Today was now the first of April and marked a full week since Kyoyota Arianagi took the entrance exam for Hanabira high school.
During this week Kyo was a nervous wreck simply waiting for the day of reckoning to see if he would get into Hanabira or not. Today was that day.
Kyo put on his old school uniform from Seka academy, the same uniform he wore when taking the entrance exam. These warm colors admittedly did not match well with his frilly black hair and green eyes.
Kyo walked out of the house as if he was sneaking out of a prison before he saw Hiro running towards him, deja vu, Kyo thought as Hiro was wearing the same outfit as the previous encounter.
"Today really is the day that you find out if you get into Hanabira huh?" Hiro said confidently.
"Guess so," Kyo said with his stomach in knots. He was dreading this day for a full week, but now that it's finally announcement day, Kyo could not calm down.
"Well let's get going then." The quicker you learn the quicker the lesson is over, that was Hiro's outlook on life.
"Can you not be so 'get up and go' about all this?" Kyo said nervous and a little irritated.
"No way! My genius best friend is now getting into the Hanabira high, that's a massive deal, now common."
"No such thing as a genius, just hard work, and it's no guarantee."
"You doubt yourself too much, you will get in, and you just make it look so easy that I call you a genius."
As they began walking to the station, Kyo commented "You could have gotten in too you know." This stunned Hiro as he thought about it for a moment before responding. "No way, I am only good at Soccer, and besides I got a scholarship to Nyūgaku Gakkō which makes it easier on my parents. Plus now I get to play against Goda since we won't be on the same team anymore. The only downside is that you're farther away by about thirty minutes, but we can still hang out on weekends and such so no big deal."
"You can run there in fifteen minutes," Kyo remarked to make him less sad about the distance between them.
"And you could be back here in less than that so don't make me do all the work, get it?" Hiro said in a serious tone before they both busted out laughing. After a twenty five minute ride and a five minute walk, the two finally arrived at Hanabira private High School.
The moment they walked through the front gates of the school, it felt like heaven. The school yard was covered in beautiful cherry blossom trees, and the grass patches were a lush green color. There were teachers and faculty happily answering questions incoming students had. The whole thing felt unreal.
Kyo hadn't noticed how pretty this place was the first time due to his stress levels and not knowing which room the exam would be held in. This time, he took his time admiring the beauty of this school. The only thing keeping Kyo grounded was the nervous excitement of the other freshmen and his stomach pains.
Hiro and Kyo worked their way to the billboards with the numbers of the students who made it into the school on them. Kyo's number was 147. As they both scanned for that magic number Kyo heard Hiro scream at the top of his lungs loud enough that other nearby students were scared that this would be one of their classmates.
"YOU DID IT!!!" Hiro then hugged Kyo from the side which felt like a tackle. As Kyo was now on the ground he looked up to see he was right underneath his number.
"I-I… I really did it." Kyo whispered to himself. He was still anxious but it was enough for him to drop his shoulders and for the pain to go away.
"You are a genius Kyo, you're freaking awesome!"
"Ok ok, I get it, can you get off of me?! People are staring."
"Hehe, my bad everyone!" Hiro said with a slight bow to his left and right. Shortly after this incident, they heard a man cough into his hand calling for everyone's attention.
"Uhum! Everyone, may I have your attention please, to those that, passed, and to those who are still looking, the opening ceremony will be held in three days from 8 am-10 am in the auditorium. The following Monday, April 9th, is when school begins. Thank you for your patience and have a great rest of your day." The announcer's voice was monotone, but Kyo knew at that moment that his life would change in just three short days.
"Hear that Kyo you need to be moved into your aunts by three days from now."
"I know, and you're helping me."
"Aye aye, sir." Hiro said with a salute. The two laughed.
"Congratulations Kyo," he said with a massive genuine smile patting Kyo on the back.
"Thank you, Hiro."
They began the walk to Hiro's place to celebrate where they split a pizza and played soccer.
...
Later that night after arriving at Kyo's mother's house, he called his aunt to tell her the news and that he will be taking her up on her offer. The first ring didn't even finish before she picked up.
"Kyomeowta, how did it go? Are you ok? Tell me everything!" Kyo's aunt, Kokoro Arianagi, was a kind person, but a bit of a worrywort. She spoke to Kyo with her ever-so-soft voice but with a feeling of worry behind it.
"It went well, I… I got accepted into Hanabira, so I-" I was cut off by a squeal of excitement.
"Oh my God, that is amazing!! When are you moving in? I didn't think you would find out so soon, I need to get everything prepared. Ahhh I am so happy for you!" The feeling of worry was replaced with relief and her soft spoken nature was replaced with excitement.
Kyo paused to let her finish squealing and then continued, "Hiro and I were hoping to move in tomorrow afternoon, around 2pm, is that ok?" This time I wont comment on that stupid nickname he also thought to himself.
"Yes that is perfectly fine, I will be in my apartment at that time so just knock ok? And it's been so long since I have seen Hiro, oh this is so exciting."
"Glad someone is having fun." Kyo said still feeling a tinge of anxiety throughout his body.
"Does my sister know?" Kokoro asked in a slightly more serious tone.
"No I haven't told her yet, she is on a business trip to another college right now so I don't know when the best time would be… Mei and Siren don't know about it yet either, but I imagine they will see my stuff gone…" There was a long pause from both sides before Kyo heard a piece of advice from across the phone. "You should tell Mei bye, for now, I know you don't feel you have the right, but she is still your sister."
Kyo's eyes crinkled a little bit after hearing those words, like watching someone else suffer while you just have to look at them knowing that you are fine."I know, I just need to find the right time, I- it just doesn't feel real yet, you know?" This was his excuse to get rid of that guilt in his stomach.
"Just remember that this is real, but if you slip up I cannot stop my sister from dragging you back." Kokoro said understanding where her nephew was coming from.
"I know, I will keep up the good work in high school, no worries, I just wanted to let you know that I finally did it. See you tomorrow." Kyo's aunt hung up the phone after that promise was spoken, she hates saying goodbye, so instead, she just leaves sporadically then picks up the next conversation like nothing ever happened.
…
"That boy really has it in for him for these next few years, best of luck Kyo, beloved nephew of mine."