Faded Rose: Sakura Hilltop Arc

By E. C. Honey

About the Book
Ash Rose is a broken character. He learned martial arts from his master, Mahaguru Rama, a grand master of Silat. He learned and applied what he'd learned in real fights that had real consequences. Ash learns that an elite private fighting school that once was an all-girl school has become co-ed. He jumps at the chance to go there. His mom went there, and he wants to continue her legacy as a legendary fighter. Sakura Hilltop isn't just a regular school, but it is an elite school for those that wish to have a career in professional sports and martial arts. Satsuki Kushinada, the strongest student in the whole school, has set her sights on Ash and has plans for him.
About the Author
E. C. Honey was born on Fort Scott Airbase in 1991. He enjoys watching anime in his free time. He also loves playing video games with good plots and good versus evil characters.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dorrance Publishing Company
• Release date: Aug 16, 2023
• ISBN: 9798886047615

Book preview

Aura, California

From the middle of America to the west coast of America to a town, almost a city, that was once a Japanese internment camp that grew because the people there made a life for themselves. A small town that grew and grew because people from Japan came to live there when they came to America and thought they would become something more.

As for the town, it needed a school to come to Sakura Hilltop. It was a school made to teach those the live there, that became a private school for only those that wished to grow even more, and with time, it became an all-girls school. One of the things that stick out about Sakura Hilltop is the students that learn martial arts that go there. Not only is Sakura Hilltop known for being one of the most difficult schools to get into across the country, it is also known for the students to know at least one martial art. Sakura Hilltop Private Academy is the school that will lead you to the future. Inside the school sitting in a large room with a table that has several women sitting around the table, each person around the table is a teacher for Sakura Hilltop Private Academy.

Now that we have everyone here, let’s begin, says Hiroko Sakura, granddaughter of Hideyoshi Sakura, the founder of Sakura Hilltop Private Academy and headmistress for the whole school. It shows that she is of Japanese descent with her long black hair that has a few grays showing through and brown eyes with a pair of glasses. The next school year is about to start, and we need to know who will be accepted for the freshmen.

Well, we have the students picked out and those that passed the entrance exams, says Lisa Richmen; math teacher for the freshmen been working at Sakura Hilltop for eight years now and once was a student. Her short blonde hair flares up at the ends and she has shinning blue eyes. There is another matter. Don’t tell me… It’s about the boys, right? Hiroko asks, knowing the answer already.

Yes, says Rachael Paker; English teacher for the seniors has been working at Sakura Hilltop for fifteen years and is a former student. She has braided brown hair that sits on her shoulders, bags from lack of sleep underneath her eyes that happen to be dark green. As you all know, for the last few years, older students that became mothers want their children to attend Sakura Hilltop, but they can’t because this school is an all-girl school.

Yes, we know that! shouted out Miya Lochi; history teacher for the seniors whose been working at Sakura Hilltop for twenty-two years and once was a student. Miya has short black hair that is starting to gray from mostly stress because she has to deal with the seniors that are failing. We hear this time and time again! We let their daughters in, but we say no to their sons, and they throw a fit!

Miya, do we need to talk about that attitude again? said Hiroko, as this isn’t something new. Everyone has the right to attend whether they are female or male. He says, putting weight behind the subject that is at hand. The mothers only want the best education for their sons; what is the harm in that?

What’s the harm in that? the history teacher asks and slams her hands on the table while standing up at the same time. They are nothing more than monsters! Men think the world revolves around them! Lisa leans back in her chair, Here we go again with the lesbo, she tried and failed to mutter the insult under her breath, but everyone in the room knows how much Lisa and Miya don’t get along with each other.

Unfortunately for Lisa, Miya had heard her. What was that you bitch? she asks, growling at the woman. She was forced to teach Lisa when she went to Sakura Hilltop. I dare you say that to my face!

You’re a lesbo that doesn’t want the boys here because then you won’t have all the ladies running to you. Lisa didn’t really put any bite to it since the history teacher is easily provoked. It’s no secret that you bat for the other team; there’s nothing wrong with that, but don’t you think that it’s a little sexist this day and age for there to be an all-girls school? Lisa asked the other teachers in the room.

What are you getting at Lisa? asked Jesse McCloud; the PE teacher for all grades for Sakura Hilltop that was been working for them for the last fifteen years and just like everyone else attended said school. I know you’re the youngest teacher here and all, but why are you pushing for this?

I have to agree with Jesse on this, says Rachael as she jumps in on this. It’s not like you to push for something this. What’s your angle? Angle? Angle?! How can you say something like that? Lisa tries to make it sound like doesn’t want to spotlight. Fine! She quickly adds, An old friend of mine’s son is old enough to attend, and I want to get him in.

Who are you talking about? Hiroko asked since this is about a possible new student. Is she an old student from here? Yes Lisa exhales, It’s Glamis Rose. Tch! Miya growls out.

Miya remembers Glamis Rose all right.  The history teacher remembers how that girl would cause and start fights for no reason more than to have a good fight. She even challenged her. Miya Lochi, a Coral Belt in Brazilian Ju-Jitsu. What most people don’t know is that in Brazilian Ju-Jitsu, the Black Belt doesn’t end there. In fact, there are three more ranks after becoming a Black Belt. This is the Red/Black Belt otherwise known as a Coral Belt.

Coral Belts are very experienced practitioners, most of whom have made a large impact on Brazilian Ju-Jitsu and are often addressed with the art by the title Master. The second belt is the Red/White Belt again known as a Coral Belt. The only difference between them is the degree; with the Red/Black Belt being a seventh degree and the Red/White Belt being a seventh degree and eighth degree. And finally the Red Belt, which only those that are at the pinnacle of the art can ever achieve. If a practitioner received their Black Belt when they are nineteen, then the earliest they can even get the Red Belt would be at the age of sixty-seven. By reaching the Red Belt then you are known as the fabled title Grand Master.

‘That bitch somehow beat me! Me! I’ve won titles and tournaments! My name was known for one of the strongest women in the world, and yet some redhead whore defeated me soundly!’ thought Miya. Glamis had a son? Hiroko can still remember when she first started as headmistress when Glamis started to attend Sakura Hilltop, How is she?

Glamis… died a few years ago. Tuberculosis took hold of her, and she fought, but in the end, it claimed her. Her son, Ash, has been living with her old Master Rama. So he’s most likely learned her martial art.

That’s a shame that Glamis died. So her son is what sixteen? Seventeen? He just turned sixteen. Glamis told me before she died that she wanted Ash to attend Sakura Hilltop. So you can see why I’ve been pushing for this. Why don’t we give it a trial run? said the voice in the back. Everyone turned their head to look at the only student that is allowed to be even in these meetings.

Satsuki Kushinada, the heiress of the Kushinada Clan and Business. Satsuki was sent over from Japan to attend and learn from one of the best schools. The Kushinada is an old samurai Clan that has had ties to the Emperor of Japan throughout the centuries. During the turn of the century, Satsuki’s great-grandfather Jiro Kushinada turned a profit and quickly started up his own business that became a successful business that has lasted to this day. Because of Satsuki’s upbringing, she had to stand at the top of everything she does. So it wasn’t much of a surprise to anyone when she became the student body president during her first year while attending Sakura Hilltop. Now that she is a senior, the heiress is preparing to head back to Japan to attend Tokyo University and after that taking her place of the head of the Kushinada Clan and Business.

Satsuki has long black hair dark as the night with a shine to it showing just how much she takes care of her hair. A light skin tone that is of the fresh color white and so clean that the Satsuki doesn’t need to wear make-up. One would say that Satsuki Kushinada is a Yamato nadeshiko; the ideal Japanese woman.

Why not make a trial run of this? Satsuki said once more. Have those that wish to attend take the entrance exams like everyone else. And only the first hundred that pass are allowed at attend Sakura Hilltop. Though that all can’t be freshmen now, can they? If one were to listen hard enough, one could almost hear an accent in Satsuki’s voice. This shows that Satsuki’s first language isn’t English.

"Hmm. The headmistress leans back in her chair. She thinks over this long and hard. While her grandfather created this school for those that needed a school to learn from; he would have let anyone in if they wanted to attend. When her mother took over, she quickly turned the school into an all-girls school because she only wanted to make sure that women have some teeth when they get out into the world. But now that all changed. This day in age, you can’t separate gender like that and get away with it. It’s only a matter of time before one of the mothers take them to court and try to force them to take both genders.

Very well, Hiroko stated as she made up her mind, We’ll send out letters out to the mothers that wish for their sons to attend. Though there might be some problems. Like what? Lisa asked since she doesn’t see any problems. What type of problems are you talking about?

What I’m talking about is the education for the ones we take in. The Seniors and Juniors will have difficultly because they are preparing for life after high school; Seniors more so. Then there is the location where the boys will be staying. We don’t have any dorms for them.

That sets in for everyone else as it became clear what’s ahead of them. Seniors and Juniors have to worry about having the right classes to graduate and prepare for college. Then there is worry about where they will be staying and sleeping.

If I may? spoke up Satsuki as she thought of something that might help with this situation. Of course, Satsuki-sama. Hiroko quickly said. You have helped us so far.

Please, you don’t have to call me sama for I am just a student, Hiroko-sensei. She was telling the headmistress since it wouldn’t look good for her to bring her family into this. After all, Satsuki is just a student under someone who knows what they’re doing. Why not have it so that the Seniors and Juniors attend and have them not worry about that. Tell them just make sure their grades are good enough to graduate. And as for where they are staying; why not those apartment buildings at the bottom of the foothill? Hardly anyone lives there.

Hmm… That might work. Hannah said, as this would make sure that the Seniors and Juniors have the chance to graduate when the time comes. And the apartments that Satsuki is talking about are just outside of Sakura Hilltop property. The grades I can understand, but what about the property? I don’t think the school has enough money to buy those apartment buildings. And it’s true. While the school is doing very well and receive a lot of money, they don’t have enough to expand like that.

I can foot the bill, if that’s what you’re worried about. Once again, Satsuki shocked them. I will pay for the apartment building and have it so that the new students will have a way up the hill. A- Are you sure, Satsuki-sama? asked Hiroko since this is too much. Yes, Satsuki comes from a wealthy family, but the thought of her using her very own money to help the school like this; it just makes very much sense.

Yes, I am sure of this. This is a great chance for the future of Sakura Hilltop. I would gladly do this out of my own pocket. Very well, then. If Satsuki was going to do this, then Hiroko wasn’t going to stop her. The letters will be sent out in the next few days.

oxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

The meeting didn’t take much longer to finish as that was one of the major talks. Satsuki walks down the hallway; everything had gone according to plan. She was smirking as she played all the teachers in her hand like puppets on strings. Satsuki stopped walking and turned her head a little, You can come out now.

She didn’t have to wait for long as a woman the same age as her walks out of the shadows. She has short blonde hair with a dark tan showing she either spend a lot of time in a tanning bed  or spent a get deal of time outside. A grin spreads across her face. My, my, my, I didn’t think you’d sense me, Lady Satsuki.

What do you want, Spice-san? Satsuki says with hate clearly in her voice. Gone was the nice and elegant woman that was portrayed in front of the teachers. Standing there is a cold woman that doesn’t take shit from anyone.

Ginger Spice is Satsuki Kushinada’s personal informant. Ginger can work her fingers into anywhere to gather information that can either hurt or help someone. My! the grin becomes even bigger. One wouldn’t think that the Great Lady Satsuki would be so cold, she says, joking for no one but herself. Do the teachers truly know what you’re planning?

No, they don’t. And you better not tell them! The threat is as clear as water, This will go through even if I have to cut you down! Is that how you should be talking to a loyal servant? Ginger cutely pouts, but her eyes say otherwise.

Did you get the file that I asked for? Yes, and I have to say; I’ve gotten wet from just reading the first few pages. Ginger pulls out a somewhat thick file before waving it around.

Satsuki takes the file and opens it before scanning a few pages. She closes the file and places it underneath her arm. Just like I thought. He’s perfect. Really now? I wouldn’t have thought you’d like them rough, she says, jesting at Satsuki’s sex life

No, Spice-san, Rose-san is perfect for what I have in mind. This wouldn’t have to do with anything about something in the future, now, would it?