"The Cherry Blossom Look Beautiful, Don't they??

" Yes, they-

"Wake Up."

"You are in class."

"Huh? What"

Here I was sleeping in the class when my friend Kazuki woke me up... I owe him one for saving me from the teacher this time.

"Why would you sleep in class?"

"Bell rings"

"Yay! Let's go home now, today was exhausting..."

"Ichiro?"

"You are sleeping again!?"

"Nah, I am wide awa-"

"You are sleeping, let's go home. School's over."

"What? School's over? Let's go."

Now here I was walking home with my friend Kazuki. He is an old friend I had known since we were toddlers...

"Say, Ichiro, what were you dreaming about?"

It was too embarrassing to tell him about that, so I countered it by saying, "It's none of your business."

"Just spit it out..."

"Shut up."

"You know, Ichiro, there is a saying that everybody loves somebody."

"Oh, is there?"

"Hey, Ichiro, wanna stop by the cafe?"

I was so hungry I couldn't deny it. "Heck yeah, I'm hungry."

As we arrived at the cafe, we noticed it was closed.

"Aagh, it's closed... Why?"

"Guess today's not our day."

"Yeah..."

My home was the other way, so I had to say my byes.

"Okay, bye Kazuki, see you tomorrow."

"Bye..."

"Are you sad about the cafe being clos-"

He didn't even listen to what I was saying and just walked away.

"Whatever..."

"Everybody loves somebody. Was he trying to be cool by telling me this"

"I am home..."

"Welcome back... Honey."

"I am hungry..."

"Oh, you must be exhausted. I am preparing dinner. Till then, you can drink the juice from the fridge."

"Yeah yea-"

"I am going to my room, Mom."

"Ok..."

I was so exhausted that even looking at the bed could make me feel cozy. As soon as I saw the bed, I jumped on it.

"This is so comfortable. Now I can sleep for some time peacefully."

I was so tired that I slept in an instant after laying on the bed.

"Ichiro!!"

"Ichiro! Dinner's ready!!"

Opening my eyes felt like pushing a boulder up a mountain. But I still managed to wake up.

"Coming, Mom."

"By the way, what's for dinner? I forgot to ask before."

"Miso soup, grilled salmon, stir-fried veggies, pickles, and rice."

"Ah, that again."

That dinner looked really good not only in appearance but taste as well. I don't really know if it was because of my hunger or what, but that was the first time I liked a meal like that. "Thanks for the meal," I said to express my gratitude.

"Ichiro, there is something I want to tell you..."

"Me? What is it?"

"You know your dad works in Jakarta. He might not be able to manage everything there alone."

Yeah, my dad didn't live with us because he worked in Jakarta.

"Oh, right... He might not be able to handle everything."

"So I was saying, Ichiro, I might need to travel there occasionally to help him out."

"Will you be able to manage things here with a bit more responsibility? Don't worry, I'll be here most of the time."

I was unsure of it because I had never taken on more responsibilities before...

"I guess I would be..." while saying that, I could imagine myself forgetting to close the tap water, forgetting to eat dinner, and more.

Mom replied with, "I hope so..." 

Being tired, I said, "I am going to sleep now. Good night, Mom."

"Good night..."