บท 147: Graduation (1)
When John woke up, it was morning already.
Even though today he didn't have class, he still woke up earlier since it was a very special day.
It was 7:00 am.
John walked by the window and opened the curtains to enjoy the brisk sunlight of the early morning.
The yellow sun that brought light and warmth to this planet, the beautiful endless blue sky with birds flying along with the few white clouds in this time of spring.
And even the uncountable skyscrapers on the horizon.
John enjoyed the scenery in front of him with a peaceful expression and a gentle smile on his face.
He always loved this planet, where he was raised.
The planet home of the organization that brings peace and security to the whole known universe.
Earth.
The cradle of humanity.
Anyway, today was a very special day.
It was his graduation.
After today, he wouldn't be a student of the Terrene Protectorate University anymore.
Finally, his dream would come true.
He was going to become a Protector, a Junior Protector.
There was still 7 hours before the ceremony, but he wanted to get ready and be in the auditorium early.
John stopped admiring the outside and went to take a shower.
After 20 minutes, John stepped out of the bathroom after he took a shower.
John went towards his closet and looked at his clothes.
There weren't that many clothes since he didn't use a lot.
John obviously selected his Terrene Protectorate blue uniform.
While wearing it, John looked at himself in the mirror.
John combed his short black hair until he was satisfied with his current looks.
He went towards the kitchen and made a quick healthy breakfast with bread, cheese, eggs, and bacon.
After eating, he went back to the bathroom to brush his teeth.
Done with everything, John walked towards the door and left his apartment while deeply gazing at his closed door, he thought, [From today onwards, I will no longer be a simple student. I'm going to a Protector. To explore the unknown, save those in need, and protect the weak.]
...
John took the elevator of his apartment, the university's dormitory.
He lived on the 59th floor, right in the middle of the giant edifice that was localized inside the university built in the center of the city known as New Haven. The same town where was located the Terrene Protectorate's HQ.
The moment he left the edifice, he looked at the giant tree that was in the middle of the plaza that was surrounded by 7 buildings that seemed no different from one another.
The university's dormitory, the edifices, were huge, they were almost higher than those skyscrapers in the distance.
Each one of them could reach 200 floors, with each level having about 6 rooms that could hold up to two students.
Roughly making the calculations, there was, at maximum capacity, 16800 students in total on just Earth's university. This university was the best amongst the best of the available ones, with only the cream of the top students from all over the universe.
Pink petals drifted along with the wind, making the plaza a little more colorful and beautiful.
Those petals all came from the giant pink cherry tree planted in the middle of the plaza.
John closed his eyes and enjoyed the breath of fresh air and the perfume of the tree and the colorful flowers all over the plaza.
He followed the path of concrete towards the exit, but just when he was crossing by the tree's side, he heard someone calling him, "Good morning, John."
Looking at the source of the mellow and warm voice, John found a yellow Hylotl seating at a bench just beneath the tree.
It was a young, female Hylotl with her smooth and yellow skin. She wasn't beautiful, but rather good-looking, what really stood out from her, is her mature charm, and the kind-older-sister-like aura around her.
Her three crimson eyes gently gazed at John as in her lips were lifted slightly upwards.
"Good morning, Aoi." John politely greeted the Hylotl female that goes by the name Aoi.
"There's no need to be polite, we're both students, after all."
Yes, the Hylotl was wearing the same kind of uniform that John was wearing.
John knew her because they were both from the same class that would graduate today.
From all the 2000 classmates of his, Aoi was one of the few he talked with.
Because of his personality, and his preference for loneliness, he didn't try to make a lot of friends.
He wasn't a socially awkward, he just prefers to stay alone.
In his class, he has some friends here and there, but rarely contact them outside the college.
He became close to Aoi mainly because she always wakes up early, just like him, and take a seat beneath the tree to read a book, or just daydream. When he wakes up, he usually goes exercise and always meet with Aoi, they chat a little, and then go their separate ways.
What really surprised him was the fact she was friends with everyone in the class.
When they need someone to talk or after advise, they search for Aoi.
She was very friendly, warm, and always smiling.
Even John couldn't help but feel good around her.
"Are you going to exercise today?" Aoi asked while cutely tilting her head to the side.
"Not today." John calmly answered.
"That's a surprise." Aoi slightly exclaimed before a wide smile blossomed on her face, "Why don't you take a seat, then? Let's chat and enjoy this cherry tree's blossoming."
John smiled in response and nodded.
He walked towards Aoi and took a seat at the bench, just a few centimeters away from her.
Of course, he knew why Aoi was doing this. She thought he was feeling nervous and anxious as he woke up early and already got ready for the graduation.
Despite knowing why she invited him, he didn't speak about it.
"After today, who knows when, or even if, we are going to meet each other again," Aoi commented with her warm tone that could make one feel really at ease around her.
"True." John nodded, "Depending on our individual skills, we'll be selected to different divisions within the Terrene Protectorate."
"Yes, I'm going to the Medical Division. Travel throughout the universe, helping people and easing their pain. Hopefully, it'll just like I always dreamed." Aoi's eyes sparkled as she spoke about her dreams.
"I don't know where I'm going." John said, "But it doesn't matter to me. As long as I can help others, save lives, and protect those in need, I'll be happy."
"You're really different, John." Aoi's eyes deeply gazed at John's eyes.
John also gazed back at her.
They maintained this position until John broke eye contact when he heard people approaching.
"Aoiiiiiiiiii!!!!!" From the distance, John saw multiple females coming towards them.
"I'll be going now, Aoi." John stood up and smiled towards her, "Until later."
"See you later, John." Aoi waved her hand with that same smile on her face.
"Uh?" The female that screamed exclaimed when she saw John standing up and swiftly leaving, "Did I interrupted your date?" She cutely asked with an innocent tone.
"We aren't dating." Aoi sent a flick at the forehead of her junior that was a few years younger than her, "He's just a friend."
"Really?" The junior glared at Aoi with suspicion on her eyes while rubbing her sore forehead, "You two really look harmonious and good together."
"Stop talking nonsense." Aoi sent another flick at the junior's forehead, "He's not someone that easily let others get close to him. He always maintains a certain distance from everyone else. While he can appear to be gentle, kind, and gentlemanly, he has a strange aura around him. An aura that I cannot describe with words."
The junior giggled when she heard Aoi, "So, you do like him, right?"
In response to the rude question, Aoi simply let loose a gentle smile while she rubbed the head of her junior.
As someone that didn't have even the freedom to decide what she wanted to become, she knew that getting into any kind of relationship was nothing but a pipe dream.
Although her family could somewhat leave her be after running away from home, she knew they would come after her anytime soon.
Aoi lifted her head and deeply gazed at John's back before sadly sighed. Her thought was unknown, even to herself.
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