Chapter 1

A mysterious voice booms, "Why did you do that to me?! You will pay dearly for everything! I will destroy everything you love!!" 

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I don't feel like doing anything during winter. I feel like lying down and wearing my blanket to stay warm.

Hello. My name is Petra. I'm 17 years old. I'm about to graduate from high school. Oh yeah, I like playing football and my favorite food is ramen.

"Petra, come here a moment. I have something to ask you," calls Dad.

Huh... I'm sure he'll ask about school. To me, school is boring. There's nothing to gain from school.

"Okay Dad, I'm coming."

I live with my mom and dad. Mom and Dad's daily life is gardening 'cause they share the same hobby. They said they first met at a tea plantation, then they exchanged stories and fell in love. I think it's quite romantic. I hope I can find a woman who has the same hobby as me.

"How's school going, Son?" asks Dad.

"Fine. It's just that the lessons are too boring."

"What do you mean? Were the lessons too hard for you?" asks Dad in surprise.

"That's not what I mean. The lessons were too easy. I've already mastered them five years ago."

"Then you should be happy, 'cause you will always be a model student and the pride of your teachers," says Dad.

Hah. I wish you knew about me at school. I'm not an easy student to manage. Even my teachers at school often punish me for my unruly behavior.

"Yes. That's what you think, but school is not that easy either."

"Then there are others who are just as good as you, so you have trouble getting the first place. Is that it?" says Dad.

"That's not the case, Dad. I often break school rules. I rarely do my homework. 'Cause in my opinion, why waste my energy doing something I'm already good at? It's not important to me."

"What did you say?! Learning is not a matter of whether it's important or not. It's more about getting ourselves used to repetition so that we can be more responsive to things related to it. It also applies in life. Why do people keep doing the same thing over and over again when they have mastered it? Because a sharp knife will become dull if not sharpened," says Dad.

Huh... Dad is lecturing me again.

"Alright. I understand. I'll try to do better, so that my knife won't become dull. Is that right?"

"Good! Remember, Petra! Mom and Dad won't always be there for you. Even if we both wanted to live longer to see you and take care of you, we couldn't. 'Cause we all live in a world with contract of fate that we can't unilaterally cancel. Be a useful human being for many people, so that one day many people will also be moved to do even greater things for this world," says Dad.

"Listen to what Dad says. I don't mean to pick on you, but you're a man I'm proud of. I want you to be a great man one day and be able to treat the woman of your dreams the way Dad treats me," says Mom.

The combo of Mom and Dad lecturing me always works. For some reason, I'm always eager to follow what they say, but after a few days the memory of wanting to do it disappears.

"Okay, Mom. Thank you, Mom and Dad, for never once getting bored and tired of lecturing me and protecting me from the many bad things that have happened."

"Well then, now get ready 'cause you have to go to school," adds Mom.

"Okay, Mom. I'll get ready first."

This time, I have to be able to change for the better for Mom and Dad. I should make both of them proud.

"Petra, it's okay for you to go to school by yourself today, right? 'Cause Dad has to do some things in the village nearby," says Dad.

It must be related to the plantation.

"Okay. That's fine, Dad."

After getting ready and eating bread made by Mom, I hurry off to school.

"I'm going now, Mom."

"Be careful, Son," says Mom.

"Bye, Mom. Bye, Dad."

May today be a good day for me to start something new.

"Dad, I want to ask something about Petra. When are we going to tell him the truth?" asks Mom.

"Not now, Mom. I still don't see him being able to take on such a big task. I want him to care more about those closest to him first," replies Dad.

"Okay, if that's what you think is the best," says Mom.

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I'll do well in school.

"Aaaaaaaa..." screams a girl.

"Huh?! Sounds like it's coming from over there! I have to hurry!"

Honk! Honk!

A truck is speeding toward her.

"Aaaaaa..." screams the girl once again.

Look out! She could get hit! Damn! I'll have to use it!

Whoosh...

Phew... Good thing I still have time.

"Hey, are you alright?"

She's so pretty. She smells really good too. Whoa... Am I falling in love?

"Ah, thank you very much. You saved me. I apologize for troubling you," replies the girl.

"Ah, no. I don't feel troubled. I just happened to be passing this way."

Oh my. My heart is pounding.

"Umm... Thank you for your kindness," says the girl.

Wow... What a lovely smile. Am I really falling in love?

"Hey, you're daydreaming. What's wrong with you?" asks the girl.

"Ah, no. By the way, my name is Petra. What's your name?"

"My name is Siera. I think we're about the same age," says the girl.

Siera. A name just as beautiful as her.

"Really? I'm in my third year of high school. You too?"

"I thought so. I'm also in my third year of high school," replies Siera.

"Whoa... How fitting that we're the same age."

Argh! Stupid! What did I say?!

"Just what do you mean?" asks Siera.

Ouch! I'm so stupid!

"I mean it's fitting 'cause there's a fireworks display coming up in case you want to go with me."

Argh! Petra! What the hell are you doing?! Pretty girls like her definitely wouldn't want to go with me.

"Oh yeah? Okay. I'll go with you. Let's meet at the tower at 6 PM," says Siera.

Whaaaat?!

She really wants to go with me? Petra, you're dreaming. Wake up!!

No! It's not a dream!

"Ah... Ah okay. I'm definitely coming!"

"Alright then. I have to go. See you soon. Bye."

Siera leaves while waving her hand.

Argh. Today is my luckiest day ever. Thank the gods! Hehehe.

Huh?!

Oh no!

The school gate will close in 5 minutes. I'll be late at this rate. I have to hurry!

Whoa... It's in my line of sight. I'll be there in a bit.

Wait, Mr. Doni! Don't close the gate! I'm going in!

Whoosh...

Hahaha. Finally, I arrive at school on time.

"Whoa. This is the first time I see you not being late for school in month," says Mr. Doni.

"Of course, Mr. Doni. I'm going to be working hard cause I'm going to be a model student. Alright. I'm going to class. Bye, Mr. Doni. Thank you."

"Heh. That kid is really unpredictable. He's often punished by the teachers, but he's actually a good boy," says Mr. Doni.