"I'm running late!"
I, Nakagawa William, am running as if my life depends on it. I couldn't afford to be late on my first day of school, especially at this school, known for its strict discipline and academic demands.
My school is about ten minutes from home, which would normally be an advantage... but clearly not today. "Damn it! You should have at least woken me up, Lissette," I muttered as I quickened my pace.
When I woke up, there were only twelve minutes left before school started. Next to the clock on my shelf, I found a note that said:
[You're going to be late, nii-san. And the leftover pudding you made yesterday... is already in a better place. My stomach.]
"She came to my room and didn't even wake me up?!" I protested.
Apparently, she came to get some scissors from my desk. 'Even so, dear little sister, you could at least support your beloved brother a little.'
Although it is a public educational institution, it is one with a lot of prestige even at the prefectural level, reasonably advanced and with high academic performance, where outstanding students or those seeking to overcome challenges apply to study there. So I had to study hard to get in, especially during the last week when I practically only got out of my chair to eat lunch and take a shower.
Why did I choose this school? Simple: for personal reasons... and because it was the closest. Going to other institutions meant taking the train, and knowing myself, I know I'm a mess in the mornings.
Fortunately, I arrived just in time for the entrance ceremony. At the end, we were directed to our respective classrooms. Mine was First Year Class A.
As dictated by a kind of unwritten tradition, personal introductions were part of the start of the school year. It's a first impression that can mark your place in the classroom, something even more important for someone like me, who has always been somewhat reserved. Even more so after a certain incident in the past...
My mother was very concerned about that. For as long as I can remember, I never had a group of friends as such. No companions for adventures or nonsense. Perhaps it was me who built an invisible wall between them and me.
"Good morning, everyone. My name is Yonikawa Kia. I will be your tutor this year. It's a pleasure to meet you."
Teacher Yonikawa-sensei seemed like a strict but confident person. Although young, she had the bearing of someone with experience.
"Okay, now I'd like to get to know you better. Let's start with you," she said, pointing to a classmate.
The round of introductions began. Some classmates stood out for their appearance, others for their charisma, some even for their comical rudeness. Everyone shared their hobbies, dreams, or goals. And then it was my turn.
"My name is Nakagawa William. I studied at Maegami High School. It's a pleasure to meet you."
"Phew... I think I did well. I didn't stutter or freeze up... or so I'd like to believe." I knew I didn't stand out in terms of presence or charisma, unlike my sister. But leaving a decent impression was enough for me.
"William?"
"William?"
"That name isn't..."
I heard some murmurs as I returned to my seat. I didn't quite understand what they were saying, but I didn't think much of it... at least for now.
The first day ended without further incident. But the second day would begin differently.
Second Day
When I arrived, I noticed a much more relaxed atmosphere in the classroom. Everyone was chatting happily.
Once I was in my seat, I started to take out my materials when I heard a voice nearby.
"Hello, Nakagawa-san. I'll be counting on you from today. Nice to meet you."
"Uh... yes! Nice to meet you too, uh... Kazuki-san, right?"
"That's right. As seatmates, I hope we can become friends."
That's how I met Kazuki Sota. He was thin, with dark, somewhat messy hair and glasses that gave him an intellectual air. He had a calm tone, although his nervousness gave him away.
Even so, his warmth was sincere.
When the bell rang, classes began. And before I knew it, it was time for recess. While I was eating lunch, I thought about how difficult the day's classes had been.
"I definitely can't take this lightly. Maybe I should ask Kazuki-san if he understood today's lesson..."
"Hey, Kazuki-san... can I ask you a question?"
"Oh, sure. What's up?"
"In math class, I found the last exercise difficult. Did you understand it?"
"Hmm... that formula was a bit tricky, but if you want, I can explain it to you."
"I'd really appreciate it."
His explanation was surprisingly clear. After that, we continued talking about various things. He told me that he wanted to be a doctor, like the rest of his family, and that was why he was at this demanding school.
"By the way, Nakagawa, didn't you say anything about your hobbies yesterday? Is there anything you like to do?"
It was true. During the presentation, I left all that out. The truth is, I just didn't feel like sharing it at the time.
"Let's see... I usually watch foreign films in their original language, something I inherited from my father. I also know how to play the piano, although I gave it up a while ago. And I like to read light novels, some manga, and adaptations of stories I liked."
"Light novels?" he said with obvious enthusiasm. "
'Eh... what's going on, where did all that energy come from all of a sudden?
"Oooooh! Finally, a fellow reader, no doubt our meeting was inevitable."
"Really?" I replied, somewhat astonished by his enthusiasm.
"Yes, I started reading them last year on a recommendation and I really liked them. Although they are somewhat easy to read, they are very captivating depending on the topics you are looking for. Right now, I'm reading Rimuru, volume two to be exact."
Apparently, he struggled to put them aside when studying for the entrance exam. Well, I was just starting out, so I could understand that feeling perfectly. In the heat of the moment, we became more comfortable with each other, giving each other some recommendations and talking about other topics. I realized how nice it was to talk to someone without reservations.
*
When class was over, I offered to walk him to the station. His route coincided with the direction of my house.
"By the way, there's something I've been wanting to ask you since yesterday."
"What is it?"
"Your name... William. It caught my attention when you introduced yourself."
'So that's what the murmurs were about...'
"Remember I said my love of foreign films came from my father?"
"Sure, American films, right?"
"Yes, and there's a reason for that. My father was American. He chose my name."
"Really? So you're half Japanese? ...I'm sorry if this sounds rude, but you don't have many foreign features."
"Hehe, don't worry. It may sound cliché, but my younger sister inherited more of his appearance. I take after my mother more."
"Wow... so you can speak English?"
"Yes, no problem. I can even write it. It's probably the only course that's been easy for me during these three years."
"Amazing! Then I'll count on you if I need help."
"Of course."
"It would be interesting to meet your father. To talk to him about his culture, his way of life..."
"That will be difficult. My father passed away several years ago."
"...I'm sorry. I didn't mean to... bring up such a sensitive subject."
"It's okay. It's been a while... we've learned to live with it."
Dad's death was a huge blow to all of us, but especially to Mom. She forced herself to move on for our sake. Although I think it was more for me... She knew what she was carrying inside. That shadow of guilt that still haunts me.
We arrived at the station. Kazuki-san seemed downcast about what had happened, but I couldn't blame him. He didn't know.
"This is where we part ways. Take care. And don't worry about earlier, okay?"
"Okay... You're strong, William. Dealing with that isn't easy."
"Right? I'm like an oak tree right now," I said, raising my fist dramatically.
"Hahaha. Oh, the train is leaving! I'm off. See you tomorrow!"
"Yes. See you tomorrow."
I watched him walk away, waving his arms. I did the same. It had been a long time since I had shared something so personal with someone outside my family. Maybe... the old William wouldn't even have tried to do that.
But I don't want to live trapped in the past anymore. I want to change.
*
Back home and after doing a few things, I looked in the refrigerator to see what I could make for dinner. As I was checking what ingredients we had, I heard footsteps coming down the stairs.
"Nii-san, what are we having for dinner tonight?" Lissette asked with obvious excitement.
"Guess."
"Okonomiyaki!" she shouted with clear anticipation.
"You're only saying that because it's your favorite dish, right? You always say the same thing," I replied, making a face at her.
"Okonomiyaki! Okonomiyaki! Okonomiyaki!"
For some reason, she began to repeat the name of the dish in a melodic way, or rather, she seemed to be performing a ritual of payment to the earth of a certain culture. As she did so, she picked up the apron she uses for cooking and began to put it on me without any hint of embarrassment.
"Ahh, okay, I'll see if we're missing any ingredients so I can go to the store."
"Yessss!" She shouted to the sky.
"Eh," looking in the refrigerator, I saw that there were no ingredients missing to prepare it, "although I was sure that eggs and cabbage were missing, which I planned to replace along with other things later... this girl, well, at least I'll save myself the trouble of going to buy them."
"But you have to leave enough for Mom," I warned her with a little tap on the forehead.
"What was that?! Do you think I'm capable of eating it all?" She looked at me in astonishment.
"..."
"..."
"..."
"Fine! But you'll have to make a lot."
"I was planning on doing that anyway."
Mom arrived later and thanked me for taking care of the house while she was away for work. I told her not to worry, since I am the oldest after all. To tell the truth, we are only a family of three; we had no other relatives, at least on Mom's side.
On my father's side, it seems they had cut him off. Even at his wake, none of his relatives showed up. Mom never told us what conflict there was between them, but we didn't need to know either. He was a good father and husband, and that was enough for us.
While washing the dishes, I told her how I was doing at school. When she heard everything that had happened, she was very happy. Seeing her with that expression made me happy. She did a lot for us, and my sister and I knew that very well.
So the least we could do was support her in every way we could.