おことわり

'…What is that?'
Washu, arriving at the Jurai imperial academy, was hiding behind a pillar. The person who was to invite her was a lady three years older than Washu and was called Akara Naja. But she was not alone.
There were thousands of flags on which were written "Welcome! Ms. Hakubi Washu". And a brass band, student police in formal uniforms, young children waving flags, etc… were waiting for her. It was just as if they were inviting a top rank person of one nation. Of course she had a gorgeous farewell party when she left Kanemitsu. But what was completely different between them was that this welcome party was an anachronism here. A lot of people were surrounding this party from afar and the party was a mismatch.
'Get knocked! How can I go out there?' said Washu peeping out from behind the pillar and was wondering if she would just buy a ticket and return back to Kanemitsu.
'Hey Naja, welcoming a new student?'
One of the students who was watching with the others from a distance made up his mind and approached the lady who was called Naja.
'Yeah. You know, the new student this time is a genius, the best ever found in this academy. But she is really late. What is she doing?'
'…You see Naja. I wanted to tell you before, but …'
'..!! Oh there she is!!' Naja found Washu trying to escape from the pillar and ran after her.
'Hey!! Why are you running away!?' Naja ran after her carrying one of the flags with her.
"No wonder.."
All of students who were there couldn't help thinking so.
'Wa----------it!! …What are you all doing! Get her!'
The chase ended and Washu lost. She had more stamina but Naja knew the area much better around there. And what is more, Naja was a student of the department of philosophy. Not using her super powers, Washu had no chance to win against that number of people.
Naja seemed to be quite famous in the academy and every one pointed at her wherever they went. And the great chase at the airport was already printed on the students newspaper, which Washu got one in the bus heading to the department of philosophy. Thanks for this, Washu just became one of the famous persons in the academy.
'…Ms. Naja, you see…'
'Hahaha, you can just call me Naja. No doubt that you are called the greatest genius in the academy! Every one is looking at you,' said Naja patting Washu's shoulder.
'All thanks to you.'
'I've done nothing. E---very one is just interested in the Ms. Genius.'
"She doesn't even notice the wisecrack." Washu had no strength to say anything more to her ease.
'By the way, 33min and 35sec to get you...Hmmm you really are a genius. I was planning to capture you at exactly 33 seconds. Yeah, really a genius.' Watching the newspaper, Naja nodded in admiration.
"What!? …I was serious trying to get away from her." Washu looked at Naja in surprise. Naja's words were a shock to her.
'By the way, Ms. Genius.'
'Calling "genius" only by two seconds? Please stop calling me that way. I have my …'
'Ok then. I can call you Washu-chan, can't I?'
'Er, suddenly that way…'
'Hey, Washu-chan, do you have a boy friend?'
Naja just ignored her and asked her.
'What? …er, No you see.'
'You don't have one, do you? Tell me, Washu-chan. Come on. Come on.'
To her charge, Washu wasn't able to say anything.
'…No there isn't.' That was all she could say in a sigh.
'I see! You don't have one.'
'…You look very pleased.'
'Oh? That's because… I don't have one, too. We are the same, aren't we? Washu-chan.'
At this time, it was settled that Washu was called as "Washu-chan".
'I'm sure we would be good friends. Nice to meet you. Washu-chan, the academy is like a garden to me and if you have any question then be free to ask me.'
'Are you long here?' asked Washu.
'I was born here.'
Naja was born in the academy.
One whole planet wasn't all for the school. There were the services for the life on the planet and there were the places where those who were working there and families of the students, professors and staffs lived. Though we could also call them all as the academy. And there were dozens of courses for the students to take. Most of the students lived near the department buildings, but some built a house in an island and used the network for net-classes and a few lived in a camping car or boats and took their class while they traveled all around.
Though, of course not all the students were so rich. Some students slept in their sleeping bags in the department buildings and some were working for their fee of the school. It quite the case having war between the departments which were against each other, and for this, there was a group having the representatives from each department to solve these matters, which was called the student committee. It wasn't too much to say that the academy had all the problems, which one planet has. But most of the people worked for the research of knowledge.
This was the largest and the only difference with other planets.

'OK, we're there.'
After five minuets walk from the bus stop, Washu and Naja stopped in front of a huge house. The house was very large and could be called as a mansion. It seemed that that area was for expensive habitation and luxury houses were standing all over, but the one if front of them was especially gorgeous.
'Wow, it's great. Is this your house, Ms. Naja?'
'…'
Naja didn't reply and looked back at Washu in an unemotional face.
'? … er, Ms. Naja?'
'OK, OK. A nice reply(Boke),' said Naja in an odd face tapping Washu's shoulder. 'I don't think there is a guy who suddenly invites a new student to her house.'
'Are you telling me that this is the school?'
'So that's what comes next!'
When Naja cried out in joy, the huge gate of the house gravely opened. Beyond the gate stood one elderly man with many girl maids in a line in both sides of the road to the house.
'Welcome Ms Hakubi Washu. We were waiting for you,' said the man bowing politely having the beautiful garden lighted up behind him.
'…'
This is my house?
Showing her question on her face, Washu looked at Naja pointing the house and Naja just nodded to her.
'All right then. It is late today, so we can start for the office papers tomorrow. I guess you are surprised and … tired now.'
'… er yes.'
'See you. I'll come here tomorrow at eight o'clock in the morning. Goooooood night!'
Bright in the face, Naja waved her hand to Washu and walked away ignoring Washu who tried to call her back.