It was a crisp autumn morning. A clear autumnal blue sky or that deep blue sky of autumn. He felt the sun's warmth on his back, dispelling the autumn chill. A clump of golden leaves at the top of the green tree heralding the coming of fall. Golden edged leaves, leaves nipped by frost, golden trees with here and there a red maple lending its brilliant scarlet color to the scene. The rustle of golden leaves under the trees. He heard the delighted barks of two dogs dove through the pile of leaves, chasing each other round and round and scattering golden leaves everywhere. He slightly smiled at the scene. He was certain that their owner will have to rake their leaves in the yard.

He inhaled as the cool autumn wind soothe him as if it was cleansing his soul. He smiled as he walked his usual route through the town square. Alas, the remnants of summer passed away as the locals exchanged their short sleeve shirts and shorts for long sleeve jackets and pants. No longer could he smell the fragrance of the bakery's apple pie as it was exchanged for the pumpkin pie and hot cocoa. He even felt the smell the air of the earth's perfume as it nipped his nose.

As he crossed the street to the side road that led to his school, he witnessed the colorful bashfulness of the schoolchildren playing with the leaves. Like confetti did the leaves swirled along with the screams and excitement from the schoolchildren. If he had a camera, the scene would have been picturesque. His heart became warm even though the temperature was not, but it had brought him great joy that his favorite time of year took precedence.

Taro Yamada loved autumn because it reminded him of himself: relaxed, enjoyable, easy-going, comfortable, and vibrant. The latter of his personality was in small doses because he was working hard on bettering himself. This was his senior year of high school, the final moments of his adolescence before metamorphosing in a young adult. With college exams steadily approaching, his time as a high schooler was running out.

He reflected on how he spent his years as a high school student. A shy student he was, he hid behind his black hair as he blended in with his fellow peers. He didn't join any clubs and if he did, they were only for a trial basis.

His reason of deeming these clubs inadmissible was not because he thought he was better than them. He was afraid of opening himself to his fellow classmates. Ever since he was a child, he was afraid of expressing himself to his classmates. His parents thought it was because of his early days in elementary school as he was bullied. Although he faced some hazing, that wasn't the primary reason, according to Taro. His younger sister thought it was a lack of self-confidence. He described himself to not be as confident, but he felt that he was capable of loving himself. Once again, that wasn't the reason of opening himself to classmates. With the exception of his loose friendship and childhood friend, Osana Najimi, the friends he had in-and-out of his life, he called them "seasoned friends." At one point they are there, and the next, they are gone.

Taro Yamada was afraid to not open himself up to classmates because he felt that they will not understand his aura. His aura, or lack for any better word, was his word choice to describe his inner spirit. He had become accustomed to the word when he briefly joined the occult club in junior high school. He believed that there are certain spirits that can only intertwined together. He has yet to find a certain friend that can match his chemistry. Because of his uncertainty with people and with his personality, the only source of comfort that he could find in a friend was with books.

Books became a source, better yet, a window to open his emotions as much as he pleased. He became quite acquainted with books during his second year of high school. On a field trip, he and his classmates were required to read a book of poems before having an open forum with the poet. As he sat in the hotel, he decided to give a book a chance. Before then, he wasn't much of a reader. He let manga and videogames be the deciding factor of his spare time. However, once he read a certain part of a page, he felt a stunning connection as if the poet was reading into his soul.

An autumn gust blows

Chilling the air and blowing

The clouds and the trees

The leaves blow away

In a final flight they dance

Beautiful yet dead

Is it cruel or kind

That the leaves never truly

Do perceive their flight?

Upon reading that particular passage, any source of melancholy or apathy went away as he was moved by the passage. He continued reading into the night until the day of the forum. He hanged on every single note the poet escaped from her lips. Her passion became his passion. He was enraptured by the loves of books and since then, it became his oasis, his solace, and his friend.

His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the school bell. Its' chimes were welcoming; signifying and alerting that all students are invited to come to school to begin their learning. Welcome to school! Welcome to your future!

He soon became a part of the crowd as they packed the square for another day at school. Their high school was a private institution and considered one of the best in the prefecture. Being admitted to this school wasn't easy and Taro was on the waiting list before being entered on conditional basis. The private high school was the high school for the elite. The majority of the students who came to the school came from upper middle class families. The sons and daughters of businessmen, socialites, doctors, lawyers, entertainers, and the like filled the school with the hopes of upholding the school's reputation. These were the students who plan to attend national universities following high school.

Taro Yamada was not the case. Coming from a working class family, his father was a salaryman and his mother was a grocery clerk at a supermarket. Regardless of his upbringing, his parents strived for the best for him and his sister. Education was top priority and he saw how they worked countless hours so that he could be admitted to the prestigious high school. Frankly, it didn't mattered to him about attending the school. He would have felt better of attending a local one in his neighborhood. However, his parents did want to hear it. He could remember the day when he was in junior high and his parents had him sign the papers for acceptance.

'Mom, dad, you don't have to this,' he said as he looked at the application. The application displayed his acceptance to the high school. Once he signed the papers, he would be in.

'Son,' said his father, 'Your mother and I want you to go to the best of the best. We want you to do things that we were unable to do. Don't you want a future? Don't you want to go to college, be successful, and outdo your parents?' Taro could remember the worriedness in his father's eyes. Those tired, worrisome set of eyes became accustomed to his father's look as he worked over 70 hours a week at a job he could hardly stand. As much Taro wished that his father could stop overworking himself to death, he still worked. His father said to him, When you want the best for your children, my happiness is nigh. For you and your sister, I will do what I can so that you can have a future.

'Please, Taro,' said his mother gently as he felt the soft grip of her hand on his shoulder. He knew that her hand around his shoulder meant that it was a plead. It was a nudge to go over and beyond for the sake of the family.

Taro knew that there were only a couple of times he had felt compelled to do something like that. One of which was when he was in elementary school and his father had to move to another town in another part of the island. He was finally getting adjusted to his new school before the abrupt move. It was hurtful to him, but for the sake of the family.

'I know that you want the best for me, mom and dad. But there are other ways. Think about yourselves. I hate seeing you all like this,' he said. 'I have no problem going to a local school. It will be free and money doesn't have to be an issue. I promise that I will work hard. I promise that I will go to college. But, I don't like seeing yourself stress over me.'

'Please, son. It is not everyday that you get an opportunity like this,' said his father. 'Don't worry about us. We will be fine. Think about the richness of education being provided to you. Think about the opportunities of associating yourself with the elite. Think about the opportunities of being in the best colleges in Japan.'

'Look at it as investment, dear,' said his mother. 'It is a partial scholarship and payment won't be as harsh. I can work my hours the same and your father can work a little less.'

'I just don't like that you are hurting yourselves for me,' said Taro as he tried his hardest not to swell any of his emotions. 'I have seen too many people like you who work themselves to death. And I love you too much to lose you. And for what, just to say I went to a fancy high school?'

There was silence for a moment. The atmosphere of the living room was thickened. His father took the pen from his desk and handed it to his son. 'Taro, I promise we won't work ourselves to death. We think about you and your sister all of the time. But we are tired of being in a bind. We work so hard so that you can have a future. Not just for you, but for us. Our parents didn't have the opportunities to go to college, let alone finish school. I didn't have the chance to finish high school myself. I dropped out after getting your mother pregnant with you. She managed to finish school. She tried to go to trade school, but dropped out after it became difficult raising you and your sister.'

His mother interjected. 'When the school allowed us a chance to enroll you, we were thrilled. I knew that this school can help you and nurture you to become a young gentleman. I know you are a selfless boy. You always have. You always looked out for us and had to bear the sacrifices like us. We are asking you one more time to go over and beyond for us. So, please.' She took the pen from her husband and wrapped it around Taro's hand. The soft, gentle warmth of her hand wrapped softly around him. He closed his eyes to exhale and just sigh. 'Okay,' said Taro as he signed the admission letter to the school. Both of his parents kissed him on each cheek as he did the altruistic deed.

The sound of the school bell interrupted his thoughts, returning him to reality. The atmosphere of the high school was very active and vibrant as it was on any day. He passed through a group of girls in their matching blue blouse and blue skirts. They were laughing about something that they did over the weekend. He then passed through the bike racks where he saw a couple of boys talking about their encounters with a female classmate or watching some inappropriate video. He sighed as he was familiar to usual whims of typical high school life. Now back to the matter at hand, his place of solace-the school fountain.

Everyday without incident, Taro Yamada made his venture to the school fountain. It became an everyday routine since the beginning of his second year. Taro enjoyed the beauty of nature that surrounded him. With the entrance of autumn, this could not have been a better time to began his routine.

Once he found a proper place to sit, he pulled out his book from his backpack and began reading. This book selection were the collection of poems written by Maya Angelou. A few months ago, Taro began taking interest in reading African American literature after a foreign exchange student attending the school recommended it to him. An avid reader and open to any genre, he subjected himself to this book and never had put it down since. Soon, the sounds of laughter from his peers and the sounds of the fountain spraying triumphantly faded away as he escaped into his book.

After awhile, he heard the final chimes of the school bell and he knew that it was time to go inside for class. He placed his book inside of his backpack and headed toward the school doors. The school doors, beautiful and made with the finest of glass and steel, donned itself to the elite as they entered the school. He went inside and went to his locker. He took off his shoes and placed them in the locker. He then put on his school shoes. As he trying to leave, he heard of sound of a young gentleman calling his name.

"Wait up, Taro," said the boy. Taro turned around and saw the smiling face of the foreign exchange student. The boy was brown skinned. He was tall and had long black hair. Although he was a teenager, he appeared childlike. He came and approached Taro as he stuck out his hand.

"Hey, Marcus, how are you," said Taro as he stuck out his hand to shake it. "I am just getting into the book that you gave me. I really like it." "Thanks," said Marcus. "I knew that you liked poetry a lot and I thought you could diversify your taste." "I appreciate that, Marcus," said Taro with a smile.

Taro Yamada and Marcus Joseph were more of acquaintances than they were friends. Marcus Joseph was a foreign exchange student from the United States spending his senior year in Japan. Although they were in the same class, their acquaintanceship began when they were visiting a bookstore. Their love for books establish a connection with the pair. Since then, they would exchange poems, books, and manga with each other.

"I must say, Marcus, your Japanese is getting a lot better," said Taro as the pair were walking the hallway on the way to class.

"Thanks, man. Haruka is great at being a tutor and she is teaching me well," said Marcus. Taro kind of smile and bump his elbow at Marcus' arm.

"With that tone of voice, I can guess someone is crushing on someone." "

Cut it out, man," said Marcus as he blushed. "We are not like that. I don't think Haruka is even thinking of me like that. We are in two different cultures." "

Don't think like that. So you are American and she is Japanese. Last time I checked, love is love, my friend. If you like her, then go for it."

"Another time perhaps," said Marcus. "Oh, did you hear that we are getting a new Japanese teacher."

"Really," said Taro with a hint of surprise coming from his voice. "When was this announced?"

"It was over the weekend. They didn't get into detail, but the headmaster said that we were getting a new teacher," said Marcus. "However, word around the campfire was that the teacher 'transferred.'"

Taro stiffened by hearing the word, transferred. At this high school, transferred was a euphemistic term for being fired, arrested, or worse, death.

"I don't think there is nothing to worry about, Taro," said Marcus, giving Taro reassurance. "Rumors and hearsays are the common things at a rich school. For all we know, Hiroguchi-sensei may have wanted to retire. He was about almost in his 70s."

"Yeah, yeah, you are right," answered Taro. Why does that word scare me so, he thought to himself.

"He is wrong, Taro. You should be scare. But not as scare as what I am going to do to you," said the rough, but gentle voice of a woman.

He sighed as he turned around and saw the sight of a beautiful redheaded girl in pigtails wrapping her arms around Marcus. She was short, yet slender. She had beautiful eyes. Her nose was curvy and she had a nice body. Her stomach was toned and her hips were slender. Her bust was average, but her butt made up for it.

"Hello, Osana," said Taro reluctantly.

"Hello, Taro," said Osana as she loosened her grip on Marcus before pecking him on the cheek. Flustered, Marcus left the pair as he rushed his way into the classroom.

"I just love American cuties like him. They can get so flustered," said Osana with a wink at Taro. "I hope you weren't jealous." She walked toward him, swaying her hips the entire time before she was face length with him. "If you want, I can have fun with you, too. For a price."

Taro was getting flustered as he felt the sweat vacating his pores from under his arms. Taro was an expert in speaking English and Japanese, but he still couldn't speak woman. He tried to back away before Osana grabbed his hips, pushing them closer together. "There, you are now at my reach," said Osana with a grin on my face.

"Why are making me so uncomfortable," said Taro as he averted his eyes from her. "Because seeing you like this makes me laugh. Also because you are acting so like a virgin."

"And your point is, Ms. Cheshire Cat," said Taro with a rebuttal. "Anyway, what do want?"

"Same thing like you," she said sharply. "Wanting to know what happened to our dear, poor Japanese teacher, Hiroguchi-sensei."

"I am surprised that you don't know," said Taro, "Since you are part of the Student Council."

"Well," she said flustered, "You know what, screw you. I need to have this kind of talk. Especially coming from a virgin." She huffed and puffed her way into the classroom.

"Same time, same place, next week," he said as he walked into the classroom. However, the thought of having a new teacher still reeled in his mind. Taro has had a history with separation anxiety. Since seeing the school counselor, he was finding alternative methods to soothe his worries with change.

I just hope that I will be okay. I hope that Hiroguchi-sensei is fine. Whereever he is, he thought to himself.

Suddenly, he heard the door of his classroom slid open. The class knew their position of remaining silent when hearing the opening of doors. The students stood in awe as if they saw an angelic presence approaching them. Taro looked down at his desk as he heard the loud footsteps echoing the room. When he finally looked up, he saw an appearance of a young woman in front of them.

It was a stunningly attractive brunette who entered the classroom. She was quite tall for a woman. She had a creamy white complexion. Her eyes were green. She had freckles that complimented her. She was wearing a black business suit with her dress stopping at middle of the knee. Her legs were bashing. Her thighs were beautiful. Her main highlights were her breasts and her butt. Overall, this was a beautiful, curvaceous woman.

"Good morning, students," said the firm voice of the woman.

"Good morning, sensei," replied the class in unison.

She turned around to write her name on the board. The mouths of the boys were agape as they were entranced in such a beauty.

She turned around and introduce herself. "My name is Mitsuko Takahashi. From this moment on, I will be your sensei and your homeroom teacher for class 3-2."

She narrowed her eyes and scanned the entire class before focusing her sights on Taro Yamada. When her eyes met his, for a moment, he thought he saw a sparkle of red gleaming from her eyes. She gave a slight smile before turning around to start class. "Pull out your notebooks and let's begin." The class did what they were told and class began.

Taro felt a shiver went through his spine. He felt a deep lump coming from his throat. His palms were sweating and it was shown as his notebook was soaked. His mind was still focused on the red sparkle that came from her. Something about that was vaguely familiar. He couldn't finger on it. He decided to overlook it, but kept it in reserve.

From the window, he was able to see the full picture of autumn's beauty as it laid its hand on the hillside. The clear blue sky became overlapped by the entrance of gray clouds. The clouds overlapped with each other, making the sky a gloomy gray. He closed his eyes as he desired to be apart of autumn, surrounded by the magnificent beauty of nature.

It's only natural to do things when you love someone.

He opened his eyes as if someone whispered to him. He looked around, but the eyes of his peers were on their notebooks. Something was in the atmosphere along with autumn, and something was telling him that it was here to stay.