031 – G

Well, well. Who would have thought that I'd have a chapter for me? I'm still astonished.

My name is Ginji Satoshi…

I am not the fastest man alive, nor a spider person, nor a being that was collecting intergalactic stones, and especially not someone that can leap as high as he can and threw a C4 with badly broken arms. I am not something like that.

I am just a normal person. Seriously, not like those cliched stories where they turn out to be abnormal because of certain situations in their life. I have nothing like that.

But as much as normal one can be, there will be at least one thing that sets them apart… or frankly speaking, the antithesis of normal. Well, I can at least say that I have a few screw losses when I am with my friends.

There's that concept, but what if what's around you is the thing that is not normal? Although, I have no way to prove that. It's just a feeling, so let's just set it aside for now.

I guess I could tell you my life, as plain as it is.

▪ ▪ ▪

I was born in the 3rd day of December in the year 2001. Woah, I just realized that Akira was born the day before I was.

Speaking of him, it would be a surprise that I casually mentioned him right now, but that's just because I got along with him now as he visits the club even when he's not a student.

I got distracted. Sorry.

Y-Yeah… that's the day I was born, so that's out of the way. We currently live in Sector 527 in Cotona, in the very quiet White Street. I have been living here for the rest of my life, and I have also been experiencing flood ever since first grade. It isn't a good experience. If you're thinking of living around the neighborhood, you should at least have ten years’ worth of patience, and more years to come!

We are a family of four in which I have an older sister who is seven years older than me. Life still goes on.

As far as I can remember, Blue Ink High School is probably the fourth school I have attended. I studied preparatory when I was five in a local private school, attended elementary outside Ginga, moved up to junior high school to another local high school and left that after graduating. And then I transferred to probably the best school I've attended, at least subjectively.

Preparatory is of course a no-brainer to have no problems since I was a snotty brat. Elementary was okay, but junior high school. Yeah, nothing happened. NOTHING.

Just a bunch of drama and how I realized that youth in my generation is… I guess almost towards the road to hopelessness when it comes to values and ethics.

It wasn't a good experience. At least for me.

That is why Blue Ink in my eyes is like my hero, my savior. My way of thinking links up to the system of the school. Why? Because what ought to be a good idea in the past was not as good anymore in the present times.

The mind of humans revolutionizes too. Either for the good or for the bad.

And so, Blue Ink came with the mission of prioritizing a balanced education and human values. It was a nice breath of new air.

…

"Hello? Ginji? Are you here?"

Along with the continuous knocking of the door, a calling of my name was also heard.

"Oh? You guys. It's been a while, huh."

"Yeah. Long time no see, Ginji."

In front of our doorway are four people at my age. They are my friends at Mykes.

One, an ambivert who is a moderate anime watcher but recently got hooked in reading manga. A guy. His name is Iura Yakumo.

Two, a wide guy who is a step to be living in a gaming cafe. He'd rather put his bike in ICU instead of himself if ever he got in an accident. We have mutual beliefs, and he wasted his talent in science yet he still has them. He is Nico Shinbou. I wonder if he's related to Poru in our class.

Three, a glasses guy and is good at math. Also a moderate otaku but the discussions go for an eternity when you're with him. It's always fun near his proximity. The name's Guren Haruno.

But I guess we're not in the same level as the 'otaku' who has social standing like Gin's circle.

Lastly, another otaku which became a f-

F…

F-Fu…

F-F-F-F…

Fuuuuuuuuu-

A fujoshi. Of course, a girl. She's also good at math. Her name is Shuri Kagaki.

"It's rare that you guys are the ones visiting."

"Anyways, are you free today? Wanna go to the usual?" Iura suggested.

"Good idea. I'm feeling cold anyway. I'll go get changed."

"That's good. Can we wait inside?"

"Go ahead."

"Excuse us."

…

"I'm done. Let's go."

"…"

All it took Ginji to change was three minutes. It was not the case that he is on a rush, but it is just how he dresses up. As much as the four are already aware, they can't help but feel amazed.

A bit longer than the duration of how he change his clothes, they reached a local cafe at a time where not much customers were inside, thus, making the interior quiet and having the ambient music clearly heard.

"I'll get the usual peppermint mocha."

"The big one, I presume?" the waiter weirdly asked.

"That's the only thing I prefer, right?"

"Say no more."

This cafe is pretty much our comfort place to release some stress when we really need to. Aside from the coffee that courts my coffee palate every time, the pancakes and strawberry crepe cakes here are meta. It's so good that I can be fist pumping together with ants.

"Have you been back here after you transferred…?"

"Not even once… That's why I'm making it count."

"Another big one, huh… Are you seriously not German?"

"Stop with the jokes, Nico. You're making me sound like a drunkard."

"Well, with coffee, you are."

"Anyways…!" I stretched out my arms. "We haven't met after the last time in April. How's Mykes these days?"

"Same old, same old," Nico sighed. "Yeah, a lot of our former classmates aren't there anymore, so there's a change of environment for me, at least. There's less drama, though."

"In my case, there are more girls than boys in my class, so it's kinda chatty everyday," Iura followed up.

These two guys remained in Mykes, still bearing the 'drama' that can never disappear in that school.

"At least say something that's not about that."

"Well… Calculus is always hard. Help, Guren. And there's research too. Ughhhh…" Nico cried.

"Thank goodness I changed courses."

"Good for you, Ginji. Blue Ink is the only school in the country that does not implement generalized strands. It's almost like you're in college, huh."

In Mykes, or in any other schools or universities aside from Blue Ink, traditional senior high school system is being used. Nico took the STEM course even with his wasted scientific knowledge and he still hates the honors system as much.

Hahh… this guy… At one time when we were joking around, he said 'physics powers’ instead of 'psychic.' He goes mental when he's full of energy.

"I didn't choose another optional course, though. I don't see myself studying anything aside from arts. But there's surprisingly a good amount of students that do."

"Now that's something. My strand's assignments are pretty much what you'd expect."

Iura, who also remained in Mykes took the ABM course.

On the other hand, Guren and Shuri left the school after graduating junior high school and went to universities in the Capital. Guren takes STEM and Shuri takes ABM.

"Here's your order. One peppermint mocha, XL. Don't get excited since that's still hot," the waiter came and left.

"Oh, Ginji. How about your injury?"

My eyebrows rose upon hearing Shuri's question in surprise.

"Huhhh… It's pretty much healed for so long already. Why ask?"

"Ah… It's just what I heard about you from last year wasn't something I expected."

"Well, I get that. But don't think about it too much."

I guess it's necessary to point out the injury we're talking about. Basically, I got myself badly hurt around last year and that's the reason why I was confined in Maris, where Dr. Kagetora took care of me until I healed. It was quite a struggle since I can't move a whole lot.

But that is where I found the first thing away from my normality—which is my body. I went through therapies since I experienced quite the physical trauma, and accidentally discovered that something is weird in my body.

Let's… just… say that my body is more enhanced than a normal one. One example, I guess, is fast replacement or healing of torn muscles. Nothing really groundbreaking, though. But I'm sure you've already known that I jumped quite a height when I sneaked in to Gin's yard. If not for that Exile who jumped so high like it's no one's business, I may be self-proclaiming by now.

"Also, Ginji. I've heard that Dr. Kagetora transferred to a hospital near here. Is that true?"

"That's right, Nico. I've heard that his decision wasn't favorable, so I don't know how he got here."

"Going back to the topic… Blue Ink, yes. Are you sure that you're really safe in that school?"

Ginji didn't expect Guren to specifically ask. A little time of silence came while the door chimes continue to sound.

"Hahh… You're in STEM so at least trust world class engineers for providing countermeasures for the amplification."

"The amplification… is it really possible that that phenomenon would be naturally occurring?"

"Never heard such a thing happened so this might be the first time… or not. I can't think of a natural occurrence to produce extremely high frequency of waves that can fry your head once it has resonated.

I didn't bring the 'earplug' but it's super comfy."

"Is the murder in your school really true?" asked Iura.

This time, it finally sounded like they've heard of the news from gossiping.

"Sadly, it's true. I actually have a classmate from that former class, and it seems that he played a part in the investigations.

And it seems that it happened because of the same atmosphere as our class last year. Well… trash, frankly. When one tramples over the other's pride, they retaliate, just… in the worst possible situation.

There was apparently a movement to somehow change them for the better. A fire prank almost happened but the administration took huge measures to prevent that. Thus, the offenders were suspended. But then, the class representative died at the next day.

I can't forget what my classmate told me with regards to that. 'It's so unfair that a life was exchanged to change the many,' is what he said."

"Woah. Are you sure that it's not some adult that told you that?" Iura doubted.

"Nope. But he's 19 years old who has wisdom."

"I can't believe that I'm hearing that word used in its right place…" Nico grumbled as a memory passed on his mind. But the four agreed mysteriously.

"Hey, Ginji. Knowing you, surely you've seen the guy who entered earlier."

"This is a cafe, so guys and gals will definitely enter here, Shuri."

"Are you joking? So you didn't even notice him with that hair? Granted, he was wearing a cap earlier, but he took it off.

To dye your hair gray, that's so flashy."

"Gray…?"

I turned around and looked at where Shuri pointed at. Two tables were our gap, and there sat a girl and a man with gray hair that is starting to fade off from new growing black hair.

The four were actually talking about Gin and Ringo.

"…!" I tried to crouch, but I ended up hitting my shin on the corner of the foot of the table.

"Urgh…! That hurt…!" I 'shouted' as quietly as I can.

"That shin hit gave me the creeps…" Guren shook.

"What just happened, Ginji?"

"Ahh… That was just pure instinct to hide for no reason, Iura. That guy with the silver hair is actually my classmate."

"Wait, really? He does look like he's a university student."

"Man… I really hope Gin can't hear their blunder."

Ginji is unaware of Gin's sensitive hearing. Thus, he was at least confident that they can't be heard as they lowered their voices, which is not the case.

"And apparently, his hair was not dyed but natural."

"Huh? How am I supposed to believe that?" Nico was unsatisfied with the reason.

"I guess he is a good example of 'my hair will whiten out early because of stress.' Now I can say that's true, but in his case, he wasn't aging fast."

"Uh-huh… But still, he looks-"

"I'll have peppermint mocha. Can you make it so that it is on a big glass?" Gin from the distance took his order.

"Yes, we're capable of that. Then, XL?"

"Hmm… Can you do bigger than that?"

"…

Sir, you are going to make history," the waiter smiled and left.

…

Nico was unable to finish and Ginji fell to worry.

All at once, they're heads banged on the table.

~ ~ ~

"Anyway, is the girl also your classmate?" Shuri changed the topic.

"Ah, yeah."

"Hmm… She looks smart. I bet she's an honor student," Nico intently stared.

"Stop that disgusting look or I'll seriously poke your eyes, Nico.

…!

Wait, have I not told you yet…?"

"Huh…? Told what?"

"The ranking and honors system are absolutely nonexistent in Blue Ink."

In an instant, Nico teared up.

"Tovarisch… you've made the dream come true in my stead… If only I was there to be a support."

Transferring schools in the middle of senior high school years is rather difficult. Especially for students who have had given exclusive scholarships, just like Nico.

"About the school's system, I'm glad that I transferred there. It's as if a breath of clean air suddenly came to a wasteland. I can now say that my school life is relaxing.

You're sometimes stressed out, but it was worth it since you love what you're doing. That's probably the best thing that the school offers. And also, I can already see that they're already making students not as intellectuals, but humane people. There's the issue of the principal seemingly 'hiding' in the past, but he turned out to be a very respectable and wise man. He's amazing, not because he's some kind of gifted, but because of how much he shows his experience through his actions."

…

"Wow… you've gotten more perceptive, Ginji." Guren astonishingly asserted.

"I now get what you mean, but we're talking about the girl, right?" Nico forcefully changed the topic, which made Ginji palm his face.

And a cold stare from his eyes directed to Nico.

"Oi… Nico. If you want to live a long life, you better shut your mouth."

"Eep… What the…

Ginji, do you like that girl? She's your classmate, right?"

"Hah? No, I don't. I'm just warning you that if anyone tries to hit on Ringo…

Omae wa mou shindeiru."

The four shuddered in fear, even if it was just a mere joke.

"I guess those two are on a date today."

"Ahh… so that's his boyfriend…" the three guys lost hope.

"So… that silver-haired guy doesn't-"

"I KNOW WHERE THIS IS GOING, SO PLEASE STOP, SHURI."

"Awww…"

Again, this girl is a f-f-fuuuuu-

Gin in the distance almost spewed his drink.

The thought just came… how come Gin somehow behaves like some kind of a ninja in school? His presence just disappears even when he's just there.

Maybe…

He learned from Dr*x?!

…

Please stand by.

~ ~ ~

"From what I've heard, those two are a power couple even just after a year. Their friends are pretty proud of those two because of their relentlessness."

"Oohhh… That's quite surprising to know."

"Yeah, idiots only last a month or two, but it's already been a year. Quite rare, I'd say."

"Well~ how about you, Ginji?" Shuri then asked in a teasing manner.

Ugh. I expected this to come.

"Nah. Of course that's not the case for me. But I would take the opportunity whenever it comes.

It's just that I'm still worried if they found out what happened to me," his expression turned sour.

"…

S-Sorry for accidentally bringing that up…"

"That's fine. I brought it up to myself."

Of course, there is a reason as to why I reacted like that. Regarding the injury I had, my final year of junior high became rough. No-good people spread baseless rumors like it's the wind. And because of countless rumors, I drastically lost my social interest, and I was influenced by hatred.

It was also one of the reasons why I transferred. Students and even teachers just do whatever they want. It was not a good environment. I've had better days. It's just majority of humans have become… unbecoming.

…

To the four of his friends, they still think that Ginji is still closing off his heart from others. His attitude towards people had become problematic because of that. But it wasn't out of rage, but the pressure of being abused.

~ ~ ~

All of a sudden, all of the caffeine from the huge glass was emptied and Ginji stood up.

"Shuri, can we game in your house today?"

"Yeah, my brother would really like to see us all together."

"Ugh… he'll definitely destroy me again…

Ah, Gin…!"

"Yeah, what's up, G?"

"Let's drink more peppermint some time."

"Sure~ Hoping you can keep up with me."

"Hahahaha. We'll be going."

The bills have been payed and the group of five left the cafe.

Ginji's other friends were worried for nothing.

▪ ▪ ▪

Uhh… I have the narrations… so why did the setting suddenly changed to Gin's house even when I'm not there?

And am I seeing the historical first kotatsu in Orio?!

…

"Hmm… It's nice to see that G has friends."

"What do you mean, Potato?"

"I asked Secretary Akira to do a background check on him. It's kinda vague, though."

"Fufu… He's really into his job."

"Well. I guess a lot of people really have some things in their lives, even as much as they are normal."

"That sounds like you when you were fifteen."

"Ahahaha. I seriously can't deny that. Now I realized that I was embarrassing…"

"Hey now. I think G deserves the parenthesis in his 'normal.'"

"Woah… didn't see that coming, Rin."

"Potato. Shhh."

Haku who is seemingly snoring, is actually asleep under the kotatsu.

"Yawn~ His sleepiness is… contagious…"

"Yeah…"

~ ~ ~

The moment Yuna came down, she saw the two sleeping under the kotatsu.

"I think I'll go bug him to buy one from Aikiya North. I hope we'll look like that too."

Rin won't catch a cold since there are sheets under the table, and they are inclined to think of it as a myth. Gin will never catch it since he's an idiot.


Chapter Message:

That wraps up 031!

I suppose one could call this a proper character introduction for Ginji, which I might not have done to the majority of my characters.

On the other hand, the new cover displays a glimpse of 025!

Thanks for reading!

Next

032: Do old wounds never heal?