Tokita's eyes scanned the room he was in. It seemed to have been cleaned out just recently, as the dust on top of the cabinets outlined items that had previously been there.
"I don't know why I was thinking I'd be getting a brand new room..." He said while dragging his hand over the dust. He looked out towards the window in front of him, taking in the warm light of the setting sun as it slowly began to disappear over the mountains in the distance.
His gaze followed the path of the sun as it disappeared beyond the horizon. The room was filled with the warm glow of the fading light, and for a moment, Tokita felt at peace. It was a feeling he hadn't experienced in a awhile, and he cherished it.
As he stood there, Tokita couldn't help but feel a sense of melancholy wash over him. A lot had happened since he'd arrived and it felt like it had been ages since he had been in a place that could remotely be called home. And yet, here he was, standing in a room that softly resonated those feelings.
His attention shifted to the bed, which he approached with hesitation. As he sat down, a sharp pain shot up his spine, and he winced at the sensation of straw poking through the thin mattress. He couldn't help but compare it to the, by comparison, luxurious beds he was accustomed to in his previous world, and the thought filled him with a deep sense of longing.
His fingers traced the edges of the rough blanket, taking in its coarseness. It was a far cry from the plush fabrics he had grown accustomed to, but he knew he would have to make do with what he was given. With a deep sigh, he lay back on the bed, letting the musty scent of the room wash over him as he tried to get some rest.
His head sank into the straw-stuffed pillow, the spines of the straw poking at the back of his head. He attempted to ignore it, throwing the blanket over himself, trying to get comfortable.
But it was no use. The straw was rough and scratchy, pricking at his skin and causing him to toss and turn. Tokita sat up with a sigh, feeling frustrated at the situation.
"What a spoiled mindset, huh?" He said while laughing to himself quietly. He knew he shouldn't be so petty, shouldn't let his privilege from his previous life cloud his judgement of the current one. But it was hard not to feel disappointed.
Now that he had a proper bed, and time to himself, he got to truly take in the situation, the reality of it all.
He clenched his fists, feeling the emotion bubble up inside him. It wasn't just the bed or the lack of amenities, it was everything. The constant pain and danger, the uncertainty of his future, and the crushing weight of his own inadequacy.
In the past couple of days, he'd experienced more anguish and pain than anyone his age should have to experience. He witnessed a violent death, was abandoned by his one and only friend from his previous world, and was told his potential was incredibly below average.
Tears welled up in his eyes as he thought of all he had lost, all he had left behind. His home, his family, his life. And now, his only friend from his previous world, Akane, was gone too. He was alone, truly alone.
Unable to contain his emotions any longer, he let out a sob, covering his face with his arm. It was a pitiful sight, a young man crying alone in a foreign land. But he couldn't help it, the pain was too much to bear.
But from this pain, a new determination was born.
He raised his arm up, pointing it towards the roof of his room, his body filled with a newfound energy. He would no longer wallow in self-pity, and no longer succumb to the weight of his past experiences. Tokita would use his pain and hardships as fuel for his fire, pushing himself harder than he ever had before.
"I'll rise through this world, I'll prove to Akane I can continue to stand behind her!" He said loudly, speaking to himself. He vowed to prove himself, to his peers, to his Captain, and to Akane.
His eyes gleamed with a fierce determination as he made his promise to himself. He would show Akane, the Royals, and the world what he was truly capable of. He would become a force to be reckoned with, a name that would be known throughout the land.
He would-
A sudden rush of exhaustion suddenly hit him, as if the concept of sleep itself was beckoning him forward.
The warmth of the blankets enveloped him, and he felt like he was sinking into the mattress. It was like a cozy cocoon, a haven from the outside world. His breathing grew slow and steady as he drifted off into a deep slumber.