ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DAYS
Yumi's POV - Outside of an Old School
At an old school for elementary students, there was a girl who had just transferred to the area. Her name was Yumi Akane.
Yumi's Mother:[Firmly held Yumi's shoulder] "Yu-chan, be a good girl, okay? I want you to make lots of friends..."
A nod was Yumi's only response to her mother's words.
Yumi's Mother: "What's wrong?... Are you okay, Yu-chan?" her mother asked with concern.
Yumi ignored her mother and slowly walked into her new school. Worry was clearly written on her mother's face.
"Will she be okay...?"
Kaito's POV - Inside of their classroom
Kaito had his head down while his teacher was speaking in front of the class, just like he always did in school.
Toji-sensei: "Hey, Tatsuya! Is there nothing else you can do but keep your head down while a teacher is teaching in front!?" his teacher shouted angrily.
Kaito: [Stood up in surprise] "I-I'm sorry, Toji-sensei."
Toji-Sensei: "Stand here in front!"
Their teacher, Toji-sensei, continued teaching while Kaito stood at the side. Suddenly, someone knocked on the door, surprising most of the class.
[Sound of knocking]
Toji-Sensei: "Is someone really going to enter in the middle of my class again?" the teacher asked with a hint of irritation.
"Uhm... Sorry for the interruption, teacher. May I speak with you for a moment?"
An unfamiliar voice spoke from outside their room. The teacher immediately stepped out to speak with the girl.
[Classroom noise]
Suddenly, the teacher came back inside, accompanied by an unfamiliar face—a young girl—which caused the class to fall silent.
Toji-Sensei: "Okay class, listen. You have a new classmate. Her name is Yumi Akane."
The class immediately got noisy again upon hearing that they were getting a new classmate.
"Yumi? That's the name of my dog."said by a girl named Hinaru while laughing.
While the entire class chatted excitedly about their new classmate, Kaito just stared out the window, seemingly deep in thought, paying no attention to what was happening inside the room.
Toji-Sensei: "Akane, can you introduce yourself?" the teacher asked calmly.
[Yumi's Inner Thoughts] "EHHHHH... What if they don't like me, just like my old classmates!? What should I do???"
Toji-Sensei:[Puzzled] "Ah... Akane?"
Yumi:[Shocked] "Ah, yes!" her voice came out louder than she intended, causing her classmates to pause and even catch Kaito's attention.
Hinaru: "I already don't like her." she said to her seatmate, Ume.
Ume: "Eh? But for me, I think we'll get along with her, Hina-san." Ume replied to Hinaru.
Hinaru's face showed an unclear expression, as if she already felt annoyed upon seeing Yumi.
Yumi: "Uhm... Good morning, everyone! My name is Yumi Akane, you can call me Yu. I love reading and I don't like rude people. Nice to meet you all!"
Yumi's nervousness disappeared after she spoke.
Class Rep: "Everyone, stand up!"
[The whole class stood and greeted Yumi all at once]
Whole Class: "Nice to meet you too!"
Class Rep: "Everyone, sit down!"
[Yumi's Inner Thoughts] "AHHHHH I think I'll really get along with all of them!!!"
Toji-Sensei: "You may now sit in the vacant seat, Akane."
Yumi began walking to her seat and chose the vacant one at the back, beside Kaito's seat.
A deep sigh was all Yumi could do after several minutes of standing and introducing herself in front of the class.
[Yumi's inner thoughts] "I wonder if I'll really get along with them..."
The sadness and worry about what she'll experience in her new school were visible in her eyes.
Fast-Forward
[Sound of the bell]
Some of Yumi's classmates stood up to eat with their respective friends.
Kaito: "Finally! I can sleep again now..." he whispered.
Hinaru: [Staring at Yumi with a hint of irritation on her face]
Ume: "Hina-san, let's go eat together again. What are you planning to eat today? Uhm... Hina... san...?"
She noticed the unpleasant look on Hinaru's face as she stared at Yumi. But she didn't think negatively about it—she just thought maybe Hinaru wanted to invite Yumi to eat with them. So, she quickly approached her.
Ume: "Ah, let's invite Akane!"
Hinaru: "Huh!?" she said in surprise and irritation.
Ume didn't bother listening to whatever Hinaru was going to say next and went straight toward Yumi.
Hinaru: "H-hey, w-wait!" she shouted at Ume, who was already walking away toward Yumi.
Hinaru: "Tch! Let's just go!" she told the rest of their friends.
Yumi was just about to leave the classroom when one of her classmates suddenly called her. It was Ume.
Ume: "Akane, wait!" she shouted as she ran after her.
Yumi: "U-uhm... Hello..."
Ume: "Hi, My name is Ume. I just wanted to ask if you'd like to eat with us—together with Hinaru and the rest of my frie—"
She stopped mid-sentence when she noticed that Hinaru and the others were no longer standing where they had been just moments ago.
[Ume's inner thoughts] "E-eh? I thought she wanted to eat with Akane—that's why she was looking at her that way earlier..."
Yumi: "Really!? You want me to eat with you!? Ah, I'm so happy!" Yumi shouted excitedly, thrilled to have a new friend.
Ume: "Y-you heard me right. I'm glad you're happy!" she replied, though still puzzled by Hinaru's behavior.
CANTEEN
After buying their food, they immediately looked for a bench inside their school.
Ume: "I heard you used to attend a really good school... Why did you decide to transfer to an old one like this?" she asked Yumi curiously as they walked.
Yumi: "That's a very long and a sad story... Let's find a place to sit first." she suggested.
Ume:[Felt awkward] "Y-yeah, sure."
They walked quietly finding a bench where they would eat. When they finally found one, they sat down quietly, and Ume seemed a bit awkward about asking such a personal question so quickly.
Yumi: "I was bullied..." she said calmly after taking a bite of the bread she bought.
Ume: "Eh?"
Yumi: [Smiling with sadness in her eyes] "I don't know what I did wrong to them... They constantly said hurtful things to me and physically hurt me."
Ume:[Remained silent but showed a worried expression]
Yumi: "It happened a long time ago, and I'm okay now. But I still carry the fear that it might happen again in this school..."
Ume: "Akane..."
Yumi: "But I feel like I'll be okay here. Hey, Ume. Can I call you Ume-chan? In my previous school, close friends would give each other nicknames." she said cheerfully to Ume.
Ume: "That would be a great idea, Yu-chan!"
Yumi's sad past resurfaced, but it was replaced with happiness as she became open with Ume.
Fast-Forward
[Sound of the bell]
The second bell signaled that the students were now allowed to go home. Yumi quickly stood up and approached Ume, who was with her friends.
Yumi: "Hey, Ume-chan!" she called out to Ume loudly.
Hinaru: "Ume-chan?" she said mockingly with a sarcastic smile.
Ume didn't approach Yumi. She only looked at her while Yumi waved.
Hinaru: "I can't believe you two are friends now. But it seems like you're just forcing yourself, Ume. Maybe you just want to use her since we both heard she's really smart." she said teasingly to Ume.
Ume: [Remained silent but looked irritated]
Yumi:[Walked toward where Ume and Hinaru were standing] "Ume-chan, let's walk home together!"
Hinaru: [Smirked sarcastically and looked back at Ume] "I'm going home. See you tomorrow, U-me-cha-n."
As Hinaru walked away, Yumi got closer to Ume.
Yumi: "What happened, Ume-chan?"
Ume: [Suddenly ran away] "Sorry."
Yumi: "Eh...?"
Yumi was left stunned on the hallway as Ume ignored and avoided her. So, she simply let it go and started walking home as well.
"Ah... It happened again..."
Kaito's POV - Sidewalk
He was on his way home from school when he noticed Yumi walking in front of him. He didn't pay her any attention and just kept walking. Yumi was walking slowly, as if she was deep in thought, so he eventually caught up with her. That's when Yumi realized Kaito was walking home with her.
Yumi: "Hey! Kaito, right?" She said, as if they'd known each other for a long time.
Kaito:[He didn't respond and kept walking]
Yumi: "I heard that you always sleep during class... Why is that?" she asked curiously.
Kaito: "That's none of your business!" he said angrily and walked faster.
Yumi froze after hearing what he said.
[Yumi's Inner Thoughts] "A Cold-hearted man... So cool! Just like the man in the series I read about!" [blushing]
Yumi was interested in getting to know Kaito, so she tried to find a way to talk to him. She sped up to walk beside him and didn't stop talking.
Yumi: "Where do you live? You're really an interesting guy... and mysterious. Maybe that's why you don't have any friends." she said teasingly.
Yumi didn't mean to insult him, but Kaito seemed to take it that way. He stopped walking.
[Kaito's Inner Thoughts] "This girl... is nothing but just like them."
Yumi: [confused] "Why? Ah, sorry... I'll stop talking now..."
When Kaito heard her apologize, he quietly started walking again. Yumi also fell silent, feeling embarrassed about her actions.
Yumi: "U-uhm... This is my way home, see you!" she said quickly and nervously.
As Yumi walked away, Kaito stopped and stared at her for a few seconds. Then, he quietly continued walking.
Kaito's House
Kaito: "I'm home." he said without any expression showing on his face.
Kaito was about to go upstairs to his room when he stopped after hearing his grandmother talking on the phone.
"I can't give you any more money because I already have a family of my own!" shouted by the man on the phone.
Kaito's Grandma: "I don't need a large amount. I'm just saying, at least help support Kaito—he's your son too!" his grandmother said, begging.
But the man abruptly hung up the phone.
Kaito's Grandma: "Kai? Kai!" she called out after being hung up on.
Kaito: "Grandma..." he called softly.
Kaito's Grandma: "Kaito! Have you been standing there for a while?" she asked, worried he had overheard their conversation.
Kaito: "Grandma...! Were you talking to my useless idiotic father again!?" he asked, yelling in frustration.
Kaito's Grandma: "You don't need to worry, my dear." she said calmly.
Kaito: "How many times do I have to tell you not to talk to him anymore!? We don't need that man, Grandma!" he shouted angrily.
Kaito's Grandma: "Forgive me, my dear... No one is accepting me for any job anymore because of my age..." she said sadly.
Kaito: "You don't have to! I'm already looking for a job, I'll be the one to support you, Grandma!"
Kaito's Grandma: "Don't say things like that, my dear... You're not at the right age to be working yet..."
Kaito: "I don't want us using that man's money anymore, Grandma..." he said as tears slowly rolled down his cheeks.
Kaito's Grandma: [Quickly came over and hugged Kaito] "Oh Kaito, my dear..."
Kaito cried because he had no choice but to follow what his grandmother believed was best for him. His grandmother held him in her arms and gently patted his head.
"Mom would still be alive if only he hadn't left her"
[Sobbing uncontrollably]
Yumi's POV - Sidewalk
After she and Kaito parted ways, her deep thoughts about the past returned, bringing back her fear of what might happen next.
Yumi:[Talking to herself] "I don't understand… Why is Ume suddenly avoiding me?" she asked herself sadly.
She took a deep breath to calm herself.
Yumi: [Takes a deep breath] "Could she end up being just like them…"
~ FLASHBACK ~
"You don't deserve to have a loyal friend!"
"Friend? She was with us when we were bad-mouthing you!"
"Just leave. We don't make friends with ugly people like you!"
"Hey, isn't she your friend? Why does it look like she's just treating you like a maid?"
"She actually fits being a maid."
[Voices of laughing girls]
With all the thoughts in Yumi's mind, she didn't realize she was already crossing the street, and suddenly…
"Look out!"
[Sound of car brakes]
Yumi fell down along with an unfamiliar boy around her age. The boy pushed her because she was about to be hit by a car.
Driver: "Hey! Are you blind? Watch where you're going and don't drag us into your stupidity!" shouted by the driver who almost hit Yumi.
The driver and the boy who saved Yumi both looked at her, seemingly waiting for her to speak. But she didn't say a word and just bowed her head while crying.
Yumi: [Sobbing]
Driver: "Hey, what? Are you deaf?" the driver added.
The boy suddenly bowed his head so low that it almost touched the ground.
Boy: "Ah, please forgive us, sir. We're really sorry." he pleaded, asking for Yumi to be forgiven.
Driver: "Tch! Next time, teach that girl how to cross a street!"
The driver drove off, leaving them sitting on the sidewalk. Yumi continued crying.
Boy: "Uhm… Are you okay?" he asked Yumi.
Yumi:[Suddenly stood up and stopped crying] "I'm okay. I'm sorry, and thank you for saving my life." she said with a smile, though her eyes were full of tears.
The boy followed her, knowing she really wasn't okay.
Boy: "By the way, I'm Shoyo Nakamori!" he said while still following Yumi.
Yumi stopped walking and suddenly turned to face Shoyo.
Yumi: "I don't need anyone to walk me home, so stay away from me!" she shouted and immediately ran off.
Yumi's House
When she got home, she was surprised when her mother suddenly welcomed her at the door
Yumi's Mother: "How's your first day at your new school? Did you enjoy it? Did you make a lot of friends?" her mom asked eagerly, waiting for good news.
Yumi: "No, Mom! I didn't make any friends!" she yelled and started crying again.
Yumi's Mother: "Yu-chan…!" she said with concern.
Her mother hugged her tightly, then invited her to eat to help calm her down.
"Mom, it happened again..."
She told her mom everything while sobbing uncontrollably.
To be continued...