Pilot

Chapter - 1: Pilot

Life is full of incidents. As each phrase of life connects the dots of our consequences with prior decisions, it leads to the fate we intentionally or unintentionally created.  

Edward N. Lorenz, a great mathematician and meteorologist, was the first to define the theory of "butterfly effect". A small change or trigger leading to a vast impacting outcome.  

From our childhood to old age, we unknowingly trigger this effect. Of all the things that could've happened to us, we only take that one chance, one instance to shape our destiny. 

Though sometimes that single chance brings us a series of events. Events that might change our life for good or drag us to the bottom of our life. 

You never know what you're headed for. But that just makes our existence so unpredictable and fascinating. 

So in the end, I wonder to myself, What is life?

And what did I do to make it seem empty and all gray? I wanna get out- 

“Akito? Akito? Did you wake up? You're gonna be late for school.”

“Yeah, I'm coming.” Saying that I took a long sigh. Well, I don't know if I can break out from that empty space but right now I really have to fasten up. I don't wanna be late as a first year student. 

I got up from the futon and folded it. Looking at the clock, I quickly went to the washroom and freshened up. I opened the wardrobe, hurriedly dressed up for school and grabbed my bag and phone. I opened the room door in a rush, only to crash with my neighboring roommate. 

“Ouch, that hurts. Watch where you're going, man.” Hideo exclaimed while holding his head. 

Fujimura Hideo, my cousin who's the same age as me and goes to the same school. He was still in his pajamas. 

“I will but you should watch the clock more often.” 

“Move out of the way.” He said so desperately. 

“Okay okay. Best of luck getting to school in time.” I said as he ran off to the washroom. 

This house's second bedroom is quite smaller than the guest room. So he stays in the guest room instead. Though the only downside is that the washroom is outside of the room. 

I got down to the first floor and saw my uncle reading the newspaper like he was glued to it. As I don't recall anything significant happening in the world right now, I brushed off the thought and went to the kitchen without disturbing him. 

“Yuki-san, good morning.”

“Good morning, Akito.”

“Can I take this sandwich?”

“Yes, of course. Uhh…can you wait a little, your bento isn't ready yet.”

“Don't worry, Aunt. I'll find something in the cafeteria.”

“Huh, no way. Those foods aren't enough to fill your stomach.”

“But it will get late if I don't hurry now.” 

“Why don't you give it to Hideo. He's running late anyway.” A strong hoarse sound came from behind. 

“Morning uncle.”

“Morning son. You can leave for school. I'll send your bento with Hideo.”

“Thank you, then I'll be going now.” I got to the door, put on the shoes and waved at them. 

“Don't run and stay safe.”

With only a nod, I started walking towards the school. With my fast walking speed, it took 20 minutes to reach the school. I still have 10 minutes to spare. 

Kamakura Asobi High School, it's a public school in Kamakura city. The school is known for its competitive club activities and elite education. It boasts its large campus right at the heart of the city. 

I made it to the academy building's first year's floor. My class was 1-C. Same as Hideo. The classroom door was slightly opened. I took my seat which was in the first column and fourth bench. Homeroom is about to start in only 5 minutes. Hideo might get scolded. 

The homeroom bell rang and in a minute, the classroom door opened wide. Everyone went to their seats thinking that our teacher came. Though surprisingly it was Hideo. He was drenched in sweat, breathing heavily. 

“Just in time.” He said with relief. However it was cut short as he got hit from behind with a file. 

“You're late.” Our homeroom teacher, Mr. Hiroki. 

“Huh? I arrived just before you.”

“But not before the bell. Take your seat. Get up early tomorrow onwards, alright.”

“Yes. Thank you sir.” Saying that he took his seat which was the second column and 3rd bench.

The classes went on and on with tiny pauses in between the periods until the lunch break. Everyone took out their bento. Some even made a group to eat together. 

I remembered that my lunch was with Hideo. I looked at his desk and saw there were two girls along with him. They joined the tables together. I wanted to approach him but was kind of reluctant.

One of the girls was an old friend of his. He mentioned her before. Her name is probably Ichikawa Kaori. She had silky blue hair tied with two tails. Next to her was Yoshino Fumi. She had elegantly tied dark brown hair with a blue bow ribbon. 

As I was glancing at them. Hideo noticed me and called out, 

“Hey bro, why don't you come here. Let's eat together.”

I hesitated to go but seeing the girls staring at me, it would be rude of me to refuse. 

I walked towards their bench and greeted,

“Hello, I'm Akito, his cousin. It's a pleasure to get acquainted. 

“Hi, I'm Ichikawa Kaori. Likewise.” The blue haired said. I got the name right. 

“I'm…Yoshino Fumi. Thank you. I hope we can all get along.” She said with her calm and composed voice. 

I took a seat beside Hideo. He handed me the bento. I opened the lid and took the chopsticks. After everyone said ‘Itadakimasu’ in unison. We started eating our lunch together. 

“So you're staying at his house now?” Ichikawa asked. 

“Yeah. My parents live in Setagaya. So I moved to my uncle's house.”

“Oh, it must be hard…staying far away from them.” Yoshino speaks up. 

“Kind of. It's only been two weeks. I came here one week prior to get to know the city more.” I said while putting a teriyaki beef in my mouth. 

I don't know about missing. While living with them I never did discover anything outside of books. One thing was clear in that household, don't slack off, even for a minute. That one week prior had me explore the city more than I ever did in my 16 years of life. I probably know more about Kamakura than Setagaya. 

“So are you both paternal or maternal cousins?”

“Paternal.” Hideo answered immediately to Ichikawa's question. 

“So who's older?” 

“Me obviously.” Hideo said with vigorous confidence. 

“Well let's see. We're born the same year. I was born in January. Hideo was…May, right?” Although I should've remembered his birthday, maybe it just slipped my mind. 

“Yeah, but you were in January? Damn.”

“So I'm 16 already.”

“Oh and I'm September. Come on, that makes me the youngest here.” Ichikawa said with a down face.

“What's Yoshino's?...If you don't mind.” I asked curiously, squeezing the quarter of my black coat. Why did I ask that???

“No no. It's alright. I'm September 6th and she's 17th. So that's why Kaori got sullen." She said while grinning. 

“Hey, I'm not grumping…it's just surprising.”

“Anyway, is anyone interested in joining any club? Clubs are recruiting currently.” Hideo asked to change the topic. 

“I haven't given it much thought yet.”

“Neither did I.” Yoshino added. 

For a second I got lost in my thoughts. Everyone was waiting for my response. I nodded in negative. 

The bell rang, indicating the end of lunch break. We got back to our seats. After two more classes and cleaning and the final homeroom, school for today is finally over. Many students buckled up for their club session. As I didn't have that, I started to leave the classroom with Hideo and others, when Mr. Hiroki called me. 

“Meet me at the teacher's room.”

“... Okay sir. You guys go ahead. I'll see you all tomorrow.” I didn't know how much time it would take. I don't wanna get them late. 

After bidding farewell, I headed to the teacher's room. Mr. Hiroki queried about the soccer club that I was part of in my middle school. He also said things about the soccer club of this school and how much they achieved. 

“Your stats are really good. If you join our soccer team, you'll be a great asset to the team. It will also be beneficial for your growth.”

“Thank you. I'll consider it thoroughly.” I said respectfully. 

“Now you can go. Get home safely.” 

After a slight nod, as I turned my body back, I almost bumped into Yoshino. 

“Sorry.”

“No it's my fault. I walked in without looking ahead.”

“Yoshino, what brings you here?” Mr. Hiroki asked. 

“Sorry to disturb you, I found a mobile phone in our school yard. Someone must've dropped it.” She said, showing a black cased phone. 

“Oh, okay. I'll give it to the staff, he will find the owner. Good work.”

We got outside the room. 

“Where are the others?” I asked. 

“A senior from the Music club recognized Kaori from middle school. So she took Kaori to her club. Fujimura, I mean your cousin also went with her. She told me to come too but I had to get back home early.”

“Oh, I get it. Ichikawa used to be in a music club in middle school?”

“Yeah, she plays the piano wonderfully. She has a great talent for it.”

“That's cool.”

As we reached the main gate, I asked the direction she's heading to,

“Right or left?”

“Right.”

“Then we're going the same way I suppose.” Hope that didn't sound like I'm stalking her or something. 

“If you don't mind, can I ask you where you live?”

“Kamakurakohan, 4 Chrome, 12th Street.”

“Huh, it's where I live too, mine is 9th Street.”

“Oh, what a coincidence. Uhm, then shall we go together?”

No no no, that was way too straight forward. I should've said something else. What was I even thinking?

“...Yeah…sure.”

I took a long sigh in my mind and started walking alongside her. This is the first time I'm walking home with a girl. Is this the butterfly effect? If it is, then I hope it's for the betterment.