Mixed Series: The Life and Times of Gray [1]

The morning sun was up, birds chirping all over and cherry blossom petals danced along the cold breeze of a Monday morning. Although being a tightly busy place, Osaka can be as peaceful for some people like me. My name's Hairo. Mitsuru Hairo. A highschool student in my 3rd year. I was born and raised here in Osaka and I speak in my native accent. Osaka can be such a busy place sometimes with all the rushing and buzzing of cars and people around, it's pretty hard to cope with but I love this place so I eventually got over it. I live in a small house around the Minami area.

"Onii-chan!" this small husky voice called out from nowhere, "Wake up! I don't wanna be late for school!"

Oh that's right, it's my little brother Haki-kun. He's in elementary right now and obviously he cares so much about his perfect attendance record. It's pretty cute.

"ONII-CHAN!" my brother exclaimed in his small voice
"Alright, I'm up" I replied in a lazy tone with my head still dug on the pillow.
"Hairo" my mother called out "Haki is waiting for you hurry and get out of bed"

It isn't like I could disobey my mom, she has such a gentle and sweet voice so I hate disappointing her even for simple things. So once I heard her voice I immediately got up from bed and threw my blanket to the side. I immediately went out of my room and petted my little brother's head. Our house was wide enough for four people, so it takes a little walking from my room to the kitchen. I lazily scratched my head and pulled out the chair before greeting my dad who was busy reading the morning paper as usual.

"Mornin' dad"
"Good morning, son" he replied without looking away from the paper.
I smiled and looked down on the table and quietly ate my breakfast. The atmosphere between me my father was quite awkward. It's not that I don't get along with him, it's just that he really isn't the talkative type but I know that he cares for us.

"So, Hairo" he uttered and the silence broke
"What is it dad?" I asked polite tone like any other son would do
"How's school?"
"Oh. It's fine. There are alot of things I need to take care of in the student council but it's really going well, I can't wait to graduate and I bet by the time school ends I'll have a grade point average of 94"
"That's very good. I'm proud of you, son. Keep it up. I expect alot from you" my dad alleged as he folded the newspaper and laid it down on the table. He picked up his suitcase and before leaving he kissed my mom goodbye and patted me and my brother on the head.

"See you later daddy!!!" my little brother exclaimed happily as he waved out the door.
I immediately finished eating breakfast and headed to my room for a quick shower and to get dressed. My brother beat me to time management as always.

TUCK! the sound of the button on my black hard collared uniform made. I could say that my uniform looked good on me. I'm tall and have a lanky body so the fit of my uniform hugged my body perfectly. My hair was always spiked up and fixed with hair gel, my bangs falling infront of my face as the other side of my hair was pushed back. As it would seem there was no more time for narcissism so I picked up my school bag and headed out the house with my little brother

"Bye mom!" I said as I waved
"BYE BYEEEEE MAMAAAA!!" there goes my little brother again.

I always drop off my brother to school since my parents think that he's too young to walk by himself. It doesn't really bother me I like children alot. They're always so happy and they demand for little things.

"Okay, Haki. Remember what we always talked about before going to class?"
"Yeah! Be polite and do your best!"
"And never talk to strangers, okay? Oto-san will pick you up later"
"OKAY!"
I chuckled and smiled as I seem vulnerable to my little brother's innocence. I rustled his hair and left as I headed to my own school.

"Hi Gray!"
"Hey Gray! Good morning!"
"Gray! See you at lunch!!"

Some of the students greeted as I entered the campus, I was quite known around the place. Maybe because I was the student council president and I treated everyone well. Why do they call me Gray? I never really liked my name Hairo, it sounds too formal and restricting so I thought since my Japanese name was close enough to a name of a color I decided to be known as "Gray" around school and even in other places except home.

I took the stairs to my classroom and immediately seated where I always felt comfortable. In the front row near the window.

I scanned the classroom, my classmates enjoyed talking to each other. I couldn't blame them it was uber boring while the teacher isn't around.

"YO GRAY!" Ren shouted from outside the room, he's one of my friends. Yes, we were three in the group and I have no idea where the other one was.

"OOOHAAAYOOO~ GRAAAAA~Y-KUN!!" a condescending tone came out from nowhere, and to my surprise it came from right infront of me.
"IKU!!" I exclaimed as I fixed my glasses, " Don't surprise me like that"
"But you look so lonely~!" Iku explained in a hyper tone
"Yeah, Gray" Ren continued as he pulled one chair and sat down beside me

I definitely wasn't the quiet type so of course I decided to chat with them a little
"You studied for the quiz" I inquired
"EH?!" Iku exclaimed
"Th-there's a quiz?" Ren continued in a despaired tone but tried to keep himself composed. He coughed as brushed his bangs up, "O-ofcourse I did!" he declared
"Really??! Renji studying for a test?!"
"HAHAHAH!" I laughed as I watched them panic
"See! Even Gray-kun doesn't believe you!"
"I'm kidding guys, there isn't any test"
"Hey! It isn't funny! What if I fail and I don't graduate?! Your conscience'll carry it for the rest of your life!" Ren alleged in anger
"Hey~ I'm kidding haha Sorry"

We were having fun until a soft voice caught my attention, "Good morning, Gray-san"
"Hey hey!! It's Yonekura-chan!!" Ren excitedly exclaimed and stood up from his seat.

Yonekura Nami, I don't really know how to describe her. No words could describe how pretty she was. Her long silky black hair was always knotted in a clean ponytail, her skin was as pink as cherry blossoms in the spring. She had a gentle smile and a really prim posture. In other words, she's the prettiest girl I've seen in my life. I've always liked her but I was always shy to tell her. I'm afraid that it would break our friendship. Talking to her makes me nervous but I try my best to stay calm.

"Good morning, Yonekura-chan" I greeted casually with a smile. "Are you attending the council meeting later?"
"Ah,yes. All the officers are attending"
"Oooohh...Gray and Nami-chan bonding huh? I'm jealous"
"Yeah! I'm jealous too!"
"Shut up, guys"

Yonekura chuckled and alleged, "We're just friends, right Gray?"
It pierced through my heart that "being friends" is what she thinks and nothing else. "Ofcourse..." I said softly
"By the way you two are acting, I doubt it"
"Shut up, Renji. Study for that quiz for science later"
"Hah! I'm not falling for that again"
"Oh but I'm afraid there is, Renji. Gray isn't lying" Nami backed up
"Yeah, Renji." Iku too.
"WHAAAT?!!" Renji exclaimed and ran out the classroom hoping to find someone that would lend him some lecture notes.

After class, I broke path with Iku and Renji. They were heading to the entertainment district I wanted to go but I had to attend the council meeting with Yonekura-san.
I slid the door open of the room and scanned the place, Yonekura was sitting infront, she was calling me to seat beside her.

[to be continued]