«
Chapter 16
»
*This place is larger then I thought it would be. How am I ever going to find my way around here?* Nanako couldn’t believe how large the campus actually was, as she stumbled her way through it. She had gotten all the information she could on Tokyo University off
the web over the last two days, but didn’t think it would be so large. She managed to register for her classes earlier that morning, and was presently trying to find her Molecular Cell biology class, which was about to start any minute if her watch was correct. She dug in her shoulder bag, trying to find her map of the campus and buildings again. * I don’t know why I bothered to put it away. I just need to look at it again in a minute anyways. If I could just figure out where I am, I could get to where I need to be.* Sighing, she opened it up to get a better look inside.
Unfortunately, she wasn’t watching where she was going, and bumped into someone, sending them both falling to the ground.
Stammering, she picked herself up and said her apologizes. “I’m so sorry. I should have been watching where I was going. I... I...” Nanako was totally dumbfounded at who she seen in front of
her. *Boy, does this bring back memories.*
“It’s ok. I should have been watching too. Are you alright?” The girl now standing in front of her had long blond hair tied back in a red bow. She had on a orange skirt, and an orange jacket over her red t-shirt.
Staring, Nanako snapped back into reality. “Um... ah... ya... I’m fine. Are you?”
“Oh ya. I have a friend who knocks me down all the time, so I’m totally used to it. My name’s Minako, by the way. Aino Minako. What’s yours?”
“Oh... I’m Nanako. Tenreo Nanako. I really am sorry about that. I was trying to find my damn map, and I...” she was trying to explain what had happened, when she was cut off. *Oh well. I guess
she didn’t have her princess training in this life.*
“You must be new here then. Trust me, those maps aren’t going to help you. How’s this, if you want to come with me to meet up with some friends, I’m sure one of us can take you to your class.” Smiling, she dusted herself off and rearranged herself once again.
“That would be great. I’ve been trying to find my cell class for what seems like hours.”
“Cool, so which cell are you in. Ami, one of the people we’re going to meet, takes one of them. All of the Biologies are in the same building, so she’ll be able to show you where to go, no problem.”
“Um.. It’s cell 2020... I think...”
Minako quickly turned Nanako in the right direction, and skillfully maneuvered her way through the crowds to the courtyard.
“Hey guys. Sorry I’m late. Oh yah.... This is Tenreo Nanako. We kinda bumped into each other earlier. Nanako, this is Tsukino Usagi, Mizuno Ami, Hino Rei, and Kino Makoto.” Each nodded appropriately, smiling as Minako continued on.
“Ami, you wouldn’t mind showing her to her class would you? She’s new here, and doesn’t know her way around yet.” Minako, continued to explain what happened while the Usagi, Makoto, Ami, and Rei checked out the new arrival.
Trying not to be rude, Nanako tried to cut in. “I would really appreciate it if you could show me to my next class. This place is really confusing.” Smiling at Ami, she quickly glanced at the group. *They haven’t changed much. True, they have different
clothes, but they all look the same, and Minako seems to not have changed much at all personality wise. I hope I get to spend more time with them before this is over. I have missed them all.*
“Oh that wouldn’t be a problem. Actually, we should be on our way now. We don’t want to be late after all.” Turning to her friends, Ami added, “I’ll see you all after this class. Meeting here ok with everyone?”
Getting a positive nod from all, she quickly turned and left, Nanako following quickly behind her. “If you don’t mind me asking, where are you from? I mean, Minako was right when she said you were new here, correct?”
Smiling warmly, Nanako thought back to her past. *Ami always was the curious one.* “Yes, I am new. I just moved here from... America a few days ago. A friend of mine suggested I should go here, so I signed up this morning.”
“Oh, so what are you studying here then?”
“A little bit of everything, I guess you could say. I haven’t really settled on anything specific yet. What about you... Ami... That is right?” Receiving a nod, she continued on. “What are you studying?”
“I’m studying medicine actually. It’s always been my dream to become a doctor.”
“That’s a very worth while goal. I wish I had one as well.” *It must be nice to have something to look forward to. To have a goal to work towards. Oh well, my duty is very important. I must concentrate on that.*
Looking back with a perplexed look on her face, Ami studied Nanako carefully. “You mean there’s nothing you want to become?”
“To tell you the truth, I’ve always had other things on my mind. I never really thought about what I’d like to do with the rest of my life, career wise that is.”
“I hope you find what you’re looking for then.”
Ami lead her to the far end of the campus, to a large brick building a few stories high. On the roof, you could make out a greenhouse. “Now which class do you have?”
“Um... Cell 2020.”
“Really? I’m in the same class. So you’re taking a second year class. Did you take your first year at another University?”
“Um... actually, no. I did that aptitude test, and they said I could sign up for second year biologies instead of the first year one. So I guess this is your second year then?”
“Actually...” Ami turned away, turning crimson as she continued up the stairs. “I took the same test, so I’ve skipped most of my first year classes. So is this your first year as well then?”
“Yes. I can’t wait to get started. I’ve...” Nanako caught herself before she gave her real reasons for being here. “I’ve been looking forward to University for a while. I took a few years off, so it’ll be nice to get back into the swing of things.”
Turning into one of the lecture rooms, Ami took one of the few remaining front row seats, leaving one next to her for Nanako. “It’s easier to hear and see what’s going on if you sit up here.”
“I can see what you mean. I didn’t think that there would be so many people in this class. It’s huge.”
“Most of the Biology classes are like this. There’s up to 500 people in many of them.” Ami leaned over to Nanako, hoping she’d be able to hear her over the noise.
The professor walked in, and the class fell silent. “Now everyone, we’ve got a new T.A. in today, and she’ll be with us for the rest of the term. Let me introduce you to Meiou Setsuna. If you have any questions, and I’m unavailable, don’t hesitate to bring it up with her. She is quite capable of fielding any of them. So lets get on with today’s lesson...”
*She’s probably here to check up on me.* Nanako watched as Setsuna looked around for an available seat, and walked over to take the one next to her.
“Here to check up on me already?” she said in a hushed voice.
“Well, I just wanted to make sure that you were getting along ok. Besides, I was scheduled to TA a Biology class sooner or later.”
Ami peeked over at the two. “You two know each other?”
“We’ve been friends for a long time.” Setsuna answered.
“Ladies, if you would be so kind as to keep it down so those who are here to actually learn can do so, I’m sure it would be greatly appreciated.” Their professor stood in front of them, a sheet of paper in one hand, a dry erase marker in the other. He had stopped halfway through a diagram, and waited until he had their attention again.
The three went red faced, and kept quiet for the rest of the class, which passed by relatively quickly for Nanako. She had always loved to learn new things, and science had advanced since her time. Although her people were very technologically advanced, they couldn’t look inside a cell. The new advances fascinate her greatly. Yes, she would enjoy this class while she was here.
|
|
|
