REFLECTION...
MANUEL KAGURA'S P.O.V
"My love." Shouted by A girl that I'm not familiar with called my attention, so I look at her with questioning facial expression. She was wearing a flower crown, a green dress, and a very beautiful and compelling smile.
"A-Am I the one you're referring to, young lady?" I asked her. "Yes my prince, you are." She answered, so my eyes literally popped out in wonder.
"I've been waiting you for so long." She said, then she ran to me and hugged me at the same time. I couldn't move at that time due to shocked.
"A-Aren't you mistaken, Miss?" I asked her in wonder. "Why would I make a mistake, my love?" She said, then she approached her lips close to mine... And now, her lips are slowly approaching mine... Little by little... Approaching slowly...Just a little bit and all of a sudden...
"Manuel Kagura Anastaciao! Wake up! You will be late to your school! You still have a performance today, don't you? " Shouted by my alarm clock mom. Jezz, what the heck! I couldn't kiss the princess. My mom is always Kill Joy! When I looked at the clock, it's only 4:39 am in the morning. The one who woke me up earlier was my lovable mama, Yolanda Marquez Anastacio. She is a certified public accountant at SM Pampanga. She is also a single mom and she raised me alone as my papa died so early. She always hysterical as you can see, because my last rehearsal for my performance later will be 6:30 am. As you heard, I still have a performance today, as I'm one of tge best singers in our campus and I need a long-time rest but because of that shout, I immediately went to the bathroom to do my morning routine...
Hello, by the way, I'm Manuel Kagura Anastacio, Kagu or Manuel for short, 19 years old, 2nd year college nursing student. You're probably wondering why my second name sounds like a girl? Well, that was the work of my lovable mom, because, according to her, the word Kagura is a Japanese word which means ENTERTAINING THE GODS. Didn't my name sounds very holy? But even if it sounds feminine, I really love it – I like my second name because it makes me feel like I have Japanese blood, because I like to watch and read isekai anime or manga about protagonists who are reincarnated in another world and become super strong. I'm actually looking forward to the next episode of that time I reincarnated as slime. Hays Rimuru-sensei! My physical appearance is so simple, because I'm just a fat man, blessed with a lot of pimples on my face, cleavage, and back. My eyes are blurred, so I always wear a thick eye class to lighten my vision. My height is 5'6", so they call me a troll. They also call me ugly, as my physique is like that. My actions are too feminine, so I'm always being bullied at school, but I can say that God is still fair because even if I'm not blessed with good looks, I'm still blessed in terms of beautiful voice and talent. I'm a singer at my school and I'm a top achiever too.
You know sometimes, I doubt that I'm jist adopted as mama is beautiful, papa is handsome, but why am I like this? I always ask myself why? But when I asked mama if I was adopted, she always said said no. She answered something that went like this, "Son, you are not adopted. Look oh, there you see the baby that I breastfed? That's you are, the baby who sucking my nipples." Mama always said to me every time I asked if I'm adopted, she always show a picture while pointing at a child sucking her nipple. So sometimes, because of what's people in my surroundings said so many hurtful words to me, I dreamed that I would be reincanated in other place where everything are equal and no discrimination. Like in the Japanese isekai anime that I watched and read – but I don't want to leave mom even though she always hysterical in all aspects...
I went downstairs to sit in the chair of the table. My mom doesn't want me to go to school without eating my breakfast. So I ate my breakfast so fast...
"Ma, why did you wake me up so early? The princess would kiss me at that time in my dream, but you wake me up. You always kill joy mom, hahaha." I joked. But the face of my mom just frowned when she looked at me, and by that, I knew that she did take my joke seriously. So... "Ouch! Ouch! Let go of my ears mom! " I shouted when she squeezed my ear.
"Hmp! You made me stressed you know, Manuel? You should thank me for waking you up early, because if I hadn't woken you up early, you might not have been able to perform at your school. Moreover, you will be mad at me and say, "Mom, why didn't you wake me up early? Gosh Manuel!" She said angrily while imitating my lines and actions when I was late for my performance, so I laughed.
"Am I still to blame? Aren't you tired because you slept so late, as you watch cartoons too much? Be mature Manuel, you're not a kid anymore. " Mama said in a very annoyed tone, but I just laughed again.
"Ma, it's anime, not a cartoon. Hahaha you really make my day full of laughter hahaha. " I laughed while holding my stomach.
But Seriously, this is the difference between anime and cartoons. Listen, he difference between cartoons and anime is when Japanese animation, or anime, was first introduced in 1960. However, there is debate as to whether or not anime should be considered a cartoon. Most westerners consider anime to be another form of cartoon.
Never the less, Japan does not want anime to be considered as a form of cartoon. Japan is covered with anime images, and they use anime in everyday life. It is part of their culture. Anime is used in Japanese education, marketing strategies, magazines, movies, and books.
Anime are Japanese animated productions, and come in all formats, such as television series (such as Dragon Ball and Inuyasha), animated short films, and full-length feature films.)
A cartoon is a form of two-dimensional illustrated visual art. While the specific definition has changed over time, modern usage refers to a typically non-realistic or semi-realistic drawing or painting intended for satire, caricature, or humor.
"By the way ma, the anniversary of papa's death is tomorrow am I right? " I asked. But I regret to asked that question, because, it sudden saddened the atmosphere between the two of us. Why am I always in bad time in terms of sensitive issues.
"U-Uhm yeah, I almost forgot it." Mommy stammered. I knew she was holding back her tears because until now she couldn't forget papa's death on their wedding day...
"Hays, there's still a pain every time I thought that we lost your dad on the day of our wedding. It's just a great challenge for me. We thought he had backed out, because he had been so long time to arrive. Actually, your grandparents were already cursed him inside the church as they thought he had backed out of our wedding – but we were just surprised when his driver suddenly announced that he had been hit by a truck. " Mama said anxiously, while reminiscing the past. After a few minutes, I saw her tears dripping. So I stood up, hugged and caressed her back.
"Wait son! I have an idea. I will talk to your professor tomorrow and I will ask him to excuse you and leave the class early tomorrow. "Mama said that made me wonder. "Why ma?" I asked. "Uhm, you know. We're going to your dad's grave. After we go to your dad's grave and pray for his soul, let's go to your dad and I's favorite place, because in your nineteen years of existence in this world, I haven't shown you that favorite place of ours yet. " Mom said while wearing a deceptive smile.
"Oh, sure ma! I'm super excited about tomorrow! " I said excitedly and gave her the sweetest smile.
"Mom, I'm leaving. I might be late to school. You know, I still have a performance at the Flag Ceremony. It would be a waste if I didn't attend, because it has plus one direct to the card. So I'll go ahead mom, muah. " I said, then I kissed her cheek and ran out....
I had been inside of campus in a few hours and the time of my arrival was just right, because I still had time for the last rehearsal for what I will sing later. So I went to the back of the stage where the music room can be found and enter into the music room, there I saw that I'm just the only one missing from the band. Well, I won't introduce them because I don't know them either. It was just my first time seeing them, as they just commanded by the teacher to work with me, so I'm a bit shy.
Many people say that my voice is mostly sounded like Antony Rosales' voice – a contestant of the Clash that has been held in Channel Seven, but for me, my voice is unique, since I inherited my very beautiful voice from my dad.
"One, two, one two." As the leader of the band counted that an indication to the instruments player to start playing their instrument. The drummer started to hit the drum in a few moments that indication for me to sing.
"Kagu my friend!" A familiar voice tried to get my attention, so I turned my back. Then I saw my two friends at school and my childhood friends, the twins of the Wong family, Zhey Wong and Mae Wong. They shouted my nickname at the same time.
"Oh Zhey, Mae, why are you, guys here?" I asked. "Nothing, we just wanted to say goodluck to you, also to hear your voice as well while you're rehearsing." Mae replied that gives me fear.
"Oh bro, start rehearsing while you still have 30 minutes haha." Zhey reminded me, so I do it. The song that I will perform is entitled Reflection from the Disney film Mulan. This is what the teachers want me to sang, because they said they wanted the song Reflection sang by man.
By the way, Zhey and Mae are mama's boss son and daughter. They are twins. Our friendship was formed back when mama always took me to work, as no one else to watch over me when Lola Feli died – our neighbor whom mama left with me every time she left for work. Her boss agreed and told mama to leave me in his office during mama's work hours, so that she wouldn't be disturbed and his children could also play with me, because Mr. Wong didn't want to lose sight of Zhey and Mae. The rest of our friendship was history...
Zhey Wong is considered the older of the two. He is dark-skinned, tall, and rich. Of course, he was a heart-throb here on our campus. He also a varsity player in basketball, volleyball, and tennis, but he was stupid. So there, he is great proof that NO BODY IS PERFECT, but don't be too harsh, because Zhey is so kind and helpful. While Mae Wong is considered the youngest because she was the last to appear between the two of them, she is a woman everyone fantasizes of, as she has a slender body, big ass and boobs, and most of all, smart but stupid in love haha as she has 20 exes and all of them cheated her. Also I have been in love with her for long time.
30 MINUTES PASSED...
"To inspire us, Manuel Kagura Anastacio of 2B Nursing and the new school band are here to present a very beautiful song entitled "Reflection" from the Disney film "Mulan". Give them around of applause." Introduction of emcee to us.
The band has already started, so I have prepared myself...
FAST FORWARD...
When I finished singing Reflection from the Disney film "Mulan," people applauded me.
After I perform, other performers performs as well, those who dance, recite poetry or speak poetry...
FAST FORWARD...
When I came out of campus, many people greeted me and complimented me – but there are people who bullied me and and always say that even my voice is beautiful, but my face sucks. Hays, why so many people want to bring down their fellows.
"Hey Kagu, hop in the service and we'll take you to your house." Zhey's offer. He me to ride in their service van.
"I don't want to hop in, I'm going to walk because my house is near here, also ti exercise even a little bit. Look, I'm getting fat. Hahaha. "I said then I start to walk.
"Kagu-"
"Oh, next time only and don't discriminate. When you refuse next time our friendship will over. " She said. So I looked at her.
"Yes boss," I saluted like a soldier that giving repect to their commander, the I continued walking....
When I got home, mama was preparing dinner just in time, so I ran with her to kiss her cheeks and help.
"Muah, I'm sitting there with you." I said and we just ate quietly. Mama is really like this when the anniversary of papa's death is approaching. She is very quiet.
After we ate, I washed the dishes. Mama went to the living room to do her paperwork. After I cleaned up, I kissed mama on the cheek and said goodbye, going to the bedroom to rest....
I went straight to the bathroom to do my night routines, then went to bed to pray to God, ask forgiveness for sins that I committed today and give thanks for the graces that we received today, and pray to forgive of sinful souls in Purgatory. Then I went to bed and the darkness gradually engulfed my vision because I was so tired...
"AS THE SOLIS KISS LUA, IT FORETELL TO BATTLE AIMS."
"Kill all Fantasians who believe in Deus and Dea! There will be no survivors, even the infants, children, and the elderly are no exceptions "...
"OATH OF FALLEN WILL RISE AND START TO RAMPAGE."
"King Equinox, we have freed all the prisoners in Prisao dor sem fim."
"AHHH!"
...