Before getting to the story...
(Clears throat)...
HAPPY MINA DAY!!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OUR BEAUTIFUL MYOUI MINA!!!
OUR PENGUIN, OUR GAMER GIRL, OUR SHY SHY SHY J-LINE MEMBER, AND OF THE COURSE THE ELEGANT BLACK SWAN HERSELF!!!
I hope you have a wonderful day (and every day till your next birthday) on your day Mina! Ai shiteru Mina!!!
Okay, now that's that said onto the story!
Blind Reader x Mina
This story is going to have a different take on how Mina and a couple of other members didn't get into Twice.
Word Count: 13,864
ENJOY!!!
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Being blind was...difficult.
Darkness.
Darkness was practically all you ever knew.
From that day...that dreadful day, everything was black.
And you remembered the day they told you.
You remembered hearing your father screaming that day.
You remembered your mother's comfort.
You remembered hearing them crying.
It was the day you lost your vision...
Your eyes.
Your sight.
Since that day, your parents had tried to help you any way they could but found no cure or surgery that any doctor or hospital would do for you.
As the years went on, you grew used to it...you had to.
You learned how to use your hearing and smell far better to allow you to sense where things were.
You managed to get pretty good, still bumping into things on occasion, but everyone bumps into things on occasion, right?
Taking this into consideration, your parents didn't want you to leave their sight so for quite a few lonesome years, you were homeschooled.
Mostly your mom was your teacher, but your dad aided you whenever mom was away since you couldn't read the info on the books or on the computer.
This was like this for grade and middle school.
Sixteen years of your life were only either at home or out doing errands with either parent as you learned to use the white cane...you hated just poking everything and everywhere.
But now...now it was going to change.
You felt the bumps of your dad driving as you were happily waiting to get out.
Today, was your first day of school.
Not elementary, not the middle, but high school...second year.
It took a long process, but your parents gave you the okay to attend the nearest school, but if things got difficult or wrong, they'll pull you out fast.
You agreed and here you were.
A few minutes later and...
"Alright, we're here. Nervous?" He asked.
"Excited." You said. "Don't worry dad, everything will be okay."
You heard him sigh.
"You got everything, lunch? Backpack? Wallet?"
"Yeah dad."
"Cane? Sunglasses too tight?"
"Everything is fine dad." You assured him as he nodded.
"Okay...c-can I walk you to your first class at least?"
"I don't mind that." You said.
"Thank you."
CLICK...SWING...THUMP
You heard the car door opening and closing as you took a deep breath. Your dad was panicking and you couldn't blame him. This was to be the first day away since the incident.
Today is the day...
CLICK...SWING
You followed your seat belt with your hand towards the lock as you pressed it and let it flow over your body as it released your safety.
"Give me your hand." You heard as you held your hand up and stepped out the vehicle.
Immediately you heard kids talking around.
"Just hold on tight okay (YN)?" You heard as you nodded and you were gently pulled by your father.
About a minute passed and you were hearing everything: talking, laughing, lockers opening and closing, footsteps...it felt...too real that you were here.
Walking into the halls, you were holding tight onto your dad's hand. He led you towards your first class.
You heard him walk away, but what you couldn't see was that he went towards the teacher.
You just looked ahead, seeming to be staring into space.
This was the day you started school...an actual school.
"Where do you want to sit?" He asked.
"The middle."
"Not the closest to the exit?"
"Dad...the middle please."
"...Okay." You heard as he pulled you towards the most central seat possible to be surrounded by other kids, and possible friends.
You then felt your hand being moved and you felt something like a table...a desk...then the chair.
"Thanks." You said as you pulled the seat outwards and took off your backpack as you gently sat on the chair.
"You uhh...you good?" Your father asked as you nodded. "Great...uhh...okay..."
"Thanks dad." you said looking up towards his direction as he nodded.
"Alright..." You then felt something wrap around your body as you figured he was hugging you. "Be safe okay." He said as you nodded and suddenly you were let go as you stared forward.
You listened to the noise, entranced by the beauty behind it as you heard footsteps, talking, and-
"Uhm, excuse me? Do you need something?" A girl's voice sounded on your right.
"..."
"Hey?" You felt a tap on your desk on your right.
You turned your head in the direction the tap was coming from.
"Can you stop looking at her like that?" You heard a voice as your eyes widened a bit.
"W-was I?" You said.
"You were staring right at me." This was another girl's voice.
You moved your head towards that girl in her direction...in front of you...and assumed you were staring right at her.
You weren't alone it seemed...
"S-sorry, I-I didn't mean to...sorry..." You replied simply, blinking and now looking down at the desk.
"No, it's okay, it was just a bit weird." You heard, but you didn't respond.
'Stupid...first minute and you're already messing up.'
The two saw you down and looked at you for a moment.
"You weren't here last year right?" One of the asked as you shook your head.
"N-no, it's my first day of school." You said still looking down.
"Uhm...hey I didn't mean to-"
"Uhm, excuse me?" You heard another woman's voice as you looked down still. "Sorry, but Mina, Sana, can you two come here please?" You heard the woman's voice call for two girls and then heard the shuffling of two chairs right near you and figured it was them as you kept your head down.
"Yes, Ms. Vale?" The girl, Mina, asked as they both stepped in front of the desk of the teacher and noticed the man that was with you just now with her as well.
"We have something to ask of you both, but you don't have to agree." Ms. Vale asked as they looked at one another.
"What is it?" The girl, Sana, asked.
"Mr. (LN)? Would you like to say hi?" Ms. Vale offered her hand to your father as both girls looked to the tall man.
"Yeah, ohiyo, my name is (Father's Name), I'm (YN)'s father...him." He pointed at you as the two looked back and then to your dad. "My apologizes if he was staring at you, I sort of heard over here."
Mina and Sana looked at one another.
"It's okay. No harm was done." Mina bowed slightly as did Sana, but your dad frowned as the teacher noticed and spoke up.
"That's alright you two, but I called you two for a very important task. Sorry girls, but we were wondering and you don't have to, but may you help (YN) around the school?"
Sana and Mina stared at one another and looked to their teacher.
"Is he shy?" Sana asked pointed back at you.
Your father sighed.
"No, he's...he's blind." He explained as the two girls lost their breath.
"..."
"..."
They both looked back to see you just looking down and with a frown on your face.
"But...but he doesn't look...is he really?" Sana asked as they looked back at your father as he nodded.
"Since he was four."
Both girl's shoulders fell and Sana felt really bad at what she said now.
"And...it's actually his first time coming to a school, any school," they both were dumbstruck, "he's been homeschooled since the beginning due to..." He stopped as the three ladies can tell he was losing it.
"And we were hoping that you two can aid him." Ms. Vale took over, "as I said, you girls don't-"
"We'll do it." They both said at once, stopping the teacher from saying anything else.
They saw your dad smile and glee seemed to return to his eyes.
"Thank you both, thank you so much, you have no idea how much this means to me and his mom," they smiled, "we'll even pay you as much as you want if you can aid-"
"No no no, no pay. That's okay." Mina waved her arms as Sana nodded and your father nodded as well.
"God thank you, he's a really great kid. Honest. I know I'm his dad, but..." the three looked at him as his eyes were getting watery, "sorry, this is the first time that he's going to be alone and..." He took a deep breath as Ms. Vale stood up and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"I can't understand how hard it must be Mr. (LN), but everything will be okay." She explained as Mina looked to Sana as she was staring at you.
Mina also turned to you as you were reaching into your pack and getting out items.
Mina formed thoughts already of you as she observed you.
When you said the first day, you literally meant the first day of school...school. Not high school, not middle school...just school. That must be something to experience, and then being blind...god she can't imagine what that must have been like.
Not being able to see anything at all: no TV, no reading, no drawing, no driving...then she wondered...did you even know what you look like?
"Don't worry Mr. (LN), you chose a great school for your son. We'll accommodate and assist him in every way." Mina heard as she turned, along with Sana towards the two and even caught a tear from your father falling down to his chin.
"Thank you...and thank you both." He cleaned his eyes as Mina and Sana nodded, feeling for your dad. "Okay...uh...I guess I'll be off then, again thank you three. Let me just say goodbye to him." He said as the two parted ways for your dad towards you.
"Sad..." Ms. Vale spoke up as the two nodded. "I thank you both for doing this. I didn't want to put pressure on you, but-"
"Don't say that Ms. Vale, we're happy to help him out," Mina said as Sana nodded.
They saw her smile.
"What about the other classes?" Sana asked as the teacher thought.
"Well, they'll have to set up some of their kids to aid him as well, but I'm sure it'll work out." The girls nodded and looked to see your father kneeling and hugging you. "I can't imagine what he must be going through, both of them really." Ms. Vale said as Sana and Mina nodded.
"Don't worry, Ms. Vale, we'll help him." Sana said as their teacher nodded.
They then waited as they saw you nod several times, before your father left you. He looked towards the three ladies as he nodded and waved them off as they nodded as well and Sana and Mina went back to their seats.
You could hear various feet walking around and even heard the creaking sound of people sitting nearby.
You moved your head around the sounds as you just stared downwards as you didn't want to stare again thinking the girl was in front of you once more.
Mina saw this and felt bad. She turned to Sana who nodded at her as they both looked to you.
"(YN)?"
You blinked at your name being called but still looked down.
"Sorry, I can move if-"
"No, relax, don't worry," Mina spoke up as she smiled, "my name is Myoui Mina." Mina spoke up first as you nodded and looked up.
"Okay, you're Mina...my dad just mentioned your name. It's nice to meet you." You said staring forward right at Mina.
She couldn't see your eyes behind the thick, dark shaded sunglasses.
She didn't want to seem rude, but Mina leaned her body forward as she looked at you not moving a centimeter.
"...hello?" You asked while still looking forward.
Mina quickly returned to her original spot.
"I'm here, my bad." She said as you smiled, "got distracted for a bit,"
"Oh, okay,"
Mina looked at Sana as Sana figured to continue.
"And I'm Minatozaki Sana." You turned at the first voice you heard, but rather at her, you were looking a bit towards her left as she was a bit further away. "I'm very sorry for what I said. I didn't mean to be rude or make you feel bad." Sana spoke up as you waved it off.
"...So my dad told you about me?"
Both girls frowned.
"Yeah, we're really sorry (YN)," Mina said as you shrugged.
"It's okay, don't feel bad." You waved it off as the two continued to pout.
"But still...the thought of not seeing...I can't imagine." Mina spoke with sincerity as Sana agreed as you smiled.
"Thank you for your concerns, but it is what it is."
The two gave a soft smile as they nodded.
"Well, okay, but it's nice to me-"
DING~ DONG~ DING~ DONG~
You heard the bell ding.
"What's that?" You asked.
"Classes are going to start in about five minutes. Speaking of which, do you have your schedule?" Mina asked.
"Oh yeah yeah," you reached into your pants and pulled out a paper that was folded in four. You held it in the air as Mina reached out and grabbed it.
"Arigato." She said as Sana got up and looked over the schedule too. "Hmm..."
"Well looks like I only have two with you (YN), Mina has three and Momo has...one, but luckily it's the last period," Sana stated.
"Momo?" You asked.
"She's another friend of ours, she's...something, but she'll help you during that class."
"I don't want to bother her though," You spoke up causing the two to look at you, "or any of you for that matter."
Mina and Sana looked at one another.
"Don't say that (YN), you won't bother any of the three of us. We just want you to feel comfortable while you're here." Mina stated.
"Yeah, and I'm sure that you're a nice person to hang with as well, and if you're going to be friends with us then helping you is just another way of hanging out."
You blinked.
"Friends?"
You heard them giggle.
"Of course orokana~" You heard Sana say as you sat frozen.
Friends...that word echoed into your mind.
You couldn't believe it...your first friends.
You gave a stupid smile as Mina and Sana saw and smiled as well. They figured that being homeschooled meant that you didn't have a lot...maybe even no friends at all.
So to see your smile, it was a warm feeling.
And to Mina, she was very happy to give you that smile.
"...But i-is that okay? I am-"
"We don't care (YN). We really don't." Mina said as you chuckled. "So would you like to be our friend?" Mina asked as you nodded fast, too fast as they both chuckled.
"Yeah, yeah I would like to be friends with you two."
You smiled as they smiled as well.
"Great, we'll introduce you to Momo at lunch and if you can, we'll hang out after school and give you a small tour yeah?" Mina suggested as you nodded, "alright then. So for now, looks like I'm with you in the next class and fourth period, Sana has third and Momo has six...seems like a perfect schedule, so what we can do...."
As Mina was talking, you were just perplexed and stared forward.
Your first friends...already...
Being homeschooled you never had anyone to hang with.
Not even your neighbor's kids as they would try to 'hang' with you, but they would often leave you alone or out in the sidelines when playing some sport or birthday.
You figured as much as you left it be, much to your sadness, and overtime you hung with them less and less after you informed your parents about you not wanting to hang out.
Much to their want, they let you be alone in your room as you explained to them.
You did get some apologies from the kids, but you let it be and figured it wasn't going to work out...but now...now maybe it will.
But you weren't getting your hopes up just yet.
Maybe over time, they will leave you be as well when they all go out to the movies or something.
But they didn't seem...sorry, sound like they weren't kidding or joking...maybe they feel pity for you...
You took a deep breath.
Maybe you're thinking too much...
Just accept that the two want to be friends.
"And I think that's good...Sana?"
"Yeah, that'll work."
"Hmph, (YN)?"
"Yeah...uhm...thanks you two."
"Of course," "No problem."
Sana went back to her seat as the three of you started to talk for a bit.
You heard kids coming inside the room as multiple seats were being heard and much talking as well.
Mina told you to relax as she saw you looking around and you nodded.
Soon enough...
DING~ DONG~ DING~ DONG~
"Hello class, let's all quiet down now." The teacher called out, cutting all noise off. "My name is Ms. Vale for those who are new. I'm your homeroom teacher." Ms. Vale smiled softly. "First I'll call out attendance before anything, notify me that you're here when I call your name." She explained, taking a seat behind a computer and pulling up the register.
"Sakura Miyawaki?"
"Here."
"Minatozaki Sana?"
"Here~" Sana raised her hand.
"Arai Aiko."
"Hai~"
This continued as Mina turned around towards you.
Mina couldn't help, but wonder how you were doing.
She leaned back as she turned her head to see you just looking around.
Mina kept looking at you as you looked left and right and then forward multiple times.
Mina smiled...and turned to Sana as she smiled back while looking at you too.
This year was going to be interesting, to say the least.
--------------------------------------------------------------
TIMESKIP
"...And I hope that you all have a wonderful day...well it's a bit till the bell rings so you can just get ready. Alright class, thank you all for coming."
Mina and Sana turned to you as you just there, hands out on the desk as you looked towards the left and up.
"Well (YN)? That was your first class. How was it?" They saw your head-turning towards Mina.
You nodded.
"Pretty good...so we just wait?"
"It's like a couple of seconds, but Sana needs to go to her own class, but you and I have the same one so I'll lead you there."
You smiled.
"Arigato Mina." You said as Mina nodded.
"So...did you-"
DING~ DONG~ DING~ DONG~
SCREECH...THUMP...SCREECH
You heard multiple seats and chairs being moved as you stayed in place, but looked around.
"W-what's happening?"
"They're just moving...so...do you mind if I...uh...hold your hand?" She asked as you blinked several times. "To guide you?"
"Oh, unless you don't want to?" You asked back.
"No, I don't have an issue." You nodded and got your backpack from the floor and stood up slowly.
You put your pack on and you nodded at where you thought Mina was.
You reached out and felt a hand in yours...god...it felt...nice.
"Is this okay?" She asked as you nodded.
"This is good." You smiled as she did as well.
You slowly stood up, holding Mina's hand out as she pulled your hand and walked a few steps as you felt her hand start to turn and you followed her-
SCREECH...THUMP!!!
"Mhp!"
"(YN)!" "Ahh!"
You were on the ground as your knee collided with the floor and then your body with it.
"I'm so sorry!" "Are you okay!?"
You heard both Mina and Sana.
You felt a couple of arms pulling yours up as slowly kneeled up.
"Yeah, don't worry." You said as what you guessed kicked either the leg of a table or chair. "I'm okay, I'm fine." You quickly said as you followed the voice of hers and stopped and hoped to god you were in a good spot.
You were silent for a moment, hearing where people were whispering.
"Hehehe." "Stupid." "Guess we found our class clown."
Mina and Sana heard it all as they all glared at the surrounding kids.
"There's nothing to see- just move along kids."
Ms. Vale's voice was heard and very close as she cleared her throat as each student stopped and walked away towards the door. Mina and Sana looked as you were looking at the front, but not where the teacher was.
"(YN), I'm sorry. Are you hurt?" She asked you as the room was dead silent except for the small talk going out in the hall.
"It's fine, I'm good." You said as you looked forward.
You could tell already you were going to be treated differently from the others.
"(YN), I am so sorry. I should have properly-"
"Relax Mina, I'm not hurt. I'm okay."
Mina and Sana looked at you as you looked around.
"Okay...and (YN)? I'll talk with the kids tomorrow about you," Ms. Vale spoke up as you nodded, "and if you need anything, just raise your hand okay?" She asked as you nodded. "Okay." Ms. Vale turned her back to her desk as Mina and Sana stared at you.
"Are you really okay? How's your knee?" Sana asked.
"It's all good Sana thank you," you bent your knee several times as Sana gave a small smile, "and Mina, don't worry about it."
"...Okay, I'll be more careful next time (YN)." You heard Mina as you nodded. "Guess I have to have you closer to me...do you mind?"
You shook your head, but not knowing what she meant...until you felt something grasped your arm rather than your hand. You felt two hands and even an arm around it.
You blinked several times.
"M-Mina?"
"Yeah?" You heard on your right and it sounded very close to you.
"Y-you don't have to-"
"I'm not letting you fall (YN). Plus the halls are crazy so I want to make sure you're okay."
"..." You just nodded as Mina pulled you with you by her side.
Behind the two, Sana walked as she eyed the both of you walking down the hallway.
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TIMESKIP
"So it's lunch now?" you asked as Sana pulled your arm this time.
"Yeah...you got your lunch?"
"In my pack." You answered.
"Good. Now the three of us always sit in outside, the lunchroom gets stuffy and the breeze makes it all nicer...is that okay?" She asked you as you nodded. "Great, let's get down there then," Sana held you close as you both moved slowly towards wherever Sana lead you.
.
.
Chatter Cling Chatter Screech
"What's going on?" You asked as you looked around.
"We are in the lunchroom, we just need to pass it to get to outside." Sana explained as you nodded.
.
.
.
The noise died down as you heard just small chatter around you.
"Sana! (YN)!" You heard a person call you out, but it wasn't Mina and Sana was near you...was that the Momo girl?
"We're almost there (YN)." You heard as you nodded.
.
.
.
"Hey (YN)."
You recognized that tone.
"Hey Mina."
"Here the table and seat is right here...careful." You reached a hand out and felt the table as you slowly sat yourself.
"Right here?"
"Yeah" "Yup"
You nodded as you sat slowly and your butt felt the seat as you gently sat down.
Sana nodded and went next to Momo.
"(YN), this is Hirai Momo. Our close friend and third of the group." You heard Mina and looked around.
"Ohayo gozaimasu~" You heard a sing-along tone and looked in that direction.
She knew of your condition from beforehand Sana and she kindly wanted to help, even though it was only one class you and her had, but she wanted to help out too.
"So you're (YN) huh...we have our last period together." You heard as you nodded.
"Which is...math?" You asked as she hummed.
"Mm-hmp~"
You nodded.
"Great."
You then pulled your backpack out and you opened it. You reached inside slowly to feel around.
"Do you need help?" Mina asked.
"No thanks, I know what-got it."
You pulled out two hardened containers...and the three girls looked towards what looked like a bento box and a longer narrower box.
You then felt the two around as you opened the bento box for the three girls to see rice and chicken and the other with your utensils.
You then took a spoon from the narrow box and you held the other box with your other hand as you slowly aimed and held the box as you got a scoopful of food and ate it.
The three watched with curiosity...for someone that was blind, you seemed to be doing it like you weren't, you were even looking down like you had sight.
The three girls shrugged and Momo asked a questioned.
"So (YN), the two told me that you were homeschooled up till now." You nodded at the new girl's voice, "what was that like?" She asked as she put her sandwich down.
Sana and Mina also turned to hear your answer. Being homeschooled must have been fun, but they can see the negatives as well.
"Oh it was something, it was great and fun with my parents and being at home and just relaxing while doing work..."
"Really? If it was fun and relaxing, why join a public one?" Momo asked as you looked down.
"Being homeschooled is nice and all, but I wanted to attend an actual school because I wanted to know what it felt like to be normal." Each girl's smiles drop slightly. "Hanging out with students my age, laughs, and fun in the lunchroom, late night and last minute homework with friends, these dances that my parents spoke of...I don't know, it intrigued me and I wanted to at least try a year. I debated with my parents and we made a deal for only a year to do this...I know it's so stupid of me for wanting to do this considering my issue, but it's-"
"You're not stupid (YN)." Mina cut you off.
"No, not at all." Sana agreed. "I totally get you, it's a whole new experience for you. Even though mornings suck sometimes."
You, Mina and Momo laughed at Sana's joke.
"But she's right (YN). You're not stupid for wanting to do something like this. If anything, it means you're passionate and strong about it. Especially since you're-"
Mina stopped talking as you smiled.
"It's okay Mina, I don't get insulted or hurt by words like blind or sight. As I said, I had to get used to it."
Mina blinked a couple of times and looked to Sana and Momo who both nodded.
"Alright, but we won't try to use that word often." Mina summarized as you nodded.
"So...?" You heard the tone of Momo as you nodded.
"Yeah?"
"Uhh...what do you see exactly?"
Sana and Mina looked to you.
"Momo right?"
She nodded.
"..."
"..."
"...No?" You questioned.
"Yes, that's her name," Mina said as she looked to Momo with a point to your eyes.
"Wha-oh sorry, yes it's Momo."
Momo realized that she nodded and since you couldn't see...well...
"It's okay, and to answer your question, it's literally nothing." You waved a hand across.
The three were startled by this.
"Nothing?" Sana repeated, "so not even like blurs?"
You shook your head as the three were taken aback.
"Nothing. I don't see anything. I guess the best way to describe it is like having a thick blindfold over your eyes. It's just pitch black."
The three mouths dropped slightly.
"That's horrible," Mina said as you felt the hand over yours tightened, "that's..." Mina couldn't form a word.
"Yeah, I ain't gonna lie. It gets to me, but it's just what I have to get used."
The three looked at one another.
.
.
.
"So...how did...uhh..." Momo asked out of the blue.
"This happened?" You finished.
"I-if you don't mind?" Sana added.
You shook your head.
Your parents told you that this may happen and it was up to you.
"Not at all, but it's not a...happy tale."
The three girls looked at each other and nodded.
"It's okay (YN), we want to know." Mina said as you nodded.
"Okay, so this what happened..."
------------------------------------------------
FLASHBACK
13 years ago
SCREECH
You felt the van lurch as your dad took the corner hard as a four-year-old you were holding onto the booster seat in the back left seat.
"(Dad Name), for the love of god will you slow down!" demanded Mom holding onto the armrests of the seat.
"Honey, I'm trying, the snow around is making the road crazy and we're in the middle of the highway, it's not like I can park anywhere I want. We are about twenty minutes from a gas station anyway." Your dad slightly turned the wheel and the van swiveled in place. "This blizzard came out of nowhere."
"Well better we park it in the snow, than in a ditch..." Your mom spoke up as you heard everything.
"(Mother's Name), don't talk like that with (YN) in the back."
You saw your mom turning to you.
"Mommy..."
"It's okay (YN), we're almost out. We'll be okay." She said to you in a soft tone, unlike the one seconds ago, as you nodded.
"Yeah, don't worry you two, we'll be fine." Your father said as he tightened his hands on the wheel.
Upon further inspection, his knuckles were white as he tightened his hold.
You gripped yours harder at the armrests when you felt the tire swivel another turn.
"Just park (Dad Name)!" Mom complained.
This trip was supposed to be a relaxing going away snowing trip and the weather suggested it would be perfect...never listen to the weather.
A trip to a ski lodge resort had seemed a good idea at the time, but now-
"Crap!"
The van lurched and you hit your head on the side of the window as the van went a hard right.
"Oww!"
"(YN)!?" "Sweetie!?" You heard your parents call out.
"My head..." You told them rubbing at your left side.
"Honey, please, just stop and park now." Your mom urged as your dad was looking around.
"I'm trying! I can't even see a thing even with the lights on, just the yellow line I'm following...sorry (YN)." He said as you nodded.
"It's fine dad..."
"Just hold on tight sweetheart and just hold on tight." Your mom instructed out to you.
The snow was making the sight unrelenting and barely visible, you could only make out the white of the snow around and for your dad to drive in this now is a nightmare.
You were now getting very afraid.
"I think there's a spot there..." Your mom said as your dad nodded.
"Yeah...yeah, let me ju-OH FUC-" "AHH!"
You hear screaming then...
Darkness...
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"I t---k --'s -a---g u-"
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"He's a---e."
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"Blood --- all --- hurry!"
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BEEP
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BEEP
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BEEP
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BEEP
.
.
"Mmm..."
You grumbled and moved your body a bit.
You were sore everywhere as you moved slightly.
You tried looking around, but pitch black was all you met, but you heard noises still.
"W-w-where..."
"Mr. Sing, he's waking." You heard, but with no vision, you were unable to see who it was.
'Doctor?'
"I got it Alice, thank you. (YN) just remain still."
You heard a man's voice but you couldn't see them as you could only see darkness.
You tried to move, but couldn't still.
You could only hear her and something beeping like mad.
You started to breathe hard and was getting worried.
"Alice give him space," you heard, "(YN)? (YN)? You need to calm down. We need you to breathe slow (YN)."
You heard, but you couldn't see where the voice was coming from as you moved your head side to side.
"W-where-"
"You're in a hospital."
You slowed your movement and froze...hospital was for hurt people...so...
"H-hospital..."
"Yes, don't worry, you and your parents are fine." You heard as your breathing was slowing. "Karen, get his mom." Hospital...what happened? "We're getting your mother. Don't you worry (YN), you're under great care."
You felt his hand move yours, his fingers in yours.
You told your hand to hold back.
It seemed to take a year for it to do it.
"That's good, you can move. Just relax and breathe...very good (YN). Let's wait for your mother, you're doing much better."
You squeezed once more.
The effort was immaculate.
"That's good (YN). I'm sorry, but the bandages over your head has to stay on, that's why you can't see right now."
You nodded...now you know.
"Now then-"
"(YN)!!!"
You recognized the tone.
"Mom..."
"(YN)!!! (YN)!?" You heard someone frantically as you felt the doctor's hand removed, but replaced with someone else's, "(YN) can you hear me?!?!"
"Ms. (LN), not too hard," you heard, "your son is fine."
"Oh god (YN)...I-I was so worried...w-we thought-"
"Ms. (LN), you have to relax. He's going to be fine."
"Thank god...thank god..." Your mother begged as you heard her breathing slowly and hard. "Can he talk?" She asked.
"A few words, but he just woke up and under the medicine. You can speak, but only for a few minutes."
"Okay...thank you doc. (YN), (YN) can you hear me?" You heard as you nodded.
"Y-yes..."
"Ohh...oh god thank you," you heard a loud intake of breath and exhale.
"A-and dad..."
"Your father is fine...he's in another room, resting as well."
'Resting?'
"W-what happened..."
You asked as your hand was tightened.
"We were in a car crash."
Your eyes widened...or you felt them.
"Another car on the opposite lane. They lost control because it was so slippery and as your dad was trying to stop, our car turned to the side of you and him. I wasn't hurt bad, but you two...oh thank god you're both alright. Your father's airbag saved his life, but he has some broken bones, but he'll be okay."
You nodded at the information.
All you took was a car crash, alright and dad was okay.
"Thank god you're okay (YN), your father was worried sick about you. He can't come right now, but soon he'll be able to."
You nodded.
"Okay...mom?"
"Yes?"
"I-I'm tired..."
You felt a hand on your head.
"You rest (YN). You just rest and we'll handle everything else."
You nodded.
"Doc, I thank you for saving his life, both of them."
"It's our job, Ms. (LN)."
"And what about..." She paused for a moment as you heard nothing for some seconds.
"Ms. (LN)...that's a topic we need to discuss with your husband...privately." You heard.
"...I thought you said-"
"I'd said it was difficult to tell beforehand, but...may we talk with your husband?"
"...Okay...(YN) you just rest okay. I'll be back." You heard steps and some words as you laid on your back and head against the soft pillow.
You softened your breath and while you were in the hospital, it seemed that all will be well...
Or so you thought...
------------------------------------------------
TIMESKIP
ONE MONTH
Your time in the hospital was...something.
Your injuries were recovering and your dad was feeling better to.
You had to stay in the hospital, but your parents assured that they will stay with you as well.
And that's what they did for the month.
However...there was one injury that was problematic.
Your sight.
As it turns out, your eyes were the most damaged and severe of your injuries.
Your eyes were heavily cut by the glass from the windows.
According to the doctors, you got sliced through both eyes and the nose at an angle by one large shard.
They said that you were lucky as could be and that the shrapnel didn't penetrate you...heh, lucky they said.
So during that time, you had two surgeries, one when you got there and another three weeks down the line.
Both were unsuccessful.
A week passed since the second surgery and...well...
"How can you just give up!?"
"Honey, relax!" You felt your mother's comfort and father's fury as you were looking forward.
"..." You couldn't see anything as you heard the scuffle.
"You can't just call it quits!" Your father bellowed, "how can you just give up!?"
"Mr. (LN), I know it's tough-"
"Don't give me that crap! Don't you dare give me that shit! How can you just say that?!" Your father took a step forward as your mom held him back as you sat there.
"(Father Name) please!"
"Mr. (LN), I'm not calling quits, but your son's condition is a delicate one and whatever surgery we've done so far is doing nothing...the glass cut his eyes to a point where I can't think of any surgery to help. It might even do more harm than good at this poi-"
"NO!"
You jumped in place on your hospital bed.
"NO! YOU CAN'T SAY THAT!...DON'T YOU D-dare say you can't..."
"..."
"I-I'll give my eyes! T-that's possible right?! Even one!? One doc! Please! I just want my son to see...I just...I-argh..."
Your father fell to his knees as he sobbed with your mother coddling over him.
"(Father Name), I know it's terrible, but we have to be strong, for (YN)..." You heard your mom as you heard your dad's sounds of sorrow. "Is there anything at all doc...any slight operation...w-we'll pay anything. Even if it's a .1% chance...there has to be something right?"
Your mother was on her knees as she looked up at the doc.
The doctor was standing there, watching your destroyed parents, your mom begging and your dad was broken.
Many times he's seen this sight and he never gets used to it...he knew he wasn't going to sleep with this tonight.
He looked to the door to see several hospital staff there, he saw a nurse in tears as she too was being comforted.
He then looked to you...you were all but gone as you stared forward. He doubted you knew what was wrong with you.
What can he do, but tell the truth?
He hated playing the bad guy.
He closed his eyes and swallowed his emotions.
"...I'm sorry." he took a deep breath and continued, this time sounding less hopeful, "There's nothing we can do for him...I'm sorry..."
You heard your dad sobbing harder as even you stared forward.
That's the thing about four-year-old children; they don't know what's going on until someone tells them.
"Mommy, daddy, what's wrong?"
.
.
It hung in the air as your father stand up and lunged at you.
He cried into your hair as he wrapped you like a blanket.
"I'm sorry...I'm sorry...I'm sorry...I'm sorry..." You heard your dad over and over as he hugged you hard.
You could not see anything, but you could feel your heart aching and yours getting teary as well at his tone.
You wanted to ask him what's was wrong, but you felt the pressure of the hug going away.
"Honey, let me explain..." You heard your mother say.
You didn't hear anything but felt a hand on the top of your head.
You were confused and curious, but you weren't able to say anything.
Somehow his mind told him it was his fault, that your father cried because of you. But why, you asked yourself, you hadn't done anything wrong.
You didn't see, but your mother was standing in front of you, trying her best to not be destroyed as your father.
"(Y-(YN)...e-everything's black for you, right?" Your mother asked you and you nodded.
"For a while." You answered.
Her voice was shaking and the hand she was using to stroke your hair was shaking too.
"(YN)...I..." your mother searched for words, "y-you...blind means that..."
...It was impossible...how can she do it...how can she tell her own child that you can't see again.
"It will stay dark for you."
You heard another voice.
"Doc..." Your mother spoke as the doctor was on your side.
"You can't watch TV or movies no more...you can't see anything no more, (YN). That's what blind means...you can't see anything and you won't be able to. Because your eyes are hurt."
You blinked and cocked your head.
You couldn't see?
Was that the reason for the darkness?
...
...
You stood silent.
"(YN)...sweetie..."
.
.
DRIP
.
.
DRIP...DRIP
You suddenly understood that you couldn't see ever, that you won't be able to see something.
"C-can't you...fix it?"
That's it...
You then felt multiple arms and weight on you as you heard sobs.
"W-we're sorry sweetie...w-we're so sorry!"
Both of your parents were saying over and over.
You wouldn't be able to see anything, not your father nor your mother or the sun or the grass or...or anything...
You tried to scream, but only a sob left your mouth. Your parents entwined their arms around you, the three of you silently crying.
.
.
That was the day that your sight was never to return.
All you saw was darkness...
Complete darkness...
You were in the hospital for a month after you learned about your vision and almost two months after the crash.
Denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.
That's what you went through.
Denial.
Yeah, of course...
Bargaining.
With who...
Acceptance?
You had to...
Anger and depression.
Yeah, those two have become best friends to you at those days...
The final tally of broken bones, punctured organs, and some bruises and scars around your left arm that took a beating against the door and glass.
Oh...
And your eyes...
That doctor had dangled hope before your blind eyes for a while then his tone changed.
He started talking about schools for the blind, eye centers and such.
You had night terrors the whole time you were there and for weeks after you got home they would come back to visit.
You had almost no memories of the wreck, but that didn't stop your vision-deprived mind from giving you a nightly rerun of it.
You would wake up screaming as shards of mirror-like a million razors tore into your face, again and again.
You could hear a loud crash echoing up out the dark.
You would wake into blackness and cold sweat as your parents came in to help you.
Your mother and, shortly after, father stayed at your bedside through the whole thing.
They never left.
In the weeks as your strength came back you must have hurt them a dozen times waking like that.
They never once mentioned it.
In the dark, that's now your home.
You would do anything that you could to stop.
It honestly hurts to be alive.
To be alive and in the dark hurts so very bad.
You hated the world around you.
It was your enemy.
And you would have to accept it.
When you got the okay to go home, your parents went and turned the house up and down and got rid of everything sharp, hard-edged and breakable.
They cleared the rooms of useless items put there to decorate a less item room for your safety.
How they coped you don't know.
Soon you learned and held the white cane.
The tap, tap, tap that was your vision...
Everything that you enjoyed seeing reduced to a stick that makes a tap. You despised the thing.
You just wanted to toss the thing into the trash and stay home in your room forever.
You felt like your life was over, forever.
----------------------------------------------
FLASHBACK END
"And I lived with it since then. Homeschooled, being in my home, held by hand if we ever went out...that sort of things."
The three girls heard every word...and they only felt the negative of oppression and complete awfulness of what your life was like since that day.
None of them were crying, but they damn near were at that point. Knowing that if they do, they wouldn't be able to stop for a while.
"My god..." Sana muttered softly as she took deep breaths to control herself. She couldn't imagine not being able to do a lot of activities without her sight.
"..." Momo said nothing as she looked down, not hungry anymore. She didn't feel queasy, but she can imagine you being lost without a helping hand.
Mina could only stare at you...here you were with your eyes nonexistent and you were all smiles. Mina couldn't fathom the idea of not being able to see for a day, but for you since that young...
You were then startled and even jumped a bit as you felt something coil around your stomach and tightened.
"That's awful (YN)...I'm truly sorry for what happened..." Mina's voice and breath were right near your ear as you felt her arms around your torso.
"We are too (YN)." You heard Sana.
The sudden hug startled you, but you welcomed it with an open heart as you gave a faint smile.
It was...warming to you that these three seemed to be concerned for you.
It felt very nice.
Especially with Mina's comfort.
It's odd and you only just met this morning, but it truly did make you feel happy that they seemed to care about you.
"It's okay Mina. And don't worry you three, as sad as it may seem, it's just what it is." You stated as Sana and Momo stared at you and Mina as the girl maintained her head on your shoulder.
"But still (YN), no sight...I-I don't know how you can even smile...I don't think I could..." Mina muttered to you.
You sighed.
"Oh, it's tough, I won't lie. It's extremely tough. After that day, I was lost...not being able to see forever...I couldn't handle it." Mina slowly took her head back to see your left side of your face as you looked forward. She couldn't tell if you were crying behind the sunglasses. "I couldn't and didn't want to believe it...countless days and nights, I banged my head or rubbed my eyes for something to come out, but nothing..."
The three girls just listened as their emotions were rising.
"So...wait...do you even know what you look like (YN)? Appearance-wise?" Sana asked.
You shook your head as you heard a singular gasp.
"Oh my god...really?" Sana asked.
"Yeah, my parents described me, and I try to have images of what I look like. Last time I saw myself was before this and even then I barely remember." You pointed at your eyes.
"That's...(YN)..." Mina gingerly spoke as you nodded.
"It sucks, I know. And I had so many days of anger, pain, resentment, and frustration of how hard this is. It was a huge struggle."
The three nodded.
"We can only imagine (YN)." You heard Sana and nodded.
"But I had to accept it...this is my life now and over time I tell myself that. This is it, this is my present and future, this is what I have to cope with and this is just the way it has to be, no matter how awful it gets, it's just what it's gotta be. I lost my vision, but at least I can eat and hear and talk and walk and...that's enough you know. Plus at least my parents and I were okay from the crash so we're still good."
The three felt...a surge of empathy for you. Barely thirteen minutes of talking and they felt a lot closer to you.
They were in tune with you the other person and felt for you.
Sana and Mina wanted to help right away, but now...they and Momo felt committed to helping you in not just now, but for a long while too.
At least until graduation.
.
.
.
"May we see it?" Mina asked subconsciously as Sana and Momo looked to her.
"Uhh..." You gave off a sound as Mina licked her lips.
"Sorry (YN), I-I was intrigued by what they might look like." She asked as she hit herself mentally.
"Oh no, don't apologize, I don't have a problem showing, it's just...I don't know if you three will be disturbed by it." You reasoned as Mina looked to Sana and Momo...they nodded their heads.
"Well, we would like to see it as well (YN)," Sana said.
"Yeah, plus maybe it looks cool," Momo added.
You were amazed and dumbfounded, but you should have known that they would want to see it, I mean, anyone would want to see a wound right?
"Well...okay then, just be wary alright." You asked as they all affirmed. Your hand then goes up to your head and pulled off your sunglasses.
It felt forever to the three girls...and then they lost their breath, but not of disgust...
A thin and long scar was straight across your eyes at a narrow-angle.
Maybe 1/3 of an inch in width, but clearly across your face.
Then they saw your eyes...your wounded pupils and irises.
AN- For the life of me I can't find what I want, so imagine a slash through this eye.
"..."
"..."
"..."
"Yeah..." You figured as much.
"Y-your eyes...they-"
"It's ugly, I know." You finished, rather awkwardly, playing with glasses as you were about to place them back in-
"Are beautiful." Mina finished.
.
.
"Beautiful?" You said confused.
"S-she's right (YN)," Sana assisted in Mina.
"Uh-huh..." Momo could only say.
"Really?" You questioned.
"Yeah...I mean the slash is there, yeah, but it makes these two colors in your eyes, silver in the middle from the wound and I'm guessing your (Eye color) eye color on the sides...it's so unique." Mina said to you as you blinked several times.
"...you're serious?"
"Yeah." "They really are amazing (YN)." "Yup."
You felt your body warm-up.
"...So it's not bad?" You asked.
"No, we were just surprised at first, but honest (YN), they look amazing."
"Yeah." "I agree and not just the scar, but your eyes make you better looking I might say." Momo teased as the other two rolled their eyes, but they did agree with her, they just wouldn't admit it.
You smiled in embarrassment in response.
Besides your parents, no one else has complimented you...well there was no one else to do so.
"If I were you (YN), I would show it off." Momo suggested, but Sana elbowed her.
"Momo, maybe he's hiding it for a reason," Sana answered.
"Ohh right, sorry (YN)." She answered as you shook your head.
"No no, I don't care much for it really. I would like to not wear shades, but I do so for my dad." You left the glasses on the table as the three girls just stared at your eyes, they just couldn't seem to take their sight from them.
"Dad?" Momo asked as you nodded as you sighed.
"He blames himself for what happened since he was driving." You explained as each girl felt sad.
"But it wasn't his fault." Sana pointed out as you shrugged.
"I know, but he waited so long to stop in the storm and ignored my mom throughout the ride. He thought he can make it to a safe place if he held out, but...it didn't work out well." You started to play with your sunglasses on the table, feeling the frames of it.
"I tell him each day that it's alright and that I don't blame him at all, but he can't help it. I can't see but I know he's beating himself up each day. He's around me 24/7, doing everything and anything to help navigate me everywhere. Even to this day, he's finding out anything to help...mom tells me she catches him in the late nights on his laptop researching."
The girls gazed with their expressions just going lower and lower.
"That's sad..." Mina said as you nodded.
"While it's great that he's doing everything to help, I don't want to make him suffer...that's why I wear the glasses."
"To hide the wound?" Sana concluded as you nodded.
"You got it. Mom tells me that he stares at my eyes constantly so she had this idea of wearing sunglasses for him not to see it and came up with the reason that it'll help with my vision. I don't know if either he's so desperate or he knew that it was to hide them, but he agreed. It literally does nothing at all to me, but if it's to help him live with himself, I'll do anything." You finished with a smile.
.
.
All three smiled and even Sana let a teardown from hearing from you.
"That's...really considerate of you (YN)." Sana said as her voice was down more, but she had a smile as you nodded.
"I'm just not wanting for him to be worried as much."
"That's really sweet (YN)." Mina said as you smiled in embarrassment."Thank you (YN) for telling us all that."
"Yeah." "Arigato (YN)."
"You're welcome...sorry if it made you three down."
"Don't worry about it." "It's okay."
You nodded.
"So you going to leave the glasses off?"
"Yeah, if you three say it looks good."
"It does." "Hm-ph."
"Then I'll leave it off...so...how much longer do we have for lunch?"
"About fifteen minutes." Sana answered.
"Alright, then...do you mind telling me about yourselves?"
"So I-" "I was-" "I'm-"
The three started at the same time and stopped as the four of you laughed at the sudden start.
"Sana you go first." Mina said as Sana nodded.
"Okay, so I was born on..."
And with what remaining time they had for lunch, the four of you enjoyed it together as the girls talked about each other.
And Mina had her eyes on you the whole time as she saw you nodding and smiling.
But more importantly, she was staring at your eyes.
She just couldn't take hers off of them.
-----------------------------------------------------------
TIMESKIP
"Sweetie!" "(YN)!"
You heard your parent's voice as Mina guided you towards them in the parking lot.
The day ended and it went very well for the four of you.
Each girl helped you and besides your trip in the morning, things went okay. You each got to know one another a bit and suffice to say, the girls liked you.
"M-mom...can't breathe..."
Mina smiled at your interaction as your mom hugged you.
"How was it?" She asked after letting go.
"It was amazing day. But I wouldn't have done it without Mina here." You said as your parents looked towards her as she gave a small smile. "She's helped me so much."
Mina licked her lips and down in embarrassment."
"Honey, take (YN) in the car, please. (YN), your hand."
You held your hand out and your dad took it.
"Goodbye Mina and thank you for today. I'll see you tomorrow?" You said as Mina paused a bit at the see part.
"Y-yeah I'll see you tomorrow and I had fun too," Mina said as you smile and nodded and was held by your father as you both went towards the car.
Mina then looked towards your mother as she gave an appreciative smile.
"My husband told me that you were helping my son today. I just want to thank you so much for that." Mina nodded.
"Of course, it would be rude of me not to help him." She said as your mom nodded. "He's a nice kid."
"Thank you...listen you have no idea how much this means to us and I know it's super sudden and we would like to pay you and the Sana girl, honestly."
"It's quite alright Ms. (LN), it's not necessary, (YN) is wonderful to be with and it's me and two others helping as well."
Your mom smiled and nodded.
"Oh really...ahh thank you. He was really excited to be here, and knowing that he was three wonderful friends already is assuring." Mina nodded. "Well, I wanted to thank you personally along with the Sana girl for helping out."
"It's no problem Ms.(LN)."
"Please, it's (mother's name). I hope to see you soon Mina." She said as Mina nodded and your mother turned but saw your father walking towards them.
"Sorry, I just wanted to say my thanks as well." Your father said as Mina nodded. "I know it's quite much of thank you's and such, and if there's anything you need Mina, we'll help out as well."
Mina smiled.
"As I said, just hanging with your son is okay. He's a nice person to be around."
She saw your dad smile and took a sigh of relief.
"Well thank you Mina. You have a wonderful afternoon alright." Your mom said as Mina nodded.
"You three as well." They both nodded and turned towards the car and hopped in.
Mina saw you in the backseat, looking forward as your mouth was moving, probably telling them about today.
Mina smiled at you as your car drove off and she hummed to herself.
"(YN)...this is going to be one interesting year." Mina smiled as she went back into the school to join Sana and Momo.
==============================================================
TIMESKIP
ONE WEEK LATER
"And here we are (YN)."
You nodded as Mina lets go of your arm, signaling that you had reached your desks.
You had fallen into a sort of routine until you could get around the school by yourself which was highly unlikely due to the number of people roaming the halls.
Each and every time she could, Mina would lay her hands on your shoulders, hands, and arms and steer you away from desks and corners as well as through crowds.
You could hear her say "excuse us" and "sorry" each time as you just let her control you. You had 100% trust in her to not steer you wrong.
The school wasn't all that bad either as the teachers were very kind to you.
Plus having Mina as your guide made it majorly better.
Sana and Momo were a great help too, don't get yourself wrong, but Mina...Mina was different.
A great different.
Having three classes, lunch and before and after school time with Mina, you get to listen to her voice the whole day and feel the slight weight of her soft hands on your shoulders as she guided you through the halls.
And now you wondered what she looks like. You knew she has long hair because when she hugs you or has you close to her, you could feel the length against your arms.
Does she normally have wavy or straight hair?
Is it coarse or silky?
Does she have soft rounded eyes and full or thin lips?
What about her cheekbones?
Your mind struggled to put a picture to her voice but nothing seems to fit right.
Without sight, the only way you can create a type or sense of her image would be to describe herself.
But you got yourself wondering how Mina looked like.
Her personality gave you some idea about what she looked, but still, whenever he was trying to imagine his friend, the image painted in his head seemed to be...off.
The same goes for imagining other people, or even the school itself. You could guess the shapes and textures, or even use descriptions by the three girls, but when you were putting it together it just didn't seem real.
Because even the most vivid and detailed descriptions couldn't compare to actually seeing something or someone on your own eyes.
You couldn't even remember when was the last time when you were watching a movie or a TV show.
Granted, you had ears too, but a movie or show is a very visual mechanism and you couldn't rely on your parents describing everything in detail on what was going on.
It was true on what you said to the girls, you missed being able to see.
You were wishing that your sight would be returned to you, even for a short moment of time.
You were thinking about things you would give up for one day of not being blind.
Just one day.
One day to observe the world with eyes; not ears, nose or by hands, but with your own eyes again.
You would live that day to its fullest, for sure. You would try to cherish every color, shape and little detail. You would be looking at the beauty of the world which, for once, wouldn't be so dark.
However, you knew that this was impossible.
You will never see again.
But it was also true on that part and you were okay with it.
The world was cruel and tough, and you had to work with what you got. And frankly, your blindness wasn't as scary now as it was in the beginning.
And with your three new friends, it was getting a whole lot better.
Your parents were also very happy about your three new friends, and your dad seemed to be the happiest you've heard of him in a long long time.
While your dad has met the two girls for that short while on your first day, he was happy to know that you had another and they seem to be taking care fo you well. Your mother would also want to meet the three soon as you described to them what's been happening each day.
They'll admit, they didn't want you to go off into the outside world alone, but they've haven't seen you this happy as well and they were glad to see you like this.
And currently, Mina was helping you with your seating.
"Alright, let me put my stuff away in my locker and I'll be right back." She said as you nodded.
"Yeah."
"Okay, I'll be quick," and with that, Mina left you as you got your backpack and opened the zipper.
You didn't hear anyone around, except in the halls as you carefully and slowly reached in and grabbed out your two tools and some paper.
You then placed your pack below your seat as you inserted the paper into one of the tools.
It wasn't long till...
"I'm back (YN)." You heard as you looked towards the voice which was a bit towards your right and forward.
"Ohayo Mina." You greeted back with a smile.
THUMP
From the sound of the seat in front of you, it seemed that she sat right next to you. "What's that?" She asked and you moved your items.
You smiled. "It's called a slate. It's how I write."
Mina was now full-on interested.
"Braille right?" Mina said as you nodded and smiled.
"Yeah."
"And you're just now using this?" Mina asked.
"Yeah, I now need notes so..." Mina nodded.
"You know we can tell you what we know?" Mina asked as you shook your head.
"No, that's fine, besides, it's easier for me this way."
Mina wanted to help you out, but she didn't want to force something.
Even though you have been needing help walking around, besides that it seemed like you were doing okay for the most part and you did asked for help when needed.
So she'll wait till then.
"Okay (YN), but it's no issue at all you know." She reassured as you nodded.
"Yeah I understand, thank you."
"Yeah...hmm, I've always seen braille under labels or numbers, but I've never seen how it works...may I know how?" She asked as you tilted your head.
"Really?"
"Yeah, is that okay?" She asked and she saw you smile big...Mina didn't know why, but she liked it when you did.
"Yes, of course, I'll show you and the others...how long till class starts?"
"About twenty minutes." You nodded.
"That's perfect. Shall we wait for Sana?"
"She texted me, she's not arriving till the third period from a doctor's visit, so that means she'll be here with you halfway through third."
You frowned and grew concern.
"Oh, she okay?"
Mina smiled.
"She's fine, it's just a checkup." You nodded, "so do you mind if-"
"Not at all."
Mina then turned her chair more towards you and she rested her arm on your desk.
"How should I fix myself so you can see better?" You asked moving the slate and stylus.
"That's fine, I can see from...here." Mina finished slowly as she hit herself for saying such a statement. You said you were fine with it, but Mina still felt it as disrespectful.
"Hehe, it's okay Mina, don't worry about saying those kinds of phrasing, okay?" You said.
"Okay. So this is called a slate and stylus," you moved each item.
The slate was this metal rectangle object with four rows of with blocks going across.
"The stylus is just a pointed device that I use to punch holes into the paper. It's my pencil and the slate is how I take notes. You see the different squares in the slate?"
You circled your finger around the square holes in the slate.
"Yeah."
"This is where I punch the holes in the paper and every letter of the alphabet has a different dot formation, some with one dot and goes up to six." You explained. "It's like a code."
"Yeah," Mina said as she was paying attention.
You then opened the slate and took the paper out of it as Mina saw the bumps on it.
"To read, you run your fingers across the page, and you feel the paper. Here... I'll show you. May I have your hand?" You held your free palm towards where you thought Mina was sitting. Your cheeks felt a bit red when you felt the coolness and the strange softness of Mina's hand on top of yours.
She was so gentle.
Slowly, you brought Mina's hand over the first bump. "Put your fingers on the start here," you said, starting at the top of the page.
"Can you feel that this dot it by itself?"
"Yeah."
"That means the next letter is capitalized. Capitalization is by placing a dot in the bottom right corner by itself cell just before the letter that is capitalized."
"Yeah, I get you." Mina said.
"Then the next letter is T, the first letter of the word which is..."
"Capitalized."
"Yeah, and the letter next to it is O, which is lowercase. Then D, A, and Y in it spelling the word 'today'."
As you slowly slid Mina's fingers across the page, you explained the letters. Mina was quiet and you could feel how curious she was.
"interesting," Mina said as she felt each bump with her finger and you softly guiding her hand.
"And then further down is the sentence...here we go, this is the period, telling us the end of the sentence, and either a punctuation mark or capital to start the next sentence." You explained as Mina was baffled.
"Jesus (YN), that's...really confusing."
You smiled sadly. "Sorry, it's my first time explaining to anyone so I'm probably making a fool out of myself telling you how."
Mina frowned.
"Don't say that (YN), you are explaining really well. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to say confusing, I guess new would be the word to use." Mina's voice was much softer than it had been before. "And don't say you are one (YN), because you're far from a fool."
You smiled at her saying such kind words.
Her tone was very sweet and relaxing and it made you feel nice.
"Thank you, Mina. I'm sorry for calling myself that."
"It's okay (YN). So how do you write exactly?" She asked you as you smiled and moved towards the slate.
"Okay so this is how you start, let me change the paper," you opened the slate as Mina saw the paper already with holes poked through taken out and a new one inserted, "and you close the slate with the paper in between like so," you then closed the slate, "and now it's ready to be written on." You said as Mina nodded.
"Yeah."
You picked up the stylus,
"And it's very important that I poke the blocks starting from the top right to the left." Mina was confused.
"Really? Why not left to right?" She questioned as you smiled.
"Because I have to feel the bumps with my fingers. So If I were to write like normal from the top left, I'd flip the paper and the word would be..."
"Would be backwards...and on the opposite side of the paper." Mina finished as you nodded. "But wouldn't that mean that the bumps would be in reverse too when you poke the holes?" She asked.
"Exactly, so I have to poke the dots in reverse as well so that when I flip the paper, the dots will be in the right order."
"..." Mina blinked. "Are you serious?"
"Yup, since the bump is on the bottom, I would need to flip it for my finger to feel it."
"So not only do you have to know each formation, but you have to write in the complete opposite?" Mina questioned as you smiled and nodded.
"Yeah, good job Mina."
Mina smiled at your praise but frowned at the complications of how that works.
"(YN) that's...really challenging."
You nodded.
"I know, it took a while for me to get."
"I bet. With the reverse writing and knowing the dots for each letter...that's amazing (YN)." You smiled at her praise. "Can you show me how to write my name?" She asked as you nodded and was filled with excitement by how entranced she was by this.
"Yeah, of course!"
Your excitement had Mina smiling happily as she saw you picking up your stylus.
"So this is how it works, I grab the stylus," you waved the stylus in the air, "and you go towards the very top right corner," Mina saw your hand feeling the edge of the board and saw your finger over the top right corner. "Okay, so I start with a hole in the bottom corner of the first slot because..."
"To capitalize the first letter?" Mina answered.
"Correct," she saw you put one hole in the bottom of the square slot and move to the second slot, "and then I have to punch the holes of what the letters of your name so M...I...N...A."
Mina saw your stylus poking in the different slots with precision as Mina had her eyes widened at how fast you were making dots in each section.
She saw you looking downwards at the slate with a smile...she smiled as well.
It was just poking holes, but to Mina, it was fascinating to see how you write when you're blind.
"So each one is a different letter depending on how many dots and position?" Mina said as you nodded.
"Exactly, then you flip it over and..." you then took the paper out the pad and flipped it over and Mina saw the dots on the top left corner, like how she writes her notes and with the bumps pointing up. "It's in the right way of reading for me."
She saw your finger going across.
"Yup that's your name in braille. Want to feel it?"
Mina eyed you after saying that as you smiled...either you didn't pick up on the double meaning there or you were just innocent minded...Mina concluded it was the latter.
Mina then placed a finger over the first dots and felt the bumps as she dragged her finger across.
"Wow...it's amazing." She said as she looked to you and nodded. "Thank you for showing me this."
"You're welcome. It's not exactly exciting material, I know, but that's braille."
You then felt something pressed over your hand, something soft...it was Mina's hand.
"It's exciting to me (YN). It's you're way of writing and reading, it's a whole new lesson that I'm happy to learn."
You smiled and felt your morale go to a high.
"Maybe you can even teach me each letter?" She asked as you nodded.
"Anything, I owe you big time Mina."
Mina giggled.
"Hehe, (YN), you don't owe me anything."
"But I do Mina...being here is amazing you know...and you, Momo and Sana make it so."
Mina could only smile.
"Aww...well...you're welcome (YN)." You nodded. "But you owe nothing okay. I'm happy to help you." You nodded.
"Alright, and if there's anything I can do Mina, I'll help you in something too okay?"
Mina smiled at your determination.
"I'll keep that in mind," you nodded, "so how do you write like sentences?"
"So sentences write the same except-"
"Hey Mina." a pretty deep male voice calls out and you hear Mina groan in annoyance.
"Great..." She muttered.
"What's up?" You asked.
"That's Reo..." Mina whispered to you and you can hear the dislike in her tone. A new tone from her.
"I'm guessing not a friend?" You whispered back as your eyebrows furrow in confusion.
"Wish he didn't know me." Was the only reply before you hear the chuckle almost on your right.
"How was your night Minari?" The voice from earlier said.
"Don't call me that." Mina replies coldly.
If you had not spent the last week getting to know Mina, you would not have guessed that the tone used was by her.
Even when she's annoyed her voice is still elegant, if not a bit scary.
You didn't need sight to know that she looked annoyed at this guy.
"Don't be like that Mina, I just want to know how your night was?"
"The only thing I want is for you to leave us alone." Mina responded.
"Heh, us huh...so this the new blind kid?" You heard as you turned towards the right and upwards as the voice was above you.
"Yeah, I'm (YN)." You spoke up.
"(YN)...hmhmhm, hey Satoshi do you think he's really blind?" You heard Reo ask a 'Satoshi' person.
"Let's check," another voice said coming from where Reo was, "hey buddy, how many fingers am I holding up?"
'Now I understand Mina...'
"That's low Reo." You heard Mina say.
"It's a simple question Minari." Reo responded. "Oh I know, what about..."
Just then, you felt a cold breeze brush your face as you sighed slightly as you notice that they are waving their hand in front of you.
"Okay that's enou-" Mina said, but before she finished, you made a grab and was able to grasp the unknown person's wrist and entice a gasp of shock from the owner.
"Yes I'm blind but I'm not deaf or stupid." You replied sarcastically as you release the person's wrist.
You heard Mina giggle slightly and your lips twitched into a small lopsided smile.
Her laugh sounded light and airy.
It came out sounding really sarcastic and you could hear them tsk at you.
"Heh told you Satoshi. Maybe he's faking it for an easy life here. Are you really falling for this act Mina, maybe it's to get close to you and the other-"
"Enough. You don't say another word to him anymore. Got it?" You heard Mina's demand.
"Damn, I guess you do need her to do everything for you." You heard as you frowned.
"Take that back Reo!"
"Hey just saying the facts...and damn Mina, you're cute already, but with that face...sexy as fu-"
"Don't talk to her like that!" You spoke up while standing up and staring at the direction of the guy.
You didn't know his height and he could be a whole lot taller, but you weren't going to let someone talk to Mina like that.
"(YN)-"
"Hehe, and what are you going to do about it? You're not even looking at me." You heard as you glared behind your sunglasses, "I don't understand Mina, why are you wasting your time with this loser when you could hang with me-"
SLAM
You jumped in place as a loud noise was heard.
"Get. Out." Mina spoke with ferocity.
.
.
"tsk...fine...see you around Mina." You heard his voice as you stood there still.
You heard Mina sigh and heard footsteps on your right and assumed that they were leaving.
"...They gone?" You asked after a couple of seconds.
"Yeah...you okay?" You heard Mina as you nodded and sat back down slowly with your hand on the table and other on the seat.
After you answered, you felt her hand on your hand again.
Letting you know that she was there to comfort you.
"Sorry (YN)," you felt Mina's hand squeeze yours as you nodded.
"It's okay. Don't worry." You responded. "Guess he's the school bully?" You asked as Mina sighed.
"He's more of a delinquent than a bully. Thinks he owns the school with his friends, the only thing he owns is a lot of hot air and terrible manners."
You gave a chuckle as Mina gave a slight frown.
"I can't believe what he did, that's a new low for him." You heard her mutter.
"And you know him?" You asked.
"Not much, he's some idiot that started talking to us three in our first year. He started to talk with me mostly." You heard. "We tend to ignore him...guess he can't take a hint."
"...Does he always talk to you like that?" You asked.
"Again, sadly." She said. "But he always leaves whenever I get to the tipping point. Probably so that he doesn't want to make me totally mad."
"Why don't you tell the teachers?" You asked as Mina sighed.
"It's just words (YN). Besides that, he does nothing else...until now that is." She said as you smiled.
"Mina I said it was okay."
"...I guess...but still..."
"Hey if he does something that I'm uncomfortable with then I'll let you know okay."
"I won't let him do that in the first place," Mina affirmed as you nodded.
"Thank you." You said as she patted your hand.
"Hey...uhm...I know this sudden, but I was wondering...do you want to come with Momo, Sana and I to the mall today?"
"..."
"...(YN)?"
"R-really?"
"Yeah, or is there something going on?"
Your first going out...
"..."
Mina frowned as she saw your lips quiver and you took a deep breath.
"(YN)? You okay?"
She sounded concerned.
"Yeah, better than okay...thank you Mina." You said suddenly and Mina didn't know what she did.
"For what? Reo?"
"Everything. I know it's only been a week, it's not a long time, and no disrespect to my parents, but being housed up wasn't always great. Most times I wished I could go out and I don't know, something free I guess would be the correct use. Hanging out, chatting, talking about random subjects with friends...it's something that I waited for since...this happened." You pointed at your eyes as Mina pursed her lips, "And when they said I can come here...I was ecstatic, but I knew I'd be needing help and I figured they would have like an aide to help. So I'm happy that you're not just helping me, and that's it. I'm happy that you want me to hang and eat and talk," Mina smiled, "and I know you're tired of thanks from my parents and I each day, and tired of listening to my wound, but...thank you Mina. You and Sana and Momo for letting me be your friend."
Mina felt her heart get touched at how sincere you sounded as each felt her eyes get watery and stood up as she brought her hand to your arm.
"Come here."
"Here?"
"Just stand up please."
You did as you were told and stood up.
"What's-"
Rather than words, you felt something press against you and something surrounding your back and arms.
"You're welcome (YN), you're very much welcome." You heard in your left ear as Mina's tone was ever so soft. "And we're glad to have you as a friend as well."
She wrapped her arms around your body as she tightened her hold every second as if she was so afraid of letting go.
You heard her take deep breaths as you embraced her too, foregoing not saying anything else, as Mina was wrapping you up in her arms you smiled ahead.
Mina then leaned back to gaze at your sunglasses.
'I promise you (YN), you'll definitely have that freedom you want.'
Though while looking at your sunglasses, Mina remembered what your eyes looked like, and honestly, if she was able to see them, she thought she can look at them for a long while.
===========================================================
And that's that.
This will be a multiparter, I think it'll be three-ish, but there will be more to come from this one.
Again happy birthday Mina! I know things aren't quite well in the world right now, but I do sincerely hope you have a wonderful day!
Thanks for taking a pause in your life to reading this! Vote/Comment! Thanks again!