Caste World

Time is a necessity of mankind. Without it, civilization is but a fantasy. However, it can also be said that it is our greatest hindrance. We as individuals inadvertently use time as a dictator of our lives. It’s time to go to school, it’s time to eat, it’s time to sleep. We cannot do this or that because it is not the correct time, or rather, we have not spent enough time. We need to do this for this amount of time in order to achieve something. Due to the unfortunate and uncontrollable influence of natural selection, as organisms we have created a system of structure to layout a simple path for our development. Time is the system’s core. It’s the one thing that is calculated into everything we do. From an extreme perspective, we have essentially become its slave.

For example, I didn’t particularly want to get up this morning. Regardless of my desire, I got up anyways, knowing that if I wasn’t on time, the bus would leave me. And thus, my plan to escape the outside world would be nullified.

Either way, my claim isn’t exactly sound. I’m simply talking about this topic because I find it interesting, almost existential. At the end of the day, we as humans moreless choose the outcome of our lives. We are not the slaves of anyone or anything unless we allow ourselves to be.

The bus I am on right now - it’s taking me to school. Soon enough, the time will come (specifically about 45 minutes) where I enter a brand new world.

The School of Advanced Nurturing. The first semester starts today. It’s a place that’s completely isolated. To my knowledge, once you enter, you may not leave until it is time for you to do so - that time being graduation. Contact with the outside world is forbidden. On this bus, I’m surrounded by my soon to be classmates. The atmosphere is quiet, yet it isn’t heavy.

“I wonder what the school looks like,” One person said, trying to break the ice.

“I heard it’s not quite like other schools,” said another.

“I heard its got super-nice dorms!” a girl cheered.

“It’s hard to believe it’s all free, especially since we’ll be living here for such a long time,” a boy chipped in.

“Isn’t it crazy?” the girl replied, “It’s like we’re being reborn and starting a new life.”

Three years. That’s how long we’d be living on this campus for.

As I listened to various conversations, a girl spoke to me.

“Hey, you’re taking up the whole bench,” she scowled at me.

This particular girl had pitch black hair. Her orange eyes were sharply gazing at the text inside the student handbook. The aura about her was very unwelcoming. I didn’t respond to her words. Instead, I simply repositioned my legs to be more comforting for her.

I decided I should probably skim through the details of the handbook as well. If it was a normal school, I’d have most likely just thrown it away as soon as the opportunity arose. But I opened it up and skimmed away.

The man who notified me about this school had told me it’s drastically different from your average public one. As I looked at the table of contents, I noticed there was a “Rule of Hierarchy” section. I was about to flip to the designated page to see what it was about, when suddenly I overheard a conversation.

“Excuse me, sir,” a girl said, “But would it be alright if you could give this girl your seat? She has trouble standing, you see.”

I looked over, seeing a frail looking girl holding a cane to support her balance.

“Oh? And what’s in it for me?” The man asked.

“Huh? Well.. I was just hoping..”

“If there is no benefit from giving up my seat, then I will not do so.”

These are indeed cruel words coming from the man, although they are rational ones.

“I-I see..” the girl muttered, disappointed that she couldn’t help the fragile girl.

“It’s quite alright,” the cripple said, a slight smile on her face, “I can make it ’till the end of the ride.”

But the girl was determined to make her bus ride more enjoyable.

“Excuse me, everyone!” the girl called out, “Would anyone like to help this girl out and give up their seat?”

Silence ensued after that request was made. I looked over at the girl next to me, and although she noticed the situation, she did not seem to show any signs of getting up. Considering the first impression she had given me, I wasn’t surprised at this act of inconsiderateness. I was more so surprised that literally nobody on the bus had the decency to rise and offer their seat.

The girl who was trying so hard to help the cripple began walking down the bus aisle with a worried expression. She was beginning to inch closer and closer to me, shooting gazes in multiple directions. Eventually, she had reached the bench that me and the rude girl were sitting at.

“You two seem like kind people,” the girl spoke to us.

I’m not exactly sure this was an accurate statement to place upon the girl next to me. Hell, even calling me kind would be a stretch.

“Would one of you be willing to give up your seat?” she continued.

The girl next to me threw her eyes at me brashly, as if to say “you do it.”

Honestly, she’s anything but kind.

Still without saying a word, I got up from my seat, and headed for an open spot on the wall in which I could lean against.

“Thank you so much!” the girl bowed. She then began signalling to the disabled girl.

“Thank you very much,” the cripple smiled at me.

Although her body was weak, she had a beautiful face, one that was firm, one could even say leaderlike.

“I’m glad there are nice people here.” the girl who asked me to give up my seat spoke, “I would’ve been really sad if she had to stand the whole ride.”

“Standing isn’t a problem for me,” I simply said.

She then asked me for my name, in which I responded to her.

“Kaito is a nice name. It’s got a cool ring to it.”

She smiled at me with bright, hazel eyes. She had an abnormally large rack, and her short brown hair only made them appear bigger. I decided to look straight ahead out of the window across from me rather than look at her.

“I’m Naomi Toyoda. I hope we can be friends in the future.”

“Likewise,” I said.

As time passed, I blankly stared out the windows, watching the trees blur together as we rode past them. I could tell Naomi was looking for a way to start a conversation with me, but I didn’t really have the intention of speaking anymore than I had to.

Regardless, if she speaks, I figure I should respond.

“Hey, Kaito, what do you think this school is all about?”

“I haven’t the slightest idea,” I replied.

“It’s almost scary. I’ve got this knot in my stomach. For the next three years, this is our home.”

“And it’s all free,” was all I could think of saying.

“It’s almost too good to be true, don’t you think?”

“Well, I sure hope not.”

Naomi laughed. It seemed like a laugh of sympathy. Nothing I said was funny.

More time passed, and at last, we had arrived. The bus had entered what looked similar to that of a utopia. Before us stood a massive school complex surrounded by what seemed to be clear glass walls on all sides. The walls themselves had to have been at least 1200 feet in height. The idea of getting over those walls was blasphemy. And the only entrance to this utopia (the one we’d came through) was heavily guarded.

“Wow, it’s like a whole new world, isn’t it?” Naomi spoke wide eyed.

“There’s convenience stores and arcades, too!” Someone pointed.

“It’s all so vibrant!” Another cheered.

It certainly was a sight to be seen. There were no people in sight. It was our world to be explored. It was waiting for us. Plazas, malls, restaurants, fun fairs, this place had everything. Even the school building, a place where many lament, had a positive aura about it, as it drew the attention of the students.

“I could certainly make myself at home here. What do you think, Kaito?” Naomi asked me.

“I agree. I could probably live my whole life here in all honesty.”

Once again, Naomi laughed. But of course, I was being dead serious.

If I had the choice to stay here until death, I’d take it without any doubts in my mind. As time passes other students might get homesick, or miss their friends and family.

But as for me, the outside world is the last place I’d ever wish to be.