A Pack of Life (APoL)

Chapter 2: Under Hand

DING-DONG~
The school bell rings yet again, and it starts with the weekly Assembly in the high school Myousuke enters. The
new Principal starts her ever so long-winded speeches about the colleges mission and values, even if she is already
running out of words to say. She then goes on with her personal life, trying to give life lessons to the staff and students
within the Hall. Shinji looks towards Myousuke, whose head is slowly dropping to the floor.
Ah man, when is she ever going to end? Well just miss the first period with her talking this long. For a Principal
as new as us in this college she sure is talkative
Oh yeah
Shinji is impressed at how Myousuke can still talk with himself halfway into dreamland.
I really want to imagine that Im in holiday now
Where do you suggest?
Hawaii? Madagascar would also be good
Wow
Imagine the beautiful beaches, the wonderful views of bikini babes and the sea, away from the noise and
polluting air
Shinji was subconsciously dragged into Myousukes thoughts, and it all seems too real to believe. They feel the
breeze that whooshes past them, and they both dash to the sea with a bunch of scantily clad girls, as they were brushed
by the wave
Suddenly, they open their eyes, only to see everyone standing up, preparing to move back to their classes. They
quickly stood up and join the others.
Wow you sure are a good story-teller; you even dragged me in into that imagination of yours, man!
Their first period comprises of a surprise test. Everyone quickly settles down as test papers were quickly passed
down. For the English teacher he has a quirky character; He only takes the first answers he sees in his papers. Any
corrected answers and he will give the question zero marks without hesitation. With the signal given from the tutor, the
test begins. Silence fills in the room as no one was actually writing down an answer, in fear that they could get it wrong.
When the teacher reminds them that it is just a practise thus far about their results before the semester tests, everyone
starts to write down their answers on the test paper.
Myousuke, like everyone else, starts to scribble answers on the test paper, and even he knows some answers, he
realises it is definitely not enough for him to pass. He tries to recall, and he remembers the English textbook on the study
table before he dozed away last night while studying. He then finds out that some of the answers were actually wrong.
With a silent curse and swear about his mistakes, Myousuke hurriedly cancels the answer and writes the correct answer
above.
Himiko, who is sitting beside his desk, reminds him about the teachers warning, but he does not care.
Its a small test anyway. I doubt anyone takes it seriously anyway.
Himiko, who intends to take out her correction tape, reverses her action and continues with her test.
As Myousuke was about to finish his last blank, the teacher shouts loudly for everyone to stop, or else their
names will be sent to the Discipline Master for cheating in a test. Everyone immediately places their pens on their desks.
As all the papers reach the teachers table, he shuffles the papers with a grimace.
Oh yes, I forget to remind you guys about this test: Whoever fails this is going to join me for extra lessons next
week.

The class suddenly changes from a relaxed, noisy environment to a classroom of students in utter shock.
WHAT??
As the teacher takes his briefcase and leaves the room smiling with an evil grin, many female classmates are
seen screaming in agony. Almost everyone in the room is lamenting themselves for not taking the teacher seriously. Some
do not even dare to walk out of the classroom, even though there is a break in between periods. Discussions fill the air in
the room as Himiko tries to recover from the shock she just received. She then sees her friend Sacchi walk out of the
room confidently.
Oh my god!
Myousuke knows that his performance in the test is not doubt going to restrict him of the freedom of his youth.
Shinji comes by and gives a pat on his shoulder.
Are you alright? Its okay; its just a small test anyway. Why not just brace it and-
No I do not want to stay back next week! Its the open beta of this new game I was following and I dont want
to miss it!
That is so you, my friend.
I got an idea, why not we resort to-
What, cheating again? Man you not thinking of changing the answers?
Shinji moves away from the table and sits on a neighbouring desk. Myousuke managed to cheat in the previous
test, which makes Shinji worry about whether his bravery is his strength or his weakness.
He did mention before that his documents are kept well in a locked drawer in the teachers room, ever since
someone found out where the papers are kept. You dont stand a chance now.
I know that.
Dont do anything silly, please. I dont want to see you two get into any trouble. Besides, I would definitely join
you guys in the extra lessons.
Himiko was hearing behind the boys, assuring that she would join them anyway, should anything happen.
Myousuke turns into a smile after hearing Himiko, and heads outside ecstatically for lunch. Shinji pats his forehead in
disbelief.
And so after an early dismissal, Myousuke drags Shinji to the staff room. As they stand by the back door of the
English Department, Shinji hesitates by turning back but Myousuke sneaks in, holding that shivering body which is
attempting to leave the premises. To their surprise, the room appears to be empty; it seems like the teachers have their
meeting held somewhere else. With the air conditioner blowing down on them on an exceptionally hot day, they feel
rather at ease. But they do not forget that they have a problem to attend to. They shuffle to the nearest table from the
back door, which they conveniently identify the drawer compartments with one labelled Test Papers. With a lock in
place and it not budging after a few pulls from Myousuke, they wonder how to open it to edit their papers.
They stare at each other, and at the well-reinforced drawer.
Lets just go
Myousuke moves back with his elbow accidentally hitting the lock. With a click, the lock burst open like popcorn,
flinging itself and hitting the wall behind them. They stop their actions as they see the lock hit the ground a few feet away.
They face each other as their jaws drop to the floor, and almost without delay Myousuke opens the drawer to find the
papers from their class.
Wheres the textbook I told you to bring along?
Here.
Myousuke starts scribbling some answers memorised beforehand and copying from the textbook Shinji brought.
He also helps Shinji for his paper, as Shinji reluctantly transfers the answers to the paper.

I would be glad when this is over

After they also help edit some blanks for Himikos paper, they click the lock in place and run away from the room
as fast as their legs could carry them.
You did not make us all score full marks, is it?
Ah dont worry, Ive counted enough for all of us to a least not get the retest.
Myousuke says in confidence as they rush pass the corridors back to class to get their bags. As they enter the
class, Himiko comes out from the other exit, sees them enter the room in sweat and heads home.
As Shinji has club activities, Myousuke decides to go home himself. He enthusiastically waves goodbye and
rushes for the school gate. He turns to look at the staff room block, and sighs as he happily makes his way home.
While taking his usual route home, he encounters a series of bends he has to take for a quick route home. On
the first bend, he sees a girl waiting by a lamppost, which he ignores and walks past her. Upon the next bend, he sees
the same girl waiting by a lamppost.

Eh? Did he just see an illusion or something?

He walks a few steps back to check the previous street. There was no one. It appears as if the girl just
teleported from one street to another. He then turns back to face the front, and in surprise the girl appears right in front
of him, showing her cute face and obvious forehead just inches before his face.
Ah!
He holds his breath in shock.
Who are you? Are you following me?
Of course Im not, Kawazoe Myousuke-kun.
The girl brushes her long, black hair, resembling a familiar image.

How did she know my name?

Wh-Who are you?
Before he could finish, the slender, long body in front of him vanishes from his sight to the lamppost and walks
away past the previous street. He felt a shiver down his spine, but as hes tired and needs to clear the last level of his
recently addicted computer game, he ignores the possible illusion from moments ago and dashes for home.
Down the next bend, he sees no one and runs across, afraid that the girl may appear again.
Its near my home soon. Its near my home soon
Suddenly, he feels a figure standing right behind where he is, which turns him into a state of shock once again.
He turns back to see the figure behind him.
Kawazoe Myousuke, fifteen in age, purchased a pack of Cards from A Pack of Life card store on 10th May.
The girl walks towards the still confused Myousuke.
Confirmed as Card Yielder and Guardian of Tokyo and immediately starts work after taking instructions from
Mimanoe Jouhou.
The girl points a finger at herself whilst holding her phone.
Which is me.
A sudden rush of silence fills the streets, with the lamppost beside them flickering.

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Huh?
Hmm?
Eh? Jouhou?
Yes, that is my name.
Myousuke recalls him being the headline news of the college last week featuring students actually stalking
famous students within their school.
Youre not some paparazzi from our colleges Newspaper Club, are you?
The girl smacks his head.
Ouch!
Youre getting yourself a chance to save your country, Kawazoe-kun.
Huh?
Myousuke keeps pondering about the situation he sees in front of him, why this girl would not let him off, and
what the heck she is implying about saving his country when there is no war going on in a time of peace.
Hey.
The girl named Jouhou gets his attention, and gets serious.
Do you understand what I am saying?
Myousuke shakes his head. He turns back seemingly wanting to escape from this appears-to-be-friendly-butpotentially-evil scandal incident and Jouhou holds him back on his shoulders and drags her to his ear.
Dont you feel weird why the deck of Cards you possess are even more accurate than weather forecasts? You
sure you dont want to know whats really happening?
Myousukes eyes open in shock, and turns back to look at Jouhou, squeezing tears from his eyes.
Please let me off~ Im just a poor high school-
WHAM!
With a flick, he receives a knee kick on his crotch and kneels on the ground.
What the hell, cant you just toughen up? I wonder why you got such luck to be picked as the Card Guardian.
She stamps on the ground, sees Myousuke groan and his tears fall off his cheeks, crosses her left arm and shows
her a deck of cards from her right pocket.
You know this thing?
Jouhou says in a rather impatient manner as she faces the confused high school student in tears.
Yeah?
They are real fortune-telling cards.
Myousuke shows his face of confusion again, with his expression of agony and along with a pair of weeping eyes,
he continues his kneeling on the ground for mercy.
Oops.
Jouhou realises that she has been activating a Card, and twists it with her two fingers to deactivate it. Myousuke
suddenly feels his tears have stopped flowing, and stands with a brave front.

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Whats the big deal? What do you think-

She stops the advance of Myousuke with her palm on his face.
Dont you feel weird how accurate those Cards are? I suppose you realise it by now.
This time, Myousuke finally gets a hold of himself and notices what Jouhou says is in fact, true.
If you do not believe me, you can just go home now and check. You and your very sarcastic friend were
dreaming together in the morning, you suddenly recalled something on a test today after school you managed to unlock a
key lock just by touching it.
Myousuke stands in disbelief, and Jouhou points to his house ahead.
Go. Check them in your room desk drawer now.
Still with the disbelief in his mind, he rushes a few steps to his home, rushes past the living room where he
normally greets his mother (who was preparing dinner so does not notice him) and into his room on the ground floor. He
opens the drawer with a forceful pull, and flips the three cards he picked last night upwards. That weird girl is correct:
The three Cards show World Imagination (for picturing a scene as a group), Picture Perfect (for recalling an image) and
Gatekeeper (which can open all key locks).
He then rushes through the corridor leading to his room, still missing his greet to his mother, and out of the front
door.
What is your name?
He sees no one on the street as he looks right where Jouhou stood just now. As he walks out to the street and
wonders where she has gone, a long, rather muscular shadow appears behind him upon the sunset and as Myousuke
turns around. A cunning tone fills the atmosphere behind him.
Who the hell are you, young boy? A Card Yielder?

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