After declaring that I will get into the draft instead of going to college, I thought that that everything else will be easy, but I was dead wrong. The Heroes Association called us immediately, they congratulated me for deciding to turn professional then the lady I'm talking switch her tone from being sweet to a very formal tone while asking me who my manager is.
I looked at my mother, her eyes widened which tells me she didn't know what to say. Honestly, we didn't know that I needed a manager once I declare that I'll turn professional.
The Hero Association is there to ensure that all heroes are being protected, not be taken advantage by the system and to make sure that we are being guided properly. Their management is composed of retired heroes and lawyers that's why even the prime minister of Japan respects them.
There was an incident nine years ago when the government decided to remove the healthcare aid for the heroes because they thought that the heroes are earning more than enough for the government to cover their medical expenses. The Hero Association declared a boycott and all heroes resigned from their company, it was a massive chaos that made the crime rate almost double; the prime minister then apologized, then resigned from his post as the prime minister.
After the prime minister resigned, the senators immediately approved the bill covers all medical and death expenses of the professional heroes.
The lady that I was talking to on the other line was very nice to, she was very informative about that things that I will need to do and submit before the draft date to be considered as eligible.
"Mr. Hayato, when can we expect to talk to your manager?" the lady asked.
"I'm not sure yet, we are not even sure where we can get a manager" I answered honestly.
Joji the tv host heard my answer, he was signaled something, so I asked the lady the give me a minute.
"I might know someone who can work as your manager, he's from Tokyo and I'll talk to him for you" said Joji.
"Thanks Mr. Joji, what should I tell the hero association?"
"Tell them to you'll call them tomorrow for an update" Joji answered.
I nodded then told the lady on the other line that I'll call back tomorrow, she thanked me for my time before ending the call.
"Don't worry, we'll get this sorted kid. I'll give you an update within the day, I'll get going now" said Joji while closing the door.
I wanted to wait for Mr. Joji's update but I still have class today. It was already ten in the morning and I need to attend our marching practice. I've been thinking about all the processes that I still need to do and submit.
Somehow my thinking changed from the processes to what company might sign me, a very big company means bigger contract and a chance to get major advertisement deals worth millions.
I've always want to buy my mother a new car, what we are riding now is a twelve years old Moyota car but if I get drafted by a car company, maybe they'll give us a new car. Both my parents spent every dime on me, I'm studying in an exclusive school, they enrolled me to every heroes event so I could meet them personally and learn from them.
At home, I'm the only one who eats premium food. I remember when I was younger, I thought we were rich because I have things that other children doesn't have and my food was far better to what other kids eat.
One day my father brought home an A5 Kobe strip steak, he boasted that it is his favorite meat which is made from a rare breed of cow. My mother cooked it to perfection then handed me the meat, I offered some to both of them some but my mother said that she did not like steaks while my dad said that he already ate his share of meat while at work, so I ate it with a big smile.
It was indeed the best steak, I ate so much that I fell asleep due to fullness, my dad carried me back to my room while he was talking to my mother. I woke up without them noticing, they continued talking and I accidentally heard their conversation.
"We still have noodles, should I cook it now?" asked my mother.
"Yes please, I'm really hungry. The steak looked very good, I wonder what it taste like?" said father while sounding happy.
"I'm sure it tasted great, Hayato was smiling while eating it. Thank you, I know it is out of your budget" said mother.
"Don't thank me. Sorry if I could only afford to buy a chunk for Hayato, I know that you really like steaks. I mean, it's our favorite. Remember our first date?" asked father cheerfully.
"Yes! You brought me to this fancy restaurant and we both ordered a steak meal" answered by mother.
"And I didn't know that taxes are being added to what we order, you end up covering some of the fees" said father.
"Good thing my father gave me money then, he said that you looked like you are barely making a living" said mother before laughing.
They both laughed, my father then laid me down to bed before they went down to the kitchen, minutes later I smelled the warm aroma of a cup noodle while hearing them talk cheerfully.
Sometimes I wonder why my parents could not be honest with me that we are just average at most, even thought I want to ask, I also don't want to break their heart. They have been doing this for as long as I could remember. I'll keep on acting that I know nothing, but I will also do my best to give back to them as soon as I start earning.
Making history is a goal that all three of us could agree on but the true reason why I decided to go professional instead is because by going to college, it will cost them almost three times of what they usually pay for my tuition and if I decided to sign with Tokyo University; I might need a dorm where I could stay and I'm not even including the daily necessities yet.
"Look, Hayato. They made a surprise for you!" said my mother in excitement while point at the front gate of the school.
I was lost in thoughts on how I could make it up to them that I failed to notice the banner at the gate.
"CONGRATULATIONS ON BEING A PROFESSIONAL, WE ARE PROUD OF YOU!" stated on the banner.
My schoolmates are all waiting for me, they were cheering and clapping. I had no choice but to open my window and wave at them while smiling.
The cheer went louder and the principal pulled out his megaphone to shout what's already written on the banner. Did he forget that I could read or he has nothing else to say?
I honestly hate crowded places, I feel suffocated whenever there are too many people and I feel really weak whenever all eyes are on me. I'm an introvert by nature but I had to embrace being at the center with all the attention, because I don't want to fail my family; I don't want anyone to say that I have weaknesses.
As soon as I stepped out of the car, I bowed to everyone and shouted my appreciation to them. Saying thank you three times is always safe compared to just saying it once and for those who could not hear me; I'm sure that they understood me by bowing to them.
I then walked straight to our classroom and sat at the back seat near the window, the chair where I am sitting at is my comfort zone in the school.
"Do you want to be drafted by Coco-cola?" asked by a female voice.
I didn't bat an eye and just decided to answer her question "I prefer to join Moyota, I think they are a good company".
"You seemed to be tired today, are you not in the mood to talk?" the female asked.
I just want to be alone for now, I got tired with all the interviews and greetings that I had today but I also know that I cannot show a bad attitude towards anyone.
"Sorry, just a bit tired but I'm always up for a-" I froze.
I can't believe what I'm seeing, Sakura is talking to me. She's been my crush since I was at grade five but we never talked, I occasionally see her smiling whenever I do stupid things and laugh whenever I make jokes but she never talked to me alone.
"Up for a?" asked Sakura adorably.
"I'm always up for a talk with you" I answered nervously.
"With me?" asked Sakura.
Shit, why did I made it sound like she's the only one I'm interested talking to. I messed up, I'm pretty sure that she sees me now as a weirdo.
"No, I mean; I'm always up for a talk especially to my fans" I answered without thinking.
Fan, fan, fan. Did I say Fan!? What the hell am I thinking?
Sakura pouted looking like she got offended with what I said.
"No, you're not a fan but I'm always open for a talk with a-" I don't know what to say anymore.
Sakura started laughing, I looked at her with a very confused face.
"You're not good with random conversations aren't you?" asked Sakura.
I sighed and answered honestly "No, not when it comes to normal conversation. I'm awkward, I know that".
"You're not awkward dummy, you're cute whenever you are lost for words" answered Sakura with the cutest smile.
"I'm cute?" I asked, honestly, I was surprised that I have nothing original to say.
"Why are you blushing, has no one called you cute?" Sakura asked with her eyes wide open.
Actually, I receive hundreds of letters monthly with words like cute, adorable, handsome, smart and a lot of other compliments, and I never took it seriously. But after Sakura told me that I am cute, I felt so happy that I could feel a pinch in my heart. Is this what they call a heart attack!?
"I think you are the first one who said that I look cute in person" I answered.
"No, not your face. I mean, how you act" answered Sakura.
"Ooooh! Yeah yeah, thanks?" I answered.
I'm not even sure what she meant by that but I just want to avoid the awkward topic.
"I'm going to attend my college in Kyoto" said Sakura while staring at the window.
That's right, it never occur to me that I might not see Sakura again, she was my inspiration for years and I've done nothing to let her know what I feel. I'm just too afraid that she might reject me or worse, she might tell me to stay away from her.
"Kyoto, that's far from here. Why there?" I asked.
"Well, I want to become a lawyer and help heroes with their cases. We all know that big corporations tend to cheat on heroes whenever they could. Do you remember Airo man?" asked Sakura.
I nodded. Airo man saved a lot of people from a hot air balloon transport that had an issue with its propeller, he flew in and out of the hot air balloon to save the civilians. Sadly, after saving forty eight passengers; the hot air balloon exploded while Airo man was inside. He had a young son who lives with his grandmother and they did not receive a single penny because the company claimed that Airo man did not listen to their directive not to go inside the hot air balloon again which they used as an excuse for breaching their contract.
"Sakura, can I get your phone number?" this is my last chance to keep in touch with her and I have the perfect alibi to get her number.
"My number, why?" she asked.
I have anticipated this question, I had hundreds of answers why I need to get her number and this answer seems to be the only solution to make me not look like a weirdo.
"I'm going professional and once you finish your course, I'd like you to be my representative"
Sakura smiled, she grabbed my phone and entered her number.
I'm the happiest man alive right now, it feels like the trees outside are singing, not in a creepy way like how the trees and plants sang in an anime called One Piece.
"There you go, lawyer Sakura at your service!" Sakura said laughing.
The teacher signaled that our class will start soon, Sakura went back to her seat which is five rows away from where I am sitting. I'm just so happy right now that I want to eat my comfort food, spaghetti with meat balls!
"I'm so happy today, good things happened after I declared to go professional. Can you cook spaghetti with meatballs?" I texted to my mother.
I could eat a lot today but I need to plan on how I could communicate with Sakura. I will need a cool reason why and topics that could prolong our conversation.
"Dummy" said Sakura via text message.
Oh she started our text conversation, this is so good. Lucky! What should my response be?
Wait, why is there a previous message from me.
"I don't know how to cook, what good things happened? " Sakura's texted again.
SHIT. Good job weirdo.