• It’s the start of another school year and I’m walking my way to school for the “god-knows-how-many” times already. For the past three years, it seemed to me that everything here happens on a regular basis. In fact, it’s so regular that it isn’t hard for one to predict what happens next. This place have already lost it’s novelty unlike the first time I passed by here. So walking along the same street, the same road, and seeing the very same faces, I kinda wish that something new will happen today that may change the way I view this mundane life I live.

    Two minutes to go and the bell will ring. I’m guessing that any moment now, Faust will yell at me from the gate, telling me to hurry it up. So I guess I’d better run my way to the gate before he pokes his head out of it…

    I must have been running too fast because…

    *CRASH!*

    “Ouch…”

    I wasn’t paying attention and I ran into something, no scratch that, make it “into someone”.

    “Are you alright?” I asked the person I hit. I can’t make out whether it’s a boy or a girl. My eyes are a bit blurry and my head kinda hurts.


    “Do I look like I’m okay?!” a voice said

    That settles it, it’s a girl…

    “I’m sorry, I’m in a hurry. I didn’t notice.” I said, trying to focus on the face of the person I’m talking to.

    “Whatever…” she said.

    At that moment, my eyes returned to focus and hat I saw took my breath away…

    She was perhaps the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen. From those blue eyes to her
    Free-flowing hair. She seemed perfectly crafted by the hands of God…

    I was still staring off into space when the bell rang and Faust was already dragging me towards the school building.

    “What happened to you? Sitting by the gate like that, are you drunk or something?”

    I didn’t reply. My mind’s still with that girl. He spoke again as he pulled me harder by the arm.

    “Oh, never mind! Just hurry up will ‘ya? We’re already late!” Faust said


    Math. Definitely the most boring subject in existence, well, not really. If this subject was handled by some other teacher and not this old fart, it could’ve been a bit lively. So during the lesson, I took refuge by staring at the sky. I have to admit, that girl’s still on my mind. Her face is imprinted against the cloudless blue sky.

    I was still spacing out when Ryan, another classmate, brought me back to earth.

    “Hey, Threece, looks like we’ve got a new classmate.” He said

    “Huh?”

    I looked at the door just in time to see who’s in there. I had to rub my eyes just in case that I was seeing things, but no, I’m not mistaken. She was the same girl I bumped into this morning.

    “Class,” the teacher said, “this is Aika Fujiwara, an exchange student, and starting from today, she will be joining our class…”


    After that brief introduction, the teacher gestured for Aika to sit down… right next to me! This has to be fate! But by the look she’s giving me, it seemed to her like a curse more than anything else…

    The class went on without anyone from the class saying a word. Five more seconds and…

    *RIIIINNNNNNNNNNGGGGGGGG!!!!!!!!*

    Bingo! Recess time… I was about to talk to her but she already left...

    “Threece, what do you think about that new girl?” it was Ryan.

    “She’s a cutie if you ask me!” added Faust.

    “Oh, I don’t know, she’s a loner, I guess…” I said without really thinking…


    The day went on without any interesting event happening. So when the bell rang that announced the end of classes, I carefully packed my things into my bag. I took a quick glance at Aika but had to turn away just as quickly. Is it just me, or is she really watching me intently?

    I arrived home a little before dinner and I headed straight to my room. I feel like I’m in some kind of trance. I can’t get that look on her face off my mind. I guess I’ll just have to get some sleep…


    A week later…


    “Hey Threece, how’s it going?” Ryan called out as I was packing my things up.

    “Not good, she hasn’t spoken to me even once!” I said without looking at him.

    “Well, I’ve heard that Aika’s getting popular. In fact, she’s too popular that some seniors asked her out, but she turned them all down.

    “Why is that?” I asked.

    “Oh, I dunno. I wish I knew…”



    Back at home that Day, I was staring out of my window having finished all my homework. My mom told me something earlier…

    “Threece, we’ve got new neighbors, they just moved in here yesterday and I was planning on welcoming them this Saturday…”

    I wonder who these new neighbors are. They moved to the house directly in front of ours. I bet they’re a really quiet family. I haven’t heard a sound off that house since I got home. Man! This is pathetic. I guess I’ll just read some manga before I go to bed…

    “Eh?”

    The lights went on in a room located at the second floor of our neighbor’s house and it was the room directly across mine. I watched it a little bit more when the windows opened. And right there, framed between the windowsills was Aika.

    “What the…” I blurted out.

    So they are our new neighbors…



    “Threece, wake up. You’re going to be late.”

    “Eh?”

    I woke up that morning, still sleepy and all. I looked at my wall clock to check the time. It was already…

    “A QUARTER BEFORE EIGHT?!”

    I fixed myself up, went downstairs, grabbed a toast and hurriedly ran out of the house.

    I was at the corner of our street when someone shouted my name.

    “Threece, wait up!”

    Great… Did I forget something again? I turned around, expecting my mom running towards me carrying whatever it is that I forgotten, but…

    “Threece, Get out of the way!”

    “Huh?”

    And not a moment too soon…

    *CRASH!*

    Ouch, something hit me or should I say someone. I sat there, scratching my head when I saw Aika sprawled on the ground.



    Just my luck… I’m almost late and I’m a complete mess! What great luck.

    “Threece, I’m sorry. I was in a hurry.” Aika finally said, standing up.

    “Nah, that’s okay…” I replied. I feel my face burn. I’m actually talking to the girl of my dreams!

    “I guess I won’t be going to school today. Look at me, I’m a complete mess!” she told me, picking up her bag.

    “Me too…”

    “Well, see you, then!”

    And she turned away.

    I picked up my own bag and started to walk my way back home when Aika turned around.

    “Want to go to my place for lunch?” she said

    “Err… sure!” I replied


    And lunch came. I fixed myself up for that lunch that Aika invited me to. Of course, her parents would be there too so I have to look presentable. I crossed the street and waited for her at their gate. I’m actually getting nervous by the minute. And there she was, looking more beautiful than ever.

    “Come in, my mom wanted to see you…”

    The lunch was superb! Her mom really knows how to cook. After lunch, Aika showed me around their house and went to her room last. It was totally organized. I tried to find words to compliment her, and take a good look around and spotted her stuffed toys.

    “Nice stuffed toy you got there.” I said, gesturing to the one that’s on the bed.

    “Uh…Uhm…”

    “Who are you calling a stuffed toy, you moron!?”



    Did my eyes deceive me? The stuffed toy just spoke! I rubbed my eyes just in case my eyes are playing tricks on me, I even gave my leg I little squeeze and it hurts. I wasn’t dreaming… at that moment, the “stuffed toy” flapped its “ears” and flew towards Aika.

    “Yo! Aika, who is this jerk,” the stuffed toy spoke again.

    “Raku quit it! He didn’t mean to say it, right Threece?” she said.

    “Err… y-yeah…”

    “By the way Threece, this is Raku and he’s my guardian.” She said



    “Err… right.” I blurted out.

    “Oh my, It’s pretty late!” she suddenly said looking at her wall clock.

    “I guess I have to go, too! I just remembered that I have to give Faust a call.” I told her

    “Bye Threece!”

    “See you…”

    I went home just in time to keep my sanity intact. A talking stuffed toy, and what are these guardians anyway? I just don’t get it…

    So there I was, lying in my bed. I had a really weird day. I opened my window to breathe in some fresh air. The cold and gentle breeze brushing my hair, just then, a black cat leapt into my room.

    “Come here, kitty. You’re not supposed to be here, come on…” I told the cat. It just raised its eyebrows.

    “Come on, play with the other cats outside, go on…”



    Suddenly, it spoke.

    “I can’t quite see how come she chose you.”

    What the?! First a talking, flying stuffed toy, now this?! What’s wrong with this world?

    I stared at in surprise. I don’t know to react to this…

    “Oh, this is pathetic! And I have to watch over you from now on!” the cat said

    “Wait…” I muttered. My mind feels numb. The next thing I knew, words came tumbling out of me one after the other.

    “Just who are you? What are you anyway? Chosen by whom? And why do you have to watch over me?”

    “Whoa! Hold your horses. I’ll explain everything to you in time. But for now, just have some sleep. Your puny little brain cannot possibly comprehend what I’m about to tell you, especially if it’s tired. By the way, call me Muku, Pleased to meet you, Threece.”