The Real RPG of Life Series: Memoirs of Friendship [FIN]

Chapter 12: The "Mirror" Update (Chris)

Cherry blossoms. I was looking at one particular cherry blossom outside our classroom one time during lunch break. This particular one still has a few pink leaves, whereas the other trees beside it already turned green. I start to think back when all the leaves were all pink at some moment, she was still here, in this school.

The cherry blossom kind of resembles me, being the only one pondering about her transfer after a week has passed since school started again. I wonder how she was doing during her first day of school. I was hoping to hear about it later today when we log in at Grandiel and hear her day.

As much as I was expecting to hear about Natasha’s day in Grandiel, Sir Hank quickly cuts me off after our last subject today as I was about to leave the door.

“Um, Sir Hank?”

“Chris! You’re coming with me today!”

“H-huh? But I…”

“No buts! Come!”

I couldn’t argue with him, being a teacher and my classroom advisor and just followed him. Strange enough, I was hoping we were going back to the faculty room and talk at his desk, but we end up in a place I have nostalgia with.

“Take a pick on what you’d like. I’ll pay.” Sir Hank insisted, and I feel like I couldn’t say no to him and just pick up my usual canned coffee. Sir Hank pays for it as he said he would and we went back inside the school gates, and again, instead of taking me to the faculty we were going elsewhere.

“Um, sir? What’s going on, exactly?”

“Well, how are you feeling?”

“Huh?”

“You’ve been spacing out lately. It isn’t just me that’s noticing it.” I couldn’t say a word.

“So, wanna talk to me about it?” Sir Hank stops, looking at me like a concerned father.

“I… just… I’m trying to get used to it.”

“I see. Well, it’s not wrong to miss her from time to time, but don’t forget there are other people who’ll get worried about you as well.”

“Sir, can I ask you a favor?”

“Sure! As long as it’s in my capabilities.”

“Can I… take a break as representative?”

“Chris—“

“No one will fill in for me, yes. But only for a week. I just need a week to get myself together.”

Sir Hank sighs and looks at me, raising his canned drink towards me. I cling my own canned coffee towards his.

“One week okay? I’ll lay you off for a while on the school work.”

“Thanks, sir.”

After drinking our drinks, he lets me off the hook and I went home immediately. Boarding the train, I look at my NET clock and it was 6:10 in the evening. I was already late in logging in for today. Rushing to my house as fast as I could, I settled my things down in my room right after I got inside the house.

[Log in to Grandiel Online?]

[Yes.]

[Logging in…]

[Log in successful.]

I wake up back in one of Sara’s guest rooms. I went downstairs only to see no one was there. I checked the furnace, it was unlit, and it wasn’t that hot indicating no one was around earlier before. I went back up the store and tried figuring out where they could have gone to. I soon rest my elbows behind the counter when I felt something right after resting them there.