Chapter 5: Hanging Out

Anna's Point of View

I looked down on my notebook as my mind begins to fly somewhere again. Chieko's life is miserable, and I can't solve it because I'm not used to this situation. I've never been here and never done that. I can't seem to understand this life, and I don't want to. But then again, keep it together, Anna, time is ticking.

"Ms. Chieko? Ms. Chieko!"

I was interrupted by Ms. Chin calling my name.

"Ms. Chieko, you've woke up. Now please answer my question"

She added. I stood up from my seat and the whole class paid attention to me. What? Was I asleep? And what is the question? I didn't hear it clearly.

"You don't have an answer? This is just an easy question! Yet even your smartest brain here can't answer it!"

Ms. Chin assumed. I didn't get to hear your question so how can I answer it? And I don't like this kind of attention! Where everyone is staring at me being embarassed. I looked at everyone and noticed two students laughing, at me? The behind them, I noticed Kaito staring at me seriously.

"Ms. Chieko, do you know the answer or not?"

I looked back quickly at Ms. Chin when she began talking again.

"No"

I answered quickly. Who would know the answer when you don't even know the question?

"Great, you can stand there for the remaining hours of the class schedule"

Ms. Chin smiled intentionally. Why am I going to stand here for so long?! Just because I didn't answer to her question I didn't hear?! I don't deserve this! School is not the only thing students have to worry about because they also have family and stuffs! This life is unfair.

-•-

An hour has passed by and there's only 20 minutes left before class dismissed. Ms. Chin finally made me sit down, it made my legs tired that I can't walk home now.

"Class, you're going to be dismissed 15 minutes earlier so pack your things up. It's class dismiss"

Ms. Chin said while minding her own work. I pack my things up in the bag orderly.

"I'm glad you can control your temper"

All of a sudden, Ami turned around to talk to me. I guess I achieved not bursting out my anger in front of everyone. Besides, I may mess up the 21st Century.

"That's why you said I should be careful of my words and actions"

I replied and grinned at her. She didn't respond but only chuckled at me. Both of us walked towards the door to go home.

"Chieko, are you going to tutor me today?"

I heard Kaito running towards me. Oh jeez, I forgot I need to tutor Kaito. How silly of me forgetting this important routine.

"Oh, yes, let's learn together. I'm also going to learn upcoming lessons in advanced"

I replied with an awkward smile. I turned to look back at Ami.

"Ami, you can go home without me. I have to stay later than usual in the next days"

I said. Ami pouted and says it's okay as she ran away to the hallway happily.

"How are you tutoring me when you didn't get to answer Ms. Chin's easy question earlier?"

I shook my hands when Kaito suddenly held my shoulder. This is very uncomfortable.

"I didn't hear the question. My mind was full of things that time"

I explained with a shaky voice as he let go of my shoulder.

"Things like?"

He asked further. Why is he asking me all these question when I'm just his tutor, not his friend?

"We're wasting time. Let's get started in the library now"

I tried ignoring his question, and because I was panicking inside, I held his hand without thinking while I lead him to the library.

What was I doing? Where did I get the courage to held this guy's hand? I didn't look back at Kaito because I know I'm blushing.

We got to the library as soon as possible and didn't bother to have a conversation with him. I brought out my notebook and proceed to continue the lesson yesterday.

"You look like you're in a hurry. You know, we can postpone this tutoring today"

He spoke. I stared at him for a few seconds then turned back to my notes. I'm lucky Chieko's handwriting is beautiful and easy to understand.

"Okay, so we're here in the lesson 16 of Grammar. So-"

I stopped when I heard some noisy students outside the library. The library door was opened by the noisy students, who turned out to be Kaito's friends. This is going to be a tought situation. I hope I won't get bullied, I might lose patience and shout at these idiots.

"Hey, Kaito. You're a good boy now, aren't you?"

One of his friends says, his name is probably Mr. Nobi? I don't know.

"Who wouldn't change for this beautiful girl in front of Kaito?"

A girl friend of Kaito said and patted my hair. Her name is Ms. Shina?

My heart starts to beat fast as soon as I got involved with their conversation. This compliment is making me nervous.

"I guess Kaito's the lucky one here"

Another friend of him started to talk as well. I can tell his name is Savier, because if his name tag on his shirt.

"Be careful of being with Kaito. Other girls might get angry because of you"

Shina whispered, enough to hear everyone else, it then was followed by a weird laugh. I got so uncomfortable that I started sweating. Is this the life of realization?

"Can you guys stop? She's uncomfortable when you guys are here. You can make fun of her tomorrow"

Kaito suddenly stood up and interrupted us. His look right now is scary and serious. He's saving me from these monsters. But why did he said to make fun of me tomorrow? That is so 'He got me in the first half, not gonna lie' moment.

"Haha, okay hot-headed. See you tomorrow, Kaito"

The three of them walled away and waved goodbye to us like it wasn't a big deal of Kaito being angry at them.

"Here. Dry your sweats on your neck"

Kaito gave me his towel to wipe out my sweats on my neck. I realieze how fast I produce sweats in my body. Nevertheless, I can see that Kaito has two personalities. One that is funny and silly, and another one that is caring and serious. If he would come with me to the present, he'll surely will get some girls and lads.

"Are you just going to stare at me all day?"

Kaito smirked. Gosh, I didn't realize I was staring at his face for a few seconds while I'm fantisizing nonsense things.

"Oh, let's all start!"

I lifted up both of our moods by adjusting my voice and smiling wide. I opened my notebook and stopped at the desired page, as myself started teaching Kaito the lesson.

-•-

"Hmm, let's see. You already know the Subject-Verb Agreement, don't you?"

I asked Kaito and he nodded as a response. I can't teach him anything anymore today, as I don't know what he doesn't know yet.

"Then what things do you want to learn?"

I asked while closing my noteboom on the table. He put his pointing finger on his temple and think.

"I don't know Chieko's life story"

He said while smirking. Why does he have to ask for Chieko's background? I don't even know the life of being Chieko except living in an extreme poverty. I've got to say something here that isn't specific.

"Well, let's just say I'm... I was once a happy girl who doesn't want to be happy anymore because... I believe that when I'm happy, I always feel that something bad is going to happen"

I let out something in my mind. I feel like I'm wiser when I let that phrases out.

"Woah, that is deep. You know, I sometimes feel like that. But you know, life is short, so do everything just to experience every pain and every happiness, because it's already part of each of our lives"

He added. He can be a philosopher for motivating and teaching me about life. He made my jaw fell, and smile afterwards.

"You know when I'm sad, I go to a theatre to clear my mind off. Why don't we go there?"

He suggested. There's a theatre in this century? Wow, I always thought that there ain't leisure activities here.

I nodded and smiled to respond his offer. There, I lifted up my spirits and tried to be happy upon this situation. We packed up our things in the bag and he lead me to the theatre.

We walked in the theatre and Kaito paid for my ticket, because I don't have enough money for myself. Inside the theatre, we sat down in the middle row of seats as he bough two cups of juice for both of us. Afterwards, red curtains flung up and there the characters and the title of the live performance was revealed. I'm here in the 19th Century for the third day but this day will definitely be one of the most unforgettable days ever.

-•-

"That woman is so spoiled. She deserved to die in the end"

I shared my feelings about the drama we watched to Kaito, as we walked at the street, in the afternoon.

"So how are you now? Are you feeling fine?"

He asked me, with smiling eyes.

"Yes. Thank you for what you did for me today!"

I thanked him, I was about to hug him but I tried to control it because who knows that hugging may be illegal in this time.

"So, see you tomorrow?"

Said Kaito. I only smiled at him, I don't know but I suddenly feel like my eyes are sparkling.

"Yep, goodbye!"

I waved goodbye at him, he too, said goodbye and waved back, as both of us part ways. I don't know if I'm in the right path of Chieko's story but I'm sure that Kaito had a great role in Chieko's life. As I walk down my house's street, I began to hear screams of people. My heart beats faster than usual and I got nervous for a moment.

What is happening? Another reason for me to be sad?