In front of a huge university gate, a young lady donned in old-fashioned-western-styled-long sleeved dress was gazing at the impressive calligraphy of the university's motto. Feeling nostalgic, it reminds her of the past which were embedded in her soul.
Brushes gliding smoothly in a paper, the ink as black as coal, the satisfaction she felt whenever her hand dances along the brush.
The students were looking at her like an awestruck fan. Her looks were like a jade carved into perfection, but that short admiration was cut-off. The girl was standing there, ogling at the gate's pillar, looking like a total idiot.
"Who's that? She looks a total foreign."
"Sa~ maybe a new student? This is an international university after all."
"She sure knows how to steal peoples' attention, like a superstar."
"I agree, we had another beauty to add on the ranks."
Finally, Eirene manages to grab herself out of reverie and proceeds to look for the faculty.
'Daydreaming is really not good. Gonna have to cure it asap!' She mentally scolded herself.
*
"Miss Eirene, this is your schedule. We already recorded your marks from your previous course and only the subjects not enrolled were taken up."
Eirene smiled merrily at the president's words. Harlock's family is really something. They work swiftly and efficiently.
"Oh yes. Thank you."
"And also this is the class you'll be handling as we had not hired a professor to take the class yet. So I asked Mr. Ishigami if we can hire you temporarily."
"That's fine. Is the salary high?"
"Ah?"
"Hahaha just kidding, I'm glad to be of help."
"Hehe, thank you Miss Eirene," the president replied awkwardly, "You may proceed to your class now, young lady."
"Alright, thank you President."
After four years of recovery and treatment, she already had gotten familiar on how to use her prosthetic arm, and Harlock being Harlock, decided to drag Eirene from Country G to Country J to avoid travelling frequently. Whatta lazy-blooded lass.
*
"Hello students." A funny-faced middle-aged man greeted the student body through the school's broadcasting room.
"As all of you know, every year there will be a student-exchange program being held together with an Asian University." The students listened attentively.
"The program's vision is to help each student to wided the scope of their knowledge on culture and education from the other country. Understanding the differences and to find the unity in diversity of each other. The student will act as an ambassador of their own university."
"A mock examination will be conducted at the end of this month. Whoever tops the exam will be given the chance to participate in the program. Of course we will also checked his or her transcript records. Two students will be chosen. So do your best and good luck. Have a good day!"
As the announcement ends, every room was filled with cheering. Although everyone knows that only two students will be chosen, it didn't dampen their eagerness to grab even the tiniest bit of possibility being one of the two. The program is like a summer vacation for them, but Espresso on the other hand seems unbothered by it.
"Asian huh?" he whispered unknowingly.
The following month, the results cames out and it was posted in the announcement board.
Socrates Yvanov
Espresso Miyano
Espresso being unluckily lucky, tops the mock exam and excelled in accordance to his records.
The result didn't bring any excitement to him and he plans to turn it down.
*
"Why do you not want it?"
In the president's office, Espresso was currently being questioned.
"Sir, I may passed the examination but it wasn't my intention. In just want a good grade to present to my uncle. I am not mentally prepared to this program and leave all of a sudden."
"Hmm? But you will only be transferred two months from now. You still had a lot of time to prepare."
"But.."
"Mr. Miyano, I know your concerns. Maybe you should talk with your legal guardian. As you are still not part of the age of majority, a grown up's advice will enlightened you." He then showed him a friendly smile.
"Okay sir."
"If you still haven't change your decision then I can only give the chance to other, I hope you'll consider it."
As he exited from the office, he ponder over it for a long time. He was walking in daze, completely unaware of his surroundings.
If there was a place he wouldn't want to go, that would be in 'that' country.
That night, as the shift for the cafe ended, he talked to his uncle about the proposed program and him being one of the candidates for it. He explained to him everything, the country, university, departure, anything that could be laid in the table of discussion.
"It was a good program but... is it fine with you?"
"Honestly, no."
"But I think you should take it, not that I am sending you away or I am tired taking care of you, but maybe it is the time for you to face it. Who knows, everything will turn out well."
Espresso tightly grips his hand, his knuckles were turning white.
'Human's nature will never change. They will always prey for someone weaker to demonstrate their superiority. Pulling you down from success.'
"It's your choice Espresso. What is important is you had achieved what goals you had set before taking up a path."
'Uncle had already compromised a lot for me, but he still let me do the decision making.'
"Thank you, Uncle."
"No worries. Just be good."
In his room, Espresso was staring at a photo. It was the back of the girl who gave him the camera. He captured it unconsciously, perhaps a reflex ignited by instinct, an instinct to keep a memory from the person who take him out of the dark. It was a beautiful memory indeed. A memory you want to cherish for a lifetime.
He smiled, a longing smile. Maybe, sometime, his heart wishes to see her again. To thank her for the enlightenment and hope. She might not know, there is someone who always pray for her well-being.
'Maybe I should just take it. Uncle is right, who knows, something will turn up well.'
***