Chapter 9

Chiyo Aiga

School, I would have to admit that school was my favorite place to be. I enjoyed cooking, I enjoyed learning, and most of all I enjoyed staying away from my home. To say I was a happy kid, would be an overstatement. I got along in my routine world. It seemed to be everyday was the same. Almost identical. I couldn't help but realize though, that I would have loved change. I longed for it. This however is a day in the life of me.

"Miss Aiga, it is time to get ready for school."

I sighed, blinking my eyes against the sunlight of my opened curtains. The maid stood by the window, this let my know she was the one who opened them. I felt my temper flare as I glared at the young girl. She seemed nervous, I didn't blame her. I was not a morning person. I pushed my blankets off me and kicked them down, "Very well, go away." I growled at her. She nodded her head and I waited till she left the room to sit up.

My wavy, chin length black hair was in disarray, I didn't have to look in a mirror to tell. I slid out of bed and went over to my vanity mirror. Yep, my hair was even worse than I had imagine. I took a brush and clipped the sides back so they would not be in my face. Approving of the look, I then went over to my closet, and pulled on my school uniform. I didn't approve of the uniform, a knee length skirt with a long sleeve shirt. Both with a plaid trim and a bow on the front of the shirt. I wrinkled my nose.

I walked back over to my mirror, making sure I looked acceptable before rubbing the back of my head. It no longer hurt, but just thinking about it made my face go red, "Annoying Akihiko" I growled under my breath, "I don't see how he even got into this school."

I used my hand to toss my hair definitely before I grabbed my bag and went downstairs for breakfast. My brother was already at the table, dressed in his own uniform. His hair was brushed neatly with a strand of bang hanging to the side also black like my own kept reading glasses in the front pocket of his jacket. As I stepped in, he looked up with his dark brown eyes, "Good morning, little sister."

I scowled at him. He knew I hated being called that, but I politely retorted, "Good morning Kazuo-kun." I felt there was no need to stoop down to his level. A smile played on his lips as he looked back at the book he held in his in his left hand. He used his free hand to gracefully eat.

I took a seat, trying not to pay so much attention to him. A plate was placed in front of me and I began trying to eat as gracefully as he did. I noticed him glance over his book at me, "Are you sure you need to be eating all of that?" He asked. I didn't get a chance to answer as he checked his wristwatch, "You won't have time to anyways." He closed his book and began packing it back into his bag before he stood up. He walked towards the door and yelled over his shoulder, "Come on, Chiyo, I can't be late."

I glanced down at my hardly eaten food, pulled between staying and going, "I'll walk." I called back to him, I turned in time to see him shrug his shoulders without looking back. He was gone. I turned back to my food. My stomach wanting to reject what was now in it. I wasn't sure why I let his words get to me. I then turned to look at the mantal clock and realized I was already behind. I jumped to my feet, pulled my bag onto my shoulder, and raced towards the door.

Reaching the front, I found the car was already gone. I sighed and realized this was going to be another bad day. I ran to school and found myself gasping for air when I got there. I wasn't late. People were still out in the schoolyard. I allowed myself to catch my breath as I walked up the stairs, I was about to the door.

"Aiga!"

I paused, looking around, no one ever talked to me so it seemed strange. A boy waving his hand at me enthusiastically, ran up. My eyes narrowed at him and I was tempted to turn and stomp away, "What do you want Ando?" I asked

He stopped where I was, with his normal goofy smile on his face. His eyes all alight. I rolled my own eyes and stared him down. Finally he spoke, "I wanted to apologize."

I stared at him suspiciously before he continued, "I didn't mean to upset you the other day. I also didn't mean to hit you with my soccer ball."

I glanced around, trying to rack my thoughts, I wasn't sure if he meant what he said, or if it was a big hoax. I noticed a few of his soccer friends staring at us and I felt my face go a little red. "I'll excuse you this time, only because you took the blame for the arguing." I retorted. I lifted my chin a little higher defiantly and watched his expression. At first, he seemed a little irritated, but then his face untensed again. The school bell rang before he could say anything more and I hurried to my first class.

The day continued as normal, my first class was cooking. My favorite class, I was hoping we would have a cooking lesson today. Sensai, however, had other plans. She stood at the board. Cooking was a lot of science, which I didn't mind so much. As long as I was learning, I was good with anything. I glanced briefly around at other students. Akihiko was listening, he always seemed to be paying attention but more than one occasion I had wondered if anything actually went to his brain. Fuu sat behind me. I knew she was taking notes. I could always hear her pen as she clicked the top of it, and more often than not, she seemed to scribble or underline something. I could never tell. I took a few brief notes. Studying never seemed to be a problem with me.

After that class, the day seemed to drag on more than I would have liked. There was nothing I could do about it. Lunch, was my break. I enjoyed sitting on a bench outside. Many people gathered at the lunchroom or at the diner. I opened my bento box, of course my favorite foods were inside. I looked up from where I sat, a car sat in the drive on idle. My eyes widened before hearing voices coming out the door of the school. Kazuo-kun had his arm wrapped over a girls shoulder as they walked down the steps. As they reached me, Kazuo looked over at me and gave me a smile, "I have an interview today, don't wait up." The girl looked over at me as they walked by, "Who is that?" I heard her ask him. I didn't hear the response but I felt my blood boil. I was tired of being put on the backburner, I stood up quickly, my bento box pouring out of my lap and onto my clothes. I gasped looking down at my stained clothes. I then looked towards my brother, before he could see, I pulled my bag over my shoulder and fled. I stood in an empty hallway feeling humiliated. Lunch would be over soon and I knew the halls would be crowded.

"Chiyo-chan?"

I looked over, Sensei was looking around the corner at me. She then turned and came towards me where I stood leaning against the wall, my bag hugged tightly against my chest. "What's wrong?"

I couldn't bring myself to look at her concerned face. I looked at the floor, "I...spilt my lunch."

She looked at me questioningly and so I removed my bag so she could see. I looked up at her, and she seemed to examine the clothes hopefully rather than in disgust. "We can fix it."

This time I looked at her curiously, "How so?"

She smiled and motioned for me to follow her and I did. We went back to her classroom and she opened a closet, I waited as she rummaged through it before pulling out a uniform, "since this is a cooking class, I try and keep a spare." she gave me one of her bright, loving smiled and I felt my face turn pink as I gratefully took it. I couldn't find words. She always seemed so cheerful and optimistic. I managed a little smile back at her, before I hurried off.

As I walked to the dressing room to switch out of my clothes, I couldn't help but wonder how my sensei could always be such a ray of sunshine on a cloudy day. I wanted to know the secret she had. So that maybe I could be as vibrant as she.