Mr. Paints
episode 13

That morning, the sun had not yet fully appeared. The sound of parakeet groups often perched in the area of Cherry trees, late to hear his voice. Maybe the little birds are gone, looking for a new nest to face the peak of summer.

From a distance, outside the window of Minami's room, without anyone realizing it, a striped cat peeked out, picking up a narrow hollow to set its feet in motion.

His sharp eyes did not blink even though he had been staring all night at the activities of his wife-Minami Muruka.

All the time until the early hours of the morning, the girl continued to open her eyes, staring at the ceiling of the room without speaking.

Now that 7 hours had passed, Minami suddenly sat down, moving on to tidy up some books as well as stationery into her bag.

Is he planning to go to school? Yamashita's mind fluttered her long tail into the empty air behind her body.

The question was answered 15 minutes later. As soon as he finished his affairs in the bathroom, Minami who was already complete with her summer uniform took out a comb as well as a hair tie.

Quietly long enough to stare at the reflection of his face, he secretly knew and was not so surprised when he caught a cat's tail looming from the corner of the mirror.

Apparently from the beginning, Minami knew of Yamashita's whereabouts. Thin curtains with moonlight that infiltrated in, making the figure of the cat shadow, overwriting the blanket as well as the floor of the room.

That was the answer to why he couldn't sleep at all last night. Bad memories with Yamashita on the bed, inflicting a fortress of trauma.

Still glancing at the siking tail, Minami pulled up the shoes, heading for the exit.

It is too dangerous to go to school with unstable emotional conditions. But, he had no other choice. Being timid, makes Yamashita feel needed even more.

Whether the curse of the prince was, Minami felt forced to accept consequences that were even too severe just for the removal of a video.

Now, no matter what happens he will face his own destiny.

"You're healthy apparently" said Mrs. Maeda as he crosses paths with Minami in the last corridor leading to the gate.

The woman was carrying so much food and her mouth was chewing something. It seems disrespectful considering that the behavior is sometimes done by small children.

Instead of responding to a polite answer to his base questions, suddenly Mrs. Maeda raved about Kotomi's disrespect.

It made him realize that the bus heading to school was coming soon. Minami bent over, running away and yelling apologies. Of course, he has to face Mrs. Maeda again after school. She is the kind of person who doesn't like to be ignored.

At the last minute of the bus departure time, Minami ran down a narrow path to the nearest stop. Luckily for him, the vehicle was still stopped in an open door.

A few seconds later, Minami had mingled between the claustrophobic and noisy chatter of other school students. He stood looking blankly at a window featuring rows of dried Chery trees.

Minami had just entered into her own daydream when suddenly, someone standing from behind, patted her back.

"Yoshio?" Minami gave a small shriek, displaying a slightly exaggerated look of surprise.

If the tall man had not pulled Minami on the shoulder, she would have fallen on another passenger for acting like a fool.

A few passengers then grumbled, but ended up silent as soon as Yoshio apologized with a polite bow.

As for Minami, he was confused what to say. Other than embarrassment, the girl couldn't possibly say the truth. He can be immediately sentenced to madness if he claims to meet Yoshio in his previous life.

"Sorry, are you afraid Kotomi will catch us?"yoshio asked to pull Minami to an empty bench that had just been left down by passengers.

Minami nodded clumsily, trying to hide the real reason.

Yes, all the female students know that Yoshio, the basketball captain has a tall and nice body. Some of his classmates were willing to spend their lunch at the gym. Spend time watching the game.

Minami still remembers how Yoshio greeted her even though he had forgotten about their childhood.

If only at that time, they did not know each other, Kotomi would have never gone after him.

What kind of relationship Kotomi has had in the past with Yoshio, Minami believes there is something unresolved.

"I hear you haven't been in in a few days. Whatever happens to you, I don't know why I feel guilty. Mina-san, what if I don't want to obey your words?"yoshio looked straight at the crescent moon girl's eyes.

His hands were suddenly grasped, making Minami shocked and uncomfortable.

"Yos-hio, what do you mean? Don't you know the root of the problem? Please let me handle it myself."

"No! Mina-san's chat. I've decided it. Because of me you're being bullied by everyone, so don't let me be a loser,"Yoshio pulled back Minami's hand that had brushed her off.

There was no vibration whatsoever flowing within his chest. However, the girl felt something sincere, teasing the hard deposits in her heart.

Finally he let Yoshio's hands wrap around his fingers. It feels strange because they used to hug when they were little.

Many things they have done, until Minami felt heavy to say.

"I have my own decisions about my life. I'm going out, looking for another school that accepts government donations."

For so long, Minami finally returned Yoshio's gaze, hoping to find a small nod as support.

Unfortunately no. The look of disappointment was the first to appear then followed by his grasp that suddenly slipped.

"Mina-san, are you sure?"

Minami nodded. He was confused when he saw Yoshio react. Rather than disagree, there is something else that is implied by the attitude as well as the way he stared.

"You're not moving anywhere. I'll make sure you're okay at school or at your place of residence."

"But? I'm.., uh..,"

With a nonchalant expression, Yoshio got up, pulling Minami's hand towards the exit of the bus that had just stopped.

Just a few steps, they would arrive at the school gate.

Minami was also frustrated. What will Yoshio do? As long as he knew, never once had a woman other than Kotomi been treated like this.

Walk together with hands clutching each other. If there was a penalty of beheading, it was certain that their heads would immediately roll.

The first commotion occurred. Minami who has since gotten off the bus tried to thrash, ended up resigned, bowing in fear of the group of gossipers along the way.

Waitaminute! Why does this seem familiar? Not because I've experienced it, but it's one of my tens of wishes that may-be-earned to be granted one-on-one. Minami's mind suddenly lifted her head in search of something - rather the troublemaker of the day.

Minami did not know, on the branch of the Cherry tree, the figure he was looking for perched, dangling his long tail in a relaxed position.

"Daughter, enjoy your life" whispered Yamashita meowing.