Saved by the bell
A loud bang reverberated against the exposed plaster.
Akio's left eye fluttered open. The warm amber glow flickering in his mind was long gone; he was no longer in that horrid place gone past; all that greeted him now was the dreariness of a fading day and a man's hand next to his face. All around, muffled voices were beginning to grow; one in particular overshadowed them all.
Mitsuko: 'Annoyed.' AKIO, WAKE UP! (Turning to the front of the class.) As I was saying, you all have your assignments, and I expect them to be completed by next week. 'Calm.' No excuses; I want them all on my desk. If you forget, just come see me after class in the week; I can extend the deadline. (Pausing.) If you don't, you will fail this class. You don't want to be like Akio, do you? (Turning to walk away.)
Heavy footsteps of a large man thumped along the chipped cyan tiles, followed by the scrapings of chalk running along the ageing blackboard.
Yummi: 'Condescending.' Gosh! Dozing off in class again. Does he ever get any sleep? (Checking her phone to see the time.)
Kera: 'Giggling.' What do you expect from someone like him? (Digging a worn-out pencil into the desk as a crude pick.) He sleeps like a rock and is thick as one.
Yummi: (Sitting back.) Preach it, sister; he's such a delinquent. How did we get stuck with someone like that? If I were the teach…
A heaviness filled the room, cutting into Yummi's and Kera's brisk tirade. The words aimed solely at the two young female students sitting in front of Akio, their shoulder-length hair flicking to the side as they turned to each other.
Mitsuko: 'Annoyed.' I hear a lot of yapping, and not enough writing! (Swivelling to the right.) Also, you'd do what if you were the…
Before their eyes could lock, an all-too-familiar ringing reanimated the class back to life, cutting off the scolding that should have reigned over Yummi and Kera. The teacher's attention turned back to the class.
Yummi/Kera: (In their heads) Saved by the bell, literally... (gulping in unison.)
Mitsuko: 'Shouting,' REMEMBER, I WANT THOSE ASSIGNMENTS IN FOR NEXT FRIDAY, NEXT FRIDAY! (Laying the chalk down and wiping the white residue from his hands.)
The sound of footsteps faded down the corridor as the shuffles of feet and the lifting of bags subsided. With only one soul remaining in the now empty classroom.
Mitsuko: (Pinching the tip of his nose.) 'Aggravated,' I hate substitute work... shithole of a school and shitty students. I will be glad... (Something caught his eye.)
A yellow stack of papers sat on the cluttered desk. A blue cloth wrapped in plastic with a small note topped it all.
Mitsuko: 'Bewildered,' (Left eyebrow shooting up.) Who put this here? (Lifting up the blue cloth, reading aloud.) "The windows to the soul. Written by Akio." (Looking to the ceiling.) Maybe the students should be more like Akio after all. (Clicking his fingers.) Oh, yeah, the note. (The once-clicking hand was now snatching up the piece of paper, reading it in his head.) "Please use this, or else your wife will think you are a drug dealer. Akio." (Confused look.) Drug dealer, what the? How did he know I was married? (Staring at the silver wedding ring on his left hand.) SHIT! I forgot to take it off! 'Groaning.'
The door to the classroom opened, and catching Mitsuko's attention was a slender figure.
Female voice: 'Chuckling,' Honey, have you been selling cocaine to your students again? (Hiding behind a stack of papers.)
Gentle emerald eyes watched over Mitsuko's fumbling hands.
Mitsuko frantically looked down, his black trousers coated in white, finger-lined streaks. Immediately reaching for the blue cloth atop the stack of papers, ripping off the plastic.
Female voice: (Walking forward, reaching for the blue cloth.) 'Happy!' You missed a spot! (Wiping Mitsuko's nose.) There, all done!
The downpour of rain was now becoming heavier, and the darkening day just grew a little bit brighter for one.
Elsewhere. In a bus shelter, a young girl was looking around with fearful eyes.