The past is a mystery, the future looks sick...
I go into the class and give both Hinata and Kuroki a nod before taking my place.
Mary’s not online anymore, she probably went back to sleep or something.
I’m turning into a stalker, aren’t I?
Can’t give her more chances of disliking me… I’ve already collaborated with our enemies in this arc even if it was for a good reason.
I mean, I know she wouldn’t mind it, probably but… alright, let’s not slander her any more in my mind.
I’ll try my best to focus in class. What’s next? History? I was pretty good at History.
The history teacher entered soon after the break. The teachers in this school are pretty punctual…
“Open your books to page number 39.”
Might as well, I haven’t opened the book yet. No one complained thanks to Akari’s sporting nature.
Page number 39… Aristocratic Rule and Native Japanese Culture… What?
Wait, I am in Japan right now. So obviously I’m going to study Japanese history… I look back at the chapter name again. What?
How did this escape my mind… maybe everyone talking in English… no, it’s my fault, I left my common sense in the previous world.
I only know the basics of Japanese History… I go back to the index to see the rest of the topics.
Alright! Thankfully world history is still there… so all is not lost, but… most of the chapters are based in Japan. Oh no… I really have to study hard.
Geography is going to be the same isn’t it…
I can’t let Mary down… I can’t let me down! These were my strongest subjects, I’m not going to give up just because the syllabus has completely changed!
We’re going to win, just you both wait!
I look towards Hinata and Kuroki, who simply smiled and waved back.
It’s only nice to do that in return.
Alright… Around a week is still left… I can probably… No, I can do this!
The rest of the day went by my battling both Japanese History and Geography, sometimes literally. I have to watch where I’m going, can’t keep depending on random old men.
“Are… Are you studying while coming home?” The mother’s voice was full of shock, Akari really didn’t take his studies serious, did he?
“Yes… Now If you’ll excuse me…” I take off my shoes, “I have History and Geography to beat!”, I go up to the room.
“Alright… Good luck?”
The room’s clean. I don’t remember cleaning it… I glance down, I have to remember to say thanks.
As soon as I thought that, I could hear footsteps coming up. Maybe this is the telepathic connection in-between a mother and her son’s… body.
“Thank-“
“Akari!”, Wait, did I do something wrong?
“Aren’t you forgetting something?”, she added.
“Thank you for cleaning the room.”, I smile.
She nods her head in disapproval, “Not that but you’re close.”
Close? Wait, there’s my math book right beside me! I never thought she’d take this that seriously…
“I’ll beat maths too!”
“NO!” she suddenly calmed and chuckled, “You forgot to wash yourself.”
“Oh…” I look down at my current appearance… old habits die hard.
“Right, sorry…”
The mother fixed my hair, “I’m proud of you for studying, but please…”, she patted my shoulders, “Don’t forget to take care of yourself, alright?”
I nod. Thank you. I can’t cry in front of her. I pack the things as soon as I could and darted towards the toilet and close the door behind.
Akari’s reflection stared at me.
My daily dose of guilt… You’re going to be here as long as I’m in this world aren’t you? I try to touch the reflection, “So close… yet, so far away.”
“Come back Akari…”, I close my eyes and go towards the bath which was hot as always, “Your parents miss you…”
Washing up and eating go rather fast, I do say my thanks to her which I couldn’t say properly before. She did smile so I guess I got message across, that’s one task completed…
I look towards the history and geography books laying on the table. Many more tasks remain…
Time really doesn’t like to pass when you’re studying… It’s been twenty minutes, I felt I started two hours ago… I look at the messenger app, maybe it’s time for a break. I deserve a break.
Mary… Maybe I should message her. Tomorrow was supposed to be the day… I sigh, unlucky.
“Hey. I hope you get better soon and I’m just texting you to say that it’s fine…” If you can’t come? Does that feel like emotional manipulation?
Let’s erase that…
“Hey. I hope you get better soon. If you’re feeling unwell, we can have the study session some other day.” Alright, looks much better. I think?
Sent.
Alright, break time’s over… I’ll have another break if she replies.
Sadly, she doesn’t. It’s already almost midnight… I don’t think much of what I read even registered properly in my head…
A good solider knows when to retreat, especially a sleepy good soldier. I look at the phone again, the message was still unread…
I really need to trust her more, she’s sick.
Let’s not embarrass myself any more.
I put the phone down and also put myself down on the bed, letting sleep embrace me.
I suddenly jolted up. It’s day time… the sunlight’s directly hitting my eyes.
Where’s the phone? Ah, there it is!
It’s nine twenty seven. You have to love the days where you can just sleep without putting in your alarm. No new messages tho… I couldn’t help but let out a sigh even if I know I really shouldn’t.
The weather’s nice at least. Let’s see what’s going on outside…
The air’s nice… Wait, is that a blonde person standing outside slanted towards the wall…? What are they even doing? I chuckle before stopping soon enough. Is that… Mary? What is she doing here?
I rush down as soon as I could.
It is Mary…
“Hey… Are you alright?” I touch her shoulders.
“Yes…” she slants down even more. She doesn’t look alright.
I hold her as gently as possible and help her walk towards Akari’s house.
“How long have you been standing here?”
She chuckles, “Haha… I don’t know…” and puts up a silly smile. I really hope she didn’t stand here for long. I really should’ve put an alarm…
Asking her why she’s here can wait.
I open the door.
“Akari… you rushed outside…” the mother came out of the living room, “Who’s this?”
“A friend…”
She came near my and helped hold Mary up too.
“Hello… Auntie… I’m Mary.”
“Nice to meet you Mary!”, she touched her hand, “You’re burning up!” she led the both of to the living room sofa and we both gently put Mary down.
The mother looked at me puzzled.
“We were supposed to study together…”
“Alright but…”, she looks down at Mary, “Why is she here while being so sick?”
“I don’t know…” I sat down besides the sofa.
The mother sighed, “Alright. You stay here… I’ll bring some medicines and some water with a wet cloth.”
I nod, “Thank you.”
Oh Mary… Why would you do this?
“Are you mad?”, Mary opened her eyes and tried to get up.
“No… I’m not mad. You should keep laying down. My… mother’s bringing some things…”
“You look mad.” She slumped down.
“No..” I look down before touching her hand. What am I even doing?
“No… I’m not mad, like at all.”
Mary smiled, “Really? Then… are you happy?”
“Extremely!” I put on my best smile possible. It wasn’t a lie. I was happy to see her but It doesn’t feel right to feel happy with her being so sick.
“Yay…”
Yay? That’s adorable… wait, get yourself together!
“Mary…”I get up and look at her. Looks like she’s asleep.
“Did she fall asleep?”, The mother appeared suddenly with all the required stuff. I helped her put the wet cloth on her forehead.
“Look at her asleep.”, the mother had a smile on her face, “Look at that smile too, she must be having a good dream.”
“Yeah…” I hope she is. She deserves that at least.
“I’ll take care of her. You can go work.”, I smile.
“Are you sure?”
I nod, “You have a lot on your plate. I’ll study down here and keep an eye on her.”
“Alright…”she touched my shoulders, “Call me if there’s anything wrong alright?”
“I will. Don’t worry.”
She smiled and went back to do her chores.
I went back to the room and bought the books and notes, and sat right beside Mary, who still seemed to be smiling.
I don’t know what pushed you this hard to come here while being this sick, but I did miss you.
I take one last good look at her, making sure that everything’s alright.
Look at the Brightside, I’ll take this as the perfect motivation to study even harder!
I gear up and try my best to study as hard as possible while hoping that she defeats her fever as hard as possible.
Good luck to us both, Mary.
