"Thank you for the reassurance, Mr. Takahashi. Now everyone, be sure that Mr. Takahashi feels welcome and to help him in any way he might need it. Your desk will be the only one that's left open, at the back there. Mr. Shizuhara! Raise your hand!"
'Shizuhara? I know that name.' Watching a hand unenthusiastically rise in the air, I saw that it belonged to the person I was hoping for….Renji. We were pretty close before I was admitted. But looking at how he's not trying to make eye contact with me, he must not be happy that I'm back.
"It's yours for the year, so make yourself comfortable."
"Thank you."
Walking to my desk felt like I was on a runway. Everyone still had their eyes on me, so I decided to play the part and smiled at whoever I made eye contact with. I knew once these people had a chance, they were going to crowd and smother me with questions. Sitting at my desk I glanced at Renji, who was on the right of me. For the most part he looked the same. He's sitting, but you could tell he's grown a lot over the past 3 years and changed his hair by adding some blonde highlights. I remember that he always talked about doing that, so I decided to bring my remembering to his attention to confirm if there was any tension between us. "I see you actually went ahead and turned your hair blonde. It looks good." Still not looking at me, he didn't seem like he was going to acknowledge what I said. 'Whatever then. I'm fine either way.'
"Thanks."
Hearing him whisper his response, but still not looking towards me told me just enough. Yeah, he's mad, but just needs time to come around. Some things really don't change. No matter how much more mature we get, with age, there's just some aspects about ourselves that'll always be the same. Reminds me of the book I read in the Rehab facility, not that long ago, called The Order of Time by physicist Carlo Rovelli. He as well as other scientists, including Einstein, believed that humanity's perception of time is an illusion. I didn't fully understand what they meant by it until now. I get the feeling I'm going to be noticing this philosophy a lot today.
"To continue with what I was saying. As third years, this might be your final year as high school students, but keep in mind that this is the stepping stone for your futures. Some of you will be busy with studying and Cram School. And some of you will be looking for jobs. But as you're getting ready to be young adults and adjust to being a part of society, don't forget to take a break. Go out with your friends, watch a movie, or just go for a walk and take in your surroundings. Because as much as you want to be prepared for the future, don't forget to enjoy the present. And with that, I'm going to let your Student Council President and Vice President take over from here."
'That was a very inspirational speech. And I thought he was one of those strict and "do nothing but study" type of counselor.'
"Oh, and Mr. Takahashi!"
Thinking that he might have heard my thoughts, I quickly answer, "Yes!"
"Come see me at the end of the day."
"Okay!"
"Okay?"
Maybe I thought too soon. "Yes, sir." He might be one of those, after all.
"Okay, everyone! So just like every year, once the bell rings, the school club fair will begin. And like our counselor said, we should take this as our last opportunity to be a part of something we enjoy doing, to try something new, or to even make new friends. We highly recommend that everyone join at least one club. High school is about making memories, after all. Do you have anything to add, Vice President?"
'The President is cute. She looks familiar too, but I'm not sure, we might have gone to school together in the past. But if she's the President, while sister is only Vice, she must be pretty smart.'
"Over the break, the Student Council decided to start a study group. So if anyone would like to catch up on their studies, need help with anything, or would just like to come hang out, but of course study is welcome. Again, it's our last year, so we want to help make sure all of us are prepared for entrance exams anyone wants to take. If you want to join, just let me, or President Nana, know and we'll add you to the group chat so you know when upcoming study sessions will be." The school bell starts to ring after Kikyo finishes talking.
"Great! And with that, let's all have a good year!"
Everyone starts to clap for the President and Vice President and follow them out of the classroom. 'Nana? Nana. Now, I know for sure, I had to have known her back then.' The classroom was now empty, with everyone going to the club fair. But there was one person that stayed behind….Sleeping Beauty. Still staring outside, even as I walk up to her, she most likely hasn't even noticed that the bell rang. Looking for my jacket, I noticed that she no longer had it. 'What did she do with it?'
This was my chance to talk to her. She had my jacket. And she might be the girl from the accident, so us talking is inevitable either way. But just like when she was sleeping, she looked so calm and serene, I didn't want to disturb her. 'How can she be so detached from everything that's going on around her? I feel like a whole day could go by and she would still be here, gazing at….' I look outside and don't see anything except for a cherry blossom tree in the school courtyard. 'Is that really all she's been looking at, so intently, this whole time?' Just as I was about to ask her that question, someone barges into the classroom.
"Oh, perfect! You're both here! I was afraid we were going to have to send out two search parties!"