The Story of the Seven

CHAPTER 13 - Don't Say Sorry Too Much

On one fine breezy morning, I woke determined to rise out of the murky pit I had been stuck in for so long. Pulling on a brave face, I rode the bus to school.

"Hey Haruto!"

Amane's calling out to me from across the hallway, drawing more than a few puzzled looks.

"Hey Amane. As lively as usual."

"Yamato came back from Okinawa!"

"Who's this "Yamato" again?"

"Toukichi's friend and executive of Law and Order affairs in Kanto! He was protesting the occupation of Okinawa by American troops, and came back today."

"Ah, I remember reading that 60% of American troops are stationed in Okinawa."

"Yeah, so Yamato was joining the protest over there. You know since that the federal Japanese government doesn't budge, the protesters are taking the fight directly to America?"

"Ah, Mafuyu was lecturing me about that yesterday. Somethin' on the American petition system, right? She kept on nodding her head and proclaiming about how a wise decision that was."

"She never changes, does see. Still like an old bureaucrat."

"Yeah. Honestly, that age gap between her face and her soul unnerves me."

"But at least she's still cute, and her personalities not bad, just old."

"Yeah, she is cute."

"Isn't this where the flags start standing up if reality was those games?"

"You're underage, goddamit! Stop participating in over 18 activities!! I don't want my friend getting arrested for something stupid as that!"

"So you are admitting you care for me."

"No, if you get arrested, the police will investigate and make my life difficult as well. That's the only reason."

"Unromantic. Booooooo....."

"You're not a cow, for god's......"

Ding-Dong, Ding-Dong

"Class is starting Haruto. I'll be getting to my classroom."

"Hey, don't skip away from me while I'm talking! And I'm in the same classroom as you!"

"Tee-Hee."

"Don't tee-hee me! Get back here!"

As you readers can see, my social life is considerably improving. Me from a year ago would've been walking these halls like a guy that came back from a funeral. If life is a game, then I guess my social stats have probably gone up exponentially.

Plus, I'm bonding with Toukichi, and gaining friendship points from Amane and Mafuyu. 

Even class is starting to get more interesting. A year ago, the teacher would drone on and on during his monotonous lecture, my textbook always monochrome. Now I can appreciate my teacher's passion towards his students, and my textbook shows hints of color.

Maybe my depression is getting cured? Though I'm probably going overboard diagnosing my past state as "depression".

A small chuckle escapes my mouth. That itself is a clear improvement, as a year ago I only spoke when I really had to speak. And by really having to speak, it means that I only spoke (using the minimal amount of words) when an adult asked me a question.

On that note, one of the first events that actually made me surprised with myself happened roughly five months ago. Back then, when I heard even a hint of disapproval in my conversation partner's voice, I would respond "I'm sorry." It was sort of my catchphrase.