The Metal Military Academy
Chapter 82: The Lost Family
Finally, the first day of the school year has arrived. All Taruna-Taruni are very excited to start their learning activities on this first day. But previously, all those in the academy, students, officials, and staff were required to attend the flag-raising ceremony first.
Early in the morning, Ardan and his fellow unit are ready in dark uniforms typical of the military academy, complete with his badge and hat.
While standing in front of the mirror while fixing the uniform arm, Ardan noticed his reflection there with a tense look instead of playing. Not because of the thought of today's ceremony, but about what he did with Chrysanthemum last night.
She's really embarrassed. How could Ardan think of almost kissing Chrysanthemum? And somehow, there was a mosquito disturbing among them, making Ardan's face red from being slapped. And after that, he suddenly farts so tense he restrains embarrassment.
Really, does Ardan still have a face to meet Chrysanthemum today?
“Dan”
“Dan”
“Bekantan!”
“I'm Ardan, Satan!” yelled Ardan upset when called so the same Damar.
Damar appeared to be poking his head outside the door of the dormitory unit. Now he looks very neat with his uniform and hat, ready to go to the academy.
“From earlier called even daydream aja.” Damar also told, “Petan depart! In less than 15 minutes the flag-raising ceremony will begin, you know.”
“Serious?” Ardan was stunned. “Ya, already. I'll be following.”
Damar hurriedly left the dormitory corridor with the other Cadets who also seemed to be in a hurry to go to the academy.
Before leaving to follow, Ardan was reminded of something. His hand took out a long box from inside the nightstand drawer near the bed, the box that Arni had given him.
As he opened and flicked through the velvet cloth covering the bottom of the box, Ardan found a long necklace with a silvery metal pendant in the shape of a negative emblem.
Ardan remembers that his father gave him the necklace when he was a baby. Since it was still not big enough, then little Ardan could not wear it yet. Maybe it's time he put on one of his father's relics.
“Big.... Here it is.”
Ardan had the necklace around the neck. For a moment, he noticed the locket, and flipped its back, reading the precious message written there.
‘By the two contradictory things I love.’
Ardan smiled as he read the message behind the negative locket.
“Hopefully this could be my good luck charm.”
Ardan put the necklace under the uniform. Then he ran excitedly out of the dormitory unit, preparing for a new day, leaving the unit empty, deserted, and accompanied only by bright sunlight through the windows and glass balconies.
....
The morning sun was so bright it illuminated the main field of the super-wide Milderan Space Military Academy. The location is now filled with thousands of lines of people who are following the flag-raising ceremony.
Loudly and simultaneously everyone who was there immediately saluted the three flags that were being raised. The three flags are the flag of the Space Military, the State of Ranjaya, and Planet Ribelo.
In the middle of the line, with his friends, Ardan looked up steadily, saluting the three flags that had become the epitome of the glory of the reign throughout Ribelo.
They still do not know what will happen in the future. But, from now on, Ardan and his comrades will earnestly prepare themselves, and,
For an unexpected tomorrow.
“Whatever happens, I have to be ready for tomorrow. I'll make you proud, Dad, Mom.”
...~*~*~*~...
In different parts of the planet Ribelo, a young man wearing a light brown jacket was leaning on the side of a big motor with a futuristic design with metallic black. The silver eye behind the goggles lens noticed the beauty of the orange sky on the western horizon as the sun began to sink.
His mouth was chanting a melodious whistle, accompanied by gusts of wind from the barren area that blew gently stroking the semi mohawk-style orange hair.
He enjoys his solitude. But, lingering wandering alone this makes him long for his hometown.
In order to complete his longing, the young man grabbed a cell phone from his jacket pocket, looking at pictures of his family that seemed to gather in happiness. Yeah, even without him there, he's very happy to see them happy anyway.
“How are they doing now, huh? I have not dared to contact Uncle or Aunt because our communication will be easily detected by certain parties if not from the Uncle who first contacted.”
The other hand begins to reach for something faithful hanging from the neck. A long necklace with a silvery metal pendant in the form of a positive emblem.
He recalled that the necklace was indeed given by his family since he was a baby when he began to be deposited in a trusted orphanage. The young man believed that they did not intend to leave him in the orphanage.
There are several groups that target him if he stays with the family. So, he had to separate from them since he was a baby.
A sincere smile was etched on that handsome face as it read the message behind the pendant.
‘By the two contradictory things I love.’
“Hehe.... I want to meet my sister. How are you now after Dad died?”
Gradually the sky turned dark, the air that felt warm was now getting colder almost piercing the skin.
The young man put his necklace back behind the white shirt he was wearing. Now his eyes looked up, glaring at the increasingly crowded stars scattered there.
“He still doesn't know I exist. Maybe it's time I met him.”
For a long time he had been hiding from the world. It is time he ventured to show that he dared to face the rigors of life, show his sincerity, and introduce himself to the figure who was hand in hand with him.
Cheerfully, he raised both hands while shouting with a shrill voice.
“If I meet my sister, I want to take her to a lunch contest!”
“Etdah?”
He had time to grieve when he felt the crow's feces perched on his head.
...~*~*~*~...