Chapter 11: Learning the History

Anna's Point of View

"I love how you managed to go home safe from the past. Now, I believe in you more, honey"

"Aww, I love you so much. Thank you for everything you've done"

"I always love and miss you even if you were transported in the past"

"And I'll forever be grateful for you"

I lied down the bunch of tickling grasses on the ground as my mom leaned on an old oak tree behind us while both of us just watch the falling comets in the starry night.

"Look at the moon. The moon is still there shining even if it is different among the thousands of stars we see by our naked eyes. You may feel like that when you know there are different people in your surroundings, but remember to still shine and be yourself because your uniqueness will make you more noticeable"

Mom said. Woah, she doesn't have to make a speech but I love how she motivates me at all costs.

"Got it, mom. In this universe full of stars, be a moon that shines among the rest. I can also add that since the moon depends on the light of the sun, then you're the sun that I can depend on"

I gave my mom a genuine smile that made my mom awe. We hugged each other under the moonlight for a long time, expressing our love for each other.

All of a sudden, a very bright light shined from a distance revealing a shadow figure of a woman with wings.

"Are you okay? Do not worry, you are safe from me"

The woman said while both of my mom were dazzled from the light.

As the light fades away, the angel-looking woman was revealed with her body turned around from us.

"Anna, this is a trap. Don't fall for this. I know you're a brave and a wise girl so don't do this"

My mom warned as she pulled my hand but my mind is telling me to go towards the woman. Is that woman important? I let go of my mom who was holding my hands and ran away towards the woman.

"Anna! Don't go near that monster!"

I heard my mom screaming while I ran faster to that angel-looking woman with wings. There she was, watching the sun rises from the east. I stood up from the distant and stared at her back.

"Haha! You are just as idiotic as I thought!"

The woman laughed so hard as she suddenly looked back at me revealing her bloody face, with her eyes crying blood. My heart bounced and I got nervous until I got to the point where I can't breathe properly.

-•-

I opened my eyes sweating and my heart beating rapidly. I sighed and smiled slightly thinking it was only a nightmare. Was the dream telling me something? Was the dream warning me that something is not just right?

I looked around my bedroom and realize I am still in Aunt Naomi's house. I totally felt like I was talking to my mom sincerely about my experiences in this past. I thought I got back in the present. But no, I'm still here, so I must continue this life of being a Chieko.

After pondering a little, I went outside my bedroom without knowing if it's already morning. I went downstairs quietly to find if Aunt Naomi or Ryogi has already woken up.

"Aunt Naomi? Ryogi?"

I called out for their names while shivering from the very cool breeze. I feel like it is going to snow again.

As I walked inside the living room, I saw Aunt Naomi. She was wearing a traditional dress and holding a bag with a black suit. I didn't know black suits are the attires physicians used in the 19th Century.

"Aunt Naomi? Are you going to your workplace already? Even if it's very early in the morning?"

She jumped as she heard me. She panicked a little when she tried to hide her bag from me and put it inside a cabinet. That was odd. Is she hiding something?

"Oh, y-yeah. My workplace is quite far from here so I have to get up and prepare earlier so I can be there just in time"

She answered, followed by a hilarious laugh. I started to freak out for a little when she laughed. Well, whatever she is doing is just okay unless I'm going to get involved with it.

"Okay, I'll be going now. Take care! The tea is already on the table! Hehe"

About a few seconds of silence, she forbid goodbye to me as she took out the bag from inside the cabinet again. That is so stupid for putting things inside if you are going to get it again. I waved goodbye to her and faked a smile, even if I'm feeling a little freaked out.

She quickly left the living room holding that mysterious bag. My curiosity is going to pop out again. What if Aunt Naomi is a secret agent? What if she's also a time traveller? What if-

"Good morning, Chieko!"

Suddenly, Ryogi scared me as he appeared in front of my face, causing me to scream.

"Ahh! F*ck you!"

I got shocked that I wasn't be able to controle myself. I unintentionally just curse at him.

"Haha! What do you mean by 'f*ck you'"

Ryogi asked. After calming down, I bursted out laughing uncontrollably. That phrase is probably not invented yet here and it's quite funny of him saying that!

"Nothing! Haha"

I said while still laughing, that I almost got my eyes wet.

"You're so weird. I still need you to teach me the lessons you guys studied so I can manage to catch everyone up"

He jumped to another topic. I calmed myself down from laughing as I wiped my tears.

"Yeah, sure. I got a question though"

I replied, I just want to ask if he knows what his mom is doing. Perhaps that would end all my questions about Aunt Naomi.

"Sure, what is it?"

He bravely responded. He seems very confident that he didn't get nervous from what I said. Usually, people get nervous if they hear the phrase 'Can I ask a question?'. But I think it is very bad to ask about Aunt Naomi. It may seem like a betrayal or stabbing from the back. I think I'm going too far into their privacy that I should just be quiet.

"Nevermind. I have forgotten what I was going to ask you"

I said as I forced a laught to him. He just glared at me, probably thinking how annoying I am. Both of us went to the study table and I began to teach him lessons he didn't able to learn.

-•-

An hour has passed by as me and Ryogi started were getting ready for school. I was reading my notes since our professor told us we'll be having an exam today, while Ryogi is still taking down notes in his notebook.

"Chieko! What do you think about our society?"

Ryogi suddenly asked me, while he is continuing his writing. How would I know? Why should I have to know if I'm just going to be in this century for a while?

"Great! I so love it, I guess"

I answered right away without having to think. I noticed Ryogi smiled slightly at me.

"I'm glad someone feels the same as I do. The society has been better without the Qiloneans. Those people were very traditional, we are slowly moving on to a modern period so we should change our traditions since culture is dynamic"

Ryogi explained. Woah, just now, I just learned the society of Lydrena nation. In this time, Lydrena is facing a conflict where two different social groups are against each other? That is what I understood about what Ryogi just said.

"Oh, what happened to Qinoleans?"

I asked him, but apparently he got a little bit angry as he shows a grave face looking at me.

"It's Qiloneans, as in Ki-lo-ni-yans. They were rejected by Emperor Jiro himself, how can you not know that?"

He explained briefly and stood up angrily. Jeez he doesn't have to be angry. He seems very hot-headed when he is not in a mood. Anyways, it seems like I'm in an interesting period of time. I'd like to witness this conflict Lydrena is facing in this time, and perhaps, I can learn new things and share it to the present.

I packed up my school materials and decided to go to school already even if it is still very early.

"Ryogi? Are we going to school now? I'd like to wait for the classes to begin there. I don't want to be late"

I said as he was sitting on a chair drinking a glass of water. He nodded at me and put the glass on a container after drinking.

"Let's go! We must never be late or we'll get expelled!"

He shouted and ran towards the outside of the house. I smiled at him genuinely, thinking that any girl is going to be lucky if they're going to manage to get a guy like Ryogi. Both of us walked our way to school full of energy and are ready to conquer this day.

-•-

As I walked inside our classroom, Ami was already in front of me smiling and waving.

"Good morning, Chieko!"

Ami greeted me. I smiled at her while observing the other students behaving and staying quiet.

"Good morning, Ami! Why were you standing?"

I asked her.

"Nothing. I'm just waiting for you and just making sure if you're fine"

She whispered at my ear. I only laughed at her statement.

"Well, I'm technically supposed to be not fine but I have discovered something interesting"

I responded and Ami's eyes grew bigger after hearing it.

"Wait, I just want to tell you that dad is almost done with the time machine!"

Ami changed the topic and continued whispering at my ears. I didn't get excited since I feel like I need to stay for a few more days or weeks here in the past.

"That is a great news but I just want to tell you that-"

"Good morning class! Are you ready for your geography exam? I hope you all studied for it!"

Just then, our professor, Ms. Shin, just started to talk which caused me to shut up. Why am I cut off when I'm going to talk?!

I looked around and saw the students getting excited from the exam. Why do I feel like I am the only person here who desn't like these exams?! This is going to be another hard exam. I hope I'll get to pass Chieko in this test!

-•-

I walked down the corridor of our building alone as I tried to go to the library to learn and read some books that may help me from gathering informations about the history of Lydrena. Apparently, Ami is going home due to her health condition, she had a headache due to the overuse of her brain for her exam.

While I was walking on the school ground, I didn't avoid getting nervous. In fact, my nervousness isn't leaving my body because of myself being in danger from that mysterious person yesterday. Who knows my life is about to end right now? I walked swiftly all the way to the second floor of the other building, where the library is located. There I searched for an interesting-looking book for me to read. There were also some newspapers which you can read some updates about what is happening daily, but I didn't find any relative articles.

I decided just to sit on the table and read some fictions, while also relaxing myself from the silence the room is creating.

"Oh, look who's here?"

A girly voice suddenly spoke, disturbing my work. I looked up and saw Shina forcing her eyebrows, together with another girl.

If they're going to try me again, I'm going to release my fury to them. Oh patience, be with me