Dranexx sighed deeply "What beautiful day to be hated, I hate Monday so much "
He Always hated Monday a day of endless routine and boring lessons,I mean who could blame everyone hate Monday even i myself hate Monday there no one out there who doesn't hate Monday too am i wrong? lol…But unfortunately Dranexx has no idea that things would about to be change soon alongside side his best friend and other classmates
A familiar voice suddenly calls out to Akube
"Hey hotshot"
The person calling out to him was Dranexx best friend Lenshi Akube
"Seriously bro you really wanna leave me behind enh!!" Akube speak as he gasped between breath
"Obviously,You're always late" Dranexx muttered rolling his eyes "And somehow I am dragged into this with you"
"Oh come on,What are we buddies for? We stick together" Akube laughed loudly
"Ahhh….I so much hate you know that right!!"Dranexx groaned as he told his hands
"Nah…You don't" Akube put his hands across Dranexx shoulder
"You idiot,i would love to argue that with you but i don't have time…We are running late to school let's hurry" Dranexx said as he smirk toggles on his lips
"Oh right back at you, Last one to reach there is rotten egg" Akube laugh loudly as he runs
Dranexx smiled Widened "Be serious only a kid say something like and moreover where in this life you believe you're faster than me enh ? I am always faster you know that
And then he bolted
Dranexx speed was inhuman he left Akube struggling behind him…Dranexx agility,reflexes and speed where all abnormal,his speed for exceed that of an average human
Dong Dong Dong, The school rang
"Am closing the gate" The school security guard speak outloud
"Wait! Don't close it yet" both Akube and Dranexx yelled
Dranexx zipped pass the security easily but Akube tries he got caught by the security grabbing him by the shoulder
"I seriously don't know what to do with you two" The security guard muttered,shaking his head
"We are so sorry Mr.Caina" Both of them chorused
"You dumb Akube"Dranexx muttered under his breath "You're the reason why we are late"
"Ahh you snitch" Akube shot back smirking
Mr.Caina waved them off " Alright off you go before class start now hurry you got 4 minutes"
Dranexx and Akube nodded and rushed inside
As soon they walked in to the class, Dranexx aunt who's also their class teacher suddenly grabbed the two of them from behind
"Hey, Young man you and i will have a chat later" she said as she glanced terrifyingly at Dranexx
"Yes ma'm" Dranexx shivered as he respond "honestly my aunt is really scary, yep that's my aunt kaori she's seriously a pain" Dranexx muttered in his head
Few minutes later in class….
"Ptssssssh,Ptsssssh,Ptsssssh, hey why are you ignoring me" Akube calmly whispering out to Dranexx
"What do you want now Aku?, Have already been in a lot of trouble today because of you" Dranexx speaks as he clenched his teeth
"Relax man, Hey check out the new transfer student she's so beautiful do you think i would have a chance with her ?" Akube calmly whispered to Dranexx
"Not in a million years, she's way out of your league buddy" Dranexx speak with a mocking tone
"Boys do you have something to say to the class" The teacher Dranexx aunt speaks in a terrifying tone
Dranexx shivered again lol
"Sorry ma'm….To be honest i wish my aunt could just be transferred to another school it would be great" he muttered under his breath "She's my mom younger sister, you know what they always say having your aunty as a teacher in the same school with you is a real trouble" he muttered again in his head
Ring….the school bell rings Dranexx teacher class period was over
"Alright class your first period is over so wait for your next teacher to come in, Now Dranexx, Aku would you too mind coming with me" She look as them coldly instructed them to follow her
Aat this point disobeying her would be risky lol
Both Dranexx and Akube respond shaking "Oh we don't mind ma'm"
"We both followed her to her office, oh trust me it was hell she scolded us as if we are babies, what a drag" He muttered in his head
"Honestly i expected more from you Dranexxx, first you were late and second you were disturbing my class while I was teaching, so tell me what sort of punishment will I give the two of you..enh ?" She said scolding them
"Thanks a lot man now we are stuck cleaning her office" Dranexx said yelling at Akube
"Oh come on, don't tell me you're not happy I mean we got her off our back" Akube said smirking
Dranexx sighed deeply "That said, i don't want us to be late again we have to finish up quickly before break is over"
As soon as they finished cleaning her office they both went up to the rooftop to eat their lunch
"Man nothing beats this" Akube muttered gazing out to the city skyline with a content smile, he took another sip of his chilled cola and stretched lazily as always "This is the life, a good lunch, a cool breeze and a refreshing drink…what more could a guy ask for ?"
"Yeah bro…I feel you" Dranexx replied with a smile on his face
Then a calm voice interrupted
"Thought i would find you two here" A tall girl stood at the rooftop entrance her long red hair swaying gently with the breeze, her calm sharp crimson eyes usually intimidating enough making students avert their gaze , she dressed up neatly in the school uniform she always carries herself with elegance which made her presence impossible to ignore..Her name is Lisa
"Tsssh, What do you want now ? Akube clicked his tongue and leaned backwards against the railing " Don't you have someone else to bother enh misstress? "
"Oh hush you" Lisa rolled her eyes and waved a dismissive hands at Akube " Only came up here to have lunch so don't get worked up"
"Yeah, does it looks like I care?" Akube replied rudely
"Well I have nothing else to say to you than this, you're nothing more but a low brainer to me a piece of rough paper i wanna rip to shreds" Lisa shot back more rudely
"Say what now ?" Akube clicked his tongue
Dranexx sighed deeply "I see you two hate each other has usual" he replied calm then turn to lisa "So oh noble and elegant mistress to what do we own this greeting?"… "That's Lisa the popular girl in school who carries herself with elegance and pride she's the president of the school council but what i don't get is why she's pestering me about, I am just a guy with a zero motive nothing interests me at all I just want to leave a boring shut in life since there's no real entertainment" Dranexx muttered in his head
"See, i always feel relaxed and comfortable talking to you…unlike this little twerk here" Lisa speaks with a smile on her face
"Huh" Akube clenched his fist
"So Dranexx have you considered my offer? Surely you can't be thinking this through for over a month summer break it's almost here you know " Lisa calmly ask Dranexx
"Ahh offer she means if i could join the school council and which is while she's bothering me around" Dranexx muttered in his head.. "Look am still thinking about you, i told you before things like that don't interest me moreover it's boring there" Dranexx speaks out loud to Lisa
Lisa sighed calmly "I had a feeling you would say something like that, look it's not boring like you think if you join trust me you will see a lot of fun stuff do in the whole school you're by far the most talented talented one here so I am not saying this as a president am asking you as a friend Dranexx join us with that intellect and talent mind of yours.. you will be my vice president if you want" She smiled.. "one week Dranexx one week please"
"Looks like am joining the council weather I like it or not, she seriously want to force me against my will enh but why is she so fixated on me though?" Dranexx muttered in his head
Bell rings…..
"Looks like lunch break is over, see you boys later bye" She waved at them as she leave
"Yeah yeah, get lost" Akube reply rudely
"Little twerk" Lisa counter back
"Enough" Dranexx yelled at them "you two are acting like children and Lisa go easy on my buddy Akube i know he's short tempered but i don't like you messing with him like that "
"Hump" She smirked
Later that day that everyone gather in the school field they were all gathered together because their school next arcade game competition is here…So they gathered
"Ahhh not this again" Dranexx let out a long sigh and rubbed the back of his neck
"This game competition is a complete waste of time, Come on everyone knows how it ends" he raise his head up to the sky
"We always win, we have won 5 times in a row at this point it's not a competition anymore it's more of a ceremony where everyone pretends we lose like it doesn't make sense, although I am the only one who feels that way" Dranexx muttered "Sorry Akube I don't i will attend to this competition"
"Oh you dare not my sweet little niece" aunt kaori speaks grabbing his shoulder "You're going weather you like it or not mister" she gave off a terrifying looks at Dranexx " Oh by the way you are going to run an errand for me, I want you to deliver a message to you mother for me okay" she calmly speaks this time
"A message? " Dranexx asked calmly
"Oh it's nothing much sweetie just gave her all this stuff I bought for her, oh don't forget to tell I hope she didn't forget to buy what she promised me" Aunt kaori smiled at Dranexx
"Is this what she called as nothing much ?" Dranexx starred at the package she drop for him to give his mother
"Yeah i don't want to know what's inside, looks like am going to run this errand weather I like it or not…Wait why does everyone act against my will enh is it a crime to loose interest in unpleasant boring stuff ?" Dranexx muttered in his head and give a long sigh out
"Don't worry man, we will have fun in this competition this time i am sure of it" Akube put his hand across Dranexx shoulder
"I hope you're right about that" Dranexx responded calmly
"Aku always tries to cheer me up…I am happy he's my friend" Dranexx muttered calmly in his head
A voice speaks out
"I do hope to see you two in the competition the competition tomorrow" Lisa smiled at them
"Ahh oh mrs council president is here, what now ?" Akube replied rudely as ever
"Don't start now you two, tomorrow is the big game"Dranexx speaks as he lit up a fake smile at them
Both Akube and Lisa "Wait did he just smile ?"
"Have never see him smile before to this kind of situation before and most of all by saying that, I am sure he's faking just too cool down the tension between me and Lisa"Akube muttered in his head
"Alright see ya"Lisa wave off at them
"Oh bye take care"Dranexx responds the same
School closed Akube and Dranexx walks home
"Holy long day man, I am so tired Dranexx"Akube stretched lazily
"You bet" Dranexx reponds
Suddenly a voice whispered in his mind as he was about to continue
"Awaken"
"What was that just now? Who's voice is that ? Dranexx looks curious muttering in his head
"Hey Drane you good ?"Akube ask snapping his finger in his face
"Oh am good bro" Dranexx replied calmly
"Still what was that just now, i could not understand it but it feels like someone is calling me to them"Dranexx muttered in his head again
Little did they know what's going to happen to them soon
Dranexx got home
The front door clicked open
"I'm home."
The moment Dranexx stepped inside, a small figure rushed toward him
"Big brother! You're here! I've missed you!"
Mina's face lit up with excitement as she wrapped her arms around him
A faint smile appeared on Dranexx's face as he gently patted her head
"I missed you too. How was your day? I hope it was good."
"Yes!"Mina nodded enthusiastically "Mommy and I spent a lot of time together shopping!"
"Oh, is that so?"His smile widened slightly. "I'm glad you had fun."
Their mother watched the siblings with an amused expression before placing a hand on her hip
"Alright now, Mina. Let your brother change. He just got back. He needs to freshen up, eat, and rest. Tomorrow is competition day at school."
She pointed toward the hallway
"So go on, my big boy get ready."
"I will, Mom."
Dranexx took a few steps before suddenly stopping
"Oh, I almost forgot."
Reaching into his bag, he pulled out a package and handed it over
"Aunt Kaori said I should give you this. She also told me not to let you forget what you promised her."
His mother's eyes widened slightly
"Oh, that's right!"
She let out a small laugh
"Tomorrow I'll deliver it to her when I come for your competition, okay?"
"No problem, Mom."
As he headed toward his room, his expression gradually became thoughtful
Now that's out of the way... time to freshen up
He paused
Still... that voice I heard today felt strange
His brows furrowed slightly
I'll check the library after the competition tomorrow. Maybe I'll find something there...
A quiet sigh escaped him
I hope so
Later that evening...
"Big brother! Dinner's ready!"
Mina's cheerful voice echoed through the house
"I'll be right there, Mina."
"Don't delay before it gets cold,"their mother called out from the dining room. "It's better when it's warm."
Dranexx took his seat and glanced at the table
"Hmm... what are we having today, Mom?"
"Of course, sushi."
His eyes widened slightly
"Wow. It's been a while."
"Yes!" Mina practically bounced in her seat. "It's really been a while! Mom's sushi is the best in the whole wide world!"
"Of course it is..."
Their mother chuckled softly at the compliment
As everyone began eating, Dranexx quietly looked around the table
His mother
His little sister
The warmth of home
A strange ache formed in his chest
Man...
His gaze lowered
I can't believe that soon I'll leave all this behind my little sister, my mom...
For a moment, he simply listened to Mina's excited chatter
I'm really going to miss them
Dranexx never thought he would feel this way
He always told himself that everything in this world was boring
That nothing interested him
He remained low-key and nonchalant
But deep down...
He cherished everything
Especially his family
"What's wrong, son?"
His mother's voice snapped him out of his thoughts
Dranexx blinked
"Oh, I'm fine, Mom."
He quickly smiled
"Don't worry about me."
"Don't worry, big brother!"
Mina puffed out her chest proudly
"Mina is going to be the best saleswoman ever known! Then we can buy all the sushi we want!"
A small laugh escaped Dranexx
"I'm sure you will, Mina."
After finishing his meal, he stood up and stretched
"Thanks for the food, Mom. I'm going to sleep now."
He looked toward them.
"See you tomorrow. Good night."
The next morning...
Birds chirped outside the window as sunlight spilled into the house
"Good morning, Mom."
Dranexx gave her a playful salute
His mother couldn't help but smile.
"How was your night? Did you rest well?"
"Yes, I did."
"Good."
She pointed at him immediately.
"Get ready. It's today competition day."
Dranexx groaned dramatically.
"Do I really have to go? Everyone knows we're winning again this year."
"You are definitely going."
Her answer came without hesitation.
"Aunt Kaori made sure of that."
Dranexx froze. "Damn."
He rubbed the back of his head.
"Aunt Kaori, huh? Fine, I'll go."
Just as Dranexx finished speaking, a familiar voice called out from outside
"Hey, man!"
Dranexx blinked before turning toward the entrance
"Wait, Akube?"
He stared at his friend for a moment before narrowing his eyes suspiciously
"Since when do you wake up this early? This is a first. Who are you, and what have you done with my friend?"
Akube placed a hand over his chest as if offended
"Come on! It's the big competition!"
His eyes practically sparkled with excitement
"Even if you're not excited, I am. I'm ready and active!"
"Yeah, yeah."
Dranexx waved him off
"Give me a few minutes"
Three minutes later...
"Oh, Aku! You're here early. What a surprise."
Dranexx's mother greeted him with a warm smile as she opened the door
"Good morning, Mrs. Waltarnabi!"
Akube bowed politely
"I woke up early because I'm excited about today. Though Dranexx doesn't seem too thrilled..."
He scratched his cheek awkwardly before laughing
"But I'll make him enjoy it."
A gentle smile spread across her face
"You are such a wonderful friend."
Akube froze slightly
"If anyone can lift Drane's spirits, it's you."
Her eyes softened
"Thank you for staying by his side "
Akube blinked in surprise
Before he could respond, she continued
"You see... Dranexx hasn't had a motive for a long time."
Her voice grew quieter
"Since he was eight years old, everything he has done has been almost perfect."
A helpless smile appeared on her face
"He's never lost a competition, a game, or even a fight."
She paused briefly
"Except to his father."
A soft giggle escaped her lips
"When he was younger, he used to play all sorts of games with his dad. His father was the only man who could beat him..."
Her smile turned nostalgic
"Except in fighting."
For a moment, silence filled the room
Then her expression became gentle and sad
"But when his father passed away..."
Akube's smile slowly faded
"Dranexx felt empty."
Her gaze lowered
"The only person who could rival him was gone."
A trace of pain flashed across her eyes
"For four years, he lost interest in everything. He searched for someone who could challenge him..."
She shook her head
"But he never found anyone
Akube quietly listened
The excitement he had felt earlier slowly disappeared
Until she smiled again
"Then he met you."
Akube looked up.
"You were the first friend his age who could keep up with him."
His eyes widened slightly
"Really...?"
He hesitated before speaking again
"If I may ask... why couldn't he make friends before?"
A faint chuckle escaped her
"Dranexx was simply too advanced for the others."
Her gaze drifted toward the window as memories resurfaced
"I used to worry about him."
A flashback appeared in her mind
A much younger Dranexx stood confidently before her with his arms crossed
"Don't worry."
His younger self had smiled calmly
"I'm doing just fine on my own."
His eyes had held a maturity far beyond his years
"They can't keep up with my experienced mind."
Returning to the present, Dranexx's mother let out a helpless sigh
"Honestly."
She smiled bitterly
"Sometimes I wonder what kind of gift I was given."
Then she looked directly at Akube
"My dear Akube."
Her voice carried both warmth and sincerity
"Please continue being his friend."
She bowed her head slightly
"Take care of him for me."
Akube immediately straightened his posture
"Ma'am, don't worry."
A confident grin appeared on his face
"We've been friends for three years now."
He placed a hand on his chest
"I understand him better than anyone"
Unbeknownst to them
Dranexx had already finished dressing
Standing near the hallway, he had heard everything
Every single word.
His chest felt strangely heavy.
Hearing his mother's thoughts and hearing Akube stand up for him without hesitation..
It stirred something inside him
A feeling he rarely experienced
For a moment, he remained silent
Then he stepped forward
"Hey."
Both of them turned toward him
"I'm done."
He adjusted his bag over his shoulder.
"Let's go. I don't want to be late."
Akube immediately rolled his eyes
"Seriously?"
He pointed at Dranexx.
"If we're late, it's your fault not mine."
"No."
Dranexx replied without missing a beat
"It's yours"
"Yours"
"Never"
"Huh?"
Dranexx smirked faintly
Then he turned toward his mother
"Alright, Mom. We're leaving"
His voice softened slightly
"See you at the competition."
He gave a small wave
"Bye."
The two friends headed toward school together
Akube walked ahead with endless energy, talking excitedly about the competition
Dranexx listened while pretending not to care
Occasionally responding
Occasionally ignoring him
The usual
But deep down...
He was grateful
Grateful to have a friend who never gave up on him
A friend who stayed beside him even when he pushed others away
Akube wasn't just a friend
He was someone precious to him
And neither of them knew...
That something far greater awaited them ahead.