*Dum Dum Dum Dum*
As I do every day, I wake up to the sound of the drum, which informs me that dawn has come. I stretch out all my limbs, trying to awaken not only my mind but my body as well. As I slowly rise from bed, my muscles are reminding me of the exhaustive training we did yesterday but at this point, I have already gotten used to this physical discomfort.
My fellow disciples are also waking up and getting ready for the day. Judging by their unnatural movements it's safe to say that most of them are feeling the same sore muscles as I am.
After shaking off the remaining tiredness, I put on my uniform - white tunic and grey baggy pants. I wash my face with cold water then leave the dorm alongside other students and head for breakfast.
As I make my way towards the building with the sign "Dining Hall", I hear someone call my name - "Sunai, wait!". I turn around and see a boy with golden short hair and clear blue eyes walking towards me and waving his hand. His name is Kai and he is my childhood friend. I've known since forever. We were born in the same village and played together throughout our entire childhood.
"Did you have trouble with waking up again, sleepyhead?" - I tease him, knowing his passion for drawing and his tendency to stay late into the night, sketching on a parchment.
"Ahhh, how many times do I have to tell you that's not something to worry about! My young and rapidly developing body just needs a lot of sleep to grow!" - Kai replies as he catches up to me.
"Yeah sure, it's not like u were drawing till late night again and had a problem with getting up from the bed. How many times do I have to tell you Kai, you will totally disrupt your internal clock this way."
"Hmph, if you know me so well Sunai then you should understand I can't stop myself when there is a chance to draw." - says Kai while pointing his finger at me.
Kai's grandmother was a scribe who worked for the local aristocrats. She taught Kai to write and read at a young age and noticed his talent for drawing. Although she knew it was a female art, she taught him in secret as she could not let his talent go unused. Unfortunately, she died when Kai was 10 years old. I still vividly remember the day of her funeral and the stream of tears that flowed down Kai's face, but even though she went to the other side, Kai's passion did not die with her.
"So, what did you draw this time?"
"I tried to draw our village of Iruma as I remember it, but I don't know how accurate my work is, we haven't been there in so long." - Kai replies, with a hint of sadness.
"That's true, but we decided ourselves to become disciples and leave Iruma to join the dojo. It's too late to complain now. The path we've chosen is surely full of difficulties, but we must press on if we don't want to have the same life as our parents."
"Sunai, make no mistake, I don't regret the decisions we've made, I'm just a little homesick, that's all." - Kai declares with a serious face while crossing his hands.
"Hah, then it's all good bro, I get homesick from time to time too, but you can't let that feeling get the better of you! Now, let's hurry or we will be the last ones in line for food." - I say as I pat him on the shoulder.
Now that I think about it, it has already been six months since both of us left the village. We traveled to the city we live in now, called Naie so that we can join the dojo and become strong enough to take our lives into our own hands. The idea of following in our parents' footsteps and becoming farmers is the main reason why we left. This vision of herding animals and tending the fields for the rest of our lives was, without exaggeration, just terrifying to us. I guess you could say our ambition is to reach higher and achieve something for which we will be remembered.
I snap out of my contemplations as we reach the dining hall. It is a large and spacious room with a lot of tables and benches placed inside. There are many windows so a lot of sunlight is easily finding its way inside the building. The floor is lined with boards, and opposite the entrance is a place where meals are served.
"Come, quickly, let's get in line before more people arrive."
"Yeah, I don't want to wait too long and be late for the first lesson again." - says Kai as he rushes to take his place in the queue.
"Remember what Hiroshi sensei asked you to do the last time you were late? - I ask with an evil grin on my face.
"Ughh, you just had to mention it, now that traumatic experience is popping up in my head again." - says Kai while covering his face with his hand.
Hiroshi sensei is our history and general knowledge teacher. He is very respected amongst the dojo disciples thanks to his wisdom and strictness. The last time Kai was late, he had to pre-learn five lessons for the next class, and Hiroshi sensei had promised to test Kai's knowledge very thoroughly. It's pretty easy to guess what Kai did in his spare time during that whole week.
We waited in line and got our breakfast. Rice, some vegetable side dishes, and a cup of water - as usual.
After we received our meal, we looked for the next free table and sat down.
"Hey guys, how's your morning? Did the great artist Kai oversleep again because of his very manly and useful hobby? - A tall boy with long green hair asks as he sits down at the table with us.
The joker's name is Minato, a good friend of ours. We all got close soon after joining the dojo. He is also a boy from the countryside and was born in Handa, a village placed about 2 days of horse ride away from Iruma.
"It may not be very productive, but drawing brings me much joy, Minato! At least I can say I'm good at something, dear mister average."
"Ugh, that was cruel. It is just that my time to shine has not yet come, Kai, my friend!" -Minato replies with confidence.
I smile as I witness their usual greeting.
"Good morning Minato, I see you're as chipper as ever." - I greet Minato.
"And why shouldn't I be, with a day full of attractions ahead of me? First, we have an amazing history and common knowledge lesson with Hiroshi sensei..."
"Ugh, again with this..." - Kai moans with a grim face.
"Then our beloved martial arts lesson with Hiromichi sensei..." - Minato continues counting.
"In the state my muscles are right now, I won't be able to throw a single punch..."- I complain, knowing that Daichi sensei will definitely not cut me any slack.
"And the best for last, a two-hour run through the forest!" - Minato finishes the program as if he is counting the attractions of a festival.
"Ah, just another beautiful day at our dojo. Alright guys, let's finish eating and then go straight to Hiroshi sensei's class. I don't think Kai wants to be late again."
"I'll never get any rest!" - Kai groans as he takes the last spoonful of rice.
Minato and I laugh together as we finish our meals.
We return our plates and spoons to the food lady and go to attend the lecture.