My cliche-full life begins
It’s said that high school is a person’s “golden years”, when youthfulness reaches its peak and where you can live your life carefree before the inevitable ‘cycle’ comes to get you.
A time where students go out, make new friends, create new experiences, and find their new purpose in life while also having the possibility of finding that special someone.
It’s all fake. Youth’s purpose is to fool you into thinking that life is actually fun and worthwhile and that when your life eventually changes everything will continue to be worthwhile. It’s wrong.
Everything has a time limit, youth is no exception. The time we have now is the time we will lose later, and with lost time comes lost opportunities. The only thing high school does is push back on that time limit and makes you forget that you’re on one for a couple years.
We all follow a path, a ‘cycle’. Soon enough we will all graduate high school and then ask ourselves “now what”. Then you’ll follow fate. Wake up, go to work, go home, sleep, and repeat. For the rest of your life until you can’t do it anymore.
“Maeda.”
As much as I don’t want to follow the ‘cycle’ I have no other choice but to concede. You can’t beat fate.
“Maeda.”
After all, time may be infinite but it’s still short.
“Maeda!”
I snap back to reality. Looking around the classroom as if I was a cat watching a laser pointer.
“Maeda. Can you please give me the answer for the question?”
Ms.Honda asked, tapping her shoes waiting for my answer.
I frantically get up from my chair without any thought.
Question? What question?
I look down at my seat and see my Japanese book, it’s closed. I sigh from the soon to be embarrassment and slowly look up at Ms.Honda expecting a scolding.
I scratch my head, rolled my shoulders a couple times trying to give a sign to Ms.Honda that I didn’t know the answer, the classroom is fully silent, Adding to the embarrassment.
Ms.Honda grabs a piece of chalk and leans her arm back in a throwing motion.
“Pay attention next time!”
“U-uh, yes ma’am…”
I sit back down, resting my head with my fist. annoyed that I just embarrassed myself like that.
I can hear kids laughing quietly and some kids murmuring to others.
I can hear everything. They’re not really good at hiding it, if they’re even trying to hide it.
I’m not well liked at this school, I have a reputation of being an ass to everyone and it’s true, that’s exactly what I am. In the beginning of the year whenever people tried to talk to me I just gave them the cold shoulder.
Eventually after some time everyone just left me alone in my own world. But that wouldn’t come without consequences, everyone started hating me and created bad rumors about me.
But I know it’s all my fault, there’s no misunderstanding’s. I believe in what goes around comes around. I did it to myself and I’ve accepted that.
***
The bell rings and Japanese class is over, finally I can relax for a little bit.
As I was leaned back and put my arms over my head I see a tall slim figure over me.
“Maeda we need to have a chat.”
Ms. Honda said with a very sharp, strong straight face
“Do we?”
I say nonchalantly.
“Yes we do. But I’ll be busy once school ends today so I’m letting you know that tomorrow after school I want you to see me.”
You gotta be kidding. I already don’t like being here as is and now I have to stay a little longer?
I sighed and nodded.
Ms. Honda is known as the school’s strict teacher, she’s a tall slim and admittedly pretty woman who looks to be in their mid thirties early forties, perfect for those who are into older women. She has this sparkly silver hair that’s put in a bun, she also wears her favorite red suit and pants. She’s also really impatient, and not afraid to embarrass students if they get a question wrong as you saw with me.
Can’t believe I’ll have to stay in school a bit longer just to talk to her. End me.
Just as I was contemplating whether or not I should show up to school tomorrow I hear a lot of commotion outside.
I look and see both of the classrooms doors are filled with students from the classroom watching what’s going on outside.
“Who’s asking her out now?”
“I don’t know I can’t see.”
Two girls said, raising their heels to get a peek of what’s going on outside.
All this drama is going on because someone is getting asked out?!? Should I go see what’s going on? No, it’s just some dumb confession…
Thought’s of middle school flickers in my mind.
I gave in to my curiosity and sighed
I get up from my seat, and walked over to see what was going on.
I’ll just go for the entertainment, after all the guy will probably get rejected anyways. Would be interesting to see that first hand.
It took a lot of pushing and shoving from other students but I was able to see clearly what was happening.
I can see two students facing each other like a Wild West standoff.
I can see the guy, it was the schools star baseball player, Naoya Demura. He’s the definition of a star athlete who even looks the part. He’s tall which girls apparently like these days, has orange spiky hair, really fit, he’s pretty handsome too, and He’s also pretty smart. He’s the whole package.
Yea sure he has everything, but all that attention he gains from all that is an easy no for me. I’m ok with being alone.
“That poor dude he’s going to get rejected so hard.”
Someone said confidently, crossing his arms and smiling.
I look to my side and see another guy, with short brown hair. I don’t know who he is but he seems like a nice person. But everyone can seem nice on the outside.
I wonder what makes him say that. Demura is one of the most popular boy’s in the whole school, every girl goes crazy whenever he’s around. I don’t see him getting rejected by anyone, any girl would say yes in record time so I wonder who finally charmed him. But seeing him get humbled would definitely be something worthwhile.
The hallway was getting really crowded and it started getting loud with everyone talking.
I had to constantly push and shove other students just to be able to keep my good view.
Demura raised his arm and stuck out his index finger, immediately the hallway got quiet in anticipation.
So dramatic.
Demura took a deep breath and then pointed at the girl dramatically.
Before I could get a look at the girl Demura is confessing to he started speaking.
“Inoue, please hear my words and give me the honor of being your boyfrie-“
“No thank you.”
The girl said coldly.
“I’m not interested in dating anyone.”
“E-eh?”
Ouch, couldn’t even finish his sentence. That’s going to take off a couple years of his lifespan.
Demura then dramatically falls to his knees and then drops down slowly as if he’s the mc who dies in a tragedy.
What a drama queen. I guess good looks doesn’t automatically mean you get the girl huh?
Inoue then walks past Demura, not even looking at him. Acting like that conversation never even happened! As she’s walking everyone splits apart like how Moses did with the sea, even I followed everyone and gave her a pathway.
I should’ve known that Demura wouldn’t just go after a normal girl, he would aim for the top of the bunch.
I know who this girl is, everyone does. This is Akino Inoue one of the most popular girls in school. She has a bob cut with her deep dark black hair, it’s so dark it’s like a black hole where if you touch it you may get sucked in. And I believe she’s in the top 15 in the class ranking.
But I really wouldn’t know, I’m never around that area so I don’t look
As Inoue walks past me I can feel her strong aura, I have to admit it was a little intimidating.
“Wait! Aki!”
Just then 2 girls came running up to Inoue, one girl with glasses and one short petite blonde girl.
“Don’t you think you were being too harsh on the guy?”
The girl with glasses said, looking back at Demura still on the floor. Lifeless.
“Not really. He should have known the consequences of pulling this stunt.”
With that Inoue continues to walk away. Killing another man’s confidence.
What kind of spoiled princess is she?! I think it’s best for me if I never associate with her, not that I would ever have the chance.
But that spoiled princess was definitely right, it definitely took a lot of courage and a lot of mental effort to be able to confess to someone let alone in front of everyone. But he knew the consequences, he knew that there’s always that chance she would say no. It’s a coin flip, either you be tremendously happy, or you feel as if you’re on the bottom on the well.
I look back at Demura, his body still on the floor I can see his ghost rising from his body.
He’s completely pale. He might be dragging it now.
What a drama queen. Is no one going to help him up? His ghost is getting away…
The bell rings and it’s time for next period, everyone scatters and Demura is still on the floor. He’s seriously dragging this now. Can someone please pick him up!
***
The bell rings for the last time of the day as it’s time to go home.
Finally! I can go home now, I’m probably just going to sleep when I get home. Recently it seems like I’m always tired. My eyes bags have apparently gotten really noticeable, at least that’s what my mom says.
As I’m walking out the school excited and relived that I’m going home I can feel the ground shake as someone is running towards me.
Before I can even react I feel a strong hand on my shoulder.
My body tenses up with the slowly increasing grip strength, as I feel the sweat falling from my skin.
Wha?! What did I do now? I didn’t even talk to anyone today.
“I’ve caught you! You can’t get away from me!”
The person said intensely.
After hearing that voice my sense of fear and anxiety turned into annoyance.
I turned around and unfortunately it was exactly who I thought it was.
I sighed, “what do you want Anna?”
And can you let go of my shoulder? It’s starting to hurt now.
This person is Anna Mitsui, She’s a History teacher in my school and even though she’s an adult she often acts like a child. She’s in her thirties, has brown hair put in a ponytail, wears glasses, and she’s a little chubby.
But I would never say that aloud, or I’d be dead.
“Stop acting so annoyed, you know you’re happy to see me!”
Yea. Right.
“So did you do that to get my attention or did you actually have a reason?”
“I don’t need a reason to talk to you-.”
“Ok then goodbye.”
“Wait!” Anna launches herself towards me and grabs onto my shoulder again with even more force than last time, paralyzing me.
“Ack!”
“Wait. A. Second.” Anna then turns up her grip strength by 100x. Where did this strength even come from?!?
Anna is very unpredictable sometimes. She basically has two different personalities that can switch in a second. She either acts like a toddler or becomes super serious. Now that I think about it, she’s definitely bipolar.
“I actually do have a reason for stopping you.”
She finally lets go of my shoulder as I face her.
“Listen Keiji, you need a change in your life you can’t continue to live like this.”
“I think I’ll be fine, thank you.”
Anna then flicks my head. It hurt.
“Ow! What was that for?!”
“Stop being sarcastic with me I’m being serious.” She said, crossing her arms and narrowing her eyes.
I mumble, “me too…”
“Anyways I have a surprise for you.”
I turn my head in caution and narrow my eyes, “what kind of surprise?”
“Well it’s called a surprise for a reason.”
Anna said, smiling creepily. She then giggles like a toddler and runs away.
Stop. You’re an adult, act like one.
***
After finishing that conversation with Anna I start walking home
Great. Now I have to stay after school not only to talk to Ms. Honda but now I have to hear Anna’s secret.
I take a bite of the bean bun I bought at the store.
What’s so important that she told me about it today, but is telling me what it was tomorrow? Makes no sense. She makes so sense.
The walk from school to home ls not that far, about 20 minutes. For me walks is one of the most enjoyable things, there’s only you and your own mind. You can truly look at the world around you, and think about what you feel about the world.
It’s very therapeutic.
***
I finally get home and open the door.
“I’m home.”
But there was no answer, in fact the whole house was dark.
I take off my shoes and leave it at the entrance.
“That’s odd, no one’s home…echo.”
Nothing came back.
Right. I don’t know what I was thinking.
I take off my crooked tie as I walk to my room.
I opened the door and there it was, clothes everywhere, bed not fixed, books disorganized at my desk.
I really need to fix this. I’ll do it tomorrow.
After taking off my school uniform and putting on my favorite comfortable blue sweater and black shorts. I sit down at my chair at my desk and open up my laptop.
Wonder what’s going on the world right now.
I click around the internet and see that Japan’s national soccer team has beaten Germany.
Huh, that’s cool. I guess what people said about them was true, they are getting better.
After a bit of scrolling I just searched up funny videos and watched them for a couple hours. I started to feel a little bit drowsy after a while but I hear a ding from my phone waking me up.
I got a message from mom.
<Hey keiji, I’m getting groceries so I’ll be coming home later than usual, there’s leftovers in the fridge.>
I see.
My mom works at a restaurant a couple miles away, she usually comes in the evening but sometimes she comes later at night.
I turned my phone off and put it on my desk.
I sighed and rested my head on my desk and continued to watch the video’s.
I continually grew drowsy and without any interruption’s I close my eyes for a second, then opened it. It was a constant fight between my eyes, a fight that always ends in defeat.
***
In a playground, 8 year old Keiji Meada runs toward a shadow faced male adult.
“Hey Daddy! Look what I made in the sand!”
I made a nice sand hill, with tiny holes poked in it.
I’m so proud. I hope daddy likes it.
The shadow faced man looks up from his phone.
“Oh. Good, uh-huh”
He said while taking long strides in his nods.
He looks down at his phone again as if he never looked away in the first place.
I stand there in awkward silence fidgeting with my fingers.
Ok. I’ll try harder next time! I will make something that daddy will be proud of!
I go back into the sand and use everything in my Brain to create something that will make the shadow faced man proud.
Hmm…oh! I got it!
I snap my fingers as I thought of the perfect idea.
I begin working on the sand, I was shaping it perfectly, I made sure everything was Perfect. And After working hard and wiping sweat from my face I back away from my creation with a pleasing smile on my face.
This is perfect! Daddy is going to love it!
I run over to the shadow faced man with open arms and an excited expression.
Daddy is going to give me so much praise.
I reached the shadow faced man and pulled on his pants.
“Hey. Hey. Daddy look.”
I point at the my latest creation. Two hills with poked holes in it.
“Ugh, now what Keiji?” The man said with a slightly angered tone.
“Look, look.”
I continue to point at my latest creation with absolutely pride.
He looks up and looks at it for a second. Just a second.
I look back at my creation and see two boys who are playing tag running towards the hill’s
I stand in fear hoping that they wouldn’t go close to my creation.
But life’s not fair.
One of the boy’s catches up with the other and pushes him and he falls on the sand. Exactly where my creation was.
The two hills that were there are now just a messed up jumble in the sand.
“N-no…”
I begin to tear up. But before I can let out my emotions I can hear my dad sigh.
“Listen Keiji-.”
The blank faced man said, grunting from getting up from the bench he was sitting on.
“Things come and go, things that are here now will not always be there. Accept that and you will be a better man.”
I was confused, I didn’t understand anything what he was saying.
I sniff and wipe my snuffy nose due to me almost crying.
“Wipe your tears.”
The shadow faced man said suddenly. His tone serious.
I sniff again and wipe away my tears.
“The emotion’s you feel now are the emotion’s that will come to hurt you later. You can’t rely on emotion’s because they will betray you. Force you into decisions and control how you feel.”
He turns away from me and begins to walk away.
“If you let your emotions control you, they will punish you.”
I hear his voice echo through my head.
I begin to walk towards him. But I’m not moving.
My legs are in motion but I’m not. I look up and see the shadow faced man slowly fade away into the light.
I start to panic and begin to cry. I reach my hand out hoping I can reach his hand.
“No! Daddy-Dad! No! You can’t leave me again! Dad! No!”
I wake up, panicked as I look around my room hoping to find someone who’s no longer here with me. Breathing heavily as my whole body was hot and sweaty.
I reached my shaking hand for the clock, It’s 2:27 A.M.
I take a minute to take a breath. As a dream I haven’t had in a long time returned.
***
In the morning the same day, as I’m walking to school.
I had to stay up right after I had that dream after I remembered I had homework due and I spent most of the night doing that.
Went to sleep around 5:30 hoping that someone would wake me up. That did not happen.
If I walk fast enough I can make it just on time.
I quicken my pace as I try to make sure I won’t have to receive a scolding. I have enough trouble to deal with after school as is.
***
The bell rings again and I’ve survived another day in school without saying a word.
Teacher’s tend to avoid me and just letting me do my own thing, what I do mostly is try to make up for lost sleep time.
I sit in the middle of the far right desks, there’s a couple times where I get called on and it catches me off guard every single time. But there’s days like today where I don’t speak at all.
I put my notebook’s and some of the notes I managed to take in my bag, got up and stretched and was ready to go home.
As I was walking down the hall I felt this chill spread across my spine.
I shiver as a felt a tall menacing figure behind me.
I slowly turn around and see a tall and slim woman tower over me. It was Ms.Honda.
“You didn’t forget about our meeting did you?”
“What? No! Of course not, I was…on my way there right now.”
Dang. I definitely forgot.
“Good. Come now, let’s go.”
Ugh! I really don’t want to. I’m way too tired for this.
***
In the teachers office, Ms.Honda is going thru her notes.
Ms.Honda grabs a few papers and puts them on the table.
It was my test results.
“Listen Maeda, you’ve been struggling lately. Your grades have been gradually declining, you were quite a good student in the beginning of the year, what happened?”
“oh, you know…”
“No I do not.”
She said, with her tall figure over me, making me shrivel.
Sheesh give me a break would you?
“I’m sorry. I’ll do better now don’t worry about me.”
She takes a seat in her chair and looks at me with uncertainty, crossing her legs and putting her hand at her chin.
I stood there patiently waiting for her answer, when I eventually started letting my guard down though Ms.Honda slammed her hand on the table. It startled me.
“Maeda, your first year is coming to an end soon, next thing you’ll know you’ll be a second year, and then you blink and you’re now a 3rd year.”
Ms.Honda continued with a serious tone.
“Blink again and you’ll be graduating, time moves way too quickly for you to just take it slow you know?”
Sounds like Ms.Honda here has some experience.
“Tell me Maeda, do you have a girlfriend?”
Eh? Where did that come from!?
I raise an eyebrow of confusion, “uh, no. I do not.”
“Thought so.”
Oh, excuse me! It can’t be that obvious right? Right?
“That’s a good thing though…”
Huh? What is she talking about? Wait. Is this a confession?!
No. Be serious Keiji.
“Getting that special someone in high school is just asking for trouble-“
She grabs a near by water bottle with a little bit more force than the norm.
“All the unwanted attention and all the energy that you need to put into that person it’s too much…”
Her eyes widen as her grip on the water bottle tightens.
Ok…are we done here? Should I leave? Maybe I should just slowly walk away.
“Also!”
Ah. Nope I can’t leave.
“There’s also that slim chance that the person you fall for will betray you and embarrass you!” Her grip on the bottle tightened even more.
Kinda feel bad for that water bottle.
“Then you’ll be laughed at and looked down on while your ex and his new girlfriend lives happily ever after! It’s not fair!” The cap in the water bottle flys out due to the increased pressure.
“Do you understand now?” Ms.Honda said taking a deep breath.
“Uhh, yea I do.”
All I got from that is that Ms.Honda had a pretty eventful high school life. And that female teacher’s here have insane grip strength.
“Good. You may leave now. I expect an improvement in your grades.”
“Uh-huh”
I walk away from that wild conversation and take my leave.
Finally. I can leave, now all I have to is meet with Anna. Wait, she never mentioned where we would meet up right?
What a child.
As I reach for the door it slams open with a chubby woman standing there.
“I…Finally…Found…You.”
Anna said like a carnivore finally catching its pray, she’s full of sweat and breathing heavily. I can see her sharp canines stick out as if she’s some of tiger.
W-what…are you?
“A-Anna, h-hello.” I say, admittedly shaking in fear.
“Hello Ms.Mitsui” Ms.Honda said calmly.
I turn to Ms.Honda in complete shock, How are you able to speak so calmly!? Do you see how she’s acting right now?
“Oh! Ms.Honda how are you!”
I turn back around and see Anna, completely normal! There’s flowers blossoming around her! Don’t act all innocent now!
“You don’t mind if I borrow this little one here for a second right?”
Don’t call me little, your barley taller than me. I know it still counts but still.
“Sure go right ahead, our conversation just ended anyways.”
Ms.Honda then spun her chair around and went right back to work.
“Great! C’mon Keiji let’s go.” Anna then pulls on my arm and drags me to the hallway.
I pull away from her, “wait! You didn’t even tell me the ‘secret’.”
Anna lets go of my arm and tilts her head in confusion, “did I not? That’s weird I swear I did.”
You’re an actual mess.
“Well, listen here Keiji!”
Anna rushed at me and gets up in my face.
“It’s high time for change.”
Right after she hits some super hero pose, as if she’s watching over the city in a black coat.
What are you doing?
“We’re going to help you Keiji. Together, we can help you get out of this phase of yours.”
There she goes again, blabbering- wait…together?
Before I was able to question her she beats me to the punch and asks me another question instead.
“You also have terrible communication skills aswell, you’re way too monotone and straight forward. What would happen if someone asked you where a nearby restaurant Is?”
“I would tell them “it’s 2025. You have technology. Use it.”.”
Anna flicks my forehead. Still hurts.
“See? This is exactly what I mean. That’s why I have the perfect thing for you.” She then turns away dramatically flicking a clearly imaginary cape.”
I’m still rubbing my forehead attempting to calm to pain. Seriously, how is this person married.
Still acting, Anna then turns around, covering her face with her arm.
Then she pulls away her arm as if again, flicking a clearly imaginary cape.
I shake my head, unamused. I don’t even know what’s happening right now.
“That’s why I’m putting you on lessons on getting better-ent.”
Huh? Eh?!?
I slightly turn my head to the side, “p-pardon?” I say with slight caution
“Yep. Stating today you’ll be going to these lessons on how to improve yourself.”
Anna huffs out in pride.
“Thanks for the offer, but I think I’ll be going home instead.” I walk away without a second thought in my mind.
Yoink!
Anna grabs on to the base of my collar and pulls me back.
“Uwah!”
“Where do you think you’re going?”
“Home. I just said that.”
“Tsk tsk, you’re not going anywhere.”
Good luck with that. You can’t force me against my will.
“Don’t think I don’t know about your grades. They’ve fallen every father down right? Hmm, I wonder what would your mother think if she ever heard the news?”
Ah. That.
It’s true, my mom already is getting a bit quirky with my grades right now. If she found out I’m only doing worse she’ll probably take all my things.
I cannot let that happen.
Anna then shrugs and holds her hands up. “Hey, it’s not my fault you don’t care enough about school..”
That’s not true at all. If I truly didn’t care then I would be home everyday enjoying my life outside of school. It takes a lot of self control going to school when you can totally stay home you know?
“And not to mention that every time I do you see you you’re always alone. You’re always working alone, always eating alone, and I’m guessing study alone too.” Anna said, adding salt to the wound.
Ah, almost there. She’s right about everything except studying, I don’t do that at all.
“So c’mon let’s go, you won’t be able to escape this one little man.”
Again. Your barley taller than me.
Anna then drags me against my will, continuing to pull on the base of my collar.
“Where are we going?” I say as I’m currently being dragged like a dog by Anna.
“There’s an empty classroom that nobody uses, you two will be using it.”
You two? I think I’m starting to regret taking school for granted.
***
“Here we are!”
Anna finally lets go of my collar and pushes me toward the door.
“Open it.”
What am I? Your pet?
I slowly reach out for the door, I hesitate just for a second. I don’t know why I’m hesitant it’s just a door and I’m not expecting anything.
I take a small breath and open the door, There was a single desk In the middle room with two chairs facing each other.
“What? What were you expecting? I told you it was an empty.”
“Huh?”
“Your face. It looked disappointed.”
My face…looked disappointed? For what?
I took a step into the room, the sunlight illuminating the room perfectly as if it was like a movie.
I took at the desk, and then at the two chairs and remembered all the times Anna mentioned that there was going to be another person with me.
“Anna, who is this other person that will be here?”
“Hmph?!” Anna’s body shot up, she readjusts her glasses while clearing her throat.
“Well…it’s not about who teaches you it’s about how they teach you.” She said purposefully looking away from me.
“Y-you know what they say? “It’s not about the grass, it’s about who mows the lawn.””
Is that so? I think I know how to get my answer.
“Is this person a girl?”
“What! No…of course not!”
Yep. It is a girl. I have no troubles talking with girls at this school, I remember when a girl asked me for the time, and you know what I did? I gave it. Without even freaking out.
“Well, where is this person?”
“Oh, sh-they’ll! They’ll be here in about 10 minutes.”
Well done Anna, you hid it really well. I would have never known.
Anna claps her hands, “well, it’s time for me to leave now. Good luck!”
Yea ok bye. Wait what!?
I reach out my hand and call out to Anna, “Hold on! You’re leaving?!”
“Yea?” Anna answers with a confused expression.
Anna then goes back to her child mode and smiles smugly.
“Awe! Do you need me here to watch over you? Should’ve just asked!”
Mmm.
“No. I’m just confused, aren’t you going to introduce us?”
“Why would I do that? You’re grown, and this is basically a lesson on itself. You always say your communication skills are not as bad as I made it seemed right? Well, here’s your chance to prove it.”
She’s right. And I hate that.
I sigh in defeat, Anna is actually making sense now. I’m guessing the end of the world is coming now, I can faintly hear the trumpets.
“Good.”
Anna opens the door and lets out one last word in, “see you later!”
And just like that she zips off like one of those speedy heroes, gone in a flash. See what I did there?
The sudden silence spooked me. It felt weird going from the loudness of Anna to a very quiet room. It felt…unsettling.
I sat down in the chair in the far side, facing the board. I put my backpack down and wait quietly.
Well, this is kinda awkward, it’s just me and the echos from my tapping feet hitting the floor.
I don’t have my phone with me today either, I forgot to charge it last night so now it’s at home. Of course when I need it now I can’t use it.
Well, maybe I can play a game? How am I going to play a game if I alone? That was stupid.
I’m so bored! Maybe…I should use this time to study?
Yea, like that’s ever gonna happen!
It’s been about 7 minutes and I’ve resorted to the classic pencil fun. spinning my pencil across my desk, balancing two pencil’s together, and doing pencil sword fights. Just me, fighting with…two pencils. This is so sad. Someone save me!
Just as a cry out for help, I can hear footsteps coming out from the hallway. It seems my cries have been heard.
Step…step….step….silence.
I wait anxiously for what feels like a minute. What’s taking this person so long? It’s just a door.
My feet start to uncontrollably tap the floor again, as I hold my breath. I didn’t know what to expect, or who to expect.
The door slowly starts to open, I gulp in anticipation and my eyes widen.
The door fully opens and I was greeted to a bone chilling wind of cold air striking my body. I shivered from all the coldness.
I could see a silhouette at the door but the ice in my eyes block me from seeing who it was.
I rub my eyes for a moment and was able to take a good look of who was ahead of me.
“Uh-“
Oh no.
It was a familiar sight and feeling. I could see her dark black hair, her deep blue sea eyes perfectly representing her coldness. And the Bob cut. It was Akino Inoue.
We lock eyes and stare at each other for so long I lost track of time. It was the longest time I’ve ever spent looking at a girls eyes.
Inoue clears her throat, breaking the silence. “I see, it’s you’re the one I’m going to have to save.”
Save? What do you mean save!? But that’s beside the point, the problem I have now is that it seems like Inoue is my ‘teacher’.
Based on what I saw when she rejected Naoya she’s going to be a real pain to deal with.
Inoue gives a small sigh, lays her bag down on the table, then walks to the chalkboard and starts writing.
Wha? Is she just getting right to it? Without any questions? What do I even do.
This is so stupid.
“Uhh, are we not going to introduce ourselves?”
Inoue continues writing on the board without stopping, “why would we need to do that?”
She turns to face me, “I know who you are, and I know you know who I am.”
She turns back to the board and continues writing.
Mmm. She’s not wrong I definitely know who she is- wait, she knows who I am? I know I was well known but not that well known!
Oh man how am I going to get out of this situation? Surely I will not allow myself to be bossed around by this ice cold witch.
I put my hand on my chin as I lean over as I come up with multiple ways to escape?
Well, what if I bully her? No. That wouldn’t work, she would just laugh at my attempt’s and make fun of me twice as hard.
What if I try to run away? Sure I’ll get away today but what about tomorrow…
Just then a chubby silhouette flashed across my mind.
Never mind, that wouldn’t work either.
How about I make her hate me just enough that she herself wouldn’t want to come back? Yea. That could work.
I lean more across my chair as my plan starts to develop. I even clasp my hands together like a classic villain.
I can act really stupid and give out some mental jabs, she’ll get upset enough to where she wouldn’t want to ever come back. It’s perfect.
Also it’s fine if she hates me, no body in this school likes me anyways. And if Anna then decides to be Anna, I’ll just say that it wasn’t going to work out. But, I’ll say how I think her idea for the ‘lessons’ was right for me and that I would love for her to find someone else to do the job.
The key here is that by telling her that I thought her idea was good and asking for her to find someone new it makes it seem like I’m actually interested in change, then she’ll oblige and I’m safe. And she won’t be able to find anyone who would do this because it’s me!
Saying that now kinda hurts.
Just as I finished setting up my plan I hear a tap on the chalkboard, I look up and it’s Inoue pointing at her writing.
“Lesson one: simple acts can go a long way.”
Below it was three different sentences labeled A. B. And C.
I’m sure.
“Listen up!” Inoue said, with her arms behind her back with a strong tone. She’s like a general at the army.
This might be more difficult than I thought.
“You’re not liked here for a reason, and that’s because you choose to be cruel and parsimonious-”
Woah. Big word.
“So, these are some simple ways in how you can do more simple and small things that can make you more approachable.”
Inoue then points and circles the first sentence. ‘A. Lose that rotten look on your face.”
Mmm.
“Your eyes scream rotten and cynical, that can give a bad first impression on you of being a pessimist.”
I sit there with a grimace expression, I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.
“Hold on now, you ever thought that my eyes are just genetic?”
“Then you’re genetics clearly have something against you.” Inoue said while smirking.
Poker face Keiji. Poker face!
“And also…” she said while crossing out the sentence.
“Your gaze give’s me some sort uncomfortable feeling, I don’t like it.” She said while holding on to her chest.
What! Don’t give me that! Like I’d ever look at you like that, you’re not even my type.
Inoue had a fine figure sure but there was some things she was missing, a.k.a. In the chest department. It seems genetic’s has something against her too.
I chuckle mischievously, Can’t say anything about me anymore huh?
“Next!” Inoue now circles B’s sentence.
“B. Remember to say please and thank you.”
Inoue put down the chalk and starts to explain. “I know this one may be difficult for you to change, but saying please and thank you can give other’s that sense of trust and respect.”
Right.
I raise my hand like a proper student.
“Yes?” Inoue asked.
“Can I please go home? Thank you.”I answered, purposefully adding enthusiasm.
Inoue gives something of a disgusted face. I couldn’t tell because it looked so off. It was either disgust or it was her asking me to die.
Inoue straitened her posture and crossed out the letter B, “Now….”
Finally, Inoue now circles the last sentence. Letter C.
“Better posture.”
Huh? Better posture?
Inoue begins explaining again, “posture is important because with bad posture it can make you seem uncaring and lazy. Which you seem to be a pro at-“
“Ok I get it.” I interrupt her mid sentence.
“Basically, you’re calling me human garbage?”
“You said it I didn’t.” She says crossing out the letter C.
“Now this will be a challenge I know, more so for me but if we try hard enough you might be able to change.”
Change. That word again.
I raise my lips and get up from my seat.
I take a deep breath in order to keep my composure. “Alright. I’m going to stop you there. I’m only here because I was forced to, not because I wanted to actually change. I’m not looking for change because it’s not something you can just do In a short amount of time. It takes time and effort.”
I pause for a moment waiting for Inoue’s rebuttal, but instead it seemed like she was waiting for me to say more.
I sigh and shake my head, “Mental change is something that is forced upon you, not something you choose for yourself.”
I finally seemed to be getting to her based on her raised eyebrow.
“Forcefully changing mentality will just make you look like a fool and have others look at you like you’re some sort of clown. You’ll be alone because you tired to be different and didn’t let time do its job. Experience comes with maturity and maturity comes with experience.”
I stand there for another moment waiting for Inoue to say something. But instead she just stands there will her eyebrow still raised.
All I was able to do now is just stare at her deep blue eyes. I need to break this silence.
“Uh, you get it?” I ask, monotoned.
Inoue then blinks a couple times as if she was a statue and I said the magic words to turn back to human.
She re-straighten’s her posture and flicks her short bob cut hair.
“I get it. You really are human garbage.” She said, without any hesitation.
What!? This bitch!
Inoue rests her hand on her forehead and puffs out air. “This might be more difficult than I thought.”
What! You flat Chested son of a-
Poker face Keiji. Poker face.
I reached for my bags and quietly walk towards the exit.
“Where are you going?”
“Where do you think princess? Home.”
“Wait. You can’t leave-“
Boom. I shut the door.
I rub my face and pinch my nose, I really hope I don’t have to comeback tomorrow.
***
The next day, and the final bell rings which means it’s time to go home.
Today was definitely eventful. Got the normal hurtful stares from other students, but oddly enough today was probably the most I got called on for answers the whole year. It got so bad after 5 I started counting, it was 16.
I didn’t even have time to sleep for 5 minutes. Did Ms.Honda have something to do with this? She called me 8 times on her own. She definitely pulled some strings with the other teachers.
As I think about how I probably won’t show up to school tomorrow I was interrupted by a knock and a chubby figure waiting by the door.
Oh no. Not her.
“Hey Ms.Mitsui!” A group of girls called out to her. All trading hello’s and small jokes.
Anna is actually quite well loved by the students here. But there is a massive difference between Ms.Mitsui and Anna Mitsui.
I see this circumstance as a way to escape. I slowly walk towards the other door of the room and start speed walking.
I speed walk fast enough to where I’m at the front gate of the school, I’m almost free.
Crack…
In an instant I can feel my left hand being grabbed with such force I think it may be broken now.
“Nice try…” Anna said, whispering in my ear with her classic scary tone.
Now I’m being dragged again. With my hand being crushed. I hate this.
***
Anna finally lets go of my arm in the middle of the schools hallway.
I get a good look at my hand, it’s red but not broken thankfully. Seriously what kind of super strength this person has?
“Anyways, how was the first day?”
“It was terrible. That girl is so fierce it’s honestly annoying.”
“I’m guessing she was very strict and honest?”
“Yea, pretty much.” I say while continuing to examine my hand. It still hurts.
“Well I guess you know how it feels now eh?”
I look up mid examine and shoot a glare.
“You know you two are more alike than you think you know?”
No. I don’t.
“Well I’m happy to hear that you had a good first day.”
She then hits another one of those dumb poses of hers, “I’m so proud of you!”
You’re so childish.
Also did she hear me incorrectly? I said my day was terrible. Wait, this could be my chance, I’m confident that Inoue wouldn’t show up again. It seemed like she hated me enough I think I’ll be good.
“Well, I’m off-“
“Wait Anna!” I say as I grab onto Anna’s arm before she could scatter.
She looks back at me, confused.
“What is it?”
“Well…”
The best way to lie is to be confident in your lie, believing that you’re lie is the truth is how you get away with it.
I take a deep breath and go back to my serious expression.
“Listen Anna, I don’t know if Inoue will be there today.”
“Oh? and what makes you say that?”
“Well…to be honest we didn’t click. Simple as that, and she seemed to no longer be interested in the lessons when I left so I have a feeling she quit on me.”
Here is where the plan comes to fruition.
“But, I think I want the lessons to continue. I think that your plan will actually help me change and I want to take those lessons now. So maybe if you can find someone else to replace her that would be nice.”
There we go, the seed has now been planted. Now time for that seed aka my plan to grow.
Anna waves off my assumption and absolutely destroys my plant.
“Pft, don’t worry about it Keiji, Inoue is definitely there c’mon let’s go.”
She walks away with utter confidence, she’s even humming a tune. How can she be so confident that she’s there?
All the confidence I had before is all gone now, if anything I’m going to make myself worse if she’s actually there.
***
In front of the classroom door, Anna nudges Keiji to open the door.
“C’mon, open the door.”
“Don’t rush me.” I say, with a collected tone.
I reach out for the door, and again i hesitate. Admittedly i was nervous, my hand was shaking as I gulped before I swing the door open.
“Finally.”
There she was, Akino Inoue. Sitting on her chair at the table, reading a book with a very straight posture.
“Had me waiting for quite some time. Let’s try to come on time next time please?”
I didn’t know how to react, in fact I was so defeated I couldn’t react. My face was as plain as a blank sheet of paper.
Me and Inoue have another staring contest, but this time instead of staring at each other with shock, now it’s pure scowl.
Smack! Anna hits my back pushing me farther into the room.
I look back at her and give her a nasty glare.
“What? You were just standing there.”
“Oh, hello Ms.Mitsui glad you’re able to join us today.”
Anna dashes like a speed on light to Inoue and holds her hands.
“Inoue! How are you!” Anna is jumping up and down while Inoue is standing there. Very confused.
I get that.
“I really hope this little man hasn’t given you too much trouble.”
“Little…man…”
Inoue looks at me and smiles, it’s not your average happy smile, it’s a ‘I’ve been given a new name for you’ smile. And the worst part is that she’s actually taller than me by a bit.
“See Keiji? I told you she would be here, you’re so silly, thinking that she wouldn’t be here.”
I hate her tone right now. It’s giving tee hee.
“Right. Silly. Me.”
“Well as much as I would want to stay and join the fun I have to leave now.”
“Leaving already?”
What are you doing! Let her leave!
“Yes, I must go. The hubby is making hamburgers today. It’s hamburger day for us.”
“O-oh.” Inoue said, her eyes wide.
“What’s with that expression.”
“H-huh? Nothing. I’m sorry I was thinking of something else.”
That’s a lie. Believe me I’m surprised she’s married too.
Anna walks out the door then flicks my head. It hurt.
“What was that for!?”
“Don’t cause her trouble.”
She then whispers in my ear, “This is not a warning, this is a threat.”
Understood.
I watch as Anna does her ritual speedy exit. What a child.
And now the whole room is quiet again. I have to admit Anna can definitely make a room loud all by herself. Feels odd when she’s not there anymore.
“So…”
I turn back and Inoue is back to reading her book.
“Didn’t think I would come back?”
“I was hoping you wouldn’t come back.”
“Hmm I see, well here I am.” She says as she licked her index finger to turn the page in her book.
“Why are you even here? Listen, I’m guessing you don’t want to be here and I for sure do not want to be here either.”
I walk closer to her and she looks up at me, “I’m sure both of us can convince Anna to stop this lesson crap. Sure it will be a pain cause I’m sure you know how she is but-“
“I can’t!”
Inoue slams her hand on the table with full force.
I stare at her hand, absolutely flabbergasted.
“W-what?”
“I can’t do that…”
I can see in her eyes that she’s clearly worried about something. What did Anna do? Did she force Inoue into giving me these ‘lessons’? She most definitely did.
Inoue walks toward the board, with a shadow covering her face. She stops at the board, grabs a piece of chalk, and begins writing.
Huh? How could she have an outburst like that and just walk away like things are normal.
Tap. Tap.
I notice that Inoue is tapping something on the board.
“Lesson 2: fix your tone of voice.”
Mmm.
“Your tone is important into giving yourself a good vibe, a good tone can go a long way-“
Don’t give me that bull! What the hell just happened like 30 seconds ago!
Wait. Now that I think about it, I’m stuck here. Oh no!
And now that I think even harder about it…a boy and a girl trapped into having to see each other every day. It’s like one of those Rom-coms that I hate.
Oh no….no!
Curse you romance gods!
***
Shakadori high school, class 1-3. Lunch hour.
It’s been 3 days since that hell show and It’s been exactly what you expected. It’s just us constantly going back and forth for a couple hours. And then we go home.
That girl really gets on my nerves thinking that she knows everything about me! Yea right!
As I continue to slowly get more angry just thinking about it I start to get stares from other classmates. I’m guessing I’m making a weird face now.
I’m usually a calm person so I have no idea why this specific person just gets me so angry.
I take a sausage from my bento box and eat it.
Hmm. She did a good job today, fair enough.
Just as I was savoring the flavor, the door behind me opens but I couldn’t care less who it was, even if it was Anna. These sausages that she made are really good.
For some odd reason the classroom started getting louder. And I hear a lot of whispers. But I grab another sausage and take another bite.
Mmm. Solid. Definitely solid. Will I give her praise? Absolutely not.
By the way my lunch is rice with shrimp and sausages. And uh some broccoli but I don’t eat those.
As I give my nod of approval I feel a couple taps on my shoulder.
Mmm. Who’s bothering me now-
I turn around and I see a sight even worse than Anna.
“Hey little bro!”
Yes I have a big sister.
This is Keiko Maeda, aka my big sister. Shes a second year, She’s also a classic otaku, who has a huge collection of manga and light novels in her room.
What a waste of yen…
Keiko is the one who got lucky with the hight. She has dyed pink hair and her hair goes down to her shoulders. She’s also very popular here. I don’t know why but everyone apparently think’s she’s cute. And she’s also smart. Top 5 of her grade.
I’m sure you can tell who’s the favorite child.
“What do you want Keiko?”
“Na-uh, call my big sister. Little bro…”
You make me sick.
I give in and sigh, “what do you want big sis?”
“That’s better, good job.” She says as she pats my head.
Stop that. Seriously stop.
I move keiko’s hand from my head. “What do you want.”
I should probably mention this but there’s people in this school who doesn’t believe that me and Keiko are related. Even tho we pretty much look the same besides the hair color, and that she has that girly body and face were practically the same.
But there’s been a rumor of me that has been going around for a bit now that I’m actually adopted.
Yep. Apparently we are so different they think I’m adopted. Why does it have to be me? Why can’t she be the adopted one?
“Esh, don’t want me here huh?”
“You know it’s better for you if you stay away from me at school.”
“Yea and? Who cares!” She says while waving her hand away.
“You say that and yet you’re yet to squash the rumor of me being adopted.”
“Oh that. I think it’s funny.”
Nice humor you got big sis.
Keiko then sits down on the desk in front of me, sitting sideways and crossing her legs.
“How’s the lunch?”
She asked as I open my mouth ready to eat some shrimp. I stop right when the shrimp is basically in my mouth but I can’t bring myself to show her how much I like her food.
“I-it’s ok…”
“Is that so…”
Keiko takes my shrimp and eats it for herself.
“U-uh…”
I can’t believe she just did that…
Poker face Keiji! Poker face!
I shake my head in disappointment.
“What? You said it was ok!”
“But that doesn’t mean you can just take my food.”
“But I made the food!”
Keiko then gets right in face and sparks stays to fly between us.
Oh yea, Keiko makes my lunches. I’m sure you can guess who’s the favorite child.
Keiko decides to back off, and reaches for something in her bag.
“By the way. Where’s your group of friends?”
“Huh? Why?”
I grab another piece of sausage, “because you’re always with those people at lunch. I’m surprised you were able to come alone.” I say as I take a bite of the sausage.
“What? You think I can’t come here by myself?”
I raise an eyebrow of “you know the answer.”
Keiko looks down and runs her fingers thru her hair.
“I sneaked away…”
That’s what I thought.
Keiko takes a peak at my bento, “hey. The broccoli.”
Damn. I tried to hide it.
“Why are you bothering me.” I said, trying to change the subject.
“Oh right! Why I’m here!”
She’s so easy.
“I heard about you and Inoue.”
I put my finger between her mouth, shushing her.
“Don’t say that aloud, you know better than that.”
“Oops, yea you’re right.” Keiko playfully hits her head with her knuckle, and sticks her tongue out.
That’s not cute. Wait why are the guys around blushing!?
“Anna told me everything so now I know why you always came home later than usual, I always assumed you were going on those walks of yours.”
Keiko grabs another shrimp, but I stop her with my chopsticks.
She sticks out her tongue again. Really it’s not cute.
“Here I got something for you…” Keiko reaches in her bags again and pull’s out two sandwiches.
Huh? Did she make this…for me?
“Oh, u-uh thank you-“
“This is for you and Inoue!”
“Shut up!”
I fed her the last shrimp so she can shut up, it was not worth it.
“Hmm, this is good I did a great job.”
I look at the sandwiches, for me and Inoue huh?
“Not taking it.” I push back the sandwiches towards Keiko.
“Wha? Why not.” She said with a feminine whiny tone.
“Because I won’t give it to her.”
It’s obvious she’s only giving me this so me and Inoue can ‘build’ our relationship. I’m not falling for her trap.
Keiko slowly pushed the sandwiches back into me and pats them.
“Just give a bit of thought ok.”
She gets up from her seat, “do it for your big sister please.” She makes another attempt of a cute face. And again all the boys seem to simultaneously fall in love.
I’m sure you can tell who’s the favorite child.
I put my hand over my eyes and rub them for a second, “keik-“
She’s gone. And she left a sticky note, “you got this!” With a poorly drawn stick figure holding a thumbs up.
Mmm.
I take a long look at the sandwiches. Would Inoue want them?
You know what? I’m feeling extra hungry today.
