Walking To School I saw Kazuki
"Hey Kazuki, good morning,"
"Ichiro? Good morning. It's a rare event to meet you while walking to school,"
"Yeah, especially when you leave so early for school,"
Kazuki was the kind of guy who got to school on time every day, while I was not like him. So it wasn't strange for him to say something like that.
"Ichiro, you are looking kinda under the weather,"
"That's just because I didn't get enough sleep last night,"
"Why? What happened?"
"I don't really know..."
"Ichiro, isn't that her?" Kazuki suddenly said, nodding towards a girl ahead.
"Her? What do you mean, who?" I asked, even though I had a good idea.
"Don't act like that... you know who I'm referring to," he teased.
"Shut up," I muttered, feeling my cheeks heat up.
Walking to school, Kazuki was referring to Shiori-san at that moment. Shiori-san, who sits two rows ahead of me, someone I liked.
"Ichiro, catch this," Kazuki said, tossing something to me.
"Huh? What? Movie tickets? To Benny's Bunny Parade!?"
"I don't quite need them, so you can take them,"
"But they are yours, and I am not interested in cute movies anyway,"
"You can go watch the movie with Shiori-san. I heard she is quite interested in cute movies,"
"Her? How can you even think I have a chance"
"Idk I just don't need them so take it,"
Being an introverted and one of the unpopular kids in the class, I knew I had no chance with her. I put the tickets in my pocket and sat on my bench, feeling the weight of the day ahead.
"Hey, Shiori! Wait up!" My friend, Yumi, called out as she hurried to catch up with me outside the school gate.
I turned around, waiting for her to reach me. "Good morning, Yumi!"
"Good Morning!"
As we started walking toward our classroom.we turned the corner, we spotted our other friend, Aiko, waiting by the lockers.
"Good morning, Shiori! Yumi!" Aiko greeted us cheerfully. "Did you hear about the movie coming out this weekend? Benny's Bunny Parade!"
"Oh, I heard about that!" I exclaimed. "It looks so cute! I've been wanting to see it ever since I saw the trailer."
"Me too! But The Tickets are sold out everywhere."
"Yeah… I wish I can watch it anytime soon"
Just as I, Ichiro settled into my seat, Mr. Tanaka walked into the classroom with his usual authoritative presence.
"Good morning, class,"
"I have an important announcement to make. Starting tomorrow, we will be changing the seating arrangement."
"Be sure to check the new seating chart that will be posted outside the classroom by the end of today," Mr. Tanaka continued. "Make sure you know your new seat by tomorrow morning."
"Hey, hey Ichiro. Who do u think you will sit with?" Kazuki asked me
"I have no idea"
"Who do You want to sit with?"
"Again You, Maybe"
"Nah, We are sitting next to each other from a long time, Aren't you bored of me yet?"
"Nah, I mean I am fine sitting anywhere?"
As the class began, my mind wandered to the new seating chart. Based on my luck I don't think I'll get a good seat.
Finally, it was lunchtime. Kazuki and I grabbed our trays and headed to our usual spot in the cafeteria. The school served lunch, so we didn't have to bring anything from home.
As we sat down and started eating, Kazuki turned to me. "So, any plans for after school today?"
I shrugged. "Not really. I was just going to head home. Why?"
He took a bite before replying. "I was thinking of going to that bookstore opened near the station. What do you think?"
I considered it for a moment. "Sounds good. I can get a new manga to read."
"Great, it is settled then,"
"Anyways, what do you think about this whole seating arrangement change?"
I sighed. "I don't know, man. I guess it could be interesting. Or it could be a disaster. Depends on who I end up sitting next to."
After we finished lunch, we walked back to class. As we entered the classroom, Aiko caught up with me, her eyes glimmering with curiosity.
"Hey, Shiori, if you get to choose where would you wanna sit?" Aiko asked with curiousity in her eyes.
I thought about her question for a moment, considering the possibilities. "Hmm, I am not sure. Maybe somewhere near the window? I like the breeze and natural light"
Aiko nodded, "That sounds nice."
"To be honest anywhere is ok with me as long as i am not too far from you and the others"
As we settled into our seats, the teacher, Mr. Nakamura, began the afternoon lesson. Today's topic was history, and he started discussing the events leading up to the Meiji Restoration. I tried to focus on taking notes, but my mind kept drifting to the new seating chart that would be posted soon.
"Shiori, can you tell us the significance of the Charter Oath of 1868?" Mr. Tanaka's question jolted me back to reality.
I quickly checked my notes and stood up. "The Charter Oath of 1868 was significant because it outlined the main goals and values of the new Meiji government. It helped to unify the country and set the stage for modernization."
Mr. Tanaka nodded approvingly. "Well done. It's important to understand these foundational changes."
I sat back down, feeling a mix of relief and embarrassment. Aiko leaned over and whispered, "Nice save, Shiori."
As The Class Finally Ended, I followed Aiko to the bulletin board. Feeling Excited I looked through the seating chart...
Aiko scanned it quickly and said. "I'm sitting next to Kazuki." ahh
She didn't look much happy with it
"It'll be fine, aiko"
Then I looked for my name on the chart. My eyes widened when I found it: Shiori - Seat 6G. And right next to it, in Seat 6F, was Ichiro's name.
"I am next to Ichiro..."
"As Long as you are fine with it, its good" Aiko replied
"…"
"Ichiro, wanna take a look at the bulletin board" Kazuki asked
"Sure, Sure. Lets see" I said showing no excitement in my tone.
I followed Kazuki to the bulletin board with hopes of getting a good seat
"Here it is," Kazuki said, pointing to the chart. "Let's find our names."
I scanned the list and said to Kazuki. "You're in 4F and Aiko is right next to you in 4G."
"Well guess we won't be sitting together this time, Anyway What about you?"
"I'm in 6F and right next to me is Shiori at 6G"
Kazuki smirked. "Looks like you got a good seat after all."
"I don't know about that" I replied
"Alright, let's head home now."
Kazuki Nodded "Yeah, Sure Lets go!"
As Kazuki and I walked home, our conversation drifted from upcoming exams to the latest manga releases.
"Hey, Ichiro, want to check out that new bookstore near the station after school as we planned?" Kazuki asked, breaking the silence.
"Sure! I nearly forgot about it."
As we arrived at the manga store, the colorful posters and displays in the window caught our attention.
"Where should we start?" I asked, looking at the rows of books.
Kazuki shrugged. "Anywhere, really. Let's just see what catches our eye."
We wandered through the aisles. Looking for something good.
Kazuki called out from across the store. "Hey, Ichiro, check this out!"
I hurried over to see what had caught his eye. It was a display of the latest volume of his favourite manga series.
"At the end I ended up not buying anything and Kazuki bought a whole lot of mangas to read"
When I arrived home, the familiar scent of dinner greeted me, and I realized how hungry I was after the long day at school.
"Maybe I should have got myself a snack" I muttered as I took off my shoes at the entrance.