Strings of Hope

CHAPTER - 2

“You need to be more focused when you’re working on your projects,” a harsh, aging voice said from across the desk.

“Yes, sir. I won’t make the same mistake again,” I replied, even though it felt unfair to be talked down to like this.

He scoffed. “Mess up once more and I won’t think twice before showing you the door, Issei.”

His tone was serious. Too serious, considering how small the mistake actually was.

The words stuck with me long after the conversation ended, gnawing at the back of my mind. I knew it wasn’t that big of an error. Still, a mistake was a mistake, I guess.

I had already told him I was a student on top of working here. I wished he could be more understanding.

I didn’t want to work either, but these days, fancy degrees alone don’t keep you off the streets. They’re good for nothing but hanging on a wall.

And someone like me needed money somehow, without burdening my parents any further.

Is it even worth thinking like this?

I shook my head and forced myself to focus. I had an exam coming up, and worrying about everything else wouldn’t help.

I glanced at the clock. 10:00 p.m.

Not enough time or energy to cook anything. I grabbed a protein bar from my desk instead, telling myself it was better than nothing.

The night passed. And so did I. Passed out, not pass away.

I woke up at 6:30 the next morning. One boiled egg, a slice of toast. I hoped it would be enough to keep me going until I could eat something on campus.

Between the bus and the metro, commuting took nearly an hour. Long rides, sure, but at least I saved money.

It was exhausting, but I’d survived three years like this already. I could survive a few more months.

Still caught up in my thoughts, I realized I’d arrived at the same scenery as every day, my classroom.

“Yo, man. You planning to grow a beard now?”

The teasing voice startled me. I realized I hadn’t shaved in three days.

“I just keep forgetting,” I said.

“That’s what you say, bro.”

“He’s Mister Busy Guy, after all,” one of my classmates added. “Always turning us down when we invite him out.”

I would love to go. Maybe.

“Issei, can you help explain this to me?” a shrill voice cut in.

I sighed. “Why don’t you ever focus in class, Minori?”

“You expect me to stay awake when the teachers sound like they're singing lullabies?” she laughed.

I shook my head. “Alright, come here. What do you need help with?”

I always helped anyway. It’s not like I lost anything by doing so.

And just like that, the day was slipping away. It was almost 2:00 p.m.

“Well, that quiz wasn’t too hard,” I said, feeling confident I did well.

“Of course you think so,” Ren replied. “I was so confused at one point, thought I’d absolutely flunk it.”

“Yeah, that’s what you say every time… and then you end up with one of the highest marks,” another classmate teased.

“I just got lucky, I guess,” Ren said, a little prideful after the compliment.

“Are you coming, Ren?” a voice called from a bit farther away.

“Yeah, yeah. Alright, Issei, catch ya later! Got a group date… or a mixer, something like that!” he said, sounding enthusiastic.

“Alright, good luck!” I replied with a warm smile, watching him walk away.

I sighed. I wished I could taste something like that. Love, excitement, someone to care about. There was actually that one girl who caught my eye a few times. I didn’t know her name, but she was close with Minori. That meant she had to be a good person. Still… I didn’t have the looks or courage to ask Minori about her, or even approach her myself.

My phone buzzed. A message from my co-worker: “Hey, where are you? We need your help here. Come ASAP.”

I groaned. Either I’d messed up, or some error had popped up. Hopefully the latter. Being a developer had its tiring downsides. I had imagined it would be fun, creating things for a company. Reality, however, was exhausting.

Another exhausting day. Just seeing the door to my apartment felt like a blessing. I couldn’t wait to relax, even though I knew I wouldn’t fully manage it, with assignments still piling up.

I stepped inside and my eyes fell on my guitar and piano, sitting there like they hadn’t been touched or cleaned for ages… which, truthfully, they hadn’t.

Sacrificing my hobbies and passions to make my parents happy… that’s life, isn’t it? Compromises.

I shook my head. Focus on the assignments first. Maybe then I could finally sleep on my bed without guilt.

Music has always been my escape. Composing, singing, playing. I loved it all. But now, stuck in this robotic routine, following my dreams seemed almost impossible.

As they say, you win some, you lose some. Maybe one day, all these sacrifices would feel worth it.

I finished my assignments, and it was only 11 PM, a miracle. I decided to pick up my guitar for a bit. Strumming those chords felt amazing. There’s something about the way a pattern of notes can sound melodic and beautiful that makes everything else fade away.

And then, for a brief moment, my thoughts drifted to that girl. Maybe… music could be my way to reach her, somehow. I wasn’t confident, of course. Even if she didn’t want anything to do with me, I figured I should at least try.

I’d never really had crushes before, nor had the guts to ask a girl out or been asked out myself. So this all felt new… exciting, even hopeful. Maybe I could finally find something or someone to look forward to in life.

Little did I know that she would become the one to shape my future in ways I could never have imagined.

END CHAPTER - 2