I Got Chosen?

Something is off. Why is my name being called? Maybe I imagined it. Or misheard.

"Akatani, I think they just called your name..."

Rindo heard it too. So much for thinking I was mistaken. What am I supposed to do here? Should I step forward like everyone else did for Principal Hasegawa?

"Akatani, you need to go..."

"But still—"

"You were called by name. If you were chosen by the Tree, you have to go."

Looking around, I noticed all eyes were on me. The looks were varied. Mostly confusion. Gray stares. But slowly, they seemed to shift to something else—animosity, perhaps. I can sense it. I'm very sensitive to people's expressions, trained from years of gauging reactions.

"Akatani Makoto!"

Principal Hasegawa's voice echoed louder through the courtyard.

"You should go," Rindo urged, lightly pushing my back.

Reluctantly, I fought my hesitation and moved from the bench where everyone sat huddled, stepping toward the center.