There was always something special about the air at Seiryu High:
A combination of the fresh earth from the nearby green areas and the soft, soothing breeze that blew just past the ancient willows. Even as the day started its peaceful unwind, the sun seemed to stay there longer, casting a gentle, timeless glow over the hundred-years old tree. In sharp contrast to the bustling city outside, this calm atmosphere seemed to permeate every classroom and hallway.
An otherwise simple classroom was bathed in a rich, amber light as the afternoon sun, a warm, golden orb that was just starting to descend, shone.
In the lighted beams, tiny dust particles twirled like fireflies, each one a tiny rebellion against the still, silent air.
The second hand of the clock above the chalkboard continued to beat steadily, a silent countdown to the final minutes of classes.
Ishizawa Tetsu leaned back in his chair near the very back of the room, his golden-yellow hair gleaming in the sunlight like a halo.
There was a deep, deep look of boredom on his face instead of his usual easy smile. His chin was supported by one hand while the other delicately traced swirling designs on his old, scratched desk.
The swaying branches of a twisted cherry tree outside the window were a far more captivating sight than the steady, low voice of the math teacher explaining challenging algebra problems.
The teacher's words merely hummed over Tetsu before he could even start to understand the complex mathematical details.
"… and that is it for today's lesson. For homework, please make sure to complete exercises seven through twelve."
Tetsu's piercing azure eyes glowed with a glimmer of life. His eyes darted to the clock as he sat up slightly. As it edged closer to the twelve, the red second hand was a brief blur.
Fifty-nine seconds.
60.
Freedom was only a tick away.
Matsuda Haruto leaned back dangerously in his chair across the aisle, his untidy gray hair always seeming to stand up on its own.
His gray eyes, sharp and glinting with mischief, scanned the room as he balanced solely on his two back legs with a practiced, almost defiant look.
In a subdued invitation to have some fun, he tapped Tetsu's ankle with the tip of his sneaker.
"Hey," he said in a low, covert voice.
"What is the plan for today? I'm as sicked about solving those math problems as I'm about returning home to stare at my ceiling."
For a moment, Tetsu's boredom vanished as a slow smile appeared on his face.
"Oh, don't worry. I have something special planned."
Haruto raised his thick eyebrows in a playful, impatience.
"For real?"
"I definitely can't wait until the end of this tedious lesson. Wanna skip class again?"
The sounds of students preparing for the bell were broken by the female teacher's voice, which was now a little louder and tinged with annoyance, coming from the front of the room.
"Haruto, the bell will release you very soon if you could perhaps focus all that energy for just another sixty seconds."
"Sorry, teacher!"
With a loud thud, Haruto's chair fell back onto all four legs, causing the rest of the class to silently laugh. With a slight smile on his face, even Tetsu was compelled to shake his head.
Takeda Mio, whose dark, sleek hair framed her delicate face, looked up from the detailed notes in her open notebook across the room. There was a gentle, almost watching curiosity in her soft brown eyes.
She preferred to remain silent in the background and seldom participated in Tetsu and Haruto's boisterous chatter, but she had a unique ability to notice everything that went on around her.
She whispered, "Are you perhaps thinking about another one of your… very naughty plans?" over the increasing din of student conversation.
In an exaggerated display of innocence, Tetsu turned to face her, his blue eyes widening.
"Me? Naughty? That thought hurts me, Mio."
Mio smiled at him, a tiny, knowing grin that fell short of her eyes.
"All I'm saying is that maybe this time a less... exciting plan would work better. Perhaps enjoying some afternoon munchies or going for a leisurely stroll in the neighborhood park?"
"Where's the excitement in that?" With a tone of playful incredulity, Tetsu countered.
"Come on, Mio, your neat life needs a little fun chaos!"
Like a starting gun for the afternoon rush out of school, the final bell's loud, ringing sound interrupted their conversation. Everyone started to move at the sound. Students leaped to their feet, a collective sigh of relief escaping their lips as they hurriedly grabbed their bags as chairs scuffed against the smooth floor.
Tetsu was the first to toss his old backpack over one shoulder and moved quickly. With a glimmer of excited expectation in his eyes, he turned to face his friends.
"All right, my good friends, come on over! This fantastic Thursday won't be wasted on pointless activities."
Despite letting out a deep moan, Haruto got to his feet and raised his arms above his head.
"Oh please, don't tell me that this means we'll be playing games at the arcade for a very long time. I'm still getting my pocket money back from the last time!"
As if it were insignificant, Tetsu waved his hand.
"Oh, hurry up! Playing those games had you practically giddy with anticipation."
"Admit it."
Mio paused by her desk and twisted her blue bag's strap.
"I... I intended to-"
"Reading? On a Thursday afternoon?" Tetsu gripped his chest as though he had been startled.
"Not at all! Your intelligent stuff can wait. You're accompanying us."
Haruto hurried in before Mio could kindly decline.
"Mio, he won't accept 'no' as an answer. Believe me. You might as well just come along and save your energy."
Despite her reluctance to leave, Mio sighed and a faint smile appeared on her lips.
"All right."
"However, I will hold you accountable, Tetsu, if this puts us in any sort of trouble."
After traversing the crowded streets, the trio of friends entered a small, poorly lit alley.
The sky was tinted with gentle oranges and dark purples as the sun had already set. The old brick walls took on a somewhat magical appearance as bright neon signs flickered on, illuminating the wet ground with pink, blue, and green lights. An antique karaoke box is in front of them.
Tetsu pushed open a simple door and exclaimed, "Look!" with a great sweep of his hand.
There were padded booths along the walls, each one a small private space, and the interior was a comfortable space with soft lighting. The soft hum of slightly off-key songs from other rooms filled the air.
They were greeted by a kind woman who smiled warmly. She guided them to a private room via a tangle of narrow corridors. It featured somewhat sticky songbooks and a microphone that appeared to have seen a lot of use.
"Okay, I get to choose the first song!"
As soon as they settled into the plush seats, Tetsu made a declaration.
With a dramatic flourish, he reached for the remote control and began to browse the incredibly lengthy list of songs displayed on the screen.
"My friends, prepare to be astounded by my singing."
With a doubtful expression, Haruto crossed his arms and leaned back in his chair.
"I'm leaving if you choose another one of those melancholy, slow songs that make a cat cry."
Tetsu smiled teasingly at him.
"You'll stick around because you secretly adore the emotion I put into my singing."
Mio's eyes crinkled with a quiet giggle as she covered her mouth.
With lots of laughter, terrible singing, and the cozy sense of being goofy together, the night played out like a vibrant picture. As usual, Tetsu enjoyed being the center of attention. With large hand gestures and amusing dance steps, he transformed every song into his own performance. Surprisingly, Haruto could sing old rock songs fairly well. As he sang, his typically goofy demeanor gave way to an unexpected level of passion.
Tetsu sang a spectacularly off-key ballad before he turned the microphone over and looked at Mio.
"It's your turn, Mio! Join in the fun, don't be shy.
When the microphone was offered to Mio, she backed off shyly and said, "No, I can't. I can't sing at all."
Tetsu gave a soft smile.
"Mio, hurry up. Try it. I can tell you have a lovely voice.
Haruto smiled and added, "Yes, Mio, don't be a chicken! Everyone wants to hear you."
After another moment of hesitation, Mio sighed and finally accepted the microphone.
As the opening notes of a depressing J-pop ballad started, her voice was low, almost a whisper.
But as she went on, her voice grew stronger and more assured, and its subdued beauty filled the room. Her voice was so clear and sweet that even Tetsu and Haruto exchanged astonished looks, not realizing it.
Tetsu clapped enthusiastically when she was done, a flush creeping up her neck.
"You see? I told you! Incredible talent! Mio, you've been hiding this from us.
She stared down at her lap.
"It's just something I do when I have free time."
Haruto proudly threw a battered menu at her and said, "Well, your 'free time activity' just earned you the chance to pick our dinner."
The three of them exuded a distinct energy by the time they emerged from the karaoke bar, blinking in the comparatively bright streetlights. With the last of their musical fun still buzzing in their ears, they walked slowly towards the train station, their laughter echoing down the narrow alleyway.
Tetsu threw an arm around Haruto's shoulder in a loud display of affection and declared, "We absolutely have to make these Thursday night singing sessions a regular thing. Really, who else has this unrivaled capacity to have so much fun with one another?"
"Not many, I'll give you that," Haruto said with a broad smile.
Mio remained silent while flashing a small smile and looking at the city's sparkling lights.
Her eyes seemed to hold a thought she was unable to fully articulate, but Tetsu was too preoccupied with his own excitement to notice it.
As they entered the crowded street, the cool evening air swept over them, a welcome relief after spending hours in the enclosed karaoke room. The city was constantly accompanied by the distant hum of traffic and the long, golden shadows cast by streetlights.
With a series of gratifying cracks coming from his back, Haruto stretched.
"I swear to you, man, I was destined to be on stage. They simply don't comprehend the unadulterated talent they missed, that nonexistent crowd in there."
"What crowd?" With a lighthearted grin, Tetsu teased.
"You mean the receptionist, who seemed to be trying very hard not to laugh when you performed that Bon Jovi song with such enthusiasm?"
"Hey! You understand that I sang passionately?"
Haruto retorted, his smile growing larger in spite of the jest.
"In addition, someone needed to counterbalance your... distinctive high notes."
Mio laughed quietly, her voice barely audible over the din of the city.
She offered tactfully, "I think both of you were… unforgettable, in your own distinct ways."
"Unforgettable?"
Pretending to be offended, Haruto repeated.
"That's just code for 'you both need serious singing lessons.'"
With a slightly firmer tone, Mio gently corrected, "Not 'need coaching'. Just... maybe a little more practice could help."
Tetsu clapped Mio on the back and laughed loudly. "Mio, look at you! Tonight, let your cruel, inner judge loose!
Mio's eyes fell to the tops of her sneakers as she flushed. "I didn't mean to be cruel. I just—"
Haruto added in a phony serious tone, "But you know, she's right. Your high notes, Tetsu, resemble a chorus of agitated birds. We're going to reserve a room for at least five hours of focused practice at the next karaoke session."
"Five hours?!"
Tetsu's eyebrows shot upward as he exclaimed.
"A secret pop star in training? What are you? I have far more important things to do than listen to your aspirations to become an idol."
"Like what, exactly?"
With a tone full of laughter, Haruto challenged.
"Are you mastering the art of sleeping until noon? Are our esteemed teachers reprimanding you for your incessant daydreaming? Tetsu, your schedule, without us, was always empty."
Tetsu said, "Hey, I have… plans," with an enigmatic smile on his face.
"Big, significant plans. The intricate details would be incomprehensible to you."
"Right," Haruto said icily. "Big plans like deftly persuading Mio to buy you snacks since you've already spent all of your money on dubious arcade prizes."
Mio gave a small smile, her eyes darting between her two companions, but she was still the reserved person she usually was. Her delicate features were momentarily obscured by a thoughtful expression, as though a shadow had briefly swept across her mind.
As they made their way to the train station through increasingly familiar streets, their lighthearted conversation persisted.
Haruto kicked a small stone down the street and remarked, "Dude, I heard some crazy things about the school festival this year."
Tetsu gave a snort. "Crazier than your previous unsuccessful attempt to speak with Sakura from class 2-B?"
Haruto furrowed his brow.
"Hey! It was not an 'unsuccessful attempt' but a tactical retreat!"
"What about the festival, anyway? Will there actually be a haunted house in the former science lab?"
Mio added, rearranging her bag, "That's just a rumor."
"However, I did hear that the drama club was preparing a significant play. Whatever that means, it seems to be a modern take on a classic."
"Knowing the drama club, it'll probably involve interpretive dance and overly dramatic sighs," Tetsu jokingly said.
"But really, Haruto, how are you? Are there any new 'tactical retreats' scheduled for the following week?"
Haruto let out a groan.
"Avoid reminding me. Girls speak a different language, I swear. Akari simply blinked at me when I tried to compliment her new hairstyle today, then turned to leave. What the hell does that mean?"
Tetsu laughed and gave him a shoulder slap.
"It indicates that you most likely sounded more like a manga reader than a typical person."
"Hey!"
Haruto objected, "I spent ten minutes practicing that line!"
Mio gave a quiet giggle.
"Haruto, perhaps less practice and more sincere conversation would produce better results."
Haruto complained, "Easy for you to say, Mio," but a smile tugged at his lips. "People want to talk to you because you just exist."
Tetsu smiled at Haruto and said, "That's because Mio doesn't start her conversations with a rehearsed speech. She just talks, you know."
Haruto let out a loud sigh.
"All right, I understand. I should be more Mio-like."
"It's easier said than done."
"But really, whether there is a haunted house or not, I hope there are good food vendors at the festival. My love life is not as important as my stomach's plans."
Tetsu nodded to Haruto and said, "Now that's a plan I can get behind. At the very least, let's strive for success there."
The lively energy of the city started to wane as they approached the train station, giving way to a more serene and muted ambiance.
After karaoke, the trio silently discussed their drink selections while stopping by a brightly lit vending machine, its neon glow reflected in their eyes.
"Cola or apple cider?"
With his finger uncertainly hovering over the illuminated buttons, Tetsu posed the question.
"Apple cider, please," Mio said almost instantly, making her decision obvious.
"Cola, definitely," Haruto shot back, his allegiance unflinching.
Tetsu let out a loud sigh.
"When it comes to making crucial decisions, you two are incredibly useless.
"Okay, I'll have both and maintain the equilibrium of our group's thirst."
When he hit the right buttons, the machine clunked and whirred, releasing two damp, cold cans.
"Here you go, Mio," he said, smiling slightly as he tossed her the cider.
"A tiny token of appreciation for enduring our... distinctive vocal styles this evening."
Mio whispered, "Thank you," as her fingers brushed the cool can's metal.
With a playful smirk, Tetsu told Haruto, "And for your lack of helpful input, you get… nothing."
"Hey! That is cruel."
Before Tetsu could retract his hand, Haruto objected and grabbed the cola from the dispenser.
"With my surprisingly good singing, I pretty much carried you guys. I'm worthy of the sweet prize.
"You 'carried' us?"
With a snort of laughter, Tetsu scoffed.
"You only carried the burden of our mutual embarrassment."
Mio laughed once more, the soft sound mingling with the distant rumble of a train.
The cool metal soaked through their clothing as they sipped their drinks in a relaxed, comfortable silence on a nearby bench. The initial thrill subsided and was replaced by a more contemplative atmosphere.
"Hey," Haruto said abruptly, breaking the silence.
"Do you guys ever consider our plans for the next three years?"
Tetsu cocked his head, staring at the neon-lit tracks.
"What do you mean?"
Haruto shrugged, his voice unusually solemn.
"I don't know," he said. "For example, will we continue to hang out in this manner? Will we still be ourselves?
Tetsu said without hesitation, "Of course," making it obvious that he was certain.
"Why wouldn't we be?"
Haruto's eyes strayed to the passersby.
"I'm not sure. People do change, don't they? Perhaps we'll all attend different colleges, relocate to different cities, or... I'm not sure. "Life just happens."
Tetsu firmly stated, his brow slightly furrowed, "That's a ridiculously gloomy way to look at things. We'll always find time for this. regardless of what life may throw at us."
Mio's voice could hardly be heard over the far-off train announcements as she glanced down at her hands.
"But, Tetsu, things do change. It's just something that happens in life all the time."
Her quiet words had a subliminal weight, a glimmer of a more profound realization that nothing endures forever.
Tetsu's face softened as he turned to face her.
"Yes, things do change. We don't have to allow them to tear us apart, though."
"Remember, we're a team. You're the quiet, intelligent one who keeps us grounded, Haruto is the loud one who makes us laugh, and I'm the endearing glue that keeps everything together."
"You? "The glue?" Haruto gave a contemptuous snort.
"You're more like the superglue that sticks us to random objects and gets everywhere."
"Small details," Tetsu smiled and waved.
Mio smiled slightly, almost melancholy, but she didn't say anything. Her eyes were fixed on the tracks, and her soft brown eyes flashed with sadness, but her boisterous friends missed it.
Night had really come by the time the train roared into the station, its headlights piercing the deepening dusk. The stars, minuscule lights against the city's radiance, started to emerge. The air was heavy with the expectation of their homeward journeys as they stood in cozy silence.
Mio said softly, her voice nearly drowned out by the train's brakes, "This was… truly enjoyable."
"Naturally," Tetsu said, flashing his trademark self-assured smile.
"Any evening spent with my amazing company is sure to be an unforgettable experience."
Haruto gave an eye roll. "You're fortunate that we tolerated you."
There was a whoosh of air as the train doors slid open. They entered and discovered a vacant area close to the window. As they took their seats, the train's steady clatter on the tracks filled the quiet.
"Hey," Tetsu said abruptly, interrupting the cozy silence.
Both Mio and Haruto turned to face him with inquisitive looks.
The carefree energy of the evening was briefly replaced by a deeper feeling as Tetsu said, "Let's make a promise," in a voice that was unusually serious.
"What kind of promise?" With a slight frown, Mio asked.
Tetsu looked between his two friends and remarked, "That no matter what happens—no matter how much things change—we'll always have nights like this."
"We'll always come back to this, even if we're doing different things and in different places. To one another."
With a hint of teasing in his voice, Haruto grinned.
"You're getting all mushy on us in your old age, huh?"
With a playful prod to Haruto's arm, Tetsu retorted, "Just promise, you silly goose."
Slowly, Mio nodded as her gentle brown eyes locked with Tetsu's.
"I promise."
Before his typical smile returned, Haruto paused for a second, a glimmer of something he couldn't quite identify in his face. "Yeah, okay, you weirdos with sentiments. I swear."
Tetsu's eyes lit up with a sincere, heartfelt smile. The train's steady rocking provided a calming respite from the intense emotions of the day as he reclined against the worn seat.
"All right. We are now stuck together, forever."
The train raced through the night, bringing them nearer to the peaceful seclusion of their homes and farther away from the karaoke bar's bright lights.
None of them could have predicted the actual significance of that promise, or the intense desire they would have for another night like this in the dreadful days ahead.
At their destination, Shinkansen Station, the train screeched to a stop. They were jolted out of their reverie by the abrupt slowing. With a hint of autumn in the crisp night air, they stepped out onto the platform. Even at this late hour, the easy familiarity of their friendship provided a reassuring presence as they said their goodbyes casually.
"See you all tomorrow !" As he vanished down one of the well-known streets, Haruto called and waved languidly over his shoulder.
With her usual soft smile tinged with a faint, nearly imperceptible sadness, Mio said softly, "Goodnight, Tetsu, Haruto," holding her bag tightly.
"Good night, Mio. Get some rest." Tetsu answered with a smile, but beneath his happy exterior was a slight sense of unease.
He turned toward his own lonely path home after watching them both until they were out of sight.
The familiar streets seemed oddly empty, and the walk home seemed longer than usual. The only sound he could hear was the faint buzzing of a neon sign in the distance, and the dim glow of the streetlights created long shadows that moved with each step he took.
Tetsu moved slowly through the peaceful neighborhood, his footsteps resonating against the pavement.
When he arrived at his modest two-story home, which was surrounded by similar-looking residences, he stopped at the front door. Years of weather and neglect were evident in the paint's slight peeling around the edges.
After inserting his key into the lock, he entered and was met by the eerie silence that had come to define his lonely existence.
In the silence, the slight creak of the floorboards beneath his worn sneakers reverberated abnormally loudly, each sound serving as a reminder that there were no other voices or footsteps.
The house was chilly, nearly dead, a shadow of the lively house he had known.
The springs groaned in protest as Tetsu threw his bag onto the tattered upholstery of the living room couch. When he turned on a nearby lamp, the warm, artificial light pushed back the encroaching darkness and illuminated the room, which was both familiar and odd at the same time. On a dusty shelf, a few framed pictures stood silent witnesses to a life that seemed both genuinely his and unfathomably distant.
Tetsu sighed, a heavy weight settling in his chest, and ran a hand through his golden-yellow hair, a well-known sign of uneasiness.
His mother's humming in the kitchen, were among the familiar sounds that once filled the house, but now it felt like an empty monument to memories.
With the linoleum floor feeling cool underfoot, Tetsu made his way to the tiny, claustrophobic kitchen. He took out a bottle of water after opening the refrigerator, the hum of the machine a sharp contrast to the quiet around him. A tiny bit of comfort came from the cold plastic against his palm.
Taking a long drink while leaning against the chipped countertop, he felt the emptiness of the house grow with each swallow as the silence pressed down on him like a physical weight.
Tetsu walked upstairs to his room, battling the sadness that threatened to overtake him. When he turned on the light switch, the abrupt brightness revealed a room that reflected his personality: a well-organized mess of posters of his favorite bands strewn haphazardly on the walls, stacks of light novels and manga carefully balanced on his desk next to unfinished homework, and clothes strewn haphazardly over the back of his chair. The covers were tangled and twisted from his usual restless nights, his bed was unmade, and his days were no longer filled with the echoes of laughter and broken dreams.
Tetsu kicked off his shoes and collapsed onto the bed, gazing up at the ceiling's cracked plaster.
His mind replayed the vow he had made with Haruto and Mio during the brief excitement of the evening, their voices resonating softly in the silence of his chamber.
With a faint, longing smile on his lips, he whispered to himself, "No matter what happens… we'll always be like this."
In contrast to the growing coldness of his reality, the recollection of their simple friendship provided a tenuous warmth.
However, his smile waned as the quiet continued, broken only by the distant hum of city traffic. His loneliness weighed more heavily than ever before.
Tetsu rolled onto his side and pulled the old covers over his head, finding a little solace in the smell of laundry detergent.
He made an effort to concentrate on the comforting company of his friends, the off-key singing and laughter they shared, but his mind kept returning to the empty rooms in his home and the resonant silence that had become his constant companion.
Even though it was years ago, he can still clearly recall the day it all changed. As soon as I opened my eyes that morning, a wave of confusion swept over me. He realized right away that he had overslept because the sun was already high and shining through my window.
Her silence was disturbing because his mother was always careful to get him ready for school.
"Mom?"
Only the silence of the house responded to Tetsu's call.
His feet padded lightly on the wooden floor as he got out of bed. He looked in the living room, the kitchen, and even the little garden patch she cherished. Nothing. There was only a spooky silence that hummed more loudly than usual. His throat constricted.
"Where are you?"
Tetsu had this picture of her in his mind before that day, so clear it nearly hurt. Every time she moved, the light would catch her hair, which was a flurry of vivid yellow like spun sunlight. He used to trace the freckles on her nose with his finger, and her eyes were crinkly and kind, smiling even when her lips were not. She had a subtle scent of old books and something sweet, like the cookies she made on the weekends.
But his father was a different matter.
His job constantly drew him away from home. He was mostly a hazy outline in the mind's eye. He still occasionally receives calls from him before they disappear, the phone buzzing with his number, a brief check-in before he disappears once more.
However, the police arrived that day.
With glum expressions and hushed voices, they probed and inquired. It was referred to as an "unsuccessful investigation."
Tetsu's parents are no longer there. Disappeared without a trace.
And his dad stopped calling him after that day.
There was complete silence.
And yet he had continued.
Because he had no other option, he had learned to accept the silence, find little pleasure in spending time with Haruto and Mio, and create a tenuous sense of normalcy in the midst of his past's wreckage.
Even though the weight of everything was always pressing down on his chest and occasionally felt too much to bear, he had no choice but to keep going.
Tetsu closed his eyes and let out a long, deep breath that caught in his throat just a little.
The silence pressed in as he gazed at the empty, silent room.
I guess it's just me now, he thought, feeling hollow and heavy.
He was eventually lulled into a fitful sleep, a restless sleep that was full of broken images and the faint echoes of laughter that had vanished, by the steady, faint hum of the city outside his window.
As usual, the house was silent. However, a tiny glimmer of the promise he had made that evening glowed somewhere in the shadows, a brittle light in the encroaching darkness.
Because he knew he wasn't entirely alone as long as he had Haruto and Mio, even though the world outside his window seemed vast and heartless. In the choppy sea of his grief, their friendship served as a lifeline and an anchor.
That was enough for now.
Echoes of laughter and a whispered promise remained in the silence of his room, a flimsy barrier against the night's loneliness, even though the last bell of the school day had faded into the background noise of his life.
Unaware of the darkness that was starting to emerge just beyond his line of sight, a darkness that would soon destroy the tenuous peace he had managed to create, he fell into a deeper sleep.