CH 6

Junior High School Entrance Ceremony

Parents attended the ceremony, both of them.

For now, at least, things remain normal for now.

Even at home, they play the role of a temporary first family.

Since then.

The man who seems to be the real father has been coming less often.

Although the frequency of his visits has decreased, it does not mean that the relationship between his father and mother has improved.

It seems to be worse than before.

Daiki continues to act as if he is trying to maintain some semblance of normalcy.

Even when he is at home, his nerves are frayed.

If it were not for Wakaba, he would have broken down long ago.

He lasted until the entrance ceremony, but it was only a matter of time before the family was destroyed.

After the entrance ceremony, Daiki was placed in class C.

Wakaba was placed in class D and was in a different classroom from him for the first time.

Although he would have preferred to be in the same class with Wakaba, they had joint classes for physical education and other subjects, so that was the only relief for him.

He talked with Wakaba for a while and she said

“I couldn’t be in the same class with you.

But we can go together in the morning.

It’s not much different!

Let’s go home together until club activities start!”

She said cheerfully as usual.

That alone made Daiki happy.

It can be the same as always.

Today was just the entrance ceremony, so he had to go home with his parents.

Although they came to the entrance ceremony, his parents had only minimal conversation with him.

He went straight to lunch, but even there Daiki and his mother and father did not speak to each other.

They went home and stayed in his room for the rest of the night. It was time for dinner, and there was no conversation there either.

But today was different.

Unlike usual, there was a sense of tension.

“Congratulations on your entrance into the school.”

His father suddenly spoke to him.

“Daiki has finally become a junior high school student.

Listen to me calmly.”

…

…

“Daiki. I’m sure you are aware of it.

Father and mother are not getting along well.

I’m sorry it’s right after middle school.

…

We’re devorcing.”

The suddenness of the situation was confusing.

He thought he was successfully playing the role of a normal person.

Even so, it was too late.

“I’m sorry…Daiki…

I can’t be with father anymore.

We can’t be together…”

…

…

“I’m sorry for being such parents…”

His mother apologized.

No answer.

Not willing to answer any questions.

Daiki said nothing.

“You should live here with your mother.

Then you won’t have to change schools.”

“I’m sorry, Daiki…

we decided on our own own…

I’m sorry we decided without your permission… I talked

it over with your father and we decided on it…

That you stay here so that you can live the same life as before…

I’ll support you.

that’s why…..

…

…”

Yet Daiki said nothing.

He couldn’t say anything.

Normalcy had been shattered.

After that, his parents said something, but nothing came in.

Daiki was losing his emotions.

He did not want to think about anything.

From the first day of junior high school, the normality that Daiki had cherished was broken.

From the next day, normality changed at once.

His father decided to leave.

Yesterday was the last day to spend with his family.

That’s why they came to the entrance ceremony together.

To spend the last time as a family.

He was carrying a simple baggage, as if he would come back later to pick up his large baggage.

“Daiki…

Thank you for everything…

I won’t be able to see you from now on.

But I need you to support your mother well…

Good luck at school.

Good bye.”

And then he left.

Daiki still didn’t understand.

He had just started junior high school, so he hadn’t been told the whole story.

He might have told me the reason for his divorce yesterday, but he could not remember much of what he said yesterday.

Of course, about his real father, too.

But, it felt his father knew everything.

The way he looked at Daiki was like the way he looks at other children, like the way he talks to other children…

He felt the same way he did when he talked to his friend’s father… like he rarely saw his father anymore.

An inexpressible loneliness came over me.

It had all fallen apart so easily in just one day.

The normalcy that Daiki had cherished and played out while wearing out his heart…

So fragile…

His mother hugged him and said

“I’m sorry… sorry…”

and cried.

Daiki did not cry.

He could not cry.

He had become accustomed to suppressing his emotions…

He had become so accustomed to acting that he could no longer express his emotions well…

Still, he couldn’t miss his first day of junior high school.

Wakaba would come to pick me up.

Just as he was getting ready, she arrived to pick him up.

“Good morning, Daiki!”

She was as cheerful as ever.

That alone was enough to save his life.

It warms his heart.

“Good morning, Wakaba.”

He greeted her back.

His mother also greeted Wakaba today and told her something.

Wakaba looked surprised and said

“I’ll take care of it!”

She said.

While heading to school

“Daiki, it’s been a hard day…

…

But your relationship with me won’t change!

We’ll be fine and have fun as usual!”

Saved by Wakaba’s cheerfulness.

He might be dependent on her.

Still, if he suppresses his emotions, he can stay as he is.

To keep things normal with Wakaba, lets just go on as usual.

If my feelings of love are also suppressed, things can remain normal…

When they arrived at the school, Wakaba and he separated in front of the classroom because they were in different classes.

“Good luck, Daiki!”

She waved at him.

After entering the class, he went to his friend who had been in the same elementary school as him and waited for the teacher to arrive while talking.

The teacher arrived and introduced himself.

Nervously, Daiki introduced himself and learned everyone’s name and face.

Daiki became friends with everyone in the class and was able to fit in.

Before he knew it, Daiki had become aware of the ordinary people everywhere he went.

The first day ended without incident.

On the way home with Wakaba, they talked about today’s class.

Wakaba seemed to have adjusted to the class.

There was no worry in the first place.

He was sure that Wakaba would be the center of the class.