Cute Girls Doing Homeroom Cleaning

Nietzsche contra Wagner. Have you ever had a person you liked but it turned out they were living a wrong life? That went for Sayako. Nietzsche seemed to dislike Wagner because he was Christian… or something along those lines. He hated his taste in art, his philosophical outlook in music, and finally… he went and added affection towards him.

Although, that’s probably a misrepresentation. I only saw it on a social media page.

As I looked towards Sayako, we both shared a line of sight. We looked at each other. Her eyes were honestly dazzling. Gleaming with hope. Was she looking forward to this?

But alas, fair princess Sayako, I must perform my duties as a cleaner. Our school still had us performing unpaid labour. I don’t care about helping the community or whatever. Why couldn’t we pay someone their fair dues to dedust and clean the room? Is that a word? Dedust? Sounds like some map on a game.

Why make the students custodians? That’s obscenely unintelligent. Big words for big minds.

Words started to leap off my tongue in a manner reminiscent of a stream. In simple terms, I spoke smoothly.

“Umm… Saya-chan… I’m on cleanup duty with… uh Mai-san. Sorry.”

She smiled.

“No problem, Hanzo-kuuuun! Do you like what I did there?”

After Sayako gave a slight chuckle, she continued.

“I’ll be waiting by the lobby. Probably just be chilling by the vending machines. You’ll see, do your job for a little while!”

It was in her normal happy-go-lucky tone. Kind of like Nishi-chan. But she is not Nishi-chan. Nope. Although, in my mental tier list of girls in our school… The angel Sayako is approaching S-tier. We don’t need two angel characters in this rom-com.

Surprisingly, this was all a few minutes after the end of the lesson. Sayako just decided to stay with me until she left for the vending machines. Maipie went to get the cleaning supplies on her own. Yep. That’s her new name now.

I was the solitary person, standing amongst a field of chairs and desks. It was 15:10. One couldn’t be surprised at how bright the sun was. The rays directly struck the backdoor, leaving their yellow stain in the shape of the window. I could’ve shut the blinds, but I didn’t. Don’t know why, if I’m being honest.

Have you ever felt a sense of peace… and loneliness? Is this what protecting peace feels like? If I were honest to both my psyche and myself, I would’ve preferred Sayako to stay. Or I should’ve gone with Mai. Whatever. Shoulda, woulda, coulda.

Two moderately loud knocks had directed me towards the backdoor. It opened. Yamaki Shiori. Beautifully, the sun struck her at such an angle, I thought she was a model. A… well, a niche model.

Yamaki Shiori was a normal girl, except for her glasses and braces. Stereotypically nerdy, but as already known, she is a big soccer fan. Like, stats nerd and everything. I wouldn’t hesitate to call her a soccer otaku. Her hair was completely straight, no frizz. Clean. It was long too, so bonus I suppose.

“Hello… Honzo-san?”

She got my name right! Bad wind herb! My full name directly translates to that. Shocking.

“Good afternoon, Yamaki-san. What are you doing here?” I greeted her with a very polite tone. A register similar to meeting the Prime Minister.

“That was pretty… cold. Formal for people who are friendly with each other, no?”

I apologized to her.

Next, she spoke in a forgiving tone.

“No biggie. Anyways, I was here looking for Omai, but I assume she’s not here yet.”

Huh? Who’s that?

“Sorry Yamaki-san, but I don’t know who Omai is?”

Oh. I know. Ohara Mai. But just as Omai. I get it. Quickly, I let her know that I knew it was Mai and we shared laughs for a bit. Preferred Maipie, but whatever.

And luck may have it, Mai entered the room. Her jaw dropped for a second. A cartoon comedy slapstick moment. I suppose she was confused at how me and Yamaki-san were talking for a bit? The conversation had just naturally progressed to favourite TV shows.

Bucket and mop in hand, dustpan in the other, I felt really bad for Mai. Did she hold all of that for the entire way? The shed full of equipment was a long walk. 2km, to be exact. Kidding. It was really 200m, but still… not exactly an easy walk I’d say. Furthermore, that distance is ignoring the fact that our room was on the 2nd floor. Mai must’ve walked a few flights of stairs.

Also, it appeared that she was panting a bit. I don’t know why I’m being indirect in stating that because she’s actually borderline fetal position on the floor. Matter of fact, she’s nearly kissing the ground. I think Yamaki-san and I should probably help her out.

“You okay, Omai-chan?” spoke the concerned Yamaki-san.

Mai shouted out “I’m fine!” to both of us. I don’t believe her.

Surprise, surprise I do now. I’m always wrong, aren’t I? She just jumped up all spunky, like she was hyperactive. Oh no, wait. This is Mai we’re talking about. Normal, default and factory settings for her. Unexpectedly, she then pulled out a big pill-shaped portable speaker. Why are they even that shape?

With a big grin on her face, she connected her phone to the speaker. She dropped everything on the floor. I shut my ears because I detest loud sounds. Then she looked at both of us.

“Do you two have any song requests?”, she queried us.

Confused, I gave a glimpse to Yamaki-san. Next, she spoke. I hope she got my inner psyche via my eyes.

“Uhh, not really, but what about you, Honzo-san?”

Not what I was going for, but serviceable.

With a bumbling tone, I answered her question. “Well… I’m not really listening to any music at the moment, it’s all yours Mai…”

I lied. I really lied. You already know I lied. I love K-pop. My Korean ancestors must be happy about it. Or not. I don’t think we need to discuss historical grievances between the Koreans and the Japanese. Let’s just say that they’re happy I’m still consuming Korean culture. Approximately 12.5% of me is enjoying it. Although, I do seem to deny it. Whoops.

Jokingly, Mai said, “Good job guys, I appreciate you letting the master of ceremonies take charge.” Although, I don’t know why she spoke so datedly. Master of ceremonies? Who even says that? Just say you’re the DJ or something cooler. Then again, she was probably mocking me or joking. Let’s go with the latter to make me feel better.

I saw her go on her Spotify. A part of me really wants to snatch her phone so I can deeply analyze her listening habits. You see, I’ve actually got the same mental capacity as a statistician with a PhD. Yep. But it’s not my brain or anything, no, it’s just an app. Wait, I don’t even need to… no, actually, I still need her phone to log in. Yeah. By the way, I need to use better adverbs instead of actually. That’s my favourite adverb. You know when you have words that you keep using because you said it once, and all of a sudden, it’s now a part of your regular vocabulary for a week. No? Just me? Ok.

As a matter of fact, I’m going a few days without saying that demonic word. A taboo so dangerous that I might die if I think or say it. So, no more. I’m going to look for more alternatives. Did you know the Kanji symbol for the taboo word is not just reality or truth, but it can also mean fruit. I might just say ‘In fruit’ instead of actually. Wait. Did I just say the taboo? I might die!

Well, living is death. And I’m afraid to say, death is listening to the Japanese Top 40 on Spotify. Which is what Mai decided to play because I think she wanted to play it safe. Go on Mai, play some underground music. Although right now, you look as if you were the definition of a cute emo idol. But some days you’re a pastel princess! Pick one - personally, I prefer the pastel princess.

If I were being honest with myself, I don’t particularly mind listening to this music.

I went towards Mai.

“Should we both do the job now, instead of listening to music?”

“So sincere and hardworking, Honzo.”

She gave a slow clap whilst Yamaki-san chuckled. Why am I the butt of jokes? Ignore the many times where I make people the target of jokes.

“But yeah, of course, Honzo!”

The first thing Mai did was make the speaker louder. Make it stop! I don’t want to listen to another anime OP. Some K-pop would appear, but ultimately, it’s not enough to counter this… music. I do actually like some anime openings, but I’ll be brutally honest, it’s embarrassing listening to them in a school setting. As I mopped the floors, I told Mai to give her the phone, whilst we were making conversation about vitamins and skincare. A deeply serious discussion. Yamaki was spraying and cleaning tables, despite it not being her job. Honestly? The more manpower, the merrier.

“Why do you want my phone? Want to see who I’m speaking to, Honzo? Are you interested in me now?”

Absolutely not, Mai. You’re obviously cute, I suppose. I’m more… going for your best friend. And by going, I mean passively staring at her at lessons and daily interactions that number less than the digits on one hand. Plus Nishi-chan. Maybe Sayako? Wow, am I a womanizer? Damn. Moe is power.

Just after I gave a facepalm and a facial expression of disgust, I said “No, Mai. I just want to play some music now.”

“You don’t need my phone for that unless it’s a convenient excuse?”

Oh shit. I actually forgot I could just disconnect it.

“Fair point, guess I’ll disconnect it. Although, I’m disappointed you didn’t fight back more for my phone.”

What are you even talking about, Mai?

As soon as I heard the noise disconnect, someone’s phone immediately connected to it. Then I realized it was probably Yamaki. The miscellaneous group must love sharing their stuff, huh. A brief pause was good though because we’re not allowed to bring speakers. Many times have people gotten in trouble for blasting out music in the fields. I guess I was in a bit of an individualistic school, Glory to Aisaihashi! Nonetheless, if everyone is individualist, what does that entail? Scratch that, I don’t know, nor do I care. I was so fed up with mopping and brushing that I was synthesising these idiosyncratic thoughts to entertain myself.

I negotiated fancifully with Yamaki. To my surprise, we seemed to be… dare I say… compatible. But that’s just wrong to say that. I won because she seemed too embarrassed to play what she listened to. Everyone played it safe. So, you know what, let’s not play it safe.

On my phone, I typed up some soul and funk music. My dad used to love playing this when I and Yumi were children. Rosy times. I think he was a bit of an otaku for American pop culture. You know those types of people in Harajuku. I hope none of them know English, I mean I don’t but some of these songs have lyrics that translate to… maybe some controversial things in Japanese. Although, I suppose sensuality and a bit of violence has always been normalised to some extent.

Funnily enough, my father came across as gruff and a direct man. To think he used to love playing funk music like this? He even played Jazz hip-hop. What a cultured man. Although, he was born in the mid-1980s. 1984 to be exact. His tastes kind of seem a bit odd for a man of his generation.

We were done. Nothing much could really describe sweeping and mopping. Even I, a man who is perpetually bored, is not going to stimulate myself via describing the circular motion the mop makes at a certain hotspot of dirt. Or tell you Mai’s sweeping movements alternating throughout the rows of space between the desks.

Although, I did just do that.

After a bit of tranquil silence, Maipie had to ruin it. She spoke in a sarcastic manner. “How was that Honzo? Good enough for you sir? Don’t dock me and poor Yamaki’s wages!”

Fair enough. I guess I was being a bit too hard-working… if that’s a thing? I just wanted to get this over and done with.

“It was good enough for me. You two are dismissed.” I said, continuing the light-hearted vibe.

Yamaki responded.

“This is the first time I’ve actually talked to you in a few months, Honzo. Do you remember when we were seatmates in the first few weeks of Year 1?”

“I do Yamaki. Although, you pretended to not know me until recently.”

Yamaki teeheed. Like, tongue out and slapping herself with her hand. I must say, it was pretty cute seeing her do it with braces… although I think I’m just too sensitive to women.

“Sorry, Honzo. Anyways, me and Omai-chan will be taking leave!”

Mai looked at her with a weird, confused look.

“I was going to ask Honzo to-”

Yamaki put her hand over the needy girl’s mouth. Thank you. I don’t want to progress too much with Mai. The cute, moe, pastel-goth, mischievous girl with an atmosphere that makes you want to be with her, all the time. Totally not falling in love with her. That sentence was a half-sincere, half-joke. I hope for my sake.

As the two left, with Mai death gripping her speaker and bag, I was finally left alone. With one big inhale, I took in the peace and went towards the big lobby of lockers. It wasn’t too far off our homeroom. Sayako had the papers to give… I hope. Past the sun-filled corridors, was the giant lobby. Did I say big earlier? Yeah. Maybe an understatement. It felt more like an auditorium than the actual main one in Block D. It was retrofitted, once the Big Glass was finished.

It was honestly a domineering sight. The height between the ceiling and ground was around 3 stories. Its curve was more reminiscent of a saddle than an old brutalist structure that this godforsaken maze was. Seriously. It was the only modern thing about it. They’re going to keep this structure and probably remove most of the building. A few classrooms, like our homeroom, will be saved. The city admins say that they’re going to temporarily migrate some of our other classes into Block D. As for our block? The homeroom was situated in a nice little corner of Block A. It was last on the chopping board.

Some students called this dull concrete complex ABC, I still call and prefer it the maze complex. Sadly, I don’t dictate what others say. Nor would I say my position in the school caste system is particularly high. That being said, I’m adjacent to the most popular people in our year, so I might be wrong with that assessment.

Instead of arguing with myself, I decided to stand there, taking the sight in. Another tranquil break in the intense world of high school. If intensity is correlated to cleaning a homeroom, I guess.