1 A Reminder To Start The Day

My name is Teshima Akihiro. Age: 14

That name just makes me feel bitter in my mouth when people call me by that.

I scoffed at myself for how contradictory my first name is to the actuality of my personality.

'Akihiro' means 'bright scholar', which is the opposite of who I am. I am not bright, not strong and definitely....not courageous.

If I would have got those characteristics even the tiniest bit, then I wouldn't have been the worst piece of scum that I have become.

No. I did not become like that. I was already a piece of shit but I did not realize it.

Yes.

The day I realized that, it was too late for me. If everything, I wished God that he could rewind time and make me repent and make me change myself.

I guess that this is not some fantasy world. Now I should atone for my sins as I deserve it.

Fully deserve it.

.......

*Knock* *Knock*

At first, those knocking noises were dull and sounded like I was underwater. My eyes felt heavy, not wanting to open anyway since I was in a deep slumber.

*Knock* *Knock*

".....Nii..."

My ears twitched as if I heard someone calling for me.

*Click!*

The doorknob turned and the door opened slowly as the creak made my ears receive those irritating noises. Still, my eyes lids refused to lift.

That was how endearing my bed was.

I heard light footsteps approaching my bed. I felt a nudge on my shoulder and it was shooked lightly.

"Nii.....it is morning..."

"...Mm....h..."

My shoulders again were shooked but a bit more aggressively.

"Wake up Nii. Father is going to scold you."

When I heard the word 'Father', this was the genuine time that I tried to open my eyes. It was a good alarm clock for me at least.

"H-Hm?"

I rustled in my bed, making it even messier by the time I woke up properly. I felt sun rays invading my room and caressing my cheeks with its warmth.

I rubbed my eyes, adjusted my blurring vision to see more clearly. The figure was by the side of my bed.

It took some time but I finally got a grasp of that appearance.

Plump and fluffy cheeks with her straight nose accompanied by her brown eyes. Her short black hair got swayed by the wind that came through my room's window.

Her chubby belly that was large for her age protruded but it was covered with her large T-shirt.

Her arms and legs also had some fat and I am sure that she has some difficulty walking long distances.

"...Misaki..."

I muttered her name still in a half-asleep state.

"Be ready, Nii..."

"....." I nodded.

She turned her back to me and reached for the door. However, before she exited my room, I stopped her just in time.

"Wait Misaki."

"...?"

I scratched my head, not knowing how to phrase my words. Today was the day me and Misaki would enrol in the same middle school we were going to.

To be honest, I wanted to go to a different one than hers. But my mother and father insisted on me going together with Misaki.

It may be a good reason as to why they decided like this but I still did not agree with their selfish demands.

Because there was one thing that I fear.

"Just a reminder, Misaki. In school...."

"....."

I fake smiled to not make her feel worse about my harsh words. If I could, then I would have chosen my words carefully but as I said, I am not bright.

"...Don't act like I am your brother. Okay?"

"...."

Misaki's gaze fell down and her puff cheeks lost some of their strength. I knew that it sounded cold but I just wanted to confirm it.

"Misaki?"

I called out to her, pressing her for an answer.

".....I get it..."

She lifted her sight and stared into my eyes. I felt sad as I focused on her eyes. Melancholy lingered but she did not let me notice it.

Unfortunately for her, I caught her.

She thinly smiled and reassured me.

"I will do just that.....Nii..."

As she turned around, I caught a glimpse of her fading sorrow with the corners of her lips dropping drastically. The doors then blocked her from me.

*Shut*

It was unpleasant for her. I know but... It needed to be done. Yes. It was necessary for me that's why, don't feel too bad, Misaki.

I tardily got off the bed as I shrugged that matter at the corner of my mind. I fixed my hair when I got to the washroom and looked at myself in the mirror.

My black medium length was mended back to normal with a few splashes of water and some hand techniques.

My brown eyes scanned other parts of my face to see if anything was peculiar. My long nose, my almost red ear and my soft cheeks. It was pretty soft even though I am a boy.

I am not a narcissist but why do they feel good when I touch them.

".....Ahem..."

Anyway, I got back to my daily morning routine and brushed my teeth. After finishing dressing up my face and posture, I put on my school uniform.

A white shirt and on top of that is a black blazer accompanied with black pants. Although I am not a fan of black clothes, I do like the gold colour buttons that are accompanied by the blazer.

I knew it wasn't real gold just a fake design colour but still, it was a bit prestigious for me.

I buttoned up my blazer and uncreased all the wrinkled parts with a small adjustment.

Then I moved down the stairs. Misaki's room and mine were upstairs while our parent's room was downstairs.

I veered to my right and saw the Teshima family assembled around the dining table.

"Good morning Mom. Good morning, Father."

Now that I think about it, did I even say good morning to Misaki? Oh well, that doesn't matter.

My stern-looking father stayed silent as he ate the bread and watched the T.V. He had black slick hair that was pushed back to induce a smart look.

He may look cold but it contributed to his attractiveness. He is young and aged well compared to the other neighbouring fathers.

As a matter of fact, he was voted amongst one of the best fathers appearance-wise. You wouldn't guess he was a father of two children.

Housewives from other families admired his manners, discipline and respect. He truly is influential to the neighbour's community group too.

It is difficult to point out what he lacks. Oh, there is one thing that he lacks that only i can detect. Lovingness for me.

He is always finding faults in whatever I am doing.

Do this. Don't do that. Honestly, I am tired of his orders but I still carry them out.

Why? Because he is scary when he is angry.

On the other hand though, my mother has a pure and angelic smile that welcomed me.

"Ara? Good morning, Akihiro. You woke up late. Were you nervous because today is your first day?"

"Ah, maybe that was it."

I smiled as I sat down and engaged in a good chat with my mother. She finished setting up the table and then she sat down next to me.

Her brown hair was tied into a ponytail with a blue flowery ribbon. She looked beautiful with the apron she still had on.

"Mom. You forgot to take off the apron."

"Eh? Ah! How forgetful of me."

I giggled at her clumsiness. She stood up and took off her apron, placing it on the kitchen counter. Then she resumed eating.

Misaki and Father were both quiet whilst mother would occasionally lighten up the mood around the table. I would sometimes participate to not let her feel left out.

Father and daughter were the same as other people. Quiet and reserved.

The first time of the day that Father talked to me was about my grades.

"Akihiro, I hope that you would study well from now on."

".....Yes, Father." I nodded. Mother noticed my disappointment.

"You barely passed the entrance exam, so I am looking forward to better results from now on. Work hard."

The stern look from him froze me in place. I could do nothing other than curse him with his selfish expectations of me.

"At least have Misaki teach you."

He side glanced at Misaki, whose inner thoughts were rambling with happiness. She just got praised by our strict father. It shows how academically well she is.

I got jealous. Though I can't say anything about that. I only nodded to Father's words.

We resumed eating our breakfast.

I veered to the T.V while eating. There was a weather update. It was going to be sunny for the day.

Then the news changed about crimes that happened in the past days. One of them was a heist that recently happened.

The thieves were never caught and they got a good haul. How lucky of them. Or they are just too good at planning.

"On that topic,....."

Suddenly, the atmosphere changed around the table. I quickly turned to see who was responsible.

Of course, it was obviously Father.

He looked a bit colder than usual. He aimed his gaze at me.

"Recently, there have been small things missing around the house."

"....."

Mother was worried as she darted her look at him. "Dear...Not now."

He feigned ignorance to her. Father stared at me dead in the eyes. Misaki felt the chills because she was next to him.

The intimidating air would scare off anyone. But not me. I am not his son just for saying.

"Is that so?"

"Yes, I just want to know if you have anything to say regarding that."

That hurts you know.

Suspecting your own son of being a thief. It is unbelievable however, I responded to him calmly with a chuckle.

"Haha. Father, Mother could have been clumsy and left some things here and there."

"Eh? Akihiko."

I giggled at her.

"Don't worry mom. It is not your fault."

"I-Is that.....so..."

As for my father, I confidently assured him that everything will be alright.

"Those missing things should be found if thoroughly searched."

"....." Father paused before scanning me.

But I am sorry, Father. You won't get anything from me. I may not be the brightest but there is something that I excel in.

All those years staying with a personality like yours, I have learned quite a valuable skill.

The ability to lie through my teeth unhesitantly without giving out any signs.

Unconsciously yet intentionally, I mastered it.

Oh, Father, it is a waste of time to try and get something from me. Because I am not going to tell the truth to you.

Never in my life.

........

""I'm going!""

"Take care." Our mother waved us off as she stared our back from the entrance. As soon as the door closed, I told Misaki.

"Go on ahead."

"....."

Misaki looked back at me. I smiled to not make her feel bad again, just like in the morning.

She obeyed me as she went on ahead in the direction of the station.

I waited for her to be out of sight. I was leaning against the wall just out the yard of my house. I looked up at the sky, admiring the clouds that passed slowly across.

My hand suddenly itched for some reason. I instinctively investigated my hand.

I clenched it with force as the nails dug into the palms. When releasing it, I saw the nail marks that was plastered in the palms.

"Hehehe. This is getting addictive."

I put my hands in my pocket. It was time to move out myself.

Today is the first day of my middle school first year. The same as with Misaki.

*Sigh*

I exasperatingly sighed as I pondered about Misaki.

"I hope she stays out of trouble."

For me to stay out of trouble.