Yam Tea

It was a quiet meal. Instead of the trees or the cafeteria, I chose to eat in the homeroom. Words spread like butter on toast. Did you like that simile? Probably not. A bit basic, to be honest. Maybe we should move on?

I sat in my normal seat, but I was surrounded by people. Friends, I think? I don’t know. I’m one of those people who don’t know when we’re friends or acquaintances. The false couple, Saeka and Tatsuya at her desk to my right. Sayako was sharing my desk, and Yusuke was behind me. I think this is my friendship group now?

Of course, it is!

As for the incident, it’s been a day since it happened. Minoru-san got suspended for two days. The random guy, who no one even knows? He got suspended for three. There lay Minoru’s seat at the front. Empty. I don’t really know what happened yesterday afterwards. I think I have been functioning on autopilot ever since then. Obviously, it was the talk of the school. Hell, people were praising Minoru. Almost everyone forgot about Osei-san’s role.

To be honest, our school was starting to have more diversity. There are a few Vietnamese, Filipinos, obviously Chinese and Koreans (Allegedly, I’m Zainichi Korean on my mother’s side), one Nepalese guy (He’s cool!), and a Nigerian. Osei is the only Ghanaian in our school. There are definitely other nationalities I’m forgetting. So, yeah, there was a lot of public sympathy for Osei, especially since he didn’t really start it. From what I saw, he was just undercutting them each time. Instead of actually going back, these defenders would rather argue with him. Terrible sportsmanship.

I don’t know what I would’ve done in that situation. Wait. I do know what I would’ve done. I just stood there and waited for the teacher to do something.

As my therapist once said, there’s no need to ruminate or look back all the time at the past. Do you think he was right?

I personally think that rumination and nostalgia are the same thing. Same coin, different side. But ultimately, they are the same. It’s just one’s perspective. One man’s treasured memory is another’s worst trauma. Sentimental feelings often cloud one’s objective judgement. I don’t think I’m saying anything controversial. Elementary school was terrible. But even I get nostalgic over running in the playground or just sleeping in school. My old primary school is so close to Aisaihashi. In fact, on the highest floors of Block D, I assume you could see it. Too bad I was stuck in a science room. Although… It's a room that doesn’t have any laboratory equipment. So, it’s really a normal classroom.

Anyways!

I get nostalgic over primary, but I just give it one look and I still see it’s in disrepair, bad shape, all the synonyms and adjectives to describe rusting and old. Come to think of it, a very good chunk of my year went to that school? Middle school, yeah, let’s just not think about it.

Sentimentality, ultimately, is a useless emotion. There’s no point hoarding a piece of paper given to you by your dying friend or something. The actual object itself is still useless in the long run. Emotions. What a term. Both logic and emotion are not real. Nothing is real. So, make it real!

I had already finished my bento box. It was okay. Sayako kept staring at me. She had glitzy eyes. I don’t know, they looked very shiny. She certainly wasn’t wearing contacts; I think her eyes were just well-watered. In her left hand, she was holding boba tea. The plastic cup seemed to be rather big in volume. Without any warning, she looked at me and blushed.

Why? Am I that intimidating?

In all seriousness, I’m pretty sure Sayako likes me. I’m confident enough after collecting the evidence given to me from her actions. What person looks over someone? Yet, she wasn’t there during the gym… failed again!

For fun, I commented on her choice of drink.

“Boba tea. How original.” I sarcastically stated.

Sayako then decided to drink it. Her eyes locked with mine. Holy hell, this was weird. It was like she was trying to seduce me! The vacuum she made with the suction quite literally looked like it could’ve sucked me in!

With one big gulp, she made the angriest face that I never thought I would ever see from her. Did she drink the boba too? Dedication. Plus, a waste, I thought the fun part about boba is chewing?

“Honzo. Let’s not talk about original, okay? You get boba tea as well. I’ve seen you drink it. Your haircut is the same as everyone else, and your fashion sense is the same as gloomy people everywhere. Gloomy handsome boy.”

Thanks, I guess? It’s not even a backhanded compliment, you just used an insult as a compliment.

“At least I’m not drinking Yam Tea.”, I quickly rebuffed her.

Everyone seemed to laugh at me. What’s going on? Why are they laughing? I had to ask “Am I wrong? The boba is made up of yam, are they not?”

I looked behind me and Yusuke was literally howling. Saeka was snorting. Suddenly half of the classroom was looking at us with scorn. I think it’s because we’re just being too loud. Please don’t group me with them. I am not riajuu. Rather, I am a realist.

Tatsuya gave me an explanation. He was actually kind about it, which is unlike him. He said it in a calm manner, respectful, and peaceful. No aggression, unlike a certain girl.

“You see, Honzo. The boba pearls you’re speaking about? They’re not made up of yams. Cassava starch flour. That’s what they’re made up of. It’s called tapioca balls.”

Balls. Humorous. Well, I have to respond now, don’t I?

“Thank you, Tatsuya. I actually thought they were yam balls.”

Sayako just kept piling onto me. In a mocking tone, she went and said “Look, how do you think tapioca pearls are made out of yams? Yams! I haven’t even eaten a yam in my life!”

“Come on Saya-chan. Stop lying, you’ve definitely eaten a yam in your life. Also, it’s not that wrong. Cassava is still a tuber like yams, so yeah… keep it quiet.”

I then gestured to her to calm down. You know, the palms facing the floor one.

Saeka and Tatsuya seemed to not care anymore. Or they gave Sayako space to talk with me. As for Yusuke, he’s my rock for a reason.

The foundation.

He protected me from the onslaught from Sayako.

Although, in all fairness, I found my eyes would randomly drift towards her in lessons. To make it clear, she’s behind me in the bottom right corner. So, yeah, I had to actively look at her. But Maipie was there too, and I actually would not mind going out with her.

It had been a week and two days since the starting ceremony. Which sucked. So boring that it wasn’t really anything notable. And yet, so many honestly interesting things have happened. Is this what forming social bonds is? I was a witness to a brawl, went outside Nakagawa Ward, for the first time in perhaps months, to a community centre, and rekindled some old friendships.

I kicked back and started to look around me. Our homeroom didn’t really change. The sign was still loudly presenting us as ‘CLASS 2-B’ with its bold interface and just sharp strokes. It looked off. Slowly, I looked towards Tateishi-sensei, who was sitting in the Minetaur’s seat as it was a Tuesday. She still left his personal touches, such as the kid drawing, a plushie, and a new addition a painting of the Japanese rural landscape. Come to think of it, that might be where he’s from. As always, the ceiling was still old. Rustic would be a joke - there were literally webs covering half of the panels.

Aisaihashi High is not a private school. It never was. But it certainly felt like it, even if we had low numbers. Currently, all the years were low in number, but a local public high school was going to shut down soon for low student numbers. It’s probable most of their student body will join us.

Wait. How did we have near crowd crushes if this school is allegedly 70% capacity? What a competent school board. No terrible logistics, whatsoever!

“Yam tea-chan!” yelled Sayako.

Yam tea-chan? Is that my new name instead of Hanzo?

“Do you want to go to Minoru-san’s place and drop him some of the work? Tateishi-sensei asked us to.

Did she? When was that?

I responded candidly. “Sure, Saya-chan. When did Tateishi-sensei ask that, though?”

“Actually now, Honzo-kun.”

The owner of the voice spoke behind me.

Tateishi-sensei.

I looked towards her, and I must say this angle was dangerous. Originally, I looked at her chest. Then I immediately looked towards her, to avoid any discomfort for both sides.

“Oh my, sorry Sensei! I didn’t know you were there.” I spoke.

Yeah, she’s pretty cute. Fits my onee-san type. Too bad she’s in her mid-20s, wait. Do I have a chance? When she’s 30, I’ll be in university, aged 21!

Stop this thinking pattern now! No, Fukaze Honzo. You do not fantasise about a teacher. Why did you not do that with Sayako earlier?

“That’s not very nice Honzo-kun.”

Sayako agreed, she kept affirming her by saying “It’s true that Hanzo is a meanie! Honzo always has to make a snarky comment, insult people, or just ignore them entirely. Silly Yam Tea-chan!”

I looked at her, giving, what one might say, a displeased look. But I don’t mind going to Minoru’s place. Hell, I might see Ram again.

However, let me make it clear. Window clear. I want to stay at home. There is completely nothing wrong with being alone if you have made an informed choice. I am very comfortable in my room. School is forced upon me. Yes, I know it’s not really forced, but it might as well be if it’s conditional to a lot of normal functioning. What’s wrong with being naturally inwards? Because society and other external pressures prefer you to be more outward and sociable that it’s wrong to be quiet?

Also, can someone explain the point of going out all the time? It’s genuinely tiring speaking to strangers. I felt real anxiety for a long time when I was in Nagoya Station, and I was in a group! There appears to be no real reason for me to do this to myself. It’s like self-inflicted harm! Yes, it’s nice to talk to people. Well… that’s it. Honestly, that’s the transaction.

Listen carefully, everyone. Whether you know me as Hanzo, Honzo, Yam Tea-chan now, apparently, Bad Wind, Silent Creep or… the worst nickname of them all… Fukase-san, please hear what I have to say.

“Sure. I don’t mind, but I’ll have to be quick.”

Tateishi-sensei looked at me with a puzzled look. Next, she spoke in an inquisitive tone.

“Are you sure Honzo, you have after-school cleanup duty with Mai and Shibuya?”

I didn’t speak. I just nodded.

“Alright then Honzo, I’ll give you and Sayako the papers, and that’s it then.”

Lunch ended. Time for whatever lesson we had. I forgot. Whatever. We were still in the same room.