This world is rotten.
I am sure you would have felt this way too, when you are feeling low, right?
But, guess what?
I am neither feeling low nor I am in trouble, because of someone else.
In fact, I am going to start a new phase in my life.
Most people would be filled with hope and excitement with slight nervousness, if they were in the situation I am in.
But, well, in my case, I think this is the worst decision in my life.
Of course, not made by me, but by my parents, when they received the acceptance letter from the Advanced Nurturing High School, in Tokyo.
Away from my hometown, Chiba, and most importantly, away from my beloved little sister, Komachi, would be too heartbreaking for me, as I imagined my future days in the school.
And that's not even the worst part.
The worst part is I never actually applied for this school, nor did I appear for any entrance test related to this school.
So, how the hell I was accepted, you may ask?
That's the problem.
Unfortunately, I don't know the answer to that question, and I couldn't find it either, after so much searching around.
When I say this world is rotten, this is what I meant.
People affect others' lives for their own benefits, without letting them know.
Whether it's a teacher submitting an application behind your back, or parents gleefully accepting the opportunity because "it's for your future", no one bothers to ask what you want.
Free tuition. Guaranteed employment. A bright future.
Sounds great on a pamphlet.
Sounds like hell when you know better.
Feeling of being controlled by someone you might know is the worst feeling ever.
Well, I got on the bus towards Tokyo anyway.
When, even your parents aren't on your side, let the flow of time drift you away.
I sat on a window seat, which was empty, along with the seat connected to it.
At least I would be able to feel some bliss in solitude is what I expected.
But, not long after, the bus stopped at a station, where a few other students wearing the same unform as me got up.
Of course. Peace is a luxury I am never allowed to keep.
The empty looking bus soon started filling up as more and more people got up.
I looked at the hopeful faces of those students, as they took seats, except the one beside me.
A mixed feeling of relief filled within me, as I got both the seats to myself.
Then, I noticed that the only seat around me, which was empty was the one next to mine.
It was too intentional to be just a coincidence.
I am not complaining though.
Solitude is a privilege in a world that treats silence like a disease.
Then, I took out my headphone, and started listening to the playlist I had saved just in case, for these kinds of moments.
A carefully curated collection of melancholic tracks, chosen not for their musical brilliance, but because they reflected my soul-crushing worldview perfectly.
As the soft instrumental of a piano solo filled my ears, the bus rolled to another stop.
I barely spared it a glance.
More students, probably more noise.
Still my neighbouring seat remained empty, which was a good thing.
But, not for long, as I noticed a girl came to a halt right beside me.
She looked at me, and asked in a polite voice.
"Is this seat taken?"
Short brown hair, cute face, and somewhat more developed chest area.
Well, the more concerning thing was she wore the same uniform as mine, indicating, she is going to the same school too.
Yet, there were other empty seats at the front, but she deliberately chose the seat next to mine, which seemed fishy to me.
And, most importantly, the fake smile on her face, cunningly crafted to manipulate you to think of her as the perfectly sociable girl, everyone absolutely loves.
This girl is literally danger itself, I reckoned.
But, denying her would be a herculean task too.
It's not like I wanna sit next to a pretty girl.
Definitely not.
"Go ahead," I muttered flatly, with a small shrug.
She smiled—just a faint one. The kind of practiced smile people use when they're being polite to a cashier.
"Thanks," she said, and sat down beside me.
I instinctively leaned a little closer to the window. Personal space was my religion, and she had just parked herself at the altar.
"Are you also heading towards the Advanced Nurturing High School?", she asked, retaining her smile.
I nodded slightly, which would not look too much disrespectful.
Honestly her motive was clear as day, and that's to establish her image as the social butterfly, anyone can talk to.
I don't particularly have any problem with them, if they are out of my sight.
Their radiating positivity pretty much gets under my skin.
You can say they are my natural enemies.
Because they expect everyone around them, to be of same nature as them.
They want everyone to smile, to participate, to be normal.
To laugh at boring jokes, pretend small talk is meaningful, and maintain the illusion of harmony.
But I'm not interested in playing pretend.I've played that game before.Spoiler alert: no one wins.
So I simply offered another vague nod in response.Minimal effort. Maximum distance.
She didn't seem discouraged.
Instead she pointed her hand towards me, as a gesture of handshake, and said,
"Myself Kushida Kikyou, Mind telling me yours?"
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