Last Hope (Soukoku)

Voice of Life

Chapter 1

The sun's glorious rays were cascading upon the city of Aomori. Winter's chilled air had bid goodbye but the pleasant breeze of spring is whirling around, making its presence through caressing everyone's bare skin. A young adult was sitting at the wooden engawa with his legs rocking back and forth. He gave no mind to the cool breeze yet a pleasant smile played on his lips as he watches the newt, encaged in a glass container, staring back at him as if it will jump on him any second. The boy gave it no mind for his mind was occupied by the honey like thoughts of his crush. The person, who has actually given a damn about him and has gifted him a newt, set aside the fact that he doesn't like them at all.

"Young master", the brunette turned his head to see a servant who had come looking for him. The servant opened the Fusuma to the grand room and bent for the sake of formality.

"What is it, shitsuji San", the brunette asked politely. He used the title for every maid and servant. Now he can't remember the name of everyone when they just keep on resigning and coming every now and then?

"Gen'nemon Sama had called for you", the servant said as he strengthened up in his full height. Looking at the brunette whose eyes has darkened by just a fraction. A beat and it was gone-

"Tell father that I am coming", said the brunette. The dark aura vanished as soon as it came. One might think that it wasn't there at all. The servant took his leave to pass on the message. The brunette stood up and went inside his room. His tender feet rubbed with rough, but cool, texture of tatami underneath. He put the cage at the little Tokonoma inbuilt in his room. He took a quick sip of his tea and stood up to go and meet his father. Sencha wasn't his favorite but what he wouldn't give to not to enrage his father for such a trivial thing such as not completing his drink. He quietly walked on the wooden floor which was possible as it wasn't making any creaking sound. He took a deep breath and combed his hair in a false attempt to make his messy hair a bit more presentable. His meeting up with his father, such as this one, can easily be mistaken as a student going for their first ever job interview. For them it might get alright after the interview is over but the brunette only felt a much bigger hole engraved on his already suffering soul. Many knows while other either don't know or straight ahead ignores that however nervous the brunette might seems but his facial expressions were void of any emotion only giving space to slight mischief. Eyes, which are said to be the window to ones' soul, are only two black holes with the iris of a dark shade of brown. The pleasant memory of his crush long forgotten, he stretched his hand to open the door-

"Will you just come in Shuuji?"

-the door opens. "Shitsurei - shimasita (I am sorry for the inconvenience being caused)", said the brunette, Shuuji.

"No need for formalities come and sit down here", his father said in his usual cold voice while pointing at the seat across him. Shuuji - or shall I go by the pseudonym he prefers to be called by - Dazai sheepishly made his way to the seat across his father and sat in vajrasan position. He can't figure it out why people had to squat for sitting, he would prefer sitting cross legged or better, standing.

"You will soon pass the school and would have to go to the college. Do you understand what am I trying to say?" his father asked. Dazai answered with a silent nod. It means that he is supposed to study harder to please him and so the name of Tsushima family would be well known even outside Aomori or wherever he will go. He wonders why his father is talking about it whilst he still has to give his final exam to enter junior high. He won't ask for he knows he won't get a direct answer; chances of a slap were higher.

"I have decided to send you to Tokyo Imperial University. They are hosting a Bungo exhibition and I want you to go there and get familiar with the environment".