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Both of them arrived at school, and for some reason, Yuujin took a deep breath, only to be greeted with a flick on the ear by Max.
I thought you weren't coming – Max smiled and moved in front of him – Oh, hi, how are you? – He greeted Misaki.
Hello… you know Yuujin? – She asked, a little uncertain about their apparent "closeness."
Oh, yeah! I think I was the first person to talk to him when he got to school yesterday – He bragged a little while noticing Yuujin looking completely lost – Ha, he looks like a dead fish – Max laughed a bit, and Misaki joined in.
He's always like a zombie in the mornings, but don't worry, it'll pass eventually – Misaki stopped laughing, but kept a small smile.
Kiki, dear, I thought you wouldn't come – Allie and Rose arrived to greet her.
Sorry, girls… but I'm here now, and that's what matters! Let's go to the bathroom and get ready before class starts?! – Misaki said, excited.
Of course! I got a divine lipstick, come see it with us! – Allie said, and the three of them went together to the bathroom.
Meanwhile, Max went over to Yuujin and grabbed him by the neck, leaning on him.
You look more dead than usual – Max commented, but Yuujin barely reacted – Say something at least! – Max shouted a bit into his ear.
What? Ah! I'm awake! Let's go to class! – Yuujin said, walking toward the classroom. Max found it strange but decided to just follow him normally – Aoki said the practice would last longer; we're going to hear more of your playing – Max commented, getting more serious when Yuujin still seemed a bit lost.
They entered the classroom, and… Aoki was there.
You took too long – Aoki got up from his chair and greeted him – Why does he look… so colorless? – Aoki looked directly at Yuujin.
I don't know, he's been like that since he arrived – Max nudged Yuujin a little, but with no success.
Anyway, I came to let you know we'll start earlier, is that okay with you, Max? – Yuujin said, hands in his hoodie pockets.
Ah, yeah, that's fine… – Max and Aoki stared at Yuujin until Aoki walked over and lightly punched him on the side of his head.
Ah! Aoki! You idiot, why'd you do that?! – Yuujin exclaimed, a little startled.
You're so weird, Yuujin – Aoki laughed a little, and Max joined in.
I'm not weird, I just don't fit 100% into what society imposes as "normal"… – Yuujin ran a hand through his hair as Aoki smiled at him.
Really? Too bad, I don't consider myself in that area either. See you – With that, Aoki left the room, leaving Max and Yuujin alone.
Ugh! Why is he so… Why is he like that? – Yuujin blushed slightly but was irritated by Aoki's behavior.
I don't know either, but I won't deny it's kind of cool seeing him mess with you – Max laughed at Yuujin, who turned even redder.
You know what, let's just sit down! – He said irritably and quickly sat down in his chair.
Jeez, what bit you? – Max commented as he sat down.
Nothing, I just… I'm not in the mood to be teased today – He grabbed a notebook from his backpack, full of drawings he'd done himself.
They were drawings about him, which he had been making since he was 8, always marking the dates.
Wow, you draw?! That's amazing! – Max looked at him flipping through the pages.
It's just something I enjoy doing, besides collecting toy cars… – He found an empty page, took a deep breath, picked up his pen, and thought about what to draw.
You collect toy cars, not just play with them?! You have to show me your collection! – Max said excitedly, but Yuujin remained silent.
"What should I draw? There's not much interesting scenery in this classroom. Maybe I should draw the view outside… No, I want something that represents what I'm feeling… Maybe something deep? Or shallow? Ugh, I'm so slow," Yuujin thought as he twirled the pen while Max kept talking. He started remembering what inspired him the most…
...
You saved the team today, congrats – Eliot, a boy Yuujin's age, raised his hand to thank him.
Ah… thank you so much… – Yuujin raised his hand shakily, accepting the handshake.
No need to be so shy, we're not friends yet, but we could be, what do you think? – Eliot smiled at Yuujin, who got a bit nervous but managed a small smile.
Really? – He pressed Eliot's hand slightly, and Eliot winced a little but held on.
You've got some serious strength, huh? Haha. And yes, I'm serious. How about joining our group? – Eliot said, noticing Yuujin ease up a little.
I… would love to… – Yuujin felt a bit awkward but accepted.
He spent a lot of time with his new group, and Yuujin began to feel more included…
When he got home, he was in much higher spirits than when he left.
Looks like this super boy is feeling chipper. How was school, my dear? – Yuujin's father greeted him, ruffling his hair a little.
Dad! My hair! – Yuujin exclaimed, and his dad stepped back with a wide smile, moving to the center of the room to sit on the sofa.
Sorry, forgot you don't like this kind of humor – He laughed a little, and Yuujin got irritated – But seriously, what made you so happy today? – He asked his son.
Ah… right… I made new friends… they included me in their group – Yuujin smiled lightly again.
Ah, that explains it! Haha, I'm glad, my boy – He smiled at Yuujin, seeing him take his drawing notebook from his backpack – Still drawing, huh, dear? – He commented. Yuujin sat next to him on the sofa.
Yes… I write as I feel… What do you think? – Yuujin showed his latest drawing: a fountain with crystal-clear water spilling onto the ground, a soft blue, surrounded by vegetation, and a small bird perched nearby.
Deep… What were you feeling when you drew this? – His father asked, putting his arm around Yuujin's shoulder.
This was before they invited me to join the group… I felt… a bit left out. But now that I'm included, I can renew this – He smiled and turned the page, thinking about what to draw next.
I see, so you felt alone… Look, son, in life, not everyone who smiles at you is your friend. Some may be, but others might just want to deceive you in the cruelest ways. I'm not saying that's the case with your new friends, but nothing guarantees it won't happen in the future. Take care, my dear. I want to see you grow healthily because you're important to me. Listen carefully to your heart… feel its rhythm, and finally put it on paper. You have one of the most beautiful ways to express feelings, my boy – Yuujin's father said, watching him think.
Yuujin froze, then turned slightly to his father.
I… I listen… I'm okay… I don't feel alone anymore… Now I have new friends, I'm fitting in more… and most importantly, I have you, Dad… I love you so much! – Yuujin hugged his father as if it were the last hug, and his father hugged him back.
I love you too, my boy – He smiled against the hug, feeling glad Yuujin was finally integrating into school.
A short time later, tragedy struck.
Yuujin and Misaki were packing their bags to go to Emi's house after the accident.
Let's hurry, I don't have all day – Emi said, heading to the bathroom to check herself in the mirror.
I'm almost ready, just need to do a little more – Misaki commented, painting her nails.
I'm going too – Yuujin shouted from his room, finishing packing his essentials, when he noticed his drawing notebook open, showing a drawing of a child in a school-like setting full of toys.
He remembered it well… It was the drawing he made after talking with his father. He closed the notebook, feeling something he couldn't explain, and just moved on, finishing packing as fast as possible.
...
I got it… – Yuujin said calmly.
You got it? I've been trying to talk to you for a while, you goof! – Max crossed his arms, interested to see Yuujin's drawing.
Yuujin spent the first four classes just drawing, until the bell for break finally rang and he finished.
He had drawn something strange… resembling an angel, but with only one wing… It had a date… a date that meant something to him… 06/15… He closed his notebook, took a deep breath, and was surprised by Aoki entering his room.
Aoki… ah, so sleepy. What are you doing here? Did they let you out of your classroom to come in here? – Yuujin yawned a little.
The bell rang a while ago, still half deaf, huh? – Aoki teased him a little as Yuujin slowly got up.
But why did you come here? – Yuujin yawned again, and Aoki pulled him out of the room.
You're joining our practice again today, remember? You're part of our group now! – Aoki said, smiling at him and continuing to pull him along.
Yuujin felt his heart race… part of the group… he was accepted again… he felt much calmer knowing Aoki considered him a member.
Back in their club room, Yuujin sat in the same spot as yesterday, preparing to listen to their playing. The music started instrumentally, until Aoki's voice entered the rhythm.
A storm that freezes me… As cold as the heart of someone who made me cry… I look for a way to rise… But if I fail, I'll break, with the eternal cold surrounding me, leaving me frozen…
But what a strange feeling, I don't feel warmed, I feel more confused, colder still. Was it my fault? Or am I just too weak?
But it was a promise, hidden in the snow, with the wind so cold it makes me shiver… In this rhythm, my heart will freeze!
If I don't know the answer, know that I loved you, and even if it's too late, I want you to know that your words made me realize how cold people can be, and I will follow you to the end, with what remains of me. I have to rise, so the ice doesn't defeat me, warming myself is what I need to say goodbye.
And if I remember you, I want it to warm me, I'm already cold enough to break… I have to rise, so the ice doesn't defeat me, warming myself is what I need to say goodbye.
The storm hasn't ended, this wind hasn't passed, my mind is confused, I forgot you, how couldn't I warm myself? Maybe something is missing in me, something you left in my soul before leaving.
I want the strength to move on, but this way I'm tied to something I should forget, and in this case, it's you. No matter how much I try, you're always there, my memories with you remain, I can't just forget, even though I should.
If I don't know the answer, know that I loved you, and even if it's too late, I want you to know your words made me see how cold people can be, and I held on to you until the end, with what's left of me. I have to rise, so the ice doesn't defeat me, warming myself is what I need to say goodbye.
And if I remember you, I want it to warm me, I'm already cold enough to break… I have to rise, so the ice doesn't defeat me, warming myself is what I need to say… goodbye… – Aoki finished the song, sweaty from moving so much.
Yuujin froze for a moment at the lyrics, feeling something inside him.
The lyrics aren't fully finished yet, still need some adjustments. What do you think, Yuujin? – Aoki asked, watching him stand and walk over. Yuujin grabbed Aoki by the hoodie and lifted him up forcefully.
LET ME WRITE LYRICS FOR YOUR BAND, PLEASE! – Yuujin shouted, and everyone looked shocked, especially Aoki.
To be continued...
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