My Discman ran out of battery. Immediately my fingers started the delicate process of changing batteries in the middle of the packed express train. Slowly and carefully, I finished the work without taking care of the commuters around me.
“Done.”
I reset the Discman and got the track I wanted. This time, it was an evergreen classic from the legendary Louis Armstrong. What a Wonderful World, a perfect track to make me forget all the hardships I had endured since putting my feet upon this land of the rising sun. And why would I, a graduate from one of the local institutions, have to put myself in boiling water, travelling to Japan when the reality is I don’t have to?
Should I answer this kind of question?
It doesn’t matter. With enough pocket money (added with financial support from my uncle) I could stay away from my parents. Well, I had to run away from them since I could no longer stand their endless verbal ridicules and prejudices. I would never forget their face when I explained the truth of all the truthes, the reason why I had to drop from college, and I would also never forget the moment I almost received a slap award on my face had my grandparents not interfered.
Yes.
For the first time in ten years, I succeeded in citing the truth and denouncing the false. I was intoxicated by an unexplained sensation as I expressively shouted all my thoughts and feelings that had been suppressed for too long. I don’t even know why I, a pessimist and usually never feels confident of himself, had the courage to release everything in one breath.
“(May I have your attention? This train will arrive at Shinjuku Station in 2 minutes. I repeat, this train will arrive at Shinjuku Station. Thank you.)”
The train arrived. Commuters rushed out and moved to their destinations. It was still early, and yet the bustling atmosphere of the metropolis could already be felt and people took the opportunity from the early hours to flood each corner of Tokyo. Truth to be told, the decision to “flee” to Japan was not a part of the plan to postpone my study as long as I could, and I never imagined I would eventually come to the birthplace of sumo and the land of cosplay. I could only imagine what my uncle would have thought when he gave me the pasport, visa and flight ticket at the airport.
Oh, well. It might just be my luck.
Besides, who am I to think of all the luxuries? I’m a traveller, and I shouldn’t worry of everything.
The journey continued. Even though I could not tell where I would be heading to, I followed my footsteps. My uncle once adviced me to trust on my foot if I ever lose my track, but I was unsure if the advice would ever work, especially since I found myself watched by schoolgirls along the trip.
I halted.
How on Earth could I arrive at this prestigious high school? Suspicion arose: how long I had walked from Shinjuku Station? Moreover, why would I end this journey by coming to this… exotic place?
“Interested in our school?”
I turned left. My sight was greeted with a smile, when a female student who came out of nowhere and spoke to me. I was astounded. Never before in my life would I stumble across a girl as beautiful as her. Her satin, silky hair; her heart-shaped face; her vibrant, shining lips; her emerald eyes. For a while, time seemed to stop as she and I stared into each other.
And I don’t even know why…
-x-x-x-x-x-
Author’s note: this is originally my original novel written in Malay (my native language), but I decided to give it a try and translate it into English. Do take note that the original version is only until chapter 4.
