Blue Eyes I First Saw

Chapter 17

“They don't know a thing about what's really going on with you, Sei. Let them know for them to help, don't bottle all of those within yourself.” 

I let that sink in me and sighed for the nth time knowing what Souru says is true.

“That's what I did not do before and, I don't want you to end up like me. Seek for help.” he smiled at me.

I nod and saw Zire on the entrance, looking or searching within using his eyes.

“He's a good man.” Souru said and I saw him looking at Zire. “Don't forget my words of wisdom, Sei.” he chuckled.

“I won't. See you again next time.” I smiled at Souru before walking to meet Zire at the entrance. 

He looked relieved. “I thought you hang yourself in there. Did you get what you left?” Zire's brows frowned a bit examining my eyes. He must have noticed the tears that got dried on my awful face.

I just smile and walk away from the forest. Zire did not follow so I turned my head to him. He is still looking at the forest and there he is, Souru is smiling at me from the entrance. I gave my smile back to him and called Zire.

“Did you forget something?” 

He walked towards me and began walking. “I'm not like you.” he answered lamely and put his hands in his jean's pockets. I wonder if he can also see Souru.

Soon enough we got into the bus going to Tokyo and I let myself drift off to get some sleep.

It's peaceful and more relaxed than the slumber I always have. Sharing my pain to Suoru must do this good to me.

I woke up feeling relieved but with a bit of pain on my spine. Opening my eyes my brows formed a deep frown making me sit up straight and roam my eyes around.

A chuckle got my attention, it's from Zire who's eating in front of me with a smile on his lips. He is sitting across from me, a table is in front of both of us.

I scratch my eyes and wipe my bare face with my hands only to realize I'm at McDonald's and is still in my uniform beneath my jacket. My satchel ang phone are still with me and also Zire, the only difference is that he is now wearing a McDonald's crew uniform. It is bright outside and there's a folded shirt on the table where my head was buried minutes ago.

“What time is it?” I asked in my bedroom voice but with a lower volume. My breath surely smells like the bedroom too.

Zire placed a cup of water in front of me and glanced at his wrist watch before looking up at me. “It's Six Forty. How's your sleep, princess?” I drink the water in one gulp feeling the thirst.

This place is not located in Tokyo, are we still in Narusawa? I have a class to attend! My panic began to start.

“Where are we?” I disregard his question.

“Your highness, you're at McDonald's Minato City branch.” Does he really love calling someone names he made? Minato? 

Recalling my memories from last night— midnight, rather. I can remember that I slept beside Zire on the bus going back to Tokyo. How come I ended up here at Minato?

“Yes, I carried you from the bus up to here. I just got out from my shift but, you don't have to worry. My friend watched you while you snored here.” 

My eyes widened. “What?!” Zire chuckled on the horrified expression flashed on my face. “You crap! You could've woke me up once we reached Tokyo! And I don't snore!”

He shrugged. And look at his wrist watch. “What's taking him long?” he whispered to himself.

“Anyway, thank you.” I pull my wallet out of my satchel and place some bills on the table sliding it to reach Zire. “That's for the fair on the . . .bus.” I suddenly felt awkward. 

This is the very first time someone took care of me while I'm unconscious.

“Where's your— uhh— friend? I should thank him too.” I can't look at Zire who has a smirk on his face. He shrugged.

I just nodded and shifted my gaze to myself. Hell, I feel ashamed. “Uhm— thank you again. Please tell your friend I thank her or . . .him too.”

As Zire nodded, I stood up and fixed myself. “I have to go, I have classes.” he nodded again, his smirk annoying like something is up. 

I stepped out but Zire called me again because of some of his endearment. “At least tell me your name?”

“I'm Sei. Z— Zyosei Kanasimi.” my voice becomes small as I say my last name.

Zire's smirk disappeared and was replaced with shock? “Kanasimi? Are you the daughter of Mr. Hiku Kanasimi from University of Tokyo?” he asked it without a pause and I have to take a deep breath before nodding. “Oh. Wow.” is all he said.

“Please, don't tell anything to my father or mother.” I begged his eyes and to my surprise he smiled and nodded. I flashed a small smile again before turning my back on him.

“Seikatu! Bro! What took you so long?” I hear Zire's voice from the table and I hurry to the door.

I still have time to go home and change before proceeding to Kokusai. 

It took me more than thirty minutes from Minato to Shibuya to rush and run around. 

Then I remember my assessment I took yesterday. I have to deal with it but Souru's words rang in my ears. Should I tell my parents? Are they going to believe me? What if they don't?

Those are my thoughts while running as I reached the Metro Tokyo. Maybe running will be my week's activity. My breathing became deep and loud when I reached my classroom. Everyone looks at me as I sit up and close my eyes. 

Thank goodness, the lecturer is still not in the room.

“Sei!” I heard Faya called so look at her and she's looking at me with concern. “Are you okay?” 

I nod and smile. I know my days will get better and better everyday, like how Faya avoided me days ago but, conversing with me now.

“I didn't expect something like this from you, Ms. Kanasimi.” disappointment is evident in my lecturer's voice as he placed my assessment paper on my desk.

My gaze avoided the paper and just flipped it, making the unseen score face the desk. The lecturer shook his head and went to the next desk behind me.

I sighed, losing myself to my thoughts again. The pictures of my parents with disappointment written on their faces makes me anxious. I can hear their words through my head once again. 

No, don't go there, Zyosei. I took a deep breath once again ang held the assessment paper on my hand feeling brave to look at the score written. 

It shows forty-nine. Wait, what?!

Observing the whole class. Almost two-thirds were slumped on their seats staring oddly at their paper, some were comparing their scores while the three of them— Chaya, Seno, and Guro, had a sigh of relief indicating that they had passed. Of course, the three who have it belong to the top students in grade twelve at Tokyo Metropolitan Kokusai High School. 

I belong to the top students too but, things go south and I didn't pass this assessment. What a shame. I even make my lecturer disappointed in me, no matter how much my parents will react.

The bell rang and my classmates’ conversation became louder. Some are cursing, keeping their silent inner battles, while the three smartheads grins happily. 

“Sei, how's your score? I bet you topped us again.” Seno bets so surely that made me sigh in embarrassment. 

“Actually . . .I didn't.” I answered in a small shy voice while hiding my assessment paper from their gazes. 

The three smartheads come closer to me filled with curiosity on their faces. “How come?” Chaya smirked, feeling honored that I didn't get what they were expecting me to.

I shrugged and carried my satchel. “Excuse me.” it was almost a whisper before walking to exit the room that gazes at me. 

“Sei!” The familiar female voice of Faya echoed in the hallway making me halt on my track. “Are . . .you okay?” She's hesitant so I smile at her genuinely.

“I just spaced out when taking the exam.” I simply explained. It's not a lie.

She frowned and started to walk with me on her side. On the other side of being ashamed of my score, I'm feeling more than glad that Faya reached me out and walked with me.

“Sorry. I was the one who threw a paper on you. You really are spacing out at that time.” she's really concerned.

I chuckled. “Thank you for doing that. If you don't, my score might get any lower.” 

“I believe your score is still quite pleasing.” 

“If not reaching the passing score pleasing then maybe.” I shrugged.

Faya halted and looked at me. “You didn't pas—?!” she nearly shouts and I cover her loud mouth with my hand.

“Don't announce it to the world, Faya.” I whispered.

She removed my hand. “Sorry. But, you're serious?” 

As I nod my head, a comforting grin stretched on her lips. “Same here.” she replied and we both laughed. 

“At least, I'm not the only one.” I chuckled.

“You're not. Eighty percent of our class are in the same boat.” The words from Faya are reassuring that make my brain at ease and calm.

The silence between the two of us became awkward after a minute, making our footsteps ring in our ears.

Then, I heard Faya clearing her throat and stopped on her tracks so did I. “Sei, I'm really sorry.“ sincerity is clearly evident in her soft voice. She's talking about our friendship.

As I am going to open my mouth and say that it is fine and I understand, she raises her palm making me zip my mouth, then Faya resumes. “What I have done— I mean detaching myself to you without spoken reasons, I'm really sorry.”

A sad smile crept on my lips as I stared at my best friend. I guess this is us refreshing and rebuilding our lost friendship.

“I know you understand me but what I've done was horrible. I may have my reasons but, those are all my problems, not yours to be anxious with. I think wrong of you in some ways and I'm sorry.” she deeply sighed. “I still can't tell you my reasons, Sei. I'm sorry.” 

Faya lowered her on the floor and my arms involuntarily wrapped around her. “It's fine, Fay. You, talking to me again is better than what we've been months and a year ago.”

I felt her hands wrapped around me tightly. “I guess we're best of friends, again?” she chuckled and pulled out from our embrace. Her eyes are twinkling with little tears.

“I missed you, Fay!” I finally shrieked and made the people in the hallway look at us. Surely, my smile reached my ears and mirrors in my eyes. 

I am so happy. So happy that I'm ready to face the reality beyond the scores I got. So happy that I have to hug Faya again to squeeze her in a tight embrace. I missed her so much. The Earth knows how I wish this day to come. My non-passing score is worthy enough.

“Yah!” Faya protested as pull her hair lightly. “What was that for?” She's smiling with a frown.

“That's for ignoring me.” I acted as if I'm having a tantrum.

She laughed. “Sei, stop it. Come on, you're not a good actress. You're way too far from that.” of course I am. “Let's go to the Station together?” her left arm automatically wrapped around mine, pulling me to walk with her like we used to before. 

I didn't even agree. The thought made me smile. This is the Faya I know.

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