I exited the school as fast as I could. I did not want to be there very much, as I've previously expressed.
As I said, my sister is in elementary school, second grade to be specific. I actually like the school she attends quite a lot, as I used to go there as well. Everyone there is way kinder and far more innocent than everyone at Tsukishiro High.
Man, why am I actually kind of nervous to see Chyna again? If anything, she'll be excited to see me, right? I haven't seen her very much recently, since I don't like to go home because of my goddamn brother torturing me.
I wonder if there have been any recent family dramas or news. Maybe my rich uncle died and wrote me into the will. That would be totally outstanding. I really wish that I had a rich uncle or something similar, at least. But no, my family is the most mundane, lame family ever.
I should probably stop constantly rambling on about my stupid family. You probably get it by now.
Sometimes I like to think about just getting away from everything. Like, one day just running off and never coming back. I'm sure that would make everyone significantly happier with everything in their lives. On top of that, I would never have to ramble on about how shitty my family is ever again.
Before I even knew it, I had already arrived at the entrance of my little sister's school. I stood there for a good minute, just contemplating whether I should go in or not. I decided to go in and pull her out of school, just so I could talk with her for a bit. It has been some time after all.
I walked over to the front office. I was sort of surprised by the fact that I still remembered where it was. I mean, I haven't been to this school in a million goddamn years.
There was this short old lady at the front desk, whom I didn't recognize. She looked to be maybe a hundred years old, if I had to guess. She didn't even realize I was there at first. She just kept staring at the goddamn computer in front of her. What a great person to hire for the front desk.
I stood there for a couple of seconds before finally snapping her out of her 'super important' work. "Hello?" I said as kindly as I could.
"Oh! I am so sorry, I didn't see you there," she said. I could obviously already tell that, what's the point in even saying that?
"Yeah, I could tell. It's okay, though."
"So, what do you need?"
"I'm here to take my little sister, Chyna, out of school."
"What's your family name?" she asked. She must have not believed that I knew her.
"Asano."
"What's the reason for her departure?"
"Well, you see, we're going on an unexpected road trip."
"What's the reason then, if it's unexpected?"
She had me on the ropes. I had to come up with something quick, or I might even get arrested.
"Well, you see, our grandma unexpectedly had a heart and we have to go visit her."
"Oh no! I'm sorry, but I can't verify that you know her. Therefore, I unfortunately cannot take her out of class. Do you have a piece of paper from your parents to confirm they sent you?"
"No, nothing like that. But why don't you just tell her that Yasunari is here to pick her up?"
"I'm sorry, but I would need proof that you are her brother."
"Then have her come here and verify that it's me!" I said, not quite in a yell but more like a slightly loud, annoyed voice.
"Oh, I suppose we could do that."
This woman really is stupid, aren't you supposed to be a goddamn receptionist? How are you this bad at things like this if you work in a goddamn front office? I'm not too mad though, she did make sure that she didn't just hand a kid over to some strange man who probably smells of cigarettes.
Then she called up whatever class Chyna's in and told the teacher to send her to the front office. She didn't elaborate further than that though. Chyna must have thought that she was in trouble or something. I sure as hell would have.
I figured that I might as well shoot the shit for a bit with the receptionist while I waited for Chyna to come. I know, that's not really like me. But I had to convince her that I'm not a goddamn threat or anything.
"So... how has your day been?" I asked rather awkwardly.
"My day's been fine. I'm guessing yours hasn't been going all that great?"
"I mean, it was going great until I got pulled out of school. I really hope my Grandma's alright.."
That was a total lie. I mean, I don't dislike my grandma very much. But I wouldn't be devastated if something like this were to actually happen.
"Yes, I hope so too," she said, probably trying to comfort me.
Then, a genius idea popped into my head. I decided that I could force myself to cry. That way she would completely believe me. I felt like some goddamn genius at that moment.
At first, I made myself start to look sad, frown and all. Then I started really forcing the tears to come out. It wasn't as difficult as I had expected it to be. But then the strangest thing damn happened: the tears wouldn't stop falling for some goddamn reason. "Sorry, it's just..." I said, trying to sell it even more, despite the fact that I couldn't even control it.
Then, the woman stood up and grabbed a tissue. "Don't cry, it's gonna be perfectly fine. Everything's gonna be alright." She said as she wiped my face. I knew that was a lie, though. Nothing is ever fine. There's always something going wrong in life for everyone. For me, everything is going wrong. It's all because fate is just using me as some toy for its own satisfaction. Stupid fate, why the hell did you have to choose me out of all the goddamn people in this world. Why couldn't you choose somebody else? Why me? I don't get it, I don't get it at all.
Then the voice of a young girl yelled out, "Yasunari!! What's wrong??" It was Chyna, obviously.
"Nothing.. I'll tell you once we leave."
Then I turned to the receptionist lady, with my still wet eyes from the tears.
"Is that enough proof for you, Mrs?"
"Yes, it is... You guys may leave now. I wish you guys, and your grandmother, the best of luck!" she said as we headed out of the office.
Great, now I have to explain to my sister why I'm pulling her out of school and all. I hate explaining things, especially when they don't even matter.
"Yasunari, what happened?" she said as we walked down the hallway and towards the school's exit.
"Nothing, nothing happened at all."
"Then why am I being pulled out of school?"
"Because I felt like it!" I said in an agitated manner. I hadn't meant to say it in such a way. It had just kind of slipped out like that.
The silence was just totally unbearable for me. She had a worried expression on her face, which made me feel sorry as hell.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to yell.." I said, after taking a deep breath to calm myself.
"She was talking about Grandma. What happened to her?"
"Nothing."
"Then why were you crying?"
"To sell the act, obviously."
"I don't get this, Yasunari. Tell me what's going on."
"Alright, alright, fine. I was just feeling bored as hell, so I decided to pull you out of school and we could maybe do something fun. I mean, I haven't seen you in a good amount of time, after all."
"That reminds me... Where the hell have you been! I haven't seen you in almost an entire month, Yasunari!"
"Language! Where are you learning these words?"
"From Satou."
"Satou? Alright, I'll have a nice little chat with him next time I see him."
Chyna stared at me with a confused expression, but then that confusion turned into a smile, then a small, quiet laugh.
"What's so funny, huh?" I said while ruffling up her hair.
"Nothing..." she said as the quiet laugh diminished.
Looks like the truth always reveals itself. I don't really want to discuss my older brother much more, but it look's like I have to clear up the confusion.
Satou is my goddamn older brother's name. Whenever I think about that, I wish I had one of the names that are based on a place in the world, like Chyna and Toyoko. I would still immensely dislike that though, because it's so dorky.
Both of us not having a name like that just makes me feel like I'm more associated with him. I just totally hate that.
"But tell me, where have you been?" Chyna asked, seeming sad.
That just made me feel bad as hell. I really don't like making her sad, not one bit.
"It's none of your business. I promise I haven't been getting into trouble. Also, I usually do return home, just not when you're awake."
"Why?"
"Because I feel like it, alright... It's really not that big a deal." I really didn't want to talk about this at that moment, so I decided to direct her attention to something else.
"Why don't we go to the amusement park? It's been a long time since I've gone."
The mention of the amusement park made her face brighten up with joy. I mean, she just got utterly ecstatic. Then she started circling around me and saying, "Yes!" over and over again.
"Alright, alright, calm down, would ya?"
"I can't calm down though.. I'm way too excited!"
"Yeah, I get it. Don't worry."
"Are you gonna call a taxi?" she said in confusion, probably due to the fact that I was still walking.
"No, of course not."
"Why?"
"Because walking is better."
"Ugh, you're so weird.."
"Yeah, yeah, whatever."
And with that, we began on our way to the amusement park. Chyna was bursting with excitement, of course. Me, not so much. I was only really doing this because I wanted to spend some time with her, as well as make her happy.