Paradox Saga: Rising Sun

Near, Yet So Far

PAAAAAMMMMMMMMM!!

Fritz clapped loudly. I turned around quickly and, startled, got my notebook and pen. Thyme quickly turned his laugh into a cough. It has been our habit to clap loudly when something's off. This time, I didn't notice our teacher so Fritz's clap was a good one. The first subject was History from which I know a little, if not a lot. Well, have your Dad's library and see the result. As the teacher discussed, my mind fleeted. My seat, as well as Thyme's and Fritz's, was situated beside the window. So, I sometimes have a difficult time listening to the teachers. Don't blame me, the gust of wind cools off my stress and the green grass of the school grounds calms my mind off. However, I was not looking at the grounds. My eyes were at the school oval. As usual, it was flocked with the students from the other class, just the room beside ours. They did not seem to have a good time, though. They were circling the oval and some of the boys were having push-ups on the side with the PE teacher yelling at them. Yet, my gaze averted on a girl. It was Akako-senpai. I can still remember how we bumped into each other on the first day of class and ever since, I wasn't able to forget her face. There was this thing about her. The way she stared at me, how her stare glued to mine as I helped her get her books, there was something about that time. I don't know why, though...maybe she's just too pretty.

"Ahem, MAMORU-SAN!" 

Our teacher's loud voice awoke me from my imagination. I looked around and saw that everybody else was looking at me. I straightened up. "Hai, sensei!(Yes, Sir!)"

"As I was saying, mythology played a lot of importance in the aspects of several cultures throughout history. So, if Mamoru-san would unstick his eyes from the window, I would like him to enumerate the three major gods in Greek mythology and give an example of norms that were influenced by each god," said Kiba-sensei, our History teacher. His face clearly explained how he hates me. 

I stood up, my hands gripping my pants. Every step I took felt like a hundred as I walked to the front, I lowered my head. Mr. Kiba gave me a cold look that matched his serious face. 

"So, would you please explain to your classmates what I'm asking?"

I cleared my throat and gained enough courage to speak. "In Greek mythology, t-there were three major gods who ruled the Earth from Mount Olympus. Zeus, the strongest of the gods, ruled Mount Olympus and the skies, Poseidon had the sea and oceans as his domain and Hades ruled the underworld," I said as Kiba-sensei's stares became sharper. "Zeus...," I continued, "...was revered as the god of thunder and the sky and was praised whenever there was no sufficient rain. Poseidon was also called by fishermen whenever they go out to the sea to fish. Lastly, Hades, the god of the dead. Greeks normally put drachmas or ancient Greek coins under the deceased people's tongues as payment to Charon, Hades' ferryman."

There was utter silence. I looked at Kiba-sensei who was now quietly observing me as if saying "You surprised me, kid". "You may now go to your seat. Good explaining, Mamoru-san", he said as I slowly went back to my seat. Even though I didn't see them, I know my classmates were looking at me. Can this day get any worse?

"Don't forget to answer your homework in algebra," our Math teacher's voice echoed in the room as my classmates were hurrying to get their bags and go out of the room. The bell had rung seconds ago and people were hurrying to go to the canteen. It was lunch break and, as usual, I go to the canteen with Fritz and Thyme. 

"You did great in History, Shiro-kun," said Thyme.

"T-That was just a simple explanation though...", I muttered. 

Fritz put his arm around my neck. "Hate to break it to you, dude, but you just burned Kiba-sensei" 

"I was nervous, though...", I replied. "By the way, are you two sure you're eating with me today?"

"Why? Don't you want to eat with us?", asked Fritz.

"Well...honestly, I don't", I answered.

"But why?", Thyme said as she stopped walking. "Why do you prefer eating alone? Don't you want to eat with...me?"

Fritz raised his eyebrows. "Me?"

"Me and y-you, of course," answered Thyme, her face reddening. The two of them looked at me intently, waiting for my answer, their eyes focused on mine as I gulp down hard.

"Don't misunderstand me...i-it's just I can't be with you...I mean," I quickly added looking at their faces, "...I don't deserve to eat with you"

"Why? Am I ugly to be with you?", said Thyme, her eyes glaring like an owl. 

"N-No! I do bu-" 

I wasn't able to continue what I was about to say as Fritz-kun pushed me to a wall and looked at me like I'm his lunch. "Do I make you feel queasy?" 

"N-No! I meant the opposite. You guys always try to cheer me up but I still feel out of place. I...I don't belong to famous and pretty people like you two," I replied.

"S-Sorry...", said Fritz as she looked down. 

"Me too, I'm sorry," Thyme added.

"I-It's fine, don't even bother! Can we just go to the canteen and eat our lunch?", I asked.

"Okay"

"Hai! (Yes!)"

The canteen was bustling busy during the lunch break. Some were standing in lines, some had taken seats at the tables and some were already eating and talking. The problem was where we can eat. We looked for vacant tables with no success. I saw a group of students clear a table and was about to tell Fritz and Thyme but...

"Hey, Thyme-chan! Fritz-san!," someone called behind us. It was Chisaki Yamato, the school council's vice president. 

"Yamato-senpai!," both of them called out.

"Come, sit here!", he urged. 

"But.."

Both of them looked at me. I know they were planning to eat with me but I also know they can't ignore Yamato's request. "Go," I mouthed. "Don't worry, I'm fine"

"But Shiro..."

"I already told you, I'm fine. Now, go eat with Yamato-senpai," I told them and forced a smile. 

"Thyme, Fritz, come on or you'll make your soup cold," someone from the table called. I walked out already since I know they'll urge me to sit with them again and I don't want to. The last time I did, I was clearly ignored and the two of them were too busy answering the council members' questions. Their reactions obviously showed that they didn't want me. I don't want to get out of place with them especially to a below-average teenager like me. I didn't go sit at the empty table. It would make me feel worse. The school grounds were an ideal place to eat.

I sat down under a sakura tree and opened my bento (Japanese lunchbox). As usual, Big Sis put in a lot of rice and some fried chops. She also had another bowl of shrimp tempura and five different sushis. I ate the salmon sushi first to increase my appetite. I really wanted to cook my bento but Oneesan always insisted that she cook me my lunch. Name-neesan has always cooked my lunch before going to school. She's been like my mother...except that I'm not certain. I never met my mother since I was born. I don't even know how she looked like. We don't have any photos of her. My head also gets blurry whenever I tried to remember her, just like when I try to imagine Dad's face. 

As I ate my lunch, I looked around me. It seemed like I was the only one who's eating alone. Some were eating with their friends. Some also ate in the green patches of grass like they were having a picnic. I didn't feel alone, though. I'm fine being by myself...I've always been. I was thinking too deeply that I didn't even notice the time. I gobbled all my lunch as fast as I can and went back to the class.

The class ended quicker than I taught. I got my bag and slowly walked outside. Fritz and Thyme weren't present, probably busy with student council works. I walked downstairs passing through talking people. The sun has started to get down when I set my foot outside. I guess the class did end longer than what I taught. I've started walking when someone called me from behind.

"Shiro-chan!", shouted Big Sis. I stopped and looked at her as she ran in my direction.

"Oneesan?"

"Let's walk home together," she offered. I nodded in approval. 

The sun's remaining rays shone on the trees and on us. Watching the various kinds of stuff while walking removes the stress in me. The shops on the sidewalks bustled with customers. It was always in times like these that I feel alone. I really have poor socialization skills and I don't like getting too easy on people, especially with people who know me. I've always had trust issues with everybody. I let out a heavy sigh. 

"Shiro-chan?", Big Sis asked as we walked. 

"Hmm?"

"Do you still have that omamori (Japanese protection amulet)?", she asked.

"Y-yeah," I replied. On my 16th birthday, she gave me a bracelet with a small omamori. It was her gift for me besides my phone. 

"Good thing. I taught you've lost it," she added.

"Mmm-hmm", I muttered.

"You're awfully silent today Shiro-chan", she said.

"I-I'm always silent, Neesan. Don't worry, I'm fine"

"You know, if you have any problems, your Big Sis is here, okay?", she asked as we went inside our home.

I didn't say anything. I just nodded to her and went into my room. I looked around me and lied down on the bed. I've always stayed inside my room since Dad's death. Before, Dad cooked our dinner whenever he was here and it was the best. I'm not complaining about my sister's cooking but I hate to think that she's the only one who cooks dinner. She always insists she cook what I eat. The reason? I don't know...perhaps she's afraid I might burn or overcook my meal. Aunt doesn't cook too since she doesn't go home early. Lately, she's been busy with her work that she hasn't helped me in my PE. Aunt had this fit but strong body which is still a mystery to me. She always teaches me some basic self-defense stuff and some tips in my PE class since I have a chubby body. I was deep in thought when the strong smell of fried chicken filled my nose. Oneesan's cooking is one of the things that I can't ignore. I just left my thoughts in the room and went downstairs to eat my dinner. I hope this continues for days...

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Someone's POV

"Yes, I've already confirmed it, my lord. The boy is a Paradox," the man in the room said. He was wearing formal attire and brown fur covered his arms. He put his almost empty cigarette in the ashtray and sat on a chair. He held the phone and put it nearer to his ear. 

"Are you sure?", said the voice on the phone. "You know how I hate mistakes"

"I'm sure, master. The way he speaks, the companions he has, they clearly make my suspicion true", replied the man in a gruff voice.

"Then I'm sending reinforcements for you tomorrow. Remember, bring him to me alive! Be aware and prepare your plans. Failure means death," said the voice on the phone before he ended the call with a short beep.

"Stupid man. Thinks he can control me? Heh! I'll have my revenge. Those kids must have special blood", said the man as he smiled, revealing rows of sharp teeth. He licked his lips as if imagining how he can cook whoever he is talking about. "Prepare for me, child. I'm not gonna show mercy tomorrow," he continued before laughing sadistically.