Three days have passed and I’ve been fully focused on finishing the project in my development class and studying. Which has been going well so far. Though everything else around seems to be a little unsettling. I was aiming to be average but accidentally marked above average in the test of our strength. That only meant that my overall score went up ending drop three places down making me appear in seventh place overall. It set the threshold for high class achievement. That factor wasn’t surprising as most people successful in academics lack physical attributes but that again rendered me to be one of the best. I know being good was not bad but I was silently enjoying the days where I didn’t necessarily need to show every bit of my strength. It gave me this new humility that I never really experienced. Not that Sano was pressuring me at all times. He was the source of my wanting to be the best and with his absence I lost that drive to prove myself to him. I can’t prove myself if he doesn’t see me. So, I am kind of living here by going with the curriculum. Though now me scoring this high means that my position has shifted now and I feel like this feeling will be taken away from me very soon.

  Nothing lasts for a long time. Especially the things that one enjoys.

  Maybe this is what Sano wants me to experience? Will being here make me grow?

  Yuji still hasn't appeared in classes though he did arrive for the test. I didn’t happen to meet him myself as guys and girls were scheduled at different times.

  I still haven’t talked with my mother. She has been sending me texts and calls but I am busy with my studies. I was putting that aside for now.

  Shin hasn't seen me since Monday when he told me to attend his presentation which happens today. I did spend another night working on my project which rendered me sleepless. I was about to leave to go to the presentation as the time was near but another call from my mother stopped me.

  All week I ignored her calls but now I decided to answer.

  “Oh! Dear! I’ve been trying to reach out to you!” My mother sounded very relieved when I picked up the phone.

  “My silence to you was intentional. If you haven’t picked that up yet!” My voice was cold.

  “Rory! Don’t be like that! Please…I want to fix things between us!” My mothers voice sounded rather tired.

  I was on my way to meet Shin. His presentation was about to start soon. Standing in my dorm room hallway. Waiting for the elevator.

  “Are you still going to insist that I can’t meet with my dad?” I asked.

  The elevator was slowly approaching my floor.

  “I understand where you are coming from dear but I can’t…” My mom slowly spoke knowing that her answer will not help her to get on good terms with me.

  I held onto the phone. My grip slightly tightened.

  “I don’t believe the words you said that it was mutual agreement between you two. If you tell me what really happened I might consider your side of the story.” I said.

  The demand she is making doesn’t say that this was as she said. I’ve been thinking about it since she told me what could’ve happened. My mother wasn’t the kind that was present as her work made her travel quite much but my dad also wasn’t the kind who was present himself. He was present with me as he considered me as his pupil. Our relationship was father and daughter at times but for most he was my mentor. He taught me almost everything he could. Giving me the gift to be the person I am today. I never saw that much affection between them but that was also the thing they had in common. They both are individuals who weren’t very expressive in that area and that’s why they worked well with each order.

  The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

  “But it was dear! It truly was a mutual decision!” My moms voice spoke to me as if she was saying a promise. A certain conviction in her tone.

  “Why? How did you come to this decision?” I wanted to dig deeper.

  “…I can’t tell you that…his condition was not to tell you…and my condition was for him to leave and not contact you.” My mother’s words only gave me more questions.

  “Condition? What would happen if one of you broke it?” I raised my brow. I wanted to know.

  The elevator opened but I didn’t move. Waiting for my mother to answer me. The door closed.

  “All I can say is that to keep ourselves out of conflict we agreed to these terms…” Her voice was reluctant. “Rory…come and visit me...I have your room ready! You don’t have to live in the dorms anymore!” My mother gave me a rather unsettling answer then brushed it off by inviting me to live with her.

  “Do you think being close to me will help you?” I asked. Dissatisfied with her response. She clearly wants this to be on her own terms.

  “When you’re ready to be honest I will listen. I have to go now!” I said, rushing my words. Then hung up and pressed the elevator button again. Entering the elevator. Preset button for the ground floor. I was approaching the main school building and noticed quite many cars parked outside. Looks like this event might be bigger than I’d thought it would be. Well, if you think about it then they are presenting projects and products. It’s a chance for companies to pouch for ideas. Plus, I was kind of interested to see this Academic Community Shin mentioned to me the other day. I wanted to see faces that make decisions about the university.

  “Rory Aisaka!” A voice I didn’t recognise called out my full name.

  Instinctively, I turned to look.

  It was a guy who looked around the same age to me. He was tall, the color of his eyes was very distinctive, very unique golden. Giving the impression of a wild cat. His hair was brown on one side slightly longer than the other wearing a long smart coat with styled matching clothes. Sharp glance in his eyes. He was smiling but the smile didn’t reach his eyes. A glimpse of amusement in his expression.

  I definitely haven’t met this person before.

  My senses sharpened as I eyed him. They told me not to respond to this young man but obviously I will. He was standing further away. The position he took was away from other eyes behind the wall of the entrance that I was about to enter. He doesn’t want to be seen.

  “I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone like you here! How do you know my name?” I asked this suspicious character.

  The person only chuckled at my cautious tone.

  “My name?” He chuckled again, like he was unserious.

  “Right now that isn’t important!” He said and paused. His eyes followed towards the entrance of the building I was supposed to go to see Shin’s presentation.

  “If you don’t go there today you will notice the trap that’s been set out for you.” He said words that made me frown.

  “A trap? What are you trying to tell me? Why would I listen to a stranger who refuses to state their name!” I raised a brow taking his words of warning as nothing but empty words.

  “Itsuki.” He answered.

  “What?”

  “That is my name! It’s truly a pleasure to meet you again! Rory!” He said smiling. Giving his last glance and turning and walking away without saying anything else.

  I watched him go.

  He disappeared behind a building out of my sight.

  Again?

  I’d definitely remember a character like him. I had no recollection of meeting this Itsuki person ever. Even the name was unfamiliar. Though…he seemed like he knew me. The question is how? And what did he mean that there is some kind of trap set out for me?

  I looked at the building. Then turned towards the alleyway and again back to the entrance. My feet started to walk missing it. Walking in the complete opposite direction.

  On the way towards the cold beach.