

Sayuri: //Oh no, not me again. What should I do?// "Uhm … what about a compromise? Like … power...squirrels?"

Hana: "Aw my god, you're such a blessing! That's gonna be it!"

Ryota pressed his palm against his forehead and shook his head. Suddenly all cell phones started vibrating. The first message was sent and on everyone's lockscreen it appeared: »Hana♥@Power Squirrels: YOSH! >o< We're gonna rock the Northwind! ^_^«

And immediately the next one: »Hana♥@Power Squirrels: So guys, I'm heading back to my room now, checkin' some infos and then let's head to town, alrighty? ^_^«

Ryota: "You know, you could just … talk to us. We're right in front of you …"

»Toki@Power Squirrels: Alrighty! :D«

»Hero@Power Squirrels: Ok.«

Ryota: "You …" He just stared at all those incoming messages. They were so childish to him.

»Sayu@Power Squirrels: :)« She hoped a smilie would be acceptable.

Ryota: "Why no one is with me?" He resigned.

Hana: "You just need to join our group convo!" She put out her tongue.

After their meal, they all went back to their dorms. Hana was texting her brothers, asking where they could go and so the new group of Power Squirrels made their way into town. Sayuri still was a bit overwhelmed, but she also thought that it really could have been worse, while looking into the September sun.