Part 13: Death By Starvation

Long ago, there once existed monks who lived in the Himalayan mountains. For centuries, they isolated themselves from the outside world and dedicated their lives to spirituality. It's rumored that through meditation, they can survive without food and water for months. They are the ultimate example of human resilience. As such, as of this moment, I have decided to become a monk and dedicate myself to meditation.

Now, focus. Empty your mind and feel the universe in motion around you. Contemplate how you fit into the grand design of life. Don't think about the fact that you forgot your wallet and can't buy lunch and how your stomach is grumbling right now and also how you're so hungry the thought of eating your shoe briefly crossed your mind.

Don't give up, me! You can do this. Please, for the love of god don't think about food.

As I continue to close my eyes and keep my head down on my desk, my other senses start to wander. I hear my classmates bustling about as each one of them leave for lunch break. Most of them will go to the cafeteria and eat there, but some usually stay in the classroom to eat their packed lunch. My nose picks up the scent of eggs and meatballs. My stomach grumbles even more.

It's no good. I don't think I'll last much longer like this. Maybe I can slip by Mr. Hirashi's office and see if I can mooch some food from him. Though I hate the thought of having to rely on that menace.

"Hey Sugiyama, someone's looking for you!"

I hear a classmate yell out to me from the door. What was his name again? I'm pretty sure it has an M on it. And did he say someone's looking for me?

I raise my head up from my meditation pose and glance at the door to see who it was. I'm not very good at remembering faces, which is why I tend to remember people through other distinguishable features. The girl standing just outside the door has rosey pink hair held in place by a cute white headband. A long braid runs down the side, giving a sense of asymmetry. Last but not least, a refined smile.

Kurebayashi waves at me as we make eye contact.

I instinctively raise my hand to wave back, but catch myself at the last second. And now I'm stuck at an awkward spot where I have my hand raised but with no waving motion happening. To compensate, I guess I should just let out an awkward smile? Though I get the feeling that I look really stupid right now despite that.

Can someone please just kill me already?