New Chapter in Life - 1.1

1.2

I can hear the school bell ringing. It’s now lunchtime. And the school enforces us to eat at the canteen, in order to socialize with other class too. That’s mutually beneficial with my goals, that is to make friends… but that’s only on paper…

Ahh, should I ask Kanazawa-san to eat together? Hmmm, but she’s quite popular… she’s probably having lunch together with the other girls… and I mean at the getting to know each other session, there’s many who approached her and asked her many questions…

Is it worth the shot? I mean… what’s in me to lose? My dignity? You can’t lose anything if you don’t have any in the first place… class basically already branded me as an outcast at this point…

B-but that’s not the main roadblock in me asking her to have lunch t-together. Mainly it’s do I even have the courage to ask her out…

I clinched my fist, and gave a few wake up slaps to myself in the cheeks. Steeling my resolve and preparing myself mentally. You can do this Manabu! And if you fail… well just look in the benefits! No need to worry!

With my unwavering newfound resolve, I lightly tap her shoulder to grab her attention. And she instantly turn her around to face me.

“What is it Akechi-kun?” She curiously asked.

“Uhm… K-Kanazawa-san are you e-eating with s-someone?” I asked her nervously.

That’s it! I did it! Hell yeah! Woohoo to me! Hooray to me! Long live Manabu Akechi! I actually did it! I’m proud, I feel like I’m on top of the world now! Fuck yes! Good game well played me! A truly commendable achievement!!!

“Yes, I’m eating with my friend Shouko from 1-A and some others. So…?” Kanazawa-san replied. But with a gesture and tone that she didn’t want to eat with me.

Ah… after feeling that I was on top of the world, I suddenly feel like am drowning in a deep trench… if you reach for something high, the harder the fall is…

But hey, I already mentally prepare myself that this was reality… thanks for replying for my selfish demands Kanazawa-san, and good job be for actually confronting her Manabu… yeah nope, this is sad… I shouldn’t have done it in the first place…

“Ahh I see, n-nevermind…” I said in a sad tone.

And with that, we both go our separate ways, she heads into the left wing and for me it’s the right. I guess she’s really eating with someone from class 1-A.

Hughh, still even though I knew she doesn’t want to. It still feel a bit sad isn’t it? I mean I ask her to eat together… I’ve already gathered up my courage… and yet that’s what the world paid me in exchange? Pain and suffering…

T-though it’s n-not b-because I l-like her or something… I just have an interest in her. W-wait isn’t having interest in someone- is the same as l-liking? N-no no that’s not it Manabu! No. I mean, I want to know her more…. I think she’s a good person a-and a n-nice one t-too.

Hufft anyway. As I step my foot into the canteen, I was petrified by the sight. It was very spacious. It was specifically made for all the 600 students and the faculty members.

It’s a semi-outdoor canteen, with what seems like a retractable roof, and it’s opened right now, the spring sunlight illuminated the canteen. People talking while eating, idle chats, gossiping and the crowded yet lively ambience can be felt.

Ah… most of the tables are full… I- I don’t think I should force myself in… especially, there isn’t that many people I know… some of the 1-C students already fill and attached two big tables together to eat…

I guess the saying the only thing limiting yourself isn’t that true… a whole other million things also needs to be considered. And I guess it played out like this…I already had the resolve to change, but life just dealt me a bad hand… or maybe just because I suck…

I’m sad… the world is sad… everything is sad… I shouldn’t approach Kanazawa-san… That was stupid of me… thinking everything will suddenly just work out…. Without considering other variables… I’m so fucking delusional…

Man… what if I made Kanazawa-san’s name bad… I mean no one wants to be around me… except teachers… which is weird. But… I guess I’m an outcast huh. So much for hyping high school when it just turns out to be this sad lump of three years…

Hufft, there’s a few vacant tables still empty. Oh there’s someone who eats alone! Maybe I can befriend him!? This is pog. And with a new target acquired, my existential crisis is postponed.

I approach him, and he seems to be sad right now… did something happen to him? He’s eating alone… and everything in the proximity of three meters around him seems to turn sad and gloomy…

“H-hi can I sit here?” I awkwardly asked him, and with a few moment of silence, of him staring dead into my eyes, he nodded. And with permission, I sit directly opposite of him.

This guy sitting in front of me is a bit weird… He dyed his hair dark grey. His face looks very tired and sad. His slanted eye looks very tired and had cried not long ago. There’s also a slightly noticeable slap-mark on his face from a rather small palm… and this guy generates a very gloomy aura right now.

But that’s not the only weird thing about it. Though the school doesn’t enforce student to wear any fixed kind of uniform, they only ask the student to wear a white shirt, and preferably to use one of the following two options; a blue blazer from school, or the alternative light grey vest.

Hmm let me use both me, and Kanazawa-san as an example. I use the alternative light grey vest, and meanwhile Kanazawa-san wears the blue blazer.

Though, this guy unlike us he’s wearing a black hoodie. Which is totally fine and not against the rule… but still it’s as if he’s making himself look like an oddball….

After a few minutes of awkward silence of us both munching on our lunch, without having a care for each other. I initiated a conversation, to break the oddly awkward situation between us.

“I haven’t got your n-name… d-do you m-mind telling me?” I asked him curiously, without a hitch of hesitation and no stuttering.

He look at me dead in the eyes like before, and answered my question. “Akihiko Nakamura, 1-D.”

“I’m M-Manabu Akechi, from 1-C.”

After that, he didn’t seem like he’s buying into my conversation. So the atmosphere between us suddenly froze and awkwardness ruled the lands again… and after munching on a few bites I start to initiate another conversation, in hope to melt this ice between us.

“Uhm, w-what do you like to do at your free-time Nakamura-kun?”

“Play video games. Watch anime.” He replied without batting an eye to me.

Oh, he’s an otaku weeb… though he’s a rather weird specimen… this guy body is too athletic for him to be considered an otaku. But at the same time, he looks a bit malnourished…

“S-so w-what games do you play? W-what genre do you watch?” I ask him again.

“You seem very reluctant. Don’t you see I’m in a bad mood right now?” He didn’t bother to answer my question, and open up his feelings.

I know. I do know! That’s why I’m conversing with you! I want to cheer you up somehow! And yes I myself is in quite a bad mood, and I’m here to change it!

“I s-see it. That’s why I hope I will c-cheer you up somehow… d-did you get rejected by a girl or s-something similar earlier?” I shot a bullet in the dark.

With my refined techniques of observing, through countless hours of creepily staring and overanalysing everything. I can conclude, that Nakamura-kun, this guy. Probably got slapped by a girl.

“Then don’t bother me, I already tolerated you to eat with me so please shut up.”

Huh, this guy. Don’t you know what my intention is!? You know what screw it, if he’s pissing me off, I’ll piss him off too!

“No wonder you got slapped by a girl if you’re like this!” I taunted him.

“Fuck off.” He tried to deter me. But that won’t deter me.

“I mean, if we’re both sad then why not we have fun together?!” I fought back.

Welp, that statement is quite stupid… it’s a rather dumb thing that came out of my mouth… it’s like saying why be depressed? Just be happy… and saying why are you homeless? Just buy a house…

“I don’t want to! And not with you!”

Why? Why are you like this Nakamura-kun? You’re as reluctant as me it seems! But I’m not backing down.

“Sadboys together strong.” I said, while imitating the sign language a certain ape used.

“That movie is old, and that meme is dead! 2011 and 2019?!”

At this point, we’re shouting at each other. And indeed some students even drew their attention to us. And it’s pretty loud to the point that it’s not just students that noticed us.

“Gee, Aoba-senpai your student is picking a fight with mine.”

“What do you mean Azu-chan? Clearly Akechi-kun started it!”

Two teachers started approaching us, both of them having their lunches unopened. That’s Hirano-sensei and Aoba-sensei… Oh Aoba-sensei is in charge of 1-D then?

I knew Aoba-sensei from the interview, and from previous encounters with her. That is, when Mom and Dad collects Nee-chan’s report card. Aoba-sensei was the homeroom teacher for Nee-chan for two years.

“What happened here Nakamura-kun?” Aoba-sensei asked Nakamura.

Wait, did we attract that much attention? I mean I guess… there’s many students looking at us right now… what are you all looking at? Two oddballs arguing about a dead meme?

“This guy, he’s annoying!” Nakamura-kun went all-in and points his finger at me.

“Ehh, what do you mean!? I’m here to eat with you what’s wrong with that!?” I argued back.

Both Aoba-sensei and Hirano-sensei sit with us, trying to know what the hell happened here. It seems like they were also trying to find a seat to eat. So it’s a two birds hit with one stone situation for them.

And so, both I and Nakamura-kun shared our point of view in this little squabble. I mean, it’s stupid of us for to argue over this… and even both Aoba-sensei and Hirano-sensei was cackling about what happened.

“Haha, don’t go release your wrath to Akechi-kun after getting rejected like that.” Aoba-sensei said to Nakamura-kun.

“Hmm? Got rejected?” I taunted Nakamura-kun again.

“Same goes for you Akechi-kun, I saw you trying to ask Kanazawa-san out.” Hirano-sensei pinched my ear.

“Heh, can’t insult me if you’re on the same boat can you?” Nakamura-kun initiated an open war.

“Anyways, we’ll be sitting here because there’s hardly any other vacant tables left.” Hirano-sensei distracted both of us.

And with that all of us continue eating… and honestly it’s very strange. The teacher’s here seems very engaged with the students and generally very caring. And the faculty members here are… are young to say the least.

I mean, Hirano-sensei is in her mid-20s and Aoba-sensei is probably in her late 20s or early 30s. And I guess that makes interacting with the students easier? With less of an age gap and same understanding?

I mean, I’m a Gen Z and not a Gen Alpha… well there’s hardly any difference between Z and Alpha… Anyways the point it, the age gap isn’t that big of a difference between the teachers and students.

And let’s use Hirano-sensei for an example, she’s a Gen Z too… I mean I highly doubt that we’re more than 10 years apart. And even Aoba-sensei, who is likely in her early 30s, She’s the younger side of Gen Y aka Millennials and acts more or less like a Gen Z too…

I quite don’t get the YOLO work hard play hard way of living of the millennials though… I know and agree with their way of thinking that living a boring career life is just slavery. They’re way too risky though!

I mean I know it sounds fun to be a freelancer and work from remote places, enjoy life and all that shit. I get that, but that’s way way too risky! They also spend very lavishly! Man you don’t have to waste more than 20k yen for a damn outfit…

Rather save that money or invest it… buy stocks learn how the economy works… and yeah why do those millennials live without care and spend recklessly… I guess that’s because they’re raised in an economic boom and they were raised by boomers too.

Meanwhile us here…The Gen Z is raised in the aftermath of a recession, experienced the aftermath of Asian 97 Recession, experienced the Great Recession of 08 first hand/had the impact, and fucking got an epidemic and pandemic! And we’re not raised by boomer hah, we’re raised by Gen X the cooler and way chill boomers. Unlike not those silly reckless uncool Millennials that are raised by those lame-ass lousy nationalistic boomers.

Anyways we’re straying way off-topic. What i mean is it doesn’t feel weird for us to talk and engage in casual conversation. Rather than what our parents experience, bowing to the seniors and probably feel detached from their teachers. This school’s way of interacting with their students is pretty unique, and rather open and not conservative.

Though, while talking with Hirano-sensei and Aoba-sensei both Nakamura-kun and I still call them with Sensei and we use softer language for them… and not straight up be rude to them… anyway the point is I personally don’t feel any discomfort talking casually with them!

“Nakamura-kun and Akechi-kun seems to be on good terms now right Azu-chan?”

“Yeah, they’re getting along together don’t they?”

After Hirano-sensei and Aoba-sensei cooled down the tension between us, indeed we do seem like we’re a match made in heaven. We play the same video games, generally like the same genres, we’ve even exchanged contacts!

“So do you like to play on Hypickle? If so want to play together!?”

“Of course Nakamura-kun!”

Nice, seems like today has turned for the better in the end… even though it’s quite the bummer I didn’t get to eat with Kanazawa-san… Though I’m thankful for her to kind of reject it.

Man what will happen if I didn’t meet Nakamura-kun? This slob is one hell of an enjoyable guy to be around… or I guess this is the feeling of having friends…

How many years has it been? For me to shut myself in completely… I feel like those dark and gloomy days are over. With this new chapter in life, I look forward into these next pages!

“Ekhm, there will be an English essay homework for all of the 1st years.” Hirano-sensei ruined our happiness.

“Ehh Azu-chan why did you spoil them that surprise? Never mind, we get to see those disappointed faces of them right now! Haha.” Aoba-sensei commented.

“Homework? Oh come on! And English!?” Nakamura-kun complained.

And to put in salt into our wounds. To ruin the moments of happiness and anticipation of both Nakamura-kun and I there was an announcement from the school.

“Lunch break is going to end in five minutes, please hurry up and finish eating and start preparing for the next class.” A PA Announcement can be heard from a speake

◇

Its 1.15 PM, Homeroom with Hirano-sensei. The cool and breezy wind from the campus is blowing towards us, it certainly is quite the refreshment in Tokyo. The campus is filled with trees and it’s quite a nice park, I wouldn’t even know if this is just a few kilometers away from the Tokyo Bay. Well, I do know if I hadn’t already, and sometimes the warm pacific wind blow here too I guess… but its spring it’s 21 degrees Celsius.

Anyway right now, each 1st year class is taking a tour on the school. We’ve already visited the main building and touring from the 1st floor to the 3rd floor of the main building. We’ve also visited the school’s gym and other sport facilities. Right now, we’re walking in the school campus and walking towards the library and the café building

Oh yeah a notable detail. While we tour around, the Senpais are advertising the club activity, and none of them have piqued my interest. And to be honest, I already set my heart on a certain club. Is it even a club though?

If you’re wandering. It’s the Student Council… yes, you heard me right… I’m planning to join the Student Council… I know! I know! It sounds kind of stupid right?

A socially awkward and inept person like me, to join the Student Council… yes that may sound very stupid. But I believe, I can join! I mean, there’s no doubt on my skills on the academic side of school, wait is it even useful there…?

And what the hell do people do on the Student Council? I personally don’t know. But I’ve heard experiences from the one and only, my sister, Akane. She’s formerly the vice student Council President two years ago.

She said that they mainly adjust budgets for club activities, organize events and compile works of other club activities, it was compiling stuff for the school magazine or something. Not the worst thing ever... 

Personally, I’m interested in joining just because of the benefit from having an experience at an organization. Though, Tachibana-senpai’s and Nakahara-senpai’s attitude at the opening ceremony add a little incentive into it.

And secondly, I think it’s where the best of the best are. By that I mean, I get to interact and communicate with people that are probably good at this sort of stuff. Which, will give and guide me through their respective abilities and i can make friends!

Hell fucking yeah, I want to join there! But there’s a roadblock, and quite the big one... there’s a selection process. And I think that’s a no joke thing. Though, I’ve heard some rumors that the Student Council are facing some sort of crisis.

Apparently there was this age-gap thing, a skip year where they barely recruit any members because there were already simply too much member. And I believe the current third years student body is the victim.

As I have, an insider information. About why that happened to put it simply, they just didn’t want to join and the ones that wanted to, aren’t a good fit in there. Still, it feels a bit weird. And now basically the student council simply don’t have enough members…

There were actually a few third years that formerly affiliated themselves with the council. Though all of them resigned just last year, because they think the Student Council is getting in the way of their studies…

Anyways, what I’m saying is. Life dealt me a good hand! This is opportunity seems to present itself in front of me, and hell yeah I’m going to snatch it.

“Wuaah, finally we’ve arrived here class the donut structure!” Hirano-sensei exclaimed.

Oh yeah, apparently the library and the café building are officially called the Donut Structure… it’s pretty wacky. Though do you know what’s not wacky?

The architecture of it. Its round like a donut, and have a flat ceiling and it’s so fucking big like seriously all of the things here are big. Oh yeah going back to the topic, the Donut Structure is divided into two sections, half of it is the School’s library. And the other half, the school café.

We enter the library section first, it’s not some sort of crazy library shit or as cool as the Library of Alexandria or the National Diet Library. But it looks cozy and nice, like all other buildings in this school, it’s mainly white with a stark contrast of black, notably the floor here is vinyl too which is a niche touch.

There’s a lot of books here, mostly are scientific researches and other books. There’s also a philosophical shelf, and a fiction too. So it’s not that bland. There’s AC Heater hybrid too notably. Damn, this is one hell of a school.

Now, I know all of those are impressive, but hear me out. The café here in school isn’t some start-up shit. It’s actually the big boys of all café, a mega corporate food chain. It’s Starbucks dude! Starbucks! It’s a fucking brand… a product placement.

Damn, this school probably get a lot from this café alone. It’s a big profit I must say, though I quite wonder. Is the café popular within the students?

Like any Starbucks café, it’s mainly brown color and it even has the twin-tailed siren logo. It’s pretty big and cozy here. No particular niche to it, except it’s on the school grounds. Same price of foods, nothing of a different here.

After our short trip looking around on the donut structure, our class is heading back into the Main building. Hmm I wonder what we’ll do later…

“Akechi-kun have you decided to join any club?” Hirano-sensei asked me out of curiosity.

“O-oh Sensei, Uhmm I’ll be the go-home club at least for now.” I answered nervously and ambiguously.

“Ehh? You’re not joining any club Akechi-kun?”

“I will, its t-the s-student council.” I replied nervously, because we’re casually chatting while heading back, with some students having their attention in me.

I was nervous, because I’m scared that they'll judge me or something… I mean a person like me, this awkward… this socially inept joining and being the representative of the student body… it’s laughable… pathetic me....

Good thing, no one seems to care… Student Council isn't really that much of a big deal, it's not like what anime potrays... Or maybe it’s a bad thing. No one cares I exist I suppose… pathetic... wait, go away bad thoughts not the time for existential crisis yet!

“I see, just like Akane-chan then, do you already know that Aoba-sensei is the supervisor of the Student Council?”

Oh that, I already know, I nodded in response to Hirano-sensei’s question. That’s also one of the reason I know Aoba-sensei before even the interview… I wonder though, I thought Aoba-sensei is going to be the homeroom teacher of mine, especially because of the connections of Nee-chan… though I don’t hate Hirano-sensei.

In fact, I think I know why the school chooses Hirano-sensei as my homeroom. Age-gap and her personality maybe? I don’t know. The decision will unravel itself won’t it?

Ahhh back to the topic, I wonder what Nakamura-kun joins? Is he a go-home club? Or maybe chess? And be like GM Hikaru Nakamura? No, no I highly doubt that. He’s not the brightest kid.

I mean I could judge based on his hobbies… he likes playing video games and watching anime… so that only means one thing. He’s the Go-home club! I’ll be lookin forward to play Hypickle with you bud!

Oh yeah speaking of other’s people choices. Kanazawa-san is most likely going to join the Badminton Club. No it’s more of a guarantee I suppose. She’s a wonderkid or whatever the slang is, taking the badminton world by storm. That’s what the class is fussing all about.

I mean her achievements speak for herself, four gold medals and two runner-ups? That’s a commendable achievement… I admire her…Man if I had knew what passion I have…

Is studying even a passion? It’s boring for most people, and I do think it’s pretty boring too… Hmmm maybe this phase of my life, I’ll find my passion, another hobby other than reading books…

Anyway! I think Student Council will certainly fit the bill in my development as a person... But still there's lots of hurdle and hardships i need to overcome before even joining... let's hope i'm making it into the cut.