*Di-ding di-ding di-ding*

 

“Ugh, morning already?”

 

I slammed my alarm clock off before creeping out of bed, getting dressed, and brushing my teeth, still half asleep.

 

‘I feel… Rather sick… Well, not quite. Something feels off today. Maybe I’m having a growth spurt?’

 

I pump my fist, although it is unlikely and delusional.

 

Anyhow, today was the big day. I make myself a simple breakfast: Rice, egg, and miso soup.

 

I keep my meals light. I have to make sure I don’t gain weight after all.

 

On the kitchen table, there was a sticky note reading.

 

“On second thought, just text me where you’ll be going to school, and I’ll sign you up.”

 

“...Man…”

 

This note further solidified that I’d be moving out today. It makes me feel a bit sad, to be honest. However, a bird has to leave the nest someday. Or something along those lines.

 

*Slap-slap*

 

I slap my cheeks to further my resolve.

 

After finishing my breakfast, I began packing.

 

“What should I bring…?”

 

I don’t have a lot of clothes since I usually wear my school uniform. So I won’t have to limit my options too much since my wardrobe is relatively tiny.

 

“Hmmm… Ok!”

 

Said wardrobe consisted of one hoodie, bomber jacket, two cargo pants, one black and one beige, sweatpants, black jeans, and several T-shirts with varying designs. Of course, I had a bunch of socks and boxers.

 

And a few watches and jewelry and whatnot. It makes me realize Sujin is always so stylish, pushing me to wear fashionable clothes to match him.

 

In turn, it horrifies me how empty my wardrobe may have looked should I never have met Sujin.

 

But more importantly. I have to pack my gameware. A gaming laptop, a steamtendo switch, and my Gamestation is still at Sujin’s house. So it’ll probably get packed along with his furniture. And I also need to pack some essentials…

 

***

 

A mass of two suitcases, one duffel bag, and a backpack shuffles down a flight of stairs.

 

… In the end, I pretty much ended up packing my whole room…

 

We’ll be heading to Tokyo via an overnight train. However, it shouldn’t take more than… 4-6 hours.

 

“God… Why did I consider all my manga ‘essential?’ Ugh, Heavy…”

 

I groaned, half cursing myself. But the end goal was right in view. Leaning on the pillar was Sujin, wearing a nice leather jacket, a white shirt, and some jeans. And by some wormhole miracle, he only had one suitcase and a backpack…

 

“Damn it, I’m jealous!”

 

Whoops, that slipped out. However, I didn’t look like a complete idiot as my curses attracted Sujin’s attention… along with passersby…

 

“Hey, you look like you could use a hand…”

 

“Yah think?!”

 

I retorted as I handed over my duffel bag.

 

Sujin groaned as he picked it up.

 

“What's in here?”

 

“Manga, laptop, and some game discs”

 

“Uhh… Lets… Get going…”

 

Sujin said, handing me a train ticket. His pitiless eyes are saying. “You shot yourself in the foot with this one…”

 

After hopping onto the train, we found our seats and sat down.

 

*Ding-dong*

 

[We’ll now be heading to Tokyo; please remain in your seats as much as possible for the remainder of this ride—]

 

“Hahhhh…”

 

Sujin and I sighed as we shoved our, mostly my, luggage into the overhead compartment.

 

I noticed that Sujin’s luggage was light as hell.

 

“So what did you pack?”

 

I asked, curious that he did add a wormhole function to his backpack.

 

“Hm? Just clothes and some toiletries.”

 

“Toi–!”

 

Ahhh… I forgot about my toothbrush… Toothpaste, skincare, and mug…

 

“Ugh…”

 

“Don’t worry, we can just buy some new ones!”

 

Sujin chirped. Still, just clothes and toiletries?

 

“Ah, I forgot that you don’t own a lot of stuff.”

 

“That’s just cuz I borrow your stuff.”

 

Sujin says as a matter of fact.

 

“Cheap bastard!”

 

“Haha!”

 

Our banter continued before we eventually ripped out some playing cards. Time flew, and we had reached our destination before I knew it.

 

*Ding-dong*

 

[We have arrived at Tokyo station. Passengers, please exit in an orderly manner–]

 

We hobbled out of the train, barely keeping balance, as we carried out our luggage. Our legs were jelly from sitting down for such an extended period. And the train vibrations certainly didn’t help.

 

“Alright, give me a sec…”

 

Sujin said as he opened Goog*e Maps on his phone. Ah, bygone is the Era of having to ask for directions and paper maps! God bless the technological advances of man!

 

“Here it is, follow me!”

 

“Sir, yes, sir!”

 

***

 

“And… we’re here!”

 

Sujin said, exasperated.

 

Before us was an 8-story building; this is where we’ll live for now. It was within walking distance of the school, so we won’t need to take the subway.

 

“...!”

 

And I could barely stand, much less reply. However, one thing haunted me…

 

“Wh… Which floor are we on…?”

 

I said, tears forming in my haggard eyes.

 

“Gulp…”

 

Sujin audibly swallowed his saliva. A deafening silence lingered before he spat out one word, his lips quivering.

 

“...Eight…”

 

I bit my lip and accepted my fate.