Natsumi Shiota, Age 16. Your usual introvert. There's nothing really much about me since I never made friends or talked to anyone. I also move and travel a lot because of my parents so I thought making friends were useless since I would move again and again. My only friend was the winter snow, who kept me comfortable and "warm".
My parents always made me do things I wasn't interested in, such as piano, singing, dancing and so on. But at the same time, they didn't want to pressure me too much which I don't really understand that. I moved to another neighborhood, but it doesn't look like I will last here for even a month.
– – –
[Alarm rings]
NS: ...
[Goes downstairs]
I don't feel like going to school.
Would mom and dad mind if I skipped?
[Looks at note]
Dear Natsumi,
Your dad and I are busy today. I've prepared food for you to eat. Don't stress so much today, your birthday is just around the corner. We promise that we will find a way to celebrate with you this year. Don't skip meals and school, give this school a chance! Remember to stay healthy!
Love,
Mom.
NS: Do you really promise...?
[Looks at clock]
Ugh. Time for school.
– – –
And here, my daily routine continues. Wake up, brush my teeth, get ready and rush to school. Do I really need to do all this? I've never told mom and dad I've been bullied at school, I have many bruises when I get back home but they seldom come home because of work. I just wish they would spend more time with me.
– – –
[School bell rings]
NS: (Thank god, I made it in time.)
? : NATSUMI SHIOTA, YOU ARE LATE. I WILL
SEND YOU TO THE OFFICE AFTER CLASS.
I DO NOT ACCEPT THIS TYPE OF
BEHAVIOUR, YOUNG LADY!
NS: (Tsk.)
Yeah, yeah. Okay, I get it. It's Aunt Flo isn't
it?
? : YOU... STAND OUTSIDE OF THE CLASS!
[Kicks out of the class]
NS: Yay, this is so fun.
[Glares]
(Those girls again, they are probably
gonna beat me up.)
G1: Hey girls, look! It's Natsumi-Chan.
G2: Oh my god, it is! How are you doing.
G3: Getting kicked out of class is great right?
Everyone's in class and no one is around.
Isn't it a good time now, girls?
[Winks]
G1: Yep. Let's start...
– – –
It hurts... But I'll have to get used to it since this is also part of my "daily routine". The teachers don't really care about me because of how I act. People get jealous because I'm the school "ace". I hate the fact people keep targeting me... Will I really make friends here? Will it be worth it?
– – –
{After lunch break}
NS: [Sits down]
[Looks in the drawer]
There's a note... with beautiful
hand-writing?
Come to the field after school. I saw your purse fall down in the cafeteria. Since I'm busy, I can't come to your class so I told someone to put this in your drawer.
NS: [Checks pocket]
(They didn't write who they are...)
Can I really trust this person? I feel like...
I'll get beaten.
– – –
{Later}
NS: (I feel uneasy about this...)
? : Hey, are you Shiota-San?
NS: Yes...
(Who is this guy? Is he a senior?)
? : Here's your purse!
NS: You... Aren't going to bully me?
? : Wha–
[Laughs]
Why... Would I bully you?
You're cute! [Pats head]
NS: (I'm cute? No body except mom and dad
complimented me before...)
Aren't I ugly? Disgusting?
? : Of course not! Don't think about these
things. It's getting dark, you should go
home and see your parents.
NS: Yeah, they're waiting for me.
(Or is it the other way around?)
– – –
[Walking back home]
NS: (Oh! I forgot to say thank you...I'll tell him
next time we meet!)
{At home}
NS: Maybe I'll get watch the news.
=A place has crashed in the Atlantic Ocean. Many passengers were found but some drowned.=
=....., Keiko Shiota, Nakano Shiota, .....=
NS: [Shocked]
Wait... No, this isn't true...
Lies. LIES!
Mom and dad lied to me, again.
(It's hard to breathe. Is it my asthma?)
– – –
Oh. I fainted.