Sato Yukiko sat in her limo somewhat comfortably. The trip had been long, but she hoped it would be worth it. She would hate to hear Father's anger if she returned empty handed. The heiress had to beg for this opportunity. The fact she had debased herself to such levels, Yukiko believed, was the reasons she had been given permission.
She looked over the shops sitting around her and felt a sense of dread. Unless there were more shops elsewhere she was going to need to adjust to substandard items for the next five years. At least the buildings were clean, but the wares she saw through the window wasn't worthy of her servants.
She doubted there were any other shops on campus. It was a school after all. There would not be enough people her to justify more. She decided she would adjust and accept this was a hardship that was part of her training.
Finished placing the last hair in place she looked into the mirror for a final time. She could have brought her servants to perform this menial task, but like the shops she was going to have to adjust without them. since she was to live in such conditions she had started before she got to the school. For the month it had taken to travel she had prepared herself, learning to show the perfection of the Sato name. None would find any flaws. She swore that to herself.
With a nod the chauffeur who had been waiting just outside the door opened it for her. Two of her body guards exited first, assessing the surroundings from the new perspective, then moved forward two steps so she could exit. From the other side her other two guards exited the vehicle and came around to guard her from behind.
They were there under father's insistence. Though she had trained in combat for seven years with single minded determination he still treated her as a child unable to defend herself. It had to be expected. She was a likely target from rival businesses, or even the government itself if they felt threatened by the Sato Conglomerate's power. It was for that reason her father had allowed her to train.
In her father's world 'cut throat business' was not simply a saying. It was entirely too true, and none were spared. Children, cousins, even friends were all potential targets meant to destabilize the owner of a rival company. She knew this too well.
Maybe the new environment would allow her to sleep peacefully again, void of the nightmares that had plagued her since... No, she wouldn't think on that. She wouldn't allow the tears it would cause to smudge her makeup, and she wouldn't show that kind of weakness to anyone.
Looking around there were only a few students walking around in the early morning. She heard a bugle in the distance calling the students for morning assembly. The ones in uniform ran towards its call instantly, but the ones in plain clothing remained where they had been, some waving farewell to their running friends.
It wouldn't be there. No, it was west of here she needed to go, where she could hear a large group of teenagers. When they got there she saw the potential students waiting for the doors to the auditorium to open, confirming she had gone to the right place. They were a very different breed of people than she was used to. They would find the shops behind her to be normal.
Unfortunate was the kindest word she could think of three of them. Chimera: creatures twisted by magic and science alike; sometimes in combination. She had seen some of them roving the desert on her trip. She had watched her bodyguards kill several who became aggressive towards them while they traveled.
During her training her sensei had drilled her on assessing them. He wanted her to be able to determine their weaknesses and strengths so she could defend herself. Meanwhile her studies teacher had shown her their regrettable history and the atrocities that had created them.
Most had never been human. It was believed by most of the mages that did experiments that cause these creators that only human life mattered. Defiling animals instead was therefore morally justified. The thought sickened her. She pitied the beasts, and she hated those who had created them.
The three she could see here had been human once. One had scales which she expected to be strong enough to act as armor, and had many other lizard-like modifications. Another had arms twice the length they should be and bore multiple elbows. The last was the most disturbing. His skin appeared to be thin as crepe paper, and on every movement it tore, then healed. Why he had been allowed to live she could not guess. It would have been a kindness to put the creature out of its misery.
She had gotten good reports on the quality of the training here. Given the distance those recommendations had to travel for her to hear them made her believe they were accurate.
That they let in sub-human creatures told her the reputation of Davis-Monthan was with reason. It may be good enough to make even lesser beings usable fighters. That meant it was better than any education she could get at home.
There was another possibility though. The rumors could be false. They could accept anyone because they had low standards. She hoped it was the former. Not just for her sake, but for theirs. It would be good that such creatures might serve and find comfort in knowing they had a place in society.
She noted the reactions of those around her to her presence. Most of them vainly attempted to not notice her, and there were some who openly stared. Dishearteningly there were also at least four faces she saw recognition in. Even here her father's influence was felt to some small degree.
She gave the impression of distance bordering on boredom, radiating it as if it were a cloak. She would keep her untouched by their envy, and it was an active defense against the sycophants. She hated that behavior. She had been subjected to it since birth. She learned that those the lower classes were all the same. She would be alone here, but then again she was alone everywhere. This was just geography.
"Sato-sama," the chief guard started. "We will not be allowed to stay on campus. We could relocate to New Tucson so should you need us we would be available." With only a slight glance she indicated her displeasure. She had already given them their orders. Her father may have given different orders when they left but he was not here. She was in charge at this point. "My apologies. We will return to Manhattan. Do you wish for me to give a message to your family?"
"Tell oyaji-sama that his daughter has arrived safely."
"Is there any message for your sister?" he prompted.
Only a slight shake of her head would be visible to those watching, not enough to give any insight to her disdain. "Tell Imouto-san I will see her when my training here is complete."
The stiff backed guard accepted the messages without a word, then all four turned as one to return to the car, taking with them her way of life.
She headed towards the entrance as the doors opened and noted that the prospective students fell away leaving her a clean path in. None of them seemed comfortable in her presence. She approved of this. She welcomed the isolation. That was what she told herself at least.
She only looked ahead to her destination, never giving any acknowledgement to everyone around her. She listened though, and her peripheral vision picked up more than most would expect. One person bowed to her in proper fashion. He was a westerner which surprised her, but he was respectful. Then the girl next to him rudely asked who the 'snob' was. The tone of his voice was properly chastising to her lack of manners as he gave her name. He gave it backwards, but that was to be expected of a westerner.
Since the apocalypse the Japanese culture on this continent had slowly disintegrated. Communication and travel, which had been commonplace before, had become difficult bordering on the impossible. They were left completely isolated. Her people became more assimilated to their surroundings and let go of the old ways out of self defense.
Again it was natural, but it bothered her. Culture should be respected! Most didn't know their own language anymore, and she was willing to bet what she spoke wasn't accurate to their native tongue either. However she would hold on to what was left with willpower alone if needed.
Her own father had given in to the necessity to accept the culture they found themselves in. While in the home they spoke English, but the formal honorifics were still used. Among his business partners he spoke as those around him did. It was simply good business to keep them comfortable.
It was because of this that the next sentence she heard caught her completely by surprise and forced her to involuntarily spin and look at the person behind her in shock. "Woooooow... Is that a real furisode kimono?"
Yukiko herself had trouble finding the proper name for the style of kimono. That this child spoke of it so easily was difficult to grasp.
And the girl hadn't stopped talking. She was avidly pointing out each piece of her garments, and giving the correct names for each. Her pronunciation was horrible, but that was forgivable. She also complimented the quality, and conjuectured how some pieces were made.. It was exhausting just to listen to her, and more than a bit annoying.
"I never thought I'd ever see one in real life! I mean, they're so rare, what with most of the Japanese becoming westernized. I've only seen them in manga. Your family must be really holding on! I so want to talk to you about what it's like! Can you teach me Japanese? I know I may never use it again, but about half my manga collection isn't translated so there is that."
Very Exhausting.
"Oh, I almost forgot. What's your name? Should I bow? Of course I should!" She put action to words. "My name is Carole O'Neal. I would welcome your friendship," she said, trying to sound formal.
Friendship wasn't likely to happen, but this girl would be useful to learn a bit more of her heritage. She needed to choose her words carefully. She wanted to be sure this girl understood her place, but not offend her as most westerners were when the distinction was pointed out.
"Good to meet you O'Neal-kun. I am Sato Yukiko-sama." It was arrogant to refer to herself with that honorific, but she thought Carole wouldn't be versed in her culture enough to understand that. She should realize that it differentiated their obvious class level.
She had missed the mark as Carole demonstrated her understanding of Japanese culture again. "Nice to meet you Yukiko-san." The 'san' honorific meant this girl thought of herself as Yukiko's equal. That was not acceptable. It was also unavoidable. Unless she made a scene she could not chastise her poor etiquette (Never mind her own arrogant honorific). And it wouldn't do any good. She would need to prove herself first or she would never gain the respect due to her.
That wasn't simply true with this girl. It would be needed among all the students except for the ones she wanted to avoid. It was good then that aptitude tests were only minutes away. She would prove she was not just rich, but she was skilled. She was confident she could outclass everyone before her.
She needed to appease Carole now however or she might lose her opportunity. A trade of knowledges would be appropriate, she thought. "I would enjoy teaching you my language. In exchange would you be amenable to showing me how you have become so knowledgeable of my culture?"
Carole tilted her head in thought, then smiled brightly. "Sure, that's fair I guess. But can you drop the superior act a little? It's pretty annoying and I think I'd like you if you just let yourself go a bit."
If she had been her subordinate Yukiko would have slapped her for the insult. She wasn't however. "I do not understand how you could think it is an act," she replied with her back tensed in sudden irritation.
'Just let yourself go a bit' indeed. She could not afford to do so. Too much was upon her shoulders.
"I am Sato Yukiko, Heiress of the Sato Conglomerate; the largest company of all the City-States on the eastern coast. I have mastered four forms of martial arts, two styles of sword play, and am the most gifted mage in my family's history. There is no aspect that I am not superior to you."
She regretted the outburst instantly. While it was all true it was impolite to the point of unforgivable. It had also been done in front of a large crowd so her faux pa was public for all to see. She had lost face.
With a bow that was stiff from anger she said "My apologies for my ill manners. What I said was uncalled for. I take responsibility and ask what you wish from me to atone."
The words were said quickly and while she meant them, they tasted like acid. That she had spoken in such a way that forced her to ingratiate herself to a commoner was unthinkable.
"Don't worry about it Princess. I'm certain you have more important things to do than speak to someone so inferior to you." Then she walked passed her and headed towards the auditorium doors. Halfway up the stairs the rude from before, who had a strong family resemblance joined up, talking excitedly.
She had intended the perfect first impression for all to see. Instead she had made any chance of getting respect from her classmates difficult bordering on the impossible.
Perhaps it was for the best. Why did she need to impress them? She wanted to avoid the ones who wanted to use her in one manner or another. This way she had it. The only ones who would approach her now were the desperate ones who wanted a piece of her. She could get rid of them quickly enough.
She would be left alone. Wasn't that what she wanted?
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