* ♫♪. *
…Gggghhhh. Five more minutes…
And I let five more minutes pass after the alarm went off. Then the backup alarm followed, along with another five minutes.
They say the third time's the charm, and they're not wrong.
"Boo-hoo..." I don't want to get up...
I complained even though I was sitting on the edge of my bed, covering my mouth with one hand so no one would see me yawn. Although there was no one around to see me.
Still sleepy, I managed to get out of bed and go downstairs for breakfast. I didn't feel like making toast as usual. The fridge would have to surprise me.
Bingo .
Among the few leftovers, random ingredients and a soft drink I forgot I left here, there were four yogurts in a corner, I took only one.
It's expired by two days... The soft drink is fine with me.
Disappointed, I put the yogurt back and closed the refrigerator. I decided to have the drink on my way to class.
Last Saturday, the unexpected happened so many times that I still haven't fully processed it all. It feels like a dream. Distant. And it's only been a day since then.
I spent it reflecting on what I should do now, apart from starting to study, of course.
What was I going to do in class? What stance should I take? Should I back down and take a secondary role? Should I really try to integrate with them?
It's one thing to hang out with just one girl; it's quite another to meet up with a whole group, even if it's just three of them. And the thought was eating me up inside, even though I'd already tested the waters. And it was lukewarm.
It was the first time I was already inclined toward a decision from the start. I just needed to find enough motivation to take the plunge.
Getting enough sleep was an essential factor in achieving it.
I'd forgotten how hard it is to get through a Monday. There's no getting used to it.
To make sure my school shoe fit properly, I tapped the toe a couple of times on the floor. I put mine in the locker and closed it.
There were more people at the entrance today, compared to the usual deserted crowd. You wouldn't need to be a detective or a reserve student to figure out that the blame lies with the ten minutes of sleep I managed to get. And yet I still have to wait another ten before class starts.
I might as well stay in class if I'm going to have so little time .
I knew I'd see that once I sat down, but when I got to class I just glanced at my desk and left as if nothing had happened. I sighed.
Well, that's it .
I wasn't sure if I'd be able to get up to my hiding place with so many people outside anyway. At least now I have an excuse to be out of class. I didn't even consider whether Otsuki was already inside or not.
It would be a problem if she arrives now, I should hurry .
I walked quickly past the groups of kids I passed in the corridor, going to the end of it to get to the teachers' room.
I didn't want to think about them right now.
*knock, knock .*
I knocked on the door since there was no one outside. One of the teachers inside answered, "Come in," and I opened the door after receiving permission.
The person who answered me, and the closest one I had, was my English teacher. I don't know his real name, but everyone calls him Jack, apparently because he's a foreigner.
"Hey, Riku. What brings you here? Anxious for your exam grades? You know we don't give them out until Wednesday."
"Yes, that's not why I came."
Likewise, I know I've messed everything up, I prefer the storm to arrive as late as possible.
I approached him as he was grading an exam, with a stack of papers to his right. He was grading the last exam in that pile.
As his voice suggests, Jack is a rather informal teacher. He doesn't shy away from using honorifics, but that's one of the few formal aspects of his speech. Yet another reason why people think he's a foreigner.
"I needed a stain remover and a rag."
"Has something happened? Your class isn't playing with paint first thing in the morning, is they?"
My class is perfectly normal, sir.
"One of my pens broke and stained my entire desk."
I don't know what prompted the comment about my class, which I didn't really care about, but it did pique my curiosity. A curiosity that would never see the light of day because I had little desire to express it.
"Well, it's okay. Just be more careful next time. They're in the locker in the corner."
"Thank you."
I bowed slightly to my teacher and thanked her. Then I turned to go where she told me. And inside was exactly what I needed. I put it in my bag so as not to attract the attention of any onlookers.
"I'll see you third period. I hope you've done your homework."
"Yes… I've done them."
I didn't find a moment to say goodbye. I left the staff room without another word, without saying goodbye either. I'll have to come back later to return the materials, even if I don't want to; I'll be able to do it then.
The bell hadn't rung yet, and people were walking through the hallways, some standing still, talking amongst themselves. Passing by groups like that is becoming increasingly awkward.
I should have gotten up earlier, that way I wouldn't have had to go through this. I don't feel like I've rested any more .
They looked lively. Not all of them, but most were in a good mood. Talking about nonsense.
"Do you remember that game I told you about?" "Did you see the game the other day?" "You should tell your boyfriend off." "...Doesn't that guy look familiar?"
They have nothing interesting to say. I have no reason to pay attention to them.
I sped up my pace a bit. It was necessary to arrive before Otsuki, although I doubt I'll arrive so late as to miss the mess on my desk.
If it happens again, I'll need to ask the staff room for the stain remover and cloth. Going there so many times might raise some red flags for someone.
And I'm not referring to teachers.
I guess I'll have to bring this myself from now on.