"—ke up! —ey Brother! Wake up or you'll be late!"
As I came to my senses at my younger sister's loud voice, I replied, ”Yes, yes, I'll get up..."
“You sleep so deeply, you didn't even wake up to your alarm,” she said while going to her room, I assume, to get ready for school.
I sat up slowly on my bed while yawning, grumbling about having not had enough sleep. It was because I was busy studying all night for today's test.
I reached out to grab my glasses on the bedside table and looked around at my room, it was quite unfamiliar. I wasn't used to living in this new space.
Since I had started university and my sister started attending a different school, our parents sold our old house and bought this one, which was closer to the capital city center where educational institutions are usually built.
Calling it new was not a fitting description though, this house is not only smaller than our previous one, but also quite old and worn down. My room was much smaller than it used to; it can fit a bed, a desk, and a wardrobe… barely.
But I still prefer living in this place rather than wasting hours on the way to university or living on campus.
I put on my glasses after wiping them and could finally see more clearly. After hearing another prompt from my sister, I went ahead and left the comfort of my warm bed to get ready aswell.
I washed up, then got dressed in the uniform required for attending The Capital University. Although its name lacks creativity, it's still one of the most renowned educational institutes around the world, attended by only "Elites", or so they say.
The uniform is the same style for all attendees with a white and black color, the only difference being that the colours are inverted for men and women. With men having a mostly black colored uniform, while women had a mostly white colored uniform. Because the uniform for the winter season is quite thick, I didn't put on anything else.
Flipping through my phone, reading some revision pages for the test. I made my way to the kitchen in order to prepare breakfast for my sister and I.
Considering that I knew I would be busy with studying, I had prepared some sandwiches and stored them in boxes in the fridge beforehand, although they are a bit old, they still taste good. I heated them up. Not forgetting to make a cereal bowl along with the sandwiches for my sister.
“Hey, you know, I could have made us breakfast myself. I know you're busy with exams so don't push yourself too hard, okay?” I heard my sister say that from behind me.
I laughed, nudging her with my elbow, careful not to drop the plates I was holding, “Hahaha...You're becoming more and more like our mother you know that? You're still young so let your big brother handle these things,”.
Our parents are almost never home because of work, so I usually do most of the housework and meal preparations.
Although our parents have neglected spending time with us, we are still grateful for them as we live rather comfortably. Moreover, as a family, I would say we are quite close to eachother despite not spending much time together.
My sister pointed her index finger at me, “But you're only 3 years older than me! And I never see you hanging around with friends like the boys in our school do! I want you to go out more! You spend all your time studying and doing chores!” she said loudly.
I put down the plates on the table on turned to look at her, “Who said I don't have friends?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.
She pointed her other index finger at me, “I just assumed so, you never invite any friends over, unlike me. You also never talk about any of those so called friends to me! I'm worried about you!”
I found the sight of her pointing at me with both of her hands amusing, and I walked forward and put her hands down and gave her a big hug, “Ah, I'm so lucky to have such wonderful cute little sister who worries about me, don't you say? And don't worry, I have plenty of people I know at university, I just don't invite them over because boys are messy and I don't want to clean up after them.”
She hugged me back, “Shut up, don't say those embarrassing words so bluntly,”.
“Hm? Why not? Do you want me to shout them out lo- Hey?! Why are you crying?” I saw her watery eyes while I was pulling away from the hug.
She turned around and wiped her face, “it's nothing, it's just that I'm lucky to have you too,”.
I grinned, handing her a napkin, I teased, “Come on, let's eat and get going, crybaby,”.
“Don't call me that! Is that what I get for worrying about you?” I could see she was also smiling now so I sighed and went ahead to sit down and eat with her.
Our breakfast went by uneventfully like usual, I talked to my sister about her school matters, I also inquired if she had anything she needed me to bring her after I finish today's test, “I don't need anything in particular,” is what she said.
... She's lying, I can tell by her choice of words, she wants to have something sweet, “sigh, sure, I'll pick the same thing for you when I buy something, come on, let's get going,”.
I checked to see if there are any things missing from my bag, and gave my sister her allowance, “Here you go, these are for today. Also, here,” I handed her a key with a little penguin keychain attached to it.
“What's this?” she asked, fiddling with the penguin plushie curiously.
“Do you like it? Since we moved here newly, I had forgotten to give you a key these past few days. It was okay because I had been getting home earlier than you, but today I may be a bit late so you can now enter home without me having to be here,” I pointed at the penguin, “And you like penguins, so I bought this keychain especially for you!”
The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.
“Thanks, I like it,” she smiled at me, “but why are you going to be late?” she asked, putting on her shoes.
I answered, “I have some stuff to take care of after the exam, and I also have a date to attend.”
Her eyes sparkled, “A date?!” but quickly, she looked at me weirdly in a way I couldn't explain, “Brother?”
“Yes??” I was confused.
“What type of date is it?” she continued to question me suspiciously.
“The professor asked me to meet him on today's date, January 5th, he said I might need to show someone around the university,” I looked at her weirdly aswell as she sighed exaggeratedly, then I realized what she was so excited about, “No, Arina, I am not going a romantic date,”.
“I knew it! I shouldn't have had any expectations from you anyways. You always have a unique choice of words,” she rolled her eyes at me.
“Hey! That's a rude thing to say to your brother!” I said while we got out of our house.
“Sure, sure, I am so sorry big brother Ash.” she replied.
“That doesn't sound sincere at all,” I murmured.
We strolled together until we reached the entrance to the train station underground, “Hey be careful on your way to school! Call me if anything were to happen,” I said, walking down to take the train.
“Sure, you don't need to remind me everytime,” she said and turned around to leave. Since her school was relatively close to our house, she goes their by walking, it takes about 15 minutes. She meets up with a friend of hers after she separates from me, so I don't have to worry about her.
I boarded the train, picked a seat, and sat down on it to continue reading the revision pages I had opened earlier. Due to the train being very noisy, I put on my earbuds to listen to some music. Drowning out the sounds so I can focus more.
I should have bought the printed pages instead of this... I mumbled, but oh well, that's what I get for forgetting to buy them. I'm so tired. And my head is starting to feel dizzy.
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“—evergreen trees~ temper-”
“—oung -an! It's ti-- --r yo- to ge- --f!”
I felt someone poking me from my side while the music was still playing in my ears. It seems I must have fallen asleep at some point.
I took off my earbuds and turned my head to gaze at the old lady next to me. She smirked and looked at me, “Young man! You are a student of the Capital University, aren't you? The bus will be there soon, you need to get there,” her eyes were deep, black, without any fluctuations.
I was a bit taken aback by how off putting her demeanor was. Embarrassed, I replied, “I am sorry about that. I must have not gotten enough sleep,”.
She waved her hand at me, “it's okay, it's okay. I saw you reading on your phone. You've been working hard. You must get there on time.”
On time… I paused… right, “Thank you ma'am, you are right. I must get there on time,”.
She nodded and looked away, I also got up to leave as the train had reached the station I needed to get off at. I must walk out this way.
I got out and started heading for the university, it's still a far walk from this station, about 20 minutes. I must walk—
I've been feeling off since I woke up from sleep, not drowsy or anything, it's as if I can't control my—
I need to reach that place soon.
I must walk this way.
The streets were busy. People were walking right. Everyone is doing their own business correctly. The vendors were also advertizing by calling to someone at the right time. Everything is as it's supposed to be. Nothing is out of the ordinary.
Oh someone fell, I should h— they're fine. I have to reach my destination.
Everything is going according to the correct timing. Everything is in sync. No mistakes are allowed.
I hit my shoulder against someone.
“…………”
They nodded.
“…………”
Great. I need to go now.
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…
Great, I reached my destination, the universi— I looked around, a stop light? Oh right. My destination is the stop light. That is my role. To be here.
I should wait until the light allows pedestrians to pass. That will be in 2 minutes and 36 seconds because of a purposeful malfunction. People around me are also waiting. They are having normal conversations.
My role will be fulfilled soon. Someone will come and I must talk to them when they ask me about The Capital University.
“Ugh, why are there so many people here, it will make it harder to spot them,”.
Spot who? Wh— 2 minutes left. Someone arrived. They looked at me. They will soon ask me 'Are you a student at The Capital University?' I must answer appropriately
“Are you a student at The Capital University?“
“Yes, I am,” they will now ask me 'That's cool! I want to go there too. Infact, I am going to go to an interview soon to see if I can get accepted into it as a special case. Do you have any idea as to how I should act and answer to impress them?' I must answer appropriately.
“That's cool! I want to go there too. Infact, I am going to go to an interview soon to see if I can get accepted into it as a special case. Do you have any idea as to how I should act and answer to impress them?“ They asked, hope tinged with their tone.
I should answer, “I got into the university after an interview too, you ca—”
A booming voice came from behind me, “Ahh! This is so boring! Now I know that that person is here because everyone's acting so stupid! I just need to find them now!”
They are not sticking to the correct timing. This must not happen.
The person next to me came close to my ear and whispered, “What's that guy saying?”
This shouldn't be happening. This isn't the question they should ask. My head is hurting!
“Get out of my way everyone! Ah what am I even saying?! They probably don't even understand what I'm saying!” the voice drew closer to me and I felt a hand hitting me from the side with strong enough force for me to be pushed down to the ground, causing the person next to me to fall aswell.
At that exact moment, I felt an intense sharp pain in my head. And as if something had snapped within my head, I felt like I can finally think for myself, like I can breathe freely.
My glasses fell off. The guy next to me was pushed down with me on top of him. I managed to slip my hand beneath his head so his head would be atleast okay, “Are you okay?” I asked him, my hand aching.
“You fucker! Dare to get in my way?!” I heard the other guy shouting at me from behind and then a blunt pain hit my side once again. I had been kicked.
My head is still hurting so much, I'm confused, what's happening?
Another kick landed on my stomach, this time more powerful than before. The air escaped my lungs from the harsh force put into it.
“I'm already so fucking annoyed because I need to find out where that bitch is, and you try to get in my way?! This world is so stupid! If I just mess up an interaction the ---ta--n--t has I will be able to enjoy a peaceful rest on this world until he dies and I will be able leave! And yet what do you do?! You get in my way!”
More and more kicks kept landing on me. I curled up on the ground and put my hands around my head. Failing to comprehend what's happening.
I looked around to call out for help, but I felt my blood cool down as I watched everyone not even turning their head to give me a glance. They just waited and when the stoplight turned on, they crossed the crosswalk. They didn't even spare a look at this chaotic mess.
The boy that had fallen down with me was frozen, I couldn't tell much without my glasses but he was curled up on the ground. As if he's experiencing something terrifying.
“This isn't even entertaining anymore to me! Look at you! Not even giving a reaction and just lay down stupidly! Forget it! I'd be better off looking for them,” the beating finally ended and that guy stormed off pushing people left and right.
I was sprawled over the ground for a moment, unable to move a muscle, “What's with that bastard?!” I couldn't hold it in anymore and screamed at the top of my lungs. Still, nobody even as little as stopped walking after hearing my shout, some even walked on top of me or walked pushing the boy around while he was curled up.
If I had to put it into words; we were invisible to them, we didn't exist. Still confused, I used all of my strength to sit up and made my way to that boy, almost crawling, “Hey! He's gone, stop trembling! It's okay,” I patted him on the back. After a couple minutes it looked like he calmed down.
He looked at me, “I'm so sorry, I should have helped you,” his voice sounded hoarse, I'm guessing he was crying? But why? I'm the one who got beat up, “... it's okay, he seemed quite strong, I don't think intervening would have helped us much…”
“Can I ask for something else though?” I asked and he nodded, “can you find my glasses? I can't see well without them.” as he got up to look for them he made a surprised noise and then said, “they're… cracked,”.
“Shit,” he came to me and helped me get up. I put on the glasses even though they were cracked. I can barely see without them after all.
Getting my phone out of my pocket, I looked at it and luckily, although the screen was cracked the phone itself was working, “Shit! There's no time my exam is starting in 9 minutes!” with a new found vigor that came out of nowhere I started making my way to where the building the exam was held in without saying goodbye to the boy or addressing the bizarre situation any further. Grades were my top priority if I still wanted to attend this place.
As I entered the building, people were still acting weird. I went into the testing site, sat down on my desk, and started the test without anyone noticing my cracked glasses, tattered clothes, or my wounds.
I was bewildered, nothing is making any sense. The exam questions were easier to think of than to think of my current situation. The pain coming from my head was gone, giving way to the pain from my wounds and bruises. Gritting my teeth, I started writing on the answer sheet.
The exam period was 3 hours, I answered questions while ignoring my pain that was getting worse and worse.
Near the end of the exam something abnormal started happening. As if people were finally aware of their surroundings, when they noticed me they gasped and called the person in charge of overseeing the exam. He came to me and immediately said with surprise, “Hey! Ash Valen! Why are you like this?! Are you alright?!” I turned to look at him, and through my cracked lenses I could tell he was the professor I had to meet later on who said I might have to show someone around.
I had just finished answering everything so I handed him my papers and said, “Ah, professor Adam, some guy bumped into me earlier and was mad that I got in his way so he beat me up. I'm sorry but I don't think I will be able to meet you lat—” and that was the last thing I could remember before everything went black.
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Post chapter comment: I have written all of this manually and checked the grammar myself. Please do tell me about any mistakes you notice during your read. Also, if there are any grammar checking programs, do recommend me one. I would appreciate it! Thanks for reading!