One Tree in a Forest

It was a time of cherry blossoms carried on the great sea of the winds of spring. A time for new beginnings, where the life of the past was left behind to greet the welcoming future. The bright moments that looked forward to where chains of pain shattered to dust. Earnest hope stretched out with a warm hand to pull up those troubled. An inviting opportunity presented with no façade.

‘Aren’t we being a little overly optimistic in the naïve deluded way that adults think of children? Aren’t you just painting with unrealistic cliché metaphors and symbolism?’ questioned Chiharu.

‘While overused, you can’t deny a classic,’ commented Yuki. He nodded in agreement with no one else. ‘There’s a reason it’s a classic, it’s never out of style. Why do you think so much fiction places the High School setting on such an important narrative pedestal?’

‘So this narration’s your fault? That explains a lot. What, get upset that you’re being ignored as the main character and it’s only the second arc of the story?’

‘You’re being awfully talkative for someone that pretends that they’re a misanthrope character.’

‘Careful, big words will hurt your brain and shift the reader demographic.’

‘After all of your philosophical talk last chapter can you really be complaining about such things?’

‘It’s your fault.’

‘Well we are preparing for a flashback. Oh is that your problem?’

‘You’re oddly observant today. I’d rather not have to suffer through another tedious flashback.’

‘The crux of the situation now! Don’t worry this won’t take long!’

‘That was said last time and it ran for a chapter and a half. I don’t trust you.’

Yuki shrugged his shoulders at Chiharu. He pointed his finger over at her. ‘Not a lot I can do about that. It’s already begun anyway. Once a flashback has been summoned, it can’t be denied! It’s the rules!’ Yuki faded away from the void leaving Chiharu behind. She sat with her arms crossed and not content with the situation.

Chapter 134 – One Tree in a Forest

Anyway, the flashback continued back on course without further interruptions. While potentially painted with overly bright and hopeful colors, it was accurate that the setting was a high school. The need for a flowery entrance was no doubt due in fact to Yumi’s memories took her back to the entrance ceremony, barely a few months ago.

A normal spring day for anyone, that wasn’t Yumi. In fact, the rest of the student body had already begun to split up to start for their class. It was only a half day, so spirits were high to still have free time soon.

Yumi, on the other hand, was nervous and uneasy with the new school. While always known as a shy individual and difficult to want to change anything uncomfortable, none of that was the reason for her nervousness.

Her last year of middle school was no doubt the best time for her, even though it might have been difficult to actually tell to the outside observer. The reason was because the source of her stress had left. While there lingered some memories and self-imposed pressures, she felt more comfortable. She had her best friends and the shadow disappeared from her path. Her school finally had felt welcoming to her and not oppressively judgmental.

The assumption from her feelings would be that she felt uncomfortable because of a new environment. The unfamiliar, in truth, did provide her with some amount of unease, but that was only a small piece of the larger puzzle. The real source was the same as it always had been for Yumi. It remained unchanged and likely very obvious to anyone that knew her.

She entered the school of Yori, her older brother. Just like in middle school, everywhere he left a trail of amazement and pride. He was popular with most of the girls in the school, though they placed him on such a pedestal that few actually dared to approach him. He improved the school as part of the student council and all of the teachers looked at him as the model student. He had the grades, looks and rumored athletic prowess, though Yumi knew it was one of the few real failing points of her brother. His name meant something to everyone and her first mistake that she deeply regretted was acknowledging that he was her brother.

Thanks to the still clinging together Yori fan club at her previous school, Yumi remained aware of all of the accomplishments of her brother in high school. She had partially wanted to ask to attend a different school, but with their family situation, she felt it was too selfish.

In his first year, he already rose to the position of President, rather unheard of for a first year. Those graduating members of his fan club that entered the high school with him made sure everyone knew about him. His popularity grew fast and his face and name easily became the most recognizable in the school. Even those not attending the school knew of him.

Yumi didn’t know how she was going to deal with it. It felt even worse than middle school. ‘The butterflies won’t stop...’ She rubbed her hand over her stomach. ‘…will I make it?’ The thought of asking to sleep in the nurse’s office came very tempting to her. She got in the habit of nearly living in the nurse’s office during her first year at the last school. It wasn’t until she met her friends that she felt comfortable enough to stay in class. Her head tilted over to Kaede and Katsumi. ‘…at least we’re in the same class…I should be fine…’

Her homeroom class began to fill quickly after she arrived. She didn’t want to look eager, but she purposely reached the class as early as she could. A few students arrived before her, but it meant her entrance had less visibility. She hoped that if she just sat in her seat that it would diminish her presence. It only partially worked, as her friends sat around her talking to her about how they spent their time off.

Once the class filled, the opening of the front door seemed to signal the breaking of everyone. The few students still standing around chatting dispersed to their seats. Their teacher stepped through the threshold carrying a couple of notebooks stacked together under her arm. She set the notebooks on the desk at the side of her and picked up a piece of chalk. In silence, she wrote her name on the board for everyone to read. “I’m Michiko Kuniyoshi. While I don’t mind a little carefreeness, please remember this is a school and you’re here to learn. Thank you.”

After her introduction, the introduction began for the students. It carried around the room until it came to her turn. As much as she tried to reduce her appearance in the class, she knew introduction wasn’t something she could avoid. The anticipation to the moment that they all heard her name renewed the churning in her stomach. It returned twofold stronger than before for her.

When she stood up her feet wanted her to turn her to the door and flee for the nurse. The longer that she delayed speaking the more she noticed the eyes staring at her. ‘…do they already know? Are they judging me? Will they be disappointed?’

“Hey, Yumi!” whispered Kaede from behind. Her voice came in low and unheard by Yumi. It took her poking her in the back to get Yumi’s attention. She smiled up at Yumi giving her a reaffirming gesture. “You can do it, Yumi!”

Kaede’s reassurance improved her footing a little, but still left her a little nervous. Another whisper from her left pointed out Katsumi to her. She waved to her and nodded to back up Kaede. Her friends’ support returned her voice back to her. While her stomach didn’t improve any, she knew her silence couldn’t remain. Yumi faced forward steeling herself. “Yumi Mizuno, I’m from—“ Her words stopped the moment she heard murmuring throughout the girls in the class.

“Mizuno?”

“That’s the same name, right?”

“Yeah, she’s his little sister. But don’t expect anything, she’s nothing like him.”

“Oh? I guess siblings are different.”

“Umm…err…I-I…” Yumi backed in her seat. She expected it to happen, but knowing didn’t make it any easier to deal with for her. The butterflies grew exponentially in her stomach until it felt like she wanted to throw up. It was almost too much for her to take.

A chair clattered loudly against a desk from Katsumi standing up, but she didn’t say anything. She didn’t get the chance. Someone else had stood up a moment before her. “Hey everyone! I’m Yuki Hayashi! Now I know you’re all excited with the start of high school, but let me assure you that despite my appearance pretty boys only exist in the stories you read. Don’t forget you’re all protagonists here, but don’t let it go to your head!” He struck a bit of an odd pose at his desk. The awkward and almost self-centered introduction pulled everyone’s attention away from Yumi and to him.

“What’s with him?”

“The hell? He some weird otaku?”

“Thought they were all introverted neets.”

“I wish he was.”

Ms. Kuniyoshi threw a laser targeted sharpened piece of chalk across the room speeding past Yuki’s head. The wake left a few cut strains of hair falling slowly. Behind him, the chalk burned a hole in the wall with a little smoke trailing off the impact point. “Don’t interrupt another student Mr. Hayashi! Everyone else, quiet during the introductions. Am I understood?” The decisive display of force and command brought everyone back in line. Everyone involved sat down as quickly as possible and the next in line started their introduction.

Yumi didn’t pay attention any further to the class. Her nerves were completely shot. Her body swam in sweat and cooked from the rise in temperature. She felt relieved that all of the talking stopped. When she looked around at the rest of the students, they didn’t even give her another glance. She thought that they would all be staring at her like an animal in a zoo. But none of it happened for her.

They all seemed more interested in talking about the strange introduction from the rather short boy. She was pleased that they didn’t focus on her, but a little guilty that they made fun of him instead. She knew how it felt too well. Yumi tightened her hands together.

The conclusion of the classes for the day brought the end of her first trial. She prayed the next day ran smoother. However, she wanted to do something before she left. She let Kaede and Katsumi know to wait on her. Yumi stood in the emptying classroom feeling comforted by her seat and desk.

Across the room, her gaze found him, Yuki Hayashi. She remembered his name from the introduction and couldn’t stop thinking about him. She felt bad that he took all the attention directed at her. However, it confused her a little how he acted carefree and like none of it mattered. He carried a huge smile on his face while he talked to a girl. Yumi bumped into her desk not noticing it as she tried to begin her approach.

Their voices raised up as the girl put her arm around his neck. “I can’t believe you, Yuki! I thought you said you were going to try to keep a lower profile after everything from middle school!”

“I’m sorry! I just sort of acted.”

“Yeah, that’s all you do these days. Act stupid.” She stepped away from him, crossing her arms bothered by his nonchalant attitude. After a few seconds, she spun back around and pointed her finger at him. “You know some of them from our school are here right? If you get too much attention—“

“I know! I’m sorry, Saki! It’ll all work out!”

“Hey, Yuki!” shouted another boy coming in from out of the hall. He jumped out and came down on Yuki’s neck putting his arm around him looking very friendly. Yumi recognized him from their class, but couldn’t remember his name.

Yuki grinned back at him. “Hey, Hiroshi! You’re still hanging around?”

Hiroshi stepped off of Yuki. Yumi caught a momentary flinch in his expression as though something bothered him, but carried through. He set himself at a more appropriate distance leaning on a desk. “Yeah, Kazuhiro’s got something he wants to finish. So I’m just killing time.”

“Oh? Well we were about to head out. I was getting hungry, want to come along?”

“Yeah, I’ll bring Tatsuya and Kazuhiro with me, if you don’t mind.”

Yuki shook his head and welcomed him. “That’s fine! The more the better!”

No longer content to stand outside of the conversation, Saki stepped in leaning in on Yuki wanting some answers. “What’s going on, Yuki? I don’t know who he is. He your friend from middle school that I don’t know about?”

Waving his hands to deny the claim, Yuki backed a step away. “No, I just met him! He’s in our class! I’ve never met him before.”

“Then why’re you acting so friendly?”

“Well he’s my friend! Why not?” Yuki declared with a confused face, while stating it as though it was an obvious fact that even she knew.

“…Yuki…” She turned her gaze over to Hiroshi and glared at him. “You, who are you?”

Hiroshi twitched his eyebrow a little from the presence that Saki emitted. However, he recovered quickly and stood up straight, going rigid almost before her. He put his hand at his side and bowed deeply to her. “I’m Hiroshi Kuroda, ma’am! I’m your son’s friend!”

Saki blushed a little and backed away from him, not sure how to react to him. “S-s-son? What the hell’s the matter with you?!” Her question fueled her annoyance and corrected her confusion. She jumped back into the fray ready to defend herself against him.

Still bowed, Hiroshi continued as though he was asking a parent for permission to date their daughter. “Well I only assumed the way you acted that you must be his mother!”

“Acted?!” A vein on her forehead started to pop up and grow quickly. Her fist shook in front of her as she stared at the back of his head pointed at her. She wanted to grab him, but restrained herself. “I’m not his mother! How stupid do you have to be to think a high school student could ever be?! And stop bowing already, it's creepy!”

“Thank you for your permission!” Hiroshi rose up with a grin on his face. Before he had a chance to laugh, Yuki fell over in laughter. They looked down at him and the entire mood flipped again.

Yumi felt a little dizzy watching everything playing out. She didn’t feel like she had a moment to enter. They kept moving at their own pace out of her reach. On any other day, she would have left immediately. She knew that she didn’t belong with them. She was an outsider and her friends waited for her. On any other day, she would have shrunk away and locked away her voice in embarrassment.

It was not any other day, anymore.

“Umm…excuse me…” Yumi meekly spoke, with a voice that couldn’t have penetrated through the volume of ruckus in front of her. None of them turned or responded to her. ‘What am I doing? I should just leave now! I can’t believe I’m doing something so embarrassing!’ After a few seconds of awkwardness for her, Yumi started to pull away.

“Hey, Yumi! I’m sorry about that!” Yuki shouted as he came out. He appeared in front of her with surprising speed. “Sorry, I couldn’t say anything sooner. I tried to stop them!”

“Wh-wha…I-I…” He came so close to her that Yumi didn’t know how to react. Her voice disappeared, choking off everything inside her. The pounding in her heart rang through her ears almost louder than his words.

Recovering from abandonment, Saki and Hiroshi came around to the sides of Yuki. Saki leaned in a little towards Yumi, a little curious. “Who’s she, Yuki? You know her?”

“She’s in our class, Saki! Don’t you remember anyone in our class?”

Saki backed off a little surprised. “What?! Of course I do!” She looked around at them and then back at Yumi. Saki read the embarrassment on Yumi as frightened. She waved her hands in front trying to deny it. “I’m sorry! I do remember! I didn’t mean to scare you!”

“Saki!”

‘So they know about me too…everyone does…’ Yumi leaned down her head looking at the floor.

Yuki crossed his arms and glared over at Saki. “If you don’t remember that’s fine! Don’t lie to her if you can’t remember her! It’s just the first day, so I guess it’s not bad.”

The lecture from Yuki set Saki off to defend herself. She leaned in to Yuki. “I do remember! I wasn’t lying!” Yuki leaned over to her not believing her words and putting pressure on her. The longer he stared at her the worse it got for her until she just gave in. “Fine, I don’t remember! She just looked scared!’ Saki turned over to Yumi and apologized with a bow. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean anything by it!”

‘…doesn’t remember?’ Yumi suddenly felt confused, but the attention from the three of them made her uncomfortable. She stared at the ground as the only way to manage her emotions.

“So who is she? Does she know you? She came up to us.”

“Already making the moves on girls, huh? Yuki?” joked Hiroshi, nudging his elbow in his ribs. Saki quickly whacked him on his head for the words. He slowly rose back up, corrected. His hand rubbed the pain away from his head while looking over at Yumi. “She’s Yumi Mizuno. I think I’ve heard the name before.”

“Her name?” asked Saki, “So you know her, Yuki?”

“Nope, I haven’t seen her before today.”

“So what then?”

“She’s my friend!”

“Huh?” Saki stared at him trying to figure out if he was joking. However, the look in his eyes told her he was serious about it. “Is everyone in the class your friend?”

“If they want to be!”

“…Yuki…”

‘…friend?’ Yumi finally felt at ease to lift up her head. ‘He wants to be my friend? He doesn’t know me?’ She stared partially in confusion and awe at him. Nothing about him made much sense to her, but she couldn’t stop her eyes. ‘He heard my name, but didn’t say anything. He’s just looking at me as though I’m just another person.’

Saki leaned over to Yumi, still obvious to the conversation going around her. “Hey, you need to speak up! If you don’t want this creep to be saying things like that you can tell him!”

“That hurts, Saki! I didn’t say anything I didn’t mean!”

Yuki’s protest pulled her away from him and dragged her to face him. She threw out her hand, nearly running it up his nose with how close it came to him. “But you don’t just go around saying you’re friends with everyone! You can’t decide that for them!” After she felt satisfied with her rebuttal, she turned back to Yumi. Her hand came out to Yumi, but nowhere near as intrusive. “If you don’t feel the same, it's fine. You don’t have to be friends, you can tell him.”

Yumi didn’t completely follow everything that happened, but she no longer felt the stress of the day in her body. Her heart still pounded, but she knew it wasn’t because of nerves. She was comfortable and at ease, on her first day at a new school where her brother attended. Yumi shook her head lightly and found a small smile lifting up on her lips. “It’s fine with me. He’s right! We’re friends!”