"I'm fine."
"Everything's okay."
"I'm alright."
It's quite fascinating that mere words such as these are able to deceive and mislead a mass of people.
When everything seems to be falling apart, and you want to show people that you're still holding up, just put out a grin on your face and say those words to anyone who asks.
They wouldn't even know that you're on the verge of breaking.
It's an infallible plan, I guarantee.
Most people believe your feign act but only a number of people will be able to see through you.
Those people are whom I label as: meddlesome, intrusive, and brazen.
Despite your false front, they are persistent in asking, "What's wrong" and will dismiss your lie no matter how convincing you appear to be.
Although they are intrusive beings, their intentions are pure and genuine.
It will not benefit them the least but they still do it. And yes, they still do exist in this cruel world.
I guess what I'm trying to say here is that those few people need to be appreciated more-
- because you'll never know when they would stop, and be gone from your life for good.
Wednesday; December 23; 08:10; Hyuuga's Residence
It's another cold winter morning today and I am standing in front of the main door of the Hyuuga's Residence, waiting for the door to open for us. I shifted my eyes from the door to the little toddler holding my hand beside me.
"Oni-chan, Yuna is shy." She said as she wrapped her arms around my right leg and buried her face on it. Seeing my little sister being so cute, I couldn't help but kneel down and give her a tight cuddle.
Yuna Takeshi, my cute little sister. She's turning 5 next month; She has long straight black hair, and emerald green eyes. And she's all the family I have left.
"Don't worry, you'll be fine! They have a lot of food and you can play in their playroom all you want!" I replied trying to relieve the anxious expression on her face.
Hearing the word 'playroom' made her face light up.
"Oni-chan will come back for me?" The anxious expression recurred.
"Of course I will." I reassured.
A maid from inside opened the door slowly. I stood up and held Yuna's hand, gripping it tightly.
"Good Morning." I smiled.
"Why, Hiro-san! Good morning to you too! You're always so polite. Are you looking for Kouichi-sama?" She replied while bowing slightly for greetings.
"No, I'm just dropping off my little sister here to play with Aoi while I'm at school." I replied.
"Oh, yes. Kouichi-sama mentioned that before he left this morning. Don't worry Hiro-san, we will take good care of her." She smiled once again. I pretty much trust the maids here in the Hyuuga residence 'cause they took good care of me when I came for sleepovers.
The maid reached out for Yuna's hand, Yuna slowly let go of mine and held onto the maids'. I sighed.
It took a while before I could leave her in their without her crying. Thankfully she got used to it. It pains me to leave her when I have no choice but.
"Thanks again!" I said as I began to walk away from the main doors.
I'm Hiro Takeshi, 17 years old, and already on my third year in high school. Both my parents and my two older brothers are deceased due to an unfortunate accident, so it's just my little sister and I now. I work a part-time job everyday after school for bills that I have to pay and a mouth to feed.
I reached out for my skateboard in my bag. I rode and balanced on it with my right foot as my left foot paddled on the ground.
I wonder what's in store for me today— I hope it wouldn't be as boring as yesterday.
*Sigh
Since Morooka's our homeroom teacher, reprimanding is to be expected, of course. Seriously, he complains about everything. And he complains at anyone about anything he sees.
Like this one time, when he saw me walking in the hallway drinking my juice box, he stopped me and fussed about my hair color. Saying that it's inappropriate to have a hair color that's not a normal black or brown.
It's not my fault I inherited my father's silver hair.
And this one time when he actually brought black hair dye to class and actually forced the dye on me. I had to hide from him the whole day.
Seriously if he ever pulls that again, I'm telling the principal. It's not a very manly thing to do, but it's better than getting expelled for punching a teacher.
But I guess punching him would pretty much satisfy my frustrations. Then again—
"OHMYGODYOU'REGOINGTOFALLOFFIFYOUDON'TSTOP!" I snapped out of thought and turned to the person who yelled. It was a lady with grocery bags, staring at me. I looked at where she was pointing. But by then it was too late...
!
Next thing I know, my face is on a garbage bag.
"What the hell— She could have just said 'stop', at least that I would have understood. Sheesh!" I grumbled as I held my head to ease the throbbing due to my fall.
"Didn't your mother teach you to watch where you're going?" A cold voice came from behind.
I looked up, but ended up squinting since he's standing where the sun is.
"Who-" I was cut off as he extended his hand to help me stand up. By then, I already knew who it was.
"You just love being loud early in the morning." He sighed. His dark purple hair ran down his face, partly covering his royal blues as he bent over to help me. He's taller than me by an inch, lean and fair skinned.
Kouichi Hyukagi: my best friend since grade school and also our schools' aloof celebrity.
"Shut up, I'm still in pain you know!" I barked, still holding on to my throbbing head.
"You'll live." He shrugged and continued to walk, leaving me behind. I regained my composure, grabbed my skateboard, looked back at the lady and saw her still looking at me with the same expression from before I fell.
"Uh, thanks— I guess?" I forced a smile as I hesitatingly waved at her. She smiled, like nothing happened, and waved back. With that, I hurriedly ran to catch up to Kou.
"Did you drop Yuna off at my place?" He asked as he heard my footsteps come closer.
"Yup, I'll pick her up after my work. If that's alright." I replied trying to catch my breath. This guy walks fast.
"Yeah, sure."
We reached the Central Transit Station, which means we're halfway to school. School starts at 9, and its only 8:20 AM.
I always wake up early cause before school I always want to see—
"What took you so long?"
Kou and I turned to the person behind us.
At the sight of her, I smiled cheerfully.
Mikan Sakura— the woman I always want to see first thing in the morning.
She's looking dazzling as usual.
"Sorry, I had a little accident back there." I scratched the back of my head lightly to hide my embarrassment.
"And I thought I'm clumsy." She sighed. She took out an alcohol swab and a Band-Aid in the front pocket of her bag.
She took my arms and flipped it over, my elbow facing her. I didn't even notice the small scratch just inches below my elbow. She gently mended the alcohol swab on my wound and applied the Band-Aid afterwards.
"There." She said as she threw the alcohol swab in the garbage near us. I looked at the Band-Aid and then looked back at her.
"What would I do without you?" I smiled.
Rainbows, bubbles, and glitters suddenly appeared in my surroundings. It feels like I'm floating on air whenever I'm with her. It's an unexplainable feeling but a wonderful one at that. She makes me feel very—
"*Ahem."
I came back from my reverie and looked at Kou. He had a repulsed look on his face.
"What?" I barked.
"Do you mind having this kind of conversation when I'm not here?"
"You're just jealous 'cause you don't have anyone to have this with." I retort. Mikan giggled.
A blue colored bus stopped in front of the stop near us. People in the bus started to get off, and people waiting at the transit started lining up in front of it.
"That's my bus. I'm looking forward to our date tomorrow!" She waved at me and started to take steps backward away from Kou and I.
I caught a whiff of her sweet scented perfume as the cold wind blew.
For some reason, I feel something unexplainable happening in my gut. I guess I'm having, as the idiom goes, "butterflies in my stomach."
"Bye Kou." Kou gave her a nod.
Don't get him wrong, he likes her as a friend but Kou is just… indifferent.
"Having a late night date on a school night, are we?" Kou bantered.
"Get off my case! It's been 3 months since our last one." I replied as I waved my hand dismissively.
"If you can't fight the urge, make sure its safe." He blurted.
Hearing that from him sent chills down my spine as blood rushed to my cheeks due to embarrassment.
"S-sure." I laughed nervously.
