Hey sorry its been so long, Life has been pretty busy XD Exams and the like :/ I'm just experimenting with length here soo please leave all feedback
and criticism, I'm learning after all.
Chapter 1
Urgh.
Again I slam my head into the pillow, hoping that if the force doesn’t put me to sleep the coolness of the pillow will.
No such luck.
With my fair share of groans and moans, I yank myself from the bed sheet, flinging them to the floor in my sleep deprived rage.
Well I’m actually too tired to be angry, but hey, a bit of dramatization never hurt anybody.
A small sliver of light spills through the partition of the curtains, dancing leisurely over my unadorned room and gently brushing against my face. Warming my check slightly as it passes over me.
The assortment of pills rest on my nightstand, seventeen little reminders at why I’m at a school for the disabled.
Preparing myself with about the same amount of energy as a sloth, I pull myself out of the room. I briefly consider knocking on Kenji’s door, to see if he’s awake.
I Immediately slap myself.
Half stumbling, I walk through the corridor my hand skimming against the wall, weaving in and out of every small groove and brushing softly against the wooden doors. The stairs take me out of my reverie, catching me completely by surprise as I almost tumble down them. Passing by the common room I’m greeted with a polite...wave? The nub on the end of his arm flailing through the air and a burnt piece of toast hanging out the side of his mouth.
How do you get used to this? Where am I supposed to look? What do I say? It’s all so overwhelming, and with everyone preparing for the festival I’ve been dropped right in the midst of things. I really don’t want to spend the day with Kenji, He seems nice enough but a little weird at the least.
The early morning sun sweeps across my face as I push the door open, groaning as the fatigue hits me like a wave.
I stand there for the best of three minutes, looking like a complete fool losing a battle against the morning. The ravenous grumbling of my stomach pulls me out of my reverie, and reminds me how every morning should start.
With a hearty breakfast of course!
With my new motive driving me forward, I half-stagger along the paths of Yamaku, the deep green trees ebbing with each breeze, and the soft, welcoming, grass beckoning me to submit and collapse into its velvety embrace.
Defying all odds I reach the cafeteria, yawning intensely as push the doors open.
I am immediately shocked by the contrast from yesterday lunch, only a few people are scattered across the tables, and the deafening noise of yesterday is no more than a whimper, born of the early risers. After grabbing my breakfast, I search for a place to sit. I recognise a rather large boy from my class alone on a table, slowly dancing his fork across his plate as it chimes against the metal. He waves at me, a smile spreading across his face.
I guess I’m sitting with him then.
As my plate clanks against the table he looks at me with a face flushed with interest, before making large motions circling his ear. Its only now I notice the strap around his arm, locking it to his chest.
“Ummm Hey?” The worlds tumble out my mouth in a barely audible tone, as a thought strikes me mid sentence, what if he’s deaf? And those motions were to convey that to me? Ahh crap.
I don’t think I’ll ever get used to this school.
“Oh okay, You’re not deaf or mute or anything, Just making sure, after all, I’m absolute rubbish at sign. The names Arai by the way, but you can call me Taro. last names are so stuffy.”
The relief of him not being deaf washes over me, and the nervousness of meeting someone new is gone completely, something about the way he speaks is just calming. Weird.
“Well, I’m Nakai, but I guess Hisao if we’re going by first names. I just transferred here.”
“Yeah, we’re in the same class. You fitting in well then?”
Oh boy am I!
“No not really, I just can’t get used to the flow of things, I can’t help define people by their disabilities, Like that girl with no arm, or the guy without the ear.” Whoa, that came out of nowhere. I guess that’s been building up inside for a while.
“Ahh man, don’t worry about it. The first few days are always hard, but you adapt and get used to it.” His tone is reassuring and I have no reason to doubt him, but it’s just so hard to believe.
He seems content with the small nod I give in response as I start to eat. A brief silence passes over us before he speaks again.
“Monoplegia.” He says his voice remaining in that calm tone, not patronizing or self-pitying.
“Basically this arm is completely paralyzed.” I nod in acknowledgement, unsure where he is going with this. He looks me up and down, before bowing his head and sighing. Maybe he wanted me to tell him about my condition?
“I work at a restaurant in town called the Beijing, You’d think it would be hard to cook with a bad arm, and you’d be right but I still manage.” He breaths in deeply, before continuing with that same calming voice.
“Basically, everybody is dealt cards. Some of us get the bad hands, but we still play with the hands we’re dealt. “
Oh, I guess he’s noticed my excessive moping. I know what he is saying, and I appreciate it. I guess the least I could do is tell him why I’m here.
“Arrhythmia.” There, done. That wasn’t too hard.
From the look on his face it’s safe to assume he wasn’t expecting me to tell him. I guess I should continue then.
“Basically I have a broken heart, it beats abnormally and one hit to the chest could kill me.” The ending comes off slightly more bitter than intended, and I visibly grimace at the thought. He notices this and I see something In his eyes, something I really hadn’t hoped to see for a long time.
Pity.
No, I’m not broken or useless, I’m not going to let my condition dominate me.
“You know what though? I’m still me. “The look of pity vanishes from his face, replaced by a grin of accomplishment. Is that what he was trying to do all along? Get me to cheer up? Well, I feel a lot better actually.
Mission accomplished I guess.
“Well since you’re still Hisao, how about spending lunch with me and some friends, meet some people? “ That grin of his is infectious, and he just seems so friendly that I don’t think I could say no. It’s not like I have anywhere to go anyway.
“Ah I suppose I’ll tag along, who are these friends?” Don’t sound too desperate Hisao. Play it cool.
“I
suppose you’ll find out.” He says as he chuckles lightly too himself, clearly wanting to leave me in suspense. Only now do I realise the time, as everyone else in the cafeteria has slowly flitted out. Noticing this too, Taro puts his tray back.
Taro gets up with me and we walk the corridors, now buzzing with activity and life.
Before long we arrive outside of our homeroom, in time for lessons but already packed with students ready for the first lesson. Taro bids me farewell and takes his seat leaving me to sit with the Pink drilled speaker, and her puppeteer.
Maybe I’m being too harsh on them, after all I barely know them, I might as well look at this in a positive light.
Misha opens her mouth to say something but is cut off by a slightly hung over Mutou entering the class mid-lecture.
~@~@~
The class passes rather uneventfully, with Mutou writing up some simple questions which I finish quickly. Leaving me to stare out the window blankly, my eyelids growing heavier.
“Please complete pages 14 and 15 in your-“
The ringing of the bell and packing of the class prevents him from continuing so he just slumps into his chair, accepting that he is powerless to get his message across. Taro waves me from his seat at the back.
“Let’s go grab some lunch then.” He doesn’t wait for a response and we head out the class in a calm silence.
“I thought there were other people?”I ask into thin air, just mumbling to myself.
“Well there will be, they just had to go to the library or something.” Taro answers.
Well I guess that answers that then.
The cafeteria bursts with activity, with people queuing for their lunch and others occupying the tables. We take our place in the line, stepping forward periodically.
“This place is packed Taro, No way are we gonna get a seat.” My voice is almost drowned out by the thundering noise of the canteen.
“You thought we were eating in here? This place is really cramped, we’re going outside to eat. Oh! Get a curry bread by the way, she won’t forgive me for forgetting.”
“She?” Oh Taro, I thought you were going to keep me in the dark?
“Yeah, she is eating with us and you don’t want to see her sleepy rage.” He laughs lightly whilst he speaks and I realise that I need to actually buy some food.
With My lunch and the extra curry bread in arm, we head out the cafeteria and through the expanse of corridor into the bright sun of the afternoon. Two girls sit talking to each other on the field waving at Taro.
As we sit my eyes are immediately drawn to the girl with no legs.
Well she has legs, but they’re not real?
I quickly look away, feeling uncomfortable already.
Maybe this was a bad idea?
“Hey I’m Suzu.” The girl with sea-green hair says, “And this is Molly, no point using last names.”
They both look at me and smile, making me feel a little more welcome.
“I’m Hisao; it’s a pleasure to meet you.” Smooth.
“Well now that we’ve had this little meeting let’s eat, I’m starving.” Taro states, my grumbling stomach agreeing completely.
“You’re always hungry!” Suzu teases, whilst pinching some of the fat on his belly. “And where’s my curry bread?”
“I’m big boned okay?” Taro replies, chuckling slightly as he does. “Hisao has your curry bread, Harass him. Can’t a guy eat his lunch in peace around here?” He says now in a barrage of laughter, and I find myself laughing as well. The awkward feeling now gone.
Suzu reaches across and grabs the curry bread from my outstretched hand, laughing as she does so.
The rest of the lunch break passes quickly as Taro and Suzu banter with each other, exchanging playful jabs and asking me light questions about my thoughts on Yamaku.
“So are you doing anything for the festival Hisao?” Molly asks, surprising me as it’s the first time I’ve heard her speak.
“Wow you move quick!” Taro exclaims, before being punched in the stomach.
“I didn’t mean it like that you jerk!” She laughs, all seriousness vanishing from her face.
“Well, I dunno to be honest, It haven’t really thought about it.” I say in between bouts of laughter.
Suzu and Molly stare at each other for a moment, before looking straight at me, with a completely serious face. Killing my laughter almost immediately.
I’m terrified.
“Oh shit.” Taro says looking at me, A wide smile on his lips.
“THAT JUST WON’T DO!” The girls shout in unison the likes of which could match Misha, causing me to jump in shock and drawing attention from all the other groups of people on the field. The ringing in my ears begins to die down, and the girls have a huge grin plastered on each of their faces.
“Well, it’s sorted.” Suzu says, “You’re spending the festival with us”
I begin to protest that I barely know them, but the looks on their faces say. “We have you now.” Reminding me of a certain duo.
Is this school just full off terrifying girls?
I love you Goatman <3 You help me more than I think you understand 
