Just when I stepped outside to the schoolyard a bucket of cold water splashed down at me.
”Whoops, sorry about that. My hand slipped.”
Three students on the second floor looking down at me from the window.
’Sorry’ They said, yet they are laughing, satisfied with their nasty looks at me.
The sudden incident caused people around me startled, they quickly moved away from me. I don't blame them, no one wants to become a wet rat outside the public.
Some snicker behind their sleeves, some addressing their worries, concerns but doing nothing.
Sometimes I wonder, was that what I do in my previous life to be treated like this?
I can do nothing rather than walking home wet.
”... such a weirdo.”
Those insults don't affect me anymore. In fact, I hope they can come up with a new word to say.
Another horrible day, which is already the norm for me. I had grown accustomed to those nasty glares.
”Wait... Akagi!”
I immediately stop on my track and turn around after hearing that high pitch familiar voice.
The ponytail girl running straight after me with a worried expression. Something is off, I don't recall ever seeing her wearing a big jacket. In fact, she never likes any clothes that don't wrap around her body tightly. Her fashion taste doesn't change that fast.
”Hah... here... hah... jacket... ”
The girl says between her breaths, I can do nothing but stare at her shaky hands that holding out the big, brown, leather jacket. My head doesn't process this enough for me to act, that and the attention that I gained from this image alone.
”Ah... thanks... Nozomi”
Seeing how exhausted she is just to give the jacket to me, I reluctantly accept, solely because of her effort to make an Olympic run. And the fact that she cares for me.
I am fine with looking like a wet rat all the way home, it's no worse than what I have already been through. But her effort, I appreciated it a lot.
”Don't sweat it, those three will never learn to stop treating others like shit. Not even with Soei’s help, they are hopeless.”
She then stands up straight, take a long breath before talking to me. In that instance, all her fatigue suddenly disappeared.
Nozomi is the granddaughter of the principal, I know that this is ridiculous, but because of that she has a privilege to take part in the meeting of the Student Council.
People find it frustrating, but because of her status, they can't do anything to her.
”Ah, right. Don't you have a meeting after school?.”
With that question, her expression of confusion beginning to switch to that funny looks when the realization hit her.
A light laugh escaped from my lip as I watch Nozomi panicking running back inside. She had brightened up this pathetic life of mine solely just from being here. Both her and Soei, they are best friends I ever have.
Jogging back from school with the leather jacket that Nozomi gave to me, I can't help but smile the whole time. The size's completely fit in, it feels comfy to wear despite the fact that I am soaking wet.
It's warm, both my body and mind. She is still an air head as always. At least take out the 'Happy Birthday' tag before gave it to me.
I wonder, does Soei remember about today? He doesn't say anything to me during free time, not even a single 'Happy Birthday' to me. Is he waiting for the time to give me a present?
I caught myself smiling just from that thought. During the last year, Soei has the same attitude as today, he ignores me completely for hours. Up until 11 am is that I found a present right on the table.
A dark blue wrapped box, which contained a limited edition game console which sold out under thirty minutes and a game going along with it.
That was a very nice present, I never see Soei as a person interested in gaming. The next day after that, I saw him chilling in my living room, waiting to play a round with me.
That was one of the memories that I will forever cherish, and because of it, my mind is occupied with guessing his next present for me from all the way home.
"Huh? What's that sound?"
I come home with my mind expected Soei would be here, only to hear a loud, unintelligible voices. Soei won't make this much of a loud noise.
I live alone, yet when I just step inside I heard the TV is up and running. Which I think is the source of that loud noise.
Assuming that someone is inside, someone that I don't know, a stranger, I cautiously step back. Leaving the front door and call the police.
"The number that you're calling is unavailable"
This is weird, this is definitely weird!
No matter how I call, no one picks up!
And the weird transparent blue color covering my house as well, oh wait. When is this here and how comes it even exist?!!
"Welcome home, Akagi. And do comes in, make yourself at home."
A strange, unfamiliar voice ring out as my door opening by itself. Inviting me in.
Nope, nope, nope, nopety NOPE!!
There's absolutely NO WAY IN HELL I am going in there as she says!!
I am going to get outta here!!
At least, if this weird blue thing let me leave.
"Haizz..., why wouldn't you make this easier for me?"
Just as soon as she says that, the blue thing suddenly starts to shrink, pushed me, forced me to step inside my very own house.
"Come here, young boy."
Release a sigh of defeat, I walk to the source of the voice, aka, my dining room. It is a bad idea to come face to face with whoever that is, but do I have any other choice in a situation like this?
As soon as I come to the girl that causing all of this phenomenon, I caught her, in such a weird clothing, kneeling on the floor while sipping whatever liquid it is in her porcelain plain cup.
"Why are you kneeling, there a chair right there for sit."
"Yes, I know that the chair exists for that purpose, but I am more comfortable with seiza. I hope my preferences does not trouble you."
Apparently, her clothing is called 'kimono' and kneeling is 'seiza', a type of sitting. I never heard those words before. Hell, they don't even exist here!
"Just... who are you?"
The girl in kimono simply puts her cup down onto her lap, as she turns to me and give out a pleasant smile.
"Pardon me for not introducing myself earlier. I am Lumi, the one who will return you to where you truly belong."
"... Excuse me, what?"
After a whole minute of silence, that is the only line that my brain can come up with while processing about what she is saying.
Lumi then chuckles from my confusion, she starts to stand upright, staring at me with her big, black as abyss irises, in amusement. Her whole appearance strikes a resemblance like that of a doll.
A straight, short black hair. But the sides longer than the back, and a huge hourglasses on the top at the back of her head as if it's just a simple big ribbon.
"It is unusual for you, the only man in this whole world has red eyes, don't you think. It barely even considered as natural eye color.
Have you ever thought about where did you get those red eyes? No mother, no father, you don't have any relatives that have that trait.
This is not your world, you don't belong here.
I will bring you back to where you belong."
Beautiful, elegant, yet also emits a strong and dangerous aura. The strange girl swings her arm to the side slowly, out of nowhere, the wind started to pick up right inside the room. A weak, light breeze turning to a harsh tornado. With a strong wind like that, yet I don't feel like I'm being hurt. As if it were there to clouding my vision.
I couldn't feel anything other than the coldness of the wind surrounding me. I couldn't see anything other than the constantly moving white color.
What is this wind? Magic? Power? This is absolute nonsense! She is out of this world! Both her appearance and whatever power she has.
The wind ends quickly just like when it's started, just as soon as it ends, I feel nothing beneath my feet, I can't even see anything that looks like my room. Only light blue color and soft, white clouds floating through me.
Wait, cloud?
Before I can even grasp what is happening, with the help of gravity I am soon falling down from the sky, fast.
Even when all of my attempts this time are futile, I can't help but scream at the top of my lungs. That is a very horrifying experience, I don't know if this is intended or that I am just lucky. The ocean break my fall, although it's hurt from the impact, but at least I am still alive.
"Oi! Boy!"
A voice yelled out to me on a small sailboat. Because the boat moving closer to my direction that I can identify the owner of the voice.
A busty, tanned girl standing on the head of the boat proudly, looking at me with a huge, confident grin. With her wild, golden lock playing with the wind, her strong, blue eyes keep looking ahead. Her whole aura basically that of a girl who kick ass when messed with.
The blonde girl wearing some chainmail armor, which them merely as if the second layer of clothing.
"Lookin' like you need some help there bud!"
She smiles brightly, as she holds out her hand for me, the smile of a carefree girl who worries about nothing, it reminds me a bit of Nozomi.
When I said that she looks a strong type, I never expected her to be this strong! Just when I take her hand, she simply sweeps me out of the water and land right on the boat with no difficulty.
"There ya go, whoot! Ya li'hter than I thought ya would!"
"You're just... too strong."
I said, still baffled about how easy she can lift someone up, just like that. I spent a good few seconds staring at the hand that I used to grasp hers, unable to receive the information fast enough.
"Hah! Yer save the flatterin' for later. If I truly stron' then I wouldn't get rejected from 'em."
The girl starts to sit down in front of me, waves her hand with an unimpressed expression on her face as if it's the norm. What got me surprised is her words.
"They rejected you?! Because you're not strong enough?!"
"Eh... to tell the tru'h, t'hat was what I thought. 'em hadn't accepted a sin'le one in 'eir own guild to 'eir group."
The girl shrugged, talking about the people in the boring, monotone but then her eyes start to shine.
"So I as'umed that, 'cuz I too weak dat 'em rejected me! And if mah usual routine doesn't work. I go to find a new way to train to become a member of dat team!"
I sweat drop from hearing that, although she is very persistent, that can be a good trait. Why she so insist on joining them? Is there a reason?
"Why are you so into them?"
From hearing my question, her eyebrows furrowed together, as if she tries to come up with the answer.
"Well, because they sound cool!"
Just with that simple answer, the girl starts to back at rambling about how my arrival with a splash disturbed her training. Completely forgot about the crucial things here, I mean, introduction is really important. It's not like I can instantly know her names and stuff.
"I'm Akagi, Akagi Takahashi, what's yours?"
Her blabbering is useful and all, just from her one-sided conversation I grasp a few basic things from here, but I still need that introduction, lady. Sorry for interrupting you, don't go ahead and blast me off the only safety transportation I have.
"Takahashi? What a weird name. I am Uolin' Rik, a stray member of Kin'. Nice to meet ya!"
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