As we stepped out of the school, the reality of our situation hung heavy in the air. Ichika voiced her disbelief, muttering, I redirected the conversation. "Ichika, how do you usually get home?"
"By train. Don't you go the same way?" she asked.
"I do, but I have to do something first," I said, searching for a plausible excuse to part ways temporarily.
"Can I ask what it is?" Ichika inquired, her curiosity genuine.
I hesitated, concocting a story that would give me the space I needed without raising suspicions. "Well…"
A convincing lie formed in my mind. "I was going to meet with some friends."
I hoped Ichika wouldn't see through the fib. The reality was, I didn't have many friends, if any at all. But this wasn't something I was ready to share.
"Oh, I see. Well then, have some fun!" Ichika responded, her encouragement accompanied by a gentle push, as if nudging me toward an enjoyable time with friends.
"Thank you," I replied, trying to sound appreciative.
As we approached the entrance of the train station, we exchanged goodbyes. "Bye, Kenji! See you tomorrow!"
"Bye!" I waved, watching Ichika descend the stairs as I turned and headed in the opposite direction.
The momentary separation provided me with a chance to do what I needed to do.
I returned to the school, it's not going to be too long, I have time.
Walking back inside the school, I noticed that the bustling crowd of students had considerably thinned. The absence of the usual chatter and hurried footsteps was almost comforting. It gave me a sense of solitude, which was precisely what I needed at that moment.
With the map from the handbook in hand, I began my exploration of the school, determined to locate our respective classrooms. My steps echoed in the quiet hallways as I wandered through the corridors, scanning each room's nameplate in search of Class C.
Eventually, after a few wrong turns and dead ends, I found it, Class C. A sense of relief washed over me, knowing I'd located my class.
I approached the classroom door with an eager anticipation, hoping to get a glimpse of my new learning environment.
To my surprise and mild disappointment, the classroom door was locked.
I pulled on the handle with a faint hope that it might give way, but it remained firmly shut. A sigh of
frustration escaped my lips. I'd gone through the trouble of returning to the school just to find my class, and now I couldn't even step inside.
Still, I reminded myself that this detour had its merits. It was better to familiarize myself with the school layout now than to stumble around on our official first day.
Resigned to the locked door,
I decided to make the best of the situation. Instead of dwelling on the setback, I looked around the hallway, noticing other classrooms and facilities. The more I explored, the more I felt at ease within these walls, and it helped to curb the anxiety that had lingered since my unexpected encounter with Ichika earlier.
There was a certain quiet charm to the school when it was deserted, as if it held countless secrets waiting to be uncovered. I knew there was much more to learn about this place, and in the coming days, I would have the opportunity to do so. For now, I would make the most of my time alone. Time to get back home.
Walking back to the gate, I couldn't believe my eyes. It was locked shut. I was sure that when I entered the school the second time, there was no guard in sight, and the gate had been wide open. Yet now, it stood before me like an insurmountable barrier, locking me inside the school grounds. My heart raced, and a million thoughts raced through my mind.
'What do I do now?'
'Do I try to find someone to help? '
'How do I even explain this situation?'
'Should I attempt some amazing parkour moves that will likely end with me injuring myself?'
For most people, the logical response would be something like, "Oh, it's locked. I should find a staff member to help me get out." But I'm not like most people. I contemplated attempting some absurd parkour stunt to escape, even though the gate was towering, and I wouldn't even reach the top if I were two meters tall.
As I hesitated, one more concern flashed across my mind: 'What if someone sees me doing this?' The idea of being caught trying to scale the school's gate was mortifying. I could already imagine the headlines: "New Student's Embarrassing Escape Attempt - What a Fool!"
Panicking, I quickly withdrew my foot from the gate and decided to search for a quieter place to make my escape, somewhere hidden from prying eyes. Yet, despite my efforts to locate an alternative exit, I found nothing that seemed remotely feasible. The school had transformed into a labyrinth, and I was trapped.
Exasperated and out of options, I begrudgingly accepted the reality of my situation. With a sigh, I muttered to myself, "I never thought I'd say this, but I'm going to have to find someone to help me out of this mess."
I ventured through the school, desperately scanning for anyone who might be able to assist me. Part of me wished I wouldn't stumble upon anyone, as I felt a sense of embarrassment gnawing at me. Yet, the practical side of me longed to return home, unwind, and escape this bizarre predicament.
Pulling out my phone, I checked for any missed calls or messages, half-expecting my mom to be worried about my whereabouts. But, as I suspected, there were no notifications. I couldn't bring myself to call her or anyone else, for that matter. The prospect of admitting I was stuck in the school was far from appealing.
As I trudged along, feeling increasingly trapped, a flicker of hope appeared on the horizon. I spotted an open door, and it seemed to lead to the school's art room, judging by the sign next to it. The door was slightly shorter than the towering metal walls that encircled me, and I saw a potential escape route.
With determination, I sized up the door. If I could somehow climb on top of it, I might just manage to escape. The door's handle could serve as a makeshift intermediary between me and the door's surface, but I knew it was easier said than done. My pulse quickened as I contemplated the daring escape I was about to undertake.
I took a deep breath, my heart pounding with a mix of anxiety and determination. There was no time to waste. I approached the door and examined it closely, searching for the best way to ascend. The handle was my only hope.
I extended my arms and carefully gripped the door, my fingers clasping it tightly. I began to pull myself upward. It was a slow and cautious process, every inch of progress met with a surge of hope that I could escape this unexpected imprisonment.
I heaved myself onto the door, and for a moment, my heart swelled with triumph. I was on top of the door, and freedom seemed within reach. But the hard part was yet to come. Balancing precariously on the door's narrow surface, I tried to hoist myself up and over the towering metal walls.
The door creaked slightly, causing me to freeze in fear. I strained to listen for any signs of approaching footsteps or voices. Thankfully, the school's interior remained quiet, as if it were aware of my daring escape attempt.
With renewed determination, I resumed my ascent. The top of the metal walls was tantalizingly close. I reached out and managed to grab hold of the edge. A surge of adrenaline coursed through me as I pulled myself up and over the barrier.
Then, I jumped, landing on my legs that had been bent.
Suddenly, I was free, standing on the other side of the imposing metal walls. The school grounds stretched out before me, bathed in the soft glow of the setting sun. A sense of liberation washed over me. I had successfully evaded an awkward situation and the possible judgment of my peers.
As I walked away from the school, I couldn't help but feel a strange sense of accomplishment.