Crossroads chapter 1: The First Step

[Dekar]

Crossroads Chapter 1: First Step

I hate this place. This quiet town, this rural place where families live in peace. It is a small town where most people know each other. A place where one losses track of time and where a person could spend their entire life without ever leaving.

I reach the crossroad on my way to school. The scenery was all same, always the same. Every day I turn right on my way to school because that is what students do. There is no purpose in this routine, I merely follow it out of habit, I don’t even care anymore.

: Which way?

Kawaru: Huh?

A small voice draws my attention. Turning my head I find a girl about my age also standing at the crossroad. She seemed to be asking a question, but it wasn’t directed at me, and no one else was on the road.

: Each day begins anew and offers a new set of possibilities, but how can one be sure that the path that used to be correct is still the right one?

The girl stands paralyzed at the crossroad unready, or perhaps unwilling to take the first step towards her destination.

: How can a person be sure that a path will always be the same as when you first walked it?

Kawaru: You’ll never know just standing there.

: Huh?

I call out a response to the directionless question and girl turns towards me in surprise, her long black hair blowing in the wind.

Kawaru: You can never know for sure where a road leads until you walk down it yourself. You have to take the first step if you want to know.

With that I turn away and head down the familiar path to school, but I hear a soft set of footsteps behind me.

~School gate~

This is the school where I come every day. A plain grey stone building that seems to blend in with the background. There weren’t any students at the gate, the first class had already started after all, but none of that mattered to me, even if I attended class the lecture just sounded like white noise anyways.

~Classroom~

I wait out in the hall for the bell signaling the end of first period to ring. When class ends I open the door and enter the classroom.

Classmate #1: Looks like Kawaru finally decided to show up.

Classmate #2: Just ignore him, there’s no point raising a fuss.

Classmate #1: Yeah I know, what a leisurely life a person like him must lead, not worrying about school or exams.

I set my bag down on my desk and sit down. I have spent the last two years of high school following this routine. Coming to school whenever I want, ignoring teachers and lectures, and neglecting the track team. The teacher walks in and takes attendance.

Teacher: Kazuto-kun is absent again, Tengen-kun do you know where he is today?

Kawaru: Why would I know where he is?

The teacher gives me a sharp glare but soon returns to taking roll. The entire class seemed to pass like a blur. After class the class representative walks over to my desk.

Serena: Hey Kawaru-kun here are the handouts for today.

She holds them out to me and I take them, and shove them into my bag without even looking.

Serena: You know you really should try and come to class on time.

Kawaru: What does it matter to you?

I stare up at the familiar pink haired girl whom I had known since grade school.

Serena: It does matter, I’m responsible for the attendance of this class. I’m the one who takes the heat for all those tardys you’ve been piling up.

Kawaru: Tch, just tell them that there’s nothing you can do about it. You’ve been fine so far.

Serena: Kawaru, can’t you take your studies more seriously? I mean I know you quit the track team, but it’s not like you have to give up on school. You’re a smart guy, if you applied yourself I’m sure you’d do well.

I don’t reply, I merely turn my head and continue looking out the window. Class was boring, and since Kazuto wasn’t even here I didn’t even have anyone to joke around with until lunch came. I continue to stare out the window until something draws my attention. A teacher stands in front of the girl I had seen at the crossroad earlier, he appeared to be giving her a lecture.

Kawaru: Looks like she decided to take the first step after all. Well, scolding her certainly isn’t the way to reward her effort.

I rise from my seat while the teacher is explaining the lesson.

Teacher: Hey Tengen-kun where are you going?

Kawaru: Bathroom.

I walk out the door before the teacher has a chance to respond and head down to the courtyard where the girl was getting lectured. When I arrive I realize I recognize the teacher, it was Kurenai-sensei my homeroom teacher when I was a first year.

Kurenai: Now listen I know that it’s been hard on you since your mother’s been sick and you’ve been helping tend the shop, but you need to come to school on time.

I step out onto the courtyard from the building and Kurenai-sensei turns to me.

Kurenai: Oh Kawaru-kun, shouldn’t you be in class?

Kawaru: Well I was but when I saw her getting scolded for my mistake I couldn’t just sit by.

Kurenai: Your mistake?

Kawaru: Yeah, you see I lost one of my books on the way to school and she helped me look for it, that’s why she was late.

Kurenai: Is that true?

Girl: Huh? Well…n—

Kawaru: Kurenai-sensei it would be better if she didn’t admit to such things. After all aiding someone like me can often lead to a bad reputation.

Kurenai-sensei lets out a sigh and looks at me wearily.

Kurenai: Well okay, I’ll leave it at this then, I’ll also take the tardy off the record.

Girl: But, I…

Kawaru: Thank you very much.

Kurenai-sensei turns to me and nods then walks back towards the building, but she turns to be before entering.

Kurenai: Kawaru-kun, I’ve heard you’re still having problems with your grade. If you need some advice or even just someone to talk to my door is always open.

Kawaru: Thank you for the offer, but I’m doing quite well.

She enters the building and the large door shuts with a loud bang. I hear the bell ring as I turn to address the girl.

Kawaru: Just so you know I’m not gonna bail you out in the future, this was a onetime deal. Jeeez, what am I doing all of the good bread is gonna be sold by the time I get there.

I kick the ground in frustration but all it does it kick dust into the air.

Girl: Ank….

Kawaru: What?

Girl: My name is Ankoku Misaki.

I was surprised by the sudden introduction and unintentionally bowed as well.

Kawaru: I’m Kawaru Tengen pleased to meet you.

Ankoku: Tengen-san, thank you very much for your help.

Kawaru: Huh? Oh that? Don’t worry about it.

For the first time I actually took a good look at the girl and realize that she was actually very cute, long black hair, deep blue eyes, and a slim and delicate figure. She stood up straight and smiled shyly.

Ankoku: Here, as thanks for helping with the teacher.

She takes out a curry bread from her bag and hands it to me.

Kawaru: Huh? But what about your lunch?

Ankoku: Don’t worry. I brought one, that was something I was going to eat as a snack.

She reveals a small bento box and sits down on the nearby benches to enjoy her lunch. I turn around to head back inside, but I could feel her disappointed gaze on my back.

Kawaru: Is there something else you need?

Ankoku: You won’t eat lunch with me?

She looked disappointed; I guess she thought I didn’t like her. Letting out a big sigh I sit down next to her and unwrap the curry bread.

Kawaru: Are you sure you want to eat with me? I’ve got a pretty bad reputation.

Ankoku: Are you a bad person?

I look at her dumbfounded. Not only was the question odd, but it was absurd.

Kawaru: Now listen you, if I was a bad person why would I admit to it?

Ankoku: If that’s the case you must be good.

Kawaru: Huh?

Ankoku: You did try to warn me.

I stare at her for several seconds but soon return my attention to the bread in my hand.

Kawaru: So why are you eating here all alone anyways?

Ankoku: Because everyone else is eating with their friends.

Kawaru: Yeah, and what about you?

Ankoku: Well I’ve been away for a long time, one of my parents fell ill and I had to take last year off to help out with the family store. All my friends are seniors now and are preparing for exams so I don’t see them much.

Kawaru: What lousy friends, you go away for a year and they completely ignore you huh?

Ankoku’s eyes turn downwards with a dejected expression.

Ankoku: It’s not their fault, a year is a long time, and it’s not like they completely ignore me. We greet each other in the halls.

Kawaru: I see.

An awkward silence falls over the two of us. Without thinking I reach out and pat her on the head.

Ankoku: Huh? What’s this for.

I don’t respond and the remainder of lunch passes in silence. After lunch Ankoku and I go our separate ways, but before I get back to class a hear shouting and go to see what’s going on. I find a familiar busty blonde girl with over a dozen tough looking delinquents on their knees bowing.

Delinquent: Aylia-sama please agree to lead our gang!

The girl steps back and many students look on in interest.

Aylia: How many times do I have to tell you guys? I’m not a delinquent any more I gave up meaningless fighting long ago.

Delinquent: Please we need someone with your strength to lead us.

Aylia looks around and suddenly notices me, looking towards me for help. I guess I can’t just leave her like this.

Kawaru: Hey guys she said she didn’t want too. I don’t know what kind of rumors you’ve heard but it’s not right to try and force someone to do something they don’t want to.

A relieved expression appears on Aylia’s face as I attempt to talk down the group. However the members simply ignore me and continue to pressure Aylia to lead them.

Female student: So is it true that she’s really a delinquent?

Male student: Man my image of Aylia has totally shattered.

Unsettling murmurs begin to course through the crowd, but there was nothing Aylia could do to stop either the source or the murmurs, she looks me again asking me to try something else. However, before I could even do anything a brown haired senior approaches them.

Kurio: You’re blocking the hallway.

One of the delinquents reacts this time rising to his feet and stepping closer to the young man.

Delinquent: What did you say? Who do you think you are? We’re trying to talk to Aylia-sama right now, don’t get in our way.

The delinquent prepares to throw a punch but two of the others instantly get to their feet and restrain him.

Delinquent #2: Don’t you know who that is idiot?! He’s the soccer ace Kurio, if you start a fight with him, we’ll have teachers breathing down our necks.

The gang, realizing the position they were in decide to make a hasty retreat.

Aylia: Thanks Saeki-san, they wouldn’t leave me alone and I wasn’t sure what to do.

Kurio: I’m happy to help, but you should try to get reliable to help when things like this pop up. Turning to other trouble makers for help will only cause problems.

Kurio shoots me a sharp glance and I return with one.

Kurio: I heard you skipped class again today, if you keep doing that you’ll have to repeat. How much more do you intend to sully our schools sports reputation?

Kurio turns around and walks back towards his class. Kurio and I both originally came here on sports scholarships so we got along fairly well, but he got angry when I left the track team saying “the scholarship is wasted on a person who won’t take their sport seriously.”

Kawaru: Great, now I don’t feel like going to class anymore.

As I start to walk away a hand reached out and grabs my collar.

Aylia: And just where do you think you’re going?

Kawaru: Umm, to the bathroom?

I feel myself being dragged back towards my classroom as I respond.

Aylia: You were gonna skip again weren’t you?

Kawaru: Hey get off my back, it’s not like you have any right to tell me what to d—

I stop myself before I finished the sentence, after all Aylia wasn’t doing this for herself, or even for me.

Kawaru: Aylia…I..I’m sorry.

Aylia: No Kawaru-kun you don’t need to be sorry. I came to terms with it over a year ago.

She opens the door to my classroom and suddenly roundhouses me into class.

Aylia: It’s you who can’t stop living in the past.

I get up after being smashed in the stomach and walk over to my desk before collapsing in pain.

Kawaru: Ouch~

The rest of the classes pass by like a blur and when I come to it’s already time to go home. Aylia wouldn’t come with me today, and besides it’s not like there’s anyone home in the first place. I get up from my seat deciding to head home and change clothes before going out.

~School Gate~

As I leave the school gate I notice Ankoku standing patiently under a nearby Sakura tree, the trees weren’t in bloom yet, but it wouldn’t be long before pink petals covered the ground….I bet it’s a pain to maintain the roads when that happens. She notices me and runs over smiling.

Ankoku: Tengen-san, are you heading home?

Kawaru: Yeah…were you waiting for a friend?

Ankoku: Yup.

Kawaru: That’s good, I’ll be seeing you then.

I continue on my way, but I could feel her following behind me. After about five minutes I turn around and face her.

Kawaru: Weren’t you waiting for a friend?

Ankoku: I was.

Kawaru: And what happened?

Ankoku: He came.

I looked back and forth, several students had stopped to look at us but no one seemed to be “with” here.

Kawaru: What happened to your friend?

Ankoku: What do you mean?

Kawaru: I mean where is he?

Ankoku: In front of me.

Kawaru: Huh?

After a few more moment I finally realize what she meant.

Kawaru: Wait, are you talking about me?

Ankoku nods. I was about to ask her when we became friends, but the trusting and naive expression on her face stopped me.

Kawaru: What have I gotten myself into? You know, if your friends with me a lot of people will probably look down on you.

Ankoku: But you’re a good person, I don’t think such people will be taken seriously.

Kawaru: There you go again, insisting that a stranger you’ve known for all of 3 hours is a good person.

Ankoku merely giggles and begins walking again. I walked along side her down the familiar path until it was time for us to once again separate.

~Home~

I stand in front of the door to my house, I was surprised to find the door unlocked and I walk inside to find a tall handsome man with white hair and blazing eyes standing at the doorway. The man, my father was in the process of putting on his coat, he had a large folder of papers in his hand and he turned to the door.

Nathan: Kawaru, I didn’t expect you to be back so soon.

My eyes remained focused on the papers under his arm.

Kawaru: Heading back to the office?

Nathan: Yeah, to tell you the truth I only came by to pick up some documents.

Kawaru: When do you think you’ll be home?

Nathan: I have no idea; to be honest I probably won’t be home tonight. Can you take care of your own dinner?

Kawaru: Of course, I always do. You’re never around after all.

He walks past me and out the door. This is the life that the two of us have been living for the past two years. Dad spends almost all his time at work, and when he’s not working he’s normally too tired to do anything more than sleep. And I live more or less independently; we hardly ever see each other.

Kawaru: Mom, Sis, I’m home.

I walk over to the small shrine in the living room kneel down before the two pictures. My mother had passed away when I was very young. Dad took care of Samantha and me on his own. He worked hard, but he always made a point to set aside some time to spend with us. He was especially fond of my sister Samantha; she was kind, gentle, smart, and affectionate. My Father and I both loved to spoil her but she was always kind and never tried to gloat or take advantage of it.

Kawaru: Aylia almost got into trouble again today Sis, but she’s been doing her best to keep her promise with you, so don’t get to mad at her okay?

I felt something warm stream down my face as I sat in front of the shrine.

Kawaru: Why did you have to be the one to die Sis?

She was so innocent. Dad couldn’t help but spoil her, and Aylia and I couldn’t help but want to protect her, but it wasn’t until she died two years ago, that we realized how much she supported all of us. I stand up and wipe the tears from my eyes. If I stayed here I’d just spend the rest of the night moping in my own self hatred.

I got to my feet, I no longer cared about changing cloths and left the house as fast as possible, I locked the door and headed off for Kazuto’s place.

~Dorms~

I stood in front of the sports dorms, normally I would stay away from this place, but this is where Kazuto lives. I no sooner open the sliding door and step inside than I hear a loud and very angry voice.

Kazuto: If you’ve got a problem lets settle this man to man!

I walk in and see Kazuto thrashing around while being held down by two large students, probably members of the wrestling team. One of them suddenly wrenches his arm into a complicated joint lock.

Kazuto: GAHHHH!

Wrestler: Listen, I’m trying to sleep, so either mute that damn computer or I’ll take it from you!

Kazuto finally gives in and uses his free hand to tap on the floor. The two wrestlers release him and Kazuto catches his breath while rubbing his arm.

Kawaru: That looked painful.

Kazuto: If you were there you could have helped you know!

The bigger of the two wrestlers looks back at the two of us with a menacing glare and Kazuto shudders a bit. This scene was pretty normal actually, Kazuto is technically on the boxing team, but he’s now allowed to participate in official matches because of an injury he caused during practice after he lost his temper. I step over him and enter his room.

Kazuto: Anyways come on—hey at least wait for me to invite you in!

Kawaru: If you don’t keep it down they’re gonna comeback.

Kazuto: Damn those wrestlers, if I could just get them one on one.

Kazuto sits down at his desk turning his computer to mute.

Kazuto: But after I graduate it’ll be open season, and you’ll be there to back me up right? *gives a thumbs up*

Kawaru: I’ll collect your remains too. *Returns the thumbs up*

Kazuto: I don’t need that kind of help!

Kawaru: So you finally got a computer huh?

Kazuto: Yeah, I’ve already installed “The World” I’m gonna be a legend in no time.

Kawaru: “The World”? Oh yeah, that’s the game my Dad works on.

Kazuto: Seriously? You never told me that?

Kawaru: Never thought it was that important.

Kazuto: Then you must know all sorts of special ways to get strong quickly. Come on, give me some tips.

It was true that my Dad worked on The World and that I knew a bit about it, but having never played it I didn’t really know any special ways to get strong. Hmmm if this were a game, what would my options be? 1) Tell the truth 2)Make something up 3)Put it in.

Kawaru: Well (1) is kinda boring, and what the hell is option (3)? I guess I’ll go with (2).

Kazuto: What are you trying to figure out the best strategy to tell me.

Kawaru: Umm, yeah, okay my Dad told me you get some super rare weapon if you run around all the servers bashing an NPC organization called Atrum Neux, apparently CC is fooling everyone into thinking they are a guild so that only a select few will get the items.

Kazuto: You serious man?

Kawaru: Completely.

Kazuto: Sweet I’m going to do it right now!

Kawaru: No the event doesn’t start until tomorrow morning at 5:00 you don’t want others to catch on do you?

Kazuto: You’re right? I’ll have to sacrifice a night of sleep but it’s worth it to reach my goal of being an online legend.

I kill time in Kazuto’s room until about 2:00 then head back home to sleep. This has been my life for the past two years, wake up, go to school, and hang out with Kazuto. The same ever since two years ago, my life has become an endless routine. I wonder if I will continue on like this for the rest of my life.