Chapter No 2
Scene 1: Kenji and Julie.
Kenji: This girl might still be alive. What happened here?
Julie: What's going on here?
Julie was sitting alone in her class, waiting for others to arrive. After a while, she got up and went outside. That's when she saw two bodies lying injured on the ground. One was already dead, but the other was still breathing.
Identification.
Julie: It's Hema and Akane.
Conversation with Kenji.
Kenji: Tell me what happened. Why did you do this?
Hema: (in a weak state) She knows... everything, and she told us.
Kenji's Reaction.
Kenji: Who knows what? And who told you? Tell me.
Jame: Kenji, she's dead now.
The teachers arrived, shocked by the sight of Hema and Akane's bodies. Soon after, the bodies were taken away, and the parents were informed. The funeral was held later, attended by friends, teachers, Kenji, Julie, Jame, and Jame's girlfriend. After the funeral, everyone returned home.
Scene: Dinner
Kenji: Mom, I'm home.
Karin: Kenji, come have dinner.
Kenji: Okay, mom.
Dinner Conversation.
Kenji and Karin started eating. Kenji had meat, rice, and soup in front of him, but he just stirred the soup, lost in thought. Karin noticed and asked, "Kenji, what's on your mind? You've only taken one sip of soup and haven't eaten anything else. I know you're in shock, but we can only pray for them now. May God forgive their sins and give them a place in heaven."
Kenji's Thoughts.
Kenji: You're right, mom. I'm tired, so I'm going to sleep.
Karin: Alright.
Kenji's Room
Kenji entered his room, looked at his bed, and lay down. He was still lost in thought.
Kenji's Reflections
Kenji: "Was it really just a suicide? That girl said in front of all of us that someone knows everything. Who is that person? What do they know? Why did Hema and Akane commit suicide? I feel like I have to find out what this person knows, why they did this, and who they are.
Maybe someone found out some secret about Hema and Akane and then blackmailed them. But what kind of secret would drive Hema and Akane to commit suicide?"
Kenji couldn't sleep, so he went out for a walk and stumbled upon a vending machine. Kenji bought a juice and sat down on a nearby bench, enjoying it.
As he sat there, a girl approached the vending machine and bought the same juice. She sat down on another bench, parallel to Kenji's.
Kenji tossed the bottle and started kicking it. He kicked it twice, then three times, four times, five times, six times, and seven times. The girl watched him kick the bottle.
She called out to Kenji, beckoning him over. When he approached, she asked for his name. Kenji introduced himself, and the girl introduced herself as Aria.
Aria: I wanted to ask you something.
Kenji: Go ahead, ask.
Aria: You kicked the juice bottle 7 times, but slowly. It seemed like you were thinking about something or were upset. Did I get it right?
Kenji: You have a good eye for observation.
Aria: That means I was right.
Kenji: Today, two girls from our college took their own lives by jumping from the rooftop. I was just thinking about why they did it.
Aria: I saw it on the news too. In Tokyo's top college, two girls took their own lives. The news must have spread all over Japan by now, and the college's reputation will be badly affected. You're from that college, Kenji.
Kenji: Yes, I'm from that college. All the students there are really intelligent. Every year, people from all over Japan come to take the entrance test, but only a few pass.
Last year, 4,000 students took the test, but can you guess how many passed?
Aria: With 4,000 students taking the test, maybe around 2,000 or 1,500 students passed.
Kenji: That's wrong. Out of 4,000, 200 students passed the test. The rest dropped out. You see, it's not just an exam - it's a survival test.
We're divided into groups and taken to the jungle for 10 days with no food or water. We have to survive for 10 days, and all the rules are explained before the test starts.
Last year, 3,500 students withdrew their names before the test even began. The test was held among the remaining 500 students, and 200 of them passed, including me.
Aria: What kind of test is this? It's like playing with students' lives. Their job is to take exams, not provide survival training. This is illegal.
Kenji: Who said it's illegal? Our college is not just the best in Tokyo, but in all of Japan. Whatever is legal in our college is legal in all of Japan. Students take this test voluntarily; no one forces them. If they want to leave, they can.
Aria: If that's the case, then why did you take the test? You knew your life could be at risk.
Kenji: Because I wanted to take it. I wanted to make myself strong. This test teaches you how to survive. If you're ever in a situation where you have no food or water, and your enemies are after you, this test shows you how to survive. That's why I took it.
You look like a schoolgirl to me. Why don't you take the test too? If you're lucky, you might pass. Otherwise, you'll definitely learn something.
Aria: Hmm... it's getting late. I should go now. I'll come back tomorrow night. If you're here, we'll meet.
Kenji: Alright, good night.
Aria: Good night.
After Aria left, Kenji went back home.
It had been a month since Hema and Akane's incident, and everything was back to normal.
Day Thirty 33
Good morning, Mom.
Farah: Good morning, Julie. Is breakfast ready?
Julie: Mom, just pack it for me. I'll eat at college.
Farah: Alright.
Julie: Mom, hurry up! I'm running late for college.
Farah: Here you go.
Julie: What's this second lunch box for?
Farah: It's for Kenji. I thought you two could eat together, so I made breakfast for him too. Give it to him and tell him Aunt Farah made it.
Julie: Why bother? Doesn't he get food at his place? You're going out of your way.
Farah: Don't say that. He's my best friend's son and your future husband. I can at least do this much for him.
Julie (in an angry tone): He may be your best friend's son, but I don't want any relation with him. Let me tell you one thing - even if you give me 10 years, I won't change my mind. I'll never spend my life with someone who thinks love is nonsense and doesn't have romantic feelings.
I'm late now.
Here's the revised translation:
Farah: Please give Kenji this lunch box.
Julie: I hope he listens to me... Ugh, fine. I'll give it to him.
Kenji: But your girlfriend? You two have lunch together daily.
Jame: She's not coming to college today.
Kenji: Good, I suppose. So, you want to have lunch with me because your girlfriend isn't here? Selfish person.
Break Time.
Jame: Let's go to the college café.
Kenji: Alright, let's go.
Jame: What would you like? I'll treat you today.
Kenji: Get me a sandwich and juice, please.
Jame: Alright, two sandwiches and two juices, please.
Kenji: Who pushed me?
Julie: Come outside; I need to give you something.
Kenji: It's break time now. I can't go right now; Jame is with me.
Julie: It'll just take two minutes. Find a way and come.
Kenji: Jame, listen...
Jame: Yes, what is it?
Kenji: I just remembered the dean called me to her office. You sit here; I'll be right back.
Jame: Alright, but hurry up, or I'll eat both sandwiches.
Kenji: Why did you call me outside, and what do you want to give me?
Julie: I don't have any interest in talking to you and ruining my day. My mom asked me to give you this.
Kenji: What is it?
Julie: It's lunch. My mom sent it for you.
Kenji: Oh, Farah Aunty is so nice. She cares about me so much. And you can't even talk to me properly.
Julie: You're not my boyfriend, so why would I waste my breath talking to you nicely?
Kenji: Boyfriend... I'm your... (boy means boy friend means friend).
Julie: Ugh, you and your talks.
Kenji: Don't you think it's nice?
Julie: It's nonsense.
Kenji: And you are also nonsense. Anyone who believes in romantic feelings seems foolish to me
Julie: Nothing can be done. I'm late, so I'll go.
Kenji: Alright, go. This sandwich is really delicious. Please thank Farah Aunty for the sandwiches.
Julie: Alright, I'll tell her.
Kenji returned to the college cafe where Jame was waiting for him.
Jame: Kenji, you're back. Look, I've got the sandwiches and juice. Let's have lunch.
Kenji: Alright.
Kenji was still thinking about the incident. He wanted to find out who was behind Hema and Akane's suicide and what they knew.
After lunch, Kenji and Jame headed to class. After a while, the college closed, and Kenji reached the gate of his college. However, he saw two girls smoking in the back of the college.
Kenji: What are you doing? You know this is not allowed in college. I know you, you're in Julie's class, aren't you? What's your name... Ah, yes, you're Ruhi.
Ruhi: You know me?
Kenji: Yes, I heard Julie mention your name once.
Ruhi: Oh.
Kenji: Yes, and you're breaking college rules.
Ruhi: Look, come here... You...
Kenji: I don't smoke. And since I've seen you doing this, I'll tell the Dean.
Ruhi: Look, there's no need for all this. Let's make a deal. You won't tell the Dean, and in return, we'll let you have fun with us. Now, do you understand what I'm saying or not?
Kenji: Have fun with you? What are you talking about? I won't waste my time doing things like that with anyone, and I wouldn't even talk to a girl like you.
Ruhi, in anger, slapped Kenji.
Kenji: That was not nice.