Kazumi's POV

I opened my eyes slowly, squinting at the rays of the sun that's passing through the curtain. My eyes travelled up to the wall clock and I yawned, rubbing the sleep off of my eyes. Surprisingly, I woke up earlier than my alarm, which is set at 6:00 in the morning. I woke up at 5:00. Huh, unbelievable. If this was a normal day, I'd be falling back to sleep but no, this is very rare. Me waking up this early is a legend! I won't let this chance to do whatever I want go to waste.

I stood up and opened the door of my room quietly, tip toeing to my mom's room. I turned the doorknob and pushed the door lightly, peeking inside. Mom was sleeping soundly in her bed, so I chose to let her be.

The house felt empty with all the silence, but I've been wanting to be in peace for a while now. With all this conflict in the family, I've never had a day where I've been alone with serenity. Everyday is full of bickering from morning to night—it's tiring.

I let out a sigh as I finished preparing my iced coffee. All this thinking is making my mood go straight down the drain. I carried my iced coffee all the way to the terrace in my room and set it down on the round table. I then went and got my phone along with my school bag, taking the contents outside. I opened my English book and notebook, gathering the stationaries that I need such as pen and highlighter. I did a little stretching before I looked down at the chapter, reaching for my phone and earphones, plugging it in.

(Dionysus-BTS; Now Playing)

Listening to upbeat music probably isn't a good idea for other people since they get distracted by the music easily, but for me, I can't stand doing anything without music. I'm literally the type of person that can't live without it. It's my blood.

Anyway, instead of doing some unproductive stuff since I basically have most of the house to myself, I chose to study. Yes, I know. Surprising. Cue the gasps.

Using the highlighter, I highlighted the important things in the chapter, such as termonologies and examples. I briefly looked at my notebook before writing down short and quick notes on a sticky note, then pasting it on the page. While putting effort on my notes (designing it like a bullet journal and doing "calligraphy"), I thought of doing something for mom. I don't want to remember her dreary expression from last night. I want to do something to cheer her up. I could try cooking, but I'm pretty sure that burning the house down would have the opposite effect of what I'm hoping for. I stared at my sticky notes, thinking of something. Sure, studying hard will definitely make her happy, but the results will take too long. I want her to atleast go to work feeling better, even if it's just a bit. Something colorful and heartwarming.... Oh! I have an idea!

(MIROH-Stray Kids; Now Playing)

I snatched some colored paper on my way down. I turned on the router before going up. I went to YouTube to search for some tutorial and followed the instructions. I then saved a photo of a set of letter fonts to copy, as well as banners and borders. I could just come up with my own, but my creative mind isn't functioning right, especially this early in the morning. I completely abandoned studying, packing my things. I took out the scissors and glue from my pencil case, cracking my knuckles. Let's start!

***

"I'll be going," I mumbled, taking my bag. Mom smiled at me and bid my goodbye. I walked my way to the train station alone and it felt very noice (Aju nice!) because I was like a bird in the sky. Independent and free. I stepped foot inside the train after waiting for a minute or two and immediately sat down, avoiding the gaze of the people. You know, like an introvert.

Fortunately, I safely arrived at school. I dashed to the room without meeting people's eyes, muttering a quick 'Good Morning' to the teachers I met on the way. I threw the door open when I reached the classroom, but instead of seeing few people inside like I anticipated, there were quite a lot already. From the corner of my eye, I saw Hadzuki, Hideo and Haru surrounding a desk, chatting and even shouting. Due to my curiosity, I approached them while still carrying my bag, peeking from Hadzuki's shoulder. She whipped her head when she felt my weight on her shoulder, muttering a 'What's up?'.

"Nothing much," I replied. I focused on the person that they're talking to, and well what a surprise, the communist president of the student council came back from China. "Yo, Kuroko."

"Hey, Kazumi." Kuroko waved at me before removing his glasses. He wiped them clean and put them back on.

"How's the trip to China?" Hideo asked. Kuroko sighed and smirked. "You'll see in our English project. We have to do a travelogue, right?"

Oh boy, I think I already know what's going to happen.

"The only thing missing from my project is the description. I'll be doing that later," he continued. Silence came and stayed for a few seconds until the sound of the door opening made us look at whoever it was that caused the disruption of the silence. Lyse, the secretary of the student council, walked in while panting. On her hands were a bunch of paperwork, which I'm guessing that Kuroko has to do.

Lyse marched towards Kuroko's desk and dropped the paperwork, creating a sound that could give you a heart attack. "Here's all the paperwork you need to do for today. Extra orders from the teachers are not included."

Kuroko groaned and rolled his eyes, going through each one like a businessman. A professional one at that.

"How were you able to open the door?" Haru asked, looking down at Lyse.

"I used my hands, duh." She smiled smugly at Haru, who only frowned. "Anyway, Kazumi. Help me relieve Kuroko's stress."

"What? How?"

"Katyusha. Since Kuroko is such a communist, Katyusha must raise his spirits to the heavens," she suggested. I saw Kuroko's ear twitch. "Seriously?" I asked, but Lyse just ignored me and opened her mouth.

"Ra—"

I was expecting this. Instead of Lyse, Kuroko ended up singing. He sang until the first chorus before he stopped, grinning. "Well atleast he's not that stressed anymore," I commented, watching Kuroko flip through tons of boring paperwork.

"I guess. Mission accomplished."

Lyse and I smiled at each other lightly, until Kuroko started singing. AGAIN.

"We get it. You're a communist. Now you can stop singing because class will start soon, Mr. Student Council President."

As if on cue, the teacher came in with a clipboard in hand, eyelids drooping as if the day has already ended, even though it's way far from ending. Classes went on normally, which is seriously killing me. I hate normal. Weird is my middle name and is literally my whole life in one word. Normal? Psssh, that doesn't exist in my vocabulary boi. I'm hella—

"Ow!" I whisphered (shouted) when I felt a sudden pain in my neck. A few minutes passed before the stinging left by whatever hurt me faded. I turned here and there to find the culprit, and saw Lyse giving me a peace sign while raising a rubber band. She pointed at the floor so I looked down, noticing a folded paper (hell that thing was thicc af). I picked it up and opened it, cringing at what's written on the paper.

Dude, you need to stop looking like you want to pick a fight with everyone. Your face is scaring the people around you and not to mention your aura. It's just full of hatred (perhaps to the world) and we can all feel it.

I turned my head to Lyse's direction, frowning. 'Seriously?' I mouthed. She just replied with a small smile. I continued on reading the letter because the secretary is on fire. I honestly thought she wrote down a wholesome essay or a heartfelt message just for me to read.

Anyway, what's wrong? We get that you're... well, socially awkward, but.... I mean, come on man. You usually just sit in the corner and stay still like a rock (minding your own business like a boss that you don't give a damn about the world around you anymore) but you never have these, how could I describe it, uhhh, bone-chilling look on your face. Do you honestly want to torture someone so bad? Did we do something wrong for you to stare at us (not really us, because your gaze is directed at the ground—poor ground, if the ground has feelings, it would be terrified of you) like you're going to skin and burn us alive? I don't know. It could be just me. I'm serious though.

I rolled my eyes and flipped the paper to its back. I then grabbed a pen and wrote a two word sentence as a reply.

I'm fine.

I was about to fold the paper and think of a way to pass it back to Lyse when the school bell rang, making me drop the paper and cover my ears. I hate the sound so much.

"Yo, Kazumi. So what's your answer?" I heard Lyse's voice from beside me. I picked up the paper and gave it to her, bending to get hold of my bag that somehow fell to the floor.

"What? That's it?!"

I stared at her, uninterested. I opened the chocolate bar that I took out from my bag earlier. I took a bite and snatched a spare notebook from my bag, not minding the things going around me. I'm too tired to deal with literally everything. I just want to sleep for eternity. Can I just please be a rock or something? I'm seriously sick of having to do anything. Especially dealing with exhausting people.

"Oh holly molly, Kazumi!" Hadzuki screeched, making my eye twitch. My poor ears are bleeding. "Are you eating what I think you're eating?" She asked, swallowing a big lump in her throat. I shrugged and focused on my notebook full with....lined pages. There's not a single letter written on it. Yes, way to take notes Kazumi.

"Kazumi no!" I was surprised to feel that my left hand no longer wrapped around the stick-like snack, and I looked up at Hadzuki with a glare. "Give it back," I warned, irritation bubbling up inside me. I don't want to deal with this sh*t. "No. Do you want to look like a crackhead to every single person you meet for the day? You know you get hyper when you eat sweets! Especially chocolate!"

"Hadzuki. Give. It. Back. Or. Else."

"No. What are you going to do about it? Hit me? Reach for it? You know you don't stand a chance against me one on one."

"For f*ck's sake I just want the g*ddamn chocolate. Let me freaking eat!"

"Now this is interesting. Too bad I don't have popcorn," Haru commented from the side, but he immediately raised his arms in defeat when I gave him a death glare.

"No."

"Well then," I breathed out, massaging the bridge of my nose. "You're not going to let me study, so I might as well be out of here."

"Wait, what—"

"No Kazumiiiii! We were just messing with you—" Haru spoke up but I cut him off.

"Save your petty roguery for someone else. For once I tried to take studying seriously and you guys just have to ruin my day. It's official. My freaking will to do anything is crushed because of your sick little pranks."

I stormed out of the classroom with balled fists and a palpitating heart. I can't believe my mouth for spouting such words to my.. friends. I shouldn't have taken my anger and stress out on them. Even if they were playful and act like disrespectful brats at times, they were there for me when no one else was. How could I do this to them? I'm so stupid.

My feet carried me to the busy cafeteria, making me groan. What a way to relieve my stress. Go to a place full of people. This is so dumb that I just can't—

U-G-H. Can I just go home and never return here? Can I just go back to the day when my life is peaceful? Oh wait, that never happened.

"Kazumi?" A voice called out, a hand placed on my shoulder at the same time. I turned to see the guy I'm being shipped with and my mood instantly went down. Let's say if my mood before was hell, then my mood now would be described as something lower than that. Yes, it cracked hell's floors to go deeper.

"What?" I asked, voice completely monotone. Why do I feel myself wanting to kill everyone on my way today? I'm not even on my period.

"Something wrong?" He breathed in and exhaled, eyes wandering. "You're not yourself today."

"Nothing's wrong. I'm fine."

"But—"

"Why do you care anyway?" I watched his addled expression as his eyebrows furrowed. "What....?" he whispered, voice low and hushed. "What could you possibly mean? Of course I care! You're my friend!"

"Friend? A friend would grant their friend's wish, right? I already told you to stop talking to me. Ever," I spat. Hiroyuki shook his head. "I can't keep quiet when there's something wrong. You're clearly going through something."

"Cut it out. I hate those eyes of yours that can see through fake smiles and sh*t. I can take care of my problems alone. I don't need your help."

I left Hiroyuki and went to the garden. I went through crowds of students having fun on the grass unnoticed, choosing to spend the rest of recess at a quiet part of the garden. Upon seeing a spacious area of the garden, I ran to it and plopped down on the grass, leaning on the trunk of the tree behind me. I turned to the side and saw Mitsuko sitting on a bench with a friend. Wait, isn't that—

"Kazumi! Oh my gosh, finally!"

A sudden voice made me flinch and clutch my uniform in shock. I looked up at the bastard who wanted to send me to the hospital and shot a glare. "What the hell man?"

"Dude, we're sorry for the thing earlier. I've been searching for you all over the place and happened to bump into Hi—"

"Did you come here just to say sorry?" I interrupted, closing my eyes. Gosh, my head is going to explode. "Eh? No. Actually, I'm here to ask you about something. Did something wrong happen?"

Yes.

"No. I'm fine. Nothing to worry about," I answered. "Really."

"Are you—"

"Yes. I'm sure. Now if you don't mind, I'll be going." I stood up and turned around, when someone grabbed my wrist and held it tightly, preventing me from leaving.

"Stay. Or else."

I murmured a string of colorful curses and sat down grumpily, crossing my arms.

"It's fine if you don't want to talk about it. Instead, let me do the talking."

I just sighed and replied with a small nod, not having the energy to do literally anything else. It'd be nice if I was born a rock.

Hadzuki started talking about random stuff and I pretended that I was listening, nodding every now and then. A few minutes passed and I found myself looking at the spot where Mitsuko and her friend sat. They were still there, having a conversation. I was about to shift my gaze to Hadzuki when my eyes met his, and I shuddered when he flashed me a smirk. What the hell... This friend of Mitsuko's just sent me billions of red flags with that smirk of his. I gripped the grass beneath me tightly, my stomach churning. Something is wrong with him.

=====
Dun, dun, duuunnnn. Perhaps voting might fix that something that is wrong with Marui. Don't you think so?

Ey, I'm here with a new chapter and an apology. Progress is declining lately, mainly because school is here to eff me up again. Don't worry though, I'm still writing. But, it's not much.

Also, I think I should do something to thank my readers for reading this piece of crap, but I have no idea what to do. Maybe you can suggest things, please. Them silent readers, I'm looking at ya'll. Anyway, that's all.  Baiiiii

~Kazumi_Nyay624