Boredom. Why does everyone hate it? Why is it that people can't stand to spend even just a few minutes doing absolutely nothing? Being bored hasn't hurt anyone. In fact, I'd argue that trying to not be bored has hurt more people than simply staying bored. Case and point, high schoolers are more likely to do a half-assed confession to someone they don't even like all that much or sign up for clubs that they know nothing about simply because they have nothing better to do. That leads to hurt feelings, wasted time, and broken commitments. Honestly, they'd be better off just doing nothing instead. Maybe they'd actually learn a thing or two about themselves. But alas, such is the whims of youth. Teenagers at the prime of their youths can't help but try to occupy every minute of every day with something to do.
"And therein lies the problem, am I right?"
I say to no one in particular as I grab the tuna mayo sandwich off the shelf. I look back to the group of girls taking their sweet time choosing which beverage to get, all the while loudly discussing among themselves. Excuse me, if you girls could get a move on I'd like to get my drink now please. Yeah, if only I could actually tell that to their faces.
I look at my phone to check the time.
"6:25… Nevermind then."
I mumble under my breath as I head towards the counter. The old lady, as usual, takes a couple pieces of candy and hands them to me along with my change.
"Come back soon, you hear? I'll save the special deluxe lunchbox for you tomorrow."
She says with a smile that showcases the three remaining teeth she has. I respond with a bow before heading out the store.
"Ugh, it's gotten so cold now."
Too bad I forgot my gloves back home. Looks like frostbite is the fear of the day. Not bad at all if I'm being honest.
As I make my way towards the intersection, I see the usual mix of people from all walks of life. Students talking amongst themselves, adults silently looking at their phones, and that one old guy who still reads a newspaper as if it's still ye olden times. All of them are doing what they can to stave off the boredom of having to wait for the crosslights to turn green. But why would anyone even describe this moment as boring?
"They don't know how good it can get if they just shut up."
I say to myself. And it's true. If everyone here would just take the opportunity to stand and do absolutely nothing, they'd find peace. And by extension, I'd find peace from the quiet and the stillness. See, all it takes to close your eyes and take a deep breath. And then, exhale slowly to feel all the unnecessary things slowly fade–
"GOOD MORNING, SUGIYAMA-KUN!!!!"
*WHAM*
I felt a sharp slap reverberate across my back, passing through my dermis, shaking my ribcage, and coming out through my chest all while I was mid-exhale. I let out a noise that could only be described as a mix of coughing and a broken down car engine trying to start itself after 15 years of deterioration.
It takes me a few seconds to compose myself before I could turn around and see who my attacker was. But judging from the annoyingly upbeat voice, I can already tell who it is.
"Whoa, you don't look so good. Did you fall off your bed this morning or something?"
"Anyone… Would look like this… After getting assaulted… by you!"
"Hey! That was just a friendly greeting! Though I didn't know your body was that weak. I'll tone it down next time."
"Please don't let there be a next time."
Asamura Asuka lets out a hearty laugh. Does she really find my pain and misery that amusing? Well, I'd probably laugh at me too in this situation.
"Ah! The light's green! Come on, Sugiyama-kun! We shouldn't keep Reina-chan waiting!"
Asamura says as she grabs me by the sleeve and pulls me across the intersection, expertly dodging and weaving through the crowd.
"You know you can just go ahead without me. In fact, please go ahead without me!"
"No way! You'd probably slack on the way up to school and make Reina-chan wait even more!"
Can't really argue with that, since that's what I really did intend to do. Damn it man, I really wanted to walk my way to school in relative boredom. Instead, I'm getting pulled like a sack of carrots, exerting so much energy this early in the morning.
Can't a car just run me over, please? Hell, a big enough bike would be enough for me. Just end my suffering now.
"Hey, can we slow down a bit–"
Before I could even beg Asamura to stop, she pulls too hard and I end up faceplanting on the pavement.
"Oh, Sugiyama-kun! Are you okay?"
"... Kill me. End it. Now."
"Ahaha! What are you saying, silly? Come on, get up!"
She pulls me back onto my feet and assesses the damage.
"Hmm… Yep, nothing to worry about. Now come on, let's keep going!"
She once again starts to lead me by the sleeve, up the inclined path to our school. At least she's not running anymore, so that's something.
As we get to the midway point of the hill, I look towards the horizon, and at the view of the town I've probably seen a hundred times now. My gaze shifts towards the bridge that connects our town to the mainland.
"Graduation can't come soon enough."
I mutter as I continue to trudge.