"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 the room. The moon shines perfectly without being covered by a single cloud. The blue moon looks great. The impact of meteoroids that hit the Earth so that the distance between the Earth and the moon is closer. At least, that's what he had read in books in orphanages before. The history he had read none other than The Odd Eye seemed to be the worst creature. They call him a monster. As much as any book he read always referred to the cruelty of Odd Eye. So what made Master Lazarus think well of The Odd Eye?
“He must be a nice person, right?”
~0.0~
Theodore woke up on time this morning. It's not too early and not too late, either. He changed his clothes immediately and went out for a morning run around the field. Jared followed behind him, shaking his head.
"Morning, Theo!”
"Good Morning, Jared,” Theo replied. “You're almost late.”
"Ah! I slept poorly. Nightmares haunted me!”
“What does that have to do with punishment?” Theo looked worried.
“Maybe.”
“You should be treated if it bothers you.”
“No, I don't!" Jared shouted. “I can do it! I'm going to prove that I'm great too.” Then he ran ahead of Theodore without turning his face.
Theodore follows but refuses to get ahead of Jared. His gut feeling was that he couldn't force Jared. It would be a bad ending for him, for them. So, Theo just watched Jared in silence. Theo saw a supervisor, a man he did not know. Standing on the outside of the field, watching them. Theo was a bit relieved to see him because if Jared fainted, there would be help coming to him. But until the gym session was over and they all went to the public bathroom to take a shower, Jared did not ask for help and the supervisor did not ask about Jared's pale.
"Stop staring at me continuously. You're scaring me!” Jared hit Theo on the shoulder when they were bathing next to each other.
“I'm making sure that you're okay.”
“It just scares me.”
“Well, I won't do it again.”
Jared sighed harshly. “Really, Theodore, I'm fine; if I'm sick, you'll be the first one I tell, I promise.”
“All right.”
Theodore only stopped worrying about Jared after that. They enter the classroom, and Theo finds a stack of books already in his desk drawer. He pulls out the books and soon faces a dream control lesson by Professor Killian.
"Dreams are nothing but your subconscious desires. Or it could be a boring routine that you continue to experience until you can't get rid of it even in a dream. If the two causes don't appear in your dream, then the dream could be a sign that something is about to happen,” Professor Killian said.
He was very young, handsome, and tall. He's a lot better than Abraham Lincoln. And Theo can watch her without getting bored especially when Professor Kilian realizes his existence.
“And I was just told that there is a new student in this class. Is it you, Theodore?”
Theodore stood up and nodded. “Yes, I am, Professor.”
Prof. Killian smiled and then told him to sit back down.
“I see a burning passion in your eyes. Can you tell me about your dream last night?”
“That, just an ordinary dream of Prof.”
“No problem, just tell me your ordinary dream.”
Professor Killian doesn't seem pushy. Maybe because of the softness of his speech, Theo became reluctant to dodge.
"My dream was about a man and a baby basket, and a red lightning bolt lit up above me,” Theo said. “I had asked my previous orphanage nurse that it was because I was too curious about who my parents were, and when she told me that I had come to the orphanage, maybe that's where the dream started.”
Professor Killian looked at Theo for a moment and then walked over. "Very interesting dream, Theodore, but do you know if every dream has a certain meaning? We can consider it an ordinary dream if we have not yet figured out the meaning of it. It would be nice if you were a little curious about the dream. Don't be afraid to get hurt. There are times when great curiosity requires a little sacrifice. We're here to help you figure out what's going on.” The professor tells them to read every page that refers to the dream.
Theo was a little relieved by Prof Killian's words. All this time he always avoided the dream because he only considered it a nightmare as a result of his sadness and anger. All this time, he was very tormented without any intention of finding out why the dream kept appearing like drops of water. The longer it sinks, the more it sinks. So curious, Theo took the book about the dream to the cafeteria and read it over lunch.
“Are you curious about dreams?" asked Jared in between chewing food. "Because Prof. Killian praised your dream. You've become so obsessed with dreams?”
"Not obsessed, I'm just a little curious," Theo replies. “I feel like I can find the answers to my problems through this dream. Have you ever wondered about your dreams?”
Jared shrugged his shoulders. “My dream was just Professor Abraham's face. I think I was too scared to bring him into the dream.”
“Jared, do you have parents?” Theo added quickly. “Because I come from an orphanage, and I'm an orphan without knowing who my parents are.”
"Me too," Jared replied casually. “But I don't care about them. I don't even remember them.”
“Are you not... Miss them?”
"People won't miss something they never had,” Jared replied. “And I never felt like I had them, so I didn't miss them.”
Theo read the book he had brought. “Here it is written that one of the ways to enter someone's dream is to split your soul into several and enter someone's mind without them being aware when they are asleep.”
“Yes, then?”
“But how to get into someone's dreams when you don't know they exist?”
“You are obsessed with your dreams.” Jared sipped his drink to the end. "You should ask Prof. Killian and worry about the next lesson. You must have a lot of energy and a long breath for the next lesson.”
Theo furrowed his eyebrows. He still struggles with dreams and how to enter one's dreams, even though Jared stops him. Theodore believes Prof Killian is not just bullshit when Theo says dreams have meaning. His dream may be telling the answers he has been looking for about his family. Or even better. He can find out the reason he has an Odd Eye Circle even though this is a very rare eye and not many people have it. And why the owner of Odd Eye is considered a monster. There may be a reason.
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
“Jared, since when Have you been here?”“I don’t remember, but I think from birth.”“Has this place been around that long?”“Yup.”Theodore was envious of where he had been because he did not know this place. A place where the odd eye can live equally. No fights, no bullying, just living in peace. How beautiful. Theo looked around. The boys of different ages enjoyed their meals while occasionally chatting. There is no pretentious brat who interferes with other boys. They’re like family here. There was only laughter instead of screams. The professors were in their places to eat. They act like parents in this group. They do not distinguish students from one another. They even punished Jared, an intelligent student, for making a mistake. It’s just that Theo didn’t find a daughter as far as he could see. All students are men.“Jared, does this place only accept boys?”“Why do you ask?”“There are no girls here.”Jared looked around. “You’re right,” he said. “After you told me, I realized
“YOUR TURN LITTLE BUDDY!”A man in uniform pushes Theodore before he realizes it. Theodore fell to the ground. The dust covered him, and his skin was scratched by sharp pebbles. He then stood up and started running into the training arena.The trainers are not part of the professors who teach them in the classroom. They may be part of the military or an unofficial part. This explains how strict they were in training the disciples. In addition, they are not at all soft. The coaches did not hesitate to hit anyone who dared to fight or anyone weak. Theodore immediately crawled under the entwined chains. It passes through a steep path filled with sharp pebbles. He grimaced in pain when wire or gravel scratched his skin several times. The wire above was only ten inches from his back, making it difficult for him to move without getting hurt. Theo only occasionally looks ahead because it makes it difficult for him to move. He often looked down even though his face was rubbing the ground. Tha
“You can give up at this stage if you’re afraid of going through it! But you will suffer the consequences!” Master Lazarus is on the sidelines.“Is he serious?” Theo stared in disbelief. “Doesn’t he really care about all of us?”“I think he’s earnest.” Jared gulped his saliva.“We can stop, Jared. It is better to accept any consequences than to be eaten by crocodiles.”“I believe the consequences are as bad as being eaten by a crocodile. We must go through this bravely!”“Don’t worry, Jared!”Jared didn’t seem to hear Theodore’s warning. He grabbed the nearest rope and began to swing with all his might. At the edge of the pool, Theodore watched anxiously as Jared grabbed the next rope. Jared swung like a monkey, trying to avoid death. Theo then turned the other way. Some students gave up before reaching the first rope, and some coaches pulled them out of the arena. Theo doesn’t know what will happen to them, but he believes Jared’s words if he gets the consequences as dire as crossing
While Theo fights the crocodiles, Jared looks around and hopes to find a way out.“There! In the middle of the pool, we can reach a long rope!”Theo followed Jared’s direction. He realized a rope – the only longest rope that reached the pool’s surface.“So that’s why they put the longest rope in there?” Theo muttered. “This is indeed their goal. Let’s hurry to the middle of the pond.”The depth of the pool reaches their chest. It is enough for them to move without fear of drowning. Jared fights the crocodiles with a stick he found earlier, while Theodore fights with his own hands. They help each other. When a crocodile attacks Jared, Theo catches the crocodile and wrestles it until it dies. And when Theodore was suddenly attacked from behind by a crocodile while he was off guard, Jared immediately hit the crocodile with his stick. They continue to do so until they reach the middle of the pond.“You go up first,” said Theodore.“Got it.”Jared grabbed the rope and climbed up as fast as
The medics treated Theodore’s wounds. Sew up the skin torn from the bite of a crocodile. Apply the cream to Theo’s red palms. Sewed up a wide wound on his leg, bitten by the strongest crocodile. Theo felt more pain than he had ever felt before. Theo screamed in pain several times as the nurses touched his wounds until other students who were in the same room with him looked at him.“Your wounds are severe for a young boy like you,” said one of the nurses. “You must be powerful.”“I was just lucky,” Theodore said.“You are too naive, son. You have a rare eye, which is one of the signs that you have extraordinary strength.”Theodore had heard so much about his eyes and strength that he only smiled in response. The nurse said something unusual.“I haven’t seen red eyes like you in a long time. You must be a good sign for The Odd Eye Circle.”“You can’t say anything weird!” another nurse hit the shoulder of the previous nurse. “You’d better rest, Theodore, so your wounds heal quickly.”“T
Rank B is filled by ten students. Rank C is filled by nineteen students. The D rank is filled by twenty-five students. Finally, Rank F is filled by more students, namely thirty-seven students.“The Rank F students are the ones who withdrew in the middle of the exam. I feel sorry for them for what they got. However, a fair system provides equality for all students. Geniuses in Ranks A through B will get privileges. And the Rank F will lose some of their rights in this school. Those of you who are in the ranks of C and D do not get privileges, nor do you get a reduction in your rights.”Immediately, the room became crowded, and students talked about this with each other. Many of them felt that it was unfair to divide the ranks. Especially the Ranks D and F, they can not protest directly but just whisper. They may feel intimidated if they protest directly. Meanwhile, Theodore carefully watched the atmosphere, which suddenly became tense in this room. They don’t even touch the food in fro
Sepanjang jalan hanya diisi oleh keheningan. Juga langkah kaki mereka yang berjalan berurutan. Dua orang – lelaki dan wanita – berpakaian lebih kompleks dari yang lain memimpin, diikuti oleh tentara Germany yang menyasar, dan terakhir para tentara lainnya.Dua Germany masih tak habis pikir dengan ketenangan di tempat ini. Jauh dari kebisingan, jauh dari kerusuhan, jauh dari kata ‘Perang’. Pikiran mereka bertanya-tanya, bagaimana bisa ada tempat damai seperti ini di tengah-tengah peperangan? Mereka terhanyut dalam keasyikan batin sampai lupa untuk mengenalkan diri pada orang-orang baru ini.“Eum... Namaku Ronald, Nona?” Ronald menjadi yang pertama mengenalkan diri. Dia mengelap tangannya sendiri sebelum mengulurkannya ke arah wanita berkarisma di depannya.Si wanita menoleh, menatap uluran tangan, lalu tersenyum. “Fan, dan kau tak perlu memanggilku Nona.”“Ah... yah, Fan.” Ronald mengulangi nama itu untuk mengusir kecanggungan.“Kalau kau bermaksud mendekatinya, kau salah orang Bung! D
Terputusnya panggilan video membuat Kevin yang semula memasang tampang ceria kembali menjadi datar. Pandangannya menatap nanar ke ponsel yang telah menghitam sebelum beralih ke arah jendela. Menatap pemandangan dari luar, cukup banyak orang-orang berlalu lalang. Kebanyakan berpakaian seperti dirinya sedangkan yang lain berjas putih dan rapi. Lumayan membosankan tinggal disini, walaupun belum sampai seminggu. Rasanya Kevin ingin cepat-cepat keluar dari Rumah sakit sialan ini.Tempat yang katanya mampu membuatnya sembuh lebih cepat nyatanya hanya penjara yang mengekangnya hingga tak bisa bergerak leluasa. Di tambah dengan tangan kanan yang masih sangat sakit untuk di gerakan. Bagaimanapun juga dia tak bisa memaafkan pelaku di balik kejadian ini. Siapa lagi kalau bukan Tiara. Gadis itu sangat mencurigakan. Dan, sialnya mampu berpura-pura seolah tak terjadi apapun di depan Nia."Padahal mereka terlihat dekat," gumam Kevin. Banyak hal tak terduga yang tak bisa dia cari jawabannya. Tiara ta
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
TAK! TAK! TAK!Ujung tajam pisau bergerak dengan cepat, memotong kentang di atas talenan kayu, membentuknya menjadi kecil memanjang. Suasana di dalam dapur terasa pekat akan keheningan. Tampak seorang gadis muda sedang menyibukkan diri dengan membuat hidangan lezat lainnya.“Apa semua sudah aman terkendali, Orion?” tanya seorang pria paruh baya dengan kumis putih di wajahnya. Dia adalah Butler yang bertugas mengawasi pekerjaan para Maid lain. Termasuk pada gadis yang tengah memotong-motong kentang tersebut.Orion – Maid muda – menatap tanpa ekspresi tertentu. “Makan siang akan siap sebentar lagi, Tuan Steve.”“Bagus lah kalau begitu.” Steve – si Butler – tersenyum. “Apakah ada yang perlu kau butuh kan lagi?”“Tidak ada, semua sudah aman terkendali.”“Tuan Arthur tak suka –”“Daun bawang, bukan?” Orion memotong ucapan Steve sebelum pria itu menyelesaikannya. “Dan tak ada daun bawang pada sebuah Poutine.”Steve membuka mulutnya, hendak menyangkal sebelum akhirnya dia menyadari satu hal.
“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
Matahari berkilau terang sekali menggantung di langit. Musim panas tak main-main kali ini. Membangkitkan jiwa-jiwa penuh semangat yang tak berhenti untuk bergerak maju. Berbanding terbalik dengan seseorang yang duduk termenung di bawah pohon.“Hari ini tampak cerah bukan?” katanya dengan pandangan kosong. “Benar-benar cerah, tapi kenapa aku merasa kosong di sini. Seperti bukan diriku yang biasa. Aku merasa terlupakan sesaat. Seperti roda yang tiba-tiba berhenti, begitu juga dengan waktu yang berhenti berputar. Padahal Sandrok sedang aman tapi...”“Apa kau baik-baik saja, unsuur?”Yup, laki-laki itu adalah Unsuur. Sang kapten civil corp yang tak pernah sekalipun melupakan kewajibannya untuk membawa kedamaian di Sandrok. Kota kecil dengan penduduk yang saling mengenal satu sama lain.“Aku baik-baik saja, hanya saja...” Unsuur mengambil batu yang ada di dekatnya. “Aku merasa batu ini lebih berguna daripada keberadaanku.”“Jangan konyol!”Unsuur meringis. “Maaf, tak akan ku ulangi lagi.”