Blooming Hope

The Sakura are blooming, and the college gates are wide open. Students are coming with a big smile. Some are talking about how they want to join different clubs; some are talking about serious inventions; and some are talking about how they just want to complete their studies. I, on the other hand, am just going blank inside the college and don't know what to do. My class, L-1, is on the 3rd floor, while the seniors have the classes on the lower floor.

The vice principal came around and informed us of the opening ceremony of the first year. So all of them like to rush, and I have no idea why. While I like to walk slowly and stand last. Soon the assembly started, and the principal gave his speech, and the honour student came up and gave his speech, and it ended just like that. I went to the class, and my seat was in the middle. Not in last nor in front, but in the middle.

Classes went normally, and everything else too; it ended just as I had expected. The classes weren't as lengthy but not particularly short either; the teachers were all good and taught us well enough. We all had different desks for each other, with a little space inside the desk for something to keep. The campus was surrounded by greenery; it was soothing and beautiful. It was time for lunch. Everyone went to the canteen; some went to their clubs, some to other classes. I went where I felt peace, and it was that garden. I couldn't believe that almost no one was there.

As I started to eat my sandwich, a classmate of mine, Kuro Kimura, came by. He looked way over 6 feet tall and had brown hair. His eyes were hazel, and his dressing sense was amazing. He really looked like a model.

"Hi, I am Kuro Kimura. I am from your class," said he with a big, cheering face.

"Hello, I am Inoue Arata. It's nice to meet you. Why don't you sit down if you want to have a talk? There's almost no one here." I said it with a smile on my face.

Yeah, sure, I will sit down."

I was just wondering why you were sitting here alone. Almost anyone will be friends with anyone here."

"This is one of the least troubled universities in Japan. You won't have a hard time here." Said he in a concerned voice.

"It's not that I am scared or something."

"Well, I am somewhat, to be honest, but I am only here because it's peaceful."

"I know it's not for everyone to feel at ease in a garden, but nature calms me down."

"I got to say, nature also helps me have a calm mind."

"Looks like we've got something in common."

He looked a little shocked and was smiling alongside her. I was confused by what made him smile.

"What is making you smile so much?"

"Oh, sorry, It's nothing. Just your answer made so much sense, and another reason for me coming here was to sit here in nature too." He then took a long, deep breath and exhaled it. He looked as if he had smelled the whole garden with that breath.

I also suddenly remembered that he was the honour student in the morning assembly.

"You are the honour student, aren't you? Then I believe it's no wonder you are running for the class monitor too."

"I am kind of guessing whether to go or not. It will be hectic and boring all the way. If our classmates selected me, then I am done for." He said it in an annoying manner.

"If I become the monitor, then will you become the assistant?" He said it in a cunning way.

"I would be no good. I am not good at studying or handling those duties. I will only be a bother."

"How about a bet? If I lose, you won't become the assistant, but if I do, you will." His face said he was planning something. I could smell it.

"I don't make bets. The most unexpected of things lead to great disasters. I am pretty sure some girl would be excited to stand next to you."

"Our University girls are not like those cheap ones. They come from a respected household and have a reputation. Even they would run for the monitor."

"Alright, for now, let's just eat and sit for a while in the garden. Fate will decide everything."

"Alright. By the way, can I have that half-sandwich? You can have my curry rice."

"Deal?" He asked while some drool was dripping from his mouth. I am not a person to refuse someone food, so I gave it to him.

"Deal."

The curry was good.

"Also Inoue, you can drop the honorific with me. I know we only just met but I think it's better this way."

"Fine, I don't have a problem with that."

We went back to the class, and soon our homeroom teacher came. She started to explain the basic duties of a monitor and an assistant. Almost everyone looked at Kuro and at one other girl. Her name was Akari Kobayashi-san, a girl with beautiful black hair and eyes as black as her hair. She had glasses on, and she was probably the only person in class who had them. She came in second in the university enrollment exams.

Okay, then who will want to volunteer for the role of the monitor?" The teacher, Yukina Hara, said She has a very high standing as a teacher at the university. She is very friendly with everyone and is the favourite teacher of many students.

"How about Kobayashi-san? Would you want to do it?"

"Yukina sensei, I will do it." A voice came from the last row.

"Are you sure you will do it, Kimura-san?"

"Sensei, I am the honour student. I can do it. It's not such a big thing."

"Yukina sensei, I will do it too." I heard a voice saying this, but it was such a low sound. I doubt anyone has even heard it. I only heard that because it was someone who was sitting next to me.

"Sensei, what does the work even involve?" Kuro said it in a laughing way.

"I am pretty nice too, so handling big paperwork won't hurt me.

She again said the same thing, but no one could listen to her. I called her by poking her hand. She looked so embarrassed and was probably about to cry.

"Instead of making that face, try saying it with a bit of a high voice."

She looked so embarrassed and stumbled a little. She nodded and then took a deep breath.

"Yukina sensei! I will do it too!" I knew she was going to say it a bit more loudly than usual. Everyone looked at her to see why she shouted like that. She looked so embarrassed after saying it.

Yukina sensei smiled a little and probably understood why she said it that way.

Okay, then, since we've got two candidates, let's do a vote. The one with the highest votes will be the monitor."

Everyone made the chips and then put them in the two boxes that sensei made. I decided to go with Kobayashi-san since she needed much encouragement to get out of her anxiety and needed to speak properly or else she would like today every time. I didn't mind who would win or not; I just needed to get it over with and go home.

Okay, I counted, and here are the results. No matter who won, be happy for them."

"Kuro won by one vote! Okay, so Kuro is the monitor, while Kobayashi-san is the assistant. Both of you will have to work hard to keep the title you have. That's it. Class dismissed."

She seemed a little angry and was about to cry, but Kuro calmed her down.

"We both have important roles; it doesn't matter which one we have. It's going to be the same for both of us." Kuro said it with a big smile, and she understood it and then was smiling too.

All students started going their ways. I too started to go home, and suddenly Kobayashi-san came running. She was holding something.

"Inoue-kun! Please wait!" This time, she didn't hesitate even a bit to shout. I guess it was important.

"What is it, Kobayash-san? You look so pale." She Is not very athletic, I guess.

"I wanted to give you these sandwiches as a gift."

"Gift? For me?" I was confused as to why she would give me one.

"You helped me gather courage to speak up. This is for that. I didn't have much money on me right now, so I just picked the ones in the canteen. They are a lot, though, and they are good." She was breathing hard and said it all in one go. They do look good. They were so many that I could bring them for myself tomorrow as well.

"Thank you very much, Kobayashi-san. I will gladly eat them. Sit down and drink some water before going home. It's getting late." She blushed a little and was probably a whole lot happier.

I went home, and dad was early today. He was about to cook, and when I showed him the sandwiches, he was happy, and we ate some of them. He was tired, so he didn't ask any questions but said that Mom was getting a bit better. He was very happy speaking about it, and I too was relieved to hear it.

I don't sleep much and very rarely get good sleep. Today was the day I got a good night's sleep.