Short lived spring

April swoops all the snow away and revives flowers in its trail. With each leap it takes, the air in April grows warmer and the trees reveal jade leaves. The petals bloom into luscious bundles of color, adding a pop of color to the monotone urban area of Tokyo. He loves the way it makes him smile, as if he's looking over his very own plants.

When Kyomoto crosses the bridge to school he would see these spectacles of nature, taking time to stop in his tracks, observing closely. His mother often took him sightseeing when he was younger, so the flowers also carry special meaning to him.

His black hair is willfully played around by the strong breeze, making everyone in his class presume that he always has bed hair. He doesn't mind really, or so he claims when people accuse him when he says it because of the wind (he minds, a lot.)

This is all proof that April is here, as well as graduation, which will be the grand finale of his school season.

Kyomoto takes a seat in his chair by the window and looks outside, letting reality sink into his skin.

“Let's start by assigning your seats.” Mr. Suzuki exclaims in the classroom, pointing to a diagram he drew on the board.

The board depicts a (poorly) drawn version of their class layout, enough to gain laughs from the class.

“Sir, you can't be serious about this,” Tanaka raises his voice, “This is our last year here.”

“right, everyone?”

The class nods in agreement, all booing at Mr. Suzuki. At times like this, for some reason their class chimes in.

“Isn't it fine to just go with Mr. Suzuki's seating arrangement? We don't have to sit together all the time you know?” Kyomoto chirps from beside him. Tanaka shuts his lips with his fingers.

He argues, “This is our last year, don't you wanna sit with your best friend?”

“Well yes, but you stick to me all the time during lunch too! I don't have privacy at all!”

“Alright Kyomo, have it your way.” Tanaka pouts, the way he does everytime they get into shenanigans.

Mr. Suzuki hits his table hard, glares at each student in class and hits the table again with more force. He points to the board to reiterate his point.

“No can do Tanaka, I want all of you to follow this diagram all right?” He fixes his glasses and walks out the room.

“Homeroom dismissed.”

Everyone is busy moving their things around. Except for Kyomoto, who maintained his spot by the window.

“Aw, no fair.” Tanaka whines.

“Better luck next time.” Kyomoto teases him as he motions him to shoo.

Their friendly banter ends there. Tanaka frowns and drags his bag on the floor, dramatic as he usually is. Kyomoto finds that part of him funny and interesting which is why they have been friends all throughout childhood up until now. He's definitely going to miss him later on.

“Um, excuse me,” a sound from behind him squeaks, “this is my new seat.”

“Sorry for that, go ahead.” whoops! Kyomoto says with all due respect he should've given him from the start, and takes his hand away from Tanaka's old seat.

The boy pulls the chair next to him and sits down, a bit awkward, never mind that, this is an opportunity to make memories.

Hmm, if Kyomoto recalls correctly, his name is Matsumura Hokuto. A silent and mysterious boy who makes your mind wonder sometimes. He typically has a novel in hand and reads it most of the time. You rarely catch him slacking off on reading, except when he's going to the nurse's office to do who-knows-what. Maybe he's on the weaker side, sickness? perhaps.

“Matsumura, right?”

“Yes, I'm Matsumura Hokuto and if I'm not mistaken…” He eyes turn to the floor for a while, “You are Kyomoto Taiga.”

“Correct. I hope we can get along.”

“Yeah, let's get along,” answers his deskmate rather unenthusiastically, which doesn't fit for such a phrase. But he digresses from the subject.

It was merely a coincidence.

One day, when Matsumura was not present at his table, Kyomoto noticed his diary spread out on top. Curiosity won over his other feelings pushing him to take a closer look.

April 13, 2012
I don't like talking with others.

Let's start by clearing up some misunderstandings.
I was never bullied at school, nor do I have abusive parents. My family is quite well off.

In fact, I have tried hanging out with the cool kids, and even went to karaoke with them when I was younger. I had some fun, but it takes a toll on my mental health.

That makes me shallow, I know.

I just don't want to.

However that doesn't mean I put off every single conversation, I just talk when necessary, often when I'm in a group project.

I'm fine being this way.

Kyomoto finds this side of Hokuto more interesting than his artificial gentleness.

The door to the nurses office pushes open to greet its next patient. Special pass for this student though, cause he's not sick and self diagnosed himself with lazy syndrome.

“Matsumura, you have to get your priorities straight. You're going to go to college soon right? You have a life before you.” The nurse scolds him.

“Yeah I understand,” He pauses, “but a part of me wants to stay like this forever.”

“Alright, what are you here for?” Kochi pauses to take a guess.

“Sleep.” Matsumura mutters, “like how I usually do.”

There's not much Kochi can do about him, since he's always been like this.