In a college classroom at the edge of Tokyo, a young girl stares out the window from her desk waiting for the day to end. Her pencil and assignment have long been forgotten as she tries to imagine spending an afternoon outside with friends instead of trapped in a tight daily schedule. She closes her eyes and hears the birds singing, feels the sun browning her pale face, and wishes it were real. But true reality all too quickly interferes.
"Ms. Mizuno?" She turns to see the professor standing beside her desk. "Having a nice little daydream, eh, Ms. Mizuno?" A gentleness touches the woman's face. "You know, you've only got two months left to semester. If you try paying attention to the tests and getting them done quickly, then the time will fly by and soon you'll have all the free afternoons you want." The professor's kind words bring a sadness to the young girl's face.
*Two months left? What is it that Daddy has planned next? Oh, yes. The magazine interview, then the 3 day college tour in England. Who knows what after that?* The professor, seeing she may have done more harm than good, pats her arm lightly to be sure she has the girl's attention.
"Just finish your test, OK? Today's almost over. Then you can go home and get a good night's sleep." Staying for a second more to make sure the girl gets back to her work, the professor then returns to the front of the class and begins packing her briefcase. Five minutes later, the bell rings for the day and the girl packs up her things and turns in her test as she leaves the classroom. Outside the classroom door she bumps into a young man who is rushing from his locker. They exchange brief apologies and go their seperate ways, only locking eyes long enough to realize that neither of them was very anxious to get home.
© Princess Driena, 2001