Chapter 1: Regrets

Chapter 1: Chapter 1: Regrets

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The sun hung high over Tokyo, its light sharp and unwavering. The air carried the restless energy of a city already awake. Cars streamed along the roads in steady rhythm, engines humming beneath the skyline. Buildings of every size stood shoulder to shoulder, stretching into the distance until the horizon blurred in pale heat.

At the center of the sea side is located Karafuguru High School, prestigious, disciplined, and known for holding one of the highest attendance records in Tokyo. It was regarded as one of the finest educational institutions in the area. The school is a very advanced and stict establishment formed for the upbringing of Higher educational practices and achievements. A global and influential establishment held high by many countries across the globe having many branches in other countries like the United States, China, UK, Germany, Russia, Japan etc. Highly praised for it’s development in student behaviour, adaptation and systems.

The Karafuguru High school branch for high-school students where located at the very center of Tokyo, it structure was of that of the biggest and most largest college university built. A necessary structure for advance teachings, exams, and programmes.

September 1st, 2025. Monday

Summer vacation has ended with the second semester beginning.

7:47 AM.

Students filled the walkways leading toward the campus gates. The Karafuguru uniform was simple but sharp, black pants, a white top, and a black jacket. The girls wore a similar style, distinguished by black shirts beneath their jackets.

The streets echoed with laughter, overlapping conversations, and bursts of morning energy. Some students walked in groups, animated and loud. Others moved alone, quiet and withdrawn.

"Yo, have you seen the latest release of the shonen manga I sent you?" A student from another school, his uniform clearly different, jogged over to a small group from Karafuguru High.

They were on their way to the schools entrance gate. though not visible the demeanor of the Karafuguru student were different from the rest, most likely from the way they were trained.

"Morning," one of them replied, his voice dull and unenthusiastic. He gave the other student a quick glance not noticable.

"Yeah, I totally saw it. It was epic. I love what happened at the rush hour scene."

"Really? Same here."

"Huh? What’s that?" another asked, confused.

Across campus, activity was already underway. This were the attributes used to rank the student in different areas of expertise, a flawless system used in nurturing the students.

Academics.

Martial Arts.

Creativity.

Sports.

These area where of same wealth and each student where placed and ranked according to their performance.

On the football field, a player sprinted down the grass, shouting, "This way!!!" as he signaled for the pass.

Near the entrance, a group of girls walked by in lively discussion.

"Next weekend’s concert is going to be so freaking rad." One of the girls said excitement lingering on her expression and tone.

"I know right" the other replied with same excitement.

"So what are you getting?"

Five street blocks away, the atmosphere shifted.

A hospital building stood in quiet contrast to the lively streets. Its white exterior reflected the morning light, sterile and still.

A boy stepped through the sliding doors.

The nurse at the front desk, positioned to the right of the entrance, looked up. A gentle smile spread across her face the moment she recognized him.

"Welcome back, Mr. Kageyama," she said, tapping lightly on her cellphone on the desk. "Hello, Mrs. Yamaguchi. You have a guest."

He gave a small nod and continued down the hallway.

Another nurse approached the desk.

"For his young age, he sure is thoughtful to come every day in his spare time."

"Should you be gossiping about others at work?" the first nurse replied flatly, shutting down the conversation without interest.

The hallway lights hummed softly.

A patient room door opened.

Inside, seated upright against the hospital bed, was a woman around thirty-seven years old. Despite her age, her features retained a youthful softness closer to someone in her late twenties. Fatigue lingered beneath her eyes.

Her hair was black, fading into white from the middle down to the tips. Dark circles rested beneath her black eyes, but they brightened the moment she saw him.

"Oota."

As you may already know by now, the boy named ’Oota’ was referred to me, the negga sorry i mean dude who had just walked in.

I stood in the doorway, my appearance a sixteen-year-old boy with slightly rough black hair and red eyes. I wore an oversized blue tracksuit with matching joggers. In one hand i held fresh flowers. In the other, a plastic bag filled with items.

I waited a bit observing her appearance to deduce her current state but then I totally shifted my eyes away from her to avoid direct eye contact. I had done something in the past to had put her this condition, so I’m not entirely happy about it.

"You shouldn’t have come this early... don’t you have club activities going on?"

I entered quietly and closed the door from behind. Walking to the small table beside her bed, i removed the old flowers from the vase and replaced them with the ones had brought in. I made sure my movements were careful and deliberate.

As i arranged them, she spoke again.

"Won’t you be late for school?"

"I will be fine," i replied. After a brief pause, i added, "From the looks of things, you haven’t gotten better since I last saw you."

Yamaguchi chuckled softly, covering part of her mouth with her fingertips.

"Uh, what?" I asked.

"Oh, it’s nothing. Just the fact that it looks like you are still blaming yourself for what happened."

Silence followed.

I stopped moving for a moment, then picked up the plastic bag and held it out to her.

"Whatever, I brought some snacks and stuff for you."

"Oh really? Is it what I think it is?" Her eyes sparkled with anticipation.

"Yeah, strawberry cake too."

"Yay." She repeated "strawberry cake" in a playful sing-song tone.

I stood there in silence, watching her for a brief second before placing the bag gently on her lap.

The most precious part about her is her child-like behaviour, if one is to be listed about her characteristics, it’s definitely her attitude, I’ve known her for a long time but still can’t get over this side of her.

"You are not a kid like me, you know that, right?" I said as i stepped back and turned toward the door.

"Oh."

"I should head to school now."

I opened the door and stepped outside, closing it softly behind me.

Inside the room, Yamaguchi smiled faintly as she lay back against the pillow.

"Not everything is your fault and responsibility... I hope you know that."

Outside, in the hallway, i paused for a fraction of a second. Her words had shackled my movements.

Then i walked on.

I can’t tell what kind of face I’m making. But if I were to guess I would say my expression was dark and saddened.

Right...it’s not my fault then who’s fault is it?..I thought to myself

My emotions and expressions I might show to other are masks and fabrications, it wasn’t like I wanted it this way but I was brought up like this. Well we all are.

As i walked past the reception desk, one of the nurses noticed the sadness in my expression.

"Mr. Kageyama is-"

I stopped when i heard my name.

"...is everything alright?"

Well I’m was a bit shocked when the nurses noticed my mood since I was trying to hide it but I guess this tense feelings of mine can’t be completely covered. I didn’t feel exceptional bad about the situation I had caused but my behaviour pattern up till now had led me to this extent. I just acted according to the me the other having been seeing me as.

I turned fully toward them. My face remained composed, but tears had already begun to fall. It was embarrassing, I could feel my composure crumbling every passing second.

"Is she going to be okay?"

The nurse looked slightly shocked. I quickly wiped my eyes with the sleeve of my tracksuit.

"Sorry... I mean... she... she hasn’t gotten any better since then."

"I just..."

The nurse stepped out from behind the desk and walked over to me. She wrapped her arms around me gently, patting my head in an attempt to ease the weight pressing down on me. I could feel her warmth, I felt safe but deep down I knew it wasn’t going to last.

"It’s alright... everything is going to be alright."

"Mrs Yamaguchi is recovering smoothly"

"Just give her some time, she might look a bit exhausted at the moment but she will recovered sooner than you will least expect" she added.

I could tell she was lying to calm me down, her vocal tone seemed too perfectly refined as if she has be practising this particular lines for any visitors in similar situations. The other nurse on the otherhand doesn’t care at all or she’s doing her best not to get involved as her eyes were completely focused on the monitor screen on the desk.

The nurse unlocked her hands, my hands slides into my pocket where I had placed my smart phone, it was already 8:09 AM, I was already late at this point.

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"My mind is a playground meant for me, not others"

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