Psychotherapy Sessions
Characters: Shu Jinkō, Ai Suishi, Meliaya Mihama, Alyona, Madoka, Itsuki, Momofuku
Ai is invited into the student council’s room. She raises her hand to knock on the door but her hands seem to be too heavy to lift up. Ai places her hands on the door, Shu is inside there, Meliaya told her that Shu is inside the student council’s room.
The door opens and Ai had to look down on Meliaya’s small stature, The little girl gives her a smile, “Ah, Shu-kun, Ai-chan is here!”
“Ah come in, Ai-chan.” Shu says as he leans on a cabinet and Meliaya leads Ai inside the room.
Meliaya clears her throat but smiles, “We noticed that you may need some help on some other matters. We found you unconscious inside the girl’s restroom. We are here to help you.”
“Now is there anything you want to tell us, Ai-chan?” Shu gently places his hands on Ai’s shoulders.
Ai visibly flusters, the red spreading throughout her cheeks as her breath seems to have stopped, “I-I- sorry, well,” Ai stammers can she even tell Shu? What if it just makes Shu bothered and annoyed? That can’t be right. Ai would never lie to Shu.
Tears start to fall on Ai’s thighs, “I-I am...sorry...There were...”
Before Ai could even finish a group of students came inside the room lead by Madoka, “Come in, come in!”
Everyone seems to have forgotten Ai as the rest of the student council members come inside the room too.
The sound of chatter inside the Student council’s room is evident as everyone is sitted in a row with Alyona, Madoka, Meliaya in the front.
“Welcome everyone!” Alyona starts, “Welcome to the “Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy Session!”
“Madoka-san,” Alyona smiles, “Would you kindly hand out the candies now?”
“Roger that!” Madoka then goes to Ai and hands her colored candies, then she goes to the pouting Itsuki, then she gives some to Momofuku. Madoka then gives out candies to the other students present inside the room.
“Now,” Alyona begins, “The first lesson in MBCT is mindfulness eating. We tend to eat without thinking too much about what we eat and we are stuck in a ‘doing mode’ where we don’t think too much. This exercise starts with you observing the color of the candy.”
“Mine is red,” Itsuki says.
“I m-mine is, sorry, mine is-is red too.” Ai says almost inaudibly.
“Mine is yellow,” says Momofuku, almost rolling her eyes as the other students declare the color of their candy.
“Good, good,” Alyona says, “Now we want you to feel the candy, how does it feel in your hand?”
“K-kinda si-sticky,” Ai says.
“Yes indeed,” Madoka smiles, “A very good observation Ai-chan,”
The rest of the students declare their observations until it is time for Alyona to speak again.
“Now I want you all to put the candy in your mouth. Observe the flavor, how it feels in your tongue,” Alyona says as she puts the candy inside her mouth, “Don’t chew it yet, just observe its taste.
“This is pointless,” Momofuku says.
“You said it boss, this seems pointless,” Itsuki adds.
“It may not be much but trust us, it can help,” Meliaya reassures. “How does the candy feel in your mouth? Can you feel its flavor in your tongue?”
“I can,” Itsuki says, “What should I do with it? Just taste it?”
“Yes!” Alyona pipes up, “You get it, there is nothing special about it other than to observe its taste.”
“Observe its taste in this moment,” Madoka adds.
“I can taste, it is mint t-tasting.” Ai says almost inaudibly.
“Very good, Ai-chan,” Meliaya says to Ai, “Now it is time to chew it but note its texture in your teeth,”
The students take their time in eating the candy. They finished eating the candy and Alyona concludes the little activity, “Mindfulness eating, It is important for your awareness. That concludes our little activity, you may now return to your rooms,”
Before the group ever goes out, Madoka talks to three students, “Itsuki-kun, Ai-san, Momofuku-san could you both remain behind please? We have special lessons just for you two,”
Itsuki sits bored in his chair as he sees Meliaya stand on a chair and she speaks, “Now it is time for all of you to chant a mantra which might help you in your time of great need.”
“Repeat after me- Anger does not dictate my life.” Mihama starts.
The crowd repeats after Mihama.
“Anger does not dictate my life,” Itsuki does the same though his patience seems to be diminishing.
“Anger does not dictate my life,” Meliaya starts again.
“You just said that you stu- Itsuki clears his throat I mean,” Itsuki stands up and stares at the window.
“Itsuki-kun, is everything okay?” Meliaya prods but Itsuki just storms out of the room. Alyona just massages her temples.
“I’ll go get him,” said Meliaya.
Meliaya goes upstairs, towards the very rooftop.
Surprisingly, it has no other visitor other than a lonely Itsuki looking over the city through the grating. The sun shines its orange hue, ready to sleep for the day.
“Penny for a thought,” Meliaya tugs on Itsuki’s shirt. Itsuki just clenches his fists and crosses his arms, then he looks away.
Meliaya clears her throat, “I know it is hard yes? You just wish to take it all out on the world and make the world pay.”
Itsuki sighs, “I thought the saying goes like ‘A penny for your thoughts’.”
Meliaya giggles, “Same old, same old. Eh I was close enough.”
“It’s all my fault. I wanna hurt someone,” Itsuki shakes his head, “Can’t you just leave me alone for awhile?”
Meliaya tries to touch Itsuki’s shoulder, but she is so short that the only thing she can reach is Itsuki’s hands.
“I may not know what it’s like to be in your shoes, young and inexperienced as I am. You’re in hell now, Itsuki-kun, and the only way out is through a long dark tunnel, and you’re afraid cause there’s a train coming at you, carrying a box cart full of heartbreak.”
Meliaya nods, “Well let me tell you something, all you can do is let it hit you, then after that you find your legs and stand up again. You gotta get back and escape that tunnel and show the world that they shouldn't mess with you.”
"It is easier said than done, you never even experienced hardship before, and I'm sure..." Itsuki looks at Meliaya's sincere eyes and he sighs, he pats Meliaya on the head as he laughs ruefully, “Your words of wisdom are appreciated, friend, though I may not always heed it, know that I appreciate you.”
“I believe that most people just need a good shoulder to lean on sometimes! Alyona-chan tells me not to believe in everyone, but I have to try my best.”
Meliaya gives Itsuki a can of orange juice as they both sit down, enjoy their orange juices, and marvel at the evening sundown.