The Ninety-second Morning

In a room, the sound of the rumble of the bass trumpet, followed by the piano’s mellow sound and the violin’s bright tone is resonated as if in an empty room.

Hajite briskly stood up and disabled the clock and sighed, “Here we go,” Hajite paused and looked around his room, “Today is different, I remember.”

Yesterday, Hajite passed the entrance exam and enrolled in a school named RonriYakkii High. The class he attended has started its second semester. Hajite has prepared for the necessities but does not have his official ID yet, but he is told he will receive them today, which is Monday.

“Why am I going back to hell again?” Hajite facepalmed, “It’s to change.” He began his modified daily routine.

“School starts at 8:00,” Hajite glanced at his watch which read “6:07 AM,” “Time to eat.”

Hajite went to the fast-food restaurant he ate in yesterday and ordered two of the same meals. “This one is for lunch, and I’ll eat this now.” Hajite glanced up from his purchase and saw the girl from yesterday wearing a school uniform. Nishira noticed Hajite staring at her and waved her hand to him. “Kalitashi-san!” She quickly goes past the line of customers to where Hajite was, “Good morning!”

Hajite froze in place while he continued staring.

Nishira concernedly scanned Hajite’s face.“A—anything wrong? Y—you are kind of red.”

With his fading blush, Hajite then turned to seat at the same table as yesterday. “Good morning, erm— Miyaki-san?” Hajite looked down at his food.

Nishira sat down in front of him and started eating her breakfast. Hajite did the same.

Nishira took notice of Hajite’s uniform and asked, “I see that you are going to the same school as I am. Did you transfer?”

Hajite quickly looked up and stared shockingly at Nishira, “W-w-w-w-what?” Hajite’s eyes darted about he inspected Nishira’s uniform.

“I’m glad we will be together!” Nishira shook her hands in excitement, “Would you like me to tour you after breakfast?”

Hajite cleared his throat and composed himself before he gobbled his breakfast.

Nishira stared at Hajite as he ate hurriedly. “Kalitashi…san, are you alright?”

“Yea, yea, I’m fine,” Hajite finished his meal in record time and cleaned his part of the table, and remained seated to wait for Nishira.

After Nishira finished her meal, they both left the fast-food restaurant.

Nishira bobbed her head to Hajite “So, what class will you be in?”

Hajite placed his finger on his chin and recalled. “I think it’s 3-A.”

Nishira gasped “Really?” Nishira slouched and jumped in excitement, “we are in the same class then!”

“O—oh. I see.” Hajite looked down wide-eyed to his steps.

Nishira tilted her head. “Is it a problem?”

“N—no,” Hajite waved his hand dismissively, “it’s was surprising, that’s all.”

They proceeded to walk beside each other with considerable distance between them as they headed toward the school.

Nishira looked at Hajite. “So, are you a transferee?”

Hajite nodded his head. “I guess.”

“You guess?”

“Well,” Hajite took a deep breath before he continued, “I didn’t have a school for half of the first semester.”

Nishira made a sound of surprise before she asked further, “Wait? What happened?”

Hajite shook his head. “Nothing, I only decided on it.”

“I see,” Nishira extended her arms to her side, “so were you doing before school?”

“I… worked.” Hajite sighed.

Nishira’s eyes go wide in curiosity. “Wow! So what is the taste of adult life?”

Hajite dryly laughed. “Not that bad.”

“You even said it as an adult would,” Nishira remarked.

“Well, I can’t complain about it now,” Hajite placed his hand on his chest, “I decided on it myself.”

“What did your parents think about it?”

Hajite grimaced.

“O—oh, I understand.” Nishira looked down to the sidewalk.

“No, you don’t.” Hajite sighed.

“Huh?”

Hajite looked at Nishira with a forced smile. “I decided on it myself.”

Moments passed, and they arrived at the school’s gate.

A guard stopped Hajite from following Nishira “School ID please.”

Hajite opened his bag and gave a paper meant to be a temporary ID, and the guard allowed him in. Hajite looked at his watch which read “6:38 AM.” Hajite scanned the school grounds and saw a pathway extending from the gate into a school building. This pathway is flanked by grass with benches placed with a pattern. Hajite looked up the school building which was five stories tall with sufficient width space. Hajite looked toward the gate he passed through and took notice of the small details he saw. A metal detector, an ID card swipe system, a guardhouse next to it. “Much more technologically advanced than my school,” Hajite murmured. He slowly approached the school building when a force shoved him aside making him almost fall.

“I am very sorry!” a girl apologizes.

Since Hajite at that moment was attentive to the small details, his eyes scanned the small details of the girl that bumped into him. She was a bit shorter than Nishira, who was almost as tall as him, She had short red hair and yellow eyes, an almost flat chest, and slim legs.

“Something wrong?” the girl asks with an irked expression.

“S-sorry! I didn’t mean it like that!” Hajite fidgeted around and slowly returned to his senses. “I was observing that’s all!”

The girl looked at him wide-eyed in disgust. “You are such a pervert! Guards! Guards! We have a harasser here!” shouted the girl.

“Wait, wait!” Hajite waved his hands frantically in the air.

Nishira’s voice called out. “No, no need for that! He didn’t do any wrong!”

The guards who were alerted to the situation stopped to observe.

“What do you mean? Didn’t you see his face just now?” The girl stated sharply.

Nishira shook her head. “Kalitashi-san isn’t like that!”

“Oh? You know that pervert?” The girl crosses her arms still expressing disgust, and the guards withdrew.

“Uh, well…” blushed Nishira.

Hajite, who now was composed, looked at the red hair intensely. “I wasn’t looking at you that way.”

“Liar!” she yelled back.

Hajite ignored the girl and made his way to the school building.

The girl pointed at Hajite. “Hey! Don’t you dare ignore me when I’m speaking!”

Hajite continued his way without looking back. “There is nothing to talk about.”

The red-haired girl forcibly turned Hajite around. “A-po-lo-gize!!” she shouted.

“I’m sorry.” Hajite coldly replied.

“Look into my eyes and say that again.”

Hajite followed her request. “I’m sorry, miss.” Hajite was irked.

The red-haired staggered backward. “H-h-ow dare you…” she said in a weak voice.

Hajite tilted his head in confusion but lingered no further and made his way to the building.

Nishira stared at the girl in confusion too but was at all the more confused on how detached Hajite acted. Nishira caught up with Hajite and walked beside him.

Hajite looked at Nishira. “Thanks for the save.”

Nishira looked at Hajite and blushed. “I didn’t do much though.”

Nishira toured Hajite around the school building and classrooms.

Hajite counted the signs above the classroom, “5-A, 5-B, 5-C, it’s all the same.”

“Should I now show you the last place?” Nishira asked.

“Yes, please.”

Nishira lead Hajite to the open rooftop of the school building.

“So, this is the last place of this building.” Nishira states.

Hajite looked around and up the sky and admired the clouds while Nishira stares.

“U—u—um…”

Hajite looked at Nishira. “What is it?”

“So, in this place… there is a legend…”

Hajite waited for Nishira to continue.

“…that those people who confess here, stay together… forever…” Nishira blushed, but it quickly faded and she looked down.

Hajite approaches Nishira. “Want to be friends now…”

Nishira stared at Hajite eyes.

Hajite placed his hands on Nishira’s shoulders. “and forever?”

Nishira quickly pushed Hajite away. “W—w—ait a minute… did—d—d—did you say?”

Hajite looked at Nishira with a cold expression.

Nishira blushed. “I—i—t’s too sudden! We haven’t known each other fo—”

“I’m sorry” Hajite produces a smile and stretched his hand out, “Shall we be friends?”

Nishira composed herself quickly. “O—oh, you meant that, of course!” Nishira laughed nervously, “Yes!” Nishira shook Hajite’s outstretched hand. “We are friends!”

Hajite looked at his watch which read “7:01 AM.”

A class bell rang and Hajite entered classroom 2-A and went beside where the teacher was standing.

“Good morning teacher.” Hajite bowed to the teacher.

“Good morning class! This is a new— erm— transferee.” The teacher looked at Hajite and whispered. “Please introduce yourself.”

Hajite scanned at everyone’s faces and looked in their general direction, and he notices two familiar faces. Nishira and the red-haired girl. “Great,” he muttered. He proceeded with his introduction smoothly. “Good morning. I am Hajite Kalitashi.” After that quick introduction, he started going to an empty seat in the leftmost front row.

The teacher looked at Hajite in bewilderment. “Wait a moment Kalitashi-kun, that’s all you had to say?”

Hajite turned around to answer. “Yes, teacher.”

“Very well then.” The teacher concernedly sighed.

The classmates stared at Hajite with mixed reactions while Hajite prepared his seat. After Hajite settled down, he stared at the newly acquired ID he received from the principal earlier than slowly paid attention to the class.

A class bell rang. The students briskly walked to their predetermined destinations, while Hajite stared at them and sighed. “It’s the usual… as usual…” muttered he as he prepared his lunch.

Nishira went beside Hajite’s table. “Kalitashi-san, would you like to have lunch with me?”

“Sure,” Hajite said nonchalantly. “But where?”

“Just follow me.” Nishira half-dragged Hajite’s arm.

Hajite jolted back in reaction but let himself be dragged by Nishira.

They arrived at a solitary table beside the school building and began to unpack their lunch.

“You eat here often?” Hajite asked.

“Yeah…” Nishira said with a nostalgic tone.

“With someone?”

Nishira sighed.

“I’m sorry,” Hajite began to eat, “but did I get into a deep topic there?”

“It’s ok. I will talk about it,” Nishira smiled, “but tell me about yours first.”

“Which?”

“About why you dropped out.”

Hajite sighed and looked up at the sky and back at Nishira, and he retold the story as he did with Jose.

“That… is sad.” Nishira sympathized.

“Not the saddest story though. Now that I think about it to how it is now. It seems pretty shallow and ironic.” Hajite raised his hand to feed himself.

“How?” Nishira’s head tilted.

“I mean, I enrolled after all.” Hajite took a bite.

“But this time, you did it on your own,” Nishira stated with a happy tone.

“Sure, I guess…” Hajite agreed as he took another bite.

A pause was maintained for a moment while they ate their lunch.

“Your turn.” Hajite pointed at Nishira.

“Huh? Oh, that. I guess it’s my turn.” Nishira paused and looked up the sky and back at Hajite.

“Excuse me? Are you making fun of me?” asked Hajite with an irked tone.

“Ah? Did you notice? I didn’t mean to.” Nishira sarcastically giggled.

“Forget it. Just start if you’re ready.”

“Yes,” Nishira clasped her hands, “I’ll start right now.”

I am not from this city, by that I mean, I was born from a different city. But circumstances made us move here four years ago. I was thirteen years old when my parents divorced and my custody went to my dad. Although the court ruling allowed my mother to visit me, my dad never allowed her to spend time or to see me. Because my dad suspected that I am rebelling against him, he would abuse me, nothing too serious, but I would receive a few beatings. Those were the horrible first two years. He would always be drunk when he comes home, shouting and bellowing all abuse and insult he could bestow on anyone. Somedays, he wouldn’t return home for he is in a love hotel. But this never made me hate my dad. All the more I cared for him, hoping to see that someone still values him like me. Fortunately, my dad changed when he set up his new restaurant business, but he still won’t allow me to see my mom. So everything is fine until his restaurant shut down a month ago. We’ve been struggling financially, and I tried to get work, but I couldn’t find one that is decent and I would work consistently in. But I still haven’t given up. I knew, out there, would be the solution to our problems.

A class bell rang. The students made their way to their predetermined destinations. Hajite, on the other hand, finished his homework for tomorrow and has not reacted to the bell.

“Don’t overwork yourself Kalitashi-kun, but I applaud you for your dedication.” The teacher left the classroom.

“Thank you, I will be sure I don’t,” Hajite smiled.

Nishira stood beside Hajite. “Kalitashi-san, classes are over.”

“I know.” Hajite wrote in his notebook.

“Would you like to come to visit my house?”

Hajite looked up at her with wide eyes and his brows furrowed. “Huh?”

Nishira looked and fidgeted around. “W-was it too quick?”

“I—I mean… if it’s ok with you.” Hajite slightly blushed.

“I never had a friend for a while, so I don’t know.”

“Really?” Hajite looked up in guilty realization.

“Yeah,” Nishira sighed, “I don’t know why.”

Hajite mumbled in thought. “I shouldn’t have thought about that.” Hajite shook his head, “I wouldn’t mind going with you to your home if you don’t mind.” Hajite said with guilt.

“I—I don’t mind at all!” Nishira trembled.

“You reacted pretty differently.”

“I—I was just excited,” Nishira placed her hand on her chest, “It’s the first time a boy visits my house.”

“T—that’s not necessarily a good thing,” Hajite quickly packed his things, “Maybe another time.” Hajite sighed.

“Huh? Are you sure?”

“We only met two days ago you know.” Hajite gripped his heart.

“Y—you have a point.” Nishira looked away in disappointment.

Hajite stood and turned to leave. “See you tomorrow.”

“Yes, see you tomorrow Kalitashi-san.” Nishira waved her hand.

Hajite arrived at his apartment where Jose was loitering at the door.

“Sorry, did you wait for too long?” Hajite rushed over to Jose.

Jose waved a hand. “It’s ok. I was not particularly busy this day.”

“Would you like to come in for some coffee?” Hajite took a key out of his pocket.

“No, it’s fine. I only need loops,” Jose produced a yellow envelope out of his pocket and handed it to Hajite, “I came here to give you this.”

Hajite took the envelope and inspected it. “What is this?”

“It’s the withdrawal,” Jose said blankly.

Hajite examined the envelope intently. “This early?” Hajite was confused.

“It’s what I would call an extra.” Jose snapped.

Hajite carefully tore the envelope and pulled out a check. “A check,” Hajite began to read the contents and gasped, “100,000 yen!?”

“As you can see, it’s sponsored. Your channel is beginning to accept sponsorships now.” Jose clapped his hands.

“What!? No way! T—this is amazing!” Hajite carefully placed the check back into the envelope. “I can’t accept this.” Hajite handed the envelope to Jose.

“If you are returning this as a payment, I don’t need a payment.” Jose pushed the Hajite’s hand holding the envelope. “I make more than this anyway.”

“But still. You have helped me since that day and I never repaid you.”

Jose sighed. “You can repay me by continuing your career. For now, it’s the loops.”

“If you say so.” Hajite opened the door to his apartment. “Remember, if you need anything, just call me.”

Jose nodded and waited at the door.

Hajite returned moments later with a USB stick and handed it to Jose.

“Oh, one more thing, Hajite.” Jose took the USB stick into his hands.

“What is it?”

“From now on, you will manage the channel.”

“W—wait you mean?” Hajite’s eyes widen.

“Yes, that means I won’t be managing the channel anymore. I’m sorry.” Jose gave the USB stick to Hajite.

Hajite took the USB stick and sighed, “It’s alright. I will get the hang of it.”