We are in the same class?/Are you going to sit here?
The next morning he wakes up to get ready for school. After the bath and wearing the school uniform, he went to the kitchen. He searches the entire fridge, but only finds a few stale vegetables. Suddenly a question came to her mind.
“If the whole fridge is empty, how did she make breakfast yesterday?”
After looking around the kitchen, he finds a grocery bag. There are still some snacks in the shopping bag, for example some sandwiches and bread.
“Oh... so yesterday she bought groceries to cook. Looks like she went to shop before I wake up and bought some snacks too. I have to pay him next time.”
“Ghezz, I can't face that girl again.”
He felt depressed for a while. He pushed aside her sadness and her thoughts about the girl, took another look in the fridge and found a jam bottle. He ate a sandwich for breakfast and decided to bring lunch on the way to school or to buy it from the school canteen. He closed the door and leave for the school. He leaves the house in time so that he can reach school without haste and buy something in between.
He tries to buy something for lunch at a convenience store. He ended up purchasing an orange juice box and bento box.
“This is entirely my fault. Last week, I neglected to bring a snack for lunch. I'm not sure how to express it, but I was supposed to pass away the day before yesterday, there's no reason for me to make a purchase. If I put it another way, that girl is at fault and as a result, now she owes money from me, and I must pay that debt. Gheez, That's so perplexing.”
He is frustrated because of these things but continues his journey to school. Eventually, he reaches Ichikawa high. He can see the numerous groups of students talking about the summer holiday, some love birds met after a long time so they're having their own quality time with their partners.
“The whole thing makes me sick. I think I should move to the classroom.”
He headed toward the classroom but someone try to stop him from behind.
“Hii, Good Morning! Aikawa. Please wait, Let us walk together.” Kitamura Toru & Fujino Ryoko two of his friend ask him to wait for them.
He turned around to see them and ignore them totally. He does this always but even though they want to be friends with him. He made it to the classroom and sit on his bench i.e. on the last second bench near the window. All students seem very happy meeting each other after a summer break. Some of them are sharing souvenirs with each other. Even his class has some couples who are engaged in their talks and some students are making a mess around the class.
The Class bell rang and all students starts taking their seats. After some time his homeroom teacher arrives and class starts. The teacher writes the problem on the board and begins looking for someone who will solve it. No one is willing to help answer the question even after waiting a long time. Even the best students in the class are finding it difficult.
“Although I know you were on vacation, have you forgotten what I taught you before the break? Since no one is willing to assist, I will have to select someone from among you.
Would you mind trying to solve this problem, class representative?
The attention of the entire class is directed towards the class representative or the pupil with the best academic performance in the class.
"I'm sorry, teacher I tried but I couldn't solve the problem," uttered the student representative with a crestfallen face.
“Okay, it's alright Please take a seat. Let's choose another person.
Ohh!! I can see, someone has come to the class after a very long time. If I remember correctly, you're on vacation before summer break begins.
Hi, Aikawa It's been a while since we last met. Can you help me solve this question?”
Sumida Takashi his homeroom teacher is very gentle and kind. He asked him to solve the question. He is one of the people who can really care about Atsuo. As a teacher he know Atsuo doesn’t make friends so he tries to be frank with him as much as possible so he can’t feel lonely in class.
The attention of the entire class is directed to him. And Students start talking about him.
“Why the hell, the teacher asked him to solve the question?
Is he more intelligent than the class representative?
I think he is not in the class's top ten students, is this any kind of joke?"
Atsuo got up from his seat and went to the board. With a little persistence, he managed to solve the problem. Those who do not know him well, they are left in shock in the class.
“Yes, this is the correct answer. You did a great job.” Sumida Takashi appraised him with a smile.
Atsuo is a smart student who is good at studying. He could be the top student if he wrote all his answers, but he only answers the questions that he needs to pass the test. His teachers are aware of this. He has his own reasons for doing this and he doesn't feel ashamed about it.
After a while, it was time for lunch and the bell rang. All the students are leaving the class for lunch. Some are going to the playground, while others are going to the cafeteria. He likes going to a quieter place, so he often goes to the roof during his lunch break.
He sees some classmates around the class representative and they are trying to make him provoke him about what happened today.
“Did you see him today? Is it possible for him to find a solution without committing any errors? I believe that you are the best person to solve that problem.”
He doesn't worry about this silly thing because he trusts his class representative and knows they won't be fooled by tricks like this. Just before leaving the classroom, a girl approached him. She looks frightened by Atuso.
“Could you help me in solving this problem?” she asked in a frightened voice.
This doesn't happen every day because most girls are afraid of him. This girl was brave to ask for help. Since there are very few people, nobody noticed their conversation.
“What should I do? While I am inclined to assist her, involving a larger number of individuals from the class may infringe on my privacy.
Stolen story; please report.
You can ask the class representative about this problem. I'm confident that he can figure out this issue and will surely assist you.” He shouted at her to move out of his way. Without saying a single word she moved away from him.
He went up to the roof and was going to begin eating his lunch. Someone touched his shoulder from behind. At that moment, he felt really scared. It was like his heart was about to jump out of his mouth.
“Hey! Good afternoon! Happy Monday!”
“Ogawa! What the hell you are doing in my school?” he freaks out and asked surprisingly.
"Ohh, I think we're in the same class." she said happily with a smile.
“What? But from when? I have never seen you in my class before, and you were not there today even today."
“I am a new student who started attending this school while you were on break. I don't know, how so you did not notice me. I was there before you arrived at school today. Would you like to grab lunch with me? It seems like you don't have any friends, but that's okay because we're in the same class and I can eat with you every day. If you want, you can also have some of my food.”
After hearing all these Atsuo freaked out. He has a lot of questions in his mind but he cannot resolve any of them.
“So what if she is in my class? There are a lot of girls and she is one of them. I think I should don’t need to take more tension on this topic. But what happens if she tells anybody else in class about the suicide attempt?
At first look I don’t think she will do that but I can’t take any chance and for now, it is better to have lunch with her. Because if she tells anybody and if the information will reach the police I will be in big trouble.” He thought about it and decided to have lunch with her, but he doesn't want to show that he is scared.
“Do what you want. I am good until you don't interact with me in class.”
“Ohh.... It appears that conversation with girls is a challenge for you.” Keeping hands behind the back she replied.
“Haa.. What she is talking about?” he thought in his mind and after lunch headed back to his classroom.
Atsuo feels nervous in class, because she is constantly staring at him with smiles. Now he knows she is in class so, he can't ignore her either.
“I hope you're all aware that the new seating arrangement will be implemented starting today and I have already notified you through a note. Please help me out by cooperating with it. I will give the new seating chart to the class rep. and you have to sit where you are assigned.” Mr. Sumida made an announcement.
The teacher's announcement made him very worried and he can't stop overthinking about it.
“I never receive any note from him regarding the seating arrangement.
What should I do about this?
I already have one problem in my head and now I have to face another problem.
What if I have to sit in the middle of a group of girls?
What would happen, if I'm assigned the front row seat?
More than that what would I do if my window seat will be taken from me?” All these thoughts made him more anxious.
“Would you mind looking into this?” Mr. Sumida handed over the seating chart to the class rep.
“Yes, Sure i will do that.” class rep. Nodded his head and replied.
After that, Mr. Sumida went to the faculty room.
"Listen to me guys, we don't need to leave the classroom all at once. We've organized it in a way that it won't be time-consuming. If I quickly explain to you, we're going to Swap the places. I will tell two students to Swap the positions in class." The Class rep started explaining the new seating arrangement to them.
The students initiated the swapping of seats one after the other. He hasn't had his turn yet, but he's worried about it. While he waits, he notices that one couple is separated. The boy doesn't show his feelings on his face, but he can tell that the girl is feeling very sad. Another girl sitting next to her and tries to make her feel better, and after a little while, the sad girl starts to feel happy again. The change of seats caused problems not only for the couple but also for other students who had been sitting together for a long time.
"Now there are only three rows left, so everyone else can go now. " The class representative informed all students.
After a while, he noticed that all the seats around him were filled with girls. The seat to his right was also taken by Ogawa.
“What’s happening in my life? Two really bad things happened in just one day and it is like a nightmare. A group of girls surrounded me and the scary girl is now going to sit next to me daily.” He was upset but he realized something..
“Wait a second, my seat is not swap yet, so i still have some hope.”
"I believe this is the final seat rotation, and it seems that you have all secured your new seats, so feel free to depart," stated the class representative after pausing to take a breath.
Upon being informed by the class representative about the new seat arrangements, Atsuo expressed his impatience by stating, "Hold on, there seems to be an oversight as my seat assignment has not been mentioned. A new seat has not yet been assigned to me."
“Indeed, there has been no alteration made to your designated seating arrangement. You are expected to remain seated in your designated spot exclusively. When arranging seats, Mr. Sumida wanted me to keep you in your current location as he recalled that you have a fondness for this window seat.” The class representative expressed enthusiasm and joy by flashing a happy smile and giving a thumbs up gesture.
“Ohh.. he did this for me. Although he had the intention to offer assistance, fate was not on my side, resulting in two negative incidents.” As he realized the situation, a sorrowful expression appeared on his face.
"Hey Aikawa, it's awesome that we're going to be seated together in class. I'm thrilled to have you as my partner," she exclaimed, beaming with joy and her eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Hello, Aikawa My name is Nakano Mitsuru and I'm delighted to have you sitting next to me," nervously, the girl seated next him attempted to initiate a conversation.
He completely zoned out, resting his head on the desk, lost in his own thoughts.
"Why is this happening to me?
I am in big trouble. What's going to happen next? How do I deal with these girls every day?
Previously, I was surrounded by only male individuals, and thus I never confronted any problems with them. They never attempt to cause any trouble with me. Since they are now females, I have to be careful when communicating with them. Yelling at them is no longer an option as they may become upset and potentially report me to the teacher if I make any mistakes. Above all, if Ogawa discovers this, she may disclose my suicide attempt to the teacher.
What should i do now?”
“Come, Aikawa, get up. Aikawa, are you there? Why are you sleeping here? The sun has already set. It's time to wake up because I have to depart for my residence.” Mr. Sumida tries to wake him up.
“Mr. Sumida, What are you doing here?” In a drowsy tone while rubbing her eyes with the palm of her hand he asked.
“I think I should ask you this question.” Mr Sumida inquired with care and a smile.
"I dozed off while pondering something," he lazily responded.
“It was brought to my attention by your class representative that you were sleeping in class. I came here to wake you up and also, Ms. Moriko brought a gift from her trip and asked me to give it to you. She wanted to give it to you in person, but she won't be at school for a while, so she asked me to pass it on to you. I think it's time for you to go home now.” While passing the gift to him, Mr Sumida responded.
"Alright, I appreciate it greatly. I assure you that I won't make the same mistake again. " He humbly lowered his head and expressed regret before departing to his residence.
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