As the alarm went off Ari turned it off got up and made his bed. He was clearly tired and distressed and he didn't wanted to go to school however, his frequent dreams about his late mother kept on repeating over and over in his head, it was his sole reason for attending school.
He took a bath and got ready, then he prepared breakfast. After finishing his morning meal, he saw a note left by his father stating that he was going on a business trip but won't be back until the next two weeks.
My old man really is busy with work huh, he said to himself as he left the house to attend school. Ever since I was a kid , I had always despised insects, most of them were scary looking and most of them were venomous and could cause fatal damage to us humans or even worst death.
A prime example of this would be my late mother, her allergies was triggered after she was bitten while she was home alone which caused her to suffocate to death. Now even though she was bitten by a spider I can't help but despise ants, the worst of all insects.
I hate that they build nests in your house, swarm your food when you leave it out even for a second, when they bite you unexpectedly which hurts like hell and the pain lasts for at least a couple minutes.
And lastly I hate how persistent they are , no matter how much you kill them they will not take the hint and would keep coming back no matter what. As a kid anytime I saw a nest I would spray it with water because it brought me joy and it helped me cope with my mom's passing. Now ironically, my name is Ari Igurashi and 'Ari' means ant which is what I find weird Ari said to himself as he was making his way to school.
After five minutes had passed a girl tapped on his shoulder. Good morning Ari she said as she greeted him. Oh good morning Keiko said Ari. You look as gloomy as ever , is everything alright at home? Asked Keiko worried about Ari. Yeah I'm fine , just a little tired that's all said Ari as he yawned.
You should really sleep at night, it's essential to get some rest kay? Said Keiko. Yes I will try and get some sleep. Well then see you later, I'm running late for a meeting said Keiko as she ran off.
Keiko Matsuoka, the most popular girl in our school, one of the best tennis players in Japan and also the vice president of the student council. Now you must be wondering why she's hanging around a loser like me. Well, we were friends since childhood, my father and her mother worked at the same agency so it's only natural that we became close.
She's the only girl that ever gives me the time of day and she never turned her back on me no matter how much she changed or how popular she got which was what made me fall for her. She finds time for me despite being extremely busy , she would sometimes come over and cook for me or even do some cleaning so even though there is a high chance that she doesn't feel the same way that I do at least I'm in a better seat than some guys said Ari.
As he walked towards the school gates he was ambushed by a classmate and his lackeys. Ari can I talk to you for a minute?Asked his classmate. Then there are those guys who can't accept that Keiko isn't into them and it hurts their egos.
Ari was beaten and punched in the gut by his classmate's lackeys. As he screamed in pain and was about to fall to the ground, he was kicked in face causing his nose to bleed. Despite all the damage they had inflicted on him they continued stomping on him .
I just don't get it, what does Keiko sees in a plain, boring loser like you? Why would she waste her time on a pathetic scum with no social life, you are nothing special so why won't she go out with me no matter how much I beg.
I buy her chocolates, roses and even tennis rackets but she refused them all just so she can hangout with trash like you, I'm getting really frustrated now said Ari's classmate .
Alright you guys can stop now, I think we've roughed him up enough said his classmate. Now I want you to listen to me carefully, I want you to stay away from Keiko, or you'll be beaten to a pulp every single day of your miserable high school life.
This will not stop until you keep your distance from her, so if you decide to ignore my warnings the only thing you'll feel is pain. Let's go guys, I'm getting sick of looking at his disgusting face said Ari's classmate as they left the scene.
The leader of those bastards is none other than Naomi Maeda, captain of the soccer team and very popular among the ladies. As you can guess he's one of the many guys who wants to date Keiko, however, no matter how many times he asked her out he was rejected. So they punched and kicked the hell out of me just because I talked with Keiko. Well this was not the first time this has happened.
Back in junior high school, I was bullied because of my relationship with Keiko, but I managed to bare all that pain and burden without telling her until graduation and now history is repeating itself I think I've reached my breaking point.
I like Keiko, however I don't know if she likes me so was all that pain worth it back then or was I just a fool? Ari asked himself. If Keiko is the reason behind me having to endure such pain then it makes sense that I just leave her be.
It's now lunch time and Ari haven't made an appearance to any of our classes, is he skipping? Or did something happen to him? Keiko asked herself Worriedly. Keiko, I have to ask, why do you care so much for that guy, he's always gloomy and he gives me the creeps said her friend. .
Ari and I have been friends for over a decade now, so isn't that enough reason for me to care for him? Asked Keiko. I guess you're right said her friend. Even so I'd be careful around him if I were you, he always look like he's up to something said her other friend.
C'mon guys don't be like that, Ari's a nice guy if you got to know him then you'd understand. Oh I see , you like him don't you? That's the only explanation why you rejected all those guys isn't it ? Asked her friend.
Ari overheard them and hesitated to open the classroom's door. Me and Ari are not like that, though we are really close we will never be nothing more than just friends said Keiko. Her words pierced Ari's heart and had wounded him deeper than the beating he received earlier.
A heartbroken Ari opened the classroom door and slowly tried to make his way to his seat. Keiko spotted him and was shocked at how beaten up he was. Oh my God!! Ari what happened to you? Asked Keiko as she tried to touch Ari's face however Ari slapped her hand away. I'm fine, don't worry about me.
How can you be fine when you're bruised all over, come on let me take you to the infirmary to get those wounds checked out said Keiko. I said I'm fine, just leave me the hell alone!! All of this is your fault anyways if I, if I wasn't so close to you then maybe I wouldn't have been bullied by every guy you have rejected said Ari.
So the ones who did this to you were... It doesn't matter anymore, all this time you knew how I felt about you but you insisted on dragging me along, just do yourself a favor and stay away from me, I mean it, I want nothing to do with you anymore. Tears flooded Keiko's eyes as she ran out of the classroom.
Keiko wait!! Shouted one of her friends as they rushed after her. You're such a jerk Ari, Keiko is the only person who genuinely cares for you, no matter how many times we insulted you she would always defend you and say all these nice things about you but I guess she was wrong said Keiko's other friend as she rushed after her.
And there goes my one shot in life at getting a girlfriend, I lost my one and only friend but it's for the best, someone like me doesn't deserve to be around someone like her. After getting patched up at the infirmary Ari was sent home early due to the severity of his injuries.
I'm glad that I was able to leave school early because I didn't want to look at her again today Ari said to himself. After walking a little further he stumbled upon a large ants nest and decided to kick it to release stress, destroying it. How does it feels to be weak and defenseless? Asked Ari as he kept on destroying the colony.
How does it feels to loose everything that you worked so hard to build. The ant started biting Ari which made him even angrier so he pulled out a bottle of water from his bag and started pouring it on the nest. I'm going to destroy you until there's nothing left.
Suddenly a Truck driver lost control of the vehicle and it was heading into Ari's direction. Hey kid, get the hell outta the way! Shouted the truck driver but before Ari noticed the truck he was hit killing him in the process.
Did I die? So this is what death feels like huh, it's so warm , I'm finally at peace Ari said to himself. Ari opened his eyes but he woke up in an unfamiliar place. Where am I? Is this the afterlife? This place looks really strange Ari said to himself.
As Ari was about to get up he noticed his hands. Whoa!! My hands are brown and has alot of hair on it. Ari spotted a pond and decided to look in it. What the hell, why are there antennas protruding through my head, I look human however, I also bear features of an ant, no way, what the hell happened to me? You have got to be kidding me!! Screamed Ari.