What was once the norm was now rare. I was having breakfast.
My father hadn't made it for me, so it was ridiculously simple. Toast with milk. And the milk in a glass, not on the toast.
I kept to the rest of my routine, which was brushing my teeth after breakfast and putting on my school uniform. Only today I wouldn't have to carry my bag.
As far as I know, wearing the headphones around my neck shouldn't be a problem today. Something that big isn't going to fit in a pocket.
I searched through the drawers in my house, and was disappointed to find something that only brings me trouble. It was still doing its job.
I really should stop doing that .
They say you should listen to your heart before your brain, at least I imagine there must be some brainless person who says that.
Uncontrolled passion never bears good fruit. This packet of tissues would be the equivalent of that passion. The apple the snake sells you.
She was disgusting all day long, except when her heart took over. All for a brief, disastrous moment of ecstasy.
It was even more disgusting when he decided to do it with people I know.
"…"
I picked up the package and threw it away.
Better.
One of the two things in my drawers that made me feel uneasy was in the trash. The other was underneath it, but I didn't dare throw it away.
I didn't find anything in the other drawers either. Not a single pair of small earbuds, the kind you put in your ears.
I guess I'll have to pray. I don't think they'll say anything to me, but who knows what goes through some teachers' heads .
I still had a couple of minutes to spare, but I left the house anyway.
The deafening silence inside was uncomfortable.
And there's no place more comfortable than your own home. Especially my room.
In the morning I got ready and went to school calmly, but the truth is that I was going to arrive a little late.
Everything according to my plan.
I'd only be a couple of minutes late, so I should get there right when they're taking attendance. The number of people who should be outside when I arrive is daunting, so I want to spend as little time there as possible.
Lost in my own head as usual, sitting on the subway, I passed the time until I arrived at school.
A large number of students were walking along the street leading to the entrance, most of them without their school bags. Along the path from the entrance to the grounds to the building's entrance, a few stalls could already be seen, all clearly closed, with some students taking inventory and preparing for the day.
I changed my shoes and went straight to the courtyard, where some of my classmates and my tutor were. I arrived a little earlier than I would have liked, since there was still some time before the teacher took attendance.
I deliberately hid from Otsuki so she wouldn't interrupt us. Even if I had run into her, I wouldn't have had anything to talk about.
A couple more students arrived a minute later.
"Ahem!"
Our tutor called our attention to it, and all the noise people were making talking to each other disappeared as if we were in a movie theater and the commercials had just ended.
"If you'll allow me, first of all, I'll take attendance."
He stood before the group of young people gathered in the courtyard, all their attention focused on him, waiting for the teacher to call his name. I was a little distracted, but I responded appropriately when I heard my name.
I was sleepy. Although little by little I was getting used to the feeling.
Why in the courtyard? Did I have PE first period? Luckily, I'm not that unlucky. Our classroom was a bit too crowded to take attendance there, so my class, along with practically all the other classes, would be taking attendance in the courtyard and the gym.
Afterwards, the professor addressed us with a few words.
"Since this is your third year participating in the cultural festival, you already know how this works. Even so, I don't trust you enough."
In a friendly tone, our tutor began his mandatory talk prior to our release.
"Just because you're fifteen doesn't mean we can let you do whatever you want. That's why I'll be checking into the classroom from time to time to see how you're doing, and above all, you mustn't leave the premises until the festival is over."
Then he mentioned a classmate whose name I didn't recognize. He was carrying a briefcase, which the teacher noticed.
"Shioyama, remember to bring the minerals to class."
"Yes! I was going to go right after."
Aside from that, it was nothing new; it's always the same rules. Be responsible, be careful, blah blah blah, and what's always there,
"Enjoy the festival."
"Yes," some said. The rest went back to their own thing, already dispersing. Only a few went to our class to keep that kid company. I wasn't one of them; I'd drop by to see how our class was when it suited me.
For now, I had unfinished business with the person I ignored.
"Hello."
"Hi. I thought you weren't coming."
"Why?"
"We've been waiting for you at the entrance for, like, five minutes. Make it ten."
"Are you doubling it just to make me feel guilty?!"
As brazen as it seemed to me, I didn't show much emotion in my reaction. Otsuki didn't care; she was used to my attitude.
It was the first time she didn't grab me by any (high) part to get my attention. She came over like a civilized person to say hello, and I was the one who greeted her first.
Thus I began the cultural festival, which hadn't even started yet because there was still about half an hour of preparation left.