The Destruction of Batana

THE ZENZEN 2

A week later, Ador sent me downtown for an acceleration class. Which means I'll rarely do anything in the lab. The kids start to wonder what happened to me. Ador has explained the situation to them so that there is no misunderstanding. Good thing, that way I don't have to bother explaining to them one by one.

There are some things I need to prepare before going to that place. The first is appearance.

“From now on you have to wear neat clothes and go clean. I will not repeat my instructions. You'll meet other great kids in a place like that. That's why you have to attach importance to your appearance.”

I just smiled and nodded.

“And the second is your attitude. Don't let the people there hate you because you're being arrogant with them. But if those who are arrogant first, beat them with your brain. Don't beat them with your physique.” Ador pointed to my bionic body as a warning.

I'm nodding.

“And the third is,” This time Ador pointed towards my eyes. “ Don't stare at everyone with that glare. You can make them misunderstand.”

“My gaze was sharp from the first time. This is something that cannot be changed.” I deny the third thing.

“OK, it looks like you understand. But before that I want you to do something to your hair.”

I'm holding my hair. What is wrong with my hair?

“Where are there children today who have hair that long?”

Oh, that's right too. I haven't cut my hair for two months and now my hair looks long and unkempt. One or two hairs even popped out. I'm nodding.

“I'll cut it.”

“No I'll cut it. I'm sure you'll give an ugly haircut if you cut it yourself.”

“No, I'll cut it.” I insisted on refusing his orders.

“I'll cut it!” Ador exclaimed louder. He quickly picked up the scissors on the table. “From you, Boy.”

I took a few steps back. Ador had stood up and looked at me with a serious look.

I'm losing. After letting Ador cut my hair. He didn't let me look in the mirror as long as my hair was cut.

“Usahkan don't make my face ugly like your face when young. I don't want my handsome face smeared just because of my imperfect haircut.”

“Shut up! I can't concentrate. Cutting your hair requires a high level of concentration. If you keep babbling, then.”.

CKREK!

I saw a bunch of hairs along the size of an adult's finger falling right in front of me. Ador is cutting the poniku. I watched the hair fall out like a bird feather coming off its wings. Ador also fell silent and watched as the hair lay on the floor. We both fell silent. Momentary silence.

“OK, I think we need hair-growth shampoo.”

I called out inadmissive. A little fight between us happened. More fighting happened. In the end Ador gave up and gave the scissors to me. I cut it myself by looking in front of the mirror. I made a cut right on the side so that the poniku does not look like a bowl. Ador was just stunned to see me more reliable in cutting my own hair.

“From, where did you..”.Ador was speechless as he pointed at my well-groomed hair with trembling hands.

I turned the scissors with my finger. “I'm used to living independently. Of course about cutting hair I usually do it myself. You think I can't do anything so it should be everything you do.” I shook my head. “Can't be trusted... I've been underestimated by you before anyone else underestimated me. Ck, ck, ck.” Again I shake my head. Acting as if my feelings are being hurt right now.

Ador just drove me to the stop. Actually he wanted to take me to my destination. But I refused. I have remembered the ins and outs of this city when Ador invited me to eat at his acquaintance's noodle shop. Like I said, I am a genius. It's just that sometimes I'm lazy to use my genius brain to listen to various explanations over and over again. Therefore I always simplify various explanations and complicated sentences Ador by looking for the point only. So too with this city. You just memorize some places and parts that you find interesting. From there you can simplify a logic and make it something that is easy to understand.

I stared at the sky that looked bright by the gentle sunlight. So far I still prefer to look at the sky than the crowded and crowded cityscape. Maybe because I never saw the sky this clean when I was in the slums.

Fifteen minutes later the bus stopped. Ador gave me a gadget to use as a communication device in case I got lost. I don't seem to care much about that. It took me at least ten minutes to walk to get to my destination. I saw a lot of kids my age walking with their parents. One two even seemed to join hands while laughing together. I exhaled for a moment. Why watch others happy if I cannot make myself happy.

I have arrived at my destination. More and more children are seen being escorted by their parents to get into the building. Again I did not care and started to enter the building. Ador enrolled me a week ago and gave me a clue as to where my class was and who my teacher was. I easily found my class thanks to the various signboards hanging everywhere.

You must be wondering if I'm wearing a mask or not. My answer is, yes. I am currently wearing a mask. Ador doesn't want everyone to think I'm weird just because I don't wear a mask while traveling. Therefore he forced me to put on the mask from this second on. I was a little upset with this order. I have decided not to wear a mask after all this time. But today I met again with something that even made me unable to breathe with relief. Traveling without a mask is a freedom for me. Although the air in the breath feels crowded but that is the definition of free for me. Where you're not constrained by anything in any form.

I also wear gloves to cover my bionic hands. At least Ador told me to lie about me having a disease where I couldn't stand the air below twenty-five degrees Celsius. I guess that's a terrible excuse that doesn't make much sense. Why among a thousand other reasons did Ador have to take such absurd reasoning? I also had a chance to debate the matter this morning. Again I decided to give up.

“You're the new kid?” Two girls came to me sitting on a bench staring out the window.

I looked at the two girls. Suddenly, Ador's words were written about how I should behave to others. I started smiling and nodding.

The girl stuck out her hand. “Greetings.”

I was silent for a moment while looking at the boy's hand. This time I looked at my glove-clad hand. “Sorry, but I'm wearing gloves. Are you okay if I shake hands with you without letting go?” I asked as decently as possible so as not to arouse suspicion.

“Eh? What's wrong with your hand?”

I shrugged my shoulders. “I have some sort of allergy where I can't survive temperatures below twenty-five degrees Celsius. It always makes me sick and unable to focus on the lesson. That's why I used to get sick and didn't go to school. My parents decided to put me in this class so I could go to high school next year. Honey if I just keep quiet and shut myself in the house.” I said as reassuringly as possible. The boy just fell silent.

“Ah, so it seems. I guess it's a regular thing.”

“Eh?”

“Of course it is common. The average kid here has a case that's almost similar to yours. Many of them have diseases that make them rarely go to school. For example, I have anemia so I have to be treated several times in the hospital. I rarely went to school so I couldn't go on to the next level. To this day, I still am.  In this class I only get to go in twice a week. Exceeding those schedules makes me unwell and dizzy quickly.” Said the girl with a smile.

“I am so too.” This time, the girl behind him went along. “I have a pollen allergy so I can't go to school in the spring. The reason was that I could not stand the flower powder that was scattered in the spring. Everyone thinks of spring as the most beautiful season of the year. The sun is warm, the flowers are blooming, the grass is green, the wind is cold. But to me it was all a nightmare. Once I step outside the house when the flowers bloom,” The boy shudders in horror. “I will sneeze all day.”

I nodded in understanding.

“For you surely winter is the most dreadful season.” The two girls sat right in front of me. “Tell me how you got through the winter with the allergies you had?”

I swallowed spit. Why are they asking about it. It's not enough to explain everything. Do I have to add to my lies to make them believe?

“Yeah, for me winter is the worst season of the year.” I finally decided to add to my lie. “In my room is equipped with a room warmer and a mattress that has a texture to absorb heat. I can't play with other kids in winter.” Because I never played all winter with the other kids. That's because I'm more busy looking for food that is very difficult to get during the winter. That's why I don't have a hard time making a story full of lies to them. I just need to add some spice then the story will become a masterpiece.

I continued my story. “Every day I just peek at other kids running around to and fro with their friends. Throw each other snowballs at their friends without worrying about cold invading their bodies.” I closed my eyes while squeezing my fingers. Middle dramatizing. I am an expert in the field of cheating. Of course things like this are very easy for me to do. “But what is my dayak that has this strange disease since birth. Every winter I spend four months in my stuffy room. Like being locked up in a prison like fairy tales.” I sighed softly. Trying to live with all my heart.

“Oh, do I need to introduce you to an expert maker of warm clothes in winter?” The other girl cursed. “My parents were a famous fashion designer in this city. She designs a variety of clothes and has been included in one of the top fashion designers in an international fashion show. If you please I can ask him to make you one dress. I think it could help.”

I'm just smiling. This is the lifestyle of the rich. Ador's right. This class is full of rich kids. It was only fitting that he insisted on buying me various famous brand clothes so that I could get along well in this class. If only I hadn't been wearing expensive clothes, the two of them would definitely not have come up to me and told me things. Or even worse, I will be ostracized in this class before I can take a single subject.

“I don't think it's necessary. I'm not going out in the winter no matter what. Avoiding calamity is more I like than facing it.” I smiled kindly.

The day went well. I'm starting to get to know some of the other kids. I don't care if I know them or not. But this situation forced me to recognize them.

The day went fast.

Time goes by very fast. The afternoon was approaching and my head was already filled with lessons from various subjects. At least my body did not feel tired from sitting on the bench while staring at the focus in front. Some other kids offered to play with them after class. But I refused. I want to go home and rest. Moreover, Ador can scold me if I come home late on the first day of my class.

No, I lied. That's just an excuse I made myself. I was really disgusted with all of them. Shaking hands even with bionic hands alone has made me feel goosebumps. Especially if I still have my real hand now. I must have vomited in front of them all. The shadows of the elite land expansion project made their innocent faces turn into some sort of clown mask with a sly smile in my eyes. I don't know if it's some kind of illusion or my brain is tired of receiving all the lessons today. But one thing is for sure, my hatred for them will not change even if they are kind to me.

In the afternoon, the sky seemed to emit a reddish tinge. The children were thrown out of class and welcomed by their parents. I tried to avoid witnessing such heart-wrenching scenery. How can they keep smiling happily when there are a hundred children who lost their families due to the fire incident?  What a terrible irony. That's why I really liked the song that Mom sang before me and my sister were about to sleep in the middle of the dark night. The song has a very deep meaning about our lives. That's why I was so happy to sing it in my heart before I fell asleep, It feels like it fills the empty part of my heart. Make the night comfortable and peaceful. It was as if the three of them were accompanying my lonely night every day.

The cityscape was filled with people returning home from their activities for a day. The working men who walked home, one two looked tired and their hair looked tangled. Buses were packed with office workers and teenage students carrying gadgets along the way. I got on the bus looking out the window. Heading back to Ador's lab. I never said ‘home’ though. For me Ador's place is not the place to go home for me. The definition of home for me is to return to my family's arms. The real family. Not the definition of family in Ador's view. Ador used to say that they were my family today. I argue in my heart every time he says that. Where there is a family if we have no blood relation at all.

I'm yawning. It's too bad to think about that. It is better to look at the bright-looking afternoon sky glittering. I accidentally saw a bunch of crows passing between skyscrapers. Seeing a bunch of crows always makes me feel calm. I don't know when I was fascinated by them. What is clear is that I like to see the color of their fur that is deep black and a little glittering. Very contrast with the color of the twilight sky that looks sad.

The bus arrived at the stop. I found Ador sitting at the stop while sleeping. Why is he here anyway? I nudged his shoulder. Ador was shocked and almost fell. His eyes looked reddish and his hair was very messy, it made him the center of attention. I rolled my eyeballs and tried to smile.

“Oh, you're back apparently.” Ador rubbed his eyes and moved from his seat.

“What are you doing here?” I asked lirih.

Ador evaporates wide. “Of course I'm waiting for you.”

I shook my head. “From what time did you fall asleep here?”

Ador rubbed his messy hair. “Now, I don't know. Oi! That's not important now. You have to tell me everything you've experienced today in your new class.”

I exhaled for a moment. Step away from him as quickly as possible.

“Hey, why didn't you answer my question?” Ador followed and walked right beside me.

“That's not a question, it leads more to a command sentence. There was at least one very useful lesson. Language lessons. Now I know which sentence is the question and which sentence is the command thanks to the lesson. And now I just put it into action. One of them avoids you who insist on telling me various uninteresting things from that class.”

Ador scratched his head which was not itchy. “OK, I admit it was a command line. So tell me how your class is today, son. I want to hear it just once..” Ador put on a pleading face.

I exhaled. I watched the leaves fall on the side of the road. The twilight light made the leaves produce silhouettes that seemed to fall to the edge of the road.

“Good, soon autumn and I will be confused looking for other reasons.”

“Eh? What do you mean?”

“You know? I said the same exact reason you asked. That's why I wear gloves because I'm allergic to temperatures below twenty-five degrees Celsius. And soon summer is coming to an end and now it's time we move on to autumn. Gosh... Now how do I find another reason, huh? Do I need to use a super thick scarf and a bear leather upholstered shirt?” I held my chin while taking a deep breath.

“Actually what do you mean?”

I smiled and looked at Ador's stupid face. “You are intelligent but very insensitive to the situation. Hmmm..I was a child who had allergies by temperatures below twenty-five degrees Celsius. And now autumn is coming. Ah, how is this? Isn't the average autumn temperature below twenty-one degrees Celsius? Ah, there's no choice. Looks like I have to buy winter clothes for me to wear in autumn.” I put on a face. Back on foot.

Ador laughing. “I know you're insinuating me, Boy.” He said in a loud voice while coming back after me.

The next day my words were actually done by Ador. He bought me five inches of winter clothes.

　

　

***

　

　

One year passed.

You must be wondering how I got through the winter with all the lies I've created, right? Oi! Is it important to talk about that now? Of course there are more important things. I am thirteen years old and today is my graduation day as an accel student. What to discuss is unnecessary if there is anything else that is more important.

My graduation was celebrated with great joy. My class even rented a building to celebrate graduation day. I got perfect grades in every subject. How am I supposed to get it? Answer's simple. I am a genius.

Ador joined in this celebration as my guardian.

Actually I didn't expect him to be present at this graduation celebration. I don't even want him to be present. But this morning she insisted on leaving as my guardian in the celebration. I'm resigned. Better he come than I'm late for the celebration.

However, there is a bit of a sense of excitement at this celebration. I never went to school before. I could only watch the various subjects from the used books I found in the dump. I just read it at a glance. I'm more busy scavenging food for me and Brother to survive.

I've also learned things since joining the thieves group. The coup has various books of knowledge in performing tricks and illusions of the eyes. It is necessary to carry out our actions. After that I never learned anything else.

Our names are called one by one to get our graduation certificate. The certificate is needed to continue to the next level of school. That's why Ador sent me to this class so that I could get into the academy he mentioned one year ago. No, almost every day he told me and explained the academy over and over again on holidays and after I got out of school. I'm so sick of hearing him explain it over and over again. Once again I can only hold back my emotions for this one year.

And finally my suffering ended. I have graduated and will soon be applying to the academy. I will stay in the dormitory provided by the academy. The distance between the academy and Ador's laboratory is very far. That's why I'd rather live in a dorm than go back and forth from the lab to the academy.

After the event, the children were asked to gather for a photo session. I would like to return soon and quickly go to the academy. Why do we have to have such a session?