One year later
The night is not the end of the day. Quite the opposite. The setting sun is a sign that another new life is about to begin. Life isn’t warmer during the day. A whole life of cruel cruelty. It sounds dangerous, but it’s the real meaning of life. It’s as if nature as a living being is tested when surviving in this cruel world.
“Hey! Fight him!”
“Kill that red half-eye!”
“No, surely the one who wins is the odd eye!”
“I bet fifty bucks if the Reds win.”
“I bet you one hundred bucks if that red-eye dies!”
The crowd’s cheers at that time were increasingly thundering around the arena with two figures in the middle. One was a red half-eye boy whose face was already too battered. His shoulders went up and down due to irregular breathing. The boy was none other than Theodore. The boy who escaped from the orphanage now has to go through a cruel, actual life full of suffering. He has to be a street fighter to eat. No matter how much his body hurts, he doesn’t care. Because this is the only way he can survive. As a result of rumours circulating, it is rare for people to accept a little boy who seems to work. Coupled with the different colours of his eyes.
BUGGH!
Theo bounced and almost went out of bounds when the kick hit his body. Fortunately, he could hold back by crossing his arms before the body. Had he been caught off guard, his impact was more severe than the bruise. Theo once even vomited blood because his opponent kicked his solar plexus.
“Hohoho! Is this all you got, boy?!” said the man who was Theo’s opponent. He has a much larger body than Theo so that he will win a landslide victory by calculation.
Meanwhile, Theo tries his best to walk away from the boundary line. If he loses this time, there is no pay, which means he will have to endure hunger until the next match is held, even though he has only eaten the leftover food from the trash can since yesterday.
“No, I’m not giving up...” muttered Theo.
“I love your spirit, boy! As a reward, I will give you a soulful blow you will remember for the rest of your life!”
The man swung his big arm. His palm was clenched firmly like a ship’s anchor. Does anyone know if it had such a deadly impact? The man did not hesitate when he was about to hit the boy in front of him. The look in his eyes implied a murderous, solid desire.
Theo knew that he would most likely lose or, worse, die here. But perhaps that was his destiny. Karma for slaughtering friends of the orphanage one year ago. If that were true, Theo would be willing to die right now. It’s just that the shadow of death seems like a nightmare. Moreover, the memory of the blood of his friends pouring out is very scary. It was so scary that Theo could feel such real pain.
A stupid fate that binds him to karma. Don’t let him breathe for a moment. Thus, Theo knows the only way to accept lousy karma is to live his life now. He slowly got up. With all his might, he tried to strengthen his legs to stand. His breathing was roaring wildly, trying to get as much oxygen as possible to fill his lungs, which had been torn apart by a broken rib.
BRUAGH!
One person has fallen. But it was not Theo, but his opponent. With one determined movement, Theo managed to punch his opponent’s jaw. Made the adult man fall with a bent jaw. Unmistakably, Theo’s fist managed to shift the man’s jawbone.
“The winner is the Red Boy!” exclaimed the referee.
Cheers echoed from Theo’s supporters. While those who lose can only swear and curse their choice.
“Just ten bucks?” asked Theo while staring at the money he received.
“Why? Do you mind, boy?” The bald man barked back with a fierce look. “It’s so hard to earn ten bucks in this place, and you should thank me for letting a little boy like you compete in this arena for free. You know what? People who want to fight here must pay at least fifty dollars.”
Theo lowered his face full of bruises. Ten dollars isn’t worth it for his seriously injured condition. “But this is so little..”
“Do you want to accept it or not?”
Theo squeezed the piece of money firmly. “I accept it.”
“Then hurry away before I change my mind!” snapped the man.
Having no other choice, Theo walked away with a shuffling step. His whole body was now in pain from the repeated blows. Once outside, the sky looked very cloudy. The air temperature became colder, and lightning was heard from a distance. The storm is coming soon. Theo immediately rushed home before the rain fell. But before that, Theo took the time to buy food at one of the shops he saw.
“Excuse me–”
“What are you doing, homeless?! Want to steal, huh?!” the shop owner snapped when he saw the appearance of Theo, who was full of wounds and dirty.
“No, I’m not! I want to buy food and drink.”
“No money, you can’t buy!”
Theo took out the only money he had. “This is all I have. How much can I get?”
The shop owner looked at Theo with a disdainful look before he snatched Theo’s money. “Wait here, and don’t you dare touch anything!” He snapped and went into the store. Not long after, he came out with a bag containing two slices of bread and two bottles of mineral water.
“Em, how much does a medicine for healing wounds cost?” asked Theo.
“It costs fifteen bucks.”
‘A fifteen bucks? I don’t have that kind of money...’ inner Theo. “Would I be able to exchange this one loaf of bread for that medicine?”
“Are you crazy?!” The owner of the store was getting angry. “If you don’t have money, you won’t get it, brat! Go away!”
Theo ran down the alley carrying his shopping. The pain continued to run through his body, but Theo kept running until he reached his home. Or the abandoned place he calls ‘home’. A construction building that has been abandoned for some time and is now starting to look porous due to age. The building, which is far from The Shape of the House, becomes a resting place for Theo.
“I’m home,” Theo muttered as he entered the building.
Unbeknownst to him, someone noticed him from a distance and left after Theo entered.
Teeeng! When the bell rang, two people rushed directly at each other. They hit each other, and they want to knock each other out. Or just one of the most ambitious men to hit. Because it turns out Theodore looks more limp than usual. He also cannot move steadily and tends to falter. His face was pale with dull black eyes. Moreover, his scars still adorn his face. He looks like a Walking Dead Man. BUUGH! BUGGHH!Blow after blow floated across his face. Instantly making Theodore falter and fall to cross the boundary line. Everyone cheered on the victory of the other wrestlers. Some cursed Theo for losing. They don’t care about the helplessness, Theo.Theo knows he won’t get paid for losing the match, so he can only walk out hard. Theo felt pain all over his body; the wounds from the previous match were still not healed, and he had no money for treatment. All he had was a piece of bread left over two days ago. Not knowing if it was still edible, Theo had no choice but to eat it or fai
The backyard of the orphanage building was filled with boys who were enjoying playing soccer while laughing. They all seem to be enjoying the game. As if they were very far from the cruelty of the world. As if the color of their eyes was not a sign of danger at all.Theo watched silently behind the window of his room. His gaze glanced far out there while his mind was out of place. His little fingers trembled as he watched how the soccer ball was being kicked around by the kids out there. It was like a whip that reminded him of the dark memories of when he was still in his old orphanage. A place he initially thought of as home but found to be nothing more than a hell full of torment.When his body becomes the target of a kick by a soccer ball. Until he almost died because his neck was injured.Theo spontaneously stroked a very noticeable scar on the surface of his neck. It's been a while. The wound has also dried up. But, Theo still clearly remembers the pain he felt. Also how the bodi
The statement from Jared received ridicule from the boys in the middle of the field. It practically provokes Jared’s emotions and eventually makes him chase one by one of his friends.Theo watched from the side-lines. Although it seemed to make fun of them, but he felt that the boys had no evil intentions at all. They're just really playing with each other. And, it was a rare sight Theo had ever seen in his entire life.“Excuse me...”One word from Theo instantly got the attention of the rest of the boys there. They simultaneously turned to Theo without daring to interrupt until Theo continued his speech.Theo stared at one by one of them and gulped his saliva roughly. “Can I play with you guys?”Quiet for a moment. Theo was worried. Then another surprise attacked him.“Oh my gosh... You don't have to ask permission to play with us!” One of the boys grabbed Theo’s shoulder tightly and was followed by the others.“That's right! Play with us!”Theo felt incredible happiness for the firs
The first class hour is underway. Before that, Theo Awards an affectionate punch to Jared for deceiving him that they were late when they weren't. Jared just laughed afterward.There were fifteen students in the class including Theo and Jared. They sat individually and since Theodore was a new student, he was placed in the last seat. Coincidentally in front of him was Jared's seat. Theo could take revenge if he wanted to but he enjoyed today's lesson so much. Today's class is about how to control the power of thought."Know that the human mind is very complex,” says the teacher – Prof. Abraham. He was an African–American man with half-bald hair and all of his hair almost gray. He was wise enough to teach. “The human brain is composed of many nerves with diverse patterns. Like a giant, scaled-down maze. To enter the human mind is to enter the labyrinth. Even the owner of the body is often lost in their minds. And how can we control someone's mind if we find it so difficult to understan
Jared goes into Theo's room after knocking him first. Jared no longer wears a uniform but a black long-sleeved T-shirt with a number 07 on his back. He held a thick book in his hand.“Why haven't you changed your clothes?" Jared asked seeing Theo still in uniform this morning. “Change into the clothes in that closet.”Somewhat dazed, Theo opens the closet and finds some new clothes hanging there. His face glowed cheerfully. Then he chooses an outfit that catches his eye. A jacket with the image of an owl."Well, now we will talk about the rules in this school as well as in this dormitory.”There are many written rules, and Jared explains them carefully.06.0 – 07.30 Wake up and run the field for over an hour.07.45-08.30 bath and breakfast.08.45: following the lesson.12.00: lunch.12.30: following the second lesson.17.00: finish the lesson and students are free to do personal activities.19.00: dinner.21.00: bedtime.- All students are required to follow the stated schedule. Truan
"As a child, I accidentally fell and scratched the fence,” Theo replied, touching the wound on his neck.Jared grimaced. “That must so hurt.”“I don't remember because I fainted immediately.”“You're tough boys! You must be the Chosen One!”"Stop calling me the Chosen One.”They spent dinner chatting occasionally. Theo remembers that they should not bring this food into the room, so he increases the portion of food and finishes it quickly before dinner time runs out.When he arrived at the room, Theo was very bored because he was not sleepy yet, and he was not allowed to meet anyone. A dormitory supervisor was walking down the Hall, checking on anyone who dared to go out at the Forbidden time. Theo didn't want to get punished when he was very new here. And he still didn't have a book to read while he waited for sleepiness to come. Theo opened the bedroom window. The permanent windows that cannot be opened do not even have a balcony. But it was enough for him to see the scenery outside
After the end of classes, Theodore again secretly brought a book about dreams. He went into the bathroom so that no one else could see him. Even Theo didn’t tell Jared this. He opened the first sheet.When the universe was first created, they were nothing but formed from tiny particles called atoms. The particles are so small that the ordinary eye cannot see them. But they are there. Those little things will never die from the beginning of created life until the apocalypse. It also affects humans. Atomic particles form man from the outer shell to the innermost nuclei of the brain. Each atom has a solid attachment to each other. The atoms in the innermost core of the head often help humans solve problems. Something called Instinct. The atoms that live in our heads are amplified by the energy emanating from meteors that fell thousands of years ago. Atoms often try to help us solve problems that we are unaware of. It can be through a dream or an event called Deja Vu.“Does this make sens
“Hi,” said the man. “I didn’t mean to interrupt, but is there a problem?”“Master Lazarus!” Jared immediately kissed the hand of the man – Lazarus. Theodore followed him.“Is there something disturbing your mind?” Lazarus looked worried at Jared.“Nothing at all, Sir.”“I don’t think so.”Lazarus put his hand on Jared’s head. His face was as cold as Jared’s. Theodore watched in silence, and then suddenly, Jared’s eyes twisted until only the white part was visible. Theodore was about to interrupt. He thought Lazarus was hurting Jared. But suddenly, Jared looks better. Jared looked in all directions, his gaze full of questions.“Are you all right, Jared?” Theodore lunged at Jared with a worried question.“What happened?”“You ask? Don’t you remember what happened?”Jared shook his head. Theodore is increasingly worried about Jared’s attitude. After Jared’s strange behaviour of trying to push him away, he feels like he just lost his memory. All this happened after Lazarus came. Theodore
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Di salah satu hari menjelang musim dingin tiba, Desa Kanomiyama mendapatkan kunjungan dari Oda Toshihiro bersama dengan seorang koki Kastil bernama Hirokawa Fuji. Kedatangan mereka tak lain untuk membantu para masyarakat ditengah kesibukan mempersiapkan persediaan musim dingin. Karena siapapun di desa itu tahu jika musim dingin akan menjadi mimpi buruk karena mereka akan kesulitan berburu dan mengumpulkan kayu bakar. Terutama karena di tahun 1586, hutan menjadi tempat berbahaya yang dapat merenggut nyawa."Baiklah semuanya, hari ini kita akan mempraktikan cara memasak bebek yakitori dan manjuu babi hutan, cara ini sangat mudah dan kalian bisa memasaknya lain waktu."Fuji, sang koki istana mengangkat pisau daging lalu menghantamkannya ke arah bebek yang telah dibersihkan. Seluruh penduduk mengangguk-anggukan kepala mereka setiap kali mendengar penjelasan dari Fuji. Entah memang paham atau hanya mengikuti saja.Sebagai seorang koki kastil, keahlian Fuji tak diragukan lagi. Dalam waktu y
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“Dan.....?” desak Isafuyu.“Dan... tekun dalam berlatih.”“Dan....?”Nira mengernyitkan alis. Isafuyu terus meminta penjelasan meskipun dia telah menjawab seperti apa yang dia pikirkan. Tetapi, Nira tetap melakukan apa yang diminta Isafuyu meski dalam keadaan bingung.“Dan... pintar?”“Ah, ayolah! Apa kamu tak bisa berbicara dengan jujur?!”“Sssttt!!”Dan Isafuyu langsung mendapat hardikkan dari penjaga perpustakaan yang berada tak jauh dari mereka. Tak hanya itu saja, seluruh pasang mata pengunjung perpustakaan serentak menatap tajam ke arah mereka.“Jangan berisik Issa.” Nira mengingatkan.“Ugh...” Isafuyu menggigit bibirnya. “Kalau begitu, lebih baik kita pindah tempat saja!”Sebelum Nira melayangkan protes, Isafuyu sudah lebih dulu menarik tangannya, keluar dari perpustakaan. Wilayah sekolah masih tampak ramai oleh murid-murid yang sedang menghabiskan waktu istirahat dengan makan atau pun sekedar mengobrol. Tak banyak tempat yang masih sepi, sehingga Isafuyu memutar otaknya lebih
Seorang gadis berambut Electric blue tengah berjalan menuju sebuah bangunan megah di ujung jalan. Hari masih terlalu pagi – matahari bahkan belum cukup menapaki kaki langit – sehingga hanya terlihat rinai kekuningan bercampur biru. Udara dingin berembus meniup helaian rambut Electric blue, membuatnya sedikit berantakan sehingga gadis itu harus beberapa kali merapikannya. Waktu telah berjalan sekitar seminggu sejak pertama kali dirinya menjejakkan kaki ke sekolah ini.“Pagi Nira-san!” sapa seorang pria berambut panjang menepuk pundaknya.Nira Naeve – si gadis berambut Electric blue – berjingkat karena terkejut. Dia langsung menundukkan wajahnya begitu mendapati siapa gerangan yang memanggilnya tadi.“Pagi Izayoi-san.”“Kamu berangkat sangat pagi yah, benar-benar anak yang rajin!”“Ti... tidak serajin itu kok.”Nira merapikan rambut panjangnya yang menjuntai, tetapi lumayan susah karena dia terus menerus menunduk sehingga helaian rambutnya kembali jatuh.“Eh, sebentar.”Nira membeku saa
“Hey, it’s okay..” Unsuur berusaha menenangkan pembangun. Sekalipun perasaan getir menggaung dalam hatinya. Respon pembangun menjelaskan bahwa dia telah melupakan segala hal yang terjadi semalam setelah muntah. Begitu juga dengan ciuman singkat mereka.‘Memang apa yang aku harapkan? Dia hanya mabuk bukannya menanggapi dengan serius.’“Unsuur.”“Yeah...”Pembangun menunduk. Meski begitu, Unsuur dapat menemukan semburat rona yang menjalar dari wajah hingga telinga pembangun. Dia tengah bersemu. Tetapi keheningan ini membuat Unsuur merasa gelisah. Kalau-kalau pembangun malah mengingat hal yang tak mengenakan. Seperti...“Semalam, entah kenapa aku merasakan sesuatu yang lembut menempel di bibirku.”BADUM!“Kau yakin?”Pembangun mengedikkan bahu. “Entahlah... tak begitu yakin.”“Jika merasa tak enak, lebih baik lupakan saja.”“Tapi –”“Makanlah bubur itu, setelah itu akan ku antar kau pulang.”Dan Unsuur keluar dari kamar, meninggalkan pembangun di dalam kamarnya.‘Semestaku terhisap luban
Pembangun menggeleng, hidungnya menggesek tengkuk Unsuur, membuat Unsuur merinding seketika. “Rasanya sangat bosan menari tanpamu.”“Lalu, kau mau bagaimana?”Pembangun terkekeh kecil. “Menarilah bersamaku~”“Tapi aku tak pandai menari.”Pembangun melepaskan pelukannya, menjadikan Unsuur menoleh ke belakang untuk meringankan rasa penasarannya. Kini pembangun berwajah masam, kecewa atas sikap Unsuur yang menolak ajakannya. Tetapi alih-alih merasa ketakutan, Unsuur justru mengulum senyum. ‘Dia sangat menggemaskan~’ Unsuur membatin.“Ayo lah... biarkan aku mengajarimu caranya menari~”“Tapi –”Sebelum Unsuur menolak, pembangun sudah menarik tangannya. Dan Unsuur hanya bisa pasrah ketika dibawa ke tengah-tengah lantai dansa. Pandangannya terfokus ke arah tautan tangan mereka. Jari-jemari lembut pembangun menggenggam tangannya. Melihat itu membuat Unsuur menjadi lumayan tenang. Mungkinkah ini kekuatan cinta?“Ikuti saja musiknya.”Unsuur menelengkan kepala ke musik berasal. Kini lagu berte
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