Last Bell of Yotsuba High School

As I was walking on my way to school, I saw a beautiful lake. A lake full of life… many trees surrounded it. I thought it would make the lake unbalanced, but… I was wrong. Fresh trees make the lake more natural. And the sound of early birds, singing their morning songs. How beautiful is this view of mine.

But… water clearer than the mirror? majestic mountains? and a tree that balanced the harmony of nature?… All of that can't compare to how good the sky is, without the sun nature cannot be seen as its true art, and without the mystical sky nature would look so lame.

But… Why? Why is nature made, if it needs a sun? Why is the sun made, if it needs a sky? But… even so, they had different uses, a sun just made for light, a sky just made for view, and nature just made for human needs.

What would happen if they all combined?

I sighed heavily while thinking about it, and didn't realize it was in front of me the whole time.

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The first period is gonna start soon, when I clutch up at the last minute. I sat down in my chair, and I could see in their eyes that everyone seemed sad. I was confused and was just about to ask when a loud voice suddenly spoke.

“Alright everyone! settle down, may I have your attention please?” I looked up, and it's our homeroom teacher Mr. Light. What a classic way to start a class. “So this is our last day” He said, with an interesting look on his face. And the room became quiet, I can see that many of the students are sad with that lame facial expression.

Last day huh. It feels like a normal day to me… I can't believe it's been a year.

“So, what are you guys gonna do this spring break?” he said, while everyone was raising their hands except mine.

A sudden voice pops up in nowhere “We're going on a trip,” I look up, and it's the class representative.

“Wait, like a class trip?” Mr. Light asked.

“Yeah, we're going to Osaka," the class rep answered.

“What a wholesome moment! well then be safe kiddos” Mr Light said.

A class trip huh, that's cute. I'm not that surprised no one invited me, imagine someone inviting a lame loner, how disgusting.

“How about you, Takeshi?” Mr. Light asked me.

I was caught off guard, but… My thoughts hit me hard. What am I really gonna do this spring break?

“Umm, I do-don't know yet” I replied, while stuttering,

“You don't know yet? That's fair. Alright everyone see you again next school year” he said.

What a boring life of mine. My first year of high school has gone, yet this is me still the same, still looking for answers that never exist. The sound of a student goofing around, the sound of notebooks flipping around, and the sound of a teacher screaming. All of that is gonna be gone now.

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Ding! Ding! Ding! The bell rang.

This signifies that the school ends. I almost forgot to include this. The sound of a bell rang everyday, it's a sign that it's time to go home. While everyone was happy when they heard it, this day they all cried, the tears in their eyes poured over the classroom. The sound of their heartbeat pounding, while packing their stuff. What a memory for them.

For me, it has nothing to do with experience. Everyone you met, everyone you hugged on, they're all going to be gone. It's a matter of fact that everything comes to your life is temporary.

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As I was ready to leave, a familiar voice behind me called out.

“Ano… Ta-Takeshi-kun,” I looked behind me and it was Hinari. She is my classmate.

“Hey there Hinari-san, what's up?”

“Can I talk to you later, at the gym?” she asked, with a shy look in her eye.

Wait… What?! Talk to me? At the gym? This is the first time anyone has asked me to talk.

“What for? you can just tell me right now.”

“I can't, it's kinda embarrassing”

Why can't she say it right now? Is this a love confession?! Nahh, it only happens in romcoms, stop being delusional.

I guess… There is nothing wrong giving a shot. Right?

“Fine, I'll be there.” I said, as I walked away.

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While walking at the gym, I can't stop thinking… Why does Hinari want to talk to me? Oh, I haven't introduced y'all to her yet, so her name is Kyoko HInari. She is my classmate, and also a first year student. She is known as the prettiest girl at school, every boy who speaks to her, will fall in love. Well not me of course, we were supposed to be friends but it didn't go well.

Anyways, I am at the door of the gym now. I don't know what provoked her to talk to me like this, but… there is no backing up now.

I entered the gym full of confidence. As soon as I entered the gym, I only saw Hinari. While I'm walking to her my heart won't stop pounding, and my hands keep sweating.

And yep… I'm in front of her now.

“Ano… Hinari-san, what do you want to tell me?” I asked.

“Im sorry for bothering you, I…” she mumbled, looking nervous.

Man, why is she so shy about it? just say it.

“I wanna in-invite you to the class vacation,”

Invite me? She can't even look straight at me, I can see in her eyes she's just forcing herself. It's obviously a dare. I thought.

“Why didn't you just say it a while ago?”

“Look! It's just a dare. I had no choice… It's kinda embarrassing telling it to you in front of many people.”

A dare. Of course… it's a dare, means I am really not included in their original plan, which is fine to me. I just hate why they choose other people to invite me. I also hate the audacity to talk to me just for a dare. And I really hate people who can't say their true motives. Well… what can you expect for a loner like me?

“That's all I wanna say, it depends on you if you wanna go or nah” she said, while turning her back to me.

I watch as she turns around… and slowly walks out at the gym. I also walk out now since I really have no reason to stay here.

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As I walk at the gate in our school to leave. I turned my back and looked at the school one last time.

The brick walls, worn smooth by years of students, stood tall against the afternoon sky. Sunlight glinted off the windows, making them look almost like they were sparkling. Even the old, faded sign above the entrance seemed to glow a little.

This was it…

My first year of High School ended here.

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[Scene: Last Week of Spring Break]

POV: Yuri Takeshi

A few weeks have passed, and it's already the last week of spring. Poor me. “Man, this break is so boring!” I said as I shut my laptop off. Hi, I'm Yuri Takeshi. Second year high school. I like reading manga and light novels, but I'm not that otaku vibe or something, not yet. Because it never slipped my mind to cosplay or Marry some fictional character, that's crazy.

Talents? nah, not even one. I'm not that good at sports or any skills. But I tried, way back middle school. So this is what happened. Once upon a time ago, there was this kid in middle school that lacks of talent. The teacher asked if someone here knows how to play soccer, this kid who wanted to impress everyone said “Me, I know… how to play”. So the tournament came, and this kid never realized he was the substitute for the star player. So we all know what happened next. Obviously the team lost and this kid got embarrassed in front of many people, not just his classmates. And for some reason this kid happens to be me, the end.

But wait! Even though I have no talents, I'm a fast learner. Like if I learn it right now, I can say that I'm an expert of it tomorrow. But… there was this talent of mine that spawned in my life for no reason. I thought at first it's just normal and everyone got it… but I was wrong, this talent happens to be mine only. And it was reading someone, I can predict what people are about to do next, or if they are expressing their true motives. Wait, that's kinda confusing, let me explain real quick. So think about this, you saw a car approaching at a dead end and the only way is turning right, now the car has arrived at a dead end. Where do you think the car is going? It's obviously a turn right, right? But no, he didn't turn right, he reversed his car and went back to the main road.

I know it's kinda confusing. But the plot twist is that dead end is not a road for cars, it's a private property. They used this way to go in a short cut. But why didn't he turn right? It's because the driver didn't know if it's really the shortcut, it's a battle of choice. If you continue turning right, there is a chance there is no short cut because you have never been there. Same as how humans say things or express things, they will choose not to risk, rather than choose the easiest path.

And I can know it, by observing how they move and how they act or speak. It's been a year since I got this talent. At first I liked it because it's interesting. I know some of yall think it's kinda dope or sounds good, but sometimes I wish… I never had this. btw enough about me.

I step outside for a bit, just to get fresh air. “Ahhh what a life!” I sighed. As I pass by the coffee shop, I wonder about something. What if I get a part time job? If I don't wanna do something as a hobby I should get some job for the things I need. Ok let's see. What am I good at? Physical sports? nahh, Music? definitely nope. Men this is hard I just wanna live a life.

Wait, what if I apply for a job I'm not good at? this feels more thrilling you know. As I was wondering what job I should get, I passed by a coffee shop again. “Coffee shop, kinda sounds interesting to work” I thought, as I entered the Coffee shop.

“Um, excuse me, I was wondering if you guys are currently hiring for any positions?” I asked, with a confident voice.

“Nice timing, wait here I'm just gonna call our manager,” the lady in the cashier replied.

“Wait… maybe I got a chance to apply here, the lady in the cashier said nice timing.” I thought.

As I was waiting, I heard a voice calling me, out of nowhere.

“Can I help you kid?” I looked behind me, and it's an old man. He looks kinda scary though.

“Umm… I'm go-good, I'm just waiting for the manager.” I stuttered.

“He is in front of you now.” the old man replied.

The lady went back and said, “Oh, you're already their manager?”

Wait! What? this old man, the manager? Crap, I should watch my tone.

“Oh, I'm sorry, I was just wondering if you guys are hiring for any position.”

“Why did you come here? If you want a job there are many jobs around there.”

Wait, that's kinda unexpected question, but why did I really come here? I thought.

“For starters, I want this place because it's near my apartment. Also this place is easy for people to spot. And I want to save as much money as possible.”

After I said those words, the scary old man I know became a puppy for a second. Did I say something weird?

“What a nice kid, trying to save money just by walking.”

“Every kid in spring chooses to go on vacation, while you want to apply for a job”

“Your hired kid, come back tomorrow for training.”

Wait… that's it? He thinks I'm some kind of kind kid, with so much perseverance? Well I'm not gonna complain, this is really my day.

“I appreciate it. Thanks for having me.” I said, as I walked out the coffee shop. They gave me a job application paper before I left.

(...)

As I walked back to my apartment, I saw a newspaper scattered on the road. I picked it out of curiosity and checked the headline.

“Top 2 Rating School - Yamagiri High School.”

I wonder about something… I haven't enrolled yet for 2nd year high school.

Wait!… No way, this school is just a 15-minute walk from my apartment? Compared to my last school, it's a 30-minute walk. So sometimes I used the subway, which is not good for saving.

Well… let's see, I'm gonna go to this school and take some sneak peek.

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Ok, I just got here. And yep, it's true, it's just a 15-minute walk.

“What the hell is this?” I thought, as I saw the gigantic school.

Dude this school is freaking big. I wonder how many students enroll here.

Well I'm not that surprised, it is a Top 2 Rating School after all.

I could sense that this place was only for the gifted. Definitely not for me.

As I was peeking, I heard a voice behind me. “What’s good with this view kid?”

“Oh shit!” I thought.

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POV: Hina Hanakawa

As I was walking to the bookstore, I saw some random news on my phone. It's Reiji Yukimura, announcing his latest book. Wait… latest book? I won. This news just came out so there is a possibility everyone didn't see it, and the fact that I'm on my way to the bookstore? Lucky me.

Hi, I'm Hina Hanakawa. Second year high school. I'm the kind of person that doesn't talk a lot but if it's about the book I'm in. I like reading novels and books. Maybe I'm the kind of person called a book nerd or something. btw enough about me I need to buy that latest book.

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I was about to enter the bookstore, when I saw a familiar face. It's Yumiko-chan!

Yumiko Momo. Also a second year. She's been my friend since first year high school. I thought at first she's some kind of annoying person. Like talking to someone she didn't know, or asking some personal questions, like their close. Like girl who are you. But I was wrong… I thought she was kinda weird back then, turns out I'm just jealous. I'm just angry, because I know I can't be that social. Yumiko is the reason why my first year was unforgettable.

“Hey there, it's been a while,” I said, as I walked up to her.

“Hey, it's Hina-chan. Glad we met here, how's spring?” she asked, while we entered the bookstore.

“Nothing much, just reading books. How about you?”

“My spring is so boring, I just play games and watch some anime,”

“Hey Hina-chan, let me guess you just came here because you heard about the new book release right?” she asked, teasingly.

“Umm ye-yeah, you can say it like that.”

“Yeah right. It's written all over your face. Just so you know school starts next week.”

Well…Well…Well… says the one who watches anime the whole spring break.

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I walked down the aisle, hoping it's still available. But… I didn't see anything. Poor me, I thought I'm the chosen one.

I was about to give up, when I remembered—I still hadn't used my last card. Maybe this would work.

I walked up to the staff and asked, “Ano, sumimasen! Do you guys still have this book?” while showing the picture.

“Ow that one, the new release?” he replied.

“Yeah, that's right.”

“Sorry but… we don't have that one… yet.”

When I heard that line, my surroundings stopped moving. As if time literally stopped. I know that I'm not that special, to have an instant wish. But I don't really believe in luck. I mean, I do believe in luck, but I don't believe it's gonna happen to me—Wait!... did he just say “yet”.

“Umm, what do you mean by yet?”

“Since it just came out, it’ll take like a week to reach bookstores in every region,”

“In the end, I'm still the chosen one” I thought.

“I understand, well then thank you very much sir.” I said. As I was about to walk out, he said something that caught me off guard.

“You're welcome… Just so you know, they only release 20 books per region. Lucky for us, here in Kanto, we got the first shipment."

“So if you really want to get it…. be prepared.” He said, while turning his back.

“I understand it sir. Just so you know, I build different.” I thought, as I walked out.

[End of Chapter 2]