4/12
I arrived with wet shoes at the school today. Thankfully, the wetness didn't reached my socks.
It's the second day of school and this is where the ordinary begins.
Classes started with our adviser reminding us of the volleyball rally tomorrow. Immediately mentioning the event had my classmates talking and the name Kamoshida was brought up.
Suguru Kamoshida. He is a former professional athlete and even won on the Olympics at volleyball. Because of this, the school prides itself of having him as the volleyball coach. You would not believe how much Principal Kobayakawa boasts about his achievements everywhere. It's clear that he has this clear favoritism on Mr. Kamoshida.
Students and fellow teachers pass him from time to time, greeting them with that big smile of his. He does give this friendly vibe that people actually like him with some actually joining the Volleyball Club. I once considered joining the club itself last year but I later lost interest.
I chatted with Mr. Kamoshida a few times and he appears to be a nice guy. However, when we talked, I got this weird feeling about him. It's like he's hiding something under that smile.
That aside, from what I heard from the whispers of my classmates, most of them are distraught of having to attend the volleyball rally with complaints like having the match teachers vs. students seem unfair and Mr. Kamoshida gloating on his athletic prowess.
I took a look at Sakamoto-kun and to no surprise was wearing a scowl on his face.
"That bastard.." I heard him murmur. I feel the same too, Sakamoto-kun.
He must've noticed me looking at him as he met my eyes and angrily said, "What are you looking at?"
"It's nothing! I'm sorry." I said trying to look apologetic.
"Everyone, pipe down. Especially you, Sakamoto-kun. I can hear you from here." Mr. Ushimaru instructed.
In an instant, everyone quieted down and turned to face him.
"Be reminded that tomorrow's activity is a required attendance. So, I hope that no tries to be absent because if you do, I can assure you that this will be a stain on your permanent record." he said.
I hear most of the class groan but the adviser dismissed it and started his lesson.
The final class finally ended and I exited the classroom among others. As I walked on the hall, I noticed my friend Maho-chan standing at the side writing on her notepad.
"Hey Maho-chan!" I greeted her.
"Ah, Kobayashi-san. Nice to see you here."she greeted back.
"I take it you are taking notes for an article?"
"Yes, yes I am. I am taking notes about the rumors of the transfer student. Speaking of which, I saw the said transfer student earlier passing by."
"Really? What does the student look like?"
"First of all, it's a guy. And he somewhat had this messy dark hair and wears glasses. From what I can perceive of him, he seems to be pretty quiet…."
Maho-chan continued talking while my attention shifted to the view outside the school. From a distance, I saw Sakamoto-san with a male student outside the school gates. I took a closer look and noticed that the male student resembled the transfer student Maho-chan described.
Is he the transfer student? And what's he and Sakamoto-san doing outside?
"Kobayashi-san!"
My line of thought was interrupted with Maho-chan calling my name to get my attention.
"Oh sorry." I apologized. "I was distracted on what I saw outside school."
"What do you mean?"
I pointed at the window and said, "I think I saw the transfer student outside with Sakamoto-san."
"What? Let me see."
Maho-chan moved closer to the window.
"I don't see them."
"What?" I said as I look outside the window again and sure enough I don't see the transfer student and Sakamoto-san anywhere.
"That's weird. I saw them outside a moment ago." I said.
"Maybe they just left. Or maybe you are seeing things."
"Oh come on! I swear I really saw them!"
"I don't know. Maybe you're just tired."
Maho-chan then looked at her watch. "Oh look at the time! I should probably go back to the clubroom!"
She then searched something on her bag and fished out a key.
"Good. I still remembered." she muttered as she returns the key in her bag. "Well, I best be on my way."
"OK, see ya!" I replied.
"Don't forget what we talked the other day!"
"Don't worry. Didn't forget about it."
As soon as Maho-chan was out of my visibility, I immediately went straight home. My thoughts wandered on the topic that Maho-chan reminded me of.
An invitation to join the Newspaper Club. I'm still not sure I am ready to accept it.
I shook those thoughts off as I reached the station. Amane-san has night classes on Tuesday and Thursday so she won't be able to tutor me today. Nevertheless, she left me with some homework to do so I should probably do those when I got home.
"I'm home."
As soon as I announced my arrival, I heard footsteps coming to the entrance and soon enough I was greeted by my younger siblings Mai and Kai. They're fraternal twins and are in second year in middle school. They can be pretty lively but can also be the source of annoyance.
"Welcome home, Big Sis!" they greeted.
"Nice to see you two." I replied. "Where's Mom?"
"She went out for a bit to an acquaintance of hers." Mai answered.
"Yeah. She already instructed us to make dinner." Kai chimed in.
"Really? That's great!" I exclaimed. "You needed my help?"
"No need. Me and Kai already figured it out."
"OK. I'll be going to my room then. If you two need any help, don't hesitate to tell me, okay?"
"We will." they replied in unison.
As the two immediately went back to the kitchen, I went to my room. I tried not to worry too much about them. They're old enough to do chores around the house and follow a simple recipe correctly.
I changed from my uniform to night clothes as soon as I entered my room. I then did my homework for the day.
I was in the middle of it when Kai called me for dinner. As I got to the dining table, I noticed that Mom already arrived, having sat at her own spot.
I sat down on my spot together with Kai and started eating our dinner.
"Looks like the two did great on the curry." my mom complimented my siblings.
The meal that my siblings cooked wasn't bad. I mean, it was the run of the mill curry but the result was edible.
"Really mom?" Mai asked with a big grin on her face.
"Yes. Now I can trust you two whenever I asked you to cook something for dinner."
"Thanks mom. I was really worried you wouldn't like it." Kai said.
"Oh come on, Kai! You know we did everything right! Of course, we did great!" Mai exclaimed. "Say mom, can you teach us another recipe sometime?"
"Of course. If I have the time." my mom answered.
Mai smiled at that answer.
Afterwards, only the clattering of the utensils on the plate were heard. Mai finished her meal first and not too long followed by Kai.
With me and my mom left on the table, things began to get awkward. Mom decided to break the silence between us when she said, "By the way, I met Amane-san earlier at the station. She asked me on how things are going on with your studies."
Oh shit. What are the odds of the them two meeting?
"R-really? She really did ask that?" I asked as calmly as I could.
"Yeah, she did. I said that you are doing well. After all, I am certain that you put a lot of effort to become an engineer." she answered.
"Oh yeah. An engineer. Right."
"Is something wrong, Ruri?"
Oh shoot. She maybe on to me.
"No mom, it's nothing. I'm just being reminded, that's all."
I saw Mom smiling at me.
"That's great. Your father would be proud of you continuing his dream."
"I know. I am trying to make him proud of me."
I smiled back at Mom.
"Anyway, I should bring these dishes to the sink and immediately went to my room."
"Oh right. Don't worry about washing them. I'll take care of it."
"Thanks Mom."
I did what I said.
At my room, I immediately sat at the chair near my desk and placed my head on the table.
"Aaargh, dammit. What do I do now?" I exclaimed to myself.
I discarded the guilt I felt and focused on my homework. It wasn't long that I finished and went to bed to sleep.
Or at least tried to sleep. The earlier conversation with Mom still lingered in my mind.
I know I have to tell her someday. The only question is when.
Sleep finally overtook me not knowing what's going to happen on the following days.