I was silently taking notes and trying to actually understand what I was writing down in my notebook. It sounds like an easy task but it gave me quite the hard time.

" I should have expected it " I muttered to myself,

Up until now I was just coming to school and leaving it like it was some kind of cinema, I'd come and casually watch other students, and classmates going about their life.

It's not the best show to watch, but it's not terrible either, it was good for killing time more or less.

Everything looks like it's painted in grey, tasteless, repetitive, and depressing,

Moreover, this year will be my last one in highschool, so I can't just screw around anymore, and the fact that the first semester was close to an end was enough to urge anyone to care about their studies more, even me.

Or that's what I was trying to convince myself of, frankly I couldn't care less about academic success, scoring high in tests, and going to a good university.

But although I'm almost an adult, I can't play around with my future as I please, my parents work hard so we can have a good life as a family, so being a good student is the least thing I should do in order to contribute to that.

I do know that much, and yet…

No, I gotta focus on the lesson for the time being.

As I was resisting my thoughts and trying to study, someone entered the class.

" You're Takasaki kun, right? You're pretty late" said our teacher with a smile, addressing the person standing at the door.

" I apologise " said the guy while slightly bowing his head.

" That's Takasaki kun, your new classmate.

Go on and introduce yourself"

" My name's Takasaki Hikari, I'll be part of this class from now on. I look forward to studying with you all, " said the new student.

" He's cute" " woah he's blonde too!" " Is he japanese?"

" Quiet everyone! you'll have lots of occasions to talk later, back to the lesson.

Takasaki, feel free to take a seat "

A new student huh, I stretched my neck and kept taking notes as our teacher Mori sensei was explaining.

Class ended for today, and everyone started to pack their belongings ready to leave.

I haven't finished organising my notes and my notebook looked like an absolute mess,

" That's harder than what I expected ", I closed it for now and went to a vending machine near the entrance of the class to buy a drink,

Should I just stay in class? Or maybe heading to the library's better?

As I pondered my options, a voice from inside the classroom caught my attention. "Dude, you left your notebook on the desk," someone shouted.

Turning to see what was happening, I observed Takasaki leaving a notebook on his desk, seemingly on purpose.

"It's fine I'll come back to it later"

" Heh, won't you come with us? Y'all are excited to know you better y'know, we can go to karaoke or a cafe and have some fun"

" I appreciate it but I'll have to pass, I have some stuff I have to take care of, maybe another time"

" okay "

" Thanks"

So he'll stay in class too? Guess I'll go to the library then.

The class was empty as I glanced back at Takasaki's desk , noticing the abandoned notebook from a distance. I heard him talking with other classmates about writing and books and that type of stuff after they gathered around him when the teacher left.

I couldn't help but wonder if it was the same one he used for writing. I used to buy sketchbooks to draw, do writers use notebooks instead?

Before I realised it, I found myself standing in front of his desk.

What am I thinking? That's none of my business, I gotta finish with those stupid notes and go back home.

I let out a sigh, gathered my bag and prepared to leave. Then, Takasaki approached me.

" Are you interested in writing too?" he asked,

" Not really ", I responded.

" Hmm, I thought you were going to take a look at it because you're into writing too, too bad", he said pointing his finger toward the notebook.

So he thought I'd peek in his notebook huh.

" Do you plan on pursuing a writing career?" I asked

" That's an unexpected question, yes I do" He said,

I couldn't tell if his tone was normal or a bit hyped, and why does he think that my question is unexpected?

I clearly heard others asking him the same, is it because he thinks I'm not interested?

Here I am again thinking about unnecessary stuff, whether he becomes a writer or not won't make a difference for me anyway.

"Good luck " I threw these words and left.

I didn't want to be thinking about it, but it was stuck in my mind,

Pursuing something, waking up each day with excitement knowing that your existence will have a meaning, and depending on your goal, you might be remembered forever.

I don't know anything about the new student besides that he writes, and thus I can't judge, but I think it must be nice to have a strong sense of purpose in your life.

People only show to others what they want them to see, but if he was going to be a writer for real, then he's probably happy with it.

Purpose, goals, dreams, happiness,

These thoughts were all what was in my mind for the rest of the day.