Road to Recognition

Twelve

Hide's parents are busy people.

I woke up this morning thinking they were both in their bed fast asleep which is why I was careful to not make much noise while on the call with Hide. I got ready quietly and left my room to set up the breakfast table, but the feeling of the house was different from what I was used to. I tried to dismiss it as my imagination, but then I saw the note on the fridge. It read:

'Dear Zen-kun,

Yoshi had to stay at the editing department overnight to be able to make their deadline in time and I have a doctor's appointment out of town early in the morning so don't expect us back until you're back from school. Behave and take care of yourself.

-Rena'

At least they won't have to see me upset. Or rather I can rest my face for an hour. I like Yoshi and Rena, but parents are exhausting when it comes to emotions.

I set the bowl of cereal on my spot of the table and made sure I had everything I needed for school today. I took out my English notebook and scoffed. I feel slightly bad for the test we're going to have today, but I can't help that I was raised in an English-speaking country.

Once I finished eating breakfast, I realized it is still too early before Kirishima came by so I might as well review the notes Hide and I took. Though for some reason Hide's notes are more helpful than my own. Geez, what an American I am.

I'm sitting on the couch in the living room skimming through the notebook when I hear the doorbell ring. Confused, I got up to check who it is by the window beside the door. I carefully moved the curtains to the side so it doesn't appear that someone is looking out, and I spot Kirishima standing on the doorstep with his school bag. I jerked my body away from the window.

Why is he here? It's still thirty minutes before we usually walk to the station. He shouldn't be here knocking on the door!

"Zenjiro-san?" Kirishima's voice came muffled as he knocked. Deep breaths, Zen. Deep breaths.

I gathered my courage to open the door to my bright classmate. I forced a smile when I gave him a full view of the interior of the living room. "Hey, Kirishima-san! What's up?"

"Ano, may I come in?" I quickly nodded and stepped out of the way for him. "Excuse the intrusion."

"It's fine," I muttered quietly. I closed the door behind him a little warily. Almost instantly, Kirishima strolled into the living room and set his bag down beside my own on the floor before taking a seat on the couch.

"Auntie is not home?" I slowly approached the couch to take a seat next to him. Well, as far away as the couch could allow without making it seem suspicious.

"Ie. Neither is Yoshi-san."

"I know. My dad works in the same division as him," he replied before picking up my open notebook. He flipped through the pages with relief? "You don't mind if I borrow this, do you? I lost my notebook and I've no idea where to find it!"

"Oh, not at all. Go ahead," I said. If I remember correctly, Kirishima struggles a lot with English. I think it's his worst subject. Thought to be fair, it's my worst subject as well.

We stayed in silence after that. Kirishima studied every word on the pages while I played a game on my original phone. There didn't seem to be anything to talk about other than a difficult word Kirishima stumbled across. Otherwise, it is silent between us.

I 'tsked' for the billionth time in twenty minutes. "Why can't I beat this shitty level?" I muttered angrily.

"What?" Kirishima asked. I looked at him sheepishly at having been caught. Let's just say Hide made sure to teach Kirishima English curse words long before meeting.