Please, listen to me... 19
"Class is over for today! See you, Nito."
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"Yes."
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I had another lesson with Sensei today, as usual.
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For some reason, Sensei's workload was lighter today, so the lesson started early and ended early.
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I was about to head home as usual when,
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"Oh, right. Nito, wait a moment."
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Sensei stopped me.
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I was puzzled but stopped.
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"What is it?"
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Then Sensei said to me,
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"Which high school will Nito go to next year?"
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"Huh?"
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An unexpected question came out.
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What's with this question that sounds like something parents who just had a meeting with the homeroom teacher would ask a third-year middle school student.
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"Well, you know... Nito, you'll be a high school student next year... I thought you should at least start thinking about it from this year..."
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Are you my parent?
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"Hmm... I haven't thought about it..."
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"Oh... I see..."
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Ah, come to think of it, tomorrow is the entrance ceremony and the first day of school.
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Many students will be going to school with expectations and despair.
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Oh, Momoi told me to come visit if I have time on the entrance ceremony day.
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"Anyway, I'll be going now."
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"See you."
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I guess I'll think about tomorrow's plans when I get home.
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I left the Schale building and arrived home.
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I was about to relax at home when,
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Buzz-!
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-Nito, can we meet for a bit if you have time now?
6:46 PM
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I got a Momotalk from the President.
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She wants to meet suddenly...
She hasn't been contacting me much lately,
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Is this proof that I'm getting used to using honorifics a bit?
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I don't really want to get used to using honorifics with Sensei.
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For now, I sent a Momotalk to the President to say I understood.
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I'm not too tired today and don't have anything to do.
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-Okay! Then come to this address right now!
6:47 PM
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The President sent an address as if she was waiting for it.
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I went outside in the clothes I was wearing.
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I saw the scenery of the street with the setting sun.
I went to the address she sent while enjoying the scenery and saw a cafe.
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It wasn't the Schale cafe I knew, just a regular street cafe.
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"Nito! Over here!"
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As I entered the cafe, I heard a voice that felt like I hadn't heard in a while.
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But...
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"Why are you dressed like that...?"
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A mask, a hat, sunglasses... Are you some kind of celebrity?
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"Ah, well, there's a reason for that..."
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Well, it doesn't really matter.
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"Anyway, why did you call me here?"
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What I'm curious about is why she called me.
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"The reason I called you is..."
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The president explained the situation.
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Apparently, she finished her usual work and was checking what I was doing, and she overheard the last conversation I had with Sensei.
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I wish she wouldn't pay attention to what I'm doing.
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Anyway, she said she had something to say, so she called me.
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"So, what did you want to say?"
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"Ah, well..."
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The President hesitated.
It seems like it's something difficult to say.
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"Haa..."
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She even sighed.
I've rarely seen her so serious.
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Then again, we haven't met that many times.
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The president soon regained her composure and spoke.
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"So, Nito... if you haven't decided on a high school yet-"
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Huh...
Why...?
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"-Could you do that?"
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No, wait, why?
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"I know you must have a lot of questions, but please, just this once, listen to me..."
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I couldn't say anything.
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The president smiled bitterly at my reaction.
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"I'm sorry, Nito... It's been a while since I've shown my face, and this is what I'm talking about..."
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Then she bowed her head and apologized.
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Startled, I waved my hands and said,
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"Ah, no, well... you don't have to bow your head..."
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The president raised her head.
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The awkward atmosphere was unbearable.
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The sun was still setting, but it hadn't completely disappeared.
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"I see... Well... I'll be going now."
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"Already?"
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"Yes, unfortunately, I have to."
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The president stood up.
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"Let's meet again with brighter faces next time, Nito."
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It was a meeting that left me with a lot to think about.
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---
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Ah.
What time is it now?
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I slept in quite late today.
Maybe it's because I had a lot on my mind after yesterday.
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For now, I should go see Momoi and Midori's entrance ceremony.
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I headed to Millennium Science School.
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