When Will Class 3-F Get a Break?

Koji Part 2

 Whenever I imagine the perfect lifestyle I always think about a king or some kind of monarch. They have everything handed to them from a young age and they're deserving of it just because they were born in the right time and to the right people. But the standard of living to a king is almost exactly the same as my standard of living. I mean, I don't have to cook my own food, I have plenty of entertainment to keep me busy for hours or even days, and if anyone tries to harm me I can just call some people to resolve the problem for me. Wait, that made it sound like I was some kind of mob boss. What I meant is that the would be called authorities if need be. Heh, I'm just a regular guy. A regular law abiding citizen. But if I was just a regular law abiding citizen, let's say, 100, 200, or even 300 years ago how low would my standard of living be? I pondered on this thought while my teacher rambled on, back to us, with chalk to the blackboard. I sorted through all of the things I take for granted and how those things would compare me to a king.

We didn't have a clock in our room. The positioning of Class 3-F's window was west of where the sun rose so it wasn't that hard to tell what time it was. My pencil's shadow would elongate all morning until it got closer and closer to noon. Judging from the length of my pencils shadow it was probably around 10 or so. My teacher was spouting something I already knew so I took this opportunity to let my mind distance itself from the room. I was pretty laissez faire about my thoughts so I had no idea why I started thinking about kings and queens, people in power and people who have it all.

A king's lifestyle. Aren't we all living it in some way? In the modern era isn't everyone living like kings? Well...in first world countries at least. What if the way rich people live now becomes the standard for the average person in the future. It's crazy to think about isn't it? While all that being said allow me to counteract that realization. Is it easy to become that powerful? That rich? That successful? Well, yeah, if it was handed down to you. Or if it was given to you on a silver platter. However, the people with the easiest lives tend to be the worst people which I've learned. Of course, there was one person I'd exclude from this fact.

For almost a full year I've had to walk home alone. The whole reason I chose this to come to this particular academy was because of her. Well she wasn't the only reason...it was pretty close to my apartment and I couldn't get in at that other school my mom wanted me to attend so...I think you understand what I'm trying to say. I didn't really have many options but it didn't really matter because if it meant I got to spend time with Keiko then it would've all been worth it. She was the only true friend I had. Someone who was always looking out for me and trying to get me to better myself.

She was like the only friend I ever had. We spent a lot of time together talking, joking, or just hanging out. And then one day that all changed. She didn't seem like herself for a while. And before I knew it she was gone. This happened about a year ago. It honestly feels like it happened last week because without her time moves fast. And when I think back on all the times we shared together I'll probably going to think back on those for the rest of my life.

After she disappeared course I went looking for and she was my friend. Since she wouldn't answer her phone I started to fear the worse. Part of me didn't want to go see her because I had the feeling that she had died. I was hoping she would show up to school one day and just explain she was sick. But if she was sick she could've easily answered my calls. When she didn't show up to school for 2 weeks I finally decided to pluck up the courage and go over to her house. Her mother was expecting me to come so when I opened the door and saw me standing there wondering if Keiko was okay or not she assured me she was. She had already known why I was there. She sat me down and made sure I was comfortable and then proceeded to tell me what had happened to Keiko. This was the first time I had ever heard the word hikikomori. It was a word that I would that I wouldn't go on a day without thinking about for the next year. And here we are on today while I was sitting in class thinking about Kings and monarchs that I came to the conclusion that hikikomori have the easiest life of anybody.

So a year later I still walk home on taking detours every once in awhile. One day I might take the long way home another day I might check the Shoreway home because the way my life is now I need some change. Today I walked home on the long path in a long elongated bridge stretching out connecting two sides of the city. I looked over the bridge and threw a rock in the water. Sometimes I wish I was that rock with the ability to cause ripples in something much larger than itself.

I have a pretty normal family life got a father and mom little sister and they're OK. There was a time when I didn't get along with any of them but but after a while they finally stop caring. I was right around the time when I got cut up with the delinquents. They're fun guys not gonna lie but if we're gonna be honest they were taking me down the wrong path. It's all right though I don't associate with him anymore after awhile you realize who your true friends are.

This is basically how my life went go home go to school go home go to school eat shit repeat. Do you have got to be the most depressing years of my life. But you know like they say does a hit their lowest point are open to the greatest opportunities.

I'm not quite sure how I met her but Yumi Waminami is where the story begins . Miss Waminami is sort of authority figure at my Academy. Some would liken her to big sister and some might even go as far as to say she's a Big brother I never bought that though. And plus I never read that book so yeah. so yeah she was basically class president of my year and I wouldn't be surprised if she became student body president soon. And well-being class president does have its perks it also has its drawbacks meaning you might have to do some stuff you don't want to. And well-being class president does have its perks it also has its drawbacks meaning you might have to do some stuff you don't want to. But I really think W enjoyed her position.she was the kind of person to always take things seriously. You can tell it by the way she had that look in her eye. Those wasabi soy sauce eyes.

Like any president she was responsible for reading off announcements. So of course the One day I actually decided to pay attention to the announcements one thing she said actually caught my attention.

"As you can tell we have a epidemic going around the school. A sort of plague that has overcome some of our fellow classmates and students. Who have contracted a case of laziness and insubordination. It's simple words they have become Hikikomori"

Hikikomori. That one word had me at full attention. She continued.

"Now I want to be clear. I as president want to help these poor souls in their time of need. But I cannot do it alone. If you would like to join me there's a way you can help. there's a way you can help me. The H Rehabilitation program was created by me fellow staff teachers and the dean herself. If you're interested please come see me as soon as possible."

Just as quickly as she came she left the classroom to carry out more presidential duties. It wasn't long after that decided that maybe I should join this rehabilitation program. However, as I have forgot to mention, Waminami and I weren't exactly on speaking terms. It's kind of a long story.

For the next week Waminami would show up do her announcements and end with her rehabilitation plug. I presume she wasn't getting any luck with recruits. It got to the point where it didn't sound like she was asking the tone in her voice made it sound like it was a demand.

From the way she made it sound the rehabilitation project wasn't just a project anymore it was an actual job. A mandatory one at that. I couldn't help but chuckle and it just seem like she was trying so hard. And although it was amusing course that didn't last long. I want to the last days of the week Waminami actually approach me and it was very awkward.