Sweet Affection

Chocolate Covered Strawberries

[Inspired by NOiSE and Various Animes]

I stared at the letter, shocked and slightly confused. My eyes shifted from one word to the other too quickly for me to process the letter completely. All I knew is that it had my name and the first word was "Congratulations!".

"...W-what!!" I shouted rather loudly. Seconds later, my little sister appeared with a glare so deadly I felt lasers on my forehead. "Would you keep it down!" She whisper shouted.

I mouthed an apology and continued to read the letter (or shake the paper rather violently). 

Stylish Energy

Congratulations! 

You have been accepted by Junsuina Saino High to become an honorary student under a scholarship. We are pleased to accept your application and hope you attend as soon as possible.

For more information, please read the catalog in our website. We have placed some informational forms to tell you the rules and procedures of our school.

Hope to see you soon,

Meiko V.

I gulped down a breath, then finally looked at the ceiling of my living room. I remember putting an applications to random schools, but I never thought I'd get accepted to THE Junsuina Saino High School! That school has a reputation of collected only the MOST talented students from around the country.

A ridiculous smile stretched upon my face, I couldn't help but put my hands on my warm cheeks. "I....I got accepted!"

The door rattled and creaked opened, revealing my mother as she walked in. "I'm home," She announced.

Excitedly, I scrambled to my feet and skipped to the front hall of the house. "Mom!" I smiled as I held letter up. Her eyes met mine as she gave me a warm smile and returned my hug. "Stylish dear, how was your day?"

"It was great!" I smiled, pulling the letter to up. "I got a return letter!" I smiled. Stepping away to wave the paper beside me.

My mother's eyes widened, then she smiled excitedly, "really! What did they say?" She asked as she took off her shoes and finally walked in, passing me. "They accepted! They also asked for me to be at the school as soon as possible!"

She paused, seconds ticked by and she finally looked back at me. "That's great, let's figure out what to do while we make dinner." She said, a halfhearted smile marrying her features.

I couldn't keep my smile any longer when I noticed how forced hers was. But I tried to keep mine long enough, "Okay, I'll help with dinner."

[Days Later]

"This will be your room," My aunt said as she opened the sliding door to reveal a slightly empty room with a table, bed, and several books scattered on a near bookshelf. 

"Thank you Auntie," I smiled at her as I walked in with my luggage rolling beside me. "Dinner will be ready in an hour, I think it would be enough time to get you settled for a bit. See you later then," She said as she shut the door. 

After telling my mother, she told me that she'd call her sister who lives here in Japan. When my aunt agreed to watch over me during my stay at the school, my mother did the work of getting my passport while I took care of getting together my luggage. 

As I looked at the room, my stomach became queasy as the scent of old books and molded cardboard reached my nose. Yet I smiled and set down my luggage near the bed, and decided to pick up the things that lingered around.