2019

Heavy rain soaked the earth at noon, full of the hustle and bustle of the journey of human daily life. Doing all sorts of work utilizing their own capabilities. Various colours of umbrellas are seen colouring the scenery when viewed from above. In the middle of the busyness, there are two glimpses of humans standing on the ridge board of the gable roof. The building is quite tall if compared to others around it and looks like an ordinary apartment. The green painted building stands out a bit from the surrounding buildings because of its bright colour. It is impossible to see the two of them with the naked eye by the humans below even more so with the rain.

They embrace the rain without an umbrella to cover them from the cold. Oddly, their clothes don't even get a little wet. Their perfectly neat clothes are still intact and unsoaked.

“I believe this meeting is important as our life, that we have to hold it here with rain...Professor Yamato,” a dashing-looking man wearing a black suit with a black bowler hat said formally.

“Nah, nothing left to be valued in my life, Goro...I just want a breath of fresh air to make some decisions about a certain subject…the air conditioning will only worsen my thought,” an old man wearing a white lab coat with grizzled hair said calmly. He uses a long brown cane with almost half his height at his right side to maintain his stability on the roof.

"Hahaha, this rain sure is solacing for an old man like us. So, which subject are you referring to?" Goro asked.

"WW1...It's meaningless to try to fix it," Professor Yamato explained in short.

"I see...our first subject...hm, now I know why you chose this place. It does evoke some memories..." Goro said after he can relate this place to the purpose of the meeting.

“Hahaha...I know, some endings are fitting to be settled at the beginning of it…it's just a cycle of the purpose and outcomes of it,” Professor Yamato looks into the sky like he recalls some memories.

Perhaps we should end it when we have a chance before even starting it, so there will be no cycle at all...but it's too late now. Professor Yamato monologues within himself.

“The relationship between the beginning and end huh… I rather replace outcomes with achievement...We have gone so far and accomplished so much to just call it outcomes," Goro said while touching his chin that is adorned with a thin anchor beard.

"Hmm, sacrificing one subject for another to thrive...that sounds pretty much like an achievement for everyone with a rational mind…" the professor said.

"Yes, efficiency is a human motto after all. So, straight to the point, destroy it then?” Goro asked without wasting any time.

"Hmm, let's see...I have something to experiment with...so I want to ask your permission, can I use it? You know...it will be a waste to destroy it just like that," Professor Yamato asked politely.

"Garbage isn't needed in my work, you can do whatever you want as long as it doesn't impact another subject, and make sure to report it to me from time to time, I don't want someone doing something without my knowledge," Goro said straightly while holding the tips of his hat.

"My pleasure then…" Professor Yamato expresses his gratitude.

“Zup!”

Goro suddenly fades in a blink of an eye without a trace left on the roof like a ninja leaving Professor Yamato all alone on the roof.

"It was just a matter of time before it came. Suddenly, everything is 'my' work only," the professor muttered alone, "Poor boy…exploited half-dead, abandoned with eternal pain. Nevertheless, incapable of feeling the pain anymore, for it was already a part of him."

He gazes far into the sky before fading away just like Goro.

…

2020

In class 1-F of Yamazaki High School, the midterm examination went on in full intensity. The student all focused on their mind to answer the exam question. The boys were wearing formal white shirts with red ties matched with black slacks. The girls wore a sailor-style white uniform with red ribbon and black skirt.

"5 more minutes left! Make sure you have already answered all the questions. To anyone who is already done, make a double-check. This is your last paper, make sure you don't make silly mistakes."

A chubby teacher with wavy short hair announces to her students before the examination reaches its ending.

...but I just answered half of it…and everything that I answered is based on my feelings...I don't even know the right answer...

Hiroshi stared at his English paper helplessly with his mouth opened slightly. He scratched his head making his already messy black hair more chaotic.

"Time's up! Put down your pen! Check your name!"

...guess I will just let it slide, ahh how can anyone answer this…? Did they speak English at home? I should try with mom and dad...

With the thought that he will never finish it in time, he put down his pen accepting his fate.

"Last student in each line, please stand up and help me pick up your friend's paper."

All the intended 5 students carry out the task given by the teachers. Three of them are boys and two are girls. The one in Hiroshi's line is a boy.

Hiroshi, who sat at the front row in the middle line of the class just waiting with patience for the last midterm paper to be gone from his sight.

"Okay, thank you for helping me! All of you, wait for a moment! Let me check if everyone has already sent it!" She starts to count the answer sheets quietly after all of the paper arrives.

"Okay! All 25 of you are here! You can be dismissed now!"

The teacher says while packing the answer sheet into plastic. After she finishes it, she leaves the class in an instant without telling anything more.

"Ahhh, it's so hard!" a boy beside Hiroshi, with glasses and curly brown hair said to his friend while standing up from his seat.

"Really? Not that hard honestly," a boy who is staying behind him with side fringe back hair, still packing his stationary, replied.

"You are gifted with your brain...You will never understand someone like me."

"Forget about that already, let's go to the arcade. It's already our last paper."

"Hahaha, yeah let's forget about the exam already! It's just a midterm."

Hiroshi heard the chat of some of his classmates from his seat right after the exam. They don't even bother to chat with Hiroshi.

Most of his classmates are already leaving their seats. Getting ready to walk their way home. Chatting about how hard the English exam was and what they will do after this.

Yet Hiroshi just stays in his seat staring right at the whiteboard. No one comes near him to have a chat or to invite him to go home together. The other two who he heard their conversation before were also gone. It looks like he doesn't exist in that class. Ignored by everyone like a ghost who can't be seen by anyone.

A minute after minute passed, the class became empty. The mixed sound of everyone's voice was already lost from Hiroshi hearing. The clock showed 3.30 p.m.

...They are a bit late today...I want to go to the grocery store...

"Hahaha! Is he still here?"

"Yeah, that's him!"

A voice came from outside the class.

"Shrkkk!"

The sound of the front door sliding filled the deserted class. Three boys suddenly enter the class.

"What a good boy you are!" a tall, skinny and bald boy says out loud.

"Hahaha! What are you talking about Yuji? He is always a good boy!" a boy with an average height, style with a black undercut haircut agreed.

"Shrk..."

The third chubby boy with curly hair didn't say anything and just proceeded to close the door slowly.

They all go straight into Hiroshi and stand around him who still sits in his seat.

"Oi, Hiroshi! Do you bring it?" Yuji asked in a low voice as he whispered.

"Hahaha! Straight to the point huh?" the undercut boy said.

"We shouldn't waste time here, Yori...the faster we can get the better," Yuji said.

"I know, I know, so Hiroshi...give it to us already…" Yori said.

Hiroshi doesn't say anything. He suddenly stands up and takes a step to the back of the class. The wrinkles on his shirt can be seen clearly after he stands up.

"Oi, where do you want to go?" Yori grabs Hiroshi's left shoulder.

"The things...in my bag…" Hiroshi said in a dry tone, emotionless. His deep voice makes it like he doesn't even have an interest in everything that happens now.

"Oh…faster please" Yori let go of his shoulder.

He leisurely takes a step toward the student's locker behind the class. He reaches the farthest part of the locker, the top, near the window and opens it. He takes out a plain orange bag inside it and goes straight to the boys who are waiting at his seat.

After he arrives at his seat, he puts his bag on his table and takes out something from it.

"Here…" Hiroshi said while holding a pack of cigarettes in his grip.