Sakamoto who used to be able to take the exam, now can't. For being late for class, he had to stand in the school hallway until the exam was over.
After that, he had to enter the office. Inside the room there was a man named Akechi who was the teacher who taught in the exam earlier.
"Sakamoto!"
"Y-Yes!"
There was a sharp gaze given to Sakamoto, a glare that Sakamoto was unable to see.
"Why are you late today?"
"Th-That's because…!"
"An obvious answer!"
"Okay! It's because I study late at night, and I oversleep."
The honest answer of the tone of voice accompanied by the trembling of the body definitely signaled the truth, but it was an illogical reason to be late for a teacher.
"You should prepare yourself to prepare everything, not spend too much time when the time comes."
Sakamoto wanted to scream and reveal everything, but he was afraid that new, more complicated problems would occur.
Then another series of tirades were hurled at Sakamoto, he could only remain silent and listen to those words. Every word he heard was like a dagger piercing his heart.
Sakamoto is still allowed to take the exam, but within the allotted time and in front of Akechi.
It only took him 30 minutes to complete the exam. Thanks to all his struggles, Sakamoto finished in 23 minutes, it really surprised Akechi, all questions given were around 50 out of two subjects.
After finishing Sakamoto is allowed to go home. There is no sense of relief even after completing the exam.
"Huh… how can I face tomorrow, huh!" In the middle of the garden as he walked towards the house, Sakamoto's feet stopped with his eyes looking up at the sky.
The twilight sky was so yellow that it represented Sakamoto's dream to be able to fly freely like a bird without the burdens of life that always shackled his desires.
Arriving in the room, Sakamoto immediately laid his body on the bed. Not soft but comfortable to soothe the heart, not luxurious but enough to be a place to release the sadness and sorrow that hit.
***
[Tomorrow Day]
Sakamoto went to school earlier than usual. As soon as he entered the classroom, cynical eyes immediately fell on him.
"Heeh… look, he was the one who was late yesterday!"
"Yeah, he's very weak and clumsy."
"Why is there a man who is as weak as him huh."
"Who knows! Maybe he's a failed product created by God."
"Hehahahaha!"
The voices of the class people were very clearly heard in Sakamoto's ears. Laughter that pierced his heart, so painful.
Can only look down sadly, he is still trying to stay strong and hide the tears. Even though his heart was already crying blood, the screams of sadness continued to emanate in his mind.
No one will be able to reach that voice, no one will be able to hear it but only the soul that is always weak within it. If anyone could hear it surely the shrill sound that came out would shock everyone.
Sakamoto who was sitting on the chair received a sharp glare from a boy, he was the one who should have given the answer yesterday Sakamoto to be petrified in the exam, but yesterday's events were something different from expectations.
Sakamoto swallowed his saliva, even though he didn't look back, the aura of the boy's gaze was so intense that the chills went down his spine.
Sure enough, when it was time to go home from school. Sakamoto was visited by three boys, they were still in the same class with him.
Sakamoto knew that this was going to happen to him soon. His body trembled, and was resigned to the fate that would happen to him
"Oi… Sakamoto! Why were you late yesterday and now you know I have to remedy the consequences of your actions!" said the boy in an intimidating tone.
"Forgive me!" replied Sakamoto in a low, low voice.
"Aaah? What did you say? Try to say it clearly!" The boy's hand flew immediately as he spoke.
Sakamoto was hit by a fist that dropped him to the floor. Sakamoto's eyes slowly met the man's face.
"Crack! Crack! Crack!"
Fingers had sounded, every sound signaling the pain Sakamoto would soon feel.
"Time to teach a lesson to those who can't keep their promises."
The three of them then gave gifts that of course no one wanted. The fists and kicks landed directly on Sakamoto's body, he couldn't fight back, his body was too weak.
"Hehe… let's go home!"
"He must have been unable to move anymore!"
"Wait a moment!" The boy brought his head closer to Sakamoto's ear. "Remember today Sakamoto is not the last, be prepared for tomorrow. See you again!"
A soft whisper at the end of the sentence that made Sakamoto's pupils dilate. After being satisfied with teaching Sakamoto a lesson, the three children left.
….
He could only hold it in, his whole body ached in excruciating pain. His nose was bleeding, his face was covered in bruises and his clothes were dirty.
The whole way home from school his legs felt very heavy. His vision began to be obscured by a teardrop.
"How come I never feel happy! What is wrong with me! I want to live without fear."
Sakamoto stopped his footsteps, then contemplated under the sunset. Sakamoto could barely feel the warmth of the sun, but it wasn't long after only five minutes, Sakamoto stepped back towards his house.
On the way, he saw someone wearing a robe sitting on a deserted street. It was time, it was almost evening, so it was normal if that there were no people passing by on the street.
"Hehehe!"
When Sakamoto passed by that person, a small chuckle sounded softly in Sakamoto's ears, but he ignored it, the pain in his heart from such a tiring day overpowering everything around him.
"It seems you are in trouble!"
Sakamoto's footsteps suddenly stopped when he heard the robed person say. Sakamoto slowly looked back.
The robed person just stared straight at him with a faint smile. Sakamoto glanced left and right to make sure that the person was talking to him.
"You don't have to be afraid, I did talk to you!"
The robed person spoke again, and it became clearer that it was Sakamoto he was talking to.
Sakamoto's heart became curious, immediately he approached the robed person.
"Are you talking to me?" said Sakamoto in a doubtful tone.
The robed person nodded. "I can see the future and past of you through the glass in this crystal ball."
The place where the robed person arrive is like a fortune teller on the side of the road who always offers a net to see the line of the future.
"What do you see in my future?" Even though he already understands that all of this is just a tongue dance which may not necessarily be true, but there is no wrong in trying to find out his own future.
"You will…!"
__To Be Continued__