daiki my bestfriend

The school gates are crowded, but it doesn’t touch me. I move through the throng of students like a shadow, steps automatic, gaze fixed ahead. Laughter, chatter, the slam of lockers—all of it drifts past me, meaningless.

“Yo! Hotoke!”

I glance to the side. Daiki is bouncing slightly on his heels, grinning like the world is his playground. He’s holding a half-eaten sandwich in one hand, the other waving wildly.

“Morning, sleep-deprived ghost,” he says, laughing. “Did you fight a bear in your dreams or just forget how to human this morning?” I don’t respond. I just nod slightly. Words feel heavy. Reaching out to match his energy would be pointless.

Daiki huffs exaggeratedly, poking my shoulder. “Seriously, man, you’ve got to wake up. The world called, it wants its living people back!”

I shrug again, eyes fixed ahead. My indifference

doesn’t faze him.

“Fine, fine,” he says, tossing the rest of his sandwich into his bag like it’s a weapon. “I’ll let you be mysterious and broody today. But don’t get too comfortable being a statue. Statues get dusted off, you know?” He laughs and bounds ahead, leaving me in his fading wake. His joy lingers behind him like a faint vibration I can notice but don’t feel.

Daiki.

He’s impossible to ignore. He's bright. Too loud. Too much in a world that’s mostly gray. Always grinning like he knows a secret nobody else does, bouncing on his heels, moving like he’s in constant motion even when standing still. He laughs too much, talks too fast, teases everyone around him, even mee. But it doesn’t bother him if you don’t respond. I don’t get him. Or maybe I used to, once. Now, I just notice him. His energy fills the space like smoke, curling into corners I thought were empty. His presence is annoying and somehow warm. He’s smart, I think. Quick. Observant. But he hides it behind jokes, pranks, and that endless grin. And maybe that’s why he’s still here. Still moving. Still… alive in a way I can’t touch anymore.

The classroom is buzzing with chatter, the hum of students settling in for the day. I slide into my seat near the back, backpack heavy on my shoulders, gaze fixed on the desk in front of me. The world moves, but I don’t.

“Hey! Hey, Hotoke!”

I glance up. Daiki is leaning across the aisle, grinning, eyes sparkling with mischief. He taps my desk loudly, nudges my arm.

"guess what! I know you'll be proud of me!" His grin was smug, full of confidence bordering on arrogance. "look, your friend just got accepted by the girl he likes!" He exclaimed proudly, eyes sparkling.

"uh. Congrats" I replied

"oh, c'mon man! You don't even seem happy for me! Aren't you happy?" he complaint "look, I know you really have that deadly life of yours but today is special day, man! My crush accepted me!" he added

I really don't understand that kind of energy he have...like it was something I could never have but I just nodded and pay my attention to what I'm reading.

"hotoke!" he calls again, still not giving up.

I glance up. Daiki is grinning again “You,” he says, pointing at me with both hands like he’s casting a spell, “are coming to my basketball game tomorrow. No excuses.”

I don’t respond. My gaze stays fixed on the page.

Daiki huffs, leaning closer, eyes sparkling.

“Come on! You can sit there, stare at the court like a statue, whatever. But you’re coming. You’ve got to see me make everyone eat dust.”

I shrug. Words feel pointless.

“That’s not a maybe,” he says, grinning wider, voice rising with playful triumph. “I’m counting on you being there. Front row. Cheering… or at least pretending to care.”

I keep my eyes on the desk. His grin doesn’t falter.

“Fine, fine,” he says, stepping back, dramatically tossing his backpack over one shoulder. “I’ll take that as a yes.”

I didn't shakes my head nor nodded, I just let him be. Cause I know I somehow would follow him without any words.

And the class continues silently

maybe to me.

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