The Beginning of Summer

Part 1 - Last Day

I rest my head against the tree in the middle of our school right in front of the entrance.  Today is the last day of school before summer break and I am waiting for Takeshi and Kaito, my best friends, to finish their last club activities before the summer break. 

Today, we're going to hang out at my house and play some games on my console. I live alone, so I basically could do anything I want there. Of course, I still have discipline. I don't necessarily invite friends over all the time and I do my chores because I'm alone, why would I not do it? Sometimes, my uncle comes over to help me out and accompany me at home.

I also have a club, but my club's last meeting before summer break ended early, so I waited here at my usual spot. Under the tree in the middle of the school.

Finally, I saw Kaito and Takeshi changing their shoes in the students' locker. They also brought two other guys with them, who seem to be in junior high school. Our school, Hatanaka Academy, is an elevator school, so we have students from elementary to high school. It's a private institution, but It's not that expensive that only the elite and rich students can study here. I don't have a scholarship, but my uncle manages to support my study there (and he's also a faculty member there.)

After changing their shoes, they walked out and meets me under the tree. I observed the junior high school students that they were with. One was Takeda, Takeshi's younger brother, and the other, I don't know. He doesn't seem familiar. Maybe he's a new student?

"Hey, Kyo!" Takeshi calls out to me. 

"Takeshi! Kaito!" I got up as I called them back.

"Hey, is it okay if my lil' bro comes with us?" Takeshi asks. "He's been begging me to bring him in one of our hangouts." He looks a little annoyed.

"I mean, you guys seem cool!" Takeda excitedly jumps. "I'm surprised you guys never ask me to hang out, hmph!"

"You never ask me!" Takeshi replies.

Kaito hits the back of Takeshi's head. "Are you deaf or something? He said you never ask HIM. You should be the one who's asking!"

I laugh as the two argue. I notice the other junior high student behind them, looking down. He must be waiting for us.

I approach him. "Hey, you seem new here. I've never seen you before."

"Oh, uhhh-" He mutters. He seems pretty shy. "Yeah, I just moved here last week."

Takeda slides beside the guy and places his arm around him. "Yeah! He seems cool, so I approached him. Natsu, introduce yourself!"

"Oh, uhhh-" He looks up. "My name is Hajime Natsuhi. You can call me by my name or just Natsu. Anything is fine."

He's still shy, but his voice was louder when he's introducing himself. I then introduce myself.

"My name is Kuukyo Ai, but call me Kyo. I prefer that!" I reach for a handshake. He accepts. We are officially introduced.

"Let's go?" Takeshi is finally done arguing with Kaito, which I forgot what it was about.

"Yeah," Hajime and I said at the same time. We both laughed. "You owe me a soda."

He sighs. "Sure."

"Hmmm, already getting along, I see," Takeshi says.

"Kyo, don't forget about your best friend!" Kaito jokingly begs as if he is about to get executed.

I roll my eyes as I hit him in the head. "Shut up, dude."

We made our way and left school.