Chapter 2, Whispers in the Library

The classes felt like a blur of droning lectures as always. Sora navigated the class, like a ghost to his classmates, and even the teacher himself. Every laughter felt like a reminder of his situation. He wanted to escape this suffocating isolation.

While Sora was lost in thought, the bell clanged, waking him up from his stupor, it was lunchtime. Sora got off his seat and went to the canteen to buy some bread and juice.

'Ah~ Bread is life' Sora thought trying to lighten mood.

After lunch, it was recess. Like always, he went to the library. He was a frequent visitor of this place. The familiar smell of paper offered a sense of comfort. The quiet environment helped him finally relax. He picked up a random book from the shelf and started reading it.

Sora was so focused in the book, that he failed to realize someone had sat beside him. That person quietly whispered "Heyyy, Arashi-kun~~", Sora flinched, startled, he turned to find himself face-to-face with a beautiful girl.

'Ayame Tsubasa…' Sora thought while looking at her with a startled expression.

This person could be considered his only acquaintance, or perhaps even a friend. She is one of the few people who used the library besides himself. She is 2 years older than him, so she is 18. They met each other while using the library.

''Did I perhaps startle you, Arashi-kun?", She inquired with playful amusement.

Her beauty was undeniable. Crimson red hair usually in a messy ponytail, today it was cascaded down her shoulders in a fiery wave. Her eyes matched her hair, like red orbs. They sparkled with amusement.

"N-no" Sora stuttered nervously.

"Hehehe~ Sorry, just messing with you," Ayame chuckled, "You were just so engrossed with reading that book, I couldn't help myself"

"It's fine, Senp-" Before Sora could finish himself, Ayame interrupted,

"Name"

"Cough, my bad, Tsubasa-san" Sora replied.

"Much better, now, Arashi-kun, tell me about this book you're so engrossed in, seems interesting", she said while leaning back on the chair, and redirecting her gaze towards the book.

The teasing had thrown Sora off balance, but Ayame's genuine curiosity calmed his nerves. He picked the book back up again, and straightened his posture slightly, finally meeting her gaze. "It's good," he said, his voice a little stronger. "A bit predictable at times, but the world-building is fantastic…..", with that he continued narrating the review to Ayame, while she listened with curiosity.

After 15 minutes of both of them chatting the bell clanged again, 'it is classtime again', Sora thought with sadness. He was having fun chatting with his Senpai. "Well, I'll go to class now Tsubasa-san," Sora said while getting up from his seat.

"Mhm, same, see you tomorrow" Ayame replied.

Sora was happy knowing they could chat again tomorrow. 

Sora went back to class, and after a couple more classes, school was finally off for the day! Though he was scared of going home, because of his family. He was soon out of the school gate, and on his way home.

While walking he started thinking about his Senpai. She was quite mysterious to him. Being so beautiful, she had both male and female admirers. But she was cold to everyone, except him. The reason? Sora doesn't know. Truthfully, Sora also admired her, and perhaps even had a crush on her. Maybe she likes him too?

"Nah, it's just me being delusional again, she probably just pities me.", Sora thought with a dry chuckle.

Just like that, he was walking home while his mind was a mess. Not realizing someone was gazing at him intensely.

"I love you, Sora-kun~~" That mysterious person said with an obsessive and love-crazed look.

—

Sora entered his home nervously, and quietly announced, "I am home". Thankfully no one answered him. Sora quickly went to his room. After freshening up, he thought of reading a novel. Just as he was about to pick up a book, a voice boomed through the house, shattering the fragile peace.

"Sora! Get down here!!"

His Uncle Kenj's voice, laced with venom, echoed through the hallway, vibrating in Sora's chest. He flinched, the book he was about to reach for falling back onto the shelf with a dull thud. A wave of anger, quickly suffocated by years of conditioning, threatened to bubble up within him. 

He knew better than to argue. Ignoring the knot of tension tightening in his stomach, he headed downstairs, bracing himself for whatever his uncle had in store for him tonight. Sora descended the stairs slowly. As he entered the living room, he found his Uncle Kenj sprawled on the worn-out sofa, a half-empty beer bottle resting precariously on the coffee table. His uncle's eyes, bloodshot and narrowed, locked onto Sora.

Sora with a forced stoic face replied, "No, Uncle, I was putting my things away"

"Don't lie to me you piece of shit! I know you were wasting your time reading useless fantasy books, or whatever you call them, as always" Kenji exclaimed loudly.

Sora gulped in fear, he never argued with his uncle, not wanting to worsen the situation more than it already was, "Yes, Uncle," Sora mumbled, his voice barely audible

"Now go, do the dishes and clean all the mess around the house, your Aunt will come soon with Reiji," Kenji ordered. Sora nodded and went towards the kitchen to do the dishes.

Three hours passed, and he was done with all the chores and cooking dinner. His aunt Akiko would come soon, so he took his dinner and went to his room. He always eats his food in his room, to save himself the awkwardness.

After 10 minutes, his aunt came with his cousin Reiji. They ate dinner and the three of them spent time in the living room watching TV.

Sora from his room thought, 'Mom, Dad….. I wish you were alive,' he started sobbing quietly, and after some time cried himself to sleep. His daily routine.