Kyoushikyoku

“It’s absolutely disgusting, Father. I don’t know why you put up with it.” Jeanne-Élise muttered, scowling at the scenery outside the lightly frosted window. It was one of those mornings where there was a grayness that seemed to linger in the sky, followed by cold air that seeped into the glass panes. And yet, a chilling breath, even colder than that of outside, escaped from her lips as she gazed out onto the estate. Her father sat behind her, absorbed in his own little world, focusing his magnifying glass on a set of jeweled marvels. He sighed, and explained monotonously, “I don’t see what the problem is,

The window glistened with light kisses of dew, reflecting the deep red of the sun, just waking up across the event horizon. Light slowly trickled into the room, casting shadows around her walls. She was crying, her face buried in her arms. The floor of her room was littered with empty tissue boxes and crumpled, tear-soaked sheets. Shattered picture frames, glass shards, and sleeping pills were huddled in a mix on the counter. The alarm at the head of her bed flashed and flickered: six o’clock. There was a ravenous knock at the door, as the landlord called out, “Hey! Get your stuff and move out! A new tenant’s coming in a coupl

My soul is my soul; nothing less, nothing more. Not the sky, not the earth, no, not a single metaphor! My soul is not a fire, burning with passion, My soul is not the ocean in any form or fashion. My soul is not the dark abyss of space, Nor is it the smile on a happy face. My soul is not an ice cream cone on a summer's day, Or any of the crazy things that you might say! My soul is not a "timeless train station," For nothing of that sort runs through my imagination. My soul is not a "winding, endless path," Nor the "raging seas" with all its wrath. No, not a storybook that ends "happily ever after," Or the sound of a child's merri

I swear there's a monster lurking inside my room, Who only comes out at night. My bed becomes my future grave, my future tomb, As the monster prepares to take a bite! Sometimes it's under my bed waiting, I can hear it screech and sneer! In the closet, the sounds of nails grating, Listen to the monster laugh and leer! I swear that school is just a trick, just a joke! A way to get me out of my parents' hair. You expect me to listen to some old bloke, Teach me the who, what, when, and where? A quarter passed two, I hear the teacher calling, "Sit up straight, pay attention, look ahead!" I want to go home, but I know the teacher's st

Yukino had never really noticed the small, compacted sushi restaurant that sat between the two towering apartment buildings. Every Sunday morning, Yukino walked down past the apartments and the restaurant, wearing her Sunday best. Although she never planned to go anywhere specific, she enjoyed the brisk morning walks. The walks were a beloved past time of hers, ever since she had started her university career last month. Today, Yukino sported a white dress with a light blue floral pattern, with a white hat tied with a silk ribbon to match. As she passed the sushi restaurant, she took a look inside through the window. Smiling, she then continu