Author's Note: If a person prefers to be alone and doesn't mingle with others, it doesn't mean they are just like that. It's possible they've been through something that made them lose faith in everyone.
[Sound Effect: Sudden Voice from Behind]
"Sasaki? What are you doing here?"
As I turned around, a gust of wind hit my face, and my hair fell over my eyes. I brushed them aside only to see that the person calling me was none other than the "Model of Perfection" from our class—Ai Yoshida.
Ai Yoshida: "What are you doing here, Sasaki?"
Shin Sasaki: "Forget that... what are you doing here?" (I asked, completely stunned).
Ai Yoshida: "I'll be seen wherever I happen to live, right?"
Shin Sasaki: "You... you live here?" (I said, making a sour face).
Ai Yoshida: "Yeah, I live here! But why are you making that face?" (She said, sounding a bit annoyed).
[Shin's Thoughts] Was school not enough? Now God has made her my neighbor too. Won't He ever let me live in peace?
Ai Yoshida: "Hey, why aren't you answering? And why did you get so sad all of a sudden?"
Shin Sasaki: "Oh, no, no... I'm just upset because my parents are coming tomorrow and my house is a mess. Seeing you actually made me feel... better." (I said with a fake smile).
Ai Yoshida: "Oh! So you live alone? You know, I live alone too."
Shin Sasaki: "I see..."
Ai Yoshida: "Yeah... I live by myself. Anyway, where are you going?"
[Shin's Thoughts] What a headache. Why is she acting so nice? Is she pretending?
Ai Yoshida: "Hey! You're lost again. Helloooo... come back to earth! Helloooo, Sasaki..."
Shin Sasaki: "Yeah... I'm back. I was just going to buy groceries at the nearby supermarket."
Ai Yoshida: "Oh! I was going to the cake shop next to the supermarket. Cake... it's so tasty... wow!"
[Shin's Thoughts] So, the "Perfection" of our class loves cake. Seriously, who likes cake that much?
Ai Yoshida: "Cake... cake... cake..."
Shin Sasaki: "If your 'Cake Song' is over, can I leave now, The Perfection?"
Ai Yoshida: "The Perfection...?" (She pouted).
Shin Sasaki: "Yeah, everyone calls you that. You're perfect at everything."
Ai Yoshida: "Well... I am perfect and beautiful, but don't call me 'Perfection'." (She said, blushing).
[Shin's Thoughts] She's so strange. First she says don't call her that, then she blushes and praises herself. She's totally self-obsessed.
Ai Yoshida: "Seriously... are you Sasaki or Zoro 2.0? You keep getting lost!"
Shin Sasaki: "No, no. I was just thinking about what I need to buy."
Ai Yoshida: "Oh, okay. You may go now, you have my permission!" (She laughed).
Shin Sasaki: "Okay, bye."
Ai Yoshida: "Byeeee!"
[City Noise in the Background]
Darkness had covered the city. People were returning home from work, and the huge buildings of Osaka were shining bright. The whole city was glowing.
[Shin's Thoughts] I'm so tired today. Good thing tomorrow is Sunday, otherwise I would have fallen asleep in school. Got the eggs... I'll make Omurice tonight.
[Sound: Door Opening]
"I'm home... man, now I have to cook. I wish I had a machine that could do all my work for me."
[Sound: Doorbell]
"Shin! Heyyyy, Shin!"
[Shin's Thoughts] Wait... Mom? They were supposed to come tomorrow. How are they here now?
[Sound: Door Opening]
"Shin! How are you? My boy... you've become so thin!" (She said, hugging me tight).
Shin Sasaki: "Mom... stop!"
[Voice from the Background]
"Fujiko... let him go. Let him at least get inside before you shower him with love."
Fujiko Sasaki: "Oh Ichiro, stop it! I'm meeting my son after months, of course I'll show him love! Shin..."
Shin Sasaki: "Mom... Dad... tell Mom I can't breathe!"
Ichiro Sasaki: "Huh, your mom missed you a lot, son. I haven't been able to stop her for years, how can I stop her now?"
Shin Sasaki: "Mom..."
Fujiko Sasaki: "Okay, okay... I'll stop. But you should come to meet your mom more often, Shin. I know that after 'that day', things haven't been the same for you... and I know how hard you've been trying to move on... but you don't have to carry it all alone. You should visit us more often."
Shin Sasaki: "Yes, Mom... I will come to visit from now on."
[Location: Balcony – Night]
The sky is clear today. I feel peaceful when I see the stars blinking. It looks so beautiful. (Shin said with a smile).
[Voice from the Background]
"Yeah, you're right. It is very beautiful."
Shin Sasaki: "Oh, Yoshida... you? Are you back already?"
Ai Yoshida: "What do you mean 'back'? I live here!" (She pouted).
[Shin's Thoughts] Yeah, I know... but why does she keep appearing in front of me?
Ai Yoshida: "Hey... Zoro 2.0, are you lost again?"
Shin Sasaki: "Don't give me these weird nicknames!" (I said, annoyed).
Ai Yoshida: "Hey, that's what friends do."
Shin Sasaki: "I am not anyone's friend. Don't try to understand me, just... leave me alone.
Ai Yoshida: "Wait, why are you saying that? Hello? Where are you going?"
[Ai's thoughts] "Being alone starts to distance a person from the entire world. Why is Sasaki like this? He doesn't even talk to anyone in class... I just want him to open up and get along with everyone."
To be continued...