"Renji! Renji! Get up! You're running late!"
7:40 AM.
Renji groaned, burying his face in the pillow. "Mom… just a little more sleep…"
Smack!
"Ouch! Mom, was that really necessary?"
"You're going to be late for school! Get ready quickly! Take a bath when you get home today—now go!"
Hello everyone, I'm Renji Yamamoto. That was my mom waking me up from sleep—her name is Sarina Takanashi, probably 39 years old. My dad's name is Haruka Yamamoto. Where he is now or what he's doing… I have no idea. It's been almost six years since he went missing.
Anyway, I'm now in my second year of middle school. I'm 14 years old. My final exams are only seven days away—basically just one week left. I finished all the syllabuses properly… but now I have to revise everything within these seven—no, six days, because I always study the subject the day before its exam.
Anyway… this year, for the first time in my life, I feel like I'm actually going to fail.
"RENJI!! What are you still doing upstairs? Class starts in 15 minutes!"
"Coming, Mom—!"
---
"Does it take that long to brush your teeth?"
"My mouth is a little foa—"
"How many times have I told you not to talk while brushing your teeth?"
---
Alright, brushing done.
I already packed my school bag last night—swap—and getting ready is finished too.
"Renji, breakfast is ready!"
"Okay, Mom!"
Thump-thump-thump!
"Renji, where are you?"
"Mom, I'm coming—"
"Owoh, clatter!"
"Aaah! My head—"
Bang!
"Uuuu… Mom? What does this even mean?"
"How many times have I told you not to run on the stairs—and now you're looking at me like that?!"
Heh, here we go again… My mother… don't come and pick me up—she's in her lecture.
"You always worry too much about me, Renji."
"Why… what's wrong, Mom?"
"Here you are, stumbling down the stairs. How do you expect to get through life walking alone if you can't even manage a few steps without falling?"
"Heh, fine, just finish your lecture already! I'm going to be late for school."
"Your breakfast is on the table—go eat it before you leave."
And that's how every one of my days usually goes. That morning I woke up a little late because the night before… I just couldn't sleep properly.
Yesterday, I spent the whole night working on my assignment. My printer ran out of ink, too. Luckily, the supermarket near my house stays open until 11 PM.
I finally finished the assignment at around 3 AM, and by 3:28 I was ready to sleep.
But then I suddenly remembered…
I still hadn't designed the cover page. So there goes another 30 minutes of my life. By the time I was finally able to sleep, it was almost 4 AM…
---
"Hmm… what time is it—OMG, I'm going to miss my first class if I don't leave right now. No time for breakfast.
I'm leaving, Mom—"
"Renji!! You're not going anywhere without eating breakfast!"
STOMP STOMP STOMP
"Renjiiiii—"
…Heh. Escaped from my mother successfully.
---
"Arisha Mikasa?"
"Present, ma'am."
"Renji Yamamoto? Is he here?"
Thud!
"I—I'm here… huff huff."
"You're late. That's unusual. Is something wrong?"
"No… I just woke up late today. That's all."
"Alright, go to your seat."
Grrrrk–Thup
Hah… I'm so stressed out. I couldn't sleep properly last night, and now I'm attending class on an empty stomach.
---
"ATTENTION STUDENTS! As you already know, this is your last class with me for this year. So today, I'm going to take a surprise class test."
"Wait—what!? No way! Awww man, I wasn't ready for this! Please no, ma'am, show us some mercy—!"
Heh. Everyone's yelling at the teacher, but look at me—sitting still.
Because I know this surprise test has no real value.
In other words, it doesn't matter. It's only to pass the time.
---
"STUDENTS! Stay silent! You can't change my mind. Trust me, the test is simple. Everyone, decide your pairs, and then I'll explain the next rules."
[Hehehehe… this is going to be fun. I love watching those introverts struggle to team up with others]
---
"Whoah… not so good. I actually don't know anyone who would pair with me."
"Hey Renji, haven't you found someone?"
"Umm… actually, I'm confused. Will you pair with me, Yuto?"
"Oh, my bad. I'm already with Arata."
"I see… no problem, it's okay."
Fwp. I guess I need to stand up and find someone.
[Oh my… looks like Renji and Himari are still single. I've found the perfect candidates for my entanglement.]
---
"ALRIGHT STUDENTS! Seems like everyone has split into pairs. Oh my! Himari, look at you—can't you find anyone?"
"Ma'am… everyone is… i-in pairs, so I couldn't find anyone."
"Hmm… let me help you. Look over there—Renji's single, just like you."
---
"Now you two go and say your greetings, hehe."
"H-Hello… Re-Renji… w-would you like to t-team up with me?"
Fwosh!
"Eheheh… sure, no problem. I wasn't able to find anyone else, so…"
"Th-thanks."
"Ahm… Renji, what is it? Are you pushing yourself to pair with me?"
"No… I'm actually not,"
---
"Attention everybody! Now the actual teamwork begins—"
Ding-dong-dong-dong
[Ummm… my bad, seems like time's up.]
"Oh no… the test is over, I guess. Alright, bye-bye, students!"
"Oh Renji, I think it's over."
"Yeah… now we should go get our seats."
---
–2 and a half hours later–
"Okay, so it's lunch break. I should go get something to eat at the canteen."
Thump-thump-thump
"Huh? Isn't that Himari?"
"Hey, Renji."
"Ah… aham. Umm… what? Is there anything you need?"
"Can you help me, please?"
"With what?"
"I forgot my lunch box at home… so can you share your lunch with me?"
"I didn't bring a lunch box today, sorry."
"Oh… sorry for bothering you."
"Wait… did you ask your friends to share their lunch?"
"Umm… I actually don't have any friends."
"I'm going to the canteen. If you want, you can come with me."
"Sure… if you don't mind."
"I won't."