- School Day

Spring, 4 April 2022

Since I last saw Aoki, it has been two days, and the home fixing and the rest of the stuff to move have been finished. It's already Monday, and I woke up early today. It was 6:00 a.m., so I went outside for a few minutes and did some jogging to kill time.

I had already prepared breakfast after doing some exercise because my mother is still sleeping because she works at night shift. I made some French toast and left a note on the table indicating that breakfast was available and was kept in fridge.

As I walked out of the house, I noticed a large number of students walking towards our school. I had no idea this school had so many students. I had assumed that maybe this was the only school in town.

While walking, Aoki is attempting to catch me off guard in order to surprise me. So I also surprised him.

"So, what exactly are you doing here?"  When I said those words, he was completely taken aback.

"Dang man How can you see me? Do you have an eye at the back of your head?" He sarcastically asked

Well, he's moving strangely, and people in front of me are looking back, so I guess I was correct. " It's nothing; it's just that your presence is easily detected."

I had the impression he had been insulted. "Hey what exactly do you mean?"

I gave a cold response. "Nothing"

"Well, I never imagined that Aoki would study at this school either. Now I see why, when we last spoke, you said, "See you on Monday."

 He immediately replied back.

"Knowing that you moved back here, this is the most well-known school in the prefecture, and it has high standards. I know you're coming."

"I only came here because it was the closest school to my house. I had no idea they had such high standards."

"Hearing those words irritated me because I had worked hard to get in here. And yet you claim to have enrolled here solely because it is close to your home; what a jerk, eh?"

"Well, I'm clever; how about you?" As I move a little more quickly, I can see him catching up.

"Well, these uniforms look excellent on you," He said those as a compliment.

"Hey, man, don't fall for me because I prefer girls" 

"Hey, wait a minute! Answer me Hey! What do you mean by that?"

As we walk to school, we notice many senior students endorsing their clubs. On the one hand, there are clubs like basketball, volleyball, and other athletic clubs, and on the other side, there are clubs like Manga Club and e-sports club.

While walking, a topic came up.

"Do you intend to join a club, Asahi?"

"Well, I never really considered joining the club, so maybe I won't."

"Eh, why? It's a shame, though, because you're only going home after school."

"Well, I have a lot of things to do around the house, such as cooking dinner and cleaning."

To be honest, I wanted to join clubs, but my situation makes it impossible for me to do so. And now I'm wondering if this is what happened before I graduated from junior high. I always thought I could change my life here, but it's not that simple.

"Asahi"

...

"Hey, Asahi, you're doing it again. You're planning something, aren't you?"

"I apologize for that. I'm only thinking of minor details."

"So, Aoki, how about you? Do you intend to participate in any club activities?"

He appeared hesitant to answer the question when I looked at him. Perhaps he is hesitant to join as well.

"I had intended to go, but I'm stuck on which club to go to."

Oh, so that was his thinking. He's an energetic boy, so why did I assume he wouldn't want to participate in club activities? I must be out of my mind.

"Therefore, you had better choose wisely to avoid regretting your decision."

"Okay, I'll give it some thought later. But for now, Let's go to the bulletin board and look for our room number."

"okay"

I seem to space out a lot these days, but my mind always has something to think about, even if it's bad. Maybe I should try paying more attention.

"I see them now. I spotted your name, Asahi."

"I'm assuming we're in the same class."

"You're not wrong either, and it appears that our teacher is Ms. Hirano Suzume."

The fact that we are in the same class is both reassuring and irritating. I also looked at the class names and noticed something familiar. Perhaps they just have the same name.

"Announcement! announcement!"

Someone had something to say, and it piqued my interest.

"You should all enter your respective classroom and wait for the bell to ring for the opening program, I repeat, you all should enter your designated classroom and wait for the bell to ring for the opening program."

"Let's get moving, Asahi."

We walked to our classroom, and as we walked, I felt like someone was looking at me; I tried to look back, but there was no one looking at me. Maybe I'm just imagining things.

We've arrived at our classroom, and I'm looking for someone after seeing a familiar name written on the board earlier. I never saw the person I was looking for as I searched the room, so it could just be a coincidence that they have the same name.

Aoki then abruptly asked me a question. "Are you looking for someone here?"

"No I'm not " I continued into the classroom and noticed a desk in the back. That's where I'll be sitting.

"You're sitting at the back?" Aoki asked me

"Yes" I just replied with a cold response

"You intend to do something bad, right?" Aoki jokingly said

I simply scoffed at him. after I took my seat Aoki sat in the front since he prefers it because he always sleeps in the back. But that's what he said. After a few minutes, we heard the announcement

"Please all assemble in the auditorium for the opening ceremony. I'll repeat it everybody assemble in the auditorium for the welcome program."

Following the announcement, everyone people gathered in the auditorium for the welcome program.

Following the speeches of the first-year student representative, the teachers, and the student council president, everyone was directed to their assigned classroom to prepare for their class. I went back to my seat and napped for a few minutes.

The teacher arrived after a few minutes.

Then the teacher suddenly starts to talk "Could everyone please stand?" 

Everyone stood and began to bow.

"Please take your seats. I'll take attendance, so when you hear your name, say hello."

"My name is Hirano Suzume, and you can call me Suzu-Sensei. It's a pleasure to meet all of you."

Everyone abruptly returned the greeting.

"Nice to meet you too, Suzu-sensei."

Following the introductions, she started calling us one by one until I heard the name I was looking for and saw the person with the same name.

"Takeda Himiko"

"Here sensei!"

Why was she here? I had no idea someone I knew from my old school was here. My old place and this place are too far apart. How did she get here? Perhaps I'll approach her this lunch break. As time passes, the class concludes and the lunch break arrives.

I attempted to approach and converse with her.

"Takeda-san, do you recognize me?, Don't you?"