Across the streets of Hirori, Kyoto sat a teenage boy. He had long black hair, unusually red eyes, and was wearing a black and white suit. The sun at the time couldn’t make it around the front post of the building to make it to the boy. The corner was the normal spot for the boy. He sporadically arrived there before and after school at H.A.C with two other people. One was a girl with long wavy blonde hair set up in a bun and she always carried books as a shelter for her shyness. The other person was a boy with short brown hair who was always worried about the time of day.
“Did you finish your homework for Sociology last night?”
The girl smiled, keeping it hidden behind her books.
“I didn’t quite get to that. I can’t help it that Ms. Teno doesn’t teach the class properly. I barely get by on a regular basis.”
The brown haired boy glared at her and turned towards the black haired boy.
“Same old, Celty. Not giving a damn about the teachers. What about you Leon?”
The boy had been staring at his hand and got distracted.
“Wha-?”
“Not paying attention, were you? I asked if you did your Sociology homework.”
Leon raised his hand to the sun and grasped a pocket of air.
“Of course I did. It wasn’t hard. It took me at most ten minutes.”
“Well, could you help me? Class is about to start in a bit.”
Celty laughed and looked up at the sun.
“Tsubasa, you’ll never learn if you have others doing your work for you.”
Tsubasa shrugged his shoulders and stepped into the shade.
“It’s better than not caring at all.”
He pulled out a book and paper from his bag, showing it to Leon.
“So, can you do it, good ‘ole buddy of mine?”
“Sucking up I see. I’ll see what I can do.”
Leon took hold of the work and looked over it while both of his friends decided to lean against the wall. A decent amount of time passed and Tsubasa was given back his completed work.
“I don’t see how you didn’t get any of this. Did you not pay attention?”
“I did pay attention! I don’t pick up on things as easily as you do.”
Tsubasa pulled out a pocket watch and flipped it open.
“Come on guys. Class is about to start in five.”
Leon pushed himself up and brushed his hair out of his face. People were walking across Laozu Rd. and heading into the building. A red bird flew down above Leon’s head and landed on the ground. Tsubasa snapped his pocket watch shut and walked off, cycling through papers in his bag. Leon stepped out into the sunlight and looked up at the sky. His hands had been shaking. Celty lowered her books from her face as she noticed him.
“It’s bothering you, isn’t it?”
Leon stopped the shaking in his hands and closed his eyes for a moment.
“What’s bothering me?”
“Your mother’s death.”
“That’s not your problem. That’s mine.”
Celty walked up in front of him and frowned.
“Look. I’ve known you ever since we were children. You’re my best friend. If you don’t think I understand, then you’re wrong. She’ll always be in your heart. I know that.”
“I’m not suggesting you’re a bad friend. It’s just some things can’t be handled. I can’t bring her back.”
“Your mother wants you to smile, but you need to let her go for that to happen. It will help you.”
“What about your father? Doesn’t that bug you?”
“It does. Every single day that I’m alive, but I must stay strong. I can’t go about my day in the dumps that I’m stuck on the past. I won’t worry anymore because I have faith that he’s out there somewhere. You should do the same. There was no body for your mother so she can’t be considered dead.”
“I see. Let’s get to class. I don’t want to be late.”
Leon led the way around the front pillar and into the academy. Up at the front counter sat a woman, typing away at her computer. She looked up at Leon and signaled him.
“Head to the audience chamber, Mr. Xehart and Ms. Argentine. There is a special guest here to give a presentation.”
Leon nodded and walked through a set of double doors that rested beside the counter. He arrived in a hallway with Celty and continued on until he met with a sign that indicated the audience chamber. Around the corner of the hallway sat the entrance to the chamber. People were busy talking and heading through the double doors leading them to the presentation. Once Leon made his way into the audience chamber, he saw multiple rows of seats and took a seat in the center of the room. Celty slid in beside him and sat down, adjusting her dress. They both looked around and noticed the numbers in the audience chamber were increasing. A few people were standing up on a stage, setting material up. It was unusual because they were bringing in electronic devices. A glowing blue light projected from one of them and refracted off the ceiling. Everybody arrived in the chamber before the guest arrived on stage. It was a man in a tight coat and he wore dark black glasses. He had a goatee and short brown hair that barely made it to his shoulders. The microphone was quickly given to him before he took a deep breath and looked out at the crowd.
“I’m Park Jae-Song, your humble guest today, otherwise known as PSY. “
Everybody stared at the man in complete shock at what he revealed.