The story of how I learned to love

Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Hiro, and I am a student of a regular high school. I am sixteen years old. My hair is black as pitch and my eyes are the colour of blue sky. I'm an unemotional person who doesn't like to be active, but I do track and field and various martial arts. In my studies I am doing pretty well in school I was the best in all subjects and disciplines. But then you may ask why I am not popular among my classmates? It's simple, I don't like to stand out and work harder than I have to. Well, enough about myself. I've probably bored you enough with my monologue. Right now I'm in a car with my parents and I'm travelling to another city. My dad told me that he recently found a new job that pays well. A month ago, he was contacted by a friend he had been friends with since childhood, and one day he told my dad that he had found him a great job. My mum liked the news immediately and the same day she started preparing her things for the move. But what about me, you ask? How to say, my parents of course consulted me and they thought that I wouldn't want to move and leave my friends behind. I replied that I completely agreed with their choice and I would not oppose them. I didn't really have any friends, so I didn't oppose them.   We had now been travelling for two hours and thirty-one minutes. The weather was very pleasant and sunny. I was admiring the marvellous view from the car window and observing the local flora and fauna. I liked nature and greenery very much, it often washed away the dirt from my soul.    - Well, here we are already approaching.   As soon as my father told us, I saw a huge three-storey house made of beautiful white stone, the courtyard was spacious and could easily serve as a playground.   After a couple of minutes my father parked the car next to the house and when I got out of the car my lungs were filled with the beautiful scent of nature.   - What a beautiful house, darling!    Mum was glowing with happiness, she was glad to get out of the huge metropolis to a quieter place.    - That's an understatement. The inside is even more beautiful than the outside. I don't know what I'd do if I didn't have such a beautiful friend.   Looking around, I saw that the neighbours' houses are just as nice as ours. It looks like we're in a very rich neighbourhood.    - What do you think, Hiro? Do you like it?    My father pulled me out of my thoughts and looked straight at me, and my mother looked at me along with him. They wanted to hear my opinion, because my voice had weight in the family, too.   - It's okay, I'm happy with it,— I said in my usual emotionless manner.    - You're always so sluggish and gloomy, Hiro. You should learn to be a little cheerful. After taking the bags, we followed my father, and after he opened the door with his key, we finally went inside.   Just like Dad said, the inside was much nicer than the outside. It turned out that the house was in the Baroque style*.  (Baroque is a style designed to show the power and grandiosity of the 17th century church. Opulent, massive and emotional, Baroque is characterised by drama and tension, grandeur and power. Large, detailed pieces of furniture, carved ceilings, gold on frames and walls, magnificent engravings, fine paintings and sculptures. The main colours are gold, bordeaux, noble beige. About the details: the ceiling is often a continuation of the wall, with a single pattern of mouldings or decorated with frescoes, on the floor - lacquered parquet or stone. Favourite figures are scrolls, curls, shells. Rich and opulent textiles: draperies, pendants, tassels, expensive materials, lambrequins are obligatory on the curtains. Lighting is not lagging behind: huge crystal chandeliers, spectacular floor lamps and lamps. Baroque does not know what "too luxurious" means).   It seems that my father spared no expense on this house, although we were a fairly wealthy family, but I could not imagine that we could afford such luxury. It seems my father spared no expense on this house, even though we were a fairly wealthy family, I couldn't imagine us being able to afford such luxury.    - Hiro, you can go to your room now. It's on the first floor second door to the left.  Although I didn't show any emotion, but now you could see genuine surprise on my face.    - I raised an eyebrow at him questioningly.   - Of course, everything is the best for my son.  Nodding, I took my bag and went up to the first floor. When I got to the door, I opened it and was pleasantly surprised.    It was very spacious and bright inside. There was a huge, beautiful chandelier hanging from the ceiling and the stretch ceiling with a beautiful pattern emphasised it nicely. The bed was a double bed and next to it there were two stands with lamps, beautiful curtains and a huge wardrobe that could fit all the things of our family and most importantly.... It was a computer. Having already looked at it, I can tell that such a computer can cost at least half a million yen. Overall, I would give it a rating of 10 out of 10.    Dumping my bag in the corner of the room, I plopped down on the bed with my head. A perfect balance between hardness and softness. I felt my body dissolve into it and I didn't want to get up at all. But no sooner had I enjoyed the delights of the bed than my phone vibrated. I received a message from my mum and it read as follows: "Come down to the ground floor, Dad and I need to talk to you." I had a vague idea what the conversation would be about.   Reluctantly, I got out of bed and walked straight to the living room. Luckily, Mom and Dad were already there, so I wouldn't have to wait for them. I sat down next to them, ready to listen.   - Hiro, as you already know, you've missed a lot of school this month. So your mum and I have decided that you need to go to school today. It's a private school, so the conditions are better than anywhere else. We've applied, so they're waiting for you. Usually the children here are taken by bus, but because we're a little late, I'll take you myself.    - Whatever you say, Father. On the whole, my parents' motives were understandable. I myself am well aware that I had a lot of absences at my last school because of the moving problems. I also had absences in subjects that I still have to take exams for, so I completely agree with them. Just as I was about to stand up my mum jumped into the conversation.    - Son, your father's friend and his family are coming over today, so please don't stay too long. I wanted you to help me cook dinner after school.    - I will.    As soon as they were done I went up to the top floor, grabbed a change of clothes, and went into the shower. Warm water always washed away the tension from my tired muscles. After all the water procedures I put on black denim trousers, a white t-shirt and threw a black shirt over it without buttoning it. No matter what anyone said, I definitely had taste in clothes.    Closing the door behind me, I left my room and headed towards the hallway, where my mother was already standing with my bag.   - Have a good day!    Taking my bag and slinging it over my shoulder, I walked out of the house and got straight into the car.   The journey took us a little over ten minutes and after a while a huge building appeared right in front of my eyes. From the mere sight of it, I could tell that this school is state-of-the-art. This school is sure to have something that every twenty-first century student would need.   - The bus will be waiting for you at the car park, so don't be late today," my father said the last words as he walked away.    Putting my hands in my pockets, I walked straight towards the entrance. On the way I could see that there were children of different ages studying here, as there were tourniquets and a playground, benches for resting and something like a mini park inside the school. As I entered the premises, I noticed that the hallway of this school was huge. There was a guard post, shelves for changing shoes, and a lot more. Luckily I had already been told where my class was, and my grade that the school was giving me about my performance was dropping with every minute I wasted, so I picked up my pace a bit. Near each classroom entrance was a sign with a letter and class number. My class was 1-A and it was on the first floor. I went up to the first floor and noticed that there was a woman of about twenty-five, with shoulder-length red hair and wearing the school uniform that all teachers in Japan wear, sitting on a couch near the door where I was supposed to go.    As soon as I started to approach her, she immediately noticed me.    - Hello, you're Hiro, aren't you? I was just waiting for you. My name is Nana, but you can address me as Nana-sensei, I'll be your class teacher from now on. I've already warned the teachers that you'll be a little late, so they're waiting for you inside.    Looks like my calculations were wrong and no one will punish me for being late. But the hardest part is yet to come. The door to the classroom opened and Nana-sensei and I stepped inside.   - All right, class is up!    After Nana-sensei clapped her hands, all the students rose from their seats at the same time.    There were about 40 people in the classroom. It seems that all the classrooms have a 50/50 gender ratio. As soon as I entered the room, all the students' gazes went straight towards me.   - This is our new student, his name is Hiro. I hope you'll get along with him quickly and become friends.   -... There was silence in response. This doesn't even smell of hospitality.   - So Hiro take a seat over there and we'll start the lesson.    Nodding to Nana-sensei, I followed to the seat she pointed her finger at. It was the outermost desk in the left corner of the classroom, near the window. A great place where no one would be staring at you or breathing down your back.    Taking out all of my supplies, I sat down in my seat and got ready for class. I had hoped that no one would pay attention to me, but it turned out to be just the opposite. My place in the hierarchy of our class was about to be determined. Should I make a loud announcement on the first day and introduce myself to everyone, or should I go up to my classmates and give them my contact information? Of course not. In the eyes of my classmates I would seem like a weirdo or an upstart, at best I would make everyone laugh. It's not that I have any talents... I'm just a white crow, flying free.    And so began my first lesson at this school and I think it was maths.    - Everyone please turn your attention right here.    Nana-sensei wrote an example of trigonometry on the board. It's quite complicated, but if you know how to solve it, no one will have trouble solving it. But why are such complicated examples given in the first year of high school? What is their purpose? - Who can solve it?    All the students tensed up and clutched their heads. It seems to be an impossible task for them.    - No one, hmmm, what about you Hiro? Can you solve it?    I see. She wrote that example on purpose so that no one but me could answer and also to test me.    - On the one hand, it seems very complicated, but.... I got up from my seat and walked towards the blackboard.    - If we first use the sine theorem and find one variable and then, using the cosine theorem, find the second variable, the problem can be solved in two-counts.    After writing the answer, I gave the chalk to Nane-sensei, who was at a loss for words, and headed for my seat.    - If you're going to test me, you'd better do better than that,— I said without turning around before sitting down.   - I think I've been found out. Yes, the principal asked me to check your current level of knowledge. I knew you were smart, but I had no idea that you would be able to solve an example from outside the school curriculum, you have surpassed all my expectations. Just amazing data.    Looks like the school's been running all the information on me since last year. I didn't want to stand out from my classmates, but circumstances forced me to do it. I wouldn't be surprised if it's the same in the next class.    Before I could really analyse the situation, I saw the many surprised eyes of my classmates. It seems that not only Nana-sensei was surprised, but everyone present as well. I would like to avoid such situations at all costs.    The rest of the lesson was just like a normal class. Nana-sensei was explaining a new topic, but I was just listening to her. I looked around the classroom and noticed that the desk to my right was empty. That was interesting, since half of the first lesson had already passed. -?! The door to the classroom swung open and a girl of about sixteen came in, with hair as pink as cherry petals and eyes as green as emeralds. Her looks were just perfect, the kind that any girl at school would envy, I wouldn't be surprised if she was extremely popular.    - Nana-sensei... Phew... Ahem! Sorry I'm late.   - Ah, Yota, you're already here, so don't just stand there, go back to your seat. Your parents have already informed me of your tardiness.   - Thank you very much!    After bowing to Nane-sensei, she headed in my direction. As I expected the empty seat next to me turned out to be hers.   - Hm?    Our eyes met for a second and at the same moment, she quickly turned away from me and sat back down in her seat. Am I really that obnoxious a person? Unfortunately, I'll never get an answer to that question.  Everything went on from there. One lesson was followed by another, and at each of them I was bombarded with different questions and tasks to test my knowledge. Unfortunately, I had to work a little harder, because I needed good grades. And each time teachers and my classmates were more and more surprised by my knowledge.   -...   Finally the bell for lunch rang. I got up from my seat and headed towards the exit of the classroom.    - Ouch!    As soon as I got out, someone bumped into me and it was only a few seconds later that I realised who. It was the same Yota. I guess she was in a hurry and didn't see me.    - Are you okay?    I held out my hand to her. She accepted my help and I helped her up.    - Yes, I'm sorry, I didn't see you... Because I was in a hurry for lunch and so I wanted to leave all my books and supplies in the classroom to go with my friends.    - It's okay, stuff happens.    I bent down and gathered up all of her things and handed them to her. Before taking them she looked me in the eye and froze for a few seconds.   - Is something wrong?    - N-no... I'm fine just sleeping on the go, don't worry.    I handed her all her things and with my hands in my pockets, I walked straight towards the dining room.    - Wait!    A voice came from behind me and it was Iota.    - You're going to the canteen now? - Yeah.    - Then let's go together, I'm going there too. We'll have lunch together.   I couldn't understand the meaning of her words at first, but after she said the word "together" I was a little confused. Is this some kind of joke?   - Okay, I don't mind.  I had no reason to refuse her, so I agreed. On the way, Iota told me about herself and the school, and we had a lot in common. As we walked down the corridor, students passing by would say hello to Yota. As I thought, she was very popular at school. She was gifted with everything from nature: her soft voice that soothed the soul, her expressive green eyes that could mesmerise anyone, her soft and gentle smile, her perfect body and most importantly her headband with cute red horns that could charm anyone.   - Well, here we are.    As I suspected, the canteen, like the rest of the school, was very spacious.    - Let's go!    Yota led me and we walked together to the food stand. It was my first time here and I didn't know what to choose. There was a huge selection and I was just confused.    - Hmm?    Yota seemed to notice my confused expression. She came over to me and started pointing her finger at the dishes that were very popular here.    - Here! You can choose this... Mmm this... And then there's this.    I would have loved to take what she offered me, but I couldn't.   I tried not to look at her, but I still had a great view of her breasts from this angle. We were only a few centimetres apart and our bodies would have touched. Hold it! Hold it! Hold it! Hold it! Hold it!   - Hee-hee, oh, sorry.... Take that tray over there and follow me.    She seemed to be extremely amused by my expression. I didn't know what emotions were reflected on my face, but Yota seemed to be enjoying it.   By the way, the food she chose was just right for me. My lunch included fried fish, hot sauce, boiled rice with gravy, salad, and tea. All in all, I was satisfied.   Taking my lunch, I headed to the nearest available table.  I don't like noisy gatherings with other students, so I headed to the table that was in the very corner of the room.   - Um, where are you going?    As soon as I walked towards the table, Yota looked at me with a confused look.   - I don't like noisy environments, so I prefer to be in a quieter place.    - Okay, I don't mind.   - What?    - Well, you said yourself that you want to be quiet, so I'll sit with you.   - Are you sure? What about your friends?    - They'll wait!   I guess she wasn't kidding about having lunch together. I was really surprised. Instead of hanging out with friends she'd known for a long time, she chose me, the perpetually glum and unsociable guy. And yet why?  As soon as we sat down at the table, I noticed a lot of glances directed towards us, and in those glances I could clearly feel the notes of envy and anger.    I wonder if they're angry that Iota sat with me and not with them? Well, I can't help it, it was her choice. - Mmmm. Oh, how I adore donburi. The rice is well fried, the notes of butter add flavour, and that amazing meat broth: it's like I'm in a meat ocean and it's all swirling.    She seems to adore donburi, which is not surprising since every other student has it.   - You've got to try this... Say ahhh...    With those words, she brought the spoon to my mouth. God, what's wrong with her. At this rate, I'll get the nickname of the most hated student in school. But she's already waiting for me. What am I gonna do? I've never been in such an awkward situation before. I can't back down, come on Hiro, do it...    -...    I tasted her donburi and it was pretty good, just like Yota said. The flavour of the meat and butter blended together perfectly. I'd say it's very good.    - You're right, the flavour is wonderful. The mixture of meat, rice and oil are perfectly blended together and also the meat and rice are cooked with perfect temperature. I would give it a rating of 10 out of 10.   - That's what I'm talking about! Everyone says it's just food and there's nothing special about it, no one but you could understand the beauty of this dish," Yota said with a beaming smile on her face.  Although she is very energetic and noisy, I didn't feel uncomfortable around her.   After we finished eating, Yota and I headed to class. All of her friends ran up to her in the classroom, and they began to discuss vigorously with each other, glancing at me from time to time. I seemed to be the main topic of their conversation after all. It's not surprising, because Iota spent most of her time with me, not anyone else.   -...    The bell rang and all the students took their seats. I didn't pay attention to anyone and just admired the view from the window.   It was getting close to evening. The last lesson was over and all the students with smiles on their faces started to leave the classroom. I was in no hurry to go anywhere, taking my bag, I headed towards the exit.   There wasn't a single student in the corridor. Had everyone left the school? I walked down from the first floor and noticed that Yota was still standing in the hallway, clearly waiting for someone. I didn't pay my attention to her until she waved at me.   - Are you leaving already? - Yeah, I was just about to. Are you waiting for someone?    - Yes, I was waiting for you.    - Me?    Waiting for me? Why?   - I wanted to thank you for this wonderful day. I've never had more fun than today. I'm grateful to you.   Fun? With me? I don't remember doing anything that made her have a good time with me. - You don't have to, you know. I had a lot of fun with you today, too.    - But you didn't smile once today, did you?  I think she noticed.    - I'm not the smiling type, even though I don't express any emotion, I had a lot of fun inside.   - Well, I'm glad to hear that. Well, I'll see you tomorrow then, because I have to rush to the dinner that my father and my mum and I have been invited to.   - Oh, I see.  Did she say dinner? Is it possible that she… Before I could finish my thought, she'd disappeared into the shadows of the corridor.   It was the strangest day of my life. But days like this bring a lot of joy, because of the uncertainty that haunts me until the very end.    A girl named Yota. What will you show me and how will you make me feel next time ? I will look forward to the day when it happens.   With these thoughts, I left the school and headed towards the bus, which is probably already waiting for me in the car park.