Chương 57: A New Start
I wake up. My same old room. Completely empty. There's nothing here. Only a bed and a desk. Aside from that this room is pretty empty. I don't even own a closet.
I get up and open the window curtains. It's a fine morning. Birds are chirping and I can see the blue sky. White clouds are floating like cotton candies.
I am thinking about what to do. Suddenly I get the feeling that I am forgetting something. What was I doing last night? I can't recall tue last night.
Oh well, what could I be doing? My days have been the same for a long time. Ever since my parents died, my days have been the same.
I should wash my face and have breakfast. I open my room's door thinking that. I have this whole house to myself. A normal house that can house 4 people easily. My room is upstairs.
My parents's room is downstairs. Was anyway. Now this whole house is mine. I sleep wherever I feel like it. Most of the time though, I sleep im the living room.
So why was I in my room? I open the living room. A tv to the left and a set of sofa which is basically mu throne. A dining table with four chairs and a fully equipped kitchen.
This house might look impressive from the outside but inside, it's pretty empty. Everything in this house is as it was. I don't use many stuff.
I enter the kitchen and take the frying pan. I open the fridge. It's almost empty. I think today is Monday. So I have to go shopping as well.
That sucks. Always the store clerk gives me pitiful look. The neighborhood wives pity me.
That doesn't feel great. I feel that my being alive is a sin.
"Hhaaaahhh…" I let out a really loud and prolonged sigh.
I take an egg and make egg scramble. I toast a few breads and make coffee. This is my breakfast. A morning coffee is the best.
Let's look at today's weather. I turn the tv on.
Nothing special today. It's gonna be sunny all day and no rain this week.
After finishing my breakfast, I wash the dishes and get ready. I don't make lunch box for myself.
I can always buy stuff from the school cafeteria. It's a waste of time to make lunch.
I look at the time. It's only 7:45 in the morning.
I still have some time left. The school starts at 9:30. What should I do?
Then, I will walk to school. My school is a bit away from my house. So I usually take the train. However, I have some extra time.
It'll take about an hour to reach school. So let's start walking. I have had troubles falling asleep. Maybe a bit of exercise would help.
Now then, let's lock the door. I am about to lock the door when the delivery guy comes.
"Is it Mr. Akatsuki's house?"
"Yes. I am Akatsuki."
"Sir, you have a package. Please sign here."
He hands me the papers. But who can send me something? I will think about it later. I just sign the papers and put my seal on it. And the gut hands the package over to me and left.
This is a small package. The sender's name isn't mentioned. Only my name is there as the receiver. What could it be?
I put the package on the shoebox and leave.
Once I get back home, I will examine it. But I don't have anyone who can send me something.
Now then, once again, I left for school. The weather is nice, I am oddly happy this morning.
Maybe I should take it easy.
This is one of those days where you are just happy without a reason. But I have to think of something.
Let's try to summarize things. What's gonna happen at school today? Did I have any exams?
No, I don't. There's nothing special going on at school and today will be ordinary. I am already in my third year. Gotta think about the college.
I can clearly go to college. My parents left me some money before death so I can continue my studies or I can just enter the workforce.
Though entering the workforce after just passing high school brings troubles. So I might as well just go to college.
I look at my phone to check time. It's only 8:00. But I am halfway through to the school. What's happening? Am I walking faster or the time is slower?
But I keep walking at the same pace and before I know it, I am at the school. It took me only 30 minutes to reach the school.
I don't even have day duty today. Even the day duty guys arrive only 30 minutes before the class. But I have a total 75 minutes on hand.
I enter the building and go to the third floor. Our class is at the back on the third floor. I open the class door. Desks are disheveled and it's kinda dusty.
Maybe I should do a favor. I put down my bag which is actually empty. I leave all my books at school. My school shoes are in the shoe locker as well. But I heard that someone has been messing with shoes. Well, I will leave these here even then.
I take out the broom and mop and start cleaning. I dust the duster and clean the board. I see the name in the day duty. But knowing those guys, they will never make it in time.
I go to the faculty office to get the chalk sticks. Everything is done. The desks are in order and I have swept the room. I opened the windows and the gentle breeze is entering the room from all directions.
Ahh…such peace and quiet. If only they lasted for all eternity. I take my seat.
It is front row, next to the window. I can see the field. The club members are practicing their respective sports. Soccer and athletics club members are running all over the place.
They must have a rosy life. But my life is grey. I don't have anyone who could be called a friend. No one even likes me.
It's only 8:40. I still have another 50 minutes before the homeroom begins. This is annoying. Maybe I will take another nap.
I put my head on the desk and fall asleep.
◇◇◇
How long was I asleep? I wake up. But then I find someone staring at me. A girl. She has white hair. White….no it's kinda mercury like. Maybe grayish silver but she has hair of that color. A white face but not too pale.
A healthy red glow with the white color. Her eyes are as blue as sapphire. And she is staring, with her big blue sapphire like eyes, at me. I feel like I was thrown into the ocean the moment I looked into her eyes.
I get up and yawn.
"Are you okay?" She asks me.
"Yeah, I am fine. I was just taking a nap."
"I thought that you were unconscious. No matter how much I called you, you never woke up."
"Sorry about that. I am having trouble sleeping at night so maybe I fell asleep."
She is pretty talkative. I just met her so she is pretty much a stranger but she is talking to me like she knows me for a long time.
"Have we met before?"
"I get the same feeling but this is my first time in this country."
"Oh..so are you a transfer student?"
"Yes. I am transferring here today. My name is Selena."
"That's a beautiful name. My name is Akatsuki."
I introduce myself. She told me her name. So I can at least show the basic courtesy.
"But everyone sure is late. Why is no one showing up?"
It's almost homeroom. But no one except me and Selena are here.
"Ehh…don't tell me! You came to school on weekend. Today is Sunday."
What!!! Today is Sunday. I take out my phone and look at it. It clearly says Sunday. How did I miss something like this.
That's why there's no traffic on my way. So I reached early. And the faculty staff were smiling at me when I took the chalk sticks.
I messed up.
"I see. I don't look at the calendar all that much so I guess, it's my fault."
I can't even get angry. I just laugh bitterly.
"You are funny, you know!!" (Selena)
"I was called many things but funny wasn't one of them."
"Why! You are nice and easy to talk to." (Selena)
"You took the trouble of talking to me. So I just made some small talk. But why are you here?"
"I was called to finalize my papers. From tomorrow I will be a student of this class." (Selena)
"Pretty odd timing though. Only a month later, there's the summer vacation. Before them, the midterms. So be prepared. By the way, where are you from?"
"I am from Denmark. But I heard that my ancestors were actually from Asia." (Selena)
"A confusing background. It must've been cold there. Are you okay? The summer here can be pretty hot."
"I am worried about that. I heard that temperature can reach up to 35 degrees Celsius." (Selena)
"It does. Sometimes, it's higher than that."
I keep talking to her. She is easygoing. She will be popular for sure. But then out homeroom teacher enters.
"This is where you are. I have been looking all over for you, Ms. Selena."
Our homeroom teacher Ms. Mary is panting. Was she running all over the place?
"I had an urge to see the classroom. So I came here and found him sleeping on his desk." (Selena)
She then points at me and Ms. Mary finally notices me.
"Akatsuki, why are you here?" (Mary)
"I kinda messed up the day. I thought it was Monday when it was actually Sunday."
I can only weakly laugh. Ms. Mary is shaking her head.
"Go home and study. I always tell you to study. I don't want to see another blank question in your test paper." (Mary)
"I study and I answer. I just need the passing grades, right?"
"Ugghhh. Don't get me started. You are lowering the class average. As a student who barely passes, you have lowered the average. This class has the lowest score average in the entire third year. Try to answer every question or I will have to ask Mr. Tetsu to take care of you." (Mary)
"Are you the devil? Why are bringing up the iron man. I don't want another 3 hour lecture."
Those were bad. He will hold you hostage for at least 3 hours and give you a special lecture.
"You two get along well."
Selena is puffing her cheeks and looking at us.
"Of course we do. I have been looking after this slacker since elementary school. I don't know how but when he moved to middle school, I was transferred to the same school. And now even in high school, he is there." (Mary)
"I am all grown up now. So about that matter."
"What?" (Mary)
"Don't be coy. You still haven't given me your answer."
"You little…"
Ms. Mary comes near me and side locks my head and is currently rubbing her knuckles on my temple.
"Ow ow ow…it hurts."
"How many times do I have to say that is a no." (Mary)
"But the way you are going, I guess I will have to take you as my wife. I mean, if you had married already, your son would be in elementary school by now."
"How dare you…"
And she increased the pressure.
"You two get along really well."
Selena is looking at us enviously.
And she finally lets go of me.
"Listen well Akatsuki, don't tease your elders." (Mary)
"Ok. I should go home. Maybe I will run by the grocery store. What should I cook tonight?"
"Why not just eat at my place?" (Mary)
"That's good too. I haven't had grandma's food for a while. And I don't feel like cooking."
"Yeah. Dad has been asking about you. So come home during lunch. You know dad likes you. So spend some time with him." (Mary)
"Then I will go home and change."
I was busy talking to her but I forgot about Selena.
"You guys, it's not fair." (Selena)
"Sorry. Selena, where are you staying at?"
"I am living with Ms. Mary for now. Until I find a home." (Selena)
I see. Then we are going to the same place.
"You don't have to be so reserved. My house is way too big for just the three of us. So another person will actually liven things up a bit." (Mary)
"Then I am off. I'll see you guys at your place."
"Wait, take Selena. I have something to do. So take her to your place and go to my house next. But remember, no funny business." (Mary)
"Ok. Let's go, Selena."
"Ok."
She is quite easy going. Maybe, I have to warn her a bit. But that can be done while going home. I take Selena with me and leave the school.
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