Chapter 6 - Start 1/?

(AN: Starting here, Mc's background will be slowly hinted at.)

Shannah discovered singing when he was playing a game. However, the reason why he likes to sing was the time he was playing in their backyard. Shannah was 10 years old at that time.

It was one of his normal days back then. Mamako and Shannah have a schedule to not play games or do anything but to spend time with each other. Mamako started to hum some tunes while stroking his silverish hair. Shannah got interested so he tried to imitate her.

Shannah hummed in a sad tone, that made Mamako astonished. Not because of how beautiful it was, but because insects started to surround them. Ants, Butterflies, Dragonflies, and some other insects that are near them. Mamako was about to carry him and run inside the house, however, she caught sight of the insects didn't advance towards them, and merely listened to his voice.

Years passed till then. Shannah didn't describe singing as his hobby, but a talent. He began singing for the insects as he was enjoying their company. Shannah was able to control his strange talent if wanted to sing for the insects or not. That's why he can finally sing in public without them approaching him.

Nonetheless, Mamako told him, to remain this communicating with insects through singing as a secret. Shannah is an intelligent boy so he understood that Mamako was just trying to protect him.

(Back At The Present)

The three girls can't help but close their eyes as they listen to him humming. Shannah composed a song that he named it 'Call of the Swarm'. His imagination was vicious when he tried to compose this song. His imagination of using insects to invade planets.

Shannah stopped when he glimpsed his classmates already arrived. Kosaki, Kendo, and Yame opened their eyes with a thin smile on their pretty face. They certainly enjoyed his voice.

"Maybe... The singing club is for you, not gaming." Tendo honestly said and chuckled. Shannah has talent when it comes to singing and singing can be a successful lifetime career in the future.

Shaking his head, Shannah answered "I may like to sing, but gaming is what I truly love. I want to play alongside with my mother."

"Shannah is a mother's boy..." Yame leaned closer to Kosaki while whispering. Shannah clearly heard her, he chuckled. "I love my mother and I should be. She's the person who took care of me till now. Not including the orphanage though."

The way he said 'love' to his mother was different from the other girls in what they understand. This is just not a simple motherly or familial love. It has a different meaning.

"Anyways, we should be ready and clean up. Class is about to start again." They drag their chairs and tables back to the proper area.

- - - - -

Time ticking so fast and the class has eventually ended. Today, the class ended earlier because one of the teachers isn't present. Instead of 5 pm, the class ended at 4 pm.

Shannah and the others readied to get home. He invited the three of them to meet the woman who took care of him lovingly. The three girls are excited for various reasons. Kosaki for the food, Kendo for meeting Mamako, and Yame for him. However, they are all interested to know Shannah more by talking to his mother.

"Onodera... If you would mind. Can we go home together?"

Out of nowhere, Raku suddenly asked boldly, this was a development for him. To ask Onodera coming home and this is also his first time asking her in front of his classmates that used to tease them as a couple. Raku is also sure that Onodera will accept as he knows she has a crush on him since the start of the year.

"Sorry Raku... I'm going home with Shannah and the others. Shannah still needs to get familiar with the city." Onodera slightly lowered her head and politely declined. If Raku asked her last semester, she would have happily accepted. However, people change when the person they like or love doesn't do anything to make them appreciated or even noticed.

It's not like Kosaki declined because she already has a priority for Shannah. But spending time with him made her feel happy and comfortable. The way he talks, and how he compliments her in the city with a lot of people looking at them made her heart feel tingly, in a good way.

"O-oh. I see... O-okay." Raku reacted, his voice stammered. When it's the time he finally decided to be confident and ask her, she declined. It's not Kosaki's fault. But his. Moreover, his competition is a handsome guy with a talent that most girls like, and that is singing.

Raku felt embarrassed that he got rejected and hastened his steps in rushing out of the room. What happened made the atmosphere silent for a moment.

Kosaki often showing obvious signs that she truly has a crush on Raku back then. However, they don't have anyone to blame but Raku himself. He certainly was too slow in trying to ask Kosaki. And this time, it will be harder because Shannah will constantly be with her.

Clapping her hand, Kendo spoke a little loud to liven up the mood. "Okay, everyone! It's time to go home! To the people who are assigned to cleaning, please lock the room properly!"

Shannah didn't say anything and just follow the three girls in front of him. However, something is bugging him off. It was new for him seeing a person being rejected because of him. It made him feel bad and he knew that Raku likes Kosaki so much and his mind drifted what it's like if seeing Momoka with another person.

'I must do something... I knew that Mamako also loves me differently and not just simply as her son... I don't want to lose her." Shannah thought in his mind. The way how Mamako looked at him lovingly, kissed him on the cheeks every morning, and hugged him before leaving for school this day made Shannah realized that Mamako is trying to stop herself from doing something... Indecent. And express all of it like it was just a motherly love. 'Maybe she is trying to hold herself because... I'm still 16?'

While they were walking in the streets, the girls noticed that Shannah is very quiet since they left school. Also, his face showed that he was feeling unhappy.

"I think he felt guilty that you rejected Raku's invitation because of him..." Kendo whispered to Kosaki. Kosaki halted her steps and looked behind. She didn't even notice that Shannah is walking further behind them.

(To Be Continued)