Callicore

Chapter 1: Maya Brilliants

"K6 is in the bush. Be careful." I said through my mic.

"I'm on my way, I'll set for you Yasuo," I said as I click on my mouse focusing my gaze on my monitor.

Like any other day, I'm just here cramped inside my room playing League of Legends. What time is it? I'm not too sure. How many games did I play already? Never mind, not that I care though, need to make it to diamond rank before this month ends.

*Alarm clock rings*

"Oh, no guys... Haha, it's already morning!" I said laughing at myself.

Shit. I stayed up again my body clock is ruined for good. I should stop after this and just pretend I slept, I guess? Mama will nag at me for sure. I'll just finish this stream.

I turned off the alarm without checking the time.

"Let's get another win so all of us can get a night of good sleep, am I right? Haha!" I said glancing at my two-screen, "Oh a challenge guys!" I said excitedly, "The A.Squad will give you a hundred dollars if you get a Pentakill." I said reading a comment, "Pshhh~ Bet! If I don't get this on the next clash I'll send you an Ultimate skin of your choice..."

I focused on my game and gave commands to my team, after a while...

"Pentakill! ALRIGHT!! See that?" I said happily looking at my camera, "I told you several times I'm a Master Yi God. HAHA!" I said again, "and thank you to the A.Squad for sending me a hundred dollars! You guys always give me a challenge, give me harder challenges next time~" I said then winked at the camera.

After the game, I ended my stream and I went out to check if they're awake. And it’s awfully quiet. I went to the kitchen to grab something to eat, as I was about to open the fridge a note caught my eye.

"Maya, we'll be going to your aunt. Remember it's your cousins' christening. I know you don't like going out to parties like that so I didn't bother telling you. So while we're away, clean the house.  -Mama"

Hm? That's weird. Did they leave? Isn't it 7 o'clock still? I glanced at the living room where the wall clock is.

"What?” Twelve thirty PM? What happened to my alarm? Ugh, whatever. I'll eat first then clean the house. I need to be quick to take a nap before they come back. I just made a sandwich and then start cleaning.

_ _ _ _ _

After some time

"Finally done..." I sigh as I slump down here on the couch. I did my best, I deserve a pat. I checked the time and it's already 3 P.M. I’ll take a nap here, just in case they come home, I’ll be able to hear them.

Hold up. Where's my phone though? Didn’t I bring it with me? Ugh, I want to get my phone nut I don’t have the energy to stand up, mama might call me.

I dozed off as I contemplate whether I will get my phone or not.

_ _ _ _ _

I woke up by the sound of the doorbell; I immediately got up and ran to the door.

"Chill guys, I’ll open it now…" I said as I open the door, I know that look mama gave me it’s the 'you-just-played-all-day-and-didn’t-even-read-the-note-she-left look’

"I did what you told me to do ma. I just slept after so I wasn’t able to get the door." I said as I open the gate.

"Why so defensive dear? I haven’t said anything." Mama said sarcastically.

"I know that look ma." I chuckled then went back inside.

"Sis, you should’ve come, our cousins were there,” Hiro said

"You know I hate gatherings like that. I don’t even know most of them." I said as I sat down again on the couch.

"Why didn’t you answer your phone? I’ve been calling you many times." Mama said as she goes into her room.

"I said I fell asleep, and I left my phone inside my room,” I said while lying down again.

"Ha! You didn’t sleep again." Hiro said while he checks his phone.

"I’ve been like this ever. Y'know I'm having trouble sleeping." -me

"Does the medicine doesn't work anymore?" Hiro said as he puts down his phone

*sigh* "I can't rely on that medicine every time. I'll have a hard time in the future."

"Y-you're right..." Hiro said I can hear that he's worried.

"I'm fine. You worry too much." I smile at him

_ _ _ _ _

I just went back to my room after that talk with my brother. *sigh*

I heard my phone rang and immediately searched for it. I fount it under my pillow. Who would message me tho?

I unlocked my phone then checked who messaged me.

Ken-tan:

Maya-chaaaaan~~~

Oh it's Kenji, my childhood friend from Japan

Ken-tan:

Maya???

Are you there??

Notice me pwease~~

Silly, he never changes, still acting like a child. When was the last time we talked tho? Was it two months ago?

Maya-tan:

Gomen~~

I'm here now~~

Ken-tan:

Aaaah~~

I miss you so much~~

When are you guys coming back?

Well, there's no sign that we'll be going back this year. I think I heard they want us to stay here for good. Although we still have a lot of stuff left in Japan. Maybe I'll ask mama to get some of my stuff when she went back.

Maya-tan:

I'm not too sure tbh...

I heard that we'll continue our studies here...

Ken-tan:

EEhhhhh~

So no coming back? :(

Maya-tan:

I dunno

I'm not too sure myself

Sorry~~

But I know we'll return~

I just can't say when...

Ken-tan:

Alrigthyyy~~

Keep me updated, please?

Maya-tan:

Alright~

And that's that. I just stared at this convo for good five minutes then put down my phone. We're well adjusted here already, but I'm having mixed feelings. I kinda don't want to stay here but I also want to stay.

I just don't understand myself sometimes. When did I start becoming like this? I was more rational before and I get more sleep, but now I have sleepless nights. My memory is becoming more blurry when I think about it more.

*sigh* Nevermind that, I'll think about that when I get more sleep, maybe I'm just too tired to deal with this s**t. I went back to the living room and as I approach I can hear mama and Hiro arguing.

"Do I need to stay here also? I can just stay in Japan alone. You guys go there when you have business-related stuff right? Why do I need to study here also?" Hiro said convincing our mother as if that's gonna work. He knows that when mama and papa make a decision it's unchangeable.

"Hiro, can you please not do this now?" mama said in frustration, I get the gist of what they're talking about so I just sat down on a couch beside them.

"Why so surprised? You know that we'll be staying here." I said looking at Hiro

"Sis... Take my side please" Hiro said looking at me defeated, I just shrugged because even I don't know what to say.

"Just this year okay? Just one year, if you don't like it then I'll let you go back. Same to you Maya." mama said as she stands up then went to the kitchen.

"Hiro cut some slacks. I know she's doing this for our own good." I said patting his back "I understand why you're like this, is it because of your girlfriend? I know she'll understand."

"It's not that..." He said as he walks out

After that, we just ate our dinner and then went back to my room.

I sat on my chair in front of my PC. I stopped as I held on to my mouse.

"I should be sleeping right now," I mumble to myself. I didn't get that much sleep but I wanna play but I wanna sleep also. I took a one peso coin in my wallet.

"Heads, sleep. Tail, play." I said then I tossed the coin. It dropped on the floor and as I slowly check it.

"Guess I'll be sleeping today. haha"

_ _ _ _ _

[ June 13 - Friday ]

[ 7:00 A.M. ]

Woke up by the sound of the knocks on my door. Why would ANYONE wake me up? Do we have commitments today?

"Sis? You need to wake up, mama said we'll be enrolling today" Hiro said from the other side of the door.

I just answered nonchalantly. Today is the day, I dunno how to feel, to be honest. I said to myself that it's okay, but I'm also affected by the news.

I then went to the bathroom to wash up then go back to my room to change my clothes. I just wore a black round neck T-shirt and then a white mini skirt, I tucked my shirt then took out my black jacket with zippers.

Yep, I just checked myself in the mirror then went out.

_ _ _ _ _

Papa is with us today, and I'm not sure if papa and Hiro already talked, because this brother of mine is unusually quiet.

"So, are you guys excited to go to school?" papa asked while checking us out through his rear mirror.

"I think? I dunno what to expect tho." I said while looking outside the window.

"You should be, after a year and half of rest, it's been a while right? Making new friends and being busy with school stuff" Papa said "It's so good to see you back in shape dear." 

I just shrugged it off. I should be in college right now but something happened kaya nag stop kami. I can't remember much, I'm suffering from selective amnesia and even tho after this one year and a half, those memories aren't coming back. Is it because we chose to stay here in the Philippines? It somehow irks me.

I dunno when my memories will come back and what kind of memories are they. Whenever I ask them why are we staying here they don't answer me properly. They always say, we need a change of environment and so we can learn the culture here. I don't buy those excuses.

I just can't believe that. I have memories of that certain day but I can't describe it.

_ _ _ _ _

After 15 minutes of driving, and we arrived here at Midwich High. Oh, I see, late enroll kami.

Papa dropped us off in front of the entrance so he can look for a parking space. While walking down to the registrar's office, some students look at us. I can already tell from this atmosphere what kind of people I will be encountering. Ugh.

As we arrive at the office, we are welcomed by the principal? She goes by Mrs. Quintal and I must say she's really beautiful. It doesn't look like she's married.

They gave us some application forms then after that, they told us to go to the library to do the entrance exam. We just did it swiftly, it's not that hard, compared to the exams we did in Japan. After that, we went back to the registrar, fitting uniforms, then payments.

Our parents and the principal are just discussing some stuff, and we heard that we got perfect marks. I told you it's easy, it's not like our knowledge will go away just like that.

_ _ _ _ _

Home at last...

As soon as we got home, I took a bath and then went back to my room. I just lie down on my bed and stare at the ceiling...

"I have to check what lessons we'll be having..." but I'm too lazy to get up now. I think I'll take a nap first it's still early

*knock knock*

Wow, what timing that is.

"Sis??" Hiro calls from the other side of the door

"What? It's open" I said then I heard the door opens

"Wanna watch a movie or anime?" He said

"Hmm... Is there anything good?? I think I want to watch something gore.." -me

"I think there's a new movie on Netflix, should we check?" -Hiro

I just hummed and stood up. I'll just sleep a little early later.

_ _ _ _ _

After that, we finished watching some anime, after that, we just cleaned our mess so we can go back to our room.

"By the way..." mama said from the kitchen "since the two of you will be going back to school you should limit playing games."

"What? Why?!" Hiro asks in protest

"You guys are one week late, you should be studying right now instead of watching," she said

"Ma, didn't you see our grades back there? We did the test perfectly..." I said in confusion

"I know but that doesn't mean that you will advance study. Philippines and Japan schooling style is different..." she said again

"Do we really need to go that far? Did we upset you in some ways?" I ask as calmly as I can

"Everything will be back to normal as long as you two enters top 10," mama said as she prepares for dinner, "and also your computers are password detected, every time you need to use your computers the two of you should finish all school stuff and then we will give you a password."

"And when exactly did you guys do that?" I ask in disbelief. Tinawanan lang kami ni mama

I can't believe what I'm hearing right now. Hiro just walked out of the living room and went to his room.

"I assume any gadget except the phone is banned also?" I said as I scan my phone.

"Yep." mama said

There's nothing that we can do at this point, I just shrugged it off then went back to my room.

_ _ _ _ _

[ June 16 - Monday ]

[ 5:00 A.M. ]

Woke up by the sound of my alarm, I got up and took a bath. I'm unexpectedly excited, maybe because it's been so long since I made new friends. Although I have a lot of friends if you count my fans. Haha.

I just tied my hair in a ponytail then went out to eat my breakfast. Papa is already there drinking his coffee while checking his phone, and mama is making a lunched boxes for us.

_ _ _ _ _

Mama and Papa brought us to school since they're going to work also.

At the gate, the school guard stopped us for not having an ID, I explained to him that we just enrolled last Friday and we'll be having our pictures taken today. We went to our respective floors, Hiro's room is on the second floor, mine is on the third floor.

I don't feel so good about this. This whole new environment looks good but I feel like there's more to it. I don't like the new environment but I don't hate it also. As I arrived in front of my room, Class 3-1, I knocked first and then slid the door open. I can't explain this nervousness. Haha. What's wrong with me.

"Sorry, I'm late." I just said looking at what I assume our teacher.

"It's okay, we just started," She said in a gentle voice, "I assume that you're the late enrollee?" She said as she approaches me

"Yes. That's me." I said then closes the door behind me.

"Come're and introduce yourself." She said smiling at me. I can't do this anymore. Where's the skip button?

"Hi, I'm Maya Brilliants. I'm originally from Japan, we moved here one and half a year ago. I'm 17 years old by the way." then I bowed slightly

"Awesome! Nice to meet you, and please take the unoccupied seat beside Ms. Clover right there." She said then the so-called Clover-girl raised her hand happily. Oh man, this gonna be annoying as hell. I can already tell her attributes. I sat beside her, and thank goodness it's a window seat, 3rd row from the front. Not bad.

"If you're confused at something you can ask me or your seatmate." As I fix my stuff, she said, "I will introduce myself again, I'm Ms. Violet and I will be your Trigonometry teacher."

_ _ _ _ _

The class has been forgiving, it's still a good thing that I studied in advance last Saturday and Sunday. I also answered all the activities and exercises in this whole lesson one. Just how we do it in Japan but I guess, they don't do that here.

After the discussion, Ms. Violet asked me if I'm keeping up with the lesson and I just nodded and prompt us to bring out a crosswise paper because we'll be having a short quiz.

_ _ _ _ _

The quiz wasn't that hard. After everyone finishes answering, Ms. Violet made us exchange our papers with our seatmates so we could check them. So this is how they do it here huh? Less workload for them. Haha.

After checking we returned the papers to the original owners and I must say I deserve a pat. I got full marks and wondered why this girl kept staring at me. It's getting uncomfortable. What did I do now?

Anyway, Ms. Violet collected our papers so she could announce the scores from lowest to highest. I was not paying attention that much. I just wanna go back to streaming.

I was just looking outside the window when all of a sudden everyone clapped.

"What?" I muttered to myself.

"Wow, Darlene got 28?" Some students said. So who's this girl they're talking about? I scanned the room then saw this girl who looks a bit arrogant from the first look. I went back to minding my own business...

"And wow our new student got the highest with a perfect score!" Ms. Violet announces. I'm getting a bad feeling about this

_ _ _ _ _

After Trigonometry, we still had two more subjects, then recess.

I just went to the cafeteria to buy some drinks and snacks, then returned to the classroom, I don't want unnecessary interactions, and I can't see Hiro around. Do we have a different recess schedule? I didn't check.

_ _ _ _ _

Next subject, Physics, and English, then lunchtime I ate the lunched box mama prepared us. Then subject AP, Computer, and MAPEH. We had another quiz and again I perfected it. Other subjects gave projects already, some gave pointers to review.

Class ended at four-thirty in the afternoon. While fixing my bag, that so-called Darlene came to me and reached her hand to shake, I didn't think of anything and just grabbed her hand to shake it. She then squeezed my hand I just looked at her confused.

"Don't get too full of yourself nerd," she said smiling sarcastically

"What the hell is wrong with you. Being competitive won't get you nowhere." I just said uninterested in her attitude.

"Ha! Don't test my patience. I warned you." She said then walked out with her friends, I just shrugged.

I'm hating this already.