After a long day of me dating with Maria, we found ourselves at the cemetery. My original plan for the day was to visit this place, the resting place of one of my family members who had passed away a few days ago.
The grave before me was my grandmother's. Her burial was outside the city, forcing me to travel just to get here. I should have arrived earlier today, but I hesitated to tell Maria about my destination, knowing it would make her sad.
Despite knowing that, I still didn't cancel my plans.
As expected, Maria cried and even let go of my hand, which she had been holding tightly.
All I could do was stay by her side, comfort her, and stroke her hair.
I never quite understood why Maria loved it when I stroked her hair, but it felt right, and it seemed to soothe her.
If only I could bring back the dead, I would have resurrected my grandmother without hesitation after witnessing the tears of my mother and Maria that day. But reality was a harsh mistress, and that thought was just a delusion.
After Maria managed to calm down, still clutching my grandmother's grave, I quickly pulled her away. She couldn't even walk, claiming she had no strength left, so I had to carry her on my back.
But I knew she just wanted to be pampered. I knew it, I realized it, but I remained silent and gave in to her wishes.
At least, as her older brother, I didn't mind doing this if it could help her forget what happened for a little while.
Not long after we left the cemetery, Maria gradually began to return to her usual self and we were able to joke around again. We went home together, smiling, leaving the heartbreaking but bloodless past behind us.
A few days passed, and tomorrow was the first day of high school. But before that, I had to go somewhere first.
That's why I was currently in the kitchen, waiting for the bread I had baked. I also prepared some small pieces of meat and cheese on the dining table as a pre-departure snack. At least a breakfast like this would give me enough energy to start the day.
My father was sitting on the couch, watching television in the living room.
"Dad, where are Mom and Maria?"
"Your mother is out on business. She was called by the academy."
"Is there a problem?"
"Yeah, there's been a case of student abductions happening these past few days. Nine students have disappeared since last Sunday after returning home from the academy. They haven't been seen since."
"Hmm... I see... Talented students. I'm sure if they were ordinary students, Mom wouldn't have to be called in."
"Yeah, you know, it's not possible for ordinary people to kidnap gifted students from the academy. Especially not nine times. It's not a coincidence; it must have been planned."
"An organization..."
"An organization? You know something?"
"No, I'm just guessing. If it involves more than one gifted student, it's most likely the work of a special group. Besides, if the motive were revenge, the case wouldn't be kidnapping; it would be murder."
"You really like to jump to conclusions, don't you? Listening to you right now makes me feel like I've already solved the whole mystery."
"Maybe I'm right. From the beginning, I was just guessing to satisfy myself. If others feel satisfied with my conclusions, it means my conclusions make sense."
"I didn't know you were the hard-working type."
"There's nothing wrong with satisfying myself by solving a mystery that's not even my business. Besides, I'm not lazy, I just don't want to do useless things."
"Is that why you always avoid your friends at school?"
As soon as I heard my father's question, I fell silent. I just looked at the cooked meat in front of me and the toasted bread that was ready. Then I placed the meat on the bread and covered it with another slice. After that, I spread cheese on one of the two meat-filled toasts I had made.
Then I placed the toast with the meat but without the cheese onto a plate and walked towards my father, placing it on the table in front of him.
"Thanks, Will," said my father, while I simply nodded and returned to take my own portion, starting to eat at the table without glancing at the television.
Bite after bite, the food I held gradually got smaller until it was completely gone into my belly.
But every bite was accompanied by memories of my past in elementary and middle school. Unpleasant memories of envious and spiteful stares. Emotions spewed out of mouths in the form of insults. Hateful punches directed straight at me.
Also Various motives for false friendships emerged, most of them just wanting to get close to my mother by befriending me. It wasn't just people my age, some teachers were also kind to me just to get attention. They thought I didn't know they were always talking badly about me.
"That kid is too stupid and arrogant. Just because I'm nice to him and he's grateful."
I knew it from the beginning, but I would still thank them if someone helped me. There was nothing wrong with thanking them, because I still had my self-respect as a human being. At least I was better than them as a human being, but I still felt betrayed. Because in my heart, there was always a small hope for something.
They thought my mother could help them get into the academy, a place where gifted people with colorful eyes gathered and learned, but with some subjects that shouldn't be in ordinary schools.
Esper practice, or what is commonly called special training for Espers to control their powers properly. That training was only available at the academy, so there was a special class where people who had already graduated from school could still enter the academy to learn to control their abilities.
Essentially, the academy was a place for gifted people. A place I was sure to avoid.
After finishing my meal, I was about to head for the door.
"Dad, I'm going out."
"Huh? It's still morning! Where are you going?"
"Part-time work."
"Hah? What high school student works part-time on their day off?"
"Your own son, Dad."
"Come on, stay home and keep me company. Even Mom and Maria went out, and now you? Why do you all leave me alone at home when I'm on my holiday!?"
"I could rot if I stayed at home all day. You should also go out for a while when you're on vacation. The world is a big place, you know that right..."
As I was about to open the door, my father immediately said, "Yeah, whatever. Do what you want if you think that it's the right thing to do."
"Thanks."
"Pick up your little sister if you can after work. She said she's playing at a friend's house. She might be home late tonight. That makes me a little worried, especially since she's a girl."
"Her friend? Who?"
"Clara."
"Ohhh, Clara... Alright."
"Do you know where she lives?"
"Yeah, I know," I said as I passed through the door, heading out of the house. And then I looked back for a few seconds to say, "I'm leaving, bye dad."