Good morning, world…
And good morning… to myself.
I rose from bed like a corpse temporarily allowed out of its grave.
"Ah…"
The sound of my stretch creaked out of my joints like old wood splitting apart.
And finally… today's sun.
Nice? I don't know… but just having it there feels like progress.
I stepped toward my window and pulled the curtain slightly aside.
I looked out.
The weather? Neither scorching hot nor bone-chilling cold.
Right in the middle… as if the sky itself was saying:
"Take your day, but don't expect miracles."
Alright… time to start the daily routine party.
…
After the ritual of washing my face and wrestling with my hair—which now looked like a petrified statue—I grabbed my phone.
Checked the time…
1 p.m.
…One?
"…Am I sleeping through the Ice Age or something?"
Even during vacation, I've failed at doing "laziness the right way."
At the very least, I should be waking up around eleven, right?
Now it's lunchtime, and it's already half gone.
But since I haven't eaten yet, it still counts as lunch… by my personal theory.
I shuffled into the kitchen like a ghost.
Ate whatever I could find.
"Morning, Mom."
I said it in my usual half-asleep monotone.
Mom replied in her usual way—from the corner of the kitchen—with a smile.
Like she was saying, "At least you're still alive."
My siblings? At school, of course.
Responsible people.
And me?
I'm in the "how do I kill time until evening?" stage of life.
…
FIFA.
The ultimate way to drain hours from your life without noticing.
Pointless matches, dramatic reactions—
Every minute feels like a world war on the screen.
I glanced at the wall clock…
5 p.m.
Time… actually passed.
I sighed and tossed the controller aside.
Never thought my life could be this quiet.
Fifteen days have passed since the start of summer break.
And the rest?
Half left… still breathing.
Strangely… it's nice.
Alright, time to head out.
I stood up.
Turned off the console.
Changed my clothes.
I was ready… almost.
But suddenly—
Riiiiing!
The doorbell rang.
Hmm… must be my siblings back from school.
Mom will open the door, obviously—she's closer to the entrance.
As for me…
I opened my big white closet and started rummaging.
Is there any cash? Here? Or here?
The shelves were empty.
My clothes—few in number—were huddled in the corner.
Even their very look said "budget cuts."
There was nothing here.
Anyone hearing this would probably laugh.
Me, the guy who "won in court," yet doesn't even have 500 dinars?
They'd say, "Liar."
I sighed, muttering to myself:
"I talk to myself way too much…"
Normal?
For someone like me?
Of course.
An advanced idiot? Or a twisted genius?
Who knows…
"Abdul Hakeeem!!!"
…What was that shout?
From the very moment I heard my mother's voice explode through the walls, I knew.
Yes… she was yelling.
As usual.
But… why does she always have to shout when calling me?
I can hear you, trust me.
I swear I could hear you even if I were in some underground basement.
I opened my door… and closed it behind me.
Mom, do you know my eardrums aren't built to withstand constant yelling?
I swear they'll burst one day if you keep this up.
I reached the top of the stairs and started going down…
But—
…Who's that standing at the door?
My mom tilted her body slightly, but her back still blocked the view.
So I leaned a little, moved my head to the right…
Someone…? Standing there quietly…?
As I continued down, I raised my voice just a bit.
"Mom? What do you need? Why'd you call me?"
She turned toward me…
Half happy, half angry.
Or rather—
Her face said: "I'm smiling for the guest… but you'll be dead in a minute."
She was speaking to the person at the door in a soft tone…
But I wasn't fooled.
"Mizuki came over… she wanted to check on you."
Mom said it gently.
So gently… it actually felt dangerous.
…Wait a second. Mizuki?
Check on me? That's all?
Then why does Mom's face look like she's about to pounce on me?
I turned quickly.
A quick glance…
Fsh…
I saw Mizuki turn her gaze to the right…
And lower her head a little.
Her face was tense.
Uneasy.
Like she'd done something bad.
Her expression said everything.
It only took me a minute…
To understand.
No… don't say it, Mizuki, please…
"And also… is it true you don't study for a whole month?"
Mom asked with a smile.
An angry smile.
A smile that said, "We'll talk later."
And right there…
I had to say it.
I whispered softly, lowering my head like a man who'd accepted his fate:
"And here… Hamdan realized he'd screwed up big time."
I'm Hamdan.
Somehow.
I lifted my head.
Gave my mother a cold smile.
"Mom…"
She looked at me, expectant.
"Yes, we're studying… but they haven't started real lessons yet."
I don't know where I get this kind of confidence sometimes…
But I'm sure this time…
I won't survive.
Mom turned to Mizuki.
A gentle smile on her face.
"Thank you, my dear. I know my son's difficult to deal with…"
"...but you came all the way just to check on him."
Then she turned back to me…
Half a glance. Half anger. Half hell.
"But he doesn't deserve this kind of treatment at all… just look at him."
…Shock.
Like an arrow tearing my heart in two.
Me? I don't deserve it?
I thought I'd made peace with these kinds of remarks…
But hearing it from my own mother?
That… really hurts.
—"Ah, ah, no, Auntie… I'm sure he didn't mean it,"
Mizuki stepped in.
An angel.
But…
—"Maybe this is just his way of studying."
You sweet, foolish girl.
Mizuki-san…
I don't think you understand how this place works.
Those words?
They basically mean:
"Abdul Hakim just doesn't want to study."
Do you… do you realize that?
And don't give me that look…
Your face right now is saying: "Oh! I found the explanation!"
Look at the person next to you!
My mom's looking at me with eyes that mean:
"Just wait… your turn is coming."
"Ah…"
I sighed.
My head dropped on its own.
I'd accepted my fate.
If tomorrow is school…
Damn it.
"Mizuki, dear… thank you for coming, for telling me, and for the food…"
"...you really didn't have to trouble yourself."
Mom said it with genuine sincerity—
A rare tone of warmth and contentment.
"No, no, no! I didn't do anything! I just made too much… and Auntie always gives me so many things anyway…"
Mizuki replied with clear embarrassment.
Suddenly…
"Ahem…"
Mom gently placed her hand on Mizuki's head…
Her fingers began to softly ruffle Mizuki's hair.
Mizuki froze.
Her cheeks flushed bright red.
Oh, this girl…
Every time she gets embarrassed, she's like a heroine straight out of a '90s anime.
"Thank you, Mizuki. You're very understanding… for a child."
Mom said that with her eyes closed.
Like a nun delivering some secret wisdom.
Then she slowly opened her eyes and continued in a soft voice:
"But… it's not good to always stay kind."
"Because there are wolves out there…"
"…And foxes."
She stopped speaking.
Her gaze locked on Mizuki.
Mizuki looked back from below, her head lowered.
Of course, Mizuki was shorter than Mom…
And the scene was starting to feel like some kind of deep psychological interrogation.
Then…
Then, out of nowhere…
Mom pointed behind her—at me.
—"My son is already one of them… look."
…
—"Me?!"
I blurted out in mild shock, trying to match the atmosphere.
—"What did I even do before?!"
It felt like I'd just been cast in an improv play without a script.
But I played along.
Like I always do.
"See? Even for them to admit it—impossible."
Mom said while moving her hands like a heartbroken, helpless woman.
As if to say: "You're a lost cause."
Then she pointed her finger at Mizuki…
We were now entering the stage of "General Motherly Advice."
"That's why I'm telling you—be careful. They… are dangerous."
"Alright, Auntie! I'll listen to you!"
Mizuki, as cheerful as ever.
This strange enthusiasm of hers…
Was it because Mom was talking to her gently?
Or because she liked playing the "diligent student" role in front of adults?
Although… I didn't even know they knew each other in the first place.
After her last words, she gave a small bow.
Then Mizuki left, walking away quietly with a faint smile.
And the time for peace… was over.
Now it was my turn.
"Abdelhakim."
Oh no…
She used my full name.
No abbreviations.
This…
Was an official announcement.
My life… was about to turn into a nature documentary.
Title: "The Extinction of Dinosaurs – Solo Edition."
Mom smiled.
A cold smile.
Step…
Then another step…
Until she was standing right in front of me.
Everything around me… slowed down.
Even time itself…
Had decided to watch the ending.
—"We… need to talk."
She said it…
And closed the door behind Mizuki.
The sound of it shutting…
Was like the seal on an execution order.
…
And right then…
I realized that leaving the house today…
Had just become an impossible dream.